Hot Topics:

	CARLA HOWELL, (L) Education: Wants to end all federal funding, involvement, regulations and mandates imposed on our local schools, and get the federal government entirely out of education. Healthcare: Wants to end all federal government involvement in health care and remove government bureaucracies that are driving up the cost of health care Gun Control: Believes that gun prohibition doesn't work. Abortion: Howell wants to get the government's hands off abortion. Resources: Howell's Biography \| Official Web Site
	BARBARA JOHNSON, (I) Healthcare: Wants to reform Medicaid to help working-class seniors. Gun Control: Opposes gun control measures. Abortion: Pro-choice in most instances, except when a mother is underage or when one of the parents wants to keep the child. Resources: Johnson's Biography \| Official Web Site \| In Her Own Words
	SHANNON O'BRIEN, (D) Education: Supports increased funding for transportation of students to day care and regional schools, and funding to improve vocational education. Healthcare: Hopes ti make it easier for seniors to afford prescription drugs. Will work to ensure that hospitals and nursing homes remain open so that everyone has access to quality medical care. Gun Control: Supports gun control laws that are designed to ensure the public's safety, including such measures as gun licensing and registration requirements, background checks on purchasers, and mandating locked storage of guns or installation of trigger locks. Abortion: Voted to protect the accessibility of abortion services for all women. Resources: O'Brien's Biography \| Official Web Site Running Mate: Christopher F.O. Gabrieli Residence: Boston Education: A.B., Harvard College, 1981 Experience: Chairman, Massachusetts 2020, Inc., a nonprofit organization advocating for after-school programs; General Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners (1986 - 2000); Vice Chairman, GMIS (1983 - 1992); President, GMIS (1983 - 1985) Resources: Gabrieli's Biography
	MITT ROMNEY, (R) Education: Romney supports the continued expansion of charter schools. He also believes excellent teachers should be rewarded and that training should be made available to teachers that consistently fall below basic standards. Death Penalty: In the most grievous cases, Romney supports the death penalty. Gun Control: Romney supports the strict enforcement of gun laws. He is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban, and believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms. Abortion: Opposes abortion personally, but would protect the current pro-choice status quo in Massachusetts. Resources: Romney's Biography \| Official Web Site Running Mate: Kerry Healey Residence: Beverley, Mass. Education: A.B., Harvard College, 1982. Ph.D., Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland 1991 Experience: Chairman, Massachusetts Republican Party (November 2001-April 2002); Adjunct faculty member at Endicott College in Beverly (Spring 2001); Public Policy Expert, Abt Associates, Cambridge, MA (1990-1998 and 1986-1987) Resources: Healey's Biography
	JILL STEIN, (G) Healthcare: The Stein-Lorenzen campaign is calling for a new commitment to health in Massachusetts. This commitment will be based on a truly comprehensive vision of what health is really all about. Our vision goes far beyond the "health care system" and includes the vital support for healthy families, healthy communities, and a healthy environment. Economy: Wants to provide a prosperity economy that works for people by providing living wages and secure jobs. Pressing for a sustainable economy --not one that destroys the natural and human resources upon which our prosperity depends. Education: Wants to end MCAS as a graduation requirement and provide a quality education system that provides the foundation for democracy and economic prosperity. Abortion: The Stein-Lorenzen administration will ensure that women have ready access to emergency contraception which generally involves a dose of several birth control pills that are taken within a few days of unprotected sex. Resources: Stein's Biography \| Official Web Site