Highlights

Senator Hart authored the ‘Economic Stimulus II’ bill. This legislation seeks to infuse close to $500 million into the Massachusetts economy targeting five major areas to stimulate job creation and economic growth. It includes funding for job growth and workforce training; emerging technology and health care; consumers and tourism; and infrastructure improvements.

Senator Hart also led the debate on the ‘Expedited Permitting’ reform, which will lead to more timely development projects and is expected to increase economic activity and lead to significant future job creation.

Senator Hart sponsored the recent legislation that facilitates the land transfer necessary for the expansion of the John F. Kennedy Library.

Last year, Senator Hart worked closely with Senate President Robert E. Travaglini to create legislation to encourage stem cell research within a strict regulatory environment.

As the former chairman of the Committee on Commerce & Labor, Senator Hart led his colleagues in protecting unemployment insurance benefits for individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth.

Senator Hart has provided funding for local hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers and relief for prescription drug costs.

Secured state appropriations for community policing and fought to reduce astronomically high auto insurance rates.

Senator Hart has advocated for substance abuse treatment programs, to address the growing drug addiction problems within his community and throughout the Commonwealth.

Legislative Accomplishments

Economic Stimulus II - Authorizes $457 million in state-wide initiatives in a comprehensive bid to spur private development and create thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. Makes targeted investments in growth sectors of the economy—life sciences and technology, tourism and culture, workforce development and training, and regional public infrastructure. (2006)

Unemployment Insurance Reform – Senator Hart authored a major reform package to save the nearly insolvent unemployment insurance program. The legislation generated funds for the ailing system by raising the base on taxable income and revising the sliding scale under which businesses utilize the benefits trust fund--punishing those who routinely lay-off workers. (2003)

Stem Cell Research - Senator Hart led the effort to clarify the Legislature’s support and encouragement of stem cell and other regenerative medical research in Massachusetts, creates a licensing and oversight mechanism for institutions conducting human embryonic stem cell research, requires informed and voluntary consent from donors, prohibits human reproductive cloning and provides criminal, civil and administrative penalties for violations of the bill. (2005)

Veteran’s Affairs – As a member of the Veteran’s Committee, Senator Jack Hart was instrumental in supporting the “Massachusetts MERIT (Military Enhanced Relief Individual Tax) Plan. This bill, named after the late Representative Edward G. Connolly, a long-term supporter of veterans, establishes several different tax relief measures for veterans and those currently serving. (2006)

Consignment of Fine Art - The important issues addressed in this legislation were brought to Senator Hart’s attention by well-known South Boston artist Kathleen Bitetti. The bill addresses several matters of concern to both artists and to art dealers. (2006) (Passed in the Senate, awaiting action in the House)

Breast Cancer License Plate – Senator Hart sponsored this bill. Proceeds of the plate’s sales will benefit Tufts-New England Medical Center’s Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Initiative and other breast cancer research. Funds will be donated to Tufts-NEMC through the Diane Connolly-Zaniboni Research Cancer Fund. Diane was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer at Tufts-New England Medical Center in 1998 and succumbed to the disease in 2000. Her sister Janice Connolly Laubenstein along with Deb McNeil, a two-year breast cancer survivor, has continued the license plate initiative in Diane’s memory. (2005)

Living Organ Donation - Senator Hart was a co-sponsor of this legislation that allows and encourages public employees to take a paid leave of absence so that they can save lives while giving them the peace of mind and financial security that they need so they can donate an organ to a family member or close friend or someone in need. (2005)

Infrastructure Investment Incentive – This legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Hart, will encourage strategic development that will generate significant new income, sales, meals and hotel tax revenue. Debt service for infrastructure is supported by a portion of the growth in this revenue. A partnership of state, community and developers shares the risks and rewards. (2006)

Meningitis Legislation – This bill, sponsored by Senator Hart, requires all college and graduate students receive immunization from bacterial meningitis or sign a waiver indicating that they know of the risks of this debilitating and often time’s deadly disease. (2003)

Sales Tax Holiday - Senator Hart has sponsored this legislation for the last several years. It both gives consumers a tax break and spurs retail sales while boosting local economies.

Long-Term Care for Massachusetts Seniors – This Legislation will
give thousands of Massachusetts senior citizens and disabled adults a greater voice in how they receive long-term care services as this bill drastically revamps the delivery of long term care across the state. (2006)

Chair, Metropolitan Beaches Commission

Chair, Science & Technology Caucus