Stephen Canessa
Encyclopedia
__FORCETOC__Stephen R. Canessa (born 1980) was a member
of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
, representing the 12th Bristol
District. He resigned to accept the position of executive director for government affairs at Southcoast Health Systems.http://www.wickedlocal.com/wareham/town_info/government/x977386722/Canessa-leaving-House-for-job-with-Southcoast-Health-Systems#axzz1TdIF86ER He is a member of the United States Democratic Party.
Rep. Canessa's district includes East Freetown
, Lakeville
, Middleborough
, East Taunton
, and New Bedford
, Massachusetts
. He is a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School
and Bridgewater State College
, and completed his MBA at Suffolk University
. Prior to being elected to the house in 2004, he was a member of the Lakeville School Committee
from 2001 - 2004.
in his district and across the state, Rep. Canessa co-sponsored a bill with Senator Jarrett Barrios
, entitled "An Act to Reduce Gang Violence in the Commonwealth," that would establish a witness protection program to encourage witnesses to come forward and to testify accurately. It passed unanimously in the Senate, was approved in the House with 151 yeas to 2 nays and was signed into law by Gov. Mitt Romney
shortly thereafter.http://www.mass.gov/legis/184history/s02242.htm
for its passage into law.
, which states in part:
It is the subject of continuing debate whether sections of the bill violate this Amendment.
into the Southcoast area including New Bedford, which is part of the district he represents. The federal Transportation Equity Act of 2005 set aside $20 million dollars for the project, and in August of that year, Canessa joined area senators and representatives in urging Governor Romney to "make this project a legitimate, top priority." http://www.s-t.com/daily/08-05/08-11-05/a04sr748.htm
and other water supplies in towns across Canessa's district have recently been noted as being overrun by invasive weeds such as milfoil
. In 2005, acknowledging that these weeds can pose a risk to the environment and to the towns' drinking water, he supported studies into the weeds and their impact.
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
, representing the 12th Bristol
Bristol County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile...
District. He resigned to accept the position of executive director for government affairs at Southcoast Health Systems.http://www.wickedlocal.com/wareham/town_info/government/x977386722/Canessa-leaving-House-for-job-with-Southcoast-Health-Systems#axzz1TdIF86ER He is a member of the United States Democratic Party.
Rep. Canessa's district includes East Freetown
East Freetown, Massachusetts
East Freetown is one of two villages in the town of Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Added to the town in 1747, East Freetown was originally an outpost settlement of Tiverton, Rhode Island, then a part of Massachusetts. It rests on the shore of Long Pond.- History :East...
, Lakeville
Lakeville, Massachusetts
Lakeville is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,821 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on the village of North Lakeville, please see the article North Lakeville, Massachusetts.-History:...
, Middleborough
Middleborough, Massachusetts
Middleborough is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,117 as of 2008.For geographic and demographic information on the village of Middleborough Center, please see the article Middleborough Center, Massachusetts....
, East Taunton
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
, and New Bedford
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He is a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School
Apponequet Regional High School
Apponequet Regional High School opened September 21, 1959, and serves secondary academic education students from the towns of Freetown, Assonet, and Lakeville, Massachusetts.- History :...
and Bridgewater State College
Bridgewater State College
Bridgewater State University is a public liberal-arts college in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is the largest college in the Massachusetts state university system outside of the University of Massachusetts system. The school's mascot is the bear.-History:BSU was founded by...
, and completed his MBA at Suffolk University
Suffolk University
Suffolk University is a private, non-sectarian, university located in Boston, Massachusetts and with over 16,000 students it is the third largest university in Boston...
. Prior to being elected to the house in 2004, he was a member of the Lakeville School Committee
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
from 2001 - 2004.
Anti-Gang Bill
In January 2006, in response to gang violence and witness intimidationWitness intimidation
Witness intimidation involves witnesses crucial to court proceedings being threatened in order to pressure or extort them not to testify. The refusal of key witnesses to testify commonly renders a case with inadequate physical evidence void in a court of law...
in his district and across the state, Rep. Canessa co-sponsored a bill with Senator Jarrett Barrios
Jarrett Barrios
Jarrett Tomás Barrios is a politician, activist, and executive, currently serving as the chief executive of the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts. He was a member of both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate and became the first Latino and first openly...
, entitled "An Act to Reduce Gang Violence in the Commonwealth," that would establish a witness protection program to encourage witnesses to come forward and to testify accurately. It passed unanimously in the Senate, was approved in the House with 151 yeas to 2 nays and was signed into law by Gov. Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
shortly thereafter.http://www.mass.gov/legis/184history/s02242.htm
Provisions
The bill, publicized mainly for the establishment of a witness protection program, included the following provisions:- Establishes a statewide witness protection program,
- Increases punishment for illegal firearm possession, and for the possession of a loaded firearm by individuals who violate certain aspects of the bill
- Allows judges to prevent the defense from obtaining grand jury witness statements, providing that "there is a reason to believe...that the defendant poses a threat to a witness or victim"
- Allows restrictions on communication with witnesses by the accused
- Increases punishment for witness intimidation
- Lessens the requirements for a perjury conviction http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st02/st02242.htm
Support
Proponents tout the bill as a welcome and needed step toward reducing witness intimidation, especially by gang members awaiting trial. Family members of gang violence victims praised the bill, and many were present at the Massachusetts State HouseMassachusetts State House
The Massachusetts State House, also known as the Massachusetts Statehouse or the "New" State House, is the state capitol and house of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is located in Boston in the neighborhood Beacon Hill...
for its passage into law.
Opposition
The ACLU and the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed sections of the bill that allow judges to bar defendants from seeing grand jury witness statements, and that reduce the requirements for a perjury conviction. http://www.s-t.com/daily/01-06/01-05-06/a01lo410.htm Specifically, they point to a possible conflict with the 6th AmendmentSixth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights which sets forth rights related to criminal prosecutions...
, which states in part:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right...to be confronted with the witnesses against him...
It is the subject of continuing debate whether sections of the bill violate this Amendment.
Southcoast Commuter Rail
Rep. Canessa has expressed support for the expansion of the MBTA Commuter RailMBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail serves as the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in the United States. It is operated under contract by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company a joint partnership of Veolia Transportation, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate...
into the Southcoast area including New Bedford, which is part of the district he represents. The federal Transportation Equity Act of 2005 set aside $20 million dollars for the project, and in August of that year, Canessa joined area senators and representatives in urging Governor Romney to "make this project a legitimate, top priority." http://www.s-t.com/daily/08-05/08-11-05/a04sr748.htm
Invasive Weeds
Long PondLong Pond (Massachusetts)
Long Pond is a pond within the towns of Lakeville and Freetown, in southeastern Massachusetts. It shares its waters with Assawompset Pond. These ponds provide a source of drinking water to the city of New Bedford, the largest city in southeastern Massachusetts. Long Pond is roughly one mile wide by...
and other water supplies in towns across Canessa's district have recently been noted as being overrun by invasive weeds such as milfoil
Milfoil
Milfoil can refer to:*The flowering terrestrial plant yarrow *The aquatic plants in Genus Myriophyllum...
. In 2005, acknowledging that these weeds can pose a risk to the environment and to the towns' drinking water, he supported studies into the weeds and their impact.
Electoral history
- 2006 Race for 12th Bristol Representative, Massachusetts House (General Election)
- Stephen R. Canessa (D), 69%
- Mark A. HowlandMark A. HowlandMark A. Howland is a former representative to the Massachusetts General Court from New Bedford, Massachusetts.-Biography:...
(I), 31%
- 2004 Race for 12th Bristol Representative, Massachusetts House (Democratic Primary Election)
- Stephen R. Canessa (D), 45%
- Mark A. HowlandMark A. HowlandMark A. Howland is a former representative to the Massachusetts General Court from New Bedford, Massachusetts.-Biography:...
(D), 35% - George Rogers (D), 20%
External links
- Rep. Canessa's Campaign Website (campaign info, issues, current events, etc.)
- Text of the Anti-Gang Bill S2242 (source for information above)