issues.htm

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LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Senator Brown is widely known as the state's leading advocate for reforming the sex offender management system in Massachusetts. He has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills, including the Sex Offender Omnibus Bill – a comprehensive reform package that addresses numerous discrepancies in the system, Jessica’s Bill – legislation to strengthen sex offender laws, named for Jessica Lunsford, a child who was raped and murdered in FL, Melanie’s Law – legislation that toughens the state’s drunk driving statutes signed into law on October 28, 2005 named after Melanie Powell, a 13-year old killed by a repeat drunk driver, Haleigh’s Bill – legislation that protects victims from those who have been charged with their abuse or neglect in response to the tragedy of the Haleigh Poutre case in Westfield in 2005. Additionally, Sen. Brown filed legislation to require all offenders convicted of qualifying sexual offenses to register with the Sex Offender Registry Board. This legislation was featured in a recent Fox 25 News investigative report.

Education

Senator Brown is passionate about improving the quality of our public schools as well as the affordability of our public higher education system. In 2007, Sen. Brown represented MA in a national education summit in Austin Texas. As the ranking Republican on both the Committee on Education and the Committee on Higher Education, Senator Brown has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills that promote greater school safety, reform to the school building process to save taxpayer money, and improve the Chapter 70 funding formula for schools. As the Senate co-chair of the legislative Metco Caucus, Senator Brown has helped to secure additional funds for suburban schools that participate in this successful program. Additionally, Senator Brown has fought for schools in his district by becoming a member of the Suburban Caucus, and Regional Schools Caucus.

Veterans

Senator Brown has served as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard for the past 28 years, and is currently a Lt. Colonel in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He realizes the importance and sacrifice of all veterans in the Commonwealth. He has co-sponsored many bills to support veterans or their families. Sen. Brown is the ranking Republican on the Veterans & Federal Affairs Committee and has become known during his time in the Legislature as a vigorous supporter of veteran’s causes. Sen. Brown was instrumental in the passage of the "Welcome Home Bill," as well as supplemental legislation pertaining to veterans educational benefits. Brown also serves as a member on the Governor’s special task force on veteran issues.

Transportation

Senator Brown sees transportation as an extremely important element in all long-term regional planning strategies. It ranges from the necessity of transporting senior citizens to the doctor or pharmacy, to regional school buses, to a regional transportation authority to provide public transportation, to businesses in each downtown. Sen. Brown has been striving to make transportation available to all. He has worked to ease traffic congestion, as well as promote conservation to reduce pollution. He sees the importance of smart transportation policy, and is fighting to reduce tolls on Metro-West residents who for years have unfairly paid for the Big Dig.

Health Care

Health care is a crucial issue for many residents. Senator Brown believes that the Legislature must be proactive in order to keep health care affordable. Senator Brown has co-sponsored over 35 bills that deal directly with the myriad of health care issues currently facing the Commonwealth. The legislation covers issues ranging from protecting patients safety, improving access to quality health care, nurse staffing issues, elder care issues, medical malpractice lawsuits, to providing financial assistance and support to public health and research.

Environment

Senator Brown supports common sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open space in the Commonwealth. He realizes that without action now, future generations will be left to clean up the mess we leave. He supports legislation that encourages greater use of clean, renewable energy ranging from wind, solar, geothermal energy, and improving hydro electric facilities all the while discouraging the use of fossil fuels and our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Sen. Brown appreciates that environmental considerations must be included in housing, transportation, and economic development policy debate.

Sen. Brown understands that with the increased use of alternative fuels, a secondary benefit is the growth of a new industry in Massachusetts that could create tens of thousands of jobs. In response, Senator Brown has fought for incentives for the businesses that work in the clean energy economy to open and stay in Massachusetts.

Sen. Brown has earned an “A” rating from the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) for his proven voting record of protecting the nature of Massachusetts. Brown scored 100% on the 2007 Mid-Term Environmental Progress Report. This report presents the progress of the General Court midway through the legislative session on environmental issues. Recently, Sen. Brown received a 100% rating from the Massachusetts Audubon Society in their 2007 Legislative Report Card.

Economic Development

Senator Brown is working to help businesses work more effectively with the state. He often hears from small business owners how starting a company in Massachusetts takes too long. He has been a strong advocate for the interest of small businesses during his time in the Legislature. Senator Brown has been named a "Guardian of Small Business" by the National Federation of Independent Business, and has received an "A" rating from the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, both for his efforts in promoting job growth and retaining companies within the commonwealth.

Senator Brown believes that without a long-term plan for job creation, the Commonwealth will fall behind the region as a leader. Furthermore, the burden of high property and income tax provide a disincentive for businesses to locate or grow in the state. Senator Brown has fought to lower taxes, especially to follow the will of the voters to return the income tax to 5%. The wealth of educational institutions, financial and high tech companies, as well as the emerging clean energy sector should form the backbone for the economic stability for the state.

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