By Senator Richard T. Moore

It has certainly been a rough year for all of us! The U.S. economy contracted by close to 4% between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009, instigating the single worst pullback in gross domestic product (GDP) over the course of one year since the 1930's. The downturn was led by a 28% decline in business investment, and a 1.7% decline in real consumer spending. Every category of revenue that supports state and local government programs declined.

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Offers comprehensive, long-term plan for state government accountability

December 22, 2009 ... Working to restore credibility and promote efficiency in state government, a senior member of the Massachusetts Senate is advancing a four-part plan that could save millions of dollars for Massachusetts taxpayers. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, who is a member of the influential Senate Committee on Ways and Means, has drafted four proposals to make state government accountable to those it is designed to serve. Moore's ideas have garnered nearly 20 co-sponsors among his legislative colleagues.

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Cites plans for centers in the region

December 21, 2009 ... State budget problems have led to recent closings of Massachusetts visitors centers around the state, prompting the beginning of discussions among key legislators and state transportation officials toward both short-term and long-term planning for the future of the tourist information network. State Transportation Secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Jeffrey B. Mullan, in a letter to legislators serving on the transportation and tourism committees, called for development of a plan for continued operation of visitors’ centers, citing in particular, centers in eastern Massachusetts.

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Pulaski Boulevard in Bellingham and Rt. 146 in South Central MA included

December 18, 2009 ... Today, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, joined Governor Deval Patrick and Congressman Richard E. Neal in announcing Federal Stimulus funding for two roadway improvement projects in the Worcester & Norfolk District. Pulaski Boulevard in the Town of Bellingham will be receiving $13 million in Transportation Stimulus funds, while a 10 mile stretch of Route 146 that reaches from the Rhode Island border in the Town of Uxbridge through the Towns of Northbridge, and Douglas to the Sutton border, will be receiving $9.9 million.

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December 16, 2009 ... Today, the nation's leading organization that represents America's 7,238 state legislators urged Congress to extend supplemental Medicaid funding beyond the current December 31, 2010 deadline in an effort to avert catastrophic budget cuts in the states for the 2011 budget year.

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“State needs to turn current budget crisis into an opportunity for better government”

Sen. Moore speaks to Uxbridge Rotary Club

December 16, 2009 ... State budget cuts already implemented, and those that will be needed to balance next year's budget, are causing real problems for those who depend on state and local services like education, public safety, health care and human services. "However," Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, stated, “we should not simply restore funding when revenues improve." The veteran Uxbridge lawmaker is a member of the influential Senate Committee on Ways and Means and is Senate Chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing. He is also President-Elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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Sen. Moore, other area lawmakers lead effort for additional safety improvements for dangerous section of Route 20

Rt. 20 design changes slated

By Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The state is planning a reconstruction project on Route 20 eastbound from Richardson's Corner in Charlton.

Another dangerous section of Route 20 may be reconstructed.

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Sen. Moore talks jobs and economic growth with U.S. Trade Representative

December 16, 2009 ... In his leadership role as President-Elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, recently had a special opportunity to talk with the U. S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk about job creation and economic development based on exports from Massachusetts businesses. Sen. Moore has several small and medium sized businesses in his district that are active in international trade, such as Atlas Box and Crating in Sutton, Gentex Optics in Dudley, and St. Gobain in Milford.

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Sen. Moore meets with NASA Administrator and former Astronaut Charles Bolden

December 16, 2009 ... “Space research and development activities directed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the successful transfer of NASA technologies to the marketplace have created numerous civilian jobs and benefits in the fifty year existence of America's space agency. In order to continue America's economic and technological leadership, states need to promote education reforms that enhance teacher training and education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.” That was the message that NASA Administrator Charles Bolden brought to the nation's state legislators at their fall forum in San Diego last week.

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Sen. Moore joins legislators and Norfolk County District Attorney in filing legislation to address definition in attempted crimes 

December 15, 2009 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, recently joined Sen. Michael W. Morrissey, D-Quincy, and Norfolk County District Attorney William R. Keating in submitting legislation that would update the definition of what is an attempted crime, used by courts for convictions of individuals.

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Sen. Moore's 2007 law pays dividends to Hopedale taxpayers

Insurance switch will help save Hopedale hundreds of thousands

By Melanie Graham/Daily News staff
Milford Daily News

December 14, 2009 ... Town officials announced last week they have agreed to switch all town employees to the Massachusetts' Group Insurance Commission - a move that could save the town $400,000 and nearly a dozen jobs in fiscal 2011.

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Sen. Moore has leading role at national legislative gathering

December 14, 2009 ... State legislators and legislative staff from across the nation gathered this past week on the west coast to explore critical issues facing their states in the coming year. Topics discussed at the Fall Forum of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) included: planning for the end of federal stimulus funds, restoring stability to state pension funds, keeping good jobs in America, generating jobs to jump-start the economy, and the impact of a roller-coaster housing market on economic recovery.

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Sen. Moore urges Congress to extend Recovery Act to prevent fiscal chaos in states

Says urgent action needed to save schools, public safety and health care funding

December 11, 2009 ... With states, including Massachusetts, facing an estimated $260 billion budget shortfall in the next two fiscal years, one state lawmaker is calling on the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to take a leading role in extending federal Recovery Act funding beyond the December 31, 2010 deadline. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, who is President-Elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures, recently stated in a letter to the Massachusetts federal delegation that when federal Recovery Act funds expire, "States will have to impose deep budget cuts in essential services like police, fire, education, and health care."

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Sen. Moore, Administration work on expanding Commonwealth Choice membership

Could bring long-awaited savings to small businesses in Massachusetts

December 11, 2009 ... Mindful of the strong commitment to offer relief to small businesses struggling with rising health care costs, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, Senate Chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, recently met with the board of directors of the Massachusetts Health Connector to discuss a novel approach to expanding its Commonwealth Choice membership while achieving significant savings. If approved by the Board, it will reduce administrative costs for very small employers in purchasing insurance, reduce costs for the Commonwealth Connector and streamline the sales and enrollment into health insurance.

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Sen. Moore, Rep. Alicea announce $25,000 for Southbridge K-12 Literacy Grant

December 8, 2009 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and Rep. Geraldo Alicea, D-Charlton, recently announced that the Town of Southbridge will be receiving $25,000 for a K-12 literacy grant that supports professional development partnerships to increase the number of proficient readers in high need districts.

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Polish American Congress Day legislation advanced by MA Senate

Sen. Moore offers strong support as co-sponsor of bill

December 7, 2009 ... Today, the Massachusetts Senate advanced legislation that creates a Polish-American Congress Day in the Commonwealth. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, who is a member of the Legislature’s Polish American Caucus, secured approval in the Senate as a co-sponsor of the bill that honors the history of Polish Americans in Massachusetts.

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Massachusetts health reform—more than expanding access

By Senator Richard T. Moore

As some pundits and so-called experts compare features of the landmark Massachusetts Health Care Reforms (Chapter 58 of 2006 and Chapter 305 of 2008), they assert that Massachusetts only addressed access and not quality improvement or cost control. They concede that Massachusetts did succeed at expanding access to health insurance based on the current estimates that some 97.5% of Bay State residents are now insured, which is a higher percentage than any other "health reform state" has been able to achieve! However, claiming that Massachusetts only achieved expansion of access misses two important features of our success. Furthermore, claims that health reform is unaffordable for Massachusetts have been soundly disproven by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

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Sen. Moore promotes use of digital “talking book” service for the blind

December 1, 2009 ... Promoting a new, state of-the-art “digital talking book” service available through the Perkins School for the Blind Braille and Talking Book Library, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, is encouraging residents who are visually disabled to use the valuable service. The Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library is a free public library service that provides large print books, audio books and magazines along with playback equipment, telephone newspaper access, audio described videos, and Braille books to people who have difficulty reading regular print, holding a book, or turning pages due to a visual or physical impairment.

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