Say Hello to 'Tolman and Tarr'

It's official: Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (left) will be appearing on the Fox Morning News every Thursday morning between now and the November 2nd general election as part of the station's popular "Tolman and Gray" segment. Tarr, who in the past has filled in periodically for political consultant Rob Gray, will be debating the latest political news with former State Senator Warren Tolman.

The first of the "Tolman and Tarr" segments aired this morning, and featured a discussion of the governor's race. Fox 25 Morning News co-host Kim Carrigan asked the two which candidate they thought might break from the pack in the closing weeks of the campaign, and whether or not they think Independent Tim Cahill will stay in the race after dropping sharply in the polls.

In case you missed this morning's segment, you can watch it here. And be sure to tune in every Thursday at approximately 7:15 a.m. for "Tolman and Tarr".

ON THE AIR: Senator Tisei Featured on Jeff Katz, Charley Manning Shows Today

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei was a guest on RushRadio's Jeff Katz Show this morning, where he discussed jobs and taxes, including the eight tax increases passed over the last three years which have stifled job growth in the Commonwealth. With the state's unemployment currently at 8.8 percent, Massachusetts has a higher jobless rate than 25 other states.

To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here. Also, be sure to tune in to WRKO's Charley Manning show this afternoon, as Senator Tisei is scheduled to call in.

In Case You Missed It: Lt. Governor Candidates Square off in Second Debate at Curry College

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei (right) and the three other candidates for Lieutenant Governor squared off in their second debate yesterday, answering questions about immigration, taxes, jobs and health care while sharing their views on the role of the Lieutenant Governor.

Hosted by Curry College, the event was co-sponsored by the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, WCVB-TV, the Patriot Ledger and wickedlocal.com. It was held just five days after the candidates' first debate, which took place on September 22 at Suffolk Law School.

If you weren't able to catch the live webstream of yesterday's hour-long debate, you can watch it in its entirety on the Patriot Ledger's website.

Up next for the Lieutenant Governor candidates is a debate at Holliston Town Hall, which is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m.

ON THE AIR: Sen. Tarr on Fox Morning News

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (left) was a guest today on the Fox 25 Morning News' "Tolman and Gray" segment, filling in for Rob Gray. Along with former State Senator Warren Tolman, Tarr offered his critique of this week's debate between the candidates for Governor. They also discussed the national GOP's "Pledge to America" regarding jobs, spending, Washington reforms and Obamacare.

Click here to see the segment in its entirety.

Senator Ross to Appear on 'Ask the Rep'

State Senator Richard Ross (left) is slated to appear on the next broadcast of Representative Thomas Conroy’s Wayland cable access show, “Ask the Rep” on Wednesday, Sept. 22 from 7-7:30 p.m. Viewers can call in during the show at 508-358-3472 or e-mail their questions before Sept. 21 to Thomas.Conroy@state.ma.us. Senator Ross will discuss his special election win back in May, what’s going on up on Beacon Hill and the upcoming November election.

ON THE AIR: Sen. Tisei on the Jeff Katz Show

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei (right) was a guest on RushRadio 1200's Jeff Katz Show yesterday morning. Tisei discussed Tuesday's primary election results and offered his take on WBZ radio's gubernatorial debate that took place immediately after the polls closed.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Election 2010: Get Out and Vote

Today is Primary Day in Massachusetts, with a number of contested races taking place for the State Legislature, Congress and two of the state's Constitutional Offices. This year's election promises to be one of the most important in years, with the outcome determining the direction the Commonwealth will take over the next four years, so be sure to vote before the polls close at 8 p.m. Don't know where to vote? Just click here to find out where to go to cast your ballot.

Nine Years Later, We Still Remember

Today, on the ninth anniversary of 9/11, the Senate Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere in remembering the victims of the 9/11 attacks and saluting the many brave men and women who are serving our country at home and abroad to keep America safe.

You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy. -- former Secretary of State Colin Powell

Senator Tisei Profiled in MV Times

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei (right) sat down recently with a reporter from the Martha's Vineyard Times to talk about his life in politics. During the interview, Tisei discussed his early political aspirations as a Lynnfield High School student, his first successful run for the House of Representatives at the age of 22, his election as Senate Minority Leader in 2007, and the honor of being chosen as Charlie Baker's running mate.

Be sure to check out the full article.

In Case You Missed It...

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr joined former state Senator Warren Tolman on the Fox 25 Morning News' "Tolman and Gray" segment this morning. The two discussed last Tuesday's night gubernatorial debate, but disagreed on who won, with Tolman picking Governor Patrick and Tarr siding with Charlie Baker. They also talked about next Tuesday's primary races, including the hotly contested campaign to succeed Bill Delahunt in the 10th Congressional District and the statewide races for Auditor and Treasurer.

To view the segment in its entirety, click here.

ON THE AIR: Senator Tarr on Fox 25 News

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (left) will be filling in for Rob Gray on Thursday's "Tolman and Gray" segment, which will air live from the Fox 25 Morning News' Beacon Hill studios beginning at approximately 7:15 a.m.

Tarr will be joining former state Senator Warren Tolman to discuss Tuesday night's gubernatorial debate, the upcoming primary elections (both local and national), and the Obama jobs bill. Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for what is sure to be a lively discussion.

Federal Grant Spells More Bad News for MCAS

The Boston Globe is reporting today that Massachusetts will share a $170 million federal grant with 24 other states and Washington, D.C. Although the purpose of the grant is to help pay for the development of a new standardized testing system for students, the Patrick-Murray Administration is still claiming the MCAS is not in jeopardy.

“It doesn’t mean the end of MCAS,” Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester told the Globe. “It could supplement it …”

Pardon us for being skeptical, but when it comes to education policy, the Patrick-Murray Administration tends to publicly say one thing and end up doing another. Just look at the Gloucester charter school debacle, which showed the corner office is more interested in following the politically-expedient path than doing what’s best for the students of Massachusetts.

The Globe noted that any move to drop the MCAS and adopt the new testing system would have to be approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Considering this is the same board that two months ago unanimously approved the adoption of the federal Common Core curriculum standards – the very same standards on which the new tests will be based – it’s easy to connect the dots and realize that the MCAS’ days are numbered.

More Bad News for Massachusetts

Is Massachusetts really making a robust recovery from the recession like the Patrick-Murray Administration keeps saying we are? We’d like to believe it, but all signs seem to indicate otherwise.

Just take a look at this week's headlines. Our 9 percent unemployment rate is the second-highest in the New England region, home foreclosures were up 80 percent in July (a direct result of the state’s high unemployment rate, according to Banker and Tradesman), and consumer confidence is down so much that retailers experienced a disappointing back to school season in August.

As If all this wasn’t bad enough, the State House News Service is now reporting that the state’s budget deficit has grown even more than originally anticipated, with a $2 billion deficit projected for Fiscal Year 2011.

Clearly, things aren’t as rosy as the Patrick-Murray Administration would like everyone to believe. But what’s really disappointing is that Beacon Hill decided to resort to its old “tax and spend” ways to try to bail the state out of its mess, rather than pursuing meaningful government reforms and cost-saving measures to help create new jobs and reduce the deficit.