On Thursday, June 30th, the Massachusetts Senate will debate Senate Bill 1950, An Act Relative to the Commercial Exploitation of People. Legislative measures to criminalize human trafficking have been filed for multiple sessions but have only recently gained momentum due to the arrest of Norman Barnes, a Dorchester man who has been charged with the kidnapping and sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) are offering several amendments to strengthen the bill by increasing the punishment or elevating the charges of several of the outlined crimes for those who are found to be involved in human trafficking.
"Human trafficking is a heinous crime for which we should have no tolerance in Massachusetts. Not only must we join with the 46 other states that have enacted laws to address these outrageous acts, we must pass comprehensive legislation that provides every tool known to be effective in combating and eradicating human trafficking to those who can put them to work," said Senator Tarr.
Among the amendments filed are those that would:
* increase the bill's proposed punishment of human trafficking from 15 years in jail to 20 years;
* create additional penalties for those who use a firearm to facilitate or attempt to facilitate human trafficking;
* create additional penalties for those who physically injure or threaten to injure another person to facilitate or attempt to facilitate human trafficking;
* provide a confidentiality statute to protect victims who had been forced into sexual servitude from being identified or located by perpetrators; and
* create a separate additional crime for the enticement of a minor over the internet that carries either a fine of $2,500 or a maximum of five years in jail for the first offense, and not less than five years in jail, a fine of not less than $10,000, or both for each subsequent offense.
"The bill now before the Senate offers us a tremendous opportunity to forcefully address the issue of human trafficking. Given the incalculable and devastating impact this crime has on individuals, families and society, we have an undeniable obligation to make the bill as strong as possible," said Tarr.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Senator Ross Speaks at Networking Event
Senate Minority Whip Richard Ross attended the Business Builders Association's Networking Meeting on June 22 to speak to members about owning a small business. The meeting, held at Guido’s Italian Restaurant in Norfolk, provided members with an opportunity to meet other small business owners and promote their own enterprises.As the owner of R.J. Ross Funeral Home in Wrentham, Senator Ross is well equipped to speak about the experience of being a business owner. He was able to share his own knowledge, as well as the importance of networking. Senator Ross also brought informational pamphlets for members, containing helpful information on networking and small business ownership.
“As a small business owner myself, I certainly understand the importance of networking,” said Senator Ross. “The BBA’s Networking Meetings allow members to do just that, in a friendly and personal setting. This type of program fosters the lasting and beneficial relationships among business owners that are so important.”
Senator Ross is pictured above with Business Builders Association President JC Uttaro.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Senator Brown to Host Federal Fisheries Management Hearing Monday at Faneuil Hall
Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Scott Brown, a Congressional hearing open to the public is scheduled for this Monday, June 20th at 10 A.M. at Faneuil Hall to listen to testimony on federal fisheries management. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr has been asked to participate in the hearing as a witness. For more information, be sure to check out a recent report by Glen Johnson of the Boston Globe.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Senator Tarr's Statement on Former House Speaker Sal DiMasi's Conviction
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr issued the following statement today, following former House Speaker Sal DiMasi’s conviction on multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud citizens of his honest services, mail fraud, wire fraud and extortion:
“Today’s conviction of former Speaker DiMasi reflects the consequences of an abuse of political power for personal gain. Yet in our Commonwealth, no one is above the law, and the criminal justice system has made that clear in this case.
Abuses such as those in the DiMasi case demand transparency and accountability, and the Senate Republican Caucus will continue to seek every opportunity for further reforms in that regard. Criminal actions such as these should never take place on Beacon Hill.”
Some of the reforms offered by the Senate Republican Caucus this session include:
• a proposal requiring the Secretary of Administration & Finance and the Governor to file a zero-based budget every four years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2017, to more effectively allocate limited state resources and allow the Legislature to focus on real spending priorities;
• a proposal directing Governor Patrick and his successors to prepare a biennial plan for maximizing personnel efficiencies and controlling personnel costs;
• a crackdown on the use of so-called “gag orders” and confidentiality agreements when a public employee leaves state service or settles a legal dispute with a state agency so the public is aware of the amount of taxpayer dollars included in a severance package or legal settlement;
• a requirement that any state agency that spends $100,000 or more on consultants must file an annual report with the Legislature detailing the reasons necessitating the use of these consultants; and
• a requirement that more information be posted on the Legislature’s website and made accessible to the public, including information on all state expenditures of $25,000 or more, as well as information on the state’s borrowing and debt, which is the highest in the nation per capita.
“Today’s conviction of former Speaker DiMasi reflects the consequences of an abuse of political power for personal gain. Yet in our Commonwealth, no one is above the law, and the criminal justice system has made that clear in this case.
Abuses such as those in the DiMasi case demand transparency and accountability, and the Senate Republican Caucus will continue to seek every opportunity for further reforms in that regard. Criminal actions such as these should never take place on Beacon Hill.”
Some of the reforms offered by the Senate Republican Caucus this session include:
• a proposal requiring the Secretary of Administration & Finance and the Governor to file a zero-based budget every four years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2017, to more effectively allocate limited state resources and allow the Legislature to focus on real spending priorities;
• a proposal directing Governor Patrick and his successors to prepare a biennial plan for maximizing personnel efficiencies and controlling personnel costs;
• a crackdown on the use of so-called “gag orders” and confidentiality agreements when a public employee leaves state service or settles a legal dispute with a state agency so the public is aware of the amount of taxpayer dollars included in a severance package or legal settlement;
• a requirement that any state agency that spends $100,000 or more on consultants must file an annual report with the Legislature detailing the reasons necessitating the use of these consultants; and
• a requirement that more information be posted on the Legislature’s website and made accessible to the public, including information on all state expenditures of $25,000 or more, as well as information on the state’s borrowing and debt, which is the highest in the nation per capita.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Sen. Tarr Tackles Housing Discrimination
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr testified before the Joint Committee on Housing this morning in support of legislation he has filed with Senator Barry Finegold to prohibit discrimination in cooperative housing.Under current laws governing cooperative housing corporations, the boards of these corporations can turn down prospective owners who are not deemed to be “compatible with the community,” provided they do not make this decision on the basis of race, sex or age. Senate Bill 593 would tighten the law’s anti-discrimination requirements by limiting the rejection of potential co-op owners to those who fail to prove they can meet the financial and maintenance obligations associated with the property.
The fight to prohibit discrimination in housing is nothing new to Senator Tarr, who has sponsored similar legislation in both the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 legislative sessions. The initial bill was filed on behalf of a North Andover constituent, John Walsh, who was denied an opportunity to purchase a housing unit at 68 Beacon Street, near the Public Gardens and historic Boston Common (see story below).
An American Dream Denied
FLAG DAY 2011
Today is Flag Day, an annual celebration honoring the initial adoption of the United States flag.
It was 234 years ago today – June 14, 1777 – that the Continental Congress replaced the British Grand Union flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes – one for each of the original 13 colonies. Although the design of Old Glory has changed over the years, the symbolism behind the Stars and Stripes has not: more than two centuries later, the American flag still represents an international beacon of hope, freedom and democracy for the world’s downtrodden.
As Americans everywhere pause today to honor our flag, Scaling Beacon Hill asks that we also take a moment to honor the many brave men and women of the U.S. military who continue to serve our country and to defend the ideals symbolized by our flag, both at home and abroad.
Senator Hedlund's Bill to Crack Down on Repeat Drunk Drivers Being Heard Today
Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund's bill relative to ignition interlock devices (SB 1746) is being heard before the Joint Committee on Transportation today at 1 p.m. in Room B-1. Hedlund is pictured above with Ron Bersani, the grandfather of Melanie Powell, whose death at the hands of a repeat drunk driver led to the passage of Melanie's Law in 2005 (photo by Amelia Kunhardt of the Patriot Ledger). Be sure to check out the Patriot Ledger's recent article detailing the intent of the ignition interlock legislation, which imposes additional tough penalties for drunk driving.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Senate Approves Republican Caucus Plan to Control State Personnel Costs
The Massachusetts Senate is calling on Governor Patrick and his successors to develop a biennial plan to maximize personnel efficiencies and control the state’s rising personnel costs.
The Republican-sponsored proposal was approved on a unanimous vote of 37-0 as part of a comprehensive finance reform bill that passed the Senate yesterday. The Senate’s actions came only hours after media reports that the Patrick Administration has authorized 3 percent pay raises for managers in executive branch departments and agencies for the coming fiscal year.
“We recently completed floor debate on what is arguably one of the most difficult budgets the Senate has been faced with in many years, and the news of sweeping pay increases is surprising as the conference committee is struggling to meet existing demands and balance that budget,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “It is challenging to understand how these increases fit into the context of proposed budgets that are cutting programs and services for some of our state’s most vulnerable residents.”
According to the State House News Service, the 4,000 executive branch managers set to receive the raises have not seen any wage increases since 2007 and took unpaid furloughs in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. The 3 percent pay raises could cost the state as much as $10 million.
Under the amendment adopted by the Senate yesterday, the Governor must file his initial report on personnel costs with the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees within nine months of the passage of the state finance reform bill, with future reports filed every two years.
“Personnel costs are usually one of the largest elements of any budget, and they are certainly a major factor in state government,” Senator Tarr said. “The plan required in this amendment is a proactive way to confront these costs and to seek ways to keep them from destabilizing other priorities and the state budget itself.”
The finance reform bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further action.
The Republican-sponsored proposal was approved on a unanimous vote of 37-0 as part of a comprehensive finance reform bill that passed the Senate yesterday. The Senate’s actions came only hours after media reports that the Patrick Administration has authorized 3 percent pay raises for managers in executive branch departments and agencies for the coming fiscal year.
“We recently completed floor debate on what is arguably one of the most difficult budgets the Senate has been faced with in many years, and the news of sweeping pay increases is surprising as the conference committee is struggling to meet existing demands and balance that budget,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “It is challenging to understand how these increases fit into the context of proposed budgets that are cutting programs and services for some of our state’s most vulnerable residents.”
According to the State House News Service, the 4,000 executive branch managers set to receive the raises have not seen any wage increases since 2007 and took unpaid furloughs in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. The 3 percent pay raises could cost the state as much as $10 million.
Under the amendment adopted by the Senate yesterday, the Governor must file his initial report on personnel costs with the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees within nine months of the passage of the state finance reform bill, with future reports filed every two years.
“Personnel costs are usually one of the largest elements of any budget, and they are certainly a major factor in state government,” Senator Tarr said. “The plan required in this amendment is a proactive way to confront these costs and to seek ways to keep them from destabilizing other priorities and the state budget itself.”
The finance reform bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further action.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Senate Approves Zero-Based Budgeting Plan
The Massachusetts Senate has approved a Republican-backed initiative requiring the state to move toward a zero-based budgeting process beginning in Fiscal Year 2017.
The Senate adopted the measure during today’s debate on a comprehensive finance reform bill. It drew strong bipartisan support, passing on a unanimous vote of 38-0.
“Zero-based budgeting will transform the way our state spends its resources from an antiquated system based on the past to an innovative system which responds to priorities, requires performance and results, and causes every dollar spent to be justified,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), who offered the amendment along with Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham).
“The unanimous vote this amendment received shows the innovative approach the Commonwealth is undertaking with respect to the budget process in the future,” said Senator Hedlund. “Formulating a budget that looks at agency spending on a case by case basis rather than previous year spending levels shows the evolution of Massachusetts’ budgeting process and is a move towards a more modern and efficient system.”
Under the Senate proposal, the Governor would be required to file a zero-based budget every four years, starting with the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2016. Rather than developing a budget that expands on the previous year’s funding levels, the zero-based budget would formulate a spending plan for every state department and state agency without regard to their prior appropriations.
When filing the zero-based budget, the Governor will be required to include a brief description of the tasks and goals for each agency or department, along with a performance benchmark measure. This information will be included in the actual budget document and made available electronically on the official website of the Commonwealth.
“I commend my colleagues for unanimously passing this important amendment,” Senator Knapik said. “Zero-based budgeting will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in a rational way and will hold state agencies and department accountable for producing results and living within their current means.”
“Zero-based budgeting will give us the opportunity to evaluate items in the budget based on their performance and merit,” said Senator Ross. “In the past we have used previous years’ budgets as the basis for the next year funding without properly evaluating and validating the need for the expense. This creates an important tool that will aid us in forming transparent budgets that will give us confidence, as we support those items that we have built our budget around.”
“Given the Commonwealth’s current economic condition, we need a system which allows policymakers to evaluate spending according to our priorities and our ability to respond to them,” added Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen), who has co-sponsored zero-based legislation with Senator Tarr in the past. “The Legislature’s current budget process is broken and must be fixed. If we want to permanently solve state government’s tendency to overspend, we need to fundamentally reform the budget process. The use of a zero-based budget will force us to prioritize spending and substantively review all state-sponsored programs. I believe that this type of reform will help restore taxpayer confidence in state government spending.”
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further action.
The Senate adopted the measure during today’s debate on a comprehensive finance reform bill. It drew strong bipartisan support, passing on a unanimous vote of 38-0.
“Zero-based budgeting will transform the way our state spends its resources from an antiquated system based on the past to an innovative system which responds to priorities, requires performance and results, and causes every dollar spent to be justified,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), who offered the amendment along with Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham).
“The unanimous vote this amendment received shows the innovative approach the Commonwealth is undertaking with respect to the budget process in the future,” said Senator Hedlund. “Formulating a budget that looks at agency spending on a case by case basis rather than previous year spending levels shows the evolution of Massachusetts’ budgeting process and is a move towards a more modern and efficient system.”
Under the Senate proposal, the Governor would be required to file a zero-based budget every four years, starting with the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2016. Rather than developing a budget that expands on the previous year’s funding levels, the zero-based budget would formulate a spending plan for every state department and state agency without regard to their prior appropriations.
When filing the zero-based budget, the Governor will be required to include a brief description of the tasks and goals for each agency or department, along with a performance benchmark measure. This information will be included in the actual budget document and made available electronically on the official website of the Commonwealth.
“I commend my colleagues for unanimously passing this important amendment,” Senator Knapik said. “Zero-based budgeting will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in a rational way and will hold state agencies and department accountable for producing results and living within their current means.”
“Zero-based budgeting will give us the opportunity to evaluate items in the budget based on their performance and merit,” said Senator Ross. “In the past we have used previous years’ budgets as the basis for the next year funding without properly evaluating and validating the need for the expense. This creates an important tool that will aid us in forming transparent budgets that will give us confidence, as we support those items that we have built our budget around.”
“Given the Commonwealth’s current economic condition, we need a system which allows policymakers to evaluate spending according to our priorities and our ability to respond to them,” added Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen), who has co-sponsored zero-based legislation with Senator Tarr in the past. “The Legislature’s current budget process is broken and must be fixed. If we want to permanently solve state government’s tendency to overspend, we need to fundamentally reform the budget process. The use of a zero-based budget will force us to prioritize spending and substantively review all state-sponsored programs. I believe that this type of reform will help restore taxpayer confidence in state government spending.”
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further action.
Senate GOP Calls for State Finance Reforms
Senate Republicans have filed a series of amendments designed to give the state’s taxpayers a better sense of how their tax dollars are being spent by promoting cost-saving measures and requiring more transparency and accountability in the handling of the state’s finances.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) are offering the amendments as part of a bipartisan, comprehensive finance reform bill up for debate in the Senate on Thursday. All four Republicans are co-sponsoring the bill, which contains a number of Caucus priorities, including a debt affordability study and periodic performance management reviews to root out waste and duplication throughout state government.
Included on the Caucus’ list of amendments is a proposal directing the Secretary of Administration and Finance and the Governor to develop a zero-based budget for all state agencies and departments every four years, a proposal that Senator Tarr describes as a crucial tool to ensure that the expenditure of every taxpayer dollar is justified and sustainable.
“Moving to a zero-based budgeting process will enable the Commonwealth to more effectively allocate its limited resources by not only helping to identify and eliminate waste, but also by allowing us to focus on real priorities as opposed to unnecessary spending,” said Senator Tarr. “The Caucus has several other ideas for achieving these goals and for promoting cost savings and other efficiencies. We hope our Senate colleagues will support these proposals, and we look forward to a spirited debate on these issues today.”
Other amendments proposed by the Caucus would:
• require the Governor to prepare a biennial plan for maximizing personnel efficiencies and controlling personnel costs;
• require the Department of Revenue to develop and utilize one or more dynamic models for analyzing the true economic impact of tax incentives, rebates and other programs, including economic growth and job creation;
• establish a new unpaid Commonwealth Competition Council to explore concepts and programs to spur innovation and competition in state government, and to identify opportunities for privatization to improve cost-effectiveness;
• direct the state Treasurer to utilize electronic paystubs for employees who receive direct deposit;
• require all state departments, boards, commissions, authorities and agencies that use an electronic answering service to provide callers with the option of speaking with a live operator during regular business hours;
• require any state agency that expends $100,000 or more on consultants to file an annual report with the Legislature detailing the reasons necessitating the use of these consultants; and
• require more information to be posted on the Legislature’s website for public consumption, including the findings of the new independent debt affordability committee created in the bill, which is charged with ensuring that the Commonwealth can afford any proposed borrowing. Currently, the state ranks among the highest in the nation in per capita indebtedness.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) are offering the amendments as part of a bipartisan, comprehensive finance reform bill up for debate in the Senate on Thursday. All four Republicans are co-sponsoring the bill, which contains a number of Caucus priorities, including a debt affordability study and periodic performance management reviews to root out waste and duplication throughout state government.
Included on the Caucus’ list of amendments is a proposal directing the Secretary of Administration and Finance and the Governor to develop a zero-based budget for all state agencies and departments every four years, a proposal that Senator Tarr describes as a crucial tool to ensure that the expenditure of every taxpayer dollar is justified and sustainable.
“Moving to a zero-based budgeting process will enable the Commonwealth to more effectively allocate its limited resources by not only helping to identify and eliminate waste, but also by allowing us to focus on real priorities as opposed to unnecessary spending,” said Senator Tarr. “The Caucus has several other ideas for achieving these goals and for promoting cost savings and other efficiencies. We hope our Senate colleagues will support these proposals, and we look forward to a spirited debate on these issues today.”
Other amendments proposed by the Caucus would:
• require the Governor to prepare a biennial plan for maximizing personnel efficiencies and controlling personnel costs;
• require the Department of Revenue to develop and utilize one or more dynamic models for analyzing the true economic impact of tax incentives, rebates and other programs, including economic growth and job creation;
• establish a new unpaid Commonwealth Competition Council to explore concepts and programs to spur innovation and competition in state government, and to identify opportunities for privatization to improve cost-effectiveness;
• direct the state Treasurer to utilize electronic paystubs for employees who receive direct deposit;
• require all state departments, boards, commissions, authorities and agencies that use an electronic answering service to provide callers with the option of speaking with a live operator during regular business hours;
• require any state agency that expends $100,000 or more on consultants to file an annual report with the Legislature detailing the reasons necessitating the use of these consultants; and
• require more information to be posted on the Legislature’s website for public consumption, including the findings of the new independent debt affordability committee created in the bill, which is charged with ensuring that the Commonwealth can afford any proposed borrowing. Currently, the state ranks among the highest in the nation in per capita indebtedness.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Hedlund Discusses Romney on 'Broadside'
Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund appeared on the Friday June 3rd edition of "Broadside" with Jim Braude and Warren Tolman. The discussion centered around Mitt Romney's Presidential campaign launch. Follow the link below and enjoy the clip!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Senator Tarr on the Air with WRKO
Today Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr was a guest on WRKO’s the Tom and Todd show with hosts Tom Finneran and Todd Feinburg. The topics they discussed include an illegal immigration amendment that Tarr filed in the Senate’s version of Fiscal Year 2012’s state budget and the Governor’s decision for Massachusetts to not enter into the federally prescribed “Secure Communities Program”. Please click the photo below to listen to today’s segment.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Media Alert: Senator Tarr on Tonight's Channel 4 News
Earlier today Senator Tarr was interviewed by CBS Channel 4 Reporter Jon Keller regarding Governor Patrick’s decision not to enter into the federally prescribed “Secure Communities Program”. The program has been instituted within 42 states thus far and has been piloted in the city of Boston since 2006. Please tune in to tonight’s news broadcast to view the Minority Leader’s comments on the subject.
Senator Tarr Issues Statement on Secure Communities Program
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr issued the following statement today in response to Governor Patrick’s announcement that Massachusetts will not be joining the federal Secure Communities Program:“It’s unfortunate that the Governor is weakening public safety in the Commonwealth by retreating from expressed commitments to partner with the Obama Administration through the Secure Communities Program. Hopefully he will address the vacuum he is perpetuating with active and strong support for the practical and substantive measures regarding illegal immigration that were given broad and bipartisan support through Senate actions to include them in the Fiscal Year 2012 budget.”
(A copy of the amendment adopted by the Senate as part of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget can be found here.)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Sen. Hedlund on NECN's 'Broadside' Tonight
Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund will be an in-studio guest on New England Cable News' "Broadside" tonight with host Jim Braude and former state senator Warren Tolman. The three will be discussing Mitt Romney's Presidential campaign launch. Be sure to tune in tonight at 6 p.m. on NECN to follow the discussion. The show will repeat at 8 p.m. and again at 3:30 a.m.
Senator Knapik to Appear on 'Howie Carr' at 3
Senator Michael R. Knapik will be appearing live on the "Howie Carr Show" today at 3 p.m. to discuss the cleanup efforts taking place in the wake of the deadly tornadoes that struck central and western Massachusetts on Wednesday. Be sure to tune in to WRKO at 680 on your AM dial, or listen via the web here.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tarr Appointed to Court Reorganization, Probation Reform Conference Committee
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) has been appointed to serve on a six-member conference committee charged with drafting the final version of a comprehensive reform bill targeted at improving efficiency in the state’s trial courts and eliminating abuses and improprieties in the Probation Department.“Probation officials are critical to the public safety of our state,” said Tarr, “and we need to ensure that the system in which these dedicated professionals operate is free from the taint of systemic inefficiencies and undue influences.”
Tarr and his Senate Republican colleagues have been working for reforms in the probation department over the past several years, and their efforts intensified following the public release on November 19, 2010 of the report of Independent Counsel Paul Ware. In his report to the Supreme Judicial Court, Ware documented extremely disturbing activities and circumstances in the Probation Department, including hiring and promotion practices unduly impacted by political influence.
The Senate’s version of the reform bill implements a transparent and accountable system for hiring and promoting probation and court personnel. Tarr authored several provisions which were co-sponsored by his Republican Senate colleagues and approved by the full Senate for inclusion in the bill.
They include:
· Developing a plan to expand payment options of court fees to include credit cards;
· Requiring the standards used by the trial court system for hiring and promotion to be made publicly available;
· Requiring all applicants for any position within the trial court to meet the minimum merit-based standards for employment before any letter of recommendation on behalf of an applicant can be taken into consideration for employment;
· Expanding the membership of the advisory board to the commissioner of probation and the court administrator from seven to nine members with one member to have probation experience and one member with an active Massachusetts Bar membership; and
· Requiring the chief justice, court administrator and the civilian court administrator created in the bill to submit an impact report 90 days prior to any closure or relocation of a court house to both the clerk of the Senate and the House and the chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
The conference committee on which Tarr will serve is comprised of three Senators and three Representatives, and it will reconcile the two versions of reform legislation passed by the House and Senate. Tarr is joined on the committee by Senators Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) and Brian Joyce (D-Milton), and Representatives Eugene O’Flaherty (D-Chelsea), Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill), and Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk).
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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.
Friday, May 27, 2011
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.”
“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.”
Thursday, May 26, 2011
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.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
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.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, May 23, 2011
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.
• 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.
Friday, May 20, 2011
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.
Senator Hedlund on WGBH's "Week In Review"
Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund was on WGBH’s “Week In Review” radio program with Emily Rooney today discussing various topics including the GOP field of contenders and other political and human interest stories from the week. Please play the audio player below or click here to listen to their lively discussion.
Scaling Beacon Hill
Beginning on Wednesday, June 1st, the Massachusetts Senate Republican Blog, “Scaling Beacon Hill”, will permanently switch to the url http://www.scalingbeaconhill.com/. Please click the link and bookmark the page to ensure you have the new address saved.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Senate Adopts Republican Probation Reforms
The Senate adopted a series of probation reforms offered by the Senate Republican Caucus today, incorporating the GOP proposals into a comprehensive probation reform and court reorganization bill that passed unanimously.
A total of seven Republican amendments were approved by the Senate, including one that directs the newly-created advisory committee on personnel standards to use merit-based standards for hiring court personnel, and to post these standards on the trial court’s website. Another amendment requires applicants for any trial court position to be certified as meeting the merit-based considerations for employment before any letters of recommendation submitted on behalf of the applicant can be taken into consideration.
“The probation department has operated for far too long under a dark cloud where politics tainted the hiring and promotion process,” said Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), who offered the amendments along with Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham). “With the passage of this bill, we can begin to restore public confidence that probation and court personnel are being hired or promoted based on their qualifications and skills, and not on other factors such as political connections.”
The move to create a more transparent hiring process was sparked by a scathing November 2010 report by independent counsel Paul Ware that unveiled evidence of an extensive “pay to play” system within the probation department under former commissioner John O’Brien. The report, which detailed examples of “systemic abuse and corruption” within the department, concluded that “[H]iring and promotion have been thoroughly compromised by a systemic rigging of the interview and selection process in favor of candidates who have political or other personal connections.”
“The Ware report uncovered a serious patronage issue within the probation department which needs to be addressed,” said Senator Tarr. “Probation officers play an important public safety role, and it is imperative that these positions be filled by individuals who are truly qualified for the rigors and demands of the job.”
Other Republican amendments adopted by the Senate today would:
• require the newly-created court administrator to study the feasibility of allowing trial court fees and fines to be paid with a credit card;
• clarify the process for filling court vacancies;
• expand the membership of the proposed advisory board charged with offering recommendations on the management of the probation office to include an active member of the Massachusetts Bar and an experienced probation officer;
• require the chief justice of the trial court and the court administrator to submit a report to the Legislature 90 days prior to the temporary closure or temporary relocation of any courthouse, detailing personnel transfers, reallocation of resources, the impact on other courthouses and other factors associated with such actions; and
• ensure that supervision is provided in an orderly and effective manner for those individuals who are subject to dual supervision.
“As a member of the Probation Reform Working Group this winter, I am happy to see both branches of the Legislature are taking seriously the recommendations of our committee and those of the Supreme Judicial Court,” Senator Knapik said. “During our study it became clear that the entire court system required attention, so I am pleased this legislation has taken a broad approach.”
The House approved a version of the court reorganization bill last week. The differences between the two versions will be worked out by a six-member conference committee that is expected to be appointed next week.
A total of seven Republican amendments were approved by the Senate, including one that directs the newly-created advisory committee on personnel standards to use merit-based standards for hiring court personnel, and to post these standards on the trial court’s website. Another amendment requires applicants for any trial court position to be certified as meeting the merit-based considerations for employment before any letters of recommendation submitted on behalf of the applicant can be taken into consideration.
“The probation department has operated for far too long under a dark cloud where politics tainted the hiring and promotion process,” said Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), who offered the amendments along with Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham). “With the passage of this bill, we can begin to restore public confidence that probation and court personnel are being hired or promoted based on their qualifications and skills, and not on other factors such as political connections.”
The move to create a more transparent hiring process was sparked by a scathing November 2010 report by independent counsel Paul Ware that unveiled evidence of an extensive “pay to play” system within the probation department under former commissioner John O’Brien. The report, which detailed examples of “systemic abuse and corruption” within the department, concluded that “[H]iring and promotion have been thoroughly compromised by a systemic rigging of the interview and selection process in favor of candidates who have political or other personal connections.”
“The Ware report uncovered a serious patronage issue within the probation department which needs to be addressed,” said Senator Tarr. “Probation officers play an important public safety role, and it is imperative that these positions be filled by individuals who are truly qualified for the rigors and demands of the job.”
Other Republican amendments adopted by the Senate today would:
• require the newly-created court administrator to study the feasibility of allowing trial court fees and fines to be paid with a credit card;
• clarify the process for filling court vacancies;
• expand the membership of the proposed advisory board charged with offering recommendations on the management of the probation office to include an active member of the Massachusetts Bar and an experienced probation officer;
• require the chief justice of the trial court and the court administrator to submit a report to the Legislature 90 days prior to the temporary closure or temporary relocation of any courthouse, detailing personnel transfers, reallocation of resources, the impact on other courthouses and other factors associated with such actions; and
• ensure that supervision is provided in an orderly and effective manner for those individuals who are subject to dual supervision.
“As a member of the Probation Reform Working Group this winter, I am happy to see both branches of the Legislature are taking seriously the recommendations of our committee and those of the Supreme Judicial Court,” Senator Knapik said. “During our study it became clear that the entire court system required attention, so I am pleased this legislation has taken a broad approach.”
The House approved a version of the court reorganization bill last week. The differences between the two versions will be worked out by a six-member conference committee that is expected to be appointed next week.
Senator Knapik Shares His Thoughts on the Release of Senate's FY'12 Budget Proposal
Senator Michael R. Knapik (right), the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means, offered his comments yesterday on the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline as the Committee rolled out its FY 2012 Budget document at an Executive session at the State House. WWLP-TV22 of Springfield was there to record his remarks. Check out Senator Knapik’s comments on the video clip below and read WWLP's story clicking here.Senate releases budget proposal: wwlp.com
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Senate Republicans Plan to Offer Series of Probation Reforms for Thursday's Debate
The Senate Republican Caucus has filed a series of amendments designed to improve the management of the state’s trial court and to provide more transparency and accountability within the probation department.The amendments will be debated in the Senate on Thursday as part of a court reorganization bill that was drafted in response to a scathing probation department report issued by independent counsel Paul Ware in November of 2010. That report detailed evidence of “systemic abuse and corruption” within the probation department under former commissioner John O’Brien, including a “pay-to-play” system that often gave job candidates with political connections an inside track over those with more experience and stronger qualifications.
“The bill that is before the Senate tomorrow includes essential reforms the Senate Republican Caucus has long championed, including repealing the probation commissioner’s unilateral hiring authority and establishing a merit-based system to ensure that only qualified court applicants are hired,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “While the bill represents a good start, the Caucus has a number of amendments that we feel will make it even better and will go a long way towards restoring the public’s faith in our judicial system.”
The amendments – which are being co-sponsored by Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) – would:
· allow for the transferability of funds within the trial court to ensure that the court’s seven departments and the probation commissioner’s office have adequate resources;
· require the chief justice of the trial court to provide the Legislature with a cost and budgetary analysis of the proposed reorganization’s impact prior to implementation;
· provide for an annual independent audit of the trial court by the State Auditor and Inspector General, beginning in 2013;
· require the advisory committee on personnel standards to use merit-based standards for hiring court personnel, and to post these standards on the trial court’s website;
· require applicants for any trial court position to be certified as meeting the merit-based considerations for employment prior to the consideration of any letters of recommendation submitted on behalf of the applicant;
· expand the membership of the proposed advisory board charged with offering recommendations on the management of the probation office to include an active member of the Massachusetts Bar and an experienced probation officer;
· allow for the removal of officers and employees based on merit-based standards;
· require the chief justice of the trial court and the court administrator to submit a report to the Legislature 90 days prior to the temporary closure or temporary relocation of any courthouse, detailing personnel transfers, reallocation of resources, the impact on other courthouses and other factors associated with such actions; and
· require that future hiring within the probation department be done in consultation with the first justice of the applicable court in which an applicant is to be placed.
Senator Tarr’s Statement on the Release of the FY'12 Senate Ways and Means Budget
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr released the following statement regarding today’s release of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means version of the Fiscal Year 2012 state budget:Producing a state budget proposal is a daunting task under any circumstances, and particularly so in the face of vanishing federal stimulus funding and a challenging economic climate. Thus, I appreciate the work that’s been done by Chairman Brewer and the members of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Senate President Murray to take the initial steps toward a responsible budget for next year without resorting to new broad-based taxes or other inappropriate measures.
Through their work the stage has been set for a vigorous and productive debate about the meaningful reforms and economic growth actions necessary to improve efficiency, expand our state’s economy, create new jobs and strengthen the sustainability of our state government for those who depend on what the budget funds, and those who bear the burden of providing those funds.
Senate Republicans are now working vigorously to digest and analyze the Senate Committee on Ways and Means proposal, and to develop and introduce the types of amendments that can make a true difference for our Commonwealth.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Probation Reform Advances
Today the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its version of “An Act Relative to the Reorganization of the Judicial System in the Commonwealth,” which contains major changes in the way our courts are managed, and substantial and needed reforms in the practices utilized to hire and promote Probation Department personnel and court officers.
The bill follows the November 2010 public release of the shocking report completed by Independent Counsel Paul Ware for the Supreme Judicial Court and repeated calls for reform by the Senate Republican Caucus. The bill does, in fact, contain some key elements of legislation proposed as recently as last month by Senate Republicans.
An order adopted today set a deadline of Wednesday at noon for amendments to the bill, which is scheduled to be debated in the Senate on Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.
A summary of the bill provided by the Senate Ways and Means Committee is posted below.
Doc 001
The bill follows the November 2010 public release of the shocking report completed by Independent Counsel Paul Ware for the Supreme Judicial Court and repeated calls for reform by the Senate Republican Caucus. The bill does, in fact, contain some key elements of legislation proposed as recently as last month by Senate Republicans.
An order adopted today set a deadline of Wednesday at noon for amendments to the bill, which is scheduled to be debated in the Senate on Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.
A summary of the bill provided by the Senate Ways and Means Committee is posted below.
Doc 001
Friday, May 13, 2011
Changes are on the Way...
The Senate Republican Caucus' blog is undergoing some design changes. The first change, which is effective immediately, is the blog's name change to "Scaling Beacon Hill". Our blog might have a new name, but will be providing the same great coverage of the goings-on here at the Massachusetts State House as we've done since 2008.
Another change that will be permanently in place on June 1st is the site's domain name/url. The current domain name is www.scalingthehill2010.com but will soon switch to www.scalingbeaconhill.com. Please click the link and bookmark the new page to ensure you have the new address saved.
You also may have noticed that we recently began adding quick link/hot buttons at the end of every post. These buttons are to provide you with easy capabilities to either repost, share or print the most recently posted entry on our blog.
Look for more changes in the coming months.
Another change that will be permanently in place on June 1st is the site's domain name/url. The current domain name is www.scalingthehill2010.com but will soon switch to www.scalingbeaconhill.com. Please click the link and bookmark the new page to ensure you have the new address saved.
You also may have noticed that we recently began adding quick link/hot buttons at the end of every post. These buttons are to provide you with easy capabilities to either repost, share or print the most recently posted entry on our blog.
Look for more changes in the coming months.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Senator Tarr on the Jeff Katz Show Thursday
On Thursday morning, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be calling in to the Jeff Katz Show on Rush Talk 1200AM Boston to discuss the meals tax holiday bill that he filed with the GOP Senate Caucus and that is co-sponsored by members of both parties and both branches. The bill will be heard during tomorrow‘s Joint Committee on Revenue hearing in room A-1 of the State House at 10:30 A.M. Please tune in or click here tomorrow morning at 7:00 A.M. to listen to what is sure to be a lively discussion. To read the actual text of the bill please click here.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
New MTF Report Details Cost Savings Associated with Municipal Health Plan Design
The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) has long touted the benefits of municipal plan design, citing the potential for cities and towns to realize combined annual health care savings as high as $100 million. Today, the MTF drove that point home by releasing a community-by-community historical analysis that it says helps quantify “the dramatic impact of municipal health care reform on municipal budgets and jobs.”
Over the last 10 years, while health care costs under the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) increased by an average of 6.4 percent annually, “more than 90 percent” of the state’s 351 cities and towns saw their health insurance costs “grow at much faster rates,” according to the MTF. In preparing its analysis, the MTF reviewed each community’s actual health care spending from FY2001 to FY2010 , then compared those numbers to what each community would have spent had their local health insurance costs increased at the same average rate as the GIC.
How dramatic an impact would such a simple reform have on communities? According to the MTF, if cities and towns had been granted plan design authority in 2001, more than $3 billion in health care cost savings would have been achieved statewide over the last decades, or the equivalent of 6,500 municipal jobs, based on an average salary of $50,000 per job per year. Boston alone would have saved a cumulative $260.1 million, or the equivalent of 520 municipal jobs each year.
The Senate Republican Caucus has historically advocated for changes in the financing of municipal health insurance. Without such changes, MTF President Michael Widmer warns, “cities and towns across the state will suffer irreparable damage as they are forced to lay off more and more teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other local employees who provide critical public services.”
Over the last 10 years, while health care costs under the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) increased by an average of 6.4 percent annually, “more than 90 percent” of the state’s 351 cities and towns saw their health insurance costs “grow at much faster rates,” according to the MTF. In preparing its analysis, the MTF reviewed each community’s actual health care spending from FY2001 to FY2010 , then compared those numbers to what each community would have spent had their local health insurance costs increased at the same average rate as the GIC.
How dramatic an impact would such a simple reform have on communities? According to the MTF, if cities and towns had been granted plan design authority in 2001, more than $3 billion in health care cost savings would have been achieved statewide over the last decades, or the equivalent of 6,500 municipal jobs, based on an average salary of $50,000 per job per year. Boston alone would have saved a cumulative $260.1 million, or the equivalent of 520 municipal jobs each year.
The Senate Republican Caucus has historically advocated for changes in the financing of municipal health insurance. Without such changes, MTF President Michael Widmer warns, “cities and towns across the state will suffer irreparable damage as they are forced to lay off more and more teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other local employees who provide critical public services.”
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Senator Tarr's Statement on Today's Joint Revenue Committee Public Hearing
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr released the following statement regarding today’s Revenue Committee hearing:“Bills on today’s Revenue Committee hearing agenda clearly delineate the philosophical differences between some Democrats and the Senate Republican Caucus when it comes to taxes. Our bills are focused on assisting Massachusetts residents and allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money, including:
• Senate Bill 1526, which would establish a commuter tax deduction to help offset rising gas prices;
• Senate Bill 1537, which would assist first-time homebuyers by offering a private mortgage insurance tax deduction; and
• Senate Bill 1542, which would fulfill the voters’ wishes to reduce the income tax to 5 percent.
Unfortunately, some legislators continue to explore ways to extract even more revenues from the taxpayers. An impartial observer might assume that with April tax revenues coming in at record highs, the Legislature wouldn’t be trying to raise taxes even higher. But Senate Bill 1416 would implement a graduated income tax that would increase the personal income tax from 5.3 to 5.95 percent and the investment income tax from 5.3 to 8.95 percent for some taxpayers.
Taxpayers shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of complacency just because the House passed a budget with no new taxes. The reality is that some legislators are intent on pursuing every available avenue to raise taxes, but the Senate Republican Caucus intends to stand up for the taxpayers and work aggressively to defeat these proposals. We believe now is the time to be proactive in moving the state forward from a period of recession to prosperity, and the best way to do that is to empower our taxpayers with more disposable income to invest in our economic recovery.”
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Senator Hedlund on 'Week In Review'
Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund was a guest on the April 29th edition of the "Week In Review" on the Emily Rooney Show on WGBH Radio (89.7 FM). Hedlund, along with former State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien and Boston Globe Magazine columnist Tom Keane, joined Rooney for a spirited discussion of former House Speaker Sal DiMasi’s corruption trial, President Obama's decision to release his birth certificate, and other stories and bylines wrapping up the week in politics. Check it out by clicking on the audio link below.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Senator Tarr: 'A Victory for Freedom'
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr released the following statement today regarding the death of 9/11 terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden:The news that President Barack Obama delivered to the nation on Sunday night of the successful military operation that not only located but killed Osama bin Laden in a compound in Pakistan is a welcome and important development in the war against terrorism and a testament to the commitment of those who defend our nation to bring bin Laden to justice. It has been almost ten years since bin Laden orchestrated the terrorist hijacking of four commercial airliners on September 11, 2001 that resulted in nearly 3,000 victims losing their lives and even more sustaining long-lasting health afflictions.
Although the War on Terrorism is far from over, the elimination of bin Laden is an accomplishment of incalculable significance, and offers us all an opportunity to reflect and think of not only those lost on that tragic day but of those who have fallen bravely fighting to thwart the objectives of tyrants and terrorists. With the efforts of our service members, our intelligence agencies, and the dedication of countless others both domestically and abroad, the search for the most wanted man in the world is over and we can take solace in the fact that bin Laden won't ever have the opportunity to kill again.
The decade long search for bin Laden, initiated by President George W. Bush and advanced by President Obama, is a true testament to the dedication and unity that this nation has maintained in bringing this man to justice and I want to express my appreciation to all of those who contributed to this successful effort.
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