House Minority Leader’s Statement on Adoption of Fiscal Year ’12 Budget

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget by the House of Representatives:

I am pleased to have cast my vote in support of adopting the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. This piece of legislation is the result of a collaborative effort, and I commend the Chairman of Way and Means for working with the Republican caucus in delivering a fiscally reasonable budget. I look forward to the continuation of an open and transparent debate when this budget comes before the Senate. I am hopeful that the final budget is similar to that of the House budget.

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House Minority Leader’s Statement on Attempt to Repeal Suffolk County Holidays

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the attempt to repeal the Suffolk County holidays:

I am discouraged by the House’s unwillingness to adopt a bi-partisan amendment seeking to repeal the paid holidays for state and municipal personnel in Suffolk County. The potential savings surrounding this long overdue reform would have been a cost savings initiative benefitting the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. Despite this setback, we will continue to push good public policy and transparency.

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House Minority Leader’s Statement on Release of President Obama’s Birth Certificate

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the release of President Obama’s birth certificate:

I am pleased that the President has chosen to release a copy of his Certificate of Live Birth. My hope with the release of this document is that the long-standing debate will now come to a close. I am glad that we are able to now put this distraction behind us, and move on to pertinent issues that face the citizens of the United States of America.

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House Minority Leader’s Statement on Adoption of Local Aid Amendment

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the adoption of the Local Aid amendment:

I am pleased that the House has afforded local municipalities the opportunity to alleviate the financial burden of the past three fiscal years. As proposed, the Local Aid amendment seeks to allow half of the Commonwealth’s reversions, or $65 million, whichever is less, to be distributed to municipalities. Distributed using the Lottery formula, the money seeks to aide cities and towns with this one-time funding. In a time where Local Aid has been consistently cut, I am glad that the members of the House were able to come to a consensus that puts the needs of municipalities first and foremost.

Common Sense Prevails

In case you missed it, the House of Representatives recently adopted an amendment prohibiting the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT) for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, or Lottery tickets.

The amendment, offered by Representative Shaunna O’Connell, seeks to not only prohibit the purchase of the aforementioned items by welfare recipients, but would also hold storekeepers monetarily accountable as well.

In delivering her maiden speech to the members of the Legislature, Representative O’Connell called for members of the House to “stand up for the hard-working people of the Commonwealth who pay the taxes to fund these programs.” She went on to say, “EBT cards are given out to ensure people do not go without essentials like food and clothing…not to be payment for illicit debts or to pay for lottery tickets or alcohol.”

We applaud Representative O’Connell for offering this common sense approach, and commend the members of the House for adopting this amendment that serves to protect the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.

Representative Boldyga Appears on the FOX-25 Morning News

In case you missed it, Representative Nick Boldyga made an appearance on the FOX-25 Morning News today. As you may have heard, Representative Boldyga has filed a bill that would set up a commission to study the costs associated with testing Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) recipients that have had a history of substance abuse for drugs and alcohol.

Drug abuse, welfare link: MyFoxBOSTON.com

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Defeat of Income Tax Rollback

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the defeat of the proposed income tax rollback amendment:

I am disappointed that Beacon Hill Democrats have yet again chosen to ignore the voice of the taxpayer. As proposed, the Income Tax Rollback would have rolled back the income tax to 5% over the course of 3 years, from the current 5.3%. With its defeat, we have forgone the opportunity of stimulating the state’s economy with the anticipated savings from the rollback. Instead of putting the money into the pockets of the taxpayer, the Democratic led House has chosen to keep this money and spend it. Once again, we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.

Representative Boldyga to Make Media Appearance

Representative Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) will be on the FOX-25 Morning News, tomorrow morning at 7:35am. Representative Boldyga will be discussing drug testing for welfare recipients.

Be sure to check out Representative Boldyga. In case you miss it, we'll be sure to post his appearance on www.thecapitolviewlive.com tomorrow.

On The Road Again…

In case you missed it, according to the Boston Herald, Laboratory Corp. of America is planning on laying off 169 workers. As a result, the work will be transferred to facilities in North Carolina.

This comes on the heels of Governor Patrick’s media blitz to announce 10 jobs that had come as a result of his foreign trip. As history has proven, Governor Patrick tends to shy away from any press releases or media coverage when it comes to jobs leaving the state.

Excuse us while we do a little math, but if it took the Governor one month to announce 10 new jobs as a result of this trip to Israel, it should take him close to 17 months to account for the most recent job exodus from the Commonwealth. The clock is ticking Governor…

Concerns Continue for Commonwealth

In case you missed it, recent numbers released by UMass-Dartmouth’s Department of Public Policy show that not all Bay State residents are comfortable with the current economic climate in Massachusetts.

In an article posted by the State House News Service (SHNS), “more than eight out of every ten Massachusetts residents are ‘concerned’ about jobs despite signs of economic recovery.”

The survey’s results go on to say “85% of Massachusetts households reported being ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about jobs, and a third of respondents worried that they or a member of their family would lose a job within the next three months.”

The poll of 1,207 residents further proves that the economic climate and stability in Massachusetts is no longer going to suffice as the current status quo. While we applaud the Governor for creating 10 jobs as a result of his trip to Israel the other month, more needs to be done. The recent study out of UMass-Dartmouth is like today’s weather; better than what we had this winter, but still somehow not enough to make you feel good.

Representative Poirier Appears on the Tom & Todd Show

In case you missed it, Representative Betty Poirier made an appearance on the Tom & Todd Show this morning. As you may have heard, Representative Poirier has filed an amendment entitled Secure Communities to the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget. The amendment seeks to have the fingerprints of those arrested in the Commonwealth scanned through an F.B.I. database. Those identified as being in the country illegally would be reported to U.S. immigration agents. Representative Poirier comments on this and more.

Click here to see what Representative Poirier had to say.

Amendments Will Strengthen Overall Picture

In case you missed it, the Boston Herald ran an editorial today which highlights many GOP amendment initiatives in response to the House Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2012 Budget.

While we appreciate the recognition from the Boston Herald, we also think that the editorial shines due light on the fact that many of the amendments that the GOP has offered will not only strengthen the final budget for the Commonwealth, but will also serve as cost saving tools for the taxpayers.

It is the hope of the entire Republican caucus that come time for the budget debate, these along with Democratic amendments are afforded the opportunity to come before the House floor for an open and candid debate.

Click here to read the Boston Herald editorial in its entirety.

Representative Don Humason Appears on WWLP-22's Morning News

In case you missed it, Representative Don Humason made an appearance on WWLP-22’s Morning News today. As you may have heard, yesterday the House of Representatives released their version of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. Within the budget is a move to encourage municipalities to join either the state run GIC or form their own Plan Design. Representative Humason comments on this and more.

Click here to see what Representative Humason had to say.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Release of House FY’12 Budget

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the release of the House Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

I appreciate the work done by the House Committee on Ways and Means in the release of the FY’12 budget. The budget, as released, contains some positive aspects, particularly that it does not contain any new taxes. In these tough fiscal times, I am pleased that as proposed, local aid has not been cut as deeply as we were led to believe might be the case. To be sure, most communities will still see a cut in aid, and we need to try and mitigate this going forward. The Republican Caucus is looking forward to the opportunity, albeit brief, to look over the proposed budget in the coming days. In these tough economic times it is only right that we deliver a fiscally sound budget to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.

You Can’t Have Your Sal, and Eat It Too

In case you missed it, this week marks the five year anniversary of Governor Romney signing the state’s health insurance and access reform into law.

However, local and national Democrats see this “anniversary” as a chance to mock former Governor Romney and hopefully derail his potential presidential bid. Parties and gatherings have been planned in the Northeast with a handful of “parties” planned in Massachusetts. One of the guests at these “parties” will be none other than Governor Deval Patrick. It is worth mentioning that none of these gatherings will interfere with the promotion of his book.

In reflecting on these “parties”, one must wonder if former Speaker of the House and now indicted Sal DiMasi will be in attendance. After all, in a 2006 article in Governing Magazine, the former speaker is lauded for his hard work in getting such legislation passed.

“Under DiMasi’s vision, which ultimately prevailed, everybody had to pay something.” The article went on to say, “DiMasi, 61, deserves the most credit for coming up with that piece. ‘You gotta make it taste good for everyone,’ he says. ‘Everyone has to see the benefit at the end, or they don’t buy into it, right?’ ”

Organizers of these events, which are being held over the next two days, were sure to have invited Governor Romney because of his instrumental role in the passage of healthcare legislation in Massachusetts. We are just hopeful that Governor Patrick and the Democratic Party were sure to extend the invitation to Speaker DiMasi.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Attorney General’s Ban of Illegal Gaming at ‘Cyber Cafes’

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in support of the Attorney General's move to ban illegal gaming at “cyber cafes”.

I am pleased to hear of the Attorney General’s swift action in shutting down illegal gaming operations at so-called ‘cyber cafes’. This preventative measure will ensure that illegal gaming has no place in Massachusetts. These establishments were enabling illegal activity in the Commonwealth and hurting the lottery, which in turn hurts our cities and towns.


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Not So Secure Communities…

In case you missed it, Red Mass Group recently released video of Secretary of Public Safety Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, addressing a crowd of citizens at a public hearing regarding the Secure Communities program.

During her presentation, Secretary Heffernan revealed that she had not spoken to Bay State sheriffs or police chiefs regarding the Secure Communities program. If adopted, Secure Communities would automatically check the immigration status of everyone arrested. Such a program has garnered support from law officials and community leaders and activists around the state, and is currently being implemented in Rhode Island.

The revelation by the highest ranking public safety official in the state goes to show that the Patrick Administration is clearly not on board with this program. In their lack of communication with public safety officials, it is apparent that they are merely attempting to go along half-heartedly with a potential federal requirement. This is the latest illustration of just how out of touch the Patrick-Murray administration is with the residents of the Commonwealth.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Plan to Change Date of Massachusetts Presidential Primary

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in opposition of the proposed plan to change the date of the presidential primary in Massachusetts.


I am disappointed to learn that the national Democratic Party is attempting to pressure local Democratic officials to move the date of the presidential primary in Massachusetts. The last time a similar attempt was made to change the rules to an election law was in 2009 and that set the stage for Scott Brown’s victory. Any call to change the rules in the middle of the game for political advantage is not the right course of action. If the Democratic Party is interested in pursuing this rule change, the proper time to address this is in anticipation of the 2016 election cycle.

Starting To Sound Like A Broken Record

In case you missed it, the Boston Herald reported that Fidelity Investments was not the only firm to take their jobs north of the border to New Hampshire. In fact Crosby Advisors, money managers for Fidelity CEO Ned Johnson and his family, has also packed up and moved north.

With their relocation to New Hampshire, Crosby Advisors took more than 100 workers, not to mention potential tax revenue. Crosby has cited one reason for the move was due to the Granite states generous trust and tax laws. One expert said, “The principal reason that families move their trusts to New Hampshire is that the state has the most progressive trust laws in the country.”

The Boston Herald article went on to say “New Hampshire doesn’t tax trust income for out-of-state beneficiaries. Family office moves are mainly aimed at gaining flexibility and improving privacy for assets in a business-friendly haven.”

Now that Crosby Advisors has left the Commonwealth, the Governor is left to answer calls from residents and critics alike regarding why the Bay State can’t seem to keep corporations and their tax dollars in state. The phrase in the article that the Patrick-Murray administration clearly hasn’t provided in Massachusetts is “a business-friendly haven.” Until this happens, we are going to continue to see jobs and revenue cross over state lines.

Click here to read the Boston Herald story in its entirety.

Food For Thought

In case you missed it, recent numbers released by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show that our New England neighbors have considerably lower unemployment rates than the Bay State.

In an article posted by the State House News Service (SHNS), Massachusetts with its highly touted unemployment rate of 8.2% in fact trails Maine (7.5%), Vermont (5.6%), and New Hampshire (5.4%). In fairness to full disclosure, Massachusetts’ unemployment rate is better than the national average (8.9%).

These numbers are sobering considering the fact that Governor Patrick never mentions Massachusetts jobless rates in comparison to those of our neighbors. Maybe these recent figures will help the Patrick-Murray administration shed some light as to why so many corporations and jobs are leaving the Commonwealth for other New England states.