Vispoli Calls Melissa's Bill Tragedy State House Failure

 Vispoli Questions Conference Committee Delays

Andover, MA—Today Alex Vispoli, Republican candidate for the State Senate in the Second Essex and Middlesex district, expressed deep disappointment in the Governor sending back Melissa’s bill with amendments.

“As a father I am extremely disappointed that Governor Patrick did not put the safety of our children first.  He should have signed the bill,” said Vispoli. 

The bill is in extreme jeopardy of being passed into law.  Even if the legislature overrides the Governor’s amendment, he can still veto it and with the session ending on Tuesday the legislature will not have the time to override the veto.

“This is a prime example of failed leadership at the State House.  If the legislature had not allowed this bill to be stalled for 7 months in conference committee, then there would not be this run out the time political gamesmanship,” said Vispoli.  “It is time for new leaders on Beacon Hill who will put the people ahead of politics.”

Les Gosule, who is Melissa’s father, has been pushing for this legislation for 12 years.  His daughter was raped and murdered by a repeat violent offender in 1999.  The Patrick amendment would give judges more discretion in maximum sentencing without parole.

“We are talking about three strikes and you are out.  I cannot begin to figure out why the Governor wants to give these repeat violent offenders more chances,” said Vispoli. 

Last week Vispoli released a plan to:

As our next State Senator, Vispoli will push for the following reforms:

• No more cash donations.  All contributions would have to be made in the form of a check or by credit card
• Full disclosure of all donations.  Every contribution will be required to be listed on campaign finance reports.
• Full disclosure on campaign literature. All campaign literature will be required to include a disclaimer similar to the FEC’s regulations for federal candidates to disclose who is paying for the piece.
• Robo calls will required to have a disclaimer.  The FEC requires federal candidates to make this disclosure.  The state should as well.
• End the expensing of vehicles on campaign finance reports.  Candidates and campaign workers will only be allowed to seek reimbursement for mileage.
• Immediate disclosure of independent expenditures.  Any political organization making an independent expenditure for a candidate will required to notify the Office of Campaign and Political Finance within 5 days in writing about the details of the expenditure along with most recent donations since the last reporting period.

Vispoli was first elected to the Andover Board of Selectmen in 2004.  On the board, he has led initiatives including: consolidation of Andover’s IT organization and infrastructure, creation of the Andover Economic Development Council, I93 proposed interchange project, opening the Old Town Hall on Saturday mornings, creation of Andover’s Design Review Board, reduction in Town owned vehicles, and annual citizens mid – year review for major project updates, regionalization opportunities with surrounding towns – including North Andover shared DPW resource.

Vispoli was also elected the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Board of Directors and the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association (MSA) Board of Directors in 2011.  He is currently the District 2 Representative (Essex and Middlesex Counties) for the MSA.   He is a member of the Governor’s Local Government Advisory Commission and MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration.

Professionally, Vispoli has been in the information technology business for 25 years.  He currently holds the position of Vice President of Sales for a Boston-based technology company.  Most importantly, Vispoli is a devoted husband and father of 4 children.