"Democratic infighting escalates; Murray calls governor 'irrelevant'" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | May 22, 2009
Senate President Therese Murray escalated tensions among leading Democrats on Beacon Hill this week, calling Governor Deval Patrick "irrelevant" during a radio interview and saying she wished he would be more conciliatory with the Legislature.
Patrick, meanwhile, continued yesterday to stick by his pledge to veto a sales tax increase unless it is preceded by a variety of reforms - a position that is at the root of his deteriorating relationship with lawmakers.
"Unfortunately he's kind of making himself irrelevant at this point in the game, which is too bad, because we really need him," Murray said Wednesday night on Dan Rea's NightSide show on WBZ radio. "We haven't had a Democratic governor in 16 years. This makes no sense to me. We need to work together."
Yeah, and let's hope we get rid of this one as quick as possible!
"I'm very surprised," she added, before citing Patrick's 2006 gubernatorial campaign theme. "And I want to get back to his, 'Together we can.' "
The comments are another example of the infighting among top Massachusetts Democrats, even as they attempt to navigate a budget crisis of historic proportions, an ailing transportation network, and a raft of ethics and pension-abuse scandals....
--more--"Come to think of it, a lot of them are missing pieces of their backs over there as they slouch around the statehouse.
Of course, they bite us in a different spot, Bay Stater:
"Senate approves sales tax hike; 6.25% levy would include alcohol; margin veto-proof in both chambers" by Michael Levenson, Globe Staff | May 20, 2009
The state Senate voted last night to increase the sales tax, lift the sales tax exemption on alcohol, and allow cities and towns to raise meals and hotel taxes, brushing aside criticism that higher taxes would hurt Massachusetts businesses by driving consumers over the border, particularly to tax-free New Hampshire....
Yeah, it only matters when it's electric rates.
Opponents warned that a higher sales tax would hurt the state's ability to recover from the recession. "Maybe we should call this the New Hampshire economic stimulus bill," Senator Robert L. Hedlund, a Weymouth Republican, said with sarcasm.
Yup.
At 6.25 percent, Massachusetts would have the second highest sales tax rate of the six New England states plus New York. Only eight states nationwide have a higher rate.
Of the five sates bordering Massachusetts, only Rhode Island, at 7 percent, has a sales tax rate above 6.25 percent. Massachusetts, however, does not impose sales taxes on groceries, clothing under $175, and prescription drugs.
Yeah, they are just great around here.
The Senate approved the tax increases on a day of furious lobbying and wrangling behind closed doors. Hundreds of demonstrators, including many in motorized wheelchairs, with developmental delays, and using guide dogs and canes, jammed Beacon Street early in the day, calling on legislators to raise taxes and "save our services."
There they go again: Final Protests
I'm tired of the selective, one-sided coverage of protests by the pro-tax Globe -- particularly on this issue. Bye, Globe!
And I TOLD YOU WHERE the $$$$ is, ding-dongs!
Governor Guts State Services
Pigs at the State Trough
A Slow Saturday Special: Statehouse Slush Fund
Hollywood S***s on Massachusetts
Biotech Giveaway Was Borrowed Money
How many times I gotta put 'em up?
The Globe clipped this in the web rewrite:
Inside a State House hearing room, a dozen clergy members from various faiths held a press conference to echo the call for higher taxes.
--more--"
Yeah, even they don't want to be seen as beating a dead horse -- especially when it is over the reader's head!
