At the Statehouse. And way too early. Uncomfortable flashbacks to the Spring of 2008 and Gardner Auditorium, with it's tortuous tier of blue carpeted bleachers along the back wall, and where I (sort of) experienced democracy in … [Read more...]
Ethics reform is out of conference
CONFERENCE ETHICS REFORM SUMMARY Transparency and Responsibility The Legislature’s comprehensive legislation to reform and strengthen the Commonwealth’s ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws. Ethics … [Read more...]
Together we can?
Ryan found it in his email box first. Here's a joint statement from the Gov, Sen. Prez Murray, and Speaker DeLeo: “The news of yesterday’s indictments and the nature of the charges are deeply disturbing. All … [Read more...]
“Why raise any new taxes on the status quo?”
Here's the second video message from the Governor on the sales tax, which came out on Friday. It's a call for action from us jes' folks, as well as a nudge to the legislature.I think it's good, solid, bold yet … [Read more...]
Chickens on the Hill Clucking About Taxes
Cross-post note: This appears at Marry in Massachusetts. For one example, look at our collapsing bridge and road infrastructure. Had the legislature raised the revenue decades ago and a decade ago to fix them, the solutions were … [Read more...]
No Ethics Without Electoral Reform
Lots of talk on the Speakah's reform proposals. Lots of people applauded the Governor's reform proposals. I wasn't one of them, because it was mostly making already-illegal things more illegal. None of those ideas are bad, but if … [Read more...]
Hack test #1: DeLeo FAIL
Oy. DeLeo already wants to water down the gov's ethics bill: The proposal, DeLeo's first major initiative since taking office in late January, increases penalties for ethics violations but leaves in place what critics call a … [Read more...]
Playing Politics in the Transportation Bill
So we now have a proposed resident discount program that increases fares for the communities most impacted but now includes Winthrop, which had never received a reduced toll in the past. This is troubling for three reasons. (1) … [Read more...]
New Speaker shakes up the House; Bosley out as Economic Development chair
Speaker Bob DeLeo has named his leadership team and committee chairs. John Rogers and his supporters are notably absent (Rogers is out as Majority Leader and has no chairmanships). Surprise! The full list is available here. … [Read more...]
Together we can … exploit the hell out of each other.
Like so many zombies, the casino issue has risen from the dead with a vengeance. And it's worse than ever -- Bob DeLeo is an unreconstructed fan of putting slots at the race tracks -- "racinos". And the governor says … [Read more...]