Happy Halloween

As costumes are receiving their final touch ups and candy buckets are stocked for trick-or-treaters, it’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of this upcoming Halloween. We here at the Capitol View Live wanted to take a moment to share with you some Halloween related information and resources that we have compiled. Below are some common sense tips compiled from the various organizations including AAA. We encourage all members of the Commonwealth to follow these safety tips to ensure a fun filled Halloween.

See and Be Seen

Be bright on Halloween night! A few additional costume accessories could help provide for a safe and fun Halloween.

1. Use reflective tape or stickers on your costume of treat bags.

2. Masks can block your vision. Instead, use non-toxic face paint.

3. To prevent trips and falls, make sure costumes and shoes are well-fitted.

4. Costume accessories should be soft and flexible, not sharp and pointy.

5. Carry a flashlight!

Road Rules

The roads and streets throughout the Commonwealth will not only be cluttered with trick-or-treaters, but eager party goers driving to their spooky holiday celebrations. Abiding by these road rules, drivers and pedestrians alike can safely enjoy their Halloween festivities.

1. Look all ways and listen for traffic before crossing.

2. Cross at corners, not between parked cars.

3. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.

4. Walk, don’t run.

5. Use caution when crossing, entering and exiting driveways.

6. Obey traffic signals.

7. Trick or treat with a group and bring a trusted adult.

Candy Caution

Everyone likes to indulge in their favorite sweet treats during Halloween. Following these few tips will ensure your health and safety!

1. Eat candy in moderation. Eating all of your Halloween candy at one time could lead to stomach aches and cavities. Make the Halloween spirit last and save some treats for later.

2. Check for tampered wrappings. Have an adult go through trick-or-treaters goody bags to make sure the candy is safe to eat.

We hope you find these tips helpful, and we wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween!

House Minority Leader’s Statement on the Continued Rise of Massachusetts’ Unemployment Rate

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the Commonwealth’s unemployment rate rising to 6.5% in the month of September:

“The fact that the unemployment rate in Massachusetts has risen for the second consecutive month indicates that the Commonwealth’s job market is not on the mend and on the move - as Governor Patrick so often claims it is.

With an unemployment rate of 6.5% and over 225,000 individuals unemployed, the residents of the Commonwealth do not need more of the number games that the Patrick Administration routinely relies on to falsely depict economic growth. What they need is lower taxes, less wasteful spending and a real plan for Massachusetts’ job creators.

The idea of a one-party approach to fixing Massachusetts’ economy has run its course.”

House Minority Leader’s Statement on MassHealth Verification Shortcomings

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to Auditor Suzanne Bump’s audit of MassHealth’s residency and income verification practices and procedures:

“The report furnished by State Auditor Suzanne Bump should serve as a wakeup call for Democrats on Beacon Hill who seem intent on raising taxes for Massachusetts’ residents.

According to Auditor Bump’s findings, ‘the financial ramifications of MassHealth not performing effective income eligibility verifications for applicants could have an adverse effect on the Commonwealth’s finances.’ The results of this audit are the latest example of where Governor Patrick has fallen short in ringing out waste and demanding accountability in state spending.

Instead of proceeding with a tax and spend approach to addressing the state’s financial shortcomings- without telling taxpayers until after the November election - maybe Governor Patrick and his Democratic cohorts should first consider eliminating any and all waste, fraud, and abuse in state run programs. The failure to account for millions of dollars annually within a state agency is exactly why the idea of raising taxes should not be on the table."

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Voter Registration Deadline is Tomorrow

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, October 17, 2012, is the final day to register to vote for the upcoming general election.

On November 6, 2012 voters here in the Bay State will be casting votes for Massachusetts congressional, state senate, state representative and other local candidates. Regardless of one’s political affiliation, it is important that everyone have the ability to vote. So please remember to register to vote!

To find out how to register, and for any other voting related question you might have, click here.

Boston Globe: “This isn’t about giving speeches or going on ‘Meet the Press.’ It’s about governing.”

In case you missed it this weekend, the Boston Globe released a series of articles critiquing Governor Patrick’s travels on behalf of President Obama while failing to adequately answer to the troubling developments occurring throughout the Commonwealth over the past few months.

With more than 34,000 convicted drug offenders scheduled to be released from jail in an ever-widening state drug lab crisis, a Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company being linked to 15 deaths nationwide as part of a deadly meningitis outbreak and the state’s unemployment rate at an unacceptable 6.3%, Governor Patrick is gallivanting around the country promoting his own national political agenda and that of his friend President Barack Obama.

Furthermore, it seems as though Governor Patrick is talking out of both sides of his mouth when referencing his predecessor, Governor Mitt Romney. While at a campaign rally in Charlotte, Governor Patrick criticized Romney saying that he was “more interested in having a job than doing it.” The hypocrisy of the Governor’s statement is comical as he should be focused on what’s now for the Commonwealth, not what’s next for himself.

To read the articles in their entirety, see below.

Governor Patrick Boston Globe

Massachusetts Not So Heavenly for Angel Investors

In case you missed it, the Boston Globe recently ran a story saying that while angel investors – “high net-worth individuals who fund start-up businesses often in return for stock” – in the Boston area are investing in start-ups, Massachusetts still trails states like New York and California in total investors.

House Republicans have long realized the essential role that Angel Investors play in our economy and its recovery. That’s why when the House and Senate Republican Caucus’ unveiled their comprehensive GOP Jobs Package in February, we included a provision which would establish an Angel Investment Tax Credit.

Establish Angel Investment Tax Credit

• Provides Angel Investors with a tax credit of 15% of the amount of cash invested in a small business start-up.

• Increases investment tax credit to 25% if the start-up is located in an Economic Target Area; a low-income part of the state which has experienced major layoffs or has a commercial vacancy rate of at least 20%.

• Caps the total amount of credits at $10 million for the first 3 years, $5 million for the following 5 years, and expires at the end of 2019.

• Our goal with this provision is to incentivize entrepreneurs to start and build companies in the Commonwealth while improving the workforce and quickly improving economic activity.

Today's report that we are falling behind with these vital business investors could have been avoided if ideas proposed in the GOP Jobs Package were adopted by the Democratic-led Legislature. We encourage members of the majority party on Beacon Hill to dust off their copy of the GOP Jobs Package, and help us get to work in creating and fostering an entrepreneur and business-friendly environment here in Massachusetts. After all, Massachusetts’ families are counting on us, the Legislature, to help them get back to work by creating and fostering jobs within the Commonwealth.

To read the Boston Globe article in its entirety, see below.

Boston Globe Angel Investor Article

Representative deMacedo Appears on NECN’s “Broadside”

In case you missed it, Representative Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth) recently appeared on Broadside with State Senator Brian Joyce (D-Milton).

Representative deMacedo joined host Jim Braude to provide insight into the United State Senate contest between Senator Scott Brown and Professor Elizabeth Warren, as well as the upcoming presidential election.

To view the entire segment play the video posted below.

Democratic Leaders Keep Massachusetts’ Taxpayers in the Dark

In case you missed it, State House News Service has reported that top Democrats, including Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, are mulling the idea of a statewide tax increase that would take effect as soon as next year. What are the details of the supposed tax increase you might ask? Well, in a game of election-year politics, Democratic leaders are waiting until after the November elections to reveal any specifics.

In an economy where residents and businesses are at the breaking point financially, and statewide unemployment has risen above 6.3%, the prospect of increased taxes is not what the taxpayers can afford, nor is it what they need. However, in an all out effort to be reelected come November, Democrats statewide are concealing these high levels talks as not to scare voters. It’s a classic game of politics, and if these talks surrounding tax increases continue, the voters have everything to lose.

To read the article in its entirety, see below.

On Resistance to New Taxes