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Visit my website at theresemurray.com for legislative updates, community events and district information.

 

 

 

     July 1, 2010 

 

 

 

 

   

 In this Issue...       

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Senate President Murray at the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

 

 

 

 

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The Plymouth Area of Commerce Staff and Elected Officials Cutting the Ribbon

 

    At the State House

 

FY11 Budget Signed into Law 

Senate Restores Prescription Drug Benefits to Thousands of Bay State Seniors

Government Watchdog Group Commends Ethics Law as 'Good Government' Policy

 

    In the District

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

At the State House

 

FY11 Budget Signed into Law

Includes no new taxes or fees; increases transparency

On June 30 a $27.6 billion Fiscal Year 2011 state budget was signed into law that spares cities and towns from further cuts, even in the face of possibly losing $700 million in federal reimbursements. The final compromise bill also increases transparency of public spending without any increases in taxation.

 

We have completed a difficult, but prudent and thoughtful budget that reflects the priorities of the Commonwealth and stays within the extraordinary fiscal limitations we are facing as we continue to recover from this unprecedented global recession. I am proud of the cooperation and collaboration that we have displayed as a legislative body during this endeavor.

 

To aid the budgeting process at the municipal level, the House and Senate agreed earlier in the year to not reduce state support to cities and towns more than 4 percent for fiscal year 2011. Though forced to make supplementary budget reductions in the event the federal reimbursement does not materialize, the budget agreement spares local aid from any additional cuts.

 

Meanwhile, many other areas of the budget were reduced to account for the possible loss of federal reimbursement. More than 40 percent of budget line items receive cuts totaling $374 million, which comes on top of any reductions that may have already been taken during the budget process.

 

Along with cutting state spending, the budget also relies upon a $100 million draw from the state’s rainy day fund and cancels a statutorily required carry-forward, which netted $95 million, to close the gap.

 

In addition to providing appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year, the budget accord also includes measures to increase transparency of state spending. The report requires the creation of a one-stop, comprehensive online database to track all public expenditures. Compiled and monitored by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, the website will allow anyone to access and review all public spending, contracts and procurements.

 

Additionally, the conference committee report requires new information from companies who receive tax credits, allowing the state to ensure it is maximizing its efforts to support business growth in Massachusetts. The budget requires the public disclosure of the results of certain tax credit programs, enhancing the openness of these initiatives.

 

The budget also includes new measures to require immigration verification before an individual can receive state services. Codifying in law what had already been in practice in some areas, those seeking services in the following areas will now be subject to verification requirements: MassHealth, unemployment, transitional assistance, housing, and publically funded scholarships.

 

Earlier in this legislative session, the House and Senate passed a sweeping pension reform package to shutdown loopholes and abuses of the pension system. The conference budget agreement builds on the earlier reforms by instituting a cap on pension payouts and requires Supreme Court Justices, the only state employees who do not currently contribute to their retirement, to contribute to their benefits.

 

With many states across the country struggling to reach budget agreements, the Legislature’s compromise budget signals the Legislature’s commitment to providing a balanced budget on time for the beginning of the new fiscal year.

 

For more information on the FY 2011 budget, visit www.mass.gov/legis/11budget/senate.

 

   

Safe Driving Bill to Become Law

Bans Texting for drivers and public transportation operators; Bans cell phone use for minors

The Senate on June 4 finalized a bill that bans texting while driving, making it a primary offense, and takes additional steps to improve safety for all drivers and public transportation passengers while also cracking down on historically bad motor vehicle operators.

Everyone knows cell phones are a distraction and that texting while driving is especially dangerous. This bill will make the roads of the Commonwealth safer and protect motorists, passengers and the public as a whole with new safety regulations and a ban on texting. I hope this legislation will dissuade people from putting themselves and others at risk.

The bill prohibits all drivers from texting while driving and punishes violators with increasing fines of $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second, and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.

While texting would not be considered a moving violation subject to an insurance surcharge, the bill does make it a primary offense which means law enforcement has the authority to pull someone over specifically for the act of texting while driving. Additionally, a penalty up to $200 or two years in jail, or both, would apply to anyone who causes an accident while texting and driving.

The bill further enhances public safety by prohibiting junior operators – anyone under 18 – from using any cell phone or mobile device for any reason, hand-held or hands-free, while driving. Violators would have their licenses or permits suspended for 60 days and pay a $100 fine for the first offense. Suspensions and fines would increase to 180 days and $250 for the second offense, and one year and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.

Currently, 28 states and the District of Columbia ban all cell phone use by junior operators.

Operators of public transportation vehicles – including the MBTA, school buses and ferries – are banned from using any cell phone or electronic mobile device under the bill. The exception would be in the case of an emergency. Violations are punishable by a $500 fine.

The bill also ensures the abilities of drivers 75 and older by requiring them to renew their licenses in-person and also complete a vision test every five years. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the only policy to result in fewer fatal crashes was requiring in-person renewals.

Finally, the bill targets historically bad drivers by requiring anyone with three surcharged moving violations within two years to take a driver re-training course or have their license suspended indefinitely until completing the course. Current law is five incidents in three years.

Additional provisions in the bill:

  • Authorizes health care providers and law enforcement to notify the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) of any driver who may not be able to safely operate a vehicle;
  • Protects from civil liability those police officers and healthcare providers who do notify the RMV that a driver may not be able to safely operate a motor vehicle, and also provides immunity from liability for a failure to report;
  • Requires the RMV to develop regulations to help identify cognitive and functional impairments to the safe operation of a motor vehicle;
  • Ensures that RMV will not impose additional fees for transactions conducted in person or over the telephone in excess of fees charged for website transactions; and
  • Requires the RMV to establish a public awareness campaign to educate all drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.

 

  

 

 

Senate Restores Prescription Drug Benefits to Thousands of Bay State SeniorsSenate President Murray at the Groundbreaking of the Plymouth Council on Aging

Rx benefits restored to 30,000 Seniors

The Senate has restored prescription drug benefits to nearly 30,000 seniors across the Commonwealth, voting to provide an additional $4 million in funding to Prescription Advantage, a pharmacy assistance program that works with Medicare to provide affordable prescription drug coverage.

The goal of the additional funding is to restore initial copayment assistance for seniors in the S2 category of Prescription Advantage. Currently, seniors only receive copayment help if    they are enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan or creditable coverage plan.

Even in these tough economic times, it’s important that we provide opportunities for our seniors to receive the prescription coverage they need. By allocating these funds, we will close a loophole that shut out thousands of seniors from prescription drug benefits, so that we can continue providing essential services to our elders in the Commonwealth.

I have advocated for seniors throughout my career. Iworked to provide opportunities for seniors to enroll in the Prescription Advantage wrap-around program, which fills in the gap in federal prescription drug coverage so seniors aren’t paying more out-of-pocket expenses. I have also supported efforts to expand the Senior Pharmacy Program, which helps seniors combat the high costs of prescription drugs.

Prescription Advantage is a prescription drug insurance plan available to all Massachusetts residents age 65 and older, as well as younger individuals with disabilities who meet income and employment guidelines. For more information on Prescription Advantage, visit the Executive Office of Elder Affairs page at www.mass.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Government Watchdog Group Commends Ethics Law as 'Good Government' Policy

On June 12, I was honored to receive a Legislative Achievement Award from Common Cause Massachusetts as part of their 40th Anniversary Celebration. I would like to sincerely thank Common Cause Massachusetts for their recognition of the 2009 Ethics Reform law, which strengthened current ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws.

This legislation sent the message that we are serious about ethics reform, and that violations of ethics and campaign finance laws come with steep consequences. It was a significant bill that made our ethics laws among the strongest in the nation.

The sweeping reform law bans all gifts to public officials, imposing a hefty civil violation for gifts up to $1,000 and makes it a felony for anything with value greater than $1,000. The felony charge for gifts greater than $1,000 carries a penalty of 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, and applies to both the recipient of the gift and the giver.

“We are pleased to recognize Senate President Murray, along with other leaders, for her work on the 2009 Ethics and Campaign Finance bill,” said Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause. “The Ethics bill was a significant achievement that involved a tremendous amount of work by many people. The Senate, through the leadership of President Murray, toughened the bill's campaign finance provisions and added new open meeting requirements. We appreciate her role in getting this important reform to the Governor's desk.”

The law provides the Ethics Commission with enhanced investigatory power to do its work, including stronger subpoena power, expanded regulatory authority and an increased statute of limitations.

The commission is also empowered to impose heftier civil sanctions through increased penalties for all ethics laws violations.

The law also created a new lobbyist classification that redefines and clarifies lobbying activities and captures actions that seek to wrongly influence official government activity.

A “lobbyist” is now defined as anyone paid to promote, oppose, influence or to attempt to influence the decision of any officer or employee of the executive or legislative branch.  The law requires strict performance rules for lobbyists including registration with the Secretary of State, annual training and detailed reporting.

The law also closed the “success fees” loophole that awarded lobbyists for a specific accomplishment, while protecting civic-minded citizens and non-profits from the strictest reporting requirements.

Additionally, the comprehensive reforms eliminated all “special committee” arrangements between a state political party and an elected official, allowing only individual contributions up to $5,000 to a political party.

The law also requires the disclosure of expenditures and funding for “electioneering communications” (those third-party mailings and ads that support or criticize a candidate or campaign), and prohibits individuals from making committee checks payable to themselves or using campaign funds to pay fines brought about by ethics violations.

Common Cause is a non-profit organization that seeks to ensure open, accountable and effective government on the federal, state and local level.

 

 

   

In the District

 

$4,409,799 in Tax Credits and Subsidies Awarded to Create Affordable Rental Units in Bourne

45 Affordable Rental Units to be Built at Canal Bluffs

 

Clay Pond Cove at Canal Bluffs in Bourne will receive a total of $4,409,799 in tax credits and subsidies to create 45 affordable rental units, including 5 units reserved for low-income households.

These tax credits and subsidies will help produce much-needed affordable housing, and will also create jobs for the area. When people are struggling to make ends meet, having affordable housing options available in their community is critical.

The Housing Assistance Corporation on Cape Cod will use a combination of $769,423 in federal low-income housing tax credits, $1,340,376 in state tax credits and $2,300,000 in Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) program subsidies to build the rental units.

The tax credits and subsidies come as part of a larger state effort to leverage private investments and affordable housing programs to build 32 affordable housing developments in 19 communities, creating 2,400 jobs in the process.

For more information, visit www.mass.gov/dhcd.

 

 

Food Service Grant Awarded to Cape Cod YMCA

Project Bread has awarded a $5,000 grant to the YMCA Cape Cod to help feed children throughout Cape Cod communities. The funds are provided through the 2010 Summer Food Service Program.

No child should go hungry because they cannot afford to eat. These funds will provide the nutritious meals that children need to live a better and healthier life. By continuing to support efforts such as Project Bread, we can work to protect children across the Commonwealth from hunger.

Project Bread – The Walk for Hunger is an anti-hunger organization dedicated to feeding children across Massachusetts and funds over 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, and food banks. Project Bread works with the Child Nutrition Outreach Program (CNOP) to increase community participation in the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals to children in low-income communities during school vacations.

Last year, Project Bread provided a total of 63 summer grants to communities across Massachusetts, including Barnstable. 

For more information on Project Bread – The Walk for Hunger, visit www.projectbread.org.

 

 

Jordan Hospital Receives $150,000 in Health Care Infrastructure Grant

Jordan Hospital was awarded $150,000 in grant funding for the development of health IT. The funding comes from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; FY10 Health Care Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grant program and can be utilized for health IT, global payment initiatives and emergency room diversion programs.

This funding will help our health care providers put in place necessary improvements to improve access to quality care. The awarding of this grant shows the commitment by Jordan Hospital to improve health care in the Plymouth area.

In 2008, legislation authored by Murray was signed into law that put an emphasis on measures like the promotion of health information technology as a part of controlling costs and increasing quality of care.

Most recently, last month the Senate passed legislation Murray authored to help small businesses find relief from the skyrocketing cost of health care. If passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law, it is estimated that small businesses would see immediate premium relief of 10-to-15 percent with the possibility of more for small businesses to save and reinvest in themselves and their workforce.

 

 

$360,000 in Health Care Infrastructure Grant Goes to Cape Cod Hospital, Duffy Health Center, and Community Health Center of Cape Cod

Cape Cod health care providers were awarded $360,000 in grants for the development of health IT, global payment initiatives and emergency room diversion programs. The funding comes from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; FY10 Health Care Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grant program.

This funding will help our health care providers put in place necessary improvements to improve access to quality care. The awarding of these grants shows the commitment by these institutions to improve health care on Cape Cod.

Cape Cod Hospital will receive $250,000 grant for to aid in setting up an emergency room diversion process to reduce the number of unnecessary emergency room visits, and a global payment system.

Duffy Health Center has been awarded $60,000 and the Community Health Center of Cape Cod will receive $50,000 to aid in setting up health care information technology.

In 2008, legislation authored by Murray was signed into law that put an emphasis on measures like the promotion of health information technology as a part of controlling costs and increasing quality of care.

Most recently, last month the Senate passed legislation Murray authored to help small businesses find relief from the skyrocketing cost of health care. If passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law, it is estimated that small businesses would see immediate premium relief of 10-to-15 percent with the possibility of more for small businesses to save and reinvest in themselves and their workforce.

 

 

 

Falmouth Celebrates Education and Strength for National Cancer Survivor Day

I would like to commend the partnership between Falmouth Public Library and Falmouth Hospital as part of a celebration for National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday June 6, 2010. The Falmouth community has established comprehensive education efforts for cancer patients and survivors.

Massachusetts is one of the foremost states for leading new, innovative cancer research. While research brings us closer every day to ending this disease, I truly believe that education and awareness of our most prevalent diseases is the key to both treatment and prevention. Falmouth is leading the charge to provide those in their community affected by cancer with important information.

The goal of the partnership between the Falmouth Public Library and Falmouth Hospital is to exchange information in order to better educate cancer patients and provide programs relating to cancer treatment and prevention. The Falmouth Library will provide authoritative health information to Falmouth Hospital cancer patients, while the hospital will offer community outreach and advocacy programs at the library on health issues.

I have fought for health care reform throughout my career. I filed legislation, passed by the Senate in May, which requires insurers to offer affordable health plans, reduces premium fluctuations and promotes wellness programs for small businesses to enable them to retain and create jobs.

In 2006, I was one of the chief negotiators on the Commonwealth’s landmark health care reform law, and in 2009 I authored a second phase of health care reform that aims to contain costs and increase access to care.

An individual faced with cancer needs to get all of the information they can on their disease, their treatment options, and what their life will be like after they have been diagnosed. While education and treatment is being advanced by places like the Falmouth Hospital and the Library, our elected officials and policy leaders should continue to engage in nonpartisan collaboration with our medical and research professionals to learn more about the challenges of pressing health care issues.

In honor of the partnership between the Falmouth Public Library and Falmouth Hospital, the House and Senate filed a joint resolution commending both institutions for their service to cancer survivors.

For more information on the National Cancer Survivors Day, visit www.ncsdf.org.

 

 

The Air National Guard Celebrates 'Home Town Heroes' at Otis Air National Guard Base

I want to offer my congratulations and support to members of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Bourne.

They and their families have made a great sacrifice to serve our nation. The dedication, honor and selflessness they have demonstrated allows every citizen in the Commonwealth to live in peace and safety. I want to thank them all for their commitment to our country, and for all they have done and will still achieve.

The men and women of the 102nd Intelligence Wing and their families were recognized as 'Home Town Heroes' as part of the Air National Guard’s national initiative to honor those who have deployed in support of the Federal Military Mission since September 11, 2001. There are over 400 service members who qualify for this honor in Massachusetts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What People are Saying about Senate President Murray

 

"On behalf of all of us at Life Care Center we would like to thank Senator Therese Murray for her continuous support of the long term care industry and her championing health care resources on behalf of the frail elderly of the Commonwealth. Her support enables us to give the quality care that our residents deserve and we are proud to provide it." -Mary Schroeder, Executive Director of Life Care Center of Plymouth

 

 

 

 

 

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 therese.murray@state.ma.us  

Boston:  

State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133

Phone: 617.722.1500 Fax: 617.722.1072 

 

Plymouth: 

10 Cordage Park Circle, Room 229, Plymouth, MA 02360

Phone: 508.746.9332 Fax: 508.746.4910

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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