Baker-Tisei Takes The Convention

It comes as no surprise that Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei were victorious at the Massachusetts GOP Convention today.

Today at the Massachusetts Republican Party Convention in Worcester, Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei overwhelmingly received the Republican Party endorsement. With over 2800 delegates in attendance, Baker won by an overwhelming margin of 89 – 11 over Christy Mihos.

“No candidate in modern Republican Convention history has trounced his opponent like this,” said Baker-Tisei Convention Chair and House Minority Leader Brad Jones. “It was a wipeout.”

“To receive the endorsement of the Republican Party is truly an honor,” said Baker. “As I have campaigned across Massachusetts, a consistent theme has been apparent, people are extremely worried about out-of-control spending from the insiders running Beacon Hill. Today marks the start of change.”

I do find it odd that only 4 years ago, the Massachusetts Republican Party was begging Christy Mihos to run as a Republican, and spoke often about the benefits of having a Republican Primary. Mihos’ 11% ensures no primary battle, and that is unfortunate. Why didn’t the Party make sure Christy got 15% so we could have a primary? What’s different now than 4 years ago? It’s just as important this year, if not more, than it was last time around…

Well, I suppose there’s no use wasting any words on pondering the issue.

Congratulations to Team Baker-Tisei. Let’s make it happen.

Latest Budget Includes Taxes, Not Reforms

The budget unveiled by our elected officials on Beacon Hill still lacks in the reform department.

Beacon Hill lawmakers last night unveiled a $27.4 billion budget that hikes taxes nearly $1 billion while slashing aid to cities and towns.

The spending blueprint raises the sales and meals taxes from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, and ends the sales tax exemption on booze bought in package stores, soaking taxpayers for an estimated $860 million.

Cities and towns would also be able to raise hotel and meals taxes, expected to cost taxpayers another $95 million.

Democrats who control the budget-writing committees noted that they cut $700 million in spending.

“This reflects the reality we’re in,” said Rep. Charles Murphy (D-Burlington).

But House Republican Leader Rep. Brad Jones said the budget would whack struggling families.

“The fact of the matter is, I think this budget will have a heavy dose of taxes, obviously some serious cuts and very little reform,” Jones said.

The spending cuts and tax hikes come as the state faces a $3 billion dropoff in tax revenue.

Some of the budgets provisions include:

• Cut Quinn Bill education funding for current police officers to $10 million, while eliminating them entirely for new officers
• Force state workers to pay as much as 25 percent of their health-care premiums – a hike of at least 5 percent
• Steer $275 million to transportation funding to stave off Pike toll hikes and MBTA fare increases.

How about we force state workers to pay as much as 50%, as many of us in the private sector do. Sorry, but an increase of 5% to their share of their health care pales in comparison to the real world and we are going through.

$275 million to stave off hikes in the Pike tolls and MBTA fares? Will they guarantee that the tolls and fares can’t go up? Sorry, but I’d bet good money that even with $275 million to “stave off” those increase, they will come in short order.

Whatever the budget proposes, I am sure more could be done–much more–they just won’t. Until Beacon Hill takes the idea of reform seriously, we will be forced to endure tax increases on top of cuts to services. That is inexcusable.

Patrick Still Wants To Give Looters Free Wheels

These days, being poor is like winning the lottery. That’s what welfare is. But to what end? Why is that in this current economic crisis, Governor Deval Patrick still wants to give welfare recipients free cars?

Gov. Deval Patrick’s free wheels for welfare recipients program is revving up despite the stalled economy, as the keys to donated cars loaded with state-funded insurance, repairs and even AAA membership are handed out to get them to work.

But the program – fueled by a funding boost despite the state’s fiscal crash – allows those who end up back on welfare to keep the cars anyway.

“It’s mind-boggling. You’ve got people out there saying, ‘I just lost my job. Hey, can I get a free car, too?’ ” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

The Patrick administration decided last month to funnel an additional $30,000 to the nearly $400,000 annual car ownership program.

The program, which is provided by the State Department of Transitional Assistance, gives out about 65 cars a year, said DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe.

The state pays for the car’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for one year at a total cost of roughly $6,000 per car.

The program, which started in 2006, distributes cars donated by non-profit charities such as Good News Garage, a Lutheran charity, which also does the repair work on the car and bills the state.

Kehoe defended the program, saying the state breaks even by cutting welfare payments to the family – about $6,000 a year.

“If you look at the overall picture, this helps make sure people aren’t staying on cash assistance. It’s a relatively short payment for a long-term benefit,” Kehoe said.

But Kehoe admitted about 20 percent of those who received a car ended up back on welfare, and while they lose the insurance and other benefits, they don’t have to return the car.

“Given the state’s fiscal condition, paying for AAA and auto inspection costs is outrageous,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield). “There are so many families out there trying to deal with layoffs and pay cuts. You have to wonder what the state’s priorities are at this point.”

This is unacceptable. How do Governor Patrick and Commissioner Kehoe defend this when people who actually aren’t society’s slugs are struggling? How can you let someone keep a free car to drive to work when they aren’t working? And on top of it all, how can you expect people who work hard everyday to pay for their own cars to just sit back and let this go? It just doesn’t make sense.

It Pays To Be Friends With Deval

$175,000 a year.

Not a bad wage. Not bad at all. Must be nice to be buddies with the Governor, and get a job that pays $175,000 a year (a job that the Commonwealth has survived over a decade without) while the rest of us are taxed to death.

Outrage is sweeping Beacon Hill after Gov. Deval Patrick quietly slipped a $175,000 plum job to a political pal while squeezing taxpayers to pay more for less from the debt-ridden state government.

Asking citizens to fork over 19 cents more per gallon at the gas pump while bracing for cuts of cops and teachers, Patrick awarded supporter Marian Walsh the pricey plum as assistant executive director of the state’s Health and Educational Facilities Authority.

The job has been vacant for 12 years. The appointment of Walsh, 54, a Democratic state senator from West Roxbury, was revealed amid news of a $1 billion state deficit while Patrick continued his vacation in Jamaica.

“We’re facing a fiscal crisis and he’s giving away a $175,000 job,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This was vacant for several years. Why do we need it now?”

“While the state’s in a fiscal calamity and we’re trying to stay afloat, the governor is basically creating this pricey position,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield).

The six-digit salary boost won’t affect Walsh’s pension because the quasi-independent authority isn’t under the state retirement system. She currently makes $76,000 a year as majority whip and has served in the Senate since 1993.

Patrick appointed Walsh’s husband, retired District Court judge Paul Buckley, to a $113,000-a-year job as director of the state’s industrial accident board. He’s eligible to take home a $92,000 pension upon retiring.

While the outrage against Deval Patrick mounts, you got to wonder–is all this unpopular talks of new taxes, toll hikes, and jobs for pals just a way to tank his popularity so that he will lose his reelection bid he promises he will stick around for, paving the way for a cushy job in the Obama administration?

How else can it explain all this poor politicking–other than with stupidity?

Your Vote Does Matter Tomorrow (…Well, Some of Them)

Massachusetts is written off by presidential candidates. It’s a sure thing.

But there are a series of state elections that your vote does matter…and can have a huge impact on state politics.

Here is my take on the three questions:

Question 1, to eliminate the income tax. Truthfully, how you vote on this is really about sending a message to Beacon Hill. If the citizens do vote to end the income tax, and I believe they will, the Democratic Legislature will just ignore the will of the people, as they have done many times in the recent past.

Question 2, decriminalizing pot possession of 1 oz. or less. Anyone caught with said amount will have to “give up pot” and pay a $100 civil fine. Does anyone think telling someone they have to give up pot is going to work? It’s already an illegal substance. $100 fine is beans. This question sucks. A vote yes sends the wrong message, and it paves the way for the complete decriminalization of marijuana. I predict it will be close, but will pass, even though it shouldn’t.

Question 3, seeks to ban dog racing and betting. The pro-Question 3 effort is spearheaded by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I have not been able to pay attention to the ad campaign to see who make the most compelling argument. That said, I don’t lose any sleep at night if a greyhound gets hurt on a racetrack. Racetrack owners who are leading the opposition argue the animals are well cared for, and that 1,000 jobs would be lost if this question wins. Sorry, but people are more important than animals. Vote no.

Where your votes can make the most difference is Beacon Hill.

Beacon Hill is nearly 90% democrats. This is absurd. The reason why your vote on Question 1 is meaningless is because of the state legislature has shown time and time again your vote is bupkis–totally meaningless. The “party of choice” takes that choice away from you. You vote for change, and they take it away. Party of the people? Not quite. It’s only natural that we disapprove of the whole government body, but like our particular elected official…but people, please, look at the record of your elected officials. If they are not on your side, don’t give them the privilege of your vote. The only way to reign them in is to bring something resembling balance to Beacon Hill, and yes, that means electing some Republicans. Here is a list of candidates running for election and reelection:

State Senate

Jon Rockwood – Bristol and Norfolk
Brion Cangiamila – Fourth Middlesex
Keith McCormic – Hampshire and Franklin
Sandra “Sandi” Martinez – Third Middlesex
Richard Tisei – Middlesex and Essex
Steve Levy – Middlesex and Worcester
Scott Brown – Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth
Robert Hedlund – Plymouth and Norfolk
John Lebeaux – 2^nd Worcester
Bruce Tarr – 1^st Essex and Middlesex
Mike Knapik – 2^nd Hampden and Hampshire

State Representative

Don Howell – Barnstable 4
Jeff Perry – Barnstable 5
Fred Barrows – Bristol 1
George Ross – Bristol 2
C.J. Ferry – Bristol 7
Elizabeth Poirier – Bristol 14
Brad Hill – Essex 4
John Blaisdell – Essex 8
Lawrence Brennan – Essex 18
Robert Parks – Franklin 2
William Scibelli – Hampden 2
George Vazquez – Hampden 10
Paul Avella – Middlesex 2
Sonny Parente – Middlesex 3
Arthur Vigeant – Middlesex 4
Dan Haley – Middlesex 8
Susan Pope – Middlesex 13
Brad Jones – Middlesex 20
Anthony Lucacio – Middlesex 22
Jeffrey Bilezikian – Middlesex 29
Brian O’Connor – Middlesex 31
Kurt Hayes – Middlesex 37
Bob Thomas – Norfolk 4
Richard Ross – Norfolk 9
Vinny DeMacedo – Plymouth 1
Susan Gifford – Plymouth 2
Dan Webster – Plymouth 6
Lewis Evangelidis – Worcester 1
Stephen Comtois – Worcester 5
Ronald Chernisky – Worcester 6
Paul Frost – Worcester 7
Kevin Kuros – Worcester 8
George Peterson – Worcester 9
Karyn Polito – Worcester 11

Capitol Hill suffers from a similar problem… but our delegation is 100% Democrats.

US Senate
Jeff Beatty

US Congress
Nathan Bech – 1^st District
Earl Sholley – 4^th District
Richard Baker – 6^th District
John Cunningham – 7^th District

Bottom line, electing mostly or all Democrats is failing this state. If you want change, the answer is clear: send the Democrats packing. If you choose to accept the current state of Massachusetts politics as it is, don’t be surprise if at the next national election we’ll have end up sending a few less congressional representatives to sit in the Capitol.