MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From all of us at Scaling Beacon Hill, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy holiday season.

In Case You Missed It...

If you missed Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert Hedlund's appearance on WGBH's "Greater Boston" earlier this week, you can watch the entire program by playing the video clip posted below. Hedlund joined Boston.com "Less Is More" blogger Garrett Quinn, Democratic analyst Warren Tolman, Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral and host Emily Rooney for a special "Year in Review" discussion that looked at the Occupy Boston movement, fugitive Whitey Bulger's capture, and some of the political scandals and other news that made local and national headlines this year.

MEDIA ALERT: Senator Hedlund Appearing on 'Broadside' and 'Greater Boston' Tonight

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Robert L. Hedlund will appear on New England Cable News' "Broadside" tonight with host Jim Braude. Topics will include the Presidential race and statewide politics. The show airs live at 6 p.m. and will re-air at 8 p.m. on NECN.

Senator Hedlund will also be appearing on WGBH’s "Greater Boston" with host Emily Rooney tonight. The discussion will focus on various statewide political issues. Be sure to tune in to Channel 2 at 7 p.m. to follow the informed discussion.

Happy Hanukkah!

This afternoon Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be joining with many state officials and Rabbi Lieberman in the lighting of the State House Menorah. It is an impressive ceremony that features inspiring words and a program of music performed by many students.

Today’s lighting of the Menorah is open to the public and will take place in Nurse’s Hall on the 2nd floor of the State House, and begins approximately at 4:00 p.m.

“May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind.” ~Author Unknown

Happy Hanukkah!

Senator Knapik on 'Connecting Point'

Senator Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield), the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, appeared on the public TV program “Connecting Point” with host Jim Madigan last week. During the segment entitled “The State We're In”, Knapik and Madigan covered a wide range of topics, including state finances, budgeting, redistricting, and casinos. Be sure to check out the video clip below for the full discussion.

The State We’re In: Michael Knapik from WGBY on Vimeo.

Update on Monday's Consensus Revenue Hearing

Posted below is testimony from Monday's Consensus Revenue hearing. Testimony includes Treasurer Steven Grossman, Barry Bluestone of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Professor Michael Goodman of the Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs at UMass Dartmouth, Professor Alan Clayton Matthews of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University, MA Department of Revenue Commissioner Amy Pitter, MA Taxpayers Foundation Executive Director Michael Widmer, and Beacon Hill Institute Executive Director David Tuerck.

Testimony From Consenus Revenue Hearing

Senator Tarr's Statement on Today's Consensus Revenue Hearing Fiscal Outlook Testimony

The House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, in conjunction with the Patrick Administration, held their consensus revenue hearing today, an annual event with brings together state legislators, economists and other state officials to discuss the Commonwealth’s projected revenue outlook for the upcoming year.

Today’s hearing marks the unofficial start of the Fiscal Year 2013 state budget process, and comes just a month before Governor Deval Patrick is scheduled to file his spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The Governor, House and Senate all rely in part on the information provided at today’s hearing to determine what revenues will be available in the coming year as they craft their respective budget proposals.

Among those testifying at today’s hearing were:

• MA Department of Revenue Commissioner Amy Pitter;
• Dr. Kazim Ozyurt of the MA Department of Revenue’s Office of Tax Policy Analysis;
• Treasurer Steven Grossman;
• Paul Sternberg of the MA State Lottery;
• Jim Lamenzo and Joe Martin of the Public Employees Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC);
• MA Taxpayers Foundation Executive Director Michael Widmer;
• Beacon Hill Institute Executive Director David Tuerck;
• Professor Alan Clayton Matthews of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University;
• Professor Christian Weller of the Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs at UMass Bostion;
• Professor Michael Goodman of the Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs at UMass Dartmouth; and
• Barry Bluestone of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr’s statement on today’s hearing is posted below. Be sure to check back on Scaling Beacon Hill later this week for additional details on the testimony presented at today’s hearing.

“The testimony that we heard today proves that we must intensify our efforts to seek reforms, identify efficiencies and create a better business climate in Massachusetts. If anything, the economic forecast reinforces the need to continue focusing on achieving savings, setting spending priorities and creating jobs. The Senate Republican Caucus has heard this message loud and clear, and we intend to propose specific and decisive actions in January that will respond to the need to get people back to work in our state.”

December 7: Remembering Pearl Harbor and "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the event that precipitated America's entry into World War II.

In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, more than 2,345 U.S. military personnel were killed and another 1,247 wounded during the surprise attack carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed that this would be "a date which will live in infamy," and the American public responded by rallying around the war effort.

On today's somber anniversary, Scaling Beacon Hill joins with Americans everywhere to honor the many men and women who served at Pearl Harbor, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We also salute the troops who are currently serving our country overseas to keep America strong and protect our many freedoms.

Senator Knapik Speaks Out Against Latest Proposal to Change 2012 MA Primary Date

Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), the Ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, was interviewed this week by ABC40, a Western Mass news station based out of Springfield, regarding the possibility of moving the date of the 2012 MA primary.

Originally scheduled for September 18, the 2012 state primary was recently moved to September 6 to avoid a conflict with the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Although Governor Deval Patrick approved the change as part of a recent supplemental budget, the State House News Service is reporting that he now wants to move the date once again to avoid a conflict with the Democratic National Convention.

Be sure to check out Senator Knapik's thoughts on this latest proposal by reading the story posted on ABC40's website or by listening to the audio on the WAMC, Northeast Public Radio website.