ethics

Former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, president of Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts , is doing great work that benefits all the people in MA, reminding us that we shouldn't just rubber stamp legislation proposed by elected and appointed officials.  We need to be confident that all elected and appointed officials are operating ethically and transparently.  It seems that Gregory Bialecki, secretary of housing and economic development, perhaps wasn't operating quite up to that standard...otherwise why would he feel the need to sell his casino stock after The Boston Globe questioned him - over one year after its purchase?  

Bialecki said the stocks were bought by a financial advisor in August 2010 without his knowledge. When he later learned of the purchases, Bialecki said, he did not think the holdings posed a problem because he didn’t pick the stocks ; they accounted for only a small percentage of his portfolio; and he doesn’t expect to award any of the casino licenses.  [Full Article: The Boston Globe]

Judy Meredith and Lew Finfer are pooling their collective organizing, advocacy, and leadership experiences to form the Massachusetts Policy and Organizing Leadership Training Academy.  There's a wealth of knowledge to pass on to the next group of organizers and advocates and the current group of aspiring leaders.

State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry said the pair’s new focus on educating future activists comes at a critical time as non-profits struggle through a sluggish economy and new ethics reforms which she said has left many organizations scrambling to adjust...“I think it’s great what they’re doing,” Forry said. “There are a lot of non-profits that feel they don’t have the skills to address legislators. They find themselves paying out for a lobbyist when they could be doing much of the work themselves.”  [Full Article: Dorchester Reporter]

With the end of this formal legislative session, House Speaker Robert DeLeo has a few things to say about Probation Department Reform, Casinos and the affect on Massachusetts of the federal debt ceiling legislation ... [Full Article: The Berkshire Eagle]

Transparency in government is a good thing, as is compliance with ethics rules.  It seems legislators understand this...some more overtly than others.

The 52 lawyers who serve in the state Legislature juggle a briefcase full of potential conflicts as they represent individuals or companies with significant business before the state, ranging from liquor licenses to bridge repair contracts.  ...in cases where the legislators’ legal work may only give the appearance of a conflict, they must simply disclose it to the State Ethics Commission or to the House or Senate clerk. Then they are free to act. Representative Garrett J. Bradley, a Hingham Democrat... his guiding principle,... “When you’re in doubt, disclose it.’’ [Full Article: Boston Globe]

Proposed changes include requiring lobbyists to wear name tags when in the House Chamber; prohibiting members from contacting state agencies about pending work contracts; and requiring members to report any observed unethical conduct.

The proposals will be debated in a formal House session next week. [Full Article: WBUR]

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case that could put a constitutional cloud of doubt over hundreds — if not thousands — of state and local ethics laws across the country. For the first time, the justices will consider whether a legislative vote is protected by the First Amendment guarantee of free speech — specifically, whether states may forbid officeholders from voting on matters that appear to involve a personal conflict. [Full Story: WBUR]

Several state lawmakers have called on Governor Deval Patrick’s administration and state agencies to stop asking former employees to sign “gag orders’’ as part of lucrative severance and settlement agreements. The Globe reported Sunday that more than half of large severance and settlement agreements with state workers contain either confidentiality or nondisparagement clauses. They bar workers from talking about the terms of their deals or criticizing their employers. Critics say the agreements could be used to cover up questionable spending, muffle legitimate criticism of state government agencies, or hide wrongdoing by public officials. [Full Article: Boston Globe] 

Transparency going in the opposite direction. Let's hope the Senate is more thoughtful about informing us citizens.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has voted to repeal a law requiring medical companies to disclose some of their gifts to doctors while banning other gifts outright. Lawmakers voted 128-22 Tuesday to end the law as part of their state budget debate.  The 2008 law banned companies from giving doctors sporting tickets, tickets to the theater and vacation trips. [Full Article: WWLP News] 

Here's an excerpt from GLOBE'S Andrea Estes article Mass. lobbyists on pace to have a record year.

Jon Hurst, president of the 3,200-member Retailers Association of Massachusetts, said his group spent more than ever in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent an impending sales tax increase from 5 to 6.25 percent. His group and others argued that consumers would take their business to New Hampshire or to the Internet.

“It was the biggest issue we’ve had in the past 20 years,’’ Hurst said. “Our expenditures went way up. It was important to us, because we were trying to save consumers $900 million in new sales taxes. But it goes to show spending money doesn’t always mean you’ll get the outcome you want in the Legislature.’’

So much for all of Jon's hard work.

On the other hand other "special interest groups" hard work hasn't paid off either (yet)

This week's Conference Committees Meetings...

After last week’s flurry of activity on Beacon Hill, this week may seem like a period of rest for our legislators – and for those constituents wishing to be heard on the reforms and revenues affecting the health of our state.

It's not too late! This week looks to be filled with conference committee meetings. And while they are all closed to the public, they will all be run by our legislators - men and women that are interested in and impacted by your thoughts and concerns.

Below you can find for each of these bills - Ethics, Transportation, Pension, and Budget - the full bill text, conference committee members, and analysis, when available. 

Meanwhile...

It is clear that the revenue options currently proposed in both the House and Senate Budgets will be inadequate to support the public structures that have been cut over the past year. Legislators are already talking about options for revenue bills in the fall, including a revamped bill to support Casinos and Slots.

Other options that were suggested in this year's budget debate included restoring the Income Tax to its 5.95% rate in 1999 (amendment by Sen. Chang Díaz), and the expansion of the Sales Tax to include professional services (amendment by Rep. Peter Kocot).

ONE Massachusetts is interested in hearing more about what you value in our state, and how you think we should pay for it!