Tom Keyes for State Senate

Legislative Delays Have Jeopardized Melissa’s Bill

Boston, MA—Today Tom Keyes, Republican candidate for State Senate in the Plymouth & Barnstable District, announced that he is disappointed with the Governor’s amendments to Melissa’s bill and moreover he blames legislative delays for jeopardizing the bill.
“Governor Patrick is wrong to weaken this bill and the legislature is also wrong for dragging this bill out in conference committee for months,” said Keyes.  “If Senator Murray had shown leadership getting this bill out of committee sooner, this bill would not be in jeopardy today.”

The legislative conference committee dragged the closed door negotiations on for months.  With the legislative session ending on Tuesday, there is time to override the Governor’s amendment, but there is not enough time if he vetoes after his amendments are rejected.  
Melissa’s father, Les Gosule, has been pushing for the last 12 years to pass this repeat offender three strikes out legislation.  In 1999 his daughter was raped and murdered by a repeat violent offender. In 2010 Woburn police officer Jack Maguire was killed by a repeat offender out on parole.   

“As a father, my heart goes out to Mr. Gosule who has worked so hard to pass this legislation.  He should not be caught up in this political game of chicken.  Senator Murray should have pushed for the conference committee to get their work done sooner so the Governor could not run out the clock on this important public safety bill.  She has let the families of her district down again,” said Keyes.

Keyes, 45, has served on the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates and as a Sandwich Selectman.  He has also served on numerous boards and committees including: Water Quality Review Committee, Sandwich Economic Development Committee as liaison of the Board of Selectmen , Cemetery Commission, Assembly of Delegates Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, the 21st Century Taskforce to review the Cape Cod Commission and draft operational changes to the County Commissioners, President of the Cape Cod Selectmen and Councilors’ Association and Board of Directors, and member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Selectmen and Councilors’ Association.

Keyes founded his private practice, Keyes Quality Systems in 1998, providing consulting and contract services in management, ethics and compliance.  He and his wife, Melissa have two daughters, Madelynn, and Julia.

For more information on Tom’s candidacy, voters can visit his website www.VoteKeyes.com
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