October 5, 2007 - I will be holding office hours in the district on Monday, October 22, 2007. Office hours for Brockton, Easton (Precinct 3) and West Bridgewater constituents will be held at the Main Branch of the Brockton Public Library, located at 304 Main Street, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

My Chief of Staff, Abigail Keane, and I will be available to meet with constituents at this time.  I invite all who wish to express their concerns and ideas as well as those who just wish to stop by and say “hello”.  Appointments are not required unless a private meeting is desired. 

Constituents in the district may contact John Harding at my State House office at 617-722-2006 to pre-schedule a private meeting during district office hours. 

Cultural Council Grants

September 19, 2007 - The checks are in the mail!  Earlier today I announced that grants totaling $58,540 have been awarded to the Brockton, West Bridgewater, and Easton Cultural Councils through the Local Cultural Council Program run by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) for Fiscal Year 2008.  I am very pleased that the state continues to recognize and support local cultural councils, not only in my district, but throughout the entire Commonwealth.

These monies will support the councils in providing a variety of community based projects and programs that explore local arts and history, expand education and accessibility, and celebrate diversity. 

We should take great pride in the fact that we have vibrant cultural organizations in all three communities.  Not only do they offer educational experiences for residents of all ages, they also provide soul nourishing enrichment that helps all of us become more well-rounded and informed citizens.

As a legislator and a member of the Brockton Historical Society, I have been a longtime supporter of cultural programs at the State House and have worked closely with Representatives Geri Creedon, Tom Kennedy, and Dave Flynn, along with Senators Bob Creedon and Brian Joyce to support these programs throughout Brockton, West Bridgewater, and Easton.

September 10, 2007 – Today, I testified before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture to strongly express my continued support of H.728 – one of the bills that I have sponsored during the 2007-2008 legislative session.  Last year, similar legislation that I sponsored was approved by the legislature but amended by former Governor Romney before it was signed into law. 

This bill would provide a state mechanism to reimburse communities for their expenses when hazmat emergencies occur and would increase the stipend of hazmat technicians from $3,000 to $5,000.

“This legislation acknowledges that municipalities throughout the Commonwealth should not be held solely responsible for the costs incurred in hazmat emergencies”, I told members of the committee.  I also argued that my colleagues and I should be taking a necessary next step in acknowledging the dangers that hazardous materials technicians face as they protect the general public and respect they deserve for providing that protection – especially considering the recent incidents in Danvers and South Hadley.

This legislation has received wide bi-partisan support from my colleagues in the legislature, including Representatives Jennifer Callahan, Walter Timilty, and Tom Golden, along with Senator Bruce Tarr.  Additionally, this legislation has been endorsed by the Massachusetts Association of Hazardous Material Technicians and the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. 

My staff will be holding office hours in the District on Friday, September 7, 2007.  Office hours for Brockton constituents will be held at the Brockton Public Library’s Main Branch, located at 304 Main Street, from 2:30 to 4:00 PM.  They will also be held for Brockton constituents who reside in senior housing at Caffrey Towers, located at 755 Crescent Street, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, and at Crosby Gardens, located at 25 North Avenue, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.  Office hours for both Easton (Precinct 3) and West Bridgewater constituents will be held at the West Bridgewater Public Library, located at 80 Howard Street, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

My Chief of Staff, Abigail Keane, and Administrative Aide, Michael Mullen, will be available to meet with constituents at this time.  I invite all who wish to express their concerns and ideas as well as those who just wish to stop by and say “hello”.  Appointments are not required unless a private meeting is desired.  Constituents in the district may contact John Harding at my State House office at 617-722-2006 to pre-schedule a private meeting during district office hours. 

Update on FY 2008 Massachusetts State Budget
Includes funding for services and programs critical to residents
of Brockton, Easton, and West Bridgewater

July 6, 2007 -- Improved health care, greater economic development, and increased local aid are among the priorities of my colleagues and I in the Massachusetts General Court this year that were included in the state budget for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY ’08).  The budget – an agreement between the Massachusetts Senate and the House of Representatives – was presented by the Conference Committee and approved by both branches of the legislature this week.  This year, the state operating budget will be $26.8 billion, an increase of 4.2% from last year. 

The budget that my colleagues and I in the legislature have sent to Governor Patrick is fiscally prudent and provides for the funding and resources that are necessary to ensure the future success and continued investment in the Commonwealth.

Among the funding priorities included in this year’s budget are three initiatives I sponsored .  As in previous years, $83,060 was allocated for the purpose of universal newborn hearing exams.  At least $100,000 will continue to be allocated to the National Kidney Foundation to sustain their renal disease program in the Commonwealth.  I found it especially rewarding and significant that I was successful in securing $250,000 in additional funding in the FY ’08 budget for Massachusetts metabolic disorder clinics for treatment and education for individuals with PKU (phenylketonuria), a lifelong inherited, genetic disorder whose only treatment is a costly and restricted diet that is limited in phenylalanine.

Other budget highlights include:

·    $1 million to develop and support strategies that increase the amount of faculty and students who seek to pursue careers in the nursing and allied health professions.

·    A $4 million increase in scholarships for Commonwealth students to receive additional resources to finance their college education.

·    An increase of $2 million in funding for the Youth-at-Risk program.

·    $2.27 million for YouthBuild programs.

·    $7.88 million for Council on Aging services throughout Massachusetts.

·    $21.35 million in Community Policing grants to cities and towns.

·    An increase in Welcome Home annuities for the tens and thousands of the eligible Massachusetts Veterans who return home after courageously defending our country from $1,500 to $2,000 per veteran. 

·    A $15 million dollar increase in Lottery aid to cities and towns.

The budget currently sits before Governor Deval Patrick where it awaits his approval before it can be enacted. I am confident that both the Governor and the Legislature will be able to work together to fund all the important services and programs in the Commonwealth at necessary levels.