Statement on the release of the Senate Ways and Means FY14 budget

Yesterday I released the following statement, after the Senate Committee on Ways and Means unveiled its $33.9 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2014:

“The Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal released today by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means clearly rejects once again the massive tax and spend measures that have been advocated by Governor Patrick, and responds to some important spending priorities such as transportation, special education and police training.  It also provides a “killed in the line of duty” death benefit for the family of slain MIT police officer Sean Collier, which is the right thing to do in light of the ultimate sacrifice made by this young officer who had such a promising life and career ahead of him.

The Senate Ways and Means budget makes a notable effort to reduce spending in many accounts.  Yet, in responding to yet another sizable budget gap, today’s proposal relies on a combination of over $627 million from one-time revenue sources and $450 million in tax increases, and that’s on top of the millions of dollars in additional tax increases that have been approved in recent years, including a $900 million increase in the sales tax implemented in 2009.

In order to put our state on a steady path toward economic prosperity and future balanced budgets, we need to ensure that the spending proposed by the Senate Ways and Means Committee can be sustained without continuing to resort to one-time fixes and burdening struggling household budgets with more taxes.  We must always remember that we live in uncertain economic times and the robust economic recovery we’ve hoped for hasn’t materialized.  Rather than continuing to raise taxes by millions of dollars, we need to address the real problems of unsustainable state spending and the need to create more jobs and enable a stronger economic recovery than the one we’re experiencing.

As we move forward in the budget process and prepare for next week’s floor debate, the Senate Republican Caucus will be looking for every opportunity to strengthen fiscal discipline in the process and to promote the type of sustainable job growth we need to generate the additional revenues that will help the state navigate through an uncertain economic climate.”

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To view a copy of the proposed budget, click here.

A Compelling Editorial

An editorial in today’s Salem Evening News spotlights the need for further legislative action targeting those who continue to drive drunk even after a lifetime license revocation.

It also highlights recent successes I’ve had in amending the law toward that goal, and legislation that I and the Senate Republican Caucus filed earlier this legislative session to include jail time for those who do not adhere to a lifetime licensure ban.

Please click here to read today’s editorial.

On the Air with Fox 25

Yesterday morning I was a guest on the Fox 25 morning news to discuss the recent arrest of a Billerica man who was charged with his 12th drunken driving charge, and the need for legislative action targeting habitual traffic offenders.

To watch yesterday’s segment please play the posted video below.

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Statement on the Recent Arrest of a Billerica Man Facing His 12th Charge of Drunk Driving

Today I released the following statement regarding the recent arrest of a Billerica man who has been charged with his 12th drunk driving charge, and has previously had his license permanently revoked for life. Starting in August 2011, the Senate Republican Caucus have been pursuing legislation to strengthen the law by increasing penalties for those who are habitual traffic offenders:

“People who drive time and time again without a license and/or under the influence of alcohol, as evidenced in this case, not only disrespect the law but also put public safety at risk. Clearly, these types of repeated acts can’t be tolerated. While we made significant progress last year in increasing the fines for unlicensed driving, it’s clear that for some cases the sanction of jail time is necessary.

We need to act clearly and decisively to send a message that repeated instances of driving without a license and while intoxicated won’t be tolerated in Massachusetts.”

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox25

Please tune in tomorrow morning at approximately 7:15am on the Fox 25 Morning News where I will be discussing the recent arrest of a Billerica man who is facing his 12^th drunken-driving charge, and the need for legislative action targeting habitual traffic offenders.

Honoring Those Who Protect and Serve

Today marks the start of National Police Week, where events at our nation’s capital are dedicated to those who currently serve as officers, have served, and those who have fallen in the line of duty.  National Police Week was conceived in 1962 when President John Kennedy signed a proclamation dedicating May 15^th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week as National Police Week.

Since 1962, thousands of officers and supporters from around the country attend events every year in Washington, DC and throughout the nation to join in camaraderie, and to pay respect for those who have fallen while on duty.  Tonight at approximately 8:00pm the Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), will commence with its 25^th Annual Candlelight Vigil.

It is my hope that all of us will take a moment this week to honor and recognize the invaluable service police officers provide in keeping our communities safe.

To learn more about National Police Week and to watch tonight’s Candlelight Vigil please click here to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website.

The Open Door Empty Bowl Fundraiser is Tonight!

 

Tonight starting at 4:00pm is The Open Door Food Pantry’s 13^th Annual Empty Bowl fundraising dinner at Cruiseport Gloucester.  This wonderful event, which has thrived under the leadership of Executive Director Julie LaFontaine, draws nearly a thousand people together in the hopes to collect the necessary funds to feed the thousands who depend on The Open Door Food Pantry’s assistance.

Over a thousand bowls are hand crafted and designed by area residents and supporters, and participants are then presented with one during the event.  Symbolically the bowls serve as a reminder that somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children under ten, and are available at the door.  Extra parking has been made available at Harbor Beach with complimentary trolley service to and from Cruiseport Gloucester.  The dinner commences at 4:00pm and ends approximately at 8:00pm.

To learn more about The Open Door Food Pantry and of the Empty Bowl fundraising dinner please click here.  Pictured above is a bowl that I designed from a past year.