Newly elected Sal DiDomenico will be sworn in as state senator at the State House on Thursday. DiDomenico replaces jailed ex-senator Anthony Galluccio after winning 30 percent of the vote in a democratic primary and easily defeating an unknown independent candidate last week. His district includes two precincts in Somerville and about a quarter of Cambridge. As a former Everett alderman, DiDomenico should take the challenges of municipalities more seriously than his colleagues in the Somerville delegation.

Those senators and reps don't seem to be listening to city officials'desperate calls for help in controlling exorbitant healthcare costs.

Instead, elected officials such as Carl Sciortino pursue the pet projects important only to their ultra-liberal base and special interest donors.

This year, health insurance costs jumped 21 percent for city employees and every dime in property tax revenue the city collected is swallowed up by the skyrocketing costs.

And yet, the state legislature will not take steps to help.

"There are no profiles in courage" on this issue, said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone this week. Curtatone suggested allowing city employees to join a health insurance pool of state employees — that would single handedly close the city's $8 million budget gap.

But Beacon Hill can't be bothered.

Here's hoping DiDomenico focuses less on the narrow issues that cater to the left wing fringe and more on helping everyone in the community.