Legislative Session in Review
Dear Friend,
Many of us have lost a friend, neighbor or family member to addiction, or know someone impacted by its destructive force. As a legislator, and as a parent, I recognize that we cannot succeed at repelling this epidemic and reducing the risk to our families until we confront the realities of this challenge and ensure that adequate resources are made available. Earlier this year, I was proud to support the passage of comprehensive legislation to enhance substance abuse prevention efforts in the Commonwealth.
The new law strengthens intervention, prevention and education efforts, including the creation of a framework to evaluate and treat patients who present in emergency rooms with an apparent overdose. The new law also includes a provision that I sponsored to prohibit the possession, sale or manufacturing of powdered alcohol which has become a growing issue across the Country. While many steps remain in the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis, legislation that I have supported in the Senate seeks to provide a long term approach to curbing this epidemic. Learn more about the new law by clicking here.
Access to quality education also continues to be a concern for many families in the Second Worcester District and throughout the Commonwealth. I was proud to support increased funding in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget for public education, and an increase in the salary rate for early educators to help hire and retain highly qualified teachers. In an effort to make the prospect of college graduation more attainable, I also supported policies that enhance services for students and families. This includes reducing the high cost of tuition and fees, and expanding opportunities for transferring course credits.
As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, I am particularly proud to have advanced legislation this year in the Senate to prevent sexual violence on college campuses. The comprehensive legislation would codify and compliment federal requirements, and establish new state-level policies for all higher education institutions in the Commonwealth. I welcome you to learn more about this landmark higher education bill by clicking here.
While we have made great progress on the above-mentioned issues and other policy matters including government transparency, environmental protections, public education funding, and the criminal justice system reform, there are many more issues that require attention by the Legislature.
Serving residents of the Second Worcester District is a great responsibility that I do not take lightly. As the 2015-2016 legislative session draws to a close, I look forward to continuing my efforts on behalf of local residents of the Second Worcester District which includes the Towns of Auburn, Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Upton and the City of Worcester. I hope the information on this page helps to share some of the recent initiatives that I have been involved with. As always, if my office can ever be assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
MICHAEL O. MOORE
State Senator
Second Worcester District
Serving Local Residents
As a public servant, Senator Moore has the opportunity to help members of the community with navigating through red tape in government, and to spread information about resources and programs available to residents. During the 2015-2016 legislative session, Senator Moore's Office assisted more than two thousand residents of the Second Worcester District with issues related to state-level government agencies and other entities. To learn more about how Senator Moore can assist you, please click below.
Legislative Pursuits
Over the course of the 2015-2016 legislative session, Senator Michael O. Moore filed many priority bills ranging from local home rule petitions to legislation impacting the entire Commonwealth.
Senator Moore also voted to advance legislation in the Senate to address a variety of issue areas including bills to promote open and transparent government, enhanced environmental protections, a stronger public education system, and reforms to the criminal justice system.
Notably, Senator Moore supported the so-called "Veterans' HOME Act" which was signed into law by the Governor earlier this year. This legislation expands on the Commonwealth's commitment to its veterans, service members and their families by providing benefits and services. The legislation also builds upon passage of the Valor Act I in 2012 and Valor Act II in 2014. To learn more about the new law, please click here.
Senator Moore also supported legislation to enhance the public school funding formula and address issues relative to charter school expansion. The bill passed by the Senate focuses on transparency, admission and retention of students, funding, and the charter school cap. To learn more, please click here.
“This legislation marks a significant step forward in generating meaningful reforms to local education aid, and develops performance measures for charter schools operating, or seeking to operate, in the state. Having heard from many local school officials in support of this bill, I am confident that it responds to many of the most pressing needs facing the majority of students and their families.”
Local priorities were also achieved through legislation including a bill to help transform the Route Nine corridor in Shrewsbury. Aside from expanding opportunities for local residents and consumers, the bill helped foster a new commercial development to create hundreds of jobs within the construction, retail and restaurant industries.
Within the Fiscal Year 2017 state budget, Senator Moore advocated for increased local aid which culminated in a final budget providing $1.02B for Unrestricted General Government Aid, an increase of $42.1M over the FY 2016 funding level. Moreover, the budget provides $4.63 billion for Chapter 70 funding which marks a $116 million increase over FY16 and an increase of $55 per pupil in minimum aid.
As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, Senator Moore advanced legislation in the Senate to prevent sexual violence on college campuses. The comprehensive legislation would codify and compliment federal requirements, and establish new state-level policies for all higher education institutions in the Commonwealth. To learn more about this landmark higher education bill, click here.
In an effort to address the opioid epidemic, Senator Moore voted in favor of substance addiction legislation that enhances intervention, prevention and education efforts, including the creation of a framework to evaluate and treat patients who present in emergency rooms with an apparent overdose. As a former law enforcement officer, Senator Moore led a successful effort to amend the bill and prohibit the possession, sale or manufacturing of powdered alcohol which has become a growing issue across the country. To learn more about the substance abuse prevention legislation that was signed into law, please click here.
Senator Moore also advanced legislation in the Senate to enhance wildlife protections and to strengthen penalties against poaching in the Commonwealth. The bill updates existing anti-poaching laws which have remained widely unchanged since the 1930s. Learn more about this bill by clicking here.
“As a former environmental police officer, and as an avid outdoorsman, I recognize that poaching is not only a concern for animal protection advocates and conservationists, but also law-abiding hunters. Poachers cheat the system and gain an unfair advantage over lawful hunters. This bill will give law enforcement officers new tools to prevent poaching and to hold offenders accountable for their criminal acts.”
Highlighting 48 Bills Signed Into Law
An Act relative to the earned income tax credit
An Act relative to substance use, treatment, education and prevention
An Act relative to transgender anti-discrimination
An Act to establish pay equity
An Act relative to motor vehicle license suspension
An Act to improve public records
An Act regulating transportation network companies
An Act to promote energy diversity
An Act relative to job creation and workforce development
An Act modernizing municipal finance and government
An Act relative to the trafficking of fentanyl
An Act clearing titles for foreclosed properties
An Act further regulating tanning facilities
An Act relative to HIV-Associated lipodystrophy treatment
An Act relative to long-term antibiotic therapy for the treatment of Lyme disease
An Act providing for the financing of certain improvements to municipal roads and bridges
An Act relative to state personnel
An Act requiring certain reports for opiate overdoses
An Act relative to the pension liability of the Commonwealth
An Act relative to fingerprint-based criminal record checks for adoptive and foster parents
An Act establishing a sales tax holiday in 2015
An Act relative to expedited hearings regarding the final classification of sex offenders
An Act establishing an internal special audit unity in the Massachusetts DOT
An Act relative to commitments of persons found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental illness
An Act relative to the Thomas P. Kennedy Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund
An Act relative to the false representation of military status
An Act relative to grave markers to commemorate the grave of a veteran, police officer, or firefighter
An Act providing further penalties for intentional loss or damage to a gravestone or other grave marker
An Act relative to the removal of commemorative flag holders from the graves of veterans and certain police and fire personnel
An act providing free access to certain parks and recreation areas to purple heart recipients
An Act relative to reimbursement of certain costs regarding underground storage tanks and systems
An act relative to the safety and wellbeing of children in the custody of DCF
An Act establishing a state Workforce Development Board
An Act designating the 2nd Sunday in June Annually as Massachusetts Race Amity Day
An Act relative to group marketing plans
An Act regulating sewer betterment in the Commonwealth
An Act relative to civil commitments for alcohol and substance use disorders
An Act relative to juries and the Office of the Jury Commissioner
An Act further regulating the designation of certain state entities
An Act to comply with the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
An Act financing improvements to certain municipal roads
An Act relative to campaign contribution limits for certain candidates running for office in a state election
An Act relative to equitable health care pricing
An Act relative to housing, operations, military service, and enrichment
An Act relative to streamlining home improvement contractor registration
An Act preventing animal suffering and death
An Act increasing access to immunizations
An Act relative to fire safety