Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25

Tomorrow morning I will once again be a guest political analyst on the Fox 25 morning news segment Tolman and Gray. Boston City Councilor Michael Ross, Fox 25 political commentator VB and I will be discussing Hurricane Irene and continuing recovery efforts, the arrest of Onyango Obama, President Obama’s half uncle, and the possibility of more candidates joining the U.S. Senate race here in Massachusetts.

Please tune in at approximately 7:15AM to watch tomorrow’s segment.

Media Alert: On the Air with Jeff Katz

Tomorrow morning I will be talking with Jeff Katz of the Jeff Katz Show on Talk 1200AM Boston to discuss the federal “secure communities” program. Please tune in or click here tomorrow morning at approximately 7:35AM to listen to our lively discussion.

Yesterday's Fox 25 News Appearance

I was in Fox 25's Beacon Hill studio yesterday morning serving as a guest political analyst on the station's "Tolman & Gray" segment. I joined former state Senator Warren Tolman and Fox 25 Morning News co-host Kim Carrigan to talk about how the 2012 Presidential race is heating up among the many Republican candidates for the Oval Office. We also discussed President Obama's plans to vacation on Martha's Vineyard, which has drawn some criticism due to the nation's unresolved debt problem and high unemployment rate. Check out the spirited debate by playing the video link posted below.

Tolman and Gray: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Wednesday's Emily Rooney Show Appearance

I was a guest on the Emily Rooney show on WGBH radio Wednesday afternoon, where we discussed the habitual traffic offender bill House Minority Leader Brad Jones and I have filed. We currently have more than 40 co-sponsors on the bill (which was recently endorsed by the Gloucester Daily Times), and hope to add more before the end of the day. If you missed the interview, WGBH now has the audio link posted on its website.

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25, Brad & Bo Morning Show on Thursday

Tomorrow morning at approximately 7:15 a.m., I will once again be appearing on Fox 25 Morning News' popular weekly "Tolman and Gray" segment. Former state Senator Warren Tolman and I will be discussing the latest political topics, including the Presidential race and parole reform.

At 8:05 a.m., I will be calling in to the Brad & Bo Show on WHYN radio in Springfield to discuss the habitual traffic offenders bill with co-host Brad Shepard, which is drawing strong bi-partisan support on Beacon Hill. To hear the interview live, tune your radio to 560 AM or listen online on the WHYN website.

Media Alert: On The Air with Emily Rooney

I will be dropping by the WGBH radio studios tomorrow afternoon, where I will be joining host Emily Rooney for a discussion of the habitual traffic offender bill. The show airs live from noon-1 p.m. You can listen in on your radio by tuning in to 89.7 FM, or on your computer by visiting the WGBH website.

Legislation Responds to Dangerous Drivers

In light of the recent hit and run tragedy in Taunton -- which resulted in the death of a 17-year-old skateboarder at the hands of a driver whose license had been revoked or suspended 16 times since 1989 -- I have joined with my Senate and House colleagues to file legislation targeting habitual traffic offenders.

You can learn more about our current motor vehicle laws and what my bill would do to strengthen these laws by clicking on the "read more" section below and reading the press release I issued today.

With the recent arrest of habitual traffic offender and road menace Paul Baran, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and members of both the Senate and House GOP caucuses are taking legislative action to keep habitual offenders off the road. They have filed legislation that would provide the registrar of motor vehicles with the tools to adequately punish convicted habitual traffic offenders with longer suspensions that could result in a lifetime license revocation for the worst violators.

“Drivers who repeatedly violate the law after having their license revoked are not only abusing the system, they present in many cases a serious threat to public safety. The registrar and other officials need the tools to keep such drivers off the road for more than four years at a time, and this legislation will provide them,” said Senator Tarr.

“In light of recent events, this legislation must be moved now,” said Representative Jones. “The public can no longer be put in danger by these drivers who should clearly not be on the road. By providing stronger tools to state and local officials, hopefully we will prevent any further tragedies of this magnitude.”

Current law defines a habitual traffic offender as someone who has been convicted of three enumerated offenses (including driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, making a false statement in an application for a learner’s permit or driver’s license, leaving the scene of an accident, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, driving without a license and the use of a vehicle while committing a felony) and/or has committed 12 other general traffic offenses carrying a license suspension of 30 days or more. The caucus bill would create a tiered system of suspensions for habitual traffic offenders by adding to the existing habitual offender law two new categories, level 2 and level 3, with progressively increasing periods of license revocation.

Specifically, the bill would:

• increase the minimum period for license revocation for a first-time habitual traffic offender from 4 to 5 years;

• create a level 2 habitual traffic offender classification for individuals who have already had their license revoked for being a habitual offender, making them subject to a second revocation from 5 to 15 years;

• create a level 3 habitual traffic offender classification that provides a potential lifetime ban for offenses for more serious repeat offenders who have had previous suspensions; and

• provide the registrar of motor vehicles the authority to attach terms and conditions as the registrar deems necessary if and when returning a license to any level habitual traffic offender.

The bill’s sponsors are also offering the opportunity for their Democratic colleagues to co-sponsor the legislation.

“Protecting public safety transcends party lines, and we need a collaborative effort to strengthen this law as soon as possible,” said Tarr.