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

Senator Tarr’s Statement Regarding a DCF Audit by Auditor Bump

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding the release of a two-year audit of the Department of Children and Families by Auditor Suzanne Bump:

“Today’s audit report issued by Auditor Bump reconfirms the risks posed to vulnerable children because of deficiencies and systematic problems at the Department of Children and Families.  Now, more than ever, it is clear that reforming this agency needs to be a priority for the Legislature and the Administration, and the job needs to be done in a timely and effective way.”

MEDIA ALERT: Senator Ross on Fox 25 at 5

 

Senator Richard Ross, the Ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, will be appearing on Fox 25 news this afternoon to discuss SenateBill 787, An Act Relative to Divorce.  The segment will air at 5 p.m.  To learn more about the bill, please click here.

Republican Legislators Seek to Freeze UI Rate Increase

Today House Minority Leader Brad Jones and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr distributed the following press release:

House and Senate Republican Lawmakers Decry Inaction on Unemployment Insurance Rate Freeze

Impending April Increase to Cost Small Businesses Hundreds of Millions of Dollars

BOSTON - With a drastic increase to the Massachusetts unemployment insurance rate taking effect during the first quarter, House and Senate Republican lawmakers have filed legislation to freeze the unemployment insurance rate at its current level. The move comes after continued inaction from the Democratic-led Legislature to act on preventing an increase to the unemployment insurance rate paid by thousands of small businesses across the Commonwealth.

Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester), Republican lawmakers are attempting to prevent a $500 million exposure to businesses, should Democratic legislators fail to act on legislation protecting hardworking entrepreneurs across Massachusetts.

“By leveraging the freeze of our state’s unemployment rate as a means to obtain their desired minimum wage level, Democratic lawmakers have signaled their willingness to use the Commonwealth’s small businesses as a pawn in their political game,” said State Representative Brad Jones. “At this time, it is an extreme disservice to businesses throughout the Commonwealth to not consider this proposal separately based on its merit.  A freeze of the unemployment insurance rate is imperative for both our state’s workforce and entrepreneurs. If not approved immediately, this increase will have a negative impact on our economy.”

The effort to prevent an increase to the state’s unemployment insurance rate comes six months after Republican legislators were successful in advocating for the repeal of the crippling technology tax which was approved by Democratic lawmakers. As was the case with the largest and broadest tax on computer and software services in the nation, an increase of 33% to the rate incurred by small businesses in regards to unemployment insurance will have a long-lasting and negative effect on the businesses that are the backbone of the Massachusetts economy.

“Freezing unemployment insurance rates is critical to the viability and sustainability of employers and jobs in our state, and if we don’t act now we will be risking serious damage to our economy,” said Senator Bruce Tarr.  “The House and Senate may well continue to be divided over issues like the minimum wage, but there can be no doubt that we should act immediately on behalf of the commonsense a freeze represents.”

Having been filed in both the House and Senate, House Docket 4163, An Act Relative to the Unemployment Insurance Rate, awaits assignment to a legislative committee.

Media Alert: Sen. Tarr on the Air with Fox 25

Tonight, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will once again be a special guest on the Fox 25 Evening News, where he will be discussing with Investigative Reporter Mike Beaudet the recent arrest of a level 3 sex offender charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, reckless endangerment of a child, enticement of a child, and dissemination of pornography to a minor.

To watch this evening’s discussion, please tune in tonight at 5:00 p.m.

Senator Tarr’s Statement on a Report Issued Today by the Child Welfare League

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding a report issued by the Child Welfare League, who has been hired to review the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families:

“Today’s progress report from the Child Welfare League makes it clear that we have substantial work to do to reform the Department of Children and Families, and to ensure that the health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable children are not jeopardized by this agency.

The report confirms the need for responsible caseloads, more modern technology and better medical screening protocols, and woven through all of these issues is greater accountability at all levels.

In addition, the report also points to the immediate need to confront the problem of granting waivers for children to be placed in homes with those convicted of felonies and other crimes.  There is a clear contrast between the situation we have today and the system we need to have, which bans some placements outright and puts in place monitoring and accountability to protect the children in others.

Changing from a system that grants waivers to one that requires approval, as expressed in the report, reflects the intent of the amendment offered by Senate Republicans and approved by the Senate on February 13th, to require that the safety and necessity of these placements be certified in writing before they are allowed.”

Senate Republican Caucus Seeks to Address Major Loophole within State Employee Travel Expense Regs

Confronting a situation that has recently been highlighted by travel and other expenses incurred by commissioners and employees at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Senate Minority Whip Donald Humanson (R-Westfield), and Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), the Ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means are filing legislation this week that would further regulate expenditures made by state employees.

Current law mandates all governing bodies that receive state appropriations to follow strict travel expense guidelines.  However, because the Massachusetts Gaming Commission does not receive such appropriations, the commission has interpreted that the regulations do not apply.  The bill authored by the Senate Republican Caucus, which is also available for co-sponsorship by the members of the legislature, eliminates the wording of “state appropriations” to make the regulation all-inclusive.

“Our state’s expense rules need to be clear, understandable, and even-handed,” said Senator Tarr.  “These commonsense reforms achieve those goals and go a long way toward preventing abuses and extreme expenses.”

With unclear travel spending regulations, which were originally codified in 2004, outrageous expenditures may occur if left unchecked.  Recently, the Boston Business Journal found employees of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be lavishly spending during business trips nationally and internationally.  Their review of over 700 credit card charges and expense reimbursements from May 2012 to the end of 2013 found employees of the commission spent nearly $85,000 on airfare, $61,000 on hotel accommodations, and $37,000 on meals.

Compelled to address a number of problems with the current law, the bill seeks to resolve the ambiguity of the state employee travel reimbursement regulations by:

• clarifying the reimbursement rules regarding lodging, entertainment, airfare, and other travel expenses;

• applying the state reimbursement rules to every state employee; and

• removing the current distinction between managers and employees.

“These loopholes, if left unchanged, would at the very least create a cloud of impropriety, and at the very worst, allow widespread abuse,” said Senator Tarr.  “With state government continuing to evolve, this measure aims to instill confidence by removing speculation to ensure state employees are spending precious dollars appropriately.”

Statement on a Local Aid Resolution Agreement

Today Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr released the following statement regarding the announcement of a proposed local aid resolution:

“Local aid accounts are critical for municipal budgets and providing essential services such as education and police and fire protection, and an early local aid resolution is an important tool to provide valuable information to the municipal officials who are working now to write city and town budgets.

Because of that importance, consideration of a local aid resolution is a welcome opportunity for debate about how best to help our cities and towns. In that debate we should consider the context of a likely increase in state spending of almost 5%, and aspire to reach beyond increases in Chapter 70 spending which account only for inflation and incremental increases per pupil that resemble those we have seen in the past.

Similarly, if the state budget is going to increase by 5%, we need to address Unrestricted General Government Aid more than we have over the past several years, and in a way that addresses the projected performance of the lottery and the needs of our municipal partners in government.”

Senate Republican Caucus Succeeds in Securing Transparency Amendment in Transportation Bond Bill

Today the Senate Republican Caucus distributed the following press release regarding a transportation bond bill the Massachusetts State Senate passed on Thursday, March 6:

Senate Republican Caucus Succeeds in Securing Transparency Amendment in Transpo Bond Bill

Caucus Vows to Continue to Fight for Accountability and Responsibility in State Transportation System

 

Boston- On Thursday, March 6th, the Massachusetts State Senate debated a transportation bond bill that totaled more than $13 billion to assist in the financing of transportation projects throughout the Commonwealth.  Among the 237 amendments filed, 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 succeeded in securing an amendment to S.2023, An Act financing improvements to the Commonwealth’s transportation system, that would instill needed transparency and allow for more accountability within two of the state’s major transportation agencies.

The amendment, which passed unanimously by a roll call vote of 38-0, requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to post an annual report to the MassDOT website of all financial activities.  It also requires the MBTA to post an annual itemized budget online, allowing anyone the opportunity to scrutinize and examine the expenditures made by the agency.

“Our state government spends billions of taxpayer dollars on a system of transportation that people depend on every day, said Senator Tarr.  “It makes sense to open the doors of accountability to allow people to see how their money is being spent, and compare those expenditures with the value they are getting when they drive on a roadway or ride on a train.”

While this amendment passed overwhelmingly, several other amendments aimed at increasing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the state’s transportation system were offered unsuccessfully by the caucus, which will continue to pursue them in other venues.  They include:

• Requiring the secretary of transportation to issue a five-year plan prioritizing the repair and maintenance of existing transportation infrastructure over expansion projects, also known as the Fix it First Plan;

• Prohibiting the MBTA from undertaking expansion projects without first conducting a cost analysis and demonstrating that sufficient revenue exists or will be generated to operate and maintain the expansion project; and

• Prohibiting the registrar from raising Registry of Motor Vehicle fees until after the secretary of transportation has reported on the status of a mandate requiring all state transportation employees’ salaries and benefits being funded through the operating budget, and not with bond money.

“In order to increase transparency within our state government and instill the system with greater integrity, it is paramount that measures like these are vigorously pursued at every opportunity, and the Senate Republican Caucus will continue to fight for a more transparent and efficient state government,” said Senator Tarr.

The transportation bond bill was engrossed by the Senate by a unanimous vote of 38-0.  The House previously passed its version of a transportation bond bill, and now the two chambers will work together to reach an accord.