June 30, 2006
ROMNEY VETOES NEEDLES BILL
Says legislation will worsen heroin crisis by loosening drug paraphernalia laws
Governor Mitt Romney today rejected a bill that would change the state’s drug paraphernalia laws to allow for the unrestricted sale of hypodermic needles. Currently, pharmacies may only sell needles to customers with a valid medical prescription, and possession of a needle is illegal without a prescription.
“I believe this legislation is well-intentioned but misguided. It exacerbates the public health crisis over heroin abuse, and it sends the wrong message by appearing to condone drug use,” said Romney.
Department of Public Health statistics indicate the transmission rate of HIV/AIDS through intravenous drug use has declined from 32.8 percent of new cases in 1997 to only 15.7 percent of new cases in 2004, the most recent year for which there are statistics. Over the same period, fatal overdoses and heroin-related hospitalizations have seen a dramatic rise. In 1997, there were 9,612 heroin-related hospitalizations and by 2004 that number had nearly doubled to 17,704. Over roughly the same time period, fatal heroin overdoses jumped from 178 to 574.
“We should not make it easier for heroin and other drug addicts to continue using drugs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey. “We could see high school kids buying hypodermic needles. The Commonwealth needs to crack down on drug abuse not condone it.”
“Helping addicts to obtain needles will only add to a drug problem that already exists, and it will make my job that much more difficult to do,” said Holyoke Police Chief Anthony Scott, who joined the Governor and Lieutenant Governor at a State House press conference. “This bill will also lead to more needles being discarded in the street, creating a public safety hazard for all members of our community.”
Earlier this month, the Holyoke City Council voted for a resolution opposing the needles bill.
In a letter submitted to the Legislature earlier this month, Secretary of Public Safety Robert C. Haas and former State Police Colonel Tom Robbins offered the following assessment of the bill: “This initiative will dramatically increase the amount of dirty needles present in our communities, presenting a threat to children who may come into contact with them. In addition, the proliferation of hypodermic needles will compromise officer safety. The men and women charged with our protection and safety will be at greater risk when dealing with potential suspects who may be more likely to be carrying used needles on their person.”
June 30, 2006
HEALEY CELEBRATES NUVERA EXPANSION IN MASSACHUSETTS
BILLERICA – Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today joined officials at Nuvera Fuel Cells to celebrate the groundbreaking of the company’s new facility and the creation of 250 jobs.
The relocation and expansion allows Nuvera to nearly double the size of its current facility in Cambridge from 56,000 square feet to 111,000 square feet. The company plans to increase its staff from 100 employees to more than 350 over the next five years, with the highest concentration of job growth in skilled manufacturing. Nuvera has also committed to hiring 10 percent of its additional staff from the town of Billerica.
“Bringing new jobs to Massachusetts is a top priority and we continue to work with local companies like Nuvera to help them grow and thrive,” said Healey. “Nuvera represents the kind of innovation that serves as the backbone of the 21st century economy and we need to do more to spur job growth in Massachusetts.”
Nuvera Fuel Cells is a global leader in the development and advancement of multi-fuel processing and fuel cell technology committed to providing clean, safe and efficient power solutions. The company has planned an estimated $15 million capital investment in the existing structure prior to its relocation, which will begin next summer. The new facility will consist of more than 50 percent light manufacturing space, with the remainder consisting of combined office and research laboratory space.
“Nuvera’s leadership in the alternative energy industry, and its long-term commitment to the Commonwealth’s economy and the region, will help maintain Massachusetts’s technology image,” said Nuvera Fuel Cells CEO Roberto Cordaro. “With three new products coming to the market in 2007, Nuvera’s immediate requirement was to identify the best site for our US operations, which includes headquarters, R&D, manufacturing, and training functions.”
Cordaro applauded the Commonwealth’s role in helping Nuvera grow and expand its operations. The Massachusetts Office of Business Development coordinated the effort with Mass Development and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to secure funding for the expansions. Mass Development approved a 7-year, $5.75 million loan, consisting of a $2.5 million Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) loan and a funding commitment of $3.25 million from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
“The Town of Billerica is pleased to welcome Nuvera Fuel Cells to our business community, and the economic impacts are significant,” said Ellen Day Rawlings, Chairwoman of the Billerica Board of Selectman. “Nuvera Fuel Cells is also committed to working with local officials on possible applications of its technologies toward the delivery of municipal services to help reduce costs for our town.”
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