Sounds like a good deal, this new community compact, but like a grocery store, if they can give me so called great deals if i have their store card, why can't I just get the great deal without the card? So why do we have to sign this compact to get state grants? Why do we to sign this compact to get a quick response from state initiatives? Why do we have to sign this compact to get technical assistance/ Is that not what the residents of the Commonwealth pay taxes and fees for? Sounds like another political gimmick to suck cities and towns into more red tape. Sounds like if you do not have their card, you do not get equal protection, you do not get equal representation, you go to the end of the line and get put on hold. More politics of the same, make em play more games and jump through more hoops so we can give them something for their tax dollars. It would be nice in the elected state legislatures would just do right by the residents but that is probably not going to happen anytime soon. So here is what the state will tell you if you sign the communit compact:

Commonwealth Commitments

As a sign of its commitment to an improved partnership with cities and towns, the Baker-Polito Administration:

• Intends to be a reliable partner on local aid.
• Pledges to work with our partners in the Legislature toward earlier local aid formula funding levels.
• Will work to make available technical assistance opportunities for cities and towns as they work toward best practices.
• Will not propose any new unfunded state mandates, and we will look at existing mandates with a goal toward making it easier to manage municipal governments.
• Will give special attention, in its review of state regulations, to those that affect the ability of municipalities to govern themselves.
• Pledges to work closely with municipal leaders to expand opportunities to add municipal voices to those state boards and commissions that impact local governments.
• Will introduce incentives for municipalities that sign Compacts in existing and proposed state grant opportunities, including proposals for technical assistance grants available only to compact communities.
• Will identify ways to expedite state reviews that can often slow down economic development opportunities or hinder other municipal interests.

Jeff Bennett