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Senator Flanagan Takes Vote on Legislation to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse |
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BOSTON – With the abuse of prescription pain killers having reached epidemic levels in Massachusetts, the Senate on Thursday unanimously passed legislation for strict oversight of the drugs, Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster) announced. The bill will reduce the excess supply of pills and require physician registration in the state's Prescription Monitoring Program to prevent patients from "doctor shopping" for highly addictive medications such as OxyContin and Vicodin.
"This is a continuation of the work we've done in the last legislative session. This is an issue that affects every corner of Massachusetts; it's in every city and town. I think that the commonsense measures taken in this legislation will provide some tools to help decrease the prevalence of this in our society. An important piece of this bill is to raise public awareness and to recognize the symptoms of addiction," stated Senator Flanagan.
"When drugs like these are responsible for more accidental deaths in Massachusetts than motor vehicle accidents, you know we've got a problem," Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. "I said at the beginning of this legislative session this would be a top priority. The abuse of these drugs has devastating effects on individuals and families of every socio-economic background. The costs are high, both to families and the economy, not to mention the significant impact on public safety. This bill will help save lives and keep us all safer."
"This bill recognizes the quiet epidemic that has struck families all across this Commonwealth, and with practical, cost-effective measures steps up our fight against one of the main causes of the epidemic – prescription painkillers," said Senator John F. Keenan (D-Quincy) lead sponsor of the bill.
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Senator Flanagan Named to Conference Committee on Expanded Gaming Legislation |
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BOSTON - Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster) announced today that she will be serving on the six member conference committee tasked with resolving differences between the Senate version of the legislation and the House version of the expanded gaming legislation. A conference committee is a bi-partisan committee of three members from each branch that are appointed by Senate and House Leadership to craft a compromise bill that will be sent to both legislative branches for a final vote before being sent to the Governor's Desk. |
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Patrick-Murray Administration, Senator Flanagan, & Representative Benson Announce Funding For Lunenburg Housing |
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Funding for TriTown Landing project part of $64.5 million for affordable housing and job creation across Massachusetts
LUNENBURG – Continuing their investments in infrastructure, job creation and local communities, the Patrick-Murray Administration today joined State Senator Jen Flanagan and State Representative Jen Benson to announce funding for phase II of the TriTown Landing affordable housing project in Lunenburg. The project is part of a $64.5 million statewide investment in expanding affordable housing options and creating construction jobs across Massachusetts.
Great Bridge Properties will receive $439,475 in federal low-income housing tax credits and $1,465,000 in DHCD housing subsidies to create 33 additional affordable units for families, including at least four reserved for extremely low income families. It is expected to create 37 jobs.
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Senator Flanagan Supports Employment Rights Bill |
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BOSTON – The Senate on Thursday passed legislation establishing new employment rights for victims of domestic violence that will help victims keep their jobs and increase long-term economic productivity Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster) announced today. The vote was 34-0. The bill has wide support from advocacy organizations and the business community.
"Domestic violence has unfortunately increased across the Commonwealth and in my District. This legislation will go a long way in alleviating fear of losing a job because of a circumstance at home. Victims of this senseless act need as many tools as possible to remedy their situation; we have added some stability to an often unstable situation," stated Senator Flanagan.
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Senator Flanagan Takes Action Against Financial Abuses at State Education Collaboratives; Senate Passes Reform Legislation to End Mismanagement |
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BOSTON – The Senate on Tuesday took decisive action to end mismanagement and financial abuses at the Commonwealth's education collaboratives, which help teach children with special needs. With a unanimous vote, the Senate passed legislation that establishes strict oversight and accountability of the state's 30 institutions.
"This is another step taken by the Senate to increase transparency in state government. It's so disheartening when we hear about misuse of taxpayer money. We are continuously cutting services and fighting for every dollar these days; I'm so proud to have voted in favor of another piece of legislation that makes these much needed reforms. Children who are educated in the collaborative system deserve the highest integrity in those who are employed to oversee them," Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster).
State officials and the public called for immediate action after investigations last year by the state auditor and inspector general uncovered a serious misuse of funding at the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative and other collaboratives around the state.
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