House Transportation Bill: How Did Newton Lawmakers Vote?

The House's transportation finance plan would mean new taxes — but not nearly as many new taxes as Gov. Patrick's $1.9 billion plan.

  $500 million in new taxes. That's what the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved in a late-night vote Monday for its plan to make sorely needed improvements in Massachusetts roads, bridges and public transportation. As reported by the Associated Press, the House approved the bill 97-55 after more than 10 hours of debate. It includes a gas tax hike of 3 cents per gallon and increased tobacco taxes.  But that House bill is scaled back significantly from Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to bring in $2 billion in new revenue to help fund transportation and education. Among other measures, Patrick's plan calls for a hike in the state income tax.  So, how did the Newton legislators vote on the House bill? Both 11th Middlesex Rep. Kay Khan …

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Robert L. Cerra

5:16 am on Saturday, April 13, 2013

How did Newton Lawmakers vote ? None really believes that a liberal Democrat from Newton is going to vote against a tax hike. Representative Khan is priceless when she says "sometimes measures have to be dealt with "slowly and incrementally." Newton lawmakers should just leave a standing vote of YES to any bills that call for a new tax. Fiscal responsibility is heresy   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Kay Khan: Vote 'Yes' Three Times on March 12

A letter to the editor from Newton State Rep. Kay Khan supporting the March 12 override questions.

  I’m writing to ask you for your support, and most importantly your THREE YES VOTES, in order for Newton to pass Mayor Setti Warren’s override package on March 12. Local government in Newton has come a long way in the past few years getting its finances in order. I have been working hard – and quite successfully, I might add — along with the other members of Newton’s legislative delegation to ensure that our city continues to receive its fair share of local aid. Still, because Newton is such a great place to live and raise children, many young families have moved here over the past decade, adding almost a thousand students to our school system, and hundreds more are expected in the coming years. More teachers and space are vitally …

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Moving Newton Forward

2:11 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013

It's a shame more Newton voters didn't vote for Greer. She brings an independent perspective to government. Greer worked as an engineer and real estate professional while Kay Khan's background was primarily in the academic and health services areas http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2012/10/21/swiston-challenges-kahn-time-for-house-seat/hTdaXhgYVPZA3mE8vnLTmN/story.html   more ›

Newton Legislators: Patrick's Budget Proposal is the Start of an Important Conversation

Newton's Rep. Kay Khan, Rep. Ruth Balser and Sen. Cindy Creem react to Governor Patrick's $34.8 billion fiscal 2014 budget proposal, which includes significant changes to taxes.

With a deteriorating transportation system and a need for more investment in education, Newton legislators said last week Governor Deval Patrick's fiscal 2014 budget and new tax proposals are the beginning of a long, but necessary, discussion in Massachusetts.  "[Patrick] has started an important conversation," Newton Rep. Ruth Balser told Newton Patch last week.  Last week, Patrick unveiled his $34.8 billion fiscal 2014 budget, which included a comprehensive package and tax proposal aimed at investing in the state's infrastructure and education. The proposal asks for an increase in the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent coupled with a reduction in the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent. It also doubles personal …

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PHOTO/VIDEO: A New, 'Green' Life for the Newton Lower Falls Community Center

Local and state officials celebrated the completion of the "deep energy retrofit project" at the Newton Lower Falls Community Center. The new windows, roof and boilers are expected to reduce energy costs by more than 70 percent.

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Kay Khan Wins 10th Term as State Rep.

Khan defeated Republican challenger Greer Tan Swiston.

Kay Khan won her 10th term as state representative in the 11th Middlesex District, soundly defeating Newton Republican challenger Greer Tan Swiston. "It's a great honor to represent the citizens of Newton and also be able to serve the residents of the Commonwealth," Khan said in phone interview Tuesday night. Khan, 71, of Newton Lower Falls, picked up 14,329 votes to Swiston's 4,935, according to unofficial results on the city's website. Khan won in all precincts. Khan has been a Newton resident for 41 years, and was first elected state rep in 1994. Swiston, 47, of West Newton, is a city alderman. Khan thanked the voters in Newton for their support, and said she has many projects she's excited to continue working on, including addressing …

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Kay Khan, Democratic Candidate for 11th Middlesex State Representative

Khan is going for her 10th term as state representative in the 11th Middlesex District. She is being challenged this year by Newton Republican Greer Tan Swiston.

As we gear up for next week's state election, Patch wants readers to stay informed as they head to the voting booths. We recently sent out questionnaires to Republican Greer Tan Swiston and Democrat Kay Khan (incumbent), the two candidates running for the state representative seat in the 11th Middlesex District. The district covers half of Newton. View Greer Tan Swiston's profile here. Below are responses from Democratic candidate Kay Khan: Name : Ms. Kay Suzanne Khan Age : 71 Place of residence : Newton Lower Falls Attended college : Yes College : Boston University School of Nursing Degree : B.S; R.N. Year of graduation : 1965 University : Boston University School of Nursing Degree : M.S. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Year of …

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VIDEO: 11th Middlesex Candidates Debate at NewTV

Incumbent Democrat Kay Khan and Republican Challenger Greer Tan Swiston recently faced off in a debate co-sponsored by NewTV and the Newton League of Women Voters.

Nine-term State Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton) faced off against Republican challenger Greer Tan Swiston earlier this month in a debate for the 11th Middlesex District.  Swiston, who ran against Khan in 2004, has served as Newton alderman-at-large from Ward 3 for the last five years.  The 11th Middlesex District covers the northern half of Newton, including parts of Newton Highlands, Auburndale, Newton Lower Falls, Newtonville, Newton Upper Falls, Nonantum and West Newton. The 12th Middlesex District, represented by State Rep. Ruth Balser, covers the other half of the city.  The debate was moderated by the League of Women Voters and co-sponsored by the Newton League of Women Voters and NewTV, where it was filmed. You can view the debate above or…

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Newton Rep. Kay Khan Kicks Off Reelection Campaign

Khan, a Democrat, has served as a state representative in Newton since 1995.

As she gets ready to face a local Republican challenger, Newton State Rep. Kay Khan launched her reelection campaign last week for the 11th Middlesex District seat. Khan announced her campaign at a Vista Avenue home in Auburndale on Thurs., June 14 surrounded by supporters and fellow politicians. “We cannot afford to lose Kay’s commitment to Newton and her access to important state agencies and resources that improve the quality of life in the city and the Commonwealth,” fellow Newton State Rep. Ruth Balser said in a press release. Khan, a Lower Falls resident, is currently in her ninth term at the State House and serves as the House chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. She is also the co-founder of …

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Newton Rep.'s Amendment to Tax Sodas Dies in the Legislature [Poll]

Newton Rep. Kay Khan proposed an amendment that would lift the tax exemption on sodas, juice drinks with less than 50 percent of natural juice, bottled coffee and tea drinks. What do you think about this amendment?

Soda won't be taxed in Massachusetts any time soon. Although most Massachusetts voters want to see soda taxed, the effort did not have adequate support in the Legislature, which is wary of imposing any new taxes on state's residents.  Representative Kay Khan (D-Newton) had proposed to lift the tax exemption on several beverages including sodas, juice drinks with less of 50 percent natural juice, and bottled coffee and tea drinks. The amendment was one of 275 attached to the 188-page health care reform bill, designed to cut $160 million in spending over the next 15 years. The amendment was backed by Reps. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) and Carl Sciortino (D-Medford).  Khan had argued that soda is not food and should not be exempt from the state…

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VIDEO/PHOTO: Newton Celebrates New Lower Falls Pedestrian/Bike Bridge

After a decade of work, public meetings, planning and construction, Newton and state officials celebrated yesterday the completion of the Lower Falls pedestrian/bike bridge, which crosses the Charles River and connects Newton and Wellesley.

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