Fidelity’s decision has become just the latest in a long line of reasons why we need much greater oversight and accountability for our economic development spending. For far too long, elected officials have made economic development … [Read more...]
Our 2011 Legislative Agenda
Our endorsed campaigns and initiatives for 2011 include the following: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Multi-language training materials: We believe that our training materials and our most important communications should be … [Read more...]
Make Our Leaders Lead Together
For more information on what's going on in Massachusetts this week, check out today's ONE Massachusetts Weekly Update! … [Read more...]
“Backroom” Strategists That Never Talk to a Policymaker are not Considered Lobbyists!
This new interpretation is consistent with Common Cause's view of the statute and that of Governor Patrick’s former chief legal counsel Ben Clements, who chaired the Governor's task force on Public Integrity and wrote the … [Read more...]
It is time for transparency in the State Legislature
As residents of this state we need to continue participating in the decisions our elected officials make on our behalf. Our elected officials as our representatives are accountable to our communities. We are the ones electing them to make … [Read more...]
Striving for budget transparency. “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”
As a state, we have already taken drastic measures to address our budgetary shortfalls. We have slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in services, we have raised the sales tax to prevent deeper cuts and we continue to rely on one-time … [Read more...]
Beginning Reform, Opening the Books…
For more information on MASSPIRG's letter, or on the importance of transparency in our budget process, please contact MASSPIRG. … [Read more...]
Reform AND Revenue – in Four Different Conference Committees!!
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES ETHICS BILL Ethics, lobbying and campaign finance reform bills (H 3856 / S 2052) are just heading into a conference committee. A brief analysis of the affect of the Senate's changes can be found on the … [Read more...]
1 Amendment Down, 977 To Go…
First off, let's find General Laws. A search on Mass.gov for "2006 General Laws 2006 Official" yielded a helpful "Quick Link" to General Laws. So far so good. The General Laws are listed in five parts. Looking at the text of … [Read more...]
Do You care enough about Government Reform to
read Carmen's just disappeared diary on pending ethics reform and get on the record with your Rep and Senator and tell them it's time to legislate tighter and clearer restrictions on persons who are compensated by a for-profit or … [Read more...]