Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) joined House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R- North Reading) and the House Republican Caucus in voting against a Democratic-led transportation finance proposal which contained $500 million in tax increases.

“By electing to raise taxes in the Commonwealth, Democrats on Beacon Hill have indicated their willingness to help fund Governor Patrick’s legacy project,” said Representative Jones. “Unfortunately, despite the House Republican Caucus’ proposal of an alternative transportation finance plan – free from any statewide tax increases – the residents of Massachusetts are on the verge of having to pay for the third major tax increase since Governor Patrick was sworn into office.”

House Bill 3382, An Act Relative to Transportation Finance, endorsed by both House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray, contains tax increases which will affect the everyday lives of Massachusetts’ hardworking taxpayers. House Democrats were successful in their plan to increase the state’s gasoline tax and tobacco tax, thereby ignoring the Commonwealth’s residents, many of whom continue to struggle to make ends meet.

“The Republican caucus’ revenue plan was not given due consideration tonight,” said Representative D’Emilia. “Prior to taking the vote to raise taxes by $500M the legislature should have thought of the negative effect this increase will have on our economy and how it will hurt each and every hardworking man and woman in this Commonwealth. I am disappointed that alternatives were not even considered. It continues to be a tax and spend environment here on Beacon Hill. Rather than doing the right thing and embracing reforms the majority of the members chose to require the tax payer to provide more of their hard earned money. There are alternative solutions to our transportation needs.”

The Commonwealth’s small business community will not be immune to the wide-reaching tax proposal passed by Democratic majority. Higher taxes on certain software services and increased tax rate for utility companies will not only stifle our state’s entrepreneurs, but will have a trickle-down effect on residents and ratepayers alike.

Continuing their advocacy for Massachusetts’ taxpayers and small businesses, the House Republican Caucus offered a transportation finance proposal which raises the necessary revenue to solve the state’s transportation finance dilemma while refraining from raising any additional revenue.

In addition to offering an alternative plan, the Republican Caucus offered amendments which would, in part, repeal both the Pacheco Law and eliminate pricey Project Labor Agreements. Had they been adopted by the Democratic majority, the Commonwealth stood to save millions of dollars each year – money which would be directed to fund transportation and infrastructure projects around Massachusetts.

Having passed the House, the transportation finance package goes before the State Senate for consideration.

###

BOSTON –Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) today announced the committees he will be serving on for the 2013-2014 Legislative Session.

The Bridgewater Republican was appointed to the following four committees: the House Committee on Ways and Means, now the Assistant Ranking Member, the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business, the House Committee on Personnel and Administration and has been most recently added as the Ranking Member of the Joint Committee on Higher Education.

“I look forward to the immediate and ongoing impact that Representatives D’Emilia will have on the Committees which he serves,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “As a valued member of the Republican caucus, Angelo remains extremely devoted not only to the residents of the Eighth Plymouth district, but to the causes which he advocates for on a daily basis.”

Representative D’Emilia was elected to his second term representing the people of the 8th Plymouth District in 2012.

In an ongoing attempt to stimulate an open and accountable state government, Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) joined House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R- North Reading) and the entire House Republican Caucus in proposing an alternative set of rules and regulations which will govern the House of Representatives during the 188th Session of the Great and General Court.

“The citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts deserve a legislative body that maintains a high standard of openness and accountability,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “This alternative rules package demonstrates the House Republican Caucus’ commitment to changing what has long been accepted as the status quo on Beacon Hill.”

D’Emilia took to the floor and presented to the House body a local aid resolution that would outline the minimum levels of Chapter 70 and unrestricted general government aid to be appropriated to cities and towns. This proposed rule change that would require the resolution to be adopted by March 15th of each year will ensure that local municipalities have better information by which to set their local budget. Unfortunately this amendment was voted down by the House majority.

“It’s unfortunate that a majority of these common sense rules amendments were voted down by the majority”, said Representative D’Emilia. “It’s one thing to talk about ethics and rules reforms, but it is another thing to put them into practice. I will continue to vote for what is in the best interest of my constituents.”

Although there were dozens of additional amendments, Rep. D’Emilia supported many proposals that were voted down by the House majority. A few were:

• Supermajority Needed to Increase Taxes or Withdraw from “Rainy Day” Fund: Requires all tax increases or withdrawals from the “Rainy Day” fund receive the support of two-thirds of the members. This proposed rule change would ensure broad-based support for any increase in state revenue or removal of money from the state’s savings account.
• Full Explanation of Earmarks: Requires the sponsor of every legislative earmark – appropriations for projects that are not part of an agency’s request – file a form with the House Clerk explaining the purpose of said
  earmark. This proposed rule change will ensure that the taxpayers are aware of various local earmarks that are awarded during both the budget and supplemental budget process.
• Expedited Process for Local Bills: Creates a new process by which local bills may be passed, including: requiring committees to report local bills favorably within 45 days; and establishing an expedited, non-controversial
  calendar. The proposed rule change will accelerate the current the timeframe required to adopt local, non-controversial legislation.
• House Republican Ethics Package: Rewrites the existing Code of Ethics based on the best practices and procedures of other states and the National Conference of State Legislators. This proposed rule change will
  ensure the implementation of new ethical guidelines on the following issues: procurement of services by the Legislature; job recommendations by elected officials; sexual harassment and discrimination; lobbying and
  lobbyists; and the actions and conduct of the members.

~end~

Friday, September 21, 2012 – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) warns consumers that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter Made with Sea Salt may be related to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infection. DPH is working in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and many other state health departments to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney that may be linked to the consumption of this product. Since June 11, twenty-nine cases of S. Bredeney have been detected nationally. Three of these cases have occurred in Massachusetts. DPH recommends discarding the product if it is in the home.

Salmonella are germs (bacteria) that cause an infectious disease (called “salmonellosis”) of the bowel in humans and animals. The most common symptoms are stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms can take up to three days to show up, but most often begin 12 to 36 hours after the germs are swallowed. Symptoms generally last for several days. Some people with salmonellosis become sick enough to require hospitalization. Anyone with these symptoms who has consumed Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter Made with Sea Salt should consult their healthcare provider.

Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) is pleased to report that the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) recently released its Legislative Scorecard, and has ranked the Bridgewater Republican with an 89% score which is the highest score given to any legislator during the 2011-2012 session.

“One of AIM’s priorities is improving the economic climate of Massachusetts,” said Representative D’Emilia. “As a legislator I am proud of the fact that I received the highest score given. I promised when I was elected to work diligently to improve the business climate in our state and to make us more competitive. I will continue to do anything and everything I can to promote job growth here in the Commonwealth.”

The 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard is the most widely read report on the voting record of Massachusetts legislators on issues important to employers statewide. AIM compiles the Legislative Scorecard at the end of each two-year session to ensure that the members of its organization know legislators’ records on key economic and public-policy issues, and to recognize lawmakers who understand the importance of a vibrant economy for all residents.

In the most recently released scorecard, lawmakers earned good grades for addressing the soaring cost of electricity, freezing unemployment insurance rates, streamlining the administration of state government and giving cities and towns the ability to reduce health insurance costs through innovative health plan designs.

Bridgewater residents can now contact the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project to request a spraying. The Project will also check standing water for evidence of mosquito breeding (and treat it if they are present) upon request. Homeowners can call 781-585-5450 to make such requests, and you are encouraged to visit www.plymouthmosquito.org for more information.

Raynham residents can now contact the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project to make a similar request. Homeowners should email RequestBristolMCP@comcast.net to make a spray request. You can also reach the project at 508-823-5253.

State Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) is pleased to announce the awarding of $100,000 for both the Bristol and Plymouth County Mosquito Control Boards. During the FY’12 Supplemental Budget debate in the House chamber, Rep. D’Emilia filed amendments that increased funding to meet the cost of eradication and control of larvicide mosquitoes in a proactive effort to prevent the spread of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).

“This is a serious issue not only here in the Towns of Bridgewater, Easton, and Raynham, but also across the entire Commonwealth,” said Representative D’Emilia. “There is no question that we need to pay attention to public safety and I promise to continue to advocate on behalf of this matter.”

The threat and spread of the arbovirus and EEE in Southeastern Massachusetts are major concerns, and the legislature, governmental agencies, and the local government have been working together to better protect Massachusetts residents.

“Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project would like to thank Representative Angelo D’Emilia for his persistent and tireless efforts to protect his constituents and the entire public from mosquito borne viruses,” said Anthony Texeira from the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project. “Over the past few years our budget has struggled to keep up with the funding needed for effective mosquito control including larviciding of swamps and wetlands as well as additional adulticide pesticides to respond to future EEE threats. Rep. D’Emilia took the lead in organizing other members of the House of Representatives to provide additional funding for the mosquito projects in Bristol County and Plymouth Counties.”

“Angelo is a straight shooter who backs up his words with actions,” said Superintendent Stephen Burns of the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project. “This extra money can be used to protect the constituents from EEE. Angelo really comes through and he knows the importance or public safety and really cares about his constituents.”

The FY’12 Supplemental Budget now moves to the Senate for debate next week.

###

Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton) and Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) welcomed 180 students from the LaLiberte Elementary School in Raynham Tuesday at the State House. The students who had learned about Boston and state government in Massachusetts during the school year were able to come to the State House and spend the day seeing where the history of the Commonwealth took place.

“I hope the students enjoyed their visit as much as I did,” said Representative D’Emilia. “It was great to answer their questions about the State House as well as explain what my role is here as a Representative. Seeing all of the students in the well of the House Chamber was an exciting opportunity.”

Read the rest of this entry »

In an ongoing commitment to providing jobs and expanding access to a range of services for veterans, active-duty military and their families, Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) joined his House colleagues in passing The Valor Act.

“The House had a great opportunity today to offer additional support to our service men and women,” said Rep. D’Emilia. “Two of my priorities, academic credits and changes to our current licensure requirements for veterans and their spouses, were adopted into the final House language of this bill and I am happy that we’re able to give back to those men and women who have given so much for our country.”

Passed in advance of Memorial Day, The Valor Act works on many fronts to assist veterans and active military members by improving business, educational, and housing opportunities.

“I am pleased that the House has come together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that we have the resources in place for the Commonwealth’s servicemen and women when they return home from active military deployment,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “By passing The Valor Act, the House and Senate have reaffirmed their commitment to creating jobs for military personnel while expanding benefits and services for veterans and their families.”
Read the rest of this entry »

State Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) is pleased to announce the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget, which is free of tax and fee increases and aims to preserve essential local and state services.

“In this budget we addressed reforms to programs that were riddled with abuse and fraud, funded local needs, cared for our elderly population and gave back to our veterans,” said Representative D’Emilia. “With that being said, it has been challenging to find the required balance with which to provide resources that are needed and deserved here at home. We did not lose sight of the big picture which is to not burden the residents of the Commonwealth with higher taxes and fees of any kind.”

Representative D’Emilia’s main budget priorities included: funding for larvicide spraying in both Bristol and Plymouth County, grant match for the Fire Chiefs Association of Plymouth County, prison mitigation funding, and veterans’ academic credit and licensure. He successfully pushed to have all of those priorities adopted into the final version of the House budget.

“Representative D’Emilia played an integral role in the Fiscal Year 2013 budget debate,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. “As a freshman member in the House of Representatives, Angelo has been effective in coupling his private sector experience with his strong advocacy for the residents of the 8th Plymouth District.”

Some of the initiatives Representative D’Emilia sponsored included:
Read the rest of this entry »