Saturday, July 28, 2012

Statement on Melissa's Bill Amendment

I released the following statement today, following Governor Patrick’s decision to send the crime bill, also known as Melissa’s Bill, back to the legislature with an amendment:

“Governor Patrick has had a busy week defending the interests of those who break the law. He rejected a measure to require proof of legal residence to register a car, has said he will refuse to enforce restrictions on purchases with EBT cards, and now he is trying to provide violent repeat criminals with a ‘safety valve’.

His actions to jeopardize the passage of the crime bill are both ill-timed and ill-advised by trying to amend a good and balanced bill with an extraordinary measure to protect repeat violent criminals, with precious little time remaining in the legislative session.

The governor's proposal was never seriously considered by the House or the Senate, and was expressly rejected by the conference committee, and yet he has chosen to risk the passage of the entire bill, which he has publicly characterized as ‘good’, for such a measure, in a repeat of his performance when the legislature first placed a gaming bill on his desk.

Fortunately, the legislature has made a firm commitment to public safety by passing this comprehensive bill with overwhelming and consistent support. My hope is that the House and Senate will once again take a strong stand to protect public safety, and that the governor will act quickly in response to our actions to prevent the clock or the calendar from becoming the deciding factor in protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth from those who repeatedly make them victims.”

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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Statement on Melissa's Bill

Last night I released the following statement regarding Melissa’s Bill, which is currently under review by Governor Patrick:

“Melissa’s Bill contains many important provisions that respond to the threat to public safety posed by violent repeat offenders, and the signing of these provisions into law should not be jeopardized by those provisions that did not make it into the final bill. It is more important to act upon the things we agree on than to impede progress based on things that have not yet come to fruition. Governor Patrick should act on these important provisions by signing Melissa’s Bill and allowing the Legislature to begin the next session focused on issues that it has not yet addressed, rather than revisiting those issues that have already been acted upon this session.

Melissa’s Bill provides a solid foundation on which we can build. The Commonwealth’s district attorneys and other law enforcement officials can be assured that I will not yield in the fight for public safety, and to that end, I will be filing one or more bills in the next legislative session to:

• expand wiretapping authority for law enforcement;

• require DNA collection at arraignment for felony arrests;

• create in statute the crime of strangulation; and

• codify the crime of solicitation to commit murder.”

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Votes to Note

Lately, here at Tarr Talk I’ve been posting a lot of Votes to Note regarding the latest actions taken by the Massachusetts State Senate. As many may know, this is one of the busiest times in a legislative session, due to the fact that the Senate rules prohibit the Senate from continuing full formal sessions after July 31st (except in the case of an emergency session).

Votes to Note are meant to offer a window into some of the most noteworthy bills and amendments that affect important issues facing our Commonwealth and its citizens. These issues range from the reduction of taxes, to efforts to increase government transparency, or safeguards meant to protect precious public dollars. Whatever the case may be, Votes to Note will provide you with the results of a certain roll call vote listing the way every single member of the Senate voted and a brief description of a certain issue.

Please continue checking Tarr Talk for the latest Votes to Note!

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Rockport’s New Fire Truck

This past Saturday I had the pleasure to participate in the Rockport Fire Department’s wetdown party for the department’s new ladder truck. The celebration in honor of the new truck is a christening of sorts, with the ladder truck being anointed with water before its first call into duty.

The wetdown party featured members of the fire department, local officials, and special guests. It was a joyful occasion, but importantly it signifies the arrival of an excellent public safety tool for the residents of Rockport. This new ladder truck will pay dividends and in time will save both lives and property.

Posted below are a few photos of the ladder truck featuring Larry Libert at the wheel, and Kevin Beaulieu in the cab explaining the truck’s features.







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Friday, July 20, 2012

Votes to Note: Senate Debates Jobs Bill, Rejects Tip Pooling Amendment

Yesterday the Senate debated an economic jobs package that aims to promote economic development, decrease the unemployment rate of 6%, and provide sustainability for struggling businesses and employees. In total, Senators filed 126 amendments to modify Senate Bill 2350, An Act relative to infrastructure investment, enhanced competitiveness and economic growth in the Commonwealth. One such amendment offered by Senator Rodrigues that I co-sponsored would bring clarity to the Massachusetts tip pooling law. 


Amendment #76 that we offered would replace Massachusetts’ vague tip pooling laws with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act’s language, which would remove the confusion of who should be allowed to share tips.


Unfortunately, our amendment did not pass. It was defeated in a close roll call vote of 17-19. Posted below is the actual roll call vote made yesterday by the members of the Senate.


Senate #2350

Yeas: 17 Nays: 19

Roll Call Votes: Yea/Nay

Frederick E. Berry: Did Not Vote
Stephen M. Brewer: Yea
William N. Brownsberger: Yea
Gale D. Candaras: Yea
Harriette L. Chandler: Yea
Sonia Chang-Diaz: Nay
Katherine Clark: Nay
Cynthia Stone Creem: Nay
Sal N. DiDomenico: Nay
Kenneth J. Donnelly: Nay
Eileen Donoghue: Nay
Benjamin B. Downing: Nay
James B. Eldridge: Nay
Susan C. Fargo: Nay
Barry Finegold: Yea
Jennifer L. Flanagan: Yea
John Hart: Did Not Vote
Robert L. Hedlund: Yea
Patricia D. Jehlen: Nay
Brian A. Joyce: Yea
John Keenan: Nay
Thomas P. Kennedy: Nay
Michael R. Knapik: Yea
Thomas M. McGee: Nay
Mark C. Montigny: Yea
Michael O. Moore: Yea
Richard T. Moore: Nay
Senate President Therese Murray: Did Not Vote
Marc R. Pacheco: Nay
Anthony Petruccelli: Yea
Michael Rodrigues: Yea
Stanley C. Rosenberg: Nay
Richard J. Ross: Yea
Michael Rush: Yea
Karen E. Spilka: Nay
Bruce E. Tarr: Yea
James E. Timilty: Yea
James Welch: Nay
Daniel Wolf: Nay

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Votes to Note: Senate Passes Melissa’s Bill

Yesterday the Senate debated Melissa Bill’s, a habitual offender bill that aims to prohibit society’s most violent criminals from being released early from their sentences. The bill has several key provisions, and chief among them are:

• The prevention of parole eligibility for third time violent felons for certain crimes.

• The prevention of parole eligibility for felons serving multiple life sentences (two or more) based on separate incidents.

• Requiring the parole board to reach a 2/3 affirmative vote before a prisoner is granted parole while serving a single life sentence.

I am happy to report that the Senate enacted the bill by a 31-7 margin. Posted below is a key provisions summary of the bill and the actual roll call vote made by the members of the Senate. The bill now goes to the Governor and awaits his action. Please call his office at (617) 725-4005 to express your support of the bill.

Melissa's Bill Key Priorities and Crimes Summary

House #3818 An Act Relative to Sentencing and Improving Law Enforcement Tools

Yeas: 31 Nays: 7

Roll Call Votes: Yea/Nay

Frederick E. Berry: Yea
Stephen M. Brewer: Yea
William N. Brownsberger: Nay
Gale D. Candaras: Yea
Harriette L. Chandler: Yea
Sonia Chang-Diaz: Nay
Katherine Clark: Yea
Cynthia Stone Creem: Nay
Sal N. DiDomenico: Yea
Kenneth J. Donnelly: Yea
Eileen Donoghue: Yea
Benjamin B. Downing: Yea
James B. Eldridge: Nay
Susan C. Fargo: Nay
Barry Finegold: Yea
Jennifer L. Flanagan: Yea
John Hart: Did Not Vote
Robert L. Hedlund: Yea
Patricia D. Jehlen: Nay
Brian A. Joyce: Yea
John Keenan: Yea
Thomas P. Kennedy: Yea
Michael R. Knapik: Yea
Thomas M. McGee: Yea
Mark C. Montigny: Yea
Michael O. Moore: Yea
Richard T. Moore: Yea
Senate President Therese Murray: Yea
Marc R. Pacheco: Yea
Anthony Petruccelli: Yea
Michael Rodrigues: Yea
Stanley C. Rosenberg: Yea
Richard J. Ross: Yea
Michael Rush: Yea
Karen E. Spilka: Yea
Bruce E. Tarr: Yea
James E. Timilty: Yea
James Welch: Yea
Daniel Wolf: Nay

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Votes to Note: Senate Debates Jobs Bill, Rejects Elimination of Sales Tax Holiday

Today the Senate is debating an economic jobs bill that contains several important measures aimed to make Massachusetts a more business friendly environment and mechanisms to decrease the unemployment rate here in the Commonwealth, which remains steady at 6%.  With that goal in mind, there were 126 amendments filed to modify Senate Bill 2350, An Act relative to infrastructure investment, enhanced competitiveness and economic growth in the Commonwealth, by the members of the Senate.

One amendment offered by Senator Patricia Jehlen reaches no such goal, and would potentially prove to be harmful if passed. Amendment #3 would eliminate this year’s Tax Free Holiday scheduled for August 11th & 12th. During a time of year when business is usually stagnant for retailers, the Tax Free Holiday provides a boom in sales and offers savings for consumers, which is particularly important for those buying school supplies for their children.

Fortunately, my colleagues and I were able to defeat the proposed amendment by a roll call vote of 6-31. Posted below is the actual roll call vote made today by the members of the Senate.

Amendment #3 Sales Tax Holiday

Yeas: 6 Nays: 31

Roll Call Votes: Yea/Nay

Frederick E. Berry: Nay
Stephen M. Brewer: Nay
William N. Brownsberger: Nay
Gale D. Candaras: Nay
Harriette L. Chandler: Nay
Sonia Chang-Diaz: Yea
Katherine Clark: Nay
Cynthia Stone Creem: Nay
Sal N. DiDomenico: Nay
Kenneth J. Donnelly: Nay
Eileen Donoghue: Nay
Benjamin B. Downing: Nay
James B. Eldridge: Yea
Susan C. Fargo: Nay
Barry Finegold: Nay
Jennifer L. Flanagan: Nay
John Hart: Did Not Vote
Robert L. Hedlund: Yea
Patricia D. Jehlen: Yea
Brian A. Joyce: Nay
John Keenan: Nay
Thomas P. Kennedy: Nay
Michael R. Knapik: Nay
Thomas M. McGee: Nay
Mark C. Montigny: Nay
Michael O. Moore: Nay
Richard T. Moore: Nay
Senate President Therese Murray: Did Not Vote
Marc R. Pacheco: Yea
Anthony Petruccelli: Nay
Michael Rodrigues: Nay
Stanley C. Rosenberg: Nay
Richard J. Ross: Nay
Michael Rush: Nay
Karen E. Spilka: Nay
Bruce E. Tarr: Nay
James E. Timilty: Nay
James Welch: Nay
Daniel Wolf: Yea

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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Media Alert: ‘Nightside’ with Dan Rea


Tonight Senator Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) and I will be guests on WBZ 1030AM’s ‘Nightside’ with Dan Rea. We will be discussing with host Dan Rea Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and illegal immigration reforms contained within the FY’2013 State Budget.

To learn more about the issue, please click here to view a previous Tarr Talk post. Please tune in at 8:00pm tonight or click here to listen to our lively discussion.

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Crime Bill Conference Committee Passes 'Melissa's Bill'

This evening the conference committee took decisive action to respond effectively to the threat to public safety posed by repeat violent offenders. The bill we have approved provides a careful balance between eliminating parole eligibility for violent criminals and ensuring that minimum mandatory sentences for drug offenders are appropriate.

Finally, the families of victims like Melissa Gosule and Officer Jack McGuire can be secure in the knowledge that their courage, passion and commitment have made a real impact on strengthening public safety in our state. Their tenacity in reliving tragedy each time they told the story of their loved ones has been inspirational and impactful.

Posted below is a section by section summary of the bill.

Section by Section Summary of Melissa's Bill

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Congratulations to The Mass Factor!

This week the community access television show The Mass Factor is celebrating its first year of existence. The show initially gained momentum when the program’s creator, Linda Flaherty, spoke with WRKO’s Todd Feinberg about the absence of media coverage of elected officials and those who work in policy oriented fields. Since that conversation, Linda and Todd have developed The Mass Factor into a widely respected program that provides a window into some of the most important issues concerning the Commonwealth.

The interview-type show has hosted many notable guests during its short time on the air, including legislators, constitutional officers, local officials and candidates for office. I, too, have been a guest, and hope to be a guest again in the very near future.

Through Linda and Todd’s dedication, The Mass Factor has enjoyed tremendous success, and is now being aired in 65 communities across the Commonwealth. To learn more about the show, please click here to visit its Facebook page. To view episodes of the show please click here to visit the Danvers Community Access Television website and click on the Video On Demand tab.

Posted below is my appearance on The Mass Factor that was taped in June, 2011.


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Friday, July 13, 2012

Working to Save Plum Island

With heavy rainfall from this past month, Plum Island has now been declared a state of emergency due to extreme sand erosion. At this very moment four houses are in jeopardy of collapsing into the ocean. Since this morning, I have been on the island working with local, state and federal officials to address this dire issue.

Posted below is the latest news report by NECN, which is covering this story alongside several news outlets. Be sure to keep visiting Tarr Talk for the latest updates as we work towards a solution to this issue.


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On the Air with Fox 25 and Michele McPhee

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 EBT reforms contained in the legislature’s FY’13 State Budget, and Melissa’s Bill, a crime bill that is currently before a conference committee that I am a member of. Please press play on the posted video below to watch yesterday’s segment.

Additionally, later in the day I was a guest on WRKO’s Michele McPhee Show. Michele and I also discussed the status of Melissa’s Bill. To listen to our lively discussion please click here.

Boston News, Weather, Sports
FOX 25
MyFoxBoston

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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

Tomorrow morning at approximately 7:05AM Senator Richard Moore and I will be speaking with Jeff Katz of the Jeff Katz Show on Talk 1200AM Boston to discuss EBT and immigration reform veto overrides. To read more about the issue please click here, and don’t forget to tune it or click here to listen to tomorrow’s segment.

Also, tomorrow morning I will be a guest on the Fox 25 Morning News segment “Tolman and Gray”, where I will join political analyst and former State Senator Warren Tolman to discuss the latest political topics of the day. Please tune in at approximately 7:55AM to watch what will surely be a lively discussion.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Calling for EBT, Immigration Reform Veto Overrides

Today House Minority Leader Bradley Jones and I sent the following letter to Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, requesting that the budget vetoes made by Governor Patrick regarding EBT and immigration reforms reach the floors of the House and Senate for override votes: TARR, JONES 2012.07.10 FY13 Budget Veto Letter to President, Speaker

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Even as the current July heat takes its toll, the construction of the Bates Bridge over the Merrimack River continues to make progress. The work by MassDOT officials and the contractor have brought the project up to 53% complete with the completion of placing cement concrete for piers 1, 2 and 4, and the continued placement of cement concrete and reinforcing steel for the pier bases and walls in cofferdam 3.

Posted below is the actual report provided by MassDOT and two photos of the bridge’s progress.
Bates Bridge Replacement - Status Update - July 2012 Progress Photos
Girder being installed onto the south abutment.
Reinforcing steel and concrete work ongoing at pier 3.

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Friday, July 6, 2012

Cheering on Gloucester’s Dory Racers

With each passing generation, the special relationship between Gloucester, MA and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia grows stronger. The two fishing communities are forever closely linked together. If given the opportunity, a simple exploration of the Lunenburg Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic will reveal many of Gloucester’s family names, history of the two communities, and the relationship that has been fostered between the municipalities.

Both Gloucester and Lunenburg have provided some of the finest fishermen the world has ever known, so in 1951 and in the spirit of friendly competition, the two fishing hubs started what is now known as the International Dory Races to test each other’s maritime skills. The tradition still lives on today, enjoying its 60th anniversary of the races.

On Saturday, June 23 Lunenburg rowers raced against Gloucester’s champions at the State Fish Pier in Gloucester. It was an exciting day of camaraderie and competition that featured races including men, women, mixed doubles, juniors, and masters (over 40). Once the races were completed and the winners confirmed, there was an awards banquet to congratulate all of this year’s competitors.

Every year the entire team at the International Dory Race Committee does an exceptional job coordinating this event. If you would like to learn more about the International Dory Races please click here.

The next leg of the competition will be held on Saturday, August 25th, where Gloucester’s competitors will travel to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to compete in the International Championships. I hope to see you there!


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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy Independence Day!



“The United States is the only country with a known birthday. All the rest began, they know not when, and grew into power, they know not how. If there had been no Independence Day, England and America combined would not be so great as each actually is. There is no "Republican," no "Democrat," on the Fourth of July — all are Americans. All feel that their country is greater than party”. ~James G. Blaine

Today, Americans everywhere are celebrating the birth of our great nation. It is my hope that everyone will take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made to make this country a free and proud nation, and to appreciate the work our servicemen and women continue to carry out to ensure those freedoms. I hope everyone has a fun and safe day.

Happy 4th of July!

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Monday, July 2, 2012

ARRL’s Annual Field Day Event

On Saturday, June 23 the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) hosted its annual 24 hour Field Day Event, where thousands of amateur ham radio enthusiasts gathered 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 2011 contest logs were submitted by 2,666 clubs, groups and individuals across the United States, Canada and many other countries to the ARRL Contest Branch. These logs also showed a record participation by 39,246 individuals.

During the Field Day Event I was able to present a Governor’s Proclamation to the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association and the Ipswich Emergency Management Agency. Their spirits were high as they made contact with others thousands of miles away. To learn more about the ARRL or Field Day please click here to view the organization’s web page. Posted below are two photos from the day’s event.


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