Jul 22 2011 [Note: a staff member highlight and various photographs have been removed for space conservation. To view the original newsletter, follow this link]
MA FISHERIES – Senator Scott Brown’s E-Newsletter for July 22, 2011
A Brief Note on standing up for a balanced budget and cutting Washington spending:
Today we took a symbolic vote on a balanced budget amendment. A balanced budget requirement is something we have in Massachusetts, and I think it would be good for the entire country at a time when we are $14.3 trillion dollars in debt and it is rising every day. Now both parties need to come together on a plan that will allow us to avoid default and make substantial cuts in spending, which is reasonable and bipartisan and will have a chance of being signed into law. Let’s stop the negative politics and partisan bickering and get down to work. Time is running short.
Protecting MA Fisheries: Held Hearing in Faneuil Hall, Introduced Legislation
People across Massachusetts know that our fishing industry is struggling. Now we know why. A recent report from the Department of Commerce Inspector General revealed startling information about Washington’s abuse of power and over-regulation. It revealed that Washington has mismanaged the so-called Asset Forfeiture Fund (AFF) for many years, with NOAA officials wasting taxpayer money on exorbitant foreign travel, unauthorized purchases of vehicles, and a $300,000 luxury boat.
We need to take action to bring justice for our fishermen. Last month I held a fishing field hearing at Faneuil Hall, and introduced the “Asset Forfeiture Responsibility Act of 2011” to address the ongoing enforcement abuses within the AFF. The legislation will replace the AFF with a new Fisheries Investment Fund that will be kept at the Treasury Department and will be focused on helping fishermen meet the ever-growing costs of compliance. The Act will help end a sad chapter in government mismanagement. Replacing the scandal-plagued Asset Forfeiture Fund and its corrupt incentives will help our fishermen and bring jobs back to the fishing industry. My bill will also take a much-needed step toward restoring accountability to a Washington agency that for too long has run rogue with its enforcement.
I spoke on the Senate floor the day my bill was introduced, check out video here:
…or see below some of the media highlights:
Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk in her “Mayor’s Desk” feature in the Times
Traveling the State
I continued to travel throughout western Massachusetts in June and July, first witnessing the damage done and then, happily, getting to see the recovery and relief efforts by families, nonprofits, and local governments. During the weekend of the 4th of July, I was able to stop and meet folks in several towns.
On July 1st – the one-month anniversary of the tornadoes – I returned to the area and toured the region with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. Check out some media highlights below:
WWLP: Republican Senator Scott Brown and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno toured some of the areas of the city hit hardest by the tornado, one month after the storm.
WGGB: On Friday, Senator Scott Brown was back in western Massachusetts touring the Maple High-Six Corners section of Springfield. “The mayor, his team, all the federal and local officials, and the administration have really done a good job coordinating. This is how you need to respond to a natural disaster and I’m very proud of everybody.”
WSHM: Mayor Sarno says “It’s the resilience of the Springfield people that’s keeping us going 24/7.”
Springfield Republican: As U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., walked up Clark Street on Friday inspecting tornado damage; a toy car was flipped over in the gutter. It was the only vehicle on the street … “It’s good to see – this is how government is supposed to work,” said Brown, who first visited the area hours after a tornado blew through the neighborhood of older one-and two-story homes near Elias Brookings Elementary School.
I also spent time over July 4th weekend travelling to various parades and events to celebrate our nation’s independence.
Anonymous said:
What is wrong with all of our elected officials? I always thought the USA was the greatest place to raise my 5 children but ya what Im starting to think they are so ignorant. My God! The party crap is rediculous. We are all one is life together. Everyone is laughing at them all! Everyone of them! They are there to represent the people. Not position themselves for there next political win. No wonder the youth of today don’t even bother to vote. DO THEY REALLY THINK ALL AMERICANS CAN’T SEE THE POLITICAL GAMES THEY PLAY? IT’S EMBARASING AND DISGRACEFUL! WHY VOTE ANYMORE, MAYBE THEY SHOULD STOP MAKING COINS WITH ALL THERE PICTURES ON THEM. NO ONE WANTS THEM OR CARES. MAYBE IF THEY TOLD ALL AMERICANS HOW MUCH THEY PAY FOR THAT, GOOD GOD PEOPLE WORK SO HARD JUST TO STAY AFLOAT . I’VE ALWAYS VOTED BUT IF THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN’T COMPROMISE AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT ALLOWS ALL AMERICANS TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY, THEN TRUELY GOD BLESS AMERICA1
Fowl Ideas said:
Zaphod Beeblebrox, the President of the Galaxy in Douglas Adams’ book, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” said it best.
His job was not to wield power but to behave in a manner that distracts the public’s attention from those who do.