March on Washington - 50th Anniversary

As many of you know, today marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and the “I Have A Dream” speech.

On August 28, 1963 large groups of civil rights, labor, and religious activists descended upon our nation’s capital to rally for job and education equality for all, regardless of race. At that rally, a clergyman and activist by the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed a crowd of thousands with a speech calling for the end of racism in America. To this day, the march is widely credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965).

While America continues to make great strides towards equality for men, women, and children - regardless of race or gender - we pause to remember the framework laid 50 years ago today by Dr. King and the hundreds of thousands of activists who stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables Announced

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester), along with the entire House and Senate Republican Caucus, today announced the launch of the 2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables.

Announced as part of a concerted effort by the Massachusetts House and Senate Republican Caucus to repeal the crippling technology tax at the legislative level, the weeklong series of roundtable discussions will include conversations with technology industry professionals and representatives from area Chambers of Commerce.

“The Massachusetts economy has long relied upon, and benefited from, the services rendered by the high-tech industry,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “Since the Democratic-led legislature approved the crippling technology tax, one of the Commonwealth’s most vital sectors is just beginning to deal with the adverse effects of the tax. The 2013 GOP Technology Tax Business Roundtables will serve as an opportunity for businesses and Chambers of Commerce, which have been severely impacted by this reckless tax, to have the opportunity to discuss the detrimental effects and ways to reverse what is sure to suppress future economic growth within the technology industry and the Commonwealth.”

As the largest and broadest tax on computer and software services in the nation, no business, regardless of size or sector, is immune from the wide-ranging tax. House and Senate Republicans had each offered revenue-neutral proposals, which if passed, would have avoided the implementation of the technology tax all together, but the common-sense solution was defeated at the hands of legislative Democrats.

“We have seen clearly what happens when you tax first and ask questions later,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. “In the face of a job killing new computer services tax, we are choosing a different path, one that first seeks information and then leads to action to prevent the economic damage the tax will bring.”

The technology tax, first billed with a fiscal impact of $161 million per year, will exceed that estimate, and stifle the innovative industry by close to $500 million a year.

“Supporting the Commonwealth’s technology economy should never be a partisan decision and we value any legislative support in defense of this critically important sector,” said Christopher Anderson, president of the Massachusetts High Technology Council. “The tech tax is aimed squarely at the heart of our innovation economy and will cause considerable harm if not repealed. We applaud those lawmakers who have spoken out against the tech tax and encourage more of them to join us in showing their clear support for the state’s tech economy and the hundreds of thousands of people who are part of it.”

Details for the Technology Tax Business Roundtables are as follows:

August 26, 2013

ShotgunFlat Creative Agency
12 South Main Street Middleboro, MA 02346
1:00-2:00pm

August 28, 2013

Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce
100 Sherman Avenue Devens, MA 01434
9:00-10:00am

Quinsigamond Community College
Southbridge Campus – Room 305
5 Optical Drive Southbridge, MA 01550
9:00-10:00am

Mansfield Town Hall
6 Park Row Mansfield, MA 02048
1:00-2:00pm

Plymouth Area Community Television
4 Collins Avenue Plymouth, MA 02360
1:00-2:00pm

August 29, 2013

The Training Associates
287 Turnpike Road – 3rd Floor
Westborough, MA 01581
9:00-10:00am

The Savings Bank
351 Main Street Wakefield, MA 01880
3:00-4:00pm

Westfield Athenaeum
Lang Auditorium
6 Elm Street Westfield, MA 01085
3:00-4:00pm

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House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Ballot Initiative to Repeal Crippling Technology Tax

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the recently announced ballot initiative to repeal the technology tax:

“I am pleased to lend my full support to the recently announced initiative to repeal the crippling technology tax, and I look forward to my continued communications and involvement with the proponents of the effort to place this question on the ballot next November.

In a state which thrives on the services rendered by the high-tech industry, this ill-conceived and ill-timed tax on certain software services will not only stifle the Commonwealth’s entrepreneurs, but will have a detrimental trickle-down effect on residents and customers alike.

Should this reckless tax on the computer services industry be allowed to stand, it sets a dangerous precedent for future efforts to tax other vital services – thus suppressing future economic growth.

The opposition to this tax transcends party lines, and represents a broad demographic. Our voices will be heard, and our efforts will be relentless.”

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Transportation Finance Veto Override

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of Governor Patrick’s veto to the tax-riddled transportation finance bill:

“Today’s vote in the House of Representatives is about one thing, and one thing only – a crippling tax increase. Massachusetts’ taxpayers should not be lulled into a false sense of hope that the $500 million tax increase approved by House Democrats is better than the nearly $2 billion increase being pushed by Governor Patrick.

In voting to sustain Governor Patrick’s veto, House Republicans were eager for the opportunity to get back to the transportation finance drawing board where we would have once again offered to the Legislature and taxpayers our transportation finance proposal – free of any statewide tax increases.

Unfortunately, there is now only one number that needs to be on the mind of residents across the state – seven. In seven days the taxpayers and small businesses within the Commonwealth will begin to pay for the tax and spend approach approved by House Democrats.”

Republican Legislators’ Statement on Democrats’ Rejection of Infrastructure Money for Cities and Towns

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and House Minority Whip Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) issued the following statement today in response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of a Republican-led amendment which would have delivered Chapter 90 money to cities and towns statewide:

“In the Governor’s ongoing quest to fund his legacy project, he has chosen to hold hostage Chapter 90 money which is relied upon by cities and towns. Unfortunately, by failing to adopt this amendment, the Democratic-led legislature has stooped to the Governor’s level.

By rejecting an amendment with the sole purpose of delivering Chapter 90 money to municipalities statewide, House Democrats have chosen to let their quarrel with Governor Patrick interfere with a good-faith effort to infuse desperately needed money into infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth. It is unfortunate the only thing Beacon Hill Democrats seem to agree on is that cities and towns are not a top priority.”

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on House’s Rejection of Governor Patrick’s Amendment to Transportation Finance Bill

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to the House of Representatives’ rejection of Governor Patrick’s amendment to the tax-riddled transportation finance bill:

“While the price-tag of the tax increase advanced today by House Democrats may be lower than that of the plan continually pushed by Governor Patrick, today’s vote in the House of Representatives represents an extremely costly day for Massachusetts’ taxpayers and small businesses.

Despite the efforts of the Republican caucus to once again introduce our tax-free transportation finance proposal, the Democratic majority instead elected to favor procedural gamesmanship over legislative discourse – thus illustrating the perils of one-party rule on Beacon Hill.

As Democratic leaders continue to quarrel over by how much to raise taxes on the Commonwealth’s hardworking families and entrepreneurs, House Republicans will continue to advocate for a fiscally responsible, tax-free approach to solving the issue of transportation finance.”

Representative Brad Hill Appears on FOX-25 News

In case you missed it, Representative Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) made an appearance on the FOX-25 Evening News to react to an injunction recently filed by the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to prevent the online publication of information about Level 2 sex offenders.

As many of you may know, language which would require information about Level 2 sex offenders, some of whom have committed crimes against children, to be posted online was adopted by the House and Senate during the Fiscal Year 2014 budget debate. CPCS, who is arguing that moderate risk Level 2 sex offenders have privacy and liberty interests, filed a similar motion when information pertaining to Level 3 sex offenders was initially published on the internet.

To view the entire segment play the video posted below.

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House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Governor Patrick’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Vetoes

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Patrick’s vetoes of sections within the Fiscal Year 2014 budget:

“I am extremely disappointed that Governor Patrick has not only continued his tax-and-spend assault on taxpayers, but has now extended his fiscal wrath to municipalities across the Commonwealth.

House Republicans have long said that the FY14 state budget is predicated on massive tax increases that have yet to be finalized. Furthermore, my Republican colleagues also join me in vehemently opposing the devastating and reckless reductions to unrestricted local aid. Cities and towns across Massachusetts should not be used as a pawn in the Governor’s quest to fund his legacy project.

The House Republican caucus continues to stand by our comprehensive transportation finance plan which is free from any statewide tax increases. Governor Patrick and Democratic leaders must choose a more responsible and fiscally sound path to financing the state’s transportation system, while recognizing that the Commonwealth’s families, businesses, and municipalities continue to grapple with economic uncertainty.”

Happy Birthday, America!

On this day, July 4, 2013, we hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday.

It was on July 4, 1776, during the American Revolution, when the Thirteen Colonies legally separated from Great Britain, thus granting the United States its freedom.

We at the Capitol View Live encourage you to please keep our servicemen and women in your thoughts and prayers while celebrating our nation’s independence. Thousands of Americans continue to fight for the very freedoms that our forefathers once envisioned for our country.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Governor’s Amendment to Transportation Finance Bill

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) issued the following statement today in response Governor Patrick’s amendment to the tax-riddled transportation finance bill:

“The House Republican Caucus has long said that increasing taxes on Massachusetts’ hardworking families and small businesses is a grave mistake.

While the Speaker and Senate President finally agree with Republicans that the Governor’s most recent plan to raise taxes even higher is a recipe for disaster, it was their respective Democratically-controlled legislative bodies that recently signed off on raising taxes on the Commonwealth’s residents by well over $500 million.

House Republicans continue to stand by our comprehensive transportation finance plan which is free from any statewide tax increases. Democratic leaders must choose a more responsible and fiscally sound path to financing the state’s transportation system while recognizing that the Commonwealth’s families and businesses continue to grapple with economic uncertainty. Until that happens, the Republican Caucus will continue to vehemently oppose any sort of tax increase.”