J. James Marzilli, Jr.

Infobox State Senator
honorific-prefix =
name =Sen. Jim Marzilli
honorific-suffix =

---

height =150px
state_senate =Massachusetts
district =4^th Middlesex
term_start =December 2007
term_end =present
preceded =Robert Havern III
succeeded =
state_house2 =Massachusetts
district2 =23^rd Middlesex
term_start2 =1991
term_end2 =2007
preceded2 =Robert Havern III
succeeded2 =Sean Garballey
birth_date =
birth_place =
residence =Arlington, Massachusetts
party =Democrat
spouse =
website = [http://www.marzilli.org 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 [" [http://www.wickedlocal.com/arlington/homepage/x1908588845 Marzilli wins senate race] ", "The Arlington Advocate", 11 December 2007 (accessed 18 January 2008).] 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.

Career

Marzilli has twice led successful fights to increase the minimum wage," [http://www.marzilli.org/about/index.php State Senator Jim Marzilli] ", "Marzilli.org", accessed 7 June 2008.] 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. [" [http://www.masscap.org/ss_recog.html MASSCAP Recognizes Individuals for Supporting Self-Sufficiency Programs] ", "MassCAP.org", accessed 7 June 2008.]

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.

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." [http://www.wickedlocal.com/arlington/news/lifestyle/columnists/x889232605/Marzilli-should-consider-resigning Marzilli should consider resigning] ", "Wicked Local -- Arlington", accessed 7 June 2008.]

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." [http://campaignwindow.com/marzilli/ Marzilli for State Senate] ", "CampaignWindow.com", accessed 7 June 2008.] 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. [" [http://www.marzilli.org/issues/environment.php Energy and Environment] ", "Marzilli.org", accessed 7 June 2008.]

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.

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.

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

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. [" [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/08/arlington_police_investigate_alleged_assault_by_state_senator/ Arlington police investigate alleged assault by state senator] ".] [" [http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1085674&srvc=home&position=also Arlington senator accused of sexual assault] ".]

On 14 May 2008, The Boston Globe reported that Middlesex prosecutors were dropping the case for lack of sufficient evidence. [Michael Levenson, " [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/14/senator_marzilli_wont_face_charges_in_alleged_assault Senator Marzilli won't face charges in alleged assault] ", "The Boston Globe", 14 May 2008 (accessed 16 May 2008).]

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. [ [http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/06/03/state_senator_marzilliarrested_on_multiple_counts/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed2 "State Senator Marzilli arrested on multiple counts: Democrat faces multiple assault charges," "Boston Globe," June 3, 2008 (accessed June 3, 2008)] ] 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.Fact|date=June 2008

On June 7, the Boston Herald reportedFact|date=June 2008 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.

On July 1, the Massachusetts State Senate voted 38-0 to refer the Marzilli’s alleged misconduct to the Committee on Ethics and Rules, which will not release its findings until after his court cases are resolved. [ [http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/politics/view/2008_07_02_Sen__Marzilli_indicted_as_pols_push_investigation/srvc=home&position=also Sen. Marzilli indicted as pols push investigation - BostonHerald.com ] ]

Psychiatric Hospitalization

On 6 June 2008 the Boston Herald reported that Marzilli was admitted to a psychatric hospital. [http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/politics/view/2008_06_06_Marzilli_in_psych_hospital:_Pols_call_for_ouster_after_assault_charge/srvc=home&position=1] On August 5, 2008 his wife mailed a letter to supporters explaining that he had been diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder and the the recent events in Marzilli's life had taken place during a period of hypomania. [ [http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/lifestyle/columnists/x518451728/Thinking-out-loud-Sen-Marzilli-s-bipolar-defense Thinking out loud: Sen. Marzilli’s bipolar defense? - West Roxbury, MA - Wicked Local West Roxbury ] ]

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). [Mike Pattberg, "Short Takes", "The Yankee Radical", January 2008.]

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).

References

External links

* [http://www.marzilli.org Marzilli.org]
* [http://www.marzilliwatch.com MarzilliWatch.com]