Speaker: Kate Donaghue from the Democratic State Committee
and the Convention Reform Commission will be speaking on convention reform.
Called to order
7:07 PM.
MEMBERS ATTENDING: Steve Blesofsky, Debby Blumer, Pat Dunne, Bill Haberman,
Esther Hopkins, Ruth Litter, Barbara Magovsky, Lyn Safian, Norma Shulman.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ATTENDING: Tom Mahoney, Nancy Coville Wallace.
OTHERS ATTENDING: Victoria Neeson, D. & R. Mero, Rochelle Sivan, Terrene
Micciche.
MINUTES (Norma Shulman): Motion to accept January meeting minutes - approved.
Noted that the meeting location announced it the minutes has since changed.
TREASURER’S REPORT (Bill Haberman): Report approved.
Cash on hand
$667.87
Deposits (dues)
$50.00
Interest
$0.00
Subtotal
$717.87
Expenses (web site) $59.75
Cash on hand 3/9/03 $658.12
As of 3/9, 3 still owe dues for last year. 11 owe dues for this year. Reminders
were sent.
Old Business:
Caucus summary: Some new people attended. Held at Heritage. We still have
some openings for delegates.
New Business:
Report from the MW Alliance and State Committee (Lyn Safian)
State Committee had a nice meeting in Framingham last month, the funds for the
dinner were raised by the Alliance. The Alliance elected new officers. The news
is about the convention in June. A committee is holding meetings around the
state to gather opinions about issues and about convention procedures. The
speakers who were planned for tonight would have been able to hear some of our
concerns about the convention and issues. You could also try to look up the
committee on the state web site.
Report from the Hill (Debby Blumer)
In lieu of a guest speaker, we had a lively discussion on the Report from
the Hill. This is a sampling of the discussion:
Budget. Money. Budget. Money. House and Senate Ways & Means meeting jointly
for budget hearings. They are looking at the value of surplus land for the
pension fund portfolio (perhaps). Tomorrow, the hearing in Bridgewater is on
the education budget. There will be a series of hearings on different parts of
the budget. There will be task forces on different financial issues. Planning
to have a budget before July 1. Because there is a new Governor, the budget is
a month late (this happens every 4 years). Payment in lieu of taxes fund (for
state-owned property) – the state may pay the commercial tax rate on the
replacement value of the buildings. We have the third-highest amount of
state-owned property. Our reps are monitoring this fund and education financing
closely. In response to a question about the Quinn bill, Debby said the
legislature wants to work on the financial problems without placing the burden
on the employees and retirees (Quinn bill, health insurance, etc.). We are
concerned about knowing what our local aid will be and when we will know. We
discussed supporting our local town employees, but also concern about closing a
library, a school, etc. We might want to have a discussion about charter
schools and charter schools funding with the potential for the DTC to take a
position on this. Suggested that we invite speakers on this topic for our next
meeting. The Governor has chosen not to fund the Prescription Advantage program
in the budget and will look for federal money to help with the program.
Questions came up about buying medications from Canada. Question about how the
legislature will work with the new Governor. The Governor has picked some
interesting issues for cuts or reorganization, such as the President’s office
of U Mass, etc. There are changes in how the reps can work, such as having to
go to a liaison person instead of directly to staff in different agencies.
What’s happening with casinos and slots? With tax revenues down, the doors are
more open. Debby is collecting recipes made from “lemons” to publish a cookbook
to put a “fun” focus on our problems (be creative, use cheap ingredients). We
need a positive spin on current issues, so send Debby your recipes (email:
deborah.blumer@state.ma.us). The Governor promised essential services and jobs
– let’s see how that goes.
More new business:
Note our new meeting location. Proposed raising the dues to cover the costs
of meeting locations and other expenses. Bill noted that some members have not
paid the dues for this year. We cannot require elected members to pay dues.
ATTENTION: If you are interested in discussing and voting on our dues, please
be sure to come to next month’s meeting.
Ruth Litter brought up the concern about the Bush appointments to the FDA,
particularly Dr. Hager. Also, she brought up the shift to cash-balance pension
plans, which is being made more possible by Bush administration policies. It
can reduce your retirement benefit by as much as 50%. People should go to their
HR department to learn more about it.
Pat Dunne suggested the Alliance bring speakers on these topics – forums on
women’s health, pension funds, etc.
Announcements:
The Kerry campaign is looking for volunteers 617-367-1551 in 197 Portland
Street, Boston.
Next meeting April 6 (Note: Daylight Savings – move your clock forward.)
Tom Mahoney, as a candidate for Planning Board, introduced himself and reminded
all about the election. Holding a Fundraiser at the Framingham State Alumni
House next Sunday, 3/16 at 11:00 – 1:00.