State Senator Co-Sponsors Legislation to Protect Internet Consumers
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Mailed free to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Linwood, Whitinsville and North Uxbridge Vol. VIII, No. 1 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.STONEBRIDGEPRESS.COM Friday, January 26, 2018 State Senator co-sponsors legislation to protect internet consumers BOSTON — State Senator last month. stituents. This legislation will and act as the enforcement sites they visit, videos they Ryan C. Fattman (R-Sutton) The first bill, passed unani- protect free speech because body if successfully passed. stream, or apps they use may recently voiced support for mously in the State Senate on without neutrality in internet In an effort to not shut out be blocked in the future unless two pieces of legislation that Jan. 18, would create a special services, ISP’s have the ability ISPs completely, the legis- they pay an additional fee… assess how to keep the inter- commission on net neutrality. to block and censor websites, lation would allow for them that’s not right,” said Fattman. net open to consumers, and The second bill is designed to apps, and networks that they to waive certain prohibitions “The internet is a tool that prevent internet service pro- limit internet service provid- are competitors with or don’t on paid prioritization if the ISP everyone should have access to viders from charging addi- ers (ISPs) from blocking con- agree with without any say “demonstrates that the prac- at an affordable rate.” tional fees for faster speeds or tent, throttling internet speeds, from people in a democratic tice would serve a legitimate Constituents with questions blocking content that would or allowing paid priority pro- fashion,” said Fattman. and significant public interest or comments on the legislation otherwise normally be avail- visions in internet services According to the and would not harm the open may call the Senator’s office able. The legislation comes on offered to customers. bill, the Department of nature of the internet in the at 617-722-1420 or email joseph. the heels of the repeal of the “Above all else, it is our duty Telecommunications and Commonwealth.” [email protected]. net neutrality by the Federal as legislators to protect the Cable would oversee the imple- “Consumers may be shocked Communications Commission rights and freedoms of our con- mentation of the legislation, to find that one day the web- Baker is running… but no official statement made BY JERRY CARTON ing health care, where he STONEBRIDGE opposed the failed effort to CORRESPONDENT ‘repeal’ the Affordable Care Act and the Administration’s Governor Charlie Baker efforts on immigration pol- has made it clear he’s run- icy. The governor has got- ning for a second term this ten high marks as well from year though there’s no sched- Democratic legislators on uled date for an official can- Beacon Hill. didacy announcement. Baker’s strength is drama- Baker revealed on Twitter tized by the lack of big-name just before Christmas he will Democrats such as Attorney keep Lieutenant Governor General Maura Healey to Karyn Polito as his running show any interest in chal- mate. lenging him. The same “We’ve accomplished a lot goes for the state’s entire together but there’s more congressional delegation. work to do,” the governor Former Newton Mayor Setti Courtesy photo tweeted. Warren has entered the race Pictured from left to right: Lily V. and Jonathan B.: Hospitality Services Team Decision Making, Isaiah Jim Conroy, one of Baker’s and even made one trip to H.: Automotive Services Marketing, Bella I.: Principles of Marketing, Haley A. and Ally M. (Second senior aides, said, “the gov- this region last fall, as have place overall): Hospitality Services Team Decision Making. Not pictured: Emma O.: Principles of ernor and lieutenant gover- Jay Gonzalez, a member Hospitality and Tourism, and Esther F.: Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series nor remain focused on the of former Governor Deval bipartisan work they were Patrick’s cabinet and entre- elected to do,” but declined preneur Bob Massie. Salem to set a specific date for the Mayor Kim Driscoll and for- ticket to enter the race. mer MBTA general manager DECA students compete Though Democrats hold a Richard Davey have indicted statewide registration edge they’re considering the race. and hold both US Senate The primary election is WHITINSVILLE — More Boxboro, on Jan. 12. around the globe. seats as well as all House than 40 members of the DECA is an organization Eight WCS students placed set for Sept. 4, the day after of Representative seats, the Whitinsville Christian that prepares emerging in the top six in their catego- Labor Day. Traditionally Republican governor has School DECA Club recently leaders and entrepreneurs ry and have qualified to com- held later in the month, remained popular across competed with more than in marketing, finance, hos- pete at the Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin all demographics since his 500 high school students pitality, and management State Career Development said the date was moved as to narrow (48%-46%) 2014 vic- at District Conference in in high schools and colleges Conference in March. not coincide with the Jewish tory over Attorney General High Holidays. He’s also ask- Martha Coakely. Baker has ing the legislature to approve often distanced himself from five days of early primary President Donald Trump on voting as is the case in the a number of issues includ- Merolli takes aim at Fattman general election. BY GUS STEEVES One of the big points is a Stonebridge Correspondent perennial one – school fund- Tom Merolli is not a house- ing. Like almost anyone who Frost surpasses 6,000 hold name, but he certainly has run for office in years hopes to become one as this (including Fattman), Merolli election season goes forward. thinks the school funding sys- consecutive roll call Merolli, a Democrat from tem, known as Chapter 70, is Mendon, is taking on State broken. He notes the state con- Sen Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) ducted a study of Chapter 70 a votes in 21st year for the Worcester and Norfolk few years ago, and that advised District seat this November. “solutions that have not been BOSTON — State for expectant and nursing “Our towns and district implemented yet.” The biggest Representative Paul K. Frost mothers. He backed the efforts aren’t well represented,” he for him are the fact the state (R-Auburn) has maintained a to reimburse cities and towns said regarding why. “A lot of routinely “undervalues how perfect voting record through for the costs associated with opportunities are passing us much health care costs” and the first half of the 2017-18 leg- implementing the state’s by for development and get- does not adequately fund spe- islative session, participating early voting law during the ting what our municipalities cial education. The existence in all 305 roll call votes cast in November 2016 election cycle, need.” of charter schools and school the House of Representatives and supported the proposal to Merolli notes that’s not so choice only “compounds” the in 2017. Frost, currently serv- double the one-time survivor much Fattman’s fault as an issue. Tom Merrolli ing in his 11th term, has not benefits paid to the families of effect of the fact the Legislature A few bills to do so are now Regarding Southbridge, he missed a single vote since tak- police, firefighters and other is more oriented to the eastern on Capitol Hill, and Merolli said, “You’re in a school sys- ing office in 1997. The Auburn first responders killed in the part of the state. But the sen- said he feels supporting those tem that’s struggling, and [par- Republican, appointed as an line of duty. ator’s minority-party status would be the best way to “insu- ents] take their student and Assistant Minority Leader During debate on the doesn’t help. late” citizens from the danger the money to a district that Whip in 2015, has extended comprehensive criminal He’s currently full-time of losing much of what they isn’t struggling. That makes his total consecutive roll call justice reform legislation, assistant treasurer in Mendon, have to medical debt. Among its struggle harder.” votes to 6,171; one of the lon- Representative Frost was chair of his town’s Economic those who’d be most helped He wants to meet with the gest streaks of active House instrumental in changing Development Committee and are those potentially facing various superintendents and members and second only to Assault and Battery with Democratic Town Committee, Medicare cuts because of this other town officials of any House Minority Leader Brad Serious Bodily Injury on and has in recent years helped year’s federal budget, but he party to identify the unique Jones. a Police Officer to a felony organize people for a school noted insurance costs are also problems each has, because Frost cast votes on a num- charge instead of a misde- override vote and create a new “a barrier to opening a small “it’s not one-size-fits-all for ber of prominent legislative meanor. historic district. From those business in this state.” education.” actions signed into law over Frost represents the perspectives, he feels he’s Solving some of the school “We led the country on health the past year, including the 7th Worcester District. It is come to see the impact state issues ties directly into one care before, and we can do so Pregnant Workers Fairness comprised of Auburn, Charlton policies are having on towns of his key campaign issues again,” Merolli said. “If New Act, which requires employ- (Precinct 4), Millbury, and in a way he can do something – working toward a true sin- ers to provide reasonable Oxford (Precincts 2 & 3).