Senator Tarr on Fox 25

Last night, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr spoke with news anchor Maria Stephanos of the Fox 25 Evening News about the Department of Corrections’ decision to appeal a U.S. District Court’s ruling requiring the DOC to provide gender-reassignment surgery to convicted killer Robert Kosilek. To view the discussion, please play the video posted below.

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Senator Tarr's Statement on DOC Appeal of Kosilek Ruling

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today, following reports from a Patrick Administration official that the Department of Corrections will appeal U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf’s ruling that the state must provide gender reassignment surgery to convicted murderer Robert Kosilek at taxpayers’ expense:

“I understand that the administration is preparing to move forward with an appeal, and I applaud this decision. Challenging the court’s ruling in the Kosilek case is the right thing to do, and I am glad the administration has finally reached that conclusion. The Department of Correction is to be commended for standing up and opposing this outrageous request and for taking the necessary action to prevent it from being legitimized by a legal decision.

The decision to appeal this unprecedented federal court ruling requiring the state to fund sex reassignment surgery for a convicted murderer is responsive to the request that I and more than 50 legislators have made, and to the interests of the taxpayers and citizens of the Commonwealth. Requiring the state to fund a medical procedure for a first-degree murderer that many private citizens cannot afford and that those receiving medical coverage from the state do not have the option to receive undermines the public’s confidence in government and our institutions of corrections and justice.

By seeking an appeal, the state is saying loud and clear that precious taxpayer resources will not be prioritized to fund a protracted and expensive surgery for a first degree murderer. Allowing a single federal judge to undermine the better judgment of the correction department would have risked irreparable damage to the relationship we have with, and duty we owe to, the public.”

Attached below is a copy of the letter Senator Tarr, members of the Senate Republican Caucus, and 51 other legislators sent to DOC Commissioner Luis Spencer on September 12, urging him to appeal Judge Wolf's decision.

9.12.2012 Gender Reassignment Surgery Kosilek Appeal DOC Letter

Well Wishes for Yom Kippur

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and the rest of the Senate Republican Caucus would like to wish all of their Jewish constituents an easy fast tonight as they celebrate Yom Kippur. "G'mar Hatimah Tovah!"

Senator Knapik on 'Brad and Bo' Show Friday

Senator Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield), the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, will be making his weekly appearance on the Brad and Bo radio show Friday morning.

In keeping with the segment's focus on the latest news events, the on-air discussion will likely include a look at tonight's Brown-Warren U.S. Senate debate and the just-released state unemployment numbers, which show that Massachusetts' jobless rate climbed to 6.3% in August.

To hear the discussion, please tune in to WHYN-AM 560 at 7:35 a.m. tomorrow, or listen live online on the WHYN NewsTalk website.

In Case You Missed It...

Be sure to check out the two video clips posted below, featuring Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr's appearances on NECN's "Broadside" Wednesday night and on the Fox 25 morning news earlier today regarding the Kosilek case. Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

ON THE AIR: Senator Tarr on Fox 25 News

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will once again be discussing U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf’s rulings in the case of Kosilek v. Spencer when he appears on the Fox 25 Morning News on Thursday. Please tune in tomorrow morning at approximately 7:05 a.m., when Tarr will be discussing the issue with Fox 25 morning news anchor Shannon Mulaire.

Senator Tarr on NECN's 'Broadside' Tonight

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) will be appearing live in-studio on tonight’s episode of Broadside on New England Cable News, where he will join host Jim Braude and Attorney Edward Ryan to discuss the two recent decisions issued by U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf in the case of Kosilek v. Spencer.

Earlier this month, Judge Wolf ruled that the Massachusetts Department of Corrections must provide convicted murderer Robert Kosilek – who murdered his wife in 1990 and now goes by the name Michelle – with gender reassignment surgery at taxpayers’ expense. This week, Judge Wolf determined that Kosilek is also entitled to be compensated by the state for the legal fees incurred over the last 12 years while fighting to have the DOC pay for his surgery.

Senator Tarr and the members of the Senate Republican Caucus, along with 51 of their colleagues in the House and Senate, recently sent a letter to DOC Commissioner Luis Spencer urging him to appeal the court’s decision. A copy of the letter is posted below.

Please be sure to tune in to NECN at 6 p.m. tonight to watch the discussion.

9.12.2012 Gender Reassignment Surgery Kosilek Appeal DOC Letter

Senator Tarr's Statement on Latest Kosilek Ruling

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today, following U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf’s ruling that convicted murderer Robert Kosilek is entitled to compensation from the state for the legal fees associated with his 12-year quest to have the Commonwealth pay for his gender reassignment surgery (Judge Wolf had previously ruled that the state’s Department of Correction must provide the surgery at taxpayers’ expense):

“In ruling that the plaintiff is entitled to legal costs in his pursuit of gender reassignment surgery, Judge Wolf is continuing down the wrong path. This second inappropriate decision makes it even more critical for the Department of Corrections to file appeals and stand up for the taxpayers of Massachusetts and the integrity of the Eighth Amendment. I am once again calling on Commissioner Spencer to do the right thing by pursuing a vigorous appeal to overturn the court’s rulings.”

Happy Rosh HaShanah

From Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and the members of the Senate Republican Caucus to their Jewish friends, constituents and community, in recognition of the beginning of Rosh HaShanah, this Sunday at sundown, "L'Shana Tova."

ON THE AIR: Senator Tarr on Fox 25 Tonight

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be appearing live on Fox 25’s 6 o’clock news tonight to discuss the latest turmoil in the Middle East and how these events might shape the upcoming Presidential election.  Joining Senator Tarr in-studio will be Representative Charles Murphy (D-Burlington).  Please be sure to tune in to Fox 25 tonight at 6 p.m. to catch their discussion.

Remembering September 11

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr released the following statement today, on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

"Today marks the 11th anniversary of the tragic al-Qaeda terrorist hijacking of four commercial airliners that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a field near Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001. On that solemn day, nearly 3,000 victims lost their lives and many more have sustained long-lasting health problems. Not since the attack on Pearl Harbor has this country known of such an attack.

The horrific events of that day are still felt today, and serve as a constant reminder that the War on Terrorism is far from over. Since that fateful day, we have lost many military and civilian personnel who gave their lives protecting this great nation and advancing the ideals of democracy.

I hope we will all take a moment to reflect on that tragic day, and may we never forget what happened on September 11, 2001."

Senator Tarr Makes Multiple Media Appearances Regarding Kosilek v. Spencer

Earlier today, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr was interview by Channel 5 Reporter Amalia Barreda regarding a letter he sent today with 49 other legislators -- including the entire Senate Republican Caucus -- urging the Department of Corrections to file an appeal to the recent decision by the U.S. District Court in the case of Kosilek v. Spencer. In Tuesday’s decision, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf ruled in favor of Michelle Kosilek, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence without parole, mandating the Department of Corrections to provide gender-reassignment surgery to Kosilek.

To read the letter that was sent to Commissioner Spencer click here. Please tune in beginning tonight at 5:00 P.M. to see today’s interview.

In addition to his Channel 5 appearance, Senator Tarr will also be discussing the same issue during FOX 25’s nightly news broadcast. To watch tonight’s interview please tune in at approximately 6:15 P.M.

Also airing throughout the evening on WBZ Radio 1030AM is a report that Senator Tarr is featured in by Suzanne Sausville regarding the court’s decision.

Get Out and Vote!

Today is Primary Day in Massachusetts, with several contested races taking place for seats in the Massachusetts Legislature, Congress, Governors Council and various county offices.  Polls are open across the state until 8 p.m., so if you haven’t done so already, please be sure to exercise your Constitutional right to cast a ballot for the candidates of your choice.  If you’re not sure where to vote, click here to find your polling place, along with the names of the candidates appearing on the Democratic, Republican and Green-Rainbow ballots.