House Minority Leader’s Statement on Adoption of Local Aid Amendment

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the adoption of the Local Aid amendment:

I am pleased that the House has afforded local municipalities the opportunity to alleviate the financial burden of the past three fiscal years. As proposed, the Local Aid amendment seeks to allow half of the Commonwealth’s reversions, or $65 million, whichever is less, to be distributed to municipalities. Distributed using the Lottery formula, the money seeks to aide cities and towns with this one-time funding. In a time where Local Aid has been consistently cut, I am glad that the members of the House were able to come to a consensus that puts the needs of municipalities first and foremost.

Common Sense Prevails

In case you missed it, the House of Representatives recently adopted an amendment prohibiting the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT) for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, or Lottery tickets.

The amendment, offered by Representative Shaunna O’Connell, seeks to not only prohibit the purchase of the aforementioned items by welfare recipients, but would also hold storekeepers monetarily accountable as well.

In delivering her maiden speech to the members of the Legislature, Representative O’Connell called for members of the House to “stand up for the hard-working people of the Commonwealth who pay the taxes to fund these programs.” She went on to say, “EBT cards are given out to ensure people do not go without essentials like food and clothing…not to be payment for illicit debts or to pay for lottery tickets or alcohol.”

We applaud Representative O’Connell for offering this common sense approach, and commend the members of the House for adopting this amendment that serves to protect the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.

Representative Boldyga Appears on the FOX-25 Morning News

In case you missed it, Representative Nick Boldyga made an appearance on the FOX-25 Morning News today. As you may have heard, Representative Boldyga has filed a bill that would set up a commission to study the costs associated with testing Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) recipients that have had a history of substance abuse for drugs and alcohol.

Drug abuse, welfare link: MyFoxBOSTON.com

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Defeat of Income Tax Rollback

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the defeat of the proposed income tax rollback amendment:

I am disappointed that Beacon Hill Democrats have yet again chosen to ignore the voice of the taxpayer. As proposed, the Income Tax Rollback would have rolled back the income tax to 5% over the course of 3 years, from the current 5.3%. With its defeat, we have forgone the opportunity of stimulating the state’s economy with the anticipated savings from the rollback. Instead of putting the money into the pockets of the taxpayer, the Democratic led House has chosen to keep this money and spend it. Once again, we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.

Representative Boldyga to Make Media Appearance

Representative Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) will be on the FOX-25 Morning News, tomorrow morning at 7:35am. Representative Boldyga will be discussing drug testing for welfare recipients.

Be sure to check out Representative Boldyga. In case you miss it, we'll be sure to post his appearance on www.thecapitolviewlive.com tomorrow.

On The Road Again…

In case you missed it, according to the Boston Herald, Laboratory Corp. of America is planning on laying off 169 workers. As a result, the work will be transferred to facilities in North Carolina.

This comes on the heels of Governor Patrick’s media blitz to announce 10 jobs that had come as a result of his foreign trip. As history has proven, Governor Patrick tends to shy away from any press releases or media coverage when it comes to jobs leaving the state.

Excuse us while we do a little math, but if it took the Governor one month to announce 10 new jobs as a result of this trip to Israel, it should take him close to 17 months to account for the most recent job exodus from the Commonwealth. The clock is ticking Governor…

Concerns Continue for Commonwealth

In case you missed it, recent numbers released by UMass-Dartmouth’s Department of Public Policy show that not all Bay State residents are comfortable with the current economic climate in Massachusetts.

In an article posted by the State House News Service (SHNS), “more than eight out of every ten Massachusetts residents are ‘concerned’ about jobs despite signs of economic recovery.”

The survey’s results go on to say “85% of Massachusetts households reported being ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about jobs, and a third of respondents worried that they or a member of their family would lose a job within the next three months.”

The poll of 1,207 residents further proves that the economic climate and stability in Massachusetts is no longer going to suffice as the current status quo. While we applaud the Governor for creating 10 jobs as a result of his trip to Israel the other month, more needs to be done. The recent study out of UMass-Dartmouth is like today’s weather; better than what we had this winter, but still somehow not enough to make you feel good.

Representative Poirier Appears on the Tom & Todd Show

In case you missed it, Representative Betty Poirier made an appearance on the Tom & Todd Show this morning. As you may have heard, Representative Poirier has filed an amendment entitled Secure Communities to the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget. The amendment seeks to have the fingerprints of those arrested in the Commonwealth scanned through an F.B.I. database. Those identified as being in the country illegally would be reported to U.S. immigration agents. Representative Poirier comments on this and more.

Click here to see what Representative Poirier had to say.

Amendments Will Strengthen Overall Picture

In case you missed it, the Boston Herald ran an editorial today which highlights many GOP amendment initiatives in response to the House Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2012 Budget.

While we appreciate the recognition from the Boston Herald, we also think that the editorial shines due light on the fact that many of the amendments that the GOP has offered will not only strengthen the final budget for the Commonwealth, but will also serve as cost saving tools for the taxpayers.

It is the hope of the entire Republican caucus that come time for the budget debate, these along with Democratic amendments are afforded the opportunity to come before the House floor for an open and candid debate.

Click here to read the Boston Herald editorial in its entirety.

Representative Don Humason Appears on WWLP-22's Morning News

In case you missed it, Representative Don Humason made an appearance on WWLP-22’s Morning News today. As you may have heard, yesterday the House of Representatives released their version of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. Within the budget is a move to encourage municipalities to join either the state run GIC or form their own Plan Design. Representative Humason comments on this and more.

Click here to see what Representative Humason had to say.