I would like to take the opportunity to thank Michael Graham for all he has done for me over the past few years, and especially the last couple of months. Filling in for him has allowed me to get the confidence to begin planning my own radio show.
Why am I thanking him?
Well he's off to Hotlanta, to grace their airwaves with the Natural Truth. His shows next week will be his last. On April 25, 2014 he is signing off the airwaves for the final time in Massachusetts.
Before he goes, he is giving me one more opportunity to host on Thursday April 24, 2014.
If you want to read Michael's Thank You to listeners it is on his website at MichaelGraham.com.
Oh and if you want to talk about how you can help me fill the void of one less conservative yakker on the airwaves. Shoot me an email.
In today's Worcester Telegram Charlie Baker has an "As I See It" op-ed on taxes in Massachusetts. Here's the beginning. Click the link above to read the rest.
No one likes paying taxes, but almost every one of us does it. And our tax money pays for important priorities that make Massachusetts an attractive place to live and raise a family. But as millions of our residents sat at kitchen tables and wrote large checks to the commonwealth this month, they undoubtedly asked themselves, "Why do I have to pay so much?"
It's a good question. The truth is that it shouldn't cost this much, and it most definitely shouldn't cost any more.
A new report by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation found that Massachusetts has the 11th highest tax burden in the country, with residents paying an average of 10.3 percent of their income in state and local taxes.
In most states, this information would spark some dialogue about current tax policy. The reaction on Beacon Hill? Silence.
A year ago today, our world changed in New England. Two radicalized Islamic terrorists blew up pressure cookers filled with nails and other shrapnel killing three and wounding many more. It was a stark reminder, especially for us in New England where two of the 9/11 planes took off, of the dangers we still face from radical Islamists.
For me it hit closer to home. My father's cousin Ron Brassard, his wife Karen, and daughter Krystara were all injured in the attack. Their road back has been long, and some of it was featured on ESPN last evening. Ron is back to work, and Karen and Krystara have recovered as much as they can.
In the immediate aftermath, Ron and Karen weren't interested in getting help for themselves. They were interested in getting help for their friend Celeste Corcoran, of Lowell, who lost both her legs in the attack.
On their behest I sent out a couple emails asking you, the readers of Red Mass Group, to help the Corcorans. The offers of help, beyond the donations to the GoFundMe campaign were immense. Including from some we would consider political enemies. The bombers, like the 9/11 terrorists, in an unintended way brought our community together.
Today, I'd like to thank you again for all you've done for Ron, Karen, Krystara, Celeste and Celeste's daughter Sydney.
Your help has been appreciated more than these words could ever convey.
The Boston Herald is reporting that former State Representative Carlos Henriquez (D-Dorchester) will be released from jail on Friday April 25, 2014. The Herald reported that state officials confirmed the release today. The release sets up a couple of interesting scenarios.
The first is that the special election to fill the seat he vacated is set for the following Tuesday, April 29, 2014. This gives Henriquez a full weekend of campaigning before the special election.
Many of Henriquez's constituents thought he was railroaded in his conviction and not given a fair trial. It will be interesting to see if he mounts a write-in campaign. If he does, there is a strong possibility that he could win against the current Democratic Nominee, attorney Evandro Carvahlo.
The second important date is also April 29, 2014. This is the day that signatures are due to the City of Boston's election division for certification for the September Primary ballot.
Based on his statements post conviction to the media and the house. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Henriquez will wage a write in campaign and turn in signatures.
Boston, MA - Today, Linda and Lou Pelletier filed a Habeas Corpus pleading with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The Petition is filed to a single Justice of the court. The detailed Petition and Memorandum of Law requests that Justina be released from the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) and be returned to the custody of her parents, Lou and Linda Pelletier. On March 25, 2014, Suffolk Juvenile Judge Joseph Johnston ruled that the custody of Justina will remain with Massachusetts DCF.
"Massachusetts DCF has no right to hold Justina captive. This is unacceptable. Justina needs to return home," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.
The Petition argues that DCF has no authority to hold Justina and that DCF's actions violate the constitutionally protected rights of parents. Among other things, the Petition also argues that the requirement to issue detailed written findings of fact and conclusions of law justifying DCF's intervention has never been met. Never has the juvenile court issued such required findings of fact or conclusions of law.
Belle Knox, who is paying her tuition at Duke University by working as a porn star, is inspiring New York co-eds to follow in her stilettos.
Since word got out that the petite brunette will perform May 2 at the all-nude Show Palace in Queens, the club has been flooded with applications from would-be teen strippers.
The club's manager Mike Diaz told me, "We are getting bombarded, five to 10 applicants a day. The Knox story is bringing them in."
Superior Court Judge Douglas J.J. Wilkins has asked for amicus curiae briefs on the question of whether or not there is a way Mark Fisher can be placed on the ballot without signatures and by a judge. In addition he has called for another hearing on the matter on Wednesday April 16, 2014 at 3PM.
The judge also invited Mark Fisher's lawyer to amend their complaint.
At the hearing on Wednesday the judge will rule on a preliminary injunction motion filed by Fisher.
(My alma mater did not need a law school. - promoted by Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno)
In 2010, Deval Patrick and the legislature created the UMass School of Law in Dartmouth. The Pioneer Institute and others warned that the law school would be a colossal waste of money. http://www.boston.com/bostongl... The Romney Administration rejected the law school as a costly fantasy.
But for those who inhabit the alternate universe that is the Governor's office and public sector academia, the law school is a great success. Indeed, the Dean of the UMass law school claims that the school is or will soon be producing distinguished jurists like Governor Patrick himself: http://www1.umassd.edu/communi...
"UMass Law and all that it stands for would not exist without the support that Governor Patrick provided," Dean Mary Lu Bilek said. "We aspire to create lawyers like the governor, who will use their legal education to create a more just society."
They day Elizabeth Warren sought out and received the endorsement of a predatory lender - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick - is the day she gave up any moral authority to talk about predatory lending, or people making a profit over lending. Yet she's doing it again.
US Senator Elizabeth Warren blasted government profits on student loans in a speech at Suffolk University's Law School on Saturday, firing up a crowd of law students, education researchers, and financial specialists.
Deval Patrick was brought on to deflect criticism of one of the worst actors in the sub-prime mortgage space, ACC Capital and their Ameriquest division. Patrick, the former top civil rights attorney at the Justice Department, helped Ameriquest navigate through a settlement which - amongst other things "stopped" Ameriquest from giving predatory loans. Of course it didn't stop ACC, who still had sub-prime and predatory loans after the agreement.
Deval Patrick then told his friend, then Senator Barack Obama, that Roland Arnall, the founder of ACC, was a "good guy" and had changed. This caused Obama to vote for Arnall as an ambassador.
Never mind that Deval Patrick then called Citi Corp on behalf of the Arnalls to help close the sale of ACC assets to Citi. Those assets are credited, by some, with helping to cause the financial crisis of 2008 and almost destroyed Citi.
Despite all of this, Elizabeth Warren campaigned with this sub-prime banker in 2012. For that reason and that reason alone, associating with sub-prime bankers when she needed their help - she has absolutely no moral authority to speak about financial misdeeds ever again. Because she's a hypocrite.
I will be in studio with Pete I Da Tech Guy for his Da Magnificent Panel starting at 1:15 today. You can listen below, or on the air at 1120AM WBNW in Concord MA or WESO 970AM.
A little over a week ago Jason Lewis won a special election to the State Senate, based in part on promising to fight for the cities and towns of the district. A district which includes the Town of Wakefield. Barely a week later, a bipartisan group of officials are questioning whether his actions live up to those promises.
On Tuesday April 2, 2014, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, voted on straight Democratic party lines, to disallow any amendments or debate around unrestricted local aid, Chapter 70 local aid for educational funding, and welfare benefits often known as EBT reform. Critics of this unprecedented budget order - H3999 - have termed this a gag order. Town officials, of both parties, in Wakefield have expressed their displeasure with Lewis' vote (PDF of article).
Republican School Committee Member Evan Kenney, and Democratic Wakefield officials Steve Maio, the Town Administrator, and Thomas Markham III of the School Committee told the Wakefield Daily Item of their concerns.
The first local legislative body is set to vote on their displeasure over the budgetary gag order - H3999 - passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives this week. Republican School Committeeman Evan Kenney has put the following resolution on the Wakefield School Committee agenda for the upcoming week.
Resolution of the Wakefield School Committee
Opposing Order H. 3999
WHEREAS, Order H. 3999, as adopted by the House of Representatives to the General
Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, herein known as the House, orders that no
amendment to the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2015, herein known as a
budget amendment, that enhances funding distributions from the General Fund to cities
and towns in accordance with Chapter 70 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth,
herein known as Chapter 70 funding, shall be in order;
WHEREAS, The Wakefield School Committee believes that every legislator should have
the right to consider budget amendments that enhance Chapter 70 funding distribution
during debate germane to the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2015, herein
known as the budget process, in the interest of equal representation;
WHEREAS, The Wakefield Public School District receives disproportionately less
Chapter 70 funding per pupil than the majority of Massachusetts school districts;
WHEREAS, The Wakefield School Committee believes that legislators who serve any
residents of the Town of Wakefield ought to advocate for enhanced Chapter 70 funding
throughout the budget process;
WHEREAS, The Wakefield School Committee recognizes with gratitude the efforts of
Representative Paul Brodeur, Representative Donald Wong, Senator-Elect Representative
Jason Lewis, and Congresswoman Katherine Clark to reform the Chapter 70 funding
formula;
WHEREAS, The Wakefield School Committee believes it is appropriate for the House to
debate the distribution of Chapter 70 funding during the budget process;
WHEREAS, The Wakefield School Committee believes that the issue of enhancing
Chapter 70 funding ought to be debated publicly by all Representatives to the General
Court during the budget process;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Wakefield School Committee, on this fifteenth
day of April of two thousand and fourteen, formally declares its opposition to the
language of Order H. 3999 as adopted by the House on the eighth day of April of two
thousand and fourteen.
Representatives Jim Lyons (R-Andover) and Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) have filed an amendment, numbered 609 to the FY2015 budget to return Justina Pelletier to her family.
Amendment #609 to H.4000
An Amendment to Account for DCF Spending on the Justina Pelletier Case
Representatives Lyons of Andover and Lombardo of Billerica move to amend the bill in section 2, in item 4800-0015, in line 88, by inserting after "policy." the following: "The Department of Children and Families shall immediately prepare a report detailing a full and complete accounting of all funds spent on the Justina Pelletier case since the Department of Children and Families first removed Justina Pelletier from the custody of her family. The Department of Children and Families shall expend no further funds on the Justina Pelletier case until this report has been filed with the House Clerk and made available to the general public. While the report is being prepared, Justina Pelletier is to remanded back to the custody of her family to receive proper medical and emotional care. "
The debate on the budget will begin on April 28, 2014.
Earlier this week on a straight party line vote, the Massachsuetts Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to deny budget amendments around section 35 of Chapter 10 of MGL, the unrestricted local aid budget.
Undeterred almost the entire House Republican Caucus filed an amendment (#501 to HR4000)to create a new account in the budget called "Municipality Supplemental Municipal Aid". This is outside of the section 35 Account.
It will be up to the Democratic Leadership whether or not to call this amendment out of order. You can call your Democratic legislator and tell them to support amendment 501 at 617-722-2000.
A full listing of the amendment and the local aid amounts can be found after the jump.
Representative Jim Lyons (R-Andover) filed an amendment to the FY 2015 budget yesterday to defund both Common Core and the PARCC assessment regime in Massachusetts.
Mr. Lyons of Andover moves to amend the bill by inserting at the end thereof the following new section: -
"Section XXXX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), herein known as the department, shall expend no funds to develop or implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), nor shall the department expend any funds to develop or implement the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment."
If Lyons Amendment passes the Department of Education will not be able to spend any resources switching Massachusetts from the MCAS system to the Common Core/ PARCC system.
IF you're interested in Life issues you should know that there's more going on in Massachusetts than the attempt by Massachusetts Citizens for Life to have four clinic performing illegal abortions shut down. For example, did you know that there is an ongoing attempt to force teaching standards on health classes in public schools across the Commonwealth whcih would almost certainly get a dirty old man arrested if he approached children with them in the park?
(the scorecard - promoted by Rob "EaBo Clipper" Eno)
There's not a lot left to mention that hasn't already been said about the debate-stifling rules (H. 3999) adopted by the House of Representatives on Tuesday for debating the FY2015 budget.
Needless to say, MassFiscal is scoring four of the most problematic votes taken during the debate. They are listed below along with brief commentary. As always, we welcome your feedback at info@massfiscal.org.
Allowing amendments dealing with local aid (Roll call #324): The amendment offered by minority leadership (Reps. Jones, Peterson, Hill, Poirier, and deMacedo) sought to remove the restriction on proposing changes to local aid levels. MassFiscal strongly SUPPORTED this amendment. House leadership opposed this effort on the grounds that local aid levels have already been set in prior legislation. It failed 31-115 (D: 2-115 [Reps. Garry and Zlotnik]; R: 29-0)
Allowing amendments dealing with EBT and welfare reform (Roll call #325): The amendment offered by the minority leadership sought to remove the restriction on proposing reforms to EBT and other similar programs. MassFiscal strongly SUPPORTED this amendment. House leadership opposed this effort on the grounds that an EBT reform bill is currently in conference committee. It failed 31-115 (D: 2-115 [Reps. Garry and Zlotnik]; R: 29-0)
Allowing extra time to propose amendments (Roll call #326): The amendment offered by the minority leadership sought to change the deadline for filing amendments to the budget from April 11th (48 hours after it was released) to April 16th (1 week later). MassFiscal strongly SUPPORTED this amendment. House leadership opposed this effort on the grounds that it would make the budget process messier. It failed 29-116 (D: 0-116; R: 29-0)
Final passage of rules for debating the budget (Roll call #327): This was the final up-or-down vote on passing the resolution outlining the rules for debating the budget. In large part because of the failure the amendments described above, MassFiscal OPPOSED passage of the resolution. It passed 117-29 (D: 117-0; R: 0-29).
Charlie Baker took to Howie Carr yesterday to talk about the budget gag order. He stressed again why it is important to support the whole GOP ticket up and down the ballot.
Massachusetts medical regulations state that abortions after 18 weeks must be performed in a licensed hospital. The Massachusetts Citizens for Life has found four abortion providers that advertise they perform abortions after 18 weeks up to 20 weeks in their facilities, and an additional facility performs up to 23 week abortions. They have asked the Deval Patrick Administration to investigate this, and have fallen on deaf ears.
Massachusetts Citizens for Life sent a letter to Secretary John Polanowicz, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, on March 31, 2014 calling on the state to close four abortion facilities because of the illegal abortions performed in those facilities.
The law in Massachusetts mandates that after the eighteenth week of pregnancy an abortion must be performed in a hospital licensed to provide medical/surgical services. None of these facilities is a hospital. Accordingly, their practice of performing abortions "up to 20 weeks" (Four Women, Attleboro; Merrimack Valley Women's Health, Haverhill; North Shore Women's Health, Lynn; and Metro West Women's Health, Natick) and "up to 23 weeks" (Women's Health Services, Brookline) is illegal.
In her letter, Anne Fox, President, Mass. Citizens for Life, stated, "Consider the outcry which would occur if a store advertised that it sells cigarettes to 10-year olds. These clinics' flagrant violations of Massachusetts law pose an imminent threat to the safety and proper health care of pregnant women who are clinic patients... To safeguard the health and safety of pregnant women using the services of these clinics I urge you to exercise your authority under 105 CMR 140.130 to suspend the licenses or the parts of licenses covering abortion services in these facilities and end the illegal practice of abortion beyond the eighteenth week of pregnancy."
MCFL told Red Mass Group that as of today, they have not heard from Secretary Polanowicz. A pdf of the letter can be viewed at this link.
