Press Releases
2008: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov
Press Releases for July 2008
 July 1- Representative Perry Announces Amended Broadband Legislation to Include Additional Funding
July 2 - Perry Announces House and Senate Passage of Act Protecting Children in the Care of the Commonwealth
July 3 - Perry Votes Against Bloated State Budget
July 5 - Perry Opposes Federal Fee for Ocean Fishing
July 16 - Representative Perry Urges Governor to Include Cape Cod Appointees on the Massachusetts Broadband Institute Board
July 22 - Massachusetts Residents Closer to a Much Needed Holiday from Sales Tax
July 29 -
Representative Perry satisfied with passage of modified “Jessica’s Law”
July 1, 2008
Representative Perry Announces Amended Broadband Legislation to Include Additional Funding
Boston – Yesterday, Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) and his legislative colleagues were successful in amending House Bill 4864 the so called “Broadband Bill” to include an additional $15 million dollars. This amendment returned the funding of the initiative to $40 million dollars as it was earmarked in the former draft released favorably by the committee on Capital Expenditures and State Assets. A portion of the additional $15 million dollars is to help fund the efforts by the OpenCape Corporation, a nonprofit organization, in establishing a regional wireless communications network on Cape Cod.
In a statement, Representative Perry said, “I am pleased that we were successful in including these additional funds in the Broadband Bill. I am optimistic that with this funding opportunity the Cape will be ensured access to broadband capabilities.” He went on to say, “Not only will this have a positive effect on the residents of the Cape but it will be a tremendous advantage for businesses who wish to expand or relocate to Barnstable County.”
According to many in the business community, Cape Cod and the Islands currently have insufficient communications infrastructure to entice “soft” industries to locate here. As the discussion continues among these business leaders regarding economic growth and jobs, it has become clear that regional approaches to some aspects of growth are essential. One of those areas where a regional approach seems necessary is the area of communications infrastructure.
The OpenCape Corporation is a nonprofit organization that has already done the preliminary work in determining the best approach to creating regional wireless opportunities on the Cape and the Islands. The OpenCape Corporation, manages the OpenCape initiative, a region-wide collaborative led by Cape Cod Community College, The Cape Cod Technology Council, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth to create a regional wireless system for the Cape and the Islands.
In addition to completing the preliminary studies and planning by OpenCape, other entities have stepped in to financially assist in this endeavor. Those entities and their commitments include: The Cape Cod Planning and Economic Development Council $50,000; Cape Cod Community College, $30,000; Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, $30,000; and UMASS Dartmouth, $30,000
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July 2, 2008
PERRY ANNOUNCES HOUSE & SENATE PASSAGE OF ACT PROTECTING CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Boston - State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) voted to approve the Conference Committee Report on An Act Protecting Children in the Care of the Commonwealth (H.4333 and S.2520). This legislation provides a comprehensive, interagency agenda to address child abuse and neglect in the Commonwealth and significantly updates the State’s child welfare laws.
Representative Perry is most proud to announce that Section 22 of the Conference Committee Report has been passed, which expands upon the current tuition payments for children in care of the Commonwealth to include the fees at all state colleges and community college. This is an issue Representative Perry has been advocating on behalf of for several years.
“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has the responsibility of thousands of children who find themselves by no fault of their own in the custody of the Department of Children and Families system. These children are in the State’s care and custody and the Commonwealth must support these youths so that they can succeed and have a chance at becoming happy and productive taxpaying adults,” said Representative Perry.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF), formerly known as the Department of Social Services (DSS), foster care programs provide a safe home and compassionate foster parents for children who are removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, unsafe or dangerous conditions. Many times, these children will remain in a foster parent’s home for long periods of time and thankfully some are ultimately adopted by countless caring and loving people. Foster parents are a special breed of folks who are doing a tremendous service to the State and more importantly, to the children involved.
New mandates to protect against abuse and neglect were also included in the Conference Committee Report. Now all mandated reporters will be required to receive training on how to recognize and respond to abuse and neglect, as well as increased penalties for mandated reporters who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect in a timely manner. A mandatory reporter who fails to report child abuse or neglect can now face penalties of a maximum $5,000 fine and a maximum imprisonment of 2.5 years and notification of professional licensing authorities.
Key issues relating to foster care that were incorporated in the Conference Committee Report pertain to the creation of a Grandparents Commission and physical and mental health screening. The Grandparents Commission addresses the fastest growing group of relative caretakers. The Commission will advise state agencies and recommend policies to legislators on issues pertaining to kinship care. The Conference Committee Report also mandates that all children who are entering the foster care system receive physical and mental health screenings.
The Bill is a combination of separate House and Senate bills. Governor Patrick is expected to sign the bill this week.
Some highlights of the new law:
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Creates the Office of the Child Advocate. OCA has power to conduct independent investigations and has subpoena powers.
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Changes Department of Social Services name to Department of Children & Families
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Establishes interagency taskforce to streamline services to children & families
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Requires Social Workers at DCF to have bachelor’s degrees and supervisors to have a master’s degree
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Creates a Grandparents Commission to address issue of grandparents raising their grandchildren
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Requires new training for Mandated Reporters on how to recognize abuse & neglect
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3 abuse & neglect reports on a family in 3 months or in one year mandates a review by DCF review boards; DCF Commissioner reports results to District Attorneys, local police, and child advocate
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Increases penalties for Mandated Reporters who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect.
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Increases penalties for those who file false reports of abuse & neglect.
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July 3, 2008
PERRY VOTES AGAINST BLOATED STATE BUDGET
BOSTON - With very little time left in the legislative session and even less on a temporary budget, budget writers finally reached an agreement on the more than $28 billion Fiscal Year 2009 budget. And surprisingly, the conference committee’s budget is actually more than both the House and Senate’s individual budgets.
The bloated budget saw an exorbitant 5.3% increase from last year’s budget, with more than $290 million in revenue coming from new corporate taxes that were only approved two days ago. Perry and House Republicans worked feverishly to prevent the passing of corporate taxes convinced that the current state of the economy combined with newer, higher taxes is a recipe for disaster.
"I do my very best to remain consistent and protect the taxpayers’ hard earned dollars. Massachusetts and our Nation needs more people in office that refuse to go along with wasteful spending proposals. Until this happens, we likely will not have the financial resources to address the appropriate roles of government, such as our educational, public safety, and transportation needs. For each time we expend funds for a wasteful or unnecessary program, it reduces our ability to deliver core services to those really in need" said Representative Perry from his State House Office.
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. says, “Businesses are already leaving the Commonwealth because they can’t afford to be here. You combine that with high energy costs, already high taxes, and now these new taxes, and they’re going to run, not walk, right out of the state.”
Corporate taxes are just the start of the problem. The Commonwealth is essentially spending money it doesn’t have, but counting on tax revenue, as well as the rainy day fund to make up the difference. In fact, $310 million from the rainy day fund was used to balance this budget.
Two weeks ago, Governor Patrick unveiled a program that would reform education. However, he unveiled it with no price tag. He said “we’re building a house.” Of course, as most of us know, very few people build a home without a budget. Most people establish a budget and then work within their means.
“We want to provide the needed services, but presenting new and costly programs during tough economic times, is not the message we want to send to the people of Massachusetts,” Jones further said.
Ultimately, not only is the Democratic controlled house not working within their means, but it’s also using the rainy day fund as it’s own personal piggy bank.
The Conference Committee report on the State Budget was filed last evening in the House Clerk's office. You may view the text on the General Court web page under the heading "Current Agenda and News" or at this link:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht04pdf/ht04900.pdf
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July 5, 2008
Perry Opposes Federal Fee for Ocean Fishing
BOSTON - State Representative Jeffrey Perry (R-Sandwich) recently announced his opposition to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposal to create a registry for saltwater anglers under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
This proposal creates a Federal registry to obtain information and a fee from those who wish to fish in saltwater areas. This registry would be enacted in 2009, and by 2011, a fifteen to twenty-five dollar fee would be required in order to fish in the ocean. According to an article in the Cape Cod Times, these fees would most likely go into the Federal Treasury instead of going toward the local fisheries. Most of the coastal New England states, including Massachusetts, have stopped such efforts to create state sanctioned licenses over the course of the past twenty years and many of their residents continue to oppose this fee.
One aspect that concerns Representative Perry is the Federal regulation behind the registry. Perry believes that this decision should be left up to the individual states and the Federal government should not be making it mandatory for all those wishing to fish in the ocean to register and pay a fee.
The annual fee is also a troubling issue to Representative Perry, “Saltwater fishing has been a tradition in the New England states for centuries, whether it is for leisure or for sport. This fee applies to anglers whether they are fishing off of a beach or a boat, causing those who enjoy fishing along the coast as a leisurely activity or for a sport to reconsider fishing. There is already a licensing fee placed on freshwater fishing, and adding a saltwater licensing fee would cause fishing in general to cost over sixty dollars per year, and on top of travel fees, and equipment, fishing may no longer be an inexpensive way to relax and enjoy a pastime that has been part of our American culture since the founding of our Nation” said Representative Perry.
Representative Perry recently wrote to a member of the NOAA to state his opposition to the registry and fee. NOAA is looking for opinions regarding the legislation to get an idea of how the public feels about the registry and fee. If you would like to express your concern for this proposal, visit the Marine Recreational Program’s website:
http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/mrip/aboutus/organization/anglerteam.html
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July 16, 2008
Representative Perry Urges Governor to Include Cape Cod Appointees on the Massachusetts Broadband Institute Board
Boston – Today, Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) sent a formal request to Governor Deval Patrick urging him to appoint two board members to the soon to be created Massachusetts Broadband Institute Board from the Southeast and Cape Cod region. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative will be created with the passage of the so called “Broadband Bill” and will deal with vital issues of technology infrastructure improvements for the Commonwealth. Representative Perry believes this is necessary to ensure that the Cape, i.e. OpenCape, receives adequate funding.
In his letter Representative Perry stated, “I strongly believe that having Southeast Massachusetts and Cape Cod represented during these discussions is vital. Our region faces many infrastructure challenges and with the assistance and input from organizations such as OpenCape, I believe we can come to effective and workable solutions for everyone in the Commonwealth.
Currently the “Broadband Bill” is awaiting legislative approval but is expected to pass within the month. Two weeks ago the House of Representatives added an additional $15 million dollars to the $25 million dollar bond bill for the purposes of improving the State’s existing broadband infrastructure. This week, the Senate amended the bill to include specific wording regarding underserved areas of the Commonwealth. A portion of the additional $15 million dollars is to help fund the efforts by the OpenCape Corporation, a nonprofit organization, in establishing a regional wireless broadband communications network on Cape Cod.
This week the bill returns to the House for concurrence before it is sent to the Governor for his final approval. In a statement, Representative Perry said, “It is refreshing to see both the House and Senate working together on this legislation. The efforts we are currently making to upgrade and improve our broadband capability will ensure that Massachusetts stays on the cutting edge of technology as we move towards the future.” He went on to say, “I am optimistic that a portion of these funds will be utilized by the OpenCape Corporation to ensure that Cape Cod receives the broadband upgrades we so desperately need.”
According to many in the business community, Cape Cod and the Islands currently have insufficient communications infrastructure to entice “soft” industries to locate here. As the discussion continues among these business leaders regarding economic growth and jobs, it has become clear that regional approaches to some aspects of growth are essential. One of those areas where a regional approach seems necessary is the area of communications infrastructure.
The OpenCape Corporation is a nonprofit organization that has already done the preliminary work in determining the best approach to creating regional wireless opportunities on the Cape and the Islands. The OpenCape Corporation, manages the OpenCape initiative, a region-wide collaborative led by Cape Cod Community College, The Cape Cod Technology Council, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth to create a regional wireless system for the Cape and the Islands.
In addition to completing the preliminary studies and planning by OpenCape, other entities have stepped in to financially assist in this endeavor. Those entities and their commitments include: The Cape Cod Planning and Economic Development Council $50,000; Cape Cod Community College, $30,000; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, $30,000; and UMASS Dartmouth, $30,000.
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July 22, 2008
MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS CLOSER TO A MUCH NEEDED HOLIDAY FROM SALES TAX
BOSTON—Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to announce that the hardworking taxpayers of Massachusetts are one step closer to receiving a much needed holiday from sales tax.
In an overwhelming turn of events, the House passed the two day tax holiday by a vote of 139-15. The holiday, if approved by the Governor will take place the weekend of August 16th and 17th.
High food and gas prices combined with skyrocketing energy costs make this year as good as year as ever to provide consumers with some tax relief. Retailers will waive the sales tax on products costing less than $2,500, including computers and home appliances in hopes of saving consumers money as well as stimulating the local economy.
“While this two day break from State sales tax is not a significant new direction for Massachusetts, hopefully it will stimulate economic activity and give consumers a much needed break. The Commonwealth has a lot of work to do on property and gasoline tax relief in the future, but for today, I am pleased to support another sales tax holiday” said Representative Perry from his State House Office.
This year’s tax holiday is expected to save consumers close to $16 million. It will also provide a shot in the arm for businesses, which normally have a lull in sales during the dog days of summer.
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July 29, 2008
Representative Perry satisfied with passage
of modified “Jessica’s Law”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeSQKGfmpHE
click to listen to Perry's speech from the House Floor
Boston, State House – Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to announce that last week, the Massachusetts' version of “Jessica’s Law” was approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Jeff Perry, a former police sergeant and now the Ranking Member on the Public Safety Committee is pleased with the passage of this law, but recognizes there is much more work to be done in next year's legislative session.
Two years of legislative wrangling finally came to a close as law-makers passed comprehensive legislation aimed to protect children from sexual predators. While not a complete version of "Jessica's Law," Representative Perry is pleased with the progress made on this issue. The original Massachusetts legislation was filed by Representative Karyn Polito (R-Shrewsbury) and Representative Perry was a cosponsor in the House of Representative.
This legislation attempts to mirror legislation enacted in Florida and named after Jessica Lunsford. Jessica Lunsford was a young girl who was raped and murdered in February 2005 by John Couey, a previously convicted sex offender. Couey had been sentenced to ten years in prison; however, was granted parole early. The resulting public outrage over this case resulted in Florida officials passing minimum mandatory sentence legislation and prompted many other states to propose and pass similar laws. Massachusetts now joins over forty other states who have strengthened such laws.
Unfortunately, not all of the originally proposed sections were included in the final version of the law, even after several attempts to amend the legislation were made on the House floor. Specifically Perry supported a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years in prison for rape of a child with force. While Representative Perry considers this law to be a weaker version of the original “Jessica’s Law,” he does believe its passage goes a long way in preventing further sexual assaults on children. He has pledged to continue his efforts to strengthen this legislation during the next term starting in January.
Some of the key provisions are under “Jessica’s Law” include the definition of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. This is a new offense in Massachusetts and clearly states that a child under 14 shall be deemed incapable of consenting to any sexual conduct of an adult defendant. The mandatory minimum sentence for such crime is ten years. The law also includes aggravating factors; such as when the act was committed when a defendant was armed with a dangerous weapon; the act was committed during the commission of certain crimes including armed robbery, unarmed robbery, breaking and entering, entering without breaking, breaking and entering into a dwelling house, kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, home invasion, posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity. The legislation also includes indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 – 2nd offense, (also a new offense). The mandatory minimum sentence for this offence is fifteen years
Another key provision which Representative Perry strongly pushed allows for the introduction into evidence of a prior convictions. T his can now be now by a prior finding of sufficient fact by the Judge and shall be deemed prima facie (valid on its face) evidence of a prior conviction and shall be self-authenticating. All of these provisions are aimed to better assist law enforcement and our judicial system to keep repeat offenders in prison for longer and more certain terms.
Representative Perry’s comments regarding minimum mandatory sentences during the House debate can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeSQKGfmpHE
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