Blue Mass Group

I have heard from two unrelated yet reliable sources that Jim McGovern’s seat will be open in 2012. All conjecture is welcome! If this pans out, I’m gonna start charging for this.

Responding to the devastating economic downturn requires both insightful retrospective investigation and pioneering foresight. Attorney General Martha Coakley this week demonstrated leadership in both arenas. Coakley advocates a federal protection agency for consumers and today, amongst community business leaders, released a comprehensive plan to create jobs and grow the economy.

Below is a letter from the President of SEIU Local 509. Local 509 represents over 11,000 human service workers in MA. About 2/3 of the members are state workers, and 1/3 work at non profit human service providers that contract with the state. State managers and many rank and file state workers are taking furloughs to save services. Yet, even though most human services are provided by non profit companies, the very high paid managers of these companies are not making a comparable sacrifice. (full disclosure, I also work at local 509) November 12, 2009 Michael Weekes Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers 250 Summer St. Suite 250 Boston, MA 02210 Dear Mr. Weekes, I am writing to you about the economic crisis affecting the human service work force. Human service workers, particularly those without union representation, are experiencing stagnation in their wages and dramatic increases in health insurance costs. In addition to recent service cuts, more cuts are on the horizon as we look into next fiscal year. The safety net for our states most disadvantaged citizens has never been more compromised. For example homeless services are now being cut as we speak and clients in the DMH system [...]

From an email recieved this evening: More than 100 community leaders, elected officials and residents from across the Commonwealth gathered at the Harriet Tubman House on November 19th to endorse Martha Coakley for United States Senate. The event highlighted Martha Coakley’s record of accomplishment for a broad range of constituent groups. In announcing their endorsement, the leaders pointed to Martha Coakley’s record of proven leadership on behalf of communities of color in Massachusetts.  Former Suffolk County District Attorney Ralph Martin, former Boston City Council President Bruce Bolling, Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, Lawrence State Representative and Mayor-elect William Lantigua, Brockton City Councilor-elect Jass Stewart, and Chelsea Collaborative Executive Director Gladys Vega praised Coakley for her ability to bring together diverse communities to get results. Martha Coakley cares about what happens in our cities and towns and fights for better services for citizens and consumers,” said Lisa Wong, Mayor of Fitchburg.  ”Her track record and tenacity are why I’m supporting her for the US Senate.” “In this critical time, we need someone in Washington who will follow in the footsteps of Senator Kennedy, someone who will be a champion for human rights and a voice of reason,” said State Representative and Lawrence [...]

It’s not a joke.

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 election, is going further in revoking his election-night concession to Democrat Bill Owens — who was sworn into office a few days later — and alleging that ACORN has attempted to steal the election!

(read on)

In response to my inquiries, the Coakley campaign has told BMG that Martha Coakley supports the Senate health care bill and, given the opportunity, would vote for it. Martha supports the Senate bill. She believes it represents great progress toward assuring quality, affordable health coverage for all Americans; and she is pleased that the Senate version is presented with a public option and that it does not contain many of the provisions included in the Stupak-Pitts Amendment. Et vous, Mike?

From today… The daughter of Sen. John Kerry has been arrested in Hollywood for allegedly driving drunk. Los Angeles police say 36-year-old Alexandra Kerry was stopped by officers on a Hollywood street at about 12:40 a.m. Thursday and tested for driving under the influence. I wonder if the cops made her say “Genghis Khan” while walking the line. I feel like NeilSagan with rapid fire posts…

Email: COAKLEY, CAPUANO, KHAZEI AND PAGLIUCA TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSORTIUM DEBATE AT NECN STUDIOS ON WEDNESDAY, DEC 2 BOSTON GLOBE, WBUR, WGBH-TV AND NECN CO-SPONSOR FINAL TELEVISED DEBATE BEFORE SPECIAL SENATE ELECTION PRIMARY NEWTON, MA – The four Democratic candidates contending for the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat will debate for one final time before the primary in a one-hour debate co-sponsored by NECN, the Boston Globe, WBUR and WGBH-TV. The debate, scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. will take place at the NECN studios in Newton. This live debate will give each candidate one final opportunity to reach a statewide audience. NECN, WGBH-TV and WBUR will provide live coverage of the debate. The details on the debate are as follows: Date:               Wednesday, December 2 Location:         NECN studios, Newton, MA Time:              7 to 8 p.m. Candidates:    Martha Coakley, Michael Capuano, Alan Khazei and Stephen Pagliuca Moderator:      RD Sahl, NECN Panelists:       Bob Oakes, WBUR; Frank Phillips, Boston Globe; and Emily Rooney, WGBH

More good news…

School Superintendent Carol R. Johnson last night revealed the names of 14 Boston schools slated for massive overhauls, reinvention, or possible closing under a plan that would affect more than 6,000 students.

Let me guess, we need mooh money? Could it be? I mean the school system has been increasing their burn of cash every year while the enrollment has been plummeting.

Check this out…

I have been paying close attention to the Senate race because I think its one of the most important races in Massachusetts in decades. We will be electing someone to the seat of the liberal lion of the Senate. I see the importance of this race extending far beyond the borders of Massachusetts. The next Senator of Massachusetts needs to be a leader of progressive values for the entire country and I honestly believe we have a responsibility to the rest of the country to make the right choice.  Though I have been critical of Coakley I have not ruled her out. Coakely, Khazei, and Capuano have all proven to be pretty reliable liberals. But I get the distinct feeling that Pagliuca just woke up one day and realized that he might actually be able to win the election, if he just spent enough money. He has bombarded the air waves and plastered the blogs with ads for weeks now. He even has bought up website names for possible future races. Everywhere you look, he has expensive, well polished ads that portray him in the best light. Every time I see the ads, I ask myself the same questions: If [...]