Green
Energy = Worcester's new Biotech II Thanks to Bob's legislative efforts, Worcester received
a major economic boost in the recently passed Green Jobs Bill
(Chapter 307 of the Acts of 2008). The newly created Massachusetts
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Institute - which will be located at WPI - will receive up to $10 million over five years and provide a focal point for research, education, and commercialization in the hydrogen fuel cell sector, an exciting field of green energy.
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outdated schools.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.
Veterans'
Program
While it might be easy for us back in the states to forget,
there are hundreds of thousands of active duty, reservists,
and National Guard fighting two wars far from home. We must
ensure that those citizens who put themselves in harm's way
to defend our country receive the support they need - and are
guaranteed under state law - when they return home. Bob reaches
out to veterans who leave active duty and refers them to not
just the $1,000 Welcome Home Bonus, but also the myriad of services
offered by the Commonwealth.
Health
Insurance Reform
The passage of health insurance reform in Massachusetts was
monumental. 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. A year after implementation,
it is estimated that some 300,000 previously uninsured
residents now are protected with health insurance. For
more information, go to the Commonwealth Connector Authority.
Health
Care We must continue to work to decrease the pool of uninsured
throughout the Commonwealth. As shown by Family Health Center
in Worcester, hospitals and health care givers can reduce the
number of emergency room visits by ensuring that Massachusetts
residents are directed toward doctors and urgent care centers
for routine visits. The cost of prescription drugs needs to
be reined in. 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.
To read about current legislation related to these issues, please visit the Legislation section of this website or visit the Bill Text System section of the Massachusetts General Court web page.
