Senator Hedlund Fires Back at 2012 Opponent Steve May

State Senator Robert Hedlund responded to his 2012  state senate race opponent  Steve May's accusation that he violated the State Ethics Law on Thursday.

Hedlund said May was "confused" by this "non issue."

Earlier this week, an ammendment sponsored by Hedlund was aimed to make bars and restaurants subject to the same liquor laws as the proposed casinos. That means if casinos become legal in the state, and are allowed to offer drink deals, freebies or other promotions, so, too, would bars and restaurants.

May, the Democratic candidate, who plans to run against Hedlund in Nov. 2012, said because he is a partnering owner of the Four Square Restaurant and Pub in Weymouth Landing and the new amendment would help sales at his business.

Hedlund, R-Weymouth who represents Hingham, announced Thursday that he filed a disclosure statement with the State Ethics Commission prior to the filing of Amendment 160.2- Local Restaurant Protection acknowledging he is a non-managing partner of Four Square Restaurant in Braintree.

Additionally, in remarks on the floor of the Senate,  Hedlund acknowledged a partial ownership interest of Four Square Restaurant. Senator Hedlund's office said he also consulted with Senate Counsel prior to filing the amendment.

is a broad based initiative that would impact the entire Massachusetts restaurant industry. It would be akin to one of the many small business owner legislators not being able to vote for the state wide sales tax holiday.

“It is unfortunate that anyone would consider operating a business and creating jobs to be a liability to the legislative process," Hedlund said in a written statement.  "Lobbyist Steve May should worry about his own ethics disclosures as an Executive Director and lobbyist of a nonprofit that he has founded. As an announced candidate, Mr. May should disclose his funding sources for his “nonprofit” entity.

“I do not blame Mr. May for seeking publicity for his fledgling campaign, but it is clear that as someone with no private sector background he was confused by this non-issue. The bottom line is that Mr. May’s complaint is self-serving and frivolous. It should be dismissed.”

Additionally, should this amendment make its way through conference, Hedlund already publicly stated that the restaurant he owns a share of would not be offering any free drinks. Senator Hedlund filed this amendment to level the playing field for employers of the Commonwealth.

“I have always stood up for what I believe in," Hedlund said. "I have always been an active participant in Senate deliberations and will continue to do so.”

Hedlund's office also put an end to Happy Hour rumors that may be spreading, releasing a statement stating:

"The Local Restaurant Protection amendment does not lift the ban on happy hours in Massachusetts. It simply requires that the same rules that apply to casinos apply to all businesses in the Commonwealth, creating a level playing field, which will ultimately be determined by the ABCC and the newly created Gaming Liquor Enforcement Unit."

The above article uses a release submitted by the office of Robert Hedlund.