REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION – HAVERHILL

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara A. L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the Transportation Bond Bill will include $2,500,000 in funding for projects in the City of Haverhill.

The transportation bond bill provides capital funding for the design, construction, and repair of roadway projects in the Commonwealth that do not receive federal funding. The legislation, engrossed by the House today, provides $500,000 for the purchase of railroad land, $500,000 for the design and construction of signage and intersection improvements at Route 97 and Lake Street and $1,500,000 for the design and construction of signage and intersection improvements at Lower Main Street and Farrwood Drive.

“The approval of these projects will mean a great deal to the people of Haverhill,” said Representative L’Italien. “Each of these undertakings will improve transportation and address the concerns voiced by residents.”

In addition to these crucial initiatives, the House version of the transportation bond bill also includes funding for regional transit authorities, Chapter 90 highway projects, and assistance for the protection of rail freight properties across the state. The bond bill now moves to the Senate and upon approval will go to the Governor’s desk for signature.

REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION – METHUEN

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara A. L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the Transportation Bond Bill will include $1,250,000 in funding for projects in the City of Methuen.

The transportation bond bill provides capital funding for the design, construction, and repair of roadway projects in the Commonwealth that do not receive federal funding. The legislation, engrossed by the House today, provides $250,000 for culvert cleaning in the Frye Road area and $1,000,000 to implement short-term solutions for the Route 110 rotary.

“The approval of these projects will mean a great deal to the people of Methuen,” said Representative L’Italien. “Each of these undertakings will improve transportation and address the concerns voiced by residents.”

In addition to these crucial initiatives, the House version of the transportation bond bill also includes funding for regional transit authorities, Chapter 90 highway projects, and assistance for the protection of rail freight properties across the state. The bond bill now moves to the Senate and upon approval will go to the Governor’s desk for signature.

REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION – NORTH ANDOVER

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the Transportation Bond Bill will include almost $11 million in funding for the Town of North Andover.

The transportation bond bill provides capital funding for the design, construction, and repair of roadway projects in the Commonwealth that do not receive federal funding. The legislation, engrossed by the House today, provides $6.2 million for the widening of Route 114, and another $400,000 for the installation of a traffic signal at Hillside Road on Route 114. An additional $2.9 million will be expended for streetscape improvements in Machine Shop Village. Finally, this long-term spending plan contains $1,200,000 in funding for upgrades, including roadway resurfacing, to Route 125 in North Andover.

“The approval of these projects will mean a great deal to the people of North Andover. Each of these undertakings will improve transportation and address the concerns voiced by residents,” said Representative L’ Italien.

In addition to these crucial initiatives, the House version of the transportation bond bill also includes funding for regional transit authorities, Chapter 90 highway projects, and assistance for the protection of rail freight properties across the state. The bond bill now moves to the Senate and is subject to the authorization of the Governor before this money becomes available.

REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION – GEORGETOWN

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara A. L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the Transportation Bond Bill will include $835,000 in funding for projects in the Town of Georgetown.

The transportation bond bill provides capital funding for the design, construction, and repair of roadway projects in the Commonwealth that do not receive federal funding. The legislation, engrossed by the House today, provides $300,000 for the design of West Main Street and $535,000 for culvert repairs at Parish Road, West Street and Penn Brook.

“The approval of these projects will mean a great deal to the people of Georgetown,” said Representative L’Italien. “Each of these undertakings will improve transportation and address the concerns voiced by residents.”

In addition to these crucial initiatives, the House version of the transportation bond bill also includes funding for regional transit authorities, Chapter 90 highway projects, and assistance for the protection of rail freight properties across the state. The bond bill now moves to the Senate and upon approval will go to the Governor’s desk for signature.

REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION – BOXFORD

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara A. L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the Transportation Bond Bill will include $444,000 in funding for projects in the Town of Boxford.

The transportation bond bill provides capital funding for the design, construction, and repair of roadway projects in the Commonwealth that do not receive federal funding. The legislation, engrossed by the House today, provides $144,000 for the repair of the Parker River culvert on Route 133 and $300,000 to resurface Route 97.

“The approval of these projects will mean a great deal to the people of Boxford,” said Representative L’Italien. “Each of these undertakings will improve transportation and address the concerns voiced by residents.”

In addition to these crucial initiatives, the House version of the transportation bond bill also includes funding for regional transit authorities, Chapter 90 highway projects, and assistance for the protection of rail freight properties across the state. The bond bill now moves to the Senate and upon approval will go to the Governor’s desk for signature.

REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION – ANDOVER

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara A. L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the Transportation Bond Bill will include $803,000 in funding for projects in the Town of Andover.

The transportation bond bill provides capital funding for the design, construction, and repair of roadway projects in the Commonwealth that do not receive federal funding. The legislation, engrossed by the House today, provides $600,000 for the repair and rehabilitation of town owned bridges in the Town of Andover and $203,000 for improvements to the sidewalks on North Main Street.

“The approval of these projects will mean a great deal to the people of Andover,” said Representative L’Italien. “Each of these undertakings will improve transportation and address the concerns voiced by residents.”

In addition to these crucial initiatives, the House version of the transportation bond bill also includes funding for regional transit authorities, Chapter 90 highway projects, and assistance for the protection of rail freight properties across the state. The bond bill now moves to the Senate and upon approval will go to the Governor’s desk for signature.

House Moves to Protect Military Service Members from Insurance Fraud

Legislation acts to address federal report detailing predatory insurance sale practices to members of the Armed Forces

BOSTON – The House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation to protect military service members from insurance fraud. The bill was filed in response to Congressional findings that predatory life insurance sales to military personnel had occurred on military bases nationwide.

Under the legislation adopted by the House, the Commissioner of Insurance would be granted authority to regulate insurance sales on military bases across the Commonwealth by declaring certain identified acts or practices to be false, misleading, deceptive, or unfair.

“In light of federal reports indicating that our honorable service members have been preyed upon by insurance salesmen, I am happy to stand with my colleagues to protect our servicemen and women from these deceptive and fraudulent practices,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“This bill goes a long way to protect our honorable servicemen and women from predatory insurance sales practices. I am proud that the House acted today to address these practices so that the Commonwealth can develop regulations that will guard our military personnel against the fraudulent and dishonest sale of insurance products,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).

“The predatory sales practices of these insurance salesmen, who took advantage of our military service personnel before being shipped out to defend their country, were unconscionable,” said Representative Ron Mariano (D-Quincy), Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. “I think it is appropriate that, as we approach Memorial Day, we move to ensure that America’s bravest will no longer fall pray to unscrupulous insurance salespeople, who are only concerned with scoring a big commission.”

In November 2005, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report documenting fraudulent practices in the sale of insurance to military personnel, including: improperly selling insurance policies as investment products; allowing agents to pose as independent and objective counselors representing a nonprofit organization; sponsoring presentations made to group gatherings of service members where attendance was mandatory; soliciting service members during duty hours or in their barracks; and misrepresenting forms used to initiate pay allotments to deduct the payments for the products directly from the service members pay.

Based on the GAO report, President Bush signed into law the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act which directed states and the Department of Defense to work together to ensure the implementation of appropriate standards to protect members of the Armed Forces.

This legislation will now move to the Senate for consideration.