JUNK MAIL & FAKE NEWS: Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Voter Education SCAM

BUYER BEWARE! 

A GLOSSY BULK MAILING from Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance arrived EDUCATING ME!

Clearly the Beacon Hill votes were known...no education required.

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance was not known...research required.

This gem was found, pertinent portions highlighted:

POLITICO

Massachusetts Playbook

Lauren Dezenski's must-read rundown of what's up on Beacon Hill and beyond.

MASS FISCAL ALLIANCE investigated -- LICENSE SUSPENSION bill signed into law today -- Lead in the water at BPS

03/30/2016 06:20 AM EDT

By Lauren Dezenski (ldezenski@politico.com; @laurendezenski)

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, MASSACHUSETTS.

TODAY -- The House meets for formal session, with votes on bills on hands-free phone use while driving, chapter 90 local road funding, creating “senior citizen safety zones,” and designating the Boston cream pie cupcake as the official cupcake of the commonwealth -- Gov. Charlie Baker, LG Karyn Polito and Senate President Stan Rosenberg sign into law a bill related to vehicle license suspensions for individuals convicted of drug offenses -- The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, currently hammering out public records reform legislation, meets at 2 p.m.

DEMOCRATS REJOICE -- The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, the thorn in many a Dem’s side, is being investigated by OCPF for its status as a nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization after its actions may have crossed the line into partisan electioneering, the Boston Globe’s Frank Phillips reports.

“The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance was careful in its wording on the fund-raising appeal, never explicitly saying which candidate it favored in this month’s special elections in Fitchburg and Peabody. As a nonpartisan, educational tax-exempt organization, it’s not allowed to take sides.” …

“But its reference to waging ‘an all-out blitz’ just seven days before the March 1 state representative contests caught the attention of state campaign finance regulators, who are now reviewing whether the group improperly crossed the line into partisan campaigning.” …

“In previous mailings, MassFiscal — which is run by former GOP operatives and focused on fiscal conservatism — had painted the Democratic candidates in the two races as tax-raisers, and the Republicans as more aligned with their mission.” …

“After receiving a complaint about the “blitz” e-mail from the state Democratic Party, the Office of Campaign and Political Finance is now taking a serious look at whether it constitutes political activity, according to a person familiar with the agency’s review. The agency has declined to comment.” READ ON -- http://bit.ly/230BH4H

THE SHRINKING HEALTH SAFETY NET -- “Baker administration changes eligibility for health coverage for the poor in Massachusetts,” by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: “Gov. Charlie Baker's administration plans to cut $60 million from a state program that pays for health care for uninsured and underinsured individuals, partially by changing eligibility standards. Advocates for the poor worry that changes to program eligibility will force more people into debt when they cannot pay for their care.” http://bit.ly/1oly5dD

OPIOID EPIDEMIC -- “Toddler's apparent OD latest effect of opioid epidemic,” by Lindsay Kalter, Boston Herald: “A 1-year-old’s apparent accidental opioid overdose — now under investigation by Westfield police and the state child welfare agency — could show the alarming and tragic collateral damage of the nation’s epidemic of addiction, police and doctors say.” http://bit.ly/1qhIp87

GLOBE JOINS CHORUS OF VOICES CALLING FOR ACTION ON TRANS BILL -- “It’s time for a vote on the Mass. transgender bill,” by the Boston Globe Editorial Board: “GOVERNOR BAKER and the Legislature appear to be stuck in a game of chicken on an important piece of legislation. The game needs to stop, and the legislation needs to be called for a vote.” http://bit.ly/1Sm4d96

HE’LL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT -- “From judge to justice: the case for Merrick Garland,” by Lawrence Tribe, Boston Globe: “I’ve seen that success on the court requires diverse traits: deep knowledge of the law, humility about the judicial role, an understanding of and concern for law’s real-world impact, and the ability to build coalitions on the bench. Having known Chief Judge Merrick Garland for over 40 years, I’m confident he possesses all these qualities and more. He will be among our nation’s finest justices.” http://bit.ly/1Rq7AzI

DATELINE SPRINGFIELD -- “Gov. Charlie Baker to Springfield Chamber: Initiatives will help Western Mass.” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Gov. Charlie Baker answered calls Tuesday for Massachusetts' economic successes – including General Electric's decision to relocate its global headquarters to Boston – to benefit Western Massachusetts. … With respect to GE, Baker called for patience. He also said that state efforts to increase the number of development-ready industrial parks and cleaned brownfield sites can help this part of the state.” http://bit.ly/1qhNpJW

A “SOARING GLASS TOWER” FOR EVERY T STATION -- “Back Bay T to get glass treatment,” by Donna Goodison, Boston Herald: “A Jenga-like glass tower, two other high-rises and an MBTA station revamp would dramatically transform the Back Bay Station area in Boston Properties Inc.’s planned makeover of a city-block-sized swath of air-rights parcels.” http://bit.ly/1MAKplM

TRANSIT MATTERS, WITH A FOCUS ON SEC. POLLACK -- “Massachusetts’ Unlikely Transit Team,” by Daniel C. Vock, Governing Magazine: “When Stephanie Pollack first met with Charlie Baker last year, she figured the new Republican governor of Massachusetts would be too conservative to consider hiring her for his administration. So instead of treating the session like a job interview, Pollack, then a transportation researcher at Northeastern University, decided to use the time to school Baker on how she thought the state’s transportation policy ought to work. … ‘The first conversation surprised both of us,’ Pollack recalls. The two had more in common than they thought. In fact, Baker knew he wanted to hire Pollack as transportation secretary by the end of that first meeting.” http://bit.ly/1q17yUR

MAJOR PROBLEM -- “Boston schools moved to fix lead in water — and now it’s worse,” by Matt Rocheleau, Boston Globe: “The Boston School Department has hit a snag in its efforts to restore tap water at school drinking fountains, after testing found high levels of harmful lead in the water coming from some newly installed fountains. … School officials recently launched a $300,000 project to repair and upgrade plumbing so the fountain water could be restored at six buildings. But the fountains have not been used because of the worrisome tests.” http://bit.ly/1WXfBw5

ED REFORM -- “Vocational High Schools Make Pitch As Solution To Mass. Workforce Woes,” by Mike Deehan, WGBH News: “Left out of much of this conversation is another Baker priority: increasing support for the state's vocational schools, which combine traditional academics with workforce training. A few dozen vocational students and educators descended on the State House Tuesday to argue for their share of ever-tightening state education dollars.” http://bit.ly/1RK7sH3

THE LOCAL ANGLE ON CHARTER SCHOOLS -- “Debate grows over charter-school funding,” by Amelia Pak-Harvey, Lowell Sun: “In Greater Lowell, suburban school districts can pay more than $2 million for students who choose a charter school. … Preliminary state numbers find that Billerica will pay $2.5 million for this year's 199 charter-school students, most of whom attend Innovation Academy. … That number is what Billerica pays even after receiving state aid, determined through a complex formula that fully reimburses a student's tuition cost for the first year. … Five years beyond that, that tuition reimbursement falls to 25 percent each year. … Billerica Superintendent Tim Piwowar said the impact is significant.” http://bit.ly/1Sm4U2d

MEANWHILE, IN NEW YORK -- “Hip-hop mogul Diddy moves into education with Harlem charter school,” by Amanda Holpuch, The Guardian: http://bit.ly/1qhHHrq

WOOD WAR -- Herald: “A NEW LOW IN OPIOID CRISIS,” “TO THE TAPE!” “Glass action,” “STEP UP TO THE PLATE.” -- Globe: “Fiscal group’s status probed,” “Key Trump aide charged with battery on reporter,” “Developer offers a vision in glass for Back Bay Station,” “JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY,” ‘Stepmother accused of assault on toddler.”

INBOX -- “Secretary Lepore Appoints Mike Heffernan as Massachusetts DOR Commissioner,” -- “Executive Office for Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore today announced the appointment of Mike Heffernan as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). Heffernan, an experienced financial services executive, will begin leading the agency responsible for the state’s tax, child support, and municipal finance laws on May 2, 2016. Kevin Brown, current General Counsel for DOR, will serve as acting Commissioner beginning on April 4, 2016.”

PETRUCCELLI SEAT CANDIDATES WEIGH IN ON RIDESHARING LEGISLATION -- Three of the seven candidates for the Petruccelli seat, Lydia Edwards, Diana Hwang, and Rep. Jay Livingstone, weighed in on one thing they would tweak in the ridesharing bill working its way through the legislature in a candidates forum moderated by yours truly. Question and responses come at 11:58 -- http://bit.ly/1VSWe9l

ALSO ON THE ROADS -- “Is Massachusetts ready for self-driving cars? Bay State becoming research hub for burgeoning industry,” by Shira Schoenberg, Springfield Republican: “While the technology behind self-driving cars is still being developed, the industry is progressing at a rapid pace — and some of the nation's biggest car companies and technology companies are pouring money into research and development, including a $1 billion research effort being led by a former professor at Olin College of Engineering in Needham.” http://bit.ly/1RK8IcY

SAY IT AIN’T SO, MAYO -- “Mayo Clinic's New England lab to shut down, cut over 100 employees,” by Jessica Bartlett, Boston Business Journal: “The company said in a press release that it didn't see a long-term future for a facility that wasn't near a Mayo Clinic practice, and that the landlord had requested the company enter into a long-term lease. The company will transition work from Andover to Rochester over the next nine months, with the site to close entirely by Dec. 31.” http://bit.ly/1Ti5GlM

SELLING OFF WHITEY’S STUFF -- “Bulger victim: Auction will give me ‘peanuts,’” by Laurel J. Sweet, Boston Herald: “The widow of Revere nightclub owner Richard Castucci — who rubbed elbows with Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack until James “Whitey” Bulger ordered him shot in the head 40 years ago — will reap “peanuts” from a class-action settlement with the feds and little more from an auction of the mob kingpin’s worldly possessions, her lawyer claims.” http://bit.ly/1RqhmSr

HAPPY BIRTHDAY -- to Alex Kingsbury, deputy Ideas editor at the Boston Globe at WBUR alum

THE HOME TEAM -- Did the Bruins win? No! Lost to the New Jersey Devils 2-1.

’TIS THE SEASON: POLITICO PRO’S CAMPAIGN PRO — POLITICO Pro, POLITICO’s premier solution for policy professionals offers our solution for campaign season. Get breaking news and analysis about the presidential, House, Senate and gubernatorial races, with coverage including campaign strategies, fundraising and ad buys. Beyond campaign coverage, Campaign Pro also offers the Campaign Pro Race Dashboard — Political junkies can geek out and search for any House, Senate and gubernatorial race by candidate, consulting firm, state or office to obtain the latest polling numbers and consulting details. Ready to find your inner political wonk? See if you qualify for complimentary access to Campaign Pro.

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of multi-platform solutions available to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Share your message with our influential readers to increase awareness and drive action. Contact Chris Falls to find out how: cfalls@politico.com.

FOR MORE political and policy news from Massachusetts, check out: http://politi.co/1WVGEIW

SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook: http://politi.co/1phAeAC … New York Playbook: http://politi.co/1ON8bqW ... Florida Playbook: http://politi.co/1JDm23W ... New Jersey Playbook: http://politi.co/1HLKltF ... Massachusetts Playbook: http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v ... Illinois Playbook: http://politi.co/1N7u5sb ... California Playbook: http://politi.co/1N8zdJU and our friends at POLITICO Brussels Playbook: http://politi.co/1FZeLcw

http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/massachusetts-playbook/2016/03/mass-fiscal-alliance-investigated-license-suspension-bill-signed-into-law-today-lead-in-the-water-at-bps-213474

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Transmits a Communicable Deceit

"....Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance has established its brand. Fake news, alt-news, alternative facts, call it what you will, no one should be helping MFA pass their misinformation on to the public....." 

http://blogs.wgbh.org/masspoliticsprofs/2017/6/27/massachusetts-fiscal-alliance-transmits-communicable-deceit/

One of the MEN connected with Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance   specializes in REDUCING WASTE...he can begin by stopping the SLANTED JUNK MAIL!

Personally, an OPT OUT OPTION is favored..similar to the DO NOT CALL LIST to avoid this TRASH. 

 Mark Cohen, Board Chairman 

chairman@massfiscal.org

Mark is CEO of OPRSystems, Inc., which he co-founded from scratch in 1989. The company is now one of the largest independent commercial recyclers  in New England, with its 76,000 sq. ft. plant in Wilmington.   He also co-founded Waste Focus LLC 14 years ago, now a leader in the waste minimization industry and managing thousands of facilities’ trash and recycling across the U.S. 

Mark has been an active member of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business lobbying group (and the lead sponsor of the lawsuit to overthrow Obamacare). He served as past Treasurer of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. 

Originally from suburban Washington, D.C., Mark is a 1982 graduate of Cornell University and a 1986 graduate of Harvard Business School.  Mark and his wife Theresa have three children and live in Concord.

http://www.massfiscal.org/leadership_team

What Is Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance’s Problem?

The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance has been taking heat over its ‘voter education’ materials, and deservedly so.

By David S. Bernstein | Boston Daily | September 23, 2014

In mailings, newspaper ads, and other materials, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance has been claiming, with the weakest of justifications, that certain targeted state legislators voted to prioritize illegal immigrants over veterans for public housing. That’s a crock. They did no such thing.

I feel pretty confident saying that, because I asked the guy who sponsored the amendment at issue, state representative Geoff Diehl. “Have the people who voted against it prioritized immigrants over veterans for housing ? Not necessarily,” Diehl says.

Democrats have been bitching about these MFA attacks for some time, but they have kept coming. Peter Ubertaccio, of MassPoliticalProfs does a good job explaining, the actual vote on whether to allow a vote on Diehl’s amendment, which would require the state to collect and check Social Security numbers of those applying for housing benefits. Diehl notes that federal law requires a valid Social Security number for housing benefits; some on the left say that state law precludes checking those numbers—and the reality is that most lawmakers really don’t want to take an up-or-down vote on this kind of thing, which is what a vote on the amendment would force. Diehl, by offering the amendment on a bill dealing with veterans services, gave House leadership an easy excuse to rule it not germane, so it could be tossed out. Diehl argues that it was relevant because there have been issues with getting housing for veterans returning from combat; but let’s be honest, the House rules are there for the leadership to use to get things to happen as they want, and they didn’t want a vote on this amendment, so not germane was an easy call.

By voting in agreement with the not-germane ruling, were state reps dodging the real issue? Sure. Were many of them probably just voting as they were told, and didn’t even know what the amendment was even about? Probably. Is the House a closed autocracy where a small number of people dictate what measures see the light of day? Yeah. And all of this is fair game for criticism.

But none of them were prioritizing illegal immigrants over veterans for housing benefits. That’s just ridiculous, incendiary nonsense. Of course, ridiculous, incendiary nonsense is part of politics. It’s worth pointing out and criticizing, but normally I wouldn’t get particularly bothered by it.

But MFA is a tax-exempt 501c(4) organization, that is supposed to be doing “voter education,” not politicking for or against candidates. And, in particular, it is supposed to be educating voters on MFA’s mission issues—which, according to everything I’ve always seen from them, is all about bringing budget responsibility, low taxes, easing of business regulations, and government transparency to Beacon Hill.

So why stir up this kind of nonsense, by making this rather small-potatoes vote on undocumented-immigrant benefits, one of the key issues of their “voter education” campaign this year?

I asked MFA’s executive director, Paul Craney, and didn’t get much of an answer.

Craney would not directly defend his own group’s charge, that the lawmakers prioritized illegal immigrants over veterans. Instead, he said that it is up to the legislators to explain their vote. “The purpose is to highlight votes, and allow the lawmakers to respond” he said.

As for why the MFA is highlighting that vote, as one of four key votes in some literature, Craney said that it addresses mis-spent public funds. “You have an opportunity where benefits could be given preference to veterans over immigrants,” Craney said. The vote “touched on three issues of ours,” he said: taxpayer money, illegal immigration, and support for veterans. He then conceded that veterans services—of which I can find nothing on their website—is “not a huge part” of MFA’s agenda, and that immigration per se is not actually one of its issues, either.

But when I asked about the taxpayer money part, Craney also had no argument. I asked whether he knew of anything to suggest how much in housing benefits currently goes to those without valid Social Security numbers—if any at all—and he suggested I ask Diehl. I suggested that it seems rational for me to expect some information to be available from the “voter education” organization that is highlighting this specific argument about this specific issue. He still had no information to offer.

There is a bit more truth to something else that Craney said to me, which is that in choosing which, of the 40 or so House votes they scored, to use in their material, they looked for those “that an average person will care about.”

It’s true. If your purpose is to get average voters whipped up against an incumbent, the dozens of real, actual votes they take about various real, actual spending measures won’t be as effective as a vote supposedly about benefits possibly going to illegal immigrants, and linking that vote in a basically dishonest way to claim that those benefits are being willfully taken from veterans.

But that’s not “voter education.” That’s nasty politics in an attempt to sway an election result. And the MFA shouldn’t get to hide behind 501c(4) status while they do it—they should have to come out and do their nasty politics as a political action committee like everybody else.

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/09/23/massachusetts-fiscal-alliance-problem/