For more than five years Travis Benson has represented the interests of citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a policy advocate, primarily working on issues of transparency.

His article, "Dissecting the 'Toxic' State House Culture", published May 25 in Commonwealth Beacon recounts the current dysfunction of the state legislature of Massachusetts.

The issues we discussed are not unique to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a state near and dear to host Scott M. Graves, the state of his birth and upbringing.

For those listening in Massachusetts and other states, discover through our discussion some insight as to countering the issues Travis recounts. Issues you might also be facing in your home state.

If our efforts in community development, economic development, rural and urban alike are to take hold, we must get right with our political leaders and the daily requirements of governance.