As part of a rally to understand the vital need for services for the mentally disabled, Senator Moore recently received this e mail from a Southbridge constituent who invited the Senator to "walk in their shoes."  Indicating to the constituent that he had received many other similar invitations, Senator Moore expressed that he has a strong understanding of the needs of the developmentally disabled--the problem with funding lies within budget constraints facing Massachusetts and the rest of the country Read the exchange between Senator Moore and the Southbridge constituent below:

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Senator Moore received this e mail from an Oxford constituent who is distraught over her street's disrepair.  Citing Oxford officials' calls for the state to assist in paying for the road revitalization, the constituent asks Senator Moore how the Legislature can help with paying for repairs.  While Senator Moore agrees with the need to repair the road, he explains that, unfortunately, repair rests largely with the Town.  Despite this, the Senator offers a detailed response that at least answers many, if not all of the constituent's concerns. Read the exchange between Senator Moore and the Oxford constituent below:

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In light of the recent worldwide recall on Toyota vehicles--namely, the Toyota Prius model, Senator Moore recently contacted the State Purchasing Agent to ensure that state-owned Prius' were being properly checked for safety.  Receiving a prompt reply, Senator Moore was thanked for his diligence in ensuring everyone's safety, and was offered detailed answers to his question.  Read the exchange below:

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A Milford constituent recently wrote to Senator Moore expressing his support for the Senator's efforts in eliminating commercial vehicle fees for private users of dual rear axle vehicles.  Citing the recent Telegram and Gazette article on Senator Moore's work with a Webster constituent on the matter, the Milford constituent describes his own exasperation in having to pay commercial vehicle fees for a 20 year old truck he uses to haul his camper.  Read the message from the constituent below:

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A Blackstone constituent recently wrote to Senator Moore about snow plows being operated during a storm that had non-plowable snow.  Justifiably, the constituent asked Senator Moore why money would be spent on an unnecessary cleanup.  Assuring the Constituent, Senator Moore followed up with the appropriate party at MassDOT.  Read the conversation below:

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This recent Boston Globe editorial offers that the state's film tax credit--which was cut back and capped in Governor Deval Patrick's budget proposal--should not be adjusted and should continue at its current 25% credit rate.  Read the Op-Ed in its entirety below:

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This Telegram and Gazette article discusses Senator Moore's recent conversation with a Webster constituent, who was forced to pay a commercial vehicle fee for his dual rear wheel pickup truck used on vacations.  After hearing the constituent's concerns, Senator Moore was able to assist the constituent in advocating for a reexamination of RMV regulations.  Read the article in its entirety below:

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Governor Deval Patrick recently announced his intention to file legislation, along with Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, that would help to stimulate and increase jobs in the Commonwealth.  The legislation provides tax credits for businesses that create new jobs, eases healthcare and unemployment insurance costs for employers and creates a new organization dedicated to providing businesses with the financial capital and resources they need to grow.  Read a summary of the legislation provided by the Governor's office below: 

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This recent article from the Telegram and Gazette offers good news for the Town of Southbridge: town councilors recently approved borrowing $76.5 million to move along a project for a brand new middle-high school facility on Torrey Road.  Senator Moore recently expressed to the Town Council his desire to see the funds allocated for the project, and described the project as a "solid and positive investment in the future of Southbridge."  Read the article in its entirety below:

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Expanding on the other day's entry about the City of Lawrence's financial situation and the newly elected Mayor's refusal to relinquish his State Representative seat, this Uxbridge constituent voiced his concerns to Senator Moore, and was thereafter reassured by the Senator's response .  Read the exchange below:

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The State House News Service (subscription required) recently posted this story on Senate President Therese Murray's, D-Plymouth, proposal for the state's housing and economic development secretary to oversee and consolidate multiple agencies in an effort to streamline government.  Six agencies in whole, would be collapsed into one office, entitled the Mass. Marketing Partnership.  Read more about the proposal below:

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Senator Moore recently received a simple, yet inaccurate comment from a Worcester resident that stated: "Bill Galvin was wrong to delay Senator Scott Brown's swearing in."  Senator Moore assured the resident by explaining that Secretary Galvin fully complied with existing laws dictating the swearing in of a United States Senator, even pointing out the Senator Brown was aware of the certification process that is in existence.  Read the exchange below:

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In this recent exchange with a Hopedale Constituent, the resident expresses his dissatisfaction with a state representative who was elected as Mayor in his home city, and who plans on staying in both elected offices, while collecting both salaries.  Senator Moore agrees with the constituent's concerns, and although he emphasizes that the Representative/Mayor's actions are legal, Senator Moore follows up on the Hopedale Constituent's concerns and finds out some additional information .  Find out more about this issue below:

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This recent Editorial from Scot Lehigh of The Boston Globe discusses the crushing costs of health insurance for small businesses.  Lehigh outlines various thoughts on solutions for the problem, including Senator Moore's proposal to offer similar coverage to that of a "bronze plan" under Commonwealth Care for small businesses.  Read the Editorial's perspective below:

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Last summer, several constituents wrote to Senator Moore about the need to test elderly drivers, in the wake of a series of accidents caused by seniors.  As the debate on whether or not to test elderly drivers intensifies again on Beacon Hill, Senator Moore received the following correspondence from a Milford constituent who had some thoughts on the matter.  Read this conversation, and the previous entries on the subject below:

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In this Guest Commentary from Senator Moore, the Senator discusses the need to focus on jobs and economic growth in the Commonwealth over the next year.  Part of the Senator's solution includes his proposal for affordable health plans for small businesses, which he discusses in detail.  Read the Commentary with Senator Moore's detailed initiatives below, as well as Senator Moore's conversations with constituents on the Senator's affordable health plan proposal:

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READ CONSTITUENT DIALOGUE ON THIS TOPIC

A Mendon Constituent contacted Senator Moore about the increasing cost of health insurance in Massachusetts, specifically by 24.5% in 2010. The constituent took issue with the Massachusetts Health Reform law that Senator Moore helped to write and lead in its passage. As a result of the law, Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006, Massachusetts has the highest percentage of residents with health insurance in the nation – 97.4%. Read the exchange between Senator Moore and the Mendon constituent below:

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One of Senator Moore’s constituents recently complained that the Registry of Motor Vehicles was unfairly requiring pick up truck owners with six wheel vehicles to register as commercial vehicles at substantially higher fees. Senator Moore investigated and, subsequently, authored a letter to the Registry and invited other legislators to co-sign the letter to correct in injustice. Read the dialogue between the Webster constituent and Senator Moore below.  To read a copy of the letter Senator Moore has sent to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, click on the link below the dialogue:

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READ A COPY OF SENATOR MOORE'S LETTER TO THE REGISTRAR 

In a letter sent today from Governor Deval Patrick to Senator Moore, the Governor announces that his proposal for local aid funding in Fiscal Year 2011 will be set at $5.2 billion.  As detailed in the letter, the Governor is proposing that Chapter 70 funding—responsible for public education in the Commonwealth—will be fully funded by state money for FY 2011, and no district shall see anything below their required “foundation levels,” or anything less than what they received for FY 2010.

“I applaud the Governor for showing a committed interest in supporting funding for local aid, as our communities have bared the full extent of this economic storm,” said Sen. Moore.  “As the Legislature begins to head towards the budgeting season and await the Governor’s budget proposal, we must support our local officials and their efforts in stabilizing any of the aftereffects of this turbulent year.  Thankfully, the Governor’s words appear encouraging in fulfilling this dedication to local communities’ needs.”  Read the Governor's letter to Senator Moore below:

READ THE LETTER FROM GOVERNOR PATRICK TO SENATOR MOORE

Ed Moscovitch of The Boston Herald recently submitted the following Op-Ed on Senator-Elect Scott Brown's recent victory in the Massachusetts special Senate election, and the opportunities that Brown now has to influence policymaking.  Rather than toting the party lines, Moscovitch offers that Brown should take a more collegial approach--as conducted in the Massachusetts Legislature--and work amongst Republicans and Democrats.  Read the article in its entirety below:

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