Oct. 19, 2026 — Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Kathy LaNatra and Republican challenger Eric Meschino offered competing answers to rising costs at a WATD forum for the 12th Plymouth District. LaNatra pointed to tax relief and local aid increases she said the Legislature delivered, while Meschino called for an audit, an end to property taxes for seniors with paid-off homes and getting rid of the millionaire’s tax and utility-bill charges.
The Full Story
LaNatra said she has represented the district for eight years and has brought more than $3 million to its communities for schools, roads, public safety and infrastructure. Meschino described himself as a commercial lobster fisherman who previously worked in financial services in New York.
I’m here because I want to bring some common sense and logic to what’s going on in our state.
— Eric Meschino 3:51
Taxes and the cost of living
Asked what he would change to lower costs, Meschino said one of his biggest priorities would be eliminating property taxes for seniors whose homes are paid off. He also called for pursuing an audit he said 72% of voters supported, saying lawmakers “shot it down.” He later said he would target taxes on gas and electric bills and the millionaire’s tax.
LaNatra said a tax relief package the Legislature passed is delivering “roughly $1 billion a year” to families, seniors, renters and businesses. She cited a doubled senior housing tax credit and changes for renters and the estate tax, adding, “There’s more to do.”
Asked whether the state could cut or eliminate some taxes and keep services, LaNatra said, “The quick answer on that is no,” citing emergency response, senior programs and local veterans agents. Meschino answered, “Of course, we can cut taxes,” pointing to the audit, growth in state employment and what he called “green New Deal” charges on energy bills.
Local aid and schools
On helping towns that repeatedly seek overrides, LaNatra said lawmakers do not control property taxes but do control unrestricted government aid, whose distribution she said needs review. She said Chapter 90 road and infrastructure aid rose 50% this year.
She called the Chapter 70 school aid formula unfair and said the per-pupil amount has risen from $36 when she took office to $160 in the last budget. Meschino said he did not know how the formula is set up but that it needs “some kind of equity,” and he suggested school choice.
Meschino said per-student school spending in the district is up 60% after inflation over 30 years and, although graduation rates are up, proficiency has “fallen off a cliff.” He criticized free community college: “Nothing’s free.” LaNatra said the Legislature passed a literacy bill this session to change how children are taught to read.
Housing
LaNatra said the MBTA Communities law has produced some housing but is not fair to all communities and “wasn’t rolled out correctly.” She said Halifax, which she described as out of compliance, drew its zoning overlay over the already-built Twin Lakes neighborhood and is now ineligible for some grants.
Meschino said the law “created problems,” with the state overriding town-approved bylaws “with a very heavy hand,” and later called it an unfunded mandate.
Meschino said the state must redefine affordable housing, citing Plymouth affordable units he said would sell for $300,000 to $400,000 or rent for $2,500. LaNatra called for public-private partnerships, pointing to Kingston’s affordable housing trust.
