The Open Door Empty Bowl Fundraiser is Tonight!

 

Tonight starting at 4:00pm is The Open Door Food Pantry’s 13^th Annual Empty Bowl fundraising dinner at Cruiseport Gloucester.  This wonderful event, which has thrived under the leadership of Executive Director Julie LaFontaine, draws nearly a thousand people together in the hopes to collect the necessary funds to feed the thousands who depend on The Open Door Food Pantry’s assistance.

Over a thousand bowls are hand crafted and designed by area residents and supporters, and participants are then presented with one during the event.  Symbolically the bowls serve as a reminder that somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children under ten, and are available at the door.  Extra parking has been made available at Harbor Beach with complimentary trolley service to and from Cruiseport Gloucester.  The dinner commences at 4:00pm and ends approximately at 8:00pm.

To learn more about The Open Door Food Pantry and of the Empty Bowl fundraising dinner please click here.  Pictured above is a bowl that I designed from a past year.

Judiciary Committee Hears Sex Offender Registry Board Bill

Posted below is a press release that I sent out today regarding a sex offender registry board reform bill that was heard by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary this afternoon:

Senator Tarr calls for Sex Offender Registry Board reforms

Testifies on several public safety bills at Judiciary Committee hearing

 BOSTON – Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) testified before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary this afternoon, calling for the passage of legislation that will enhance information-sharing among the state’s public safety agencies and ensure that sex offenders are properly classified and monitored.

Tarr is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 815, An Act Enhancing Assessment Information of the Sexual Offender Registration Board, which has the bi-partisan support of 26 House and Senate members, including the entire Senate Republican Caucus and many Democrats who have signed on as co-sponsors.  The bill was filed following the December 2012 indictment of Wakefield resident John Burbine, who was classified as a Level 1 offender despite being the subject of several investigations since 1989 and is now facing multiple counts of child sexual abuse.

“For too long our systems for dealing with sex offenders have tolerated a lack of information, a lack of transparency, a lack of communication between those charged with protecting us, and a lack of proper tools to access, classify and reclassify those who have committed these crimes,” said Tarr.  “Now, the Legislature must act, in a responsible and effective way, to empower citizens, law enforcement officials and the Sex Offender Registry Board to strengthen public safety and prevent victimization.  The Judiciary Committee has before it bills of ample number and scope to get the job done, and it’s imperative that it move as soon as possible to action.”

Highlights of Senate Bill 815 include:

·         a requirement and authorization for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to communicate with the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) in a timely fashion about the commitment of subsequent offenses by a registered sex offender;

·         the legal authority of the SORB to re-classify sex offenders based on new information, which was taken away by the Massachusetts Court of Appeals on July 16, 2012 in its ruling in the case of John Doe 16748 v. Sex Offender Registry Board (Docket Number 11-P-308);

·         the ability of the SORB to expedite the re-classification process of a sexual offender upon the recommendation of law enforcement and prosecutors; and

·         a requirement for the timely re-classification of sex offenders who have committed subsequent offenses

In addition to Senate Bill 815, Tarr is sponsoring several other sex offender bills on behalf of Protect Mass Children that were heard by the Judiciary Committee today, including:

·         Senate Bill 802, which would require out of state classified sex offenders who enter Massachusetts to register with the SORB within two days of moving into the Commonwealth, and would require that this information be shared with the local police department in which the sex offender resides;

·         Senate Bill 803, which would impose a mandatory minimum of: 30 years in prison for the forcible rape of a child; 45 years in prison for the forcible rape of a child with a firearm; and life in prison without parole for any second or subsequent offense by a person over the age of 18;

·         Senate Bill 804, which would impose a mandatory minimum of life imprisonment with no parole for any person convicted three or more times for any sex offense against a child, person with disabilities, mental handicap, or elder;

·         Senate Bill 805, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse, with a three-year retroactive window;

·         Senate Bill 811, which would require information on all registered sex offenders (Levels 1, 2 and 3) to be provided by the SORB to the public, both online and at local police departments; and

·         Senate Bill 814, which would extend from 60 to 90 days the time frame in which the SORB must notify the offender of his right to submit evidence of his risk of re-offense/dangerousness prior to the offender's scheduled release from prison, and limit the time the offender has to submit the evidence to the board to 30 days.

        

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Several of these bills are supported by Protect Mass Children.  To learn more about them you can visit their website by clicking here.

Beach Safety Bill Reported Favorably By Committee

Posted below is a press release that I sent out today regarding the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture taking favorable action on Senate Bill 409, An Act Creating Uniform Beach Warnings:

Beach Safety Bill Reported Favorably By Committee

Bill Honors Memory Of Missing 2-Year-Old Caleigh Harrison

 
BOSTON – The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture took favorable action today on legislation filed by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) to promote safety at the state’s public beaches through a uniform, color-coded warning and safety flag program.

Senate Bill 409, An Act Creating Uniform Beach Warnings, was released from committee with a favorable report this morning following a public hearing that included testimony from Senator Tarr, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) and the family of 2-year-old Caleigh Harrison, who went missing on April 19, 2012 while playing with her mother and sister at Rockport’s Long Beach.

“Today the committee has taken a decisive step toward making our beaches safer and public safety stronger,” said Senator Tarr.  “The compelling story told by Caleigh’s family moved legislators to action, and is making the difference in getting the bill passed.”

“I am extremely proud of the Harrison family,” added Representative Ferrante.  “They are an inspiration for turning their tragedy into positive advocacy for public safety and preventing future tragedies.  As the former vice chair and current member of the Environment Committee, I am pleased that we as a committee were able to vote this out of committee favorably.”

The effort to pass Senate Bill 409 was initiated by Caleigh’s uncle, David Harrison, who was on a business trip to Panama earlier this year when he learned about the country’s color-coded flag system which is used to warn the public about the dangers of tides and riptides.  Alabama, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Texas and several other states utilize a similar program, and the Harrison family is seeking to implement the same safety measures in Massachusetts.

“We’re extremely thankful and delighted that the bill moved as fast as it did,” said David Harrison.  “We didn’t expect that, and we’re very grateful.  We’re also thankful for the efforts of Senator Tarr and Representative Ferrante.  This is one big step toward something positive that we’re trying to accomplish, and we want to thank the committee for pushing the bill through.  We’re definitely not the only family to lose a loved one like this, and we won’t be the last, but we hope to reduce those numbers by passing this bill.  It’s a great way to honor Caleigh.”

“I want to thank Senator Tarr and Caleigh’s family for bringing this important issue to our attention,” said Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton), Senate Chairman to the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.  “Massachusetts should certainly employ this strategy; if it prevents another future tragedy, it will be well worth it.”

“I am pleased to work with Senator Pacheco and the Committee members to advance this common sense piece of legislation,” added Representative Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), House Chairman to the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.  “I know not every tragedy can be prevented but it is important to put measures in place that can raise awareness and increase public safety and this bill will do that.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for further action.

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Beach Safety Bill Set for Hearing Today!

A proposal I filed to promote safety at the state’s public beaches will be heard by a joint legislative committee this morning between 10:00AM and noon in room 437 of the State House.

Senate Bill 409, An Act Creating Uniform Beach Warnings, calls for the Department of Conservation and Recreation to create a uniform warning and safety flag program in which communities can participate on a voluntary basis and utilize a color-coded system to warn the public of potential beach hazards.  The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

The effort to pass Senate Bill 409 was initiated by David Harrison, whose 2-year-old niece Caleigh Harrison went missing from Rockport’s Long Beach on April 19, 2012 while playing with her mother and 4-year-old sister.  In January of this year, David was on a business trip to Panama when he became aware of the country’s color-coded flag system, which is used to warn the public about the dangers of tides and riptides, and to indicate whether or not it is safe to go swimming.  The Harrison family subsequently contacted me to ask if I could help facilitate the implementation of a similar program in Massachusetts.  We are now working in partnership to get the bill passed.

The Harrison family endured a terrible and unthinkable loss last year, but they are determined to do everything they can to help spare other families from the pain and grief they have experienced.  I will be joining the family at today’s hearing and asking the committee to honor Caleigh’s short life by taking favorable action on this important public safety proposal, which we are hopeful will make our beaches safer and help to save lives.

The bill enjoys bi-partisan support, including the backing of Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester).

With this very simple and cost-effective program, we can raise awareness and help folks be prepared for the dynamic conditions on our beaches and help them act accordingly to protect themselves.

New Hampshire is the only New England state that currently utilizes a uniform warning and safety flag program.  Other states with a similar program include Alabama, Florida, New Jersey and Texas.

Statement on Chapter 90 Funding

Today I released the following statement after the Senate engrossed a transportation finance proposal allocating $300 million in Chapter 90 road and bridge funding for Massachusetts’ cities and towns, an increase of $100 million over last year’s total:

"Now that the House and Senate have given initial approval to an increase in Chapter 90 funding, it is imperative that the Legislature move expeditiously to finalize this proposal and approve a terms bill so this money can be made readily available for our cities and towns to capture the widest possible window of the construction season.  We are long past the April 1^st deadline for communities to be notified of their preliminary funding allocation, and it is important that we honor this financial commitment as soon as possible.

While we continue to move forward, I’m concerned that Governor Patrick has repeatedly asserted that we can’t afford to increase Chapter 90 levels to $300 million unless we approve his $1.9 billion plan to raise taxes.  He has gone so far as to warn communities that without his massive tax increases, ‘investment in the Chapter 90 program will not be implemented’.

Clearly, the House and Senate believe that the $300 million can be implemented without resorting to a tax increase of the order or magnitude the Governor has requested.  The reality is, the House and Senate are already in the process of finalizing an alternative transportation proposal in conference committee, and the Governor’s $1.9 billion tax increase is no longer under consideration.  Therefore, it is my hope the Governor will not hold this critical bill hostage to a larger tax proposal that is no longer viable.”

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Special Guests at the State House

On Tuesday I had the chance to meet with 25 members of the Massachusetts chapter of TeenPact Leadership Schools. The organization’s mission is to train young people to understand the political process. I spoke with the students about our everyday legislative processes and the historical significance of the State House.

Posted below are a few photos captured of us in the Massachusetts Senate Chamber.

Senator Tarr’s Statement of the Senate Posting Roll Call Votes Starting Today

Today I released the following statement regarding the Massachusetts State Senate posting all roll call votes made by the members of the Senate on the General Court’s website. The measure requiring the posting of roll call votes was from a Senate Rule filed by the Senate Republican Caucus that set May 1st as the deadline of such postings, which passed unanimously by a vote of 39-0:

“Today marks the beginning of a new era of transparency and accountability for the Massachusetts Senate, and a clear victory for citizens who deserve to know how members are voting on the issues that affect all of us.  Senate Republicans have worked hard to make this information available, and to garner the bipartisan support needed to reach that goal.

Providing timely access to information can and will make our democracy stronger, and the posting of Senate roll calls in an easily accessible format within 48 hours is a major milestone.  Having reached that milestone, our caucus will continue the fight to open up what happens on Beacon Hill to the light of public scrutiny.”