Life Sciences Hearing Hosted at Mass College of Pharmacy
December 19, 2007–Senator Jack Hart Co-Chair of the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies hosted a Life Sciences hearing at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. The hearing was a scheduled stop along the series of hearings across the Commonwealth to inform residents, employees and legislators of the pending Life Sciences legislation. There was a strong academic presence at his hearing with a welcome from Mass College of Pharmacy President Charles Monahan and a testimony from UMASS Chancellor Keith Motley...<read more>

Senator Hart’s Act Relative to Fuel and Shelter Benefits for Veterans Unanimously Passed by Legislatures
November 7, 2007–Members of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs voted unanimously to pass two key veterans bills, including a bill which could help hundreds of eligible veterans off-set their heating costs this winter..<read more>

Senator Jack Hart and Co-Chair Daniel Bosley of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Launch Life Sciences Series
October 30, 2007–Senate Chairman Jack Hart and House Chairman Daniel Bosley of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies hosted the first hearing on House Bill 4234, An Act relative to providing for the investment in and expansion of the life sciences industry, also known as the Governor’s “Life Sciences Bill”. The hearing held on Tuesday, October 30 at the Massachusetts State House was open to the public..<read more>

State Cultural Grants Benefit Local Organizations
October 2, 2007–State Senator Jack Hart announced that grants totaling $299,650 have been awarded to cultural organizations, schools, and communities in his district by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). These grants support a variety of cultural activities that benefit local residents. The announcement was made as part of a statewide funding program by the MCC...<read more>

Senator Hart Votes to Boost Community Service Efforts across the State
September 25, 2007–The Senate voted for legislation that would establish a new community service force in Massachusetts to address unmet needs in our communities. Called the “Commonwealth Corps,” the program would recruit from a wide-ranging talent pool of college students, professionals and retirees to volunteer on a full-time and part-time basis. Governor Deval Patrick announced the Commonwealth Corps initiative in January...<read more>

Senator Hart and South Boston Elected Officials Work with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to Launch Tunnel Project
September 18, 2007–For decades, residents of South Boston have dealt with the unpleasant issue of combined sewage overflow discharging into South Boston beaches. Fortunately, with the support of state and local legislators, the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) launched an aggressive combined sewer overflow storage (CSO) tunnel project. This project is the single largest project in the $850 million CSO control program. State Senator Jack Hart along with South Boston Elected Officials, the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs and several MWRA representatives hosted the launch ceremony in South Boston....<read more>

Senator Hart Works with Beaches Commission, Legislature in Sustaining Beach Improvement
Senator Jack Hart, Co-Chair of the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, worked tirelessly with his legislative colleagues to ensure that the Department of Conservation and Recreation beaches this year received an adequate amount of funding to maintain our urban beaches...<read more>

South Boston Elected Officials Act to Disband Homeless Camp  
August 28, 2007– State Senator Jack Hart in collaboration with Representative Brian Wallace, Councilor Michael Flaherty and Councilor Bill Linehan have coordinated a multi agency effort that has led to the dismantlement and cleanup of a homeless camp adjacent to the Southampton Street Bridge in South Boston....<read more>

The Senate Votes to Amend Child “Booster Seat” Law   Children under 8 years of age and less than 57 inches tall must use booster seat
August 1, 2007 –The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would require the use of booster seats for children through age 7 or four-feet-nine-inches tall, whichever comes first. The current law targets children up to the age of 5 and weighing less than 40 pounds...<read more>

Senator HartVotes for Final Approval of Bill Allowing Cities and Towns to Join State Insurance Plan
July 25, 2007–The Senate approved legislation creating a local option for cities and towns to buy their health insurance through the state insurance plan commonly known as the Group Insurance Commission. The legislation will help municipalities reduce health insurance costs, potentially saving $120 million to $180 million per year...<read more>

Senator Hart Votes to Eliminate State Pension Funds’ Sudanese-related Investments
July 18, 2007—Senator Jack Hart, representing the First Suffolk District, voted to require the Commonwealth’s Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (PRIM) to divest in certain companies who conduct business within Sudan. This legislation is aimed at putting economic pressure on the Sudanese government to stop the genocide in the country’s Darfur region… <read more>

Senator Hart Stands behind Consumer Protection against Identity Theft
July 17, 2007–Senator Hart announced today that the Senate has passed legislation that provides Massachusetts consumers with greater protections from identity theft. The bill increases requirements on companies and agencies to report security breaches and protect personal information. It also puts tools at consumers’ disposal to protect their credit information...<read more>

Senator Hart Receives Advocate for the Arts Award
June 25, 2007—State Senator Jack Hart was awarded the first ever Advocate for the Arts Award last week at the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts Jazz Night.  The award was created to honor individuals who advocate for the arts through legislative and policy initiatives that support artistic community of Massachusetts. … <read more>

Senator Hart Speaks at the Third Annual Dorchester Youth Council Showcase
June 19, 2007— Recently, The SCI Dorchester Youth Council hosted the third annual “We Are the Change Community Showcase” and invited Senator Jack Hart to be the special guest speaker.  The Youth Council is dedicated to providing civic engagement opportunities in Dorchester… <read more>

Legislative Biotech Caucus Hosts First Life Sciences Day at Mass State House Caucus Seeks Ideas to Promote Industry
May, 2007— For Ron and Kim Ricchiuto, the first day with their newborn son Tyler was filled with worry. The North Andover couple’s son’s bleeding would not stop following circumcision surgery. Instead of spending time in the arms of his parents, Tyler was whisked away for urgent tests. Tyler was diagnosed with hemophilia B, also known as Christmas disease, which impacts approximately 3,000 Americans. Individuals with this rare condition are unable to form blood clots after injury. Tyler, who was born in 2000, was given a relatively new drug at the time, BeneFIX, produced by Wyeth. The drug introduces proteins that allow for coagulation, stopping or preventing bleeding in people who do not have enough factor IV. The drug is made using recombinant technology, allowing for the synthetic production of the drug, rather than being derived from human plasma which could risk the introduction of viruses… <read more>

The year of the beach
April 30, 2007— IT'S SPRING, and the region's fancy turns to one of its most glorious seasonal assets: 15 miles of public beaches stretching in a sandy arc from Hull to Nahant. Sadly, however, a visit to these urban treasures too often turns up dross: broken glass, dingy bath houses, crumbling seawalls, dirty sand. These poor conditions squander the $4.5 billion Massachusetts citizens have invested in cleaning up Boston Harbor. The water is clean enough for swimming on most days, but the approach to the shore is so unwelcoming that the benefit is lost… <read more>

Flagging a problem
Yes (it's OK to swim). No. Maybe? Water gets tested, but exactly when it's safe is hard to tell.
By Robert Preer, Globe Correspondent | April 22, 2007— In summer, Elena Black of East Boston is a frequent visitor to the beaches of Boston Harbor. She goes with her 15-year-old daughter and takes along children from East Boston's Paris Street Community Center, where she works.… <read more>

SENATOR HART FILES BILL SUPPORTING BEACH IMPROVEMENT
April 9, 2007— State House, Boston- Senator Jack Hart further demonstrated his commitment to revamping the region’s beach communities by filing a bill to create legislation to reconstruct “Beaches We Can Be Proud Of.” The legislation filed will establish a Metropolitan Beaches Advisory Board which shall advise the commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation on matters relevant to the department. The advisory board shall meet at least quarterly at the request of the commissioner to maintain progress in the off season. The bill has also outlined ways to contribute money to the Metropolitan Beaches fund. Fees associated with the use of state beaches, or proceeds derived from lease agreements of land or facilities will be deposited into the fund for basic maintenance costs or improvements to facilities or service equipment. “This bill is a direct response to the recommendations made by the Commission. Representative Petrucelli and I have familiarized ourselves with the problem. We are now working toward a solution,” stated Hart.

As Co- Chair of the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, Hart has had an integral role in the review of beaches stretching from Nantasket Beach in Hull to Winthrop beach. “I have great memories of Carson Beach as a kid. I am saddened to see that despite investments over the years, some beaches are not suitable for use. Public beaches are an enormous asset to have within our reach, we need to make sure the capital improvements are mandated at each site to make them more inviting to the public,” said Hart.

In addition to the legislation filed, Senator Hart is hosting his annual “Beach Cleanup” in conjuncture with the Department of Conservation and Recreation on May 12th at 9am at Savin Hill/Malibu Beach. The South Boston “Beach Cleanup” will be announced at a later date. Gloves and gear will be provided by DCR, refreshments by the Senator Hart’s office.

MCCA JOINS SENATOR HART IN SHARING BENEFITS
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority joined Senator Jack Hart in acknowledging the need to share revenue benefits generated by ìgate showsî hosted at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center with all of Bostonís neighborhoods. The MCCA and Senator Hart created a Community Partnership and Hospitality Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund encourages Boston based non-profits working with at-risk youth, women or seniors, as well as programs revitalizing or improving neighborhoods to apply for grants or donations up to $10,000. Requests for funding will be reviewed biannually. The first proposal deadline is the 15th of April. For more information regarding guidelines for grant funding, please visit www.massconvention.com.

SENATOR HART SELECTED FOR GLOBAL WARMING COMMITTE
State House, Boston— Senator Jack Hart, of the 1st Suffolk District representing the neighborhoods of South Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park was named by Senate President Travaglini to the Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. The Global Warming Senate Committee was designed to spread awareness on a state level and promote a more conscious commonwealth. ìI thank President Travaglini for forming a committee to address this mounting issue. We must find a way stop the irreversible damage to the environment. I am committed to reviewing and overseeing legislation that will produce alternate methods of energy use,î stated Senator Hart.

Studies have shown the Northeast to be the seventh highest producer of green house gases in the entire world. If the growth of heat trapping emissions continues, the region will eventually see an increase in temperature of up to 12 degrees. ìWe can not run a blinds eye to what scientists are now saying-that global warming is a man-made crisis because of our reliance on fossil fuels,î said Senate President Travaglini. ìWe canít just look to the federal government for answers. It is incumbent on all of us who contribute to the problem to be part of the solution.î President Travaglini appointed Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton) to Chair the Committee. Others named to the Committee include Vice Chair Pamela R. Resor (D-Acton), Senator Michael W. Morrissey (D-Quincy), Senator Steven A Baddour (D-Methuen), and Senator Robert L. Hedlund (R-Weymouth).

SENATOR HART KICKS OFF IRISH WEEK IN MASSACHUSETTS AT STATE HOUSE
March 5, 2007— Senator Jack Hart of 1st Suffolk District representing South Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park and his fellow legislators will officially kick off Irish Food & Culture Week in Massachusetts ñ March 12-18, 2007 - with a special event at the State House on Monday, March 12, from Noon to 2:00 p.m.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a sampling of Irish food products from the Irish Dairy Board, Kerrygold Cheeses and Butters of Ireland, brown bread from Mannionís Bakery in Quincy and Irish crisps from Hurleyís Irish Soda Bread in Hyde Park.

The afternoon celebration will feature Seamus Connolly, one of the worldís renowned Irish fiddle players, as well as David Barry, Consul General of Ireland and other leaders from the Irish American community

State House legislators will officially welcome six visiting chefs from Ireland who are in Boston the week of March 12th for a series of culinary events sponsored by the Boston Irish Tourism Association and Tourism Ireland.

As the most Irish state in the USA, with over 23% of residents claiming Irish ancestry, Massachusetts has hundreds of cultural events during March to celebrate the stateís illustrious Irish history and heritage. For complete details on Irish parades, concerts, dances, literary events, sporting activities, and other activities during the month of March, visit www.IrishMassachusetts.com

SENATOR HART KEYNOTE AT PIONEER INSTITUTE CONFERENCE
February 9, 2007— The Pioneer Instituteís Center for Economic Opportunity welcomed keynote presenter Senator Jack Hart to the 7th Annual Conference titled ìStrategies and Tools to Revitalize our Middle Cities.î Senator Hart is the chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and was responsible for passing the Economic Stimulus legislation which infused $500 million into the Massachusetts Economy. Senator Hart emphasized the achievements of the commonwealth with advances in Stem Cell Research, which offers the potential in the curing of diseases such as juvenile diabetes, the passing of the Expedited Permitting reform promoting more statewide development and the Infrastructure Investment Incentive (I3), an initiative focused on job growth stimulation.

Despite his positive outlook, Senator Hart addressed the need for long term economic growth. Hart stated, ìOver the past several years we have enacted several really outstanding pieces of legislation ñ that are having ñ and will have ñ measurable impacts on the Massachusetts economy. Let me remind you - itís all about jobs. Your elected officials, under the great leadership of President Travaglini and Speaker DiMasi, have focused on policies that will lead to both the retention of jobs here in Massachusetts ñ and the creation of new ones.î Hart concluded with the importance of maintaining a cautious but positive position. ìI am Confident through the collaborative efforts of organizations like the Pioneer Institute; the value in the promotion of economic development will not be ignored."

The Pioneer Institute, founded in 1988, is an independent non-profit public policy research institute based in Boston. Pioneer is in the business of generating and promoting new and practical public policy ideas and peer-reviewed scholarship that ensure the maintenance of core values of an open society-economic opportunity, social mobility, private and market rather than government-driven solutions, and governmental accountability to the people.

SENATOR HART HONORED ON BEHALF OF WORK WITH VETERANS
February 12, 2007— The Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association awarded recognition to Senator Jack Hart for his years of dedicated service and successful legislation geared to promote the quality of life for veterans in the commonwealth. Senator Hart sits on the committee for Veteran and Federal Affairs and has advocated for immediate action involving benefits of Massachusetts veterans.

During his term, Senator Hart shepherded the ìWelcome Home Bonusî program, which awards a tax-free monetary payment up to $1000 to Massachusetts service members and their families. Senator Hart was also strong supporter of the ìMassachusetts MERIT tax planî that passed into law in July of 2006. Continuing his commitment to the men and women in uniform, Senator Hart joined the fight to allow National Guardsman to attend state colleges and universities free of charge as outlined in the ìWelcome Home Bill.î After a lengthy standoff with the Board of Higher Education, Hartís efforts once again proved to be successful.

Hart remarked, ìI am honored to receive this award and to be working on behalf of our courageous men and women in uniform. The sacrifice of our veterans and their families will not go unnoticed. I am committed to supporting initiatives that will benefit those who have fought to maintain the freedoms we have today.