J. James Marzilli, Jr.

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Sen. Jim Marzilli
Member of the Massachusetts State Senate from the 4th Middlesex district
In office December 2007 – present
Preceded by	Robert Havern III
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 23rd Middlesex district
In office 1991 – 2007
Preceded by	Robert Havern III
Succeeded by	Sean Garballey
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Arlington, Massachusetts
Website	marzilli.org

Joseph James Marzilli, Jr. (born 8 May 1958 in Stoneham, Massachusetts) is a member of the Massachusetts Senate. Marzilli, a Democrat, was elected to the Senate in a special election in December 2007, representing the communities of Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington and Woburn^[1] partway through his ninth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing Arlington and West Medford. He is the Senate Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. He also serves on the Committees on Children & Families, Mental Health & Substance Abuse and Veteran's Affairs.

Contents 1 Career 2 Allegations of sexual assault 3 Psychiatric Hospitalization 4 Organizations 5 Public office 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Career

Marzilli has twice led successful fights to increase the minimum wage,^[2] giving the state the highest minimum wage in the nation. For three years he has led the effort to increase the pay for the lowest paid human service workers, increasing the salary account to its highest level ever this year. He was given the "Self Sufficiency" award by the Massachusetts Association of Community Action Programs award in 2006 for his work on behalf of low wage workers.^[3]

Marzilli wrote the law that expanded the earned income tax credit benefiting low wage workers. He initiated the effort to provide tax relief to seniors living on fixed incomes who pay high property taxes, the state’s "circuit breaker" law. He also led the effort to restore the capital gains tax in Massachusetts.^[2]

Marzilli convened the Olmsted Group on long term care, to make sure that every person receives the care they need at an affordable price. He has been named "Legislator of the Year" three times for his work in this area, by the Massachusetts Human Services Providers Council, the Association of Developmental Disability Providers and the Alliance for Retarded Citizens.^[4]

Marzilli was named "Environmental Legislator of the Year" by the Environmental League of Massachusetts in 2001 for his work linking environmental protection and tax policy.^[2][4][5] His Green Building Tax Credit would provide tax incentives to builders who use environmentally sound building practices that reduce energy and water consumption, reduce storm water runoff and use non-toxic materials. His Clean Car Initiative would create a sliding scale sales tax based on a vehicle’s fuel efficiency.^[6]

Marzilli co-chairs the Energy and Environment Committee of the Council of State Governments. He has participated in four rounds of the Kyoto climate change treaty negotiations of the United Nations and led a delegation of state elected officials to the negotiations in Montreal. He has spoken on energy and environmental policy, and climate change in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, England, Italy, India and China.^[2]

Marzilli was the political commentator at New England Cable News TV from 1993 to 1994. He is a frequent guest lecturer at area colleges in public policy and civic participation, most recently teaching "Health Care Policy and Politics" at the Boston University Graduate School of Public Health.^[2]

Marzilli was educated in the Arlington Public Schools and received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.^[2]

[edit] Allegations of sexual assault

On 8 April 2008, Marzilli was accused of sexually assaulting a woman. In late April, the case was referred to the District Attorney's Office for further investigation. On May 7, Marzilli wrote an email to his supporters, where he declared his innocence and thanked them for their support, but continued to refuse to discuss any details of the case.^[7][8]

On 14 May 2008, The Boston Globe reported that Middlesex prosecutors were dropping the case for lack of sufficient evidence.^[9]

On 3 June 2008, The Boston Globe reported a second incident of alleged sexual assault upon another woman who was sitting on a park bench.^[10] The alleged incident occurred in downtown Lowell, MA. The Senator made lewd comments and attempted to grope the victim. When Lowell Police arrived, Marzilli gave a false name and later led Police on a foot chase that ended in a nearby parking garage. Since this latest arrest, multiple other victims of Marzilli have come forward.^{[citation needed]}

On June 7, the Boston Herald reported^{[citation needed]} that Marzilli remains in office as a State Senator (even though he is not running for reelection), continues to collect a State Senate salary and retains the right to cast votes in the Senate.

[edit] Psychiatric Hospitalization

On 6 June 2008 the Boston Herald reported that Marzilli was admitted to a psychatric hospital.^[11]

[edit] Organizations

New England Wildflower Society (Chairman of the Board of Trustees); Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (Board of Directors); California Health Benefits Review Program (Advisory Board); Germaine Lawrence School (Board of Advisors); Boston Democratic Socialists of America (former Chair).^[12]

[edit] Public office

Arlington Housing Authority, Commissioner (1988-'91); Town Meeting Member (1990-'91); Democratic State Committee (1984-'91); Mass. House (1991-2007); Mass. Senate (2007-present).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Marzilli.org

Political offices
Preceded by Robert Havern III	Massachusetts State Representative, 23rd Middlesex District 1991 - 2007	Succeeded by Sean Garballey
Preceded by Robert Havern III	Massachusetts State Senator for 4th Middlesex District 2007 -	Succeeded by incumbent