Representative Brad Jones Offers Budget Week Wrap-up

In case you missed it, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) made an appearance on the Jeff Katz Show Friday morning to provide listeners with a FY13 budget week wrap-up.

As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently passed a balanced FY ’13 budget which included multiple Republican-led provisions aimed at increased oversight for government-led assistance programs, job creating initiatives and government transparency.

Click here to listen to Representative Jones’ appearance on the Jeff Katz Show in its entirety.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Adoption of House FY13 Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the adoption of the House Fiscal Year 2013 budget:


I appreciate the work done by Speaker DeLeo, Chairman Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means on the House Fiscal Year 2013 budget. As adopted, the budget demonstrates the House of Representatives’ ongoing commitment to jobs, government transparency and local aid - all while refraining from tax increases.

Since the ongoing narrative from Democratic leaders has been the need for substantive job creating legislation, I am pleased that due consideration was given to key facets of the GOP Jobs Package. By having several Republican-led job initiatives included in the final budget, we have taken key steps toward bridging the economic recovery gap in Massachusetts.

The Republican Caucus, which was intermittently subjected to procedural gamesmanship during the debate process, proved that even though we are small in membership, unrelenting tenacity toward good government, jobs and the voices of the taxpayers can prevail.

The budget we are sending to the Senate deserves serious consideration; and it is my hope that the final budget we give to Governor Patrick is similar to that recommended by the House.

Representative Brad Hill Offers Day Two Recap

In case you missed it, Representative Bradford R. Hill (R-Ipswich) made an appearance on the Jeff Katz Show this morning to provide listeners with a recap of Day Two of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget debate as well as a preview of what to expect on Day Three.

As you may have heard, the House of Representatives has begun debate on the proposed $32.3 billion state budget. While the budget is free of any tax hikes, Republicans have offered numerous amendments aimed at creating and fostering jobs in the Commonwealth, increasing transparency, and cutting costs.

Click here to listen to Representative Hill’s appearance on the Jeff Katz Show in its entirety.

Representative Vinny deMacedo Offers Day One Recap

In case you missed it, Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth) made an appearance on the Jeff Katz Show this morning to provide listeners with a recap of Day One of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget debate as well as a preview of what to expect on Day Two.

As you may have heard, the House of Representatives has begun debate on the proposed $32.3 billion state budget. While the budget is free of any tax hikes, Republicans have offered numerous amendments aimed at creating and fostering jobs in the Commonwealth, increasing transparency, and cutting costs.

Click here to listen to Representative deMacedo’s appearance on the Jeff Katz Show in its entirety.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Empowerment of Vocational Schools and Increased Collaboration with Community Colleges

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the adoption of a Republican-led amendment to empower vocational schools and strengthen collaboration with community colleges:

By tapping into the valuable resources offered by the regional vocational school districts and vocational-technical programs, the House has furthered its commitment to job creation in the Commonwealth.

Initially offered by the Republican Legislative Caucus as part of our comprehensive jobs package, this amendment will further empower vocational schools while improving the collaboration between vocational schools, community colleges, and Massachusetts’ employers.

In Governor Patrick’s initial proposal, his narrow focus on community colleges did not go far enough toward utilizing the great resources our education system has to offer. However, by also focusing on vocational schools, which span all geographic regions of the state, we will ensure our commitment to job creation and skills training for all students.

This amendment, as adopted, will help produce a highly-trained and well-rounded workforce to meet the needs of Massachusetts’ employers, while helping to further stimulate the Commonwealth’s economic recovery.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Defeat of Sales Tax Rollback Amendment

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the defeat of the proposed Sales Tax Rollback Amendment:

While I am disappointed that Beacon Hill Democrats have once again ignored the voices of the taxpayers, I cannot say that I am surprised.

As proposed, the Sales Tax Rollback Amendment would gradually roll back the state sales tax to 5% over the course of 3 years from the current 6.25%, with zero impact for the upcoming fiscal year. While Democrats felt no need to study a proposed increase to the state sales tax just three years ago, my colleagues across the aisle seem strangely insistent on studying the effects of a tax rollback.

One need look no further than recent headlines to know that there are any number of examples for where we can tighten the state's belt fiscally. As a Legislature, we should tax as little possible, not as much as we possibly can. It is not our money! Every time we increase taxes, we have to justify using the power of the state to reach into taxpayers’ pockets to take that money.

Yet again, the process has failed the residents of the Commonwealth. Yet again, Democrats balked at the opportunity to put money back into the pockets of the taxpayers.

Representative George Peterson Offers Budget Week Preview

In case you missed it, Assistant House Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr. (R-Grafton) appeared on the Jeff Katz Show and the FOX-25 Morning News this morning to preview the upcoming budget debate.

As you may have heard, today, the House of Representatives will begin debate on the proposed $32.3 billion state budget. While the budget is free of any tax hikes, Republicans have offered numerous amendments aimed at creating and fostering jobs in the Commonwealth, increasing transparency, and cutting costs.

Click here to listen to Representative Peterson’s appearance on the Jeff Katz Show in its entirety.

To view Representative Peterson’s interview on the FOX-25 Morning Show, play the video posted below.

Budget Week Preview: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Representative O’Connell Appears on FOX & Friends

In case you missed it, Representative Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton) recently appeared on FOX & Friends to discuss the continued abuse of EBT cards in Massachusetts.

Representative O’Connell weighed in on the on-going abuse of EBT benefits in the Commonwealth as well as her continued calls for reform of the taxpayer funded program.

To watch Representative O’Connell’s appearance on FOX & Friends, please play the video posted below.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Governor Patrick Celebrating Anniversary of Health Care Reform Law

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Patrick’s celebration of the six year anniversary of the Bay State’s 2006 health care reform law:

Governor Patrick’s blatant game of campaign politics on behalf of President Obama is alarming.

I can only assume that my invitation to these recent celebrations, and those of so many others involved in the Massachusetts health care reform law of 2006, was lost in the mail.

It is impossible that so many people simply were not invited to such an auspicious event. The only plausible reason is that the Governor didn’t want too many witnesses to his grand political theatrics at the behest of his friend, the President.

But I’m sure we can all feel confident that, in these extraordinarily difficult fiscal times, the Governor wouldn’t even consider using a dime of taxpayer dollars to fund such a blatantly political undertaking.

Representative O’Connell Appears on the Howie Carr Show and the FOX-25 Evening News

In case you missed it, Representative Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton) recently appeared on the Howie Carr Show and the FOX-25 Evening News to discuss the continued abuse of EBT cards.

As you may have heard, according to a story in the Boston Herald, “Kimball Clark, 45, was locked up Friday on drug-dealing charges — again — when he was overheard using his one phone call to ask the person on the other end of the line to ‘get my EBT card and go to the ATM and get the money to bail me out, get me outa here tonight,’ according to a Boston police report.”

Representative O’Connell weighed in on the on-going abuse of EBT benefits as well as her continued calls for reform of the taxpayer funded program.

To listen to Representative O’Connell’s appearance on the Howie Carr Show, please click here.

To watch Representative O’Connell’s appearance on the FOX-25 Evening News, please play the video posted below.

We're talking about: changes to EBT card use: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Representative Jones Appears on the Jeff Katz Show

In case you missed it, House Minority Leader Brad Jones recently appeared on the Jeff Katz Show.

Representative Jones joined host Jeff Katz to discuss the release of the House Fiscal Year 2013 budget and its positive and negative impacts on the residents of the Commonwealth.

Click here to listen to the segment in its entirety.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Release of House FY13 Budget

In case you missed it, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement in response to the release of the House Fiscal Year 2013 budget:

I appreciate the work done by Chairman Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means on the House Fiscal Year 2013 budget. The proposed budget contains some positive aspects, particularly since it does not contain any new taxes, as promised by Speaker DeLeo.

I am pleased that multiple Republican-led initiatives, including proposals derived from the GOP Jobs Package and increased oversight for government led assistance programs, have made their way into the budget presented today. Furthermore, the Republican priority from last year’s budget – increased local aid – is a welcome addition to this year’s recommendations, as cities and towns are still facing challenges providing basic services to their residents.

The Republican Caucus anticipates the opportunity, albeit brief, to analyze the House budget in the coming days. We will propose targeted changes to the budget to deliver a fiscally sound and responsible budget to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.

Representative Peter Durant Makes Media Appearances

In case you missed it, Representative Peter Durant (R-Spencer) recently appeared on the Jeff Katz Show and the FOX-25 Morning News.

As you may have heard, Representative Durant has filed legislation which would hand over oversight of the Rose Kennedy Greenway to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

To listen to Representative Durant’s appearance on the Jeff Katz Show, please click here.

To watch Representative Durant’s appearance on the FOX-25 Morning News, please play the video posted below.

New Bill Filed: Who Should Control the Greenway?: MyFoxBOSTON.com

House Republican Leadership Sends Letter to Governor Patrick

Today, members of House Republican leadership sent a letter to Governor Patrick in response to Onyago Obama, an illegal immigrant, being granted a hardship license and being allowed to drive to and from work.

In their letter, members of leadership asked the Governor for his immediate review of the process individuals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts undergo when applying for and renewing their driver’s license. House Republican leadership also requested a review of the current procedures for Massachusetts’ businesses to confirm the immigration status of individuals applying for employment.

Below is the letter in its entirety.

Immigration Status Letter to Governor

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Indictment of Former Treasurer Tim Cahill

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the indictment of former Treasurer Tim Cahill:

"The indictment of former Treasurer Tim Cahill is another black-eye for politics in Massachusetts. This most recent exploitation of the public’s trust in their elected officials serves as a call to arms for ethics reform on Beacon Hill.

The charges against the former Treasurer are further confirmation of the need for consideration of the House Republicans’ ethics package. However, the Democratic majority continues to impede substantive changes to the ethical guidelines that govern elected officials in the Bay State.

Once and for all, we must dismiss the notion that elected officials can abuse the public’s trust. Only by holding ourselves to a higher standard can we convince the public that situations involving the abuse of power are the exception on Beacon Hill and not the rule."