Press Releases
2008: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug
2007: Sep Oct Nov Dec
Press Releases for August 2008
 Aug 4 - Fall Internships Available
Aug 5 - Representative Perry Announces Passage of Environmental Legislation
Aug 6 - Representative Perry Announces Passage of MMR Fire Department Legislation Bill awaiting Governor’s signature
Aug 14 - Representative Perry Receives
Massachusetts Laborers’ AFL-CIO Endorsement
Aug 16 - Representative Perry Announces Endorsement by the Republican Liberty Caucus
Aug 4 , 2008
Fall Internship Positions Available
State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is seeking college students to participate in a Fall semester internship program on Beacon Hill or in the 5th Barnstable District (Sandwich, Barnstable, Bourne, & Mashpee).
Students are typically responsible for legislative research, bill tracking, and drafting of press releases and constituent correspondence. They may also attend public meetings and conduct surveys to learn what issues are on the minds of the people within the District.
One of Representative Perry's primary goals is to reconnect citizens to their State Government. By allowing college students to participate directly in the legislative process, he hopes to inspire them to be involved long term with their government.
Some colleges may give academic credit for this volunteer internship. It is the student's responsibility to contact his/her advisor and obtain this credit within the school's guidelines. Hours are flexible to accommodate student's academic and work schedules. At this time all internships are unpaid.
To apply, please submit a letter of interest by August 29, 2008. Be sure to include the following information:
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Name, address, phone, & e-mail address
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Hours and days available
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Academic information Employment experiences (if any) Extra curricular activities, including clubs & groups outside of school
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Student's reason for wish to work as an intern
Submit letter to:
Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry
Post Office Box 1435
Sandwich, MA 02563
Phone: 508-888-2158 Fax: (508) 888-1179
Email: Jeff@ElectJeffPerry.com
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Aug 5 , 2008
Representative Perry Announces Passage
of Environmental Legislation
Close of 2007-2008 Legislative Session brings increased environmental protections to the Commonwealth
Sandwich – As the formal 2007-2008 Legislative Session draws to a close, Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to announce the passage of several important environmental bills which he supported. These legislative initiatives are aimed to further protect the Commonwealth and implement proactive measures to help ensure continued environmental protections.
The Oceans Act
Massachusetts’ ocean waters are under increasing pressure from developers of ocean-based projects, including renewable energy facilities, desalinization plants and LNG terminals. This law creates a first-in-the-nation ocean planning process to safeguard our marine resources. The law establishes an ocean advisory commission and an ocean science advisory council to assist the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs with the ocean planning process. The law also ensures that existing uses of the ocean, like fishing and boating, are protected. Under the legislation, the Secretary must promulgate a final ocean plan by December 31, 2009.
Green Communities Act
This comprehensive energy reform package encourages energy efficiency and promotes the development of renewable energy resources. Under the new law, the State will make energy efficiency programs compete in the market with traditional energy supply. Utility companies will offer rebates and other incentives for customers to upgrade lighting, appliances, air conditioning, and industrial equipment to more efficient models, whenever those incentives cost less than generating the electricity it would take to power their older, less-efficient equipment.
The law also requires utility companies to enter into contracts with renewable energy developers to help developers of clean energy technology obtain financing to build their projects. The law also makes it possible for people who own wind turbines and solar-generated power to sell their excess electricity back into the grid (“net-metering”) at favorable rates.
The law further establishes a Green Communities Program, which will reward municipalities that make a commitment to efficiency and renewable energy. The program will receive $10 million in funding from a variety of sources, including emissions allowance trading programs, utility efficiency charges, alternative compliance payments generated by the Renewable Portfolio Standard, and the Renewable Energy Trust Fund.
Green Jobs Bill
The "Green Jobs" Bill establishes the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to serve as the state's lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector. The Center will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support to existing clean energy companies in the Commonwealth through the establishment and administration of job growth grants.
The Bill creates two types of job growth grants to be administered by the Center: Clean Energy Seed Grants and Green Jobs Initiative Grants. The Clean Energy Seed Grants will award funding to clean energy researchers and companies, non-profit and community-based organizations that seek to expand their institutions and create jobs. The Green Jobs Grant Initiative will award funding to higher education institutions and vocational technical schools to facilitate workforce development efforts.
Biofuels Law (non-agricultural)
This law is designed to encourage the manufacture and use of cellulosic biofuels in Massachusetts. It offers a tax break on the sale of gasoline that is blended with cellulosic biofuel. Cellulosic biofuels are defined as fuels made from materials that yield at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the tax incentive, the bill sets a mandate, which escalates by a full percentage point every year, on the amount of biofuel content that must be present in all home heating oil and diesel used in Massachusetts, achieving 5 percent utilization by 2013.
Environmental Bond Bill
The $1.78 billion environmental bond bill will preserve and improve the Commonwealth's "green infrastructure" through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts. The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.
In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space and maintain existing park properties. The bonds will enable the Commonwealth to invest appropriately in our state's environmental resources over the next half-decade.
Phosphorous
This legislation phases out the sale of dishwasher detergent containing phosphorous. As a prime contributor to nutrient-loads in freshwater ponds, lakes and rivers, excessive phosphorous can lead to fish kills, algae, and poor clarity in freshwater sources. Alternatives to phosphorous exist and are available, and this legislation allows for a sufficient period for retailers to clear out their inventory before selling only the cleaner detergents.
Land Conservation Tax Incentives
This legislation provides a State income tax credit to encourage landowners to donate property or to sell it for conservation at below the assessed value. This is a necessary tool for the state as we lose 40 acres of land every day to development. Undeveloped open-space land is important because it provides land for watershed protection, wildlife habitat, agriculture and forestry production, scenic and cultural value and archaeological and historical resources.
Water Infrastructure Commission
This legislation, attached as an outside section to the Environmental Bond Bill, creates a study commission to explore the issue of financing water infrastructure improvements. Communities in the Commonwealth are burdened by the high costs of paying for updated or expanded sewer systems, pipes, mains and pumps. The commission will try to identify the problem and offer up legislative solutions.
Oil Spills in Buzzard’s Bay
This law would require all oil tankers that traverse Buzzard’s Bay to be accompanied by a rescue tug to help navigate the Bay in order to avoid accidents and respond immediately to dangerous situations.
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August 6, 2008
Representative Perry Announces Passage of MMR Fire Department Legislation Bill awaiting Governor’s signature
Boston – Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to announce the House of Representatives has passed legislation that establishes a State fire district on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). The Bill is now before the Governor awaiting his final approval.
Once approved by Governor Patrick, this legislation will provide the necessary funding and legal statutory authority to allow the existing MMR fire protective services to come under the control and management of the Commonwealth.
“As a result of this transfer, our firefighters will be able to remain in their positions and continue to provide emergency support for the existing military residents. Equally important, the MMR fire department will be able to continue to provide mutual aid services to Upper Cape communities, which is critical to the overall fire protection ability of the region” said Representative Perry from his State House Office.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in December 2006, by the Commonwealth, the National Guard and United States Coast Guard, guaranteed continued operations on the MMR after the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) realigned the base and moved the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd fighter wing to Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield.
This legislation, in addition to the MOA and discussions with the Federal government, has resulted in the transfer of all existing MMR fire department infrastructure and equipment to the State control at no financial cost. The transfer of fire firefighting equipment will ultimately save the State millions of dollars and ensure continued protection on the MMR and the Upper Cape.
The MOA requires the United States Coast Guard to maintain the air strip and flight infrastructure and the Massachusetts Air National Guard to maintain existing utilities. With the passages of this legislation, which is being sent back to the Senate for their final approval, the Commonwealth will have sole control of the MMR fire department’s operations.
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August 14, 2008
Representative Perry Receives Massachusetts Laborers’ AFL-CIO Endorsement
Sandwich – Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) was pleased to have recently received the endorsement of the Massachusetts Laborers’ International Union of North America (AFL-CIO). This endorsement comes while Representative Perry is seeking reelection to a fourth term in the Massachusetts Legislature.
In a statement released by the AFL-CIO they acknowledged that the endorsement was a result of Representative Perry’s…“commitment to [his] community and working families not only in [his] District but throughout the Commonwealth...”
Representative Perry, a former police sergeant and small business owner, was honored to have received this endorsement by the hard working members of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Since he was first elected in 2002, he has dedicated his efforts to support working families with lower taxes, government accountability and reducing wasteful government spending.
Along with his efforts to reduce wasteful government spending, Representative Perry has worked diligently on Chapter 70 reform as well as many public safety efforts includes Jessica’s Law and Melanie’s Bill. He continues to push for a State income tax roll-back to 5% and measures to further reform our auto and homeowners insurance markets. All of these efforts go a long way assisting working families here in the Commonwealth.
Commenting on the endorsement, Representative Perry said, “This endorsement is further confirmation that my efforts to support working famiies has not gone unnoticed. I am proud to accept this endorsement and will continue to fight for responsible government spending and efforts to provide financial relief to citizens of the Commonwealth.”
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August 16, 2008
Representative Perry Announces Endorsement
by the Republican Liberty Caucus
Sandwich – Today, Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) announced that he received the endorsement of the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC). The RLC is a national political organization working to change the direction of the Republican Party towards strengthening free markets, preserving individual rights and limited government.
Candidates endorsed by the RLC uphold the organization’s dedication to the ideals of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party. The RLC supports lower taxes for individuals and businesses, the right of privacy for individuals, the right of law-abiding individuals to keep and bear arms, balanced budgets through spending cuts, educational choice, freedom of speech for individuals, protection of property rights for individuals and businesses, market-based health care, sound monetary policies, deregulation, phase-out of foreign aid, phase-out of federal welfare, private options for Social Security, free trade and privatization of government functions.
Representative Perry has supported these values by supporting many measures here in Massachusetts, and said “I am very happy to have received such an endorsement. The group embodies the principles of small government that I strive to achieve in my work on Beacon Hill.”
An example of how Representative Perry has reduced the size and cost of State Government and one that is consistent with the ideals laid out by the RLC is how the Representative helped to eliminate the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). The MDC was charged with securing and maintaining all State owned property; however, this agency was filled with waste and patronage. With the combining of the State Parks Department at the MDC, the State was able to save millions of dollars and stop much of the political favoritism and waste.
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