Representative Mark Falzone announced a decision on furloughs in order to protect his staff from cuts that would otherwise be far more disproportionate than those born by others throughout the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Representative Falzone said, “For no known reason, my hard-working chief-of-staff was singled out for a pay cut equivalent to 29 days pay when almost all others were cut by only 5 days. No one is more dedicated or effective in the crucial staff work that supports all I am able to do for my constituents, and, therefore, I plan to make up the equivalent of 7 of these days to him through my own furlough decision, which will add back less than 25% of his lost salary. I wish I could do more for him, especially during a holiday season when he is paying to send two children to college.”

Representative Falzone’s decision to forego his own furlough will enable him to reimburse his chief-of-staff approximately one quarter of the pay cut suffered this year, but the remaining 75% of the pay cut, or the equivalent of a 22 day forced furlough, will still be realized. This contrasts with the merely 5 days of furloughs required of most others working in the House of Representatives.

Falzone emphasized, “I don’t know why they would single out a particular staff person, it is truly unfathomable, but in this case they picked on the wrong person, my right hand man whose decade of service to our Commonwealth goes far beyond what is required. He often arrives at 7 am and stays beyond 5 pm to attend to meetings or other important business in my district, and he always puts in a few hours on weekends, as well. He is emblematic of the dedicated staff I have recruited, and I am doing what I can to assist him from this unfair and inequitable and inexplicable error in judgment.”

Saugus Senior Center Director Joanne Olsen emphasized, “Representative Falzone’s chief-of-staff comes by every week for office hours and informs me of news from the State House on issues that have an impact on seniors. I value his outstanding work here at the Senior Center, his cooperative work with my staff, and his dedication to constituent service as he always cheerfully helps seniors who need assistance.”

Lynnfield Senior Center Director Linda Naccara noted, “Mark Falzone’s chief-of-staff has been coming to our Senior Center on a weekly basis ever since I’ve been here myself. He is helpful, well-informed and does an excellent and professional job.”

Wakefield Senior Center Director Judy Luciano said, “The chief-of-staff of Representative Falzone makes a point every week of keeping me apprised of activities in the Legislature that are relevant to my own job. He is well-liked by our seniors and does his work, assisting all who seek his help, in a consistently intelligent and informed manner.”

Representative Falzone noted that while all in the House of Representatives are making sacrifices during these economic times, it is especially important that these sacrifices be apportioned in a fair and equitable manner. He emphasized that he will stand by his staff whenever he feels they are treated unjustly, as they have stood by his constituents through hard work and their dedicated professional efforts.