Achievements

Fighting for More Local Aid

    * Legislature unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Eldridge and Sen. Pam Resor that allows towns to transfer up to 3% of a line item in their budget at the start and end of each fiscal year. This gives towns greater flexibility in planning their budgets, allowing them to shift resources in the event of unforeseen circumstances
    * The FY09 Conference Committee Budget includes over $3.95 billion in Chapter 70 education aid, $20 million in sewer rate relief, and $30.3 million in PILOT payments
    * Lottery Aid uncapped to provide $935 million in unrestricted local aid to the 351 towns & cities in Massachusetts

Protecting Public Safety

    * “Melanie’s Law” gives the Commonwealth the strictest drunk driving laws in the nation, especially for repeat offenders
    * Uncapped state lottery aid to increase local aid to towns and cities for police and fire
    * FY09 Conference Committee Budget includes over $21 million for community policing grants
    * Carbon monoxide law to protect residents in their homes
    * Established Internet Sex Offender Registry - the FY08 budget provided over $3.9 million for operation of the sex offender registry program
    * "Jessica's Law" increases penalties for repeat sex offenders and increases tools for prosecutors to convict offenders
    * Smoking ban in workplaces and restaurants
    * “McNamara Bill” promises that death benefits be provided to the families of those lost in the line of duty
    * Has recently proposed legislation to require automatic sprinkler systems in all senior housing

Enhancing Public Education

    * Proposed the “Acton Plan” for Chapter 70 Funding that would require a guaranteed level of state education aid for all communities, reducing the reliance on property taxes
    * Increase in Special Education Circuit Breaker funding
    * School Building Assistance reform provides up front state reimbursement to towns
    * Increased Regional School Transportation state reimbursement to 85%

Promoting Economic Development

    * Proponent of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) that help citizens develop assets
    * New $660 million Bristol-Meyers Squibb drug plant in Devens, creating 550 new jobs
    * New $500 million Evergreen Solar manufacturing plant, creating hundreds of jobs and a commitment to developing alternative energy in Massachusetts
    * Voted against raising taxes
    * Fought for tax fairness, successfully closing corporate tax loopholes
    * Expanded the Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
    * Secured state grants for improving infrastructure and building roads, including MORE grants to allow local businesses to expand and hire additional employees
    * Secured Ch. 90 state money to build roads and bridges
    * Express train service and new train station on Fitchburg line
    * Secured $1,000,000 in environmental bond bill for sewer upgrades, provided an important step for local businesses to expand

Ensuring Quality Health Care

    * New health care plan which guarantees quality health care to 99% of residents
    * New state prescription drug benefit, Prescription Advantage
    * “Circuit breaker” tax credit for seniors which helps those on limited incomes
    * State subsidy of community hospitals to ensure continued local health care needs
    * Fought for mental health parity bill that requires health insurance companies to provide mental health coverage, and that provides mental health coverage for children
    * Supported the Health Care Cost Control bill that provides more transparency of prescription drug companies' gifts to doctors, while reducing health care costs by requiring electronic medical records by hospitals
    * Voted to guarantee health care as a right to all Massachusetts residents

Energy & Environment

    * Supported Green Communities Act that invests money in alternative energy, promotes energy conservation, and provides  incentives for communities to become for "green"
    * Passed Global Warming Solutions Act to require Massachuetts to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions 80% by 2050
    * Supported Green Jobs bill that will create thousands of jobs in alternative energy industry
    * Passed environmental bond bill to provide millions of dollars to communities to protect open space, while also offering conservation tax incentives for landowners to conserve land
    * Legislation encourages the sale of energy efficient appliances in order to reduce power consumption and save consumers an estimated $1 billion over the next 25 years
    * H.E.A.T program offers tax deductions on home heating bills, tax credits to promote the purchase energy efficient appliances and $20 million in heating assistance for low income individuals and families
    * $15 million secured in emergency funding to help more than 100,000 elderly and low-income families stay warm this past winter
    * Passed Mercury product reduction bill, which established phased out the construction of many mercury- containing products and established recycling programs for the disposal of mercury containing products. When disposed of in a landfill, mercury leaks into local water supplies and may cause brain damage and learning disabilities
    * Fought for full funding for the Department of Environmental Protection
    * Defeated effort by former Governor Mitt Romney to gut the Community Preservation Act (CPA)