On April 6, a local branch of the tax filing company met with U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch, State Senator Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), State Representative Garrett Bradley (D-Hingham), and the Military Friends Foundation to bring awareness to the public about how they can help military families this tax season.

The event recognized the family of Scituate resident and fallen hero Sgt. Michael J. Kelley, who was killed in 2005 while serving in Afghanistan.

The Kelley family has become the face of the “Take 5, Give $5” campaign, which encourages taxpayers to contribute $5 or more on Question 32E when filing their annual state taxes.

“When our servicemen and women are away – whether a parent, a spouse, a son or daughter – there are many challenges that can come up for their families at home,” said Joe Kelley, Sgt. Michael Kelley’s father. “A sudden accident, an illness, a costly home repair bill: these are all challenges that families suffer while their loved one is away. But thanks to the donations made through Question 32E, they need not suffer it alone.”

Taxpayers can contribute anytime during tax season, which ends on April 17. For one, filers can check Question 32E on their tax forms. Additionally, for every client who brings a Military Friends Foundation referral formto H&R Block when preparing their 2011 tax return, H&R Block will make a $25 contribution to the Military Friends Foundation.

“Military Friends Foundation is proud to partner with H&R Block and their network of tax professionals in the Commonwealth to bring attention to this important cause,” said Sarah Keller-Likins, executive director of the Military Friends Foundation. “Through this partnership, we want to encourage people to check the box. Giving through Question 32E on the state tax form is a convenient and easy way to donate – every contribution during tax time helps support a wide range of services year-round for local military families, who sacrifice so much.”

The campaign is a part of the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund, which was created by the state after the September 11 attacks to enable citizens to directly support military families in their own communities.

Established in 2003, the Friend’s job is not only to overseeing the distribution and allocation of that funding, but also to care for its citizen service members.

Overall, donations made through Question 32E have allowed for emergency travel, scholarships, grants, and homecoming events.

Then, as troops return, the funding focus becomes job fairs, civilian readjustment and the ongoing needs of military families.

Through all the group’s initiatives, the Friends have provided more than half a million dollars in grants to Massachusetts military families in more than 300 cities and towns in the Commonwealth.

Initiatives such as the “Take 5, Give $5” campaign help to continue that work, Lynch said.

“Actions taken this tax season can have a direct and positive impact on our state’s military families,” he said.

Jeff Pirner, district manager for H&R Block, agreed that military professionals were important in the community, and that initiatives such as these were important.

“We are pleased to partner with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Military Friends Foundation to support local military families,” Pirner said.

For more information on these initiatives, contact the Military Friends Foundation at 617-733-7994 or your local H&R Block office.

Credit: Jessica Bartlett, Boston Globe

There have been a variety of news articles highlighting this deficiency in recent months. Most notably was the case involving Alexis O’Malley of Marshfield, who was informed by DCF that she would be granted a waiver for fees and was later rejected. Since the issue was first brought to Senator Hedlund’s attention last summer, he has attempted to fully fund this program in every spending bill the legislature has taken up. His amendments were defeated by roll call votes on every occasion.

Based on figures received from the Department of Higher Education, Sen. Hedlund estimates that the $1.8 million expenditure will represent an average savings of $2,500 per student in the coming semester. For students attending more expensive state universities, the savings could be as great as $5,000.

National data from the Department of Health and Human Services suggests bleak futures ahead for those that remain in state custody until age 18. These young adults often experience higher than normal rates of incarceration and unemployment while some 20% end up homeless or unable to support themselves. Only 2% of children who age out of foster care go on to earn college degrees.

“This program makes a college education possible for many children who may not otherwise be able to afford it,” Hedlund said. “I am proud that the legislature is finally keeping its promise to some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable children. This is a smart investment that gives these children a chance at a better future.”

The MBTA has proposed two plans in an attempt to close a projected $161 million dollar budget gap in fiscal year 2013. The plans include a 35-43% increase in fares, a 19-20% reduction in service including cancellation of weekend service on the Commuter Rail, and the entire elimination of the commuter boat subsidy.

These proposed cuts come on the heels of reported ridership gains the MBTA has made in recent months. 2011 marked the T’s busiest year since 2008, averaging more than 1.3 million per weekday in November, the third straight month above 1.3 million riders. It is unclear what impact service cuts, fare hikes, and the elimination of service will have on these most recent ridership numbers.

“It is clear that the MBTA has made gains in ridership over the last two years, and taken the first steps towards reducing inefficiencies,” said Hedlund. “We should be expanding the reduction of inefficiencies instead of balancing the T’s budget on the backs of the riders and eliminating the very services that have made ridership gains over the last two years,” explained Hedlund.

There is concern among the South Shore commuting public about the elimination of weekend rail services and the elimination of the commuter boat subsidy. Anticipating this concern, Senator Hedlund and Representative Bradley pushed for the inclusion of a local public hearing on these proposals. The MBTA agreed to hold a public hearing on February 8^th at 6pm at the central meeting room at Hingham Town Hall. The MBTA will hold another 19 meetings around the state to hear from residents concerning these proposals.

“I have heard from many constituents who are frustrated over the MBTA proposal to reduce and eliminate services, especially the commuter boat,” said Hedlund “I am hopeful that the MBTA will listen to the concerns of these residents with an open mind and respond to them appropriately as they did most recently in 2009.”

Rep. Bradley said, “The Hingham and Hull commuter boats are a critically important mode of transportation for my district. To eliminate this service would severely impact individuals who commute and do business in the area. If the ferry boat service were to be eliminated, along with bus service to Hingham, residents of Hull would have no direct access to public transportation. I disagree with this approach and will work with legislative leaders and state officials to discuss alternatives that address the MBTA financial situation.”

Following the completion of the public hearings in February, a final plan will presented to the MassDOT board of directors in March, followed by a board vote in April, under a timeline suggested by MBTA officials.

 # # #

The amendment that Senator Hedlund filed on October 6, 2011 as part of a supplemental budget was held up for over two months by Governor Deval Patrick before being passed today as a standalone bill.

“This is a step in the right direction,” Senator Hedlund said. “Right now there is significant and systematic abuse and almost no accountability. There are people legitimately struggling out there that rely on these funds to survive. However, as we have seen recently, there are a lot of individuals out there scamming the system and that needs to end.”

The latest abuse of EBT cards was revealed last week when four Lynn convenience stores allegedly allowed customers to withdraw hundreds of dollars from their EBT accounts, which was then used to buy crack cocaine. The stores kept half the withdrawn cash as a fee, authorities allege.

The EBT Commission will be responsible for researching and evaluating the use of EBT cards for purchases such as firearms, tobacco, lottery tickets and alcohol. The commission will also determine the proportion of EBT cash assistance that is being withdrawn from ATM machines, the cost associated to place a photograph of the cardholder on every EBT card, and many other problems associated with EBT card use.

“If a serious effort is undertaken the EBT commission will show us just how drastic this abuse and misuse is. The state must be accountable for this money. It’s outright shameful that state assistance is being spent on keno and booze.”

The bipartisan EBT commission will be made up of eight individuals including the inspector general, commission of Transitional Assistance, two low-income advocates appointed by the Governor, and four members of the legislature.

“I don’t need a Commission’s findings to tell me what is wrong with our welfare systems EBT card program and what’s needed to fix it but some of my colleagues need the crutch of a Commission’s findings to advance much needed reforms so in that sense this is a step in the right direction,” Hedlund said.

A final report with recommendations and findings is set to be released April 1, 2012.

Hedlund (R-Weymouth), who represent Hingham, argued that the map proposed by the Joint Committee on Redistricting is predicated on the interests of incumbent Congressmen rather than communities of interest and geographic considerations.

“The map that has been proposed makes several changes that simply do not make sense for the entire state, let alone our region,” Hedlund said in a written statement. “This proposal pays lip service to protecting communities’ interests and seeks only to protect incumbents interests.”

Senator Hedlund’s plan would have made another important statewide improvement to the original plan by limiting the division of municipalities between congressional districts. Under the original plan ten towns and eight precincts are divided between two Congressional districts, while under Senator Hedlund’s plan only five municipalities and zero precincts were divided between two districts. 

The amendment received bipartisan support but ultimately failed with most members voting with leadership.

Earlier this year, Senator Hedlund offered a proposal to establish an independent commission that would have been charged with the decennial redrawing of legislative and congressional boundaries and take legislators out of the redistricting process.

The proposal, backed by Common Cause of Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick, and others, also failed.

After limited debate, the Senate ultimately passed the original Democrat leadership redistricting plan put forth by the Joint Committee on Redistricting. Senator Hedlund, citing major opposition to splitting up the coast and communities of interest across the state, voted against the plan.

“If you look at the map offered by the redistricting committee, much of the South Shore and Metropolitan Boston appears to be gerrymandered,” Hedlund said. “This serves as another example of why we need an independent redistricting commission.”

http://hingham.patch.com/articles/hedlund-looks-to-reunite-the-coast

Interlock ignition devices have helped reduce drunk driving in Massachusetts since 2006 and all convicted drunk drivers should be required to use the devices, lawmakers, activists and police officials said Thursday.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving officials joined Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) at the capitol to press for the bill’s passage, saying the policy is in place and helping to reduce drunk driving and alcohol-related fatalities in 15 other states, including Connecticut and New York.

Bill supporters said a 2006 law requiring repeat drunk drivers to install the breath test ignition devices, but noted studies show people who drive drunk may do so 80 times before they are caught.

“There’s little sense in waiting for a subsequent event to put forth technology we have right now,” said Northborough Police Chief Mark Leahy, president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.

According to MADD, more than 16,000 people are arrested in Massachusetts in an average year for driving while above the illegal blood alcohol content level of .08. Among the 3,786 repeat offenders who have completed interlock programs, only 85 have reoffended, according to MADD. The bill would require first-time offenders to have a device installed on their vehicle for at least six months after their license is reinstated.

Bill supporters claimed they face an “uphill battle” marked by opposition from trial attorneys, and Hedlund said he hoped to hear soon from district attorneys about whether they will support the bill.

Anti-drunk-driving activist Ron Bersani said there are 4,900 interlock devices installed in Massachusetts and predicted the bill’s passage would save lives, including the lives of drunk drivers.

Bersani also called for increased pressure on judges to stop allowing repeat offenders to plead guilty to lesser offenses and to continue drunk driving cases without findings.

The bill (S 1746) is pending before the Transportation Committee, which held a public hearing on it in June.

Committee co-chair Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) told the News Service after the press conference that he has not taken a position on the bill. Asked when the panel might vote on it, McGee said he planned to meet with co-chair William Straus soon to go over bills before the committee.

McGee said he’s been focused lately on the state’s transportation infrastructure “crisis” and financing shortcomings.

Hedlund was the target of some criticism at the press conference over his Senate-approved amendment to a casino bill that would allow free or discounted drinks to return to Massachusetts. Hedlund and other senators who supported the amendment said it would keep a level playing field for bars and restaurants with casinos, which are allowed to offer free drinks to patrons under bills being negotiated by a six-member conference committee.

“I don’t want to get into that,” Hedlund told Erin Brenton of Kingston after she interrupted the press conference and publicly pressed him on why he had not spoken to her father, Charles Woods, who Brenton later said had worked for MADD’s Plymouth chapter and helped pass the law banning Happy Hour in Massachusetts.

“He should have never done this,” Brenton said after the press conference, referring to Hedlund’s amendment.

Hedlund told Brenton during the press conference he would discuss the issue with her after the event and didn’t want to take attention away from the ignition interlock proposal. He also said he planned to meet with anti-drunk-driving advocates today about his casino bill amendment.

Written By: Mike Norton, State House News Service

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20111030drunk-driving_opponents_press_for_ignition_interlock_law_expansion/srvc=home&position=recent

Rep. Garrett J. Bradley, D-Hingham, Rep. James M. Cantwell, D-Marshfield, and Sen. Robert L. Hedlund, R-Weymouth, today announced that the town of Scituate will receive an additional $123,028 in local aid restored through passage of a supplemental budget. The funds reflect better than expected revenue figures for the first part of Fiscal Year 2012, which began July 1.

“With this restored funding, local communities such as Scituate will have the same amount of unrestricted general aid as they had in FY 2011,” said Rep. Bradley. “This restored funding will prove critical to ensuring the delivery of town services that local residents expect from their government, and I hope this trend signals an improving economic future.”

“The watchword is caution when it comes to incoming revenues, however Ways and Means and the members believed that we had an opportunity to assist local communities,” said Rep. Bradley.

“News of this recent increase in state tax revenues and sales is welcome news for Scituate,” said state Rep. James Cantwell, noting that the town should receive its share by December at the latest. “It has been my pleasure to advocate, to the very best of my ability, for the needs of Scituate and our Commonwealth.”

Senator Hedlund said, “I am encouraged by the restoration of the Fiscal 2011 unrestricted local aid levels in the passage of the Supplemental Budget approved by the legislature. This aid will provide critical relief to our communities, and is a positive sign for the rebounding of the Commonwealth’s economy. I am optimistic that the upward trend in the state’s revenue figures will continue.”

According to the House Committee on Ways and Means, during deliberations on the FY2012 state budget, $65 million of unrestricted general government aid was held back due to serious concerns over the pace of revenues coming in to the State. Recently, enough revenue has been certified by state officials to warrant restoring that funding to local towns.

But the two longtime allies against drunken driving planned to stand together today in support of an effort to crack down on first-time offenders.

Bersani and Hedlund, a Weymouth Republican, were scheduled to speak at an event at the State House this morning in support of a bill that would require installation of ignition interlock devices in the vehicle of anyone convicted of drunken driving.

The devices require drivers to take a breath test to measure their blood alcohol. If the level is above the legal limit, the vehicle won’t start.

Currently, state law only requires the devices for offenders convicted two or more times.

Bersani said he opposes Hedlund’s stance on allowing bars and restaurants to serve free or discounted alcohol if casinos get the same regulation under pending legislation. But he said that won’t stop the two from working together on drunken driving initiatives.

“We don’t agree on this, but we agree on an awful lot of other things,” said Bersani, a Marshfield resident. “We can agree to disagree. It’s not going to change my friendship or respect for Bob.”

Critics of Hedlund’s amendment say it clears the way for lifting a 27-year-old ban on so-called “happy hours” when bars and restaurants cut prices of alcohol for a portion of the day. Opponents like Bersani and Mothers Against Drunk Driving saythe change would lead to more drunken driving accidents.

But Hedlund says the amendment would only put local businesses on the same footing as casinos, if they are approved, and would leave it up to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission to set up new regulations.

He has said Four Square restaurant in Braintree, of which he is a co-owner, would not offer happy hours and that he opposes the creation of casinos. Happy hours were banned in Massachusetts in 1984 following a high-profile accident in a Ground Round restaurant parking lot in Braintree in which a 20-year-old Weymouth woman was killed after participating in a trivia game with free beers as prizes.

Hedlund and Bersani have worked together since Bersani led the fight to toughen the state’s drunken driving laws after Bersani’s 13-year-old granddaughter, Melanie Powell, was killed by a drunken driver in 2003. Hedlund was a lead sponsor of the bill that became known as Melanie’s Law when it passed two years later.

Hedlund said his amendment to the casino legislation doesn’t conflict with his support for tougher drunken driving laws, and that he strongly supports requiring ignition interlocks for first-time offenders. He said other penalties, like suspending or revoking a driver’s license or even jail time, aren’t always enough of a deterrent.

“A habitual drunk driver, whether he has a license or not, still drives,” he said. “Whether he did a jail term or not, he still drives. That’s a fact.”

Hedlund said ignition interlocks have been proven effective at reducing repeat drunk driving offenses for multiple offenders in Massachusetts and for first time offenders in other states that require them.

Written By: Christian Schiavone, Patriot Ledger

http://www.patriotledger.com/mobile/x133042629/Hedlund-anti-drunken-driving-advocates-push-for-tougher-penalties

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) and Rep. Garrett Bradley (D-Hingham) is aimed at granting the state’s top law enforcement officer and consumer advocate the same powers she has in other utility rate-setting cases, such as gas and electric cases.

Aquarion Water Company, which provides water to the three South Shore communities as well as Oxford and Millbury, has a rate hike request pending with the Department of Public Utilities.

If Aquarion’s full request is approved by the DPU, Aquarion customers in Hingham, Hull and Cohasset can expect to see an increase of 16.5 percent on their monthly water bill, according to Hedlund’s office.

It would “be a huge benefit” to the towns if the attorney general could get involved, said Hull Town Manager Philip Lemnios. He said help from the attorney general might mitigate large local legal bills.

“We would like the same representation on these utility matters that residents of the commonwealth have on other utility matters,” he said.

Currently, the attorney general’s office has no power to act on a town’s behalf in water rate cases, according to Hedlund. When other utility companies propose rate hikes, the attorney general’s office is authorized to provide legal assistance to the towns.

“The problem is that years ago when the DPU structure was set up, water wasn’t an issue. It was plentiful and it was cheap,” he said. Most water was distributed by municipalities, so there was no need for the attorney general’s office to get involved, he said. Now that has changed in several communities.

Hedlund called Aquarion’s rate hike proposal “the most outrageous one yet.”

“We have no relief,” he said.

Harry Hibbard Jr., vice president of operations for Aquarion, said the company does not object to the attorney general being involved in rate setting, but thinks it would slow down the process.

Both New Hampshire and Connecticut, the two other states where the company operates, have similar laws where a consumer advocate at the state government level oversees the process, he said.

“I should say I believe the Department of Public Utilities does a fine job protecting the consumers’ interests,” Hibbard said. “I don’t have any principal objection to the attorney general’s office getting involved, but process-wise it adds time for a rate request.”

The last time Aquarion asked for a rate hike was in 2008, which was granted by the DPU in 2009, Hibbard said. He said the current rate proposal numbers “speak for themselves.”

Currently, the average water bill of the company’s Cohasset, Hingham and Hull customers is $726 per year, assuming the customers use 62,500 gallons of water per year. The proposed increase would raise that bill by $120, to $846.

“We face escalating costs that undermine our ability to earn a reasonable return for our investors,” he said. “These are challenging times for everyone.”

Lawmakers on Monday sent the bill to the Judiciary Committee to review.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) and Rep. Garrett Bradley (D-Hingham) is aimed at granting the state’s top law enforcement officer and consumer advocate the same powers she has in other utility rate-setting cases, such as gas and electric cases.

Aquarion Water Company, which provides water to the three South Shore communities as well as Oxford and Millbury, has a rate hike request pending with the Department of Public Utilities.

If Aquarion’s full request is approved by the DPU, Aquarion customers in Hingham, Hull and Cohasset can expect to see an increase of 16.5 percent on their monthly water bill, according to Hedlund’s office.

It would “be a huge benefit” to the towns if the attorney general could get involved, said Hull Town Manager Philip Lemnios. He said help from the attorney general might mitigate large local legal bills.

“We would like the same representation on these utility matters that residents of the commonwealth have on other utility matters,” he said.

Currently, the attorney general’s office has no power to act on a town’s behalf in water rate cases, according to Hedlund. When other utility companies propose rate hikes, the attorney general’s office is authorized to provide legal assistance to the towns.

“The problem is that years ago when the DPU structure was set up, water wasn’t an issue. It was plentiful and it was cheap,” he said. Most water was distributed by municipalities, so there was no need for the attorney general’s office to get involved, he said. Now that has changed in several communities.

Hedlund called Aquarion’s rate hike proposal “the most outrageous one yet.”

“We have no relief,” he said.

Harry Hibbard Jr., vice president of operations for Aquarion, said the company does not object to the attorney general being involved in rate setting, but thinks it would slow down the process.

Both New Hampshire and Connecticut, the two other states where the company operates, have similar laws where a consumer advocate at the state government level oversees the process, he said.

“I should say I believe the Department of Public Utilities does a fine job protecting the consumers’ interests,” Hibbard said. “I don’t have any principal objection to the attorney general’s office getting involved, but process-wise it adds time for a rate request.”

The last time Aquarion asked for a rate hike was in 2008, which was granted by the DPU in 2009, Hibbard said. He said the current rate proposal numbers “speak for themselves.”

Currently, the average water bill of the company’s Cohasset, Hingham and Hull customers is $726 per year, assuming the customers use 62,500 gallons of water per year. The proposed increase would raise that bill by $120, to $846.

“We face escalating costs that undermine our ability to earn a reasonable return for our investors,” he said. “These are challenging times for everyone.”

Lawmakers on Monday sent the bill to the Judiciary Committee to review.