BOSTON- State Representative James J. Dwyer (30th Middlesex District) was recently sworn in for his third term representing Woburn (wards 2-6) and Reading (precincts 2-5) as a member of the 188th Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Due to redistricting based on the 2010 U.S. Census, the 30th Middlesex District gains Reading’s precinct 4 and loses Stoneham’s precinct 3 as of January 2, 2013.
“It is an honor and a distinct privilege to have been sworn in for a third term,” said Rep. Dwyer. “I appreciate that faith that the taxpayers of Woburn and Reading have placed in me and I’m looking forward to working on common sense solutions that move Massachusetts forward.”
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Inauguration Day for the House of Representatives included the swearing in of new and returning members by Governor Deval Patrick, the election of the Speaker of the House, and the start of the legislative agenda for the 2013-2014 legislation session.
“Having been sworn in to my third term as a member of the Legislature, I can honestly say that I still get chills when reciting the oath,” said Rep. Dwyer. “It is truly a humbling experience to be entrusted with carrying out the people’s business in a remarkably historic chamber.”
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Speaker Robert A. DeLeo laid out a road map on issues that will be addressed in the forthcoming session. Issues facing the 188th General Court include a broad deficit in state transportation funding, reforming the state’s gun laws, and closing the state budget gap.
“We need to focus our efforts on reforming the way in which our government operates first and foremost when it comes to finding solutions in addressing our transportation funding deficit,” said Rep. Dwyer. “If we don’t, major local projects such as the New Boston Street Bridge in Woburn, and West Street reconstruction in Reading will be delayed further.”
The MBTA is currently facing a $130 million operating deficit while the Massachusetts Department of Transportation continues to grapple with the debt incurred from the Big Dig project.
“In addressing our state gun laws and gun violence, we need to focus on removing illegal guns from our streets and allotting additional funding to our mental health system to create parity with other health care related funding,” continued Rep. Dwyer. “I will be reaching out to my colleagues to gain support in establishing a special division at the Massachusetts State Police who sole focus will be on eradicating illegal firearms from the Commonwealth. We need to use common sense to find solutions while respecting the rights encumbered in the 2nd amendment.”
Representative Dwyer has top priorities with regards to legislation he will be filing in the coming legislative session. The legislation is as follows:
1) Establishing the Massachusetts Travelers Bill of Rights, or “Nolan’s Law” which will require travel agencies to inform consumers of travel warnings or watches posted by the U.S. State Department to help protect consumers
2) Forming a special commission charged with reforming the way in which sound barrier projects are selected and constructed
3) Forming a special commission charged with creating a state office of veterans business assistance to help small business owners who are veterans and to help those veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to have the tools necessary to start their own businesses.
4) Establishing a moratorium on any new mandated education programs and expenses to protect cities and towns from escalating educational costs
5) Establishing a permanent annual sales tax holiday on the third weekend of August
6) Increasing the line of duty death benefit for police officers from $100,000 to $250,000 and the elevation of one rank to make sure that their sacrifice is recognized that their families are taken care of.
