Beacon Hill Update

Rep. Donato: House Focuses on Fiscal Reform, Restoring Public Confidence in Government

Sen. Jehlen Supports Dog License Fee Hike to Fund Animal Control

State Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford, Malden), Chairman of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, recently sent out an announcement about important legislation the House passed at the end of the last session.

Rep. Donato wrote:

“My House colleagues and I recognize the importance of restoring public confidence in government. We also understand the need for fiscal reform as we face the worst financial crises in a generation. The following legislation is a major step in both those areas and I am confident that we will continue to address the challenging issues before us in a diligent manner. Also, as Chairman of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, I hope to provide legislation that will give more flexibility to local communities to provide municipal and educational services through revenue enhancement.”

Donato went on to list several pieces of legislation, including ethics reform, changes in the public pension system, and an overhaul of the state transportation system that eliminates the Turnpike Authority, streamlines communications, and creates a “more efficient and cost-effective system” under a new agency, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

In other Beacon Hill news, State Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville, Medford) is pushing for improved animal control that she says is revenue neutral because new training initiatives are paid for by an increase in dog licensing fees.

According to information released by Sen. Jehlen’s office, an Act to Update the Animal Control Laws (S.406) seeks to update antiquated animal control laws, improve the mandatory spay and neuter regulations for shelters and animal control facilities, define and fortify the dangerous dog ordinance without banning specific breeds, and update kennel definitions. The legislation, which is revenue neutral, would also create a spay and neuter fund and require that animal control officers receive uniform and comprehensive training.

Two local Animal Control Officers, Medford’s Patrick Hogan and Somerville’s April Terrio, testified in support of the bill at its June 23rd hearing.

While some have spoken out against a fee increase in tough economic times, the senator says it’s necessary to help fund animal control to reduce the stray population in the state.

“The number of abandoned animals has gone through the roof over the past few years. Shelters are euthanizing animals because they have too many,” Sen. Jehlen said in a recent interview with the Boston Herald.

Currently, dog license fees in Medford are $10 for spayed/neutered dogs and $15 for dogs that have not been fixed.

– InsideMedford.com