Tarr In the News

Last Friday, I was able to join Energy Secretary Rebecca Tepper and CEC President Emily Reichert during their visit to Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Inc. with my House colleague Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante.

Wishing Kristen Kaper luck at the Paris Olympics

Wishing our very own Kristen Kaper of North Andover the best of luck ahead of this afternoon’s Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony!

This marks her first trip to the Olympics and she will be representing Team USA 🇺🇸 in the Triathlon.

Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Wishing our very own Kristen Kasper of North Andover the best of luck ahead of this afternoon’s Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony!

This marks her first trip to the Olympics and she will be representing Team USA in the Triathlon.

Keep track of all New England Olympic Athletes as they go for the gold here: https://apps.bostonglobe.com/.../paris-olympics-2024-new.../

#Paris2024Olympics #Paris2024 #northandoverma #Olympics #triathlon #triathlete #statesenatorbrucetarr

Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Inc.

Last Friday, I was able to join Energy Secretary Rebecca Tepper and CEC President Emily Reichert during their visit to Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Inc. with my House colleague Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante.

To learn more about our time together, read this Gloucester Daily Times article by Ethan Forman:

https://www.gloucestertimes.com/.../article_9e58ea48-4608...

Featured Quote in the #GDT article below

"For years we have fought the fight to have our fisheries management decisions based on better science.” For years, he said, there wasn’t the horsepower to change the regulatory framework, but there wasn’t the eDNA to analyze the marine and benthic environments.

“But now, the curtain is opening, the spotlight is on and we are able to understand the recruitment patterns, the reproductive patterns, the migratory patterns of these fish in a much better way thanks to what is happening here,” Tarr said. “If we didn’t have GMGI, we would still be having a conversation with old tools.”

#gloucesterma #inthenews #featured #GMGI #statesenatorbrucetarr

An Act relative to long-term care and assisted living

 

Today, July 25th, 2024 the Senate considered, debated, and passed, on a vote of 39-0, S.2889, An Act relative to long-term care and assisted living, including my amendment #53, which was unanimously adopted.

Amendment #53 requires the creation of the Taskforce on Long-Term Care Facilities in the Commonwealth, which will review the viability and sustainability of long-term care facilities making recommendations on various issues including, demand for long-term care facilities, geographic accessibility, staffing challenges and workforce support, utilization of pharmacists, policy reforms to strengthen quality of care, adequacy of payor rates and costs and impacts of financing for construction, maintenance, and transportation options.

Senators proposed 53 amendments to modify the bill, and you can view them at:

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2889/Amendments/Senate

To read the full text of the bill, visit:

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2889

#Passed #Adopted #Amendments #LongTermCare #Mapoli #BeaconHill #StateSenatorBruceTarr

An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts

Yesterday, Wednesday, July 24th, 2024, the Senate enacted the Conference Committee Report (H.4889) for An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts and enacted the final version of the bill, sent to the desk of Governor Healey for her consideration.

To read the full text of the bill, visit:

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4889

To read the full press release, visit:

https://malegislature.gov/PressRoom/Detail...

#Passed #Adopted #InformationTechnology #FutureTechAct #Mapoli #BeaconHill #StateSenatorBruceTarr

Full formal session to consider action on S. 2887

 

Today the Massachusetts State Senate will convene in a full formal session at 1PM to consider action on S. 2887, An Act relative to disability pensions and critical incident stress management for violent crimes (H.4746) and S.2888, FY’24 Supplemental Budget Appropriations.

S.2887 proposes to amend the General Laws (Accidental Disability Pensions) by entitling police, firefighters, EMTs, or other public safety employees who are subjected to serious violent attacks while in the performance of their duties to additional pension benefits and would provide notice of critical incident stress management debriefing programs for public safety employees involved in certain serious incidents. This bill is based on bills filed by myself and Senator Friedman (S.1736 & S.1680).

S.2888 proposes the Senate Ways & Means version of a roughly $432 million FY’24 supplemental budget — appropriations include $228 million for home and community based services, $61.1 million for a health and human services workforce reserve, $29.7 million for child care subsidies, $20 million for crime victim services bridge funding, $45 million for payments to fiscally strained hospitals, $25 million for payments to fiscally strained community health centers, and several smaller items.

Senators have filed 6 proposed amendments to modify S.2887 and 54 proposed amendments to modify S.2888, as reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

You can read the full text of the bills and the amendments at:

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2887

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2888

To watch LIVE, tune in here:

https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Detail/4967

#DisabilityPension #FY24SuppBudget #mapoli #legislature #Senate #statesenatorbrucetarr

An Act relative to disability pensions and critical incident stress management for violent crimes

Today, Wednesday, July, 24th, 2024, the Senate debated and approved by a vote of 40-0, S.2887, An Act relative to disability pensions and critical incident stress management for violent crimes.

S.2887 amends the General Laws (Accidental Disability Pensions) by entitling police, firefighters, EMTs, or other public safety employees who are subjected to serious violent attacks while in the performance of their duties to additional pension benefits and would provide notice of critical incident stress management debriefing programs for public safety employees involved in certain serious incidents.

This bill is based on bills filed by me and Senator Friedman (S.1736 & S.1680).

To learn more about this bill, visit:

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2887

#Passed #Adopted #DisabilityPension #Mapoli #BeaconHill #StateSenatorBruceTarr

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2024

 

Today, Wednesday, July, 24th, 2024, the Senate debated and approved by a vote of 38-1, S.2888, An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2024 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

To learn more about this legislation, visit:

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2888

#Passed #Adopted #FY24SuppBudget #Mapoli #BeaconHill #StateSenatorBruceTarr

State champions Manchester Essex Regional High School Boys Tennis Team

 

Recently, I had the honor of welcoming the state champions Manchester Essex Regional High School Boys Tennis Team to the State House, where I was joined by Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante in honoring them with official citations from the Senate and the House.

We also had the opportunity to give these impressive student athletes, who have won the MIAA Division 4 State Championship, Cape Ann League (CAL) Baker Championship, and CAL Open Championship, a tour of the State House, including the Senate and House Chambers.

Thanks to the team members and their coaches for this special visit, and for reminding us what teamwork is all about.

MERSD

#statechamps #boystennis #hornets #manchesterma  #essexma #statesenatorbrucetarr

 

As the Senate Chair of the Coastal Caucus, I wanted to share a great resource to stay up-to-date on major Coastal Zone Management initiatives.

Details on how to subscribe below

To subscribe, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-czmail@listserv.state.ma.us. Also, please feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions, or would like make a change to your CZ-Mail subscription, please email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov.

To learn more about the CZM, read here: https://www.mass.gov/.../massachusetts-office-of-coastal...

#CoastalZoneManagement #mapoli #statesenatorbrucetarr

Congratulations to Joanne Levesque on her retirement

 

Congratulations to Joanne Levesque on her retirement!

Thank you for your 27 years of dedicated service to the Salisbury Elementary School.

Read more: here.

#happyretirement #salisburyma #statesenatorbrucetarr

Ipswich Greek Festival

Another fantastic Ipswich Greek Festival in Town of Ipswich MA! Great food, friends, family, fun, and dancing enjoyed by all!

See more here.

Bluefin Blowout Fundraiser Kick Off

Great time had by all attending the Bluefin Blowout Fundraiser Kick Off!

See more here.

#EndAlzheimers #gloucesterma #statesenatorbrucetarr

Gloucester, Massachusetts and Lunenburg Dory Races

On Saturday, July 13th, competitors from sister cities Gloucester, Massachusetts and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia boarded dories and raced on a course in Gloucester Harbor as they have for the past 72 years. 

This friendly competition, rooted in the proud fishing legacy of both ports, features strength, athleticism, strategy, and teamwork.

Most importantly, it showcases the enduring international bond between these two communities that has grown stronger over the years and continues to bring people from many generations together as a shining example of the type of friendship and partnership our world needs.

Thanks to the Gloucester International Dory Racing Committee and the Lunenburg Canadian Dory Racing Association for the dedication and hard work it takes to keep this tradition alive. 

The competition next moves to Lunenburg Harbor on August 24th.

You can learn more about this incredible tradition at the Gloucester International Dory Racing website: https://internationaldories.com.  

Above are some photos from the award ceremony and the races.

#gloucesterma #novascotia #doryraces #statesenatorbrucetarr

Bluefin Blowout Fundraiser

Great time had by all attending the Bluefin Blowout Fundraiser Kick Off!

PASSED: S.2871, An Act enhancing the health care market review process

Yesterday, Thursday, July 18th, 2024, the Senate debated S.2871, An Act enhancing the health care market review process and adopted several amendments, including #106 and #162, which I offered.

To learn more about this bill and all my proposed amendments, visit: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2871/Amendments/Senate?pageNumber=1&direction=&sortColumn=&keyword=Tarr

#Passed #Adopted #Amendments #HealthCare #Mapoli #BeaconHill #StateSenatorBruceTarr

Great time had by all at Gloucester's Block Party last weekend with Mayor Greg Verga, City of Gloucester and Steve Buckley, President of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

Congratulations to the newest owners of the Cape Ann Olive Oil Company - honored to have been a part of your ribbon cutting!

See more here.

#gloucesterma #chamberofcommerce #capeann #oliveoil #statesenatorbrucetarr

An Act enhancing the health care market review process

 

Tomorrow the Massachusetts State Senate will convene in a full formal session at 11AM to consider action on S. 2871, An Act enhancing the health care market review process.

This bill proposes oversight of the major market groups including providers, insurers, pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, pharmacy benefit managers, for-profit entities, private equity firms, real estate investment trusts, and management services organizations and proposes to enhance the state’s tools to provide oversight on the healthcare system.

Senators have filed 163 proposed amendments to modify the version of the bill which has been reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means for further action by the full Senate.

You can read the full text of the bill and the amendments at: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2871/Amendments/Senate

To watch LIVE, tune in here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Detail/4957

#healthcare #mapoli #legislature #Senate #beaconhill #statesenatorbrucetarr

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now soliciting bids for the project of dredging the Essex River.

Review solicitation here: https://sam.gov/opp/b018db0f9e474e7a990890c9c39cc173/view...

Essex Town Clerk

#essexma #dredging #essexriver #statesenatorbrucetarr

Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership

Last week on Thursday, July 11th, during deliberations for S.2856, An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership amendments #23, #97, #145, and #202 were adopted.

Despite the many positive attributes of this bill, there is still more we need to do.

I filed several amendments to address the ongoing issues of out-migration and our low national rankings in the ‘cost of business’ category - all of which were rejected.

While I am encouraged some of my amendments were included, there is still work to be done in continuing to protect our economy by ensuring it is easier and more productive to do business in Massachusetts.

To learn more about what was debated, read Gloucester Daily Times article by Christian Wade, here: https://www.gloucestertimes.com/.../article_1f1f069f-8d95...

To learn more about this bill and my amendments, visit:  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2856/Amendments/Senate?pageNumber=1&direction=&sortColumn=&keyword=Tarr

#Passed #Adopted #Amendments #EcoDevBondBill #Mapoli #BeaconHill #StateSenatorBruceTarr

Bipartisan statement relative to the shootings at the Trump Rally

Today on behalf of Senate President Karen Spilka, myself and members of the Senate, I read a bipartisan statement relative to the shootings at the Trump Rally in Pennsylvania this weekend.

Bipartisan Statement from Senate Leadership regarding Trump Rally