Representative Mark Falzone, winner of the Democratic Primary for State Representative, was endorsed for election by his former primary opponent Anthony Guardia. Appearing before supporters and the press, Guardia pledged his assistance for Falzone in the General Election and encouraged his supporters to rally around Falzone’s campaign.

Anthony Guardia emphasized, “After a hard-fought and spirited primary campaign, I congratulate Mark Falzone on his victory and give him my full support and endorsement. I want to thank my many volunteers and supporters, and I urge them to join with me in working for and voting for Mark Falzone in the general election. Together, we will move forward in a unified effort for a great Democratic victory on November 2nd.”

Representative Mark Falzone announced the good news that the Saugus Public Library was approved yesterday by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for certification to receive funding from the State Aid to Public Libraries Program. Access to this regular funding will come to the town nearly a year ahead of schedule through an important change added to the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget by Representative Falzone.

“The great news of this approval is a huge, positive step for Saugus,” said Representative Falzone. “Now that we will be re-certified, we in Saugus can use this State money to improve the resources available to all of our residents at the library. This helps students, families, and in particular those seeking jobs.”

Representative Mark Falzone announced that the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation aimed at protecting tenants in foreclosed properties and helping lenders and homeowners avoid foreclosure. This bill establishes protections for tenants living in properties that have been taken over by a lender after foreclosure. Under this legislation, lenders must post contact information for the lender – including an address where tenants can mail their rent – within 30 days of foreclosure. A lender cannot evict a tenant for failure to pay rent unless it has provided this notice.

In the event that a property is taken over by a lender after foreclosure, this bill stipulates that tenants can only be evicted for just cause or if the building is purchased by a third party.

Representative Mark Falzone announced the successful passage in the Massachusetts House of Representatives of the amendment he authored to save individuals and small businesses significant amounts of money on prescription drugs. This legislation requires the bulk purchasing of pharmaceuticals in order to gain the cost benefits for small businesses and individuals in the Commonwealth. It also specifies the process by which the Secretary of Administration and Finance must develop the program for purchasing in bulk these prescription drugs.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “My amendment will create major savings on the cost of pharmaceuticals throughout our Commonwealth, and its passage in the House is a tremendous step forward. I placed a special emphasis in this legislation on the required assurance that quality cannot be sacrificed even as we extend the benefits of bulk purchasing to individuals and small businesses in Massachusetts. To avoid any stalling or delay I also detailed the steps that the Secretary of Administration and Finance must take to maximize the dollar savings made available.”

State Representative Mark Falzone recently joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation designed to control health care costs for individuals and businesses in Massachusetts which will increase job availability in the Commonwealth.

Representative Falzone said, “I am very pleased the House has passed this legislation to support business and individuals in Massachusetts. This bill will cut the cost of health insurance, especially for small businesses. It will encourage the creation of new jobs and increase employment opportunities for our residents. Creating new jobs is my first priority, and holding the line on health care inflation is a significant part of this.”

Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation to establish a Silver Alert program, which will assist in locating seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia who have gone missing.

The Silver Alert program would provide for a coordinated approach to locating an individual with dementia. The bill directs law enforcement and other key response resources to focus in a geographic area consistent with the missing person’s last know location.

Representative Mark Falzone voted in support of the jobs bill that recently passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The bill provides incentives for businesses to grow in Massachusetts and produce more jobs, while also streamlining the economic development agencies that provide employment and business support.

Representative Falzone noted, “Jobs are my first priority, and in these economic times I am very pleased that the Massachusetts House has responded to those of us who have been encouraging, indeed insistent upon, job-producing legislative action. The good news in this House bill that passed with my support is that we have lowered tax rates for employment-producing start-up companies, which is an important incentive to get progress on jobs. We also streamlined the jobs-producing coordinating and planning agencies so that leadership is in clear hands and economic development performance measures are used for accountability. The public demands to know what is being done on the jobs front and with what success, and I agree. With this legislation we have take a huge step forward to be more efficient and more successful in creating jobs. I urge similar action on the part of the Senate and the Governor to support the House-passed jobs initiative.”

State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in approving an amendment that would allow a state sales tax holiday on August 14th and 15th of this year to encourage consumers to shop at local businesses across the state. This job-promoting amendment will give a boost to consumer spending and local businesses, and was passed by a bi-partisan vote of 134-13.

The amendment is part of an economic development bill passed by the House that would streamline economic development agencies and make Massachusetts more attractive to businesses.

Representative Mark Falzone announced that the early opportunity for the Saugus Library to be re-certified has been signed into law. When Governor Patrick signed the state budget for the coming fiscal year, he made this provision favoring the Saugus Library part of state law. The Saugus legislative delegation secured specifically for Saugus this chance for early access to the additional state funding for the library which comes with the accelerated re-certification process.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “This is very good news for Saugus, and for Saugus library patrons and Saugus taxpayers. With appropriate action by town officials, we in Saugus can now have re-certification in just a couple of months rather than the much longer usual wait of at least a year and a half. This will mean quick access for Saugus to state funds, which in turn will help Saugus taxpayers and keep library improvements on track. As the Founding Chairman of the Legislative Library Caucus, I know that a re-certified Saugus Library helps our Saugus residents to find jobs, start businesses, gain internet and database access, and develop the education that will serve as the foundation for new careers.”

Representative Mark Falzone announced that the Restaurant Rejuvenation Act was signed into law last week allowing restaurants to serve alcohol starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday. This job-creating legislation was passed as part of the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2011.

Representative Falzone said, “Restaurants already employ so many people across the state and in our community. I was pleased to have the chance to support job creation and retention in this vital sector in our state budget.”

Representative Mark Falzone announced Thursday that the Town of Saugus will get early access to state funding for the Saugus Public Library through an important clause included in the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget passed on Thursday, June 24th by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate.

The Saugus Public Library currently does not receive assistance through the State Aid to Public Libraries program because it fails to meet state requirements for hours, staff, and materials acquisition. This will change once the funding approved by Town Meeting takes effect, but it usually takes over a year of steady funding for a library to be “certified” to access state funds. The delay makes it difficult for struggling libraries to meet state standards, because they need to do it without the usual assistance from the state.

State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation prohibiting anyone under 14 years of age from operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and imposing strict penalties upon those who ride ATV’s recklessly or negligently.

The bill prohibits any person between the ages of 14 and 16 from operating an ATV with an engine capacity greater than 90 cubic centimeters. The legislation dictates that those between the ages of 14 and 16 years can only operate an ATV under direct adult supervision.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “In light of recent tragic events, this legislation is a firm and important step forward to guard the safety of our children. Instituting the minimum age of 14 to operate ATV’s is a responsible and necessary action, one which I sincerely hope will prevent the injuries we have unfortunately faced from ATV’s in our communities from recurring, and especially safeguard the youngest members of our society.”

State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues Wednesday, March 19th in passing legislation that would allow consumers to take advantage of prescription drug discounts in an effort to lower medical costs.

This bill would allow consumers cost savings while reducing some of the barriers that prevent patients from taking their medications as prescribed. These savings can reduce co-payments by $10 to $20 or more every month.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “I have devoted my efforts throughout the years to fighting the outrageous cost of prescription drugs. Especially in these economic times and especially for our senior citizens, who are often hurt particularly hard by the escalating costs of their prescriptions, we should provide every opportunity for savings on pharmaceuticals. Every cost barrier we remove will help.”

State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing budget amendments aimed at increasing the openness and accessibility of the budget process. These amendments, coupled with the online, searchable database of government expenditures established by the FY11 House budget proposal, promise to increase the visibility of state spending.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “For those of us who believe that Massachusetts citizens and taxpayers should be fully informed regarding how their representatives are handling their money this is a major reform and step forward. I am pleased that this progress will provide the tools of transparency to enable those interested to hold our government officials accountable for expenditures and for the many tax breaks that are a major part of our budgets and state financial condition. Both types of expenditures will now be easily subject to public review.”

According to a recent MASSPIRG study, 32 other states provide on online database with in-depth detail on government expenditures. With the establishment of a searchable, online database in the House FY11 budget proposal, Massachusetts would join these states in terms of accessibility to information on government spending.

Representative Mark Falzone announced the installation of security cameras at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus and Wakefield as a method to improve safety measures within the park. The process of installing these security cameras at the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) run facility began with the installation of two cameras on the main buildings. Two more cameras will be installed in the near future on telephone poles, once permission from Verizon has been secured.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “After meeting with the DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan, I am very pleased that he has moved forward with this project as I recommended. The safety of our community should always be of the utmost concern. This is why we took the initiative to install the cameras to ensure that Breakheart Reservation is as safe as possible for all our residents to enjoy.” Falzone continued, “Breakheart Reservation is a great asset for our community, providing recreational outdoor space for all ages to enjoy. It is an important priority that we protect the well-being of all those who utilize it.”

State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in approving comprehensive legislation prohibiting bullying and cyber-bullying. In a decisive move to help schools address bullying, the law directs schools to implement bullying prevention and intervention plans, and requires school staff to report incidents of bullying.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “We have seen recently the tragic consequences when bullying runs rampant and out of control. I am pleased that this legislation demonstrates that we understand the seriousness of these consequences and takes important steps in training, reporting, and dealing with episodes of bullying in our schools. It is the strongest anti-bullying law in the country.”

State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation designed to help cities and towns financially. This bill will assist municipalities by facilitating mutual aid agreements, allowing pension systems to extend their funding schedules and permitting municipalities to enter into leases of up to 30 years without a home rule petition. Numerous other provisions of the bill will also provide additional new means to help cities and towns manage their budgets and local community responsibilities through these challenging economic times.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “It is essential that we do all we can to preserve local government services, such as education and public safety, while taking the pressure off of the property tax. At a time when government resources at every level are challenged by our current economy, I am pleased we are providing these new tools for our towns and cities to manage local budgets and finances.”

Representatives Mark Falzone announced the release of funding to be used for local road projects for the 2011 Fiscal Year, which begins July 1, 2010. This money will be used to create construction jobs, improve transportation and public safety, and encourage long-term economic development across the Commonwealth.

Representative Falzone stated, “This funding will help to provide for necessary repairs and allow us to take on projects that we would not have otherwise been able to. I believe it will be of great benefit to all of the municipalities in my district, and I am hopeful that we will see many improvements by the conclusion of the 2011 Fiscal Year.”

State Representative Mark Falzone joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation that provides full funding for workforce training grants. The bill provides $9.5 million to the Workforce Training Fund. The funding would be used to provide employers with grants aimed at educating and training existing members of the workforce and new hires. Through the beginning of this year, more than $175 million in grants have been awarded to train almost a quarter-million workers through the Workforce Training Fund.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “Jobs are my highest priority. With so many workers and families hurting in Massachusetts during these economic times, I am pleased my fellow legislators in the House are making employment their priority as well through our endorsement of these workforce training grants. As the economy evolves, these grants will help companies to hire more workers and put us back on the road to recovery in Massachusetts.”

Representative Mark Falzone joined other members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation that prohibits bullying and cyber-bullying, and requires schools to develop a bullying prevention plan and to integrate bullying prevention instruction into their curriculum.

The bill prohibits bullying at schools – including school sponsored events, on school busses and at school bus stops – as well as the use of electronic devices to carry out cyber-bullying. The bill also bans bullying or cyber-bullying outside of school if the bullying affects the school environment.

Representative Mark Falzone received the Library Advocacy Award from the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, March 9th. Susan McAlister, President of the MLA, presented the award at the 24th Annual Library Legislative Day in front of an enthusiastic crowd, praising him for his “unwavering support as a Legislator and as a Citizen.”

The MLA expressed their appreciation for Representative Falzone’s work as Founder and Chairman of the Legislative Library Caucus, a group of dedicated legislators in the House and Senate who advocate for libraries.

“The Library Caucus, which Representative Falzone founded, has given our public libraries a voice in the Massachusetts Legislature,” said Susan McAlister. “I appreciate his support and look forward to continuing to work on these issues with him.” The Library Caucus has organized overwhelming support for library funding in the state budget, just last year getting 113 of the 160 Representatives to stand behind funding for the Regional Public Library System.

Representative Mark Falzone, in a letter written to the Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, spoke out against the addition of new toll plazas on I-93 along the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border. This strongly worded letter, signed by 18 Massachusetts Legislators, discussed the economic and public safety consequences of installing new tolls, which include burdening commuters and tourists with the new payment and the likelihood that many cars would divert to Routes 1, 3, 495, or other local roadways in an attempt to avoid paying any additional toll.

The letter to Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Jeffrey Mullan was initiated and signed by Massachusetts State Legislators very strongly opposed to new tolls. In the words of these legislators, “…these new toll plazas…[are] nothing more than an attempt by the state of New Hampshire to shift the burden of paying for its infrastructure improvements onto the backs of Massachusetts residents.”

1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts is a new cultural tourism program that celebrates what is unique about our state, its communities, and its people. The program is also meant to stimulate cultural tourism in Massachusetts through increased visitation to the Commonwealth’s vast and wide-ranging historic sites, cultural venues and natural landscapes. Residents can nominate their favorite places in Massachusetts which will then be narrowed down to 1,000 places.

Representative Mark Falzone and Minority Leader Richard Tisei announced that the Stalking Protection Bill, which enables stalking victims to file for restraining orders without having had a prior relationship with their stalker, has been signed into law. This new legislation provides additional protection for our citizens by providing that once a person commits three or more acts of willful and malicious conduct against a specific person with the purpose of causing fear, intimidating or abusing them, or damaging property, the victim can take out a restraining order.

Representative Falzone stated, “This is an extremely important piece of legislation. Ensuring that all residents of the Commonwealth are protected is essential to our security and quality of life as a community. I am very pleased that this legislation, which will help to save many lives, has now become law.”

State Representative Mark Falzone is pleased to announce the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Formula Grant award to the Saugus Council on Aging. The Saugus Council on Aging will receive $41,356, which it plans to use to employ a program/volunteer coordinator, provide for newsletter printing/distribution, and utilities. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs will soon mail the Formula Grant award notices to municipal councils on aging in 348 cities and towns in Massachusetts.

Representative Mark Falzone announced his sponsorship of legislation to include electronically generated or transmitted materials in the definition of “obscene matter”. This legislation a response to counteract the recent Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Zubiel that unfortunately currently permits the transmission of obscene material to minors.

Representative Falzone stated “This bill is extremely important to the Commonwealth. It provides the tools necessary to prosecute and convict sexual predators, and it gives additional protections to our children. We must continue to be proactive in revising our laws as technology develops.”

State Representative Falzone announced job-creating legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives that will halt a scheduled increase in the unemployment insurance that all employers pay.

As a result of increased claims to the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund during the current economic slowdown, the contribution rate employers pay into the fund was scheduled to increase dramatically. The bill passed by the House of Representatives will freeze the rate at the 2009 level.

Representative Falzone commented, “It is important to keep as many people as possible working and creating less pressure on unemployment benefits. The passage of this legislation signifies a commitment to job creation and economic growth in Massachusetts by allowing employers to retain and as soon as possible rehire employees. Increased costs of operation are difficult to sustain for businesses in the current economy, and in order to rebuild our prosperity, Massachusetts must remain committed to assisting businesses to restrain their cost increases so they can provide the vital engine to regrow our Commonwealth’s economy.”

Representative Falzone joined with more than a dozen Senators and Representatives from across the Commonwealth to create Massachusetts’ first Legislative Cultural Caucus. This caucus has been formed in order to harness the job-producing assets of Massachusetts’ $4 billion cultural sector and help the state’s economy recover from the recession.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “The cultural sector has always been a crucial part of our Commonwealth’s economy, and in these difficult economic times it is important that we find the best ways to support it. Tourism and the arts contribute greatly to our economy and our communities by providing jobs as well as supporting the overall quality of life of our citizens. As a member of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, I know that this Caucus is essential to the job-producing development of the cultural sector of our state’s economy.”

Representative Mark Falzone announced the passage of a school nutrition bill in the House of Representatives. The bill, which will apply to public elementary, middle and high schools, bans unhealthy foods and beverages that do not meet scientifically based nutritional standards and are not part of federal meal programs. In addition to banning unhealthy competitive foods of little nutritional value, the bill also requires schools to sell non-fried foods and vegetables at any location where food is sold. It is modeled after the recommendations of a 2007 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report.

Change without solutions does not equal the reform that we need in Massachusetts. Beacon Hill’s recent attempt at “reform” of our transportation system provides a ready example of how Beacon Hill fails our citizens if reform is superficial or merely cosmetic rather than addressing the root problems that are crying out for solution. Public skepticism becomes cynicism when “change” and “reform” supposedly take place, but the basic problems that need addressing are left behind. Short-term expediency and bureaucratic reshuffling are not an adequate response.

A careful study of our state’s transportation needs showed a short fall of funding over the next twenty years to address the maintenance demands on our current highway, bridge, transit and rail system. In addition, the state is not adequately funding the expansions we are currently engaged in or proposing. Our Massachusetts transportation system is fundamental to the success of our state’s economy and to the production of the jobs we need in these economic times. It must provide an infrastructure that supports investment in the rest of our Commonwealth’s economy, and we cannot let it become a bottleneck or allow it to lapse into dangerous disrepair.

As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan, Governor Deval Patrick is moving forward with funding to support the design of a multi-use trail on the former Boston & Maine Railroad corridor in Wakefield and Lynnfield.

This first stage of the project will design a multi-use path along 4.4 miles beginning near Galvin Middle School on Main Street in Wakefield and continuing through Lynnfield and the Reedy Meadow to the Peabody town line. The path will connect residential neighborhoods, commercial and recreational areas, schools, the Reedy Meadow National Natural Landmark, and the MBTA station in Wakefield.

Representative Mark Falzone announced the formation of the Caucus of Coastal State Legislators to address the economic, resource, and environmental issues especially pertinent to United States coastal states. The specific agenda of setting goals will be a first priority as this new caucus gets off the ground.

Representative Falzone emphasized, “This important new national initiative will add to our state’s new Coastal Zone Management Legislation to help strengthen the voices of the communities in our district, and form valuable connections between Massachusetts and other US coastal states. Especially in these trying economic times, it is crucial that states act together in the direction of environmental and economic progress that will provide employment opportunities to those in our region. The cooperative nature of this caucus promises to effect positive change here on Beacon Hill and in Washington.”