February 27, 2013 – WBUR 90.9

“All Things Considered” with Sacha Pfeiffer and Lynn Jolicoeur

BOSTON — There’s still no deal in sight to prevent huge automatic federal government spending cuts from starting Friday, and many Democratic politicians warn the budget-cutting could be severe. But some congressional Republicans call that fear-mongering, so we wanted to get the perspective of a GOP lawmaker in Massachusetts.

State Rep. Vincent deMacedo is a Republican from Plymouth and a ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee. He told WBUR’s All Things Considered host Sacha Pfeiffer that he believes the sequester cuts will have a profound effect, but he says they may be a bitter pill the country has to swallow to help tackle the national debt.

Vincent deMacedo: We’re spending over $100 billion more than we take in each and every month. We cannot continue to spend money that we don’t have, and so there is going to be some point of reckoning, and we can’t just keep doing this on the credit card because what we’re doing is we’re passing this debt on to our children and our children’s children.

The audio clip and an interview transcript is available here. 

December 5, 2012 - NECN

A lot of the budget fixing Mass. Governor Deval Patrick wants to do will require the help of lawmakers on Beacon Hill.

Joining Broadside to talk about the potential solutions are Mass. state Rep. Vinny deMacedo and state Sen. Brian Joyce.

deMacedo says he will not vote for cut local aid, but Joyce says he would if necessary.

"We're not convinced it is just yet. The receipts were just up seriously on the lottery for that Powerball drawing ... and there's ebbs and flows," Joyce, a Democrat representing Milton, said.

deMacedo, a Republican from Plymouth, isn't buying that the fiscal cliff is the source of Massachusetts' budget woes.

"The fiscal cliff is now, but we've had a problem as far as revenue going back from August, September, October - so this isn't just happening. I'm not saying it plays some aspect to it, but to suggest that that's the reason is just a little strange," deMacedo, a Republican from Plymouth, said.

Watch the attached video for the complete discussion.

October 9, 2012 – NECN

(NECN-Broadside) Tuesday's political panel spent the day battling over issues at the State House, including a bill dealing with spear-fishing - but that's not why they were invited.

Brian Joyce and Vinny deMacedo focus on the upcoming U.S. Senate debate between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren, which is set for Wednesday evening in Springfield. Joyce and deMacedo also talk about the latest developments in the presidential race between Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.

Joyce is a Democratic Mass. state Senator representing Weymouth, while deMacedo is a Republican state representative for Plymouth.

Watch the attached video for the complete discussion.

October 1, 2012 - Wicked Local (Old Colony Memorial-September 26, 2012)

Rep. Vinny deMacedo, R-Plymouth, immigrated to the United States with his family from Cape Verde when he was 6 months old, the youngest of seven children. A small-business owner, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998. He is serving his seventh term and is unopposed for re-election. DeMacedo serves as the ranking minority member on the House Ways and Means Committee, a position he has held for the past eight years.

DeMacedo said he believes there are opportunities for members of minority and ethnic groups today, and that those opportunities were enhanced when, as the state went through redistricting last year, the Legislature was cognizant of the need to provide minority representation.

“In the past, it’s undeniable that there was gerrymandering, cities sliced up to deny minorities representation,” deMacedo said. “But most recently, when we redistricted, that was on our minds. We created more minority-majority districts (from 10 to 20 of 160 House districts), which should translate into more opportunity for those communities.

“Personally, from my perspective – and I speak more as an immigrant, not per se, a minority – it’s important that I try to represent everyone in the community. I think immigrants, as well as minorities, have a unique perspective on the opportunities of America. I think that all immigrants have, if not a greater, certainly a more intense appreciation of the opportunities that America offers.”

Green businesses, committees, legislators say going green is no longer optional

September 26, 2012 - Old Colony Memorial - By Emily Clark

PLYMOUTH — You didn’t used to think much about jumping into the car to run an errand or about all those plastic bags filled with your groceries and purchases.  There was even a time you didn’t have to give much thought to turning up the heat. But, nowadays, the ramifications of all these actions can be massive.

And while “going green” may once have seemed like just a fad, when governments and families found themselves in the red and discovered they could stop some of the bleeding while protecting the environment, green became a far more popular color.

That was the signature message of last Sunday’s Energy Expo, held at the new Plymouth North High School.

Green companies and green committees manned tables in the cafeteria, and local representatives held forth on America’s energy crisis. The change to green must happen, they said, because the alternative is higher costs for everything and everybody.

“I’m here to say the energy crisis isn’t over,” Rep. Vinny deMacedo told visitors to the Expo. “And there will be a greater crisis if we don’t take energy independence seriously.”

September 3, 2012 - NECN

(NECN: Broadside) – Monday night’s political panel on “Broadside” features two voices who often debate each other on Beacon Hill.

Rep. Bill Straus is the Democrat from Mattapoisett and Mass. Representative Vinny deMacedo is the Republican from Plymouth, Mass.

Watch the attached video for their full discussion.

Primary care clinic for area vets set to open in September

August 25, 2012 - Old Colony Memorial - By Rich Harbert

Courtesy/Pallas Wahl

Former Plymouth Veterans Agent Antonio Gomes cuts the ribbon opening of the new Plymouth Veterans Clinic. Pictured from left are U.S. Rep William Keating, Senate President Therese Murray, Rep. Vinny deMacedo, Gomes and Rep. Thomas Calter.

PLYMOUTH —Veterans from throughout Southeastern Massachusetts gathered in Plymouth Wednesday to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of an outreach clinic for veterans.

The clinic, slated to open in mid-September, will occupy a suite of offices at 116 Long Pond Road and will provide primary care health services for up to 600 patients.

Federal, state and local officials joined veterans in ribbon-cutting ceremonies and public tours Wednesday morning.

“At last, at last! We’re here,” Senate president Therese Murray joyfully announced before former Plymouth Veterans Agent Antonio Gomes snipped the red, white and blue ribbon with an over-sized pair of scissors....

MBTA says equipment won’t be placed for another year

July 20, 2012 – WCVB Channel 5 – By Sean Kelly

BOSTON - A Team 5 investigation has uncovered a huge waste of stimulus money that was supposed to help jump-start the economy and create jobs.

June 30, 2012 - Old Colony Memorial

I recently took an afternoon off from work to visit my state representative on Beacon Hill to ask about a vexing issue. Vinny deMacedo represents most of Plymouth in the House of Representatives in the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He and I are on opposite ends of many issues, but I have found him to be conscientious and diligent. My recent visit in no way diminished my respect for him.

The specific issue is not important for this letter. The important thing is how our representative took time from his day to listen to my concern, and how he took the time to talk through it with me, learn more about it, ask thoughtful questions, and come up with several insights and action items.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - Wicked Local Plymouth

PLYMOUTH —State Rep. Vinny deMacedo joined the New England Organ Bank in celebrating April as Donate Life Month in Massachusetts and encouraged residents to register as organ and tissue donors.

Speaking outside the Plymouth Registry of Motor Vehicles, where the donation question is asked of everyone renewing or receiving a driver’s license or ID, he said, “It is inspiring to hear the stories of individuals who are alive today because of the miracle of organ transplantation. I hope everyone seriously considers registering to be an organ donor when they fill out their driver’s license application.”