Blue Mass Group

Cambridge City Councilor Marjorie Decker made history tonight when she became the first write-in candidate in the city’s history to win election. In a statement on her website the long term incumbent wrote: I am humbled by the overwhelming show of support I received. I’m grateful to those who chose to believe in me and provided me with this opportunity to continue serving the people of Cambridge,” said Decker. “Thank you to everyone who came out and voted for me. I’m especially thankful to my friends and supporters, who put their hearts and souls into this campaign. Without your help, this victory would not have been possible. A testimony to the importance of a motivated base in politics if ever there was one.

 On winning your races in Worcester. Good Luck! You’re going to need it. I feel the sailing won’t won’t be so smooth when layoffs occur, and your union friends become your detractors. For BMG members, I sincerely want nothing but success for Worcester. After all, the city government is non-partisan.

Surpassing the campaign convention of public address, Martha Coakley took the day to connect and understand, on a personal level, the needs of hard-working constituents. Attorney General Martha Coakley spent a day shadowing a home health care worker named Monica as part of the SEIU program “Walk a Day.” The program was created to give politicians a better understanding of the everyday challenges workers and their families face in America. Martha worked with Monica to care for Maureen, a consumer with MS.  Coakley received the critical endorsement from the SEIU local council, representing five unions and 60,000 workers. This week she also recieved an endorsement for The Massachusetts Nurses Association. For being leader on issues important to workers and working families, including protecting workers rights, fighting for quality and affordable health care, thank you, Martha. 

The Khazei campaign has made “15,000 jobs” created by City Year a centerpiece of its first campaign commercial. I thought I’d take a look at what those jobs paid. City Year says “Your day at City Year will start early and end late” and describes a “sample Monday” with work from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm: 10 hours per day, 50 hours per week. Elsewhere, however, the organization writes: “As a corps member, you will commit to a minimum of 1,700 hours of service over a 10-month period starting in August.” Call that 42 weeks: 40 hours per week.  A standard City Year stipend, according to the organization, is $200 per week: $4-5 per hour, based on the work weeks above, before benefits. (Current federal minimum wage is $7 per hour, and the minimum wage in Massachusetts is $8 per hour, for reference.) Now, of course, Khazei himself made $315,000 per year as CEO of City Year, but, sadly, I don’t think 15,000 jobs like that are the ones he is talking about. Erin explains exactly how City Year corps members (employees?) are compensated, food stamps and all, in this video produced by City Year. The $6,425 in benefits she [...]

Well, this should help blunt the claim that Governor Patrick hasn’t managed the state’s finances well.  Turns out, the people who actually pay attention — and aren’t running against him — think he’s done a good job.  Email (no link): Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s all affirmed the Commonwealth’s ‘AA’ ratings with a stable outlook. Moody’s cites as the first credit strength of the Commonwealth, “effective management during strained economic times, with a willingness and ability to promptly identify and close gaps through use of both new revenues and spending reductions.” Fitch’s report says, “Massachusetts’ ‘AA’ rating reflects considerable economic resources and a record of prudent financial management…the rating outlook is stable based on the expectation that the Commonwealth will continue to address economic and revenue weakening in a manner consistent with its demonstrated sound financial practices.” Standard & Poors notes the Governor’s “strong and conservative budget management practices, with swift action to restore balance after identifying revenue shortfalls in the past year.” The Commonwealth’s stable outlook reflects Standard & Poor’s view of the “Commonwealth’s proactive approach to managing budget volatility in the past year. Revenue adjustments have been frequent and gap-closing actions have been swift [...]

Lots of activity today with health care reform.  Major endorsements by the AARP and AMA for the health care reform bill.  The AARP endorsement should help in alleviating fears of seniors based on the misinformation being pushed by Republicans.  Plus word that the CBO’s initial scoring of the GOP health plan was not so good.  Worse at reducing the deficit, doesn’t cover additional people, does not lower premiums and doesn’t protect those with pre-existing conditions.  Sounds like a winner.

But that’s not all that went on today, a Tea Party event on Capitol Hill!  All the normal signs, etc. at the event.  One interesting note, Rep. Todd Akin (R-Doofus) lead fellow teabaggers in the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Press Pass TV talks to community members and CORI Reform activists to find out more about just what CORI is and what all the fuss is about. If you’ve been in Massachusetts the last year you’ve probably heard the acronym. But how does it affect people, what will reform look like, and what will it take to make it happen?  

What is Ethnic Media and why is it to important? Press Pass TV talks to Boston community members and media makers about the vital role that Ethnic and community media plays in creating a healthy community.  

Today’s winner: sabutai. “With Baker, I know what I’m getting” Yes, there’s a campaign slogan for troubled times… Yr. Obedient Servant, Peter Porcupine, Republican by: Peter Porcupine @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 11:46:11 AM EST I didn’t say it was a good thing If I head into a proctology exam, I know what I’m getting there, too. Come to think of it, I’d be getting pretty much the same thing from Governor Baker… by: sabutai @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 19:13:35 PM EST Priceless.

  Join Rep Garrett Bradley and Governor Deval Patrick as they visit south shore towns to review construction projects that the Patrick Administration has funded.           Friday 11/6/2009 2:15PM Hingham Harbor Dredging Project $1,146,211 Brewed Awakenings 19 Main Street Hingham, MA 02043 Google Maps http://tinyurl.com/DPHFRIDAY http://www.brewedawakeningshingham.com           Friday 11/6/2009 3:15PM. Finish and improve Cohasset Village parking $310,000 Starting at DariLynn’s 64 South Main Street Cohasset Ma Google Maps http://tinyurl.com/DPCFRIDAY http://www.darilynns.com