Senate Passes Crime, Government and Finance Reform, and Economic Development Legislation

Last week, the Senate moved forward with three very important bills. First, we sent a tough and balanced to the governor for his signature. This bill will keep the most dangerous criminals out of our communities and makes necessary changes to our sentencing laws and parole guidelines.

According to the law, the habitual offender tag will be placed on anyone convicted of two crimes from a list of the most serious offenses, including murder, rape and kidnapping. The bill mandates that any habitual offender found guilty of a third offense from the list of most serious crimes would be ineligible for parole.

For others serving a life sentence, the bill raises the parole eligibility threshold to a two-thirds vote of the parole board from the current majority vote.

Public safety is always a top priority and this bill takes some important steps forward in improving sentencing laws and parole guidelines. This legislation will keep the most dangerous criminals out of our communities and we will look to do more reforms in the next legislative session after a complete analysis of our criminal justice system. Those reforms should include updated wiretapping laws for law enforcement to better counteract gang violence, human trafficking and other illegal activities.

Second, the Senate sent the governor legislation that provides much-needed updates to our and implements performance measurement requirements for all government agencies and programs to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability.

I filed this bill in April 2011 and it fundamentally reforms how state government works by requiring all state agencies and programs to start measuring performance and outcomes. Through data-driven evaluations, we can provide real transparency and accountability, and build budgets on what really works.

The legislation requires the use of data to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of agencies and programs throughout state government, including the executive branch. For the first time, each agency will be required to have a performance management system in place and develop a strategic plan for measuring performance that can be evaluated publicly and by the Legislature and Governor.

Additionally, the bill establishes a commission to make recommendations on the feasibility of moving the Commonwealth from traditional “maintenance”-based budgeting to a modern “zero”-based budgeting process for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016. This budgeting method is finding great success in some states, including Utah and Virginia.

And, third, the Senate passed a bill that focuses on economic development and job creation in the Commonwealth by assisting small businesses and the manufacturing industry, investing in research and development projects, and strengthening and reforming workforce development efforts.

The bill also establishes a sales tax holiday for August 11 and 12, making it the seventh year the Commonwealth provides a sales tax exemption for two days and the eighth year with at least one sales-tax-free day. The Senate has consistently supported a sales tax holiday since it began eight years ago. As in previous years, the sales tax holiday will apply to purchases under $2,500. Additionally, it excludes vehicles, motorized boats, tobacco, meals and utilities.

Because of some differences on this bill between the Senate and the House, a conference committee will convene to produce a final bill for passage and consideration by the governor. In Massachusetts, we have a strong competitive environment and fast-growing core industries, but it’s important that we continue to support and invest in each sector to ensure our continued growth.

To read more about these bills, please visit www.ThereseMurray.com or www.Facebook.com/SenatePresidentMurray.