"I
believe we must approach our fiscal duties as elected officials in the
same way that we approach our household or business finances. My commitment
to you is that I will do just that. If the state were my household, we
would need to tighten our belt and cut back on unnecessary expenses while
the fiscal health continues to stabilize, all while keeping an eye on
the revenue streams to forecast trends." -Bob Spellane
These are
challenging times in the Legislature as the state works its way
back to economic health. But led by Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant
Governor Tim Murray, the state's outlook has never looked more promising.
While the halcyon days of ready money remain a memory, Bob joins with
his colleagues to draft a reasoned approach to the state's fiscal challenges
while remembering those who need critical state-funded programs.
Joint Committee on Financial Services All insurance and
banking legislation is heard before this committee, composed
of 6 senators and 11 representatives. Bob was a major proponent
of auto insurance reform in the 2005-2006 session and while
there was support on the House side, proposed legislation died
at the end of that session.
That's why Commissioner of Insurance Nonnie Burnes' announcement
on July 16, 2007 that she hoped to move the state to a more
competitive auto insurance system was welcomed by Bob and his
pro-reform colleagues on the committee. See
Bob and Chairman Ron Mariano's July 12, 2007 letter that urges
auto insurance reform.
Auto Insurance Reform
Statistically, Massachusetts drivers are the worst in the nation. The
accident claims rate ranks number one by a wide margin, as does the bodily
injury rate. As a result, the importance of the auto insurance system
within the state has been magnified. In late 2005 the committee went on
a “listening tour” across the state to gain insight into what
consumers, insurance executives and agents thought of auto insurance reform.
Bob conducted one of the hearings, which was held at Worcester City Hall.
The auto insurance industry in the state is unique. Massachusetts is the
only state in the nation to have its auto insurance rates set by the commissioner
of insurance. These fixed and established rates have led to a declining
number of insurance companies who write policies in the state. For instance,
53 companies wrote auto insurance in 1990 compared to the 18 who write
today. The lack of competition has resulted in a marketplace with few
options, no price flexibility and rampant fraud.
On June 5,
2006, a press conference was held at the State House where Bob along with
Chairman Mariano unveiled landmark legislation. The bill would allow for
competition in the auto insurance industry by eliminating the fixed rates
that are set by the state while keeping intact various consumer protections
including an automatic 5% rate decrease for the best drivers. Other highlights
of the bill include retainment of the 25% senior discount, funding for
fraud control, and a ban on the use of credit scoring for rate setting. For
a full text of the bill please click here.
Auto Body Working Group Representative Spellane was recently appointed Chairman of the
Auto Body Working Group Subcommittee. The goal of this committee is to
build on the work of the previous session and create legislation that
protects consumers and allows for the market to operate efficiently in
auto body repair, auto glass repair, and car rental.
Bob has conducted
meetings at the State House and in the district with insurance, auto body,
auto glass, and car rental representatives where he has engaged in thoughtful
and candid roundtable discussions. Each side has provided insightful and
informative arguments that have allowed Bob and the committee staff to
draft legislation that prohibits deceptive tactics that are used to guide
consumers either to or away from certain facilities and businesses. For
a full text of the bill please click here.
Health Insurance Reform
The past year was significant with the passage of health insurance reform in Massachusetts.
The Senate and the House of Representatives each developed a plan to improve
how health insurance is delivered within the Commonwealth to its estimated
500,000 uninsured. The intent is to dramatically reduce the number of
uninsured and to ensure that affordable, quality health care is available
to those who need it. Effective July 1, 2007, every resident in Massachusetts should be signed up for health care coverage or will face tax consequences in 2008. For more information, go to the Commonwealth Connector Authority.
Brownfields Redevelopment The Brownfields Redevelopment will expand Worcester's tax base,
create jobs, and lower the overall tax rate for our community. In addition,
brownfields clean up will reuse sites that have long been industrial/manufacturing
locations, protecting our open space which might be eyed for development
-- for conservation or recreation.
Education
Early childhood intervention is critical to recognize problems in our
children before those issues become too difficult to resolve. Large classroom
sizes make it difficult for teachers to be effective educators and for
children to learn. We must invest in the infrastructure of our schools,
which is why the School Building Assistance Fund is critical to replace
old, outdated schools. We must create a more equitable payment contribution
formula for regional school districts across the state so that each participating
municipality pays its fair share.
Health Care We must work to decrease
the pool of uninsured throughout the Commonwealth. We must rein in the
cost of prescription drugs. Medicaid reimbursements, whether to hospitals
or nursing homes, must be adequately funded throughout the state so that
these critical institutions continue to provide care for our citizens. And we can't talk about health care without mentioning safe staffing
levels for nurses and returning to the mission of what health care
is all about. To Bob, that means patient care, not profits. And the only
way to improve patient care is to have safe staffing levels that allow
nurses to work directly with their patients.
Veterans'
Program
We must ensure that those citizens who put themselves in harm's way to
defend our country receive the support they need and guaranteed under
state law when they return home. Bob will address the issue of veteran
status and do his best to make sure that those who served in the military,
no matter at what time of service, become part of the definition that
is held in such high esteem.
