1st Newsletter – flooding information, anti-stalking legislation, and Citizens United

Dear Constituent,

I am pleased to present my first email newsletter. I intend to send out periodic updates so you know what is happening at the State House and in Acton, Carlisle, Chelmsford, and Concord. I also recently launched a new website, www.coryatkins.com, which I hope you will visit often. If you know anyone who would like to receive my newsletter, please forward it to them and ask them to subscribe on my website. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 617-722-2692 or Rep.CoryAtkins@state.ma.us.

Sincerely,

Cory Atkins

14th Middlesex District

Flooding

If your property was damaged or you have been unable to work as a result of the flooding in March, you may be eligible for assistance. Five Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) opened on Wednesday, April 8 in central and eastern Massachusetts. If you have suffered damages or incurred losses as a result of the March floods, I encourage you to apply to FEMA for disaster assistance. You can apply by telephone, on-line, or in person at a DRC. Information on how to apply for disaster assistance, including phone numbers, web address and locations of the DRCs, can be found at www.mass.gov/mema or from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA. If you would like help with the process, please feel free to contact my office.

Stalking

I have been working on legislation to broaden restraining order protections, and I am proud to report that in January my colleagues in the legislature joined me in passing this law unanimously. Previously a person who was being stalked could only obtain a restraining order if the stalker was a family member, roommate, or romantic partner. Many stalkers are mere acquaintances of their victims, and these victims could not seek legal protection. Under the new law, victims can obtain criminally enforceable restraining orders against stalkers regardless of their relationship to the victim. A large number of people from both sides of the aisle and from all different sectors came together to refine this sensitive and complex legislation. I am proud of our collaborative efforts to expand restraining order law and provide much needed protection for victims I thank everyone who made this possible, including former Senator Pam Resor of Acton, and I am delighted that Governor Patrick signed this bill into law on February 9, 2010.

Reacting to Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission

In January the United States Supreme Court ruled that corporations may spend unlimited amounts of money in order to influence elections. I fear that this decision may jeopardize our democracy by allowing corporations to buy elections. My colleagues and I are currently working on a resolution to ask Congress to address this issue and a bill that would clarify Massachusetts campaign finance law to restrict corporate influence on state elections. If you have thoughts on this issue, please contact my office.

Planning a new train station in South Acton

As part of an ongoing effort to improve the Fitchburg commuter rail line, the MBTA has proposed rebuilding South Acton station. The MBTA originally proposed a system of ramps over the tracks, but residents of South Acton objected to the plan on the grounds that it was unnecessary and inconsistent with the architecture of the neighborhood. A group of residents worked with Representative Jen Benson, Senator Jamie Eldridge, local officials, and myself to convince MBTA officials to rewrite the plan to reflect neighbors’ concerns. I was happy to see so many people engaging in an important local issue, and I am glad that the new station will be built with the input of local residents.

Events in the district

Monday, April 12, 7:00pm: Parent forum on adolescent depression and anxiety, R. J. Grey Junior High School, Acton

Tuesday, April 13: special election in Carlisle to approve expenditures for an addition and renovation to the Carlisle School.

Monday, April 19, 9:00 to 11:00am: Patriots’ Day Parade, Concord Center.

Saturday, April 24: Chelmsford Town-Wide cleanup day

Monday, April 26, 7:00pm: Concord Town Meeting, Concord-Carlisle High School.

Monday, April 26, 7:30pm: Chelmsford Town Meeting, Senior Center, 75 Groton Rd.

Saturday, May 1, 9:00 to 11:30am: Acton household hazardous waste day, DPW garage, 14 Forest Rd.

Monday, May 10: Carlisle Town Meeting