Senate Approves Human Trafficking Bill

Today the Massachusetts Senate adopted a series of amendments offered by the Senate Republican Caucus to Senate Bill #1950, An Act Relative to the Commercial Exploitation of People. Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) and I offered the amendments to create stricter penalties and to provide law enforcement officials with the necessary tools to prosecute human traffickers more effectively.

For far too long our laws have been silent on the intolerable crimes involved in human trafficking. Today we have seized an opportunity to confront criminal enterprises that degrade human beings into property and abuse them in unconscionable ways.

Now that we are taking action on this front, it's imperative that we do so in a way that brings swift and strong punishment to those who would enslave another person for criminal purposes. The amendments we have secured in today's debate, if signed into law, will ensure strong penalties for offenders and effective tools for prosecutors to apprehend and bring them to justice.

A total of four Republican-filed amendments were adopted by the Senate, including one that would increase the bill's proposed punishment of human trafficking from 15 years to 20 years in jail. The amendment passed by a roll call vote of 35-1. Another amendment would create a 5 year mandatory minimum jail sentence for the first offense of trafficking a victim who is a minor.

Other Republican amendments adopted by the Senate today include:

* expanding the scope of a newly created taskforce within the legislation to examine the creation of Massachusetts laws to target racketeering similar to the Federal Government's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) of 1970 with the focus on organized human trafficking rings. Currently gaps exist in Massachusetts law that frustrate prosecutors' abilities to strike at the elements of human trafficking enterprises that depend on the exchange of cash and other assets; and


* creating a separate additional crime for the enticement of a minor with the use of any electronic device, including the internet, that carries either a fine of $2,500 or a maximum of five years in jail for the first offense, and not less than five years in jail for subsequent offences. The amendment passed by a roll call vote of 36-0.

The amended bill, which passed unanimously by a roll call vote of 37-0, will now go to a six member conference committee where the differences between the two versions will be worked out. The members of the conference committee are expected to be appointed next week.

The Need for Tougher Human Trafficking Laws

On Thursday, June 30th, the Massachusetts Senate will debate Senate Bill #1950, An Act Relative to the Commercial Exploitation of People. Legislative measures to criminalize human trafficking have been filed for multiple sessions but have only recently gained momentum due to the arrest of Norman Barnes, a Dorchester man who has been charged with the kidnapping and sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl.

Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) and I are offering several amendments to strengthen the bill by increasing the punishment or elevating the charges of several of the outlined crimes for those who are found to be involved in human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a heinous crime for which we should have no tolerance in Massachusetts. Not only must we join with the 46 other states that have enacted laws to address these outrageous acts, we must pass comprehensive legislation that provides every tool known to be effective in combating and eradicating human trafficking to those who can put them to work.
Among the amendments filed are those that would:

* increase the bill's proposed punishment of human trafficking from 15 years in jail to 20 years;

* create additional penalties for those who use a firearm to facilitate or attempt to facilitate human trafficking;

* create additional penalties for those who physically injure or threaten to injure another person to facilitate or attempt to facilitate human trafficking;

* provide a confidentiality statute to protect victims who had been forced into sexual servitude from being identified or located by perpetrators; and

* create a separate additional crime for the enticement of a minor over the internet that carries either a fine of $2,500 or a maximum of five years in jail for the first offense, and not less than five years in jail for subsequence offences.

The bill now before the Senate offers us a tremendous opportunity to forcefully address the issue of human trafficking. Given the incalculable and devastating impacts this crime has on individuals, families and society, we have an undeniable obligation to make the bill as strong as possible.

ARRL Field Day Event

This weekend marks the National Association of Amateur Radio’s (ARRL) annual Field Day Event, where thousands of amateur ham radio enthusiasts gather at different locations across the nation to test field preparedness and emergency communications abilities. Field Day is the largest on-the-air operation of the year and in 2010 contest logs were submitted by a record 2,648 clubs, groups and individuals across the United States and Canada to the ARRL Contest Branch. These logs showed participation by 37,764 individuals during the 24-hour event.

This weekend I will be at the Fuller School Field in Gloucester to present a legislative resolution honoring the event. To learn more about the ARRL or Field Day please click here to view the organization’s web page. To read the resolution in its entirety please click read more.




COMMEMORATING AMATEUR RADIO WEEK AND HONORING AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS AS THEY CELEBRATE FIELD DAY.

WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO HAS CONTRIBUTED GREATLY IN DEVELOPING WORLD-WIDE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS; AND

WHEREAS, OVER 13,848 AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS THRIVE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, CONSTANTLY DISPLAYING THEIR VALUE IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; AND

WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS USE THEIR EQUIPMENT AND SKILLS TO UNFAILINGLY ASSIST LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS IN CASES OF TORNADO, FLOOD, HURRICANE, AND OTHER LOCAL EMERGENCIES; AND

WHEREAS, MASSACHUSETTS AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS HAVE GENEROUSLY VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME, EQUIPMENT, AND KNOWLEDGE TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS, SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL TRAINING TO LOCAL SERVICE CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERESTED CITIZENS; AND

WHEREAS, MASSACHUSETTS AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS WILL JOIN WITH OTHER OPERATORS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND PARTICIPATE ON JUNE 25TH AND JUNE 26TH IN FIELD DAY, A TWENTY-FOUR HOUR SIMULATED EMERGENCY HIGHLIGHTING AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS’ EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES; NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE EXTENDS ITS APPRECIATION TO AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS BY CELEBRATING AMATEUR RADIO WEEK AND FIELD DAY; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE TRANSMITTED FORTHWITH BY THE CLERK OF THE SENATE TO THE WESTERN AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTIONS OF THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO.

12th Annual Molly's Ride

On Sunday, June 26th the 12th Annual Molly's Ride will commence at the Sturbridge Business Park in Sturbridge, MA starting at 10:00AM. This emotionally moving event assembles riders from all across New England in support of Molly Bish's family and The Molly Bish Foundation. All proceeds collected will directly benefit the foundation, whose sole mission is to bring awareness through education of the dangers children face.

Posted below is a flyer containing information for this year's event. If you're interested in participating or would like to donate to The Molly Bish Foundation please click here to visit the event's official website. To learn more about The Molly Bish Foundation please click here.

12th Annual Ride for Molly Flier

A Productive Hearing

Yesterday the Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing on federal fisheries management issues at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The hearing was arranged by Senator Scott Brown, and was chaired by Senator Tom Carper of Delaware. Throughout the hearing Senator Brown asked important questions about why fishermen have been victimized by fisheries enforcement officials and why the misspending of improperly imposed fines was sanctioned by those same officials. I was pleased to be able to attend the hearing, which was an important step in identifying some serious improprieties in the way our fisheries are managed and the action steps needed to get back on a course of fair treatment for fishing families and a regulatory framework that rebuilds stocks while allowing sustainable harvests of fish to benefit our nation.

Thanks to Senator Brown for his strong leadership on behalf of those who risk their lives at sea to bring fish to consumers.

Stories about the hearing from the Gloucester Daily Times and the Boston Globe are posted below.

Gloucester Daily Times What Does It Take to Get Fired Senator Asks

Globe...Senators Told That Fines Hit Fishermen Unfairly

Sen. Brown Hosts Fisheries Congressional Hearing

Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Scott Brown, a congressional hearing open to the public is scheduled for this Monday, June 20th, 10:00AM at Faneuil Hall to listen to testimony on federal fisheries management. I have been asked to participate in the hearing as a witness. For more information please click here to read a recent report by Glen Johnson of the Boston Globe.

Today’s Conviction of Speaker DiMasi

Today’s conviction of former Speaker DiMasi reflects the consequences of an abuse of political power for personal gain. Yet in our Commonwealth, no one is above the law, and the criminal justice system has made that clear in this case.

Abuses such as those in the DiMasi case demand transparency and accountability, and the Senate Republican Caucus will continue to seek every opportunity for further reforms in that regard. Criminal actions such as these should never take place on Beacon Hill.

Some of the reforms offered by the Senate Republican Caucus this session include:

• a proposal requiring the Secretary of Administration & Finance and the Governor to file a zero-based budget every four years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2017, to more effectively allocate limited state resources and allow the Legislature to focus on real spending priorities;

• a proposal directing Governor Patrick and his successors to prepare a biennial plan for maximizing personnel efficiencies and controlling personnel costs;

• a crackdown on the use of so-called “gag orders” and confidentiality agreements when a public employee leaves state service or settles a legal dispute with a state agency so the public is aware of the amount of taxpayer dollars included in a severance package or legal settlement;

• a requirement that any state agency that spends $100,000 or more on consultants must file an annual report with the Legislature detailing the reasons necessitating the use of these consultants; and

• a requirement that more information be posted on the Legislature’s website and made accessible to the public, including information on all state expenditures of $25,000 or more, as well as information on the state’s borrowing and debt, which is the highest in the nation per capita.

Earlier today I had the opportunity to speak with several members of the media including NECN’s Alison King and Channel 7’s Linda Ergas. Please tune in to tonight’s news broadcasts to see my more of my thoughts on the matter.

Senate Approves Zero-Based Budgeting Measure

Last Thursday the Senate unanimously adopted an amendment I developed and filed to cause Massachusetts to move to a system of zero-based budgeting by a vote of 38-0.  The amendment was incorporated into a larger bill to reform the fiscal management of our state, "An Act to Improve the Administration of State Government Finance".

Zero-based budgeting will transform the way our state spends its resources from an antiquated system based on the past to an innovative system which responds to priorities, requires performance and results, and causes every dollar spent to be justified. I offered the amendment along with Senators Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham).

Under the Senate proposal, the Governor would be required to file a zero-based budget every four years, starting with the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2016. Rather than developing a budget that expands on the previous year’s funding levels, the zero-based budget would formulate a spending plan for every state department and state agency without regard to their prior appropriations.
When filing the zero-based budget, the Governor will be required to include a brief description of the tasks and goals for each agency or department, along with a performance benchmark measure. This information will be included in the actual budget document and made available electronically on the official website of the Commonwealth.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further action.  To read the actual text of the bill please click here.

On the Air with WRKO

Today I had the opportunity to be a guest on WRKO’s the Tom and Todd show with hosts Tom Finneran and Todd Feinburg. Our lively discussion included an illegal immigration amendment that I filed in the Senate’s version of Fiscal Year 2012’s state budget and the Governor’s decision for Massachusetts to not enter into the federally prescribed “Secure Communities Program”. Please click the photo below to listen to today’s segment.

Media Alert: On the Air with Channel 4

Earlier today I was interviewed by CBS Channel 4 Reporter Jon Keller regarding Governor Patrick’s decision not to enter into the federally prescribed “Secure Communities Program”. The program has been instituted within 42 states thus far and has been piloted in the city of Boston since 2006. Please tune in to tonight’s news broadcast to view my comments on the subject.

Fighting for Transparency in the Probation Department

Recently I have been appointed to serve on a six-member conference committee charged with drafting the final version of a comprehensive reform bill targeted at improving efficiency in the state’s trial courts and eliminating abuses and improprieties in the Probation Department.

Probation officials are critical to the public safety of our state and we need to ensure that the system in which these dedicated professionals operate is free from the taint of systemic inefficiencies and undue influences.

The Senate Republican Caucus have been working for reforms in the probation department over the past several years, and our efforts intensified following the public release on November 19, 2010 of the report of Independent Counsel Paul Ware. In his report to the Supreme Judicial Court, Ware documented extremely disturbing activities and circumstances in the Probation Department, including hiring and promotion practices unduly impacted by political influence.

The Senate’s version of the reform bill implements a transparent and accountable system for hiring and promoting probation and court personnel. I authored several provisions which were co-sponsored by my Republican Senate colleagues and approved by the full Senate for inclusion in the bill.

They include:

• Developing a plan to expand payment options of court fees to include credit cards,
• Requiring the standards used by the trial court system for hiring and promotion to be made publicly available,
• Requiring all applicants for any position within the trial court to meet the minimum merit-based standards for employment before any letter of recommendation on behalf of an applicant can be taken into consideration for employment,
• Expanding the membership of the advisory board to the commissioner of probation and the court administrator from seven to nine members with one member to have probation experience and one member with an active Massachusetts Bar membership, and
• Requiring the chief justice, court administrator and the civilian court administrator created in the bill to submit an impact report 90 days prior to any closure or relocation of a court house to both the clerk of the Senate and the House and the chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

The conference committee is comprised of three Senators and three Representatives, and it will reconcile the two versions of reform legislation passed by the House and Senate. I am joined on the committee by Senators Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) and Brian Joyce (D-Milton), and Representatives Eugene O’Flaherty (D-Chelsea), Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill), and Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk).