Sen. Moore honors couple wed for 75 years

November 30, 2009 ... Marriages lasting as long as sixty, or even fifty years are relatively rare these days. Even though the life span of Americans has gradually lengthened to around 80 years of age over the last century, the institution of marriage, on average, lasts about 24 years today. 

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In the spirit of Thanksgiving

By Senator Richard T. Moore

Nearly 400 years ago, a group of colonists who fled their country to gain certain liberties sat down and gave thanks for all they had. Joined by their new neighbors, Native Americans now known as the Wampanoag, the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation embarked on a three day celebration of plenty, later to become known as Thanksgiving.

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Bellingham road revitalization project retains priority status

Sen. Moore's efforts get results

November 25, 2009 ... Earlier this month, after hearing a report that funding for Bellingham's Pulaski Boulevard revitalization could be among the projects jeopardized by the Patrick Administration's efforts to support a $9 million pedestrian footbridge, at least one local legislator went to bat for the long-planned Bellingham project. Outraged by media reports that influence by the Kraft Group, owners of the New England Patriots, could result in delay of several key local projects, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, contacted Massachusetts Department of Transportation CEO Jeffrey Mullan, as well as regional transportation planners and others to voice strong opposition to any move that appeared to place big corporate interests over community needs.

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Sen. Moore “burns the late night oil” for his constituents

Legislature concludes formal sessions, but is still working

November 19, 2009 ... Contrary to some media reports, the Massachusetts Legislature is not on an extended “vacation,” but is still hard at work. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the House and Senate worked late earlier this week on behalf of their constituents ending this year’s formal sessions at midnight on Wednesday. In fact, Sen. Moore served as Acting Senate President during the final hours of Wednesday’s session, presiding over the final enactment of a number of bills including a land lease to allow construction of service plazas on Route 146 in Uxbridge at existing rest areas.

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Massachusetts Senate passes crime bill

Sen. Moore raises questions of safety against legislation

November 19, 2009 ... Looking to reduce the recidivism rate, relieve overcrowded prisons and improve access to criminal history records, the Senate on Wednesday passed an omnibus crime package that had mixed support by its members. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, expressed his hesitation and concern with the legislation after recognizing several provisions that pose a danger to public safety. 

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Sen. Moore meets with Our Lady of the Valley students, donates books on civic engagement

November 19, 2009 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, recently welcomed grade 3-5 students from Our Lady of the Valley School, located in Uxbridge, MA to the Massachusetts State House. Sen. Moore offered a personal tour of the Senate Chamber to the students, and shared with them some of the work that is accomplished in the Massachusetts Legislature—merely hours after concluding a late night session that wrapped up this year’s formal sessions. In addition to sharing the history of the historic State House and Senate Chamber, Sen. Moore donated three books to the students, which teach young children about civic engagement and our government. 

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Senate passes education reform legislation

Sen. Moore secures several key amendments

November 18, 2009.. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, joined his Senate colleagues on Tuesday in passing an innovative education reform bill that establishes a new category of public schools, provides options to improve existing school districts that are underperforming, and puts the Commonwealth in better position to secure federal funds to help all public schools in Massachusetts.

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Ex-MHS wrestling standout to "grapple" with legislation on Beacon Hill

November 17, 2009 ... Justin J. Dulak, who captained the Milford High School Wrestling team last year, has been appointed as an intern in the State House office of Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. As an intern at the State House, Dulak will assist Sen. Moore and his staff in serving constituents and researching legislation.

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Sen. Moore asks children to appreciate the values for which America’s veterans fought

November 16, 2009 ... In an effort to honor America’s veterans, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, wants the next generation to learn about the democratic values for which earlier generations of veterans fought, and sometimes died. “Today’s youth can best honor our veterans by learning how democracy works and putting those lessons into practice,” the Senator explained.

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Massachusetts needs to sunset some state activities

By Senator Richard T. Moore

As senior citizens in New England head south to avoid the winter cold, perhaps our state government should look southward for ideas that could end our state budgetary “winter of discontent.” Specifically, we ought to look at programs in Florida and Texas that have helped to shrink state government through an ongoing process for identifying and eliminating waste, duplication and inefficiency in government agencies.

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November 13, 2009 ... Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, recently joined with Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, in welcoming Friedrich Löhr, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, to the State House in Boston. Löhr opened a three day program entitled “The Wall,” which exhibited photographs taken from renowned photographers during the historic events of November 1989.

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“An outrageous deficit of common sense”

Sen. Moore opposes terrorist’s speech at UMass

November 11, 2009 ... Decrying the decision by a UMass-Amherst Professor to invite convicted domestic terrorist Ray Luc Levasseur to speak at the Univeristy of Massachusetts Amherst Campus, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, joined his Senate colleagues in voting to unanimously condemn the planned speech. “It’s an outrageous deficit of common sense,” Moore told a hushed Senate during debate on the resolution.

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Senate approves local measure to create Town Administrator in Douglas

November 10, 2009 ... Today, the Massachusetts State Senate voted in favor of advancing a bill to the House of Representatives that would create a Town Administrator in the Town of Douglas. In addition to the Town Administrator position, the legislation also calls for the creation of a Municipal Finance Department. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, was a co-sponsor of the bill, and applauded his colleagues for its unanimous approval.

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Sen. Moore fighting against diversion of Bellingham road funds

Patrick Administration wants to use stimulus money for Kraft’s Patriot Place Mall

November 10, 2009 ... In response to a recent report that federal stimulus funds are being diverted from several towns to finance a pedestrian footbridge at Kraft Group’s “Patriot Place” in Foxborough, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, has spoken out against the Administration’s actions and has called for a rationalization by the Secretary of Transportation. Bellingham, a town represented by Sen. Moore, was cited as being one of four communities in Massachusetts that are being bypassed for roadway improvement projects in favor of the pedestrian walkway.

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“Health reform is delivering peace of mind to many”

Sen. Moore keynotes Nichols Health Policy Symposium

November 10, 2009 ... A key lawmaker, who was one of the state’s principal authors of the landmark Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law, said that if President Obama’s health reform effort is as successful as the state law on which it is largely modeled, it will give millions of Americans “peace of mind about the rising costs of health care and health insurance.” 

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Sen. Moore learns how to improve government efficiency

November 9, 2009 ...  This weekend, state legislative leaders from around the nation gathered in San Francisco to focus on the increasingly barren fiscal landscape of state budgets. With the national recession cutting deeply into state and local programs and services in every state, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) assembled leading economic experts to advise senate presidents, house speakers and other leading state lawmakers on how to navigate this year's perilous fiscal waters.

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Sen. Moore supports improved benefits legislation for Veterans and Servicemembers

November 6, 2009 ... The Senate on Thursday approved legislation to enhance and protect benefits of Massachusetts’ veterans and servicemembers.

“Veterans of the Commonwealth and beyond represent the ultimate sacrifice an individual can give in the name of defending our country,” said Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. “This legislation goes a long way in giving back to our servicemembers who deserve a high quality of life for their commitment and valor.” 

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Drowsy Driving Awareness week recognized by Sen. Moore

November 4, 2009 ... Presenting a Governor’s Proclamation and a Senate Resolution offered by Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, the week of November 2-8 is officially recognized as “Drowsy Driving Awareness Week” in the Commonwealth. Drowsy driving, the act of operating a motor vehicle while being sleep-deprived or excessively tired, is estimated to be responsible for nearly 100,000 motor vehicle accidents a year in the United States.

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Sen. Moore encourages local artists to participate in “Artists Under the Dome” at the State House

November 3, 2009 ... Local artists are being encouraged by Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, to take advantage of a networking event for the artists’ community at the State House in Boston. For the third year now, “Artists Under the Dome” has welcomed artists from all disciplines to the State House, including visual, literary, performing and creative artists. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, from 10am-3:30pm.

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Sen. Moore joins with other legislators in objecting to regional school transportation cuts

November 3, 2009 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, has joined with other state legislators in signing a letter to Governor Deval Patrick, requesting that he reconsider his cut of nearly 50% of Regional School Transportation reimbursements. Sen. Moore represents many communities that would be affected by such a cut, including the Mendon-Upton, Blackstone-Millville, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical, Shepherd Hill, and Bay Path Regional School Districts.

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Cutting "to the bone"—what state budget cuts mean to us

By Senator Richard T. Moore

We've been in a national recession for over a year. Some of our neighbors have lost work; some have even lost their homes or had to move because the apartment building in which they lived was foreclosed. Most people are cautious about spending in case they lose their job in the coming weeks. While there have been some hopeful signs that the economy may be improving, we're told any recovery will be slow.

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