Monday, December 31, 2018

AFC Urgent Care Beverly

Senator Joan B. Lovely and I visited Senator Joan B. Lovely and I visited AFC Urgent Care Beverly's center for a visit and tour recently. American Family Care provides walk in urgent care services and treatment for non life threatening illnesses and injuries. American Family Care provides walk in urgent care services and treatment for non life threatening illnesses and injuries.

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Thursday, December 27, 2018

Ensuring proper safety on gas pipelines in Massachusetts

A recent series of investigative reports by television station NBC10-Boston have highlighted the disturbing situation of gas pressure not being properly monitored at projects being conducted by Columbia Gas, and possibly others in Massachusetts. Based on those reports, editorials in the Gloucester Daily Times, Eagle Tribune, Salem Evening News and Newburyport Daily News have made the compelling point that, based on this information, timely action must be taken.


Thus, in the new legislative session that begins on January 2, I will be filing legislation to require the Department of Public Utilities to issue regulations requiring the on-site monitoring of gas pressure at construction sites by qualified personnel. According to the preliminary Safety Recommendation Report from the National Transportation Safety Board in response to the gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley, Columbia Gas required this type of monitoring until "about 4 years ago."


Today I was interviewed by NBC 10 about this legislation and you can view the story at this link:
https://www.nbcboston.com/investigations/Republican-Lawmaker-Sen-Bruce-Tarr-Pushes-for-New-Gas-Safety-Regulations-Following-Columbia-Gas-Whistleblowers-Cliams-503582311.html


This story also appeared on NECN which and be viewed here: https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Republican-Lawmaker-Sen-Bruce-Tarr-Pushes-for-New-Gas-Safety-Regulations-Following-Columbia-Gas-Whistleblowers-Cliams-503582311.html


You can read the editorials on this subject here:https://www.eagletribune.com/opinion/our-view-past-time-to-heed-these-warnings/article_f5201d47-1f60-50f9-86b8-ecbaef904ae3.html


The full interim report from the National Transportation Safety Board can be found here:
https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/PSR1802.pdf

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Very happy to introduce Douglas Rawan to the Senate today. His mother Kristen and father Douglas joined him. Here with their state Senator Senator Jamie Eldridge.

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Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Season's Greetings

Each year at this time I like to share a holiday greeting that includes adoptable farm animals and pets. Our friends at MSPCA at Nevins Farm would love to assist you with an adoption.

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Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas To All

I am so very thankful for the opportunity to wish you the very best Christmas. May the blessings of Christmas be with you and your family today and always.

The gifts that we give and the gifts that we receive are truly special because each reflects an expression of kindness. In that spirit, it is my hope that you will also take a few moments today to acknowledge our men and women in uniform who are currently on duty and away from family. Their service on our behalf is also a gift.

On this very special day I wish you peace, good health and happiness.

God bless.

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Sunday, December 23, 2018

Tune In Tomorrow

Looking forward to being in studio with my friends on the "Good Morning North Shore" show tomorrow on North Shore 104.9. I will be joining hosts Lindsey Robbins, Matt Knight and Erika Hemingway between 9 and 10.



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Friday, December 21, 2018

Promoting Partnerships With Gloucester Marine Station

Met today with Salem State University President John Keenan to discuss the potential for partnerships between Salem State and the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station to advance sustainable fisheries & discover blue economy expansion. Joining us was Station Director Katie Kah and Drew Tarr from Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante's office.

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Thursday, December 20, 2018

Senate Welcomes Newbury Fire Chief Timothy Wareham

I was very pleased to introduce retired Newbury Fire Chief Timothy Wareham to the Senate at today's session. He was accompanied by his wife Judy and daughter Carly. I thank him for his decades of service and his leadership in protecting the public's safety.





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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Letter in support of Public Safety of the Commonwealth's Natural Gas Infrastructure

In the wake of the gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley, Governor Baker filed H.4979-An Act to ensure the safety and soundness of the Commonwealth's natural gas infrastructure. This legislation is based on one of the recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board as part of its ongoing investigation. The bill was heard by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy on December 11. I, along with 26 of my colleagues on a bi-partisan basis sent a letter to the House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee that was copied to Senate President Spilka and House Speaker DeLeo requesting the bill to be voted out by the committee. I am pleased to report that the TUE committee heard our request and reported the bill favorable to the House Ways and Means committee. There are still several steps in the legislative process for the bill to travel, but with the strong support from numerous members of the House and Senate reflected by the letter, there is a good chance of the bill reaching Governor Baker's desk.




You can read H.4979 here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4979




Below you can find a copy of the letter:







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Monday, December 17, 2018

Chinese Consulate General Visits State House

I enjoyed meeting Ambassador Huang Ping, the new Consulate General of the People's Republic of China from New York today at the State House with Representative Donald Wong. China has six embassy's in the U.S. with New York being the diplomatic mission for the North East. The Ambassador only received his appointment to America a few weeks ago so I am pleased that he has made this visit to Boston an early one.


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Saying Farewell to Several Departing Senators

Gardner Auditorium is the setting for one final time this Senate session as we say farewell to parting members & our Clerk, William Welch. Senator Barbara L'Italien, Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives, and former Senator Eileen Donoghue are all expected to make remarks.





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Lane's Cove Seawall Celebration





Happy to be part of a great celebration of the completion of Lane's Cove Seawall reconstruction at the Lanesville Community Center in Gloucester, with Ward 4 Councillor Val Gilman. The celebration included food, friends and entertainment by Matt Natti “Tree House Charlatans”.





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