Born and raised in the Town of Millbury, Mike has devoted his entire adult life to public service. A former law enforcement officer, environmental investigator, and town selectman, he has an accomplished record of giving back to his community.
Senator Moore has a longstanding commitment to environmental issues that began during his tenure as an Officer with the Environmental Police, where he investigated corporate environmental crimes. His dedication to the environment continues through his legislative and advocacy work today.
Senator Moore has been a national leader on issues concerning toxic chemical safety, advocating for the right of states and municipalities to have a say in their own environmental protections. He testified before the United States House Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, against a federal effort that would impede the ability of states to establish their own environmental standards and policies.
Senator Moore is a strong supporter of measures to encourage clean energy projects. He recently installed solar panels on his own roof, and is in favor of lifting the cap on net metering which will allow more Massachusetts residents to access the advantages of solar power. As a member of the Legislature’s Sportsman Caucus, Senator Moore advocates for legislation that benefits the Commonwealth’s hunters and fishers.
As a member of the Massachusetts General Court-Québec National Assembly Partnership, Senator Moore helped broker a joint resolution with the Québec National Assembly in 2015 which directs both governments to examine the possibility and feasibility of incorporating Québec’s hydroelectricity into Massachusetts’ energy portfolio. Aside from the potential cost savings to consumers, this initiative also aligns with the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050.
Senator Moore has always prioritized the economic well-being of Massachusetts residents. He is committed to relieving unnecessary burdens on the individuals and small businesses that drive economic prosperity.
As a former selectman in his hometown of Millbury, Senator Moore has an intimate understanding of the economic needs of Massachusetts communities. During his tenure as a Selectman, Millbury made one of the most significant economic investments in town history, establishing the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, creating a new commercial tax base for the town. During his first session in office, Senator Moore chaired the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, where he put his experience to work.
In an effort to promote economic empowerment, Senator Moore served as a member of a Task Force on Financial Literacy. The Task Force consisted of policymakers, educators, banks, and advocates to examine the state of financial education and develop recommendations on how to empower citizens with the resources they need to budget their money for long-term financial stability.
Encouraging healthy and productive lifestyles is an important way to benefit residents across the Commonwealth. Individuals are often faced with numerous obstacles to a healthy life, from large-scale issues with our healthcare system, to the sale of tobacco products to minors.
As the Commonwealth confronts the mounting costs of opiate abuse, Senator Moore served on the Massachusetts Senate Special Committee on Opioid Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Options which released a report that led to legislation addressing the substance abuse crisis in the Commonwealth. The legislation further limits the excessive number of prescription pills that become accessible to youth and adults for diversion and misuse. The bill also contains provisions to hold private companies accountable for their role in the substance abuse epidemic.
Senator Moore has also been a leader on issues of safety in the healthcare workplace. During his first session in the Senate, he was the sponsor of legislation that made it a crime to assault healthcare workers. More recently, he has offered testimony on a bill that would require healthcare facilities to implement worker safety plans.
Massachusetts consumers have been nearly unanimous in their call for more information about how their food is produced. For the last two legislative sessions, Senator Moore has co-sponsored legislation that would require the labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms.
Senator Moore is committed to ensuring that Massachusetts does everything possible to care for the veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our country. It is essential that the Commonwealth have the infrastructure in place to deliver the services these men and women need.
During the 2014 session, the Legislature passed a comprehensive veteran’s services bill, known as the VALOR Act II. The legislation was an extension of the original VALOR Act, passed a year earlier, and improves services related to jobs, housing, education, and accessibility.
The new bill included new rules related to veteran’s employment, as more veterans return to civilian life. One provision would require licensing boards to recognize the training received during their service, eliminating the need for redundant and costly re-training. It also takes steps to keep service members on track for their education, despite challenges posed by deployment.
With over thirty percent of veterans across the country unemployed, these steps not only fulfill our moral obligation to these veterans, they are also good economic policies. Service members are some of our most capable and well-trained citizens, and their inclusion in the work force can have tremendous benefits.
Senator Moore is a member of the Legislature’s Veteran’s Caucus, which brings together legislators to work on issues and legislation to benefit members of the armed services.
Massachusetts is recognized nationally and beyond for its education system. The Commonwealth is the original home of American public education, and its institutions of higher education are second to none. Senator Moore is committed to upholding the standards and ideals that have allowed the education system to flourish.
Much of Senator Moore’s work on education stems from his role as the Senate Chair for the Joint Committee on Higher Education. In this role, Senator Moore has championed policies that remove the burden from students and their families, making the prospect of graduation more attainable.
These policies include financial assistance programs, like the 30K Commitment, which will allow students to achieve degrees in up and coming fields for less than thirty thousand dollars. The program creates a pathway between community colleges and state universities to take advantage of the tremendous resources already at our disposal.
Senator Moore also knows that there are improvements to be made well beyond the bursar’s office. He has filed legislation to develop better policies to combat sexual assault on campus. The bill was written with the input of countless stakeholders, including the institutions of higher education, advocates for sexual assault survivors, and other state agencies.
Outside of higher education, Senator Moore has led calls for pay increases to benefit the Commonwealth’s teachers, and efforts to expand access to early education. Improving our education system, from pre-k to elite colleges and universities, has impacts far beyond the individual students. Massachusetts has succeeded economically where others have stumbled, largely because the population is so well educated. Businesses are attracted to the local pool of smart and talented individuals, and maintaining this edge is essential to our future success.
As a former law enforcement officer with both the Environmental Police and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Senator Moore has continued his work to improve public safety while representing the Second Worcester District. He currently serves as the Senate Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Senator Moore is committed to offering law enforcement the tools they need to effectively maintain public safety in their communities. He is especially cognizant of issues surrounding road and driver safety, including junior operators and driving under the influence.
Senator Moore is a strong advocate for the rights of legal gun owners, and is endorsed by the Massachusetts-based Gun Owners Action League. During the previous session, he worked hard to protect second amendment rights while enhancing the public safety mechanisms designed to maintain public safety.
As our population ages, the Commonwealth has an obligation to provide the services necessary for our seniors to live healthy, productive lives. This includes safe, affordable housing, access to quality healthcare and, opportunities to engage in meaningful, substantive programs. Many seniors have spent a lifetime contributing to our local communities, and Senator Moore is committed to providing the assistance they need.
Senator Moore has supported measures designed to help seniors throughout his tenure in the Senate. One of the most important programs that keeps seniors in their homes is the Senior Citizen Circuit Breaker, which provides relief to seniors whose property taxes exceed what they can pay. Without the circuit-breaker, countless seniors on fixed-incomes would be unable to pay their property taxes without threatening their financial stability.
Recently, Senator Moore led a legislative coalition in calls for improved service to seniors who receive assistance through the SNAP program. Despite the essential nature of the services provided, applications and renewals were delayed at unacceptable levels.
Senator Moore stays in close contact with seniors to better understand their issues, and routinely holds office hours at the local senior centers. He also hosts social events throughout the year, to better connect with seniors and understand their concerns. To find out more about these events, visit Senator Moore’s calendar.
The Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure has been eroding for decades, but a particularly harsh winter has brought greater attention to its shortcomings. Without a strong transportation system, we jeopardize our economic opportunities, keeping people from working and spending across the state.
While much of the focus has been on the failings at the MBTA, Worcester County has been equally plagued by transportation issues. The Worcester-Framingham line of the commuter rail is notoriously unreliable. Beyond the typical delays and overcrowding, it is the only line susceptible to delays due to heat.
The state recently contracted a new operator for the commuter rail, and Senator Moore is committed to using this opportunity to improve the commuter rail service for the residents of the Second Worcester District. Worcester is New England’s second largest city, and has the economic, academic, and community potential to benefit all of Massachusetts. But that does require improved transportation services to connect Worcester with the rest of the Commonwealth. Advocacy efforts of Senator Moore and local officials helped lead to non-stop service to Boston, and the addition of more express trains, as of May 2016.
Senator Moore is also a strong advocate for local transportation priorities that allow municipalities to ease the travel difficulties of residents. These include targeted efforts like improved signage and pedestrian accommodations, as well as large scale projects that can be transformative for our communities.
In many cases, these projects are necessary for the economic success and safety of our communities. Without the commitment of state resources to remedy the existing issues with the transportation infrastructure, we are risking the prospects of our residents. However, it is also essential that we apply these resources in a responsible manner, that doesn’t create additional burdens for our citizens.
As a former law enforcement officer with both the Environmental Police and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Senator Moore has continued his work to improve public safety while representing the Second Worcester District. He currently serves as the Senate Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Senator Moore is committed to offering law enforcement the tools they need to effectively maintain public safety in their communities. He is especially cognizant of issues surrounding road and driver safety, including junior operators and driving under the influence.
Senator Moore is a strong advocate for the rights of legal gun owners, and is endorsed by the Massachusetts-based Gun Owners Action League. During the previous session, he worked hard to protect second amendment rights while enhancing the public safety mechanisms designed to maintain public safety.