Propaganda Pre$$ Monitor: State Government On Probation

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

State Government On Probation

This state is truly an embarrassment. I am ashamed to say I live here now.

"Probation Department gets boost; Lawmakers OK $4.5 million more" by Andrea Estes, Globe Staff | October 21, 2009

State lawmakers approved nearly $4.5 million in additional funds yesterday for the Probation Department as most other state government agencies are being asked to slice millions off their budgets.

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo included the money in a budget package even though Governor Deval Patrick has twice vetoed similar appropriations. The governor, prompted by weak tax revenues, said last week that he may have to cut as many as 2,000 jobs across state government to close a budget shortfall. But, if the money survives a potential veto by Patrick this time, the Probation Department will be spared, according to court officials.

The funding was included in a $71 million supplemental budget that lawmakers approved to close the books for fiscal 2009, which ended June 30. The money came in part from surpluses from prior years, legislators said.

Oh, so they are just SITTING ON MONEY while SLASHING SERVICES, huh?

Also included in the budget measure was more than $5 million for cities and towns to run a special election to choose Edward M. Kennedy’s successor in the US Senate and $18.8 million for the Legislature to spend on capital expenses and operations. That money was carried over from a previous year.

Oh, LIKE the LEGISLATIVE SLUSH FUND!!!

See: A Slow Saturday Special: Statehouse Slush Fund

Oh, I SEE! The CUTS in SERVICES are ONLY FOR YOU, taxpayers!!!!

The LOOTING LEGISLATORS will NOT BE AFFECTED AT ALL, even though it is YOUR MONEY!!!!!

Don't you WANT IT BACK, Bay-Stater?

The Probation Department has long enjoyed a close relationship with the Legislature. The wives of two members of DeLeo’s leadership team, House Speaker Pro Tempore Thomas Petrolati and Michael Costello, the House chairman of the Joint Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, work for the department. The son of one of DeLeo’s top aides, Leonard Mirasolo, is an acting chief probation officer. State Senator Steven Baddour’s wife also works for the agency....

It is CALLED NEPOTISM and seems like ONE BIG LOOTING OPERATION, doesn't it?

Even as human service agencies, teachers, and municipal officials implored lawmakers and the governor not to cut aid or vital services, lawmakers approved the funding for the Probation Department yesterday with little debate.

Yeah, here is why:

The Perils of One-Party Politics: The Ruling Party

The Perils of One-Party Politics: Massachusetts' Democracy

When I think of the high-horsed liberals of this state bashing Republicans in D.C..... puke!!!

“If you read the newspaper, you’d see there’s a huge budget deficit here in the Commonwealth,’’ said Senate minority leader Richard R. Tisei, who voted against the measure. “The governor is going to implement a bunch of cuts. . . . People outside the building would be under the impression we have no money. Yet we’re about to take up a bill that spends more money. I’d like an explanation where is this money coming from and why are we putting this money aside?’’

Well, I THINK WE KNOW WHY (DeLeo, DiMasi, let's call the whole thing off)!!!!

State Senator Stephen Brewer, vice chairman of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, said that “the administration of justice’’ requires “adequate probation services out there.’’

“We understand that having people ready to reintegrate into society can save us money,’’ said Brewer, adding that keeping inmates in jail cells costs more a Harvard education.

Related: Mass. Needs Less Laws

And then they turn around and toss on civil fines because voters decriminalized pot last year, fearing that people will be smoking in public. Well, YOU KNOW WHAT? NO ONE is SMOKING POT on the street corner or in the park, a**holes!!!

What a WONDERFUL LITTLE FASCISTA STATE we have here in "liberal" Massachusetts, huh?!!!

According to probation records employees provided to the Globe, the number of probation officers has declined over the past decade, while the number of officials working in the commissioner’s office has increased....

DeLeo and the Leg TAKING CARE of THEIR FRIENDS, not you, Bay Stater!

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House members were given a somewhat different explanation for why the money was needed. A written description distributed to House members said it was “for the commissioner of probation to continue the implementation of the statutorily mandated GPS tracking program.’’

Welcome to Western New England: Fascachusetts

And never mind you were LIED TO so they could get your tax $$$, huh?

DeLeo spokesman Seth Gitell said the increased funding will be used to retain probation officers who work in the GPS program, which allows the department to monitor those on probation through the use of ankle bracelets. “The full implementation of this important public safety program requires 24-hour monitoring,’’ he said.

Patrick administration spokeswoman Cyndi Roy said the governor will review the budget measure in light of “our current fiscal climate.’’

“Given the unprecedented economic challenges facing the Commonwealth, including a $600 million revenue shortfall this year, we must ensure that every additional dollar is spent responsibly and in line with the Commonwealth’s priorities,’’ she said.

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Yes, here are their priorities:

The State Budget Swindle