Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr on Tanning Ban

This sunshine electric. Love the electric speech on the stomach -- we -- ANC XE WRKO. Am highly targeted about two and salons electric beach. Well because in the dead of night last night Massachusetts and it. Passed -- bill to restrict teens in the state from using indoor tanning salons. This ridiculous legislation has been gone on for five long years I've invited. Senator Bruce Starr. On the show because senator Europe from Gloucester between my he's eating a thousand losses that's going to be thirty cancel on that are furious with you right. Now a pop up and well I think every mother and myself but I -- to take a -- and they welcome back it's great to have you back on the airwaves in Boston on radio. You do a great job and of course when you sent me a text and a moment's notice -- wanted to call and I'm glad to finally gave me the right number. Senator Dodd got try to called one number shot I rusty what we sent out an Internet okay. You know. You're you're you're back on the learning curve but you know what it is interesting -- to think about that -- -- wanted to clarify a couple things first of all on Tuesday. -- and it actually went out of session at 239 in the afternoon. So for some in the fourth -- that might think that's the middle of the night. That law -- we're past that lay out Tuesday night. -- defense senator I'll say that to thirty on Tuesday is probably late the united. I know that wind was coming I guess I was gonna get -- sometimes known it was probably late at night. And maybe at a time -- -- people and naturally some it might have been offended by any legislation to do with tanning but. I don't -- put them -- business than an idea that sort of dropped out of this guy in fact this kind of legislation and the legislation even more stringent. Is supported by the minute American academy of pediatrics because in the clear wink between some of these things if there -- abused and -- yours medical issues so. This isn't something that is is whimsical or something that just a lot of the guys in fact. It did have a public hearing in the committee on public health and won a lot of attention paid to it both this year and in the last few years so. I'm really not trying to make light of the idea that it does cause melanoma and when -- when not. And taking into account the idea that there is indeed there is actually a direct link. But however -- don't have people bureaucrats who work in the department of public health. Who can handle this without legislation. Well I'm not sure about that are actually I feel that sometimes bureaucrats will try to regulate our lives without statutory authorization and they'll exceed their authority their exceed their power so. When we weigh in on something like this I think it's important because the bureaucrats aren't directly accountable of the public but we are. And so I actually I agree with your premise that the legislature ought to be acting on a lot of important things that we are. And we are right now. We are going to ask you about your very important piece of legislation and cement went down at this composition. And -- you know Michelle very -- talk about that I guess I disagree perhaps would be example but I agree would be analogy would be made the metaphor that we ought to be dealing with more important things but. This is an important subject and by the way the trade association for the folks that don't run of these kinds of businesses. Indicates that they are not opposed to parental consent -- what they are opposed to was laws that have been proposed and some states which actually banned. Of this kind of two innings for kids altogether and parental consent. I think it's a hard thing to argue with and in fact actually did some quick research. And I have one of my staff look at the authorization form for -- -- in Massachusetts we just pulled one from one of the more popular companies that doesn't. And it indicates that you need parental consent under eighteen. So I'm not sure that it's inappropriate to say the parents have to help of these decisions because that's what we have an age of minority in an age of majority because we understand that sometimes. Kids aren't prepared to make decisions that are very important. On these kind of things that and I would contrast that. -- is Michelle would be outrageous. Things that are coming at a department of public health like regulating big field. I actually think this one it is pretty serious of pretty focused and you know while they're -- they're making up regulations on banks built world that you're trying to particulates from developing cancer. Senator you just got that outline you're right I take back about the department public health because we do have bureaucrats that agency who. Literally tried to began to bake sale. So. The -- may department of public health is not the best resource in this particular manner. -- you just you just argued successfully that we need to feel fine. Explain to me why it needs to be languishing under the golden -- for five long years. Well I think it was spent in disagreement about how best to proceed again there -- different ideas about how to address the issues com. Like the American academy of pediatrics would -- we should be an altogether. Other states take a middle ground in effect most recently New York State. Has reached an agreement between their house and there's and it. But there in the functional equivalents of those on how to proceed with this issue so there's different. Ways to address that and I would agree with you I think a lot of things -- -- sometimes take too long. Mean IV -- I -- senator come on can't you guys come up with some sort of agreement this -- gonna do. Because this does this is constantly -- -- from the taxpayer as that. Lets you just successfully convinced me that we need this legislation that's fine and -- but the idea that. The senate passes it every year for five years arrow and then the house is -- I mean it's maddening for the people watching what happens at this. I understand that and I think you know that there are a number of issues that I've been trying to work on for years that a bad thing because we can't get them -- Past that. MI one more important in tanning Booth by the way am I gonna get to that just a minute. Well I grant you -- on on the one hand the legislative process needs to be somewhat deliberative so that we don't act. Irrationally and we don't act in a petulant fashion that there is a balance between. Acting absolutely in trying to operate efficiently and move things that are our priorities and again. This -- a public health issue I think it's unfortunate that weren't able dispose of it more quickly. And and in an agreed upon way but it is here now and it's been approved and again it was done in the afternoon and he has session of the -- It is funny that the globe -- late Tuesday night because 230 in the afternoon -- product is apparently late. The senate well I guess it's all relative. It's all relative but but but now it doesn't I don't move into the crime bill because. This is driving me nuts I mean you talk about public health. What could be more important they maintain health and safety of firefighters cops. The public from. Eight elderly drivers how does that legislation been hanging on the Statehouse that would require. The elderly to simply pass a driving test which is not all that -- and how that hang. Well it's been a probability is the decade don't have the exact figures in front and you know. But but I and that's that's an estimation on my part but that's an issue that's been with us. For a long period of time I would put -- a show that. Those drivers at least have some degree of experience and one of the things legislature has dealt with. Our drivers that didn't have enough experience and for instance my colleague representative bill. Worked very long and hard and a junior operators bill that put in please more requirements for education and experience -- -- department will for the first time. And we did deal with that unfortunately haven't been able to deal with the issue of folks that are. Having their skills perhaps Wayne. Because of advanced age the difficulty on the in the second one of those examples. Is that folks -- different pieces and at different rates and trying to find a way that isn't discriminatory. Based on their age but actually addresses the very real problem that you pointed out. Has been elusive to the legislature and won the last thing we wanna do is say the just because of your rates are not qualified to drive and it would have been a lot of attempts to say. Is there's some way that a doctor can be involved in this say that in my opinion this individual needs to be tested retested or something along those lines so that. Is a little bit more difficult than saying to someone who's never drew. And a deck he ten years different outcome on the bottle bill have been around since I was born at a so I did it just like people get annoyed but but the real the one that sticks in my Kra. It's the legislation that you authored with the with a bipartisan group of people as a locally I'll point out and tell us a little bit about -- bill. Well let me just take back for a minute and you made reference to it but that largely. In response to what happens the tragic. Thing that happened with regard to opposite truck McGwire. In Woburn you'll call is over and police officer that responded to jewelry robbery -- store in -- I believe it was the 26 of December it was during the blizzard. Opposite McGwire -- responded and attempt to thwart the robbery. And in the process of that response was killed. By one Dominic and -- would been released on a roll after having again been sentenced to three life sentence. Really liked it is pretty. Life sentences. And when I saw that Michel became enraged and I think folks all across the commonwealth became enraged and so. One of the things that we did as senator Brodeur again was no longer in the senate but was a great partner on this issue when he wants. We joined with a number of our colleagues and ask for the resignation of the Parole Board members that it participated. In that decisions and the governor joined us -- that request and in fact they did resign. But the second thing we did was put together a bill and a bipartisan way. That address not only the issue that someone was serving three life sentences should never be eligible for parole. But also in joined the concept that have been advanced by -- gospel. Following the tragic. Murder of his daughter Melissa. Now close to twelve years ago. And to say that someone's gonna commit three violent felonies should have to serve the full term. On for the third so that they are not available -- quarter percent of -- now that doesn't seem like a very difficult concept and in fact it generated tremendous legislative support. And that bill passed the Massachusetts senate by a vote of a 136. To nothing. Which is unheard of folks unheard of. And it was it was a great moment Michelle in the senate because officer. Jack McGuire is brother chuck is you know as a former probation officer and he great guy mental and helping us. Advance the bill as well as well colossal and both of them. Were actually in the gallery of the senate when that poll was taken and then they were properly recognized and they've done a tremendous job. The bill then move to the house and again there had been appeal Melissa's bill pending for numbered years filed by. Representative -- and in this case so also representative Dwyer. From from Warburg. And that bill had been languishing but again because that incident that happened in -- call people's attention to it. Not that the issue hadn't been identified before and not that there had been legislation before. But this searing pain of that incident punctuated the need to do something. The house voted and I believe the vote in the house was on the order of magnitude of -- 142 to twelve. So both branches supported some concept of this bill. And the difficulty following that as we now have a senate bill that is much broader in its scope and a host -- out. -- let me let me translate that you folks so they. We did very good piece of legislation house supported down with a -- of the nonsense. And that's why it's not gonna pass -- -- Simon ago. Well I wouldn't I wouldn't necessarily group that for instance some -- what I put into the senate bill. That was very important to me were ensuring that the Parole Board operates correctly and those provisions were not in the house. But the house generally has agreed to them and what I mean -- that show. Is making sure that we have someone on the Parole Board who was a victim or representative of victims and that's something that was suggested. By Attorney General Martha Coakley. We also have requirements and our version of the bill that the Parole Board actually read the criminal record of the individual that's before them because we heard. And that part of these incidents they were very cursor review of those things by the Parole Board members -- wanna change that. In addition to that we want to make sure that the prosecutorial. Agency that was involved in prosecuting individuals -- can -- Is properly notified when a -- we're hearing comes up. So that they can present their case for why the individuals should be eligible for -- so some of those things are very very important and again there are differences between. The house and the senate. The process of working through goes has become very difficult but we're working on it in -- show you heard it here first. We're working on a draft this afternoon. That were hoping is gonna wanna be able to be public very shortly. That would gonna present -- the house and we're trying to work our way through that. And my goal and my expectation is that we are going to have. Have a final version of this bill on the governor's -- Before the end of formal sessions in July and if we don't do that and you and your listeners should be outraged and -- we will let you know if that's going to be the case. Well you certainly know that I will be outraged. Well I appreciate that and and I -- -- I wish I was under eighteen so I I would have to get my mother to write me knows I goatee and I just got -- Well you're you're you're you're not over eighteen by much and is certainly logged -- to participate in the legislative process without where parental consent and you have been very helpful. On a number of issues that you certainly have been the champion of this one in helping to let people know what was wrong and what is wrong with the system. And what are you use this example and we gonna talk about the story next week but your mother did double worshipping killer that's who's in -- hired for a state job. Only -- Her name is Robin Murphy and she was part of a satanic cult that call themselves seeing the vendors in the inverted three women and father -- a back in the 1970s. And then Robin Murphy gets parole and you would not believe. How unseen it was in 2004. When you look through her parole records in which she didn't jail and how crazy this woman really what's. She gets released anyhow into a halfway house paid for by taxpayers. And chances in arms husband strikes ever friendship with her in and she's tired. Without any sort of background check by Suzanne Bump and Suzanne Bump heralded her as a prison success story what people don't know. And that's just on my coverage on channel five is at that. Double worshipping satanic cult member who was on the state payroll make -- roughly eighty -- yet got locked up again. Lot of again and she's in front of the no Parole Board it's on in I was pretty impressive and I will say that senator I mean native land base that this woman. But this -- go confessed to the April -- That she meet up a story against her to co defendants and send them to -- full life and they had nothing to do with the crime and assertion that's backed up from the detectives who worked the case. It's outrageous and and again. Those working in in in public office should be held to a very high standard and that's why we were frustrated recently. When we tried to put into law. That those that worked for the gaming commission should be subject to background check Manuel I think that's obvious in this state where pronouncements have been made from Beacon Hill definitely knows. I'm not one and a very close relationship if you know what I mean we're not. That but the governor that probably shelled a house and the senate voted for that provision. A little bit different versions of the but the same provision and the governor. -- Well because he wanted to put his his his good friend Stanley McGee on the board which was very temporary. Because once he -- colleague. Cool hired Bobby long the great private investigator the former state trooper -- can win -- even -- highs Bobby long body long is digging into the horrific case of -- Of predatory. Sexual abuse against -- -- shower. That's stealing the key was arrested for the criminal charges went away we -- -- thought about it but we didn't know is that -- -- heat hey that kid. Because the allegation that so Syrians but once they kids feeling sued stealing he pain now -- you're accused of the type of horrific actions it's. That Deval Patrick's friend big he was accused of would you pay it's an admission of guilt. Well you're you're absolutely right I do wanna say that I think everyone is is innocent until proven guilty but this is an individual that was highly suspect. And the question is why would everyone be so eager to move forward with this when there were questions surrounding the person's background and that's why. Representative Winslow did -- did to try to shine some light on it. But even more incomprehensible. Is why would you Vito a requirement that folks have background checks. It is absolutely incomprehensible. I'm pleased to tell you show that the senate and the house overrode that veto. But that's something when you talk about spending time on things we shouldn't have to be spending time on. We shouldn't have had to undertake a veto in the first place which have been a law on the. Not only that I mean how ridiculous is that we're talking about casino gaming I mean did anyone watch magic city come quad at at. Give me a break this is so ludicrous but we -- know what it is it was Deval Patrick was gonna do his friend for the job just like his neighbor about the 120000 dollars a job. Like all of his friends and campaign donors who have gotten big jobs. Well. If it's unfortunate though when we we have something as objectively as important as just saying in the laws of the commonwealth we're gonna do a background check with people that are involved with gaming. That there -- seen in a dispute about that. And again I'm proud of my colleagues because men in the first instance they voted for and it was our amendment. In the in the senate and the second instance. The fact is that the big overrode a veto that was clearly inappropriate so. I think they can be a little bit of comfort taken in the affected when called upon the legislature in this instance did the right thing. But -- deeply concerning element of this is that the legislature had to act in such a dramatic fashion. Again on something that should have been part of the culture as we established the gaming commission to begin. I'm with you senator Barbara Starr thank you for your time and again to Connie -- -- songs you think her. Between my doesn't he doesn't know how to -- that's got to be at least forty. I would say the numbers probably close to forty -- fifty and I wanna make sure that you're not gonna hit all of those this afternoon -- you like to come up to Gloucester on Sunday afternoon. We love to have you but I wanna make sure yet. Actually save some time don't want it looks like snappy well we wanted to save time for fried clams and fried fish and other kinds of things and not be in the tending to all of the time. They haven't said Debra Starr thank you for being out of a voice of reason and thank you for joining us is nice to hear you again. I am -- -- we are and 680 WRK out. Really you just already set to describe how difficult it is to what could they get something passed and many actually do something and they -- it right. And then get veto by the governor. Off to the not make you wanna -- had against the wall on the -- McPhee and we are WRKO.