Bay State Struggles While Other Regions Thrive

As many of you know, Black Friday is known as the kickoff to the holiday shopping season and while retailers in many regions in the nation thrived, Bay State retailers weren’t so lucky. According to an article in the Boston Herald, “Nationally, shoppers spent $10.6 billion at the malls on the day after Thanksgiving, 0.5 percent more than last year. The West led the way with a 4.7 percent retail sales jump compared to 2008, followed by the Midwest where sales increased by 1.3 percent and the South, where sales rose by 0.6 percent.” However, the Herald goes on to report that here in the Bay State, “The Retailers Association of Massachusetts is predicting another 3 percent drop in retail sales during the holiday season this year.”

Could it be because of the massive increase to the state’s sales tax earlier this year? When are Governor Patrick and the tax-happy Democrats on Beacon Hill going to realize that their policies are hurting Massachusetts residents and business in Massachusetts, not helping?

From all of us here at The Capitol View, we hope you and your loved ones have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

The Truth is in the Numbers

Last week, state officials reported “Massachusetts lost 900 more jobs in October, but the state's unemployment rate dropped to 8.9 percent from 9.3 percent.” However, according to a CNBC report today the “real” jobless rate more accurately depicts the number of people unemployed or under-employed. In fact, CNBC is reporting that the real national unemployment rate is 17.5%. So, how is it possible that last month the Commonwealth lost 900 jobs, yet the unemployment rate went down? Something just isn’t adding up!

The fact of the matter is people who have lost a job, have had their hours cut down from full time to part time or people who have been unemployed for so long that they’ve fallen off the list to receive unemployment are struggling. And it is the responsibility of the Governor and the Legislature to put Massachusetts’ economy back on the right track. However, that goal won’t be accomplished by raising taxes and fees and it seems that’s all the Democrats know how to do!

Jones: Tisei Will Make an Excellent Lieutenant Governor

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement after Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei announced he will seek the office of Lieutenant Governor.

I have known and worked with Richard for more than two decades and it has been a privilege to call him my friend and my colleague. Senator Tisei brings a wealth of legislative experience and accomplishments to the ticket and as the people of his district will attest he has been a dedicated and honorable legislator who always puts the interests of his constituents first. As Lieutenant Governor, he will put the needs of Massachusetts’ taxpayers ahead of politics, like he’s always done in the past.

Additionally, Richard’s a small business owner and is probably one of the few state wide candidates who truly understand how difficult it is to run a business in the Commonwealth. I will do everything I can to support the Charlie Baker-Richard Tisei ticket.

Governor Patrick Misses the Point, Again!

According to an article in today’s Boston Herald, Governor Patrick recently spoke at an event with the Retailers Association of Massachusetts where he apparently said, “He would support a sales tax holiday in 2010 if state revenues stabilize.”

Once again Governor Patrick misses the point. Instead of focusing on the well being of our state’s taxpayers and businesses, he’s more worried about the state’s coffers. As the Herald article points out, “Store owners had contended that the holiday was especially needed this year, because they feared that a 25 percent increase in the state sales tax to 6.25 percent, which took effect Aug. 1, would drive consumers to shop in tax-free New Hampshire or online.” The fact that Governor Patrick said the state couldn't offer a sales tax holiday shows just how out of touch and disconnected he and his administration really are. The poor economic climate was the most convincing reason why a sales tax holiday was necessary. Not only does the sales tax holiday generate business during a slump, it also provides a little relief to cash-strapped taxpayers.

One thing in the article that doesn’t surprise us is the fact that Governor Patrick is suddenly on the bandwagon for a sales tax holiday next year, an election year that is!

Effort to Repeal Tax Increases Rejected

House Republicans fought hard tonight to provide some relief to struggling taxpayers in Massachusetts. However, that effort was overwhelmingly rejected by the “tax and spend” Democrats on Beacon Hill. While debating a supplemental budget, Republican leadership offered amendments to roll back the sales tax to 5% and to reinstitute the sales tax exemption on alcohol purchases. Both amendments failed. House Democrats missed a solid opportunity to prove to taxpayers that Beacon Hill understands the challenging times families across the Commonwealth are facing. There is a ballot initiative under way that if passed would roll back the sales tax to 3%. Apparently the Democrats would prefer this option!

Legislature: Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Today is the last day of full formal sessions before the House adjourns for the holiday break and one of the first items voted on today was overriding the Governor’s veto of $18 million for the legislative accounts. So, while the Democratic-controlled Legislature is preaching joint sacrifice as it raises a slew of taxes, the tax and spend Democrats are making sure their own are well taken care of. A bit hypocritical, don’t you think?

Families across the Commonwealth are tightening their belts, municipalities are slashing their budgets while laying off teachers and public safety professional and yet the Legislature thinks it is appropriate to restore all of the funding allocated to these accounts. Could the Democrats not figure out a way to do more with less?
People across America and in the private sector are managing, why can’t they?

We didn’t need further proof of the misplaced priorities on Beacon Hill and yet the Democrats managed to supply it with this vote.

What is the Patrick Administration Thinking???

Just when you think the Patrick Administration couldn’t be any more out of touch, it goes and outdoes itself! According to the Boston Herald, a report commissioned by Governor Patrick to study how to better integrate legal and illegal immigrants and refugees into the Bay State has just been released. In the report, there are 131 recommendations made and many of them are not going to sit well with the public and are not sitting well with the Republican Caucus.

Here are some of the recommendations highlighted by the Boston Herald:

• Provide in-state tuition rates for state college and universities for immigrants who have lived in the Bay State for at least three years and have a high school diploma from a Massachusetts school or GED;

• Allow illegal immigrants to access state financial aid programs to pay college tuition;

• Expand access to driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants;

• Require state agencies to provide information about basic services in multiple languages;

• Expand state funding for legal services to help immigrants become citizens;

• Ask the Department of Revenue to study the “feasibility” of creating a tax credit for naturalization expenses;

• Improve access to capital for immigrant-run businesses.

The one thing all of these have in common is they all cost money and in many instances they reward illegal behavior. Now is not the time to be focusing on providing services to those here illegally. Instead, this is a prime opportunity to institute real cost savings reforms and to focus on getting unemployed Commonwealth residents back to work.

This example of Governor Patrick’s misplaced priorities is further proof that he is disconnected from his constituency.

Poirier Appointed to Special Commission

Representative Elizabeth Poirier was today appointed by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. to a special commission to study the feasibility of establishing a veterans' hall of fame in the Commonwealth.

Representative Poirier, who serves as the ranking Republican on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal affairs, will join 10 other people in reviewing and analyzing the feasibility of, and costs associated with, establishing a veterans’ hall of fame in the Commonwealth. The commission will also study reasonable methods and criteria that may be utilized for nominating and inducting veterans who are residents of the Commonwealth into the veterans’ hall of fame.

“Betty has been a tireless advocate for veterans in Massachusetts,” said Representative Jones. “When asked to make an appointment to this commission, there was no doubt in my mind that there would be anyone more passionate about this particular issue than Betty.”

“I am truly honored to be appointed to this commission,” said Representative Poirier. “Our veterans have served us well and they deserve our utmost respect and commitment. I look forward to being a part of this very important cause.”

Representative Poirier was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1999 and was appointed Assistant Minority Whip earlier this year.

Poirier serves on a number of other House committees including Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, Elder Affairs and Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

Assistant Minority Leader Appears in Fox 25 Investigative Piece

Assistant Minority Leader George Peterson recently appeared in a Fox 25 investigative piece about lawmakers holding second jobs and whether or not their employment could be a conflict of interest.

To watch the piece in its entirety, click here.