Bay State Economy Slows as National Economy Picks Up

In case you missed it, a discouraging new report says the economy here in the Commonwealth is slowing down while the national economy appears to be picking up.
Today’s Boston Herald reports, “A new University of Massachusetts report shows that the state’s economy – which expanded at a relatively fast clip through the first nine months of last year – grew by only 1.8 percent during the last three months of 2010.

Meanwhile, the national economy grew by 3.2 percent last quarter, though the U.S. economy has yet to make a serious dent in the historically high unemployment rate of 9.4 percent.”

This news seems to contradict everything Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray would have the general public believe. In fact, this report throws a lot of cold water on the assertion that Massachusetts is on the mend and on the move! One thing that is indeed on the move today is the spin coming from the Patrick-Murray Administration. One of Patrick’s many spin-masters told the Herald, “Massachusetts ranks sixth in the nation in private-sector jobs gained and third in percent of jobs created since December 2009. This is just one of a series of positive indicators and long-term trends that show our economy is heading in the right direction. We will keep pushing forward – and fighting for every single job.”

It’s time the Patrick-Murray Administration accepts the economic reality our state faces. Until then, we can’t have a serious dialogue about how to really grow our state’s economy and get people back to work.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Governor’s FY12 Budget Proposal

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today after receiving a copy of the Governor’s FY12 budget proposal.

I welcome the Governor’s FY12 budget proposal and look forward to combing through it with due diligence and intense scrutiny. Governor Patrick often paints a rosier picture than perhaps what reality suggests. While I applaud the Governor for his proposed reform efforts, it will be days, maybe weeks before we know whether or not his numbers add up.

Some Beacon Hill Dems Disconnected from Reality!

In case you missed it, according to State House News Service, some Beacon Hill Democrats are ready to raise your taxes…again! What’s particularly puzzling is the fact that one member, Representative Kay Khan (D-Newton), would like to ignore the will of the voters and restore the sales tax on alcohol purchases. Yes, you just voted to repeal this very tax! Representative Khan told SHNS, “I think there’s a disconnect between wanting all of the services, wanting to get money back to our cities and towns for local aid and education -- and we have to pay for it.”

Khan and some of her colleagues certainly seem to be disconnected, from reality that is! The Newton Democrat says she “intends to file legislation to increase the excise tax on alcohol, as well as a proposal to remove the sales tax exemption on candy and fruit drinks.” Khan isn’t alone in this quest though. Other notable tax increase legislation was filed by Representative Jonathan Hect (D-Watertown) would like to raise the state’s cigarette tax by $1.25/pack.

Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson responded to these proposals told SHNS, “What are they insane? It’s crazy.” Peterson went on to say, “This is not about helping people quit. This is about money.”

What do you think of the proposals to raise more taxes?

Bill Filing Deadline Comes and Goes

Things have been quite hectic up here on Beacon Hill the last several weeks as members, new and old, worked to meet the deadline for filing legislation. The deadline was last Friday, and now that the dust has settled, we now know that nearly 5,400 bills were filed. That’s according to State House News Service. SHNS says the Senate filed 1,866 while the House filed 3, 522. Of the 3, 522 filed in the House, more than 500 were filed by Republican lawmakers.

Now that the bills have been filed, members will read and analyze the various pieces of legislation and determine which ones they’d like to co-sponsor. In the meantime, the Republican Caucus is working on packaging its legislative agenda and plans to roll that out to the press and the public very soon. Be sure to keep an eye out for it!

You Heard it Here First!

State House News Service just moments ago sent out its Weekly Roundup and wrapping up this week’s edition was a piece of news Governor Patrick probably wished could have been buried in snow like the cars in Southie this morning!

SHNS reported that A&F Secretary Jay Gonzalez is telling lawmakers “not to expect a $160 million federal payment.” Gonzalez said, ““We are less confident now that we will receive this amount from the federal government.” Gee, you think? We’ve been saying that all along. Why the Patrick-Murray Administration ever factored that into the FY11 budget is beyond us. Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray like to brag that the FY11 budget was balanced, responsible and on time – guess, that must have been a late April Fool’s Day joke!

It seems a lot of the successes Governor Patrick touted during his re-election campaign are actually turning out to be failures. Coincidence? We think not! When is this Administration going to learn to craft its budget based on reality, not on hope?

House Republican Caucus Proposes Ambitious Rules Package

The House Republican Caucus, led by Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr., offered an ambitious rules package during today’s rules debate.

House Republicans were pleased to get a handful of amendments adopted. For example, a proposal was accepted to allow for greater scrutiny and transparency of legislative accounts and an amendment improving attire and general decorum was approved as well.

Unfortunately, some of the amendments offered by the Republican Caucus that would have improved the legislative process were rejected.

Among the amendments rejected include:

1. Eliminating the position of Speaker Pro Tempore

2. Requiring a roll call with 2/3rds majority in order to raise any tax or fee

3. Requiring the House to consider a resolution no later than March 15th of each year, defining the minimum financial contribution the Commonwealth will make to cities and towns in the form of Chapter 70 and unrestricted government aid

4. Requiring recorded votes at an executive session of a committee be recorded on the legislative website

“The general public has lost its faith in its elected officials and we offered an ambitious rules package with the goal of improving the Legislative process,” said Representative Jones. “Although I would have liked to see even more of our proposals adopted, I am pleased with the successes we had as a caucus, and as a Legislative body today.”

At the beginning of each legislative session, the Legislature adopts a set of rules to govern itself. This year, House Republicans offered more than 25 amendments.

Credit When Credit is Due

In case you missed it, yesterday the Governor announced an ambitious pension reform agenda, albeit many of his proposals we have filed in the past. Among his proposals are raising the retirement age, closing the double dipping loophole and instituting a more fair and accurate way of calculating pension payments.

We in the Republican Caucus look forward to debating his proposals when they come up in the House and are anxious to offer even more ideas that could lead to millions of dollars in cost savings for the state.

Click here to read more about the Governor’s proposals.

Reflecting on the Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

~Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.
August 28, 1963

Representative Brad Hill Appears on Fox 25's Morning News

In case you missed it, House Minority Whip Brad Hill made an appearance on Fox 25's Morning News today. As you may have heard, Governor Patrick plans to file legislation today relative to habitual offenders. However, Representative Hill feels his legislation, "Melissa's Bill," named after Melissa Gosule is the version the Governor should get behind. It appears as if the Governor's legislation would still allow the state's most violent criminals an opportunity to be paroled whereas "Melissa's Bill," would not allow the opportunity for parole on the third violent felony conviction.

Click here to see what Representative Hill had to say.

House Minority Leader’s Statement on Governor Patrick’s Actions Relative to the Parole Board

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today after hearing the actions Governor Patrick plans to take relative to the Parole Board.

I am pleased at the action the Governor announced relative to the Parole Board. He has finally come to the same conclusion many of us reached weeks ago. I am however disappointed it took this long and that the life of a police officer had to be taken in order for him to act.

Furthermore, it appears that the Governor’s planned legislation relative to habitual offenders falls short of “Melissa’s Bill.” Without having seen his legislation, it would appear that the most violent criminals would still have the possibility of being paroled. The fact is we can do better and we should do better.