Political News - Massachusetts - onPolitix

Senate passes $34B budget, sex offender reform

2013-05-24T21:48:31Z

BOSTON (WWLP) — The state Senate approved a $34 billion dollar state budget Thursday night that falls short of providing UMass the $480 million dollars it’s requesting to prevent fees from going up in the fall. But the budget does tack on roughly $68 million dollars to early education, school bus services, and other investments.

“We have added a number of items for housing, mental health services, and those are the things that we’re very, very proud of,” said Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre).

State senators reviewed 725 amendments in total – Including one successfully approved by West Springfield Senator James Welch that bumps up funding for homeless student bus services to more than $7 million dollars.

“As we continue to work on getting families out of hotels there will be that many less families and children that will require transportation, which hopefully means that the communities that are bearing those costs, those costs will be lower,” said Sen. James Welch (D-West Springfield).

The Senate also reformed sex offender registry laws. They’re allowing the Sex Offender Registry Board to reclassify offenders to a stronger level if they pose a greater risk of reoffending.

“Yes if you are subsequently charged, the Sex Offender Registry Board can now elevate your standing from a 2 to a 3,” said Sen. Gale Candaras (D-Wilbraham).

Sex offenders will have to register within 2 days of being released from jail. Information of Level 2 offenders will be made available on the internet and information on Level 1 offenders will be sent to the Department of Early Education and Care.

The House and Senate will now have to consolidate their two state budgets, which must then be approved by Governor Deval Patrick by July 1 st .

Q&A: Gomez and Markey on immigration, Internet sales tax, EPA

2013-05-24T18:55:23Z

BOSTON (State House News Service) — The two candidates for U.S. Senate differ on federal legislation to enforce state sales taxes with Republican candidate Gabriel Gomez saying the range of jurisdictions would make for a “nightmare” of compliance and Congressman Ed Markey saying it would put online businesses on a level playing field. In responses to the News Service, Markey and Gomez also shared thoughts on immigration reform, and their varying levels of support for President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

QUESTION: How would you have voted on the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would require large businesses that sell products online to collect and remit state sales taxes?

MARKEY: We need to level the playing field for Main Street retailers in Massachusetts and throughout the country. That’s why I would have voted for the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would allow brick-and-mortar businesses in the Commonwealth to better compete against out-of-state Internet sellers. The legislation would also allow Massachusetts to collect much needed revenue from sellers that reside outsides of the Commonwealth’s borders. The law also ensures that truly small businesses that sell their products online – those with receipts under a million dollars – will be exempt. I commend the Senate for passing this bipartisan legislation, and hope the House can quickly take action to help the businesses in our communities compete fairly and thrive.

GOMEZ: “The “Marketplace Fairness Act” would be anything but fair, increasing costs to consumers and imposing more regulations on businesses. There are nearly 10,000 sales tax jurisdictions in the United States; complying with this law would be a nightmare for Main Street and I would have voted against it.

QUESTION: What would an immigration bill need to include to receive your support and conversely what elements of an immigration bill would be deal-breakers for you?

MARKEY: Comprehensive immigration reform is needed to help the Massachusetts and American economy continue to grow. Our broken immigration system deprives highly skilled and entrepreneurial immigrants the opportunity to build their businesses here and enrich our neighborhoods, instead forcing them to construct their companies abroad. It also leaves high tech employers and universities throughout Massachusetts struggling to find qualified workers to fill new positions. That’s why we need to increase the cap on visas for high skilled immigrants. We also need to ensure that Dream Act youth – children who are brought to this country through no fault of their own -- who strive to embody everything it means to be an American, should have a quick path to citizenship. Finally, we need to create a path to citizenship for the millions people who are in this country without authorization, but must ensure this path is not overly punitive.

GOMEZ: Serious immigration reform starts with securing our borders. I do not support blanket amnesty and I believe illegal immigrants with criminal records should be deported. I support immigration reform which provides a path to legal status for those willing to work hard and commit to the ideals of America. That path would contain elements like passing a criminal background check, paying back-taxes and learning English.

QUESTION: How would you vote on a confirmation hearing for Massachusetts native Gina McCarthy as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency? McCarthy is currently assistant administrator for air and radiation and has served under Gov. Mitt Romney. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has said McCarthy received "a staggering 1,120 s questions," more than any other nominee in a confirmation process, and said Republicans practiced obstructionism by boycotting a meeting of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which was unable to achieve a quorum when it was scheduled to vote on her nomination. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has reportedly said the Obama administration has continued to "stonewall" Republican questions about "job-killing regulations."

MARKEY: I've known Gina McCarthy for years. She's worked for Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. She is fair, she is tough, and she is smart. Republicans in the Senate are yet again choosing to be obstructive instead of productive, working in lock step with each other to block another capable nominee who will protect our air, water and climate. I would absolutely vote for Gina's confirmation, and stop these Republican games that distract from the real work that needs to happen to help the American people.

GOMEZ : As a Senator, I would have a high threshold for determining a president’s nominee was unfit to be confirmed; based on what I know, Gina McCarthy certainly seems qualified for the job. That said, I am concerned about agencies such as the EPA exceeding their authority and setting bad policy. If I am elected, I would support increased oversight and accountability for these agencies.

Gun violence the focus of lawmaker's listening tour

2013-05-24T18:23:07Z

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) — The question of how to deal with gun violence has been a major topic of political debate in recent months.

Massachusetts already has strict gun laws compared to other states, but some people think there are ways to make it even better.

State Representative State Rep. Harold Naughton (D-Clinton) brought his gun violence listening tour to Western Massachusetts.

He wants to craft legislation to strengthen existing laws.

"That could mean mental health aspects of the criminally or mentally ill, licensing aspects," Naughton said.

Local mayors, state representatives and law enforcement joined him at the Chicopee library to offer ideas that they think could benefit our communities.

"There are no borders for guns. They come across our borders and there's no one there to look for them, they come from Vermont, North Carolina, we get a lot of guns stolen from house breaks," said Springfield Police Deputy Chief William Cochrane.

The listening tour is an effort to prepare for future hearings on legislation filed after the Newtown Connecticut shooting.

It also comes here the same week there were two deadly shootings in Springfield.

"One murder is too much and you had a decrease in our crime rate but still that's not enough, we have to do more and it's senseless violence," said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

Changes to gun laws continues to be a controversial move across the country.

Chicopee's mayor Michael Bissonnette says he hopes any changes made are fair to those on both sides of the issue.

"I don't think anyone should be fearful that the government is coming to take their guns but certainly in modern society there are some regulations we'll need to implement to ensure everyone is safe while protecting our second amendment rights," Bissonnette said.

Naughton will take the tour back east before hearings on Beacon Hill begin.

Former State rep charged with dealing meth

2013-05-24T15:55:30Z

JAMAICA PLAIN, Mass. (WHDH) — Stephen Doran, a former Massachusetts State representative and math tutor, has been charged with dealing drugs.

Investigators say Doran was dealing methamphetamine, and they say he received a big shipment at the school where he tutored.

Doran, now 57, was just 23 in 1980 when he began seven terms at the State House, representing Lexington and Lincoln.

Doran left politics to be a vice president at a major Boston bank; a past some neighbors didn't even know about.

"If he has these other kind of jobs, he's obviously had some problems in his life," said John Miles, a neighbor.

A state trooper's report says police found drugs were being mailed to Doran at the middle school where he worked.

Read more: http://bit.ly/16QMdRw

Retailers, workers battle over min wage, sick leave

2013-05-23T21:53:24Z

BOSTON (WWLP) — Over the past 40 years, the minimum wage has not kept up with inflation. It’s one of the reasons more than one hundred union members and minimum wage workers are fighting for fair wages and benefits. They marched through Beacon Hill Thursday in support of legislation that would increase the minimum wage from $8/hour to $11/hour by 2015.

They're also backing a bill that requires employers to give one hour of paid sick leave to employees for every 30 hours worked – the equivalent of about one week per year. Massachusetts Paid Leave Coalition coordinator Jordan Berg Powers says many of his family members do not get paid sick leave.

“They had to choose between caring for their child or not being able to put food on the table. That’s a false choice. We should not be making people make that choice,” said Powers.

Protesters marched to the headquarters of their leading opponents, the Massachusetts Retailers Association.

“It really puts a one size fits all approach and businesses come in all shapes and sizes,” said Massachusetts Retailers Association Vice President Bill Rennie. “If you’re mandating additional benefits whether it be paid sick or you’re raising you know minimum wage you’re really… hurting our ability to grow jobs.”

But protestors believe unhealthy workers who are struggling to make ends meet are less productive and are spending less. They say that’s bad for business overall. The state Legislature’s Labor and Workforce Development Committee Senate Chairman Dan Wolf hopes to have the legislation passed this session.

“We have a hearing schedule early this term so that we’ll have plenty of time to work it out of the committee and we do hope to get it out fairly quickly,” said Sen. Dan Wolf (D-Harwich).

Senator Wolf is the lead sponsor of the legislation and founder of Cape Air, an airline with more than 1000 employees. He says fair wages and benefits promote employee loyalty and creates a healthier work environment.

Lt. Gov. Murray resigns, political future open

2013-05-22T21:45:34Z

BOSTON (WWLP) — Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray announced his resignation Wednesday to take on a job in the private sector. The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce elected Murray to become their CEO and president. It becomes effective next month, but Murray hasn’t ruled out higher office in the future.

“Today I’m announcing both an ending and a beginning,” said Murray. “As I imagine how to best keep working on the issues that I am passionate about while being close to home and more present in the lives of my wife and daughter, the Chamber post is the perfect fit.”

The lieutenant governor will officially step down June 2 nd and start his new job June 3 rd . Murray will earn an annual salary of more than $200,000 dollars – A jump from the roughly $125,000 dollars he earns now.

Massachusetts doesn’t have a process to fill a vacant lieutenant governor seat. The third person in the line of succession is Secretary William Galvin, but most of the workload will shift to the governor.

“His departure leaves a very big hole in our team so you know I’m happy for him personally but I’m a little miffed professionally,” joked Governor Deval Patrick.

Murray’s political tenure has been marred by a 2011 high-speed car crash and ties to a troubled former Chelsea housing director, Michael McLaughlin. But Murray hasn’t ruled out higher office in the future.

“Every elected official that’s ever I think been in office has had some challenges and bumps and you try to learn from them and improve and not make the same mistakes again and that happens so I’m not going to rule anything out,” said Murray.

Murray made it clear that he was approached for the job and not the other way around. He’s served 15 years in elected office, the last 6 as lieutenant governor and before that he was the Mayor of Worcester.

House votes to move 17-year-olds into juvenile justice system

2013-05-22T20:18:09Z

BOSTON (WWLP) — State lawmakers have voted unanimously in support of raising the age limit in juvenile court, which could benefit the public and young offenders.

The House of Representatives voted 152 to 0 in favor of raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction so that 17-year-olds are no longer prosecuted as adults. Massachusetts is one of only 11 states that send 17-year-olds to adult prisons and jails, even for minor charges.

The House approved legislation will let 17-year-olds enter the juvenile system which has a lower rate of reoffending and keeps young people safer from physical and sexual assault. It also notifies parents if their child has been arrested or charged in court.

According to Naoko Carey, the spokesperson of Citizens for Juvenile Justice, “Kids who are processed in our juvenile systems do much better; they reoffend less, they get into trouble less, and that benefits really everybody. They're also much less vulnerable. Kids who are held in adult facilities are very vulnerable to sexual assault and rape.”

Young people charged for murder or other serious offences would still be tried as adults.

Massachusetts will be in violation of a new federal law that prohibits 17-year-olds from sharing cells with adults if the state does not pass this legislation by August.

State Rep. John Fresolo has resigned amid ethics meetings

2013-05-22T19:46:05Z

BOSTON (State House News Service) — Following days of House Ethics Committee hearings believed to be focused on him, state Rep. John Fresolo of Worcester resigned Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately.

As his former colleagues listened on and showed little in the way of reaction, House Clerk Steven James read a short communication from Fresolo formally announcing his resignation at about 1:40 p.m. during a House session.

"I am currently unable to effectively serve my district and regretfully submit my resignation, effective immediately, hoping that a prompt special election will be held to fill the balance of my term," Fresolo, a Democrat, wrote in his one-sentence letter to House Speaker Robert DeLeo without any explanation for the reasons behind his resignation.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Walsh of Dorchester, has been holding lengthy meetings in recent days, taking hours of testimony last Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and again on Monday as court officers lined the first floor hearing room with velvet ropes to keep visitors away. Rep. Jason Lewis, a Winchester Democrat who shared an office suite with Fresolo, told the News Service last week that he had offered testimony to the 11-member panel. Fresolo attended those committee meetings with legal representatives.

According to rules, a majority of the Ethics Committee can vote to recommend a reprimand, censure, removal from a chairmanship or other position of authority or expulsion of another member for ethical violations and refer the matter to the full House.

In that case, a report on the allegations would be filed with the House clerk and made public. If the committee finds insufficient evidence of wrongdoing, no public disclosure must be made. Fresolo’s resignation obviates the need for his colleagues to act on a committee recommendation, if one were made.

As he has in recent days, Walsh, citing confidentiality rules, declined to comment to the News Service when approached Wednesday about the committee’s investigation and findings, but House leaders were said to be consulting with their legal teams to find out what, if anything, could be disclosed publicly.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo in March confirmed that his office had conducted a preliminary review of "serious allegations" brought against a member of the House by an employee and had asked the committee to conduct an investigation. The House voted in April to grant the committee temporary subpoena power to compel witness testimony.

Though there has been rampant speculation as to the nature of the allegations brought by a legislative staffer against a member of the House, several sources have indicated at least part of the inquiry relates to Fresolo's per diem travel expenses. Another source indicated the committee was exploring possible ethical breaches on multiple fronts.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones called on the Ethics Committee to “forward any information or findings from their investigation to the appropriate agencies and entities for further consideration.”

“The necessary but overdue resignation of Representative Fresolo is an appropriate course of action given the circumstances. The residents of the Sixteenth Worcester District and the taxpayers of Massachusetts deserve representatives and a governing body that is held to the highest ethical standard,” Jones said in a statement.

It remains unclear whether the Ethics Committee found sufficient evidence to warrant a reprimand or more severe disciplinary action, and whether any information will be released publicly now that Fresolo has resigned.

Confronted about the allegations and rumors that he was planning to resign, Fresolo told the News Service in March, "I'm going to be state rep for a long time," but declined further comment on advice of counsel.

Fresolo was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the Joint Committee on Housing and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.

Fresolo’s departure means the House will need to schedule a fifth special election to fill a vacant seat.

Former Rep. Stephen Smith of Everett resigned at the start of the session in connection with his guilty plea in an absentee voting fraud case. A special election was held to fill the seat held by former Rep. Joyce Spiliotis, who died from a battle with cancer and after winning reelection last November. Special elections are also underway to fill seats held by former Rep. Martha Walz of Boston, who left the House for a job at Planned Parenthood, and former Rep. David Sullivan, who stepped down for a higher paying job at the Fall River Housing Authority.

Who knew what when?

2013-05-22T19:18:52Z

(NBCNC) — A former manager at the IRS Cincinnati office at the center of the controversy over the targeting of conservative political organizations seeking tax-exempt status tells NBC News she doesn't think low-level employees acted on their own in flagging them for further scrutiny.

But she also said that in her time at the IRS she has never known politics or partisan motivations to play any role in the office's work, and doesn't think it did in this case.

Bonnie Esrig, a 38-year IRS veteran, worked as an area manager in the Determinations Unit of the IRS' Exempt Organizations department in 2011 and 2012. According to a federal audit and IRS Congressional testimony, some employees in the unit used inappropriate selection criteria to flag the applications of Tea Party and other conservative organizations for further scrutiny, according to an audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Read More: http://nbcnews.to/16OjcXe

Lt. Governor Tim Murray leaving office

2013-05-22T13:24:45Z

BOSTON (WWLP) — Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray , is resigning from office, in order to take a job as the leader of a Worcester business group.

At a Beacon Hill news conference on Monday, the Lieutenant Governor made the announcement that he was leaving so he could serve as President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Murray accepted the position, which pays about $200,000 per year, following the vote of the Chamber's board on Wednesday.

“Today, I’m announcing both an ending and a beginning,” Murray began the news conference by saying.

He is planning to leave office as Lieutenant Governor on June 2, and will start work at the Chamber on June 3.

He said that while in many ways he would like to continue in his current job, the new opportunity in Worcester is best for his family.

“While there are still things that I’d like to complete, this opportunity isn’t going to be here for me and my family," he said.

Murray's departure will leave the office of Lieutenant Governor vacant until a new one is elected in the 2014 election. The state had been without a Lieutenant Governor twice in the past 20 years, but both times were due to the departure of a sitting Governor (William Weld in 1997 and Paul Cellucci in 2001).

Once the resignation takes effect, Governor Patrick will assume Murray's duty of presiding over the Governor's Council. It also means that Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin will be next in line for the governor's office.

A former mayor of Worcester, Murray was elected Lieutenant Governor under Deval Patrick in 2006, and re-elected in 2010.

He announced earlier in the year that he would not seek election as Governor in 2014.

22News State House Reporter Christine Lee is in Boston, and will have the latest on WWLP.com.