Lovers, Muggers, and Thieves

I'm back!

2010-09-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

The site redesign is pretty complete. I still need to finish categorizing my old posts, but I'll begin posting in a few minutes.

Go see the new LMT Politics site. I'll leave this blog up for a couple days so people can update their RSS feeds and what-not. Next week, http://lmt.foxedproductions.com will redirect to http://www.lmtpolitics.com .

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Get by with a little help from my friends...

2010-08-05T08:57:00.000-04:00

OK, so I've been spending my hiatus building LMT over from scratch at WordPress. It's going well: I'm working on the Legislative races right now, and expect to shore up the ballot roster with enough time to actually, you know, expand on the Boston politicians (City, Suffolk County, and Statewide pols).

But I've been thinking about the blog, and I know the scope of it is a bit weird, with the focus on statewide AND Boston government. But it's not humanly possible to cover the rest of the state, even if this were my fulltime job. So, basically, if anyone is interested in contributing (I.E. as a Worcester correspondent, etc.), please let me know.

I have a real small audience, but I'm hoping to expand, especially as we inch closer to the elections. Heh, and I know you see the ads, but... they're not making much money at this point. We can discuss that when it happens.

Additionally, if anyone out there knows someone who can design a spiffy WordPress theme, please send them my way.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Hiatus

2010-07-28T19:22:00.000-04:00

Planning on doing alot of behind the scenes work on LMT. Since there are still only 24 hours in the day, and lots of other priorities (sleeping, working), I'm going to have to put aside updating the blog while I revamp the site.

Target date for the new LMT should be September 1^st. If I'm right, that's when political news in the Commonwealth should heat up anyways.

So! Now would be a good time to throw out any ideas about where I should take the site. I'll still be reading the comments feed, and my email is still up on the site. Let me know if there's anything you think I should drop, or any features you would like to see.

Thanks! Have a great summer.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Where in the World Is Deval Patrick?

2010-07-23T08:31:00.000-04:00

Matthew Gannon asked two days ago, and we have our answer now. A reader adds, "I really hope he's not hiking the Appalachian Trail."

Well, no. He's not. Thankfully. He skived off to visit Massachusetts troops in Iraq. South Carolina still has us beat.

He got back in touch with the world from Kuwait, reports Glenn Johnson.

Dave Wedge has more.

“The critics will criticize. They always do,” Patrick said today from Kuwait. “But I get to go on these trips when the Department of Defense says it’s time. We’ve been trying to plan this trip for years.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Chief Justice Margaret Marshall Set to Retire

2010-07-21T20:51:00.000-04:00

Bob Salsberg reports on Chief Justice Marshall's retirement.

The AP also provides an overview of her career, including her decision on Goodridge v. the Department of Public Health (2003), which ruled that it was unconstitutional to prevent gays from marrying.

Finally, the AP runs through what this could mean for the Patrick Administration, whether or not Governor Patrick wins re-election.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Ante Up: Casino Debate Stalls Beacon Hill

2010-07-21T20:41:00.000-04:00

Jon Keller reports on how the debate is going. SPOILERS: Not well!

Bob Oakes reports that there is a 50/50 chance that this thing will even pass.

The AP reports that there MAY be a bill.

Jim O'Sullivan shares the uncertainty, but reports that talks have not broken down between houses yet. Noah Bierman adds that the rhetoric on both side is toning down. Hillary Chabot reports that all sides are committed to producing a bill.

The Massachusetts Liberal analyzes everyone's agenda.

Blue Mass Group's Scout objects to a lame rebuttal to the "racinos are no-bid contracts" argument.

Andrew Ryan reports that several Massachusetts mayors are supporting the House's racino plan. Not Mayor Menino, however, who doesn't want to upset the process by supporting any particulars.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

AG Watch

2010-07-21T08:52:00.000-04:00

The Worcester Telegram's Shaun Sutner reports that Millbury lawyer James McKenna is discussing a write-in campaign to run against Martha Coakley for Attorney General. If he wins the GOP primary by write-in, then he will be on the ballot in the general.

Winning the primary, even unopposed, with a write-in campaign will be difficult. A quick glimpse of his chief issues (straight from the Telegram article), after the jump.

He said he would crack down in illegal immigrants with a similar approach to the state of Arizona, which passed a law allowing police officers to demand citizenship identification of anyone they stop.

...

Mr. McKenna also criticized Ms. Coakley for inaction on political corruption cases, noting that federal authorities have brought the most significant corruption charges, including those against former Boston state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson.

He also said he would establish a public corruption strike force.

...

He said he is in favor of the death penalty; opposes abortion except in cases of rape and incest; and that while he is personally against same-sex marriage, would not seek a ballot referendum to overturn it in Massachusetts.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Schooling: MCAS v. Common Core (UPDATED)

2010-07-21T08:27:00.002-04:00

Lyle Moran summarizes what's happening with the education reform vote that may or may not happen today.

Two leaders of the 1993 Massachusetts education reform, former Senate President Tom Birmingham and former Governor William Weld, claim that the current MCAS standards are better than the proposed Common Core standards (AP).

The move was endorsed by former Boston School Superintendent Thomas Payzant, who said the Common Core will "build on the rigorous Massachusetts curriculum frameworks." Payzant once served under Democratic President Bill Clinton.

...

And both [Birmingham] and Weld’s criticisms were echoed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker, who served as Weld’s human services and, later, finance secretary.

So, one side claims that MCAS is good enough, and the Common Core will be a step backwards. Supporters claim that the MCAS is good, but Common Core can enhance the MCAS.

Charlie Baker, of course, would like to hold onto the 1993 reform as one of the non-Big Dig policies the Weld Administration (and by extension Baker) achieved. It wouldn't look good if Governor Patrick also had an education reform that improved on the previous plan. So, Baker's opposition to Common Core is pretty much political. Weld, too, if he's trying to help out his former advisor. And does anyone think Weld wouldn't help Charlie Baker?

The Baker campaign also asked Attorney General Martha Coakley to look into charges (by the Baker camp) that Governor Patrick agreed to Common Core to secure an endorsement from the Massachusetts Teacher's Association (AP). David Bernstein confirms how ridiculous this is.

WBUR notes that the Republicans in the Legislature want to delay the school board's vote. Capitol View elaborates: House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-Middlesex 20) doesn't want to rush this. Which invariably translates to "Let's drag this out so some other minority party members can make this ugly" (see the above paragraph).

I tend to think Common Core will pass today despite the brouhaha.

UPDATE: WBUR reports that it's "too close to call" whether or not MCAS or Common Core is the better education system, according to a new report. Which makes the case for Common Care easy to argue: we'll get federal funding for a policy change that won't weaken our education system, and the funding can only strengthen it.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Pro-Nothing: Tim Cahill's Stance on Abortions

2010-07-20T19:49:00.000-04:00

The Massachusetts Citizens for Life have endorsed Tim Cahill for Governor (HT Mike Rossettie).

According to the MCL press release, the endorsement is because Cahill "holds pro-life positions."

Cahill holds pro-life positions on all aspects of the issue, from abortion funding to informed consent, to partial birth abortion and parental consent. Very important also is his opposition to Physician Assisted Suicide which is currently being proposed in the state legislature, according to McComish.

...

Currently pro-life people across the state are collecting signatures to repeal Obamacare. They welcome Tim Cahills pledge to opt out of the abortion funding in Obamacare.

...

The other gubernatorial candidates have publicly stated their support for the pro-choiceposition. In other words, they support abortion and take anti-life positions on the other life issues.

However, Rob Eno took a look at Tim Cahill's website. He found nothing on abortion. On a May 25th copy of the Cahill site, Eno notes that he states "I believe in and support a women's right to choose. I also believe that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare."

You can see Eno's Red Mass Group post for the before and after screen captures of Cahill's website.

So, what happened? I have a theory, so feel free to have stopped reading a sentence ago, but this is part of a larger picture in which we see Tim Cahill veer wildly to the right in an effort to appeal to and co-opt the Tea Party movement in Massachusetts. He came out against "Romneycare," but only once "Obamacare" was under discussion. As the chief financial officer of the Commonwealth, he stayed silent. He even went on Fox News to bluster in their echo chamber during the debate over the Affordable Care Act.

Now we see him removing the pro-choice language from his website to appear more conservative. The odd part is that his website doesn't have pro-life language on it now. I'm sure it'll be on there tomorrow.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

MassHealth v. the Affordable Care Act

2010-07-20T08:51:00.001-04:00

Ezra Klein offers up a look at the Massachusetts healthcare system as opposed to the US health care reform law, because critics of the ACA are leveling their criticisms against Massachusetts.

Before the reforms, Massachusetts had the highest health-care costs in the nation. That's still true after the reforms. Massachusetts has an incredibly powerful hospital industry. Think of the legendary research hospitals in Boston -- Harvard and Tufts and Partners. Their reputation allows them to command huge premiums, and their centrality to the economy ensures them huge political power. Long mentions a survey that found one out of five households in Massachusetts gets some income from the health-care industry.

Some of the attention, however, is the product of politics, not policy. Various Massachusetts observers noted that Patrick has gone to war against the state's insurers -- but not because of the reform plan. Patrick is running for reelection against Charles Baker, the former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim, a large insurer in Massachusetts. So he's making the insurance industry an issue in the campaign. In fact, the insurer whose rates he overturned was ... Harvard Pilgrim. This all seems normal enough as a matter of politics, but because it's Massachusetts, it's become part of a conversation over the state's reforms.

Klein concludes that the feds should stick to all the cost control parts of the ACA, to learn a lesson from Massachusetts. Also, because the ACA had cost control parts, Congress already learned Massachusetts lesson.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Senator Scott Brown: Bipartisanship is hard work

2010-07-20T08:37:00.000-04:00

Matt Viser pens an article about our junior Senator, who is upset that Democrats aren't signing onto his jobless bill in a show of bipartisanship. Brown feels that he's always the one voting with the Democrats, and the Democrats don't vote with him.

So, when Brown opposed the unemployment extension because it would increase the deficit, he decided to make his own unemployment extension bill. ~~With blackjack. And hookers. You know what, forget the bill and the blackjack.~~

On June 30, Brown filed legislation that cobbles together ideas from Democrats and Republicans, trying to come up with an unemployment package that would meet his standard of not adding more red ink to the US balance sheet.

In addition to the $35 billion in unspent money that he would divert from the overall $787 billion stimulus program, Brown would freeze food stamp increases and change Medicaid pricing for certain types of prescription drugs, providing $50.9 billion for the unemployment extension as well as summer jobs and a boost in Medicaid funding for states.

The thing is, the bill's not attracting any Senator's attention. "Brown’s unemployment plan — which calls for diverting $35 billion in stimulus money to pay for benefits for the long-term jobless and several other items — has attracted little support, even from Republicans."

“It’s going nowhere,’’ Senate majority whip Richard Durbin of Illinois said of Brown’s proposal.

“I haven’t seen it,’’ said Senator Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican.

But why? Why is a Republican alternative to the jobless bill going nowhere?

Brown has called the $35 billion in unspent stimulus funds he would divert “a Washington, D.C., slush fund.’’ But in many instances, that money is slated for specific stimulus projects across the country — including some in Massachusetts — even if the checks haven’t yet been written. For example, Brown’s plan would eliminate $8 billion in funding planned for high-speed rail and other railroad projects, according to Brown aides. These projects, still in the planning stages, include $485 million spread to eight projects in New England.

...

Brown said he essentially wants to fund unemployment — an immediate need — by scrapping projects that might not be built for several years.

“We need to get that stuff out the door today,’’ he said. “People are hurting right now, not four or five or six years down the road. The money is available right now.’’

I don't think the bill would work. I mean, you know. Kudos to Senator Brown for being an actual deficit hawk instead of someone just promising to not raise the deficit. But he knows this bill won't work either. I mean, think about it. The Senate's most junior member introducing a bill? He didn't get a senior cosponsor for the bill? He didn't drum up any support in the ranks of his party? If he tried those things, but the reception was cool, then why did he plunge ahead?

Senator Brown introduced this bill for the sake of introducing this bill. I've said it before, but Brown needs to be needed. Being Number 61 on Financial Regulation? He absolutely loved it. Rep. Frank courting him? Feeling like a member of the Massachusetts delegation? These are things he craves.

Brown's jobless bill is just an excuse to be in the spotlight again. It will never pass, but he gets to pop off some pithy one-liners, such as, “And we’ve made a very solid effort to provide an alternative. And why wouldn’t they vote with me? Why do we have to add to the credit card instead of using the checking account?’’

Yes. Brown's alternative is "solid." That must be why it has so much support.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah: Massachusetts Political News Roundup

2010-07-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

I wondered if MassBeacon is letting its bias show. Congressional incumbents are doing very well with fundraising, including DISCLOSE Act opponent Scott Brown.

In other news:

O'Ryan Johnson reports that Anthony Galluccio is returning home. Galluccio says he's a new man, according to Milton Valencia.

David Abel reports that the state has expanded nickel deposits to include bottled water.

The AP reports that the Legislature has created a permitting process for wind energy plants. Currently the House and Senate have both passed bills, so now it's time to reconcile the differences between them.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Dollar Signs: Massachusetts Incumbents Raising Serious Funds

2010-07-15T07:47:00.000-04:00

David Riley reports that Congressional incumbents in Massachusetts are at an advantage in fundraising.

In the Mass Third, Rep. Jim McGovern has raised $800,000+. The closest Republican rival in terms of fundraising, Brian Herr, plans to report $50,000 in the new quarter.

Holliston's Michael Stopa, another Republican seeking McGovern's seat, said fundraising will ultimately be important in taking on McGovern, yet in the primary, he's focused on other ways to get his name and message out. He expected to appear on the Sean Hannity Show on Fox News last night, has penned newspaper opinion pieces and appears in a YouTube video with 10,000 hits.

"None of those are things the other campaigns can touch," he said. "I think that we're in really good shape as far as the primary is concerned, just doing this with personal funding at this point."

Congressional candidates aren't the only ones doing well. Sasha Issenberg reports that former Governor Mitt Romney is bowling over the competition for the 2012 Republican nomination, including the Wasillan Wonder, Sarah Palin.

Though he's not up for re-election until 2012, Sen. Scott Brown has a hefty warchest, reports Steve LeBlanc.

That leaves Brown with more than $6.5 million in campaign cash in his account -- a daunting obstacle for any candidate considering challenging the Massachusetts Republican when he faces re-election in 2012.

I guess we know why, as Matt Viser reports, Senator Brown is really opposing the DISCLOSE Act:

Dollar signs.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

MassBeacon: Is it gone?

2010-07-14T22:59:00.001-04:00

So I loved MassBeacon. I'm pretty sure any political junkie in the state loved MassBeacon.

Conor has a new job and that's great for him. It really is. I know it's hard to make a living from blogging, and lord knows I only do it in my spare time.

But is it worth checking out Conor's site still? I admit I use an RSS reader, so I get every update (once a week to once a month now). Today, though, made me question if Conor's still maintaining MassBeacon as a bias free site. There was a juxtaposition in my news reader.

First, I read Capitol View, which posted about Conor's excellent point that Governor Patrick is allowing a no-bid contract for Cape Wind, but not for racetrack slots. That's fine. It's in his new position at Liberty Square Group, and even if he'd posted it at MassBeacon, it'd be a legitimate point. And then I read Conor's post today, where he posts a "priceless web ad" from the MassGOP attacking Governor Patrick.

It, and another post a week ago about the RGA attacking Patrick, are the only news-related posts (as opposed to site-related) in the last week.

So, I feel bad for asking, but can Conor stay objective on MassBeacon? On the one hand, I know he doesn't have much time to post anything, so maybe he just posts what he can, but... on the other hand, it looks like Conor's blog might interfere with Conor's job.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Meet Bathroom Bill: MassTrans Rally Today

2010-07-14T08:31:00.000-04:00

David Bernstein is disappointed in Charlie Baker calling the gender identity equality bill the "bathroom bill."

He proposes a solution to MassTrans, who is rallying at the State House today.

Now, if the MassTrans folks want to cheer me up, here's my advice: co-opt it. Unveil a "Bathroom Bill" mascot today; I'm thinking with a big 'B' on his chest and a toilet lid hat. Bill would be a dopey guy who thinks he can go into the girl's locker rooms, so someone has to explain to him that he's got it all wrong -- and explan to him carefully what the transgender equality bill really does.

And it would be fine with me if Bathroom Bill looks a little bit like Charlie Baker. And, if the guy explaining the bill to him looks maybe just a little bit like Richard Tisei.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Flagging Flaggers Who Flag

2010-07-12T08:33:00.000-04:00

Glenn Johnson reports on one of the benefits to the police of picketing the National Governor's Association meeting in Boston this past weekend.

The police officers who picketed Gov. Deval Patrick this weekend over his civilian flagger policy did so as some of their fellow officers accepted security pay during the National Governors Association meeting that Patrick brought to Boston.

It's... frankly bizarre. The police were hired for overtime pay... because their union was picketing the event.

Couple things:

1. Can you trust the security detail if they're protecting you from their friends and colleagues?

2. Will the police union picket alot more events once it figures out that it can score overtime for some of its members that way?

Massachusetts Liberal reminds us what a class act the President of the Boston Police Patrolman Association, Thomas Nee, is.

But when Nee blusters about Patrick breaking a promise to put a thousand more cops on the street, he's ignoring a big reason for that not happening: a sharp drop in state revenues that has meant an increasingly larger percentage of that scarce cash going for Quinn Bill benefits and expensive police patrols at many construction sites.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

LMT Standup: Tim Cahill and Financial Security

2010-07-09T20:27:00.000-04:00

I was going to spend the evening away from the blog, but this AP story was too funny for me to resist.

Treasurer Tim Cahill, who's running for governor as an independent, says someone swiped the wallet and a GPS system from his car parked in the driveway of his Quincy home late last month.

For the record, I don't know anyone who leaves their wallet in their car, except apparently our Treasurer. Good thing the state's checkbook wasn't there.

... I prefer the comfort and security of having it in my front pants pocket.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

The Green-Rainbow Party

2010-07-09T20:24:00.000-04:00

Eli Beckerman adds:

Just FYI, the Greens in MA were known formally as the Massachusetts Green Party, and less formally as the Mass Greens.

Mel King is still active in the party, and Chuck Turner, who is the GRP's highest elected official, was originally elected as a member of the Rainbow Coalition Party.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Putting the Rainbow in the Green-Rainbow Party

2010-07-09T08:55:00.000-04:00

Scott Legenour posts about why our Green Party is called the Green-Rainbow Party. In case you ever wondered.

I don't know how far back your political knowledge of Mass. goes, but in 1983, Mel King ran for mayor of Boston and formed the Rainbow Coalition. The following year Jesse Jackson ran for president and took the Rainbow Coalition concept national.

The Rainbow Coalition in Boston continued to exist as a multi-issue organization. Then in the 1990s, it became the Rainbow Coalition Party. The MassGreens were also getting more organized as a political party. When Nader ran as a Green candidate for president, the Rainbow Coalition Party endorsed him.

The Rainbow Coalition Party was largely known for its social justice platform, but the environment was also an important component of their work. The MassGreens were always know as an environmental party, but they also emphasized social justice issues. The two parties began negotiations to join forces and worked together on some campaigns and issues.

It was decided to combine into one party and so the MassGreens became the Green-Rainbow Party. We're proud of our joint identity.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Special Election to Replace John Tobin

2010-07-09T08:51:00.000-04:00

OK, so a special election hasn't been announced yet. But John Tobin, the Sixth District Councillor (West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain), is quitting for a better job and leaving his seat open.

David Bernstein analyzes the race, which really is heating up, even with no special election announced.

I've told you that Matt O'Malley and Jim Hennigan are both all-in for the race to replace John Tobin as Boston City Councilor for District 6 (West Roxbury/Jamaica Plain), and that Tobin chief-of-staff David Isberg is a maybe. Now I can tell you that two politically sharp women from the JP side of the district are seriously considering it as well.

Jessica Taubner, policy director for at-large city councilor Ayanna Pressley, has been all around the neighborhood, city, and state level, on policy and political fronts: she was on the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, she was a policy researcher for the state legislature, and she was field director for Sam Yoon's mayoral campaign.

Attorney Valerie Frias (Tufts undergrad, Northeastern Law), has also had her fingers in a lot of pies, so to speak -- from Jarrett Barrios campaign manager to Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy's legal staff.

Read more

Gintautas Dumcius has more on Jessica Taubner.

Adam Gaffin reports that Sean Ryan, a Jamaica Plain libertarian, is also running for the seat.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Hit Me: The DeLeo Ultimatum

2010-07-09T08:44:00.000-04:00

Massachusetts Liberal reports (via State House News Service, hidden behind a paywall):

In a nutshell, DeLeo said that without race track slots as part of a final casino bill, the House will probably jam up every other piece of legislation pending between now and the session's close on July 31.

Like I said yesterday, DeLeo needs slots at Suffolk Downs because a full-on casino will hurt the community and he knows it. He wants to be responsible within his district for slots, and for casinos... as long as the casinos aren't in Suffolk 19. He doesn't want to be responsible for the Suffolk Downs Resort and Casino, which would hurt his reputation with smaller business owners within the Suffolk 19.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Hit Me, Ctd.

2010-07-09T08:39:00.000-04:00

Middleboro Remembers writes:

When the Middleboro Casino reared its ugly head, many of us knew nothing about gambling or slots.

In the intervening + 3 years, many of us have researched, networked, read reports and books, considered the impacts on our communities.

The overwhelming majority of people, when asked if they want a casino/slot parlor in their community say NO by a wide margin.

A federal report determined that for every $1 in revenue 'casinos' provide, the cost to taxpayers is $3. A deal like that only Beacon Hill could support!

Last year, the Governor, AG, and others supported an Independent Cost Benefit Analysis that was never conducted.

Your tax dollars have paid for BENEFITS reports.

No one is considering the cost of the BLOATED REGULATORY BUREAUCRACY that can be filled with political hacks and relatives.

Money spent locally has a 'multiplier effect' - you go to a local restaurant, the waitress goes to a local hairdresser, who goes to a local mechanic, you get the point.

Not so with Slot Parlors (casinos) that suck discretionary spending out of the local economy. (For $500 million or $600 million, you get a Slot Parlor - Slots in a Box! Check out Sands Bethlehem.)

The costs for a new gambling regulatory commission in comparable states (there is no exact apples:apples) are between $20 million and $50 million per year. The Speaker's Special Interest Gambling Bill provides $5 Million.

The costs for expansion of the AG's department for surveillance, oversight, prosecution, equipment and personnel for an entirely new category of enterprise and organized crime statutes is - not included or considered in the bill.

The costs for expansion of the MA state police for a new department, equipment, personnel is -not included or considered in the bill.

The costs for expansion of the local/regional impacted law enforcement departments for equipment, personnel is - not included or considered in the bill.

The costs for district courts, DA departments, Sheriffs, Corrections - not included or considered in the bill.

The mitigation for directly impacted muncipalities is $15 Million in the Speaker's Special Interest Gambling Bill. The WMCAT that has studied these proposals extensively (ad nauseum) has identified a MINIMUM of $50 million needed PER impacted casino region.

The costs for gambling treatment articulated by the Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling was over $30 Million per year. The Speaker's Special Interest Gambling Bill provides $5 Million.

This is a net loser for the Commonwealth that will cost more than the overinflated revenues that have been presented.

Let's start a conversation about how these proposals benefit a select few and the taxpayers subsidize the long-term impacts and costs. Not one state with legalized slots and casinos is in better fiscal shape than the Commonwealth.

I always think that if slot machines paved the streets with gold, what happened to Atlantic City?

For additional information: www.uss-mass.org/

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Hit Me, Ctd.

2010-07-08T20:25:00.000-04:00

Suldog comments:

As someone very familiar with the mathematics of casino gambling, and also an ex-dealer/croupier, my concern isn't with casinos versus no casinos, but rather with the odds that gamblers will be given once the casinos and/or slot palaces are in place (which they will be, sooner or later.)

In locales where the public is not 'wised up' (the opposite of Las Vegas, for example, where lots of competition creates a need for casinos to compete for the gambling dollar) it is usually the case that casinos will offer hideous odds. Now, all slot players (and others who buck a minus game) will eventually lose if they keep playing. However, if the odds offered are nearer even, they won't go into debt as quickly, and those with a bit of self-control can even justify the hourly expense of playing as comparable to that which would be spent on other things, i.e., movies or dining out or an evening at a bar.

What I would prefer seeing would be some language in the final bill that would guarantee certain set payback percentages on video poker, slots, and other mechanized gaming devices. Nobody in Las Vegas is going broke paying back 99% on Jacks Or Better (or even when they throw in the rare over 100% payback, possible with certain video poker games when the player knows the optimum strategy for every possible situation - no easy feat to memorize, in some instances, but a real possibility if one wishes to put in the study time.) Unfortunately, I suspect that we'll be seeing paybacks in the 60 - 85% range on slots, and perhaps a max of 97.5% on poker (such as that offered by Twin Rivers with what is known as "8/5 Jacks Or Better" - estimates on the slot payouts is strictly my best guess, as nobody but the manufacturers, casino, and perhaps state licensing boards has any access to such info.)

Likewise, if table games (21, Craps, Roulette, and the like) are allowed, it would behoove the state to look out for the best interests of the patrons. Making it illegal to forbid card counters from playing, for instance, will, in the long run, provide MORE revenue for the state, not less. Those who can successfully count cards are few and far between. Those who THINK they can successfully count cards are legion.

Just my not-so-humble two cents.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Hit Me: Massachusetts Casino Update

2010-07-08T08:25:00.000-04:00

Governor Deval Patrick is making waves in the casino debate by calling racinos "no-bid" contracts automatically awarded to the racetracks, according to the AP. Senate President Therese Murray agrees with Patrick's sentiment.

On the other side is House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who has been pushing for slots at racetracks, especially Suffolk Downs in his district. DeLeo claims that the state will need the projected $100M in revenue, especially if the sales tax is rolled back to 3%.

And the three of them have some pull. While a majority of the conference committee supports racinos, Governor Patrick still has veto power, and Speaker DeLeo may or may not be able to overturn it. Senate President Therese Murray would be disinterested, as well, if the bill included racinos.

Casino opponent Dan Kennedy notes that while a resort casino at Suffolk Downs would destroy the small businesses of the surrounding area. In fact, I'd argue that DeLeo needs racinos to stop Suffolk Downs from hurting the small businesses in his district. Suffolk Downs might be satisfied with slots, instead of building a resort casino, but without slots, the Suffolk Downs area is going to hurt.

The Massachusetts Liberal also has his take.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah

2010-07-08T00:00:00.002-04:00

Catching up, I cover what's happening with casinos in Massachusetts, and with Scott Brown's role in the Kagan vote. And Tim Cahill needs a comeback, but his ads ain't it.

In other news:

Michael Rezendes reports that Governor Patrick is receiving criticism because while he attacks Charlie Baker for his role in the Big Dig, Patrick tapped officials tied to the Big Dig for key posts in his administration. Rezendes notes that "[n]one of the officials now working for Patrick played a role as central to the project as Baker’s."

The AP reports on a federal grant to build a rail line from Boston to Maine.

Donovan Slack catches us up with the Young Turks of the Boston City Council, seven years later, to take a look at the new era of the Council that they were going to usher in. ... Oops.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Comeback Kid

2010-07-07T08:30:00.000-04:00

Gene Lavanchy wonders if Tim Cahill's new ads will help him in his Independent run for Governor.

WBUR's Todd Domke and Dan Payne don't think so.

DOMKE: But it looks like more thought was put into his decision to go on the air than went into creating the spot itself. He needed a great ad, but it’s mediocre.

...

He is trying to emulate Sen. Scott Brown without really understanding what worked. Yes, Brown did a TV spot responding to negative ads against him — just talking to the camera, dismissing the ads. But unlike Brown, Cahill didn’t first run ads that established his credibility, his persona, his connection with regular people. Instead, in his introductory ad he complains that he has been unfairly criticized. Voters, suffering in this economy, are not in a mood to feel sorry for politicians.

PAYNE: The RGA TV spots against Cahill ran two months ago. It might seem like just yesterday to Cahill but very few people remember the specifics, except the ads did damage his claim as a fiscal conservative.

(By the way, he’s wrong that the first ad of the race was attacking him. Actually, the first ad was his own. It ran during the Super Bowl and was so ordinary, apparently even Cahill forgot about it.)

...

Strategically, Cahill’s ad is off — he’s obsessed with being an independent. But he’s not explaining what his independent-ness is worth to the voter. It’s a case of “telling me about your grass seed rather than my lawn.”

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Brown and the Supremes

2010-07-07T08:22:00.000-04:00

Mark Arsenault and Susan Milligan try to pin down how our wildcard Senator, Scott Brown, will vote on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. To wit:

Kagan’s solid performance during committee hearings last week all but assures her confirmation by a comfortable margin, so Brown is not in a position to affect the outcome. But analysts say the political stakes are high for Brown personally.

If he supports her, Brown risks angering conservative activists across the country, an important source of campaign contributions. If he opposes such a highly accomplished woman with strong Massachusetts ties, the state’s independents, particularly women, may question his assertion that being a “Scott Brown Republican’’ does not automatically mean toeing the GOP line.

The Massachusetts Liberal thinks he knows the answer:

But if I were a betting man, I would probably follow where the campaign contributions lead me -- particularly since Kagan is not likely to be filibustered and has enough Democratic support that voting the political line could generate Brown more cash.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Hit Me

2010-07-07T08:12:00.000-04:00

So, the Senate passed their casino bill, which includes three resorts and no racinos. Now a panel of Senators and Representatives are ironing out the details. Then a final bill gets put before both houses and after it gets passed, the Governor will sign it. I'm putting it that way because I think casinos (and racinos, for that matter) are a foregone conclusion.

Thomas Grillo and Hillary Chabot report that a majority of the panel is in favor of racinos, so they're most likely going into the final bill.

George Russell reports that one of the companies interested in building a Mass-ino is the company who owns Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos.

And all that talk about racinos is for naught, as Vorrado Realty Trust, the owner of Suffolk Downs, wants to build a resort casino there anyways. Yeesh. The AP has the story. Thomas Grillo has more.

Jim notes that elderly women with oxygen are missing from the picture proposal (HT Adam Gaffin).

Thomas Grillo reports that no less than Mayor Menino is backing the East Boston casino site. But considering the DTX Blight that Vorrado Realty Trust owns, is anyone really optimistic about the Suffolk Downs Resort and Casino?

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

I'm Back, Baby!

2010-07-06T23:45:00.000-04:00

And wow, did I miss alot.

Things that stick out:

The two versions of the casino bill are getting ironed out.

Lt. Gov. Tim Murray went to one too many parades.

And City Councillor John Tobin is leaving.

I will resume posting in the morning. Thanks for your patience while I dealt with my computer woes.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Please Stand By

2010-06-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

My computer's on the fritz. LMT will return when my computer is repaired or replaced.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Sorry Guys!

2010-06-21T20:33:00.002-04:00

Taking a week off so I don't burn out on the blog here.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah: Massachusetts Political News Roundup

2010-06-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

People are still talking about yesterday's gubernatorial debate. Yeah, you're right. It's still June.

Senator Brown met with President Obama yesterday.

Also:

Not even Senator Brown can pass cloture when a cute baby kitten filibusters his heart. Jay Fitzgerald has the story. May I just say that Lucky is too generic, and Longshot and Rumbles are too... masculine... for a female cat's name?

(My apologies, I'm typing this early in the morning, and it's the best I can do.)

Alan Bjerga and Kristen Jensen report that Senator Kerry is among the members of Congress unfortunate enough to have received campaign donations from British Petroleum in the past. You know, before BP killed the Gulf of Mexico.

Robert Gold reports that former Treasurer Joe Malone, Republican candidate for Congress in the Mass Tenth, is taking aim at anti-war protesters in his district.

Patrick Cassidy reports that Cape Wind has struck a deal to provide power to Bridgewater. Christine McConnville reports that Cape Wind is trying its legal-fu in the potential legal battle to get Cape Wind up and running.

Bill Forry criticizes the Governor's gun bill, but thinks it's a good start.

The AP reports that Marcos Devers will fill William Lantigua's vacated Representative seat in Essex 16. Devers will run for re-election in November.

Mike Deehan profiles Justin Holmes, Boston's director of constituent engagement.

The Herald reports that Mayor Menino is attempting a citywide infrared scan to identify heat loss in buildings. This would raise awareness of heat loss, and might end up making Boston greener.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Brown and Green: Senator Brown and Climate Change Legislation

2010-06-17T08:13:00.000-04:00

Susan Milligan reports on Senator Brown's meeting with President Obama yesterday. To wit: Brown doesn't want a carbon emissions fee, but would be OK with climate control legislation, and really wants to focus on jobs.

Jay Fitzgerald reports that House members of our Congressional delegation are wondering if Obama will be able to pass any climate bill before November.

WCVB (and Fitzgerald) report that Brown urged Obama to develop an bi-partisan energy bill.

Do we have a Republican volunteer, Senator? Let's face it, you'll need something big to boost your credentials back at home for 2012. The Democratic machine will roll out the big guns. Being the Energy Guy would help.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

WRKO Debate Roundup

2010-06-17T07:56:00.000-04:00

Slow news day if people are still talking about the debate, huh? You can watch the debate here (via Katy).

Noah Bierman reports that Cahill kept the attack on Baker during the debate. Smart move. Going after Baker is more beneficial to Cahill than going after Patrick right now.

Although Cahill knows he needs to go after Patrick too. Hillary Chabot reports that both Baker and Cahill want to go mano-a-mano with Governor Patrick by themselves, no third wheel.

Ooh, I know! We'll devote 20 minutes to Baker v. Cahill, then 20 to Baker v. Patrick and 20 to Cahill v. Patrick! That'll be fair.

Except Eli Beckerman points out that a candidate was not invited to the debate, and Beckerman is upset: Dr. Jill Stein, the Green-Rainbow candidate.

... Maybe Finneran only wanted candidates with at least 10% in the last big poll. Or maybe everyone's ignoring the Greens again.

The Massachusetts Liberal finds Finneran to be lacking as a debate moderator.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah

2010-06-17T00:00:00.002-04:00

I looked briefly at the gubernatorial debate this morning. I suggested what Baker needs to do to get a leg up now that Governor Patrick has entered the game. And I look at what Senator Brown intended to tell Obama at their meeting today.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Brown: It's the Jobs, Stupid!

2010-06-16T08:49:00.000-04:00

Senator Brown will be meeting with President Obama in an effort to shift the President's focus from the environment to jobs, reports Jay Fitzgerald.

“I think he’s going to push an agenda,” Brown told the Herald yesterday, adding that he’s worried the president will try to use the oil spill to rally support for cap-and-trade pollution-cutting legislation and more taxes on businesses.

...

“I have a feeling he’s going to impose some sort of national energy tax,” said Brown, arguing such a tax or other costs could harm businesses at a fragile time for the economy. He said he supports a “comprehensive energy” program, but not one with cap-and-trade in it.

But Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said yesterday that a comprehensive climate-change bill - with restrictions and pricing mechanisms on carbon pollution - is necessary to both improve the environment and to help wean the nation off of foreign oil.

Hillary Chabot and Katie Carlin report that Brown's Tea Party supporters are displeased with his willingness to reach across the aisle. The Massachusetts Liberal wonders how they'll feel about him meeting with "the One."

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Meet the New Boss: Charlie Baker's Campaign Strategy

2010-06-16T08:40:00.000-04:00

Jay Fitzgerald urges Charlie Baker to stand up for something.

Most people fear nothing more terribly than taking a position that stands out sharply from the prevailing opinion,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observed many years ago. “The tendency of most is to adopt a view so ambiguous it will include everyone and so popular it will offend no one.”

Well, that’s fine for “most people” who prefer to live their lives beneath the radar screen of public scrutiny.

But it’s not a trait you look for in a leader.

We tell kids the idea is to be yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else. We ought to tell that to candidates, too.

It's vague advice, to be sure, but Charlie Baker needs to shape up. Candidate Patrick is emerging again, and as Matthew Roy notes, the man can work a room.

"I was very impressed," John Tisdale said after Patrick finished. Tisdale described himself as a Republican whose focus was more on conservatism than party. "I think (Patrick) fits with my philosophy of taking responsibility for providing things for the next generation."

Not only does Baker need to keep up with that, but he can't even run against the economy anymore. Jerry Kronenberg notes that Massachusetts is bouncing back from the recession. Ouch. Some news in the Kronenberg piece is good for Baker (still bad news!): we're not recovering jobs. Focusing on Had Enough might not be good enough if we recover by November.

Here's what Baker needs to do to stay viable in the race:

1. Own up to the Big Dig. It remains a story the longer Baker doesn't own up to it. He owns up to it, we move on.

2. Let his hair down. Literally. He had his side-part do in perfect shape on the court with his son? I mean, whether he's shooting the basketball commercial or meeting with the public, he's always this polished figure. He wears a suit even when he's not wearing a suit. It's unnatural. I'm not saying buy a barnjacket. I'm just saying, he needs to work on his informal public appearance.

3. Call Governor Patrick out on "headline hunting ploys" and "empty gestures" (see the Fitzgerald article). Call Treasurer Cahill out on more of the same (his wild lurch right of Baker to try and snatch up the Tea Party movement).

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

WRKO Gubernatorial Debate on 6/16/2010

2010-06-16T08:19:00.000-04:00

Pre-game with Hillary Chabot and Katie Carlin.

Glen Johnson reports on the debate, at least about health care costs. Governor Patrick (D) and Treasurer Cahill (I) slammed Charlie Baker over his time as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah

2010-06-16T00:00:00.003-04:00

I took a look at Charlie Baker's new ad, and explained why DeLeo is making the Judiciary Committee take another look at the Governor's gun bill. The AP reports on activists for the gun law.

Also:

Number 41 gets a tete-a-tete with el presidente tomorrow, reports Jay Fitzgerald.

Glen Johnson and Jessica Heslam report that Treasurer Cahill (I), candidate for Governor, will attend the WRKO debate tomorrow morning at 7. Green-Rainbow candidate Jill Stein wasn't invited.

Pro-Baker blogger Dan from Critical Mass notes the return of Candidate Patrick. I dunno if I mentioned it on the blog, but yeah. The campaign is what Patrick knows best.

Hillary Chabot reports on which state workers have what plans for their so-called "hack" holiday on Thursday... with a personal day on Friday to get a long weekend. I assume the Republicans will caucus on Thursday again, like they did on ~~St. Patrick's~~ Evacuation Day. Rob Eno rails against DeLeo's plans, which include a speaking engagement in Maryland.

Eric Moskowitz reports that, despite our new laws, Massachusetts is lagging behind other states in "driving while distracted" laws.

John Ellement reports that Sal DiMasi's fight to receive his pension has been put on hold.

Conor Yunits shares some facts about Eric Estevez, Republican candidate for the Middlesex 32 State Rep seat. A must read, but Estevez pales in comparison to Alvin Greene.

Jim O'Sullivan reports that Massachusetts, as opposed to certain other states, isn't too picky on which films it allows to be filmed here. John Keith has more.

June Wu reports that the Menino Administration is considering a parking fine hike.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Near Fatal: Governor Patrick's Gun Bill Revived

2010-06-15T08:16:00.000-04:00

Kyle Cheney reports that Governor Patrick's gun bill isn't as dead as we thought. DeLeo will bring the bill before the House, despite its defeat in committee last week. It tied, much like America and England. Unlike America and England, this means the bill didn't get enough votes to pass through committee.

DeLeo will send the bill back to the Judiciary Committee. That'll get it passed right quick: if the Speaker asks you to look at it again, you look at it again and then pass what he wants.

Under the governor’s bill, violators who purchase more than one gun per month would face a maximum fine of $1,000 or a 30-month jail sentence on a first offense, and a maximum $5,000 fine or five years in prison on a subsequent offense.

The bill also permits the state agency that manages criminal records and the courts to transmit to the attorney general any information necessary to conduct a background check on a person purchasing a firearm or gun license. In addition, the bill bars the possession of a machine gun except by instructors, collectors, or law enforcement officers.

It's basically crunch time for DeLeo. He would, of course, love to keep the Governorship Democratic, since it's the easiest way to pass his agenda. This gun bill would be a nice feather in Patrick's cap going into the election season, and he needs all the feathers he can get.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Shooting Hoops: Charlie Bakers First Ad

2010-06-15T07:50:00.001-04:00

MassBeacon has the ad if you haven't seen it yet. And I also assume that MRP Victory 2010 is the Massachusetts Republican Party.

Noah Bierman takes a look, as well.

Baker’s 30-second ad, funded by the state Republican Party, works at building his everyman credentials, with a vintage picture of Baker in a Needham High School basketball uniform and contemporary images of the candidate addressing the camera in a Swampscott High School football T-shirt, where his son attended school. The spot leaves out any mention of Baker’s Harvard background, though he played varsity basketball there. And his Republican Party affiliation also goes unmentioned, probably a deliberate omission owing to a tradition of Massachusetts voters preferring less partisan Republicans.

I'm not really seeing Bierman's main thesis, though, which is that the ad is supposed to help get Baker known. I mean, sure, that's the obvious goal to reach for, but I don't think this ad does it well. His entire bio, from the ad, is "Hi, I'm Charlie Baker. I've spent my life here, not going anywhere else. With Bill Weld, I reformed welfare, and I turned Harvard-Pilgrim around."

Really? That's all? It's not telling me much! I understand that this was Baker's first ad (as opposed to an allied third party slinging mud), but I think having the same ad buy with two or three separate ads, each focusing on a specific part of Baker's career, would have been better (i.e. a Weld ad and a Harvard-Pilgrim ad). Baker's a pretty complex guy. I want to hear more.

Also, I hate the basketball angle. If you're going to go for that, you should at least acknowledge it. Nope, just Charlie Baker doing a typical ad, for which he could have worn a suit. Meanwhile, in the background, his son is playing with himself. At least start out with "Let's take five, son!"

And Baker acts like he's still in a suit, not on the court with his son. A consummate professional, apparently, but lacking the warmth that pols try to achieve when they include their families in commercials.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Scott Conway: Working for the State or for Richard Tisei?

2010-06-14T08:52:00.000-04:00

A tipster points me to Scott Conway, whose describes himself in his Twitter bio as "Aid (sic.), and Body Man for Lt. Governor Candidate Richard R. Tisei."

You'll note that this is an obvious campaign account. I personally don't like the "CB_" and "RT_" staff accounts, it's too phony for me, but it's easy to spot them as campaign accounts.

The big deal, though? Tisei's aide and "body man" works for the state. The Herald reports that he worked 15 hours a week in the Senate in 2009.

Of course, state workers are allowed to volunteer for political campaigns in their spare time. But who ever heard of a volunteer "body man"? That's a full-time job. Is Conway working for the campaign, but being paid by the state?

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Bad Touch: Jeff Perry Scandal Rocks Mass Tenth GOP Primary

2010-06-14T08:39:00.000-04:00

I'm a little late to the party, but if you don't know what I'm talking about, Jeff Perry is in hot water over what he did or didn't know about a fellow officer conducting strip searches on underage girls.

Dan Kennedy has an excellent round-up of the reporting on the scandal, as well as a follow up of what's been reported this weekend.

The main news articles you should read are George Brennan from the Cape Cod Times and Donovan Slack from the Globe.

The Massachusetts Liberal posits that with the darkening GOP choices, Democrats might be able to keep the seat.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Charlie Baker's Decline

2010-06-14T08:27:00.000-04:00

It's not a good morning in the Baker camp, I imagine.

After months of claiming he was nobody important regarding the Big Dig, the Globe hit hard with a report by Michael Rezendes and Noah Bierman about where you probably don't remember Baker from.

When he launched his candidacy last summer, Baker said he played a “small role in the Big Dig.’’ Days later, his campaign said that, as the state’s budget chief under governors William Weld and Paul Cellucci, he had a “limited role in the financing process.’’

...

But those statements are sharply at odds with a picture of Baker’s financial leadership of the project that emerges from hundreds of pages of memorandums, letters, and other documents culled from his four-year tenure as secretary of the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, from 1994 to 1998. The documents show that Baker was the chief architect of a financing plan to sustain the project during its peak construction years, just as federal support was diminishing substantially.

It's Baker's nightmare scenario: his work on the Big Dig is coming front-and-center in the race.

The Massachusetts Liberal notes that, "To be fair, Baker was a bureaucrat, highly regarded to be sure, not someone with whom the buck stopped. ... But instead of standing up for principle and walking away, Baker soldiered on -- and spent a good part of his current campaign for the Corner Office denying any role in the debacle."

I won't say this is the end of the Baker campaign, but I expect this is what he has to deal with right now, which leaves less time for his tax plan.

Dan from Critical Mass posts an op-ed from Baker about his tax plan. I'm fairly certain that it was overshadowed by the Globe story, though.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Silence of the Libraries

2010-06-14T08:08:00.000-04:00

A reader notes,

"I hope the State Legislators do the right thing and help the library, but let's not forget that it was the dramatic cuts from the State budget over the last two years (about $9M) that put the library in the situation it's in right now."

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah

2010-06-11T00:00:00.008-04:00

I examined news coverage of the Local 718 contract, as well as the AP story about Charlie Baker's tax plan. Thomas Grillo has more about Baker's plan.

Senator Scott Brown voted for the Murkowski Amendment, which still failed.

And there will be another public meeting to discuss library closures later this month.

Also!

Matt Viser reports that the Democrats who represent us in Washington (I.E. everyone but Senator Brown) are lobbying to get more stimulus dollars for Massachusetts.

Alan Wirzbicki reports that certain Mass Congressmen, such as Senator Kerry and Rep. Frank (D-MA 4) are pushing to allow gay men to give blood. Currently, gay men cannot give blood if they have had sex with another man since 1977. Women cannot give blood if they've had sex with a man who's had sex with another man since 1977. At least, that's what I remember from the last time I gave blood (so I may be wrong).

The AP reports that the GOP wants to see more documents from the Patrick Administration in re: health care. The Capitol View follows up with more.

Christine McConnville reports that Attorney General Martha Coakley is keeping an open mind about the sale of Caritas.

WBUR reports that the National Association of Government Employees has passed a vote of no confidence in Chief Justice Robert Mulligan of the Mass Supreme Judicial Court.

Maria Cramer reports that a gun control bill is dead in the water after a tie vote in committee.

The MWRA might raise its rates in the wake of Aquapocalypse, reports Laura Crimaldi.

James O'Brien reports that municipal governments aren't happy about the changes in open meeting laws that go into effect on July 1.

Chris Faraone reports on a new initiative from the Boston City Council to "invest Boston money in banks that invest in Boston."

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Silence of the Libraries: New Public Meeting Announced

2010-06-10T20:06:00.000-04:00

Gintautas Dumcius reports that there will be another public hearing to discuss new developments in the closing of Boston libraries. The new hearing will be held later this month.

The hearings are at the request of Councillor Felix Arroyo (At Large), and in response to the state legislature offering aid to keep the libraries open.

Arroyo last week had pressed Boston Public Library President Amy Ryan to re-convene a meeting of the BPL’s trustees after state lawmakers attended a City Council hearing on the BPL budget and noted they were getting a noncommittal response when offering state aid to keep libraries open.

Ryan said she did not have the authority to say whether the money would be accepted and used to keep open the four branches slated for closure, including the one in Lower Mills. That authority is with trustees and their chair Jeffrey Rudman, she said.

“I ask that because I think the state should know the answer to that and the city should know that answer to that,” Arroyo said, adding that he wasn’t posing the question about a meeting as a “gotcha.”

...

Asked by Arroyo whether the libraries are being closed because of the budget or because of planned programmatic changes, Ryan said, “It’s an economic decision, councillor.”

Ryan added that this “is not a one-year situation,” and economic indicators did not appear to be optimistic. Lawmakers who attended the hearing, including state Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Dorchester), disagreed, saying the economy is on an upswing.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Brown and Green: Senator Scott Brown votes for Murkowski Amendment

2010-06-10T19:33:00.000-04:00

Taking the time now to expand upon my tweet from earlier:

"@ScottBrownMA doesn't want the Environmental PROTECTION Agency regulating greenhouse gas. What the hell else SHOULD the EPA regulate?"

I've read a little more on the story since then, and was reacting to the headline from the AP. AP reports that Senator Brown opposes regulation because it will drive up energy prices and make it harder to fund new jobs.

Jay Fitzgerald has more. According to Fitzgerald, in an op-ed in the Cape Cod Times, Brown explains that he is for the amendment because he doesn't want to give the EPA, an unelected entity, the power to impose regulations. After reading his op-ed, it seems to me that jobs are Brown's biggest issue. Or at least bigger than the environment.

The AP notes that our senior senator, John Kerry, is on the opposite side of the issue.

The AP reports that the measure failed, anyways, but barely. Six Democrats also voted for the amendment.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Tax Cuts for Businesses: Charlie Baker's New Idea

2010-06-10T08:29:00.000-04:00

At least it's more substantial than wandering around the state asking voters if they've Had Enough.

Glen Johnson reports that Charlie Baker is proposing a tax cut for businesses to spur job growth. He wants to lower the tax rate for "some corporations" from 8.75% to 5%.

Baker also proposed extending the number of weeks an employee must work to be eligible for unemployment insurance. And he said he would like to eliminate a requirement he says punishes smaller businesses who pay higher tax rates as they grow.

Baker aides estimated the plan would cost the state an estimated $175 million per year in tax revenue.

I'm no financial expert, and I'm certainly not a CEO running for office... but $175M sounds like a hefty deficit for these initiatives.

"As governor, I will fight to keep every job we have in Massachusetts, and will fight to create a climate conducive to business expansion and investment in order to make Massachusetts work again," Baker said in a statement after a campaign stop Wednesday in Andover.

I think it's an idea that would work (that it would spur job creation), but... I'll ask this question a million times until November: where will Baker find the $175M in the budget for these initiatives? Budgeting is a zero sum game. The $175M that the state will not receive has to be reflected elsewhere in the budget. It's $175M that the state was counting on.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

What the Local 718 Contract Means for Boston

2010-06-10T08:15:00.000-04:00

Andrew Ryan reports that the city could save $45M from the compromise. That's compared to the arbitrator's decision.

City officials said the new contract gives most firefighters raises worth more than 17 percent over five fiscal years, from 2006 through 2011; when calculated through the next fiscal year, 2012, the raises amount to 20.5 percent.

“The changes that were made were healthy for the taxpayers, healthy for . . . the city’s financial condition, and healthy for the firefighters in the City of Boston,’’ said Edward A. Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 718.

Michael Levenson has more details. Firefighters will receive their back pay in one lump sum, averaging $29,000, over the next three or four months.

Kay Lazar reports that doctors aren't entirely pleased with their part of the deal. They argue that while it's awesome that new hires will have to pass physicals every year, the veteran firefighters have a greater health risk.

Dave Wedge reports that Boston Municipal Research Bureau president Sam Tyler is worried about what this means for other unions.

“We’re very concerned about raising the bar for the next round of collective bargaining contracts, particularly with police and teachers,” said Boston Municipal Research Bureau president Sam Tyler. “I think we still have that same concern.”

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah: Massachusetts Political News Roundup

2010-06-10T00:00:00.002-04:00

The firefighters have a new contract. Adam Gaffin and Dave Wedge report on the City Council's vote.

Also:

The AP reports that undocumented students are holding an around-the-clock vigil at the State House to protest the recent Senate budget amendment.

WBUR's Payne and Domke analyze how Scott Brown will affect the 2010 elections in Massachusetts.

Michael Levenson reports on Tuesday's casino hearings.

Noah Bierman reports that if Congress doesn't approve federal funds, Governor Patrick plans to cut $800M from the budget. The Mass Liberal points out that Senator Brown (R-MA) is standing in Massachusetts's way. The Lib thinks it's because he's grandstanding for the Tea Party crowd.

Kay Lazar reports that, despite the recession, despite rising heath care costs, despite unemployment, the people of Massachusetts are mostly covered for health care insurance.

David Abel reports that Boston is asking the State Legislature to approve converting the Boston Commons bathrooms into a restaurant.

O'Ryan Johnson reports that an arbitrator's ruling against the former acting police commissioner, Al Goslin, could cost Boston $100K.

Jack Gately analyzes how the gubernatorial race is going on Twitter, listing the important Tweeps.

And WCVB is shocked, shocked(!) that the State House buys bottled water for its office workers when they could just use the tap. I guess water coolers (or "bubblahs") be more cost effective.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Loot and Ladders: Mayor, Union reach compromise

2010-06-09T08:25:00.000-04:00

Adam Gaffin reports that the City Council held an emergency meeting at 10:30 last night. He wonders what has them all fired up.
Yeah, they struck a deal (WCVB). The Council has to vote on it today, but I think it's done.

Andrew Ryan has the details.

A key component of the compromise was reducing, from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent, a raise given to firefighters in the award as a quid pro quo for undergoing drug and alcohol testing. The deal also defers that raise by a year, to June 2011. Newly hired firefighters will still receive the additional pay, but it will be rebranded as compensation for a wellness program, which will require an annual physical and an abilities test in addition to urine screenings.

I'm not sure I'd equate Menino losing his recent suggestion that only current firefighters receive the raise and Kelly losing 1% of the arbitrator's raise decision. I mean, that "applies to current firefighters only" thing was probably never a real option. Just a bargaining chip to get this contract signed. Local 718 basically realized it was financially impossible to get the 2.5% raise, and took what they could get.

Peter Gelzinis approves of the contract, saying that Local 718 stands to gain more than they conceded. Technically true... they conceded 1% and kept 1.5%, which is 1.5% more than they would have if this contract didn't get hammered out.

Edward Mason and Dave Wedge have more about the contract, including what it means.

An initial estimate by city officials put the savings in the reduced pay hike at $66 million on additional costs for firefighters. It is unclear how it will affect other contracts.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah

2010-06-09T00:00:00.005-04:00

With my triumphant return, I tackle casinos, the Local 718 contract negotiations, capping premiums for health care, and a campaign finance scandal (sexy!). It almost makes up for missing DemCon this weekend.

Also!

Steve Brady praises Senator Brown's centrism.

Brown's wife, Gail Huff, is leaving Channel 5 for a DC gig, reports WCVB.

Edward Markey (D-MA 7), unlike President Obama, knows whose ass he wants to kick. It's BP, reports Jay Fitzgerald.

WBUR reports that Governor Patrick is among the governors signing onto a new Northeast Wind Energy consortium.

Hillary Chabot reports on the upcoming National Governor's Association event in Boston.

The Herald reports that Governor Patrick may go for another tax holiday.

David Kravitz ridicules Kamal Jain's self-imposed spending limit of almost $27B. Yes, that's $27,000,000,000. BMG commenters note that it's around where the Mass budget was last year, and that Jain is likely making a statement. Jain is a Republican candidate for State Auditor.

Capitol View wonders where all that ethics reform we were supposed to be getting is.

Russell Contreras reports that minority police officers are petitioning the City Council to convince Mayor Menino to put more minority officers in positions of leadership. The City Council held a hearing on the topic this afternoon.

Gintautas Dumcius reports that Attorney General Martha Coakley is just about finished looking into Boston's so-called Emailgate.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Money Trail: Impropriety in Massachusetts Campaign Finance?

2010-06-08T20:47:00.000-04:00

Us? I'm shocked!

Brian Mooney reports that Treasurer Tim Cahill, in his independent run for governor, and Attorney General Martha Coakley, up for re-election unopposed, have both received campaign donations from law firms representing the state's pension fund... which they oversee.

Cahill, who chairs the board that oversees the Pension Reserves Investment Trust Fund, is the chief beneficiary, reaping at least $115,495 since his first run for treasurer in 2002, including $16,000 since last July when he announced his independent candidacy for governor. Coakley’s campaign accounts have collected at least $59,750 from the litigators and their relatives. Of that amount, $27,550 went to her unsuccessful campaign for US Senate last January.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Bad Prescription: Governor Patrick's Premium Caps

2010-06-08T20:06:00.000-04:00

Glenn Johnson reports that Deputy Insurance Commissioner Robert Dynan warned against premium caps.

The April 6 e-mail, obtained following a public records request, showed Deputy Insurance Commissioner Robert Dynan warned the caps could cause insolvency at the insurance companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Dynan also wrote the caps were imposed "against my objections," as well as without his input.

...

"I should have been more careful in the selection of words I used to express my private opinion," Dynan wrote on June 4. "As you know, but others for whom the e-mail was not intended may not, the Financial Surveillance Unit does not and never has participated in rate filings, their approval or disapproval."

...

In a second e-mail to Murphy, dated April 30, Dynan wrote that artificially setting rate limits -- rather than basing them on the projected costs -- could create "the potential for catastrophic consequences to our nonprofit health care industry."

In a lengthy rebuttal sent just two minutes later, Murphy wrote that "negative and conclusory statements about the effect of the division's actions on insurers and markets are unprofessional and counterproductive."

Governor Patrick is campaigning partly on a battle between himself and "Big Insurance," using it to distinguish himself from his rival, former health insurance CEO Charlie Baker.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Loot and Ladders: Deadlock in Local 718 Negotiations

2010-06-08T08:43:00.000-04:00

Adam Gaffin reports on the City Council meeting yesterday, where Councillors Mark Ciommo (Allston/Brighton) and John Connolly (At Large) moved to postpone any Council action until the Mayor and Local 718 talked again. They'll reconvene at 2 today to check on the progress of these talks.

Dave Wedge reports that Mayor Menino is predicting that $100M will go to public union workers over the next twenty years if the pay raise passes.

Adrian Walker proposes a two-part solution from the Council's hired expert, Professor Thomas Kochan, of MIT.

Kochan’s idea is for the union to defer one year of the raise — done — and for it to also agree to a one-year extension of the contract, which is due to expire on June 30.

Such an extension would ensure that the deferred 2.5 percent raise due June 30, 2011, will be the only raise firefighters get next fiscal year. If the contract expires when it is now scheduled, the union would be in a position to ask for another raise next year in addition to the one now deferred. That would seriously dilute the largesse of Kelly’s concession gesture.

WBUR reports on how negotiations went. The Mayor is asking for the 2.5% raise to only apply to current firefighters, not any new firefighters who will be hired.

Richard Weir reports that talks lasted an hour (a whole hour!) before the meeting was adjourned to attend a funeral. No report on if talks will continue.

Wedge and Weir report that it looks like neither side will give way. Again. We could always try arbitration! Wait... that's how we got here.

Milton Valencia and Marissa Lang report on what Bostonians think about these negotiations.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Hit Me: Public Hearing on Casinos in Massachusetts

2010-06-08T08:22:00.000-04:00

Fox reminds us that there will be a public hearing in the debate over casinos in Massachusetts today at 1 PM.

The Senate bill, which is being debated, would open up three resort casinos, but doesn't make way for slots at racetracks.

Two casinos would be go to competitive bids, and the third to an Indian tribe. Which should be interesting, since the Globe's "New England in Brief" reports that the Aquinnah Wampanoags are proposing their own casino site near Fall River. The Mashpee Wampanoags also have plans to build a casino.

Steve LeBlanc reports that neither casino bill will strengthen money laundering laws in the Bay State, despite Attorney General Martha Coakley recommending this. Coakley is apparently harshing Mass's casino buzz, man.

The big thing about the Senate casino bill, though, is that Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth, Barnstable) is dragging her feet on a casino bill, as opposed to DeLeo, who knocked one out in record time. She's also holding out on racinos, which is the only real reason DeLeo is for casinos at all. Thomas Grillo argues that it's posturing over Murray's baby, health care reform. Her spokesman says it's ridiculous, but it sounds like exactly how laws are made and compromises brokered.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Downtime

2010-06-03T07:29:00.000-04:00

Sorry, folks! Gonna have to take today off. Enjoy the archives!

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

'Round the Bubblah

2010-06-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

Immigration is becoming the issue du jour in the Governor's race.

Rep. Barney Frank is confident that FinReg will pass without hurting Massachusetts.

Also:

Hillary Chabot and Marie Szaniszlo report that Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA 4) is calling for the US to look into the recent Gaza raid.

Matthew Roy takes a look at the Mass Sixth.

George Brennan covers a Republican candidate forum in the Mass Tenth.

The Outraged Liberal examines the lack of interest in the Baker campaign.

Joe Sheehan, the "South Shore Republican," will be leaving Red Mass Group to become campaign director for Tim Cahill's lieutenant governor candidate, Paul Loscocco.

Stephanie Ebbert reports on Dr. Jill Stein and other perennial "also rans".

The Yellow Dog Dem runs down the top ten ethical issues for Guy Glodis, candidate for Auditor.

Barney Frank and FinReg

2010-06-02T08:10:00.001-04:00

It has become clear that Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA 4) is the man who convinced Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) to vote for the Financial Regulation bill in the Senate, reports Jay Fitzgerald. And what's more, Senator Brown actually helped Frank out with negotiation.

Frank indicated that his promises to Brown were easy to make because he agreed with Brown. As it is, getting all the promises in writing - and delivering the letters directly to Senate leaders, as Brown demanded - actually strengthened his negotiating hand in future conference committee votes, Frank said.

And speaking of Senator Brown's concerns (that Massachusetts will be harmed by FinReg), Frank spoke with Mass financial firms yesterday to understand their beef with FinReg.

Frank said he’s personally talked with Abigail Johnson, a top executive at Fidelity Investments, and Joseph “Jack” Hooley, head of State Street Corp., and other local business leaders about their concerns.

Fidelity and Liberty Mutual are worried about provisions that could conceivably label them as “systemic risks” because of their huge size, Frank said. They’re also worried that they could get hit with new fees and restrictions on their limited-purpose trusts.

“They may not get 100 percent of what they want,” Frank said. But he expressed confidence their main concerns will be taken care of in a final bill.

Massachusetts’ financial firms require less regulation than Wall Street firms because they’re more “safe and steady,” Frank said.

Passing FinReg might be a good feather in Frank's cap this November, where he's facing a tough Republican opponent, Earl Sholley or Sean Bielat, and a vocal "Retire Barney Frank" movement.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Immigration and the MA Governor's Race

2010-06-02T07:59:00.000-04:00

WBUR's Payne and Domke analyze how immigration is becoming the issue du jour for the Governor's campaign.

PAYNE: Anti-immigrant sentiment in the Legislature can be partially traced back to the recent poll, which shows that 84 percent of Massachusetts voters want people to provide proof of citizenship to receive state benefits.

The other factor is Republicans in the Legislature — who aren’t even a minority, they’re more like an asterisk. They are trying to exploit social anxiety at a time of economic stress to create a wedge issue for their legislative candidates. This new bill is a solution without a problem. Undocumented immigrants can’t receive many benefits for which citizens qualify.

That last sentence is pretty much what I thought. Any of my astute readers know of a benefit available to undocumented workers?

Here, the two white candidates for governor, independent Timothy Cahill and Republican Charles Baker, are using immigration to burnish their conservative credentials.

Meanwhile, Gov. Deval Patrick, the African-American, is maintaining a position of tolerance — which is not necessarily a winning hand. A lot will depend on whether the governor vetoes the bill if it gets to his desk. My guess is that he will veto it or send it back for changes. His administration has stood for tolerance.

...

DOMKE: This issue reveals Cahill’s strategy. He’s trying to draw contrast with both Baker and Patrick by being a conservative populist on social issues. On every other issue, he is essentially the same as Patrick or Baker. Being conservative on social issues gives him a chance to claim to be a real alternative.

...

We can’t be sure of Cahill’s motives, but we do know a few things: he is a career politician trying to reverse his decline in the polls, and he saw that Sen. Scott Brown’s most potent issue was denying terrorists the right to civilian trials.

Lots of good analysis in the article.

'Round the Bubblah

2010-06-02T00:00:00.025-04:00

I got called out on hyperbole, and correct my statement.

I doubt Scott Brown will support the repeal of DADT, mainly because he has nothing to lose by voting to keep it.

And will the Republican revolution live up to the hype?

Also:

Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) coming to Massachusetts, reports the AP. I think it'll be far less popular than Palin's visit.

Jim O'Sullivan reports that the Senate's budget amendment to repeal the so-called hack holidays lacks teeth. Many public employees in Suffolk County have the holidays off in their collective bargaining agreements.

Steve LeBlanc reports that Governor Patrick has not read the Senate's immigration amendment yet, but he's skeptical of it.

The Herald reports on the Massachusetts House working on a bill to change how our electoral votes are allocated for the Presidential elections. The Herald asks why this bill is important right now. (HT Capitol View)

Christine McConnville reports that AG Martha Coakley will hold hearings on the Caritas sale.

Glen Johnson reports that GOP gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker earned $100K for serving on two corporate boards last year (that's over $100K for each board seat).

Mike Rossettie reports that the state is raising fees to fight tickets.

Scanning the Field: Massachusetts Statewide and Legislative Races

2010-06-01T22:17:00.000-04:00

The AP reports on the crowded races for statewide offices and Congressional seats.

David Bernstein notes that the Republicans are fielding exactly two women candidates, both for statewide office: Karyn Polito for Treasurer, and Mary Connaughton for Auditor.

For all the talk about a Republican revolution, I don't think they're building up enough legislative challenges, and the newsfolk are focusing on the statewide and Congressional races. I know legislative races don't get much in the way of news coverage, but in the Senator Brown era, there should be some news about Republicans taking back the Legislature, right?

Any revolution will need a legislative backbone, but all the best prospects are betting it all on the big races. It makes sense: why be a State Rep when you can run for Congress or Treasurer? But the Republican revolution will fail without legislative support. Making the second party viable is the only way. If you have a Republican Constitutional officer, so what? They'll spar with the Governor on occasion... and that's it. Republican legislators, in a viable minority that has more than a couple dozen members between both houses... that would really shake things up.

Scott Brown and DADT: Newhouse Poll

2010-06-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

MassEquality (PDF) has the results of a recent poll regarding Senator Brown and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (HT: David Bernstein and Dee Dee Edmondson). The poll comes from Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies.

It boils down to:

Massachusetts likes Scott Brown.

Massachusetts supports repealing DADT.

Massachusetts is likely to support a Senator who votes to repeal DADT.

However, Massachusetts expects Brown to vote to keep DADT.

My take: Brown can benefit from supporting the repeal of DADT, but not supporting the repeal won't hurt him in 2012. So, you know, he's probably not going to support repealing DADT.

Muslims in Massachusetts

2010-06-01T08:24:00.000-04:00

An anonymous poster called me out over the weekend for not reading what Cahill actually said.

Why don't you read what Cahill actually said? He did NOT call all Muslims terrorists. Far from it:

http://www.timforgovernor.com/index.cfm/page/Cahill-blasts-Patrick-for-playing-politics-with-terrorism/cdid/10970/pid/10237

"The overwhelming majority of Muslim-Americans are peaceable people who love this land, but the bottom line is, someone in Boston knew about this before it happened and didn’t speak up. That has to change.

There have been three attempted terrorist attacks on American soil in the last six months. If, God forbid, one of these attacks is ever successful, the grief and suffering that follows will visit us all without discrimination as to ethnicity or religion.

Now is the time for Governor Patrick to look radical Islamic terrorism full in the face, call it what it is, and make sure that federal law enforcement officials who are tracking the Times Square case give our local law enforcement the information they have in real time. Additionally, the Governor must urge the leaders of the Muslim-American community to finally police these rogue elements and help apprehend those who would do us harm where we all work, raise our children, and live our lives. After all, we are all Americans, and we are all in this together.”

Which is fine. No, he's right. I didn't read what Cahill said. And yes, Cahill gave lip service to the fact that "the overwhelming majority of Mulsim-Americans are peaceable people." But his main point is still that Governor Patrick should not have met with this "overwhelming majority" because the meeting was pandering to "special interest groups."

I'm also disturbed that Cahill had to even make this press release at all. He timed it to juxtapose his rant against Islamic extremism with Governor Patrick meeting with the "overwhelming majority" of peaceable Muslims. But no sir, nobody is calling all Muslims terrorists. We just should never speak to Muslims because we are at war and God forbid that Muslim you spoke to attacks these United States.

LMT Weekend Edition, Vol. X: Weekend Massachusetts Political News

2010-05-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

There was a press conference on Friday where Muslims, Christians, and Jews gathered to denounce Treasurer Cahill's hate-speak.

The Senate is busy passing budget amendments.

Also:

Martha Coakley supports regulating protests at funerals, reports Milton Valencia. She argues that mourners have the right to privacy in their grief.

Ed Mason reports on Director Matthew Cahill of the Boston Finance Commission weighing in on the Local 718 contract.

Farah Stockman reports that Senator Kerry is getting tough on Iran.

Budget Amendments

2010-05-28T08:32:00.000-04:00

The big one is, of course, the immigration reform amendment. Noah Bierman and Maria Sacchetti look at how it hits illegal residents of Massachusetts.

In a measure of just how politically potent illegal immigration has become, the Senate, on a 28-10 vote, replaced a far milder budget amendment it had passed Wednesday. The sweeping provision, if it makes it into law, would toughen or expand rules that bar illegal immigrants from public health care, housing, and higher education benefits.

The amendment would also clear the way for courts, the state attorney general, and even average citizens to get new tools, including an anonymous hot line, to report illegal immigrants or companies that employ them to the government.

The prospects for the measure to become law, however, are uncertain. Not only would it have to make the final budget plan lawmakers approve for next fiscal year, but it would also have to survive a possible veto by Governor Deval Patrick, who has been cool to such initiatives.

The Massachusetts Liberal calls this new, stronger amendment pandering to the Tea Party.

Hillary Chabot notes that the Senate passed an amendment that would make inmates pay rent for staying in prison.

And the Associated Press reports that the Senate has voted to eliminate the "hack holidays" of Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day.

Meeting with Muslims, ctd.

2010-05-28T08:19:00.000-04:00

The Massachusetts Liberal suggests that Cahill should look elsewhere for evidence of pandering. Like the Mass Senate, or the mirror.

The AP reports that Bay State Muslims are firing back at Cahill. Way to alienate the voters, dude.

Muslim leaders say they will be joined by Christian and Jewish leaders at a news conference Friday to further condemn Cahill, who is trailing Patrick and Republican candidate Charlie Baker in the polls.

'Round the Bubblah: Massachusetts Political News Roundup

2010-05-28T00:00:00.003-04:00

Brad Williams is calling for Mike Rush to weigh in on the probation scandal in the Suffolk, Norfolk Senate race.

Therese Murray and Bob DeLeo are battling each other for their own agendas.

Tim Cahill equated talking to Massachusetts Muslims with "playing politics with terrorism." Because all Muslims are terr'ists, you see.

Also:

Edward Mason reports on actual figures of what firefighters stand to make under their controversial new contract.

The State House News Service runs through the budget amendments the Senate passed yesterday. Steve LeBlanc has more on the immigration reform amendment.

Yvonne Abraham is shocked at the lack of outrage from politicians about the patronage scandal... that they encouraged. You can't have this scandal without privileged, influential pols who need jobs for supporters. She also examines some other outrageous soundbites from pols.

Gintautas Dumcius looks at the State Rep race in the Suffolk 5.

Mike Ball takes a swing at the Boston Fire Department, and suggests a way for them to earn some extra cash.

Meeting With Muslims: Governor Patrick and Tim Cahill Spar

2010-05-27T21:12:00.000-04:00

The AP reports that Cahill is calling Governor Patrick out for meeting with Muslims this past weekend.

Independent Timothy Cahill on Thursday accused Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick of “playing politics with terrorism” and “pandering” to the Muslim community by meeting with its leaders and supporting their requests.

...

Noting two Muslim-Americans recently were arrested in Massachusetts in connection with the attempted Times Square bombing, Cahill added: “Gov. Patrick should stop playing politics with terrorism and focus on protecting all the citizens of this commonwealth.”

House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-Middlesex 20) accused Cahill of hypocrisy on the GOP Caucus blog, Capitol View.

Treasurer Tim Cahill really should think before he speaks. Although he’d have you believe different, Treasurer Cahill has long endorsed doing business with known terrorist state, Iran. In fact, when the House held a hearing on divesting the Commonwealth’s interests from Iran, Treasurer Cahill testified against the legislation saying he and his pension staff should have the right to decide where to invest.

I wouldn't even deign to label this the same issue. Cutting ties with Iran is a serious consideration, considering the regime's anti-American stance. On the other hand... I'm pretty sure Treasurer Cahill basically called all Mass Muslims terrorists, which is... unfortunate. I like the response of Patrick's spokesman, from the AP article.

“Deval Patrick is not going to be lectured by a politician who equates meeting with over 1,000 members of the Muslim-American community with `playing politics with terrorism,”‘ said spokesman Alex Goldstein. “As governor, he has been and will remain committed to meeting with all of the commonwealth’s residents, regardless of religion.”

Buck-AW!: Budget Negotiations

2010-05-27T08:07:00.000-04:00

Hillary Chabot and Jessica van Sack report on the game of chicken being played by Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth, Barnstable) and Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo (D-Suffolk 19). She's holding onto DeLeo's casino bill, and he's holding onto Murray's health care costs reform.

Murray pulled the rug out from under DeLeo’s win on casino legislation in April - saying after the measure passed she’d let it sit until June and write her own bill.

DeLeo, in turn, poo-pooed Murray’s prized health-care reform bill last week, saying he might not be able to get it through the House.

Just Tuesday, Murray, seeking to claim the reformer mantle after an explosive patronage scandal, didn’t alert DeLeo to a high-profile press conference introducing her plan to give the judiciary more power over the troubled Probation Department.

“It’s become a heightened game of cat and mouse,” said one stymied senator. “Tensions have been mounting and nobody’s blinking yet.”

Noah Bierman reports that the budget debate is heating up in the Senate. This is going to be a long and arduous project, getting both houses to agree on a budget.

The Outraged Liberal is less than impressed with the game of chicken between DeLeo and Murray.

[T]hey would have to go a long way to match the epic battles between Tom Finneran and Tom Birmingham, whose 1999 budget standoff stretched into November and included negotiating sessions on office balconies.

Probing Probation: Mike Rush and Patronage

2010-05-27T07:54:00.000-04:00

Massachusetts Elections 2010 reports that Rep. Mike Rush's (D-Suffolk 10) Republican opponent for the Suffolk, Norfolk Senate seat, Brad Williams, is calling for Rush to address his own role in the growing probation scandal.

Williams says:

“As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Representative Rush should have recused himself from all dealings with the Probation Department given his father’s lawsuit. I have built my campaign for state senate as an advocate for higher ethical standards, pension reform and more transparency in every aspect of state government. When a politician on Beacon Hill does not act as a fiduciary for the people they represent, it undermines our political system and the public’s trust,” Williams continued. “As a government official, Representative Rush must be held to a higher standard; he should offer a full explanation of his involvement with the state probation department.”

'Round the Bubblah: Massachusetts Political News Roundup

2010-05-27T00:00:00.008-04:00

New poll out on the gubernatorial race today. Winners: Patrick, Stein. Losers: Baker, Cahill.

Scott Brown is currently against repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell until the Pentagon's plan is ready. And even then, who knows?

The Senate will attempt to reform the Probation Department. O'Brien may sue to keep his job, but that's not necessarily the wisest decision.

The Senate passed some moderate immigration reforms, with one small incident.

Also:

The AP reports that the Senate is set to debate its version of the 2011 budget.

The AP reports that the bill for Aquapocalypse is $600,000 and rising.

Steve Urbon reports that Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA 4) is pushing for fishing regulation reform.

Alison Vekshin reports that Frank has issues with the Senate FinReg bill.

Maria Sacchetti reports on the pro-Dream-Act Rally. The Dream Act would provide tuition for illegal students in the United States.

VB Goudie interviews Ed Kelley, President of Local 718 about the proposed contract.

David Kravitz reports that Mac D'Alessandro will be on the primary ballot for the Mass Ninth in September. He will be running against incumbent Stephen Lynch, mainly because Lynch voted against the Affordable Care Act.

Rob Eno posts a "leaked" internal memo from the Baker campaign that tries to put a positive spin on the latest poll numbers. Basically, the positive spin is that Baker gains as he becomes more known. But with six months to go, shouldn't more people know the Republican candidate?

John K. posts about the Baker campaign trying to fix a small gaffe by Richard Tisei.

The Senate Republican Caucus calls for the State Senate to debate the caucus's amendments to the 2011 budget.

David Bernstein wonders why Democrats are biting their tongues about Guy Glodis, Democratic candidate for Auditor. Judy Meredith says they're giving Guy enough rope to hang himself.

Steve LeBlanc reports that Attorney General Martha Coakley is challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act in court.

Gintautas Dumcius reports that the creation of a transitional task force for the closing of the Lower Mills library is receiving some opposition in Lower Mills

Ilegal Immigration in Massachusetts

2010-05-26T20:41:00.000-04:00

Steve LeBlanc reports that the Massachusetts Senate has passed a more moderate proposal on illegal immigration than the one that Republicans wanted them to pass.

The Massachusetts Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that would limit the access of illegal immigrants to some unemployment and welfare benefits, but did not go as far as Republicans would have liked.

The amendment to the state budget, which passed on a 32-6 vote, was designed to quash a more expansive Republican-sponsored measure which would have barred illegal immigrants from a wider range of benefits. One Democrat joined the Senate's Republican minority in voting against it.

A similar measure was narrowly defeated in the Massachusetts House last month.

The State House News Service has more about an incident involving the Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Derrek Schulman. He invoked Godwin's Law (well, he said neo-Nazis, not Nazis, but it amounts to the same), and now the Senators sitting near him have to distance themselves from the comments, including Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Suffolk 2).

“I can say personally I don’t believe the members of the Republican party in either chamber, I don’t find them to be in the category that Derrek was describing of people who are taking on the rhetoric of white supremacists or neo-Nazis,” Chang-Diaz said. “I think there are plenty of other reasons on the merits to have an honest disagreement about [the immigration amendments].”

Probing Probation, Ctd.

2010-05-26T20:24:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I mentioned "Ernie Boch III" arguing that O'Brien will sue to keep his job. Jay Fitzgerald doesn't think that's a wise move for O'Brien.

Re Hacko Jacko O’Brien possibily suing the state: Let him. Anyone can file a suit. But it's actually Probation workers who didn’t get jobs, promotions, etc. who have a better chance of filing landmark suits against O’Brien and the state, if they hire a sharp enough constitutional lawyer who understands the Supreme Court’s 1990 anti-patronage ruling. … I truly hope someone files a big, fat class-action lawsuit as a result of the Hacko Jacko-Probation fiasco. Not all non-hacks could sue under the Rutan decision (see summary here). But O’Brien’s alleged patronage splurge was so gross and widespread, there’s bound to be potential qualified plaintiffs under Rutan. … Tim Cahill says patronage occurs everywhere. Good. So let’s root it out. Repeat: Patronage at the non-managerial level has been found to be unconstitutional.

I tend to agree that there's money to be made from people hurt by patronage. I trust Fitzgerald enough to believe him when he says that "patronage at the non-managerial level has been found to be unconstitutional," which flies in the face of EB3's argument that patronage is just discretion and perfectly legal.

Probong Probation, ctd.

2010-05-26T08:19:00.001-04:00

Michael Levenson reports on the Senate's proposed probation reforms.

The Senate plan would impose a five-year term limit on the probation commissioner and require the chief justice for administration and management to approve the commissioner’s hiring and firing decisions. It would also give the justice power over 5 percent of the Probation Department’s budget — a symbolic amount designed to provide at least some control over the department’s purse strings.

Massachusetts Elections 2010 has more.

There have been many articles written on the patronage problem in recent years. It’s a common theme for Howie Carr, and there have been investigative articles all year.

The patronage jobs problem has existed in Massachusetts for so long, and become so ingrained that most on Beacon Hill had forgotten it was not only immoral, but illegal. From the Legislature, to the Attorney General, to even the courts themselves – no action has been taken – because it’s the way business has been done on Beacon Hill for decades.

ME2010 also notes that reforms will pass in the Senate, but Speaker DeLeo's House will kill them.
Monica Brady-Myerov reports that more transparency in the Probation Department is being called for.

Don't Ask Scottie Brown: Senator Brown and Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2010-05-26T08:09:00.000-04:00

Brian Bender and Matt Viser report that Senator Brown (R-MA) is against the repeal of DADT. Katie Carlin and Hillary Chabot have more. He's technically saying not yet, that he wants to wait for a plan from the Pentagon... but I think his answer will still be no, in the end.

See, the thing I've noticed with all the coverage about this one senator's vote... is that he likes to be needed. He keeps things very close to the chest. It's never a yes or no with him. It's always "I'll have to read it," or "I want to wait for the Pentagon." Anything to avoid tipping people off. He could be #60 or #41, and he likes it that way. He's always in the news that way. The Senate makes him feel needed.

The Outraged Liberal also argues that Brown is more in love with the national stage than the serious business of government. OL also points out that Brown is consistent in his opposition to gay rights: he opposed gay marriage in his home state, as well.

That fact is what makes me think he'll vote against repealing DADT.

Damned Lies: Suffolk/WHDH Gubernatorial Poll

2010-05-26T07:47:00.000-04:00

Glen Johnson reports that in a new poll by Suffolk University and WHDH, Governor Deval Patrick has a double-digit lead.

Deval Patrick (D) 42%
Charles Baker (R) 29%
Timothy Cahill (I) 14%
Jill Stein (G) 8%
Undecided 7%

Alot of factors are at play here, and I suspect Governor Patrick is still riding the Aquapocalypse bump, but that should have petered out a little by now. I'm most surprised that the Undecideds are low. That's low, right? The election is still six months away.

Johnson notes, "The poll also showed Cahill, the state's treasurer, dropping after the Republican Governors Association targeted him with a $1 million negative advertising campaign."

But what's interesting is that the votes seem to go to Patrick, who is for now staying above negative ads. I guess hypocritical outrage works. It's more that the ad buy was juxtaposed with Aquapocalypse, so while his opponents^* were getting dirty, Patrick was displaying leadership.

"Tim Cahill's decline has been a clear net positive for Gov. Patrick," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. "Patrick is the better-known alternative, is trusted the most and is perceived to have run the best campaign thus far. More than 60 percent of voters still have no opinion of Charlie Baker or have never heard of him, so he hasn't given voters a reason to choose him."

And the worst part is that this poll was conducted this past weekend, after Baker's much-vaunted Had Enough? tour. He's still largely unknown, which means we get to go through another kickoff, and probably another slogan.

I'm also impressed that Stein is gathering such support this early on. She's almost (I said ALMOST) neck and neck with the independent candidate, and Cahill is portrayed as a more serious threat.
_________________________________________________________

* I understand that technically the Republican Governors' Association bought the ads, but I think the poll suggests that it's too fine a distinction for voters.[back to text]

Probing Probation

2010-05-25T20:57:00.000-04:00

So, crony-ism in the State government was uncovered this past weekend. I know! I'm shocked, shocked-- not so shocked. The story originated in the Globe's Spotlight by Thomas Farragher, though CommonWealth broke it months earlier, reports Dan Kennedy.

Probation Commissioner John O'Brien was suspended pending an investigation into crony-ism in the Probation Board, reports Thomas Farragher and Andrea Estes. "Ernie Boch III" thinks O'Brien should sue because O'Brien is a scapegoat for all the legislators who actually pushed for hiring friends.

Steve Brown reports that this scandal has renewed the call to reform for the probation department. The AP reports that the Massachusetts Senate will be working on reforms, but Jim O'Sullivan reports that House Speaker DeLeo (D-Suffolk 19) wants to wait until an inquiry into the board is completed.

Bob Oakes and Jess Bidgood report that a watchdog organization has discovered a lack of oversight over the probation board.

Jesse Singal asked Globe readers what reforms they wanted to see, and you can find the answers here.

Radio Silence

2010-05-24T20:52:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the radio silence, folks. Been working out a good schedule for the job and the blog. I think I have it, though.

Big news might be coming down the pipe, soon. I'll let you know.

LMT Weekend Edition, Vol. IX

2010-05-23T00:00:00.003-04:00

This is back too, this week.

I take a look at Scott Brown's crucial role in FinReg. And then I look at how his base is treating him for being an independent. Brian Bender looks to next week, when Brown's major issue will be Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

The firefighters' union is fighting tooth and nail for their awarded contract.

Obama understood the complete inanity of Coakley's gaffes.

In other news:

The AP reports that, due to a date change, Charlie Baker and Deval Patrick will attend the first debate while Tim Cahill will not. Unfortunate for Cahill, since he'd stand to benefit. The real winner would be Baker, who is still largely unknown in Massachusetts.

Jay Fitzgerald notes that the recent uptick in jobs can only help Governor Patrick's re-election campaign. But he warns that the recovery has to be sustainable.

The AP reports that AG Martha Coakley will be reviewing the deal between Cape Wind and National Grid.

Dave Wedge and Richard Weir report that Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA 9) wants to go after terrorist finances.

Scott Brown and FinReg, ctd.

2010-05-22T10:03:00.001-04:00

For all my complaining that Brown's antics over FinReg were dishonest and attention-seeking, I do have to point out that, in the end, he voted for cloture even though he knew it wouldn't please his base.

Matt Viser reports on the conservative fallout over Brown's vote.

“His career as a senator of the people lasted slightly longer than the shelf life of milk,’’ said Shelby Blakely, executive director of New Patriot Journal, the media arm of the Tea Party Patriots, which includes various Tea Party groups around the country. “The general mood of the Tea Party is, ‘We put you in, and we’ll take you out in 2012.’ This is not something we will forget.’’

But Brown also won praise from Democrats and some political observers for taking what they view as a shrewd step toward securing reelection in a state that typically has preferred its statewide Republican officeholders to be moderate. They said it also showcased his effort to make good on his vow to be independent and not always hew to the party line.

I was too busy viewing his vote through the lens of getting into the news cycle, and I'm sorry.

I'd like to point out, though, that this was about a vote for cloture. It was the vote to let the Senate vote on the bill. And conservatives and Tea Partiers are already chewing him out for it.

LMT Standup: She did WHAT?!

2010-05-22T09:54:00.000-04:00

This AP story really is funny to me.

So, Coakley responded to criticism that she hadn't mingled with the populace enough by saying, "What, you mean like standing outside Fenway Park, in the cold, shaking hands?" President Obama was less than pleased.

Alter says Obama grabbed Axelrod, let go a blue streak and said, "No! No! You’re making that up! That can’t be right! Tell me she didn’t say that!"

I want you to see this very well. Obama grabbed an aide by the shirt, got up in his face, and swore.

It's just hilarious.

Loot and Ladders: Local 718 and the Mayor

2010-05-21T08:49:00.000-04:00

Dave Wedge reports that Local 718 will get litigious if the City Council doesn't pass their contract. They'll take Mayor Menino to court, alleging that he has led a disinformation campaign regarding the contract.

“If this vote goes down, we fully intend to litigate the violations that took place,” Boston Firefighters Local 718 president Ed Kelly said. “And we will subpoena people and have them put up their right hand and perjure themselves if they have to, to protect this mayor. Because we know (the administration) went to great lengths to undermine this decision.”

Menino spokeswoman Dot Joyce fired back: “The administration has followed the letter of the law. The facts of this award speak for themselves.”

Peter Gelzinis argues that the concessions Council President Ross is asking for are reasonable, but the union leadership will not concede even a little.

For Kelly and his membership, the world is very small and very simple. The city went to arbitration. The city lost in arbitration. Now it’s time to pay up and shut up.

Firefighters don’t have to go to community meetings. Firefighters don’t have to answer phone calls from constituents looking for handicapped parking spots, or trees in front of their houses, or a detox bed for their kid.

For most city councilors, the world is bigger and more complicated. No, it’s not just the looming shadow cast by our mayor-for-life, though that is certainly a consideration. But every once in a while, it’s about trying to find a patch of middle ground where there isn’t any.

Want You to Want Me: Scott Brown and FinReg

2010-05-21T08:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, the financial regulation bill passed its cloture vote with the help of Senator Brown (R-MA). Matt Viser reports that Brown withheld his vote until he was promised that the bill would help Massachusetts. In the end, Brown ensured the bill's success and exerted his influence on the legislation.

He did so by working closely with the Massachusetts delegation and leaning on some of its most liberal members, including Frank and Kerry.

Kerry called passage of the finance bill a victory for Massachusetts. “Our workers and our businesses took it on the chin when Wall Street melted down,’’ Kerry said. “These reforms will fix what’s most broken, and Chairman Frank, Senator Brown, and I also worked collegially to ensure that Massachusetts’ financial firms, which did no harm, will continue to create jobs and engage in legitimate enterprise.’’

The Outraged Liberal focuses on Brown's switch in his voting.

I just don't understand this whole fiasco. Either Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promised to make these changes and didn't, so Brown voted no the first time, or... Brown agreed to vote yes with no guarantee his changes would be made, and then voted no the first time.

Beyond bizarre. And I sincerely doubt that the Majority Leader would have reneged on his end, because he's a seasoned national politician and wouldn't try to lose Brown's vote after obtaining it.

But here's my take, probably a bit cynical. Brown's changes are in the bill now. If he had voted for cloture in the first place, they might not have made it in. So, he agrees to vote for the bill, and then switches at the last minute to hold the Democratic leadership hostage to his demands.

After all, not only can he say that he made FinReg good for Massachusetts (at least good for our investment companies!), but he got face time with other members of his delegation, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA 4). And the Democrats needed him. Being needed keeps #41 in the news. He is a man who clearly likes making news.

After the final vote was recorded, Brown rushed out of the chamber to catch a flight. Asked for comment, he responded, “I’m done making news today.’’

FinReg and Scott Brown

2010-05-20T08:33:00.001-04:00

Jay Fitzgerald reports that Senator Brown (R-MA) went back on a promise he made to Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), the Majority Leader. Brown told Reid he would vote for cloture on the Financial Regulation bill. Brown then voted against cloture.

The Outraged Liberal notes that this isn't the first time Brown has opposed FinReg.

This is not the first time on this legislation that Brown has opted for the MassMutuals and the Liberty Mutuals over the need to regulate a financial industry than ran amok and triggered the Great Recession that has left thousands without jobs and crippled the housing market.

Brian Beutler reports that Brown may vote with the Democrats again today, but... we'll see. I'm not fond of Brown's "Shucks, golly, gee" attitude about it all.

Whether it bothered him or not, though, Brown says he doesn't mind that Reid basically called him out publicly. "It's maybe cuz I'm the new guy," Brown joked.

Or maybe because you changed your mind. Brown said, "When he told me that I let him down, I told him straight up that I certainly felt badly about it, but bottom line is representations were made, issues were not resolved and here we are." I don't get it. I guess the bill they wanted cloture on was different from the bill Brown agreed to vote for cloture on? I don't understand why Brown thought changes would be made between when he agreed to vote for cloture and when he voted against cloture.

I mean, I imagine the issues were unresolved when Brown made the agreement, and I can't see how Brown would expect them to be resolved before cloture.

'Round the Bubblah

2010-05-20T00:00:00.004-04:00

Looks like Governor Deval Patrick doesn't have to focus on a primary challenger. Jon Keller bids Ms. Ross adieu.

It's going to be a long summer for the city and the teachers' union.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee released its budget proposal today.

The firefighters' contract is still in doubt, but MIT professor Thomas Kochan recommends that the Mayor and the union make up.

Also:

The Worcester Telegram covers Baker's Worcester stop on his "Had Enough?" tour.

WBUR analyzes the effects of a negative campaign so early.

John Kerry (D-MA) and Richard Neal (D-MA 2) are helping out small breweries like Sam Adams and Harpoon, reports Norman Miller.

David Bernstein reports that Boston has money it's sitting on while libraries and community centers close.

Robert O'Leary, candidate for the Mass Tenth, has a brother who solicited coworkers for donations, reports the AP. He's resigned from his job.

The State House News Service notes that "Had Enough?" isn't very original, and dates back to 1946 in the Mass GOP.

Loot and Ladders

2010-05-19T19:59:00.000-04:00

Adam Gaffin reports that Council President Mike Ross will be asking Local 718 to make concessions for their contract.

Ross said that while it's unfair firefighters have gone four years without a contract, he's not prepared to give firefighters a larger increase than other municipal employees have gotten just "to come to work sober" when the city is shutting libraries and community centers the year after it closed schools. He said the $74 million price tag is just too much in times like these.

Ross noted that firefighters in other parts of the country - and other municipal workers in Boston - have agreed to wage reductions or deferrals to save jobs.

Dave Wedge reports that labor professor Thomas Kochan recommends having Mayor Menino and Local 718 return to the table and work on their relationship issues.

“A straight up/down vote by the Council to fund/not fund the arbitration award will neither end this dispute nor put the parties on a course to transforming what is now a dysfunctional labor-management relationship,” Kochan wrote in a report to the council.

Kochan said the wage hikes awarded by a state arbitrator are identical to those received by police, except for the final 2.5 percent raise, which was a concession for random drug and alcohol testing. He noted that police received Quinn Bill benefits and EMTs were moved into a higher pension group in exchange for drug testing. He refuted the city’s claim that the raise opens the door for similar increases for other unions.

Gintautas Dumcius reports that the Lower Mills Civic Association has voted to urge the City Council not to approve the contract.

Mass Senate Budget Details Released

2010-05-19T19:45:00.000-04:00

Jim O'Sullivan and Michael Norton report on the Senate's proposed budget.

The $27.88 billion appropriations bill, marked for floor debate next week, adds $53 million to the version that cleared the House last month and calls for roughly $330 million below what Gov. Deval Patrick spent in his budget. It raises overall state spending, compared to this year’s original budget, by about 3.5 percent.

Under the bill, cities and towns would see $159 million less in local aid, up to 4 percent less for each municipality.

WBUR and Steve LeBlanc have more.

We Don't Need No Education

2010-05-19T07:57:00.000-04:00

Edward Mason reports on a tense school meeting last night, a harbinger of the upcoming contract negotiations with the teachers' union.

“When agreeing to a contract, we need to make sure we make sure children come first,” Johnson said, addressing Roxbury parents on a panel with Boston Teachers Union chief Richard Stutman. “What we’re looking at is what we can put in place to give our students the very best chance for a quality education.”

...

Stutman, whose union is at odds with Johnson over much of the plan, bristled when asked by the moderator if he opposed reform.

“What we are interested in is improving our schools,” Stutman said. “If you’re going to make people work extra hours, you have to compensate them.”

Stutman laid out proposals including smaller classes and specialized reading instruction. “Just saying you want a longer school day doesn’t mean it will work.”

Deval Patrick Stands Alone

2010-05-19T07:48:00.000-04:00

Looks like Charlie Baker's not the only main party candidate who won't have a primary. Frank Phillips reports that it doesn't look like Grace Ross has the signatures to get her name on the Democratic ballot.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin, whose Elections Division has been monitoring the certification progress by city and town officials, said Ross has about 5,700 signatures, well short of 10,000 that she needs to qualify for the Sept. 14 primary election.

Massachusetts Elections 2010 analyzes how Governor Patrick and Jill Stein (G) benefit from Ross's ineligibility.

Ross’s failure to make the ballot guarantees that Patrick will run unopposed in the Democratic Primary. If Ross were on the ballot there would be $750,000 in public campaign financing available for Ross and Patrick to share. It is unlikely that Patrick would accept the public financing even if it were available because accepting that money means he would have to agree to spending caps which would put him at a severe disadvantage to his main rivals Baker and Cahill.

...

Probably the biggest beneficiary will be Jill Stein, who now doesn’t have to compete with Ross for the most progressive segment of the electorate. Stein is running as the Green Party candidate, which Ross ran as in the last election. The two of them would have been splitting that constituency. Now Stein has those voters to herself. As an independent Stein has until August to submit signatures and so is almost certain to be on the ballot, and becomes a single rallying point for progressives.

'Round the Bubblah

2010-05-19T00:00:00.003-04:00

I took a look at what people are saying about the "Had Enough?" tour.

Governor Patrick speaks out about the RGA ads, but does his opposition mean less because he's forgotten 2006?

And the numbers for the Local 718 contract aren't looking good.

The Massachusetts Senate has passed its healthcare reform bill.

In other news, James Vaznis reports on upcoming negotiations with the Boston teachers' union.

Russell Contreras reports that undocumented students are pushing Senator Brown to go to school in exchange for military service.

Jay Fitzgerald reports on what happens if Cape Wind fails.

Monica Brady-Myerov reports that Massachusetts is dithering on whether or not to submit an application for the second round of "Race To The Top" funding.

And the Mass House Republicans react to a WBZ I-Team investigation on the Patrick administration and waste.

House Call (UPDATED)

2010-05-18T20:13:00.001-04:00

The AP and WBUR Wire Services report that the Massachusetts Senate will debate a bill to curb healthcare costs.

Senate President Therese Murray says the bill will ease market instability, smooth out annual fluctuations in premiums and require insurers to offer affordable small business plans.

Murray says the bill would make it easier for the public to compare insurers based on medical expenses, relative price and standard quality measures. Brian Rossman, research director at the Boston-based organization Health Care for All, called this “transparency provision” important for helping the public better comprehend how their health dollars are being spent. - WBUR

The AP adds:

The debate also comes a day after the state's four major health insurers said they lost $116 million in the first quarter of the year because of an ongoing dispute with Patrick on small business premiums.

Insurers had proposed small business premium increases of up to 32 percent. The state Division of Insurance rejected most of the increases, and a Suffolk Superior Court judge later ordered insurers to use 2009 rates until the dispute was resolved.

Patrick fired back, saying the state's insurers have reported $2.6 billion in reserves at a time when many small businesses and families continue to struggle with health costs.

UPDATE: The AP reports that the Senate has passed the bill. It goes to the House now.

Loot and Ladders

2010-05-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

The Boston Finance Commission, a city "fiscal watchdog agency", recommends that the Boston City Council reject the controversial Local 718 contract, reports Andrew Ryan.

The analysis by the Boston Finance Commission highlighted what the agency described as “deceptive’’ calculations by arbitrator Dana Edward Eischen, who estimated that the award would cost $39.4 million in retroactive pay. The city says the new contract would add $74 million in new costs. The firefighters’ union valued the award at $45.7 million.

...

Edward Kelly, president of Local 718 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, disputed the numbers used by the Finance Commission. The city has exaggerated the size of the four-year award by calculating it over five years, Kelly said, and by adding on an extra 2.5 percent in longevity pay that had been negotiated in previous contracts.

Edward Mason has more.

But a defiant Boston Firefighters Local 718 chief Ed Kelly said the city has the dough to make good on the award. “The city did not contest the ability to pay (earlier),” he said. “The city has set aside reserves to fund the arbitrator’s decison. The city should do it.”

Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s spokeswoman, Dot Joyce, could not be reached last night. Council President Michael Ross said he “respects” Cahill’s findings. Ross, who has enlisted an MIT professor to analyze the award, said the council wants to hear from experts and the public before voting.

Bitter Tastes

2010-05-18T08:38:00.001-04:00

The AP reports that Governor Patrick is speaking out against the RGA ads, having finally noticed that they're tangentially about him, too.

"Imagine, six more months of this tone being sent," Patrick said. "I think it's going to be poisonous for what it is we owe the people of the commonwealth, which is, I think, a serious, adult conversation about some real and important choices facing us."

Except for the fact that Patrick's holier-than-thou tact won't really work. The Patriot Majority Fund launched anti-Healey ads in Aught-Six to support Patrick's bid for the Corner Office. The State House News Service reports that Patrick insists that those ads weren't negative.

Asked about the 2006 ads, funded by the Patriot Majority Fund, Patrick said, “They did not run negative attack ads.”

The ads showed Healey in harsh light next to then-President George W. Bush. “She abused the power of her office. Now she won’t take responsibility for what she’s said and done. Sound familiar?”

Look, Governor, everyone has skeletons in their closet. You could have owned up to this. But no, you weren't prepped to answer questions about 2006 and categorically denied everything. Now you look stupid at best and hypocritical at worst.

Jon Keller wants to know whether Patrick's move was a good one.

Had Enough of Baker?

2010-05-18T08:23:00.000-04:00

Tina Hemond complains that the mainstream media isn't covering Charlie Baker's "Had Enough?" tour.

Michael Levenson provides some good coverage of Baker's tour and Governor Patrick's response.

Baker said yesterday that he developed the motif after months of talking to voters across Massachusetts.

“It eventually crystallized around the notion of ‘had enough,’ ’’ he said, adding that voters, local officials, and business owners have told him they are fed up with tax increases, local aid cuts, and “the lack of imagination’’ in state government.

“With one vote, you can replace half the senior management on Beacon Hill,’’ Baker says in his new web ad, which seeks to tie Patrick and Cahill together as State House powers.

The Outraged Liberal points out that, as long as the most powerful branch of Massachusetts government is still the almost unanimously one-party Legislature, Baker's ad is simply untrue. The Liberal thinks Baker's message is an empty slogan.

Yeah Charlie, I have had enough. Enough of pandering politicians who offer words, not deeds; who go negative before they offer sensible plans that can translate into majorities in the House and Senate; who squander goodwill and common sense in a volley of empty words.

Blue Mass Group's Bob Neer thinks "Had Enough?" is hilarious.

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'Round the Bubblah

2010-05-18T00:00:00.002-04:00

Cahill sinks, but Baker's got a nice new slogan. Same old message, but it's catchy.

Scott Brown had a couple constituents drop in.

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Had Enough?

2010-05-17T20:13:00.000-04:00

Charlie Baker kicked off a new speaking tour today called "Had Enough." Mass Elections 2010 has the deets, as the kids say.

How is this speaking tour different from what Baker's been saying this campaign? Oh, right. A slogan. A new set of paint on an old message.

I like the message. It's strong and it taps into anti-incumbent anger. But this is like the umpteenth time Charlie Baker has kicked off his campaign. Sure, sure, it's a speaking tour with a fancy new slogan, but there's only so many times he can re-brand himself.

The Smartest Guy in Politics is now the "Had Enough?" candidate.

Again, "Had Enough?" is pretty brilliant. But I'm wishing he'd keep on something. It feels like he's throwing things on the wall to see if they stick. "Had Enough?" will probably stick for a couple months. And then we'll have something else.

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Storming the Castle

2010-05-17T20:01:00.001-04:00

Sally Kohn reports that today, Massachusetts voters stormed Senator Brown's DC office to demand facetime.

According to Kohn, Brown has not taken the time to sit down with hundreds of Bay State grassroots organizations.

We'll see if Scott Brown lives up to his campaign promises, meets with the Alliance to Develop Power and other grassroots leaders --- and actually stands on the side of Main Street who elected him, not just Wall Street lining his pockets. His voters are clearly watching...

I'm not so sure voters are watching, though.

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Fighting for the Corner Office

2010-05-17T08:34:00.000-04:00

Rob Eno reports that Charlie Baker has launched another tour, this one with the slogan "Massachusetts has had enough."

Meanwhile, Tim Cahill's campaign is feeling the hurt from the Republican negative ads. Jay Fitzgerald analyzes why Patrick, and not Baker, benefits.

Still, Cahill's demise was supposed to mainly benefit Charlie Baker. It hasn't. The numbers don't add up. Part of the reason is due to Charlie's truly awful campaign. Part is due to Deval running a solid campaign. Some of it can also be attributed to a possible breaking of the anti-incumbent fever here.

John Sivolella argues that Cahill hasn't defined himself.

The Outraged Liberal thinks Deval Patrick is campaigning well.

Meanwhile, Emma Stickgold reports that Jill Stein has opened up her campaign headquarters in Fields Corner.

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