Massachusetts Democratic Party
Monthly Newsletter
January 2004

Contents:

1. Chairman Johnston: “The State of the State”

2. Candidate Information

3. Caucuses

Welcome to the January edition of the Massachusetts Democratic Party's Monthly Newsletter. We are pleased to bring you current MDP information and the Chairman's response to Governor Romney's State of the State Address.  

1. Chairman Phil Johnston: “The State of the State”

Dear Fellow Democrats:

In his State of the State address, the Governor used the word “reform” 14 times. This reminds me that you can teach a parrot to say “reform, reform, reform,” but it doesn't mean he can do it.

It is also one thing to tell people you're balancing the budget without raising taxes, but when I open my property tax bill and see a 30% increase, I know that my taxes have been raised.

And the truth is: Mitt Romney is responsible for raising our property taxes.

The Governor can claim he balanced the budget without raising state taxes, but make no mistake; it is Mitt Romney who has forced cities and towns to deal with his massive cuts in local aid. The only way these municipalities have survived is by increasing property taxes to outrageous proportions. I've talked with mayors from all over the state and they are mad, mad that Mitt Romney is too cowardly to admit responsibility for raising our property taxes.

If this past year can be considered a prelude to the future, then the Romney administration has done very little to actually “reform” state government. Democratic legislators and those Democratic candidates who will be challenging Republican incumbents in this year's elections understand this. Still, it would be untruthful if we said the governor hadn't “reformed” some things. For example:

Governor Romney eliminated legal assistance to the poor, health screenings for newborns and suicide prevention treatment.

Governor Romney cut $5 million from the Department of Mental Retardation, including money for family support services.

Governor Romney eliminated funding for breast and cervical cancer treatment for low-income women.

Governor Romney stopped seniors from enrolling in the state's popular prescription drug purchasing program.

Governor Romney stated that he would cut the higher education budget by $14 million by eliminating the UMass president's office. We all knew it was never his intent to save taxpayers' money; it was just an excuse to get rid of a political enemy.

Speaking of education, on the same day that Governor Romney was telling us his “plan” to give top-scoring students free tuition to the University of Massachusetts, the Senate was working to restore the $10 million that Romney had cut from the U. Mass budget. What hypocrisy.

Governor Romney forced more than $600 million in fee hikes (read taxes) in the form of: increased premiums for MassHealth members; increased higher education tuition; and across-the-board increases in court fees.

In simple terms: Massachusetts now has the highest fees of any state in the country.

The Governor also forced other “hidden taxes” down the throats of the Massachusetts taxpayer such as the 2.5 cents per gallon increase in the gas tax.

While the following are admittedly preliminary numbers, in the next fiscal year the Romney administration proposes a $50 million budget cut in the Department of Public Health, thus drastically curtailing the state's immunization program and reducing services provided by the community health centers in our neediest neighborhoods.

On the other hand, I am quite proud of the honest government reforms initiated by the Legislature during the past year:

It was the Legislature that reformed the behemoth Health and Human Services into a more streamlined agency to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency.

It was the Legislature that reformed the Executive Office of Economic Development to coordinate economic growth efforts throughout the state by creating the powerful position of Secretary of Economic Development to attract companies and create jobs.

It was the Legislature that reformed early education by creating a Council on Early Education and Care to improve childcare and pre-Kindergarten programs. (It is my understanding that they plan to expand early education initiatives this year.)

And while we watch a crisis unfold in the chief medical examiner's office, we should all remember that it was the Legislature that proposed major reform to create a new and efficient Department of Forensic Sciences.

The state Legislature is as reform-minded as the governor pretends to be, and unlike the governor, understands that another billion-dollar budget shortfall means that there is hard work ahead. We Democrats know that simply grandstanding and repeating the word “reform” will not solve the problems this state faces.

Recently, Governor Romney has been talking a lot about taking on the Democratic legislators, especially Democratic senators, and has been busy introducing his hand-picked ‘Mini-Mitt' Republicans. But after last week's senate override votes, he's going to need a lot more Republican candidates than he thought. Why? Only two Republican senators actually sided with the governor and so called “reform” for trial courts. In addition only one Republican voted against restoring $10 million in Romney cuts to the University of Massachusetts.

It's not just Democratic rhetoric that this Governor is not a “reform governor” when even Republicans are rejecting the so-called “Romney reforms.”

While there is much work ahead, we Democrats are confident we can continue to make government in Massachusetts truly represent and work for the people. We look forward to making real, positive change and not simply tout empty “reform” for political gain.

Sincerely,

Philip Johnston

3. Important Candidate Information

Just in time for the state convention, caucuses begin Saturday, Jan. 24th, nomination papers for statewide office are available now at the Secretary of State's Elections Division. One Ashburton Place, Boston, Room 1705. 

4. Caucuses

Democratic Caucuses Begin January 24 th

The state convention will be held at the Mullin Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on May 8th. Caucuses to elect town and ward delegates will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24 (although there is a 10-day window in which to hold your local caucus).

Any registered Democrat (as of December 31, 2003) is encouraged to participate in their local caucus.  Locations and times of these caucuses are listed on the website: www.massdems.org under Massachusetts Convention 2004. 

Rather than the usual day of speeches and votes, the convention this year will feature a multi-tiered presentation of public policy panels; an intense daylong program of campaign training for candidates and campaign staff; and a track that will highlight issues of importance to young voters.

Due to the unique format of this convention, alternates will be full participants and therefore, there will be no difference in the fee.

In closing, we would like to take a moment to remember Edward O'Brien, father of former gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien, who died Jan. 20 at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. We would also like to send our condolences to State Committee Member Fred Koed whose father also passed away this week.

That's it for this newsletter. 

Get involved! Stay involved!

Sincerely,

The Massachusetts Democratic Party