Representative deMacedo currently serves as the ranking Minority member on the House Ways and Means Committee and as a member of the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy and the Oceans Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Ocean Management Task Force.
Led charge against an out of balance Fiscal Year 2009 state budget.
This budget included a 5.7% increase in state government spending, which was unsustainable by the state’s own revenue projections. As the ranking Minority member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. deMacedo acted as a fiscal watchdog and warned that this budget would be unaffordable during the current difficult economic climate. Although the budget was eventually passed over Rep. deMacedo’s objections, only 3 months after its passage and in the wake of the state’s fiscal crisis, the Governor and Democratic leadership have begun looking ahead to potential massive cuts to avoid a budget deficit.
Fought against the largest corporate tax increase in the history of Massachusetts.
Rep. deMacedo amassed a 100% voting record with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the state’s largest small business trade association. As a small business owner himself, Rep. deMacedo has made it a priority to represent the interests of small businesses in Plymouth and across the state. For his steadfast support of small business, Rep. deMacedo was recognized again in 2008 with NFIB’s Small Business Guardian Award. He also achieved an 88% voting record with Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) because of his support of businesses and economic development in the Commonwealth.
Introduced and continues to fight to pass his bill, House 4434, “An Act Relative to Controlled Substances.”
Rep. deMacedo learned from Chief Paul Hayes of the Hanover Police Department that a trend was growing among teenagers of getting high using a legal hallucinogenic substance called salvia divinorum. He launched an initiative to raise awareness of the use of saliva by teenagers and young adults and the dangers inherent in its current easy and unregulated access. During this legislation session, Rep. deMacedo introduced legislation that would make salvia illegal in Massachusetts and treat it as a controlled substance.
Received Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Town Clerks’ Association.
Rep. deMacedo received this honor because of his support, responsiveness and effectiveness on various issues affecting town clerks and residents of Plymouth and the Commonwealth.
Signed a resolution and successfully worked across party lines to ensure that Governor Patrick’s proposal to eliminate the sales tax exemption on aircraft and aircraft parts was not signed into law.
This exemption, in effect since 2002, has allowed for a resurgence of aviation business activity. The sales tax exemption has had a positive impact on the aviation industry at the Plymouth Municipal Airport and throughout the Commonwealth. This sales tax exemption has led to significant economic benefits and increased jobs.
Successfully advocated to stop the planned closing of the police academy in Plymouth.
Through the work of Rep. deMacedo and other legislators, the police academies in Plymouth, Boylston and New Bedford will remain open. These police academies are responsible for the training of thousands of police officers in communities across the Commonwealth.
Fought for the restoration of chapter 70 education funding that Plymouth and other communities across the state depend on to fund public education.
Serves as a member of the Plymouth 400th Anniversary Celebration Committee to help Plymouth prepare for the celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims and founding of the Town of Plymouth.
The events and festivities will occur in 2020-2021. This celebration will highlight Plymouth’s rich history and traditions and the diversity and spirit of America’s Hometown today. Rep. deMacedo also worked with the other members of the Plymouth legislative delegation and Governor Patrick to establish a state commission, the Plymouth 400th Celebration Commission, to facilitate the planning efforts.
