July 6, 2006
ROMNEY SIGNS LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE HUNTER SAFETY
Governor Mitt Romney today signed legislation requiring all new hunters to take a hunter education course. The measure has the strong support of sportsmen and gun owners.
“It’s important that hunters understand the basic skills and responsibilities that will help them to enjoy the sport safely, and to foster an appreciation of hunting for new generations of young people,” said Governor Mitt Romney.
Until now, individuals with gun licenses – whether a License to Carry or a Firearm Identification card - have automatically been qualified to receive hunting licenses. The new law provides an exemption for individuals who held hunting licenses prior to January 1, 2007. With the bill’s signing, Massachusetts comes into line with the other 49 states that require hunters to take hunter safety courses.
“The Sportsmen in our state have a strong legacy of outdoor safety and etiquette in our communities,” said Senator Robert A. Antonioni (D-Leominster), chief sponsor of the legislation. “This bill ensures that this legacy will continue for the many aspiring sportsmen in our state. It puts the Commonwealth on par with the rest of the country.”
The legislation was originally proposed by the Worcester County League of Sportsmen, and it was supported by the Gun Owner’s Action League (GOAL).
“This legislation recognizes the skill and safety of those previously licensed hunters and goes forward to allow new hunters to gain valuable knowledge in safe hunting procedures and practices,” said Representative George N. Peterson Jr. (R-Grafton).
“We are pleased with the passage of yet another correction of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1998, which created a confusing standard for acquiring a hunting, sporting or fishing license,” said James Wallace, GOAL’s executive director. “Prior to the passage of this law some eight years ago, hunter education was mandatory for all first time hunters. While GOAL does not normally support mandatory training, it is our belief that every first time hunter should be exposed to the ethics, safety aspects and laws in Massachusetts regarding hunting before taking to the field for the first time.”
July 6, 2006
ROMNEY ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES IN BOSTON
Goal is to stem the rising tide of violence in city
Governor Mitt Romney today announced he is immediately making available $700,000 in discretionary funding to faith-based and community organizations in Boston to help stem violence in the city. This funding is on top of $3 million to pay for programs to combat youth violence in Boston that the Governor asked the Legislature to approve last month, but which is still pending.
“Bringing an end to violence in our city isn’t a task that the police can accomplish on their own. It will take a strong partnership with local leaders, particularly from the faith community, and these grants are a very important step in that direction,” said Romney.
The funding will come from grants administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety (EOPS) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Faith organizations are welcome to apply for the funding on an expedited basis. The Commonwealth’s review of applications will ensure that the funded programs address the problem of youth violence and that all state and federal guidelines are met.
“We commend Governor Romney for taking a vital step toward facilitating a real partnership between state, city, faith-based and community organizations to address this disturbing upward trend in local violence,” said Reverend Hurmon E. Hamilton Jr., Senior Pastor, Roxbury Presbyterian Church USA. “These funds will not only provide essential support to our summer efforts, but they will serve as a strategic down-payment in relationships and resources necessary for supporting long-term, sustained partnerships needed to reverse this horrible trend.”
Said Harold Sparrow, Executive Director of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston: “The BMA is proud to be a part of a collaborative effort to provide more resources to teens and their families by planning working and convening with other youth serving organizations this summer.”
“On behalf of the faith communities that are strategically working with law enforcement, we are very thankful to Governor Romney for making these resources available,” said Reverend Eugene F. Rivers III, founder and president of the National TenPoint Leadership Foundation. “Under the Governor’s leadership, Massachusetts is now a national model for the development of strategic partnerships between the faith community, political leadership and the law enforcement community.”
“These grants provide funding for community-based approaches to addressing the escalating youth violence problem in the city of Boston,” said Public Safety Secretary Robert Haas. “Having involvement from the faith-based community is imperative to reducing the violence and restoring a feeling of safety to the citizens.”
Last month, Governor Romney proposed $3 million as part of a supplemental appropriations bill to fund programs to combat youth violence in Boston. In addition, the Governor has requested $3.7 million be authorized for the summer jobs program for at-risk youth.
Both those requests are still pending before the Legislature.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.