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Rep. Geraldo Alicea and House Completes Busy First Half of Legislative Session
Energy and Child Protection Reforms, Municipal Support and Savings Highlight Year
Representative Geraldo Alicea and the House of Representatives closed out the first half of their two-year legislative session last week with an impressive record of results that saw bold leadership on nation-leading energy reform and sweeping changes that will better protect vulnerable children.
“I am proud of the accomplishments of the House during the first half of this session. I am certain that our legislative accomplishments will be of great assistance to the people of the Commonwealth and the 6th Worcester District,” said Alicea.
Governor Deval Patrick signed into law 170 bills so far this session; more than had become law by this point in either 2003 or 2005. House members approved legislation aimed at tackling some of the most pressing problems facing the Commonwealth- from the wave of mortgage foreclosures to identity theft protection and ever-escalation property taxes.
Coupled with increase state spending on critical programs that brought more school aid to ever district in the state and broad new support for cities and towns, the session accomplishments are notable, Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi said.
“The members of the House have built an impressive record of success this year and we have much to show for our hard work,” Speaker DiMasi said. “As we adjourn for the year and we look back on the bills that have come through chamber, it is apparent that we have tackled a broad-base of issues and delivered on our goals for the session.”
Among the highlights of the bills passed by the House so far this session:
- Sweeping energy reform that brought together Governor Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, Attorney General Martha Coakley and key stakeholders in the business, energy and environmental industry to encourage renewable energy in the Commonwealth
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- A bold reform to the state’s social service network in the Child Abuse and Neglect legislation that toughens laws meant to protect the state’s most vulnerable children, creates a new cabinet secretary dedicated solely to child welfare, established minimum education requirements for social workers and their supervisors and orders training of mandatory reporters and increase criminal
penalties
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- Significant assistance to those caught in the rising tide of mortgage foreclosures by encouraging banks to help borrowers, providing a new three-month window to cure defaults and mandating tough new licensing standards for mortgage loan originators.
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The House passed several top priorities of Governor Patrick’s, including his first legislative filing creating the Commonwealth Corps volunteer effort, significant pieces of his Municipal Partnership Act and several reorganization plans to help th
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