For Immediate Release: Jan. 18, 2012
On Anniversary of Citizens United Decision, Massachusetts Pushes For a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn It
BOSTON – In the days leading up to the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Massachusetts lawmakers joined state and national organizations and activists today at the state Capitol to support a state legislative resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to overturn the ruling and restore fair elections and constitutional rights to the people.
S. 722, “The People’s Rights Resolution,” introduced by State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and State Rep. Cory Atkins (D-Concord), decries the court’s ruling as a “serious and direct threat to our democracy.” If passed, the resolution would have the Massachusetts Legislature call upon the U.S. Congress to “pass and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people.”
“The Citizens United decision dramatically dilutes the voice of every American who does not control a large corporate treasury,” said Eldridge. “The health of our democracy and the integrity of our political system are at stake, and the only effective, long-term solution is to pass a constitutional amendment that will overturn this misguided, destructive decision.”
The assembled lawmakers and organizations also urged the Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee to advance this resolution by scheduling a hearing next month as well as a vote to bring the resolution to the floor.
“Our democracy is at risk,” said Representative Atkins. “The Citizens United decision opened the floodgates, allowing unlimited corporate money to flow into politics. We must pass a constitutional amendment stating that people, not corporations, have a right to free speech. Only by preserving the voice of individual citizens can we protect our democracy.”
In the wake of the Citizens United decision, campaign spending by outside groups has skyrocketed. In the 2010 election cycle, the first since the Supreme Court decision, outside groups spent nearly $300 million.
“The fundamental question facing the nation today is whether people or corporations shall govern in America,” said John Bonifaz, the co-founder and director of Free Speech For People, a national campaign launched on the day of the Citizens United ruling to press for a 28th Amendment to the Constitution to overturn the ruling and make clear that corporations are not people with constitutional rights. Free Speech For People has targeted Massachusetts as one of the first states to pass a state legislative resolution in support of such a constitutional amendment. “With the passage of this resolution, Massachusetts can help lead the way in restoring American democracy to the people,” Bonifaz said.
Super PACs have emerged as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, amassing huge amounts of money used for attack ads, such as those aired recently leading up to the Iowa caucuses. Super PACs are expected to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in the 2012 elections. All of this corporate money promises to help make this election record-setting.
“Big corporations aren’t run by the 99 percent – or even by the 1 percent. Rather, they are run by a super-wealthy 0.01 percent,” said Avi Green, Executive Director of Mass VOTE. “Politics should be for all of us – not just the super-wealthy and the big corporations they control.”
The press conference is part of a nationwide week of action calling for the Citizens United decision to be overturned. From Massachusetts to California, events are planned to highlight the need for the federal government to take action to protect our democracy from corporate dominance.
“The groundswell of national grassroots activity in support of a constitutional amendment we’re seeing is tremendous,” said Mark Hays, campaign coordinator for Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign. “With this sort of momentum, we’re ready to write the next chapter of our campaign to ensure that democracy is for people, not corporations.”
Cities across the nation have voted to rid elections of corporate cash. In Massachusetts, local groups are planning actions across the state around the anniversary – including rallies and educational events on Jan. 20 and 21 – and are advancing local resolutions similar to S. 772 to build support for its passage.
“We need short-term responses to this disastrous decision, such as increased disclosure,” said Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts. “But we can only reverse it and reduce money in politics with a constitutional amendment. Passing S. 772 will put Massachusetts on the forefront of that critical effort, which, as the cradle of liberty, is where we should be.”
To learn more, visit: www.FreeSpeechForPeople.org, www.DemocracyIsForPeople.org and www.United4thePeople.org.
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January 12, 2012
BOSTON – The Senate on Thursday passed legislation establishing new employment rights for victims of domestic violence that will help victims keep their jobs and increase long-term economic productivity, State Senator Jamie Eldridge announced today. The vote was 34-0. The bill has wide support from advocacy organizations and the business community.
“No one should have to fear losing their job because they are the victim of domestic violence and trying to get help,” said Eldridge. “I hope in passing this legislation we help create an atmosphere where victims of domestic violence are better able to access the help and support they need. I’m proud to support it and hope to see it passed by the House and signed into law by the Governor as soon as possible.”
“Too many jobs are lost and too many lives are being destroyed because victims don’t have the opportunity to get the help they need and improve their situations without fear of being fired and putting themselves in a more vulnerable position,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “This bill requires reasonable employer considerations to help victims recover and continue to make a living. It will help alleviate the human costs, and the costs to businesses, that are associated with domestic violence.”
The bill requires employers with 50 or more employees to allow up to 15 days of leave, with or without pay, to any employee who is a victim of domestic violence or lives with a family member who is a victim of domestic violence.
Employees can use the leave to obtain medical attention, counseling, housing, protection orders and other legal assistance.
Employers can require employees to provide restraining orders, police reports, medical notes or other official documentation, such as a conviction record or victim advocate statement, to certify that the employee or employee’s family member is a victim of domestic violence.
The bill requires the employer to keep all information about the employee’s leave confidential. Employees must exhaust all available leave, such as vacation and sick time, before seeking leave established under this bill; however an employer may waive this requirement.
Similar legislation was passed by the Senate in the previous legislative session on May 13, 2010 but did not make it through the entire legislative process. It has the support of Jane Doe Inc., the Associated Industries of Massachusetts and the Retailers’ Association of Massachusetts.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.
BOSTON – Touting dramatic reductions in health care costs, improved access to health care for all residents, and a boost to local businesses, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and State Representative Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), along with health care advocates, providers, employers, and employee union leaders, came out in support of S501, “An Act Establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts,” at a legislative hearing at the State House this afternoon.
The bill, heard by the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance, would create a single payer health care system for Massachusetts: a universal public insurance plan covering all medically necessary care. This plan would function for residents under 65 much the way Medicare does for residents 65 and older, but without premiums or copayments.
A similar plan is currently used successfully by many countries around the world and is in the process of being implemented in Vermont.
“If Massachusetts is serious about reducing health care costs for families, businesses and state and local governments, we need to stop tinkering at the edges of a broken system and enact a single-payer healthcare system. It’s the only reform that would truly reduce costs in a substantial way, eliminating medical debt and bankruptcies while guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care as a right for all residents of the Commonwealth,” said Senator Eldridge.
“I believe that healthcare is a basic human right, and we must do everything we can to ensure that every Massachusetts resident has access to quality, affordable care,” added Representative Lewis. “We can alleviate the burden of escalating healthcare costs on families and small businesses by instituting a robust single payer plan here in the Commonwealth.”
Economist Gerald Friedman, from UMass-Amherst, noted at the hearing that a single-payer system could reduce health care costs by nearly $13 billion a year (or 19%) in Massachusetts. Even after expanding coverage to all Massachusetts residents, this would leave savings of over 17.6% of current expenditures. Municipalities in particular would benefit; according to Friedman’s calculations, local governments would save over $350 million a year.
Friedman also noted that, when added to significant administrative savings within companies, a single-payer system would dramatically enhance the competiveness of Massachusetts companies, adding nearly 100,000 additional jobs to the economy.
“Single payer health care saves lives, saves money and prevents suffering. Every other country in the world that has achieved universal coverage and controlled costs has relied on a single-payer system to get there. A single-payer system will best achieve the health care reform goals that many of us share: improving coverage for families that already have coverage, reducing health care costs, and simplifying the health care delivery system,” added Benjamin Day, Executive Director of Mass-Care, the Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care.
The bill filed by Eldridge and Lewis would create a plan that covered all medically necessary care for all residents of Massachusetts, replacing current employer and employee premium payments with an employer and employee payroll tax. The total payroll tax would be 10% – the same as current average spending on health insurance – and would default to 7.5% for employers and 2.5% for employees, although employers could choose to pay for part or all of employees’ portion of the payroll tax, and collective bargaining agreements would be recognized.
Because payroll taxes primarily impact low- and medium-income wage earners, a 12.5% tax on unearned income would be imposed, reversing large cuts to state taxes on dividends and interest passed between 1998 and 2002. Lastly, all current state spending on health care would be consolidated, and the state would seek to have federal funds – such as those paid for Medicaid and Medicare recipients – paid directly to the state’s single payer fund by applying for federal waivers.
The net result would be billions of dollars in annual savings from eliminating provider-level and private insurance administration. Eliminating insurance premiums would create significant after-tax savings for over 80% of Massachusetts residents.
BOSTON – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) voted Thursday against legislation to expand gambling by authorizing three casinos and one slot parlor in the Commonwealth. Eldridge was joined by 13 other colleagues in opposing the bill, which passed 24-14.
“I strongly believe expanding gambling in Massachusetts will harm our local small businesses and our communities, and that’s why I voted no. We need revenues and jobs here in Massachusetts, but casinos aren’t the answer. There are better ways, less destructive ways, to solve our fiscal problems and make the Commonwealth a better place to live.”
Eldridge, a long-time opponent of expanded gambling, pointed to numerous studies that show the negative effects local communities and businesses experience when casinos are built.
“When consumers spend more on casinos and less locally on clothing, sporting events, electronics, meals out or tickets to a show, small businesses suffer and jobs are cut,” Eldridge added. “People only have so much discretionary income. I am deeply concerned about the effect that sucking billions of dollars out of the local economy, and sending it out-of-state to wealthy casino developers, will have on our communities.”
Over the six-day debate, Senator Eldridge proposed numerous amendments to try to strengthen consumer protections and increase community mitigation. Amendments filed by Senator Eldridge that were incorporated into the final bill include:
Eldridge proposed a number of additional amendments to increase protections for consumers and local communities; unfortunately these amendments were not adopted. These amendments include:
Eldridge noted that he had received an outpouring of support from constituents who also opposed expanded gambling in the Commonwealth.
“We fought hard, and did our best to make the case that bringing casinos to Massachusetts would do more harm than good. Given what a huge impact this will have on our state for decades to come, it was an uphill battle worth fighting – and I appreciate the support so many of my constituents have shown over the past few weeks and months” added Eldridge.
The bill now moves to a conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate. It’s expected the bill will be signed into law by the Governor by the end of the year.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Melissa Threadgill – 617-722-1120 – Melissa.Threadgill@MASenate.gov
Public Records Reform Bills to Be Heard Tuesday Bills will improve access & modernize public records system
WHAT: The Joint Committee on State Administration & Regulatory Oversight will hear bills relative to the public records law and open meeting law, including the following filed by State Senator Jamie Eldridge:
WHEN: Tuesday, September 20th 11am
WHERE: B-1
WHO: Legislators, advocates, policy experts and frequent users of the public records system are expected to testify.
WHY: Open, transparent government is essential for a healthy democracy, and our public records law is one of the most important tools citizens have for holding government accountable. Over the years, however, it’s become more and more difficult for the public to obtain records – the costs are often high and the responses to requests untimely. These bills would help ensure that records that are legally supposed to be public truly are.
July 26, 2011
BOSTON – Financial literacy legislation sponsored by State Senator Jamie Eldridge was given a favorable report today by the Joint Committee on Education. Senate Bill 204, “An Act Relative to Financial Literacy in Schools,” would require that personal financial literacy be taught at all schools in the Commonwealth.
“Today’s youth are bombarded with a multitude of financial options and responsibilities at an increasingly young age, yet many are ill-equipped to make informed decisions about financial matters. By teaching children the financial education basics in school, we will help them make educated financial decisions in the future, preventing future bankruptcies, foreclosures, and unmanageable debt. The investment we make in teaching our children financial literacy now will pay substantial future dividends,” said Eldridge.
“It should be our goal that every child graduating from a Massachusetts public school has the skills they need to be successful – and knowing how to manage money effectively and make smart, well-informed financial decisions are among the most important life skills our students will need. That’s why this bill is so important, and why the Education Committee is giving it a favorable report today,” said State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education.
“The goal of providing a better and more comprehensive education to our students in the Commonwealth took a major step forward today with the favorable report from the Committee on Education for the financial literacy bill,” added State Senator Barry Finegold, a strong supporter of financial literacy and a sponsor of a similar bill this session. “I can’t stress enough the importance of equipping our students with the tools they need to be financially aware—their futures depend on it. Financial education will lead to a more-informed public and a healthier economy as a whole.”
The bill would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop standards and objectives to be used in the mathematics curriculum for personal financial literacy for grades K-12. This would include information on loans, borrowing money, interest, credit card debt, online commerce, rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home, saving, investing and planning for retirement, and banking and financial services.
The legislation was given unanimous approval by the Senate last session, but unfortunately was not taken up in time by the House of Representatives. At least thirteen states now require students to take a personal finance course or personal finance included in an economics course as a high school graduation requirement.
In June 2009, the Asset Development Commission released a report recommending that the Legislature implement financial education in schools to better prepare youth for the financial decisions of the future. The Commission, which Eldridge chaired, was charged with studying what it mean to be low-to-moderate income in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, what help the state provides in moving families up the economic ladder, and what barriers are standing in their way.
(BOSTON) – On Thursday July 21st, the Massachusetts Senate passed An Act Relative to Community Housing and Services, filed by Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). This legislation will lead to the development of up to 1,000 units of Supportive Housing in Massachusetts over the next three years. Supportive Housing – defined as affordable housing linked with supportive services designed to help tenants with modest incomes maintain housing stability and maximize their independence – is a national best practice to end homelessness and is critical to enabling persons with disabilities and seniors with service needs to live independently in the community.
“The Senate has a long history of supporting affordable housing and doing what it can to increase the stock of housing available to lower income families, senior citizens and the disabled,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “This bill will continue that progress.”
Senator Jehlen, the Senate Chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs noted: “It is absolutely critical that Massachusetts residents of all ages, incomes and abilities have choices when it comes to securing an affordable home. This initiative will expand opportunities for people that have too few options to live in an affordable home near friends and family today.”
An Act Relative to Community Housing and Services aims to increase the state’s focus on the development of permanent supportive housing. The legislation calls on the Administration to determine numeric benchmarks for the creation of supportive housing, charges them with creating an efficient and effective application process for creating supportive housing that eliminates government silos, and establishes a target of 1,000 units of new supportive housing over the next 3 years. The legislation does not include any costs to the Commonwealth, but provides a more efficient framework to utilize current resources to benefit residents that need affordable housing and services.
“This legislation is the logical next step to implement the Commonwealth’s Housing First Strategy to eliminate homelessness” said Senator James Eldridge (D-Acton), the Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing, “It will help reduce the shortage of affordable housing that is linked to the services that enable people with challenges to be healthy, productive, and independent.”
“Senator Jehlen’s legislation will enable agencies across government to work together to make housing available to Massachusetts residents with difficult challenges,” noted Sean Caron, Director of Public Policy at Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), a statewide affordable housing advocacy group. “We would like to thank Senator Jehlen, Senate President Murray and the entire Senate for enabling a thousand households to have a place to call home in their own community.”
The legislation will head to the House and await action.
Additional Information on Supportive Housing
Supportive Housing for Households that Experience Homelessness
Increasing the Commonwealth’s supply of supportive housing is a necessary step to reduce homelessness in the Commonwealth. There are approximately 3,640 families currently residing in the state’s homeless shelters, 1,540 of which are in budget motels because shelter capacity is full[i]. There are homeless families in every region of the state; families from over 200 Massachusetts municipalities reside in shelter today[ii]. An additional 4,041 individuals are homeless according to the most recent HUD Continuum of Care count. Within the total 7,680 Massachusetts households that are homeless, 1,181 are homeless veterans[iii].
Permanent Supportive Housing is a national best practice to reduce homelessness among families and individuals with significant challenges[iv]. Many families and individuals that face considerable social and economic challenges spend a significant amount of time in shelters at a great expense to the Commonwealth. The public health impacts of homelessness are also costly to the person’s quality of life and to the Medicaid system. Supportive housing provides both housing and the services tenants need so they can live up to the terms of a lease, and avoid the costs of eviction, shelter, poorer health and related healthcare costs, and other government resources.
Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
Supportive housing is important for many persons with disabilities to be able to live independently in the community. Many Commonwealth residents have a range of different disabilities that create challenges for daily living, but the vast majority are able to live independently in the community. Research shows that persons with disabilities prefer to live in their community, near family and social institutions. One of the major challenges to independent community living is the lack of affordable housing linked with supports for persons with disabilities in Massachusetts.
The gap between the high cost of housing in Massachusetts and the income levels of persons with disabilities is a serious challenge. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates the median income for persons with a disability between the ages of 21 and 64 is $40,700, 38% lower than the statewide average. Over 26% of persons with disabilities are living with incomes below the federal poverty level, a rate of poverty that is 2.5 times Massachusetts’ general population. With our high housing costs, there simply aren’t enough opportunities for people with low incomes who have a disability to find affordable housing.
Supportive Housing for Seniors
Our state population is aging at a tremendous rate, which creates additional demand for housing that has support services. According to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, our population of seniors aged 65 and over will grow by 37% to over 1 million between now and 2030. Many frail seniors need personal care and other levels of service to avoid a nursing home placement. The wave of aging baby boomers is going to create a large demand for affordable housing linked with services in the coming years.
[ii] DHCD Intake Data
[iii] Continuum of Care Data
[iv] Corporation for Supportive Housing
BOSTON – The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a complete overhaul of the current system for handling children who consistently get in trouble at home or at school, including runaways and students who are habitually truant, State Senator Jamie Eldridge announced.
“This fundamental reform of our child services system will help ensure that troubled children and families are getting the help they need, when they need it. By providing families with mental health services, mentoring, support, and other preventative services, we can keep children out of the juvenile justice system and instead get them on a path towards success,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge, who voted in support of the bill today.
The legislation transforms the 38-year-old Children in Need of Services (CHINS) program that critics say unnecessarily puts troubled children in front of a judge before seeking services to help the children and their families. The bill eliminates the inconsistent juvenile court-based system and replaces it with a statewide community-based intervention network that would integrate and promote school and community services for children and families.
“The current system is confusing to families who can be desperate for help,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “More than half of these children have some kind of mental health disorder and need better care and services instead of being dragged in front of a judge over and over. All the current studies suggest that children like this who are regularly exposed to the courts are more likely to be involved in serious crimes later in life. That’s why this bill and these reforms are so important.
“I especially want to acknowledge Senator (Karen) Spilka for all her hard work on this important legislation,” President Murray added. “It’s been a longtime coming, and it will improve children’s lives and help keep families together.”
“After working on this for six years and hearing the repeated calls for reform from those involved in the CHINS system, I am thrilled that the Senate has passed our legislation to put in place a new procedure for assisting children and families in their time of need,” said Senator Spilka (D-Ashland), lead sponsor of the bill. “By implementing this new system, we will be improving children’s health, strengthening and supporting families, making our communities stronger and safer, and ultimately investing in the well-being of our collective future.”
The new system would be established under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and consist of a statewide network of family resource centers and community-based services for families and children requiring assistance.
Under the new system, children would be diverted from the legal process when appropriate and instead provided behavioral, medical and mental health treatment; special education evaluations; mentoring, family and parent support; after-school and out-of-school opportunities; crisis management and other behavioral and preventative services.
The bill also:
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for further action.
BOSTON- State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) was named 2011 Senator of the Year last night by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers PACE Committee (NASW-PACE) for his leadership on issues of importance to the social work community, including efforts to reduce poverty, raise progressive revenue, and professional development for social workers.
Also receiving awards were State Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Medford), who was named the House Legislator of the Year, Christie Getto Young, Policy and Budget Director for Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), who was named Senate Staffer of the Year, and Jenny Nathans, a staff member for the Health Care Financing Committee.
“NASW MA PACE is thrilled to honor social works’ greatest champions in the State House, Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Carl Sciortino. Senator Eldridge’s work on the Asset Development Commission to reduce poverty and homelessness and his unyielding leadership in support of social work professional issues like Loan Forgiveness for social workers working in the areas of highest need — amongst other critically important issues to social workers — make him a perfect fit for this award,” said Rebekah Gewirtz, Director of Government Relations and Political Action at NASW MA Chapter.
“NASW PACE is an organization that works incredibly hard to promote social and economic justice for everyone in our Commonwealth, and I’m honored to receive this award,” said Senator Eldridge. “NASW sees the underlying connections between a wide variety of issues, and whether it’s advocating for funding for crucial social safety net programs, universal health care, fair working conditions and wages, or equal rights for everyone in our society, including immigrants and transgender individuals, NASW is always a strong, reliable partner in the fight for progressive change.”
The NASW MA Chapter’s mission is to advance social work practice and to promote human rights, social and economic justice, and unimpeded access to services for all. The PACE Committee endorses candidates that support that mission and proposed legislation.
State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) announced today that he will travel to Washington, D.C. this Friday (June 17th) to meet with members of the Obama administration and attend an intimate reception with the president. Eldridge is one of a small number of members of People For the American Way Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network, a network of young progressives in elected office, who were invited to the White House to discuss important issues facing states and localities.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to meet with President Obama, talk to him about the concerns of constituents in my district and discuss ways the federal government can help improve the lives of the people of the Middlesex & Worcester district. In particular, I hope we have the opportunity to learn more about his administration’s plans to promote economic development, particularly through investment in local infrastructure, and to discuss next steps in health care reform and the need for Washington to lead on comprehensive immigration reform,” said Eldridge.
The Young Elected Officials Network, a project of People For the American Way Foundation, provides support and training for over 600 progressive state, county and city elected officials from all 50 states.
“We are thrilled to be able to take the observations and concerns of so many young, progressive elected officials to President Obama and the Administration,” said Andrew Gillum, Executive Director of the Young Elected Officials Network. “These young leaders are on the front lines of progressive change, fighting for the values of fairness, equality and opportunity in their home communities. President Obama, a successful grassroots leader himself, understands that national movements are built by individual citizens and their elected representatives working hard to bring about positive change in their own communities. We’re tremendously proud to be able to help the president get to know our communities and discuss the issues affecting states and localities across the country.”
Campaign Constituent
I met with 2 constituents today in Marlborough, disgusted w/ influence of corp power in state & fed govt; we need campaign fin reforms NOW #
