But a number of progressives say Healey is too conservative on some issues, including criminal justice. For example, they point out that Healey pushed to expand the state’s wire tapping law; she supported no-knock warrants and facial recognition software in some circumstances.
Jonathan Cohn, policy director for the group Progressive Massachusetts, is among those critics. The group has endorsed Chang-Díaz for governor, and Cohn says Healey sides with law enforcement too often and is too comfortable working within the current criminal justice system — instead of fighting to reshape it.
“If inequities are baked into a system and you’re accepting the system as it is, you’ll never fully address them,” Cohn said. “Because she’s largely operating as a law enforcement official.”
“The type of voter who pays attention to all of the constitutional offices really early are a subset of a subset. When you have those people, you go in knowing there’s a large pool of people who are undecided,” said Jonathan Cohn, policy director for the group, Progressive Massachusetts. “It ups the stakes.”
“So the fact that the Mass Dems have a robust platform and one of the most, if not the most, progressive platforms in the country should be a point of pride. But it raises the question: Does it even mean anything?
A platform is, in theory, an actionable agenda for a party, a promise of what that party will do when in office. But the Massachusetts Democratic Party platform says quite little about what our Legislature’s large Democratic majorities intend to do. “
“Mallory Hanora, executive director of Families for Justice as Healing, which has been leading the campaign to oppose construction of a new women’s prison, said a five-year moratorium would provide “an opportunity for us to pause as a state and reconsider our spending priorities and take this opportunity to invest in what we know actually creates safety and wellbeing.” Hanora argued that the state should invest in community-based solutions for female offenders, like housing, health care and treatment, rather than building a new prison.”
“The national reproductive health care landscape—with abortion as the first domino to fall—is about to be drastically altered. But as we face this unprecedented moment in history, there is one thing we know to be true: Massachusetts can rise to the occasion and remain a leader for reproductive freedom. We can pave the way forward for abortion access and serve as an example of what is possible when leaders are committed to smart, forward-thinking reproductive equity policy. This agenda is an important starting point.”
“But there is a way to improve access: Make the pills available for over-the-counter sale. That way, women in antiabortion states could ask friends or family members in neighboring states to visit a pharmacy or grocery store, grab the two-drug combination off the shelf, and send it along. Or, if time was a concern, they could drive across state lines themselves and make a quick purchase.”
“When a mother loses the choice to work or a family must go into debt in order to care for their children, our system has failed them. When a child loses an opportunity for early childhood or after school education, our system has failed them. When a small business owner can’t open because their employees cannot return to work due to childcare responsibilities, our system has failed them. Our childcare system is failing us in all of these ways. We must act now to make the changes required to support families in the Commonwealth.”
“Onerous fees for a basic necessity like communications do nothing to protect public safety, and in fact make rebuilding life after prison harder if they cause inmates’ social and family connections to fray. The fees are simply an unnecessary and counterproductive burden, one that should be lifted by lawmakers this year.”
“It’s a really difficult problem,” Schuetz told me, “when you have people who say that they care about inequality. They say that they care about racial justice … And yet they are not willing to make changes in their own life, or to accept changes in their personal environment that would make equity better, that would reduce racial segregation.
“As Massachusetts considers taking control of Boston Public Schools, evidence suggests the state has failed to make meaningful progress in turning around much smaller districts it currently oversees….A Globe analysis of test scores, graduation rates, college enrollment, and a dozen other metrics in Lawrence, Holyoke, and Southbridge shows the state has failed to meet almost all its stated goals for the districts.”
“The driver’s license bill was passed by veto proof majorities in both the House and Senate for all the right reasons. It would make an estimated 185,000 undocumented immigrants eligible to learn the rules of the road, to take the tests that would certify that they know those rules and are competent behind the wheel and in doing so that would make the roads safer for all of us….And it would make a difference in people’s lives, allowing more to join a workforce where they are badly needed….No amount of gubernatorial obfuscation can change those simple facts of life.
“The segregation of Massachusetts communities has been forged by a legacy of discrimination, including redlining, in which banks refused to grant loans to Black and brown households in certain ZIP codes. And local “Not in My Back Yard” zoning rules have historically prevented the development of affordable homes, including multiunit developments.”
“Anyone who travels around the Merrimack Valley by public transportation or car knows that our infrastructure is in serious need of repair. Our streets and highways are full of potholes and our bridges are crumbling….Using public transportation in this area poses many challenges from bus stops lacking bus shelters and information about times and routes to the difficulties traveling from the seashore to the inland cities of Haverhill and Lawrence.”
“The Massachusetts House of Representatives has a reputation for operating with less transparency than the Senate, said Cohn of Progressive Mass. But both legislative bodies, he said, embrace a style of consensus-building that “likes to pretend divisions don’t exist.” When they do, roll call votes are avoided. Lawmakers are counselled to withdraw amendments and a quick voice vote is called. He also said lawmakers who oppose a measure that is generally seen as popular seek the cover of a voice vote, rather than be recorded with a “nay.” Beacon Hill’s lack of transparency, said Cohn, “is striking, compared to other states. Massachusetts likes to view itself as a positive example, but this is one place where we can learn something from other states.””
“Our greatest challenge in the 21st century is climate change mitigation. In Massachusetts the largest sector of greenhouses gas emissions (42%) is transportation. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuels in our cars, trucks, and heavy duty vehicles….The Fair Share Amendment will provide new revenue to allow substantial investment in transportation and public education in Massachusetts. These investments will make it easier for us to kick our fossil fuel dependence by providing safer options for pedestrians and cyclists as well as speedy, affordable, regular, reliable and convenient public transportation.”
“A public bank would alleviate some of those racial disparities by allowing the state to funnel money through the new banking institution to minority-owned businesses, giving them more access to the financial capital that they need.”
“Progressive Mass Policy Director Jonathan Cohn called out a “damning” lack of transparency that permeated the Senate debate on Thursday. Members passed the bill in a voice vote — an unusual move for a major policy change that he suggested was “intentionally opaque” and “choreographed” to tee up contentious closed-door negotiations as the two chambers work to reconcile major policy differences and pass a bill over the next three months.”
“While the state has significant ARPA funds to deploy right now, HERO revenue would likely kick in just as the ARPA funds begin to deplete, ensuring that we can sustain investments now being launched. As state legislators consider proposals on housing and climate, the HERO Act deserves their support.”
“In the 2020 Massachusetts general election, nearly 60%, or 2,587 ballots, were rejected, according to Massachusetts Secretary of State data acquired by pro-democracy non-profit Common Cause Massachusetts….While this number represents a minuscule number of ballots, approximately .05%, it is discouraging for voters to know that if they have an issue at the polls, it’s likely that their vote won’t be counted.”
“Our fundamental right to abortion care is under attack, and the draft majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade shows that the stakes could not be higher. We must be clear: abortion care is still legal in America, but Congress must legislate to protect this fundamental human right and codify it into law. We know that our most vulnerable communities will bear the disproportionate brunt of any decision to restrict and deny access to abortion care—particularly Black, brown, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and low-income people. We must legislate as if our lives depend on it, because they do.” — Ayanna Pressley
“Wage theft takes many forms. It happens when tips are skimmed at a restaurant, when employers fail to pay for prep time before the official beginning of a shift, not paying time and a half for overtime hours, or when an employer does not pay the wages that are owed to workers for a job that they perform. This example from Amherst reveals how commonplace wage theft has become in Massachusetts, even at major employers who should know better, and why we need new legislation to stop it.”
I was looking at the calendar yesterday and realized something: we were exactly six months to the day away from Election Day (November 8, 2022).
That means that we now have less than six months to have as many conversations with fellow voters around the Commonwealth about the Fair Share for MA campaign and how it can mean better schools, better roads, better bridges, better transit, and a fairer economy.
The campaign will be formally launching this week, and there will be canvasses around the state (and many more to come).
We’ll be hitting the doors and talking to voters about how the Fair Share Amendment could transform our communities—from well-resourced and affordable public education to safe roads and bridges and reliable public transportation.
Negotiations between the MA House and MA Senate happening right now will determine whether or not eligible voters will be able to register to vote or update their registration on Election Day.
The four Democrats on the six-person Conference Committee are Senators Barry Finegold (Andover, Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury) and Cindy Creem (Brookline, Newton, Wellesley) and Representatives Mike Moran (Allston-Brighton, St. Mary’s in Brookline) and Dan Ryan (Charlestown, most of Chelsea).
“My name is [NAME], calling from [ADDRESS/TOWN]. Election Day Registration is a simple, proven reform that increases participation, improves the accuracy of voter rolls, and would make Massachusetts more of a leader on voting rights. Please urge the VOTES Act Conference Committee to include Election Day Registration in the final bill.”
That one voice vote illustrates the larger cultural problem on Beacon Hill. “There is a fundamental opacity in the legislative process in Massachusetts and a damning lack of transparency here,” Jonathan Cohn, the policy director of the grassroots organization, Progressive Mass, said after the vote. Senate President Karen Spilka’s response to such criticism — along with her refusal to say where she herselfstands on the legislation — does nothing to dispel it. Spilka told the State House News Service that an “exhaustive process” led up to the measure coming to the floor and that roll call votes were taken on some amendments to the bill.
…
The Massachusetts House of Representatives has a reputation for operating with less transparency than the Senate, said Cohn of Progressive Mass. But both legislative bodies, he said, embrace a style of consensus-building that “likes to pretend divisions don’t exist.” When they do, roll call votes are avoided. Lawmakers are counselled to withdraw amendments and a quick voice vote is called. He also said lawmakers who oppose a measure that is generally seen as popular seek the cover of a voice vote, rather than be recorded with a “nay.” Beacon Hill’s lack of transparency, said Cohn, “is striking, compared to other states. Massachusetts likes to view itself as a positive example, but this is one place where we can learn something from other states.”
Earlier today, the MA Senate joined the House in passing the Work & Family Mobility Act, which would allow any qualified driver—regardless of immigration status—to obtain a driver’s license, by an overwhelming, veto-proof margin of 32 to 8. Five Democrats—Nick Collins (D-South Boston), Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton), Walter Timilty (D-Milton), and John Velis (D-Westfield) joined the three Republicans—Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth), and Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) in opposing it.
The success of the bill was the testament to the hard work of the Driving Families Forward coalition, led by SEIU 32BJ and the Brazilian Workers Center, and the sponsors Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and Adam Gomez (D-Springfield).
Sixteen states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico already allow residents the right to apply for driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, including our neighbors New York, Vermont, and Connecticut. And Massachusetts is poised to be next.
The bill is a win-win all around. It recognizes the essential contributions of our immigrant brothers and sisters, who often depend on a car to get to work, to school, to the hospital, etc. Immigration status shouldn’t be a barrier to getting a license. The bill would help make the roads safer for all, lower insurance rates, bring in more revenue for the state (through license fees), and strengthen our economy.
Before voting on passage, the Senate rejected five right-wing amendments.
The Senate voted 31-8 against an amendment from Bruce Tarr that would have required the RMV to issue licenses of a different color to immigrants without status, a move that would open the door to discrimination police entanglement with immigration enforcement. If you are driving and a police officer asks to see your license, there is no reason why that police officer needs to know whether or not you are a citizen; there is simply no bearing.
This vote was similar to the final vote on the bill, but with Michael Moore (D-Auburn) and Nick Collins (D-South Boston) flipping and Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) not casting a vote (which she only does on votes she deems especially important).
The Senate voted 32 to 7 against another amendment from Tarr requiring licenses to be marked “Not valid for identification” with bold text, again opening the door to stigma, discrimination, and entanglement with federal immigration enforcement. The only difference from the final vote was Nick Collins joining Democrats.
The Senate voted 29 to 10 against an amendment from Ryan Fattman requiring the RMV to pass on information on license-holders to city and town clerks, a pointless and costly exercise that is rooted merely in Republican myths around voter fraud. We already have non-citizen drivers (e.g., green card recipients) who have obtained a license but are not eligible to vote: earning a license has nothing to do with your ability to vote. Moreover, there is already a system in place at the RMV, MassHealth, and the Health Connector to account for this in the AVR system. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Michael Moore (D-Auburn) joined the bill’s opponents in voting for it.
The Senate voted 30 to 9 against another amendment from Tarr to require the RMV to provide information on the holder of a license in response to any request from any commonwealth agency pursuant to any criminal or civil investigation. Unnecessary information sharing would have a chilling impact and reduce the number of applicants, who would be afraid that their information could be passed on to ICE. John Keenan (D-Quincy) and Michael Moore (D-Auburn) joined the bill’s opponents, but Nick Collins voted with fellow Democrats.
The Senate finally voted 31 to 7 against another disingenuous amendment from Tarr to require that applicants attest that they will not use the license for identification or to register to vote, an amendment that serves no real purpose in a state where you don’t need an ID to vote other than to fear-monger about non-existent voter fraud. Collins joined fellow Democrats in voting against the amendment.
Thank you to all of you who joined us earlier this evening, and to those who couldn’t join: we missed you! And thank you to all four of our wonderful presenters: Crystel Murrieta-Ruiz, Cabell Eames, Sana Fadel, and Vanessa Snow!
You can watch the video from tonight’s event here: https://www.facebook.com/ProgressiveMass/videos/526092582299567. If you are interested in making calls to voters in key districts for any of the bills, please let me know! (Phone-banking the friendly folks on our list is fun!) And if you want to be notified if we organize a phone bank around one of them, let me know as well.
Work & Family Mobility Act
The Senate will be voting tomorrow (or if you read this in the morning, “today”). You can join the virtual watch party at 11AM, which is when the Senate will begin session. Register using the following link: https://bit.ly/dff-senate-watch-party.
Don’t forget to email and call your Senators ahead of Thursday to ensure they are committed to voting “YES” in favor of driver’s licenses.
: bit.ly/2022-dff-senate-vote
:bit.ly/dff-click-to-call
And then remind a few friends as well.
Climate Action
Cabell spoke about hearings this week on the Future of Gas Report (https://thefutureofgas.com/sep), which was written by consultants hired by the public gas utility companies in Massachusetts (Eversource, National Grid, Berkshire, Liberty and Unitil), in response to a request from the Attorney General for the DPU to do a study on how gas companies can meet Massachusetts’ mandatory emissions reductions. Instead of doing that investigation themselves, the DPU handed it over to the gas companies. The DPU is now reviewing the consultants’ report and the companies’ plans and trying to assess the claims and assumptions made. You can find instructions on how to submit testimony (due by 5 pm on Friday) here.
One of the priority bills for the Mass Renews Alliance that Cabell mentioned is the Building Justice with Jobs bill (S.2226 / H.3365), which would adopt housing regulations mandating minimum energy efficiency, energy performance, or related energy standards and put thousands of MA residents to work retrofitting 100,000 homes each year to improve energy efficiency and health outcomes, and reduce utility bills and carbon emissions. We have a fact sheet with sample scripts and talking points here: https://www.progressivemass.com/issues/building-justice-jobs-2021-action.
Cabell also mentioned the Mass Power Forward press conference and lobby day next Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm at the State House. You can RSVP for that (and learn more) here.
Raise the Age
Sana had excellent slides about the Raise the Age bill ( H.1826 / S.920), which would improve public safety and reduce youth entanglement with the criminal legal system by allowing 18, 19, and 20-year-olds to not be automatically tried as adults. The coalition has an excellent website, with a sample script for contacting your legislators: https://www.raisetheagema.org/.
The Election Modernization Coalition will be holding an informal in-person lobby day next Wednesday 5/11 @11am in the State House. More details to come, but RSVP to gfoster@commoncause.org if you can attend.
The four Democrats on the six-person Conference Committee are Senators Barry Finegold (Andover, Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury) and Cindy Creem (Brookline, Newton, Wellesley) and Representatives Mike Moran (Allston-Brighton, and a tiny bit of Brookline) and Dan Ryan (Charlestown, Chelsea). If you know people in their districts, urge them to contact their legislators! The Senators both support EDR and need backing; the two reps do not support it and need pressure. Please also write to your own legislators urging them to contact the Conference Committee in support of Election Day Registration.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Dempsey, for his part during the forum, blasted DiZoglio for her 30% rating on the Senate’s police reform bill, as tracked by Progressive Massachusetts based on a string of amendments to the legislation. The organization, which has endorsed Dempsey for state auditor, gave other statewide candidates — including lieutenant governor candidates Sen. Adam Hinds and Sen. Eric Lesser, as well as gubernatorial candidate Sen. Sonia Chang- Díaz — a 100% rating.
Progressive Mass Policy Director Jonathan Cohn called out a “damning” lack of transparency that permeated the Senate debate on Thursday. Members passed the bill in a voice vote — an unusual move for a major policy change that he suggested was “intentionally opaque” and “choreographed” to tee up contentious closed-door negotiations as the two chambers work to reconcile major policy differences and pass a bill over the next three months.
“There is a fundamental opacity in the legislative process in Massachusetts and a damning lack of transparency here,” Cohn said of the Senate sports betting vote. “This is something you see again and again across issues — a tendency to avoid taking difficult votes as a way of asserting power.”
….
Cohn pointed to a practice in both chambers to whip up unanimous and near-unanimous support out of view before legislation is debated and voted on publicly.
“So much is already decided behind closed doors that they’re not actually even pretending to do the process because the outcome of a vote is more than likely to be predetermined,” Cohn said.
He said both chambers “ironically” almost always conduct roll-call votes when leaders are confident they have overwhelming support and will push for voice votes on more contentious bills that would likely reveal slimmer margins.
“The opposite should be true,” he said.
…
“We need electeds who are more willing to actually bring things to a vote, who aren’t afraid to put themselves and their colleagues on the record,” Cohn said.
