Yesterday I distributed the following press release regarding the Senate Republican Caucus electing me as the Minority Leader:
Senator Tarr Set to Lead Senate
Republicans
Vows the Caucus Will Remain Engaged and
Vocal
Boston –
Today the Massachusetts State Senate Republican Caucus has announced that
current Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr of Gloucester will serve as the
caucus’ leader for the 189th session. With a unanimous decision made
by the members, Tarr will continue to build upon the successes the caucus has
secured over the previous two sessions as minority leader, and vows that the caucus
will remain engaged to ensure Massachusetts moves in a direction where small
businesses thrive, the economy stabilizes, and children and families succeed.
“I am truly thankful for the trust
and confidence the members of the Senate Republican Caucus have placed in me
today by reelecting me as their Minority Leader, and I am eager to begin the
new legislative session with a renewed commitment to building a stronger and
more prosperous Commonwealth for each and every one of us,” said Senator Tarr.
“Our caucus will continue to bring ideas to the table and debate issues with
vigor and respect. We will never lose sight of the importance of finding common
ground, and we will always be mindful of the importance of our principles.”
Under Senator Tarr’s guidance, the Senate
Republican Caucus has secured needed transparency within the legislature, prevented
the establishment of taxes, and fought for accountability within state
government. Some of those successes include:
·
Requiring the Massachusetts State Senate to post
all roll call votes within 48 hours;
·
Leading the repeal of the devastating services
tax known as the “tech tax”;
·
Strengthening the Commonwealth’s antiquated
animal abuse laws by championing the “PAWS Act” (An Act Protecting Animal
Welfare and Safety);
·
Freezing the unemployment insurance tax rates at
the 2013 levels, saving businesses an estimated $500 million; and
·
Working with other members of the legislature to
ensure the Commonwealth’s natural gas pipes are assessed and repaired in a
timely fashion before tragedy strikes.
Tarr, who was first elected to the
Senate in 1994, has served in numerous leadership positions prior to his
ascension as Minority Leader for the 2011-2012 legislative session. Those
positions include Assistant Minority Whip, Minority Whip, and Assistant
Minority Leader. He is the current
Co-Chairman of the Coastal Caucus, the Northeast Legislative Caucus, and the
Fisheries Subcommittee of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural
Resources and Agriculture.
“I am very proud to have Senator
Bruce Tarr as Minority Leader,” said Senator Ross. “His vast knowledge of the
issues, his work ethic and dedication, as well as his commanding oratory,
uniquely qualifies him to lead the Senate Republican Caucus.”
Senator Tarr is a relentless
advocate for the fishing industry, and has worked with federal, state, and
local officials to bring fishing issues such as unfair regulations to the
forefront. By establishing a “no stone left unturned” approach, Tarr sponsored
and worked with several members of the legislature and secured a measure to
advance the marketing of Massachusetts seafood.
“I was very honored to cast my vote
for Bruce Tarr for Senate Minority Leader, and I am looking forward to working
with Republican Leader Tarr in the next 2 years of our Senate Session,” said
Senator Humason. “In the many years that I have worked in state government, I
have been fortunate to work for and with true public servants and great
leaders.”
After a vigorous and productive
campaign year, the Senate Republican Caucus gained an additional two members
this past election, bringing the total to six. Senator Viriato deMacedo (R-Plymouth)
won the open Plymouth and Barnstable Senate district that was vacated by
outgoing Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth), and Senator Ryan Fattman
(R-Sutton) unseated incumbent Senator Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) in the
Worcester and Norfolk Senate district.
“I was proud to cast my vote for
Sen. Tarr as Minority leader,” said Senator Fattman. “Senator Tarr is truly
well respected in the state senate and throughout Massachusetts, and I look
forward to working with him in making Massachusetts a more affordable and
accountable place to live.”
Under Tarr’s leadership, the
Republican caucus will continue to play a big role in shaping legislative measures. By working with the Senate Republican Caucus,
Senator Tarr vows to continue to fight for fiscal discipline, prevent illegal
immigrants from collecting state benefits, avert fraud within the state’s
welfare programs, and to cut the cost of state government.
Tarr’s district includes the city
of Gloucester and the towns of Boxford, Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton,
Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Newbury, North Reading, Rockport,
Rowley, Wenham, West Newbury, Wilmington, and precincts 5, 6, 7 and 8 in the
town of North Andover.
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