Celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day

Today the House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere to celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day. The holiday’s origins can be traced to June 19, 1865 when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War was over and America’s last remaining slaves were free, thanks to President Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, on January 1, 1863.

Massachusetts’ governors have commemorated June 19 as Juneteenth Independence Day since 2007 with an annual proclamation recognizing “the significant contributions individuals of African descent have made to the Commonwealth and to the United States.” In July of 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed and former Governor Charlie Baker signed into law language in a supplemental budget declaring Juneteenth an official state holiday, which Baker noted would help “to recognize the continued need to ensure racial freedom and equality.” In June of 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth Independence Day a national holiday.

Boston Globe Op-Ed: High Taxes Are Driving People Out Of Massachusetts

Today’s Boston Globe features an op-ed piece from House Minority Leader Brad Jones and Ross Connolly, the regional director for New England at Americans for Prosperity, that focuses on the need for tax reforms to stem the exodus of residents who are leaving Massachusetts for more affordable states. Governor Maura Healey has talked about making Massachusetts more competitive, and this op-ed makes the case for achieving that worthy goal by implementing common-sense tax reforms such as increasing the estate tax threshold and preserving the voter-approved Chapter 62F law.  

With the Massachusetts House having passed a tax relief package in April and the Senate expected to unveil its own tax proposal in “the next two weeks,” the issue of tax reform could not be timelier. Be sure to check out the op-ed here.

Memorial Day: Honoring Our Fallen Soldiers

Throughout our nation’s history, many have answered the call to serve. Today, we remember and honor those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our many freedoms, including the 37,369 individuals who called Massachusetts home. Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. 

Representative Marcus Vaughn Named To Gaming Policy Advisory Committee

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (R-Wrentham) to serve on the state’s GamingPolicy Advisory Committee (GPAC).

The GPAC was established as part of the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act, which legalized gaming in Massachusetts by authorizing the establishment of up to three resort casinos and one slot machine facility. The 14-member board advises the MassachusettsGaming Commission on gaming policy issues, particularly as it relates to community mitigation funding, addiction services for compulsive gambling, and the public safety impacts associated with the state’s gaming establishments.

Representative Vaughn’s appointment comes at a time of rapid growth within the state’s gaming industry. On January 31, MGM Springfield in Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville began offering sports betting, with online sports betting launching on March 10. Massachusetts residents placed a total of $568 million in sports bets in March, with more than three-fourths of those bets placed through the DraftKings and FanDuel apps.

“As the Commonwealth’s gaming industry continues to expand with the introduction of online sports betting, it is important that proper safeguards are in place to regulate the industry and protect consumers,” said Representative Jones. “I am confident that Marcus will help the Commonwealth continue to navigate through the evolving gaming landscape in a way that encourages responsible growth within the industry.”

For the 2023-2024 legislative session, Representative Vaughn is serving 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.

Representative Vaughn is currently serving his first term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He represents the 9^th 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.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Letter from Birmingham, Alabama jail, April 16, 1963

Throughout his lifetime, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached the importance of non-violent civil disobedience to achieve positive change in society. Today, the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus honors the life and legacy of Dr. King and his tireless advocacy to ensure equal justice for all Americans.

State Representative Brad Jones Re-Elected As Minority Leader For 2023-2024 Session

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

Jones was chosen by a unanimous vote to lead the House Republican Caucus for the 2023-2024 legislative session. The vote took place on January 4, which also marked the first day of the 193^rd biennial session.

“I am truly grateful to receive my colleagues’ vote of confidence to continue leading the caucus over the next two years,” said Jones. “Having the support of both the new and returning members means a lot to me as we prepare to tackle the many challenges facing the Commonwealth and its residents.”

In his inaugural speech to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Jones noted that “our top priorities must be a stronger economic recovery, maintaining our focused fiscal responsibility, and transforming the way we operate as a government and provide services to our citizens.”

“While our economy is no doubt stronger than it was two years ago, none of us can or should be satisfied that it is as strong as it should be,” said Jones. “Many of our fellow citizens remain out of work or underemployed. No one in our Commonwealth should believe that their children’s future will not be a little brighter or a little better than theirs was. It falls to each one of us individually and collectively to make this happen.”

Jones noted that Massachusetts has benefited from a strong economy that has helped grow the state’s rainy day fund to historic levels, eliminated the Commonwealth’s structural deficit and allowed the Legislature to make “meaningful targeted increased investments in a wide variety of essential areas.” But he also highlighted the Legislature’s obligation to “prepare for the future by building our reserves even further” while also delivering meaningful tax relief to the Commonwealth’s residents.

“Going forward, we need to revisit the targeted tax relief both the House and Senate passed last session but failed to finalize,” Jones said. “Fortunately, the incoming Governor supported those efforts and has identified tax relief like the kind we passed as her number one priority on day one and we agree.”

During his remarks, Jones thanked the residents of the Twentieth Middlesex District, saying “it is an honor and privilege to represent the citizens of Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield and Middleton and I look forward to continuing to work on their behalf.”

Jones also offered congratulations to House Speaker Ronald Mariano on his re-election, expressing his “hope that we can find common ground in the year ahead to ensure that the critical needs of the residents of the Commonwealth are addressed.”

A lifelong North Reading resident, Jones has continued to maintain a perfect voting record while serving in the House of Representatives. He has never missed a roll call and has now cast 7,835 consecutive votes as a member of the House.

'A Date Which Will Live In Infamy'

It was 81 years ago today that the US naval base at Pearl Harbor came under attack, precipitating the United States’ entry into World War II. On December 7, 1941 – which President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed would long be remembered as “a date which will live in infamy” – 2,403 American service members and civilians were killed, and another 1,178 injured. 

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere in honoring the memories of those who perished on that fateful Sunday morning more than eight decades ago. Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Capitol View wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving! As we gather to celebrate and count our blessings, let us not forget the men and women of our armed forces who are serving overseas and will not be home to spend the holidays with their families and friends. The members of the House Republican Caucus are forever grateful for their service to our nation.

Veterans Day 2022: Honoring All Who Served

“The willingness of our citizens to give freely and unselfishly of themselves, even their lives, in defense of our democratic principles, gives this great Nation continued strength and vitality.” – President Ronald Reagan, in his 1981 Veterans Day Proclamation

The Massachusetts House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere today to salute our veterans for their service on behalf of our Commonwealth and our nation. Our veterans’ commitment to defending the many freedoms we hold dear should be acknowledged and appreciated, not only today, but every day.

Representative Mathew Muratore Appointed to Behavioral Health Advisory Commission

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Mathew Muratore (R-Plymouth) to the newly-created Behavioral Health Advisory Commission.

Originally proposed as part of an omnibus bill to address immediate COVID-19 recovery needs last fall, the commission will provide recommendations to the Legislature to help address barriers to the delivery of equitable and affordable behavioral health care and services. Legislators will use these recommendations to determine how to best prioritize expenditures from the Behavioral Health Trust Fund, which was created along with the advisory commission through Chapter 77of the Acts of 2022.

“Matt has extensive experience in the human services sector, and his first-hand knowledge will serve him well as a member of the advisory commission,” said Representative Jones. “I am confident he will do everything he can to see to it that the Behavioral Health Trust Fund is used effectively and efficiently to deliver quality behavioral health care to the residents of Massachusetts.”

“I am honored and grateful to Leader Jones for appointing me to the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission,” said Representative Muratore. “We have made some strides this session to improve behavioral health access, services, and affordability and I’m hopeful this Commission’s recommendations will lead to further improvements.”

As part of its directive, the advisory commission will work to identify and assess existing challenges facing the behavioral health workforce, and to consider the feasibility of providing grant, scholarship, and other pipeline development programs to mitigate the financial burden faced by individuals entering the field. In addition to exploring ways to promote the recruitment and retention of behavioral health workers, the advisory commission will also look at economic barriers to treatment as well as access to early intervention services and community-based services, to ensure “the delivery of an equitable, culturally-competent, affordable and clinically-appropriate continuum of behavioral health care and services.”

Representative Muratore is one of 22 members serving on the advisory commission, which is being chaired by Representative Adrian Madaro (D-Boston) and Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), who also currently serve as co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. Additional members include Representative Bud Williams (D-Springfield) and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston), who currently serve as the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders.

Also serving on the advisory commission are representatives from the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Inc.; the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.; the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, Inc.; the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems, Inc.; the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, Inc.; the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Inc.; and the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Inc. Governor Charlie Baker has two appointees to the advisory commission, one of whom must have expertise in developing behavioral health workforce training education and one of whom must have expertise in addressing disparities in access to mental and behavioral health care for populations disproportionately experiencing barriers to care.

Representative Muratore is currently in his fourth term representing the First Plymouth District. A member of the House Ways and Means Committee, he also serves as the Assistant Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing; the Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government; and the Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.