Issues & Legislation

Here is some information on how I stand on some issues that are important to the Commonwealth. Please check back for updates and additions, and also visit my Legislative Action page for more information on bills I support.

Pension Reform

The Commonwealth’s public pension system provides modest benefits to state and municipal workers who have dedicated their careers to public service. In fact, most public sector retirees receive an average state pension of $24,000 and receive little or no Social Security benefits. Despite this reality, press accounts detailing a few high-profile cases of abuse have cast a shadow on the entire public pension system. Critics have painted a picture of a system that places an undue burden on taxpayers and pays exorbitant benefits to workers not available in the private sector. In order to correct this perception problem and restore the public’s trust, the Governor and the legislature have passed the first phase of comprehensive pension reform that tightens rules and closes unintended loopholes.

Some pieces of that legislation include:

Removes the “one day, one year” provision that allows elected officials to claim an entire year of credible service for working one day in a calendar year
Eliminates the ability of state and municipal officials to receive pension credit for service in an unpaid position and prevents those who make less than $5,000 annually from receiving pension credit after January 1, 2010
Reforms the current accidental disability retirement benefit for individuals who are injured while temporarily filling in for their supervisor
Removes a provision that allows elected officials to claim a “termination allowance” based on the failure to be nominated or re-elected
Aligns MBTA employee pension with the state system by requiring employees to retire at a minimum of 55 years of age with 25 years of service instead of 23 years of service with no age requirement
Reforms dual service pensions so that an individual cannot combine the compensation from two positions to artificially increase one’s pension. An individual who is a member of two or more systems will receive benefits as if retiring separately from each system. I am proud that the language for this important reform came from a bill that I filed at the beginning of this legislative session.
Re-defines “regular compensation” to exclude housing allowances, use of motor vehicle and travel

Given the complex nature of pension law, broader proposals for reform require further study to ensure that any major changes to the system are not unintentionally punitive on current members or employers, or create additional loopholes. Therefore, the law directed the currently-established Blue Ribbon Commission on Pension Reform to review broader issues within the system, such as capping large pension payments, and make comprehensive reform recommendations to the Legislature by September 1, 2009. The Commission has made some further recommendations which are currently under legislative review.

Health Care Reform - In Massachusetts and Nationally

Ensuring that every person in the Commonwealth has access to quality, affordable health care is of utmost importance. Whether you are a parent, worker, senior, or small business owner, you understand this.

Many constituents have contacted my office with questions or thoughts about the National Health Reform bills that were passed in March of 2010. On April 16, I invited Congressman Ed Markey’s Congressional Aide on Health Care, Patrick Lally, to a forum at the Robbins Library in Arlington. We had a good discussion with attendees and I will hold additional informational forums as implementation is rolled out and as people have more questions. In the meantime I wanted to provide some additional online resources here.

I hope the information and links below will help you understand more about our continued work in Massachusetts and this sweeping new national law.

Massachusetts' Continuing Efforts to Reduce Health Care Costs and Improve Quality and Access

In Massachusetts, we continue to lead the nation in our health reform efforts. The latest bills and studies are aimed at cost containment, helping small businesses, and guaranteeing that everyone in Massachusetts can afford quality care. To learn more about the news and progress in Massachusetts visit the following websites:

Please also see the health care section of my co-sponsored legislation page for more information on specific bills that I am supporting.

If you need help finding affordable health insurance or help paying for your prescriptions, please call the confidential consumer hotline at the non-profit organization Health Care for All. Their phone number is 800-272-4232. They can help you apply for MassHealth, explain the health insurance mandate and penalties, or help you find another health insurance or prescription plan that you qualify for. Of course I also invite you to call my office at 617-722-1432 if you are having problems accessing or affording health care.

National Health Reform

There is a lot of valuable information about National Health Reform online:

If you have specific questions about National Health Reform, you are of course welcome to contact my office, but your U.S. Congressperson or Senators may have the answers you are looking for.

Arlington, Lexington and Woburn:

Contact Congressman Edward Markey’s Medford office - 781-396-2900

Burlington:

Contact Congressman John Tierney’s Lynn office - 781-595-7375

Billerica:

Contact Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas’ Lowell office - 978-459-0101

All of Massachusetts:

Contact Senator John Kerry’s Boston office - 617-565-8519
Contact Senator Scott Brown’s Boston office - 617-565-3170

Senator Donnelly will file bills every legislative session addressing a range of issues from health care to labor and the workforce. Please read below to learn about the pieces of legislation filed or co-sponsored by Senator Donnelly for the 2009-2010 legislative session.

Animal Rights

An Act to Protect Animals in Domestic Violence Cases
and
An Act Relating to Pets and Abuse Prevention

I co-sponsored these two bills to protect the human and animal victims of domestic violence. Animals are regularly caught in the cross-fire of domestic violence; studies have shown that in the majority of domestic violence cases, abusers have injured or killed animals as a way of exerting control over their victims. Many victims will not leave their abuser because they are unable to secure protection for their animals. These bills would allow animals to be included in orders of protection. By ensuring that a pet is safe, this bill can help remove a barrier that can prevent a victim from leaving a violent situation.

An Act Relative to Puppy Mills

I co-sponsored this bill because it would limit the number of animals that can be kept under a kennel license and would also add specific animal welfare standards that must be met. Some breeders are very responsible and treat their animals well but other breeders force breeding dogs to live their entire lives in cages, force them to breed as frequently as possible, and have no regard for their well-being. Those practices are inhumane and should be stopped.

Civil Rights

An Act to Reform CORI, Restore Economic Opportunity, and Improve Public Safety

I co-sponsored this bill because the current Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system prevents thousands of people from getting jobs and housing because of old or irrelevant criminal records. To make Massachusetts stronger and safer, we need a smarter approach to CORI that helps reduce recidivism and end the cycle of crime, homelessness and unemployment. This bill would help make sure that old or irrelevant criminal records do not prevent people from getting jobs and housing by changing procedures for sealing and disseminating CORI records. It reduces the waiting time for sealing criminal records to 7 years after the individual re-enters the community for a felony and 3 years for a misdemeanor. It also establishes fair hiring practices by removing questions about criminal history from initial job applications, permitting criminal background checks for qualified applicants only, and ensuring the relevance and accuracy of the criminal record.

An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes

I co-sponsored this bill because thirteen states currently offer non-discrimination protections based on gender identity and expression, but Massachusetts does not. As a result, transgender citizens can, and do, face legal discrimination in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and hate crimes. I co-sponsored this bill to make the protection of transgender people from discrimination explicit, uniform, and visible to the general public. This bill would also amend existing hate crime laws to explicitly protect people targeted for violence and harassment.

An Act to Restore Enforcement of Civil Rights

I co-sponsored this bill because it would give Massachusetts residents the right to bring discrimination suits against local or state units of government for policies that have a discriminatory disparate impact based on race or gender. A U.S. Supreme Court case stripped this right away at the federal level in 2001. This bill would renew the Commonwealth’s commitment to these basic issues of fairness.

Education

An Act to Ensure Educator Excellence

I co-sponsored this education bill because it increases teacher excellence through teacher training and mentoring programs. Research shows that teacher and administrator expertise are the most significant variables in student achievement. This bill improves the “supply chain” for developing the educator workforce by establishing an integrated system of preparation, licensure, recruitment and hiring, induction, supervision and evaluation, professional development, teacher leadership, relicensure, school structure, and school culture. The bill also includes funds that districts can use as supports in their efforts to recruit teachers in subject areas of highest need, including math, science, special education, and the education of limited English proficient students. Finally, this bill provides a comprehensive approach to improving math and science teaching.

An Act to Improve Assessment and Accountability to Ensure Students Acquire 21st Century Skills

I co-sponsored this eduation bill because it deals with the reform of student acheivement measures, in particular MCAS reform. The Commonwealth has yet to fully realize the goals of the Education Reform Act of 1993, which called for a comprehensive assessment system composed of a variety of instruments and methods. Our current system has its strengths but has also brought unintended consequences such as narrowed curriculum, too much time spent on standardized testing and test preparation, student disengagement, stagnant achievement gaps and rising dropout rates. To build on the strengths of our public schools and close achievement gaps, we need a balanced assessment and accountability system that will promote 21st century skills, educate the whole child, and focus state attention and resources on schools and districts that most need help in their efforts to improve quality and outcomes for every student. The bill retains some MCAS testing but incorporates multiple additional performance measures, reducing the number of hours spent preparing for and taking standardized tests. It also modifies the accountability and intervention processes for teachers and schools.