Senate GOP Caucus Calls for Judiciary Oversight Hearings to Review OUI Laws

I have joined with my Senate Republican Caucus members in calling for legislative oversight hearings to review the state’s OUI laws, following recent media reports of repeat offenders being granted lenient sentences.

Six years ago, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Melanie’s Law to get repeat drunk drivers off the Commonwealth’s roads. Despite the positive steps forward, a Spotlight Team investigation by the Boston Globe earlier this month found that more than 80 percent of drunk driving defendants in Massachusetts who go before a judge rather than a jury are acquitted of the charges.

In light of these reports, the Caucus has sent a hand-delivered letter to the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, asking for one or more oversight hearings to be convened to examine the adequacy of the state’s existing laws for dealing with driving while under the influence.

In our letter, the Caucus cites several recent examples of some of the most blatant repeat offenders, including:

• Patrick Henry of Franklin, who was arraigned on November 28th on charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol, the 11th such time he was arrested for this offense;

• Albert Diaz of East Boston, who was arrested on November 23rd and charged with drunk driving for the 8th time, and whose license was revoked in 2004; and

• Howard Stockbridge of Taunton, who was arrested on November 7th for operating under the influence after five prior charges and for driving without a license, which had been suspended in 2008 for 10 years.

Last year, the National Transportation Safety Board singled out Massachusetts as one of ten states doing the least to combat repeat drunken driving offenses.

Our letter notes: “Our failure to keep repeat drunk drivers off the road is being exacerbated by the judiciary’s reluctance to convict those who are charged with the crime of driving while under the influence. We certainly believe strongly that every criminal defendant is entitled to their day in court and the assumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. An acquittal rate of 80 per cent for bench trials of those accused with driving while under the influence, however, is cause for deep and persistent concern, especially in light of the conviction rate in other states. Unfortunately, this leniency puts Massachusetts in the unenviable position of earning recognition for such a lenient rate, and more seriously, puts the public at a greater risk of danger.”

Attached below is a copy of the Senate Republican Caucus’ letter to the Judiciary Committee co-chairs.

Senate GOP Caucus OUI Oversight Letter to Judiciary Committee

Today's Fox 25 Appearance

Today on the Fox 25 Morning News I had the opportunity to discuss an MBTA Oversight Hearing held today by the Joint Committee on Transportation with Anchor Gene Lavanchy. Today's public hearing featured testimony from MBTA and MBCR officials, legislators and transportation experts who provided insight on the issues surrounding commuter rail service disruptions. To view today's lively discussion with Gene please play the posted video below. To read a past blog post on the matter please click here.

Lawmakers preparing to grill MBTA: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25

Tomorrow morning at approximately 7:45am I will be a guest on the Fox 25 Morning News to discuss my thoughts on the Joint Committee on Transportation's MBTA oversight hearing scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 2:00pm in the State House. To read a past blog post on how the oversight hearing came to fruition please click here, and don't forget to tune in tomorrow morning for what will be a lively discussion.

MBTA Oversight Hearings at the State House

The scheduling of hearings by the Joint Committee on Transportation is a welcome development which is timely, relevant, and critical to the improvement of commuter rail service in Massachusetts. Given the many problems commuters have experienced over the past several months with serious delays and missed runs, concerted action is needed to development and implement solutions.

Chairmen McGee and Straus are taking prompt and appropriate action by scheduling these hearings expeditiously, and by providing accommodation for the public in the process. Those who depend on the MBTA deserve to hear about what's being done to address their concerns, and should also have a role in informing future decisions about making the system better.

I encourage those interested to take advantage of the opportunity the committee is providing by attending the hearings and/or sending written testimony to the committee. Click here for a list of members who serve on the committee, and posted below are the details of the hearings, a letter sent to the committee from the Senate GOP caucus urging for the oversight hearings, and two recent articles by the Gloucester Daily Times and Lowell Sun detailing the developments surrounding the issue.

Scheduled Joint Committee on Transportation Hearings:

• Tuesday, April 12th, 2:00pm in A-2 of the State House
• Tuesday, May 3rd, 2:00pm in A-2 of the State House


MBTA Oversight Hearing Letters

Lawmakers Demand Answers on Commuter Rail Troubles

State Plans Oversight Hearings on MBTA Snags

Bringing Oversight to Commuter Rail Problems

On Monday the Senate Republican Caucus formally requested that the Joint Committee on Transportation and the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight conduct one or more hearings to determine the causes of the many service disruptions in the MBTA Commuter Rail system that have occurred over the past several months.

I signed the letters requesting such hearings with Senators Knapik (R-Westfield), Hedlund (R-Weymouth) and Ross (R-Wrentham), and they are posted below and can be viewed by clicking the link.

The hearings we are requesting would provide an opportunity for the public, government officials, and transportation experts to identify the cause of the service disruptions and solutions to prevent them from happening in the future.

MBTA Oversight Hearing Letters
Senate GOP Wants Hearing on T Service Problems