Friday, March 8, 2024

Representative Marcus Vaughn Appointed to House Ways and Means Committee

State Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (R-Wrentham) has been appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).

The Ways and Means Committee plays a critical role in guiding the state’s budgetary process. In addition to reviewing all legislation that could impact the Commonwealth’s finances, the committee is also responsible for producing spending recommendations for the state’s agencies and departments through the annual operating budget.

“The Commonwealth is facing uncertain economic times, with revenues having consistently fallen short of projections throughout the current fiscal year, leading to mid-year spending cuts by Governor Healey,” said Representative Jones. “The Ways and Means Committee has a difficult task ahead of it as it continues to hold public hearings across the state in preparation for the crafting of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. I am confident that Marcus will rise to the challenge and will do everything he can in his new committee role to ensure that the new budget is not only balanced and responsible, but also protects the interests of the state’s taxpayers.”

Vaughn is replacing Representative Joseph D. McKenna (R-Webster) on the Ways and Means Committee, after McKenna was named as the Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to fill the vacancy created by the recent Senate special election won by former Representative Peter J. Durant (R-Spencer).

“I am honored to be appointed to this committee by the Minority Leader and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to address the fiscal concerns in the Commonwealth,” said Vaughn.

Vaughn currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member of both the House Committee on Operations, Facilities and Security and the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses. He is also a member of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

In addition to his legislative committee assignments, Vaughn also serves on the state’s Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC), which was created under the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act that legalized gaming in Massachusetts. The GPAC advises the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on gaming policy issues related to community mitigation funding, addiction services for compulsive gambling, and the public safety impacts associated with the state’s gaming establishments.

Vaughn is currently serving his first term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He represents the 9th Norfolk District, which consists of Precincts 3 and 4 in Medfield; Precinct 1in Millis; Precinct 5 in Walpole; and the towns of Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

John Marsi Wins Special Election for Durant Seat

Congratulations to Representative-elect John Marsi, the Dudley Selectman who won yesterday’sspecial election to fill the 6th Worcester District seat vacated last November by former Representative (and current Senator) Peter Durant (R-Spencer).

In a statement, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) commended the newest member of the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus on his victory.

“Congratulations to John on his election. We welcome him to the Republican Caucus and look forward to working with him in the months ahead,” said Representative Jones.