Blue Mass Group

Keeping with the spirit of BMG to provide reality-based commentary on politics and policy, I felt compelled to dispel the myth that the x-Lt. Governor came up with the idea about pension reform.  Dr. Ken Ardon, economics professor at Salem State College authored the research that rose out of the political mire of the campaign to become a potent reform issue.  Pioneer Institute [http://www.pioneerin...] deserves credit for publishing Ardon’s work and bringing the problems and solutions to the public eye.  The x-Lt. Gov. and Governor Patrick deserve credit for being smart enough to know a good idea when it surfaces.

About the Author after the fold

Third in a monthlyish series or the ups and downs of the last few weekrs in the Dem presidential race.  As described earlier: “An entirely personal, somewhat arbitrary, ranking of the fortunes of declared and otherwise Democratic candidates for the 2008 presidency.  Not in terms of who’s winning or might win, but how the last month went, based on a [inconsistent] recollection of news stories, rumors, and gossip.”

With a longer campaign season, there is more time for small, stupid mistakes to become long-term gaffes, and this is the story this time around.

So much time is spent (I feel) on this blog and others making false accusations of homophobia or racism, or blowing little things out of proportion in what is perhaps a desire to label people as racists or homophobes, that we are sometimes desensitized to it when there is a real solid example. Former NBA All Star Tim Hardaway was making an appearance on a sports radio show the other day, and when the topic of a player who recently came out of the closet came up, Hardaway responded: “I hate gay people,” Hardaway said. “I let it be known I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States sports.” Shouldn’t be in the world? Wow. That’s about as bad is gets. Thoughts, anyone?

URGENT:  YOUR input is needed now! The Supreme Judicial Court has published a “Notice and Comment” TOPIC:  Standards for Representation of children and others “under a disability” LINK TO NOTICE:  http://www.mass.gov/… Three downloadable .pdf documents are located at the above link: 1. TITLE of Document #1:   “The Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on the rules of Professional conduct invites Comments on Proposed Revisions to Massachusetts Rule of Professional Conduct 1:14″ 2. TITLE of Document #2:   “Rule 1.14 and Comments – Version Proposed by the Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct Marked to Show Changes from American Bar Association Model Rule 1.14 and Comments” {Version 1 – two colors of strike outs} 3. TITLE of Document #3:   “Rule 1.14 and Comments – Version Proposed by the Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct Marked to Show Changes from American Bar Association Model Rule 1.14 and Comments” {Version 1 – three colors of strike outs} The form of this rule once it is adopted will affect the legal rights and representation afforded to indigent children in DSS care, in institutions, as well as those who suffer from mental illness, Alzheimer disease, etc. Your [...]

This is Hillary’s speech in 2002 on why she voted for the bill that sat before the Senate to give the President war authority.

It’s a very interesting read. I’m a supporter of her candidacy, and I’m willing to take it at face value.

It’s an important read because it gives you insight into her mind. The full text is below, since it’s public record, but it can also be seen at: http://clinton.senat…

When I read this, I don’t see a vote for war. I see a vote make the President have the power to wage war. Some have argued that this is a distinction without a difference. I disagree.

To me, if a friend asks, “If I get into a fight, will you back me up?” and I promise to back him up, that’s not the same thing as going to start the fight, or approving of it. I think in this case, the Senate said “If you need the power, know that you’ve got it, and that’ll put you into a strong negotiating position…” and instead Bush just went straight to war.

I think Hillary Clinton was of the opinion that even if you disagree with the President, you must give him the benefit of the doubt on matters of war. I felt the same way in 2002.

Hindsight is always 20/20.

Request for Action from anyone who cares about children  and familiesin Massachusetts I am asking you to write the list of legislators at the end of this post AND letters to the editor, to Mass Lawyers Weekly, and any other paper. The House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect WILL propose amendments  to G.L. c. 210 and G.L. c. 119. I would like to see judicial oversight returned, and reasonable efforts spelled out, and a hearing required to determine if those legislatively defined reasonable efforts have been provided BEFORE TPR can proceed [except for limited situations such as a parent who has committed homicide, say]. Please read my post at: http://www.bluemassg… To send letters to the editor electronically, go to: http://www.masshome….  [This link has e-mail addresses to send letters to the editor for EVERY newspaper in Massachusetts] The members of the House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, and the Speaker: Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, Room 356, The State House, Boston, MA 02133 Rep. Paul J. Donato, Room 185, The State House, Boston, MA 02133 Rep. Geoffrey D. Hall, Room 146, The State House, Boston, MA 02133 Rep.  Lida E. Harkins, Room 343, The State House, Boston, MA 02133 Rep., Peter [...]

Deval Patrick has announced what sounds like a very good pension reform: municipal pension plans that are both less than 80% funded, and are more than 2.25% underperforming the state pension system over 5 years, will be taken over by the state.  Saves money, contributes to pension system solvency, takes burden off municipalities.  (And yes, Peter, we know Kerry Healey talked about pension reform too.  You’ll recall that Patrick praised her ideas on that subject during the campaign.)  The bill filed today also includes a 2% local option meals tax, and the ability for municipalities to buy their health insurance through the statewide Group Insurance Commission. You’d think everyone would be for it.  Apparently not, however.  On pensions, some locals “raised concerns about the state’s aggressive investment tactics. They said communities differ on how much risk is acceptable and should be allowed to invest as they see fit.”  WRONG!  If your pension system is <80% funded and is underperforming, you're creating a big fat liability for your city or town, and by extension for the state, which almost certainly will be called upon to step in down the road when your plan runs out of money.  Also, the state's return [...]

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell wants a 10% hike in the personal income tax rate which would push the top marginal rate to 5.5% from the current 5% over two years,   The state will end the current fiscal year with a $500 million revenue surplus.  Governor Rell’s budget would grow government by nearly 13%. Rell has made a terrible first move as governor. Let’s hope Patrick will learn from the mistakes of others.   

Fascinating stuff. To look at the 10 powerpoint slides prepared for Gen. Tommy Franks to brief the prez and Rumsfeld, etc.  go to http://www.nsarchive… More great work by the Nation Security Archive at GWU. I recommend all get on their mailing list. National Security Archive Update, February 14, 2007 TOP SECRET POLO STEP Iraq War Plan Assumed Only 5,000 U.S. Troops Still There by December 2006 CentCom PowerPoint Slides Briefed to White House and Rumsfeld in 2002, Obtained by National Security Archive through Freedom of Information Act PowerPoints Reflect Internal Debates Over Size and Timing of Invasion Force

You know, it’s interesting how mythologies work. Massachusetts still faces the “Taxachusetts” rap for no good reason, and even though the actual justification for the epithet has long since lapsed. How about this: We don’t let municipalities tax enough to stay competitive: The Boston Foundation report looks at six other cities — Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle — and argues that the Hub is hampered by requirements that cities and towns gain approval from the state Legislature on a variety of issues. “There’s this web of constraints that means the city has to go hat in hand to the Legislature for a very large number of things that other cities can do on their own,” said Paul Grogan, president of The Boston Foundation. “This thicket of restrictions and regulations make Boston less competitive than it could be and less of a potent economic factor.” Despite a nationwide return-to-the-cities movement, Boston’s population is growing at a much slower rate than that of other cities, according to the report, in part because of the high cost of housing. Nearly 60 percent of Boston’s revenue comes from property taxes, compared with 10 percent in Denver, 20 percent in Atlanta, [...]