Press Releases

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2007: Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Press Releases for November 2007

Nov 3 - Representative Perry announces Christmas & Holiday card drive for wounded veterans
Nov 6 - Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry passes Bar Exam
Nov 15 - Perry & Gifford co-sponsor legislation to send millions in Local Aid back to cities and towns
Nov 16 - House unanimously passes new Energy Reform Package

Nov 3 , 2007

REPRESENTATIVE PERRY ANNOUNCES CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY CARD DRIVE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS

SANDWICH — Today, State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) announced that he will be collecting and distributing Christmas and Holiday cards for our wounded American soldiers.

Working in conjunction with a program being administered at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Representative Perry will act as a collection point and forward the cards directly to our wounded service men and women who are recovering at Walter Reed.

Beginning next week, residents are encouraged to drop off Christmas cards addressed to “Recovering American Soldier” at his District Office located at 449 Route 6A in East Sandwich. The deadline for submission of cards is December 1st and Representative Perry will cover the costs of the mailings.

Regular office hours are held each Friday from 2-4 PM. If residents cannot stop by during normal office hours, they are encouraged to call the office at 508-888-2158 to arrange a convenient time to drop them off.

In a statement Representative Perry said, “I believe we always need to express our appreciation for the sacrifices our armed forces have made for our Country. Christmas and the holidays can often be a lonely time for those serving in the military, especially those in a medical facility, and I believe we can do our part by sending them cards expressing our support and gratitude for their service.

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Nov 6, 2007

Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry Passes Bar Exam

Boston – Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) has passed the Massachusetts Bar Examination. The exam which was administered by the Board of Bar Examiners on July 25th and 26th announced on November 05, 2007, the list of those who received a passing score Jeff Perry and other newly admitted attorneys will be sworn in during the official ceremony to be held during the last week of November in Boston.

Representative Perry graduated from New England School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree on May 25, 2007, where he attended classes over the past four years as a member of the part-time evening division. At graduation Jeff Perry was presented the Dean Timothy J. Cronin, Jr., Award, which recognized “the student who has shown the greatest promise of outstanding contributions to public service.” Jeff Perry was named to the Dean’s List six times and focused his electives on the study of Constitutional Law. In addition, he received CALI Awards in the subjects of Evidence, Legislation, Workers’ Compensation, and Ethics. This award is presented to the student who received the highest overall grade in the subject matter.

Representative Perry is also very pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2008, he will be joining Attorney Kevin Flannigan to form the Law Firm of Flannigan and Perry, P.C. with offices in Hanover and Hyannis. Attorney Flannigan has been in private practice for over twenty-five years.

“I am excited to join forces with Attorney Flannigan and look to start practicing law on a part-time basis. I remain fully dedicated to my legislative duties and believe that the education and experience of obtaining a law degree will enhance my ability to advocate for my District as well as provide legal counsel to those in need” said Perry today.

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November 15, 2007

PERRY AND GIFFORD CO-SPONSOR LEGISLATION TO SEND MILLIONS IN LOCAL AID BACK TO CITIES AND TOWNS

BOSTON—State Representatives Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) and Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) and the House Republican caucus recently filed a bill, HD4651, that would return over $450 million in local aid to Massachusetts cities and towns.

Perry, Gifford and the Republican caucus believe the money is due to local communities because the state diverted $450 million away from them in recent years through a cap on Lottery aid, money that communities use to pay for police, schools and other essential local needs.

“This money is due to cities and towns because the State diverted $450 million away from them over the past several years through a cap on Lottery aid, money that communities use to pay for police, schools, senior citizen centers and other essential local services. After all, the State made a promise to lottery players and local communities that 100% of the net lottery revenue would be sent back to cities and towns and that promise, like so many others in government today, was broken by the elected officials who are supposed to be the defenders of the people,” said Perry from the State Office today.

"The Commonwealth took this money designated for our cities and towns for its rainy day fund at a time when it appeared we were headed for the storm. The storm has passed the Commonwealth but it has moved on to our local communities and it's time to give that money back now," added Gifford.

Under the legislation, the $450 million would be returned to cities and towns as unrestricted local aid, so that communities could use the funds for their most pressing needs. The money would be distributed through the same formula the state uses to dole out Lottery aid every year.

Towns in Perry’s and Gifford’s Districts stand to gain millions under the bill if approved. Barnstable would receive $1,259,917; Bourne would receive $708, 379; Carver would receive $875, 017; Mashpee would get $220,375; Sandwich would receive $632, 575; and Wareham would receive $1,185,109.

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November 16, 2007

HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES NEW ENERGY REFORM PACKAGE
Legislation seeks to cut energy consumption, improve efficiency on state and local level

Boston – Members of the Cape Cod House Delegation today announced that the House of Representatives has unanimously approved bold energy reform legislation to promote the use of cleaner, renewable energy in Massachusetts.

The Green Communities Act of 2007, authored by Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, establishes energy goals for the Commonwealth and acts to implement those goals through state-wide clean energy initiatives and reforms. The bill provides incentives to individuals, business owners and municipalities to invest in energy-saving technologies and aims to reduce energy consumption at the state-level.

Rep. Cleon H. Turner (D-Dennis) said Friday, “I’m pleased that we were able to amend to better serve the Cape”. Turner’s amendment allows “other governmental entities” such as the Cape Light Compact to participate in the programs established by the legislation.

This bill puts us at the forefront of energy policy. We are setting the standards nationally and, thanks to Rep. Turner’s amendment the Cape Light Compact will continue to receive funding and do its good work locally,” said Rep. Sarah K. Peake (D-Provincetown).

Rep. Matthew C. Patrick (D-Falmouth) explained, "Many of my bills that I have been working on for five years now were adopted by leadership for this Omnibus Energy Legislation. I am pleased that they were adopted."

"This is a bold step forward for Massachusetts. With the market based incentives and favorable tax policy, this bill will have a positive impact on energy conservation and a resulting decrease on our dependence on foreign fossil fuel sources. Hopefully other states will follow our lead,” said Rep. Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich).

"This legislation is proof that the House of Representatives is committed to changing our environmental habits in the Commonwealth," Rep. Turkington (D-Falmouth) said. "There are so many things we do everyday, as citizens, that unintentionally increases emissions and the threat of global warming. The incentives provided in this legislation will hopefully makes Massachusetts a world leader in the fight to protect the planet from this threat."

The legislation has received the support of Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, Attorney General Martha Coakley and a broad coalition of business, energy and environmental groups.

“When I filed this legislation, I was focused on reducing energy consumption state-wide while moving the Commonwealth to the forefront of energy policy nationwide. I can say now, after many conversations, and much collaboration this bill now exceeds my expectations. The passage of this bill in the House and its positive reception among so many of the state’s leaders underscores the importance of this bold new reform,” Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston), lead sponsor of The Green Communities Act.

"This Green Communities Act is a landmark piece of legislation that sets in place the Commonwealth's energy policy for the future,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill) Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, “Through this legislation Massachusetts will lead the way nationally by promoting the increased use of renewable energy resources and promoting greater use of energy efficiency. This represents the bold leadership of the Speaker in making energy policy the hallmark of this legislative session."

Incentives outlined in the bill include an income tax deduction of $2,000 for individuals who purchase hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles, a 15 percent or $300 tax credit to Massachusetts businesses to offset the cost of purchasing a solar water heating system, and low-interest loans and grants for cities and towns to finance energy-saving improvements locally.

Under the legislation, the state would lead by example, replacing state-owned and operated vehicles with more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The bill will create a Department of Clean Energy, under the supervision and control of the Commissioner of the Division of Energy Resources, to ensure oversight of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in Massachusetts.

Other key provisions of the legislation include:

Implementation of long-term contracts for renewable energy: Establishes pilot program requiring distribution companies to enter into cost-effective renewable energy contract for 10 to 15 years to help make Massachusetts a national leader in renewable energy generation.

Establishment of least-cost energy planning: Mandates that distributors consider all available energy resources when purchasing power and requires them to buy the most cost-effective and stable resources.

Establishment of alternative energy portfolio standard: Provides market incentives to alternative generation technologies by requiring a percentage of generation sold to customers come from alternative energies.

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