Paul Heroux
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On the article Legislation Calls for Ban on Smoking in Vehicles with Kids
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On the article Legislation Calls for Ban on Smoking in Vehicles with Kids
Paul Heroux
8:48 am on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Actually, it is what I was elected for by one consitutent. Read here: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/bill-proposes-smoke-free-autos-for-kids/article_76fa7fd0-1bcd-59f3-9056-219191bb15c0.html
But if you have a better way to address this issue, please let me know. Doing nothing isn't an option.
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On the article State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Exit Strategy
Paul Heroux
3:08 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2013
I would loosely define being in the lower half as among lowest since it is less than the upper half, which is the highest. We can split hairs all day and for the sake of going at it to no avail, I will rephrase and say we are better than average, but certainly not good. Having said that, what I was specifically thinking about, and what I should have typed, was that MA now has a lower unemployment rate than post-recession.
I reiterate what I said earlier: we have the highest bond rating of any state in the country and we have the highest educational achievement, and we are better than average. Are we perfect? No. Can we do better? Yes. Which, relevant to business and jobs, is why I work with the local Chamber of Commerce every chance I can.
Richard, I find it unproductive and a needless affront to the integrity of common people in this forum with whom you disagree to malign their character by accusing them of being dishonest or lying. I hope you may enter a discourse with people of whom you don't agree with with more respect for differences and tolerance. Yearning to see things from their point of view and to understand how they define certain concepts is healthy and often a good way to grow; many concepts can have loose definitions and it is always good to first ask: "what do you mean by ..." or "how do you define ... because I think I may define it differently." Good day, Richard.
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On the article State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Exit Strategy
Paul Heroux
1:55 am on Sunday, April 14, 2013
@ Rob C and @Ken - Here is my record on raising taxes.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/beacon_hill_roll_call/area-state-reps-opposed-proposed-tax-hike/article_d86d1fe8-7b95-5dc9-bb39-9b74e01b7251.htmlThe Governor does not have support in the House to get a $1.9 billion tax hike, which is why the Speaker put together a $500 million plan; that passed the House. Listen to my debate - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ewp7jGBSlBQ - in the debate I say, I don't support raising the gax tax and I say why.
And here are the bills that I have filed... note that I am seeking to start measuring programs in several of my bills. - http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/PRH1. Not sure if you followed my campaign, but govt accountability was my primary issue.
Good night, folks.
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On the article State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Exit Strategy
Paul Heroux
10:15 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013
@Rob C. - I think you have a misunderstanding of what is going on on Beacon Hill.
If a Rep told you being a Rep is a part time job, he or she is either not doing what needs to be done or not doing a very good job. I have been at this almost 7 days a week 10+ hours a day since I got on board in January with very little down time.
There is an enormous amount of work that is done every day that does not involve being "in formal session" or even on Beacon Hill. In fact, if you read my recent article, you will see that the VAST majority of the work that I am doing isn't in formal session. Formal session is where we go to make a case for or against a bill and then push a button. There is much more to the job.
I don't think we are the joke of the USA. We have the highest bond rating in the country, one of the lowest statewide unemployment rates in the country, and we are THE highest in education. Are we perfect? No. Are there areas we can improve? Yes.
It is not so much the politicians in the House and Senate who are involved with cronyism; it is another branch of State govt that is notorious for it. In the House, we have strict laws against cronyism.
If you want to end 'career politicians' we have two ways to do it. 1) elections. 2) I'm all in favor of no pensions but to take away a living salary would result in only the rich being able to do this job. NH is a different state.
For better or for worse, WE (collective we) get the government WE deserve.
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On the article State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Exit Strategy
Paul Heroux
8:28 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013
@Sat and @Ken B. - Below is a good resource on this issue. In the link below, you'll see that a number of people have "Deflt" after their job title. These are not State Reps or State Senators. They are professional staff. Often a lawyer, accountant or economist.
In the link below, you can find that there is a difference between what the state pays someone and how much they make in a year. So, the $103K for Speaker DeLeo and Sen President Murray is likely from what they make outside doing legal or consulting work. A lot of Reps and Sens do this.
As I said, the base salary is $60,000. I know; it is what I get as a State Rep. We are also give an office stipend that is inserted into our pay check to buy paper and office supplies; this is taxed.
I note above there is extra money ($15K) for being a chair, and it would stand to reason that there is extra money for being a vice chair (not sure how much), and more being in a chair makes you leadership.
Also, Republicans and Democrats alike take the travel stipend. I do not. Proof that I don't take it will be a matter of public record at the end of the year. Base salary is $60K.
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On the article State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Exit Strategy
Paul Heroux
8:27 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013
@Sat and @Ken B. - Below is a good resource on this issue. In the link below, you'll see that a number of people have "Deflt" after their job title. These are not State Reps or State Senators. They are professional staff. Often a lawyer, accountant or economist.
In the link below, you can find that there is a difference between what the state pays someone and how much they make in a year. So, the $103K for Speaker DeLeo and Sen President Murray is likely from what they make outside doing legal or consulting work. A lot of Reps and Sens do this.
As I said, the base salary is $60,000. I know; it is what I get as a State Rep. We are also give an office stipend that is inserted into our pay check to buy paper and office supplies; this is taxed.
I note above there is extra money ($15K) for being a chair, and it would stand to reason that there is extra money for being a vice chair (not sure how much), and more being in leadership makes you a chair.
Also, Republicans and Democrats alike take the travel stipend. I do not. Proof that I don't take it will be a matter of public record at the end of the year. Base salary is $60K.
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On the article State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Exit Strategy
Paul Heroux
4:26 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013
Good afternoon, Richard,
The salary of State Reps and State Senators is indexed to the median income in Massachusetts, which is about $60,000 per year, which is our salary. A Committee Chair gets an additional $15,000 per year. No State Rep or State Sen is paid $80,000 or $100,000 per year by the state.
Having said that, you'll probably be happy to know two things: 1) the House and Senate took a $1,100 pay cut due to declining household incomes, and 2) I agree with your sentiment that we should not have 7,700 state employees making six figures, some of which is a very high six figure salary. I suspect if we did an ROI, we would see that there are a lot of employees who are not giving us a return.
Public service is not about those who serve, it is about those who would be served... or that is how is should be, anyway.
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On the article Area Legislators, Gun Owners Debate Bill Calling for More Firearm Regulations
Paul Heroux
1:24 pm on Sunday, April 7, 2013
What legislative actions do I support? I have not said I support any of these legislative actions you are referring to. Again, please let me know the source of where you claim I "support" these issues.
In fact, you are putting words into my mouth and I would appreciate a level of maturity, competence and respect on your part as I do my job working to proect the Second Amendment and advance effective, evidence-based crime prevention.
If you would like, feel free to call me at my home at 508-455-2547. Or set up an appointment to meet with me in person. And again, I encourage you to read what I have written on guns here: http://www.paulforattleboro.com/crime-policy.html
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On the article Area Legislators, Gun Owners Debate Bill Calling for More Firearm Regulations
Paul Heroux
1:24 pm on Sunday, April 7, 2013
What legislative actions do I support? I have not said I support any of these legislative actions you are referring to. Again, please let me know the source of where you claim I "support" these issues.
In fact, you are putting words into my mouth and I would appreciate a level of maturity, competence and respect on your part as I do my job working to proect the Second Amendment and advance effective, evidence-based crime provention.
If you would like, feel free to call me at my home at 508-455-2547. Or set up an appointment to meet with me in person. And again, I encourage you to read what I have written on guns here: http://www.paulforattleboro.com/crime-policy.html
Paul Heroux
2:35 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Hi - Paul ... let's not change the subject. We aren't talking about soda, or the Boston Bombers, or DTA. (... But if you are interested in DTA, you had the chance to come to hear the Commissioner speak in Attleboro on my invitation on May 9. That will be on cable. You can also look to how I've been voting on DTA issues. I'm usually with Republicans. I also voted against raising your taxes and I have filed bills and testified on one of those bills concerning measuring prison programs - a penny saved is a penny not wasted by the government.)
The government is in cars with seat belt laws, car seats, texting bans and speed limits, not to mention safety inspections of the condition of the car, insurance requirements for the car, and to license the driver. This is the next necessary legislative item to keep safe those who can't keep themselves safe.