Moore welcomes local library directors and trustees to the State House

April 27, 2007...Senator Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, joined by House colleague Representative John Fernandes, D-Milford, recently welcomed local library directors and trustees to the State House for the Massachusetts Library Association Legislative Day. The annual event brings library supporters to the State House advocating for improved state funding for library services in Massachusetts. 

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Toxic Use Reduction grants available to municipalities, local groups

April 26, 2007... The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell is seeking proposals from non-profit or environmental organizations, municipal departments, or agencies in the state for its 2008 community grant program, according to Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge.

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Moore’s bills seek to raise awareness of falls prevention, control health care costs

Senate Health Care Financing Chair to testify 

April 25, 2007...On Wednesday, May 2, 2007, Sen. Richard T. Moore, Senate Chair of the Health Care Financing Committee, will testify on two important pieces of legislation he filed to improve the health of senior citizens and control health care costs in the state. These bills would aim at reducing the rate of falls among senior citizens, events that are largely avoidable but remain one of the leading causes of hospitalization and placement in a long-term care facility for Massachusetts’s senior citizens. 

“We can avoid falls through prevention,” said Moore. “Simple, inexpensive measures are proved to reduce the rate of falls among seniors. Unfortunately, Massachusetts needs to do more to communicate these simple steps to senior citizens. The passage of these two critical bills will save lives, prevent serious injuries and save scarce health care dollars.” 

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US Department of Health and Human Services Prevention Tour Bus to stop in Milford

April 25, 2007...On Friday, April 27th, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Prevention Tour Bus will stop make at stop at the Milford Regional Medical Center from 1:30 to 2:30 pm.

The Prevention Bus is part of HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) A Healthier US Starts Here initiative focused on motivating seniors and others with Medicare to make the most of Medicare’s preventive services.

During the spring and summer, the Medicare Prevention tour bus will visit each of the 48 continental United States to promote conversations between people with Medicare, families, caregivers, health professionals, and community organizations. Many disease prevention advocates, employers, and civic and state leaders have joined our efforts to create awareness of disease prevention and wellness.

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Senator and Mrs. Moore visit General Federation of Women's Clubs during Washington, DC visit

April 24, 2007... Senator and Mrs. Richard T. Moore visited the headquarters of the General Federation of Women's Clubs during a recent visit to the Nation’s Capital. They were greeted by GFWC International President Jacquelyn Pierce and Parliamentarian Dorothy Graham in the ornate buildings located in Dupont Circle, one of the Capital’s most historic neighborhoods. Mrs. Moore is a past president of the Uxbridge Women's Club and a former Chairman of Directors of the Massachusetts General Federation of Women's Clubs.

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Rail, trail and road links are the catalyst for Central Massachusetts prosperity

By Senator Richard T. Moore

April 23, 2007...Several exciting transportation proposals have the potential to create a “Golden Triangle” linking the major cities of Southern New England and will enhance the economic prosperity and quality of life for residents of South Central Massachusetts. Several of these proposals were aired recently at a New England Transportation Summit hosted by Connecticut Senate President Donald Williams and attended by Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray of Massachusetts, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts of Rhode Island and other legislative and business leaders from Connecticut.

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Statement by Senator Richard T. Moore on the Grant Opening of the Southbridge Registry of Motor Vehicles office

April 23, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, released the following statement on the grand opening of the Southbridge Registry of Motor Vehicles office. Due to a scheduling conflict, he was unable to attend today. In the coming weeks, the senator plans to visit the registry office. 

“I am very grateful to have persuaded my colleagues to include language in last year’s budget to allow this branch to continue operating as a full-service registry office,” said Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. “Because of this action, the people in Southbridge and area towns will continue to receive service as a result of my legislation.” 

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Sen. Moore takes active role in national legislative meetings

April 23, 2007...One of the most active legislators attending the Spring Forum of the National Conference of State Legislatures last week in Washington, DC, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, chaired two task force meetings, introduced a Congressional leader at a plenary session, presided at the organization’s business meeting, and was a panelist or focus group member for three programs.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is the bipartisan professional organization for state legislators and legislative staff of the fifty states and U.S. territories providing research, technical assistance and as a forum for the discussion of the pressing issues facing state governments. Sen. Moore is the chairman of the NCSL Steering Committee which directs the formulation of policy to guide the organization’s lobbying effort to advance state issues with the Congress and federal administration. He is also a member of NCSL’s Executive Committee.

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April 19, 2007... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, recently welcomed Jim and Krisanne Koebke of Dudley and their sons Gus and Curtis to the State House for Massachusetts Agriculture Day. The Koebkes own and operate one of the few remaining dairy farms in the senator’s district. They, along with other dairy farmers from across the state, visited with legislators to discuss issues they are facing. Earlier this year, Sen. Moore did support an emergency appropriation for dairy farmers to address extreme low pricing and increased production costs. 

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House Ways and Means Committee Releases it's FY 2008 Budget Recommendations

April 11, 2007...The House Committee on Ways and Means today released it version of the FY 2008 Budget. The full House will debate the budget beginning on Monday, April 23, 2007.

• House Ways and Means Budget
• Local Aid/Cherry Sheet Data
• The State Budget Process

Sen. Moore delivers FY 2008 Chapter 90 Highway Funds for Worcester and Norfolk District Communities

April 6, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, delivered welcome news from the Patrick Administration to towns in his district with the release of the total of $150 million in local transportation aid funding for the Fiscal Year 2008, which represents a 25% increase from the previous year. Communities in Moore’s district will receive a combined total of approximately $4.3 million in so-called Chapter 90 funds.

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Sen. Moore to hold office hours in Southbridge on April 12th

April 5, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, will hold office hours on Thursday, April 12, 2007 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Southbridge Town Hall, 41 Elm Street.

Read more | View complete office hours schedule

Health Reform’s First Anniversary 

by Senator Richard T. Moore for WBUR's "Commonhealth" blog

April 4, 2007...One year ago, on April 4, 2006, the Joint House-Senate Conference Committee on Health Care Reform endorsed the legislation that became Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006. A great deal has been accomplished since that historic day!

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Senate, House agree to increase Local Aid by $235 million over last year

April 4, 2007...Today, Senator Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his legislative colleagues adopted a local aid plan for Fiscal Year 2008 that increases aid to cities and towns by over $235 million, which represents a $12.9 million increase for communities in the Worcester and Norfolk District. 

“My colleagues and I are committed to providing our students with the best possible education, and we have done so by allocating $220 million more than last year’s budget in aid to public schools,” said Moore. “This agreement will bring tangible and meaningful improvements to the quality of education in the Commonwealth.”

Read more | Joint Resolution Text | Special Section: Resources for Local Officials

Legislature celebrates first anniversary of the passage of Health Care reform in Massachusetts

April 4, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, legislative leaders and health care advocates gathered at the State House today to commemorate the passage of the landmark law that became Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006. 

The bill, which became law a week later, set out an ambitious agenda to deliver quality, affordable health insurance to every citizen of Massachusetts. It redeployed public funds to more effectively cover currently uninsured low-income populations, and made quality health coverage more affordable for all residents of the Commonwealth. 

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Moore, Kujawski announce $125,000 grant for Webster Hydroelectric Company

April 3, 2007... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge and Rep. Paul Kujawski, D-Webster, announced that the Webster Hydroelectric Company has received a $125,000 grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to replace a turbine at its existing facility on the French River. In addition, the grantee is supplying a 50 percent cost share. The hydro project is known as the North Village Project and is located on Mill Street in Webster. 

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