November 30, 2007 ... Legislation which allows the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District to use surplus money from the construction of the Hartnett Middle School for other district-related capital expenses was recently engrossed in the Senate and now only requires final approval by both branches. The legislation, cosponsored by Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and Rep. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton, now needs routine enactment in both the House and Senate.

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November 28, 2007 ... The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) today voted to move 83 schools into the next phase in the process for potential funding. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, is pleased that among those 83 schools approved for feasibility studies or repair assessments were the Douglas Intermediate School, Oxford Middle School, Southbridge High School, Sutton Middle School, and Uxbridge High School. 

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November 28, 2007 ... The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) today voted to move Uxbridge Public School’s proposal for a new high school into the next phase in the process for potential funding. The proposed high school is one of 83 projects throughout the Commonwealth approved for a feasibility study, which will be done in collaboration with the MSBA.

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November 28, 2007 ... The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) today voted to move Southbridge Public School’s proposal for a new high school into the next phase in the process for potential funding. The proposed high school is one of 83 projects throughout the Commonwealth approved for a feasibility study, which will be done in collaboration with the MSBA.

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November 27, 2007...On Monday, December 3, 2007, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, will join with Sen. Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, local officials, and business leaders from the Blackstone Valley to discuss what the state can do to help small business following a disaster such as July’s Bernat Mill fire.

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November 26, 2007... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, would like to make area business owners aware that on January 18th from 9:30am – 1:30pm, the Operational Services Division (OSD), the Commonwealth’s central procurement office, will be offering free training to Norfolk County businesses interested in learning more about the state’s procurement process. 

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November 26, 2007...With the holiday shopping season upon us, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate recently voted to enhance the existing gift certificate law by establishing consumer protections, including a $300 fine for violations of the statute, which makes gift certificates redeemable at full face value for a period of seven years without deductions or service fees. The Senate bill treats electronic gift cards the same way as long as they are not for use with multiple, unaffiliated sellers.

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By Senator Richard T. Moore

It may seem strange as the final leaves fall from our trees and the cold weather days become more frequent, to express thoughts about spring and restoring an important symbol of thee state’s heritage. At this time of year, the only trees most of us might think about would be a Christmas tree. There are a number of holiday gifts for those interested in the environment on the Arbor Day Foundation website. As we witness the horrific forest fires that destroy our national parks and forests or the trees lost to Hurricane Katrina, we could think about gifts that help to pay for new planting to restore these parks and neighborhoods.

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November 23, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate recently approved legislation to establish long term health care insurance in the Commonwealth, adding a new chapter to the General Laws that defines long term care and provides a framework of oversight through the Division of Insurance.

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November 23, 2007...On the heels of $15 million in approved emergency state heating assistance for elderly residents and low-income families, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate passed a bill on Tuesday which will provide additional fuel benefits this winter for hundreds of veterans across the Commonwealth.

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November 23, 2007...Massachusetts hospitals have voluntarily agreed to adopt an initiative proposed in legislation by Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, that will benefit patients throughout the Commonwealth. Beginning early next year, hospitals will implement policies not to charge patients who experience serious medical errors, known as “Never events.”

The Massachusetts Hospital Association, which represents all of the acute care hospitals in the state, announced this week, that all hospitals in Massachusetts will adopt a uniform policy to not charge patients or insurers for “adverse or, so-called never events” effective in early 2008. The state would become only the second state in the nation to adopt such a comprehensive patient safety policy.

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November 21, 2007...In Tuesday’s formal session, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate enacted legislation which will establish a new community service force in Massachusetts and address unmet needs in cities and towns. The “Commonwealth Corps” will recruit college students, professionals and retirees to volunteer on a full-time and part-time basis. 

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November 21, 2007... On the day before Thanksgiving, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate enacted legislation to prevent mortgage foreclosures and crack down on deceptive lending practices. The bill, which now goes to the Governor for his signature, requires anyone arranging mortgage loans to be licensed. 

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November 20, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and state officials today announced that $7.24 million project to reconstruct and resurface an 11-mile segment of I-495 southbound between the Marlborough/ Southborough Town Line and the Route 85 interchange in Milford has been approved.

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State House News Service

November 20, 2007...Saying 200,000 Massachusetts residents who were not insured a year ago now have health insurance, Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) cautioned his colleagues today that substantive changes to last year’s landmark health care access law will be needed over the next six months. “We haven’t defined what those are,” Moore said. “We think we’ll need to do some further tweaking down the line.” 

Read more | Conference Report | House-Senate Version Crosswalk

November 20, 2007... At a recent visit to Southbridge High School, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, donated a Massachusetts state flag to Principal William Bishop and teacher Spiro Thomo. 

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November 16, 2007...In order to advocate for restored services for Regional Transportation Authorities (RTA) across the Commonwealth, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, has joined the Regional Transportation Authority Caucus, a legislative group co-founded by Sen. Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, and Rep. Daniel Bosley, D-North Adams. 

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November 15, 2007... In an effort to ensure the Town of Uxbridge has the necessary tools to continue recovery efforts related to July's Bernat Mill Complex Fire, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate today gave final approval to authorize the Town of Uxbridge to abate the property taxes associated with the Complex. 

"I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature, who are continuing to alleviate the burdens placed upon the Uxbridge taxpayer, myself included, as a result of this devastating fire," said Moore. "While this legislation was a crucial step in the recovery process, it is by no means the last. We must continue to work with the various state and federal agencies to compensate for the economic impact this disaster is sure to have on the Blackstone Valley." 

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Moore celebrates grand opening of Milestones Restaurant home of the "Ultimate Hot Dog"

November 15, 2007...Serving as a guest judge for the competitive and highly anticipated "Ultimate Sauce" contest, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, joined with the Seven Hills Foundation yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of Milestones Restaurant on Main Street in Uxbridge serving hot dogs, chili, nachos, baked beans, ice cream and an assortment of pies from Joyce's Pies and Bakery of Leominster. The Restaurant will be staffed by individuals with developmental disabilities who participate in Seven Hills Family Service's CareerSource program. 

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November 14, 2007...In an effort to avert a home heating crisis, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate voted unanimously to approve $15 million in state funding to help 100,000 elderly residents and low-income families keep warm during the winter months. 

The emergency appropriation will supplement the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and help eligible households remain financially stable during the cold winter months.

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Sen. Moore helps Providence & Worcester Railfan Club & Museum, Inc. celebrate 30 years

November 13, 2007... During a recent stop in Webster, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, presented the Providence & Worcester Railfan Club & Museum, Inc. with a Senate citation commemorating their 30th anniversary. 

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November 9, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, (D-Uxbridge) is pleased to report that New England Organics' Southbridge facility, a division of Casella Waste Systems, has been awarded a $40,000 Feasibility Grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's (MTC) Renewable Energy Trust (the Trust). The grant is one of many offered by MTC as part of their Large Onsite Renewables Initiative to expand the production and use of renewable energy technologies in Massachusetts. 

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November 9, 2007... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, recently joined Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford, in welcoming a group of 21 foreign exchange students from Valladolid, Spain to the State House. The students participated in a three week exchange program with Milford High School organized by Milford Foreign Language Curriculum Team Leader Fran Olano.

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Senate passes legislation to ensure Welcome Home bonuses, increase burial benefits

November 6, 2007... With approximately 476,000 veterans throughout the Commonwealth and 2,100 Massachusetts men and women currently on active duty, many citizens of Massachusetts, and indeed the nation, will be gathering this weekend to both celebrate and commemorate the sacrifices of American soldiers. Recently, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate voted on two bills that will directly benefit Massachusetts veterans. The first bill adds a check box on state income tax forms to help better identify veterans who are eligible for the Commonwealth’s Welcome Home bonus. The second bill increases the existing burial benefits for indigent veterans. 

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Suffolk University student from Hopedale interns for Senator Moore

November 5, 2007...Cordelia Pisacane of Hopedale is currently working as an intern at the State House for Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. 

By Catherine Williams
State House News Service

November 1, 2007…Mindful that an estimated 90 people a year die on Bay State roads because of sleep-deprived drivers, lawmakers want prevent more deaths and injuries. But the ability to bolster laws and punish drowsy drivers hangs in part on a 14-member commission that is stalled because of lingering appointments. 

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November 1, 2007... On November 4th, people across the United States will turn their clocks back in observance of the end of Daylight Savings and will gain an extra hour’s sleep. This is good news considering that most Americans do not get enough sleep throughout the year, putting most motorists at risk of dozing off at the wheel. 

Cost of designing 10.8-mile route

By Brian Lee 
Telegram & Gazette

November 1, 2007...A rudimentary multitown recreational trail could be ready by next spring or early summer, but the complete conversion of the former Providence & Worcester Railroad property could be a couple of years down the line, according to state Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge.

The 2008 target date for the trail depends on volunteers clearing brush from the Quinebaug River Rail Trail Bikeway, Mr. Moore said this week.

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