MassGOP to Patrick and Murray: Show Us What You Paid?
BOSTON - Yesterday our tax-happy Governor Patrick expressed interest in bringing a progressive tax to Massachusetts after his first term.
In an interview with State House News, Governor Patrick said:
"What we have in Massachusetts is a number of wealthy people who would be willing to contribute more - not all of them, but certainly have the capacity to contribute more - to relieve some of the pressure on the working poor."
Yet citizens already have the option to pay a voluntary higher income tax rate of 5.85 percent rather than 5.3 percent, and not shockingly, they do not want to pay more taxes.
According to a Boston Herald report, only .04% of Massachusetts taxpayers in 2008 chose to pay the voluntary rate of 5.85 percent. Only 802 individuals out of 2.1 million think this is a good idea.
In a statement today, MassGOP Communications Director Tarah Donoghue said:
"We want to know if Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray paid the voluntary income tax rate of 5.85 percent. How much of the Governor's book advance will go towards the working poor? The fact is, Governor Patrick is out of touch and just can't get enough of taxing citizens of the Commonwealth."
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Governor Patrick Hints at Desire for Progressive Tax
"Donkey of the Week"
Barn Yard Behavior by Massachusetts Democrats...Every Wednesday!
BOSTON - Today Rep. Kevin Murphy has the distinct honor of being named the "Donkey of the Week" by the MassGOP.
Rep. Murphy has a conflict of interest problem...
According to an article in the Lowell Sun, in addition to being a full time legislator, he is also a lawyer who represents union clients in contract negotiations with the City of Lowell. So he can vote on funding for public agencies--and at the same time represent his clients who are seeking a piece of that funding.
Several public-sector organizations are part of Rep. Murphy's client base at his $100,000 per year Chelmsford law office.
For example, Rep. Murphy represents the bus driver's union in Lowell, which is in contract re-negotiation talks with the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA.) The LRTA receives a quarter of its operating budget from state funding--which Rep. Murphy gets to vote on.
He even represented Lowell's four assistant school superintendents in contract renegotiations-one of which was his wife. (For which Rep. Murphy secured a $10k raise two years before his wife's contract expired.)
And how is this not a conflict of interest?
According to Beacon Hill Democrats, the Ethics Reform Bill is the answer. The Bill is certainly a step in the right direction and tightens some loopholes. Yet the Ethics Bill does not change the conflict-of-interest statute that Rep. Murphy has repeatedly violated.
More importantly, the Ethics Bill does not change the behavior of irresponsible and unethical Democrat lawmakers.
For more on Rep. Murphy's barnyard behavior, click here. 
MassGOP to Governor Patrick: Stop the Disappointment
BOSTON - In a YouTube video message today, MassGOP Chairman Jennifer Nassour called attention to Governor Patrick's disappointing and ineffective leadership in Massachusetts.
Today at 4 pm, Governor Patrick will increase the sales tax by a whopping twenty-five percent, and raise taxes in the Commonwealth by a billion dollars--after Republican lawmakers suggested a billion dollars in reforms.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Thursday, June 25, 2009
MassGOP: Only Voters Can Clean Up the Mess on Beacon Hill
BOSTON - The Massachusetts Republican Party today issued a statement following the passage of the Ethics Reform Bill. Although the Bill is a step in the right direction and tightens some obvious loopholes on Beacon Hill, the MassGOP points towards the ballot box as the only real solution to restoring good, efficient government in the Commonwealth.
Mass GOP Chairman Jennifer Nassour said: "No amount of reform is going to remove the ethical cloud hanging over Beacon Hill Democrats. While legislators have been investigated, indicted and arraigned on various federal and state criminal charges, too many of their fellow Democrats have enabled their bad behavior or looked the other way. The solution to the problem is to elect more Republicans to restore a two-party balance on Beacon Hill. The solution is not passing new laws, the solution is electing new lawmakers. The Republican Party welcomes honest, ethical citizens to run with us to unseat entrenched Democrats who have failed our state."
In Case You Missed It!
Perry Disappointed by Manner In Which Ethics Bill Developed
BOSTON - In a statement yesterday, Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) expressed his disappointment with the process of drafting the Ethics Bill which was released yesterday.
Perry was selected to serve on the Conference Committee on the pending Ethics Reform Bill. Perry was among three members from the House of Representatives and three Senate members to serve on this Conference Committee which is charged with ironing out the differences between the different reform bills. In addition to this appointment, Perry also serves as the Ranking Member on the House Ethics Committee.
"With all the ethical scandals involving elected officials on Beacon Hill, citizens have lost a great deal of trust and confidence in their government. I viewed my role in this Conference Committee as making certain that any approved Bill has real and meaningful reforms. Disappointingly for the last nine days, there has been zero opportunity to meaningfully participate in the development of the Bill," said Representative Perry from the State House.
Perry added: "As a Republican Legislator in Massachusetts, many times my point of view does not prevail. I will review the Bill this evening [Weds] and make my decision whether or not I can support the Bill. I will only support the Bill if it offers meaningful reform. Equally concerning than the substance of the proposal, which I was not allowed to review before the press conference, is the process which the Bill was developed."
"The culture of Beacon Hill politics, even when developing an Ethics Bill, remains one of backroom deals where only a couple members of one political party have a say," said Perry.
Contact: Ben Nugent 617-722-2800, x 8743
Q: How Can Governor Patrick Save 15,000 Jobs
A: Veto the Budget
MassGOP Calls on Gov. Patrick to Veto Tax-Filled Budget, Relieve Burden on Families
BOSTON - The MassGOP called on Governor Deval Patrick to veto the proposed state budget and save more than 15,000 jobs jeopardized by a slew of increased taxes. Such substantial taxes will cripple Massachusetts businesses and force families to dig deeper to subsidize waste and mismanagement in state government.
"Passing this budget would be like laying-off the entire town of Northborough, and that would be unacceptable and devastating to those workers and their families. This state is spending millions on a handful of life sciences jobs, but the Democrats think nothing of taxing to death 15,000 jobs," said Jennifer Nassour, Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. "Governor Patrick can either increase the state's unemployment rate by signing the budget, or he can veto this disappointing and toxic plan, and spare working families from the misery of losing their jobs and paying more in taxes on everyday items."
The FY10 budget passed by Beacon Hill Democrats raises taxes by nearly a billion dollars, and proposes an outrageous 25 percent increase in the sales tax, as well as a laundry list of additional taxes and fees on hard-working citizens. The passage of a 25 percent increase in the sales tax and the removal of the sales tax exemption on alcohol will collectively destroy 15,000 jobs in Massachusetts, according to combined estimates from the Beacon Hill Institute and the Massachusetts Package Stores Association.
15,000 jobs vs. 950 jobs:
While 15,000 jobs face elimination, the Commonwealth has spent $46 million in the past 12 months to create a relatively paltry 950 jobs in the life sciences sector, according to numbers from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. That amounts to a taxpayer investment of more than $48,000 per job.
In May of 2009, 282,618 workers, or 8.2 percent, were unemployed in Massachusetts. Adding 15,000 to that total would increase the unemployment rate to about 8.7 percent.
In Case You Missed It!
Boston Herald Editorial: "Load Gets Heavier"
June 22, 2009
Union organizers issued an ugly warning to lawmakers last week: Vote for the transportation reform bill, and you will pay. It was, in Beacon Hill terms, a "labor vote."
Well, it seems beyond time for taxpayers to start using the same bare-knuckled approach.
"Vote for a state budget that raises taxes by $1 billion amid the worst economic crisis in decades and you will pay, big-time." It's a taxpayer vote.
It's true, the Legislature's budget-writers had a miserable task: To balance the state budget at a time when revenues have gone "poof!" And there are some concessions to sanity in the final budget approved Friday - no income tax hike, the eventual elimination of the bloated Quinn Bill, a requirement that state workers contribute more for their health insurance.
A related transportation reform bill (we're told) will deliver savings. Even with the new revenue, spending will be reduced and there will be layoffs, especially at the municipal level.
But when it comes to the revenue side of the ledger, well, lawmakers have opted to settle for the low-hanging fruit.
The sales tax (also applied to restaurant meals) will go up by 25 percent, to 6.25 percent. New Hampshire, here we come!
We will now pay a tax on the tax already applied to a six-pack or bottle of wine purchased at a package store.
Cities and towns will have the option of raising the local hotel tax up to 6 percent and the meals tax to as much as 7 percent. Gee, wonder if any of them will accept that offer?
And if you're a satellite TV subscriber you'll now be taxed to ensure "equity." Nantasket beach-goers will even pay $4 extra on parking fees to help Hull pay for public safety calls.
These are dark days. But revenues will rebound. Experience tells us, though, that these new taxes will be with us forever.
Finally it's worth noting that a Senate effort to make it easier to privatize state contracts - lifting the cap on an eligible project's value from $200,000 to $2 million - was reduced to $500,000. Serious about reform? It wouldn't seem so.
Yes, this was a taxpayer vote. And the taxpayers lost.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Nassour Names Donoghue as MassGOP Communications Director
Strategist Takes Critical Role in Delivering Republican Message
Boston, MA - Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour today announced Tarah Donoghue as the team's Communications Director.
Donoghue is a Massachusetts native, and previously served as spokeswoman for former First Lady Laura Bush. She joins the MassGOP from the public relations firm Gibraltar Associates in Washington, D.C.
Returning to her home state, Donoghue looks forward to promoting the Republican message of lower taxes and effective government. "I'm excited to join the MassGOP team and engage in aggressive and serious debate," Donoghue said. "Momentum is shifting in Massachusetts-the Democrat's culture of corruption and wasteful spending has to stop."
Donoghue graduated cum laude from Georgetown University with a B.A. in Government and Art History.
Beginning today, media inquiries may be directed to Tarah Donoghue at:
tdonoghue@massgop.com
Office: (617) 523-5005, x245
The Activist
Newsletter of the Massachusetts Republican Party
June 12, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In This Edition
What we're doing
How you can help
Hold Your Lawmakers Accountable
In the wake of the indictment of ex-Democrat House Speaker Sal DiMasi and three co-defendants, Massachusetts Republicans have a great opportunity.
Will you help us seize it?
Together, we need to expose the Democrats who supported Sal DiMasi and who accepted campaign money from DiMasi's three co-defendants. It is critically important that the newspapers and the voters in your area know the truth about the local Democrat legislators.
Here's how you can help. Look at the list of legislators below to see if your local lawmakers took any money from one or more of DiMasi's co-defendants. Then write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and expose his or her connection to the players at the center of the House scandal. If you are the chair of a city, town or ward committee, consider writing a press release from your committee, with the same message, and send to your local media.
Mass GOP Executive Director Nick Connors last week emailed you a list of Democrats who voted in January to re-elect DiMasi as speaker, only to see him resign under a dark cloud. Note in your letter or press release if your local lawmakers voted for DiMasi as well.
Please, express your anger and frustration with the corruption on Beacon Hill as only you can, but if you need some help, here are some points you might make:
- Our legislators took campaign donations from one or more of ex-Speaker Sal DiMasi's co-defendants, according to public records at the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Legislators who took campaign donations from one or more of the three co-defendants should purge the money from their campaign accounts. A donation of the money to charity would make some good come from this sorry scandal.
- Legislators should be held accountable for their coziness to lobbyists and special interests, and for their vote for corrupt leadership. Their closeness to one or more of the co-defendants and their blind loyalty to DiMasi contributed to the situation.
- Urge people to run for office and bring new leadership to Beacon Hill. The entrenched Democrats have been there too long. They are more worried about their own interest than the public's interests. Voters need to restore strong two-party government in Massachusetts.
I need you to lend your voice to deliver this important message. We must inform voters of the actions of their legislators, and we must encourage good candidates to run to bring good, efficient government to the Bay State.
Thank you in advance for your help, and please send a copy of your letter to jennifer@massgop.com. I can't wait to read it!
Yours in Victory,
Jennifer A. Nassour,
Chairman
What We're Doing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAVE THE DATE: July 26th. The Mass GOP Summer BBQ is planned for July 26th at the Hudson Elks. We'll be sending more details soon, so save the date and plan on a great family event.
DAY OF SERVICE: Mass GOP staff and interns gathered at DeFilippo Park in the North End to rake, sweep and clean up as part of the Massachusetts Republican Day of Service. Thanks to all who participated.
How You Can Help
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are looking for people who want to volunteer at our Boston HQ. If you are interested, please call us at (617) 523-5005 or email us at info@massgop.com.
Quick Links
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MassGOP.com - Our Website
RedMassGroup.com - Online community for Massachusetts Republican activists
Scaling The Hill - Blog for the GOP Senate Caucus - Sen. Richard Tisei, Republican Leader
The Capitol View - Blog for the GOP House Caucus - Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Republican Leader
Get in touch!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Massachusetts Republican Party
85 Merrimac St., Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
info@massgop.com
(617) 523-5005
The Honorable Jennifer A. Nassour, Chair - jennifer@massgop.com
State Party Staff:
Executive Director Nick Connors - nick@massgop.com
Finance Director Lyndsay Jones - ljones@massgop.com
Finance Operations Brett Kasper - bkasper@massgop.com
Operations Director Kaitlyn Greeley - kgreeley@massgop.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RNC Chairman Michal Steel Announces Appointments
to RNC Ethics Committee
WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele today announced the new Chairman and members of the RNC Ethics Committee. Illinois National Committeeman Pat Brady will Chair the committee. Chairman Steele released the following statement on the RNC Ethics Committee.
"As part of my campaign pledge to bring greater transparency to the RNC, I am pleased to announce these RNC members as my appointments to the RNC Ethics Committee. I look forward to working with these exceptionally qualified men and women to bring about an era of openness at the RNC," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.
RNC Ethics Committee Chairman
Pat Brady, Illinois National Committeeman
RNC Ethics Committee Members
Linda Ackerman, California National Committeewoman
Tom Ross, Delaware Republican Party Chairman
Betsy Werronen, District of Columbia National Committeewoman
Sue Everhart, Georgia Republican Party Chairman
Norm Semanko, Idaho Republican Party Chairman
Jennifer Nassour, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman
Keith Butler, Michigan National Committeeman
Ginny Haines, New Jersey National Committeewoman
Kevin DeWine, Ohio Republican Party Chairman
Bruce Hough, Utah National Committeeman
Purge Beacon Hill
In addition, the Mass GOP urged Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo to return expensive cigars and flowers sent to them as gifts by Governor Deval Patrick, despite state law prohibiting elected officials from receiving a gift worth $50 or more.
Mass GOP Chairman Jennifer Nassour said: "The Democrats are frantically trying to pass reform and ethics legislation to repair their image after indictments in the House and Senate. Now we see the legislators and the governor cannot even follow the laws we already have that limit gifts and money from lobbyists. The solution to the problem with Massachusetts government is not new laws, the solution is new lawmakers."
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Mass GOP to Patrick: Refund $10,000 from Cognos
Mass GOP Executive Director Nick Connors said: "The Governor is asking the citizens to believe his Administration was simply an unwitting participant in this scheme, but the fact he received $10,000 from Cognos to pay for his inaugural parties raises serious questions. Governor Patrick should refund the donation from Cognos immediately or explain to us why it is proper to keep money from a company at the center of this corruption scandal."
Last week, the Mass GOP urged Patrick to clear the air by launching an inquiry into his Administration's role in the House-for-sale scandal and release the findings. The Obama Administration followed such a course in detailing White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuels's dealings with Illinois Governor Blagojevich.
A January 12, 2007, press release from the Patrick-Murray Inauguration Committee listed Cognos as a $10,000 donor.
The Boston Globe reported reported March 10, 2008:
1. "Cognos was recommended as the winning bidder in May (2007). But the procedures for picking a contractor - including establishing selection criteria, advertising for bidders on the Internet, and determining how the state would use the software - were not even certified by the state comptroller until July."
2. "Language authorizing the purchase was tucked into an 'immediate needs' bond bill, which was filed in the House on March 14, 2007. It flew through the House and Senate in one week and was signed by Patrick on March 23, 2007. By contrast, there are several bond bills filed last year that are still languishing in the Legislature."
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Activist
Newsletter of the Massachusetts Republican Party
What we're doing
In the news from this week
How you can help
In the wake of House-for-Sale Scandal
Steele joins Mass GOP
call for good, effective government
Across the Boston Common, the Democrats were displaying for all the voters the arrogance and greed that has corrupted their leadership. Ex-House Speaker Sal DiMasi was federally indicted for taking payments to influence the awarding of a state contract. The House-for-Sale Scandal will reverberate for months to come until voters have a chance to clean house in November 2010.
The people of Massachusetts are crying out for good, effective government, and it is the Massachusetts Republican Party that is going to deliver solutions with our pro-taxpayer, smaller government message and by fielding a strong group of candidates.
Chairman Steele implored Massachusetts Republicans to work together and promote the party as standing for good, effective government. He told us to be aggressive and tough in battling our Democrat opponents. And that is exactly what we are going to do.
Earlier this week, Nick Connors, the Mass GOP executive director, sent an email to all our
activists. Nick asked them to look at the list of 135 House Democrats who voted in January to re-elect DiMasi as speaker. If an activist's representative voted for DiMasi, Nick asked that the activist write to his or her local paper and expose the House Democrat for taking part in choosing corrupt leadership over the best interests of the citizens.Many activists have answered Nick's call. Brett Schetzsle of Beverly wrote a great letter headlined: What does Rep. Grant think of DiMasi now? My thanks to Brett and all of you who have taken the time to write. If you have not yet, please do.
If you haven't yet, I urge you to take the time write your local newspaper. We must hold the Democrats accountable. Please, help spread the word about the misdeeds of Democrat representatives and why we need to return a healthy two-party system to Beacon Hill.
If we are going to rebuild our party, success will start at the grassroots. On Wednesday, the Mass GOP honored two of our very best activists, Susan Blais and Howard Bibeault, co-chairs of the Attleboro Republican City Committee, with the Shamie Memorial Award for Grassroots Efforts.
Howard and Susan share a remarkable dedication to the city committee, which is strong and active in the community. They have a vision for what the committee means to their city. The committee's website says: "We do our best to contribute to our community and participate to ensure that public discourse is healthy. Our democracy works best when more than one party is represented. We endeavor to have a viable two-party government so that we ALL can benefit from our great Democracy."
That is such an inspirational message, it's no wonder potential candidates seek out Howard and Susan for the wisdom they offer on how to run successful campaigns. Howard and Susan are so well respected across Massachusetts that they are regularly invited to conduct training sessions with other city and town committees.
And Howard and Susan are not content with today; they are focused
fostering tomorrow's leaders. The Attleboro Junior Republican Club is open to Attleboro's youth. Started in 2007, the club offers its members the opportunity to learn about local government and politics, while creating a social atmosphere.In addition, the Mass GOP honored Ambassador Christopher Egan with the Lincoln Reagan Award for his service to our nation and the Republican Party. Chris served as co-chairman of the highly successful 2006 Victory Fund and is a great leader in our party.
Finally, I attended the Connecticut Republican Party's annual award dinner Thursday night, where former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich was the keynote speaker. I'm looking forward to a strong working relationship with Connecticut GOP Chairman Chris Healy, who was kind enough to attend our Lincoln Reagan event Wednesday. I hope to build cooperative network to strengthen all the New England Republican committees.
Keep sending your feedback to jennifer@massgop.com.
Yours in Victory,
Jennifer A. Nassour,
Chairman
What We're Doing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTERNS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The Mass GOP office is full of activity with an influx of 32 college interns who will be offering their time, energy and skill to the Mass GOP for the summer. The interns are assisting in all aspects of the operation, from fundraising to communications.
The experience they gain at the Mass GOP will benefit them in the future, and hopefully, many will go on to staff Republican campaigns across Massachusetts.
In The News From This Week
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charges met with shock, dismay, hope
State Rep. John P. Fresolo, D-Worcester, who said he was not surprised by the alleged corruption detailed in the indictment, said yesterday he never trusted Mr. DiMasi. "He had trouble telling people the truth. He didn't always speak the truth to people," Mr. Fresolo said. "I felt that firsthand every time he dealt with me. He didn't tell me the truth. So it doesn't surprise me," he said of the indictment.
DiMasi gets the chill on Beacon Hill
The state's Republican party has slammed DiMasi's former supporters in several statements, accusing them of having "enabled the corruption of state government."
DiMasi was the third speaker in a row to receive federal indictments from the job.
"House Democrats have a pattern of extremely poor judgment when choosing leaders," said state GOP chairman Jennifer Nassour."
For lawmakers, 'another black stain for Beacon Hill'
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Republicans vowed to use DiMasi's departure as a campaign theme by "making household names out of the 135 Democrats who voted to reelect Sal DiMasi as speaker in January."
"Every House member who supported DiMasi will be called out for endorsing his corrupt leadership," said Mass GOP chairwoman Jennifer A. Nassour. "It is time, once again, to clean up the mess on Beacon Hill by electing new legislators who are committed to small government, lower taxes, and finally ending the culture of corruption and waste."
Making the case for Beacon Hill reform
The state Republican Party is seeking to take advantage of the indictment and put the spotlight on Democrats like Bowles and D'Amico who voted for DiMasi.
"While the federal government seeks to hold Sal DiMasi accountable, we will seek to hold accountable the 135 Democrats who ignored the obvious scandal and re-elected him as speaker in January," Republican Chairwoman Jennifer Nassour said in a press release.
"Every House member who supported DiMasi will be called out for endorsing his corrupt leadership," she said. "It is time, once again, to clean up the mess on Beacon Hill by electing new legislators who are committed to small government, lower taxes and finally ending the culture of corruption and waste."
How You Can Help
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are looking for people who want to volunteer at our Boston HQ. If you are interested, please call us at (617) 523-5005 or email us at info@massgop.com.Quick Links
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MassGOP.com - Our Website
RedMassGroup.com - Online community for Massachusetts Republican activists
Scaling The Hill - Blog for the GOP Senate Caucus - Sen. Richard Tisei, Republican Leader
The Capitol View - Blog for the GOP House Caucus - Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Republican Leader
Get in touch!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Massachusetts Republican Party
85 Merrimac St., Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
info@massgop.com
(617) 523-5005
The Honorable Jennifer A. Nassour, Chair - jennifer@massgop.com
State Party Staff:
Executive Director Nick Connors - nick@massgop.com
Finance Director Lyndsay Jones - ljones@massgop.com
Finance Operations Brett Kasper - bkasper@massgop.com
Operations Director Kaitlyn Greeley - kgreeley@massgop.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They Said It!
House Dems Claim Ignorance, but Coakley Exposed DiMasi Weeks Before House Vote
Boston - The 135 House Democrats who voted to re-elect Sal DiMasi as House speaker in January knew the now-indicted ex-rep was caught in a lie by Attorney General Martha Coakley in December. And at least one House Democrat now says he voted for DiMasi even though he admits the speaker "didn't always speak the truth to people."
Mass GOP Executive Director Nick Connors said: "The 135 House Democrats chose to re-elect Speaker DiMasi despite the mounting evidence of unethical conduct that was publicly known at the time. The House Democrats chose to circle the wagons and try to protect the now-indicted speaker instead of protecting the interests of the people of Massachusetts by choosing a new, ethical leader. The people of Massachusetts have been demanding good, effective government, and the Democrats have failed to deliver."
House Democrats Had Reason to Doubt DiMasi's Word
State Rep. John P. Fresolo, D-Worcester, says DiMasi had trouble with the truth: "He had trouble telling people the truth. He didn't always speak the truth to people," Mr. Fresolo said. "I felt that firsthand every time he dealt with me. He didn't tell me the truth. So it doesn't surprise me," he said of the indictment.
"Charges met with shock, dismay," Telegram & Gazette, June 4, 2009.
Coakley's December indictment contradicted DiMasi's claims: Last April, DiMasi told the Globe that he didn't know that Richard Vitale, his longtime friend, personal accountant, and former campaign treasurer, represented the Massachusetts Association of Ticket Brokers. Neither he nor anyone on his staff ever discussed the group's interest in pending legislation, DiMasi said in an interview.
Then last month, Attorney General Martha Coakley indicted Vitale for violations of state lobbying and campaign finance laws. In the indictment, Coakley said Vitale communicated directly with DiMasi and his top lieutenant Thomas Petrolati, the speaker pro tempore.
Those two accounts simply do not add up.
"DiMasi's apparent deception," The Boston Globe, January 4, 2009
Yet, many Democrats still deny knowing anything:
Rep. Barbara L'Italien (D-Andover): "There was absolutely no substantiation of anything (in January), and so I have to act with the facts that are presented before me," said State Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, "and there were no facts, so I did cast my vote for Sal DiMasi." (http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_154212654.html)
Rep. Harriet Stanley (D-West Newbury): Rep. Harriett Stanley, D-West Newbury, said the media, not prosecutors, were leveling the allegations against DiMasi at the time of the vote to make him speaker for a third term. "You only can go on the information that you have at the time. It was a really tough vote," she said. (http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_154212654.html)
Rep. Barry Finegold (D- Andover): "If what happened yesterday came out three months ago, my vote would have been different," said Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover. (http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_154212654.html)
Rep. Dean Campbell (D-Methuen): "I'm constantly, as an elected official, confronted by innuendo upon which I do not base any of my votes," said Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, D-Methuen. Campbell said DiMasi "emphatically denied" the allegations prior to the vote to re-elect him. (http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_154212654.html)
Rep. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston): State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, who also voted to reappoint DiMasi, said, "The decision I made at the time was a thoughtful one. I made it based on the information available at the time. What I heard was rumor and innuendo." She added about the indictment, "As a legislator, it makes it harder for my constituents to trust that I'm working in their interests." (http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/state/x138098779/Local-rep-DiMasi-indictment-a-sad-way-to-end-a-good-career)
Rep. Denis Guyer (D-Dalton): Still, Guyer said he doesn't regret having voted for DiMasi for speaker. "When I voted for Sal DiMasi in January, it was rumor, it was speculation, it was speculative," Guyer said. "A lot of what we were hearing was in the media. I looked at Speaker DiMasi's record - a 30-year legislator." (http://www.wbur.org/2009/06/04/dimasi-reaction)
They Said It!
Governor Deval Patrick Dodges 'Fair Questions'
In an interview on WTKK-FM 96.9 with hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan, Governor Deval Patrick refused to answer questions on what he knew about the House-for-sale scandal and when he knew it. Here is an excerpt from that interview.
Jim Braude: When was the first time you had any idea that DiMasi wanted Cognos? Did you ever speak to DiMasi about Cognos, and did you have any part in the final approval of Cognos getting this contract?
Governor Patrick: Those are all fair questions that I am not going to get into now because again, because I've, I've, we've been through all this with the FBI, and I fully expect, or at least I guess it's possible, that if this thing goes on, we may have to participate further, me and others on the uh on the team. I will tell you that the stuff that's in the indictment, my gosh, I certainly didn't know about that.
Braude: ... Did he at any point have a conversation with you, he - DiMasi - about his interest in Cognos getting the contract?
Patrick: Not so much Cognos, but I certainly knew he was interested in this software.
Braude: From him?
Patrick: Yeah.
Patrick Should Follow Obama's Example in Blago Case
Boston - Mass GOP Executive Director Nick Connors issued the following statement regarding restoring the public trust in state government.
Connors said: "The public's trust will not be restored until there is a full explanation of the role played by all public officials and employees in this House-for-sale scandal, and all we are hearing is a lot of 'no comments.' Governor Patrick should immediately launch an investigation into the role his top advisors played in this sordid affair and release the findings. Surely, he cannot object to following the example set by the Obama Administration in handling White House chief of staff Rahm Emmanuel's dealings with Illinois Governor Blagojevich."
Connors added: "The people of Massachusetts deserve good and effective government, and they will not see it as long as we have leaders who refuse to explain their actions and only attempt to enact meaningful reforms after serious corruption has been exposed."
House Democrats Accountable for Corruption
32 Democrats Hit the Trifecta - They Voted for Each of the Three Indicted Speakers
BOSTON - Of the 135 House Democrats who voted to re-elect Sal DiMasi as speaker in January, 32 had also supported the re-election Tom Finneran and Charlie Flaherty as speaker in the votes immediately prior to their federal indictments. And 42 voted for two of the three speakers before their indictments, according to a review of House roll call votes.
Of the 32 House Democrats, 23 are now in legislative leadership positions, entitling them to extra pay or power in the State House.
Mass GOP Chairman Jennifer Nassour said: "House Democrats have a pattern of extremely poor judgment when choosing leaders, and it has hurt the people of Massachusetts who are saddled with higher taxes to pay for corrupt government. Every one of the 135 House Democrats knew of the multiple federal and state investigations into Speaker DiMasi, and yet they voted to re-elect him as speaker."
Nassour continued: "Everyone of these House Democrats enabled the corruption of state government, and they should have known better. They chose their own interests and special interests over the interests of their constituents. They have worn out their welcome on Beacon Hill, and if they don't leave on their own, I think voters will show them the door."
Mass GOP to Andover Democrat: Report the Abuse to Feds
Boston - Mass GOP Executive Director Nick Connors issued the following statement in response to House Democrat David Torrisi's comments in today's Boston Globe.
Connors said: "I am saddened, but not surprised to read Torrisi's comment that 5 percent of his colleagues behave in a manner that is reflective of the indictment against Sal DiMasi. I call upon Torrisi to immediately report to the U.S. Attorney's Office the 5 percent of House members he believes brazenly abuse their power."
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"It's another black stain for Beacon Hill," said Representative David Torrisi, a Democrat from North Andover. "It's a brazen abuse of power that is not a real reflection of 95 percent of my colleagues."
"For lawmakers, 'Another black stain for Beacon Hill,'"
The Boston Globe, June 3, 2009
Mass GOP to Voters: Hold Accountable DiMasi's 135 Supporters
Democrats Re-Elected DiMasi Despite Scandal
BOSTON - In the wake of the indictment of the third consecutive Democrat House speaker, the Massachusetts Republican Party today pledged to begin cleaning up Beacon Hill by making household names out of the 135 Democrats who voted to re-elect Sal DiMasi as speaker in January.
Mass GOP Chairman Jennifer A. Nassour said: "The third consecutive indictment of a Democrat House speaker is a complete disgrace. While the federal government seeks to hold Sal DiMasi accountable, we will seek to hold accountable the 135 Democrats who ignored the obvious scandal and re-elected him as speaker in January. Every House member who supported DiMasi will be called out for endorsing his corrupt leadership. It is time, once again, to clean up the mess on Beacon Hill by electing new legislators who are committed to small government, lower taxes and finally ending the culture of corruption and waste."
Sex, Lies and Rep. Gloria Fox
Mass GOP Demands Answers from Patrick-Murray Administration
BOSTON - The Massachusetts Republican Party today called on the Patrick-Murray Administration to explain why a convicted murderer is now receiving preferential treatment after he was visited by State Rep. Gloria Fox, who according to the Boston Herald, smuggled the murderer's girlfriend into the prison.
Mass GOP Chairman Jennifer Nassour said: "Aside from Representative Fox's troubling and bizarre actions, a more serious question is why the Patrick-Murray Administration transferred a convicted felon from high-security, solitary confinement to a medium-security private cell after the representative visited him for four hours. Why was this action taken? Who ordered it ? Why was standard prison policy ignored? What role did Representative Fox play in this action?"
Nassour continued: "Representative Fox owes the public an explanation for why she abused her authority as a legislator and lied to prison guards in order to get the murderer's girlfriend inside the prison to visit him. The people are sick and tired of elected officials abusing their powers to benefit special interests, and its just ridiculous when the special interest is a convicted murderer. "
Among the revelations in today's Herald:
"Using her State House-issued, all-access prison privileges, Fox, 67, visited convicted murderer Darrell Jones in the high-security segregation unit of the Old Colony Correctional Center with a woman the Roxbury Democrat claimed was her 'best aide,' two prison sources told the Herald."
"But Fox and the woman were bagged by a vigilant guard who recognized the 'aide' as Jones' girlfriend - a woman previously written up for engaging in prohibited 'sexual acts' in the visitor room with Jones."
"The day after Fox's bizarre visit on May 7, Jones was inexplicably transferred from solitary confinement in Bridgewater to a coveted single cell in the general population of medium-security MCI-Norforlk prison, sources said."
