Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?

Email to a friend Permalink

Friday, January 18, 2013

Adam Joseph Drici, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Every Friday, GoLocalWorcester takes a look at who's rising and falling in the Massachusetts political world.

Hot

Deval Patrick: The Governor continued to roll out big-time initiatives for his final two years in office, with a 10-year $13 billion transportation investment plan, including $11 million for the Worcester Regional Transit Authority in FY2014, as well as an education investment plan that calls for $550 million in additional funding and $1 billion annually over the next four years. The focus on long-term investment goals is fitting for Patrick, who has said he will not seek reelection. Big ticket budget items can be a hard sell to voters, but the work the Governor's plans call for is sorely needed in the Bay State.

Ed Markey: The field of Democratic competitors for John Kerry's soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat keeps getting shorter. Markey is still the only candidate to officially announce his intention to run, and both Pittsfield state Senator Benjamin Downing and Congressman Michael Capuano have now bowed out of the running after considering making a play for the Commonwealth's seat in the upper house. Meanwhile, Markey picked up the endorsement of the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, as well as an experienced campaign manager and two of Elizabeth Warren's top fundraisers, fresh off their victory in last November's Bay State Senate race. The Congressman's chances are looking increasingly good as the impending special election season nears.

John Kerry: A date has finally been set for Kerry's Senate confirmation hearing after President Obama nominated the Massachusetts Senator to serve as his second-term Secretary of State. The hearing is set to kick off on Thursday, January 24, and Kerry is widely believed to have a relatively easy time in front of the house of Congress he has served in for nearly 30 years.

Casino Applications: Eleven gaming developers filed their applications, along with their $400,000 nonrefundable application fee, with the state's Gaming Commission prior to the January 15 deadline in order to be in the running for the Commonwealth's casino and slots parlor licenses. Applicants were not required to name a specific city or site in their submission, and Cambridge developer Richard Friedman has secured an agreement for the Wyman-Gordon property in Worcester. Friedman said that one or more of the gaming license applicants have expressed interest in Worcester, so gaming may still be on the table for the Commonwealth's second-largest city.

Not

Proposed Income Tax Hike: While many were relieved that Patrick chose not to pursue regional pay roll taxes, gas tax hikes or a miles-driven tax to finance his transportation plan, and everyone would undoubtedly appreciate a sales tax cut, the Governor's proposed 1-percent increase to the state income tax rate can't help but rankle a little bit. Here's hoping that, if approved, the improvements in the Commonwealth's transportation and education networks outweigh the 6.25 percent income tax rate or Bay Staters may continue to see businesses migrate north to neighboring New Hampshire with it's 0 percent income tax.

Panhandling Ordinances: The two ordinances prohibit aggressive panhandling and pedestrians in roadways that the Worcester City Council passed this week will mean the end to the tag days held by Little Leagues and other youth sports organizations throughout the city. City Manager Michael O'Brien said he will look into how the City can help recoup some of those funds leagues formerly earned on Worcester's street corners. A public safety issue certainly did exist with children running in and out of roadways, but the two ordinances seem to be creating as many issues as they were originally intended to solve.

Medical Marijuana Regulations: Even though the state's Department of Public Health has 120 days from January 1 to develop and release its official guidelines for the licensing and distribution systems for voter-approved medical marijuana, many are not holding their breath that the regulations will be ready in time. The Massachusetts Municipal Association has called for a day in the law's implementation to allow cities and towns time to get their zoning regulations in order, and At-Large Councilor Konstantina Lukes proposed a similar moratorium for Worcester this week. The Council shot down her proposal, but did ask for a report from the City Manager on adding medical marijuana dispensaries to the City's table of uses in order to make sure they're located in the appropriate zones. Local officials are still going to need some direction from the state sooner rather than later.

Related Articles

• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?
• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?
• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?
• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?
• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?
• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?
• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Mass Politics?
• Common Wealth: Who’s Hot And Who’s Not In Mass Politics?

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink