Rep. Muradian Appointed to Economic Development Special Commission

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) is pleased to announce his appointment of Representative David Muradian (R-Grafton) to a special state commission charged with developing policy responses and recommendations to ensure that so-called “edge communities” can participate in state development initiatives and benefit from state resources.

The Grafton Republican will join fellow legislators, municipal officials and representatives from a variety of planning, transit and development agencies on the 27-member 495/Metro West Suburban Edge Community Commission, which is being chaired by Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash.  The commission will investigate and study the various development challenges facing edge communities, including transportation, water, cellular and energy infrastructure needs, transit services, residential development, reuse of former industrial facilities and historic mills, brownfields reclamation, and downtown redevelopment issues.

The special commission, created through an outside section of the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget, defines an edge community as any municipality with a population of not more than 35,000 that is not adjacent to a gateway municipality.  Gateway communities are defined in statute as municipalities with populations greater than 35,000 and less than 250,000 with a median household income below the Commonwealth’s average and a rate of educational attainment of a bachelor’s degree or above that is below the Commonwealth’s average.

“Representative Muradian has a strong understanding of the challenges facing our cities and towns, having served as a legislative aide in the House of Representatives for seven years before running for office,” said Representative Jones.  “I am confident he will bring a wealth of institutional and real-world knowledge to this special commission as it seeks to find ways to remove some of the barriers impeding development in our edge communities.”

“I am honored to have been appointed to this special commission by Representative Jones,” said Representative Muradian.  “As a lifelong resident of the Blackstone Valley, I am deeply committed to the communities I serve and look forward to working with my colleagues to find ways to promote enhanced economic development throughout my district and around the state.”

Representative Muradian represents the Ninth Worcester District, which consists of the communities of Grafton, Northbridge and Upton.  He is currently serving his first term in the Massachusetts Legislature, but previously worked in the State House as an aide to former state Representative and Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr., who opted not to run for re-election in 2014 and was recently appointed as the new Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game.

Rep. Whipps Lee Appointed to State Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) is pleased to announce his appointment of Representative Susannah Whipps Lee (R-Athol) to a state task force charged with developing guidelines and tools to assist organizations serving children and youth with the implementation of sexual abuse prevention and intervention plans.

The Athol Republican will join fellow legislators as well as representatives from a host of early education, youth service provider and child advocacy organizations on the 22-member Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force, which is being co-chaired by Massachusetts Child Advocate Gail Garinger and Children’s Trust Fund Executive Director Suzin Bartley.  As part of its mission, the task force will develop a 5-year plan for using community education and other strategies to increase public awareness about child sexual abuse, including how to recognize signs, minimize risk and act on suspicions or disclosures of such abuse.

“Representative Whipps Lee has a long and distinguished record of active involvement in her district as a volunteer for a number of charitable organizations, and as a successful business owner,” said Representative Jones.  “I am confident that she will bring a wealth of real-world knowledge and expertise to this task force, and will play a key role in developing a comprehensive plan to address the terrible scourge of child sexual abuse.”

“I take very seriously the responsibility of protecting some of our most vulnerable residents, and I am honored to have been appointed to this task force by Representative Jones,” said Representative Whipps Lee.  “I look forward to working with the members of the task force to identify the most effective ways to help prevent young children from being victimized and to ensure that youth organizations around the state are able to recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse so they can take swift action to put an end to the abuse.”

A member of the Athol Board of Selectmen, Representative Whipps Lee is currently serving her first term in the Massachusetts Legislature, after defeating Democratic incumbent Denise Andrews in the November 2014 state election.  She represents the Second Franklin District, which consists of the communities of Erving, Gill, New Salem, Orange, Warwick, Wendell, Belchertown, Athol, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, and Templeton.

The Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force is scheduled to file its final report and recommendations by December 31, 2015.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones Lauds Governor's Plan for Tax Amnesty

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) today applauded Governor Charlie Baker’s decision to include a tax amnesty proposal as part of his plan to close a $768 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2015.

Under the Governor’s proposal, which requires legislative approval, the Department of Revenue (DOR) would be directed to offer a two-month corporate tax amnesty program before the current fiscal year ends on June 30^th.  Participating businesses would have the opportunity to pay their outstanding tax liabilities to the Commonwealth without having to pay any financial penalties.  The Baker Administration estimates the tax amnesty will generate about $18 million in revenues.

“I’m pleased to see Governor Baker include this initiative as part of his plan to close the current budget deficit,” said Representative Jones.  “Tax amnesties are a great way for the state to collect outstanding tax revenues that might otherwise have been foregone.  Prior tax amnesties offered to individual taxpayers have proven to be highly successful, and there is no reason to believe that a corporate tax amnesty won’t be just as popular.”

The Governor’s corporate tax amnesty proposal mirrors a bill filed by Representative Jones in January, House Docket 2409.  The tax amnesty program will be made available to businesses organized as corporations, Limited Liability Corporations, S-Corporations, Financial Institutions, and other corporate taxpayers.

Last year, DOR conducted a successful two-month tax amnesty program for individual taxpayers who owed state income tax after Representative Jones secured the necessary language through a budget amendment.  A total of $57 million in outstanding taxes was collected from 61,000 individual filers during the most recent tax amnesty.

In 2010, a two-month tax amnesty program generated over $32.6 million in full and partial payments made by 8,495 eligible taxpayers, exceeding DOR’s projections of $20 million.  A similar amnesty program in 2008 also netted over $30 million.

If approved by the Legislature, the corporate tax amnesty proposal would represent the first such program offered to businesses in Massachusetts in 12 years.  Previous tax amnesties implemented in 2002 and 2003 brought in $91.6 million and $174 million, respectively.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones Casts 6,000th Consecutive Roll Call Vote

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) cast his 6,000th consecutive roll call vote this week, as the Massachusetts House of Representatives debated a series of proposed rules changes for the 2015-2016 legislative session.

Members filed 44 proposals to amend the internal House rules and another 14 amendments to the Joint rules governing the House and Senate, with 20 of
the amendments subject to a recorded roll call vote.  The 6,000^th roll call vote cast by Representative Jones – part of an unbroken string of votes dating back to March of 1994 – was in support of a proposal by Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn) requiring all tax increases to be subject to a two-thirds roll call vote and prohibiting any tax increases from being considered less than 30 days before the deadline for filing nomination papers for the next biennial state election. The amendment failed on a vote of 34-121.

“I am truly honored and humbled to continue to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of the 20^th Middlesex District,” said Representative Jones.  “The residents of North Reading, Reading, Lynnfield and Middleton have placed their trust in me as their elected representative, and I can think of no better way to uphold that trust than to ensure that their voices are heard on each and every roll call vote that is taken in the House.”

Among the other votes cast by Representative Jones this week were one in support of allowing two members to request a roll call vote on legislation pending before a committee and another requiring all committee votes to be posted online within 48 hours.  Representative Jones and the House Republican Caucus have long championed similar measures to promote more openness and transparency in the Legislature.

Representative Jones’ long-running streak of not missing a roll call, which dates back to when he was first sworn in to office, currently stands at 6,015 votes cast.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Charlie Baker Being Sworn-In as Governor of MA

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to Charlie Baker (pictured at left) being sworn-in as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

“Today’s swearing-in of Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito is an extremely momentous occasion for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With a combined vision of making Massachusetts great, the residents and small businesses of this state will only benefit from the guidance and leadership of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Governor Baker’s outlook for Massachusetts is one of optimism and promise. His aggressive plan to create jobs and deliver a world-class education to children across the state is the exact tone and direction that this state’s residents so desperately need and want from the incoming administration.

While the coming days are undoubtedly a time for ceremony and celebration, my House Republican colleagues and I look forward to working with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to support and advance their agenda in the House of Representatives.”

Rep. Brad Jones Re-Elected Minority Leader

Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) was recently re-elected by his Republican colleagues to serve a seventh term as Minority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

“As we embark upon the 189^th Biennium of the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am pleased to announce my re-election as Leader of the House Republican Caucus,” said Representative Jones. “Having the resounding support of the largest House Republican Caucus in my tenure as Minority Leader means a tremendous amount to me, and I thank my colleagues for their continued confidence in my ability to lead our Caucus.”

While Representative Jones anticipates a busy legislative agenda, he remains focused on working with the incoming Baker Administration to advance an agenda that residents and small-businesses from the Berkshires to the outer Cape and Islands and points in between, regardless of party affiliation, can all agree upon – making Massachusetts great.

“The swearing-in of Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito is an extremely momentous occasion for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With a combined vision of making Massachusetts great, our state will only benefit from the guidance and leadership of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “Governor Baker’s outlook for Massachusetts is one of optimism and promise. His aggressive plan to create jobs and deliver a world-class education to children across the state is the exact tone and direction that this state’s residents so desperately need and want from the incoming administration.”

Jones, a North Reading native, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1994.  This past November he was elected to his eleventh term representing the 20^th Middlesex District on Beacon Hill and continues to maintain his perfect voting record.  Representative Jones has cast 5,995 consecutive roll call votes and hasn’t missed a single vote in his nearly 21 years in the Legislature.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones Offers Solution to Avoid Cuts to Unrestricted Local Aid

In an effort to avoid devastating cuts to unrestricted local aid to cities and towns across the Commonwealth, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) today announced that he will file legislation to offer a tax amnesty program for corporations. If approved by the Legislature, a corporate tax amnesty program will yield an estimated $15 to $20 million in overdue tax liabilities.

“Cities and towns should be the last place state government looks to cut costs,” said Representative Jones. “If approved by the Legislature, a corporate tax amnesty program will not only yield funds that may otherwise have been forgone, but also ensure that municipalities around the Commonwealth will not be forced to unfairly bear the burden of Governor Patrick’s poor budgeting practices.”

The effort to recoup otherwise forgone tax revenue from Massachusetts corporations comes on the heels of Governor Patrick’s announcement that he will seek to reduce unrestricted local aid to cities and towns by $25.5 million.

The tax amnesty program will be made available to businesses organized as corporations. Limited Liability Corporations, S-Corporations, Financial Institutions, and others will be able to settle long-outstanding tax liabilities without being assessed penalties. Corporations will have a designated two-month window to take advantage of the program.

Under a similar proposal offered by House Minority Leader Brad Jones during debate on the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget, the Department of Revenue has since collected $39 million in outstanding tax liabilities owed by taxpayers across the Commonwealth, with a final figure expected in the coming days.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Charlie Baker Being Elected Governor of Massachusetts

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to Charlie Baker being elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

“I congratulate Charlie Baker on being elected the 72nd Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. His vision for Massachusetts is one of optimism and promise, and the voters of this great state embraced both him and his plan to create jobs and deliver a world-class education to children across the Bay State. 

“In the same breath I acknowledge the campaign of Attorney General Martha Coakley. Her steadfast commitment to Massachusetts, and its people, is to be commended. 

“I look forward to working with Charlie in the House of Representatives to advance an agenda that residents and small-businesses from the Berkshires to the outer Cape and Islands and points in between, regardless of party affiliation, can all agree upon – making Massachusetts great.”

House Minority Leader’s Statement on the Passing of Mayor Tom Menino

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing Mayor Tom Menino, and I send my thoughts and prayers to his wife, children, grandchildren, and countless friends.

In a day and age when personal interactions with high-ranking public officials can be few and far between, Mayor Menino was a man of the people, and never forgot from where he came. From community gatherings to ribbon-cuttings, Mayor Menino truly embodied the spirit of Boston.

While 18 miles separated the communities in which we served, Mayor Menino had an uncanny way of always making Boston feel like home to me, and thousands of other visitors.

The legacy Mayor Menino has left behind is unparalleled, and the impact of his time in office will be endless. Thanks to his dedication and resolve, this city will forever be Boston Strong.”

We Remember...

Today, we gather as families, communities, and more importantly as Americans to remember those individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Let us never forget.