Blogs For Joy

Something special always happens this time of year, and why not in the blogosphere.

Rob Willington, who runs Mass Roots, has launched Blogs For Joy, a collective of Massachusetts bloggers who will use their influence to spread joy to those in need.

Check out Rob’s inaugural post at Blogs For Joy to learn more about how you can help spread the joy this season.

BREAKING NEWS: Wilkerson Asked To Immediately Resign

The State Senate wants Dianne Wilkerson to resign…today.

The state Senate passed a unanimous resolution this afternoon asking Democratic Senator Dianne Wilkerson to resign immediately following her arrest on charges she accepted eight bribes worth $23,500.

Lawmakers also stripped Wilkerson of her chairmanship of the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight and her committee assignments and asked the Senate Ethics Committee to explore the accusations made by the FBI after an 18-month corruption probe.

This morning before the vote, Wilkerson sent a letter to Senate President Therese Murray saying she would follow the will of the Senate. Wilkerson has not issued a public statement today, but on Wednesday she vowed to continue her write-in campaign to save the seat she has held for 15 years.

“These are very serious allegations against the senator,” Murray told reporters after the vote. “We are all upset about the taint and shadow of doubt cast upon the Senate and its members based on the allegations of one person. I want to assure the people of the Commonwealth that we are fully cooperating with law enforcement in this ongoing investigation. I’m comfortable and confident that the integrity of the senate, and my own integrity, will remain intact at the end of this ordeal.”

Fair enough, or is it?

The Massachusetts Republican Party is wondering why Jim Marzilli still gets to keep his job, and keeps receiving a paycheck.

“Today, the taxpayers of Massachusetts paid Jim Marzilli $180.10,” said MassGOP Executive Director Rob Willington.

Note: The MassGOP Called on the State Senate to expel Jim Marzilli on July 1st.
Days elapsed since Marzilli’s indictment: 121
Days until Marzilli’s pension increases: 63
Cost of Senator Marzilli per day: $180.10
Total taxpayer cost since indictment: $21,792.10
For More information, visit MarzilliWatch.com

Buonomo Resigns, Why Hasn’t Marzilli?

John Buonomo has resigned from his position as Middlesex Register of Probate.

Middlesex Register of Probate John Buonomo, arrested last month and charged with stealing thousands of dollars from copying machines at the Registry of Deeds in Cambridge, has resigned from his $110,000-a-year job.

His letter of resignation was dated Friday and was sent to Gov. Deval Patrick and state Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret Marshall.

Buonomo, 56, of Newton, was captured on state police videotape allegedly stealing cash from copying machines at the Middlesex Registry of Deeds office.

Via press release, the Massachusetts GOP asks, “why hasn’t Marzilli [resigned]?”

MassGOP Executive Director Rob Willington said, “Today, the taxpayers of Massachusetts paid Jim Marzilli $180.10.”

Note: The MassGOP Called on the State Senate to expel Jim Marzilli on July 1st.

Days elapsed since Marzilli’s indictment: 69

Days until Marzilli’s pension increases: 115

Cost of Senator Marzilli per day: $180.10

Total taxpayer cost since indictment: $12,426.90

For More information, visit MarzilliWatch.com

MassGOP Launches MarzilliWatch.com

The Massachusetts GOP has launched a blog, MarzilliWatch.com.

Rob Willington Executive Director of the Massachusetts GOP, issued the following statement:

“If Jim Marzilli isn’t showing up for work, then why should we keep paying his full time salary? Beacon Hill Democrats want to protect their own, but they should do the right thing and immediately expel Senator Marzilli since he is not showing up for work.”

Willington noted that to pay Marzilli’s yearly salary costs the taxpayers the equivalent of 4,559 gallons of gas, 17,701 Big Macs, or 322,000 eggs, or 15,751 gallons of milk.

Mass GOP Calls on Coakley To Do Her Job and Investigate DiMasi

Rob Willington, executive director of the Mass GOP, released the following statement today.

“Attorney General Martha Coakley needs to start acting like a General and start her own investigation into the serious ethics allegations leveled against Speaker DiMasi, and also the charge of ‘Phantom Voting’ which violates the civil rights of the people of this Commonwealth. Her inaction on these issues speak volumes about her leadership – she makes Tom Reilly look busy.”