House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on the End of Boston’s 2024 Olympics Bid

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the announcement that Boston would be ending its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics:

“For supporters of Boston 2024, this is a significant letdown, but for those who opposed or had serious concerns about bringing the Olympics to Boston, today is a great day.  I agree with this decision, and I commend Mayor Walsh for putting the needs of the city and its residents first.  Although Boston will not be pursuing host city designation with the USOC, I think this process has been a good exercise in generating discussion about the city’s – and the Commonwealth’s -- future and starting a dialogue on many important issues, such as transportation and development, that need to be addressed.”

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Enactment of Fiscal Year 2016 State Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the enactment of the Fiscal Year 2016 state budget conference committee report by the House of Representatives:

“The Fiscal Year 2016 budget passed by the House today reflects many of the priorities of the House Republican Caucus by increasing local aid to our cities and towns, holding the line on taxes and beginning the process of implementing meaningful reforms to the state’s public transportation system.

 The budget reaffirms the state’s commitment to our local communities by increasing Chapter 70 education aid by $111 million and unrestricted general government aid by $34 million. It also provides significant increases for regional school transportation, special education and charter school reimbursements to help alleviate the financial pressures impacting municipal budgets.

I am particularly pleased the conference committee rejected several new tax proposals that would have unfairly burdened the state’s hard-working taxpayers, including a plan to freeze the income tax rate at 5.15 percent.  The residents of Massachusetts were promised a reduction in the rate to 5 percent, and this budget upholds that promise by keeping us on track to achieving that goal in the near future.

The budget also contains significant reforms targeting the MBTA, including a realignment of the MassDOT Board of Directors, the creation of a Fiscal Management Control Board and a three-year suspension of the Pacheco Law to provide the MBTA with more flexibility in its procurement practices.  These changes are critical to ensuring that the MBTA can achieve long-term fiscal stability while also providing more reliable service to the public.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance.” – John Adams

We here at the Capitol View Live would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy Fourth of July.  As we celebrate America’s 239^th birthday, please remember the many sacrifices that have been made, and continue to be made, by our servicemen and women so that we can remain free.