Wednesday, July 24, 2013

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Transportation Finance Veto Override

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of Governor Patrick’s veto to the tax-riddled transportation finance bill:

“Today’s vote in the House of Representatives is about one thing, and one thing only – a crippling tax increase. Massachusetts’ taxpayers should not be lulled into a false sense of hope that the $500 million tax increase approved by House Democrats is better than the nearly $2 billion increase being pushed by Governor Patrick.

In voting to sustain Governor Patrick’s veto, House Republicans were eager for the opportunity to get back to the transportation finance drawing board where we would have once again offered to the Legislature and taxpayers our transportation finance proposal – free of any statewide tax increases.

Unfortunately, there is now only one number that needs to be on the mind of residents across the state – seven. In seven days the taxpayers and small businesses within the Commonwealth will begin to pay for the tax and spend approach approved by House Democrats.”

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Republican Legislators’ Statement on Democrats’ Rejection of Infrastructure Money for Cities and Towns

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and House Minority Whip Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) issued the following statement today in response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of a Republican-led amendment which would have delivered Chapter 90 money to cities and towns statewide:

“In the Governor’s ongoing quest to fund his legacy project, he has chosen to hold hostage Chapter 90 money which is relied upon by cities and towns. Unfortunately, by failing to adopt this amendment, the Democratic-led legislature has stooped to the Governor’s level.

By rejecting an amendment with the sole purpose of delivering Chapter 90 money to municipalities statewide, House Democrats have chosen to let their quarrel with Governor Patrick interfere with a good-faith effort to infuse desperately needed money into infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth. It is unfortunate the only thing Beacon Hill Democrats seem to agree on is that cities and towns are not a top priority.”

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on House’s Rejection of Governor Patrick’s Amendment to Transportation Finance Bill

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of Governor Patrick’s amendment to the tax-riddled transportation finance bill:

“While the price-tag of the tax increase advanced today by House Democrats may be lower than that of the plan continually pushed by Governor Patrick, today’s vote in the House of Representatives represents an extremely costly day for Massachusetts’ taxpayers and small businesses.

Despite the efforts of the Republican caucus to once again introduce our tax-free transportation finance proposal, the Democratic majority instead elected to favor procedural gamesmanship over legislative discourse – thus illustrating the perils of one-party rule on Beacon Hill.

As Democratic leaders continue to quarrel over by how much to raise taxes on the Commonwealth’s hardworking families and entrepreneurs, House Republicans will continue to advocate for a fiscally responsible, tax-free approach to solving the issue of transportation finance.”

Monday, July 15, 2013

Representative Brad Hill Appears on FOX-25 News

In case you missed it, Representative Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) made an appearance on the FOX-25 Evening News to react to an injunction recently filed by the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to prevent the online publication of information about Level 2 sex offenders.

As many of you may know, language which would require information about Level 2 sex offenders, some of whom have committed crimes against children, to be posted online was adopted by the House and Senate during the Fiscal Year 2014 budget debate. CPCS, who is arguing that moderate risk Level 2 sex offenders have privacy and liberty interests, filed a similar motion when information pertaining to Level 3 sex offenders was initially published on the internet.

To view the entire segment play the video posted below.

http://www.myfoxboston.com" title="Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston">Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Friday, July 12, 2013

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Governor Patrick’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Vetoes

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Patrick’s vetoes of sections within the Fiscal Year 2014 budget:

“I am extremely disappointed that Governor Patrick has not only continued his tax-and-spend assault on taxpayers, but has now extended his fiscal wrath to municipalities across the Commonwealth.

House Republicans have long said that the FY14 state budget is predicated on massive tax increases that have yet to be finalized. Furthermore, my Republican colleagues also join me in vehemently opposing the devastating and reckless reductions to unrestricted local aid. Cities and towns across Massachusetts should not be used as a pawn in the Governor’s quest to fund his legacy project.

The House Republican caucus continues to stand by our comprehensive transportation finance plan which is free from any statewide tax increases. Governor Patrick and Democratic leaders must choose a more responsible and fiscally sound path to financing the state’s transportation system, while recognizing that the Commonwealth’s families, businesses, and municipalities continue to grapple with economic uncertainty.”

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Birthday, America!

On this day, July 4, 2013, we hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday.

It was on July 4, 1776, during the American Revolution, when the Thirteen Colonies legally separated from Great Britain, thus granting the United States its freedom.

We at the Capitol View Live encourage you to please keep our servicemen and women in your thoughts and prayers while celebrating our nation’s independence. Thousands of Americans continue to fight for the very freedoms that our forefathers once envisioned for our country.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Governor’s Amendment to Transportation Finance Bill

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response Governor Patrick’s amendment to the tax-riddled transportation finance bill:

“The House Republican Caucus has long said that increasing taxes on Massachusetts’ hardworking families and small businesses is a grave mistake.

While the Speaker and Senate President finally agree with Republicans that the Governor’s most recent plan to raise taxes even higher is a recipe for disaster, it was their respective Democratically-controlled legislative bodies that recently signed off on raising taxes on the Commonwealth’s residents by well over $500 million.

House Republicans continue to stand by our comprehensive transportation finance plan which is free from any statewide tax increases. Democratic leaders must choose a more responsible and fiscally sound path to financing the state’s transportation system while recognizing that the Commonwealth’s families and businesses continue to grapple with economic uncertainty. Until that happens, the Republican Caucus will continue to vehemently oppose any sort of tax increase.”

House Republicans Comment on Enactment of the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2014

In case you missed it, the Democratic-led Legislature recently OK’d a $34 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2014. House Republicans have long said that the FY14 budget is an unsupportable proposal that is predicated on massive tax increases that have yet to be finalized.

Over the course of the past few days, members of the Republican caucus have once again taken to the airwaves to relay our message to the hardworking taxpayers across Massachusetts.

Click below the see the various interviews with Republican lawmakers.

Representative Matt Beaton (R-Shrewsbury)

http://www.myfoxboston.com" title="Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston">Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Click here to see Representative George Peterson's (R-Grafton) interview with Jon Keller of WBZ News.

Click here to see Representative Donald Humason's (R-Westfield) interview with Christine Lee of WWLP-22 News.

Monday, July 1, 2013

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Enactment of Fiscal Year 2014 Budget

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

“The Fiscal Year 2014 budget, as enacted by my Democratic colleagues in the House of Representatives, is an unsupportable proposal that is predicated on massive tax increases that have yet to be finalized.

Listening to today’s brief debate on the House floor, I fail to see a plausible reason for the need to raise taxes on Massachusetts’ hardworking taxpayers when the Democratic majority continually touts the increased amount of resources within the state’s Rainy Day Fund.

I am equally as disappointed that the House of Representatives has squandered yet another opportunity to reform the taxpayer-funded welfare benefits system. While two important provisions were included in the recently enacted spending plan, the budget passed by the House does not go nearly far enough in ensuring that Electronic Transfer Benefits are reserved for those who truly need them. As such, the House Republican caucus looks forward to continuing our advocacy for meaningful welfare reform.”