This week, I joined with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and a coalition of legislators, District Attorneys, and law enforcement organizations, to announce the filing of An Act to Combat Economic Crime, comprehensive economic crime legislation designed to give law enforcement the necessary tools to investigate and prosecute sophisticated criminal activities and enterprises in the 21st century.

The first big issue that was brought to my attention in my new position of House Chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy was the terrible situation that occurred out in Central Massachusetts after last December's ice storm.  Several communities suffered when their power was not restored for up to two weeks for some customers.

Given the depth of destruction, the delegation from that area wanted to make sure that action was taken to protect their communities and those across the State from the possibility that this could happen again.  I worked with those lawmakers and others on my Committee to develop legislation that would protect consumers during severe power outages and increase the accountability of public utilities to those they serve.

The 2007-2008 Legislative Session is now underway. I have focused my efforts this session on five main issues, which I believe have a profound impact on our community and the Commonwealth.

Under the Legislature's joint rules, our formal legislative activity is scheduled to conclude at the end of July 2008. The Legislature will still be actively working through the end of the year, meeting in session twice weekly, but no further recorded roll call votes are scheduled after July 30.

Thankfully, my landmark legislation, which created so-called Baby Safe Havens, was passed into law in September 2007. A complete listing of my legislative initiatives follows.