Today the Senate passed a bill to strengthen the state’s response to prescription drug addiction. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
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Will Brownsberger — State Senator, Democrat, 2d Suffolk and Middlesex District |
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The Governor released local aid numbers last week. Most communities see little change, but a few communities, including Arlington, see substantial Chapter 70 increases. Today I was sworn in as state senator in the Senate Chamber. The Senate President presided and the Governor administered the oath of office. After the ceremony, I was permitted to make some brief remarks.  A couple of constituents asked after the January 10 special election whether it was really necessary to hold the election given that, after my December 13 primary win, my name was the only one on the ballot. I think the answer to that question is yes. The present House Education Chair, Rep. Alice Peisch, and her predecessor, Rep. Marty Walz, have taken a strong leadership role in shaping an approach to expanding virtual education in Massachusetts.  The MBTA faces a long-term structural budget deficit. The steep fare increases and service cuts proposed offer only short-term financial relief. In the long run, we need to provide more financial support for the T. It appears that we can expect a more comprehensive sentencing package, which will require weeks or months to develop. The state’s new “Open Checkbook” website is a big step forward.  While I voted against the gambling bill, I think that we got a number of other good things done in this session. The biggest may be the redistricting plan which has been widely praised for the increase it creates in the number of districts from which minority candidates may potentially be elected. I took a tough vote last night that many might, at first glance, disagree with. I write to explain my vote. The day before the final day of the 2011 session the House completed work on a number of good bills: I’d appreciate input on a Cambridge redistricting issue that has arisen. It appears that surpluses in FY11 state budget line items have been sufficient to allow for a planned distribution of additional local aid to cities and towns. The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting Committee has released its draft maps for comment. The legislature’s redistricting webpage now includes the proposed new maps. In the spirit of transparency which I believe is the foundation of trust in government, I wanted to report to you about a hacking incident affecting my websites (among many others at my web hosting company, InMotion Hosting). on 2/04/12, SueBass
said about Senate Passes Prescription Drug Legislation: Like Christopher Pearson, I have been denied pain medication when I needed it by a physician who was afraid of the old drug laws. Fortunatel [...] on 2/04/12, CRAIG SLATIN
said about Senate Passes Prescription Drug Legislation: In Lowell, the Health Department has done tireless work around this issue. The city has one of the higher rates of deaths from opioid overd [...] on 2/04/12, ChristopherPearson
said about Senate Passes Prescription Drug Legislation: Hi Will-
While I agree that prescription drug abuse seems to have increased in the last decade, I fear that one of the side effects of le [...]
Buprenorphine is an essential drug for me. Before I found a doctor who could prescribe it, I lived in constant pain. Please don’t make it even harder to get. I don’t get high on it. It just makes my life bearable. Will, while I agree that prescription abuse is a problem, this bill will likely compound the problems faced by patients dying of cancer and their physicians, nurses and families. These are the people with intractable and unimaginable pain, usually in the last stages of life who are trying to die with dignity and some comfort. [...] Will, The MassVote organization current campaign for election law reform includes: Online registration. We’re living in the 21st century! It’s time to let citizens register online. Pre-registration. When young people are registered, they vote. So how can we get more young people registered? By letting them register when they’re 16 and 17 so they’re set [...] Will Congratulations! Best of luck and strength and inspiration, in all your efforts and collaborations Just a quick note regarding two current legislative initiatives. “3 Strikes”- I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re resisting this effort. It’s a blunt weapon that often disregards any sense of respective circumstances of individuals, and doesn’t [...] Congratulations! So glad you’re in there fighting for us all, like the latest with three strikes. And thanks for sharing on the personal side- our families always form such interesting tapestries to which we then add our own threads! Will, we are lucky to have you representing us! Let us know what you need to get the job done….. Will, I recently moved to Belmont and had an energy audit done through the Mass Save program. The auditor told me that because I live in Belmont I was not eligible for several Mass Save programs, including free efficient light bulbs and no-interest loans for energy improvements. Can you explain why Belmont residents are excluded [...] Hi Will, This is my fault for not taking the time over the years to ask you about your position in person. You certainly are always available. I know others who feel the same way that I do so I thought I would ask on this snowy morning to get some clarification on this issue. [...] Anyone witnessing the sea of headlights and taillights at rush hour on the highways must realize that the solution to many transportation and environmental related problems rests with public transportation. The decision whether to commute to work in an automobile or public transportation is solely in the impact to the pocketbook. The MBTA and [...] Please attend this two-day event if you can, and consider endorsing important related Statehouse bills S304 (campaign funding disclosure) S305 (corporate accountability) S308 (clean elections) 1577 (pay to play) On the January 20–21 anniversary of the Citizens United decision, a wide coalition of groups will stand together for GETTING MONEY OUT OF POLITICS! From 12:30pm-1:30pm [...] |