Year In Review

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and joyous New Year. The past year has been one of great challenge for all of us - a weak economy, mounting job loss, and plummeting revenues have created an unprecedented set of tests for our state and our community.

Under difficult circumstances my colleagues in the Legislature and I worked collectively to pass a budget that attempted to balance the need for critical services with the challenge of spiraling losses in tax revenues. We have worked hard to drive innovation in state government and spur the change needed to get the most service for every tax dollar.

I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on some of the issues I have been working on. I would not be able to do this without your support, so thank you!

Reforming State Government

As your State Representative I was proud to be a part of several landmark pieces of legislation to reform state government, challenge the status quo and change the way we do business. I am proud to tell you that we passed a series of landmark legislation that will:

• Strengthen and reform the rules that govern the executive and legislative branches.
• End abuses of our pension system
• Streamline and modernize our state transportation system
• Toughen ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws

These reforms are long overdue and will lead to more efficiency, accountability and transparency in state government.

Creating Jobs and Growing our Economy

We must do everything in our power to grow our economy and create jobs: We have worked together to win grant monies for improvements allowing businesses to expand in our community, create jobs and strengthen our commercial tax base.

More than 250 jobs will be created through $7.9 million in tax incentive awards to life sciences companies with a presence in MetroWest through the Life Sciences Initiative passed in 2008. The Life Sciences Initiative I voted for was designed to bring jobs to the Commonwealth and support vital research. The awarding of tax incentives that will help area companies grow is wonderful news for Framingham during this bleak economic time. These tax incentive awards are another positive outcome of the Life Sciences Initiative for our region. These are the jobs of the future - and we look forward to our continued partnership with the Life Sciences Center and the companies in our area as we encourage further growth.

I was also pleased to join Lieutenant Governor Murray recently at the grand opening of CYTOO Cell Architects' US subsidiary in Framingham. CYTOO is a French biotechnology company that decided to open their US subsidiary in Framingham, in part as a result of the Commonwealth's Life Sciences Initiative.

The Life Sciences Center is also funding $12.9 million in wastewater improvements here in Framingham in order to facilitate the construction of a major new Genzyme biomanufacturing facility in the Framingham Technology Park. This project will create more than 300 new jobs over the coming year.

I am working with a coalition of business leaders from our area to fight for tax fairness legislation to even the playing field for local employers. TJX and Staples employ hundreds and hundreds of local residents. Because their world headquarters is in Massachusetts the state treats their tax status at a disadvantage than that of their competitors. We are working together to remedy this, keep and grow their jobs here in our area.

Changes for Small Business Health Insurance Options - Small businesses are the backbone of our community. We need to make sure the healthcare regulations are not putting them out of business. Concerns about the healthcare requirements for small business stem from their lack of ability to participate in a group plan and benefit from the economy of scale which would be provided. I have been proud to work with small business owners in Framingham to advance this policy and change this regulation.

Our local Arts & Cultural Programs have spurred the creation of a vibrant small business community. I will continue to work with them to assist their growth and expansions.

Fighting for Our Community

Strengthening our Schools

During the state's budget crisis we have worked hard to protect our education funding for Framingham. I have been proud to lead efforts in early education, expanded learning time and After School Program initiatives. I will continue to make these areas a priority.

Helping our Seniors

The Musterfield housing revitalization project recently broke ground. This important effort will create construction jobs and modernize and rehabilitate our senior housing. The $40 million comprehensive modernization of 110 units of housing was made possible by the Housing Bond Bill passed during the previous legislative session.

I have been proud to work with the Alzheimers Association to push for passage of a "Silver Alert Program" and have worked to increase the personal care allowance for long term care residents.

Protecting Toll Payers

Working with a delegation of MetroWest lawmakers, we successfully prevented a substantial toll increase that would have affected thousands of local commuters.

Supporting our Veterans

The House passed legislation that provides veterans of the Commonwealth with improved services and support as they return from war during these difficult economic times. The bill establishes the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to honor fallen service members and offers increased housing opportunities for veterans. The bill also expands the "Welcome Home Bonus" program to give Massachusetts service members expanded access to monetary bonuses upon returning from duty.

Safe Neighborhoods

In November I was proud to hold a Forum on Status of Commonwealth's War on Drugs featuring Middlesex County Sheriff James V. DiPaola. The event focused on the importance of enacting meaningful drug reform, education and treatment.

The issue of a proliferation of social service programs in our area continues to increase tensions. Through several pieces of legislation I have pushed for a study of social service programs and demand for information and involvement from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services who awards these contracts for services. House bills 172, 173 and 3422 would require the Executive Offices of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Safety to compile information about the positive impacts of social services, the challenges they can create for communities as well as the potential fiscal impact. This legislation will not resolve this problem overnight but they will provide us with a framework to better address and reform this system.

A Strong Local Infrastructure

Framingham's strong and diverse economic and industrial background demands a strong and supportive infrastructure. Several important initiatives are moving forward:

Main Street Bridge Reopens - A $1.6 million project involving reconstruction of the Main Street Bridge using several sections of the existing historic bridge, including steel trusses and granite foundation blocks has led to the reopening of the bridge. The project created much needed construction jobs and is another piece of our continued effort to improve our transportation infrastructure.

Framingham's Downtown Revitalization including addressing Route 126/135 intersection

Inclusion as a priority project, $12.5 million for Route 9 Resurfacing as part of the Massachusetts Recovery Plan under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The Work Continues

As the Legislature embarks on the second year of the biennial session, there is still a great deal to accomplish. In addition to the Fiscal Year 2011 budget, which will certainly prove no less challenging than the present one, there are a host of issues for the Legislature to tackle, including: Education Reform, expansion of gaming in Massachusetts and Sentencing Reform. I anticipate debate on these topics will begin upon our resume formal sessions this January.

As your elected State Representative, I always seek and value your opinions and suggestions on the aforementioned issues and any other issue you may feel passionately about. Hearing from my constituency is a great help to me when I make decisions on how to vote on certain legislative and budgetary measures. Please never hesitate to contact my State House office (617-722-2582) to share your concerns and/or ideas related to these, or any other issues.

I look forward to working with you on these issues and others which affect Framingham and the Commonwealth. I hope that you will contact me with your thoughts and suggestions as we embark on the second half of the biennial session.

It is a true honor to serve as your State Representative and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working with you and for you in the coming months as we engage in the great challenges - and opportunities - that lay ahead.