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July 14, 2006 – Last evening, while many residents rushed home to take a splash in the pool or to catch the last innings of the Red Sox game, the State Senate passed several bills sponsored by Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) including legislation that will regulate the sale and distribution of bottled water and a bill to designate a bridge in Uxbridge after Olympian and former resident Alice Bridges.
“Even though the Senate was busy with veto overrides and other matters that needed to be addressed before July 31st, we were able to move forward these important bills,” Moore said. “I appreciate the support of my colleagues and we hope to get these bills to the Governor very soon.”
Earlier this year, Senator Moore introduced a bill to designate the bridge on Route 16 over the Mumford River in Uxbridge as the “1936 Olympic Medalist Alice Bridges Bridge.” The bridge site is located next to Capron Park, a feature of the state’s Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. The House enacted the bill and Senator Moore is confident the Senate will act on it soon.
The Senate also sent the House a bill that would transfer the licensure of in-state bottling plants from Local Boards of Health to the state Department of Public Health, thus establishing one, streamlined process for licensure of both in-state and out-of-state bottlers. This bill would relieve the local boards of health from the burden of investigation and establishes statewide quality and health standards.
Additionally, Senator Moore’s bill to require the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of feasibility of providing Medicaid reimbursement to health care providers for consultation with patients conducted via email was also passed by the Senate.
After approving several bills, the Senate overrode several of the Governor’s vetoes to the recent Economic Stimulus Bill including two expanding the state historic rehabilitation tax credit. The tax credit is capped at $15 million and is set to expire on December 31, 2009. This section, co-sponsored by Senator Moore, increases the cap to $50 million and extends the program until December 31, 2011.
During the next two weeks, the Senate is scheduled to continue overriding many of the Governor’s vetoes to the Economic Stimulus bill, a FY 2006 Supplemental Budget and the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2007. Under Joint Rules, the Legislature will stop formal sessions on July 31st. After that date, only non-controversial matters will be voted on and will require the unanimous consent of all members to pass.
To learn more about Senator Moore’s legislation and his work in the Massachusetts Senate, log onto his web site at
www.senatormoore.com
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