Gone but not forgotten

The Paul Heroux era at the State House is coming to an ignominious end, with the outgoing state representative reaching a settlement with state regulators to correct sloppy campaign finance practices. That must inspire great faith among the citizens of Attleboro, who have elected Heroux as their new mayor.

But the House and Senate must not let the fact that Heroux is on his way out — originally he planned to hold onto his House seat while simultaneously serving as mayor — deter them from changing the law so that a “fulltime” mayor can’t also serve as a “full-time” state lawmaker.

Recall that when we went through this with William Lantigua there was legislation filed to forbid municipal executives from simultaneously serving in the Legislature. But that effort died after Lantigua, who had been elected mayor of Lawrence, saw the light and gave up his House seat.

Since Heroux tried to pull the same stunt Republicans have tried to revive that legislation, but we have a sinking feeling that with his departure that will again be moved to the back burner.

That shouldn’t happen. Because a system that produces a William Lantigua and a Paul Heroux will inevitably produce another rep or senator who thinks he can do it all — or at the very least, who thinks he’s entitled to try, at taxpayer expense.

Politicians have a reputation for unrestrained arrogance, and sometimes deservedly so. But the taxpayers don’t have to put up with it, and they should send that message to their representatives.