Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25

Tomorrow morning I will once again be a guest political analyst on the Fox 25 morning news segment Tolman and Gray. Boston City Councilor Michael Ross, Fox 25 political commentator VB and I will be discussing Hurricane Irene and continuing recovery efforts, the arrest of Onyango Obama, President Obama’s half uncle, and the possibility of more candidates joining the U.S. Senate race here in Massachusetts.

Please tune in at approximately 7:15AM to watch tomorrow’s segment.



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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Media Alert: On the Air with Jeff Katz


Tomorrow morning I will be talking with Jeff Katz of the Jeff Katz Show on Talk 1200AM Boston to discuss the federal “secure communities” program. Please tune in or click here tomorrow morning at approximately 7:35AM to listen to our lively discussion.


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Friday, August 19, 2011

Yesterday's Fox 25 News Appearance

I was in Fox 25's Beacon Hill studio yesterday morning serving as a guest political analyst on the station's "Tolman & Gray" segment. I joined former state Senator Warren Tolman and Fox 25 Morning News co-host Kim Carrigan to talk about how the 2012 Presidential race is heating up among the many Republican candidates for the Oval Office. We also discussed President Obama's plans to vacation on Martha's Vineyard, which has drawn some criticism due to the nation's unresolved debt problem and high unemployment rate. Check out the spirited debate by playing the video link posted below.

Tolman and Gray: MyFoxBOSTON.com



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Wednesday's Emily Rooney Show Appearance

I was a guest on the Emily Rooney show on WGBH radio Wednesday afternoon, where we discussed the habitual traffic offender bill House Minority Leader Brad Jones and I have filed. We currently have more than 40 co-sponsors on the bill (which was recently endorsed by the Gloucester Daily Times), and hope to add more before the end of the day. If you missed the interview, WGBH now has the audio link posted on its website.

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25, Brad & Bo Morning Show on Thursday

Tomorrow morning at approximately 7:15 a.m., I will once again be appearing on Fox 25 Morning News' popular weekly "Tolman and Gray" segment. Former state Senator Warren Tolman and I will be discussing the latest political topics, including the Presidential race and parole reform.

At 8:05 a.m., I will be calling in to the Brad & Bo Show on WHYN radio in Springfield to discuss the habitual traffic offenders bill with co-host Brad Shepard, which is drawing strong bi-partisan support on Beacon Hill. To hear the interview live, tune your radio to 560 AM or listen online on the WHYN website.


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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Media Alert: On The Air with Emily Rooney

I will be dropping by the WGBH radio studios tomorrow afternoon, where I will be joining host Emily Rooney for a discussion of the habitual traffic offender bill. The show airs live from noon-1 p.m. You can listen in on your radio by tuning in to 89.7 FM, or on your computer by visiting the WGBH website.

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Legislation Responds to Dangerous Drivers

In light of the recent hit and run tragedy in Taunton -- which resulted in the death of a 17-year-old skateboarder at the hands of a driver whose license had been revoked or suspended 16 times since 1989 -- I have joined with my Senate and House colleagues to file legislation targeting habitual traffic offenders.

You can learn more about our current motor vehicle laws and what my bill would do to strengthen these laws by clicking on the "read more" section below and reading the press release I issued today.

With the recent arrest of habitual traffic offender and road menace Paul Baran, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and members of both the Senate and House GOP caucuses are taking legislative action to keep habitual offenders off the road. They have filed legislation that would provide the registrar of motor vehicles with the tools to adequately punish convicted habitual traffic offenders with longer suspensions that could result in a lifetime license revocation for the worst violators.

“Drivers who repeatedly violate the law after having their license revoked are not only abusing the system, they present in many cases a serious threat to public safety. The registrar and other officials need the tools to keep such drivers off the road for more than four years at a time, and this legislation will provide them,” said Senator Tarr.

“In light of recent events, this legislation must be moved now,” said Representative Jones. “The public can no longer be put in danger by these drivers who should clearly not be on the road. By providing stronger tools to state and local officials, hopefully we will prevent any further tragedies of this magnitude.”

Current law defines a habitual traffic offender as someone who has been convicted of three enumerated offenses (including driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, making a false statement in an application for a learner’s permit or driver’s license, leaving the scene of an accident, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, driving without a license and the use of a vehicle while committing a felony) and/or has committed 12 other general traffic offenses carrying a license suspension of 30 days or more. The caucus bill would create a tiered system of suspensions for habitual traffic offenders by adding to the existing habitual offender law two new categories, level 2 and level 3, with progressively increasing periods of license revocation.

Specifically, the bill would:

• increase the minimum period for license revocation for a first-time habitual traffic offender from 4 to 5 years;

• create a level 2 habitual traffic offender classification for individuals who have already had their license revoked for being a habitual offender, making them subject to a second revocation from 5 to 15 years;

• create a level 3 habitual traffic offender classification that provides a potential lifetime ban for offenses for more serious repeat offenders who have had previous suspensions; and

• provide the registrar of motor vehicles the authority to attach terms and conditions as the registrar deems necessary if and when returning a license to any level habitual traffic offender.

The bill’s sponsors are also offering the opportunity for their Democratic colleagues to co-sponsor the legislation.

“Protecting public safety transcends party lines, and we need a collaborative effort to strengthen this law as soon as possible,” said Tarr.



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Monday, August 15, 2011

31 Initiative Petitions Filed for 2012 Ballot

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts allows citizens to originate an initiative petition for a law on statewide ballots each election cycle. The initiative petition process is established by Amendment Article 48 of the Massachusetts Constitution as a way for citizens of the Commonwealth to propose laws and constitutional amendments for approval by the voting public. An initiative petition for a law may also be used to propose a law seeking to repeal or amend a particular section of an existing law.

This year 31 petitions have been filed for proposed laws or constitutional amendments with Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office. Of the 31 petitions, 21 were proposed laws for the 2012 ballot and one constitutional amendment was filed for the 2014 ballot. Some initiative petition sponsors submitted more than one version of a petition on the same topic.

To learn more about the basic steps for filing a ballot question, or to learn more about each individual question, please click "read more" below.

The basic steps for a proposed law are:

1. the initiative measure is signed by ten voters and submitted to the Attorney General by the first Wednesday in August (August 3, 2011);

2. the Attorney General determines (usually by the first Wednesday in September, i.e., September 7, 2011) whether the measure meets the requirements of Amendment Article 48;

3. if certified by the Attorney General, the measure is filed with the Secretary of State;

4. thousands of additional voter signatures are gathered (this year, the requirement is 68,911) and filed with local election officials by late November and then with the Secretary of State by the first Wednesday in December;

5. if enough are gathered, the measure is sent to the Legislature in January of 2012;

6. the Legislature either approves or disapproves the measure, proposes a substitute, or takes no action;

7. unless the Legislature has enacted the measure before the first Wednesday in May of 2012, the proponents gather still more signatures (this year, 11,485 signatures are required) by early July;

8. if they gather enough, the measure and any legislative substitute are submitted to the people at the next biennial state election (in this case, November of 2012).

Additional information on the petitions or petition process can be located at on the Attorney General Website. You may access this location by clicking here.

The petitions that were filed with the Attorney General’s Office are as follows:

• 11-01 Initiative Petition for the Right to Cancel an Auto Sale (would provide buyer a 3 day right to cancel an automobile purchase)

• 11-02 Initiative Petition Relative to M.G.L. c. 209A (would repeal the current statute in regard to restraining orders)

• 11-03 Petition for a Constitutional Amendment Relative to the Provision of Health Insurance (affordable health care for all citizens of Massachusetts)

• 11-04 An Initiative Petition To Amend The Current Do Not Call List Law To Regulate Certain Charitable Solicitations (Version A) (amend the current laws in reference to the “Do Not Call List”)

• 11-05 An Initiative Petition To Amend The Current Do Not Call List Law To Regulate Certain Charitable Solicitations (Version B) (amend the current laws in reference to the “Do Not Call List”)

• 11-06 An Initiative Petition To Amend The Current Do Not Call List Law To Regulate Certain Charitable Solicitations (Version C) (amend the current laws in reference to the “Do Not Call List”)

• 11-07 An Initiative Petition To Amend The Current Do Not Call List Law To Regulate Certain Charitable Solicitations (Version D) (amend the current laws in reference to the “Do Not Call List”)

• 11-08 An Initiative Petition To Amend The Current Do Not Call List Law To Regulate Certain Charitable Solicitations (Version E) (amend the current laws in reference to the “Do Not Call List”)

• 11-09 An Initiative Petition To Amend The Current Do Not Call List Law To Regulate Certain Charitable Solicitations (Version F) (amend the current laws in reference to the “Do Not Call List”)

• 11-10 A Petition for a Law Limiting the Amount by which Water and Sewer Rates May be Raised (explanation of rate changes for water and sewer rates within cities and towns)

• 11-11 An Initiative Petition for a Law for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana (legalizing the use of medical marijuana)

• 11-12 An Initiative Petition for an Act Relative to Death with Dignity (terminally ill patients allowed to die in a humane and dignified manner)

• 11-13 Initiative Petition for a Law to Create a Citizens’ 9/11 Investigation Commission (establishes a commission to investigate the events of September 11, 2001)

• 11-14 Initiative Petition for An Act to Protect Motor Vehicle Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Motor Vehicles (Version A1) (Right to Repair)

• 11-15 Initiative Petition for An Act to Protect Motor Vehicle Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Motor Vehicles (Version B1) (Right to Repair)

• 11-16 Initiative Petition for An Act to Protect Motor Vehicle Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Motor Vehicles (Version C1) (Right to Repair)

• 11-17 Initiative Petition for An Act to Protect Motor Vehicle Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Motor Vehicles (Version D1) (Right to Repair)

• 11-18 An Initiative Petition for An Act Banning the Use of Certain Socio-Economic Factors for Insurance Underwriting and Rating of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance (factors in which an insurance policy or rating is administered)

• 11-19 The Whale Safe Fishing Act (whales and sea turtles on the endangered species list)

• 11-20 An Initiative Petition for An Act Promoting Excellence in Public Schools (promoting higher academic standards in schools and school personnel)

• 11-21 An Initiative Petition for An Act Relative to the Presentation of Identification to Vote (voter ID requirements when voting)

• 11-22 Initiative Petition for a Law Relative to Updating the Bottle Bill (bottle deposit)

• 11-23 An Initiative Petition to Repeal the Individual Mandate in the Act Providing Access To Affordable, Quality Health Care (no resident required to purchase health care or be penalized for doing so)

• 11-24 Initiative Petition for an Amendment to a Law Relative Comprehensive Permit and Regional Planning (affordable housing)

• 11-25 An Act to Increase Consumer Convenience and Choice by Permitting Food Stores to Sell Wine (allow the sale of wine in grocery stores)

• 11-26 An Act to Establish Limited Beer and Wine Licenses for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets, Subject to Local Control (local authority to grant beer and wine licenses to grocery stores)

• 11-27 An Initiative Petition for a Law Permitting Casino Gaming in Three Locations in the Commonwealth (expanded gaming in the Commonwealth)

• 11-28 [none; appears to be a Law Relative to Electricity Contracts and Amending the Green Communities Act] (Cape Wind)

• 11-29 An Initiative Petition for a Law Relative to M.G.L. 90, Section 22 (notice of license suspension or revocation)

• 11-30 An Initiative Petition for a Law Relative to M.G.L. 209A (would amend the current statute in regard to restraining orders)

• 11-31 An Initiative Petition for a Law Relative to M.G.L. 272-S-99 (allowing the recording of public officials)

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Friday, August 12, 2011

Yesterday’s Media Appearances

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a guest political analyst on Fox 25’s morning news segment “Tolman and Gray”. Former state senator Warren Tolman and I discussed the instability of the stock market and the possible effects it might have on the U.S. economy. We also discussed the need to strengthen the habitual traffic offender law.

Later in the day I also made a guest appearance on NECN’s “Broadside” where I was interviewed by special guest host Chet Curtis. Chet and I focused our discussion on the need to remove habitual traffic offenders from our streets, the current Massachusetts’ habitual traffic offender law and the necessity to strengthen it now.

Please play the posted videos below to watch yesterday’s appearances. Also posted below is a report by Chris Cassidy of the Boston Herald which details a bill that I’m proposing that would provide the registrar of motor vehicles with the necessary tools to lengthen the suspensions and provide possible lifetime bans of habitual traffic offenders.

Tolman and Gray: MyFoxBOSTON.com



Bill Would Allow RMV to Pull a Bad Driver

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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Media Alert: On the Air with NECN’s “Broadside”

Tonight I will be making a guest appearance on NECN’s nightly newscast “Broadside” with special guest host Chet Curtis. Chet and I will be discussing the need for substantial legislative changes to the habitual traffic offender laws. Please tune in at 6:00pm to watch tonight’s program. “Broadside” re-airs at 8:00pm and again at 3:30am.


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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25

Tomorrow morning I will once again be a special guest political analyst on the Fox 25 morning news segment “Tolman and Gray”, aka “Tarr and Company”, with former state senator Warren Tolman. We will be discussing the recent volatility of the stock market and what some of the economic ramifications might be. We will also discuss habitual traffic offender Paul Baran and the need for legislative action to keep our roadways safe. Please tune in tomorrow morning at approximately 7:15AM to watch our lively discussion.


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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Progress on the Bates Bridge

Even though summer temperatures are high that hasn’t stopped the progress being made on the Bates Bridge over the Merrimack River. The continued work by MassDOT officials and the contractor have brought the project to 22% of completion.

Please click "Read more" to view the latest update from MassDOT. Below are two photos of the bridge’s progress.


Dewatering activities at pier #4.

Concrete placement for tremie (underwater) seal at pier #2.



Release Date August 8, 2010

Municipality Groveland/Haverhill
Project Bridge Reconstruction: Bates Bridge over the Merrimack River
Status 22% complete
Cost $49,750,000
Description The project consists of the replacement of the existing Bates Bridge carrying Routes 97/113 over the Merrimack River with a new bridge located approximately 60 feet downstream. The existing bridge will remain in service during construction of the new bridge and will be demolished once it is placed into service. The proposed bridge will have a movable span similar to the existing bridge. In addition to the 775 feet long bridge, the project includes reconstruction of the approach roadways in Haverhill and Groveland and traffic signal and geometric improvements at the intersection of Groveland Street with Lincoln Avenue in Haverhill and at the intersection of Groveland Street with Main Street near Elm Park in Groveland. Cianbro Corporation from Pittsfield, ME is constructing the project. The contract completion date is June 20, 2014.

The primary elements of the roadway work include excavation, grading, installation of bituminous pavements, curbing, sidewalks, highway guardrail, pavement markings, relocation and/or adjustment of existing utilities, and installation of traffic signal systems.

The primary elements of the bridge work include the construction of a new movable span bridge which includes the installation of drilled shaft foundations, reinforced concrete piers, a structural steel superstructure, a concrete filled grid deck, a moveable bascule lift section, concrete abutments on pile foundations and retaining walls. Temporary cofferdams will be used during the construction of the work, which will include removal of the existing bridge.

Current Project Status – The majority of work within the river continues to be staged from two working barges that are in place to support heavy construction activities. The installation of a concrete tremie (underwater) seal is now complete at pier #2. Dewatering activities within the cofferdam at pier #4 continues along with the installation of the drilled shafts for the new substructure at pier #3. Excavation is also continuing in the area of the new south abutment. Overhead and underground utility relocation work continues on the Groveland side of the project along Main Street.

Note: Additional project information and history can be found by visiting MassDOT’s website at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us and clicking on the Projects tab, then selecting “Current Road and Bridge Projects” and after entering the Town of Groveland or the City of Haverhill, select Project No. 600988.



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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Today’s Appearance on Fox 25 and The Jeff Katz Show

This morning I made a guest appearance on Fox 25’s morning news segment “Tolman and Gray” aka “Tarr and Company”. Political analyst Warren Tolman, Fox 25 news commentator VB, and I discussed the recent passage of the national debt compromise by Congressional leaders and President Obama. Please play the posted video below to view today’s segment.

I also had the opportunity to be interviewed by Jeff Katz of The Jeff Katz Show. Jeff and I discussed the possibility of an upcoming debate that could expand gaming in Massachusetts. Part of our conversation included a recently passed Senate Order filed by the members of the Senate GOP caucus prohibiting the Senate from considering or taking up a bill that would authorize any gaming not currently permitted in the Commonwealth for at least 10 calendar days. To listen to today’s interview please click here.


Tolman and Gray: MyFoxBOSTON.com


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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25 and the Jeff Katz Show

Tomorrow morning I will once again be a guest on Fox 25’s morning news segment “Tolman and Gray” where I’ll be discussing the national debt compromise that was recently approved by Congress and President Obama. I am joined by frequent guest, political analyst and former State Senator Warren Tolman. Please tune in at approximately 7:15AM for what is sure to be a colorful discussion.

Then at 8:05AM I will be discussing with Jeff Katz of the Jeff Katz Show on Rush Talk 1200AM Boston the looming debate that could authorize expanded gaming in Massachusetts and the need for transparency in that debate. You can also listen online by going to 1200AM Boston’s website or by clicking here.



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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Celebrating 100 Years

On Sunday, July 31st I had the pleasure of presenting a Senate Citation to Helen Donovan of Gloucester honoring her on her 100th birthday. During the presentation, Helen was surrounded by friends and family who spoke fondly of memories and past events. Helen has led a vibrant and remarkable life and still remains an active member of the community. Below is a photo taken during Sunday’s celebration.


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Monday, August 1, 2011

Media Alert: On the Air with WWLP-TV News 22

Today I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Christine Lee of WWLP-TV News 22 regarding the debate in Congress to raise the national debt limit and what it could mean in Massachusetts if a compromise isn’t reached. Please tune in to tonight’s broadcast at 5:00pm, 6:00pm and again at 11:00pm.


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