Senator Hedlund Reflects on Memorial Day

The following is an op-ed from Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund on the meaning of Memorial Day:

John A. Logan, famous American General during the Mexican American War and the father of Memorial Day, once said “Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic.” To honor the soldiers and their sacrifice the first Memorial Day, then called Decoration Day, was conducted in 1868 on May 30th, chosen because it was not the day of a battle during the civil war.

These first Memorial Days both in the North and South, by all historical accounts, were somber occasions for families and friends to remember their loved ones. Services were simple and the theme of the day was remembrance. The day was chosen as May 30th because it retained significance as a day of peace during what would become the bloodiest conflict in American history.

This all changed on June 7th, 1968 when the Federal Government passed the Uniform Holiday’s Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates, to a specified Monday creating a three day weekend. Memorial Day was one of them, and was moved from the traditional May 30th, a date of importance, to the last Monday in May. This was the beginning of the end for the traditional Memorial Day as a day of remembrance. As the VFW said in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, “Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.”

I could not agree with the VFW’s categorization of Memorial Day more strongly. A day once reserved for tradition and honor, for the linking of generations, has over time been corrupted so as to dilute the significance of the Memorial Day holiday. A three day weekend harkening the start of summer, barbeques, and special sale promotions at the mall, all compete for the attention of our citizenry for the meaning of the day.

For this reason I have co-sponsored Senate Bill 1826, reinstituting our old Blue Law closure for Memorial Day only. As politicians and elected officials, we often invoke the specter of remembrance for our war dead and their families; we say how important it is to remember their sacrifices to honor their service, we then conclude our speeches and the few who attend these ceremonies leave, and Memorial Day is over to be forgotten for another year.

That is not the ceremony I want for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom. This Memorial Day please remember General John A. Logan and all the men and women who in the service of their country gave their lives, and remember what this day used to be about, not what it has become.

Senator Tarr's Statement on Passage of Senate's Version of Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr released the following statement today, following the Senate’s passage of its Fiscal Year 2012 budget:

“The last two days have been characterized by the kind of open, fair and vigorous debate that the issues at hand and the citizens of the Commonwealth deserve. Through this process, the Senate has secured some major accomplishments, including pioneering reform of the methods by which municipal health insurance is provided and paid for and a renewed focus on performance-based governing. Important spending priorities such as special education funding and regional school transportation have also found their place in the actions that have occurred during this budget debate. Yet, although there have been some important accomplishments, there have also been a number of significant missed opportunities to provide relief for beleaguered taxpayers struggling with one of our nation’s worst recessions, to contain the cost of health care that is burdening so many households and employers, and to take actions to spur job creation and revenue growth.

While we must necessarily move forward with a spending document for Fiscal Year 2012, at some point we must do so with an understanding that if we continue to remain inactive in terms of economic growth, further reforms, and health care cost containment, the difficult decisions that we have been facing in this budget debate will grow inevitably worse in the days ahead.”

Video Blog: Senator Tarr Offers Closing Budget Remarks

Media Alert: Senator Hedlund on Fox25

Tune in to tonight’s Fox25 Nightly News broadcast to see Senator Robert Hedlund discuss his thoughts on Governor Patrick’s scheduled court appearance during tomorrow’s hearing.

Media Alert: Senator Ross on the Jeff Katz Show

Tomorrow morning Senator Richard Ross will be speaking with guest hosts Joe Malone and Holly Robichaud of the Jeff Katz Show on Talk 1200AM Boston to recap the Senate budget debate for Fiscal Year 2012. Please tune in tomorrow morning at 7:35 AM to listen to their discussion.

Video Blog: Senator Tarr Discusses Increases to Regional School Transportation and Special Education Accounts

Video Blog: Senator Hedlund Discusses A U.S. History Education Amendment

Media Alert: Senator Knapik on the Jeff Katz Show

Tomorrow morning Senator Michael Knapik will be speaking with guest hosts Joe Malone and Holly Robichaud of the Jeff Katz Show on Talk 1200AM Boston to discuss the first day of Senate budget debate for Fiscal Year 2012. Please tune in tomorrow morning at 7:45 AM to listen to their discussion.

Video Blog: Senator Tarr Delivers a Day 1 Recap of the Senate Budget

Video Blog: Senator Hedlund Discusses Income Tax Rollback

Video Blog: Senator Hedlund Discusses 40B Projects

Video Blog: Senator Knapik Discusses a Sales Tax Holiday

Video Blog: Senate Tarr Delivers Pre-Budget Thoughts

Senator Tarr on the Jeff Katz Show

Tomorrow morning Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be speaking with Jeff Katz of the Jeff Katz Show on Talk 1200AM Boston to discuss the upcoming Senate budget debate for Fiscal Year 2012 and many of the amendments that the Senate Republican Caucus filed. Please click here to read a previous post about some the amendments filed by the caucus and here to read the actual text of all 599 amendments filed by the members of the Senate. Please tune in tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM to listen to their discussion.

Video Blogging the Senate Budget Debate

Senator Hedlund on NECN’s “Broadside”

Last night Senate Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund joined former Lt. Governor Tom O'Neil and host Jim Braude on New England Cable News Network’s “Broadside”. Their discussion included the GOP presidential field, President Obama’s visit to Ireland, and U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s 2012 re-election campaign. To watch last night’s clip please play the posted video below or click here.

Some Key Proposed Amendments

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2012 last week, and by a 12:00pm deadline on Friday 599 amendments had been filed by Senators seeking to modify that proposal. The Senate Republican Caucus has sponsored a number of amendments which offer the potential to reform state government, impose or strengthen fiscal discipline, and promote economic growth. Among them are:

• Meals Tax Holiday (OTHER-11)
Provides a meals tax holiday from October 21, 2011 through October 26, 2011.

• Job Creation Tax Credit (OTHER-40)
Creates a business tax credit of 50% of a new worker’s income tax for every business that increases its work force. A business may take the credit for no more than 50 new eligible employees added, and must take the credit over the course of three years, provided that the business maintains the employment increase.

• Asset Forfeiture (LOC-64)
Provides for the asset forfeiture of motor vehicles for those individuals charged with violating federal immigration laws.

• Revert Local Aid (LOC-55)
Stipulates that 50% of the state’s surplus revenues available at the end of FY12 be slated for distribution to cities and towns through the Lottery formula.

• Confidentiality Agreements (GOV-113)
Directs state agencies and departments that should they enter into a settlement agreement with an employee that includes confidentiality or gag order clauses, the employer must make publicly available a statement as to why the gag order is in the public’s best interest.

• Taxpayer-Funded Advertising (GOV-115)
Prohibits state advertising on subjects other than public health and public safety.

• Gubernatorial Personnel Cost Savings (GOV-119)
Requires the Governor to report on all salary increases and decreases in FY2011 and planned increases or decreases in FY2012.

• Government Transparency and Accountability (GOV-120)
Establishes a searchable website to find out who is receiving state contracts, grants, and other funds. It would build off other existing but inadequate resources, such as Operational Services Division’s Comm-Pass system, and the Executive Office of Administration and Finance’s budget tracking site.

• Fiscal Responsibility with Grants (GOV-121)
Requires the governor, state agencies and quasi-state agencies to submit a cost benefit and job outcome analysis to the Legislature prior to issuing any grants totaling $500,000 or more to private companies.

• Fair Employment and Security (GOV-122)
Requires the Attorney General to set up a hotline for immigration employment and status violations, and also directs the Attorney General to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Attorney General relative to enforcement of immigration laws. Increases penalties against employers who hire workers not legally present in the United States as well as prevents companies in violation from obtaining state government contracts. The amendment also increases penalties for individuals in possession of and/or who distribute falsified identification documents and protects taxpayers’ money by insuring state benefits are not fraudulently acquired by undocumented residents, including health insurance, housing and educational assistance.

• Voter Identification (GOV-125)
Requires voters to provide at the time of voting an identification document. Those unable to provide an identification document must meet the requirements of Chapter 54, Section 76 of the MGL, requiring the voter to submit their name and residence in writing on the ballot, and for the clerk to keep an accurate record of such voters.

• State Contracting Threshold (ECO-210)
Increases from $500,000 to $2 million the threshold for determining which state projects are eligible for privatization.

• Inmate Fees (EPS-354)
Requires $2 daily payment from prisoners as a form of defraying the costs of incarceration. Also requires sheriffs to report on the success of the program 12 months after passage.

• Restrictions on Cash Benefits and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Cards (EHS-444)
Prohibits the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets with cash assistance benefits. Provides appropriate penalties for both store owners who knowingly sell prohibited items to recipients and for recipients who use benefits for prohibited purchases. Also adds tough penalties for fraudulent uses of cash benefits – for example, fines and possibly prison time for those who misrepresent their life status to obtain benefits.

• Prescription Drug Waste (EHS-445)
Directs facilities licensed by the departments of public health, mental health and corrections to recycle or return unused medication if it is unopened, individually sealed and within its recommended shelf life. Similar legislation has been adopted in 38 states, and will save the state millions of dollars in drug costs. In particular, in nursing homes, unopened and unused drugs are wasted and disposed of after patients leave the facility, discontinue use of the medication, or pass away.

• Medicaid Utilization (EHS-448)
Requires the office of Medicaid to develop and improve regulations to ensure that Medicare-like claims editing is fully and effectively implemented.

• Mandatory Prescription Drug Coverage (EHS-449)
Gives Massachusetts residents the option of selecting a health care plan that does not include prescription drug coverage without violating the individual mandate law.

The amendments proposed by all of the members of the Senate can be viewed by clicking here. Debate on the amendments will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, and will be webcast at http://masslegislature.tv/?l=sen_video.

Senator Tarr on the Fox 25 Morning News

This morning Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Senate budget debate and some amendments to the budget that the Senate GOP Caucus filed with news commentator VB of the Fox 25 Morning News. Among the subjects discussed were voter id and the income tax rollback approved by the voters in 2000. To watch today's segment please play the posted video below.

Budget debate: What will get cut?: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Senator Hedlund on 'Broadside' Tonight

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (pictured at left) will be a guest on Broadside with Jim Braude tonight at 6 p.m. on NECN. Hedlund and Braude will be discussing the GOP field, President Obama's visit to Ireland, and Scott Brown, along with former Lt. Gov Tom O'Neil. Tune in tonight at 6 on NECN to follow the discussion live. The show will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. and at 3:30 a.m.

Sen. Tarr on Monday’s Fox 25 Morning News

On Monday, May 23rd, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be talking with news commentator VB of the Fox 25 Morning News to discuss next week’s Senate budget debate and amendments filed by the Republican Caucus. Please tune in at approximately 7:35 a.m.