Recently, I’ve been hearing from people urging me to take action to free Justina Pelletier from the custody of the Department of Children and Families and send her back to her parents. See the sample emails further below. I’m certainly troubled by the story of Justina. It is always deeply saddening when DCF takes children …
Government Reform
children and families, election laws, ethics rules, insider jobs, pensions & benefits, structure and operations, transparency
S417 An Act to ensure full compliance with good funds statute.
Senator Brownsberger submitted the following written testimony to the Joint Committee on Financial Services. TO: Committee on Financial Services FROM: Senator William N. Brownsberger RE: S417, An Act to ensure full compliance with good funds statute. DATE: February 26, 2014 I am writing in support of S417, An Act to ensure full compliance with …
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Transparency and Ethics: How do the Public Records Law and State Ethics Law apply to the MBTA Retirement Board?
On February 25, 2014, the Joint Committee on Public Service will be holding a public oversight hearing on the MBTA Retirement Fund. Below, please find an overview of the applicability of the public records law and state ethics law to the MBTA Retirement Fund and Board. PUBLIC RECORDS LAW APPLICABILITY In May of 2013, Senator …
Pension Protection for State Workers
Recently read an article on the pro business website “MarketWatch” where one of their columnist was questioning why the pension fund for Police and Firefighters in Detroit was being threatened by the impending bankruptcy proceedings when the Detroit Police and Firefighters Pension Fund was better funded (77%) than most state pension funds (including the MA …
Senate Passes Unemployment Insurance Reform Bill
The Senate on Thursday voted 33-4 to pass legislation that will lower costs for businesses and support the growing economy in the Commonwealth. The bill introduces an updated rating table, puts in place a multi-year rate freeze and expands the seasonal employer exemption.
“This bill will provide financial predictability, reward positive employment histories with lower costs and foster a healthy economy that supports the business community,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “These reforms strike a careful balance between providing businesses with a helping hand without taking that same hand away from the unemployed.
People’s Pledge
I have recently received a number emails calling on me to take a “People’s Pledge” to transparency. The People’s Pledge itself very much reflects my personal approach to legislating and I do hereby affirm the pledge immediately appearing below: I swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of State Legislator to …