GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE STATE WE'RE IN, "CONNECTING POINT"'S WEEKLY LOOK AT POLITICS, I'M CARRIE SALDO.

JOINING ME TONIGHT TO DISCUSS 2018 PRIORITIES ON BEACON HILL ARE STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEPHEN KULICK OF THE FIRST FRANKLIN DISTRICT AND PAUL MARK OF THE SECOND BERKSHIRE DISTRICT.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> AS YOU BOTH KNOW WE ASKED PEOPLE VIA FACEBOOK AND TWITTER TO SEND US THEIR QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT -- THAT WE COULD POST TO YOU BOTH THIS EVENING, AND TOPICS, THEY WERE BROAD AND ALL OVER THE PLACE.

EDUCATION.

HEALTH CARE, POT, GUNS, IT WILL BE A FUN HALF-HOUR, LET'S START WITH ONE QUESTION FROM SUE.

SHE ASKED ABOUT EAST, WEST, HIGH-SPEED RAIL AND SAID, WHY CAN'T I TAKE A TRAIN TO MY STATE CAPITOL FROM SPRINGFIELD IN THE MORNING AND RETURN IN THE EVENING?

SHORT OF, THAT DOES NOT -- THAT DOES NOT EXIST YET.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HER?

>> WE HOPE THAT SOME DAY SHE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THERE IS A STUDY JUST BEING STARTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ON A RAIL PLAN FOR ALL OF MASSACHUSETTS, BUT IT INCLUDES A STUDY OF EAST, WEST RAIL, FROM BOSTON TO SPRINGFIELD, AND HOPEFULLY THANKS TO THE ADVOCACY OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE BERKSHIRES LIKE PAUL, THAT WILL INCLUDE GOING ON TO PITTSFIELD BECAUSE IF WE ARE GOING TO GO THAT FAR AND BUILD A HIGH-SPEED RAIL NETWORK WE REALLY OUGHT TO GO FROM ONE END OF THE STATE TO THE OTHER, AND SO WE'LL ANXIOUSLY AWAIT THAT STUDY AND WHETHER IT'S FEASIBLE OR NOT, HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST AND HOW IT COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED.

>> WE SAW THE DRAFT PLAN FROM THE DOT EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN INE MAKING, SENATOR LESSER HAS PUSHED HARD, AND HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW IT YET, PAUL?

ANY THOUGHTS ON THE DRAFT PLAN AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW?

>> THE BIGGEST SHORT COMING OF THE DRAFT PLAN IS THAT IT DOES NOT GO TO PITTSFIELD.

WE STILL -- AS WERE YOU FAMILIAR AS IT IS AND IT IS A GREAT IDEA TO BRING IT OUT TO SPRINGFIELD AND WOULD BENEFIT THE CONSTITUENTS OF MINE IN GREENFIELD, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GO ALL THE WAY TO PITTSFIELD, YOU CANNOT LEAVE OFF AN ENTIRE COUNTY OF THE STATE OVER 100,000 PEOPLE, AND BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A TRAIN FROM PITTSFIELD TO BOSTON AND COME BACK THE SAME DAY.

IT'S NOT POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW, AND AS SOMEONE WHO COMMUTES TO BOSTON THREE TIMES A WEEK IT WOULD CHANGE MY LIFE, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE REGION, IT WOULD ADD A NEW TRANSPORTATION DYNAMIC, IT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO WORK IN THE MORE DISTANT AREA, MAYBE, BUT LIVE IN A MORE AFFORDABLE, QUIET, NICE MACE LIKE THE BERKSHIRES.

PEOPLE WOULD LOVE TO LIVE AND PRICES ARE AFFORDABLE SO I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON THESE PLANS.

>> AND INTERESTINGLY I WAS AT A MEETING IN THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON IN THE GATEWAY REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND SEVERAL PEOPLE CAME UP TO ME LAST NIGHT AND TALKED BUT THE RAIL STUDY, AND PEOPLE IN TOWNS LIKE HUNTINGTON AND CHESTER AND OUT PROBABLY THROUGH THE OTHER SOUTHERN HAMPSHIRE AND HAMPDEN COUNTY TOWNS WOULD LIKE THERE TO BE STOPS THERE.

PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, HOUSING IS MORE AFFORDABLE, THERE IS OLD INDUSTRIAL SPACE, PLACES WHERE ENTREPRENEURS CAN SET UP BUSINESSES AND IF THERE WAS A RAIL CONNECTION PEOPLE COULD LIVE IN THE HILLTOWNS IN THE BERKSHIRES, AND GET TO SPRINGFIELD, AND GET TO BOSTON AND TO WORCESTER, AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF POTENTIAL THERE FOR ECONOMIC STIMULUS, AND I HOPE THAT IT IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

>> LET'S GO TO TRANSPORTATION, THE GOVERNOR CAME OUT WITH HIS TRANSPORTATION PANEL, NOT SO LONG AGO, AND WESTERN MASS, NOT A SINGLE PERSON ON THAT PANEL FROM THE REGION.

I KNOW SOME LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN TRYING TO ENCOURAGE HIM TO PUT SOMEONE ON THAT PANEL FROM WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> RIGHT NOW, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS INDICATED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO MAYBE RECONSIDER AND THROW SOMEONE ON FROM BERKSHIRE AND FRANKLIN, HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

>> FRANKLIN COUNTY IS VERY INTERESTED IN IT.

THE BERKSHIRE DELEGATION CAME OUT A RIGHT AWAY, AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS AN INTENDED SNUB TO LEAVE ANYONE OFF BUT AN OVERSIGHT, AND MAYBE NOT A FULL REALIZATION THAT THESE AREAS HAVE UNIQUE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS THAT ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM ELSEWHERE, SO THEY REALLY NEED TO HAVE A VOICE ON THAT PANEL.

>> WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

LET'S LOOK AT EDUCATION FOR A MINUTE.

WE WENT TO DOWNTOWN GREENFIELD AND ASKED QUESTIONS OF FOLKS AS WE WERE MILLING AROUND AND WE MET ONE MAN, ANDRE.

HE'S 17.

HE IS A SUPERSTAR.

HE'S A SOPHOMORE AT GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, SO HE FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL EARLY AND HAS GONE ON TO GCC AND EXPLAINED TO US THAT NOW THAT HE'S IN COLLEGE, HE AND HIS FAMILY EVEN THOUGH HE WAS A VERY STRONG STUDENT, RECEIVED SOME EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF GRANTS AND WHAT HAVE YOU, SO IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE FAMILY BARGAINED FOR.

LET'S HEAR A BIT MORE FROM AN ANDRE.

>> I THINK THAT GOOD GRADES AND ECONOMIC STANDING IN HIGH SCHOOL SHOULD BE REWARDED MORE, MAYBE THROUGH -- MORE TUITION GRANTS FOR STUDENTS LIKE MYSELF OR OTHERS WHO HAVE GONE TO HIGH SCHOOL BUT COME TO COLLEGE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A LOT TO PAY.

IT FEELS LIKE THEY ARE NOT GETTING REWARDED FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DID.

>> WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO STUDENTS LIKE ANDRE AND OTHERS?

>> THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF MY PRIORITIES.

JUST TO TELL ABOUT MY BACKGROUND, THERE I WAS 19 YEARS OLD ONE YEAR OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL DROPPING OUT OF UAND I WENT TO WORK FULL TIME, AND FAST FORWARD, A TUITION PLAN, FAST FORWARD EIGHT YEARS AND I COMPLETED FIVE DEGREES INCLUDING A LAW AND DOCTORAL DEGREE.

I HAD THE DRIVE AND TALENT AND AMBITION BUT LIKE THIS MAN, THE FINANCIAL BARRIERS WERE AN OBSTACLE AND NOT EVERYBODY COULD FIND A JOB THAT WILL PAY 80% OF THE TUITION.

SO I HAVE CHAIRED A SUBCOMMITTEE ON STUDENT LOANS AND DEBT AND COME UP WITH A NINE-POINT PLAN.

THAT'S TURNED INTO A 34-POINT SECTION BILL THAT WE ARE WAITING FOR AND HOPING WILL COME OUT OF THE COMMITTEE THIS SESSION.

CHAIRMAN SIBECK HAS BEEN WORKING WITH ME CLOSING ON WHAT PROVISIONS HE THINKS MIGHT BE REALISTIC, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INCREASED TUITION ASSISTANCE, TALKING ABOUT REDUCING THE TIME OF DEGREE, ABOUT PRIVATE, PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS AND A LOT OF THINGS, SAVINGS PLANS, AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO TRY TO GET IT.

THERE IS NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL BUT THE BASIC IDEA IS THAT IF YOU HAVE THE TALENT AND THE DRIVE AND THE DESIRE YOU SHOULD NOT BE LEFT BEHIND, JUST LIKE THE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN GENERAL.

SO THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE WORK ON A LOT AND WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS ON.

>> DO YOU THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS SESSION?

I KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE, THE SPEAKER DE LEO CAME OUT WITH HIS PRIORITIES.

>> YEAH.

ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION IS CRITICAL.

WE HAVE SEEN STUDENT AND FAMILY CHARGES GO UP AS THE STATE'S SHARE OF THAT EDUCATIONAL DOLLAR, THE COST OF TUITION AT THE PUBLIC COLLEGES HAS GONE DOWN.

AND WE REALLY NEED TO REVERSE THAT TREND.

IT WILL BE A LONGER TERM ISSUE TO GET THE DOLLARS THERE, AND I THINK WHAT PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT IS MUCH MORE ACHIEVABLE IN THE SHORT-TERM, SO WE LOOK AHEAD.

WE NEED A LOT MORE DOLLARS IN EDUCATION IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAY HELP US IS THE BALLOT QUESTION THAT WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT THIS YEAR, THE SO-CALLED FAIR SHARE AMENDMENT OR MILLIONAIRE'S TAX WHICH WILL LARGELY BE DEVOTED TO TRANSPORTATION AND EDUCATION.

>> WE SAW THE GOVERNOR PUT MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION AT THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY BUDGET.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES, THE FINAL END OF THE PROCESS BUT THERE IS HOPE.

LET'S PIVOT TO HEALTH CARE.

WE HAD A QUESTION FROM A WOMAN NAMED JENNY MASON AND SHE SAID WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO WORK TOWARDS UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR THE STATE AND EVENTUALLY THE COUNTRY?

>> WELL, I WILL TAKE THE COUNTRY ONE FIRST BECAUSE THAT'S A PRETTY EASY ONE TO ANSWER.

AS LONG AS THE REPUBLICANS ARE IN CHARGE OF CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE, I DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE UNIVERSAL SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE IN THE NATION, AND IT REALLY SHOULD BE A NATIONAL APPROACH.

I THINK THAT IT'S DIFFICULT BUT PROBABLY NOT IMPOSSIBLE, BUT VERY CHALLENGING TO DO IT ON A STATE-BY-STATE BASIS INDIVIDUALLY.

WE SAW THE EXAMPLE OF VERMONT MAKING A VERY SERIOUS ATTEMPT TO DO A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND THAT BASICALLY COLLAPSED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW TO PAY FOR IT.

THEY ARE IN THE HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE, AND WOULD MOVE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY TO A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM, AND ANOTHER WOULD TAKE TIME TO COMPARE IT TO OUR CURRENT SYSTEM, AND IF IT PROVED THAT THE SINGLE PAYER WOULD BE MORE ECONOMICAL AND DELIVER BETTER HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES, IT WOULD BEGIN A PHASEIN.

I DON'T SEE A LOT OF REALISTIC CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING THIS YEAR.

THE SENATE HAS PASSED A HEALTH CARE, BASICALLY, A COSTING CONTAINMENT TYPE OF BILL, AND THE HOUSE IS WORKING ON ONE THAT WILL BE BEFORE US WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, SO RIGHT NOW OUR FOCUS ON THE HEALTH CARE IS MORE ON CONTAINING COST, PROVIDING -- CONTINUING TO PROVIDE ACCESS.

WE HAVE 97% OF THE PEOPLE COVERED, SO I THINK THAT IT'S THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION SO WE'RE DOING PRETTY WELL ON THAT.

THE COST IS A BIG CONCERN.

>> AND QUESTION -- WE SAW THAT SENATOR DE LEO CALLED IT A MORAL OBLIGATION TO HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEARD HIM LAY THAT OUT.

>> I MENTIONED THE HOUSE WILL TAKE UP A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE BILL OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS MENTIONED HE'S DONE SO.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SINGLE PAYER STUDY.

I AM A CO-SPONSOR OF THE SINGLE PAYER BILL AND STUDY BILL.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO AND HEALTH CARE HAS BECOME UP TO 40% OF THE BUDGET AND IT'S GOING TO KEEP GROWING AND GETTING WORSE, AND IT'S UNSTAINABLE, BUT THE METHODOLOGY THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, AND AS WE LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE THAT'S GOING TO UNFOLD OVER THE COMING YEAR, I HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION, ON WHO I WILL SUPPORT BUT I PLAN ON BEING WITH WHOEVER I THINK IS THE STRONGEST ON GETTING TO A UNIVERSAL SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE.

>> YES.

>> AND I THINK IT'S THAT IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE.

AND WHETHER IT SHOULD BE AT THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL, THE REPRESENTATIVE MADE A GOOD POINT.

I WOULD PREFER IT TO BE A NATIONAL PLAN BUT IF THERE IS A WAY THROUGH A STUDY THAT WE CAN SHOW THE COUNTRY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IF WE DID IT, AND WE DID IT HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS WHERE WE HAVE THE FINEST HOSPITALS IN THE WORLD AND WE WOULD SAVE THIS MUCH MONEY, OTHER STATES WILL GET INTERESTED AND THAT COULD RESULT IN SOME KIND OF A FEDERAL APPROACH BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE.

EVEN THE PRESIDENT HAS TALKED ABOUT HOW GREAT HE THINKS AUSTRALIA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS SO MAYBE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING FOR ME IN HEARING THE SPEAKER DE LEO OUTLINE HIS PRIORITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS HE DID NOT MENTION WAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WHICH I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE BOTH HAVE THEIR VERSIONS, IT HAS BEEN A LENGTHY DISCUSSION, AND NOW YOU KNOW, WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE PERHAPS WE WILL SEE, I KNOW WHEN SENATOR HINDS WAS ON THE SHOW A FEW WEEKS AGO HE THOUGHT THAT THE ISSUE WOULD BE TAKEN UP IN JANUARY, AND THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME MOVEMENT ON IT, THAT DID NOT COME TO PASS BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK?

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, ARE WE GOING TO SEE MOVEMENT?

>> I THINK THE ONLY REASON HE DID NOT MENTION IT IS BECAUSE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THINGS WE HAVE YET TO DO IN THE REMAINING SESSION.

WE HAVE DONE THAT, SO IT'S A MATTER OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE RECONCILING THE TWO VERSIONS AND COMING UP WITH A SINGLE ONE.

I KNOW THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, THREE SENATORS AND THREE REPRESENTATIVES ARE HARD AT WORK.

IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF REFORMS THAT WE NEED TO DO.

AND I EXPECT THAT WE'LL SEE IT IN THE NOT TOO DISTANCE FUTURE.

>> ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE, AND EVEN BEYOND JUST IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENTS WHICH IS A GROUP THAT BRINGS TOGETHER STATE LEGISLATURES AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AND WE GOT THEM TO COME UP WITH A STUDY AND REALLY OFFER THE BEST PRACTICES FOR US TO FOLLOW SO I THINK WHAT WE ULTIMATELY WILL HAVE IS GOING TO BE A REFLECTION OF THE BEST PRACTICES IN THE COUNTRY AND I THINK THAT IT WILL BE POSITIVE STUFF.

>> GREAT.

WE WILL BRING IN ANOTHER VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION HERE, AND MR.

CHANDLER WAS SOMEONE WE MET IN DOWNTOWN GREENFIELD.

THEY HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT FORMER PRISON INMATES.

LET'S HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO SUPPORT PEOPLE COMING OUT OF JAIL AND PRISON INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

THERE IS SO MANY FORMS OF LEGAL DISCRIMINATION THAT PEOPLE COMING OUT OF JAIL FACE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BEING DONE FOR PEOPLE COMING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> LEGAL DISCRIMINATION IS WHAT THEY CALLED IT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL I THINK THAT'S A KEY PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILLS THAT WILL BE COMING UP FOR THE FINAL VOTE.

BUT YOU KNOW, SHE ASKED THAT QUESTION IN GREENFIELD, AND FRANKLIN COUNTY WHICH WE REPRESENT THE BULK OF THE COUNTY, AND LEADS THE WAY THROUGH OUR SHERIFF AND OUR COUNTY CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, AND SHERIFF DONALAN HAS DONE REALLY PIONEERING WORK IN TERMS OF GETTING PEOPLE PROPERLY ADJUSTED, TRAINED, AND THE SCALES AND PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR HOUSING AND JOBS, FOR THE RELEASE TO DECREASE THE RECIDIVISM BASICALLY AND PREPARE PEOPLE TO COME BACK BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO SPEND TIME EITHER IN THE COUNTY CORRECTION SYSTEM OR THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM WILL RE-ENTER SOCIETY, SO WE DON'T WANT THIS REVOLVING DOOR OF PEOPLE COMING OUT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT NETWORK TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, SO THAT TAKES EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING AND TAKES, YOU KNOW, HOUSING AND IF THERE IS SUBSTANCE ISSUES, IT TAKES CONTINUING ATTENTION TO THAT AND SUPPORT.

THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT WE ARE HEADED.

WE HAVE IT RIGHT, A LOCAL EXAMPLE, AND THE SHERIFFS ARE VERY GOOD AT IT, I AM FAMILIAR WITH THEIR PROGRAMS AND PROBABLY IN BERKSHIRE, AS WELL.

WESTERN MASS HAS LED THE WAY IN PROGRESSIVE APPROACHES TO INCARCERATION, SO THAT THE PEOPLE DON'T KEEP COMING BACK.

>> WE'VE BEEN LEADERS IN THE FIGHT FOR FUNDING.

IT HAS SERVED AS A MODEL FOR THE STATE AND PLACES ALL OVER.

RIGHT NOW IN BERKSHIRE I AM WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS TO REPLICATE THE PROGRAM ON THE BERKSHIRE SIDE OF THINGS AND IN PITTSFIELD.

AND TO THE WOMAN ON THE VIDEOS' POINT, THE IDEA THAT SOMEONE IS PUNISHED FOR A CRIME, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ADDICTION, IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING TOUGH BUT BEING SMART, AND ONCE THESE PEOPLE ARE -- HAVE SERVED THEIR SENTENCE AND BEEN REHABILITATED YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR TIME SERVED IS NOT A LIFE SENTENCE.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE, TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE SO A LOT OF WHAT WE DEALT WITH IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILL IS TO REMOVE THESE BARRIERS, THEY MADE A MISTAKE, AND IT'S PROBABLY THE BULK OF IT INVOLVES DRUG AND DRUG ADDICTION PROBLEMS, AND AGAIN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO GET BACK OUT THERE AND BE PRODUCTIVE AND THEIR FAMILIES SHOULDN'T SUFFER.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD STICK WITH YOU FOR YOUR LIFE.

>> I WILL PIVOT, LET'S TALK FOR A MOMENT BUT THE BUMP STOCKS.

WE SAW A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION, THE TAIL END OF IT COME TO PASS THIS WEEK.

THE LAW FOLLOWING THE LAS VEGAS SHOOTING WHEN A BUMP STOCK WAS USED AND IN MASSACHUSETTS WE SAW THE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT CAN MODIFY THOSE GUNS BECAME ILLEGAL HERE.

IT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN LEGAL.

SO THAT MEANT, THAT MEANS NOW, YOU CAN NO LONGER PURCHASE THEM IN MASSACHUSETTS BUT YOU ALSO HAD TO TURN IN THAT MECHANISM, AND SOME PEOPLE WERE UPSET ABOUT THAT, AND WE HAD SOME FEEDBACK ON TWITTER FROM PEOPLE WHO -- EXCUSE ME, FACEBOOK WHO TALKED ABOUT THEIR OPPOSITION TO THIS CHANGE.

THEY WERE FRUSTRATED AND BASED ON WHAT THEY WROTE I WOULD SAY THAT THEY PROBABLY CONSIDERED THE LEGISLATURE'S MOVE HERE TO BE A HASTY DECISION IN THE FACE OF THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> I WOULD NOT SAY HASTY, A LOT OF THOUGHT WENT INTO IT AFTER THE LAS VEGAS SHOOTING INCIDENT, WHICH WAS AS AWFUL AS IT WAS LARGELY BECAUSE THE SHOOTER USED BUMP STOCKS, ALL OF THE WEAPONS HAD BUMP STOCKS, AND WHOEVER HEARD OF THESE BEFORE LAS VEGAS CAME ALONG, VERY FEW PEOPLE.

AND AS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SPORTSMEN AND GUN OWNERS AND COLLECTORS, THERE IS REALLY VERY LITTLE INTEREST AMONGST SERIOUS GUN ENTHUSIASTS FOR BUMP STOCKS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT USE THEM IN HUNTING OR FOR TARGET SHOOTING AND COMPETITIVE SHOOTING, AND THEY CREATE A VERY INACCURATE FIREARM, SO IT WAS TRICKY BECAUSE WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT'S DEALT WITH THIS SO FAR.

SO FIGURING OUT A WAY.

AFTER THE SHOOTING THERE WERE CRIES FOR CONGRESS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, AND THAT NEVER HAPPENED, AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL.

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN MASSACHUSETTS IS CRAFT A RESPONSIBLE LAW THAT I THINK MOST GUN OWNERS SUPPORT, THE ONES THAT I HAVE TALKED TO, AND I AM A BIG SECOND AMENDMENT SUPPORTER, PEOPLE SAY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT TO ME, IT'S NOT A FIREARM, IT'S A GIMMICK, IT'S A -- ONE THAT'S A GIMMICK BUT COULD HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF MISUSED.

>> FOR THOSE OPPOSED THERE WAS NO BUYBACK.

JUST TURN IT IN.

YOU DID NOT GET ANY SORT OF REFUND.

PEOPLE HAVE SPENT THEIR MONEY ON THIS TECHNOLOGY.

AND ALSO THE PENALTY ATTACHED TO IT IF I AM CORRECT I THINK IT'S 3 TO 20 YEARS IF YOU ARE CAUGHT ACTUALLY IN POSSESSION OF THESE NOW.

SO I THINK THAT SOME FOLKS ARE THINKING THIS WAS TOO HARSH.

>> THE PROBLEM, THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I WOULD SAY IS IT SHOULD BE A BUYBACK PROGRAM.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD IDEA, AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LETTER SENT OUT TO EVERY LICENSE TO CARRY HOUSEHOLD.

WE GOT ONE AT MY HOUSE, AND I THINK THE MONEY SPENT ON THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SPENT ON MAYBE HELPING PEOPLE THAT ARE TURNING THESE THINGS IN ASSESS THEY SHOULD BE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR TAKING OF THEIR PROPERTY.

BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, BIPARTISAN, THERE WAS NO OBJECTION, NO ONE SPOKE ON THE FLOOR AGAINST THIS, INCLUDING THE GUN ADVOCACY GROUPS.

AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT, SO IT WAS VERY BIPARTISAN.

>> AS WE SAID WE TOOK A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM FOLKS, OUR CONVERSATIONS ARE A BIT ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT FROM WEAPONS TO WEED, THERE IS A QUESTION ON TWITTER POSTED BY TOM VEGA, AND HE SAID THAT HE'S OPPOSED TO WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS POT FRIENDLY PRACTICES.

HE SAID QUOTE, "WE CAN DO BETTER TO PROTECT MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY."

WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TOWARDS JULY WHEN WE WILL SEE THE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, AND MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY WAS PULLED OUT AND POINTED TO BY MR.

VEGA, ARE THEY AT RISK BECAUSE OF THIS?

CHANGE IN THE MARIJUANA LAW?

>> NOT SURE WHAT HE MEANS BY THOSE TWO POINTS.

I THINK THAT CLEARLY THE VOTERS SPOKE VERY LOUDLY AND CLEARLY THAT THEY WANTED THE LEGALIZATION OF ADULT USE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, AND THE LEGISLATURE PUT IN PLACE A CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION, AND WE TOOK SOME VERY CAREFUL TIME, I THINK, SO STUDY THIS AND PUT GOOD FRAMEWORK IN PLACE FOR THE CONTROL AND THE SAFE USE OF THIS, AND GIVING THE COMMUNITY TOOLS TO DEAL WITH IT, WHETHER IT WILL BE A CULTIVATION OR RETAIL SHOP OR WHATEVER.

AND TO GIVE THE CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION A LOT OF AUTHORITY.

FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD THEY HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF SOLICITING PUBLIC INPUT AND WORKING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS, AND SETTING UP DRAFT REGULATIONS WHICH WILL BE FINALIZED I THINK IN MARCH IN ANTICIPATION OF ISSUING THE LICENSES.

FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS.

AND THEN JULY 1 AS YOU SAY IS THE DATE THAT THIS ALL GOES INTO EFFECT.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE CONTROL COMMISSION AS WELL AS THE VOTERS AND THE LEGISLATURE IN AMENDING THE BALLOT QUESTION HAVE DONE A REALLY THOROUGH JOB TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES, ABUSE ISSUES, AND LOCAL CONTROL ISSUES, AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT HAPPENS.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK IS GOING TO BE SET IN STONE, ALSO, SO IF PROBLEMS COME UP IN THE FIRST YEAR OR TWO, I THINK THAT THEY WILL BE REVISITED AND AMENDED AS NECESSARY.

>> FOR SUPPORTERS OF THIS WE HAVE HEARD A LOT BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR IT TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL, CERTAINLY A LOT OF AVAILABLE SPACE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT OPEN UP A SHOP OR A GROVE OR THINGS LIKE THIS.

DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE INCLUDED IN THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE COMPONENTS FOR WHAT DO THEY CALL IT, CRAFT.

CRAFT, CRAFT CANNABIS.

>> CRAFT CANNABIS.

>> BEER.

>> LOCAL -- YEAH.

IDEAS TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE TO MAKE SURE THAT LOCAL FARMERS THAT ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO MAKE SOMETHING OF THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS NOT ALL DONE BY A BIG FACELESS CORPORATION WHERE NONE OF THE BENEFITS FLOW BACK, AND INDUSTRIAL HEMP WAS A BILL THAT I'VE BEEN FILING FOR YEARS, AND THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE BILL THAT WE PASSED SO PEOPLE CAN GROW NOW HEMP, THE SAME PLANT BUT WITHOUT THE INTOXICATING EFFECTS.

>> OKAY.

>> AND WE CAN MINIMIZE, ALTHOUGH I THINK THIS WAS NOT DONE FOR THE PURPOSES TO RAISE REVENUES FOR STATE GOVERNMENT BUT BOTH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT GOING FORWARD WILL BENEFIT FROM TAXATION ON THE MARIJUANA SALES AND A LOT OF THAT IN THE LEGISLATION, WE DIRECTED A NUMBER OF, OR A PORTION OF THOSE REVENUES TO THINGS LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND EDUCATION AND TREATMENT AND THAT SORT OF THING.

>> IT HAS BEEN A HUGE BOOM IN DENVER FOR EDUCATION.

LOTS OF MONEY FOR EDUCATION AS A RESULT OF THIS.

WE'LL SEE.

AS WE MOVE CLOSER TO JULY WE'LL LEARN.

I THINK IT WILL -- WE'LL SEE IT MOVE AND CHANGE AS WE GO ALONG.

BROADBAND, A HUGE ISSUE FOR MASSACHUSETTS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE IS NOT EVEN ON THEIR RADAR, AND THEY HAVE THE INTERNET, AND THE HATCHERSTER IS ON THE WHEEL.

OUT HERE IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS IT'S A CHALLENGE, WE HEARD GOVERNOR BAKER TALK ABOUT IT.

HE SAID BY 2020 IT WILL BE IN PLACE, AND WE HEARD GOVERNOR PATRICK SAY THAT IT WOULD BE IN PLACE BY 2011.

WHERE ARE WE ON THIS ISSUE?

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE ONLY LEGISLATOR IN THE STATE WITH NO ACCESS TO BROADBAND, CABLE TV OR CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE SO SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY COLLEAGUE IS FROM ONE OF THE TOWNS.

HE'S LUCKY ENOUGH, YOU HAVE DSL I BELIEVE, FOR MOST OF THE TOWN IS ON THAT.

>> AND LET'S SAY THAT AGAIN.

YOU HAVE NO ACCESS.

I THINK THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE, EVEN HERE IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, THAT'S UNFATHOMABLE.

>> IT REALLY IS AND BACK TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION I WAS ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, AND I SAID UBER, SOMETHING LIKE UBER OR LYFT, THERE IS NO WAY FOR US TO DO THAT IN TEN OF THE TOWNS THAT I SERVE BECAUSE WE HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE CELL PHONE OR THE INTERNET IN A QUICK AND EASY METHOD, SO IT GOES BEYOND ACCESS TO ENTERTAINMENT, IT'S ABOUT EDUCATION AND BUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDICAL SERVICES THAT CAN BE DELIVERED BY REMOTE INTERNET.

IT AFFECTS US IN AN ECONOMIC WAY AND IN A LOT OF WAYS.

>> SO I THINK THAT WE MADE ENORMOUS PROGRESS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

GOVERNOR BAKER AND HIS ADMINISTRATION DID A PAUSE TO REVIEW WHAT WAS GOING ON BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE, WHICH WAS NOT A LOT OF PROGRESS.

AND I THINK THAT THE RESET HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE, OF THE ROUGHLY 40 COMMUNITIES UNSERVED, GOING FORWARD, AND THEY HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THEIR STATE GRANT.

MANY OF THEM HAVE AUTHORIZED FINANCING, THE LOCAL TOWN PORTION, AND THE POLL SURVEYS AND THE MAKE READY WORK WILL BE UNDERWAY.

SO THAT SOME COMMUNITIES, AND THERE IS ONE IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY IN THE TOWN OF MOUNTED WASHINGTON, THAT HAS LIT UP IN MY DISTRICT THE TOWN WAS A PIONEER AND THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY.

AND THE REMAINING EIGHT OR SO TOWNS, INCLUDING MY HOMETOWN OF WORTHINGTON, WHICH DON'T HAVE A FINAL PLAN YET, SHOULD BY THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR SO MASS BROADBAND INSTITUTE IS WORKING HARD, AND WE HAVE A REAL PERSONAL COMMITMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHO HAS TAKEN A HANDS-ON LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THIS, AND WE JUST PROVIDED ANOTHER 40 MILLION IN NOVEMBER IN THE LEGISLATURE TO SERVE THOSE UNSERVED TOWNS BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FINDING AS THEY DO THE POLL SURVEYS AND ENGINEERING PLANS IS THE COSTS ARE HIGHER.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE SPENT ROUGHLY 100 MILLION, OVER 100 MILLION ON BROADBAND, AND ASSESS YOU SAY THE REST OF THE STATE DID IT WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC MONEY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE POPULATION, SO IT DESERVE AS PUBLIC INVESTMENT, WE ARE MAKING A HUGE PUBLIC INVESTMENT OF MONEY AND TIME, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.

GET THERE RELATIVELY SOON.

>> WE'LL ASK YOU ABOUT IT IF WE DON'T, RIGHT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND FOR COMING IN.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR THIS WEEK, AN ALL NEW SEASON OF "CONNECTING POINT" BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 19 AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN US EVERY WEEK FOR THE STATE WE'RE IN AS WE LEAD UP TO THAT.

AND REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND "CONNECTING POINT" ONLINE ANY TIME AT WGBY.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

PLEASE JOIN US AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:30 WHEN WE CONTINUE OUR LOOK AHEAD TO 2018 POLITICS.

I'M YOUR HOST CARRIE SALDO.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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