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Meeting Minutes 4.20.21

Writer's picture: Salem DemsSalem Dems

MEETING MINUTES 4.20.21

LOCATION: Zoom

Members Present: Chris Malstrom, Lori Stewart, Bonnie Bain, Rod Kessler, John Mahoney, Shey Jaboin, Marsha Finkelstein*, Alice Merkl, Tyler Carlton*, Lois Sargent, Linda Stark, Debbie Everett, Jerry, Liz Bradt, Paul Tucker, Josh Turiel, Chris Fuccione,

Guests: Arthur Powell*, Julie Curtis*, Matt Chilliak - Seth Moulton’s office

Recorder: Bonnie Bain

* denotes State Committee Members

Call to order at [7:05]

Opening:

The guilty verdict in the Chauvin trial was just one step, we need to keep pushing for reforms. Particularly as a predominately white committee I think we should think about how we get more involved and engaged.

New policy for Q&A:

  • Chris to mute if folks if it is not their time to speak

  • Question, Response, follow up/clarification

Minutes:

  • Motion to approve - Tyler Carlton

  • Second - Lois Sargent

  • Approved

Treasurer report:

  • As of Jan 31st: $2,298 in account

  • Expenditure of $30 to thriftco for printing

  • Received $48 in dues

  • Ending balance on 3/31: 2,345

  • Reminder that dues are $10 individual, family $15; Address for sending check if not using ActBlue: SDCC, 65 Cavendish Cir, Salem or pay on Act Blue.com

Paul Tucker Update & Transparency in State House:

  • Firstly, grateful for the outcome of verdict. Hopeful that we will continue to see true police reform

  • Review of transparency vote:

    • Back in January we talked about transparency in votes.

    • The floor votes have always been made public, this is about committee votes. Committee votes whether to move forward, kill it, or reserve your right to review.

    • There were a few other things but this was the main thing

    • We did not have a discussion about choosing Act on Mass or choosing the house rules; seeing as there was a discussion about transparency in general, Paul said he was in support of transparency in the votes.

    • Several weeks later the house package came out. Paul believed it moved transparency forward - balancing efficiency and effectiveness. It allowed folks to reserve their right and publishing no votes on the website.

    • It’s Paul’s view the house package was a good deal.

    • Legislation changes dramatically over time so in Paul’s argument it is important to reserve in order to create changes

    • 26 people said they supported Act on Mass, 18 people voted for the house rules

      • Sarah P - Represents provincetown. Spoke on the floor about the need for flexibility, cooperation and the another option outside of Yes or No.

      • Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Jack Lewis, chairs of the progressive caucus said they told Act on MA they would support them, but they found the house package better

      • Vanna Howard - Lowell, Cambodian American - “My vote was not a vote against transparency....”

      • All but 8 members of the progressives voted for the house package.

      • This isn't all. Sen. Lovely + Claire Cronin are leading a working group set to iron out the differences between the house and senate. Paul believes an even better package will come forward

      • Paul says he believes it’s important to reserve your right to delay signing on until you’re sure. Believes he supported transparency in voting this way.

Rod Q - what do you and your colleagues think of the Globe article that pushes for the need for transparency.

Answer: I disagree with some but mostly agree with it. I’m not sure what my colleagues think - this is the issue with not being there in person. I particularly have issue with the globe wanting access to everything. Personal details shouldn’t be shared.

Liz Bradt - As member of Citizens Climate Lobby we can’t follow bills and we know that we can see testimony and everything going on in committee in other state houses, but we don’t have that here. We know there are lobbyists making statements and being listened to over citizens because we cannot pass reasonable climate policy.

Answer: There has to be a degree of confidentiality to be able to talk to people and bang on the table. Some of my colleagues say it’s too much work to get it all online, but I disagree with that. Your points are well taken.


John Mahoney - I know you had to put the climate bill back on Baker’s desk. Did much change?

Answer: Many republicans voted with us as well. It was fairly miniscule change. Lots of credit to house and senate leadership for staying the course. It’s a good bill.

Chris - I believe the T is investing in diesel engines for the locomotives. How does this happen in 2020?

Answer: many are signing on to strongly advise in investing in electric. It should not happen.

BB - I don’t understand why the senate seems to not have issues with transparency but the house does. Help me understand. Additionally, I saw that Mayor Kim wrote about the need for transparency in the Salem News and I wonder what you thought of that.

Answer: There are house, senate and joint rules. When it’s joint there obviously has to be agreement.

Paul did speak with the mayor and received a heads up prior to the piece being published. The two of them have talked about transparency and he believes it made excellent points. He says it got the conversation going.

Joan Lovely Answer: Senate Chair of the joint committee on rules and the senate committee on rules. Senate tends to be more progressive body - might be due to size. As a city councilor in Salem for 15 years and having to comply with public records and opening meeting law, and then joining the senate over 9 years ago, she was shocked to learn the legislature did not comply. Joan has established something for her own office. As cochair of the committee on state administration and regulatory oversight 3 terms ago - did a complete public records rewrite. That only applied to municipalities, not the legislature. It was discussed a lot. A commission was founded that she sat on to update public record law. Some changes were put into senate rules regarding public records and transparency such as committee votes and getting things up online. Joan thinks there is a long way to go. Has told senate president that senate should comply with open meeting law. Conference committee meeting was done in public about this - it can be done. We may be the only state that doesn’t comply with public meeting law.

Paul Answer: Reminder there are three different sets of rules - when we come together the joint rules need to match up. A lot of this is very archaic and at some point soon we need to take a deep look at this. Maybe we get a way to strike a balance to get information out there while striking the balance for the need for confidentiality. Example provided: grand bargain bill and its many moving parts and individuals/organizations. Fragility of the process might have made it difficult to pass without the confidentiality and sometimes things do need immediate attention and Paul is concerned about becoming a “prisoner to the process”

Chris - I believe we can still respect people’s privacy and put in place transparent rules if so many states do model how to do this correctly. Jim also was concerned about lack of transparency of voting. Only the hard No’s are posted and we should have visibility into all ways of voting so that constituents can have access to how their rep voted and know to approach them.

Paul - I appreciate it and I’m glad you asked me to come on. I understand it but I disagree with the position.

Matt Chilliak - Rep Moulton Update

  • Moulton is happy to vote for the Justice in Policing Act, but believes we need to do more. Rep Pressley has some good legislation that are separate from that large bill and he’s been willing to sign onto some such as fully removing qualified immunity.

  • He voted with the Equality Act, Pandemic Relief, HR1 for the People Act.

  • We hope the next big piece will be infrastructure. There is some money for high speed rail and this is something Seth has been pushing for - a plan for a national high speed rail system. The American High speed rail act would invest 200 billion over 4-5 years. It’s part of the green new deal and build back better. It’s about equity. Would create millions of jobs.

  • Chance in Tech Act - provides apprenticeships to get people into the tech industry

  • Stop CSO act. Works to prevent overflows near the Merrimak. Partnering with Trehan and NH neighbors to get this passed. Requested funding from the EPA. There are millions of gallons of sewage overflow that go into the river every year. We can fix this.

  • Serve Act for eating disorders in the military. Currently there are age limits. It’s bipartisan legislation.

  • Reintroducing legislation to ensure Black WW II vets get full GI benefits and any dependents get them if they have passed.

  • Letter to Secretary of state to address human rights abuses in Turkey.

Closer to Home:

  • With Warren & Markey - legislation to protect the Essex National Heritage Area

  • 6-700,000 directed to small businesses in the tourism industry

  • North Shore community health was able to secure funding with his help

Questions:

  • Marsha wonders when the congressperson last visited with us. Cannot remember. Would like to see him even if she appreciates Matt’s presence.

  • Matt: He came to a meeting back in July or August. On average we try to get him out to various political community meetings regularly.

  • Marsha follow up: It’s not about a laundry list, it’s about a full conversation about what we care about, and his ideas.

  • Matt: understood. He’ll be doing a town hall or two coming up - we’ll make sure the emails go out to folks

  • Shey Jaboin: I haven’t had much time to check his website. Can you remind me where to find the bills that have been filed on his website?

  • Matt: congress.gov & sethmoulton.com (though this is more stances)

  • Rod: is the office open now and how can constituents utilize it?

  • Matt: you could talk to the staff and get help - they may be startled as everything is digital these days but no one should be walking in there and be told that they shouldn’t be.

Other item:

John Paul Moran - our republican opponent last year was Qanon type conservative. Filed federal elections lawsuit. One of the 60-70 republicans blatantly stating that the election they were involved in was stolen.

Chris tabling Belchertown for next time. Not enough folks present.

General Announcement - John Mahoney: Encourage folks to go to Mass Dems hub for keeping folks engaged. It’s monthly. Link here.

Chris says John is joining the membership committee. Has great ideas. Are others interested in driving this? Bonnie and Rod. Let’s get that subcommittee going

Adjournment. 8:23


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