H4333 is stronger than H4191, and if passed, means in my view that Isaac and Jeremy [two cases reported out and published by the Supreme Judicial Court in 1995) arguably no longer control as precedents, as they were based on the old statute … [Read more...]
Who is fighting for foster children and THEIR right to life?
I say this because the bill would open hearings where DSS seeks to end a child's life to the public, and place clear requirements as to what steps to take into our laws for the first time.The health insurance industry has a constituency and … [Read more...]
House Passes Ticket Resale Bill to Modernize Law, Protect Consumers
[News from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Speaker DiMasi, posted by David Guarino, the Speaker's communications director ...]The House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed legislation designed to simplify … [Read more...]
Time to monitor the pending overhaul of DSS
Besides a zillion places for the proposed change of name to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), any hearing which could lead to a "do not revive" or "pull the plug" order with regard to a child in the custody of the state would … [Read more...]
How we fix the student loan system
Recent investigations have uncovered misbehavior by the lending industry, often in cahoots with colleges, at the expense of students. Federal law is intended to protect students by guaranteeing that loans must help students, not produce … [Read more...]
Share your thoughts on youth gun violence & legislative actions
For those who have been troubled by recent crime scenes given so much play in the media, you already know what a disturbing trend youth violence has taken towards guns. Gun violence has many contributing factors, not the least of … [Read more...]
House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect issues Report 3/29/07
The House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect both issued and posted their report on 3/29/07. It is posted as a 63 page .pdf at: http://www.mass.gov/...Of special note are the mentions of "disproportionality" with regard to the … [Read more...]
Public Hearing next week on Foreclosure Bill
There has been scores of discussion on this site in recent weeks about predatory lending and the high rate of foreclosures in Massachusetts. In addition, a bill (S. 747) filed by State Rep. David Torrisi and myself, which would give … [Read more...]
Action Alert – Save Your Town Money on Healthcare
(cross-posted on Left in Lowell) As political junkies statewide are aware, cities and towns have been struggling for funds since local aid cuts in 2002 at the same time as our healthcare and pension obligations began … [Read more...]
Listen Up, Deval
MarriageThe governor was the babbling baby in the corner and the legislature was paralyzed without meaningful leadership. Hey, all, the Supreme Judicial Court told you that marriage equality was the only thing compatible with our … [Read more...]