Dear Friends: 

This week, and indeed the whole holiday season, our attention has been divided between reminiscing about 2010, and looking ahead with hope and aspirations for 2011.  Many folks, especially the media, like to name their "Top 10" moments of the past year, whether it was their favorite sports moments, their biggest news stories, or the biggest blooper.  Simultaneously, people are now considering their New Years resolutions, pondering what they can do better, or what they can avoid doing to make 2011 that much better, or that much more productive.  

While I have avoided the urge to compile a "Top 10" list, I can admit that I will look back on 2010 with a great deal of fondness.  It goes without saying that as a policymaker,  2010 was not an easy year by any means.  Thankfully, I choose to measure this year by the relationships I've cultivated, the new friends I've made along the way, and the abundance of good things I've witnessed around me.  I cannot help but me optimistic about 2011 when, in the worst of times, I have seen the best in people.  I've seen neighbors help neighbors, or just plain good people help complete strangers in a time of great need.  I am filled with that same optimism when I visit with young students who not only want to make a difference, but have a realistic plan to do it, not someday, but today.  When I meet with business owners who say they're not looking to just stay afloat anymore, they want to grow, and they want to do so locally.  It is stories like these that you won't find in many "Top 10" lists, which likely consist of divisive and nasty elections, or the biggest controversies or gaffes.  I will choose to remember 2010 fondly because of the quality of people that I've had the great pleasure of witnessing, and serving.  

As we head into 2011, I resolve to be more and more available, and to find new mediums to achieve such a goal.  The beauty of our technological age is the ability to communicate.  This includes our Weekly Digest, our Facebook page, my e-mail , or in a coffee shop in the district.  I wish you and your families nothing but the best for the New Year, and thank you for making 2010 both memorable and productive.

Sincerely,
 

William Lloyd Garrison "moved not with the tide, but against it," said Frederick Douglass at Garrison's memorial service in 1879.

This Week's News

December 28, 2010 ... Attorney General Martha Coakley recently announced changes in the current filing requirements regarding public charities, professional fundraisers and dissolution guidelines for charitable corporations with no assets, according to Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. Additionally, changes were made to the requirements whose annual gross revenue is less than or equal to $5,000.

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December 28, 2010 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, a senior member of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, together with The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism is delighted to announce the return of the MassValuePass (MVP) program for winter savings of 15%, 20%, 25% or more throughout the Commonwealth.

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By Senator Richard T. Moore

December 28, 2010 ... Viewing the sunset from Beacon Hill isn't about the colorful scene of a setting sun over the Charles River. The "sunset," the subject of this commentary, is a term in government when state agencies or programs expire unless renewed or revised by act of the Legislature. During the 2009-2010 legislative term, the Massachusetts Senate adopted my proposal to establish a sunset review process for all state agencies. Unfortunately, the sunset review process was dropped during House-Senate negotiations over the economic development reform legislation.

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Pushes for rational work hours for residents

December 28, 2010 ... "Meet the new boss, just like the old boss." Like the words made famous by the rock band, The Who, some of the bills filed on Beacon Hill in the coming weeks will be re-files of older bills. The problem that those bills seek to address has, at least in the opinion of legislative sponsors, not been solved.

Read more | Read Boston Globe Editorial

December 23, 2010 ... A former aide to Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, was recently named the valedictorian of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy's most recent class.  Tim Greene, of Blackstone, Massachusetts, formerly Sen. Moore's Director of Constituent & Community Relations, departed the legislature to pursue a career in law enforcement. Hired by the Woonsocket Police Department, he recently graduated the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy, and was named top of his class as a result of having achieved the highest grade point average amongst the Academy's 19 recruits.   

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December 23, 2010 ... During a special visit to Webster Manor Nursing Home on School Street in Webster, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, presented an American Flag to residents who are World War II veterans to display at Webster Manor. 

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Fourth consecutive year fiscal conditions will dominate legislative sessions

December 22, 2010 ... The November election brought party change to a quarter of state legislatures across the country. But the hundreds of new state lawmakers may hear from their veteran colleagues that at least one thing has not changed: The sluggish economy is going to control the New Year’s legislative agenda once again. Money is the starting and stopping point for virtually every state program and service, based on the latest 'State Budget Report' produced by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

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December 20, 2010 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, was in Northbridge on Wednesday on the second stop of his district wide "listening tour." Moore's day was filled will events focused on listening to the concerns of the people of Northbridge.

Kicking off the day at 7:00a.m., Sen. Moore held "Coffee with Constituents" at Peg's Diner, where a variety of issues were discussed; from taxes and education to job creation and the regulations of the child support enforcement division of the Department of Revenue.

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December 17, 2010 ... Sen. Richard Moore’s recent call for a return to civility in politics was much needed and both sides of the aisle should heed his advice. “If legislators at the national level put partisanship before patriotism, or legislators at the state level play politics rather than forging consensus that benefits taxpayers and voters, the public loses,” Moore said, while participating in a panel discussion sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, of which he serves as president. “… The end justifying the means is short-sighted and contrary to the public interest.”

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December 17, 2010 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D- Uxbridge, met recently at the State House with Honorable Shai Bazak, Consul-General of Israel; to discuss the important role of Israeli revenue and employment in the Massachusetts economy. 

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State House hearing considers revenue estimates

Senator Moore participates in annual budget preparation

December 15, 2010 ... Bay State economists predicted Tuesday that Massachusetts's tax collections will continue to rise, but not fast enough to offset rising costs and the loss of federal stimulus funds. Soaring costs for health care, caused by the lagging recovery from the national recession, as well as increased expenditures from public defenders and pensions are the major factors that threaten the expected revenue gains. Federal stimulus funds that will expire by the end of the current budget period are also a major concern.

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By Senator Richard T. Moore

December 15, 2010 ... Today, few Americans would start smoking or switch to Camels because of the 1949 magazine ad that claimed “More doctors smoke Camels, than any other cigarette.” We should be just as skeptical of what’s behind similar claims for various drugs or because a doctor – or actor dressed as a doctor – is promoting a certain drug.

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December 14, 2010 ... On Wednesday, December 15th at 9:30 AM, Senator Richard T. Moore (Worcester & Norfolk Districts) will be formally presented with the 2010 Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Award following a meeting of the Blackstone Valley Regional Economic Development Council held at the Chamber office, 110 Church Street Whitinsville.

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December 14, 2010 ... In his ongoing efforts to enhance connections between the communities of the Worcester & Norfolk District and Beacon Hill, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, is continuing his listening tour in Northbridge on Wednesday, December 15, 2010. Moore recently kicked off this listening tour on December 1 in Milford, and will be continuing to visit the communities of the Worcester & Norfolk district throughout 2011.

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Ranks second healthiest state in the nation

December 13, 2010 ... The Massachusetts Senate's top health policy legislator strongly praised the state's public health community for the continued improvement in health status of Massachusetts residents. Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge), who has been among the leaders in promoting improvements in the health of Massachusetts citizens, applauded the announcement that Massachusetts was now "the second most-healthy state" in America.

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December 13, 2010 ... Addressing a gathering of state legislators and legislative staff from nearly every state, Senator Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, told the gathering that the growing decline in civility during the campaign season will make it more difficult for Congress and state legislators to achieve consensus on solutions to pressing problems of the day.

Read more | Senator Moore's Presentation

December 9, 2010 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, in the very capable hands of the health care professionals of Milford Regional Hospital, where he recently received his annual flu shot. "I encourage everyone to go out and get their annual flu shot," said Moore. "There is nothing worse than being sick for the holidays or for your school vacation, so I strongly encourage everyone to get their flu shot this holiday season!"

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December 7, 2010 ... On Wednesday, December 15th, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, will be in Northbridge to host “Coffee with Constituents.” Residents are welcome to visit with the local lawmaker, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee, and take the opportunity to discuss current issues and concerns.

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December 6, 2010 ... The Federal Trade Commission released a report earlier this year which showed that patent litigation settlements with compensation (Pay-for-Delay) are becoming more common, and on average delay the entry of generic drugs by nearly 17 months. The U. S. Congress is currently considering legislation that would prevent such practices by pharmaceutical manufacturers, and Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, is urging them to act fast.

Read more | Senator Moore's Letter

December 6, 2010 ... Massachusetts State Government's Operational Services Division has scheduled a free workshop on Friday, December 10th for area businesses who may want to offer their products or services to state and local governments, according to Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. The workshop will be held at the Worcester State University Student Center Auditorium from 9:00 A.M.

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December 6, 2010 ... A key legislator told a national audience gathered in Providence, Rhode Island for the annual meeting of the Council of State Governments (CSG), that state legislators need to take the lead in implementing health care reform.

Read more | Senator Moore's Remarks