Rep. Jeff Perry in His Own Words

Perry Campaign Releases Television Commercials

Two different commercials will air October 1st through Election Day

Watch both now, below

SANDWICH - Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) has announced today that he is taking his campaign to the television airwaves. This is yet another new method Representative Perry is using to connect with his constituents.

Beginning October 1, 2008, and running up to Election Day, two different campaign commercials will be seen on popular Comcast channels. The two commercials have different messages; one is focused on the economy and the other is focused on law and order.

Representative Perry stated, "I hope to inform voters in the 5th Barnstable District of my strong record of serving the people of Massachusetts in matters that affect all of us in our daily lives. These commercials are just one more way to get my message out."

The commercials will be broadcast on such channels as AMC, CNBC, CNN, ESPN, The History Channel, The Weather Channel, and more. Also, both commercials can be seen on the web at www.electjeffperry.com.

The commercials were produced locally by B&R ProCom, Inc., a video production company located in Sandwich, MA.

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Door-to-door with Rep. Jeff Perry

Representative Jeff Perry's September YouTube video

Click here or on the image below to watch the video.

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Jessica's Law Progress

Representative Perry satisfied with passage of modified "Jessica's Law"

   Click here or on the box above to listen to Rep. Perry's speech from the House Floor.

BOSTON, STATE HOUSE - Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to announce that last week, the Massachusetts' version of "Jessica's Law" was approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.  Jeff Perry, a former police sergeant and now the Ranking Member on the Public Safety Committee is pleased with the passage of this law, but recognizes there is much more work to be done in next year's legislative session.

Two years of legislative wrangling finally came to a close as law-makers passed comprehensive legislation aimed to protect children from sexual predators.  While not a complete version of "Jessica's Law," Representative Perry is pleased with the progress made on this issue.  The original Massachusetts legislation was filed by Representative Karyn Polito (R-Shrewsbury) and Representative Perry was a cosponsor in the House of Representative. 

This legislation attempts to mirror legislation enacted in Florida and named after Jessica Lunsford.  Jessica Lunsford was a young girl who was raped and murdered in February 2005 by John Couey, a previously convicted sex offender.  Couey had been sentenced to ten years in prison; however, was granted parole early.  The resulting public outrage over this case resulted in Florida officials passing minimum mandatory sentence legislation and prompted many other states to propose and pass similar laws.  Massachusetts now joins over forty other states who have strengthened such laws.

Unfortunately, not all of the originally proposed sections were included in the final version of the law, even after several attempts to amend the legislation were made on the House floor.  Specifically Perry supported a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years in prison for rape of a child with force.  While Representative Perry considers this law to be a weaker version of the original "Jessica's Law," he does believe its passage goes a long way in preventing further sexual assaults on children.  He has pledged to continue his efforts to strengthen this legislation during the next term starting in January.

Some of the key provisions are under "Jessica's Law" include the definition of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. This is a new offense in Massachusetts and clearly states that a child under 14 shall be deemed incapable of consenting to any sexual conduct of an adult defendant.  The mandatory minimum sentence for such crime is ten years. The law also includes aggravating factors; such as when the act was committed when a defendant was armed with a dangerous weapon; the act was committed during the commission of certain crimes including armed robbery, unarmed robbery, breaking and entering, entering without breaking, breaking and entering into a dwelling house, kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, home invasion, posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity. The legislation also includes indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 - 2nd offense, (also a new offense). The mandatory minimum sentence for this offence is fifteen years

Another key provision which Representative Perry strongly pushed allows for the introduction into evidence of a prior convictions. T his can now be now by a prior finding of sufficient fact by the Judge and shall be deemed prima facie (valid on its face) evidence of a prior conviction and shall be self-authenticating.  All of these provisions are aimed to better assist law enforcement and our judicial system to keep repeat offenders in prison for longer and more certain terms.

Representative Perry's comments regarding minimum mandatory sentences during the House debate can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeSQKGfmpHE

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MA residents closer to a much needed holiday from sales tax

Massachusetts Residents Closer to a Much Needed Holiday from Sales Tax

BOSTON—Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) is pleased to announce that the hardworking taxpayers of Massachusetts are one step closer to receiving a much needed holiday from sales tax.

In an overwhelming turn of events, the House passed the two day tax holiday by a vote of 139-15.  The holiday, if approved by the Governor will take place the weekend of August 16th and 17th. 

"The Commonwealth has a lot of work to do on property and gasoline tax relief in the future, but for today, I am pleased to support another sales tax holiday." - Representative Perry

High food and gas prices combined with skyrocketing energy costs make this year as good as year as ever to provide consumers with some tax relief.  Retailers will waive the sales tax on products costing less than $2,500, including computers and home appliances in hopes of saving consumers money as well as stimulating the local economy.

“While this two day break from State sales tax is not a significant new direction for Massachusetts, hopefully it will stimulate economic activity and give consumers a much needed break.  The Commonwealth has a lot of work to do on property and gasoline tax relief in the future, but for today, I am pleased to support another sales tax holiday” said Representative Perry from his State House Office.

This year’s tax holiday is expected to save consumers close to $16 million.  It will also provide a shot in the arm for businesses, which normally have a lull in sales during the dog days of summer.

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Representative Perry's July YouTube Message

Click on the box below to view Representative Perry's July YouTube video. The topics of this month's video are Jessica's Law and Melanie's Bill.  Your comments and questions are encouraged.

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