Rep. Keiko Orrall Discusses Boston Olympics, Marijuana Legalization on 'Greater Boston'

State Representative Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville) was a guest on last night’s “Greater Boston” program, joining host Jim Braude and Cambridge City Councilor Nadeem Mazen for a discussion of Boston’s 2024 Olympics bid and the possibility of a non-binding marijuana question being placed on the 2016 ballot.  To watch the discussion, play the video link posted below.  The segment begins around the 6:40 mark.

Representative Cole Appointed to Serve on Massachusetts Food Policy Council

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) is pleased to announce his appointment of Representative Leah Cole (R-Peabody) to the Massachusetts Food Policy Council.

Established in 2010, the Council is charged with developing recommendations to: increase production, sales and consumption of Massachusetts-grown foods; establish and promote programs that deliver healthy Massachusetts-grown foods to Massachusetts residents; protect the land and water resources required for sustained local food production; train, retain and recruit farmers; and provide for the continued  economic viability of local food production, processing and distribution in the Commonwealth.  The Council is required to submit an annual report by December 31^st detailing its progress in reaching these goals, along with any recommendations for legislative action.

“Encouraging the purchase and consumption of locally-grown food is not only important for the state’s economy, but also for promoting fresher and healthier dietary choices,” said Representative Jones.  “I have full confidence that Representative Cole will discharge her responsibilities admirably and that her talent will add significantly to the work of the Council.”

Representative Cole said, “I am very happy and thankful the House Minority Leader has appointed me to this Council.  I look forward to serving and contributing to their work.”

Representative Cole represents the Twelfth Essex District, which consists of wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and precincts 1 and 3 of ward 5 in the city of Peabody.

Rep. Dooley Appointed to Elections Task Force

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) is pleased to announce his appointment of Representative Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk) to the Elections Task Force.

The task force was created as part of an election reform bill that passed the Legislature last spring, which expands access to early voting beginning in 2016 and allows for 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote.  In addition to studying the costs and administrative requirements associated with implementing early voting in Massachusetts, the task force will also look at ways to reduce wait times at polling locations on election day, violations of laws prohibiting fraudulent voting and voter impersonation, same-day voter registration, and the feasibility of utilizing expanded technology, including election day mobile alerts, computer automated auditing, electronic transferring of absentee ballots and online voting.

“Representative Dooley has a clear understanding of the relevant issues the task force will be looking at, having served on the conference committee that reconciled the differences between the House and Senate versions of the election reform bill last session,” said Representative Jones.  “Combined with his background and experience as a certified municipal clerk, he is well-qualified to help craft recommendations that will expand access to voting while also ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent voter fraud.”

“I am honored to have been appointed to the Elections Task Force.  It is great to be able to continue with the work I started while serving on last session’s election law conference committee.  Voting is one of the most important tools of our democracy and being able to make sure that right is safeguarded is a role that I am excited to take on,” said Representative Dooley.   “I am fortunate to have served as a Town Clerk and have proposed several bills this session which will help ensure our citizens’ voices are heard while aligning with the mission of this task force.”

The task force is scheduled to submit its report and recommendations to the Legislature on or before August 1, 2017.

Representative Dooley represents the Ninth Norfolk District, which is comprised of the towns of Norfolk, Plainville, Wrentham, Medfield, Millis and Walpole.  He previously served as the Norfolk Town Clerk and as the Chairman of the Norfolk School Committee before winning a special election in January of 2014.

Representative Kelcourse Appointed to MA Workforce Investment Board

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) is pleased to announce his appointment of Representative Jim Kelcourse (R-Amesbury) as his designee to the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board.

The Workforce Investment Board is responsible for advising the Governor on building a strong workforce development system aligned with state education policies and economic development goals.  In addition to legislators and members of the Governor’s Cabinet, the Board also includes representatives of organized labor, higher education, organizations that represent or provide services to trainees, and multiple business and industry representatives.

“As a member of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Representative Kelcourse has a clear understanding of the many challenges facing employers and the type of job skills they are looking for in their workers,” said Representative Jones.  “I am confident he will bring a wealth of real-world experience and expertise to the Workforce Investment Board as it continues to find ways to better position Massachusetts to compete in a global economy.”

Representative Kelcourse represents the First Essex District, which consists of Amesbury, Newburyport and Salisbury.  A former Amesbury city councilor, he is currently serving his first term in the Massachusetts Legislature.

MEMORIAL DAY 2015

“Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace – a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation.” – President Ronald Reagan, May 25, 1981

The price of freedom is not free, but a precious commodity paid for a thousand times over by the many brave men and women who have answered the call to serve throughout our nation’s history.  Let us never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the many freedoms we enjoy today, and let us resolve to honor our fallen soldiers not only on Memorial Day, but every day.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Speaker’s Endorsement of MBTA Control Board

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today regarding House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s announcement that he is backing Governor Baker’s call for the creation of a control board to oversee the MBTA:

“I welcome Speaker DeLeo’s endorsement of Governor Baker’s proposal for a control board to oversee the MBTA.  As the Governor has made clear, if nothing changes at the MBTA, then nothing will change.  A control board is essential for focusing on and implementing the reforms needed to provide long-term fiscal stability at the MBTA and to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable services to its riders moving forward.  The Speaker recognizes this, and it is my hope that we are now one important step closer to approving a control board to achieve these worthy goals on behalf of the MBTA's users and the state’s taxpayers.”

House Minority Leader Brad Jones Secures Budget Amendment Targeting Unpaid Sex Offender Registration Fees

Sex offenders who fail to pay a required registration fee to the state would face additional sanctions under an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016 House budget filed by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and members of the House Republican Caucus.

The House of Representatives approved the amendment on a voice vote on April 29 as part of the proposed $38 billion state budget.

Under current law, sex offenders are assessed a $75 registration fee at the time of their initial registration as a sex offender, and again each and every subsequent year on the anniversary of their registration.  Sex offenders who fail to pay the fee are sent notices and follow-up letters, but the law lacks an enforcement mechanism to ensure that the fees are paid in full.

“The current law falls short of providing appropriate penalties for sex offenders who fail to pay the required registration fee,” said Representative Jones.  “This amendment would add some teeth to the law to help ensure that the Sex Offender Registry Board receives these fees on a timely basis.”

Representative Jones’ amendment would require the Sex Offender Registry Board to notify the Department of Revenue (DOR), the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) whenever any sex offender registration fee is 60 days past due.  Once these agencies are notified, DOR would be directed to deduct the amount owed by the sex offender from any state tax refunds that might be due to them.

The amendment would also prohibit the RMV from issuing or renewing a sex offender’s driver’s license or motor vehicle registration until the fee has been collected.

The amendment was co-sponsored by the House Republican leadership team, including Representatives Brad Hill of Ipswich, Elizabeth Poirier of North Attleborough, Susan Gifford of Wareham, Paul Frost of Auburn and Todd Smola of Warren.  Additional co-sponsors included Representatives Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick), Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Sheila Harrington (R-Groton), Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk), Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden), Leah Cole (R-Peabody) and Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk).

The state Senate is expected to release and debate its own version of the budget in May.  A six-member conference committee will then work to resolve the differences between the two branches’ spending proposals and produce a final budget that will be sent to Governor Baker for his signature.

House Approves GOP Initiative Requiring DCF Background Checks for Hires, Child Placements

The House of Representatives has approved a proposal, offered by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and members of the House Republican Caucus, that would require the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to conduct fingerprint-based checks of the state and national criminal history databases on prospective applicants seeking to adopt or become foster parents.

The proposal, which was filed as an amendment to the House version of the Fiscal Year 2016 state budget, would also require background checks on all individuals, age 15 or older, residing in the same household as adoptive or foster parents, as well as all applicants for employment, interns and volunteers who have the potential for unsupervised contact with children in any department-approved program, including individuals who provide transportation services for such programs.

“Children are our most precious resource, but they are also among our most vulnerable residents, and the state should be making every effort possible to guarantee they are never placed in harm’s way,” said Representative Jones.  “Requiring background checks similar to those already conducted by the Department of Early Education and Care will help to ensure that DCF is taking appropriate precautions in its hiring and placement process.”

A 2014 audit of DCF revealed that, in a review of 29 case files, the Department was unable to provide documentation for 48 of 63 required background checks.  The audit also showed that 25 homes matched the address of registered sex offenders.

Representative Jones’ proposal directs DCF to obtain from the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board all available sex offender registry information associated with the address of any center, home or facility licensed through the Department.

“Whether they are in the actual home or in the same apartment building, sex offenders pose a significant risk to child safety,” said Representative Jones.  “Increased oversight and stricter background check regulation policies will help to reduce those risks considerably for children who have been entrusted to the state’s care.”

The amendment, which was approved on a unanimous roll call vote of 159-0, was co-sponsored by the House Republican leadership team, including Representatives Brad Hill of Ipswich, Elizabeth Poirier of North Attleborough, Susan Gifford of Wareham, Paul Frost of Auburn and Todd Smola of Warren.  Additional co-sponsors included Representatives Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick), Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater), Sheila Harrington (R-Groton), Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden), Leah Cole (R-Peabody), David Muradian (R-Grafton), Tim Whelan (R-Brewster) and Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk).

House Republicans Secure Biometrics Study to Prevent Fraud in Public Assistance Programs

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and members of the House Republican Caucus have secured language in the Fiscal Year 2016 House budget aimed at detecting and reducing fraud in the state’s public assistance programs through the use of a biometric authentication system.

The language, approved unanimously as part of an omnibus budget amendment on April 28, requires the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to report back to the Legislature on existing fraud detection measures used within these state agencies and to undertake a study of the feasibility of implementing a biometric authentication system to enhance these efforts.

“This study is needed to evaluate if we can feasibly create a reliable system of identification to eliminate fraud within the Commonwealth’s public assistance programs,” said Representative Jones.  “Based on similar efforts implemented in other parts of the country, it seems reasonable to believe that this could save the state millions of dollars by preventing individuals from fraudulently claiming public benefits they don’t actually qualify for or deserve.”

The amendment was co-sponsored by the House Republican leadership team, including Representatives Brad Hill of Ipswich, Elizabeth Poirier of North Attleborough, Susan Gifford of Wareham, Paul Frost of Auburn and Todd Smola of Warren.  Additional co-sponsors included Representatives Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick), Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Sheila Harrington (R-Groton), Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden), Leah Cole (R-Peabody) and Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk).

A biometric authentication system can prevent fraud by using a person’s biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints, to cross-check their enrollment in other public assistance programs to see if there is a match.  New York State has saved an estimated $314 million preventing fraud-related losses since April 1995 and Los Angeles County has saved $55 million.  Texas and New Jersey have contracts for pilot programs, both of which utilize fingerprinting, although New Jersey’s program also incorporates some facial recognition techniques.

A May 2013 state audit found that Massachusetts welfare benefits were being paid to dead people and to people living out of state.  Representative Jones said biometric authentication could help prevent this type of fraudulent activity.

“DTA already has a program integrity unit that is focused on preventing fraud and has also implemented a new data matching program, where information from 22 sources is automatically checked when a person applies for state benefits,” said Representative Jones.  “Putting a biometric authentication system in place could supplement these initiatives and reduce wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars so the state can direct its resources to those who truly need public assistance.”

The state Senate is expected to release and debate its own version of the budget in May.  A six-member conference committee will then work to resolve the differences between the two branches’ spending proposals and produce a final budget that will be sent to Governor Baker for his signature.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Governor Baker’s Filing of MBTA Reform Bill

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today regarding sweeping MBTA reform legislation filed this afternoon by Governor Charlie Baker:

“I applaud Governor Baker for filing a comprehensive bill that seeks to implement many of the recommendations included in his Special Panel’s report on the MBTA.

There is no question that the MBTA must undergo a complete transformation in the way it operates to ensure that it can maintain long-term fiscal stability and deliver safe and reliable services to its riders.  This bill provides a clear roadmap for achieving these goals, including the implementation of 1- and 5-year operating budgets and 5- and 20-year capital spending plans; the removal of costly restrictions on contracting for services imposed by the Pacheco Law; the development of an evidence-based, long-range approach to system expansion; and the creation of a temporary Fiscal and Management Control Board to get the MBTA back onto a solid financial footing.

It is critical that these reforms be put into place without delay, and I intend to work closely with the Baker Administration to do everything I can to help move the bill through the legislative process as quickly as possible.”