Statewide issues:

• Casino Gambling
  
  I oppose casino gambling in Massachusetts, and I am disappointed that this issue is sucking up so much of the political oxygen both in the media and here on Beacon Hill.

  I am very concerned about the side effects of casino gambling – issues like prostitution, domestic violence, and organized crime. Furthermore, I believe that the Governor’s revenue projections are overstated, and that casinos will not be the boon to the state treasury that he claims.

  In my opinion, we need to focus our economic developments strategies on other industries that could position Massachusetts as a true leader in the global economy – sectors such as renewable energy and alternative materials production. As Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, at least, that’s where I’ll be putting my energies.
  
  For more information on casino gambling, check out the Globe's comprehensive coverage or some of the analysis done by the Mass Council of Churches.
  

• State Revenue & Taxes
  
  Governor Patrick has proposed a series of changes in our state's corporate tax codes, designed to ensure fairness and raise revenues for important programs. In addition, the Governor has recognized the severe financial strains facing communities across the Commonwealth and has proposed a series of local-options taxes under the banner of his Municipal Partnership Act.
  
  The folks over at the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center have done an excellent job analyzing the Governor's corporate tax loopholes proposals. Click here to read up on one of the general loopholes the Governor is going after (called "combined reporting") and here to learn about one that specifically and unfairly benefits the telecom industry. In addition, you can read about the Municipal Partnership Act by clicking here, which will direct you to the website of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
  
  As opposed to the casino issue, I am in complete agreement with the Governor on these revenue issues. I sincerely hope that the House takes up these bills in 2008 and passes them quickly.

• CORI Reform
  
  The Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system in Massachusetts is broken, and it has been for a long time. It punishes people long beyond their sentences, preventing them from obtaining a good job, decent housing, or a fresh start, after paying their dues to society.
  
  Working with the Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI, I hope to help champion changes in this outdated and punitive system before the 2007-2008 session adjourns.
  
  Check out the website of the Union of Minority Neighborhoods to learn more about this important issue.
  
  
• Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones
  
  One major success we've already had this session was on a bill that established a fixed 35-foot buffer zone around the entrances and driveways of all reproductive health facilities in Massachusetts. The bill was necessary to protect those who seek and provide reproductive health care, as the previous Buffer Zone law did little to protect individuals entering the clinics. The previous Massachusetts Buffer Zone Law (2000) resulted in a six-foot “bubble zone” within an 18-foot zone of regulated conduct outside of reproductive health care facilities, but it had proven to be ineffective due to its vagueness and complexity, with harassment still a very real problem at clinics across the Commonwealth.
  
  As a strong supporter of women's reproductive freedom, I was proud to support this bill and am glad to hear from advocates that its effects are already being felt at clinics across Massachusetts.
  
  For more information, check out the website of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.

Brookline issues:

• Fisher Hill Property Transfer
  
  Before the winter holidays, both the House and Senate passed a bill transferring title of the Fisher Hill reservoir property to the Town of Brookline. Now, that land will be permanently reserved as open space, which is a big win for our community.
  
  Check out the Brookline Greenspace Alliance for more info.

• Reduction of Fossil Fuel Use in Vehicles (as approved by Town Meeting)
  
  Sometime near the beginning of January, I will be introducing An Act to Promote the Reduction of Green House Gas Emissions and to Reduce the Use of Fossil Fuels for Vehicles in the Commonwealth. This exciting bill, which came to me via Town Meeting and the Selectmen's Clean Car Committee, presents the idea of a “feebate” (“fee” plus “rebate”), a simple economic carrot and stick incentive mechanism designed to encourage drivers to purchase more fuel efficient cars. Transportation is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions, as the burning of fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, etc.) produces carbon dioxide pollution in enormous quantities. Essentially, “feebates” are rebates for cars with good fuel efficiency and fees, or surcharges, for poorly performing cars. I am very much looking forward to working on this legislation as the session progresses.

• State Budget Priorities
  
  Aging in Place and Russian Teens-at-Risk
  Aging in Place and Russian Teens-at-Risk are both projects of the Jewish Family & Children's Services in Brookline.
  
  Aging in Place serves elders who have grown old in "naturally occurring retirement communities," or NORCs. A NORC is any group of apartments, condominiums, houses, cooperatives, planned communities or public housing units in which the majority of residents have "aged in place" and need support services to continue living in their own homes. My proposed budget amendment is for $375,000, which would be divided into three chunks of $125k for each of the JF&CS programs in Brookline, Malden and Framingham. To put into perspective how cost-effective these programs are, a single senior who breaks a hip can cost the Commonwealth up to $100k in healthcare costs. This $375k allocation serves over 300 seniors, helping keep them safe and healthy in their own homes.
  
  Regarding the Russian Teens-at-Risk project: since the collapse of the Soviet Union there has been a dramatic increase in the size of the Russian community in Brookline and Boston. This program has made great strides in addressing negative developments among Russian-speaking students in public schools and has helped to prevent an increasing number of Russian-speaking teens from becoming involved in illegal activities, including drug abuse, gang violence, and theft. I am very pleased to be supporting a $50k earmark for this sort of worthy early-intervention project.

Metropolitan Mediation Services
MMS, a program of the Brookline Community Mental Health Center, administers mediation programs (small claims, landlord/tenant/CHINS) in metropolitan Boston courts (Brookline, Brighton, Dorchester, Newton, Stoughton, Boston Juvenile, Norfolk and Middlesex Juvenile), as well as student mediation programs in five Boston schools where adult mediators mentor students. MMS has received $65,000 for the past two years but needs an increase of $15,000 to hire additional staff due to program growth both in the schools and in the Brookline and West Roxbury Courts. This is the sort of program that relieves the burden on our courts, while helping residents avoid costly litigation battles. In addition, MMS' work in very challenging school situations has proved quite successful, and I am pleased to be offering a budget amendment on the program's behalf.

Parent-Child Home Program
The Parent-Child Home Program is a research validated home visiting program for families with two- and three-year olds challenged by poverty, limited educational opportunities, literacy and language barriers, and geographic isolation. It is a powerful tool for preventing the achievement gap. I am requesting that the House earmark an additional $1,000,000 over the amount suggested by the Governor in his budget in order to restore previous cuts in service and expand the number of families served. In Brookline, this program is highly effective and has picked up increased duties since both of our two local Head Start programs closed down.