Randy Hunt's Politics & Humor Blog

Money order for zero, please

2012-01-30T15:02:00.001-05:00

I received a moderately threatening dunning notice from Comcast for the past due account at my state representative district office on Route 6A. "Delinquent accounts are referred to a collection agency. Please make your payment as soon as possible."

Then I read the key sentence on this notice: "Our records indicate a balance remaining on your account in the amount of $0.00. You can make your payment at your local Comcast office or mail your payment."

On the payment voucher it states: "Do not send cash." That's a relief. I was afraid if I sent zero cash, they might not notice.

So I went to the bank to get a money order.

"I'm sorry, sir. We cannot give you a money order for zero."

"I'm telling you that is what they want. It says so right here."

"We can do a money order for a dollar, but that's the minimum."

"I don't want to have a credit on my Comcast account. How about a cashier's check for zero?"

"Next. Next in line."

Here is the notice. I redacted the account number so no one can pay off the balance for me. I don't take charity.

State should waive ID fee and require proof to vote

2012-01-19T15:02:00.000-05:00

The following is my letter to the editor of the Cape Cod Times published on January 19, 2012.

There is simply no reasonable argument against presenting identification at the polls.

To register to vote, the secretary of state requires acceptable identification that includes the name and the address at which one is registered to vote. Examples include a current and valid driver's license, photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing name and address.

I support allowing the same to be used at the polls and a waiver of the $25 fee for acquiring a state-issued photo ID. No doubt that removal of these "impediments" to vote would spur a second round of disenfranchisement scenarios, exposing the real motivation of people intent on maintaining the free-for-all at our polling places.

Randy Hunt
East Sandwich

To anyone who claims that voter fraud is not happening, or is so rare that it is not an issue:The fact is that we cannot know the extent of voter fraud in Sandwich, the commonwealth or the country when we do nothing to ensure that only registered, living voters are voting. I could claim that everyone obeys the speed limit on Route 6 because I’ve never bothered to check. It doesn’t make it true.

But let me give you a better example that is supported by before-and-after statistics. In 1987, the IRS initiated a change to Form 1040, adding boxes to include the social security numbers of dependents, which they then ran against the SSA’s database to match up. Seven million dependents that were reported in 1986 miraculously vanished in 1987. Many argued before this change that there were probably occurrences of fraudulently reported dependents, but that it was not widespread and didn’t rise to the level that necessitated this change.

Weigh in on this issue by voting in the poll at the right.

Sandwich super's case isn't over until it's over

2012-01-11T16:52:00.000-05:00

It appears that the appeals court consisting of a three-judge panel is seeing eye-to-eye with our former superintendent's counsel. See the article in the Cape Cod Times at: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120111/NEWS/201110341/-1/NEWS11

Will Mary Ellen Johnson win her appeal, returning the case back to Barnstable Superior Court for a second look?

Sometimes bigger AND smaller is better

2012-01-08T16:28:00.001-05:00

DEC RL01 disk drive

Cleaning out the garage the other day, I unearthed a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) RL01 disk. I wrote the list of contents on the label in 1981 and it made me think about how far we've come since then relative to disk/flash memory storage.

This 12-inch, single platter storage disk holds 5.2 megabytes of data. To provide some perspective, my 16 gigabyte iPod Nano, which is the size of a computer chip (including the hi-res screen), holds approximately 3,150 times more data than the RL01.

DEC RL01 disk with 5.2 megabyte capacity

iPod Nano with 16 gigabyte capacity

Flip flopping on RomneyCare

2011-12-27T10:20:00.000-05:00

Althoughboth Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney seem to be doing a flip flop on RomneyCare,significant changes to the Massachusettslaw have taken place since the initiating bill passed in 2006. As a Massachusettsstate legislator, I have seen many bills working their way through thecommittee process that seek to add procedures/equipment/illnesses to what wecall the “minimum creditable coverage” (MCC) standard—the definition of what apolicy must cover in order to be deemed “legal” (that is, not subject topenalty for the policy owner via his/her personal income tax return).

Thecontinuing ratcheting up of the MCC has produced health insurance policies thataverage well over $14,000 per year for a small group family plan, the highestpremium cost in the country (a statistic from the Internal Revenue Service). Atthe same time, RomneyCare did not carry with it any provisions to reduce thecost of health care delivery; just the theory that universal coverage wouldtemper fast rising premiums as well as emergency room visits for people withouthealth insurance. The theory proved not to be correct, but the blame for thiscan be pinned on the state legislature’s actions since the enactment ofRomneyCare as much, or more so, than the 2006 legislation.

It is notat all surprising that both Gingrich and Romney have reformulated their opinionson RomneyCare as it pertains to ObamaCare. No one questions that the AffordableCare Act (ACA) was premised on the Massachusettsconcept, but one only has to look at the results of this incubator experimentin Massachusettsto see that, perhaps, this solution should not be ported to the nation as awhole.

For thosewho do support the ACA, there may be some level of comfort in noting that, inspite of Massachusettsleading the way in high health insurance premiums both before and afterRomneyCare, the rate of increase since passing RomneyCare is tracking below thenational average. Cost savings measures, such as uniform electronic medicalrecords and accountable care organizations are being discussed at theStatehouse as ways to make our health care delivery system more efficient andless subject to fee-for-service arrangements.

In myopinion, expressing disappointment with a system that was so promising fiveyears ago (before it was implemented) is not at all hypocritical, butreflective on outcomes to-date. The more important policy issue for thesecandidates is not the repeal of ObamaCare, but what avenue will yield the best,most affordable health care delivery system for the United States.

Spring peeper leaping to finish line

2011-12-19T14:45:00.002-05:00

Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Debra Jeffries' second grade class studies amphibians as part of their curriculum at Crocker Elementary School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. This year, they exercised their state constitutional right to file a bill in the General Court which declares the spring peeper to be the official amphibian of the Commonwealth.

I noticed in the House of Representatives session log for today that the bill has moved to the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. That means this bill is rounding third base and on its way home. Votes to engross the bill by the House and Senate and the Governor's signature are all that need to be accomplished for this aqua lung to enjoy its rightful place among official state stuff.

Some people rail at legislation such as this, claiming that we're wasting our time and money on nonsensical things. I disagree.

First off, no one is paid any additional money to shepherd such a bill through the legislature. Not making the spring peeper official would save no one any money.

Secondly, our state constitution gives citizens the right to author bills and petition their government to act on them. These "by request" bills are sometimes important, sometimes not so important, but who's to judge which citizens should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights and which should be denied?

Thirdly, when we're doing stuff like this, it happens in informal sessions. Only a few people are present and no contentious bills are discussed. If one is, the objection of a single representative kills it. Today's session dealt with 17 items and took a total of 27 minutes.

Lastly, the kids in Ms. Jeffries' class will have a learned an important lesson on how the government works and how they can actually affect change. I would rate this lesson even more important than learning about spring peepers.

Some other official state stuff:

Official bird: Black-capped chickadee
Official game bird: Wild turkey
Official dog: Boston terrier
Official cat: Tabby
Official fish: Cod
Official insect: Lady bug
Official marine mammal: Right whale
Official flower: Mayflower
Official tree: American elm
Official bean: Navy bean
Official beverage: Cranberry juice
Official cookie: Chocolate chip
Official dessert: Boston cream pie

Town of Sandwich's "no plow" rules generating snowstorm of discontent

2011-12-15T14:36:00.000-05:00

Prius plow: To stop global warming, we'll need more of these

Guest article by Jonathan Fitch

I don’t much like that our town leaders continue to denyplowing services to folks on some private roads. The announced reasoning isthat these roads do not meet standards the leaders feel are not just desirable,but absolutely critical for municipal workers to be able to do the job at all. Theadvice from the selectmen is for affected residents to hire privatecontractors. To my mind, the logic in this advice defeats the reasons given forthe town’s refusal to plow. If a private contractor can do the job, so can thetown.

There are no legal obstacles preventing the town fromplowing all private roads; the decision to deny services is purely politicalbusiness. Many years ago, town meeting voted to authorize the town to plowprivate ways. Without that vote, no town would plow private ways. I doubtvoters at that meeting realized, however, that the vote authorized, but did notrequire plowing.

For starters, this is a fairness thing. Taxes pay for townowned roads so why shouldn’t they pay for private roads just the same. Neighborhoodsthat wish to be truly private can opt out, but for the rest of us, our privateroads are available to the public just the same as town roads. The onlydifferences are technical and unlikely to deter the general public from drivingon them.

I am not a fan of big government, but I concede there aresome services government is better suited to handle than individuals. Snowplowing of all roads is one of those services. (I’ll save the subject ofmaintenance for another day.) Providing snow plowing for all who need it is notunlike operating a transfer station for all who need it. We have a DPW that isstaffed and equipped and knows how to handle plowing. We can all benefit fromeconomies of scale and management now in place.

But, for some time now, town leaders are just saying “No.” Idon’t hear any talk of solutions and that is the most disappointing of all. Ithink it is fair to say that snow plowing of private roads is an importantissue that is not getting the attention from leadership that it deserves. Withoutgoing on for ten pages and spouting off with my own proposals, I’m asking foran exchange of ideas. Perhaps a solutionwill emerge.

Is the town’s current position legitimate? Is it fair?Should it be fair? Should government be involved at all? Should all roads betown roads upon request? Are those on town roads assessed differently fromthose on acceptable private roads and are they assessed differently from thoseon “no plow” private roads? How dowe work this out?

What's on your iPod?

2011-12-06T11:56:00.001-05:00

This is a common question for celebrities these days: What’son your iPod?

Described in the book Steve Jobs, Jobs handed his iPod toWalter Isaacson, biographer, who found among other things the complete catalogof Bob Dylan’s works through 1989 including several bootleg albums.

My iPod has five playlists: Jazz, Country, Singers (Sinatra,Mathis, Bennett, etc.), Beatles, and Not The Beatles. Each, other than the Beatles playlist,features a variety of artists, but I’m pretty heavy on Stevie Ray Vaughan,Rolling Stones, CCR, ZZ Top and U2.

My office computer, on the other hand, has one music CD thatwas compiled by my youngest daughter, Gayle, and given to me on Father’s Day. Iplay it often because she spent a great deal of time selecting the pieces justfor me.

Hero – Mariah Carey

Because You Love Me– Celine Dion

Daddy – Beyonce

I’ll Always Be YourBaby – Natalie Grant

I Need You – LeAnnRimes

Wind Beneath My Wings– Bette Midler

If a photo is worth a thousand words, these songs are wortha million.

Texas hog hunt

2011-12-03T22:27:00.001-05:00

Every fewyears we pack the car and take a drive down to Texas to see our kids and my twobrothers. One of my brothers lives in El Paso, about 2,400 miles from Cape Cod,so this is no light undertaking.

My otherbrother, Alan, lives with his wife, Mary, on a ranch east of San Antonio.Because my wife, Mary, makes for two Mary Hunts,we call her Mary Lyn to keep them straight.

I wrote a piece about Alan called O Brother, Where Aren't Thou, which explains a lot abouthis obsessions and is a pretty funny read. With morethan 300 notches on his headboard for (not what you think) feral hog kills,it's always fun and interesting to accompany him on a late night hunt tocontrol the population of these extremely destructive animals. The first twonights of our stay were too windy even for the most stalwart hunters, whichleft two more opportunities to show off our hunting skills before Mary Lyn and Ihad to start the trip back to the Cape.

The thirdday turned out to be picture perfect: Cool and clear with little wind.The temperature would be dipping into the thirties, so I dressed appropriately.Starting with long johns, I wore two pair of socks, jeans, a t-shirt, twolong-sleeved shirts, field jacket, boots, and camo gloves and cap. I walked outof the house ala John Wayne for lack of movement in all of those clothes.

Gear forthe hunt included binoculars, night vision goggles, a .308 rifle with a nightscope, and a .44 magnum revolver. Alan traded his Kawasaki four wheel drive"Mule" for an electric all-terrain Club Car, which eliminated the problemof a loud engine announcing your arrival to the feral hogs from three milesaway.

We hauledthe Club Car in Alan's pickup to a neighbor's ranch who had just sustainedmajor damage to a field from a sounder of hogs a night or two before. Alanclicked the night vision goggles into his head gear and we drove out across thepastures with no light other than a quarter moon that was rising from thehorizon.

Wesettled on a location under the shade (something that could be clearlydistinguished with the night vision goggles) of a tree in the field that hadbeen heavily rooted by the onion grass eating pigs.

The nightwas crisp and quiet. Once in awhile a cow's moo could be heard from a distantfield. Packs of coyotes started howling which triggered a response from theirranch dog kin. Then we heard a squeal. That was why we were there. We werecompletely silent, listening for more evidence of hogs nearby. Unfortunately,they never came.

Unlikewhat you are led to believe by watching hunting shows, there are many morenights like this one than those that produce a kill, or even an opportunity toshoot. After a couple of hours, we called it a night and headed back to theranch house.

On ourlast night there, temperatures were even chillier and we made the decision tolet the hogs have a night off while we tuned into A&E Television to watchLady Hoggers.

Some lighter moments at the Statehouse

2011-11-29T09:57:00.001-05:00

My first year as a state representative is coming to a close and I find myself reflecting back on a few of the funnier things that happened during my rookie year.

I learned a lot about how the McCormack Building garage attendants regard the intellect of freshman legislators. Pulling up to the garage on the day of our swearing in, I was asked my name. The gentleman found me on the list, radioed some codes to his fellow attendants and opened the garage door. I proceeded in and at every turn and ramp there was another walkie-talkie armed attendant pointing me in the proper direction. The final attendant literally ran to my parking slot while I followed and he staged my turn into the space much like a ramp agent guiding an airplane to a gate.

At first I thought all of this ado was a reflection of the attendants' respect for legislators. That turned out to be a fleeting thought. No, the real reason for this masterfully coordinated exercise was quite the opposite. For years, these people have had to deal with elected officials who didn't have the sense to find the right parking spot and out of that frustration they developed this crack system to prevent wasting the attendants' time and to get the legislators to the Statehouse on time. (The exercise was repeated when we were asked to take our seats in the chamber.)

After the budget sessions ended in April, various committees started holding hearings to plow through the 6,000 some odd bills that had been filed for this legislative session. I arrived on time for the first hearing of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs and pulled out my agenda along with copies of the bills. The hearing was gaveled to a start and about twenty minutes into it I came to realize that my state of confusion was not because of my newbee status, rather because the Elder Affairs Committee was meeting in the room next door.

During the summer I scheduled a tour of the Statehouse with the curator of collections, Susan Greendyke. I wanted to become a better tour guide and I’m always interested in historical anecdotes, how things got their names, etc. At the end of the three-hour tour, we were standing outside the General Hooker Entrance on Beacon Street. Ms. Greendyke lamented that she had been petitioning to get the name of the entrance changed for 25 years, preferring South Entrance to the somewhat scandalous moniker. Legend has it that General Hooker indeed had a bevy of female followers who were known as Hooker’s Ladies, shortened later to hookers.

A formal session of the House of Representatives is an interesting thing to watch, and even more interesting to take part in. One element of the sessions is the obligatory party politics. This drives me batty more than anything else we deal with on Beacon Hill. At times, the minority party pushes an amendment that we know won't pass but that makes a philosophical point and gets the majority party to go on record with their nay votes. Whenever one of these votes comes up, all of the Republicans light up their green "yea" vote lights and all of the Democrats light up their red "nay" vote lights. Since the parties are shown together on the vote tally board, there are 33 green lights in a row and 127 red lights in a row.

At a recent, long session, the minority leader jumped up at exactly 6 p.m. moving to take a dinner break until 7 p.m. A motion of this type allows for no debate, only a vote. The house clerk called for the vote and the 33 green Republican lights came on, almost in unison. About half of the 127 red lights were lit when the speaker's green light was illuminated. Mass confusion ensued as a bunch of the red lights starting changing to green only to be followed by the speaker's light switching to red which caused a second flurry of green lights changing to red. In the end, the dinner break was summarily voted down on partisan lines.

I can imagine a legislator being criticized on the campaign trail for being against dinner before being for dinner before being against dinner.

Life after the U.S. Postal Service

2011-11-20T09:44:00.001-05:00

U.S. Constitution,Article I, Section VIII – The Congress shall have power to lay and collecttaxes, duties, imposts and excises… 7) to establish post offices and postroads.

The USPS has been in the headlines again lamenting a $5.1billion lost for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011 on revenues of $65.7billion. Are we bracing for yet another bail out?

Irrespective of the spin generated by the American PostalWorkers Union (click here to read it), two fundamental problems have createdthe five-year streak of multi-billion dollar losses:

1) Competition with online services and private sectorpackage delivery companies.

2) Cost of retiree benefits.

Competition

There is no question that first class letters have been hithard by email. Though only representing about 3% of total revenue, letters fromhousehold to household have become a rarity and will continue to go the way ofBuicks and hair salon “permanents” as our oldest generation moves on to the Happy HuntingGrounds.

Online services by banks, credit card companies, investmenthouses, the federal government, etc., have had a more dramatic effect. Fewerand fewer people receive their monthly statements in the mail. The SocialSecurity Administration has replaced those monthly kisses in the mail withdirect deposit.

The effect of these changes is that a greater percentage ofwhat shows up in your mailbox is junk mail (aka advertising). On an averageday, I immediately throw out all of the mail I recover from my PO box. Once inawhile, I open an envelope, quickly peruse the contents, and then throw it out.

This begs the question: Just how much (in terms of billionsof dollars a year) should the taxpayers subsidize the USPS for deliveringadvertisements from private sector companies? Does this not represent anindirect transfer of taxpayer money to companies that offer low interest rate,guaranteed acceptance credit cards? Or to the Mitt Romney for Presidentcampaign?

On the package delivery front, UPS, FedEx and others offerstrong competition featuring better websites, tracking tools, and on-timedeliveries. It is an excellent example of how competition in a free market canlead to better service at a reasonable price.

Retiree Benefits

This is the 480,000 pound gorilla in the room. Althoughfunding for the current retirees and survivors is in place ($42.5 billion),Congress has smartly required the USPS to fund future retirement benefits withcontributions of about $2.5 billion per year. The American Postal Workers Unionargues that this funding should be waived in order to shore up currentoperations. One might argue that this is a short-sighted view.

There are about 560,000 active employees of the USPS, thesecond-largest employer in the private sector behind Walmart, if you concedethat the USPS is a private sector employer. It doesn’t receive any taxpayermoney (yet), but Congress does allow it to borrow up to $15 billion per year.

At 480,000 strong, retirees of the USPS and their survivorsalmost equal the number of active employees. Promises of making changes to theretirement benefits system without affecting any current or retired employeesare likely to be empty. That is, of course, unless taxpayers come to therescue.

All of this stacks up to a shrinking number of employees(already down by 121,000 since 2007) and a tipping point of more people drawingon retiree benefits than the number of people contributing to the system. Click here to read how the USPS proposes to manage this issue.

Life after the postal service

I don’t know if it will ever come to it, but I startedthinking about how I would manage my affairs without the USPS. What would takeits place? Does anything need to take its place?

All of our bill payments and statements are handled online.Investment statements and transactions—all online. As a CPA, we send clientorganizers in the mail, but my software system has an online organizer feature.I send thank you cards to my campaign contributors, but could hand deliver mostof them.

My guess is that competition for what’s left of the firstclass mail would result in UPS and FedEx creating a Buck-An-Envelope service thatwould deliver up to 8 ounces or so (about 8 sheets of paper) for $1. Thoughmore than twice as much as First Class rates of today, I would use it becausemy need would be infrequent.

How would youmanage without the USPS? Can you imagine that becoming a reality?

Town of Sandwich special town meeting is Monday

2011-11-04T23:00:00.000-04:00

Zoning bylaws are a perfect example of where the devil is in the details. Spend a little time looking over the warrant this weekend and come prepared to debate and vote on these important changes on Monday night, 7pm at Sandwich High School.

There are several other interesting articles queued up for Monday's spectacle of democracy in action. Click here to view the entire warrant.

November 7, 2011 – Special Town Meeting

Index of Warrant Articles

1. Increase FY’12 School Department Appropriation to Match Ch. 70 Appropriation

2. Appropriation for SEIC

3. Appropriation for Unemployment Account – Transfer from Group Health

Insurance Account

4. Beach Account Transfer: Oak Crest Cove Parking Lot Drainage Improvements

5. CPA Appropriation: Restoration & Protection of Historic Town Records

6. CPA Appropriation: Town Neck Beach Management Plan & Old Harbor Inlet

Stabilization Project Permitting

7. CPA Appropriation: Purchase of 3 Tarantino Parcels

8. CPA Appropriation: Purchase of Schmonsees Parcel

9. CPA Appropriation: Purchase of Falcione Parcel

10. Authorization to Grant Easement on Town SSVC Land off Quaker Meetinghouse

Road

11. Authorization to Accept Easement off Tarragon Drive

12. Zoning By-laws: Change BL-1 & BL-2 References to B1 & B2

13. Zoning By-laws: Section 2600

14. Zoning By-laws: Section 3510

15. Zoning By-laws: Sections 4500 – 4505, 2600, and 2540

16. Zoning By-laws: Section 3100, 3130, and 3120

17. Zoning By-laws: Article VI–A, Sections 6000 – 6625

18. Zoning By-laws: Definitions Section

"Bath salts" hearing slated for Thursday, November 3rd

2011-10-31T17:37:00.002-04:00

To All Concerned Citizens:

The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will be hearing a number of bills on Thursday, November 3rd, beginning at 1pm in Hearing Room A-1 of the Statehouse, including H03739 An Act to Include Substituted Cathinones, aka "Bath Salts," in Class C Substances (printed below).

My understanding is that Lt. Steven Xiarhos from the Yarmouth Police Department will be there to testify. Any and all other interested persons who wish to testify are welcomed. Plan to be at the Statehouse about a half hour early to sign up to testify. First come, first to speak.

Regards,

Randy

Randy Hunt, State Representative

5th Barnstable District

93 Route 6A

Sandwich, MA 02563

(508) 888-2158

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 03953 FILED ON: 08/01/2011

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 03739

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

^{_______________}

PRESENTED BY:

George Ross and Elizabeth Poirier

^{_______________}

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill:

An Act to include substituted cathinones, also known as "bath salts," in class C substances.

^{_______________}

PETITION OF:

Name:	District/Address:
George Ross	2nd Bristol
Elizabeth Poirier	14th Bristol
Bradley H. Jones, Jr.	20th Middlesex
George N. Peterson, Jr.	9th Worcester
Viriato Manuel deMacedo	1st Plymouth
Geoff Diehl	7th Plymouth
Donald Wong	9th Essex
Paul Adams	17th Essex
Donald F. Humason, Jr.	4th Hampden
James Lyons, Jr.	18th Essex
Angelo D'Emilia	8th Plymouth
Steven Howitt	4th Bristol
Peter Durant	6th Worcester
James E. Timilty	Bristol and Norfolk
Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.	26th Middlesex
Jennifer E. Benson	37th Middlesex
James J. Dwyer	30th Middlesex
Brian Ashe	2nd Hampden
Martin J. Walsh	13th Suffolk
Paul McMurtry	11th Norfolk
Kimberly Ferguson	1st Worcester
Aaron Michlewitz	3rd Suffolk
Todd M. Smola	1st Hampden
Shaunna O'Connell	3rd Bristol

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 03739

By Representatives Ross of Attleboro and Poirier of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of George Ross and others for legislation to categorize bath salts, so-called, as a class C substance. The Judiciary.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

^{_______________}

In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

^{_______________}

An Act to include substituted cathinones, also known as "bath salts," in class C substances.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 31 of chapter 94C, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding, after the words, “(16) 4-Bromo-2, 5-Dimethoxy-amphetamine”, in line 235, the following:-

“(17) 3, 4 - methylenedioxymethcathinone, MDMC

(18) 3, 4 - methylenedioxypyrovalerone, MDPV

(19) 4 - methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC

(20) 4 - methoxymethcathinone, bk-PMMA, PMMC

(21) 3, 4 - fluoromethcathinone, FMC

(22) Napthylpyrovalerone, NRG-1

(23) Beta-keto-N-methylbenzodioxolylpropylamine

(24) 2-(methylamino)-propiophenone; OR alpha-(methylamino)propiophenone

(25) 3-methoxymethcathinone

(26) 4-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinobutyrophenone

(27) 2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-one

(28) 4-ethylmethcathinone

(29) 3,4-Dimethylmethcathinone

(30) alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone

(31) beta-Keto-Ethylbenzodioxolylbutanamine

(32) 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylcathinone”.

Selectmen seeking members for substance abuse prevention task force

2011-10-24T15:50:00.002-04:00

The newly formed Town of Sandwich Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force is still accepting letters of interest for two at large members.

If you are interested in serving on this Task Force please send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen at Sandwich Town Hall, 130 Main St., Sandwich 02563-2208 or email selectmen@townofsandwich.net.

The Task Force is meeting monthly during the formation stage. Meetings are generally during the late afternoon on weekdays. There are also sub-committees being formed to deal with development specifics such as outreach, strategy and grant writing.

The Task Force was formed by the Board of Selectmen. It is a coalition of municipal and school leadership as well as representation from the nonprofit world devoted to youth. The mission of the Task Force is to develop a comprehensive town wide approach to prevention of substance abuse.

The deadline for letters of interest is November 2nd.

Can we advertise our way out of declining enrollment?

2011-10-22T20:02:00.002-04:00

Guest article by Carl Johansen

Without question the past several years have taken an emotional toll on the students and parents who have or would have attended Sandwich High School.

The recent suggestion by Mr. Catalini to do something about the loss of students--who are now attending other schools--by paying to promote our school district has some merit. Running promotional ads, no matter where, to sell our schools needs to be given some serious deliberation before we actually implement it.

No doubt that the Sandwich schools have some reasons to be proud, but is promoting that to the outside world the way to stop the increasing loss of Sandwich school children to other school districts?

The use of educational funding would take dollars away from our current students, so this investment must be justified. Because we do not know, other than through anecdotal evidence, the reasons for the enrollment decline, it makes me wonder if a conditional study could be performed to confirm the reasons for the flight to other districts.

If the study can provide the answers and they are related to the past several years of disruptions, I would be more inclined to support an advertising campaign for a short time to reeducate the general public, parents and children alike, on the good points we offer in the Sandwich School District. Until such data are forthcoming, however, I would be hesitant to support such an expenditure.

What say ye citizens of Sandwich?

Why 9-9-9 is headed for the deep six

2011-10-17T01:31:00.001-04:00

I watched analysts battle over the positives and negatives of Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan this weekend. After hearing their arguments and using my own CPA noggin, I'm coming down on the side that it's a great slogan but falls down in two key ways.

So we're on the same page, here are the main points from Cain's website. The 9-9-9 plan would eject the current tax code and replace it with a 9% tax on personal income, a 9% tax on corporate income, and a 9% federal sales tax. The only deduction for personal income tax returns would be charitable donations. Deductions from gross income for businesses would be purchases from other U.S. located businesses, capital investments, and net exports. The federal sales tax would be on new goods, but I haven't been able to determine if services would be taxed. In fact, other than the vague bullet points on Cain's election website, I haven't been able to locate the actual 9-9-9 plan. Although a tax code that can be printed on a note card seems appealing, it's doubtful that one that short could actually be implemented.

Here's why 9-9-9 is destined for failure:

1) It scraps the long accepted graduated tax system for one that favors people with discretionary income. A person making $50,000 in wages and who has no charitable deductions would pay $4,500 (9%) in federal income tax. An additional 9% in federal sales tax would be assessed on expenditures. Because there's no actual 9-9-9 plan to read yet, I'm not sure if spending on car and house payments would be taxed or if services would be taxed. Are utilities considered new goods or services? Let's assume that this person spends $25,000 on federally taxable stuff. That would amount to an additional $2,250 for a total of $6,750, or 13.5% of the $50,000 wage.

Now let's consider someone who makes $1,000,000 in salary and spends $250,000 of it to support a nice lifestyle. Assume again that half of the $250,000 is spent on federally taxable items. Federal income tax would be $90,000; sales tax would be $11,250. That totals to $101,250, or 10.125% of the $1 million salary.

How does that compare to the current tax code? A single person earning $50,000 with no itemized deductions pays $6,350. A married couple earning $50,000, again with no itemized deductions, pays $3,061.A single person earning $1 million would certainly be able to itemize deductions, so it's not realistic to assume a standard deduction for such a person, but for laughs, let's do just that. A single person earning $1 million would pay $324,371. A married couple would pay $313,763.

Therein lies the political challenge for 9-9-9. Lower paid folks would pay a higher percentage of their earnings in taxes than people who earn more than they spend. Secondly, compared with the current system, 9-9-9 provides a significant reduction in actual dollars paid in federal income taxes for high earners, while the opposite is true for lower earners. Some people may like this idea, but it won't fly at the ballot box.

2) The introduction of a federal sales tax is just too tempting as a new revenue source for Congress. The Fair Tax Act, as formulated by Neal Boortz and John Linder, calls for a national sales tax but marries the idea with the repeal of the 16th Amendment, which would abolish the federal income tax.

Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan, according to his campaign website, is step one of a two-step process, with step two being adoption of the Fair Tax Act.The problem I see is that, in the unlikely event that Cain is elected and 9-9-9 becomes law, Congress would start dreaming about how great a 12-12-12 plan would be, or a 20-20-20 plan. Income taxes would remain on the table and the easy way to avoid spending cuts would be to crank up the national sales tax. More tools in the tax hike toolbox is a recipe for disaster.

Tax reform is needed, but I believe we will have to whittle away at the tax code we've got. Eliminating loopholes and tax preferences will result in a fairer tax system without cutting the safety net we have in place for our less fortunate citizens. Anyone who thinks they'll win the presidency on a tax policy that goes after lower wage earners to benefit high wage earners is just not tuning into the national debate.

Casino gaming bill will pass, but at what cost?

2011-10-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

When I have an important decision to make, I jot down the plusses and minuses. It helps me visualize the issue.

For background, I will tell you that I don’t have particularly strong feelings about casinos one way or the other. I’ve been to Las Vegas and Foxwoods, spent a little bit on slot machines, and walked away having lost my money but having been entertained. Call it even. I play the lottery once in a while, usually when the prize breaks $100 million. I don’t have any favorite numbers, so I get a Quick Pick.
I don’t harbor any addictive behavior that I’m aware of other than for Diet Pepsi and the New England Patriots. Given my “neither here, neither there” attitude towards gambling, I am inclined to vote based on constituent input which, from a nonscientific sampling, is running slightly in favor of the casino bill.
This is where my plusses and minuses list comes in. On the plusses list:

Gaming will bring more economic activity to the state. I’m not sure how much of that will be generated from outside Massachusetts versus inside, but there’s no question that there will be jobs to build and operate the casinos.

I’m already running out of plusses. Some would add the projected $300 to $600 million in taxes to this list, but I’m not at all convinced that giving more money to government is a good thing. And I seriously doubt the accuracy of these revenue projections. With a budget gap each year of more than $1 billion, the $300 million (if it holds up) will be used to balance the budget, not generate spending on new programs. We could do the same by trimming the $30 billion state budget by one percent.

On the minuses list:

Class 3 gaming will add to the currently available legal gambling that has many people spending nondiscretionary income, going into debt, and getting caught up in destructive, addictive behavior.

The sheer expansion of the state government’s regulatory structure is enough to make us think twice. The gaming bill adds a commission of five people with all of the incumbent bureaucratic positions and support personnel. New jobs? Yes. But this commission will not supplant the lottery commission; only add to it.

Casinos always make money. In the big picture, the collective amount of money spent at casinos represents money not spent on more productive activities or not stashed in a savings account. The Libertarian in me says that I shouldn’t be concerned about other people’s decisions, but I’ve been in rooms filled with retirees playing slot machines in a robotic way, some of them sucking on cigarettes and some sucking on oxygen canisters; some on both. It’s not a pretty picture.

Another issue is timing. We are about to launch bidding on three resort casino licenses and a slot parlor license during the worst, most protracted recession since the Great Depression. This will ensure less competition and lower bid prices. I predict that, because the bill regionalizes the licenses, the western Massachusetts license will go unsold for a long period of time. The region is just too close to Twin Rivers in Rhode Island and the two Indian casinos in Connecticut. Don’t be surprised if we’re back in the chamber voting to lower the minimum bid prices next year.

Another minus for me is the way this bill has evolved. When Sal DiMasi was speaker, an ardent opposition voice to Class 3 gaming, the Democrats in the House of Representatives defeated the bill. A year later, with Bob DeLeo as speaker, many of the same Democrats had “seen the light” and voted for it. We all know what’s going on here.

After the embarrassing show of wills we witnessed in 2010 between the governor, speaker, and senate president (all of whom supported Class 3 gaming), a compromise was worked out this year between the three of them. Horses were traded and an acceptable version of the bill was crafted. All of this was done behind closed doors; closed to all but a select few.

Finally, I point to a quote printed in the Cape Cod Times on September 26^th: “This is a jobs bill; that’s the only reason we’re doing this,” Senate President Therese Murray said. “If we had a cooking economy, you wouldn’t see this happening.”

That statement gives me great pause. Should we embrace all manner of vices in tough economic times? Periods of recession and prosperity come and go. The decision to establish casinos is forever.

Mixed message

2011-10-12T09:55:00.003-04:00

Do you think the sign installer recognized the double entendre?

Steve Jobs, visionary

2011-10-07T19:05:00.001-04:00

There are thousands of accounts of Steve Jobs’ life andaccomplishments available on the Internet, so I will skip all of the stuff thatyou can read elsewhere.

The year was 1986 and I was working in New York City for Peat Marwick Mitchell (nkaKPMG), an international accounting firm that had adopted the Apple Macintosh asits computer of choice for auditors in the field. During my two-year stint atKPMG’s head office, I spent one year on a team that revamped the interface ofour audit software and one year on a two-man team that assisted and promotedKPMG’s consultants who installed small office computer networks and accountingsoftware.

Part of my job involved traveling to computer trade showsand making presentations on the positives and negatives of various accountingsoftware systems available on PC and Macintosh platforms. You might think thatseminars involving such a dry subject would lack the glitziness and show-bizelements of a classic Steve Jobs product unveiling. And you’d be right.

But those seminars took me to places, like the 1985 MacworldConference & Expo in Boston and the 1986MacExpo at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where I attended a panel presentation by severalof Jobs’ Macintosh development team. It was shortly after John Sculley, thePepsi guy who took over the reins at Apple, ran Jobs off.

Though Jobs was absent, the team still carried his visionfor the computer industry; one in which software and hardware design wouldfocus on users, not the druthers of programmers and engineers. This vision wasshared by Jef Raskin, who headed up Apple’s effort to produce a low-cost computerwith an intuitive interface.

Members of the development team also included BillAtkinson, Burrell Smith, Chris Espinosa, Andy Herzfeldand Guy Kawasaki. There were others, but these are the people I remember seeingat the Expos.

One of the above, I don’t remember whom, said something thatI’ll never forget. Though it wasn’t Steve Jobs intimating this vision that day,I’m absolutely sure that he believed in it because it has nearly come true.

In response to a comment from someone in the audience abouthow great the Macintosh is because of its portability, one of the panelistschallenged that thought. Hisdefinition of “portable” was that you could carry something else at the sametime. The Macintosh failed this definition, more appropriately falling into thecategory of “luggable.”

Let me take that a step further, he said, and hypothesizedthat computers wouldn’t truly be portable until they could be woven into thefabric of your clothing.

That statement, made in 1986—before iPods, SmartPhones, and Wii Jackets were a twinkle in any of our eyes—captured myimagination.

Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1996 and got to work remakingthe company by bringing back the “fantastic” and “cool” that we had associatedwith Apple in its early days. And, sure enough, we started seeing products thatintegrated into our daily lives almost as seamlessly as a computer woven into asweater.

Some people were on TV this week speculating that the era ofcomputer innovation is over with Jobs’ passing. That’s no more true than declaringthat innovation in song writing died with John Lennon’s assassination (althoughsome may believe that too). People with genius move the creativity ball forwardwith incredible pace, but there is always someone who comes along to pick upthe ball.

I’m just glad that I got to watch this amazing person andhis team lead an entire industry from its infancy to what is now probably itstoddler stage.

From Apple's Think Different ad campaign:

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people.

While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

Fighting al-Qaida: Can Obama have it both ways?

2011-10-01T10:15:00.003-04:00

Anwar al-Awlaki

The assassination of Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen this week via a Predator drone strike raises some interesting legal issues.

Most, including me, would agree that thwarting terrorists’ plans by arrest or other means is justified. This week’s action carries with it the unusual circumstance that two of the people killed were United States citizens. The other, Samir Kahn, published an online magazine called “Inspire,” aimed at pro-al-Qaida readers in western countries.

Neither person had been charged or indicted, which raises questions about the limits of power enjoyed by the President. Could anyone residing in the United States be declared an enemy of the state and assassinated without repudiation?

Apparently so, since President Bush signed an executive order on September 17, 2001 authorizing the CIA to hunt down terrorists worldwide. The order does not carve out U.S. citizens or any country in which these actions cannot occur.

Some argue that such actions blur the distinctions between “free” countries and those under the heavy handed rule of despots.

How can President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder demand that Guantanamo detainees be given due process in our court system and, at the same time, skip due process by taking out American citizens al-Awlaki and Kahn?

Many criticized Cheney and Rumsfeld for transporting captured terrorists to countries where they could be waterboarded. Will those same critics remain silent about bypassing waterboarding to move straight to assassination?

Vote early, vote often in Massachusetts

2011-09-25T00:08:00.004-04:00

I went to a movie the other day. I paid for the tickets with my debit card and I was asked to show an I.D.

Every time I walk into the Statehouse, I have to show my I.D.

Get on a plane? Keep your I.D. out and available.

Go the polls? Pick an address. Any address. Identification? Not necessary.

Quite literally, I could go to a town where they don’t know me and vote at every polling place. But no one would do that, would they?

Thirty states require voters to show identification to pull a ballot. A group of citizens believes that Massachusetts should be thirty-one, but their petition was found to be invalid by the attorney general because forcing people to show I.D.’s at the polls would make it harder to vote and, because an I.D. card from the RMV costs $25, the law would be a de facto poll tax.

Somebody please make the case for me that showing an I.D. would complicate the ballot checkout system because I can’t figure out why.

Regarding a poll tax, the attorney general’s argument is inconsistent. To register to vote, one must show identification. So the AG is saying 1) that we’re violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with our registration laws, or 2) well, I don’t what she’s saying. Help me out here.

A simple solution would be to provide free I.D. cards to people who are registered voters if they have no other valid voter identification.

Despite the AG's ruling, which has been appealed, the petitions will be ready for signature collection starting this week. If the court rules with the AG, the issue will be dead. At least for awhile.

This is an issue, like term limits, that will not be taken up by the legislature as long as the Democrats have a 5 to 1 advantage. The good news is that they had a 10 to 1 advantage just a year ago.

President is running out of ideas

2011-09-24T19:02:00.004-04:00

Guest article by Max Drake

Sandwich

This letter to the editor of the Sandwich Enterprise was reproduced here with the author's permission.

I read, with interest, your reposted NY Times editorial last week under the “What Others Say” column, and along with that, Joanne O’Keefe’s letter to the editor. I couldn’t help but marvel at how the political left is always so willing to give one group the shirt off someone else’s back.

Considering the fact that Obama’s last $880 billion “stimulus plan” borrowed from our Chinese friends, has resulted in a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, a debt ceiling crisis that saw our nation’s credit rating drop, and zero new jobs created in August, I am baffled by those who continue to praise his failed economic policies. It is simply beyond comprehension.

The President’s approval ratings and overall job satisfaction ratings are dropping faster than the barometric pressure at the onset of a Northeaster. For good reason. Combine a 9.1 percent (and probably higher) unemployment rate, $3.79 per gallon of gasoline, $3.90 per gallon heating oil, the highest debt load of any administration in the history of our nation, an economy that is in the toilet, and a president who is governing against the will of the majority, and you have a recipe for a Democratic disaster at the polls in 2012. Amidst all of this, all Obama can come up with is the same old and tired class warfare mantra: “Tax the rich.” Holy smokes.

Furthermore, the President’s confrontational attitude with House Republicans does not seem so much designed to facilitate the passage of legislation as it is to unite his left wing base for his 2012 election campaign. This tactic is so transparent that only the “true believers” still refuse to accept the fact that the emperor has no clothes. Who could support such a cynical approach?

In summary, could someone please tell me when last it was that a tax increase balanced our budget and paid off our national debt? It has never happened, and never will. Cut spending now.

MA alimony bill to be signed by guv on Monday

2011-09-23T16:04:00.003-04:00

House bill 3617 has finally landed on the governor's desk. A signing ceremony is scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2011 in Nurses Hall at the Statehouse at 4pm.

The legislation overhauls Massachusetts' antiquated alimony laws--long overdue but late is better than never.

Read a summary of the provisions here.

Read the bill here.

Let’s remember the events of 9/11/2001 on September 11

2011-09-09T07:56:00.001-04:00

Call me old-fashioned or a curmudgeon or a cynic, but I’m having a great deal of difficulty getting my arms around the idea of turning the attacks by Muslim terrorists on September 11th, 2001 into a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Like Roebuck, the word remembrance will eventually fade away.

Other non-holiday commemorations focus on the events that took place on that day of the year. June 6th is D-Day. November 11th is Veterans Day, originally Armistice Day for remembering the end of hostilities of World War I and since expanded to recognize the contributions of all armed forces veterans.

December 7th is remembered for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Also from World War II are VE and VJ Day, both emblazoned on my dad’s memory, having fought in Europe and being en route to the Pacific when Hirohito surrendered.

So as much as I appreciate, encourage and participate in volunteerism, I’m concerned that we are on a federally orchestrated course to push the terrorist attacks to the back burner, opting instead for political correctness.That’s a tall order this year for the leading voice of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, Michelle Obama. The administration is up against the naturally important tenth anniversary of the hijackings, but counting on our collective memory and visceral reactions to wane as time goes on.

I say don’t dilute the significance of this day. I say never forget.

My takeaway from last night’s Republican debate

2011-09-08T15:06:00.000-04:00

Rick Santorum: Me! Me! Me! Call on me!

Jon Huntsman: Mypodium’s closer to Utahthan Brian Williams.

Newt Gingrich: I’d fire everybody. I’d fire myself.

Herman Cain:Nine! Nine! Nine toppings for nine dollars!

Ron Paul: I’m older than Moses. Personal friend, you know.

Michelle Bachman: Puhleez…

Rick Perry: Charles Ponzi was released from prison in 1934. TheSocial Security Act was signed in 1935. Coincidence?

Mitt Romney: You can read my 59-point plan on the Kindle, incolor.

So… Amazon is bringing out a color Kindle? Now that’ssomething I might be interested in.

Copyright 2011 Randy Hunt

Required viewing: The Help

2011-09-06T09:34:00.000-04:00

Mary and I went to see “The Help”yesterday. My review of this movie can be summed up in two sentences:

Thismovie should be required viewing for everyone. Go see it.

Massachusetts trial courts to cut back services

2011-09-02T15:12:00.001-04:00

Chief Justice for Administration and Management, Robert Mulligan, announced a reduction in public office hours and telephone coverage in order to compensate for the smaller staff the Trial Court is operating with today compared with 2007.

Doing the math, their headcount in 2007 was 7,780. They have lost 1,167 employees (15%) due to budget cuts during that four-year period.

Let me give you some perspective from a person who worked in manufacturing for many years. If we didn't increase our efficiency by more than 15% over a four-year period, we would have been left in the dust by our competitors.

How can you not be 15% more efficient than you were four years ago? That's the question that needs to be answered here.

As a former auditor with a "big four" accounting firm, I will be happy to spend a week in a court of the chief justice's choice and write a report to be published in a Boston daily of his choice about my experience; free of charge.

*********************************************************************

September 2, 2011

To: Governor Patrick

Senate President Murray

Speaker DeLeo

House and Senate Chairs of Ways and Means

House and Senate Chairs of Judiciary

cc: Lt. Gov. Murray

All members of the Massachusetts Senate

All members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Next week, the Trial Court will announce some changes in public office hours at 38 courts to help reduce case backlogs and processing delays.

Beginning on September 19, 2011, the Trial Court will implement restricted access to counter and phone coverage to reduce case backlogs and processing delays. The reduction in counter and telephone hours will provide necessary time for the fewer available staff to execute court orders and prepare and process cases. The changes will not affect persons seeking emergency restraining orders, harassment prevention orders, mental health emergencies, warrants and other emergency matters.

As you may be aware, the Trial Court now employs 1,167 fewer people than in 2007, a 15 percent reduction of staff, due to substantial reductions in our appropriations. The reduction in the court’s budget of $85M over the last three years has resulted in the court’s inability to fill vacant positions. The staffing shortage has caused significant delays in many court divisions.

The 38 courts (list below) that will be affected by the changes in public office hours include: 21 divisions of the District Court, one division of the Housing Court, one division of the Juvenile Court, the Land Court, and the 14 divisions of the Probate and Family Court.

I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding this adjustment in courts’ office hours over the coming days.

Robert A. Mulligan

Chief Justice for Administration & Management

Changes in Court Office Hours

District Court

· Attleboro, Barnstable, E. Brookfield, Fall River (telephones only), Haverhill, Lowell, Malden, Palmer, Taunton, Waltham, Woburn, Wrentham (civil open Thursday)

o Counter and phone coverage restricted 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.Monday through Friday

· Natick/Framingham

Counter and phone coverage restricted 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday

· Lawrence, Lynn, Newburyport/Ipswich (telephones only),Somerville, Springfield, Stoughton, Uxbridge, Westborough

o Counter and phone coverage restricted 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Court sessions still will begin at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Restricted access applies to any business except:

Persons seeking emergency restraining orders, harassment prevention orders,

mental health emergencies, warrants

Housing Court

· Western Division

o Counter and phone coverage restricted 12 Noon to 2:00 p.m.Monday through Friday

Scheduled matters will continue to be heard throughout the day.

o Satellite sessions cancelled the first week of each month inNorthampton, Pittsfield and Greenfield. Emergency matters during this week will be handled in Springfield. These satellite sessions will continue the other weeks of the month.

Juvenile Court

· Springfield Session of the Hampden County Division

o Counter and phone coverage restricted 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and4:00 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Land Court

o Counter and phone coverage restricted 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.Monday through Friday

Court sessions will be held as scheduled throughout the day.

Probate and Family Court

· All divisions

o Registry Counter and phone coverage restricted after 3 p.m.Monday through Friday

Applies to any court business, except emergency restraining orders and other emergencies.

Court sessions still will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Requests for committee hearing on National Grid's and NSTAR's responses to Tropical Storm Irene

2011-09-01T15:50:00.000-04:00

The first letter below is a request from Paul Adams and me for a hearing in front of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy of National Grid and NSTAR.

The second letter is my more detailed request for the committee to look into the need for legislation or beefed up regulations regarding minimum standards for customer service during a storm event and its aftermath.

Feel free to comment on your own situation after the storm.

*********************************************************************************************

September 1, 2011

The Honorable John D. Keenan, HouseChairman

Joint Committeeon Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

State House, Room 473B

Boston, MA 02133

Dear ChairmanKeenan:

As members of theCommittee and on behalf of the HouseRepublican Caucus, we write to engage your thoughts on having the Committeecall on representatives from National Grid and NSTAR to appear at a publichearing to discuss public outcry from prolonged power outages that plagued Massachusetts in thewake of Tropical Storm Irene.

As you know, onSunday, August 28^th, cities and towns across the Commonwealthwere barraged with both severe winds reaching upwards of 80 mph and floodingrains as a result of Tropical Storm Irene. Subsequently, power outages werereported as far reaching as Berkshire and Barnstable Counties.At the height of the power outages, nearly 700,000 residents were without poweraround the Commonwealth. At the time of this letter being written, close to65,000 households remain without electrical power. As members of theCommittee and on behalf of the residents of Massachusetts, we feel this eventreached such a critical point that we respectfully request the Committee tocall on officials from both National Grid and NSTAR to appear before a publichearing to discuss how to better pursue preventative measures to ensure that asituation like this does not occur again.

The purpose ofthis public hearing would be threefold. First, we think it would be helpful forNational Grid and NSTAR to discuss their current emergency response plans, andany improvements that can be made to such plans as a result of Tropical StormIrene. Second, the public hearing could facilitate dialogue surrounding thefailed communications between the electric companies and both customers andmunicipalities during, and in the wake of, the storm. Finally, it goes withoutsaying the need to address residents’ reports of untimely response by NationalGrid and NSTAR to the widespread power outages would be imperative.

We appreciate andapplaud the tireless work of the electrical workers that have labored day andnight to get power back up and running to hundreds of thousands of households.Since we realize the Department of Public Utilities will most likely conductsimilar hearings, we respectfully defer to your expertise as to the best way toproceed in conjunction with the Administration.

We appreciateyour consideration of this request and would be happy to discuss it with you atyour convenience. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

RepresentativePaul Adams Representative Randy Hunt

17^th Essex District 5^th Barnstable District

*********************************************************************************************

September 1, 2011

Benjamin Downing, Senate Chairman

John Keenan, HouseChairman

Joint Committee on Telecommunications,Utilities and Energy

Statehouse Room 413F

Boston, MA 02133

Re: Substandardcustomer service by NSTAR in wake of HurricaneIrene and

concernsabout our electrical grid on Cape Cod

Honorable Chairmen:

Background

Hurricane Irene, which was downgraded to a tropical storm beforemoving across Massachusetts, affected Cape Cod and the Islands on Sunday,August 28^th. The height of the winds were felt from approximately11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a maximum gust of 72 mph measured at theMassachusetts Maritime Academy on Buzzards Bay. Sustained winds were between 40and 50 mph. It was not a significant rain event for Cape Cod.

On Monday, August 29^th, NSTAR’srecorded customer service message requested customers to call back on Tuesday.On Tuesday, NSTAR’s recorded message informed everyone from Cape Cod to expect repairs to be completed by Saturday, September 3^rdat 10:00 p.m. or for a few areas by Sunday at 10:00 p.m.

A timeframe such as this is equivalent to noinformation at all. For someone without electricity, the difference between oneday and four days is huge. If a person knew with certainty on Tuesday thatpower would not be restored until Saturday, that would constitute actionableinformation and might persuade that person to throw out their perishables, renta motel room, or stay with family or a friend who has power.

NSTAR gave us no information on which areasonable person could make a decision. On Monday, NSTAR reported that 162,000customers across their systems had no electricity. On Tuesday, NSTAR reportedthat 84,000 customers remained without power. The fact was that none of ourresidents without power knew if they’d see electricity restored in 4 hours or 4days.

Late Monday evening, NSTAR posted a chart atnstar.com of the number of customers by community, the number of customerswithout power, and the percentage of customers without power. This chartprovided no perspective on when to expect restoration of power. On Tuesday, thechart was updated to reflect the number of customers by town with restoredpower and included the Saturday and Sunday dates for expected repairs in Cape Cod towns. Again, NSTAR’s communications lackedoperable information.

StepsForward

First, let me be clear that I am in no waycriticizing the work of NSTAR’s repair crews or the people responsible forprioritizing the work and dispatching the crews. They appear to be doing the jobof getting customers back up and running. My criticism is aimed at the lack ofinformation provided to the public by NSTAR, leaving no one able to makecritical decisions relative to handling their personal affairs, businessinterests, and the needs of relatives unable to manage through the downtime.

An effective and credible customer servicefunction requires accurate and timely information. In the aftermath of a stormlike this, a utility is faced with determining where the outages are and thecauses for each of the outages. Then it must prioritize the blackout areasbased on public safety, greatest number of customers restored per repair, etc.Furthermore, personnel, replacement equipment, and machinery availability hasto be considered as well as timing of subcontractors (tree removal services,e.g.)

In a perfect world, the exact date and timeof power restoration for each customer would allow flawless decision making. Inthe real world, each repair site has its nuances and necessary resources arenot always available at the right time. Havingsaid that, this is the nature of the beast and utilities do the best they canto juggle the moving parts in making decisions to prioritize the repairs.

Once decisions are made about where and whento send repair crews, the public has a right to know what the decisions are. Asan example, if there are 500 repair work sites and fewer than 500 crews withthe appropriate equipment, an ordering must be established by management. As acustomer, to know that your blackout area is near the top of the list versusnear the bottom of the list is important, actionable information.

As a minimum customer service standard, Ipropose the following:

1) During anyevent involving the loss of a utility service, the utility company must provideinformation regarding where the areas without service are by municipality andcommonly known names of areas within the municipalities. This can be madeavailable using an online mapping tool, smart phone apps, reverse 9-1-1systems, through the news media, the 2-1-1 system, or any other method that iswidely used and accomplishes the goal of disseminating information effectivelyand efficiently.

2) Accompanyingor integrated into the above information must be a list by region in whichcoordinated repair crews are working to include repair projects that arecompleted and those that are pending, in the most likely order of dispatch. Tothe best of management’s knowledge, estimated completion dates for each repairproject or group of related repair projects must be made available.

3) The firstposting of the above information must occur within 12 hours of dispatching thefirst repair crew and be updated no less frequently than every 12 hours untilall repairs related to the event are complete. Real time posting of informationis encouraged.

4) An archivedcopy of these reports, or “snapshots” of real time data at intervals of no lessthan 12 hours, must be submitted to the Department of Public Utilities within30 days of completion of the event reporting.

The above minimum standard of publicreporting during disaster events could be codified in law or by DPU regulation.However it is decided, I wouldencourage the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy totake up the issue as soon as practicable. I will be happy to sponsorlegislation to this effect if we agree that legislation is warranted.

ElectricalGrid on Cape Cod

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene has brought to light a situation thatis potentially far reaching with respect to the electrical grid on Cape Cod. The storm was large but not particularly fierceon the Cape. Given that, the amount of powerdisruptions seem out of line with the severity of the weather event, which pointsto issues regarding the stalwartness of the electrical grid and what mighthappen if we experience a hurricane.

I suggest we, as a committee, gatheradditional information regarding expectations for damage from this storm versuswhat actually happened and invite some disaster planners from the state andprivate industry to assess our preparedness for future events.

Sincerely,

Randy Hunt,State Rep - 5th Barnstable District

Committee Member - TUE

NSTAR outages

2011-08-29T23:03:00.008-04:00

Here are emails I've sent to my distribution list regarding NSTAR outages. Sign up for emails at www.RandyHuntStateRep.com.

NSTAR: 84,000 residential customers without power

August 30, 2011 at 8:15am: NSTAR is making significant progress (by their accounting), having cut their residential power outages by one-half since yesterday. Their website (http://www.nstar.com/residential/) indicates that they are down to 16,000 customers without power on Cape Cod.

Still, as of this morning, they are advising a September 3rd (Saturday) 10pm timeframe for repairing circuits for all customers who call in. This is the crux of the problem; if I knew Saturday was an accurate date, I would pack up and leave for a few days. We know from the restoration of power since yesterday that Saturday is not accurate.

I know a number of people who work for NSTAR on the repair crews and they are full out, moving from place to place restoring power. I have no beef with the crews. My complaint is that NSTAR is choosing to keep us in the dark regarding the priorities by town by outage area.

I'm not asking for definitive dates and times for turning the power back on for each customer. I realize that each situation presents its own challenges. What I'm asking for is a priority list with information on which projects are currently being worked, which are next on the list, and the estimated overall time to restore power for all projects. This would give everyone enough information to make decisions. As it is now, no one knows if their power is likely to be back on in an hour or three days.

I'll be looking into best practices for reporting such activities and talking to appropriate utility officials to create a more useful and transparent system for reporting progress to customers.

NSTAR: 162,000 residential customers without power

August 29, 2011 at 8:00pm: According to a chart on NSTAR's website (see http://www.nstar.com/residential/), 162,215 residential customers in Massachusetts are without power as of 7pm tonight.

One must assume they mean 7pm on Monday, August 29th. The chart has no date or time and has multiple entries for several towns.

Based on what I know about the situation in Sandwich, the numbers seem optimistic. Their estimate of repair time is "several days."

As soon as I am able to speak with someone at NSTAR, I'll provide an update.

NSTAR is announcing power to be out in Forestdale until Saturday 10pm

August 29, 2011 at 5:30pm: A recorded message at the NSTAR customer service line is telling people that power in Forestdale is going to be restored by 10pm on Saturday.

I was down on Pimlico Pond Road tonight talking with the NSTAR employee sitting in his car (since 1pm) and he thought that this was an area of high priority and guessed that the recorded message was giving a worst case scenario. While I was there, a Bartlett Tree Service truck pulled up to remove a tree hanging on the wires there.

At this point, I would expect that there is a logistical plan in place and that they should have a better idea of when the repairs will be made. I have contacted the chairmen of our Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy Committee (of which I'm a member) to see if I can get a better contact person's name within NSTAR to query. I will let you know what I find out.

If the repairs actually won't happen until Saturday, I would like to know that. I wouldn't be happy with that answer, but knowing that it's a most likely date rather than a CYA response would allow people in the area to make alternate plans.

I will send another email as soon as I know more. Please relay this information to anyone you know who remains without power in Forestdale and please let me know if there are any other areas within my state rep district without electricity.

Governor, it is never time to panic

2011-08-28T06:55:00.001-04:00

Today, the AP reported the following:

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said sustained winds today could reach 90 mph in Worcester County and 70 mph on Cape Cod. Winds that strong would shut down the bridges onto Cape Cod, as well as Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in coastal Plymouth, he said.

“This is a very, very serious weather event, if the reality turns out to be what the forecast has been,” Patrick said, after a briefing with emergency officials at the state’s emergency management headquarters in Framingham.

“This is not a time to panic, but it is a time to be prepared.”

I feel compelled to advise that there is never a time to panic. Panic immobilizes a person, making it impossible to think rationally. Panic wastes precious time and results in increased risk for the panicked person.

You are correct, Mr. Governor, it is not a time to panic. It never is.

Sandwich Citizens Police Academy Alumni volunteer for Hurricane Irene duties

2011-08-27T17:48:00.003-04:00

Members of the Sandwich Citizens Police Academy Alumni (SCPAA) met this morning at Sandwich High School with Red Cross personnel, the Cape Cod Disaster Animal Response Team (DART), and Sandwich Police Lieutenant David Guillemette to discuss the regional shelter operation at Sandwich High School.

The shelter, which accommodates people and pets, will open at 6:00 p.m. this evening and will stay open through Monday, if necessary. (Click for a map to the shelter.) SCPAA members volunteered to assist the Red Cross and DART with the shelter, support the Emergency Operations Center, and to be on call by the Sandwich Police Department throughout the storm and its aftermath.

The SCPAA, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed several years ago by town citizens who completed the 13-week Sandwich Citizens Police Academy and who wanted to remain active as a resource for public safety departments during events and emergency situations.

Hurricane Irene: MA South Coast, Cape and Islands MEMA update

2011-08-26T14:12:00.002-04:00

Kurt Schwartz, Director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), led a half-hour update for legislators this morning on Hurricane Irene preparations.

The current, most likely path for Irene puts it crossing Long Island at Smithtown, moving northeast through Hartford, and entering Massachusetts just east of Springfield. Hurricane force winds are projected for 30 miles west of the center of the storm to about 90 miles east.

Director Schwartz pointed out the hazards to expect on the South Coast and Cape & Islands, including rip currents that are already happening on South Coast beaches, storm surges, and 25+ foot seas. Coastal erosion and flooding are likely to be worsened by the new moon tides.

Click here to listen to the portion of his update related to the South Coast and Cape & Islands (3 minutes).

Paving contractors have groupies too

2011-08-21T09:32:00.001-04:00

The town is repaving our street. Work started last week with a huge truck/machine stripping the old pavement from the road base and other equipment preparing the surface for new pavement.

I was working in my office, which is part of our house, when a truck pulled up in the driveway and young man jumped out and approached the door. He claimed to be working down at the other end of the street, implying that he had something to do with the repaving project, and that they had some extra asphalt that might go to waste. He could get his crew right over and pave my driveway with this extra material for $3.50 a square foot.

I had heard about these “gypsy” pavers and decided to play along so I could find out more about this scheme. I told him that I’d have to check with my wife first and that she should be back in an hour.

I called our town’s DPW and asked about this company. The director confirmed that there was no contractor by this name doing any work for the town. I then called the town’s repaving contractor and spoke with the project supervisor who also confirmed that they were not subcontracting any of this work to the gypsy paver nor had they ever subbed work to that company.

He said it’s common for these companies to shadow them around the state offering on-the-spot repaving using a cold mix paving process with substandard materials. Cold mix paving is fine for paving over existing road but it needs to cure for a couple of weeks, be power swept, and then chip sealed.

Mary returned from her errands and I told her I was checking out this paving scheme. She said, “Well’s there a guy out there with a pick axe and a shovel tearing up our driveway!”

I ran out to stop the demolition and told the kid to leave my property. Their truck stopped at the end of the driveway a few minutes later scooping up the worker and took off.

Talking with a friend later that day, he speculated that starting the job without permission, no quotation, no contract, and no deposit was actually part of the scheme. “Oh, sorry,” the gypsy paver would say. “My boss told me to get started. I’ll call him right now.” His boss would then show up, apologize and offer a better price because of the screw up.

In my case, I ran the worker off before he and his boss could execute their scheme. Fortunately, he hadn’t done too much damage, though I spent a good part of the afternoon cleaning it up.

Minority leader congratulates Rep Hunt on perfect voting record

2011-08-19T10:19:00.000-04:00

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
House of Representatives
State House, Boston, MA 02133-1054

BRADLEY H. JONES, JR.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
MINORITY LEADER 20TH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
READING · NORTH READING · LYNNFIELD · MIDDLETON

TEL. (617) 722-2100
Bradley.Jones@MAHouse.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Peter Lorenz 617-722-2100

August 18, 2011

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JONES CONGRATULATES REPRESENTATIVE HUNT ON PERFECT VOTING RECORD

Hunt Casts 104 Consecutive Roll Call Votes This Year

BOSTON-House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. congratulated State Representative Hunt (R-Sandwich) today for achieving an impressive voting record so far this legislative session.

The Sandwich Republican participated in 104 consecutive roll call votes in the House this year, a 100% voting record, casting votes in favor of a number of reforms relative to reversions for local aid and court reform. Representative Hunt also cast numerous votes challenging the Democratic-led House on a number of issues, including a comprehensive Ethics Reform package, an income tax rollback, a permanent sales tax holiday, and a gradual rollback of the state sales tax.

"Randy is an incredibly committed member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and an extremely valuable asset to the House Republican Caucus," said Representative Jones. "The people of the 5th Barnstable District are fortunate to have Representative Hunt up here on Beacon Hill fighting for them day in and day out."

"I appreciate the minority leader's comments and add that our Republican Caucus, which has doubled in number this year, has had a positive, meaningful effect on the tenor of discussions and debate this legislative session." Hunt continued, "I also want to congratulate other members of the Cape & Islands delegation to the House of Representatives for their perfect voting records: Susan Gifford (R-Wareham), Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown), and David Vieira (R-Falmouth)."

Representative Hunt currently serves on the Joint Committees on Elder Affairs, Mental Health & Substance Abuse, and Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy.

Formal sessions will resume after Labor Day.

###

Evergreen Solar: Manufacturing’s last gasp in Massachusetts?

2011-08-17T09:27:00.003-04:00

I’m a little skeptical when anyone declares a “new economy.” Back at the turn of the century (it’s interesting to say that now) the new economy was comprised of a slew of dot-coms that seemingly broke the golden rule of the old economy: “Cash is king.”

No longer was cash flow the critical factor in determining success of a company. Growth in subscribers had replaced cash flow as the most important metric that drove share prices. It didn’t matter that companies were paying huge amounts of money to obtain new subscribers or to subsidize purchases of goods and services online.

Unfortunately for this new economy, the promise of eventual success was not enough to buoy businesses that were losing millions of dollars month after month after month. Eventually the bubble burst, shareholders lost billions in stock value, and we recognized once again that cash is king.

At this point, I’ll skip pointing out that the mortgage crisis traces its roots to an unrealistic expectation of people without sufficient cash flow to repay their mortgages.

Now we’re watching the latest “new economy” take some uppercuts to the chin. The “green economy” is supposed to move us from the fossil fuel stone age to the renewable energy renaissance age. Green jobs will replace oil field and coal mine roughnecking. It’s the future.

What are green jobs, by the way? After you get past the cheerleading jobs of advocacy groups, lobbyists, think tanks, politicians and bureaucrats, the rubber meets the road on the manufacturing plant floor and the installation of renewable energy systems.

Installers will be electricians, plumbers, engineers, and other skilled people required to erect a wind turbine, assemble a solar array, etc. These will be jobs that go mostly to local workers.

Manufacturing is a different story, as has been demonstrated by Evergreen Solar, based in Marlboro with a mothballed plant in Devens and one on its last legs in Michigan. After receiving $58 million from the state of Massachusetts, Evergreen filed bankruptcy this week with the objective of reorganizing around manufacturing solar modules in China.

Wait a sec. I thought that the promise of green jobs included manufacturing plants sprouting up all over the country bringing us back to our heyday of “Made in America.”

It doesn’t quite work that way. For the same reasons we lost our textile industry to the southeast states and eventually to offshore plants; for the same reasons we lost our heavy and most light manufacturing capacity to Mexico and eventually to

China

; we cannot expect that renewable energy equipment manufacturing will magically buck the old economy rule: Cash is king.

Fully loaded manufacturing labor cost in Massachusetts—meaning wages, taxes, benefits and overhead—comes in at around $15 to $20 per hour. In China, it’s about $1. On top of that, land is cheap, buildings are erected with $1/hour labor, electricity from the one-new-coal-plant-a-week generation program is next to nothing, and the government controls the value of its currency to ensure that these cost advantages remain in place.

Do we want China-like conditions here in Massachusetts? Of course not.

That begs the question, however: How could we ever compete with China for manufacturing jobs? Green manufacturing jobs?

The answer is simple. We cannot.

Evergreen Solar’s advantage, for awhile, was that they had engineered solar panels that used less polysilicon. That reduced their cost of manufacturing and allowed them to be competitive as production was ramping up worldwide. When polysilicon prices dropped from $400 a kilogram to $55 a kilogram, Evergreen’s bill of materials cost advantage evaporated. At the same time, production of solar photovoltaic cells more than doubled in 2010 over the prior year’s output, pushing prices for solar modules down by about 30%, a typical result of supply starting to satisfy demand in a new technology arena.

All of this requires that we rethink the future of Massachusetts in terms of an economic model that will be sustainable in the long run. Yes, we still have some pockets of success in manufacturing, medical devices being one of the more prominent of them, but how long will we be able to maintain our appeal as a viable host to manufacturers?

One of life’s dilemmas

2011-08-11T10:29:00.001-04:00

Being overweight reduces life expectancy.

Stress reduces life expectancy.

My dilemma?

Watching my weight stresses me out.

Extended release naltrexone: Addiction’s silver bullet?

2011-08-10T16:52:00.002-04:00

Roxicodone aka Roxies and Perc 30s

Perhaps the most important testimony I’ve heard this year as a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse was that of Dr. Joshua D. Lee from the New York University School of Medicine.

We are seeing no end to the increase in addiction to opioids, primarily oxycodone (aka OxyContin, Roxicodone and Percocet) and heroin. Dr. Lee has been working with an extended release adaptation of the drug naltrexone (XR-NTX) with great success.

XR-NTX essentially inoculates an individual from the euphoric or sedating effects of heroin and oxycodone. Even when using large amounts of opioid drugs, a person being treated with XR-NTX does not get high. It becomes a waste of money to attempt getting high.

I urge everyone to read Dr. Lee’s testimony by clicking here.

Is this new therapy too good to be true? I hope not.

Time to lead, Mr. President

2011-08-09T08:59:00.000-04:00

Instead of taking the podium and dumping on Congress and the Tea Party, could our president have, instead, declared that he would LEAD the way out of this financial morass? Stop campaigning for a few minutes and be president for a change.

Going to the movies: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011-08-05T08:29:00.005-04:00

I was eleven when Charlton Heston was captured by the apes. Unfortunately, he was unarmed at that moment.

Tonight, it's back to the big screen to see the prequel to Planet of the Apes. (I've added my review below.)

Randy’s Review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Right from the start you see a stark difference between the way actors play their parts in Rise of the Planet of the Apes compared with the original Planet of the Apes.

The walking, talking and behavior of the humans in this version is far better than Charleton Heston’s portrayal of a human in the 1968 movie. No one walks around in a loin cloth emoting epithets with a constant grimace. I suppose that was just Moses coming through.

This is a prequel to Planet of the Apes, which requires the writers to connect a few dots for us so we’ll say “Oh, so that’s how the head of the Statue of Liberty ended up poking out of the beach.” The principal ape character, Caesar, plays with a toy Statue of Liberty for about three seconds in one scene. Dots connected.

The writers did steal a line from the original Planet and gave it to the 20-something-year-old loser who works in the Alcatraz-like ape sanctuary: “Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape.” That line spoken by Heston’s character, Colonel George Taylor, shocked the ape onlookers because they had never heard a human talk. It gets the reverse treatment in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

You get the feeling that the producers ran out of money and/or time during the editing phase. There was a classic editing faux pas when one shot of a gorilla in a cage cut directly into another shot of the same gorilla, but the camera had “crossed the line,” creating very confusing back-to-back shots. You can read about crossing the line in any beginning filmmaking textbook.

Though I was totally entertained from beginning to end, the portions of the movie seemed odd. Most of the movie dealt with Caesar growing up, beating up the next door neighbor, and being sentenced to primate prison. Scenes of evil corporation scientists experimenting on helpless chimpanzees in an effort to make huge money for their shareholders and hide the proceeds in offshore banks while filing U.S. tax returns showing no profits were interjected from time to time.

The epic battle scene was pretty cool. Buck, the gorilla, turned out to be a hero. Then they all ran into the woods and everyone lived happily ever after. You get the feeling that an hour of film was left on the cutting room floor but there was no budget to trim down the first 90 minutes of the movie in order to come up with a better, more balanced ending. Real potential here for an uncut version on DVD.

All in all, a fun flick that will keep your attention from start to finish. By the way, don’t get up when the credits start. There is a last bit of dot connecting that you won’t want to miss.

Randy’s Rating: 3½ Bananas

“Terrorists” demand balanced budget

2011-08-03T08:48:00.002-04:00

People say stuff they regret when their brain-to-mouth filters fail them. Such was the case yesterday when some politicians forgot the President’s February 8^th call for more civil discourse.

Mike Doyle, D-PA

Imagine “civil discourse” being a football field, say Cowboys Stadium. Accusing the Tea Party members of Congress of being terrorists is like being out of bounds, but not in Cowboys Stadium, more like Three Rivers Stadium.

Mike Doyle, (D-PA) said: “This small group of terrorists have made it impossible to spend money.”

That pretty much sums up his political agenda.

I can’t think of anything to add except to comment on Doyle’s mismatching of his subject and verb.

Volunteers needed for tornado clean up effort

2011-08-01T12:30:00.006-04:00

The news cycle for natural disasters is short. Have you read anything lately about the recovery efforts from the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan? How about the devastating floods along the Mississippi in the spring?

That is a problem for people affected by these events who wake up each morning knowing that they are months and perhaps years from getting their lives back to normal.

Cosmo Casamassa and Mark Forsman recognized the need for a sustained effort by volunteers to help those recovering from the tornadoes that took lives and destroyed property on June 1^stin western Massachusetts. They formed Recover, Repair, Rebuild Tornado 2011 to match people willing to lend a hand to those who need a hand.

The first “marriage” of volunteer laborers and property owners took place last weekend, drawing hundreds of people with chainsaws, backhoe loaders, and just plain muscle to clean up huge amounts of debris and fallen trees.

I was joined by Sandwich Selectman Frank Pannorfi on Sunday. We didn’t know what to expect, so we brought tools and nearly 125 years of experience.

Our assignment was to help a Brimfield landowner clear a fire road that ran the perimeter of his 10-acre site. What we encountered was incredible and, quite frankly, disheartening. Mounds of fallen trees and brush stacked eight feet high blocked the road.

With the help of two chainsaw operators, a small backhoe loader, and a half-dozen manual laborers, we cleared about 50 yards of the road. Unfortunately, the landowner still has a half-mile to go.

To find out how to assist in this effort, visit http://rrrtornado2011.webs.com.

The pre-existing fire road was so covered up with fallen trees, we decided to cut a new path around it. This large downed tree was the path of least resistance.

Mark, from Worcester, manned his chainsaw for hours without taking a break.

John's backhoe loader proved invaluable in dealing with uprooted trees.

The fire road from where the grass ends was covered with downed trees and brush.

Janet, Mark's wife, and Frank celebrate the clearing of about 50 yards of the fire road. (Notice the trees in the background that were snapped off in the tornado.)

Found: Half-eaten sandwich on whole wheat

2011-07-29T19:37:00.004-04:00

At 1:25 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2011, someone lost a half-eaten sandwich on whole wheat and a used napkin, both folded up inside a blue paper plate.

Please contact me through this blog and I’ll be happy to mail your sandwich and napkin to you.

P.S. Can anyone identify what kind of car is in this video?

An advocacy organization acting irresponsibly: Disability Policy Consortium

2011-07-25T14:21:00.008-04:00

Here’s some inside baseball that reveals how desperate and conniving one advocacy group has become over an issue.

There is a legitimate issue over the use of electric shock therapy and other aversive treatments allegedly being used on children with disabilities in Canton, Massachusetts. A senate amendment to the FY2012 budget was offered by Senator Brian Joyce to make more stringent the regulations dealing with aversive treatments and the amendment passed unanimously in the senate.

The conference committee then hashed out the senate and house versions of the budget and the resulting compromise budget excluded the amendment.

Now the Disability Policy Consortium is conducting a campaign of extortion, threatening to release a survey that indicates all house members are for electric shock treatment of children and people with disabilities, unless legislators fill out their questionnaire and commit to vote on a separate bill by October 1, 2011.

For the record, I do not know enough about the issue to commit to a vote at this time. Most bills are not cut and dried; there are legitimate arguments for and against. I always do my due diligence and vote in an informed way and I will do the same if this bill reaches the floor of the house. Secondly, to commit to voting by October 1, 2011 is silly. I do not control the agenda. How could I make a statement that “I will vote for passage of this bill by October 1, 2011?”

My advice to the DPC? Do not publish a survey that declares that I am in favor of electric shock treatments of children and people with disabilities; that I am a supporter of torture. Are you kidding? There is absolutely no nexus between the conference committee’s decision not to include Joyce’s amendment in the FY2012 budget and accusing me of supporting torture. That is ludicrous and verges on defamation.

The issue should be managed in an appropriate way. We have a process. Not everyone likes the process, but to resort to character assassination to try and get your way is the epitome of irresponsibility. The Disability Policy Consortium’s board of directors had better nip this in the bud before the organization follows its executive director down a very precarious path.

On their most recently filed Form 990 (for calendar year 2009), the organization claims to have spent $1,266 dollars out of a total of $110,468 collected on “direct contact with legislators, their staffs, government officials, or a legislative body” (Schedule C, Page 3).

Their exempt purpose is stated on Part III, Line 28: “Foster understanding and support through education and advocacy by empowering people to represent themselves before executive and legislative, prepare a report on health care disparities and people with disabilities, work with deaf and hard of hearing people on communication access issues in health care, continue streetscapes work meeting regularly with City of Boston officials on curb cuts and street repairs.” Total expenditures for program services were $126,366. I assume that the organization will add direct lobbying of legislators to their 2011 Form 990 statement of exempt purpose.

Here are the emails that ignited this issue for me:

------------------------------

From: lizhardy@dpcma.org [lizhardy@dpcma.org]
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 12:48 PM
To: Nugent, Ben (HOU)
Subject: Adversive Treatments on People with Disabilities in MA

Bernard [that’s Ben, my legislative aide]: A letter was left and email was sent on Tuesday to Representative Hunt's office. This is a copy of the letter. Please email or call us with any questions. We look forward to his answers to the survey.

Thanks again, Liz Hardy-Jackson
617-542-3822 or lizhardy@dpcma.org

Disability Policy Consortium

Dear Representative:

The FY12 budget conferees had an opportunity to address one of the most shameful facts of life in Massachusetts. The Senate budget included language that would have authorized more stringent regulations on the use of aversive treatments on people with disabilities that occur in one place in the United States: Canton, Massachusetts.

Senator Brian Joyce sponsored the amendment that passed the Senate unanimously. The House Conferees representing you did not agree with the Senate amendment, so this opportunity died in Conference Committee. We also know that advocates tried to convince House Members to support the Senate language.

Each House Member is now on record as supporting the use of an unregulated treatment model that brought a conviction for the program director by the Attorney General and for a treatment modality that the United Nation has call “torture”.

The Disability Policy Consortium does not believe that you actually offer unmitigated support for the unregulated use of electronic shock on children and people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the fact that the Leadership has never let this issue come to the House Floor for a vote leaves you in the unenviable position of being counted as a supporter of torture.

You have the opportunity to change this view of your position and that of the House in general. The DPC is contacting all members of the House and asking them the following questions:

Do you favor the use of electric shock treatments on children and people with disabilities.

Yes __√__ No _____

(At this point in time ALL House Members are recorded as being in favor).

Rep. Tom Sannicando & Sen. Brian Joyce have sponsored bills (HB77, SB51) that would prohibit the use of “any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain”.

Will you vote for passage of this bill before October 1, 2011?

Yes ____ No _____

The Department of Developmental Services is currently holding public hearing on new regulations that are similar to the language Senator Joyce’s budget amendment. (http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Newsroom&L3=Open+Meeting+Notices&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dmr_g_open_meeting_notice&csid=Eeohhs2)

Will you vote for passage of legislation that would codify these changes before October 1, 2011?

Yes ____ No _____

We are offering this opportunity for you to set the record straight on your record and to put the House of Representatives in a better moral position to lead the Commonwealth.

The DPC will publish the results of this survey in our DPC Update and daily and weekly press throughout the Commonwealth.

The DPC will be calling to record your answers. You may also respond directly to this email or by calling 617 542-3822.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bill Allan

Executive Director

Disability Policy Consortium

617 542-3822.

------------------------------

From: Nugent, Ben (HOU)
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 12:41 PM
To: Hunt, Randy - Rep (HOU)
Subject: FW: Adversive Treatments on People with Disabilities in MA

You also may have received this, not sure if you responded. I've a call into the Dep. of Developmental services to get some for info on this. Quite frankly the letter is out of line, but probably should be responded to shortly.

I will let you know when I get some more background on this.

Ben

------------------------------

July 25, 2011

Ben, their email amounts to extortion. I won't play.

Here's how it works:

Unless you answer my questionnaire, I'm going to assume (and publish) that you molest children, torture animals, and want your grandmother's utilities cut off.

If this is Liz Hardy's idea, she should call me at 508-833-8511 ext 201 and explain to me how desperate she was to come up with this juvenile approach.

Randy

Randy Hunt, State Representative

5th Barnstable District

93 Route 6A

Sandwich, MA 02563

(508) 888-2158

Summer 2011 legislative poll: Make your opinions known

2011-07-21T11:47:00.009-04:00

It is important that I get a "read" from constituents regarding important legislation that is likely to come before us soon. The poll is now closed, but you can review the results and read a sampling of comments below.

Click here for the results.

Here are some comments received from survey respondents (most recent first):

Do you support casino gaming in Massachusetts?
If you do it start small. Do not go all in with new casinos and slots at the tracks. Let the track locations compete for 2 licenses to add slots and table games. Watch that and decide later if it should be expanded.

Oddly enough I have no strong opinion on this one. Just that whatever is decided on should have little constraints. Free market economy, personal responsibility and accountability for providers can often be applied.

I do not like to see MA money going to RI and CT, however I can't say I believe that the Wamponoag Tribe should have more of a right to open a casino than anyone else.

On general principles I object to gambling because of the inherent dangers of addiction; of spending money many cannot afford and the often increased criminal element coming into a community.

Those most likely to gamble are those who can least afford to.

Affects the people who can least afford it.

Our residents can easily gamble in neighboring states. We might as well gain the revenue being diverted to R.I. and Conn.

For the politicians to think that the monies spent out of state by MA residents is somehow money that is theirs is not good thinking. It belongs to the people who spend it and where they spend it is their business. My other fear is that the State would build a lackluster casino(s) and would have a hard time competing with the well established CT and RI casinos. They would also eat into the very successful MA State lottery. Is this consideration figured into the revenue estimates?

Further erodes "Public Virtue" as the Romans through Adams stipulated.

No additional slots at race tracks.
Limit to three total in the State.
Transparent bidding process for application process.

I don't gamble and don't really like it but it seems there is a lot of money leaving the state to other casinos that we could use here.

Yes- one facility. Although I wouldn't participate, it could help a city like New Bedford and ultimately the state's revenues. Focus on reducing state spending and eliminate programs. Don't keep expanding programs to give more taxpayer assets away to those who should be self sufficient. If they can't be self sufficient, make their family and church responsible- like it used to be in the "good old days". The liberal mind set on Beacon Hill is to be all things to all people- enough!

If well formulated, implemented, and monitored could be a good thing. Many MA residents gamble and go out of state to do so . . .why not in MA?

Most jobs in casinos are low paying positions.

I don't really want it but understand that we are a free country and if I don't want to support the industry it's my right to not go there. It's not my right to say they can't exist in our State. Much like the dog tracks in MA.

There is enough corruption, both political and personal (gangs, thieves, murderers, rapists in this state) so why bring in the "boys". Not just that they will bribe to benefit themselves, but also make our one-party leaders more corrupt.

While there is some social downfall from Legalized Casino gambling we as a State are losing way too much potential income to our surrounding states. You cannot regulate morality so let legalize it and make some cash!

As long as it isn't on the Cape.

Do you support the Right to Repair Bill?
Competition is good!

Knock off diagonistics already on the streets, can not stop the entreprenurial (sp??) spirit. Let the free market rule the day. Consumers are becoming too dependent upon Government to cover them for their (consumers) bad decisions. Personal responsibility must be demanded.

I just cannot make up my mind on this one! There are so many pro's and con's. I will toss it to you, O WIse One, and trust that you will make the best choice.

Of course...are forgetting free enterprise and the right to compete?

I support the concept, but there have been a lot of contradictory statements in the press.

It will give the local mechanics a chance to compete with the dealerships. My wife just got through fighting with GM over a recall. It took six months and dealing with a person named "Leo" who was located in Canada to straighten it out. Whether parts are made in the USA or imported isn't relevent to this bill.

I don't think the real issue is diagnostic equipment, but parts. Should manufacturers be forced to sell current model parts outside of their dealer network? It seems that with current models, the manufacturer has the right to control access to parts, particularly when the manufacturer is still obligated to cover warrantee issues. I'd compare it to a pharma company being forced to make their drugs available to generic manufacturers right off the bat.

My local garage should be able to acquire any part or info.

Freedom of choice.

Yes, if the repair shops pay a fee to the manufacturer for the information.

It is not the right/role of the state to dictate where an owner of a car should bring his/her car for repairs.

Codes could be tied into warranty dates or mileage limits. Shades of monopoly.

Not necessary. Repair garages can get a hold of the info they need now. They just want it for free.

I share your concern over the loss of proprietary information but have always prided myself on working on my own vehicles. I can no longer change my oil without a computer. I can't replace my brakes without special tools. I would prefer my mechanic to do these tasks instead of going to see Mr. Goodwrench for twice as much.

Do you support the Expanded Bottle Bill?
Never supported the original bill, just another fee/tax. (Government scoops unclaimed deposits.)

I do a lot of travelling. I can always tell what states have a good bottle bill. In MA it is so obvious that water and other drink bottles don't have a deposit. They are all over the streets, parks, and other recreation areas. I have written letters about this issue to various authorities in the past. The BOD of the Mashpee Environmental Coalition have discussed this issue many times. It is about time, hopefully, that something will be done about it this year. NY is the state to emulate.

Kind of fed up with the overreach of the 'greenies.' As for the government, 'never ignore a tax you can add.'

Most are recycled already...just another way of raising taxes.

It's just a way for the politicians to raise more money. Another tax coming in under the radar. The original reason for the bottle bill was to stop people from throwing bottles onto the side of the road, and that has happened. Success. This additional cost would be overkill.

Just another tax We'll end up paying higher prices while Beacon Hill gets the extra $$ to spend until the bottles are redeemed. By the way, how big is that slush fund of unredeemed deposits? Besides, if the "Cape Cod Daily Worker" is for it, I am usually automatically against it!

This is a revenue bill. That not returned goes to the state.

The law needs to be reformed, not expanded. If all bottles/containers are going to be covered, then the amount charged should be based on the weight of the container. That would allow consumers to "crush" the containers to limit storage space and permit return based on weight. This would reduce the cost to the retailers, as they would not need as much space or as many people to operate the program and eliminate one of the biggest reason consumers do not return containers (space).

Yes but you need to include NIPS in the bill. I participate in community clean ups every year and find more nip bottles along the roads than anything else.

Gov't needs to participate in every fraud available to support itself. Bottled water is one of the greatest frauds of our time.

Right now there is a glut of recycleables, the price per ton has taken a nose-dive because there is so much. Most of the bottles returned are ground up and buried anyway.

I believe it would encourage recycling.

I already recycle. This is nothing more than a money grab by the State because less folks are drinking soda so there are less purchases than before. Also, folks are watching carefully where their money is being spent so I believe people are being more attentive to making sure they take that can/bottle back for the refund.

No, it would just allow the folks in Hyannis where I bring my empties to forget to count even more of my bottles.

I know this is a measure with good intentions to make Massachusetts more 'green' but it amounts to little more than a hidden tax. You can't legislate behavior.

Do you support legislation to reform health care delivery in Massachusetts?
I'm frightened of a single payer, gov't run system. Even so, my Dad in the UK has been thru a lot and has no complaints. Truth is, I just don't know enough about alternatives to have a valid opinion.

Whatever system provides competition amongst providers resulting in options for consumers and thereby lower premiums. No penalty for choosing no coverage. Free market and supply and demand should rule the day.

I'm not well versed on this subject. However, I know there are many problems such as billing, that is confusing and a duplication of resources.

I would personally LOVE to see RomneyCare repealed - along with ObamaCare. I know too many physicians who are contemplating leaving MA and at least one who is planning to set up practice in Costa Rica if ObamaCare actually takes effect. That said - there are also many people (frail elderly, the very poor, handicapped with physical and/or mental incapabilities) who remain in dire need of health care. These are the people we should concentrate on helping - NOT a one-size-fits-all government plan.

The State had to reimburse hospital emergency rooms $36 million last year. Why isn't the personal mandate to carry insurance being enforced? People who use emergency rooms should be chased down to make them pay their bills. The state needs a method to identify and track those who are using emergency rooms and aren't carrying medical insurance. A simple photo and finger printing device at the emergency rooms should be in place if they don't have insurance. It wouldn't cost that much.

I want to go to the Doctor and hospital of my choice,able to get test's that are needed without government interference. Free choice vs government control.

Too complex for me to understand, but let's not forget the concept of "unintentional consequences"..every time we enact a major piece of legislation! I'm in favor of baby steps, i.e. change the current system on a step by step basis. We are not smart enough to understand the consequences when make major changes.

Health Insurance should be for two things - wellness and to cover catastrophic illnesses. In between should be the individual's responsibility basically with high deductibles and a reasonable co-pay.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Vermont is a communist state anyway.

I don't think any of these choices are what I would want, but perhaps that's because my preference is not going to happen: we should repeal Romneycare, and the individual mandate. We should also reduce treatment mandates to decrease the cost of health care and encourage catastrophic plans for those who can't afford the more expensive and extensive plans.

There should be more options available to those who fall into the middle area - not poor enough for state help, but self-employed and not able to get an insurance plan through work. There still are not good enough and reasonable choices out there.

None of the above! I strongly oppose any government "mandated" health insurance program. Put the healthcare spending decision back in the hands of the consumer. No single payor. No mandated "acceptable coverage" requirement. Eliminate restrictions on purchase of insurance across state lines. Expand the use of Medical Savings Accounts. And last but not least, Tort reform!

I am self employed. Just me. "they" want over $1,000.00 a month to meet the state requirment. This is already way out of control.

Frankly, I'm at a loss to know what we should do next. I feel that there is real damage being done when we continue to change the existing programs, so this need to be done carefully and with expectations that the plan will last long enough for the providers to establish programs and budgets that they can depend on.

Not clear to me what really is the long term best system given all the opinions floating out there. Perhaps the national election will shed more light on the best system we should commit to. However, without serious tort reform linked to health care, there will not be significant improvement.

I could have answered with both 1st & 3rd answers.;however, the Romney care should not have been implemented as it stands now! The state or the government should not DICTATE/MANDATE health care in a way that is not enforceable, that is punitive, covers ILLEGALS, NOT COST EFFECTIVE, FRAUD AND ABUSE etc. etc. Repeal if possible and formulate a better one; cut the abuse and strictly monitor.

ACO's are able to provide better health care at more competitive pricing while lowering costs. Key to this is the Health Information Exchange (HIE) which provides a better undestanding of costs and patient need.

There is not a good choice above. Health care is a retail service. Where are my TV repair stamps?

Deja vu indeed (ACOs versus HMOs). Been there, done that, enjoyed it's ups and stressed over it's downs. Overall, it was better than what we have now. Design a plan that's basic to good life - we all experience childbirth, some kind of illness, injury during a lifetime; we should all get vaccinations and preventive care. People who want plans that cover excessive/exotic elective procedures, weekly chiropractic, invitro fertilization etc should pay more for it, or out of pocket.

The entire MA mandatory healthcare system should be JUNKED!

Multiple billing for reading the same test is a single point I have witnessed.I am sure there must be similiar situations that could be corrected.

My choice isn't up there... Repeal Romneycare and implement tort reform.

I am not an expert on this one, but the Insurance companies are a big part of the problem. A lot of the time it's cheaper to pay cash.

It's time start over. Romneycare is a nightmare. Obamacare is insane. Let the consumer and the doctor figure out what works best, not the lawyers and bureaucrats.

I believe the current system should be changed to require mandatory public disclosure of health care prices each provider charges.

Do you support allowing illegal immigrants who have attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years to receive the in-state tuition rate at state universities?
What part of illegal don't the law makers understand!!! ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL!

Goodness knows the public school system is already overburdened. Teaching youth to obey the laws may be a good lesson. Perhaps the schools would provide a good way to flesh out illegals?

Allowing this will just encourage more of the same from all over. We all struggle to pay or help our children pay for their tuition. This is just the nose under the tent to a much more difficult issue - Drivers licenses = Voters for the Democrats forever (by non-legal folks)!

Is this question for real???? The only thing I would support for illegal aliens is to be instantly deported upon identification of their illegal status. Please send them home in the most cost effective manner.

This shouldn't even be up for consideration. If the parents are illegal, so are the children (PASS THAT AS A BILL). Get legal. That's the only way. I'm totally against any of them getting ANY benefits, except a trip home. I'm willing to pay for that!! They are going to destroy this country. Put AMERICANS to work.

ABSOLUTELY NOT - we'll end up paying for scholarships and dormitory etc as well !! Typical Gov. Patrick liberal give-away ( to buy more votes ) since he has never paid for anything in his life!

NO ! I am sympathetic toward these young people who are here, not of their own accord, but because of the illegal status of their parents. The more I read the more I discover that illegals are getting low cost housing, social security benefits, food stamps, free education and health care! Subsidizing their children's higher education is just too much! Illegals already cost us too much.

Absolutely not... When does illegal mean you get what out of state H.S. students who are legal citizens do not get and have to pay more tuition than illegals at state university.

What part of illegal don't you understand They should not even be in this country.

If they are in the country illegally then they should be prosecuted for violating the law.

Illegal means Illegal and should not be given citizen status.

You have to be kidding!

Absolutely not!

The bill will say "attended a Massachusetts High School, OR THE EQUIVALENT" That last phrase is open for interpretation and a reason to kill the bill. It would open the flood gates. And aren't we a country of laws? Why reward people who are here illegally? The state college system is full of state employees. As the number of legal citicens reaching college are is shrinking they are looking for additional students to fill the seats so there won't have to be cuts in staff.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!! Close the borders and then we'll discuss it. Let's get rid of the criminals who are here illegally. We see their names in the news every day.

The rule of law is in bad shape here, and is necessary for a stable republic. An end result is Lawrence.

How many times do we have to say " no" to this idiotic idea?

Sure, what the hell, how about a new car too.

We can not reward illegals. That simply encourages the problem.

Although I am not sure. It seems there are some good arguments on both sides.

Illegal immigrants should become legal to receive any money form the State. They are illegal!!! What would other countries do with illegals?

No, nor do I support them attending our public schools to begin with. I do; however, support an aggressive program to return all illegals to their home country as soon as they are discovered.

HELL NO!!! They are in MY COUNTRY illegally;They are not entitled to benefits that should only be available to a USA's citizen. Again, you are here illegally. I refuse to have my taxes used for their benefits. A few suggestions: 1) Be
grateful for not being sent back to your native country. 2) Thank my country,my state and the people along the way who helped YOU at zero cost. 3) BECOME a USA's citizen. 4) ASSIMILATE & OBEY MY COUNTRY'S LAWS. NO DEMANDS OR BENEFITS UNTIL YOU COMPLY!!!

Bad idea.

As long as they have no criminal record. Throw in some public service requirement that altogether leads to citizenship. This is a stupid issue that brings out the worst in people over-endowed with middle child syndrome (he's getting something for nuthin. I earned it, he didn't; he DESERVES less than me) and entitlement issues. You can't control where you're born/where your parents bring you, just what you do when you get here. That's when you earn whatever. Hasn't that always been the American way?

NO NO and NO!! MA doesn't allow citizens who live in neighboring states and work and pay taxes in MA to have THEIR children attend at in-state rates, so why on earth should people who are in our country ILLEGALLY be allowed these benefits!

Illegal is Illegal and should be treated as such.

What part of illegal does one not understand. There are many years prior to college years that citizenship can be worked towards. When veterans from other states are not offered in state tuition should they decide on a MA educational institute - then absolutely NOT! Illegals seem to get a pass in way too many areas that us legals would be in court now and I am tired of picking up the tab.

It makes me angry that every time Beacon Hill thinks we're not paying attention they try and sneak this in. I'm tired of constantly calling my Senator/Representative about this. What part of illegal does Beacon Hill not understand?!

I feel that it is not the fault of the children involved that they were born here. I do think that their parents should be sent back. I disagree with the attorney general who says that illegal immigrants are not illegal (go figure). I heard her say it. Does that mean that illegal crimes are not illegal?

If we allow illegal immigrants to go to our high schools, why not? I would think when the child shows up at high school someone would know he was illegal and this could have been fixed: become a citizen or not?

The reduced rate is for our own citizens. If a person is illegal they should not be provided better access to our system than say a student from RI.

I support sending them home and giving them the oppurtunity to walk in the front door, the right way-like millions more before them. An illegal alien is not a citizen, therefore he is not eligible for in-state tuition.

Veterans' and service members' benefits guide released

2011-07-21T07:23:00.001-04:00

The Massachusetts attorney general released an updated Resource Guide for Veterans and Service Members. Download it by clicking here. Areas covered include:

I. Financial Guidance & Assistance

II. Housing Resources

III. Medical Care & Death

IV. Service-Related Information

V. Education Benefits & Scholarships

VI. Motor Vehicle-Related Information

VII. Legal Assistance

VIII. Discrimination Against Veterans

IX. Employment Rights

X. Information & Resources for Family Members

XI. Support Groups & Services

Massachusetts debate on alimony reform

2011-07-19T18:38:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate Senate Bill 665, An Act to Reform and Improve Alimony. The bill was heard by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in May and reported out favorably in June.

I have received many emails supporting the changes spelled out in this bill and very few against. The key components of S665 are:

General Term Alimony – Duration limited by formula based on years married:

5 years or less: 50% of the duration of the marriage
5-10 years: 60% of the duration of the marriage
10-15 years: 70% of the duration of the marriage
15-20 years: 80% of the duration of the marriage
20 years or greater: Discretion of the court

Adjustments to alimony will be triggered by:

Remarriage of the recipient
Death of either spouse
Cohabitation by recipient (conditions apply)
Payer reaching Social Security full retirement age (payments cease)

Other categories of alimony payments are spelled out by the bill, including Rehabilitative, Reimbursement, and Transitional.

If you’re already subject to an alimony agreement, you will have to wait at least a year, and as many as 3½ years, before you can file for a modification.

The law as written would only affect cases over which the courts still have jurisdiction, known as “merged” cases. An amendment being offered by Reps. Harrington and Winslow would allow judges to adjust or stop alimony in all cases where the recipient is cohabitating.

For all the details, click here to read the bill.

Anonymously yours

2011-07-19T08:57:00.002-04:00

Why do I allow anonymous postings on this blog? It’s a question that comes up from time to time.

1) If I “allowed” only posts from people who identify themselves, it would be nearly impossible to ensure that the identities are genuine. So, from a practical standpoint, it’s not doable and, besides, it would put a chokehold on the number of blog participants.

2) Anonymous posters often bring information to a discussion that would otherwise never see the light of day.

The tone of the conversations does get more aggressive when people post anonymously. No question about that. Just keep in mind that it’s a two-way street. As an anonymous poster, one tends to go after other posters and public personalities in a no-holds-barred way. That’s fine, but if I respond to you in an equally aggressive manner, don’t act like you’re insulted, embarrassed, or that you have your feelings hurt. What’s good for the goose…

I also am criticized from time to time about even running a blog as an elected official. I’m told that, as a state rep, I should never inject myself into local issues (pay-as-you-throw is a perfect example). I might make someone mad and lose a vote. Two points come to mind when I hear these arguments:

1) I am intensely interested in local issues, whether or not they are linked to my service as a state representative. As a former selectman, am I supposed to turn away from the issues that drew me into the political arena in the first place? For better or worse, you’ll see me continuing to comment on local issues, offer advice to our local boards, attend town meetings, and hold signs for candidates who I believe in.

2) It is key for me to stay connected with people in my district. This blog is a part of that. Can the blog be used by a potential opponent to dig up things that might help them in a race against me? Sure. But, for me, the position of state rep does not define who I am. I work very hard at the job. I love handling constituent issues. At the same time, I see myself as a husband, dad, accountant, small business owner, musician, amateur humorist—not as a Beacon Hill politician. Whether or not my approach to being a state rep is a good one will be borne out at the polls on the first Tuesday in November next year.

So now I invite all of the anonymous posters to take me on, but don’t get your dander fluffed up when I come right back at you.

Pay-As-You-Throw bags quickly take 2nd place to $10 disposal fee

2011-07-13T08:40:00.001-04:00

I provided an overview of the Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system back in December (click here for the article), a video demonstration of recycling containers in February (click here for the article), a jab at the bag selling scheme in May (click here for the article), and my prediction of the biggest spring cleaning ever in June (click here for the article).

The spring cleaning rush was spurred by the $10 fee for disposing of non-metallic items and appliances with gases (refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, propane tanks, etc.)

This fee is now the main issue for the majority of transfer station users in Sandwich. It seems that everyone has their own interpretation of what is assessed a $10 fee and what isn’t.

I received a simple explanation last week: All the stuff that is disposed of on the right side of the transfer station requires a $10 fee except for the five-cent deposit bottles, clothing, and metal pile.

What happens when I arrive with my plastic table and chairs from my cheap backyard set (which, by the way, has the recycle “triangle” embossed on each piece)? Do I attempt to load this stuff into the glass/cans/plastic compactor? If not, then I suppose I must go to the household item pile. Can I dump it for free since the plastic is recyclable? Do I pay $10 to dispose of the table and four chairs? Or $50—$10 for each piece? Did I mention that I only paid $69.99 for the set from Wal-Mart?

What about my metal patio set? The table is metal with a glass top. The chairs are metal-framed with vinyl seats. Does this go in the metal pile? Do I have to pay $10 for the glass top? What if I break it into a bunch of small glass shards? Can I put those in the compactor? Do I have to rip the vinyl material off the chairs? Where does that go? Is there a $10 charge for each wad of vinyl? Is vinyl recyclable?

My experience with the PAYT bags has been pretty straight forward, other than the fact that they’re easier to tear than any plastic garbage bag I’ve purchased in the last 25 years. The concept, however, is easy to grasp and implement. This $10 fee, on the other hand, is as clear as mud.

Driving for Charity: June 2011 - Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation

2011-07-05T07:43:00.001-04:00

June’s per diem payment of $315 represents seven trips to the Statehouse and I am honored to donate that amount to help a three-year-old girl who suffers with Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG). This disorder includes numerous outward symptoms including difficulty in feeding, slow weight gain, and persistent vomiting. It is fatal in 20% of infants and produces serious, life-long effects for those who survive infancy.

Managing this situation has been arduous, to say the least, for her parents. Their pediatrician has recommended purchasing an iPad and a specialized program to help their little girl learn at a better pace, but the cost of an iPad and the software will run close to $800. That adds just one more financial challenge to the already long list of expenses not covered by their health insurance plan.

A contribution directly to a person-in-need is not tax deductible as a charitable donation, but if anyone who reads my blog is interested in making a small contribution to help, I will be happy to collect those checks and forward the total amount to the parents. Make your check payable to Randy Hunt CPA PC and put "iPad for CDG child" on the memo line. Mail to:

Randy Hunt CPA PC

297 Quaker Meeting House Road

East Sandwich, MA 02537

State’s fiscal year 2012 budget clears house and senate

2011-07-02T08:57:00.003-04:00

Only two representatives and four senators voted against the state’s FY2012 budget. The two state reps objected because the budget did not go far enough to meet their conservative standards. The four state senators objected because the budget went too far to suit their liberal standards.

One might conclude from this that there is something good in this budget for everyone. And there is.

The two biggest positives, in my opinion, are the restoration of $65 million in local aid cuts (even if it is only for one year) and municipal health insurance reforms that shift control of deductibles and copayments to towns and cities, removing those two elements from collective bargaining. As an alternative, a local or county government can join the state’s health insurance plan.

Here is the press release that Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo issued yesterday:

House and Senate Pass Balanced FY12 Budget

The Massachusetts legislature passed a $30.59 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2012 aimed at increasing government efficiency, cutting costs and shielding essential services. The budget reduces the state’s FY12 Stabilization Fund draw by $15 million and closes a $1.9 billion budget gap with funding reductions, ongoing revenue initiatives and one-time revenues.

“Faced with a sizeable budget gap and limited resources, we have produced a balanced budget that improves government efficiency and preserves essential services,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “Through needed reforms, this responsible budget protects our neediest residents and brings cost savings to state government.”

“We have completed a difficult, but responsible budget that reflects the priorities of the Commonwealth and includes unfortunate, but necessary savings,” said Senate President Therese Murray. “Our economy is no longer in freefall but we are still challenged to do more with less at all levels of state government and this budget is realistic for our current fiscal situation. We faced some important policy issues this year and I am proud of the hard work and collaboration that went into producing a final budget for the 2012 fiscal year.”

“Lacking federal resources to trim the budget gap, this compromise budget efficiently provides necessary services to folks across the Commonwealth,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways & Means. “Through the implementation of innovative reforms, the budget cuts costs while maintaining services that our residents rely on.”

“Although we are seeing a rise in monthly revenue numbers and a decrease in the Massachusetts unemployment rate, we are not out of the woods yet. This compromise spending plan provides assistance to some of our neediest residents while implementing cost saving measures. Members of both branches have worked painstakingly hard to come up with a smart and efficient spending plan,” said Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre), who chairs the Senate Committees on Ways and Means.

The budget increases Chapter 70 funding by $140 million and SPED Circuit Breaker funding by $80 million over their FY11 appropriations.

The budget includes a plan to reform municipal health insurance that provides savings for cities and towns while ensuring that employees and retirees have a strong voice without a veto. The conference report allows municipalities to alter co-payments, deductibles and other plan design features so long as such features are no greater in dollar amount that those offered by the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) plan with the largest subscriber enrollment. The GIC provides health insurance to state workers and legislators.

The municipal employee health reform plan does not alter collective bargaining rights associated with premium splits. Furthermore, as a local option proposal, cities and towns will not be required to implement plan design changes for employees. Rather, municipalities will have the option to implement or abstain from plan design changes.

The spending plan also includes no new taxes while preserving services for some of the neediest residents of the Commonwealth by focusing limited resources for the Department of Mental Health, early intervention services and public safety initiatives.

Selected highlights of the budget agreement include:
--$213 million for special education circuit breaker funding, an increase of $80 million over FY11;

--Full funding for the state’s inpatient mental health beds, club houses and mental health community services;

--Full funding for the Early Intervention program that addresses developmental delays in children ages 0-3;

--A $4.5 million increase in funding from FY11 for District Attorneys;

--Increased funding for the State’s Veteran Outreach Centers and Veterans homeless shelters by 10% at $1.91 million and $2.29 million, respectively;

--Regional School Transportation was funded at $43.52 million, an increase of $3 million from FY11, allowing school districts to receive a reimbursement rate of 61%;

--$2 million in funding for a new State Police Class;

--$525 million to the Department of Correction, which will prevent any facility closures;

--$6 million in funding for Regional Tourism Councils;

Policy Initiatives included in the report include:
--A municipal health care proposal that provides strong incentives for municipalities and employees to come to a mutually agreed upon solution on health care benefits. The language builds on the plan adopted by the House of Representatives by adding protections to ensure the integrity of the negotiation process while protecting retirees, specifying that any cost-savings proposal from a municipality must also include a plan to mitigate or cap the impact of changes on subscribers, specifically retirees, low-wage workers, and heavy users of health care;

--A requirement that 25% of indigent defense be provided by public defenders by the end of FY11. The substantial increase in the number of public defenders will help control costs, while maintaining the quality of the existing indigent defense system;

--The establishment of a new Office of Commonwealth Performance, Accountability and Transparency that will evaluate programs, coordinate grant activity and allow greater transparency. The office will also have a specific focus on projecting caseloads for a number of state programs;

--Includes three new initiatives that will provide state agencies with resources necessary to aggressively pursue and recoup unnecessary expenditure of funds and instances of fraud or overpayment. A new auditing and program integrity grant program for state agencies; a line item to support MassHealth auditing and recoveries; and a new unit within the Operational Services Division to conduct vendor audits. The investments will generate revenue and protect government resources;

--The Conference Committee Report also includes a provision that would return up to $65 million in FY11 Budgetary Reversions for use as onetime, non-recurring local aid payments to close the gap left by painful but necessary cuts;

House and Senate negotiators assigned to resolving differences between the branches’ versions of the budget were faced with the most difficult budget since the economy collapsed in 2008. Moving forward without the aid of $1.5 billion in federal stimulus funds that has provided relief in past years, legislators relied on funding reductions, ongoing revenue initiatives and one-time revenues to find a balanced approach of cuts and revenues. This balanced approach preserved services for the neediest citizens and targeted programs aimed to provide financial assistance to education initiatives, municipalities and families.

The Conference Report ends the year with a stabilization fund balance that exceeds $800 million, an amount greater than the stabilization fund balance entering FY11. The budget plan also marks the smallest year to year spending increase in the past decade, creating a spending plan based on transparency, accountability, and performance.

Massachusetts alimony reform bill likely up for a vote this summer

2011-06-29T08:10:00.002-04:00

Senator Gale Candaras’ alimony reform bill (S00665) was heard by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on May 18, 2011 in the Gardner Auditorium, the largest venue available in the Statehouse. That marathon session was followed by an executive session of the committee on June 2^nd during which the bill received a favorable report and was moved on to the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

With about 130 co-sponsors from the collective 200 members of the Senate and House, it appears that the bill will easily get the nod to make its way down the hall to the governor’s office. But a bill with this much support has intrinsic value as horse; that is, in a proverbial horse trading session.

That’s what makes it impossible to know when the bill will be brought to a vote in the House and Senate chambers. Clearly, the focus at the moment is on the Conference Committee’s reconciliation of the two house’s fiscal 2012 budget proposals. A continuing resolution was passed on Monday to keep state government funded for a couple of weeks, moving a likely vote on the budget to next week.

With the budget hurdle cleared, alimony reform will get its day in General Court. Here is the summary included with Senator Candaras’ bill:

This measure is the result of the work by the Alimony Task Force appointed by the Chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. The Task Force worked to produce a piece of legislation resulting in fair and equitable alimony reform in Massachusetts.

Each member of the Task Force brought to the table a unique perspective based on his or her respective experience and prospective solutions. Task Force members sought to respond to the requests for simplification, clarification, and specificity of the alimony law throughout the process, responding to concerns and thoughtful insight from a myriad of parties, such as judges, lawyers, reform advocates and individuals interested in reforming alimony law in the Commonwealth.

The Task Force is comprised of members representing diverse groups of interests and parties. Senator Gale D. Candaras and Representative John V. Fernandes were appointed as the co-chairs of the Task Force. The co-chairs were joined by representatives from the following interest groups, which spanned various socio-economic backgrounds, as well as differing interests: (1) the judiciary, (2) bar associations, (3) private attorneys, and (4) an advocacy group. Along with Judiciary Committee staff, the individual members of the Task Force include: Senator Gale D. Candaras (Co-Chair); Representative John V. Fernandes (Co-Chair); Honorable Paula M. Carey, Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court; Kelly Leighton, Esq., Liaison to the Boston Bar Association; Fern L. Frolin, Esq., Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; David Lee, Esq., Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; Denise Squillante, Esq., Massachusetts Bar Association; Steve Hitner, Massachusetts Alimony Reform; and Rachel Biscardi, Esq., Women’s Bar Association.

Through this comprehensive legislation, the Task Force addresses numerous issues and establishes parity and clarity regarding alimony in the Commonwealth. The following is a broad overview of the major concerns the Task Force encountered, and the recommendations addressed in the accompanying petition.

1. Separate Alimony Categories with Clear Definitions and Set Durational Limits—This petition proposes clear and categorical definitions for alimony, commonly used by the courts, but absent in the current general laws. These new categories are as follows: (a) general term alimony, (b) rehabilitative alimony, (c) reimbursement alimony, and (d) transitional alimony. Each category contains a concise definition along with a durational limit, giving payors and recipients a clear expectation of a finite period of time alimony will be paid and/or received. Further, for general term alimony, the default form of alimony, durational limits are based on the length of marriage, and now encompass short-term marriages (marriages for five years or less), which were often excluded from alimony awards in practice. However, the court retains its discretion to order indefinite alimony in certain cases.

2. Termination of General Alimony at Retirement—The legislation also provides, unless good cause is shown, that general alimony terminates upon the payor spouse reaching the age of full retirement. The age of full retirement is established by the federal United States Old-Age Disability, and Survivors Insurance Act, and may change periodically, subject to the federal statute. By terminating General Term Alimony at retirement, the Task Force hopes to enable both payors and recipients to plan for their own retirement.

3. Cohabitation—This reform also makes recommendations regarding the issue of cohabitation. The Task Force’s goal is to end the situation where the payor spouse continues to support the recipient spouse while maintaining a life with another. Nonetheless, safeguards are included to protect the recipient spouse where appropriate. Specifically, the recipient spouse may petition the court to reinstate the alimony award if and when the recipient spouse moves out.

4. Modified Factors Consider in a Alimony Order & Percentage of Need—This petition also provides a list of amended factors the court must consider when determining an alimony order. The factors chosen reflect a more comprehensive, effective and relevant list than the current law, including several stemming from the leading bill proposed by Representative Stephen Walsh during the 186th legislative session.

5. Phase In Time Structure for Modifications—To prevent an additional burden on the courts, the Task Force delineated a “phase in” structure in the modification of current alimony orders. This will allow current payors and recipients to petition for modification of their current alimony orders, pursuant to this legislation, while allowing the courts ample time for the critical training and necessary preparations that this new law will undoubtedly require. Moreover, this phase in period will hopefully ease the hardship on the courts resulting from the influx of cases onto their current caseloads and other recent changes in the general laws.

Right to Repair Bill

2011-06-25T09:30:00.000-04:00

I’ve been researching the Right to Repair issue to get beneath the crust and understand the underlying arguments for and against the bill. It was first introduced in the U.S. Congress just before September 11, 2001 and was lost in the aftermath of al-Qaeda’s attacks on us. Since then, it has been introduced in each session of Congress but has died in committee.

The strategy has shifted to passing it in a state. It doesn’t matter which one; once the “secret” codes and other repair information are made available anywhere, it is instantaneously available everywhere.

I found an article by Robert Charette on an IEEE blog that does a much better job of describing the issue and arguments than I could do. There are numerous links to source information and easy-to-understand explanations of the practical ramifications of passing such a law. Read Robert’s article here.

What I’m asking is input from readers here regarding their level of support for this bill. On the surface it seems that no one would be against Right to Repair if only because of the title. Who’s against consumer rights? On the other hand, will this lead to knock-off diagnostic equipment and car parts made in China? Just another giveaway of technology that would result in lost U.S. jobs?

Weigh in with your thoughts and vote in the poll at the right.

After dozens of rounds of layoffs, more state employees than before

2011-06-23T11:38:00.000-04:00

The Pioneer Institute is scratching its head trying to figure out how the employment rolls increased in state government while the news coming out of various agencies was all about the numerous rounds of painful layoffs. See the article by clicking here.

Sandwich High School: Excellence behind a wall of noise

2011-06-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

While the headlines about the school district screamed controversy, infighting, and disarray, something very productive was happening behind the scenes at Sandwich High School. Faculty, staff, and students were quietly working their way onto Newsweek’s list of America’s Best High Schools.

Eleven Massachusetts high schools earned recognition as a Top 500 school. Sandwich High School is in the company of Boston Latin and Sturgis Charter as well as some of the most innovative schools in the country, including the Magnet School of Science and Engineering in Dallas, Texas, and University High School in Irvine, California.

Congratulations to Ellin Booras, principal, and each one of the teachers, support staff, students and parents who put Sandwich High School on the map in such a positive way.

Gaming is coming to Massachusetts

2011-06-21T19:21:00.001-04:00

I don’t see a repeat of last July, when the senate president, speaker of the house, and governor all agreed that they wanted to legalize class III gaming, but couldn’t get it done.

Governor Patrick was pushing for up to three resort casinos but didn’t support slots at race tracks, often dubbed “racinos.” Speaker DeLeo, who had two race tracks in his district, was insisting on two racinos on top of the three resort casinos. Senate President Murray gaveled the passing of a bill that excluded slot parlors, but the senate and house ultimately passed DeLeo’s version of the bill, which Patrick amended.

Because the bill was sent to the gov so late in the session, his amendments essentially killed it. Murray declared an end to the combative back-and-forth, knowing that she would not have the votes to convene a formal session after July 31st.

A year later, it seems that the stars are aligning. The two race tracks in DeLeo’s district, Wonderland Dog Track—which was relegated to off track betting after the November 2008 ballot question ended greyhound racing—was sold to Suffolk Downs. And there is apparent interest on the part of the Wampanoag Tribe to buy Raynham Park, the other dog track that voters raised their leg on.

Those developments will dissipate some of the interbranch rancor and leave the team of three with a compromise that will be rolled out next month. The votes are still there in the house and senate, so my sense of it is that Rhode Island and Connecticut are not getting another reprieve this year.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T09:44:00.003-04:00

According to Wikipedia, not exactly an authoritative source but always the top listing when I google something, Father’s Day was first celebrated in Fairmont, West Virginia, on Sunday, July 5, 1908.

It appears that Mrs. Clayton, organizer of this first day of honor for fathers, failed to consider the effect of the competing holiday the day before. Not a single father showed up to the parade at 10 a.m. They were all sleeping off a late night of drinking, carousing, shooting bottle rockets at each other, and passing out before the fireworks finale.

A couple of years later, Mrs. Dodd of Spokane, Washington, picked a less hung over Sunday and received credit for launching Father’s Day into what it is today—a day to worship the backyard barbecue grill, giving fathers a chance to demonstrate why they should not be in charge of preparing the family meals.

Think about it. Whenever I got an idea to experiment with something my mom considered to be dangerous or a fire hazard, she made me do it in the backyard. She’d peer out the kitchen window, poised to call the fire department in case of an explosion.

Mary hides it well, but I can feel her staring at me when I light the grill, just waiting for me start running around the yard like a stuntman in Firestarter.

What I like about Father’s Day is getting phone calls from each of our six kids. They don’t know this but I have been keeping records for years with the time of day each of them called me. Phone calls before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. score negative points. Too early is not good. It makes me think you’re just trying to get it off your To-Do list; the obligatory Happy Father’s Day call. Too late is also not good. An afterthought. Oh, crap, did you call your father yet?

I really enjoy the leisurely pace of Father’s Day. It’s a day devoid of gutter cleaning, rearranging the basement, and painting the shed. It’s the day that I can suggest doing something that would normally be met with a scowl. Like visiting the Museum of Holography. Or watching the 149-minute Das Boot for the fifth time while insisting that everyone in the room remain completely silent.

It’s now shortly before 10 a.m., so I need to warm up my vocal chords and pull out my Father’s Day diary. To every father out there, Happy Father’s Day. Enjoy it and get your rear end back to work tomorrow.

Bruins end drought, win Stanley Cup

2011-06-16T00:42:00.005-04:00

I grew up on the border of Texas and Mexico, where we could barely grow enough ice to chill our sweet tea. The thought of playing ice hockey… Well, we never really thought about it.

I went to a preseason game in the late 80’s in Dallas between two teams I don’t remember. The Stars didn’t make it to Dallas until 1993. What I do remember is that it seemed much easier to follow the action by being there, as opposed to watching it on television (at least, low-def TV).

The pace of the game is absolutely insane. And the collisions are awesome. Seems like the players are a combination of Hulk Hogan, Brian Boitano, and Errol Flynn.

I don’t pretend to be a hockey fan, but I am starting to appreciate the nuances of the game. I even researched “icing” and the myriad reasons that it’s not called, even when the puck crosses two red lines. Never once did I see why offsides was called, though I have that same problem with soccer.

Zdeno Charo hoists Stanley Cup

What I do understand is that real fans have been frustrated for decades and, like when the Red Sox broke the Curse, there was as much a feeling of relief as jubilation; made that much better by the big talking Luango playing his second game in a row doing his dead-on impression of a sieve.

Without a doubt, Tim Thomas deserved to be the Conn Smythe trophy winner no matter the result of Game 7. If he was sun block, he’d be SPF 940.

The Stanley Cup is coming home to Boston. Congratulations to the entire Bruins organization and every die-hard fan who never stopped believing.

Attention small business owners: You can rein in the cost of health insurance

2011-06-15T08:16:00.002-04:00

Show your support with written or live testimony

I filed a bill, An Act Relative To Health Care Cost For Small Business (H02351), that will provide immediate relief for businesses with more than ten and fewer than 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. If you own such a business or know someone who does, you should read this summary.

The Affordable Care Act (national health care reform), which is based on the Massachusetts' model, exempts businesses with fewer than 50 FTE employees from many of the mandates of the law. Massachusetts' law sets this threshold at 11 FTE employees. House 2351 makes an early adoption of the Federal threshold. There is bipartisan support for this bill; legislators who understand that small businesses are bearing an undue burden when it comes to health insurance expenses, a burden that is growing at an unsustainable rate.

If you have dealt with health insurance audits by the state, paid fines, and watched critical working capital cash taken out of your business and redirected to support the costliest system of health insurance in the country, then you know how this simple change in the law would provide immediate relief for your business.

The hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Statehouse in Hearing Room A-1. If you are interested in testifying how this bill would help your business, you can join me at the hearing or you can submit written testimony to the Joint Committee on Public Health. An email message can be included in the written testimony, so please don't think that the formalities of written testimony are an obstacle. Email me at randy.hunt@mahouse.gov

If you would like to testify in person, you will be limited to three minutes, but you should submit a written version of your testimony. The written version can be much more detailed if you like.

This is your opportunity to make a difference, a big difference in controlling costs that have some of our small businesses on the ropes.

Call my district office at 508-888-2158 or email me to register your willingness to rein in the over-reaching mandate we find ourselves under.

Let’s fix the hole in the windshield (Natalie’s Bill)

2011-06-09T06:00:00.002-04:00

Guest article by Greg Parkinson, M.D., Chairman

Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention
Massachusetts Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics

Health care cost containment is the buzz phrase of 2011 on Beacon Hill. You can hear it from Gov. Patrick and both chambers of the Legislature. While heated debates over solutions have ensued, most legislators are ignoring one easy component: the seat belt. When unbelted people crash through a windshield, they create a hole through which lives and money are being needlessly thrown.

As a pediatrician, I see this issue as one of saving lives. Too many dreams have been cut short and too many families have been devastated. However, not everyone is moved by personal tragedies. Perhaps now, at last, as we struggle financially, others can see that it is time to pass a better seat belt law. Primary seat belt enforcement can save more lives than I can hope to save in an entire career — and it also makes financial sense.

Health care is expensive, but an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure. Furthermore, an ounce of prevention saves money. That is, injury prevention equals cost containment. Since car crashes represent the No. 1 cause of death under age 45, the seat belt emerges as a tool for saving money. This can be an “aha” moment.

Car crashes cost Massachusetts more than $6 billion annually. One major reason is our abysmal seat belt use rate of 74 percent; we rank 48th in the nation. This results largely from a failure to embrace primary seat belt enforcement. The 30 states where police can stop a driver solely for a belt violation have belt use rates 12 points higher than those, like Massachusetts, that require another reason to stop drivers.

Changing to primary enforcement would prevent more than 650 serious injuries and save 18 lives and more than 70 million health care dollars (private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and self-pay) every year. That’s $70 million for one small change, and it actually improves health care. Not only that, but if the law is signed by June 30, the federal government will add $13.6 million in grants.

State Speaker Pro Tem Patricia Haddad and state Sen. Patricia Jehlen have proposed “An Act Establishing a Primary Seat Belt Law” (HB 2401/SB 1211). This bill, which does not affect insurance premiums, awaits a hearing in the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, which includes Cape Reps. Cleon Turner and David Vieira. It is referred to as Natalie’s Bill, after 21 year-old Natalie DeLeon of Springfield, who died in an unbelted crash in 2006, and is supported by a coalition of more than 40 organizations.

So what’s the holdup? Some say seat belts are a personal choice; however, almost three-quarters of crash costs are paid by those not involved in the crash. This makes it everyone’s business. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.”

And while racial discrimination has understandably raised fears in the minority community, research shows that primary enforcement does not increase racial profiling, but does reduce racial disparities in seat belt use. The wrong of racial profiling will not be righted by the wrong of people being thrown through their windshields. And the car traveling at 60 mph doesn’t care about race, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs. The crashing car treats us all equally.

We need to admit that education and secondary enforcement have given us a seat belt use rate that is almost the worst in the nation. We must care about the victims — not just the occupants, but the workers, the caregivers and the loved ones. We must recognize that we can save $70 million in health costs, millions more in related costs, and receive $13.6 million in federal money, at a time of drastic cutbacks.

This is low-hanging fruit for the Legislature. It is time to fix the hole in the windshield, to pass Natalie’s Bill and adopt a new, effective and cost-saving strategy for the commonwealth.

Dr. Greg Parkinson, a Falmouth pediatrician, is chairman of the Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention for the Massachusetts Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics and co-chairman of the Belts Ensure a Safer Tomorrow Coalition.

Spring cleaning on steroids

2011-06-04T11:00:00.001-04:00

The Town of Sandwich begins its Pay-As-You-Throw program on July 1^st which, besides requiring special bags for disposing trash, also brings back the $10 fee for dropping off certain items, such as refrigerators, tires, propane tanks, etc.

Thus, June stacks up to be the biggest spring cleaning month Sandwich residents have ever waged. With that $10 per item fee looming, there’s a run on straps and bungee cords at the local hardware stores. Soon we’ll see Beverly Hillbilly looking trucks pulling into the transfer station nearly tipping over with the weight of sofas, mattresses, stoves, coffee tables, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.

It’s certainly a motivator to clean out the cellar and empty the attic. Some of our friends are planning entire weekends around spring cleaning this year. Those who prefer to call this new system “Pay Through The Nose” see the days leading up to July 1^st as an opportunity to wage a demonstration, harkening back to that old Johnny Paycheck song: Take This Tub And Shove It.

Weiner grilled for not so hot (dog) interviews

2011-06-03T08:58:00.005-04:00

UPDATE (6/6/2011): Weiner admits weeny pic is self-portrait

A tearful congressman (no, not John Boehner) was frank with reporters, admitting that he lied (make that “hasn’t told the truth”) about someone hacking his Twitter account and sending a photo of Private Part to a co-ed.

In fact, the picture of his skivvy-clad congressional member is apparently only the tip of the iceberg. Other pics and emails are emerging, perhaps 200 or more from a growing list of women with whom he admitted having online and telephone flirtations. But, unlike Chris Lee, the shirtless New York Republican congressman who resigned after sending photos to women via Craigslist, Weiner has no plans to quit.

Other memorable congressional sexcapades:

Eric Massa – TickleGate

Gerry Studds – PageGate

Barney Frank – GobieGate

Mel Reynolds – CampaignWorkerGate

Mark Foley – IMGate

Larry Craig – FootsyGate

John Ensign – StafferGate

* * * * *

It’s time for politicians to adopt an old television censor policy created for Elvis Presley: Do not shoot below the belt—photos and videos, that is.

Anthony Weiner, NY Congressman

Two questions pop into one’s head while watching Anthony Weiner’s interviews:

1) How was it that he seemed to know instantly that his Twitter account was hacked? I’ve been getting spoof emails from friends for months who still don’t have a clue that their Hotmail accounts have been hijacked.

2) Why can’t Weiner disclaim that the photo is of his own junk? If he never took a pic of his bratwurst…

We don’t need Dick Tracy to know what’s going on here.

Canvasback Homeowners Association state permit public comment window is open

2011-06-02T14:59:00.000-04:00

The public comment period is open for the plan to install eight docks on Peters Pond by the Canvasback Homeowners Association. It is a chance to submit written testimony for or against the project.

Public notice is hereby given of the waterways application by the Canvasback Homeowners Association to construct and maintain eight docks, with associated stairs, gangways, platforms and floats, at Pierre Vernier Drive, in the municipality of Sandwich, in and over the waters of Peters Pond.

Any one wishing to make comments in this matter have 30 days from the Notification Date, which was May 27, 2011. All written comments can be sent to:

David Hill, Environmental Engineer
DEP, Waterways Regulation Program
20 Riverside Drive
Lakeville, MA 02347

MGL 91 Waterways License Application Number is W11-3321, which needs to be referenced in your correspondence.

House passes legislation to combat human trafficking

2011-06-01T17:20:00.000-04:00

Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation aimed at fighting human trafficking in the Commonwealth. The bill creates crimes for human trafficking offenses such as trafficking persons for sexual servitude and trafficking persons for forced services.

“Our primary job as elected officials is to secure the safety of folks across the Commonwealth,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “No one should have to experience the horrors of being sold into a life of exploitation. This anti-human trafficking legislation will help our law enforcement officials crack down on instances of this unconscionable practice in Massachusetts.”

“This bill will give our law enforcement professionals the tools needed to address human trafficking offenses in Massachusetts,” said Representative Eugene L. O’Flaherty, House Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

“The passing of this bill by the House is an important step towards eradicating Human Trafficking in our Commonwealth,” said Attorney General Martha Coakley. “The fact remains that people of all backgrounds are being exploited for sexual servitude and labor right in our own backyard. We remain one of four states without a law against human trafficking, and we hope this bill will finally change that. We commend the House leadership, especially Speaker DeLeo and Chairman O’Flaherty, for sending a strong message that this brutal exploitation will not be tolerated.”

The bill creates the crimes of trafficking persons for sexual servitude and trafficking persons for forced services, each of which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $25,000, or both.

The legislation also creates the crimes of trafficking for sexual servitude or forced services on a person under 18 years-old. Each crime carries a penalty of up to life in prison.

Additionally, the bill increases protection for children by raising the age required to be considered a minor in the context of engagement in sexual conduct. Previously, only those under 14 years of age had qualified as minors in this context. This legislation increases the age to 18.

The legislation authorizes all money seized as a result of human trafficking apprehensions to be made available to human trafficking victims who are awarded restitution by a court.

The bill also addresses the demand side of human trafficking by increasing the punishment for those who pay another person in exchange for sexual conduct.

In an effort to provide needed social services for victims of human trafficking, the bill includes a “Safe Harbor” provision that allows a court to judge a person under 18 years-old who is apprehended for prostitution – but found to be a victim of human trafficking – to be in need of services rather than simply delinquent.

Finally, the bill establishes an inter-agency task force to address human trafficking. The task force will collect data to continually study the problem of human trafficking and devise plans to share information across agencies to facilitate a more efficient pursuit of human traffickers.

Driving for Charity: May 2011 – Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & the Islands

2011-06-01T11:57:00.003-04:00

I made a campaign promise, at the urging of Matt Pitta, WXTK Radio news director, to pass through my state representative travel per diem to a local charity each month. Unlike most of us who do not get paid to commute, legislators receive payments based on the distance they drive to the Statehouse. My per diem is $45. Click here to see “Who gets paid to drive to work?”

May’s per diem payment of $405 represents nine trips to the Statehouse and I am honored to donate that amount to Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & the Islands, a 100% locally funded and operated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing supportive and capacity-building services to individuals in our region who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and the families and professionals who care for them.

Alzheimer’s is a disease affecting my mom, which I have written about in my blog:

http://randyhuntcpa.blogspot.com/2008/10/road-trip-to-texas-day-7_25.html

http://randyhuntcpa.blogspot.com/2011/05/grieving-and-alzheimers-disease.html

I appeal to anyone who has been directly or peripherally affected by this disease to make a contribution to this deserving support organization.

For more information and to donate: http://www.alzcapecod.org/

Time to fire up the barbecue

2011-05-28T23:19:00.005-04:00

It’s officially here. Time to move the kitchen into the backyard.

Many great memories were made around the grill. My favorites?

Opening the lid to find $30 of steaks completely enveloped by an inferno that would impress Irwin Allen.

Fiddling with the gas regulator because grilling at 150° is only good for making beef jerky.

Watching a tuna steak slip off the serving tray on my way into the house. (I never mentioned this to Mary.)

Watching two bratwursts roll off the serving tray on my way into the house. (I never mentioned this to Mary either.)

Lighting a charcoal grill.

Running out of propane half way through grilling t-bones.

The way guys who have a hard time heating a can of beans are expected to turn into Emeril Legassi just because they’re grilling outdoors.

You know how people say that food cooked over a campfire just tastes better? Sure. Better than a slice of barbecued tree bark. Maybe.

Copyright 2011 Randy Hunt

Memorial Day should be devoid of politics and commercialism

2011-05-27T08:40:00.000-04:00

A bill was shot down in the state senate this week that would have forced retail establishments to remain closed until noon on Memorial Day. I agree with the sentiment of keeping commercialism separated from Memorial Day, but rather than attempting to legislate appropriate behavior on this most solemn day, I wish people would take the time to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day by attending one of the commemorative events.

Politicians are ubiquitous at these events, but politics should not be. This is a day for honoring our military men and women who paid the ultimate price defending our nation and our way of life. I participated in the Town of Sandwich’s Memorial Day Parade each year that I served as a selectman and delivered a speech on the library lawn the year that I chaired the board.

Since we moved here in 1998, we have had a state representative who was a resident of the town and each year that person delivered a speech on the library lawn that was appropriate in tone and could not be construed as “campaigning.” Last year, our state representative delivered such a speech. It was educational, uplifting, right for the event, and appropriately honored several veterans and families of fallen soldiers.

The brouhaha that erupted wasn’t the result of the speech, but rather that he was accompanied by a candidate for state treasurer who was also a state representative. She sat with the elected dignitaries which created the impression that she and our representative were campaigning. Letter writers to the editor cried foul. The event had been hijacked by politicians using it as a campaign stopover, they said.

I videotaped the event and posted it on my blog the day after the event. Nothing in our representative’s speech could be construed as campaigning. Click here to see the video.

Nonetheless, the parade organizers were roundly criticized for this perceived partisan favoritism and have decided to avoid such negative publicity by “uninviting” our state representative to this year’s commemoration. I understand the hesitation to risk another round of criticism.

I have accepted an invitation to speak at the Mashpee event, which seems appropriate in light of the still simmering feelings about what was thought to have happened last year.