Media Alert: Senator Tarr On the Air with WBZ-TV’s Jon Keller Sunday Morning

Recently, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr was interviewed by WBZ-TV’s Political Reporter Jon Keller for his Sunday segment Keller@Large Report.  Jon and I discussed various political topics regarding the Commonwealth, including the situation the nation faces with the influx of immigrant children currently crossing the border and what that potentially means for Massachusetts, and Thursday’s Probation Department trial verdicts, where three former officials were found guilty of fostering a job-rigging scheme.

Please tune in to WBZ-TV on Sunday at approximately 8:30 a.m. to watch our lively discussion.

Media Alert: Sen. Tarr on “Broadside” Tonight

Please tune in to tonight’s “Broadside” at 6:00 p.m. on New England Cable News (NECN), where Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be discussing with host Jim Braude and State Senator Brian Joyce the potential political consequences of yesterday’s Probation Department verdicts, Governor Patrick’s plan to house border-crossing children in Massachusetts, and the recent Market Basket dispute.

“Broadside” re-airs at 7:30 p.m., 2:30 a.m., and again at 4:00 a.m.

Senator Richard Ross Secures Multiple Amendments to Housing Authority Legislation

Senator Richard J. Ross today successfully passed three amendments to the housing authority reform bill that will increase oversight of director salaries and enhance transparency in the application process.

Senator Ross spoke in support of his amendment that will require housing authorities to consult the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database when evaluating applications in order to protect the safety of their tenants. Ross filed the amendment in response to reports that Tamerlan Tsarnaev was listed on the terror watch list, and had been receiving public benefits. Ross was pleased to see the amendment passed.

“This is a commonsense amendment that will increase transparency within the housing authority application process, while protecting the public safety,” said Senator Ross. “We need to give housing authorities the tools they need to protect their residents. This additional information will put them in a better position when making application decisions.”

The Senate passed two additional amendments filed by Senator Ross. One amendment mandates that housing authorities give preference to residents of the town, as well as applicants who have lived in the town for at least twenty-five years, but not at the time of the application. This language was included in a further amendment, filed by Senator Robert Hedlund, to prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving priority status over legal housing authority applicants.

Another successful Ross amendment will require the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to review any housing authority executive director’s contract that is worth more than $100,000 per year.

The bill was unanimously passed by the Senate. A conference committee will now be appointed to resolve differences between the bills that were passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Nearing the End of Formal Sessions

With July 31st nearing quickly, signifying the end of formal sessions, there is a great amount of work still to be completed by the legislature. Currently, there are several bills within conference committees, which are committees of six members (three from the House and three from the Senate) that are formed after the House and Senate engross their own respective versions of a particular bill and work together to produce a final version of the legislation.  Those bills in conference committee include:

•  An Act promoting economic growth across the Commonwealth;

•  An Act relative to the reduction of gun violence;

•  An Act enhancing protection for victims of domestic violence;

•  An Act financing information technology equipment and related projects; and

•  An Act providing for the preservation and improvement of lands, parks and clean energy in the Commonwealth.

Recently, the House and Senate also passed their own versions of a capital bond bill; however, a conference committee has yet to even be appointed.  Including today, there are only 8 days left of formal sessions for the conference committees to file their reports on the various bills in order for the legislature to have the opportunity to debate and possibly enact them.

Also of concern, there are several important measures still awaiting committee action before the legislation can be brought to the floors for a vote.  Those bills include:

•  An Act relative to the penalty for killing, maiming or poisoning of animals;

•  An Act establishing a Massachusetts seafood marketing program;

•  An Act relative to the expansion of the state DNA database; and

•  An Act relative to local housing authorities.

With time running out, the legislature needs to act swiftly to ensure these matters get the attention they deserve.  Keep checking back to read updates on these measures and others as the legislature continues to progress towards the July 31st deadline.

Tarr Amendment Increases Conservation Land Tax Credit in Environmental Bond Bill

On Thursday, July 10th, the Massachusetts State Senate passed its version of a $1.9 billion environmental bond bill, and a major amendment secured by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) seeks to expand the Conservation Land Tax Credit (CLTC) program.  Currently, the CLTC program provides a refundable tax credit of 50% of the appraised donation value, with a maximum cap of $50,000.  The Tarr amendment, which was co-sponsored by the Senate Republican Caucus and passed unanimously by a roll call vote of 38-0, would raise the max to $75,000 allowing for greater land conservation investments at a fraction of the cost, while benefiting both the general public and private land owners.

“Conserving and preserving open space is important for our environment, our quality of life and the character of our state,” said Senator Tarr.  “This tax credit has a proven track record of success, and strengthening it in the environmental bond bill will make a good tool even more powerful and effective.”

The Conservation Land Tax Credit was first signed into law in 2008; however, the application did not become available to the public until 2011.  Since then the program has conserved land for an average cost at just under $1,000 per acre, and for every $1 in tax credit provided by the Commonwealth, $5.60 has been generated for the state in land value. To date Massachusetts has conserved over 5,100 acres of land valued at over $21.3 million, while only costing the Commonwealth $3.8 million to purchase. 

The CLTC program has a $2 million cap limit for each calendar year, even though the tax credit has gained in popularity since becoming first available.  During the 2013 calendar year the program exhausted its cap limit from just 44 approved requests, and thus far, 2014 has at least 24 requests totaling $1.15 million, more than half of the program’s cap limit.  In July of 2011, the Massachusetts Commission on Financing Forest Conservation, which was also established by the legislature, recommended increasing the program’s cap to $20 million per calendar year.  With the vast benefits gained by the state, Senator Tarr is committed to increasing the CLTC program’s cap limit for future years to increase conservation land investments.

“Bonding and spending state money isn’t the only way to conserve land, we can also provide incentives that are equally or more effective.  By increasing this modest tax credit we can partner with private land owners to create a win-win situation that is extremely cost effective in promoting open space acquisition in our state,” said Senator Tarr.

The Senate passed the environmental bond bill by a vote of 38-0.  The House of Representatives previously passed its version of the bond bill on June 4th by a vote of 138-5; however, because the Conservation Land Tax Credit program was not included in the House version of the environmental bond bill, the amendment is subject to negotiation in an upcoming House-Senate conference committee.

Senator Tarr’s Statement on a Pharmacy Reform Bill Signed into Law Today

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding H.4235, “An Act relative to Pharmacy Practice in the Commonwealth”.  Senator Tarr supported the legislation and served as a member on the special conference committee that was charged to reconcile the House and Senate’s versions of the bill to produce a final report before ultimately being signed into law today:

 

 “Compounding is a necessary and important part of pharmacy and modern medicine, and yet we have seen the tragic consequences that result when it doesn’t have proper oversight. The bill that becomes law today takes major steps to provide that oversight, from licensing measures to address drugs that are imported and exported, to labeling, to a board of registration that has a better composition and the proper perspective to regulate effectively.

 

Given the harm that has occurred in the past, we must continue to watch closely this area of our health care system. Yet today we have improved the safety of that system significantly.”

Tarr Beach Safety Bill Passes Senate; Seeks to Honor the Memory of 2-year-old Caleigh Harrison

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts State Senate took a major step forward by unanimously engrossing a bill sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) that seeks to create a color-coded flag warning system to promote safety at the state’s public beaches.  Senate Bill 2247, also known as “Caleigh’s Bill”, was crafted due to the tragic case of Gloucester 2-year-old Caleigh Harrison, who was last seen on Rockport’s Long Beach on April 19, 2012 and is believed to have been swept out to sea.

“Caleigh’s Bill provides a great public safety and awareness tool for the public beaches across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Tarr.  “This bill honors Caleigh, and through this measure, there will be greater consciousness of the dangers that the ocean presents, and that will ultimately save lives.”

In an effort to promote beach safety, Senate Bill 2247, An Act creating uniform beach warnings, would:

·  Require the Department of Conservation and Recreation to develop a uniform warning and safety flag program to be used at all public beaches maintained by DCR, by providing a uniform size, shape, color, and definition for each warning and safety flag; and

·  Allow a municipality to adopt the uniform flag warning and safety program by requiring a vote by a city council, town council, or town meeting.

“Caleigh’s Bill”, which is also supported by Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester), was first developed by Caleigh’s uncle, David Harrison, Jr., who was on a business trip to Panama last year when he learned about the country’s color-coded flag system which is used to warn the public about the dangers of tides and riptides.  Alabama, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Texas and several other states utilize a similar program, and the Harrison family is seeking to implement the same safety measures in Massachusetts.

“My family and I are pleased to hear of the news that Caleigh’s bill has now passed the Senate and is in the final stages of becoming a reality! Our vision of helping to prevent other tragedies like the one that we live through every day seems to be very close to happening! We would like to thank Sen. Bruce Tarr along with Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante for their hard work in making all of this possible,” said David Harrison, Jr.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

MEDIA ALERT: Senator Tarr to Discuss PAWS Act on Fox 25, NECN and Channel 5 Tonight

Tonight at 6:30 p.m., Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will once again be a guest on the Fox 25 Evening News where he’ll be discussing the status of an animal cruelty bill that contains important provisions of the PAWS Act.  The bill, H.1182, was recently released from the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and would:

·  Increase the fine of committing animal abuse from $2,500 to $5,000;

·  Raise the maximum time in prison from 5 years to 7 years;

·  Require veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse (similar to the requirement of medical staff who suspect child abuse); and

·  Create a special taskforce of experts in law enforcement, animal protection, veterinary, and legal professionals to review methods to prevent animal abuse and punish those who commit animal abuse.

Earlier today, Senator Tarr, along with the MSPCA and the Animal Rescue League of Boston, met with members of the media to discuss the release of H.1182 and the potential the bill has to becoming law during this legislative session.  Tune in to NECN, Channel 5, and Fox 25 during tonight’s broadcasts to see today’s interviews.

Senate Republican Caucus Succeeds in Securing DCF Reform in FY’15 State Budget; Measure Aims to Protect Children Under Agency’s Watch

Seeking to address deep concerns regarding those who come into contact with children through the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Senate Minority Whip Donald Humason (R-Westfield), and Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, sought and secured a critical amendment to the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget that will provide an important safeguard in protecting the welfare of children within the state’s child welfare system.  The DCF amendment will require the agency to properly vet the backgrounds of household members of potential foster and adoptive homes for child placement.  In doing so, the measure will provide another level of protection for the children currently within the Massachusetts child welfare system.

“Sadly, over the past year we have witnessed the systemic failures of the Department of Children and Families, and the tragic results of those failures,” said Senator Tarr.  “Government’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of its citizens, and this amendment will provide a powerful tool to prevent children and families involved with DCF from coming into contact with those who could harm them.”

Current law requires the Department of Children and Families to conduct background record checks (BRCs) of all adult household members where a foster child has been placed; however, the law falls short of those under the age of 18.  This amendment rectifies that oversight and will provide greater safeguards to protect the more than 7,000 children currently receiving foster care.  The amendment will require DCF to conduct CORI checks on all household members of a foster or adoptive home over the age of 15.

“We’ve witnessed the Department of Children and Families fail to fulfill its mission time and time again and, every time, the consequences have been devastating,” said Senator Hedlund. “I’m proud to have helped secure this amendment as it represents a step in the direction of true reform. There is still work to be done and we cannot stop fighting until every child in the Commonwealth receives the protection they need and deserve.”

In March, Auditor Suzanne Bump released her findings of a recent audit of the agency.  The Auditor’s report stated that “DCF does not have adequate documentation to substantiate that it has conducted all required BRCs on individuals living in some of its foster homes.  Therefore, DCF cannot substantiate that these BRCs were performed before DCF placed children in foster homes.”  Additionally, the audit cross checked Level 2 and Level 3 registered sex offenders to the addresses of children receiving services from DCF over a 27-month period, and found 25 address matches.

“This amendment aims to increase oversight and transparency in the Department of Children and Families, so that our citizenry no longer feel the tragic effects of the agency’s shortcomings,” said Senator Ross. “Our children are too important and this amendment is a step forward in raising accountability, addressing deficiencies, and better protecting those that the DCF cares for.”

“The health and safety of our children is paramount; DCF has to be more accountable with criminal background checks,” said Senator Humason.

Senator Tarr’s Statement on the Passage of an Economic Development Bill by the Senate

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement tonight after the Senate passed Senate Bill 2231, “An Act promoting economic growth across the Commonwealth”:

“It is important that we do not forget the taxpayer as we develop strategies to stimulate economic development in the Commonwealth.  Just as important as providing funding for grants and programs is ensuring that working families and small businesses get the opportunity to retain and invest more of their earnings in creating jobs and bolstering the economy.  Despite the fact that several key opportunities to confront the costs of doing business in Massachusetts were lost during today’s debate, the bill that was passed does contain some important measures to use tax relief as a powerful tool to produce gains for our economy, including those which:

•  provide a two day sales tax holiday in August;

•  strengthen and modernizing the state’s Research and Development Tax Credit; and

•  improve the usefulness of the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit for projects in transition.

While these are positive steps, the conclusion of today’s debate leaves us with much more work to do to reduce or eliminate the costs of, and impediments to, job creation and economic growth if we are to secure robust and lasting economic recovery as we emerge from one of the longest and most difficult recessions our state and nation have ever faced.”

Senate Republican Caucus Seeks Affordable Care Act Amendments in State Budget

Recognizing the harm being inflicted on the Massachusetts economy due to the 2010 enactment of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Senate Republican Caucus secured two amendments to the Senate’s version of the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget that would study the effects of a medical device tax on the state’s economy and compel a formal request for a permanent waiver to certain provisions of the ACA.  With the ongoing negotiations between the members of the conference committee charged with reconciling the House and Senate’s versions of the spending bill, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), and Senate Minority Whip Donald Humason (R-Westfield) have sent the members of the committee a letter expressing a need to include the amendments in the final version of the bill.

Upon passage of the ACA in 2010, medical device manufacturers became subjected to a tax that has inflicted on this important group of employers.  In an effort to support the industry, bolster the economy, and protect jobs in the state, Senate Republicans secured an amendment that would create a commission to study the short and long term effects of the medical device tax on the Massachusetts economy and its employers.

“The medical device tax contained in the ACA has significant negative impacts on this critical group of employers in our Commonwealth, and thus for our state’s economy as well,” wrote Senate Republicans to the members of the conference committee.  “Accordingly, the Senate embraced our amendment to create a commission to study those impacts and inform a course of action to address them.”

Widely lauded as the model for the federal Affordable Care Act, the 2006 Massachusetts Health Care reform law has achieved the overall goals of the ACA by providing healthcare to over 97% of the Commonwealth’s residents; however, due to restrictions on risk rating factors, and the requirement of a new health care exchange website have undermined the Massachusetts health care law.

“Unfortunately, the Massachusetts law touted repeatedly as the prototype for the federal ACA is now being undermined by its federal successor,” wrote the caucus.  “Our amendment now before you would require the administration to request a permanent waiver from two important elements of the ACA: the requirement to use only 4 risk rating factors as opposed to the 9 currently used in Massachusetts, and the requirement to create a new exchange website, even though the Commonwealth’s exchange has complied with the ACA’s goal of health care coverage.”

Senate Republican Caucus Seeks Answers on Immigration Detainees Policies

In an effort to seek clarification on recent reports regarding immigration detainees being transported to Massachusetts, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Senate Minority Whip Donald Humason (R-Westfield), and Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), the Ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, have sent a letter to Todd Thurlow, Assistant Field Officer for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  inquiring about the agency’s practice.

Recent media reports have confirmed that at least six commercial, agency-owned charter flights have transported immigration detainees from the United States’ southern border to Hanscom Air Force Base and Logan International Airport.  According to these same reports, Governor Patrick was not notified of this unilateral operation.

“We are deeply concerned about the potential impacts of the policy of ICE transporting immigration detainees to Massachusetts and then transferring them to Department of Homeland Security facilities or elsewhere,” wrote Senate Republicans.

The questions posed in the letter by the caucus aim to discover if there is any validity to these recent media reports, and whether the issue demands further action.  Their questions include:

* When was the policy of transferring immigration detainees to Massachusetts by ICE instituted and who authorized this policy?

* To what extent, if any, were members of the Patrick administration briefed on this policy?

* Were are the immigration detainees currently being held?

* After being transferred to Department of Homeland Security facilities, are the immigration detainees remanded to the custody of the federal government, or are they released pending further action? If they are released, what conditions or restrictions are put on them?

The Senate Republican Caucus also points out that a May 2014 report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) has found that ICE has released 36,000 convicted criminal immigration detainees into the United States in 2013 alone.

Attached below is the letter sent by the Senate Republican Caucus to Assistant Field Officer Todd Thurlow.

Senate GOP Caucus seeks answers to ICE immigration detainees policy by Troy Wall

Senator Tarr’s Statement on Today's Senate Passage of a Minimum Wage/UI Bill

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today following the passage of S.2195, “An Act restoring the minimum wage and providing unemployment insurance reforms”, by a vote of 35-4:

“Today the Massachusetts State Senate passed a major increase to the state’s minimum wage rate, and although a wage increase was warranted, I fear that an increase of this magnitude will prove onerous to the economy and detrimental to small businesses throughout the Commonwealth by stifling job growth.  A survey conducted by the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce found that 85% of businesses have reported that they will be negatively impacted by the increases to the minimum wage, and without careful consideration to assist employers, this bill will have done a great injustice to those who provide the necessary jobs that stabilize our local economies. The plan passed today is an example of taking one step forward, and several steps back in terms of competitiveness and job creation.

Rather than relying solely on a highest-in-the-nation minimum wage increase, which can’t effectively lift families out of poverty, Senate Republicans have consistently advanced a carefully crafted plan.  The Minority Party offered, quite simply, a better plan.  A plan that did not focus on Massachusetts having the highest minimum wage in the nation, but a plan that would have eased the burden of higher business expenses with a balanced and fair approach to encourage job growth and generate economic competitiveness that would have assisted the 750,000 residents currently living in households below the federal poverty threshold; sadly, the Senate chose a different path.  Highlights of the Senate Republican plan include:

• Doubling the anti-poverty and work incentive program called the Earned Income Tax Credit from 15% to 30%;

• Providing incentives to employers who provide low wage earners with health insurance;

• Increasing the minimum wage from $8 to as much as $9.50 in two years; and

• Requiring the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development to recommend appropriate minimum wage rates following a review of their effectiveness in helping low wage workers and impact on job creation and economic competitiveness.

Although the legislature has missed a prime opportunity for a balanced and comprehensive approach to help low-wage earners without jeopardizing the jobs they need, the Senate Republican Caucus will continue to fight for measures that will benefit all of the state’s citizenry rather than pitting some against others, and will continue to fight for productive measures to help those who work every day and continue to struggle with poverty.”

Media Alert: Tarr On the Air with Fox 25

Tonight at 5:00 p.m., Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will once again be a guest on the Fox 25 Evening News where he’ll be discussing with Maria Stephanos Thursday’s parole board hearing and decision to grant parole to Frederick Christian.  In 1994, Christian, while still a juvenile, was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole because of his role in a robbery that resulted in the death of two individuals, and seriously wounding a third.

However, in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision and a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision, juveniles can no longer be sentenced to life in prison without the option of parole citing the 8th Amendment’s cruel and unusual punishment clause.  The retroactive rulings now require juveniles convicted of first degree murder to serve at least 15 years after their conviction for parole eligibility, which is the same for an individual convicted of second degree murder.

In response to those rulings, Senator Tarr and the Senate Republican Caucus sponsored a bill setting parole for juveniles convicted of first degree murder at 35 years.  The bicameral and bipartisan bill, which has 32 co-sponsors, has the support of the District Attorneys Association.  To read more about the bill, please click here to read a previous blog post.

Tune in at 5:00 p.m. to watch tonight’s Fox 25 segment.

Media Alert: Sen. Tarr on 'Broadside' Tonight

Please tune in to “Broadside” tonight at 6:00 p.m. on NECN, where Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) will be discussing with host Jim Braude and Senator Michael Barrett the Child Welfare League of America’s recently released report regarding the quality of care provided by the Department of Children and Families. To read the report presented by the CWLA in its entirety, please click here.

“Broadside” re-airs at 7:30 p.m., 2:30 a.m., and again at 4:00 a.m.

Ross Appointed to Budget Conference Committee

Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) was appointed today to the conference committee charged with resolving the differences between the Fiscal Year 2015 Budgets passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“This is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we address all year, and its resolution will impact programs and communities statewide,” said Senator Ross. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on creating a budget that meets the needs of the Commonwealth, while maintaining a strong focus on fiscal responsibility.”

 Last week, the Senate passed a $36.4 billion spending plan, while the House approved a $36.32 billion plan in April. This conference committee has been assembled to create a compromise bill that will be presented to Governor Patrick for his approval.

Senator Tarr’s Statement on a Child Welfare League of America Report on DCF

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding a Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) report on the Department of Children and Families (DCF):

“The long awaited report by the Child Welfare League of America offers many needed recommendations that the Department of Children and Families and the legislature should swiftly institute.  It’s important to have sufficient funding, but it needs to be accompanied with meaningful reforms that won't allow one person or a hundred people at DCF to fail to act in the best interests of the children and families in the care of the agency.

The legislature and the Governor have little time to react to the report before the legislative session ends in July, but we need to ensure that the best interest of the state’s most vulnerable children are met.  Too much time has passed already.”

Senator Tarr’s Statement on the Passage of the Senate’s Version of the FY’15 State Budget

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding the Senate passing a version of the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget by a roll call vote of 39-1:

“The Fiscal Year 2015 state budget passed tonight by the Senate includes many commendable features that are important for fiscal discipline and encouraging economic growth, including a relatively limited draw from the state’s stabilization fund, and the absence of any new broad-based taxes. The budget also provides significant spending on key priorities such as special education, regional school transportation, substance abuse programs, and public safety.

Throughout the budget debate, Senate Republicans have fought to secure needed reforms and critical investments, and to bolster state efforts to grow jobs and the economy, and in many instances the Senate has responded by approving several amendments, some of which include:

• Creating a commission to study the effects of ACA medical device tax on the Massachusetts economy;

• Permitting veterans and surviving spouses to continue to receive a veteran tax abatement if the veteran’s property is placed in a trust and administered by a third party;

• Creating a five-member panel that will have oversight jurisdiction over all facilities engaged in forensic services in criminal investigations;

• Requiring the Governor of the Commonwealth to seek a permanent waiver under the Affordable Care Act to restore the rating factors and calendar requirement; and

• Requiring DCF to conduct CORI checks on all household members of a foster home over the age of 14, and ensuring that DCF takes the appropriate actions in its hiring and placement process by requiring CORI, SORI, and fingerprint-based background checks.

This budget is an important step in many fronts. The work of reform, fiscal discipline, and catalyzing a robust economic recovery is not done, and we still have serious concerns that must be addressed, but this budget moves us forward.”

* Below are several amendments that the Senate Republican Caucus was successful in securing.

OTH 12 Medical Device Tax Credit Commission Creates a commission to study the effects of the ACA medical device tax on the Massachusetts economy

OTH 21 Foundation Budget Review Commission Revives the foundation budget review commission to review foundation budget calculations and make recommendations for reform. An initial report will be due on December 31, 2014 and additional reports every four years thereafter.

OTH 35 Veterans Tax Abatements Permits veterans and surviving spouses to continue to receive a veteran tax abatement if the veteran’s property is placed in a trust and administered by a third party.

OTH 63 Streamlining Municipal Collection Clarifies the law that allows municipalities to designate a Town Collector. Currently, the law requires all funds due to the municipality to be paid to this office, including minor sums as library fines and senior lunch payments. This amendment changes the language from "all" to "any", giving the authority to collect any costs without requiring the collection of all.

GOV 168 CORI Checks for ACA Navigators Requires Navigator organizations, established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to obtain background checks prior to hiring an employee as a “navigator,” and to conduct a background check for all current “navigator” employees, within one year of enactment.

ECO 329 40B Cost Certification Calls for a third party audit of all affordable housing projects built through the comprehensive permit process since July 1, 1998 - to determine money owed municipalities.

EPS 622 Oversight Board for Crime Lab Creates a five-member panel that will have oversight jurisdiction over all facilities engaged in forensic services in criminal investigations.

EPS 631 Removal of Pepper Spray from Firearms Identification Removes the requirement of a firearm ID to purchase and possess pepper spray or Chemical Mace.

EHS 674 Hospital Stay Waiver Requires the executive office of health and human services to seek a waiver from the Medicare requirement that admission to a skilled nursing facility be preceded by a 3-day inpatient hospital stay.

EHS 678 Background Check Requirements Department of Children and Families Ensure that DCF is taking the appropriate precautions in its hiring and placement process by requiring CORI, SORI, and fingerprint-based background checks.

EHS 694 Conducting Background Checks on Household Members of Foster Care Home Requires DCF to conduct CORI checks on all household members of a foster home over the age of 14.

EHS 724 Quality Outcomes Requires the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to establish a public facing dashboard by June 30, 2015, which shall report on, but not be limited to: 1) consumer satisfaction with provided substance abuse services, and 2) key outcomes-based measurers, including step down to next level of care, abstinence measures, and recidivism, with consideration to individual patient acuity as defined in regulation.

EHS 726 Increased Bed Capacity States that DPH shall prepare a report examining overall substance abuse bed capacity across the full continuum of care from both detox and post-detox treatment, in addition to a plan to ensure access to both short and long term care.

EHS 894 Restoring Massachusetts Health Care Requires the Governor of the Commonwealth to seek a permanent waiver under the Affordable Care Act to restore the rating factors and calendar requirement.

Video Blog Post: Senator Tarr's Thoughts on the Senate's Passage of the FY2015 State Budget

Video Blog Post: Senator Tarr Provides an Update of Reforms Secured by the GOP

Video Post: Sen. Ross Provides an Update on a Pepper Spray Amendment

Senator Tarr's Video Blog: Day Two State Budget Update

Senator Humason's Budget Update

Senator Tarr's Pre-Budget Thoughts

Senate Republicans Pursue Major Budget Changes; Amendments would Reform, Reinvigorate and Reinvest

Calling the Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal filed by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means a good place to start, the Senate Republican Caucus has filed a number of amendments seeking major positive change to capture efficiencies and savings in state government, to strengthen cities and towns and schools, and support working families all across the Commonwealth.

“The budget is not only the most important spending document of the year, it also charts a course for the future of our state,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), who added that “Now is the time to begin building a post-recession Massachusetts featuring critical elements like efficiency and prosperity.  These amendments set a course toward those goals.”

Toward that end, the caucus has carefully examined the budget with an eye toward amendments targeting the three major themes of Reform, Reinvestment and Reinvigoration.  They include amendments to:

REFORM:

·  respond directly to problems at the beleaguered Department of Children and Families (DCF) (amendments 40, 65, 76 and 80);

·  make key changes to the state’s Sex Offender Registry system, to cause better communication with law enforcement agencies, and more properly classify offenders with a greater risk of re-offense (amendment 612);

·  change the state’s interaction with the federal Affordable Care Act by restoring important elements of Massachusetts’ existing law, including rating factors, choice of plans and a website that works (amendments 885, 890 and 894);

·  increase accountability through amendments dealing with state-issued credit cards (amendment 192), the granting of medical marijuana licenses (amendment 911), crime lab oversight (amendment 622) and other problematic areas;

·  implement needed reforms to the state’s system of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that remain trapped  in a stalled conference committee (amendment 836)

REINVIGORATE:

·  eliminate barriers to job creation and economic growth such as corporate excise taxes for new business ventures (amendment 43), excessive sales and income taxes (amendments 16 and 25), energy costs (amendment 204) and other anti-competitive costs;

·  provide incentives such as tax credits for newly-created jobs (amendments 18 and 45) and the long-delayed FAS 109 tax deduction promised to employers since 2008 (amendment 46);

·  cuse the creation of a real state economic development plan with measurable goals and benchmarks (amendment 460)

REINVEST:

·  begin to restore unrestricted local aid to its levels in 2008 (amendment 87), and direct a portion of budget surpluses to cities and towns  (amendment 86);

·  improve school performance and student achievement by reinstating the Innovation Schools line item (amendment 464), restore the Foundation Budget Review Commission to address deficiencies in Chapter 70 education funding (amendment 21), and expand the Education Pothole line item to assist communities facing unanticipated fiscal challenges (amendments 82 and 504); and

·  support the statutory promises of regional school transportation funding (amendment 545)

“This budget debate provides us with a great opportunity to start keeping the promises we’ve made to taxpayers for more reform, lower taxes and a better economy with more and better jobs,” said Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert L. Hedlund (R-Weymouth).  “It’s also a great opportunity to re-commit to our cities and towns, who have taken it on the chin in recent years with inadequate local aid and more and more unfunded mandates.  My colleagues and I in the Republican Caucus are ready to fight for these promises and principles and I hope after all the debate we have a budget I can proudly support.”

“This budget presents a myriad of opportunities to offer significant changes that will benefit taxpayers and municipalities across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham), the Ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “My colleagues in the Republican Caucus and I will continue to advocate for meaningful government reform to enhance efficiency and transparency, while alleviating the financial burdens felt by taxpayers and businesses statewide.”

“The Republican Senators are mindful that the citizens of our Commonwealth continue to struggle with the high costs of living and working in Massachusetts,” said Senate Minority Whip Donald F. Humason, Jr. (R-Westfield).  “We intend to promote a state budget that is responsible and respectful to the taxpayers of the Bay State while continuing to push for efficiency and accountability in our state government.  It is the least we can do for the people who send us to be their voice on Beacon Hill.”

Senate Republicans Seek Federal Waiver from Obamacare; Public Dollars Continue to be Wasted because of IT Failures

In an effort to advance fiscal responsibility within state government, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Senate Minority Whip Donald Humason (R-Westfield), and Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), the Ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means filed an amendment to a $144 million supplemental budget that would have required the Governor of the Commonwealth to formally request a federal waiver to allow Massachusetts to return to the state’s original health care website exchange, which was built in 2006, rather than paying for another costly website to comply with the Federal Affordable Care Act. The text of the supplemental budget included a $65 million item to fund the operations of the Connector, compelling the Senate Republican Caucus to file the amendment, which would have frozen any additional connector funding from being used to create a new website until after a formal waiver request was made.

“Month after month, the Connector has spent millions of dollars trying to create the Taj Mahal of insurance websites while many consumers’ coverage is at risk,” said Senator Tarr. “Now the agency wants to continue on a two-track path that will cost millions more and jeopardize the health insurance policies of even more people, even though we had a system that worked to begin with.”

Senator Tarr went on to say “If the federal government is sincere in its claims that Massachusetts has been a model that should be recognized and accommodated, then it should be more than willing to grant a waiver to allow us to return to a system that previously worked to secure coverage for 98% of our residents and cost only $10 million to build. We should be rewarded for that accomplishment, not punished.”

Regarded as the model for the nation’s federal health care plan, the Massachusetts Health Care Connector led to over 98% of the Commonwealth’s residents having health care insurance coverage. To transition the citizens of the Commonwealth to the then newly created plan, the state built a website that cost less than $10 million to design; however, in an effort to comply with the federal act, Massachusetts has now spent nearly a half billion dollars in public funds. Expenditures to comply with the federal health care law include:

• $270 million in federal grants to implement the Affordable Care Act;

• $120 million for the continued usage of Commonwealth Care plans; and

• $50 million to pay Optum, a health care technology company base in Minnesota, for assisting with an application backlog.

The massive website boondoggle has led many Massachusetts’ citizens to submit paper applications and/or have been placed on temporary Medicaid until the state is able to determine the appropriate coverage, causing a spike in health care costs. Now there are plans to completely scrap the first federal care exchange attempt, which cost over $100 million in public funds, and to spend an additional $100-$145 million on a new website exchange.

Recently, the federal government has demonstrated flexibility regarding the Massachusetts Health Care Exchange by consenting to extensions such as rating factors and the grace-period for calendar year plans.

Unfortunately, the Senate Republican Caucus was unable to secure the needed votes for the amendment, which failed by a roll call vote of 4-33 along party lines. Despite the rejection of today’s amendment, Tarr and the caucus remain steadfast in their commitment to returning to a system that works rather than endlessly pursuing one that may not.

Next week the Senate will debate a $36 billion state budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2015, where the caucus plans to file many amendments that highlight fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability.

Senator Tarr’s Statement on the Release of Senate Ways and Means’ FY’15 State Budget

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding the release of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means’ Fiscal Year 2015 state budget:

“The Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal released today by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means invests in important priorities such as special education, substance abuse, child welfare, and public safety.  In addition the committee has made laudable strides in the proposal to reduce its dependence on the stabilization fund and increasing taxes.

Today’s action by the committee is an important starting point, and in the days ahead we must work vigorously to secure initiatives to grow jobs, reform state government, and find savings and efficiencies to complete the effort.

Our caucus will be offering many ways to do so, and we look forward to working with our colleagues to build a post-recession Massachusetts that has efficiency and fiscal discipline in state government, and an economic climate that promotes prosperity for years to come.”

Senator Tarr’s Statement on a Proposed Substance Abuse Recovery Bill

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding a substance abuse treatment and recovery bill released today from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means:

“We have all seen the destructive nature of what opioids and other drugs can have on the life of someone caught in the vicious cycle of addiction, and the harm it can have on a family and their community.  It is vital that Massachusetts does not stand idly by as families deteriorate and continue to suffer, and it is time that the legislature puts in place the tools necessary to seriously combat this issue in an effective and responsible fashion.

The measure offered by Senate President Therese Murray and Senator John Keenan is a great starting point and a wonderful opportunity to begin the process of exchanging ideas to best combat this major issue troubling our society.  I applaud their efforts for creating the vehicle for that to happen, and I look forward to having a spirited debate on the matter where Senate Republicans will be active participants.”

Letter from Senate Republican Caucus to DCF Commissioner Deveney Regarding Justina Pelletier

Today, the Massachusetts Senate Republican Caucus sent the following letter to Interim DCF Commissioner Erin Deveney regarding Justina Pelletier:

   http://www.scribd.com/doc/222151456/2014-05-05-SIGNED-CAUCUS-Letter-to-DCF-Commissioner-Deveney-Re-Justina-Pelletier"  style="text-decoration: underline;" >2014.05.05 SIGNED CAUCUS Letter to DCF Commissioner Deveney Re Justina Pelletier

Senator Humason to Hold Public Office Hours at Easthampton Senior Center May 12th at 11 a.m.

Senator Don Humason of the 2nd Hampden & Hampshire District and his staff will hold public office hours at the Easthampton Senior Center between the hours of 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12^th.

The Easthampton Senior Center is located at 19 Union Street in Easthampton.  There is ample parking around the building and plenty of room for any who wish to meet with the Senator.

All are welcome to come, visit, and share their thoughts or concerns on state matters with Senator Humason.

Senator Humason and his staff are also available to meet with constituents at their district office located at 64 Noble Street in Westfield.  No appointment is necessary, but calling ahead to (413) 561-1366 is recommended in case they are at the State House.  Senator Humason's Boston office can be reached at 617-722-1415 for legislative matters.

Senator Humason's email is Donald.Humason@MASenate.gov and his website is www.DonHumason.org

In Case You Missed It...

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) was a guest on last night's broadcast of "Greater Boston".  Hedlund and fellow guest Maria Mossaides of the Children's League of Massachusetts joined host Emily Rooney for an in-studio discussion of the Department of Children and Families and yesterday's resignation of DCF Commissioner Olga Roche.  You can watch their discussion by playing the video link below.

Media Alert: Senator Tarr on NECN at 11 a.m.

This morning Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be a guest on NECN’s Morning News, where he’ll be discussing the latest developments regarding the resignation of the Department of Children and Families Commissioner Olga Roche, and what the department needs to do moving forward to regain public trust.

Please tune in at 11:00 a.m. for today’s appearance.

Media Alert: Senator Tarr On the Air with Fox25, Senator Hedlund on ‘Greater Boston’ Tonight

Tonight, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) will be a guest on the Fox 25 Evening News to discuss the resignation of Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Olga Roche, and the necessary steps the department needs to take to regain the public’s trust.  The segment will air during the 5 p.m. broadcast.

Also tonight, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) will join host Emily Rooney as an in-studio guest on “Greater Boston” to discuss the changes at DCF.  The show airs at 7 p.m. on WGBH Channel 2 and re-airs at 12:30 a.m.

Senator Tarr's Statement on the Resignation of DCF Commissioner Olga Roche

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding the resignation of Department of Children and Families Commissioner Olga Roche:

“The resignation of Commissioner Roche is an important and necessary step in reforming the Department of Children and Families, but it’s not the only step that needs to be taken.

DCF has systemic failures, and they demand sweeping reform to protect some of our state's most vulnerable children and families. Responsible caseloads, accountability at every level, a focus on the best interest of the child, and timely actions need to be part of the fabric of this agency.

For the legislature and the Governor to leave these reforms undone in the wake of Roche's departure would be a serious mistake and a disservice to our state.”

Senator Tarr's Statement on Latest DCF Failures

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today, following reports of the deaths of two more children under the care of the Department of Children and Families:

“The most recent tragic deaths of Aliana Lavigne and Bailey Irish are an emphatic reinforcement of the fact that DCF is experiencing systemic failures that demand sweeping reforms that extend from new leadership to reasonable caseloads to the kind of comprehensive protocols and accountability that will prevent further harm to some of the state’s most vulnerable children and families.”

Senator Tarr's Statement on MA Affordable Care Act Waiver Extension

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today after it was announced that the federal government has given Massachusetts a one-year waiver extension on an Affordable Care Act mandate that will change the way insurers calculate premiums for businesses:

"This waiver extension is indeed good news for small businesses in our state and the people who depend on them. Healthcare costs are a major challenge to increasing employment in the wake of a long and difficult recession.

That's why we need to use the time gained from the waiver to redouble our efforts to secure permanent relief from a risk rating system that will disrupt what has worked for our state to accurately price risk and to help prevent the rate spikes that the federal mandate could well cause.

If people in Washington truly believe that  Massachusetts has been a pioneer in health care reform, then they should give our system the respect it deserves and prevent it from being disrupted by a mandate that doesn't make sense for our state."

Support for the PAWS Act

Today the PAWS Act received its public hearing before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.  There were several legislators, animal activists, and advocacy groups testifying in support of the comprehensive animal abuse protection bill that Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr authored, which has 75 additional co-sponsors.

Today’s hearing was an important next step in the legislative process.  With formal sessions ending on July 31^st, it is imperative that people call, email, or write to the members of the Judiciary Committee to release the bill favorably.  Click here for the contact information for the members of the Judiciary Committee.

The legislation raises fines and penalties, and creates an animal abuse registry. Highlights of the bill include:

• Establishing an anonymous animal abuse tip hotline;

• Expanding the use of the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund to include the rehabilitation and care of abused animals, and increasing the size of the board that administers the fund to include a special state police officer from an animal humane organization, and a member of local law enforcement;

• Imposing a fine of up to $1,000 on any veterinarian who knowingly and willfully fails to report a suspected act of cruelty to an animal;

• Increasing the penalties associated with cruelty to animals, or maliciously killing, maiming, disfiguring, or exposing them to poison from a monetary fine of $2,500 or imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 ½ years to between $2,500 and $10,000 and/or imprisonment;

• Providing judicial discretion to expand the penalties for up to 5 additional years imprisonment and an additional $10,000 fine based on a finding of the existence of aggravating factors, including but not limited to the number of animals involved, the degree of premeditation or planning,   whether the abuse occurred in the presence of a child; whether the abuse occurred as a result of acts undertaken for financial benefit (i.e., dogfighting), and whether the abuse was systematic or isolated;

• Increasing the penalties for a second or subsequent offense from 5-10 years state imprisonment and a fine between $5,000 to $20,000;

• Increasing the penalty for a hit and run conviction on a cat or dog from a $50 fine to up to $2,000 fine and/or up to 60 days in a house of corrections;

• Creating a statewide registry of convicted individuals of animal abuse crimes, and requires all animal shelters, pet stores or animal breeders to check the registry prior to offering, selling, delivering, or giving an animal to any individual; and

• Creating a 9-member commission to review the state’s animal cruelty laws, many of which date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Senator Humason to Hold Office Hours at Southwick Town Hall Friday, 10:30-Noon

Senator Don Humason of the 2nd Hampden & Hampshire District, and his staff will hold public office hours at Southwick Town Hall between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and Noon on Friday, April 25^th.

Southwick Town Hall is located at 454 College Highway in Southwick and the Senator will be in Conference Room 2. There is ample parking behind the building and plenty of room for any who wish to meet with the Senator.

All are welcome to come, visit, and share their thoughts or concerns on state matters with Senator Humason.

Senator Humason and staff are also available to meet with constituents at their district office located at 64 Noble Street in Westfield.  No appointment is necessary, but calling ahead to (413) 561-1366 is recommended in case they are at the State House.  Senator Humason's Boston office can be reached at 617-722-1415 for legislative matters.

Senator Humason's email is Donald.Humason@MASenate.gov and his website is www.DonHumason.org.

Senator Tarr’s Statement on the Scheduling of a Public Hearing for the "PAWS Act"

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding Senate Bill 1914, An Act Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety (the PAWS Act), which has been scheduled for a public hearing on April 24^th at 1:30 p.m. in hearing room A-2 of the State House by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.  The bill offered by Senator Tarr has a total of 76 sponsors, with members of both parties and both branches supporting the bill:

“News that a long awaited public hearing for the PAWS Act has been scheduled is indeed good.  Sadly the heinous crimes against Puppy Doe, a dog who was left beaten, battered, and alone in a Quincy Park, is far from the first animal to be cruelly tortured.  Multiple examples exist across the Commonwealth, and now is the time for the legislature to act swiftly to take action against those who commit such heinous crimes.

The scheduling of Thursday’s hearing is a call to action for legislators, public officials, organizations, and all who care about animal welfare in our Commonwealth.  With limited time remaining in this legislative session we must deliver a united, clear, and compelling message that the legislature needs to act in a bold and decisive way to confront senseless acts of cruelty with strong penalties for abusers and a comprehensive system to prevent abuse and assist animals in distress.”

Senator Tarr’s Statement on the One Year Anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding the one year anniversary of the April 15, 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings:

“Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragic Boston Marathon bombings that left us all wounded and scarred due to the horrific actions of terrorists.  The attack on Boston shook the very core of our society, triggering great concern for our safety and the safety of our loved ones. 

Sadly the bombs took the lives of Krystal Marie Campbell, Lu Lingzi, and Martin William Richard, and during the manhunt to catch the suspects, we lost MIT Police Officer Sean Collier.  In total another 264 people were injured near the marathon’s finish line, many of whom lost limbs.

An act of terror is meant to intimidate, as much as it is meant to kill and maim; however, what the terrorists failed to contemplate was the strength of Bostonians and the people of Massachusetts.  With the assistance of public safety officials, first responders, hospital personnel, government agents, volunteers, and people from around the country and the world, we grew stronger as we united together. 

No matter how hard terrorists try to break down our society and our values as Americans, they will never breach our trust and faith in one another, and although a year has passed since the events of that infamous day occurred, we remain Boston Strong, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Sen. Ross Appointed to Domestic Violence Panel

Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) was recently appointed to a panel focused on initiatives to combat domestic violence. Ross and colleagues from the House and Senate will craft compromise legislation as part of a conference committee.

 

“Curbing domestic violence is a challenge that we must take on. We need to help victims and increase penalties for future perpetrators,” said Senator Ross. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to address this problem.”

 

The legislation provides employment leave to victims of domestic violence to address matters related to the abuse. It also establishes the crime of strangulation, and increases penalties for other domestic violence crimes.

 

The Senate and the House of Representatives passed differing versions of this legislation. This conference committee has been assembled to create a compromise bill that will be presented to Governor Patrick for his approval.

Senator Tarr’s Statement on the Passage of a Natural Gas Leaks Bill

Yesterday Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement regarding the passage of S.2073, An Act relative to natural gas leaks:

“Today’s passage by the Senate of S.2073, An Act relative to natural gas leaks, is an important step for public safety and our environment.  When Wayne Sargent’s house exploded in January, 2009 in Gloucester we all saw firsthand the devastating consequences of gas leaks.  Through this legislation we can put in place a classification and management system that will not only compel timely and effective responses to leaks that pose immediate threats, but also cause the systemic and effective replacement of an aging transmission system that often causes those leaks in the first place.

            Wayne has been a critical force in getting this bill passed.  His inspiration, motivation, and thoughtful suggestions have been valuable assets in the legislative process.

            Hopefully we can now advance the bill engrossed by the Senate today swiftly through final passage and onto the Governor’s desk to become law.”

###

 

* Photo Caption:

Gloucester Police Officer Wayne Sargent, whose house exploded in January 2009 due to a natural gas leak, stands with Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) in the Senate Chamber after the passage of S.2073.



Senator Hedlund's Statement on Governor's 'Road Recovery' Program Announcement

Senate Assistant Minority Leader Robert L. Hedlund, the ranking member of the state’s Transportation Committee, issued the following statement on the Patrick Administration’s announcement of a $40 million “Road Recovery” program:

“The number should be $100 million.  That’s the amount the Governor shortchanged cities and towns when he released just $200 million of the $300 million authorized by the Legislature.  There are misplaced priorities in the Governor’s Transportation spending plan.  The additional $100 million for cities and town should be at the top of his list, not pie-in-the-sky capital projects.”

Senator Tarr Discusses Judiciary Committee Backlog on Fox 25 News

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr made two appearances on the Fox 25 news program last night to discuss the backlog of bills that have been awaiting action by the Judiciary Committee.  A total of 791 bills are still pending in committee, including several bills to protect children from sex offenders, and more than 200 are still waiting for a hearing, including a bill addressing parole for juvenile murderers and the Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety Act (the PAWS Act) filed in the wake of the horrific Puppy Doe case.

To watch both segments, please click on the video link below.  A complete list of all 791 bills still pending before the Judiciary Committee is posted just below the video link.

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Judiciary Bills by Troy Wall