Delahunt Bowing Out?

Could Bill Delahunt be the next Democrat from Massachusetts to be replaced by a Republican?

US Representative William Delahunt said yesterday that he is considering retiring from his congressional seat representing the South Shore and Cape Cod, although he portrayed his deliberations as routine and said they are not related to challenges from Republicans who are energized by Scott Brown’s upset victory in last month’s special Senate election.

“Every election cycle, I take my time, I think it through, and I think, not about whether I can win or lose, but: ‘Am I in a position to make a difference?’ ’’ Delahunt, a Quincy Dem ocrat, said in a telephone interview. “Can I achieve what I want to achieve outside of public life?’’

Delahunt, who has not faced a serious challenge since he was elected in 1996, has a campaign war chest of more than $600,000 but has not been aggressively raising money this year, according to federal records. He said he will announce in March whether he will seek reelection.

If he departs, it would signal a continued shift in New England’s political landscape after the Republican Brown stunned Democrats when he won the seat held by the late Edward M. Kennedy. Kennedy’s son, Patrick, said yesterday that he will be quitting his US House seat in Rhode Island.

“I have held elected office for almost 40 years,’’ said Delahunt, a former prosecutor. “I understand that there is always an ebb and flow. Today you are up and tomorrow you are down. That is the rhythm of political life.’’

Delahunt has held office so long that Democratic strategists said it is not clear who in his party might seek the seat if he were to retire. Some have floated the name of Therese Murray, president of the Massachusetts State Senate, who is from Plymouth. But she has recently indicated that she believes Delahunt will run and win.

Still, several Republicans see a chance to recapture one of the state’s conservative districts, where Brown received some of his highest margins of victory on Jan. 19. And they have seized on an unlikely issue: Venezuela. Or, more specifically, Delahunt’s good relations with Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela, who once called President Bush “the devil’’ in a speech at the United Nations.

One of those Republicans is State Rep. Jeff Perry, who recently announced his candidacy. Obviously, the dynamics of this years elections changed  when Scott Brown won his election. Every seat is in play now. If Delahunt does retire this offers even more hope for the Republican Party since taking an open seat is easier than defeating an incumbent. In a district handily won by Scott Brown, it is safe to say that the Democrats’ one-party stranglehold on the state is weakening.

#4

Congratulations all around…Massachusetts is ranked fourth in stimulus spending.

Massachusetts is ranked fourth in the nation when it comes to spending federal stimulus money.

State officials overseeing the stimulus program in Massachusetts said the state has been awarded $3.3 billion in federal funds and has already spent about $1.5 billion on transportation, clean energy, health and human services and education.

The money has also been used to stave off even deeper budget cuts, although state lawmakers, including Senate President Therese Murray, have warned that next year’s budget deliberations could be even tougher as stimulus funding dries up.

Also Thursday, Gov. Deval Patrick announced 75 communities will receive $40 million in federal community development grants — including $9 million in stimulus funds.

So what did we get for that money? So far, we have seen roads resurfaced that didn’t need it. We’ve seen road signs that were perfectly fine get replaced. And the sales tax went up.

Awesome! Hip hip hurray for being #4!

Tax Hike Passes Senate

Let the hemorrhaging begin…

The state Senate approved a 25 percent sales tax hike last night and removed the exemption on booze, bringing recession-ravaged Bay State residents one step closer to paying more at the cash register.

Senators also passed a municipal package that would let cities and towns boost taxes on meals and lodging despite their concerns that taxpayers might seek payback – in the voting booth.

“We were very sensitive to that and tried to look at the least harmful place to go,” said Senate President Therese Murray, who argued the sales tax – boosted from 5 percent to 6.25 percent – has exemptions on necessities such as food and clothing.

She said she staved off an onslaught of calls from many members to hike the income and gas taxes in an effort to restore state services.

“The budget without restoring some of these funds was not palatable,” she said. Even with the total $713 million tax increase, the budget’s bottom line is still brutally low. “There will be very, very painful cuts and the elimination of programs and services.”

The sales tax vote, approved by a veto-proof 29-to-10 margin, came after senators moved quickly to lift the sales tax exemption on alcohol in package stores, which they hope will bring in $80 million more a year for substance abuse treatment.

How did your senator vote? Don’t forget in 2010…

BREAKING: Marzilli Resigns

PolitickerMA.com reports that James Marzilli has resigned.

Jim Marzilli has resigned from the state Senate, according to Senate President Therese Murray’s office.

In a letter to Murray, Marzilli, an Arlington Democrat, stated: “I hereby offer my resignation, effective 5 P.M., November 14.”

Marzilli is currently faces numerous charges of sexual assault. He was again in the news this week for travelling to Berlin, Germany, in October for an environmental summit as a representative of the Massachusetts state Senate.

Murray, who called Marzilli’s trip “completely outrageous” on Thursday, commended him for resigning.

“In deference to the need for public trust on matters before this great institution, Jim Marzilli has made the right decision for the Massachusetts Senate, the citizens of the commonwealth, and himself,” Murray said in a statement. “While the Senate deals with the conduct of another member, Jim Marzilli’s resignation will begin the process of restoring the public’s trust in their government.”

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