Fiscal Outlook for FY13 and Beyond

Last week, the House passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget. The Senate will deliberate the budget in the last full week of May. The House based its predicted revenue numbers on one-time budget fixes in the amount of $140 million, rather than the Governor’s proposed long-term revenue increases through new taxes.  The …

State Senate Approves “The Valor Act”

Senator Brownsberger is pleased to announce that Bill S.2241, An Act relative to veterans’ access, livelihood, opportunity, and resources – referred to as The Valor Act, was passed unanimously by the Senate on Thursday, May 3. The Senate’s official press release appears below. State Senate Approves “The Valor Act”  Improving Benefits and Services for Veterans, …

Campaign contributions and independent expenditures: legalities and limitations

The following chart delineates the restrictions afforded under the U.S. Constitution, federal statute, and Massachusetts statute with regard to individuals’ election-related spending. This next chart delineates the restrictions afforded under the U.S. Constitution, federal statute, and Massachusetts statute with regard to corporations election-related spending. In the above chart, I specify “business corporation” because Massachusetts allows …

Upcoming Event- The Courts, the Congress, and the Future of Marriage Equality

On Thursday, May 3, at 4 pm, Congressman Barney Frank, Mary L. Bonauto, Director of the Civil Rights Project at GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders), and Maura Healey, Chief  of the Public Protection & Advocacy Bureau in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, will speak at the Boston Bar Association on the topic of …