To the editor:

District 11 needs a voice that will represent the people as a leader, not a Senator who will be another vote for leadership. If you are not happy with the way our state is being run, if you are not happy with paying higher taxes to subsidize Providence’s sanctuary-city policies, and if you are not happy with taxes and fees continuously leaving your pockets, then your vote is needed on Jan. 5.

Whether it is a plan to toll our roads, a plan to change our local zoning ordinances for affordable housing, or a decrease in state aid to education, Portsmouth residents are continually being asked to pay more. My opponent sought and earned the endorsement of Progressive Democrats of Rhode Island. These are folks whose website cites one of their major issues as being the repeal of the state pension reform laws. They also wish to raise the income tax rates on the higher income brackets and they support repealing the Voter ID law. I do not believe these positions are supported by the voters of District 11. I do not support these positions.

My beliefs are rooted in fiscal conservatism and in being a social moderate. While I have compassion for the refugees, I have more compassion for our homeless veterans. While I would like to give new businesses a tax incentive to locate in Portsmouth, I do not like subsidizing Providence’s failing tax base due to their generous incentive programs. While we’d like to trust our leaders to design fair testing of our children (PARCC), their credibility is lacking as the state has been unsuccessfully running the Central Falls school district for 24 years.

Our next state senator needs to be the guardian of your wallets. Our next senator needs to understand state issues and not reach for the low-hanging fruit. I am ready to be your next state senator. I respectfully ask for your vote on Jan. 5.

John A. Pagliarini, Jr.

Tiverton