Mass Fiscal Alliance Supports Rosenberg’s Proposed Changes to Senate Rules
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Saturday, January 17, 2015
GoLocal Worcester News Team
Paul Craney, Mass Fiscal Alliance Executive Director
On Friday, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance expressed its support for proposals made by new state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst. These proposals include making legislative agendas available to the public two days in advance, and providing more information about budget adjustments. Also, a number of proposals allowed individual legislative members to be much more active in the development of legislation.
Paul Craney, the Mass Fiscal Alliance Executive Director, said, “President Rosenberg has taken the first step toward matching his words with some positive action. We hope Speaker DeLeo will do the same for the House of Representatives, and we hope both leaders will collaborate on much-needed reforms to the joint rules of the legislature as well.”
According to the Mass Fiscal Alliance, the budget-related changes are important because Massachusetts is one of only four states to receive an 'F' grade for budget process transparency from the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation. Other proposals long championed by the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, such as the creation of an online database for publishing committee votes, are not yet included in the new rules.
“President Rosenberg has raised the bar with his proposals to reform the Senate, although we very much hope more reforms will be made as the amendment process proceedsm, including live streaming of committee hearings and making committee votes readily available to the public,” Craney concluded.
Related Slideshow: The Ten Most Politically Powerful in Central MA
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#10
Senator Michael Moore
Senator Moore, D-Millbury, serves as the Massachusetts Senate Vice-Chair on the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
In November, Moore was named the Vice-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Public Safety.
“I am honored to be appointed the Vice-Chair of the NCSL’s Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Public Safety,” said Moore “This appointment will provide me the opportunity to continue to advocate and promote important public safety issues to ensure the safety of residents in the Commonwealth.”
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#9
Matt Beaton- Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Like Polito, Beaton is from Shrewsbury and served as State Rep. for Worcester’s 11th District before being named Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs by Governor Baker.
Baker said that Beaton had the right experience to carry out green energy initiatives and that his leadership will be an important asset to accomplish goals throughout the Commonwealth.
Beaton has experience serving on the Ways and Means, and the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture committees. Beaton will take charge of the administration's task of creating energy efficiency, conservation and improved outdoor recreation.
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#8
Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus
City Manager Augustus has solid relationships at the top of both political parties in the state. He is an avid supporter of Congressman Jim McGovern and he has recently celebrated that Karyn Polito, from Shrewsbury, will be the Lt. Governor.
"Central Massachusetts is proud to once again have one of our own in the Lieutenant Governor’s office. I look forward to working with the new administration to continue the work of bringing economic development to the Heart of the Commonwealth, improving the standard of living, and ensuring government works for all residents, regardless of class or status," said Augustus.
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#7
Sheriff Lew Evangelidis
Following eight years as State Legislature, in 2010 Lew Evangelidis was elected as Worcester County Sheriff.
With his political background, Evangelidis has gained both visibility and a reputation for getting things done in Worcester County. On Friday night, Evangelidis gave a speech at the Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito's Inauguration Celebraton.
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#6
Mike O'Brien
O'Brien spent nine years as Worcester's City Manager before stepping down in late 2013.
"Mike is certainly a valuable asset to any Governor. His public service is his great strength," said Connie Lukes, former Mayor of Worcester and current Worcester City Councilor. "Central Mass. is going to have a voice in the Governor's office, and is really becoming a political machine."
O'Brien serves as Baker's Co-Chair of the State of the State Committee and was a central figure during the Baker and Lt. Governor Polito's Central Mass Inauguration Celebration last Friday.
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#5
Senator Ryan Fattman
In November, State Representative Ryan Fattman of Webster defeated incumbent Richard Moore (D) for the South Central Massachusetts Senate Seat. The victory was a huge upset for Fattman who continues to make a remarkable climb up the Massachusetts political ladder.
By winning the State Senate election, Fattman has established a Republican foundation in Central Massachusetts and has helped the Republican party gain control of the State House.
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#4
Tim Murray
"Tim Murray, Gov. Baker, and Karen Polito share many concerns and ideas about the importance of economic development and job opportunities; sound budgets and sensible policies can create a certain momentum and confidence in investors and business leaders that Massachusetts is in capable hands; Tim Murray's current constituencies are the Central Mass. Chambers of Commerce. Those constituencies were and are for the most part eager Baker/Polito supporters. I anticipate that they'll make some beautiful music together, as they share the same economic development/ jobs hymnal. Call Baker a 'Murray Republican' or call Murray a 'Baker Democrat'," said Tom Finneran, former Speaker of the House and GoLocal MINDSETTER™.
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#3
Senator Harriet Chandler
Beginning her eigth term, Senator Harriet Chandler is likely to play important Committee and caucus roles under the new Senate President.
She also serves as the Co-Chair of the Prevention for Health Caucus, Co-Chair of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Legislative Caucus, Co-Chair of the Central Massachusetts Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Oral Health Caucus.
"Through hard work and persistence, she has become a leader who ensures that the concerns of Central Massachusetts communities are heard at the State House, " said State Rep. Jim O'Day.
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#2
Lt. Governor Karyn Polito
As reported by GoLocal last week, former Speaker of the House Tom Finneran said this about Polito: "Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito have strong histories with the Legislature; watch for Central Mass. legislators, Democrats and Republicans, to work closely with the Administration...Lt. Governor Polito's first-hand knowledge and experience regarding transportation needs in Central Mass. mirrors Tim Murray's; look for the two of them working together in perfect harmony; Governor Baker will pay close attention and Central Mass. will be the beneficiary. There's no political ego here---just a determination to make Massachusetts as great a state as it can be."
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#1
Congressman Jim McGovern
Following his successful, but long-time bid to initiate relations with Cuba once again, Congressman McGovern proved he has weight to pull both locally and nationally.
In an interview with GoLocal Worcester regarding McGovern, MINDSETTER™ Paul Giorgio said "If you want to get things done, you need a partner in Washington. You can’t get things done solely on the backs of Worcester tax payers. You need federal dollars. You need state dollars. $10 million to renovate City Square, most of that money isn’t coming from Worcester. It’s state money. Funding for JetBlue, that’s federal money, that’s FAA money."
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