John has a proven record of performance and accomplishment as an elected official. He works to put politics aside and focuses instead on the issues at hand.
On Finances
As Chairman of the Quincy City Council’s Finance Committee for eight years, John successfully fought to keep the City’s finances on solid footing. He regularly resisted political pressure to pass short-term financial fixes. In 2007, John stood up for taxpayers and opposed a politically motivated plan to artificially lower the tax rate, forewarning that it would later cost taxpayers more, which did happen. In early 2008, anticipating the current fiscal crisis, John challenged the Mayor and his fellow councilors to make difficult budget choices, resulting in rational budget cuts that positioned the City to better weather the present fiscal storm. For Fiscal Year 2010, John worked with Quincy Mayor Tom Koch to pass a balanced budget which resulted in a slight decrease in the average single family tax bill, and while John served as Chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, Quincy kept within the limits of Proposition 2 ½. The Patriot Ledger has recognized John’s “legitimate experience in financial analysis”. John has brought his financial experience to the State Senate.
On Economic Development and Jobs
Quincy Center Development: As a City Councilor, John played a critical role in ensuring the economic development of Quincy. Having served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for seven years, he learned what it would take to develop a vital downtown. When he first ran for the City Council several years ago, John urged the passage of amendments to Quincy’s zoning ordinance and for a streamlined permitting process to encourage downtown development. As chairperson of Downtown and Economic Development Committee from 2004-2006, John spearheaded the passage of “Smart Growth” legislation – the first of its kind in Massachusetts– for the revitalization of Quincy Center. He supported new zoning, the creation of a Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) District and a District Improvement Financing (DIF) program for Quincy Center, creating the streamlined permitting process for which he had been an early, vocal advocate. With the economic development incentives and zoning changes in place, nationally recognized Street-Works Development, LLC is working with the City on plans for a public-private development calling for private investment of more than $1 billion, including major new infrastructure, nearly 1,100 units of residential housing, and thousands of square feet in new commercial and retail space. A study by a national economic consulting firm shows that the re-development of downtown Quincy will create over 4,000 construction jobs and over 4,000 permanent jobs, having a major economic impact on the economy of Quincy and the entire region. Shortly after being sworn in to the State Senate, John introduced a home rule petition, approved by the Quincy City Council and the Mayor, to give the City the legal authorization to proceed with several important aspects of the Quincy Center development plan. On May 16, 2011, speaking for the first time on the Senate floor as a freshman legislator, John urged passage of the legislation. The bill was enacted that day by the Senate, and signed by the Governor of May 25, 2011.
Economic Development for Abington: Senator Keenan worked with local officials in Abington to secure the passage and approval of an agreement between the Town and Cape Cod Lumber that would allow for the expansion of that business into a new 132,000-square-foot facility to be built on Groveland Street. The total cost of the project, including land acquisition and construction costs and equipment purchases, is approximately $7.5 million. “Despite the economic downturn, Cape Cod Lumber is growing and looking to invest in the town of Abington,” Keenan said, speaking before the state’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, which has final approval on such agreements. “TIF agreements have a proven history of being useful tools in spurring economic growth and development,” Keenan said. The TIF agreement was approved and the project is moving forward.
On Education
Despite difficult financial times, as a City Councilor John worked to maintain Quincy’s commitment to the public schools. He supported budgets that maintained low class sizes, established new reading programs, improved technology, and provided professional development and competitive salaries for teachers. He supported the establishment of a tuition free, city-wide full day kindergarten program, and opposed the proposed Hanlin Charter School, testifying before the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the proposal was tailored to just one race. While not opposed to charter schools in general, John feels that each charter school proposal should be subjected to a complete, need-based, non-political review.
John has brought his commitment to public education to the State Senate. He has been a strong advocate for increases in Chapter 70 funding, supported the reform of educational collaboratives, and has worked with local officials on school building projects, including a new Central Middle School in Quincy, funding for school upgrades in Abington, and the construction of the Rogers Middle School and renovation of the Rockland High School. He continues to work with town and school officials in Holbrook and the School Building Authority as they plan for the future of Holbrook Public Schools. As co-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, John was a strong advocate for the opening of the Independence Academy Recovery High School in Brockton.
On Quality of Life
As a Councilor, John had a proven record of fighting to preserve Quincy’s neighborhoods. He drafted and introduced a measure that halted multi-family development that was out of character with the City’s neighborhoods and co-drafted amendments to the City’s zoning ordinance designed to keep future development more complementary to the surrounding neighborhoods. He drafted an ordinance to halt the paving of entire front yards, successfully advocated for the purchase of open space parcels in the City, and voted to re-zone acres of land in Quincy to open space, preserving them for future generations.
As a State Senator, John has been a vocal supporter of an updated bottle bill, and has supported the preservation of open space.
