Regarding DiMasi’s more ambitious proposal to fold municipal unions’ health care into the state system (GIC), sco can’t see Patrick refusing:
I would have to imagine that he would sign a bill that did not include the collective bargaining language. First, Governor Patrick has hitched his wagon to his package of municipal reforms and he needs a policy victory. Stymying a stronger version of one of his proposals would be a serious blunder, even if it means upsetting public employee unions. They’re already upset with him over his proposal to force underperforming pension funds to be taken over by the state. In any case, this could also be a good opportunity to compromise with DiMasi. Would the speaker soften his stance on local option taxes or closing the telecom loopholes in exchange for Patrick taking the heat from the unions? If so, the cities and towns of Massachusetts would benefit. [my emphasis]
Take the deal, Governor.
ryepower12 says
It has to be a two-way street for there to be any “deal.” I don’t see Sal taking that compromise.
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That said, I agree with Sal on this issue – and wouldn’t be shocked if Deval would like it too – so if that version of the bill gets to Deval’s desk, I hope he signs it.
les-richter says
Isn’t GIC that little agency that has a couple contractors that write code to keep their forty year old computer operations going? Maybe fifty employees in all?
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Can the GIC deal with new work? Can it scale up? Has anyone asked?
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Nice idea, but is there any practicality here?