Friday, October 29, 2010

A Matter of Safety and Spectacle


Recently I had the chance to learn about an interesting subject from one of our senate district’s most notable entrepreneurs, Warren Pearce of North Reading. Warren and his family own and operate the American Thunder Fireworks Company, and are at the forefront of the discussion about ensuring safety as the technology in this industry evolves. On a recent shoot in West Yarmouth, Mass. Warren invited me to see firsthand how fireworks shows are developed and fired. This was a great opportunity to understand just how much effort goes into keeping us all safe as we are thrilled with the shows that light up the night sky. The photos here are courtesy of Cape Ann photographer Anthony Marks.




















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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Today’s Appearance on Fox 25

Today I made an appearance on the Fox 25 Morning News to discuss the state’s congressional and gubernatorial races and ballot questions 1 and 3 with State Representative Peter Koutoujian. Please view my lively discussion with Peter and co-anchor Gene Lavanchy by playing the posted video below.




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Judging Chili for the Library


Over the past few years a great tradition has evolved in the form of a chili tasting event and contest to benefit the Rowley Library. Known as the “Some Like it Hot! Chili Contest” and sponsored by the friends of the Rowley Public Library, the event now draws a host of contestants and hundreds of tasters with the sophisticated palates necessary to evaluate diverse and creative chili in categories such as red, meatless and green. I was honored once again this year to serve as a judge for the contest, which also featured “People’s Choice” awards in addition to those presented by the judges. The great photos of the event posted here are from Rowley Selectman Robert Snow.










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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Fish Talk with Bridgewater State University

Among the many tremendous resources at Bridgewater State University is the Moakley Center for Technological Applications. Recently I had the opportunity to appear on the center’s well-known talk show, “Commonwealth Politics”, to discuss the many problems our commercial fishing industry is facing because of federal management issues, with New Bedford State Representative John Quinn and hosts Dr. Michael Kryzanek and Dr. Mark Kemper.




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Monday, October 25, 2010

Thanks, Daily News!

I appreciate a recent editorial in the Newburyport Daily News about the recently completed project of dredging the Merrimack River and nourishing the beaches in Salisbury, Newbury and Newburyport with sand. I am honored to be a part of the team that completed the project. The editorial is posted below for you to read.

On Plum Island Sen. Tarr Deserves Nod New Bury Port Daily News Editorial


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On the Air in Wilmington

Recently we launched a new cable-access television show for viewers in Wilmington on WCTV. It’s called Tarr Talk TV, and the first edition features an in-depth discussion with Town Manager Mike Caira. You can view it in its entirety by clicking the video below.

Tarr Talk TV - Episode 1 from Wilmington TV on Vimeo.






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Friday, October 22, 2010

Yesterday’s Appearance on Fox 25

Yesterday I made an appearance on the Fox 25 Morning News to discuss the state’s congressional and gubernatorial races with former State Senator Warren Tolman. Please view my lively discussion with him and co-anchor Kim Carrigan by playing the posted video below.




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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox


Tomorrow morning I’ll again be analyzing political issues with former State Senator Warren Tolman on the Fox 25 Morning News. We will most likely be discussing the state’s gubernatorial and congressional races and what the latest polls might suggest. Please join us on Fox 25 at approximately 7:15 a.m.


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Honoring the Arts in our State

Recently I had the honor of presenting the Governor’s proclamation of October as Arts and Humanities month, and in doing so emphasizing the importance of the arts and artists to our economy, our quality of life and the character of our state. You can view the presentation, which took place at Gloucester’s historic White-Ellery House during the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of poet Charles Olson’s birth, by clicking the video below.






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Friday, October 15, 2010

This Week’s Appearance on Fox 25

Yesterday I made an appearance on the Fox 25 Morning News to discuss the state’s gubernatorial race with former State Senator Warren Tolman. Please view my lively discussion with him and co-anchor Gene Lavanchy by playing the posted video below.




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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25



Tomorrow morning I’ll again be analyzing political issues with former State Senator Warren Tolman on the Fox 25 Morning News. We will most likely be discussing the state’s gubernatorial and congressional races, Tim Cahill’s court hearing today, the amount of campaign money being spent on elections across the nation, and the potential impacts of the passage of ballot question 3. Please join us on Fox 25 at approximately 7:15 a.m.


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Friday, October 8, 2010

The Administration Responds-Part I

Writing in response to the request by the Senate Republican Caucus to Governor Patrick for additional information surrounding the pending supplemental budget, the Secretary of Administration and Finance issued the response posted below.

GOV 2010.10.06 Response to RRT Letter on FMAP Supp Details


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More Questions Raised

Secretary Gonzalez’s letter regarding the supplemental budget raised more issues and questions, and so we wrote to the Governor once again for additional information. Our letter is posted below.

RRT 2010 10 07 Follow-Up Letter to Gov for Deficiency Details SIGNED


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The Administration Responds –Part II

In the letter posted below Secretary Gonzalez provides some further information. Particularly noteworthy is the affirmation the Commonwealth does face a budget gap for the next fiscal year (FY 2012) and an acknowledgement that the budget for the current year was not initially in balance and that some accounts were and are highly dependent on federal revenue sources which may not be available in the future.

GOV 2010 10 08 Follow-Up Letter to RRT About Deficiency Details SIGNED


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Moving Forward…with Caution!

Since some of the accounts contained in the supplemental budget (H. 5028) directly affect human services and those who depend on and deliver those services, some funding needed to move forward and H. 5028 is the only available vehicle to prevent harmful disruption. I offered three amendments with my Senate republican colleagues (posted below) to provide accountability in this budget and to safeguard against unsustainable spending. Two of them were adopted and we received assurances that the goal of the third was achieved by language currently in the bill. With these in place, the budget was advanced and sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Amendment Adopted DOC Reporting


Amendment Adopted a and F Report

Amendment Not Adopted Distribution of Funds




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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Today’s Appearance on Fox 25

Today I made an appearance on the Fox 25 Morning News to discuss former State Representative Paul Loscocco’s decision to exit the lieutenant governor’s race and the potential impact that a visit by President Obama might have on the upcoming gubernatorial election. Please view my lively discussion with Warren Tolman and co-anchor Kim Carrigan by playing the posted video below or by clicking here.




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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25


Tomorrow morning I’ll again be analyzing political issues with former State Senator Warren Tolman on the Fox 25 Morning News Segment “Tolman and Gray”. We will most likely be discussing former State Representative Paul Loscocco’s decision to exit from the lieutenant governor’s race, President Obama’s upcoming campaign events here in Massachusetts, and the latest on the supplemental budget currently being considered by the Senate. Please join us on Fox 25 at approximately 7:35 a.m.


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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Wilmington Walks/Runs with Strength




A fall run/walk event has become an annual tradition in Wilmington, and this year that event made a transition as the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce assumed the responsibilities for organizing and conducting a series of events including a 5K walk, a 5K run, and a 13.5 mile half-marathon. These events drew hundreds of participants and a large and enthusiastic support team that provided entertainment, food and logistics.

Particularly touching was the tremendous outpouring of participants and supporters involved in the event in memory of Kelli Murray and raising funds on behalf of her family. They comprised a sea of green shirts that was reflective of the strength of neighbors supporting neighbors, and I was honored to be wearing one of those shirts throughout the day.

I was also enthused to be part of the Chamber of Commerce team for the event, and I volunteered in the task of guiding runners into the appropriate timing lanes as they finished their events.

Above and below are some photos from the day’s activities, and in one of them I am joined by another well-known Wilmington volunteer, Bob Boyce. You can learn more about the event by visiting the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s website by clicking here.





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Striving for Accountability

A $400+ million dollar spending bill is now pending before the Senate in an informal session, in which no formal debate occurs and no recorded roll call votes are taken. While supplemental budgets are sometimes approved in informal session to provide needed funds to avoid deficiencies in important accounts, this budget is particularly important because of its size and potential impact on the Commonwealth’s fiscal stability.

Because of this situation the Senate Republican Caucus objected yesterday and today to this supplemental budget being taken up immediately. We have done so to allow time to analyze the document itself and an amendment being offered to change some of its provisions.

In order to fully understand the ramifications of passing the supplemental budget, which is H.5028, today we sent a letter to Governor Patrick seeking important information with a direct bearing on the issues presented by this budget. You can read that letter by viewing the document below.

2010.10.05 Letter to Gov for Deficiency Details SIGNED



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Friday, October 1, 2010

Scoring High Marks With AIM

Periodically various interest groups release “legislative scorecards” which rate legislators’ votes in relation to the philosophies and priorities held by those groups. Earlier this week the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) released its scorecard for the current legislative session. AIM is an organization comprised primarily of major employers in our Commonwealth.

I am pleased to be among only four senators to achieve the group’s highest rating of 89%, a rating which I share with Senator Knapik of Westfield, Senator Tisei or Wakefield and Senator Baddour of Methuen.

You can read the entire AIM scorecard by clicking the document below.

Doc 001


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