NH Governor John Lynch Looking out for Massachusetts Taxpayers!

Massachusetts taxpayers can all extend a warm thanks to Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire for looking out for them last week when he signed a bill into law that according to the Boston Herald, “shields Granite State retailers from having to collect and share information about purchases made by out-of-staters with the tax collectors from those states.”

It’s a good thing New Hampshire’s Governor is mindful of the burden Massachusetts taxpayers are facing, since Governor Patrick seems to be anxious to continue his tax and spend ways. As if a sales tax hike of 25% wasn’t bad enough, the Governor is still mulling a gas tax and a graduated income tax.

Governor Patrick just doesn’t get it. He continues to be oblivious to the everyday struggles of families and small businesses around the Commonwealth. Governor Patrick, his administration and the Democratic controlled Legislature are making Massachusetts a less attractive place to start a new business and to raise a family.

Hill Fighting to Strengthen Melissa's Bill

Testimony on a new version of “Melissa’s Bill” that targets the most dangerous, repeat offenders will be heard on Tuesday before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Minority Whip Bradford R. Hill (R-Ipswich), Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, and the family of Melissa Gosule announced today. The new version of the bill was filed this year, 10 years after the death of Melissa Gosule, in an effort to assure truth in sentencing for the most dangerous repeat offenders and to close significant loopholes that have allowed offenders to avoid just punishment for crimes that they have committed. It has already received bi-partisan support.

“Melissa’s Bill” was filed in the memory of Melissa Gosule, a then-27-year-old teacher who, on July 11, 1999, was driving on Cape Cod when her car broke down and then accepted a ride from a stranger who offered to help. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to Melissa, the man who offered to help her was a repeat offender who had served less then two years in jail for a combined 27 criminal convictions. It was the last time that Melissa was ever seen alive, and she was found eight days later in a shallow grave.

Prompted by a visit from the Gosules shortly after Melissa’s death, and compounded by Massachusetts’ crime problem caused by repeat offenders, Hill decided to work with the Gosule family to file legislation that would further punish repeat offenders. This year, a new version of Melissa’s Bill has been filed by Hill with a number of revisions that address concerns previously expressed by legislators.

“A priority of the Legislature should be to ensure the safety of all the citizens of the Commonwealth from dangerous, habitual offenders and this Bill would do just that”, stated Hill.

Among the components of the bill include:

Expands the habitual offender statute to better target the most dangerous repeat offenders, establishing that the maximum punishment available by law shall be imposed for either a defendant’s third Superior Court felony conviction or a third conviction of a felony punishable by more than 10 years in prison.

Removes parole eligibility for those repeat offenders convicted under Melissa’s Law.

Removes a significant loophole by stating that state and federal convictions apply to the habitual offender statute. Currently, federal convictions are not included in the habitual offender statute.

Requires that sentences on new crimes committed during the pendency of a case shall run consecutively, eliminating the ability of defendants to agree to “package deals” and receive concurrent sentences for crimes committed while they are out on bail.

“We are fighting for this bill in memory of my sister and other victims like her,” Heidi Gosule, Melissa’s sister, said. “We are truly hopeful that this bill will pass in what is the tenth year since Melissa’s death and assure that victims will be better protected for years to come.”

Hill and Leone are hopeful that members of the Legislature will take a fresh look at this new bill in an effort to find common ground and pass a law that will honor Melissa’s memory and protect all citizens from these kinds of dangerous, repeat offenders.

After ten years of different versions of the Bill languishing in the Legislature, I can see no better way of honoring the memory of Melissa Gosule than passing this Bill in this Legislative Session, the tenth anniversary of her tragic death.” Hill added.

Please join the family, respected officials and guests at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, outside the Garden of Peace adjacent to the McCormack Building and 100 Cambridge Street in Boston for a press conference regarding the bill. At the event, family and friends of Melissa Gosule will release 37 balloons - the age Melissa would be if she were alive today.

Following the press conference, members of Melissa Gosule’s family, Leone, Hill, and other officials are expected to testify before the Judiciary Committee. The hearing is expected to start at noon at the Gardner Auditorium.

For further information on this legislation, please contact Representative Hill’s office at (617-722-2100) or jody.tozier@hou.state.ma.us.

Want to be a Civilian Flagger? No Criminal Background Check Required!

The Patrick Administration has been quick to criticize the MBTA following the May trolley crash which was driven by a 24 year old who did not have a clean driving record and who happened to be texting at the time of the accident. In fact just after the incident, Governor Patrick said the cash strapped MBTA needed to re-evaluate its hiring policies. Well Governor Patrick may want to put his money where his mouth is. According to a Boston Herald article, a man with at least 70 arrests on his criminal record was recently approved and trained by the state’s Executive Office of Transportation. In responding to this revelation, a spokesman for MassHighway said, “MassHighway takes its flagger program and public safety very seriously. We have just learned of this information and, if found to be true, we can assure you that the individual in question will never work on a MassHighway construction site.”

Probably would have been a good idea to review his background before spending state dollars training this person, don’t you think? Is it possible that even more criminals signed up for the well paying civilian flagman position?

Welcome Change: Charlie Baker Enters Governor’s Race

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care CEO Charlie Baker has just announced he will be running for Governor in 2010 and the Republican Caucus enthusiastically welcomes him to the race. Voters will have a clear choice when they head to the polls next year as they evaluate the current administration’s record.

For the last 2 ½ years, Governor Deval Patrick and the Democratic-controlled Legislature have raised taxes dramatically making it harder to live and work in the Bay State, violated the public’s trust on numerous occasions not to mention they have practically depleted the rainy day fund. It is time for a change in the Corner Office and in the Legislature. Charlie Baker and other Republican candidates could potentially help restore a two party system in Massachusetts. Taxpayers are sick of the tax and spend mentality that continues to dig the state deeper into a hole as well as the continuous abuse of power.

Massachusetts Republicans want to lower your taxes, raise the ethical standards and make working and raising a family in the Bay State easier. A Republican in the Corner Office can help those goals become a reality.

Governor Hobnobbing in D.C., Revenue Free-fall in the Bay State

While Governor Patrick hobnobs in Washington, D.C., the fiscal free-fall continues here in the Bay State. According to a Boston Globe report, “June revenue fell nearly $260 million below the most recent projections.” It’s a good thing the Boston Globe got that information, because that is exactly where our caucus learned about the situation as well. The differences between Candidate Patrick and Governor Patrick are stark to say the least. Candidate Patrick promised transparency; Governor Patrick is anything but transparent. Candidate Patrick promised accountability, but Governor Patrick is out of town yet again while the revenue in the state he is supposed to be CEO of plummets.

Remember “Together We Can?” When Candidate Patrick picked that as his slogan, did he mean to say “Together We Cannot?” Governor Patrick talks a big game when it comes to transparent government yet we heard about the revenue free-fall from his Morrissey Boulevard office. Governor Patrick unlike Candidate Patrick isn’t interested in transparency. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Patrick set out to change Beacon Hill, yet Beacon Hill has changed him.

A Hamburger, Fries and a Whole Lot of Taxes!

Ordering a hamburger and fries at your local drive thru is going to start costing you a bit more after the meals tax increase goes into effect. The Boston Herald had an interested piece in their opinion section today examining the tax policies that left France’s restaurant industry crippled and ultimately forcing the country to significantly decrease its tax on sit down meals. The country had a 19.6% tax but was recently lowered to 5.5%. That’s right, France has a lower meals tax than the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Today, Governor Patrick brushed off criticism that Massachusetts Democrats are tax and spend happy, but you know what they say; if the shoe fits, wear it. The Democratic-controlled Legislature will have some explaining to do when the already struggling restaurant business in Massachusetts experiences a sharp decline. The Republican Caucus voted against every single proposed tax increase because small businesses, families and individuals alike cannot afford to pay any more.

The moral of the story, reach out to your legislators, tell them how the decisions they are making are affecting your life. There is an incredible disconnect between most Democratic lawmakers and their constituents. Believe us, there may be a hunger for a Big Mac and fries, but there is no hunger for more taxes!

Patrick: Doesn’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Last week on The Capitol View, we discussed recent reports in the Boston Herald about expensive perks being handed out at two struggling state agencies, the Mass Pike and the MBTA. This week, the Boston Herald’s editorial page is taking issue with the pricey perks.

The editorial page says this should be a lesson to Governor Patrick who has been talking a big game lately regarding reform in Massachusetts, yet seems to be dropping the ball when it comes to tackling the low hanging fruit.

The state is sending a bad message to struggling Bay State residents when they hear about state employees traveling for free on the Mass Pike or getting a free T pass. While our taxpayers are struggling financially, the last thing they deserve or want to see, is their tax dollars providing a “free ride” to thousands of state employees.
Enough is enough. Governor Patrick needs to stop with the empty rhetoric and work on providing at least one of his campaign promises. He’s already dropped the ball on property tax relief, but doing away with pricey perks at the expense of hard-working taxpayers should be an easy reform that even he should be able to accomplish!

June Revenue Numbers Needed Before Taking up Budget Vetoes

The Department of Revenue will be releasing June’s tax collections in the next couple weeks and House Republicans are calling on the Democratic-controlled Legislature to allow enough time to review those numbers prior to taking up all of Governor Patrick’s vetoes. We anticipate June’s revenue numbers being lower than expected and with such a volatile economic climate, it is important to have all facts and figures on the table before making any decisions to sustain vetoes or to override them. Additionally, the budget vetoes don’t need to be addressed right away. In fact, we have until November; therefore we should wait and see how the next few months unfold so when we have a clearer picture of the fiscal outlook. Things may worsen, but we are hopeful to see some improvement in the economy. We should not rush to make such hasty decisions without knowing exactly what we are facing moving forward. If we address the Governor’s vetoes now, without having a better understanding of next year’s revenues, we could be forced to make more painful cuts later.

Now, more than ever, the Governor and the Legislature need to behave in a fiscally responsible manner. The tax and spend mentality will not lead us out of these dark days, but smart budgeting and planning can.

Happy 4th of July

From all of us at The Capitol View, we hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday weekend. And on this day that celebrates the birth of our country, please be sure to keep our servicemen and women in your thoughts and prayers as thousands of Americans continue to fight for the very freedoms that our forefathers once envisioned for our country.

Hargraves: View From the Hill

Representative Robert Hargraves recently released the following column.

When this paper hits the newsstand on Friday, I will be one of 32 Groton Minutemen speeding towards Philadelphia on a Buckingham bus to march in the Welcome America Parade on Saturday.

In these parades, I play the part of the parson, and my costume is made out of wool, complete with a cape. It can get quite hot, which I take as a token reminder of the hardships endured by those who passed before us to secure the freedoms and way of life we take so for granted today.

My group represents the militia from Groton who walked to Concord in dark and drizzle to confront the British at dawn at the Old North Bridge on April 19th, 1775. Our regiment consists of five drummers, several members who carry muskets, and several women.

This is only the second time the Groton Minutemen have participated in the 4th of July Parade in Philadelphia. We also participated in 1976 to kick off the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the founding of our country.

Geroge Brouillette deserves much of the credit for organizing this pilgrimage, along with our captain, Tommy McDowell of Ayer.

I use the word “pilgrimage” in an effort to pay homage to the place where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, and where it was ratified and signed on July 4, 1776 by the delegates sent from each of the original 13 colonies. By the way, there were five delegates from Massachusetts who committed treason (to Great Britain) by affixing their names to this revolutionary document: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and Elbridge Gerry. They all could have been hanged for their crime.

The parade will take us through Philadelphia’s Historic District, and this is hallowed ground to this student of history. At the time of the Revolution, Philadelphia was the second largest city (second only to London) in the British Empire; It also served as our first capital.

If I get hot while I’m marching, I will remember the heat endured by the soldiers on the battlefields and by the original delegates who endured the heat without the relief of air conditioning we will enjoy while there.

Ellen will be with me, and we are looking forward to touring the birthplace of our nation.

Happy Fourth of July!