State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry, Barnstable 5th District

BOSTON—This week, Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) has joined many of his colleagues by co-sponsoring legislation that would divest public pension funds from all companies doing business with or within state sponsors of terrorism including; Iran, North Korea, and Syria. This legislation takes measures above and beyond that of recent passed legislation that requires divestment from only the Sudan.

This proposal would protect the state’s pension investments from economic instability and to make certain that we are not supporting the economies of state-sponsors of terrorism with our public pension funds. The bill would require divestment without differentiating by industry.

Representative Perry believes that by limiting our financial exposure to these nations who foster acts of violence, and the economic uncertainty associated with them, we are sending a clear message.

In a statement Representative Perry said, “This is an issue of national security. Hopefully by this effort we will be limiting the ability of our enemies to use the resources of states that support terrorism. While the Federal Government has taken similar action with sanctions, we at the state level can act in a unified manner and refuse to invest our pension funds with those involved in terrorism.”

This effort has garnered bi-partisan support in the House of Representatives and is expected to have a public hearing within the year. Representative Perry is pleased to be a leading advocate for this proposal and looks forward to debating it as the legislation session progresses.

Representative Perry Introduces a new Veteran's resource to his website

BOSTON—Today, State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R- Sandwich) introduced a new area to his website. In addition to the many helpful links already available on the website, this new section will serve as an extensive resource for all veterans both inside and outside of his district.

This new feature includes several connections to state and Federal benefits that are currently available to veterans throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including; access to employment for veterans, education benefits, and most importantly health benefits.

Through the use of this website, Representative Perry hopes to provide veterans with a clearer perspective on the State services that are available to them, as well as how to get in touch with the correct agency to seek such benefits. Having served in the military himself, Representative Perry has a strong connection to local veterans and believes that they deserve the highest praise and recognition for all that they have done to protect our country.

JEFF PERRY CO-SPONSORS BILL TO PROMOTE VETERANS BENEFITS

BOSTON, MA – Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) has co-sponsored legislation to help the Commonwealth of Massachusetts locate and notify veterans who qualify for benefits under the Welcome Home Act.

After discovering through hearings of the Legislature’s Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs that fewer than 50% of qualifying veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom have applied for and received benefits available to them, Representative Perry worked with Representative Verga (D-Gloucester) and Senator Brown (R-Wrentham) to draft legislation to promote the previously enacted Welcome Home law.

This new legislation would establish a check off box on State Resident/Part Time Resident Tax forms and ask all veterans of Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom to indicate their participation in the benefits they are entitled to.

Upon the receipt of all tax forms, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will share that information with the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) in order to initiate the outreach process. With the updated addresses, the Office of Veteran’s Services would be able to contact those veterans who qualify but have not taken advantage of this valuable benefit. There are no new costs associated with this legislation; in fact it would likely save money in future mailing costs.

The bill would provide benefits of $500.00 for six months or more of active service, state side or outside the continental limits of the United States, and $1000.00 for active service in Afghanistan or Iraq. These benefits will be administered by the Office of the State Treasurer and eligibility requirements can be found at http://www.mass.gov/treasury/veteransbonus/welcomehomebonus.htm

“Our veterans have given so much for our Country, and we need to do all we can to make sure they get all the benefits currently available to them,” said Senator Brown. “We have worked with the DVS and DOR to make sure this legislation will help us address this problem."

In addition, State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry introduced a new area to his website to assist veterans seeking benefits. This new feature includes several connections to state and Federal benefits that are currently available to veterans throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including; access to employment for veterans, education benefits, and most importantly health benefits.

REP. PERRY FIGHTS FOR LOCAL AID & PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

BOSTON—State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) and the House Republican caucus fought to send more money back to local communities today, offering proposals to give $450 million to cities and towns both as local aid or property tax relief.

Republicans argued that the 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 and other essential local needs. The State is currently enjoying a $450 million surplus, and can now afford to pay back local communities, the caucus said in a lively debate in the House today.

Following the debate where Representative Perry took the floor and strongly encouraged the members of the Majority Party to send the $450 million back to local communities for property tax relief, Perry stated, “It is pretty simple, the State withheld $450 million from local communities and it is only fair to give it back as the State is flush with surplus revenue. It is very disappointing the vote went almost along party lines and at the end of the day, the citizens are still waiting for property tax relief.”

The Republican caucus filed the proposals as amendments to a supplemental spending plan authored by Democrats in the House and Senate.

The first amendment would have sent $450 million to cities and towns in the form of unrestricted local aid that communities could spend as they desire. The second amendment would have provided $450 million in direct property tax relief to every homeowner in the state.

“It just makes sense,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “This is money that the State took from cities and towns in troubled fiscal times. Now we’re ahead, and communities are struggling to make ends meet while residents are facing Proposition 2 ½ override votes. The State has no excuse to hang on to this money any longer.”

REP. PERRY CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF JESSICA’S LAW

Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is calling on Massachusetts Legislators to follow the national trend and pass Jessica’s Law to protect children from sex offenders.

Jessica's Law is the title given to a 2005 Florida law and those in several other states which increases the punishment for repeat sex offenders. A version of Jessica's Law has been introduced on the Federal level, known as the Jessica Lunsford Act.

The law is named after Jessica Lunsford who was a young Florida girl who was raped and murdered in February 2005 by John Couey, Couey was a previously convicted sex offender. Couey has an extensive criminal record that included two dozen arrests for burglary, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, indecent exposure and fondling a child under age 16. Couey had been sentenced to ten years in prison but was paroled. Public outrage over this case resulted in Florida officials passing this legislation and prompted many other states to propose and pass similar laws.

Perry, who is a cosponsor with Representative Karyn Polito (R-Shrewsbury) of the Massachusetts version of “Jessica’s Law” stated that, “This bill creates minimum sentencing for the worst crimes against our children, which is the best way to keep these dangerous predators away from our children. As a former police officer and now member of the Public Safety Committee, I have heard of too many stories of our children becoming victims of repeat sex offenders. The time is now to act before one more child is victimized.”

House Bill 1688 would greatly improve safety for our children across the Commonwealth by establishing mandatory minimum sentencing for rape with the use of force of a child as well as mandatory minimum sentences.

It would also ensure more effective and accurate monitoring by requiring all sex offenders to register with the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) for life. Furthermore, Predator-Free Zones to protect victims and potential victims would be created with a grandfathering provision to exempt offenders who have not moved since the date of the convicted crime.

“Why Massachusetts has failed to move this legislation along is beyond me. While I understand the Legislature has many issues before it, the protection of our children should be a priority for prompt consideration” Perry said.

Press Releases

Press Releases for October 2007

Perry Supports Terror Free Pension Investment Bill

Representative Perry Introduces a new Veteran's resource to his website

JEFF PERRY CO-SPONSORS BILL TO PROMOTE VETERANS BENEFITS

REP. PERRY FIGHTS FOR LOCAL AID & PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

REP. PERRY CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF JESSICA’S LAW