Senator Tarr Goes 'On The Record'

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (left) was a guest last night on the Fox News Network's "On The Record with Greta Van Susteren". During his segment, Senator Tarr discussed the Senate Republican Caucus' success in passing a budget amendment that makes a wide range of state-funded public benefits available only to citizens and legal immigrants, while barring individuals who are in this country illegally from accessing those benefits.

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

As Massachusetts and the nation observe Memorial Day, we pause to honor the many brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Throughout our nation's proud history, many have answered the call to serve, and many more continue to place themselves in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, we honor all of our veterans for their service to our country, and for the sacrifices they have made to preserve the many freedoms we all too often take for granted.

ON THE AIR: Sen. Knapik on Howie Carr Today

Senator Michael R. Knapik is scheduled to call in to the Howie Carr Show this afternoon to talk about the just-concluded Senate budget debate, including the passage of his proposal to eliminate Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day as paid holidays for state workers in Suffolk County. Senator Knapik can be heard beginning around 5:40 p.m. on WRKO.

ON THE AIR: Senator Tarr on NECN Tonight

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (left) will be appearing live in-studio as a guest on "Broadside' with Jim Braude tonight at 6 on New England Cable News (NECN). Political consultant Michael Goldman is scheduled to join the discussion, which will focus on the recent Boston Globe Spotlight series exposing patronage at the state's Probation Department.

GOP Amendments Show Hack's True Colors

The head of the state’s pension fund is stepping down from his $322,000 a year post next month, citing “personal” reasons as well as concerns about a pair of government reforms being promoted by the Senate Republican Caucus.

News reports of Michael Travaglini’s announcement referenced two GOP proposals that would limit how much money he and other state employees would be able to make. One initiative would cap the pay of employees at the state’s quasi-public agencies at $143,000 – the same amount Governor Patrick makes – unless the higher pay differential can be justified in writing to the Secretary of Administration and Finance. The other would ban bonus payments to the state’s pension fund managers during any year the pension fund loses money.

Travaglini – who earned a $68,000 bonus in 2008 and has the potential to make up to 40 percent of his salary in bonus pay – told reporters “I have a wife and three children, and I’m going to provide for them.”

The Caucus’ salary cap proposal has already been approved as part of the Senate’s economic development reorganization bill, while the restrictions on bonus payments were included in the Senate version of the municipal relief bill. Because the House has not yet adopted these two proposals, the Caucus plans to bring them both up again during this week’s Senate budget debate.

Fallout From Probation Probe Continues

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei was interviewed by WBZ-TV yesterday about the ongoing probe into the state's Probation Department and the Senate Republican Caucus' proposal to return oversight on all personnel decisions within the department to the chief justice of the Trial Court.

The Caucus proposal, which is scheduled for debate this week as an amendment to the FY2011 state budget, was also cited in a Boston Globe editorial that ran today calling for Probation Commissioner John J. O'Brien to step down. O'Brien was suspended with pay yesterday, pending an independent investigation into charges of political patronage and "sloppy financial oversight" cited in a Globe Spotlight Team series.

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus will discuss their probation reform proposal and other cost-saving measures at a press availability in front of the Senate Chambers today at 11:30 a.m.

GOP Caucus Pushes Probation Reforms

The Senate Republican Caucus is calling for the adoption of a pair of budget amendments members filed last Friday to end the "pay to play" system of patronage within the state's probation system. The Caucus amendments would restore much-needed oversight, transparency and credibility to the Probation Department, which was the subject of a Boston Globe Spotlight report that ran in the newspaper yesterday and today.

The Globe series details the ongoing problems that have taken place since the Legislature took away the Trial Court's control over personnel decisions within the Probation Department and transferred this authority to the Commissioner of Probation back in 2001. In addition to exposing a system where hiring and promotion decisions appear to be driven more by political connections and campaign contributions than to actual job qualifications, the Globe also highlighted the department's "sloppy financial oversight" which it warns makes the department "vulnerable to theft".

Earlier today, Probation Commissioner John J. O'Brien was suspended, with Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall and Judge Robert A. Mulligan promising "a full, prompt and independent inquiry" into the allegations.

The Senate is scheduled to begin debate on the budget Wednesday morning.

Senator Tisei's Statement on Release of Senate Ways and Means Committee's FY2011 Budget

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei issued the following statement today following the release of the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011:

“I’m pleased to see the Senate budget avoids making the same mistake the Governor and the House did by leaving the Rainy Day Fund intact. However, it’s troubling that we continue to rely heavily on other one-time revenues, including federal stimulus funding, to pay for what’s in the budget, without undertaking the fundamental reforms needed to rein in spending and attain long-term fiscal stability for the Commonwealth.

The Patrick Administration claims we’re on the road to an economic recovery, but state revenues remain uncertain at best and are well below the levels that were needed to sustain crucial programs just a few years ago. The real problem, however, is not revenues but spending. Even after hitting Massachusetts’ residents with over $2 billion in new taxes and fees last year, Governor Patrick and the Legislature seem unwilling to change their free-spending ways and tighten their belts, just like every family and business in Massachusetts has already done.

The Senate Republican Caucus will be offering a wide-ranging package of cost-saving reforms during the upcoming budget debate to root out waste and inefficiencies in state government. Our entire focus next week will be on finding ways to achieve a fiscally responsible and balanced budget that requires the state to live within its means. The Governor and the Legislature cannot continue to ignore this problem and keep pushing the tough decisions off to another day. The time to act is now.”

Senator Tisei's Statement on Patrick Administration's Release of Hospital Report

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei issued the following statement today following the release of a long-delayed report on hospital industry finances, costs and reserves by the Patrick Administration:

“It’s disappointing to learn that the Patrick Administration waited until after the Senate’s amendment filing deadline had already passed to release this report. With the Senate prepared to debate a comprehensive cost containment proposal tomorrow to help ease the health care burden on small businesses in Massachusetts, it would have been nice for members to have the information from this report in hand a lot earlier than today.

Two years have passed since the Legislature first asked for this information, and it’s been almost a year since the original filing deadline passed. I still don’t understand why it has taken the Administration so long to get this information and make it public.

Governor Patrick often talks about the need for transparency in state government, but he has been less than forthcoming in releasing the critical information the Legislature needs to make informed decisions. It’s not that surprising, however, considering that everything the Governor’s done so far on health care cost containment has been done more for political posturing than actually trying to solve the problem.”

Congratulations, Senator-Elect Ross

Scaling The Hill 2010 congratulates Representative Richard Ross on his well-deserved victory in yesterday's special election to fill the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex seat left vacant by Scott Brown's January 19 election to the U.S. Senate.

Senator-elect Ross -- who will be sworn in on May 20 -- said he was "energized and humbled" by the support of the district's voters.

"My record in the Legislature of never voting for a tax increase truly resonated with families and businesses of the district, and I look forward to continuing to fight for the taxpayers who themselves are working so hard every day," Ross said in a statement.

Be sure to check out the election coverage in today's Boston Herald, Boston Globe and the Attleboro Sun Chronicle.

Sen. Tisei's Statement on Municipal Relief Bill

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s proposed Municipal Relief Bill, which was released today and is scheduled for debate on May 13:

“With local aid being cut and the economy continuing to stall, cities and towns across the Commonwealth are struggling to balance their budgets and preserve essential municipal services. Unfortunately, communities are going to be very disappointed because they won’t find much relief in the proposal the Senate released today.

The municipal relief bill somehow has morphed into a statewide pension reform proposal and now does very little to actually help cities and towns, which I thought was the whole purpose behind municipal relief. But what really stands out is what is not included in the bill. The fact that there are no provisions in this bill to address rising municipal health care costs says all you need to know about how much this proposal falls short of its stated goal. If we are serious about providing true budgetary relief to cities and towns, how can we ignore one of the biggest cost factors responsible for driving up municipal spending?

Mayors and local officials have been pleading with the Governor and the Legislature to give them the power to design their own health plans, essentially the same tool state government has been using to keep its health care costs manageable.

The time for talk is over and the time to take decisive action on municipal health care spending is now. The Senate Republican Caucus plans to address rising health care costs and other issues when the bill is debated on Thursday, with the goal of providing both immediate and long-term fiscal relief to our cities and towns.”

Herald Endorses Restaurant Rejuvenation Act

The Boston Herald is backing the Restaurant Rejuvenation Act, which would allow Massachusetts restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages with Sunday brunch beginning at 10 a.m., two hours earlier than current law allows.

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei recently filed the bill with bi-partisan support at the request of the Phantom Gourmet's Dave Andelman, who says it will deliver much-needed jobs and revenues for local businesses. Last month, the House adopted the language during its Fiscal Year 2011 budget debate.

In endorsing the proposal, the Boston Herald notes that "the hospitality business has suffered enormously during this fiscal crisis, and this is the kind of obstacle to business improvement that Beacon Hill should be happy to remove."

Be sure to check out the Herald's editorial, and visit the Andelman Brothers' website to learn more about the Restaurant Rejuvenation Act.

Boston Globe's Scot Lehigh Backs Repeal of 'Misguided' Anti-Privatization Pacheco Law

Scot Lehigh has an op-ed in today's Boston Globe supporting the repeal of the state's anti-privatization Pacheco Law, which Lehigh calls a "misguided statute" that "erects a high and thoroughly unrealistic hurdle to tapping the private sector" for potential cost savings in the delivery of state services.

Citing figures provided by the Reason Foundation, Lehigh notes that Florida saved $550 million over eight years and Virginia saved $40 million a year through the privatization of certain state services. He also quotes Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Michael Widmer, who projects "large and growing savings year after year" if the Pacheco Law is repealed or amended, adding that "states and municipalities across the country have shown that competitive bidding can save money and improve services."

The Senate Republican Caucus doesn't need to be convinced about the millions of dollars in savings Massachusetts could realize by doing away with the Pacheco Law. You may recall that the Caucus led the effort to repeal the law during last year's budget debate, only to fall short on a vote of 11-28. The Caucus claimed a partial victory, however, when the Senate agreed to raise the cost threshold for determining which projects are exempt from the Pacheco Law.

With the state facing a structural deficit in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget approaching $3 billion, now is the time to streamline state government and implement cost-saving reforms. Repealing the Pacheco Law should be at the top of that "to do" list.

Tisei Hits Legislative Committee Process

What promised to be a relatively brief and routine Senate session today turned a bit more interesting, as Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei blocked action on a proposed extension order affecting a number of bills still pending in committee.

Although joint legislative committees were required to take action on all timely-filed bills by March 17, most of these committees have already been granted temporary extension orders. The latest request for an extension order – which passed the House earlier this week – would allow these committees to extend their reporting deadline to May 18, but Tisei moved to lay the extension order on the table.

As the State House News Service is reporting, Tisei is questioning whether the current committee process in broken and in need of a shake-up. Tisei said the joint committees have “failed in their duty” to render timely decisions on many important pieces of legislation. Nearly 17 months into the current session, and with less than three months of formal sessions remaining, he argued that these committees have already been given more than enough time to make a decision.

“I do think that we need a little more accountability,” said Tisei, who suggested the continued delays could be viewed as an attempt by legislators to “run out the clock” and avoid taking positions on many controversial matters which remain bottled up in committee.

Herald Highlights Quasi-Public Salaries

A story in today's Boston Herald highlights a Senate Republican Caucus proposal to cap salaries at the state's quasi-public agencies, which has stalled in the House since passing the Senate by a near-unanimous vote of 35-2 on April 8.

The proposal, filed by Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei as part of an economic development agency reorganization bill, would prohibit any employee at the state's quasi-public agencies from earning a salary higher than the Governor, who currently takes home just over $140,000 a year. The proposal allows for limited exceptions to the salary cap, but only if the agency can justify the pay differential in writing and secure the approval of the Secretary of Administration and Finance.

The Herald has identified more than 450 employees at various quasi-public agencies making over $100,000 a year, including 76 who currently earn more than the Governor. Be sure to check out the Herald's front-page story and its accompanying sidebar on some of the highest-paid employees. While you're there, make sure you cast a vote in the Herald's on-line poll.

Suffolk Law School Republican Club Hosts Members of Senate Republican Caucus

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus were invited to speak at the Suffolk Law School Republican Club's Spring Event on April 29. The club is open to all Suffolk Law School students, and it's mission is to further conservative goals and ideals by bringing together law school students who understand and support conservative policies, agendas and candidates.

Pictured above are (left to right) Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr; Senate Minority Whip Robert Hedlund; club officers Kristin Billera and Pamela Risseeuw; and Sente Minority Leader Richard Tisei.

ON THE AIR: Senator Knapik Discusses Massachusetts' New Anti-Bullying Law

Governor Patrick is scheduled to sign the state's new anti-bullying bill into law today at 1 p.m. Senator Michael Knapik, who was the Senate Republican Caucus' representative on the Conference Committee that finalized the legislation, recently weighed in on this important initiative to crack down on school bullying and cyber-bullying. Be sure to check out Senator Knapik's remarks to New England Cable News and to the local CBS affiliate in Springfield.

Senator Tisei's Statement on Bullying Bill

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei released the following statement today following the Legislature's passage of anti-bullying legislation:

"I applaud the members of the conference committee for putting together a well-crafted bill that seeks to address the very serious problem of bullying in Massachusetts.

The recent suicide of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince exposed just how inadequate our current laws are, particularly when it comes to addressing the problem of cyber-bullying. No child should ever have to endure the constant harassment that Phoebe and other young bullying victims have been subject to, and my hope is that these changes we have made today will make our schools safer for all students.

This bill sends a clear message that students who are being bullied will be protected and those who are doing the bullying will face serious consequences for their actions. I call on Governor Patrick to sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk."

In Case You Missed It...

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr was on the Fox 25 Morning News' "Tolman and Gray" segment this morning, joining former State Senator Warren Tolman to discuss the latest political news. In case you missed it, here's a link to the complete segment.

Senator Tarr's Fox 25 appearance came less than 24 hours after he appeared as a guest on NECN's Broadside with Jim Braude, along with another former Democratic State Senator, George Bachrach. Click here for the complete roundtable discussion.

ON THE AIR: Senator Tarr on 'Broadside' Tonight and Fox Morning News Tomorrow

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be appearing live in-studio as a guest on New England Cable News' Broadside with Jim Braude tonight. The show airs live at 6 p.m., and will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. on NECN.

On Thursday morning, Senator Tarr will be back on the airwaves when he fills in for Rob Gray on the Fox Morning News' "Tolman and Gray" segment. Senator Tarr will appear live in Fox' Beacon Hill studio with former Senator Warren Tolman beginning around 7:15 a.m. tomorrow.

Ending Beacon Hill's 'Tax-First' Mentality

GOP gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker, Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, and members of the Senate Republican Caucus joined Barbara Anderson of Citizens for Limited Taxation for a press conference on the State House steps Monday morning to call for an end to the "tax-first" mentality on Beacon Hill. The press conference took place just hours before the House rejected a proposal to allow communities to circumvent Proposition 2 1/2 with a backdoor tax increase targeting the state's homeowners.

Be sure to check out the media coverage from the Associated Press and the Lowell Sun, as well as the Salem News' editorial.

Herald Assails 'Assault on Taxpayers'

Last Thursday on Scaling The Hill 2010, we reported that the House of Representatives would be debating a municipal relief bill this week that contains language that would allow cities and towns to circumvent the provisions of Proposition 2 1/2 with a backdoor tax on homeowners. House Minority Leader Bradley Jones has already filed an amendment that would delete the offending language, and Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei has vowed to block any similar attempts in the Senate to raise property taxes without voter approval.

Today's Boston Herald blasts the House proposal as "an assault on property taxpayers" and "a non-starter in a year when taxpayers have already had it up to their eyeballs with tax hikes." If you haven't read it already, be sure to check out the Herald's editorial.

GOP Leaders: Taxpayers can’t afford to pay anymore

Boston - Citing the poor economy and the already high tax burden, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei today vowed to fight against any legislative proposal that would allow cities and towns to raise property taxes on the people of Massachusetts.

This comes after learning that the House Ways and Means Committee proposed allowing municipalities to raise property taxes outside of the constraints of the so-called “proposition 2½ limits” without a local vote.

Given the negative economic climate in Massachusetts, the top Republicans in the House and Senate were outraged to hear that a legislator could be so disconnected to think taxpayers could afford to pay another dollar in property taxes.

“It’s simply mind-boggling that in a time when foreclosure initiations spiked more than 20% from last month, a Democratic lawmaker on Beacon Hill could have the audacity to suggest raising taxes, yet again,” said Representative Jones. “If this isn’t a slap in the face to the taxpayers, I don’t know what is,” the House Republican Leader added.

On Monday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will take up a Municipal Relief Bill, which contains the proposal. Representative Jones has already filed an amendment that would strike out the language permitting the increase of property taxes absent an override vote.

Citizens for Limited Taxation estimates that property owners could see as much as $550 million in additional property taxes if Chairman Murphy’s proposal is adopted during Monday’s debate.

“This is just another glaring example of one-party rule run amok on Beacon Hill,” said Senator Tisei. “The Governor and the Democratic leadership have raised taxes by more than a billion dollars over the last two fiscal years, driving the Commonwealth’s economy further into the ground. Adding to that burden will only further hurt the state’s competitiveness and tug at the purse strings of hardworking families across the state.”

Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate have offered hundreds of millions of dollars in cost saving initiatives over the last three budget cycles and they plan to do the same this year as well.

In Case You Missed It...

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (left) joined former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger in Fox 25's Beacon Hill studio earlier this week for the station's popular "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" segment. Tarr and Harshbarger shared their thoughts on last weekend's Republican State Convention, gaming legislation, the SEC's charges against Goldman Sachs, and the Patriots' Day holiday. In case you missed it, you can still access the full segment here.

ON THE AIR: Senator Knapik Discusses Stimulus Funding on the Jeff Katz Show

Senator Michael Knapik appeared as a guest this week on the Jeff Katz Show, RushRadio 1200's morning drive-time program. A member of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Federal Stimulus Oversight, Senator Knapik was interviewed by Katz about some of the questionable projects right here in Massachusetts that have received federal stimulus funding. Be sure to check out the complete interview on the station's online podcast.

Senator Tisei's Tea Party Rally Statement

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei has released the following statement to coincide with today's Tea Party Rally:

"As the Minority Leader for the Massachusett State Senate, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome those who are participating in the Tea Party Rally today on Boston Common. It's great to see so many people working against the stereotype of voter apathy and taking an active interest in government right here in the Cradle of American Liberty. Having a motivated and involved electorate that engages in the free exchange of ideas which represent many diverse political viewpoints is essential for our democracy to grow and thrive."

ON THE AIR: Senator Tisei on WXBR

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei made a stop in the City of Champions this morning, appearing as the in-studio guest on the Kevin Tocci Show, the popular morning show that services the Metro South area on Brockton's WXBR-AM 1460. Senator Tisei is pictured above with host Kevin Tocci.

Your Tax Dollars At Work

It seems to us here at Scaling The Hill 2010 that the Federal Stimulus Project has taken another wrong turn. Over the weekend, the Boston Herald reported that the IRS received roughly $80 million in federal stimulus money to upgrade a 400,000 square foot complex in Andover; they already had on hand $11.4 million for the work. Of all the wasteful projects that have received money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this one seems to take the cake.

Back on February 13, 2009 when Congress signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, they touted the bill as a tool that would help stimulate the economy, invest in long term growth, and most importantly put the American people back to work. However, the federal government is dishing out millions of dollars to one of its counterparts for “green” renovations when road and bridges need urgent attention and 9.5% of our population is unemployed. Apparently they spoke too soon.

Just last year 1,400 employees were laid off from the Andover site because they were switching over to a more automated system. In addition, the project was listed in a December 2009 report, compiled by Senator McCain, which ranked 100 projects funded by ARRA in which stimulus money was “wasted, mismanaged or directed towards silly and shortsighted projects.” These are two extremely obvious signs that this project will not put people back to work or stimulate the economy in any fashion.

The Obama Administration’s dictionary must be outdated, because our version defines the word “stimulus” as: “Something to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity.” However, we have not seen any of that in Massachusetts. We urge the President to contact us if he needs an updated version of his dictionary.

ON THE AIR: Senator Tisei on the Jeff Katz Show to Discuss Restaurant Rejuvenation Act

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei was a guest on RushRadio 1200's Jeff Katz Show this week, where he talked about the Restaurant Rejuvenation Act. The Andelman brothers of Phantom Gourmet fame are backing the bill, which would provide a boost to restaurants by lifting the Sunday morning ban on alcohol sales.

Be sure to check out Senator Tisei's interview, along with the website the Andelmans have started to promote the legislation.

Senate Approves GOP Salary Cap Proposal for Quasi-Public State Agencies on 35-2 Vote

Seeking to provide more transparency and accountability to the state’s taxpayers, the Senate today approved a Republican-sponsored amendment to curb excessive salaries at the state’s independent authorities.

The amendment prohibits quasi-public agencies from paying any employee a salary that exceeds the Governor’s, which is currently about $143,000 a year. It was adopted on a vote of 35-2 as part of a larger bill that reorganizes the state’s economic development agencies, many of which are quasi-public entities.

“This amendment will impose some much-needed financial controls and accountability on these agencies, which often tend to fly under the radar and operate out of the public eye,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei. “For too long, these agencies have functioned as a kind of ‘shadow government,’ and it’s about time we cast some light on them so the public will know how their tax dollars are being spent.”

Tisei noted that more than 50 independent authorities currently exist in Massachusetts and employ close to 15,000 people. Last year, more than 1,000 of these employees earned over $100,000 in salaries. In some cases, salaries at these agencies have exceeded $200,000 and even $300,000.

The amendment allows for salaries higher than $143,000 to be paid, but only if the agency in question can justify the pay differential in writing. The Secretary of Administration and Finance would also need to sign off on the higher salary before it could take effect.

The economic development bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further action.

Be sure to check out the media coverage of the salary cap proposal from the Boston Herald and WCVB-TV Channel 5.

Globe Highlights Caucus' Efforts to Assist Small Businesses and Independent Contractors

A story in today's Boston Globe highlights the plight of many small businesses and contract workers since the state changed the definition of independent contractors in the 2004 public construction reform act. Although this change was made to prevent construction companies from denying workers benefits they had rightly earned, the Department of Revenue has used the 2004 law to aggressively target people working in many other professions.

The Senate Republican Caucus offered an amendment during last week's economic development reorganization debate to limit the changes to individuals working in the building trades, and to allow those workers who have historically been classified and treated as independent contractors -- including hairdressers, freelance writers and photographers, and CPAs -- to retain this designation.

Click here to read the full story.

MA Gets Poor Grades on Greater Boston Chamber's Tax Competitiveness Scorecard

It’s no secret that Massachusetts is a high-cost state for employers. But a new report from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce underscores one of the biggest reasons why companies are so reluctant to do business in Massachusetts.

According to the Chamber’s latest tax competitiveness scorecard, which was just released today, Massachusetts has the eighth highest corporate tax burden in the country. That puts the state at a huge disadvantage compared to much of the New England region and the rest of the nation when it comes to attracting employers and jobs.

With a corporate tax burden that is 39 percent higher than the national average, the Chamber warns that “the average company looking to hire, expand, or locate will find Massachusetts much less attractive than competitor states.” Meanwhile, with the state's unemployment rate reaching a 34-year high of 9.5 percent, the Patrick Administration has yet to offer anything that even remotely resembles a statewide economic plan to assist businesses and get Massachusetts' residents back to work.

Be sure to check out the Chamber’s press release, which contains a link to the full report.

ON THE AIR: Senator Knapik Discusses Bullying Issues on Chicopee's WWLP-TV

Senator Michael R. Knapik (right) was one of several guests featured in a discussion of school bullying issues that aired Sunday on Chicopee's WWLP-TV Channel 22. Also weighing in on the need for stronger anti-bullying measures were defense attorney Henry Rigali, South Hadley Selectman John Hine, and Sirdeaner Walker, whose 11-year-old son committed suicide after being bullied by his classmates.

To see the full report, click here.

Senate Republicans Promote Business Assistance, Target Quasi-Public Agency Salaries

The Senate Republican Caucus has filed a series of amendments to assist small businesses and cap salaries at the state’s quasi-public agencies. These amendments will be voted on today when the Senate debates legislation to consolidate the state’s economic development agencies.

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei said the Caucus’ amendments will help to reduce the cost of doing business for the state’s employers and attempt to open up lines of credit for small business owners. The Caucus will also target some of the exorbitant salaries paid by the state’s independent authorities.

The amendments include:

-- A proposal to correct changes in the law defining independent contractors. These changes – introduced as part of the 2004 public construction reform bill – have had a negative impact on small businesses by reclassifying many individuals who work in occupations that have historically been identified and treated as independent contractors as regular employees, making these positions subject to such employer requirements as workers compensation and unemployment insurance.

-- A plan for promoting more bank lending to small businesses. Under this proposal, the State Treasurer – who oversees the deposit and investment of the state’s cash reserves – would be required to establish a preference for those banking and lending institutions that exceed the statewide average for lending to small businesses.

-- A ban on excessive salaries at the state’s independent authorities. The state currently has more than 50 of these quasi-public agencies, which collectively employ nearly 15,000 individuals but often operate out of the public eye, with little accountability to the state’s taxpayers. This amendment would prohibit these agencies from paying any employee an amount that exceeds the Governor’s annual salary (currently about $143,000 a year), unless the reasons for the pay differential are explained in writing and signed off by the Secretary of Administration and Finance. Last year, more than 1,000 employees earned salaries in excess of $100,000.

Today’s Senate debate is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

Scott Brown Talks Health Care

Former Wrentham State Senator Scott Brown stunned the Democratic establishment when he captured the vacant U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts in January, in part due to voter anger over the national health care reform debate. With President Obama signing off on Congress' $940 billion health care overhaul plan last week, Senator Brown is speaking out against the new federal law and moving ahead with plans to file legislation that would provide an "opt out" provision for the states. Be sure to check out his op-ed in today's Boston Globe, entitled "The Health Care Fight is Not Over".

In Case You Missed It...

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei talked politics with veteran journalists Janet Wu and Ed Harding Sunday morning when he appeared on WCVB-TV's "On The Record". Topics included Richard's campaign for Lieutenant Governor on the Baker-Tisei ticket, casino gambling and health care reform. Richard also fielded a series of questions as part of the show's weekly pop quiz feature. Be sure to check out his appearance by clicking here.

ON THE AIR: Senator Hedlund on Emily Rooney's 'Week In Review' Today at Noon

Senate Minority Whip Robert L. Hedlund (left) will be a guest today on The Emily Rooney Show’s Week in Review. The show airs from noon to 1 p.m. on 89.7 WGBH-FM, and can be heard online as well. Other guests include former state Senator Jarrett Barrios and Boston Globe columnist Scot Lehigh.

Senator Tisei Goes 'On The Record'

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei will join co-hosts Janet Wu and Ed Harding as the in-studio guest on the next edition of WCVB-TV's weekly political talk show, "On The Record". The show, which was launched last October, features a lively roundtable discussion with elected officials and candidates for public office, as well as a pop quiz on current events. The show airs on Sunday mornings from 11-11:30 a.m. on Channel 5.

Senator Tisei Issues Statement on Today's Passage of Lawrence Bailout Bill in Senate

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei issued the following statement today, following the Senate’s 31-4 vote authorizing the City of Lawrence to borrow up to $35 million to address a growing budget deficit (members of the Senate Republican Caucus voted against the bill):

“The bill the Senate passed today will authorize the City of Lawrence to borrow up to $35 million to address a budget deficit that is at least $24.5 million. Clearly, the situation is so bad in Lawrence right now that the state has no choice but to step in to make sure the city doesn’t go bankrupt. However, I still think we’re making a huge mistake by not putting a finance control board in place right from the start, which is what the Senate Republican Caucus has been advocating.

I realize there is language in the bill that would allow a state-appointed overseer to request a finance control board at any time, but I don’t see why we should wait any longer and let the city fall into an even bigger financial hole in the meantime.

When this bill was filed in December, Lawrence was looking at a budget shortfall of $9.5 million. Here we are, three months later, and the deficit has more than doubled – in fact, it’s now almost triple the original estimates. That shows me that immediate and decisive action is needed to get the city’s fiscal problems under control, and that’s exactly what a finance control board would be able to do.

I know some people have argued this is not a bailout bill because we’re not lending the money to Lawrence, but let’s be honest, what else can you call it? We’re allowing Lawrence to exceed its borrowing limit by issuing municipal bonds, and we’re allowing those bonds to be backed up by future local aid payments from the state. If Lawrence defaults on its loan repayments, it will be the taxpayers who are left holding the bag.

It’s ironic that on the very same day we first debated this bill back on March 9, the Superintendent of the Lawrence Public Schools was indicted on several counts of fraud and embezzlement. Clearly, Lawrence is dealing with many underlying issues that need to be resolved before it can achieve fiscal stability.

We should not be throwing good money after bad by allowing Lawrence to borrow this money without having the proper safeguards in place right from the start. A finance control board will help to protect the interests of all the state’s taxpayers, especially the residents of Lawrence, because it will make the tough but necessary decisions on spending and reforms from day one.”

This is One Paper Cut Worth Supporting

WBZ-TV unveiled a new I-Team investigative piece last night detailing the millions of dollars the state is spending each year to print and distribute agency reports. According to the I-Team, the state is wasting tens of millions of taxpayer dollars a year on reports that mostly go unread, with the state’s executive branch alone spending $35 million a year on paper and toner.

This news didn’t exactly come as a surprise to us here at Scaling The Hill, since the Senate Republican Caucus has been looking to eliminate this wasteful practice for some time now. In fact, during the last two budget cycles, the Caucus filed language that would require state agencies to post their reports online, while allowing for a very limited number of paper copies to be made available upon request. This would eliminate the bulk of the printing costs but still ensure that the information contained in the reports is readily available to legislators and the general public.

The Caucus’ proposal has drawn support in the Senate, which previously endorsed this cost-saving measure. The problem is, the language has yet to survive conference committee and make it into the final budget. But with the Patrick Administration identifying a new $300 million shortfall in the current state budget – and a structural deficit of several billion dollars anticipated in FY2011 – it’s long past time to implement this cost-saving reform.

Senator Tisei Appears on 'Sacred Codcast'

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei was the guest on MassBeacon.com's "Sacred Codcast" yesterday afternoon. During the interview with MassBeacon.com founder Conor Yunits, Tisei touched on several topics, including his decision to run for Lieutenant Governor, the similarities between the 2010 and 1990 elections, and the potential for Republicans to pick up additional seats in the House and Senate this fall. Be sure to check it out by clicking here.

GOP Discusses Jobs, Economy ... and Holidays

It was standing room only yesterday when Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei hosted a joint caucus of House and Senate Republican leaders to discuss jobs and the economy. But when the meeting was opened to the press, most of the reporters' questions were about the Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day holidays, and the GOP's efforts to repeal them.

Be sure to check out the State House News Service's video clip from the joint caucus, along with additional TV coverage from Channel 5, Channel 7, New England Cable News and Fox25, radio coverage from WBUR, and print coverage from the Springfield Republican, Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Boston Herald, Boston Globe and Attleboro Sun Chronicle.

GOP Members Working on Evacuation Day

The Judiciary Committee may have nixed the proposed repeal of Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day as paid holidays by placing Senator Michael Knapik's bill in a study order, but House and Senate Republicans will be at the State House today, ready to assist constituents and to talk jobs and the economy.

Members are planning an open caucus and press availability for noon today, following a meeting with Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Michael Widmer and Bill Vernon of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Meanwhile, the repeal effort continues to gain support in the media. Check out today's Boston Herald editorial, as well as Metro Boston and the Springfield Republican.

Happy Evacuation Day Eve!

Tomorrow is Evacuation Day, and state employees in Suffolk County have the day off to commemorate the British fleeing Boston after an 11-month siege, or so we would like to think. It just also happens to be St. Patrick’s Day, and individuals who have tomorrow off will likely be celebrating the fleeing of snakes from Ireland, not the British leaving Boston.

However, just like our counterparts in the private sector, members of the House and Senate Republican Caucuses will be treating tomorrow like a regular workday, staffing their offices and handling constituent calls.

We here at Scaling the Hill fully respect the significance of Evacuation Day in the history of the Commonwealth and the United State of America; however, we strongly believe there is a better way to observe this holiday than allowing a select group of public employees a paid day off. We find it inappropriate to shut down all state and municipal offices in Suffolk County for a holiday that does not extend to the vast majority of our state’s workforce.

Apparently, the Judiciary Committee feels otherwise. Earlier today, the committee voted to place a proposed repeal of Evacuation Day and another Suffolk-county-only holiday (Bunker Hill Day) into a study order, even though eliminating the two paid holidays would save taxpayers an estimated $5 million a year.

To learn more about the holiday repeal effort, check out some of the recent coverage provided by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and WBZ-TV.

House and Senate Republicans to Discuss Jobs, Hold Open Caucus on Evacuation Day

With the state unemployment rate at 9.5 percent – the highest it’s been in 34 years – and more than 320,000 Massachusetts residents out of work, House and Senate Republican leaders plan to meet at the State House on Evacuation Day (March 17) to discuss jobs and the economy with a leading local economist and respected small business advocate.

At 11 a.m. tomorrow, GOP leaders will be meeting with Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Michael Widmer and National Federation of Independent Business-Massachusetts State Director Bill Vernon in the office of Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei. The meeting will focus on the state’s economic outlook and strategies for getting Massachusetts residents back to work.

Immediately following the hour-long meeting, there will be an open caucus. At that time, members of the House and Senate Republican leadership teams will be available to answer questions from the press.

Ode To Massachusetts' Taxpayers

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei delivered the following "Ode To Massachusetts' Taxpayers" at the GOP8 St. Patrick's Day Breakfast in Scituate on Sunday morning:

Four years ago, our state’s voters were told
By a newcomer who emerged from the Democratic fold

Together we can! Deval Patrick’s my name,
If you vote for me I promise you … that I’m not more of the same.

The voters were angry, they had had enough
Of paying high taxes when times were so tough.

So they voted in Patrick, and then waited to see
What the promised relief on their property tax bills would be.

The voters were patient, but try as they might,
No matter where they looked … there was no tax relief in sight.

Patrick reassured them, yes, I know what I said,
But I need a new car and drapes for my office instead.

And then while we’re at it, why don’t we restore
All of those cuts made by Romney, as he walked out the door.

He spent lots of money and hired many a friend
And soon our rainy day fund was drained to the end.

The spending spree continued with new programs and more
He even found time to sign up for a new book and a tour.

But the economy soon tanked and we all know the rest
Rather than make the swift cuts … he though tax hikes were best!

The sales tax was raised as the economy dropped
And off to New Hampshire they all went to shop.

And a meals tax soon followed on our burgers and fries
But he could not raise the gas tax no matter how hard he tried.

Yes, the new tax on beer was difficult to swallow,
… a new tax on candy and soda will be the next to follow.

And it’s not just taxes, but all the new fees,
That have the state’s taxpayers down on their knees.

So here we are now, four long years have gone by,
And Patrick’s property tax pledge has been exposed as a lie.

Taxes have gone up $2 billion and more,
And who knows what else this man has in store?

But have some faith, and don’t despair
Keep in mind, it’s an election year.

We made a mistake and hired a faker.
This November we will fix things when we elect Charlie Baker!

ON THE AIR: Senator Knapik Discusses Passage of Anti-Bullying Legislation

Senator Michael R. Knapik from Westfield was interviewed by several media outlets yesterday to discuss the anti-bullying legislation which was unanimously passed by the Senate. See what Senator Knapik had to say to the Associated Press, WBZ-TV38, Channel 5 and the ABC40/Fox6 Springfield affiliate.

Poll: Baker, Patrick in Dead Heat

A new Rasmussen poll out today shows Charlie Baker gaining further momentum in his bid for Governor, while incumbent Deval Patrick is treading water and independent Tim Cahill’s numbers are sinking.

The poll shows Baker and Patrick in a statistical tie, with Patrick at 35 percent and Baker at 32 percent, up from 28 percent in a previous Rasmussen poll conducted last November. Cahill, who was at 25 percent in the November poll, has dropped to 19 percent.

Patrick scored low in terms of favorability and job performance in the latest poll. Of the 500 likely voters surveyed, only 13 percent gave the Governor a “very favorable” rating, while 30 percent gave him a “somewhat favorable” rating. The majority of voters have an unfavorable opinion of the sitting Governor, with 25 percent viewing Patrick “somewhat unfavorably” and 30 percent expressing a “very unfavorable” opinion of him.

The majority of voters also don’t give Patrick high marks for the work he’s done as Governor. Sixty-one percent say they disapprove of his job performance, including 37 percent who “strongly disapprove”. Only 14 percent “strongly approve” of his job performance.

Lawrence Bailout Approved as School Supt. Indicted for Fraud and Embezzlement

Just how bad do things need to get in the City of Lawrence before the state decides the time is right to send in a finance control board?

As the Senate was giving final approval to a $35 million bailout bill for the cash-strapped city yesterday, School Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy was being indicted on eight counts of fraud and embezzlement. Laboy, who has been on paid administrative leave since June of 2009, is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in Salem Superior Court.

The Senate Republican Caucus has been pushing for the creation of a finance control board from the start as a condition for giving Lawrence officials the authority to borrow up to $35 million through the sale of municipal bonds. With a structural deficit that has ballooned from $9.5 million to $24.5 million in the last three months, it’s obvious that Lawrence’s problems require immediate intervention and the type of tough decision-making that can only be carried out by a finance control board. Why let the situation deteriorate even further?

When the Caucus proposal was put to a vote yesterday, only three Democrats supported the measure, with the majority opting for the appointment of a state overseer with limited powers. The bill allows – but does not require – the overseer to call in a finance control board at any time. But this does nothing in the interim to protect the interests of the state’s taxpayers, who will get stuck picking up the bill if Lawrence defaults on paying back its loans.

Lawrence’s structural deficit can’t be solved by simply throwing money at the problem. If the state is serious about identifying and correcting the root causes of Lawrence’s fiscal woes, and protecting the state’s taxpayers in the process, then nothing short of a strong fiscal control board is acceptable.

ON THE AIR: Senator Tarr on 'Broadside'

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr and Representative William Straus were the in-studio guests on Monday night's “Broadside with Jim Braude” on New England Cable News (NECN). The program featured a discussion of Congressman Bill Delahunt’s decision not to run for re-election and what that means for the State Republican Party, Governor Romney’s potential presidential run in 2012, and President Obama’s deadline to Congress for action on health care reform. If you missed it, you can watch the clip by clicking here.

Senate Republican Caucus Pushes for Repeal of State's Controversial Nursing Home Tax

The Massachusetts Senate Republican Caucus is pushing for the repeal of the state's controversial nursing home tax on non-Medicare patients.

The tax was introduced in 2002, and was recently increased by the Patrick Administration to $19.17 a day. Over the last eight years, the Caucus has repeatedly filed legislation and offered budget amendments to eliminate the tax.

The latest Caucus proposal, Senate Bill 305, was filed in January of 2009 and heard by the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs on May 6, 2009. Ten months after the hearing, the bill is still awaiting committee action.

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei has written to the committee on behalf of the Caucus to ask that the bill be reported out with a favorable recommendation. If the committee does not release the bill, the Caucus is prepared to file another budget amendment to repeal the nursing home tax.

The following is the text of Senator Tisei's letter:

March 8, 2010

The Honorable Patricia D. Jehlen, Senate Chair
The Honorable Alice K. Wolf, House Chair
Joint Committee on Elder Affairs
State House, Room 167
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Chairwoman Jehlen & Chairwoman Wolf:

I am writing to urge that you take swift and favorable action on Senate Bill 305, An Act to Repeal the Nursing Home Tax, which is currently pending before the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs.

The nursing home tax - which was first implemented as part of the Fiscal Year 2003 state budget - constitutes an onerous penalty that unfairly targets those individuals who had the foresight to plan ahead and save for their long-term health care needs. Those who privately pay for their nursing home care and don't have to rely on the state for assistance should not be penalized by having to pay a tax.

When the nursing home tax was first introduced, non-Medicare patients were being assessed $9.60 a day. Now they are being charged $19.17 a day, nearly double the original assessment. To charge private-pay patients an additional $575 a month is not only unfair, but counterproductive, and places an unnecessary financial burden on our seniors and their families.

The Lowell Sun recently reported that only $15 of the $19.17 collected actually finds its way back into the system. The rest is being used by the Patrick Administration to help balance the state budget, and not for its original purpose of helping nursing homes remain financially solvent.

I have opposed the nursing home tax as bad public policy since its inception, and have been actively working for its repeal ever since. The Senate Republican Caucus has offered a series of repeal bills and budget amendments in each of the last four legislative sessions, and is prepared to raise this issue again during the upcoming budget debate if the committee fails to act in a timely manner.

As a member of the Elder Affairs Committee, I am urging you to expedite the bill's release from the committee with a favorable report. Doing so will allow the House and Senate to begin the process of repealing this misguided tax once and for all.

Sincerely,
Richard R. Tisei
STATE SENATOR

ON THE AIR: Tisei Discusses Finance Control Board for Lawrence on Fox 25 Morning News

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei appeared live on the Fox 25 Morning News today to discuss the Senate Republican Caucus' proposal to install a finance control board to oversee spending decisions and help restore fiscal stability to the cash-strapped city of Lawrence. The Senate is expected to debate a $35 million bailout bill for Lawrence on Tuesday afternoon. You can watch the interview in its entirety by clicking here.

Senate Republicans To Push For Finance Control Board For Lawrence

The Massachusetts Senate Republican Caucus will be filing an amendment to the Lawrence bailout bill requiring the immediate appointment of a finance control board to manage the city’s finances.

“Our plan is to offer a strong control board to ensure that fiscally responsible decisions are being made on behalf of the taxpayers in Lawrence,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei. “Anything short of that is nothing more than an ill-advised giveaway.”

The Senate is slated to consider the Lawrence bailout bill next Tuesday. Under the House version of the bill approved this week, the city would be authorized to borrow up to $35 million by issuing municipal bonds backed by the city’s future local aid payments from the state.

The House bill does not call for the immediate creation of a finance control board, but provides that option if city officials are unable to close an estimated $24.5 million deficit with the assistance of a special state-appointed overseer who will work hand-in-hand with the mayor and city council. Tisei said the extent of Lawrence’s fiscal problems requires more expedient action.

“I’m concerned that the $35 million Governor Patrick has proposed for Lawrence is essentially throwing good money after bad,” said Tisei. “There’s nothing I’ve seen or heard about the current situation that would make me feel at all comfortable that this is a good investment on behalf of the taxpayers.

“What Lawrence needs to get out of its fiscal crisis and address the root causes of its ongoing budget problems is a combination of stability and predictability,” Tisei added. “Clearly, the only way we’re going to do that is by putting a control board in place to make the tough decisions needed from the outset, rather than allowing the situation to deteriorate any further.”

SHNS Exposes Behind the Scenes Maneuvers on Governor Patrick's 'Bridge To Nowhere'

Chances are, you’ve heard about the Patrick Administration’s unsuccessful attempts last year to funnel $9 million in federal stimulus funding to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to pay for the construction of a footbridge connecting two parking lots Kraft owns along Route 1 in Foxborough. What you may not know, however, is just how far the Administration was willing to go to justify using taxpayer dollars to benefit the financial interests of a multi-millionaire donor like Kraft.

The State House News Service, citing internal communications it obtained from the Administration through a public records request, recently reported that the governor’s senior aides “worked aggressively last fall to rebut negative stories and cast a positive glow to White House questions about Patrick channeling funds to a pedestrian footbridge near Gilette Stadium, the football venue owned by the governor’s friend and political benefactor Robert Kraft…” Reportedly, aides to Vice President Joe Biden had contacted Jeffrey Simon, the state’s federal stimulus czar, “asking him to defend” the funding of the Kraft project when it became public.

According to the News Service, “Patrick and other administration officials had vigorously defended the footbridge on economic development and public safety grounds, after repeated media questions about the friendship between New England Patriots owner Kraft and Patrick, who exchanged prized box seats during State of the Commonwealth speeches and Patriots games.”

Despite an all-out push by the governor, the footbridge was soon pulled from the list of approved projects.

Unemployment Rate Hits 9.5 Percent

The state’s unemployment rate jumped to 9.5 percent in January, according to figures released today by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. State labor officials also announced that December’s unemployment figures had to be revised upwards, from 9.1 percent to 9.3 percent.

The latest jobless figures put Massachusetts dangerously close to the national unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. There are now 329,100 Massachusetts residents out of work, which does not bode well for the state’s economic recovery.

One thing the rising unemployment numbers make clear is that the Patrick Administration’s economic policy has been a failure. The lack of a comprehensive jobs creation plan is hurting Massachusetts and putting the Commonwealth at a huge competitive disadvantage. The policies enacted over the past three years are hurting Massachusetts and have made a bad situation even worse. The question now is, just how high does the unemployment rate need to go before the Patrick Administration finally gets serious about taking action to put people back to work?

ON THE AIR: Senator Knapik Appears on Howie Carr To Discuss Suffolk Holidays Bill

Senator Michael Knapik was on the Howie Carr show last night to discuss his attempts to do away with Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day. His bill to eliminate the two holidays was heard before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary yesterday.

Greeting the Senator on the Committee’s panel were none other than Senator Jack Hart (D-South Boston) and Representative Eugene O’Flaherty (D-Chelsea), both of whom have been outspoken in their opposition to this initiative. Be sure to check out the Boston Herald’s article to see how things went down at the hearing.

Herald Report: Governor Patrick To Suspend New $5 RMV Branch Fee

Score one for the state's consumers!

The Boston Herald is reporting that Governor Deval Patrick has announced he will suspend a controversial new $5 fee implemented at the Registry of Motor Vehicles this week. The fee targetted consumers who opted to visit an RMV branch office or speak with an RMV representative by phone when conducting certain transactions, including renewing their driver's license.

The Senate Republican Caucus announced yesterday that it would offer an amendment during today's Senate debate on the Safe Driving Bill to rescind the fee. Facing strong opposition from not only the Senate, but also thousands of angry motorists, the Governor rightly chose to abandon this anti-consumer fee.

Holidays Bill Up For Debate Today

We can't blame you if you missed it, but buried somewhere in the extensive list of over 120 (!) bills crammed on the agenda for today's Judiciary Committee public hearing is Senate Bill 1735, the Senate Republican Caucus-sponsored proposal to eliminate the Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day holidays.

If you ask us, it's no coincidence that this bill -- which was filed 14 months ago -- is finally coming up for a hearing just a couple of weeks before Evacuation Day (St. Patrick's Day). The timing of the hearing virtually guarantees that we will be stuck with these two wasteful holidays for at least one more year, at a cost of millions of dollars to the state's taxpayers, not to mention the thousands of hours of lost productivity for government workers in Suffolk County who will get these days off.

RMV Hits Drivers With Back-Door Tax

Drivers beware: If you try to renew your license or registration in-person at one of the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s branch offices – or attempt to speak with an RMV representative over the phone – be prepared to dig even deeper into your wallet.

The Boston Herald reports that, beginning today, the Patrick Administration is hitting drivers with a new $5 “back-door tax.” The new fee applies if a customer visits an RMV branch or speaks with an RMV representative on the phone to renew their license or registration; obtain a duplicate license or Massachusetts ID; or request an attested driving record.

Massachusetts drivers are already paying an extra $10 for a license renewal, thanks to a series of fee increases approved last year that are collectively costing the state’s hard-working taxpayers an estimated $75 million more a year. But the new $5 fee – implemented without any advance warning to the general public – shows the Patrick Administration’s policy of nickel-and-diming the public knows no bounds.

It would be one thing if the RMV made customer service its top priority, as it did in the days when Dan Grabauskas was running the agency. But the reality is, the RMV now expects the public to just “pay up and shut up.”

We have news for the Patrick Administration: the public is sick and tired of being asked to pay more money for less service. Rest assured, the Senate Republican Caucus will do everything it can to repeal this ludicrous back-door tax.