Stark contrast in priorities on display at 18th Essex debate

ANDOVER –Barbara L’Italien and Republican incumbent State Representative Jim Lyons debated in Andover on Wednesday evening. Laying out her history of crossing the aisle to work with members of both Parties, L'Italien emphasized that she would build coalitions to increase local aid – specifically education funding - while expressing her concerns regarding Lyons positions on abortion, women's issues, LGBT equality, and school based health services.

 “My opponent has decided to sponsor a bill to get rid of school-based nurses, family planning, teen pregnancy prevention, limiting access to counseling for gay students, and drop insurance coverage for counseling of rape victims,” charged L’Italien.

 At several points in the debate, L’Italien challenged Lyons’ position on women’s health issues, including his bill to eliminate insurance coverage for rape-victim counseling. At no point did Lyons deny or defend his position.

 Unafraid to break party lines, L'Italien explained that her first vote in the state legislature was against Tom Finneran for Speaker.

 “I voted against Tom Finneran; I voted to remove Bill Bulger as UMass Chancellor,” said L’Italien. “I voted against the Lawrence bailout and wish there was a receiver there today. If there was a receiver then those indicted police officers could be fired and the City would be better off.”

 L'Italien emphasized her work with State Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) to solve the overwhelming issue with pollution from a local salt shed.

 Additionally, L’Italien discussed how she was successful in passing Autism Health Insurance.

 “I was able to get over 120 legislators to co-sponsor this legislation, including both Democrats and Republicans,” explained L’Italien. “I was even invited by Scott Brown to speak on his local access TV show about the ways we can improve the condition of residents with Autism.”

 L’Italien challenged Lyons’ claim to support local aid.

“Mr. Lyons made his priorities pretty clear when he voted earlier this year to eliminate funding for school-based nursing,” challenged L’Italien.

 Lyons responded by reading about various state salaries without providing specific examples of what departments were taking advantage of the funding for school-based nurses.

 “Zeroing out school-based nursing. Zeroing out teen pregnancy prevention. Zeroing out family planning services. Zeroing out counseling for gay youths,” said L’Italien as she went over Lyons’ record. “Those aren’t my values, nor do I believe those are the values of most of our voters. I don’t think these issues are the place for Mr. Lyons’ to pursue a hard ideological agenda.”

 The election for State Representative is on Tuesday, November 6th. The Eighteenth Essex district includes parts of Andover, North Andover, Tewksbury and Boxford.