House Minority Leader’s Statement on Resignation of State Representative John Fresolo

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the resignation of State Representative John Fresolo (D-Worcester) in the wake of an ongoing investigation by the House Committee on Ethics:

“The necessary but overdue resignation of Representative Fresolo is an appropriate course of action given the circumstances. The residents of the Sixteenth Worcester District and the taxpayers of Massachusetts deserve representatives and a governing body that is held to the highest ethical standard.

Furthermore, the House Committee on Ethics should forward any information or findings from their investigation to the appropriate agencies and entities for further consideration.”

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Resignation of Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the resignation of Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray:

“On a personal level, I wish Lieutenant Governor Murray the best in his new endeavors at the helm of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

However, on a political level, Lieutenant Governor Murray departs the public sector with a number of unanswered questions regarding his involvement in numerous scandals. His direct connection to improper hiring practices and midnight car rides leave far more questions upon his departure than answers.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to seeing if pro-business Murray still endorses the $2 billion tax hike pushed by loyal Lieutenant Governor Murray. Demanding more money from businesses and taxpayers looks a lot different from the outside than it does when you are in the comfortable confines of the Executive Office.”

House Republicans to Offer Resolution Condemning Actions of Internal Revenue Service

Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), the House Republican Caucus will offer a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning the actions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in regards to their investigation of non-profit groups with certain political affiliations.

Offered in response to increased scrutiny incurred by the IRS in light of its admission to “overzealous audits” of applications for tax exempt status by groups with certain political affiliations, the House Republican Caucus feels that the actions of the IRS have drawn the ire of both the groups targeted as well as taxpayers nationwide.

“On face, the actions of the Internal Revenue Service represent a massive betrayal of public trust,” said Representative Jones. “By initiating a thorough investigation into these wrongdoings, a determination will be made as to whether or not this was the actions of a few, or the result of a widespread systematic failure.”

The resolution, which will be offered in the House of Representatives during the next full formal session, requests that the Massachusetts Congressional delegation initiate and support the formation of a select committee – comprised of elected officials from both political parties – to swiftly, thoroughly, and expeditiously investigate the alleged wrongdoings by the IRS.

A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Clerk of the United States Senate, and each member of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.

Legislators Issue Letter to Governor Patrick Regarding 9C Cuts

Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) and Representative Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville), a bi-partisan group of legislators submitted a letter Thursday to Governor Patrick, asking him to reverse the 9C cuts that were made to accounts affecting local aid. Rendered last December for Fiscal Year 2013, the legislators feel that the cuts have negatively impacted communities across the Commonwealth.

“In light of continued strong revenue collections, restoring these local aid funds cut by the Governor is both fiscally responsible and justified,” said Representative Jones. “The funds outlined in our letter to Governor Patrick are essential for cities and towns across the Commonwealth.”

The letter to the Governor, which is supported by both House Democrats and Republicans, emphasizes that “communities across Massachusetts are counting on funding so that they may provide necessary services to our constituents.” The correspondence notes that while 9C cuts are within the Governor’s authority, the Legislature worked diligently in providing Governor Patrick with a compromise of funding necessary in order for local programs and agencies to operate at an efficient and effective level.

“When first faced with the reality of 9C cuts, which would have a negative impact on our communities and constituents, the House and Senate worked diligently and provided Governor Patrick with a compromise of priorities,” said Representative D’Emilia. “Now, with the state’s finances having well exceeded benchmarks, local aid should be restored before any other monies are spent by the Governor.”

Citing Year-to-Date tax revenue collections through April being $510 million above revised benchmark, the letter to the Governor goes on to say, “With this incredible turnaround in revenues, now is the time to restore the cuts which so negatively impacted our communities.”

"With revenue coming into the state at a higher level than predicted, it is clear that the 9C cuts should be restored," said Representative Orrall. "Ensuring predictable funding is a priority and we are advocating for our municipalities to receive all promised state funding. We will continue to focus on increasing aid to our communities for vital services and will stand against any unnecessary cuts."

Some of the accounts that the group of legislators is seeking to restore funding to include: Veterans’ Benefits; Transportation for Regional School Districts; Reimbursement for Special Education; Charter School Reimbursements; and Department of Correction.

Letter to Governor Regarding 9C Cuts

Get Out and Vote!

Regardless of your political affiliation, today is a very important day for the Commonwealth as thousands of voters are expected to turn out to vote in the state primary election. Voters will be casting votes for United States Senate, Massachusetts State Senate, and other local elections.

Most polls around the state will open at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. this evening.

To find out where to vote, or who will be appearing on your ballot, click here.

Be sure to do your civic duty today - get out and vote!

House Republicans Vote Against Fiscal Year 2014 Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) was joined by the entire House Republican Caucus in voting against the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The spending plan, which relies heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, was adopted on a party-line vote – 127 to 29.

“While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle,” said Representative Jones. “By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government.”

To combat the continued reliance on increasing taxes, House Republicans offered proposals which, had they been adopted, would have saved the taxpayers of Massachusetts a considerable amount of money. Referred to as the “5 and 5 in 5 Plan,” a Republican-led proposal to lower both the sales and income tax to 5% over 5 years, beginning in 2015, was resoundingly defeated. The Democratic majority did, however, embrace the ongoing narrative of the Republican Caucus surrounding the need to reform the Pacheco Law. By agreeing to a modest increase to the threshold in which private contractors are able to bid on state projects, House Democrats recognized the necessity to modernize antiquated government practices which cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Advocating for the taxpayers of the Commonwealth and their desire for openness and accountability within the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, the Republican Caucus presented the members of the House with two comprehensive reform proposals relative to eligibility and the administering of benefits. The Democratic Caucus balked at both opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to eradicating waste, fraud and abuse within taxpayer subsidized assistance programs, and instead sent both proposals to study. In doing so, the Democrats eliminated most of their limited changes to EBT originally contained in the budget.

Finally, the House of Representatives’ continued reliance on non-recurring revenues to balance the budget – over $600 million in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget - further illustrates the Commonwealth’s structural deficiencies. Throughout the budget process House Republicans demonstrated, to no avail, their strong opposition to this fiscally irresponsible approach.

Having passed the House, the budget is now before the Senate for consideration.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Passage of Fiscal Year 2014 Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement last night in response to the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget by the House of Representatives:

"I appreciate the work done by Speaker DeLeo, Chairman Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means on the Fiscal Year 2014 budget.

Unfortunately, as adopted, the budget demonstrates the House Democrats’ continued willingness to rely on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill. While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle.

By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government. While many initiatives offered by the Republican Caucus fell victim to the ongoing reliance on procedural gamesmanship, the minority party in the House will continue to advocate for Massachusetts’ taxpayers.

I look forward to my Republican colleagues in the State Senate making every attempt to restore fiscal responsibility and governmental integrity to the state budget before it is ultimately sent to the Governor for his review.”

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Mental Health and Disability Services

In case you missed it, today marks the third day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.

As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.

This evening's debate began with amendments relative to mental health and disability services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.

Mental Health and Disability Services

Amendment 658 - Relative to Taunton State Hospital (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the inside language of the Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Inpatient Facilities and Community Based Mental Health Services’ account (5095-0015) to require DMH to maintain 705 continuing care inpatient beds in FY14, rather than the 626 specified in the HWM FY14 budget, 45 of which shall be in the Cain building of the Taunton State Hospital. Requires an additional 79 beds to remain open at Taunton and further prescribes the beds use. Requires DMH to keep these beds open until at least June 30, 2014 and requires future funding decision to be based on report provided by the advisory committee established in the FY13 GAA.

Amendment 719 - Head Injury Services (Beaton, Matthew) Increases the total appropriation for the Head Injured Services account (4120-6000) by $1.18M.

Amendment 739 - Comprehensive DDS Study (Beaton, Matthew) Earmarks $100K within the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) State Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled account (5930-1000) to fund a study of the intellectually disabled services provided by all public and private facilities overseen by DDS. ADDS a new outside section establishing a 21-member advisory committee to undertake this study with the assistance of an independent consultant. Requires the committee to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2014.

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Public Health

In case you missed it, today marks the third day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.

As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.

This afternoon’s debate will begin with amendments relative to public health. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.

Public Health

Amendment 316 - Level Funding for Western Massachusetts Hospital (Humason, Donald) Increases the DPH account for Western Massachusetts Hospital services account (4590-0912) by $124K.

Amendment 687 - Public Health Funding (Lyons, James) Subtracts $4.5M from the Family Health Services account (4513-1000). The total appropriation is reduced to $0.

Amendment 710 - An Amendment to reform the Department of Public Health (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section creating an independent commission to study and report on compensation paid to officers, directors, trustees and the like, by nonprofit organizations that receive grants or contract with the Department of Public Health.

House Minority Leader’s Statement in Response to Tamerlan Tsarnaev Receiving Public Assistance

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to recent reports that suspected marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev received public assistance benefits from Massachusetts:

“I have been in contact with officials at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a result of the recent Boston Herald article in which it was reported that Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his family received public assistance benefits from Massachusetts.

In my conversation with representatives at HHS I asked that they please look into the type of benefits received by Mr. Tsarnaev and his family, as well as the amount of benefits received by those individuals. Furthermore, I requested that the Department of Transitional Assistance verify that all family members met eligibility requirements when applying for public benefits.

The findings of the investigation are vitally important in assuring that taxpayer subsidized benefits are being acquired and used in an appropriate manner.”