Saturday, May 25, 2013
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
The rush from Beacon Hill to the westbound turnpike this week had as much to do with two of Worcester's political sons beating feet from the capitol as with the impending Memorial Day weekend. As Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray attempted as graceful an exit as possible from politics, fellow Worcester Democrat Rep. John Fresolo made his hasty escape under an ethics cloud feeling "marginalized" by his peers and pressured to resign, which he did. If not for those two storylines, the focus may have been on the Senate's breakneck budget debate concluding Thursday night as senators wiped their hands clean of 725 amendments and passed a $34 billion fiscal 2014 budget without the need for Senate President Therese Murray to threaten a Friday or Saturday …
Friday, May 24, 2013
Massachusetts State Senate unanimously backs bill, spurred by the Marathon Bombings, to protect off-duty first responders who aid others during an emergency.
The Massachusetts State Senate has unanimously approved a “Good Samaritan Bill” aimed at protecting off-duty first responders from lawsuits if they provide assistance at an emergency scene. The issue of protecting first responders and others from lawsuits has come up at various times in recent years, but quickly regained traction in the aftermath of the recent Boston Marathon bombings. “While the many off-duty firefighters and EMTs who rushed to help in the aftermath of the Marathon bombings brought this into sharp focus, the fact is we are lucky to have brave men and women who come to the aid of their fellow citizens every day in emergencies from car accidents to heart attacks,” said State Senator Katherine Clark, who chairs the …
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The campaign committee called “Koutoujian for Congress” allows the candidate to raise money for a campaign and hire campaign staff.
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced Thursday that he is opening a Congressional campaign committee account. The move is a serious indication that Koutoujian will run for U.S. Congress if Congressman Edward Markey wins the U.S. Senate special election next month. "I have dedicated my life to working on issues important to the people I have been honored to represent as a legislator and now as Sheriff. If given the opportunity, I intend to fight for the people of the 5th Congressional district as their representative in Washington," said Koutoujian. "Throughout my career, I have focused on guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care, enacting common sense measures to strengthen our economy, ensuring public …
Majority Whip of the Massachusetts Senate says she is in the race to be the congressman for the 5th Middlesex District, if Congressman Ed Markey Wins the Senate race on June 25.
Sen. Karen Spilka, who represents Framingham, announced on her personal Facebook page Tuesday, if Congressman Ed Markey wins the U.S. Senate seat vacated by now Secretary of State John Kerry, she win run for Congress. "Want my friends and supporters to know first: I'm in the race for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional district. Looking forward to making a formal announcement once Ed Markey is our US Senator," posted the Ashland resident. The senate election is Tuesday June 25. Congressman Markey, who represents Framingham and has an office downtown, is running against Republican Gabriel Gomez. A fundraising page was created for the Spilka for Congress campaign. On the page its states, "No one is more qualified than State Senate Majority …
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Outgoing lieutenant governor said recent controversies had nothing to do with decision to resign.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said none of the controversies that have dogged him during his tenure on Beacon Hill contributed to his decision to announce his resignation. In a press conference at the State House Wednesday, Murray said his final day on the job will be June 2. The next day he will take over as president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce where his salary will reportedly be around $200,000. In January, Murray said he had no intention of running for governor when Gov. Deval Patrick's term expires in January 2015. "This has been a very difficult but empowering decision," Murray said. "It has been an honor to serve as lieutenant governor." Patrick called Murray an "outstanding partner" during his time in …
42.35763
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Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon St, Boston, MA
/articles/murray-to-resign-june-2-patrick-calls-him-outstanding-partner
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CBS Boston reports Murray has a new job lined up already.
UPDATE, 12:15 p.m.: The Massachusetts Republican Party was quick to jump on the reports about Murray's resignation, saying Murray is trying "to outrun the scandal that dogs him" in a statement on their website. MassGOP attempted to liken Murray's exit to that of former House Speaker Thomas Finneran, who was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2007. “History doesn’t always repeat itself, but in this case it looks like Tim Murray is following the same path as a previous, disgraced Democratic official,” said Nate Little MassGOP Executive Director in the scathing statement. “Only time will tell if Murray follows the Finneran playbook to the end, complete with indictment and guilty plea.” UPDATE, 10:45 a.m.: Boston.com has updated their …
42.35763
-71.063499
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon St, Boston, MA
/articles/lt-gov-tim-murray-to-resign
1465768
/locations/9408680
The Town of Natick is currently looking to fill six different positions.
There are currently six job vacancies that Natick is looking to fill, according to the Town of Natick website. Here are the employment opportunities that are available: 1. The Natick Housing Authority is looking for a Director of Maintenance and Modernization. 2. The Natick Police Department is looking for a Meter Enforcement Operator. This position is part-time. 3. The police are also looking for a part-time dispatcher. 4. A new Building Commission is needed. 5. The Recreation and Parks Department is looking for a head nurse at Camp Woodtrail at Kennedy Middle School. 6. Lastly, the town is looking for a PR Comptroller. If you are interested in any of these positions, or know someone who's qualified, simply go to the town's website to …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Detective Chad M. Howard was recognized last night before the Board of Selectmen as the Natick Police Department Officer of the Year.
Generally speaking, the officers in the Natick Police Department go about doing their job and protecting the people of Natick in a quiet way without ever receiving much credit. But last night, before the Board of Selectmen, one member of the Natick Police Department wasn't able to go unnoticed, as Detective Chad M. Howard was honored as the Natick Police Department Officer of the Year for the year 2013. "Detective Howard is a thorough and proactive investigator who employs methods and techniques available in ways not previously considered," Natick Chief of Police James Hicks said. Hicks also spoke about things other than Howard simply being good at professional skills. He talked about how Howard, who has been with the department since 2005…
Saturday, May 18, 2013
If passed, the legislation would go into effect from Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15.
The Joint Committee on Revenue in the Massachusetts legislature held a hearing this week on the notion of a potential meals tax holiday for August and one supporting group liking its chances. According to the state's Restaurant and Business Alliance (R.A.B.A), the hearing held Tuesday, May 14 for the Meals Tax Holiday Bill saw "no sign of opposition" to the measure. Twelve legislators have signed on to the bill primarily sponsored by Rep. Keiko Orrall of Lakeville and Sen. Michael O. Moore of Millbury. If passed, the legislation would go into effect from Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15. "We should offer a Meals Tax Holiday to benefit employees and small local business owners inside Massachusetts to help stimulate the economy," …
Recap and analysis of the week in state government.
Like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together yet, the Big Three may have been separated at birth, but with each incremental step their destinies seem to grow more intertwined. No, we're not talking about those Big Three - Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo - though they play major character roles in this thickening plot. Instead, three bills have come to define the early months of the 2013 legislative agenda and resolutions on tax hikes, local road funding and the annual state budget continue to be elusive and dependent on one another. Patrick spent the early part of his week welcoming British Prime Minister David Cameron to Boston for a few quick meetings and a visit to the Copley …
phil t
1:39 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2013
Wake up Paul. He STOLE it. more ›