LaNatra and Meschino Offer Stark Contrasts on Key Issues in State Rep Forum

Incumbent touts bipartisanship and legislative achievements, while challenger calls for major policy shifts in immigration and business regulation

MARSHFIELD, MA - The two candidates vying to represent the 12th Plymouth District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives squared off in a forum October 8, revealing sharp disagreements on immigration, affordability and government transparency.

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Kathy LaNatra and Republican challenger Eric Meschino presented contrasting visions for the district during the forum hosted at the WATD studio.

Immigration emerged as a major point of contention, with Meschino calling for an immediate halt to state funding for migrants.

"First thing I think they should do is stop funding them. Simple as that," Meschino said. "They're not citizens. They don't belong here. They gotta go."

LaNatra defended the state's approach, saying reforms have been made to the right to shelter law. She emphasized that many recent arrivals from Haiti are here legally under protective status.

"We've made reforms to the right to shelter law, and we will continue to make reforms," LaNatra said. "And we had probably 35 families at that time from Haiti that arrived in Kingston at the Baymont Hotel…we've had to [get funding] with our students."

The candidates also clashed over affordability, a top concern for many voters. Meschino blamed high taxes for driving up costs.

"Basically, you want to change affordability, vote new people in," he said. "We keep having people come into the statehouse. They come up with these ideas. We've got this great plan. We're going to help you out. But you've got to tax the people first."

LaNatra touted recent tax cut legislation, saying it will provide relief to families and seniors.

"We did a $1 billion package. This is the first tax cut legislation signed in over 20 years," she said. "It extended the child two-dependent cap. We used to have a two-dependent cap on children. And it was $180 per dependent child. We've raised that to $440 with no caps."

The candidates sparred over government transparency, with Meschino supporting a ballot measure to allow the state auditor to audit the legislature.

"The state auditor was elected to audit. I think they should open up the books," Meschino said. "Why can't we audit them? They work for us. That's not their money. That's your money. That's my money."

LaNatra opposed the measure, saying an independent auditor would be more appropriate.

"I don't think it should be the state auditor if they're going to audit the legislature. I think it should be an independent auditor, not a Republican and not a Democrat," she said.

The candidates found rare agreement in opposing a ballot measure to eliminate the tipped minimum wage for restaurant servers, saying it would hurt workers and small businesses.

In his closing statement, Meschino portrayed himself as an agent of change, criticizing LaNatra for voting with Democratic leadership.

"Kathy's for Cambridge, not for Kingston," he said. "It's the liberal ideologies that control that statehouse that she adheres to."

LaNatra emphasized her record of delivering for the district, including securing over $1.6 million in funding for local priorities.

"I'm a seasoned leader who listens, acts, and delivers," she said. "My constituents know that I am accessible and will leave no stone unturned to find resolutions and resources."

The 12th Plymouth District includes all of Kingston and Plympton, parts of Plymouth, Middleborough, Halifax and Pembroke. Election Day is Nov. 5.

*editors note: this is part of a series of articles based on recent Candidate Forums hosted by WATD. Early in-person voting began in every town October 19.