legislation Highlights

Ethics & Campaign Finance Reform
–this package of reforms seriously tightened the ethics and lobbying laws for state officials. It changes the definition of a lobbyist, changes reporting requirements for both lobbyists and public officials, and makes it both more costly and more difficult to break these rules. These are the strongest ethics and reporting laws in the country.

Transportation Reform
—the house transportation reform package takes several important steps towards fixing our broken transportation system. It abolishes the Turnpike Authority and consolidates it with a new, centralized transportation agency to eliminate duplication of administrative functions. It cuts costs in all levels of bureaucracy of the transportation infrastructure. And it reforms the MBTA pension system to make it more efficient.

Pension Reform
—this package of reforms eliminates the biggest loopholes in the current pension plan and it assures transparency in any future changes to pension laws.

Legislation Priorities Projected for 2011…

Health Care Reform
—continued work to address health care costs will be a top priority of 2011.

Probate Reform
—work will be undertaken to improve the ethics and management within the probate system.

Legislative Focus & Priorities Going Forward

Fiscal Stewardship & Revenue Reform-the fiscal crisis continues with high unemployment, high health care costs and again it will be challenging to construct a budget that can address the services needed for our communities. Revenue growth from economic recovery is showing some modest signs of progress. Tax revenue analysis and adjustments maybe in necessary.

Help to create jobs & economic development opportunities in our district and state. Establish an Economic Development  District Advisory Council to lead this critical work.

Get our district’s fair share of federal and state dollars. Understand current investments and models and insure that our district is fairly represented in these decisions.

Work to make our state government more transparent and engaging.  People have spoken and they expect more of their elected leadership and each other in order for our democracy to work as designed and desired by most.

Bring together stake holders across town lines to discuss issues of primary importance to the future of our district: local economy, education, investments, public transportation, affordable housing, regionalization, jobs, economic development, infrastructure and insuring vibrant communities.