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Bruce Tarr

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Senate GOP Plans Comprehensive Sex Offender Legislation

Mass. Senate Republican Leader Bruce Tarr plans to introduce legislation in January.

Senate Republicans expect to file comprehensive legislation during the new session aimed at reforming how information about sex offenders is shared between law enforcement and other officials. The bill is a response to the ongoing case involving Wakefield resident John Burbine and some 100 counts of child sex abuse he is facing. His wife, Marian, is also facing charges in the case for running an illegal daycare and for reckless endangerment. Burbine’s original classification suggested his risk of re-offense was low, and the public would not benefit from the disclosure of his information; however, subsequent facts have proven this assessment was inadequate and needed to be adjusted accordingly.  Since 1989, Burbine has been the subject of …

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Patrick, State Lawmakers Act On Gustus Letter

State Republican lawmakers and Governor Deval Patrick both addressing questionable unemployment claims by municipal workers.

Less than 10 days after Lynnfield Town Administrator Bill Gustus wrote to Governor Deval Patrick about a retired police officer whose request for unemployment benefits was approved, some statewide changes to the system could already be on the horizon. On Wednesday, the Governor announced legislation aimed at preventing a repeat of situations like the one that saw retired Lynnfield Police Officer Hartley Boudreau approved for unemployment benefits while also collecting a pension and doing part-time detail work. However, state Republican lawmakers were quick to point out that Patrick's legislation only goes so far given the various issues that go beyond the Boudreau case. For example, Gustus told Lynnfield Patch last Friday that some of the …

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