 |
 |
|
 |
Good and thank you for visiting my website.
My name is Steven A. Baddour and I am the Senator for the First Essex District
in Massachusetts, which includes Amesbury, Haverhill, Merrimac, Methuen,
Newburyport, North Andover, and Salisbury. I hope you find this Web site
useful and informative.
I encourage you to explore and participate in the democratic process through
this website, which provides information about our State Government and each
of the communities I have the honor of representing.
Please do not hesitate to contact me personally if I can be of assistance.
Thank you,
Senator Steven A. Baddour
|
|
 |
|
A BRIEF HISTORY
Senator Steven A. Baddour was first elected to the Massachusetts Senate in January of 2002 after winning a decisive victory in a hotly contested special election. Since then, he has worked to generate reform, protect vital services, and safeguard the interests of his constituents in the First Essex District.
Steve’s work as a legislator is part of a longstanding commitment to advocacy and community service. As an Assistant Attorney General, he established a reputation for fighting to protect working people that he continues to foster as a Senator. On his first day at the State House, Steve broke ranks with legislative leadership to oppose a redistricting plan that would have split the Merrimack Valley and weakened its representation. Since then, he has been an independent leader with a record of supporting education reform and funding, protecting essential services for our most vulnerable citizens, reforming state government, and spending our tax dollars wisely.
During 2004, amidst one of the state’s most exciting and tumultuous years, Senator Baddour remained a consistent voice for working families and taxpayers. In addition to being named a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Steve was awarded Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Municipal Association for his role in securing funding for cities and towns to repair and build roads. As Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Steve also routinely convened hearings to ensure that the taxpayers are protected during the remainder of Big Dig construction. As a result of his questioning, the project is more accountable to the public and cost recovery efforts are back on track.
Senator Baddour has always used his leadership role to safeguard the interests of taxpayers, including initiating one of the most comprehensive acts of reform in over a decade through a proposal to restructure the state’s transportation hierarchy that will save millions. His plan will help make the repair and construction of our roads, rail systems, and other modes of travel more efficient by drastically increasing coordination among agencies.
Senator Baddour gears his work not only toward reform, but toward practical changes that can improve the lives of the people he represents. Last year, Steve voted for a $100 million economic stimulus and job creation bill that included workforce training and encouraged investment in small business. In 2003, he co-authored the toughest environmental protection bill passed in decades and, when the Senate sought to eliminate tax loopholes for companies benefiting from clever accounting, Steve fought for that too.
In January 2005, Senator Baddour was re-appointed as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. He also serves as a member of the Joint Committees on Children & Families, Post Audit & Oversight, and Election Laws. Locally, Steve is an active member of the Northeastern Legislative Caucus.
Senator Baddour’s passionate advocacy stems from longstanding personal ties to the community. A life-long resident of Methuen, Steve attended Methuen public schools and received his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts and his J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law. He lives with his wife, Ann, and two young daughters, Isabella and Victoria, in Methuen.
ABOUT SENATOR STEVEN A. BADDOUR
Senator Steven A. Baddour couples his emphasis on practical change with the firm belief that savings should never be realized by mortgaging the well-being of Massachusetts’ citizens, a principle made evident by his work to protect essential government services. On several occasions, Senator Baddour has voted to protect the Prescription Advantage Program, which provides seniors with affordable prescription drugs, and to restore health care coverage to thousands of unemployed citizens. Throughout his tenure, Baddour has made education a foremost priority, winning millions of dollars to support public schools, community colleges, and adult basic education centers across the district.
In serving as an advocate for his constituents, Senator Baddour’s approach has always been to encourage individuals to take an active role in improving their communities and providing input on the state level. As the Eagle Tribune once wrote, “Baddour argues strongly in favor of open government. He favors bringing the state Senate to the people by scheduling hearings in local communities at times people can attend.” Recently, Senator Baddour convened a hearing in Haverhill to help address the impact of the Democratic National Convention on commuters from the greater Merrimack Valley. Open to the public, the event allowed residents to discuss concerns about highway and station closures with representatives from the DNC, Secret Service, MBTA and other organizations in hopes of creating solutions and easing the burden on northern commuters. Baddour has also organized community advisory committees to address topics including health care, public safety, small business advocacy, and education.
Senator Baddour’s hands-on approach stems from longstanding personal ties to the community. A life-long resident of Methuen, Baddour attended Methuen public schools and received his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts and J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law. Currently, he lives with his wife, Ann, and two young daughters, Isabella and Victoria, in Methuen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
