In case you missed it, today’s Boston Herald has a report that calls into question Governor Patrick’s ability to run his own office, let alone the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Herald reports that more than 20 of Governor Patrick’s former staffers “cashed in more than $90,500 in unused vacation days last year.”
One of those former staffers is none other than Doug Rubin, who now runs the Governor’s re-election campaign. Rubin alone received more than $11,000 in vacation pay when departing from the corner office.
When asked to comment on this story Governor Patrick said, “I’ll have to look at it.” Is this the leadership we’re supposed to believe in?
You may recall the Boston Herald had a similar report not too long ago about how Massport paid out more than $1 million last year to employees who cashed in their unused sick and vacation days. Governor Patrick ripped Massport for their exorbitant practices and said it “has got to change.”
Governor Patrick needs to get his own house in order first. If he proves he is capable of doing that, maybe then he can take a look at policies in other state agencies and quasi-agencies. Until then, Governor Patrick probably shouldn’t comment on any other obscene payout scenarios since his office is very guilty of that practice.
What’s particularly ironic about this story coming to light today is the fact that Lieutenant Governor Murray was quoted in an Associated Press article just today saying his republican opponent “is misleading the public by suggesting state employees haven't suffered like their private sector counterparts amid the economic downturn.” Murray, a.k.a. the Governor’s sidekick, went on to say "It's bad enough to try to score cheap political points on the backs of public employees, but he's wrong. He's flat-out wrong.” We guess the Lieutenant Governor should do a little research before he opens his mouth since obviously if you’re a friend of the Patrick-Murray Administration, these perks are common practice!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Stimulus money not really stimulating!
In case you needed another reason to question state government, click here to read a Boston Herald report that is sure to make your blood boil!
According to a story in today’s Boston Herald, “Highly touted Bay State job creation programs have stimulated a pile of pocket-padding overtime for state workers and detail pay for cops even as the unemployment rate continues to climb, a Herald payroll analysis shows.”
The report goes on to say that three civil engineers working with DCR made more than $100,000 each in overtime alone last year! If that’s not exorbitant, we don’t know what is!
While there are a wide array of views about the stimulus bill it is clear that this is yet another example where the Patrick-Murray Administration could and should have used the money better – but hey management is not one of their strong suits. The goal was to create new jobs…apparently they did not get the memo! It seems they thought that stimulus money should be used to pay their friends a little more.
What’s particularly annoying is the fact that Wendy Fox, the spokesman for DCR actually has the audacity to defend the overtime perks! She told the Herald, “The civil engineers were kept on the job to help fix the crumbling Longfellow Bridge and other structures.” How she can try to convince us this is a good practice is laughable when there are hundreds of other people that could have helped. Fox goes onto to pull a play from the Tim Murray playbook, playing fast and loose with the facts, saying, “The accelerated bridge program created 800 jobs, not just providing overtime for three guys.” We’d love to see the spreadsheet that details where these 800 jobs were created.
According to a story in today’s Boston Herald, “Highly touted Bay State job creation programs have stimulated a pile of pocket-padding overtime for state workers and detail pay for cops even as the unemployment rate continues to climb, a Herald payroll analysis shows.”
The report goes on to say that three civil engineers working with DCR made more than $100,000 each in overtime alone last year! If that’s not exorbitant, we don’t know what is!
While there are a wide array of views about the stimulus bill it is clear that this is yet another example where the Patrick-Murray Administration could and should have used the money better – but hey management is not one of their strong suits. The goal was to create new jobs…apparently they did not get the memo! It seems they thought that stimulus money should be used to pay their friends a little more.
What’s particularly annoying is the fact that Wendy Fox, the spokesman for DCR actually has the audacity to defend the overtime perks! She told the Herald, “The civil engineers were kept on the job to help fix the crumbling Longfellow Bridge and other structures.” How she can try to convince us this is a good practice is laughable when there are hundreds of other people that could have helped. Fox goes onto to pull a play from the Tim Murray playbook, playing fast and loose with the facts, saying, “The accelerated bridge program created 800 jobs, not just providing overtime for three guys.” We’d love to see the spreadsheet that details where these 800 jobs were created.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
House Republicans to offer Local Aid Resolution
BOSTON—House Republicans today announced their intention to offer a Local Aid Resolution during the House’s next full formal session and hope their effort will garner bipartisan support.
In an email distributed to House colleagues on behalf of Republican lawmakers, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. said, “As our cities and towns continue to develop their local budgets during these very tough times they need certainty and reliable information more than ever. It is important that we, as legislators, provide some predictability for our districts.”
The resolution proposes the following:
1. Establish a minimum level of Chapter 70 and Unrestricted Local Aid equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY’11
a. The minimum Chapter 70 appropriation must equal $4,048,324,258 for FY11; and
b. The minimum Unrestricted Local Aid appropriation must equal $936,437,803.
2. Establish a minimum level of funding for each of the following accounts
to equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY’11
a. Reimbursement to Cities in Lieu of Taxes $27.3 million
b. Regional School Transportation $40.5 million
c. Special Education Residential Schools $135 million
This resolution provides among other things flexibility during budget debate, so that the Legislature might further increase local aid appropriations from an established floor. It also provides predictability for municipalities who are already constructing their budgets.
House Republicans have been on the front lines protecting local aid for many years and say it is time Governor Patrick and the Democratic-controlled legislature respect the state’s cities and towns and stop using taxpayer money as their own personal piggy bank.
In an email distributed to House colleagues on behalf of Republican lawmakers, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. said, “As our cities and towns continue to develop their local budgets during these very tough times they need certainty and reliable information more than ever. It is important that we, as legislators, provide some predictability for our districts.”
The resolution proposes the following:
1. Establish a minimum level of Chapter 70 and Unrestricted Local Aid equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY’11
a. The minimum Chapter 70 appropriation must equal $4,048,324,258 for FY11; and
b. The minimum Unrestricted Local Aid appropriation must equal $936,437,803.
2. Establish a minimum level of funding for each of the following accounts
to equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY’11
a. Reimbursement to Cities in Lieu of Taxes $27.3 million
b. Regional School Transportation $40.5 million
c. Special Education Residential Schools $135 million
This resolution provides among other things flexibility during budget debate, so that the Legislature might further increase local aid appropriations from an established floor. It also provides predictability for municipalities who are already constructing their budgets.
House Republicans have been on the front lines protecting local aid for many years and say it is time Governor Patrick and the Democratic-controlled legislature respect the state’s cities and towns and stop using taxpayer money as their own personal piggy bank.
It must have been the snow!
In case you missed it, recently the White House said to expect poor job numbers and in part blamed the unemployment spike on the heavy snow wreaking havoc all over the country. If that’s not spin, we don’t know what is!
Today, the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that Massachusetts unemployment increased to 9.5%. While they’re not blaming inclement weather, the office says the Commonwealth reported a net gain of 400 jobs. That’s fine and dandy, but the fact of the matter is under the Patrick-Murray Administration, thousands of people have lost their jobs. Though some of the job loss can be blamed on the poor global economy, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray have done nothing positive to help create and retain jobs here in Massachusetts. We know the Patrick-Murray Administration likes to be fast and loose with facts but there’s no hiding the fact that since they took office more than 105,000 jobs have been lost.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development also reported today that close to 330,000 people are unemployed as of today. That number doesn’t even include those workers who are considered under-employed or those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
Governor Patrick needs to stop spending his time raising money in New York and spend a little more time here working to put people back to work. After all, the voters of Massachusetts didn’t elect him to hobnob with New York’s richest, they elected him to govern the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Today, the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that Massachusetts unemployment increased to 9.5%. While they’re not blaming inclement weather, the office says the Commonwealth reported a net gain of 400 jobs. That’s fine and dandy, but the fact of the matter is under the Patrick-Murray Administration, thousands of people have lost their jobs. Though some of the job loss can be blamed on the poor global economy, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray have done nothing positive to help create and retain jobs here in Massachusetts. We know the Patrick-Murray Administration likes to be fast and loose with facts but there’s no hiding the fact that since they took office more than 105,000 jobs have been lost.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development also reported today that close to 330,000 people are unemployed as of today. That number doesn’t even include those workers who are considered under-employed or those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
Governor Patrick needs to stop spending his time raising money in New York and spend a little more time here working to put people back to work. After all, the voters of Massachusetts didn’t elect him to hobnob with New York’s richest, they elected him to govern the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Jones: Democratic Leadership Puts Politics ahead of Policy
BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today after the House engrossed An Act Providing for the Financial Stability of the City of Lawrence.Once again the Democratic leadership has outdone itself. I would have expected the political maneuver that stifled debate in the House Chamber under the former Speaker.
I offered this amendment today because I genuinely believe it would have provided the best opportunity for the City of Lawrence to regain financial solvency by balancing tough state intervention and assistance while respecting local sovereignty. The option laid out by the House Ways and Means Committee doesn’t go far enough. At some point the Democratic leadership on Beacon Hill needs to recognize that the people of the Commonwealth are interested in long term reforms and solutions, not short term fixes.
Lawrence Bill to be Debated
As the Massachusetts House of Representatives prepares for a spirited debate on how to best assist the City of Lawrence regain financial stability, House Republicans are offering an amendment that they believe is the best approach for the city to achieve success.
House Minority Leader Brad Jones has offered the amendment which will do the following:
1. Maintains the borrowing provisions provided for in the current bill in order to allow the city to correct their fiscal shortfall.
2. Immediately establishes a Finance Control Board to oversee the city’s finances for at least the next 3 fiscal years.
a. The Control Board will be composed of 5 members: 3 appointed by the majority vote of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Auditor, 1 of whom must be a resident of Lawrence; the Mayor of Lawrence; and the President of the City Council.
b. The Board will have the power to change city departmental budgets, implement cost saving measures they deem appropriate, including joining the GIC, and changing fees and rates in the city, etc.
3. Incorporates receivership as a last resort, if the finance control board determines by majority vote that their powers are insufficient to correct the finances of the city.
4. Maintains the process by which an Officer within the city’s department of budget and finance will be appointed, and the officer’s term will continue to extend until all debt has been repaid.
Republican lawmakers believe this amendment provides the best opportunity for the City of Lawrence to regain and maintain financial solvency by balancing tough state intervention and assistance while respecting local sovereignty.
The Capitol View will let you know the results of this floor debate as soon as possible.
House Minority Leader Brad Jones has offered the amendment which will do the following:
1. Maintains the borrowing provisions provided for in the current bill in order to allow the city to correct their fiscal shortfall.
2. Immediately establishes a Finance Control Board to oversee the city’s finances for at least the next 3 fiscal years.
a. The Control Board will be composed of 5 members: 3 appointed by the majority vote of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Auditor, 1 of whom must be a resident of Lawrence; the Mayor of Lawrence; and the President of the City Council.
b. The Board will have the power to change city departmental budgets, implement cost saving measures they deem appropriate, including joining the GIC, and changing fees and rates in the city, etc.
3. Incorporates receivership as a last resort, if the finance control board determines by majority vote that their powers are insufficient to correct the finances of the city.
4. Maintains the process by which an Officer within the city’s department of budget and finance will be appointed, and the officer’s term will continue to extend until all debt has been repaid.
Republican lawmakers believe this amendment provides the best opportunity for the City of Lawrence to regain and maintain financial solvency by balancing tough state intervention and assistance while respecting local sovereignty.
The Capitol View will let you know the results of this floor debate as soon as possible.
Lawrence Bill to be Debated
As the Massachusetts House of Representatives prepares for a spirited debate on how to best assist the City of Lawrence regain financial stability, House Republicans are offering an amendment that they believe is the best approach for the city to achieve success.
House Minority Leader Brad Jones has offered the amendment which will do the following:
1. Maintains the borrowing provisions provided for in the current bill in order to allow the city to correct their fiscal shortfall.
2. Immediately establishes a Finance Control Board to oversee the city’s finances for at least the next 3 fiscal years.
a. The Control Board will be composed of 5 members: 3 appointed by the majority vote of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Auditor, 1 of whom must be a resident of Lawrence; the Mayor of Lawrence; and the President of the City Council.
b. The Board will have the power to change city departmental budgets, implement cost saving measures they deem appropriate, including joining the GIC, and changing fees and rates in the city, etc.
3. Incorporates receivership as a last resort, if the finance control board determines by majority vote that their powers are insufficient to correct the finances of the city.
4. Maintains the process by which an Officer within the city’s department of budget and finance will be appointed, and the officer’s term will continue to extend until all debt has been repaid.
Republican lawmakers believe this amendment provides the best opportunity for the City of Lawrence to regain and maintain financial solvency by balancing tough state intervention and assistance while respecting local sovereignty.
The Capitol View will let you know the results of this floor debate as soon as possible.
House Minority Leader Brad Jones has offered the amendment which will do the following:
1. Maintains the borrowing provisions provided for in the current bill in order to allow the city to correct their fiscal shortfall.
2. Immediately establishes a Finance Control Board to oversee the city’s finances for at least the next 3 fiscal years.
a. The Control Board will be composed of 5 members: 3 appointed by the majority vote of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Auditor, 1 of whom must be a resident of Lawrence; the Mayor of Lawrence; and the President of the City Council.
b. The Board will have the power to change city departmental budgets, implement cost saving measures they deem appropriate, including joining the GIC, and changing fees and rates in the city, etc.
3. Incorporates receivership as a last resort, if the finance control board determines by majority vote that their powers are insufficient to correct the finances of the city.
4. Maintains the process by which an Officer within the city’s department of budget and finance will be appointed, and the officer’s term will continue to extend until all debt has been repaid.
Republican lawmakers believe this amendment provides the best opportunity for the City of Lawrence to regain and maintain financial solvency by balancing tough state intervention and assistance while respecting local sovereignty.
The Capitol View will let you know the results of this floor debate as soon as possible.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Governor Patrick rescinds RMV fee but will voters rescind Governor Patrick?
After a flurry of public backlash, Governor Patrick apparently realized today that raising yet another fee in this poor economy isn’t exactly the most popular idea! As The Capitol View reported yesterday, the Patrick-Murray Administration put into place a new $5 fee at the RMV for those customers utilizing branch services in person. Obviously, the general public was furious and now 24 hours into the Governor’s latest public relations debacle, Governor Patrick has decided to rescind the new fee.
While we appreciate Governor Patrick catching up to the rest of us, if he is expecting a pat on the back or a round of applause, he’s sadly mistaken. The mere attempt at raising another fee is yet another indicator that Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray are so out of a touch that one would think they’re living under a rock. Let’s not forget that it was this administration that only earlier this year was proposing a candy and soda tax. It was also Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray who raised the sales tax last year and a slew of other taxes.
Governor Patrick made the right decision this time by rescinding this fee. Will the voters make the right decision come November and rescind Governor Patrick? That’s certainly something for the Patrick-Murray Administration to ponder!
While we appreciate Governor Patrick catching up to the rest of us, if he is expecting a pat on the back or a round of applause, he’s sadly mistaken. The mere attempt at raising another fee is yet another indicator that Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray are so out of a touch that one would think they’re living under a rock. Let’s not forget that it was this administration that only earlier this year was proposing a candy and soda tax. It was also Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray who raised the sales tax last year and a slew of other taxes.
Governor Patrick made the right decision this time by rescinding this fee. Will the voters make the right decision come November and rescind Governor Patrick? That’s certainly something for the Patrick-Murray Administration to ponder!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Rep. Karyn Polito Jumps into Race for Treasurer
It’s an exciting day for Massachusetts Republicans and those in the general public who are interested in good government. Representative Karyn Polito of Shrewsbury announced today she is running for Treasurer of the Commonwealth.A ten year member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Representative Polito has worked tirelessly on behalf of not only the people she represents but of the people of the Commonwealth as a whole. Representative Polito has made it her goal while serving in the House to bring greater transparency and accountability to Beacon Hill. We have no doubt she will bring those same principles to the Treasurer’s office.
The Capitol View wishes Representative Polito the best of luck as her campaign takes shape.
Governor Patrick: Nickel and Diming the Taxpayers!
Governor Deval Patrick is sending mixed messages to the taxpayers/voters of the Commonwealth. One day he’s putting out press releases touting his accomplishments and the next he’s raising or creating new fees!
Which is it, Governor Patrick? Are you running for re-election or are you intentionally trying to be a one-term governor? Regardless of your answer, this new fee is only adding insult to injury.
In case you missed it, the Boston Herald reported today that “Governor Patrick is quietly whacking beleaguered Bay State motorists with a $5 fee to use Registry of Motor Vehicle branches to renew their licenses and registrations.” So, basically you have to pay 5 bucks just to talk to a state employee and oh yeah, your taxes are already paying their salaries!
This governor is doing everything he can to nickel and dime the taxpayers. In addition to the slew of new and increased taxes since taking office, now Governor Patrick wants you to pay an additional $5 just to utilize the RMV!
As the Boston Herald points out today, this new fee is on top of a “$10 license renewal increase last year.”
What’s next? Is the Governor going to charge men and women to use the bathroom at state facilities? It really is getting absurd and insulting to watch Governor Patrick drain the wallets and pockets of taxpayers all over Massachusetts.
Raising fees and increasing taxes in not the answer to our state’s economic challenges. If anything, these higher fees and taxes are making it harder for already struggling taxpayers to continue living in Massachusetts.
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