SEEKONK - State representative candidate Steven Howitt said Wednesday he supports expanded gambling with casinos and slot machines as a way to boost the economy...

...more Republican foes differ on gambling (The Sun Chronicle)

HOWITT DOUBLES COMMITMENT TO VOTE “NO” ON ANY NEW OR INCREASED TAXES, July 2010

“Once just wasn’t enough. The people of the 4th Bristol District need to have an advocate on the Hill who staunchly opposes new or increased taxes. I hear the message, loud and clear, every day. People are tired of the increases, of the yes votes to new and increased taxes, and to constantly having to dip into savings to make ends meet. The economic conditions are hard enough on everyone. If my efforts to halt tax increases and halt any new taxes can help, I can think of no better use of my time than to work toward that end.”

“I am happy to have the opportunity to sign the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) pledge. This ATR pledge further solidifies my position to vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes when I am elected State Representative.” Howitt had previously renewed his commitment for tax reduction by signing a “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” with Citizens for Limited Taxation 2 1/2 PAC.

“I signed my first CLT pledge on January 1, and on July 4, Independence Day, I signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge. New beginnings and freedom are the hallmarks necessary for a “New Voice” for Beacon Hill. I will take the message of the people with me, and I’m committed to working in earnest to keep money in the pockets of the people of the 4th Bristol District.”

“I will continue to push for tax rollbacks as part of my course of action to create jobs, reduce wasteful spending, restore local aid and restore trust in our government. I am proud  and honored to have the opportunity to make this public commitment for the hard working families of the 4th Bristol District.”

HOWITT WILL VOTE “NO” ON ANY NEW OR INCREASED TAXES, June 2010

Steven Howitt, as part of his platform to roll back taxes, has documented his commitment to the people of the 4th Bristol District. He has renewed his commitment to for tax reduction by once again signing the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” with Citizens for Limited Taxation 2 1/2 PAC.

 “On January 1, 2010, my first action of the year was to sign this critical pledge with Citizens for Limited Taxation 2 1/2 PAC. I proudly signed the pledge years ago and received CLT’s wholehearted endorsement. I am proud to sign it again this year, reconfirming my commitment to the 4th Bristol District.” Howitt has been on Beacon Hill to lobby for support for the 4th Bristol District and will continue to push for tax rollbacks as part of his platform to create jobs, cut taxes, reduce wasteful spending, restore local aid and restore trust in our government.   

Howitt continued, “As a legislative candidate, I know that I will be running against an incumbent who has continued to spend your hard earned money with his ‘yes’ votes to increasing our taxes, and his ‘yes’ votes for the creation of new taxes. As your State Representative, I will vote ‘no’ to any new or increased taxes and have made this public commitment to that end.” 

“I am proud to align myself with Citizens for Limited Taxation 2 1/2 PAC, which is the “Voice of the Massachusetts Taxpayers”, and look forward to working with this important group for the benefit of the working families in the 4th Bristol District.

State Representative candidate Howitt on Beacon Hill to lobby for support, May/June 2010

Steven Howitt is already hard at work lobbying for support for the 4th Bristol District. Most recently he met with Massachusetts House Minority Leader and Representative Bradley Jones with regard to the Representative’s amendment to the FY11 budget. The amendment would restore $200 million which is slated to be cut from Chapter 70 and Unrestricted Local Aid. Representative Jones proposes raising the Chapter 70 appropriation to $4.05 billion and the Unrestricted Local Aid appropriation to $936 million. The current appropriations are $3.85 billion and $899 million respectively...

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2009

Steven Howitt officially campaigns against D'Amico BY JOSEPH S. SIEGEL FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE

SEEKONK - The race to unseat State Rep. Steve D'Amico has another candidate.
Republican Steven Howitt officially launched his campaign against D'Amico, D-Seekonk, on Saturday.

Howitt, a former town selectman, was surrounded by friends and supporters at an industrial warehouse. He vowed to restore jobs to a district which has been especially hard-hit by a faltering economy. Howitt pledged to support "pro-growth strategies in our communities," and would encourage new industries to relocate to Southeastern Massachusetts.

Howitt also backs casino gambling in the state, something D'Amico opposes.Taxes are another priority for Howitt, who will sign a pledge with Citizens for Limited Taxation never to raise them. Howitt promised to support the repeal of the 25 percent increase in the state's sales tax, in addition to repealing the higher taxes for cigarettes and alcohol.

Howitt took sharp aim at D'Amico for bringing "wasteful spending" and "job destruction" to the citizens of the district. "It's time to end the fiscal hardship that has been brought to Norton, Rehoboth, Swansea, and Seekonk," Howitt said. Howitt believes voters are ready for change. "They want jobs and to see the economy get better," said Howitt, who believes D'Amico's support for tax increases has cost the region jobs.

Howitt's campaign got a boost from former state Rep. Philip Travis, a Rehoboth Democrat who has crossed party lines to endorse Howitt for state representative. Howitt is running in the Republican primary against David Saad, a former two-term member of the town's planning board. Saad announced his candidacy last month. The winner will square off against D'Amico, who won the seat when Travis retired three years ago.

Howitt said he was "humbled by (Travis') vote of confidence in me." Howitt held his announcement speech at M and M Precision Machinery for a reason, he said. M and M is a new business with a handful of employees. Howitt built the building himself. "This is what it's all about," Howitt said of his campaign. "Creating jobs."