State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry, Barnstable 5th District

BOSTON – Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is calling on Beacon Hill to act on two pieces of legislation that are directly related to protecting the rights and safety of law-abiding Massachusetts residents.

These two bills, drafted by Representative Perry, are languishing in committee with no scheduled hearing date, despite having been filed early last year.

The first bill mandates that individuals applying for non-emergency state and local benefits provide identification verifying their legal residence in the Commonwealth. The legislation utilizes the Federal employment verification system known as the “SAVE program.” Enacting this legislation would ensure that benefits go only to the citizens whose tax dollars have funded them and not to those that are here illegally. The second bill would increase the penalties for individuals operating motor vehicles without a license. Current law provides for fines of $100 for each conviction.

This proposal would increase the penalties for repeat offenders to a fine of $500 to $1000 and up to 30 days in the House of Correction. The enhanced penalties are designed to deter such activity and penalize those who repeatedly violate our laws without proper licenses and insurance.

As Ranking Member of the Public Safety Committee, Representative Perry believes this legislation is necessary to help keep the State’s roadways and citizens safe from unlicensed operators. Also, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Representative Perry is concerned about the financial impact that this illegal activity is having on those who are obeying the rules of the road.

In a statement, Representative Perry said, “We as a Commonwealth have established laws to keep our roadways safe and unfortunately, many have disregarded these safety measures. As a member of the Legislature, I will not stand by and allow our traffic laws to be fragrantly violated by those engaging in illegal activity. The enhanced penalties are designed to deter such activity and penalize those who repeatedly violate our laws.

I am disappointed that neither of these bills has been granted a hearing, as both would reduce the financial burdens and safety risks placed on citizens by illegal aliens residing in Massachusetts.”

Representative Jeff Perry Announces Massachusetts Bar Association Program to Offer Free Legal Advice to Veterans on April 9th

BOSTON – Representative Jeff Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to inform his constituents that the Massachusetts Bar Association “MBA” has announced a program dedicated solely to providing veterans with assistance for their legal questions. The free program will run on Wednesday, April 9, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

The Veterans Dial-A-Lawyer is provided at no charge as a public service of the MBA. Attorneys participating in the program attended a free training last fall sponsored by the MBA and U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management.

Nearly half a million veterans live in Massachusetts, many of whom have pressing legal questions concerning benefits, divorce, child support, employment and landlord/tenant issues.

The Dial-A-Lawyer phone number is 617-338-0610 and will only be active from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. If a caller gets a busy signal, they are asked to hang up and try again. Normal telephone charges will apply.

If you are interested in volunteering for this program and future programs, call (617) 338-0556.

Sandwich – Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to announce his Campaign Kickoff event will be on Friday, March 28, 2008, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm and will be held at the Sandwich Hollows Golf Course which is located off the Service Road in Sandwich.

The featured Guest Speaker is scheduled to be Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr. who is the House of Representatives Republican Minority Leader. Dennis Fonseca who serves as Mr. Perry’s Finance Chairman and Chairman of the Sandwich Republican Town Committee will introduce Representative Perry at the event.

Representative Perry is asking everyone attending to bring an item in support of www.capecod4thetroops.com a non-profit organization which sends care packages to our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on a weekly basis. Specifically needed are personal care items, batteries, current new magazines, travel games, playing cards, trail mix, gum, mints, etc.

Financial contributions to the Committee to Elect Jeffrey D. Perry are greatly appreciated and will be accepted at the door of the Campaign Kickoff.

Representative Perry Announces Increased Local Aid for District

BOSTON—State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass an early local aid resolution that will increase state aid to cities and towns in the FY09 budget by some $223 million. The resolution was agreed to by House and Senate budget writers.

The resolution provides an increase in local aid representing a 4.43 percent hike over last year and includes the three major categories of local aid – Chapter 70 funding for public schools, lottery aid and additional assistance. Passage of a local aid resolution nearly four months before the start of the fiscal year will help municipalities craft their budgets with greater confidence and accuracy. Locally, it guarantees that the Towns within the 5th Barnstable District will receive much needed additional local aid.

“Passage of this resolution nearly two months before we even debate the budget is a clear sign that the House has made addressing the needs of cities and towns high on the agenda,” stated Representative Perry. “Despite a tough fiscal climate our support for local aid remains high and we have provided a strong increase at a time when many other parts of the budget may see reductions.”

“Cities and towns need our help and, once again, the Legislature is increasing the two most critical needs of municipalities, school funding and general local aid,” Speaker DiMasi said. “While this difficult budget year demands cuts, efficiencies and wise spending throughout state government, I am pleased that this agreement ensures every community in the Commonwealth will see an increase in local aid based on dependable forms of revenue.”

“Representative Perry has joined with us today in ensuring the Bay State’s cities and towns are protected even in these times of fiscal difficulty and uncertainty. Our resolve to help cities and towns has never been stronger and we demonstrate that local aid is a top priority year after year by giving municipalities billions of state dollars to help pay for basic local services,” said Representative Robert A. DeLeo, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The resolution guarantees cities and towns will receive $935 million in unrestricted local aid, $811 million of which is generated by the Massachusetts Lottery and $124 million of which is allocated from the Commonwealth’s General Fund. Since the Lottery was “uncapped” by the Legislature in Fiscal Year 2007, all revenue other than prize money and a small amount for administration goes to municipalities.

In FY09, however, only $811 million is projected to be generated which is some $124 million less than was allocated last year. The Legislature’s budget will ensure the additional $124 million is distributed and that cities and towns are held harmless to last year’s allotment.

The local aid resolution also maintains a commitment made by the Legislature three years ago by increasing Chapter 70 allocations by $223 million to $3.95 billion. The increase comes as part of a five year plan to move individual school districts toward their target-aid contribution level. Under the Legislature’s plan, each school district would see an increase in Chapter 70 funding over last year.

Representatives Push For “OpenCape” Funding

State House, Boston - Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) and Representative Cleon Turner (D-Dennis), as well as others in the Cape Delegation, have formally requested that funds be appropriated to upgrade the Cape Cod’s broadband capabilities. The request was made to Chairman David Flynn of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. The Cape Delegation request is for an additional $5 million dollars to be added to an existing bond bill to help fund the efforts by the OpenCape Corporation, a nonprofit organization, in establishing a regional wireless communications network.

“While the Governor’s proposal only includes funding for Western Massachusetts, we on Cape Cod have similar needs regarding our telecommunications infrastructure. The current Bond Bill is the perfect vehicle to seek funding to improve our ability to attract well paying high skilled jobs to Cape Cod” said Representative Perry.

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.

"We need to take proactive steps to encourage strong jobs and entice compatible industries on Cape Cod and use of technology is the best way to do that" added Representative Turner.

Representative Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown) added that, "OpenCape is an essential economic development tool for the Outer Cape communities. I believe that OpenCape will make it possible for scores of residents to work from their Cape Cod homes, grow their business, hire locally, and bring well paying jobs to the Outer and Lower Cape. It has the potential to be a great boost for our economy."

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 assist in that 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.

The proposed Bond Bill remains in the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets until the Committee completes its report which is expected within the next few weeks.

Jeff Perry kicks off Campaign for 4th Term in House

Last night, before an excited crowd of more than 250 supporters at the Sandwich Hollows Golf Course, Representative Jeff Perry announced that he has decided to seek a fourth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Upon declaring his intention to seek reelection, Perry stated, “It has been my honor to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives these last three terms. I am proud of my record of fighting to make government more efficient, responsive and accountable and to bring the voice of the people to government and I look forward to running a vigorous and positive campaign.”

The Featured Guest Speaker was Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr. who is the House of Representatives Republican Minority Leader. “It is my honor to attend and speak at Jeff’s reelection kickoff. He has been a passionate advocate for his district and principled public servant during his time in the House” stated Brad Jones. Also attending the event were Representative George Peterson from Grafton and Representative Vinny deMacedo of Plymouth.

Dennis Fonseca who serves as Mr. Perry’s Finance Chairman and Chairman of the Sandwich Republican Town Committee introduced Representative Perry at the event. Mr. Fonseca was quoted as saying, "No one in the state legislature has done more for his constituents, stayed truer to his convictions, or has more courageously served the greater good of society than Jeff Perry has done these past three terms. In a time when most politicians are guided by polling data and ultra-liberal ideology, Jeff is guided by common sense and a conviction that sets him apart.”

Dylan DeSilva lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dylan is a fifteen year old young man from Brewster and is the founder of www.capecod4thetroops.com, a non-profit organization which sends care packages to our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on a weekly basis. Dylan and his group accepted donations to support the troops at the event.

Also attending the event were Sheriff James Cummings, District Attorney Michael O’Keefe, Clerk of the Courts Scott Nickerson, County Commissioners Mary LeClair and Bill Doherty and retired State Representative Thomas George. In addition over twenty other local elected officials were in attendance.

Press Releases

Press Releases for March 2008

REPRESENTATIVE PERRY FRUSTRATED WITH LACK OF ACTION ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION

Representative Jeff Perry Announces Massachusetts Bar Association Program to Offer Free Legal Advice to Veterans on April 9th

Jeff Perry Campaign Kickoff on Friday, March 28th

Representative Perry Announces Increased Local Aid for District

Representatives Push For “OpenCape” Funding

Jeff Perry kicks off Campaign for 4th Term in House