At the conclusion of 2007, the Massachusetts Senate had enacted more than 200 pieces of legislation on a wide range of topics from health care and identity theft to heating assistance for low income families and veterans. 

The Senate has voted to protect our oceans with both the Oceans Act, which will set guidelines to properly manage development in our territorial waters, and the oil spill prevention bill for Buzzards Bay. The oil spill prevention bill would work to prevent oil spills in the Bay through increased fines, safety measures and fees.   

The Senate also worked to expand the film tax credit. And as a result, Massachusetts has seen an influx of movie production in the state, including scenes being shot in the Plymouth and Barnstable District. 

To aid our veterans and assist residents struggling in these difficult economic times, the Senate has worked to provide initiatives such as fuel assistance, mortgage foreclosure reform and the tax-free weekend, just to name a few.

As we begin 2008 and the second year of this session for the General Court, we are continuing to work on many challenging issues including:

·           Life Sciences

·           Energy Reform

·           Casinos

·           Health Care

·           Homeowners Insurance

·           Transportation Infrastructure

·           Restructuring of Higher Education

During 2007, my focus as President of the Senate was to work on legislation that will move the Commonwealth forward on a positive path without leaving our most vulnerable citizens behind. I believe that the Senate accomplished that goal and I expect to continue in that same manner in 2008.

If you would like to read more on the major accomplishments of the Senate for 2007, please visit my website at www.ThereseMurray.com and click on the news button. You can find the information in the press release section.

The Senate has introduced legislation that will provide a comprehensive overhaul of our current energy policy. 

Reforming our energy standards is essential to our state's economic development, environment and quality of life.  From renewable sources to energy efficiency and consumer protections, the Senate is working to develop and pass an updated energy plan for the Commonwealth that is key to our future growth.

The legislation promotes renewable energies by including initiatives such as updating the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard in order to reach the goal of 20 percent renewable power resources by 2020.  The bill also allows for municipalities to construct, own and operate small renewable energy generation sources to help ease the town or city's energy bills.

Focusing on consumers, this reform increases the oversight by the Department of Public Utilities and Attorney General's Division of Energy and Telecommunication by empowering the Attorney General to act on behalf of energy consumers in Department of Public Utility rate cases.  The legislation also mandates improved quality of service of power companies operating in the Commonwealth, and increased customer awareness of competitive energy suppliers in their area.

The Senate is expected to debate the legislation next week. You can watch the debate through our new webcast. Just go to www.ThereseMurray.com and click on the Senate webcast button.

On January 2nd, the Senate launched live webcasts of our formal sessions. Through this new tool, the public will be able to watch formal sessions in real time, and will also be able to view archived sessions.

While the Senate's sessions are always open to the public, the reality is that most people do not have the time to come to Boston and watch our deliberations. Webcasting is a cost effective way to broaden the opportunity for the public to experience the legislative process.

To view the webcast you can go to my website, www.ThereseMurray.com  and click on the Senate Webcast button or though http://www.mass.gov/legis/. Captioning is available on the webcast.

I hope that you will take advantage of this new way to participate in state government.

Congratulations to Plimoth Plantation in receiving a $10,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities Liberty and Justice for All program.

The grant funding will be used for the "Chosen to Lead" exhibit which will be open from July to November 2008, and programming on leadership and political process in Plymouth County and the Wampanoag Homeland in the 17th century.

Plimoth Plantation was one of 12 Liberty and Justice matching grant recipients.  The grant program is for projects that look at the principles and interplay of liberty and justice in political life, both past and present.

"In March, state Senator Therese Murray was unanimously elected Senate president, becoming the first woman to lead one of the state's legislative branches. Previously the upper chamber's top budget writer, she came in with a reputation for being tough and knowledgeable - and more than ready to hold her own with the men who run the rest of the State House."

- from Boston Globe Magazine's Bostonians of the Year edition, December 30, 2007. The story, entitled "Party Crashers", was written by Globe reporter Lisa Wangness.