MEETING MINUTES 6.15.21 DRAFT
LOCATION Zoom
Members Present: Chris Malstrom, Lori Stewart, Jeff Cohen, Linda Stark, John Mahoney, Josh Turiel, Joan Lovely,Diane Fawley, Nancy Anderson, John Mahoney, Lucy Corchado, Grayson M. Ocasio, Christopher Lorant, Jerry, Debbie Everett,Chris Fuccione, Marsha Finkelstien*, Michael Cusick, James Willis, Jim Malloy, Sam Sprague, Erin O’Connor, Mayor Kim Driscoll, Alice Merkl, Elizabeth Bradt Guests: Julie Curtis* - DSC, Arthur Powell*, Marilyn Hazel*, Alix Smullin - Swing Left North Shore, Cape Ann, Matt Chilliak - Political for Moulton Recorder: Bonnie Bain* denotes State Committee Members
Call to order at 7:03
Welcome and Introductions
Excited to have Senator Lovely and Alix Smullin with our local Swing Left. I think its important we focus on national issues as well as local. It can be easy to feel discouraged about what is happening nationally, but one of the ways we can make a difference is writing. I know locally we’re frustrated that we have a Republican Governor and that the state of politics in Massachusetts is what it is. That said, during my road trip across America I saw many signs about Trump 2024 and that the response to a legitimate election of President Biden is being made out to be a stolen election and that there was a violent insurrection against our government. It’s critical we stay engaged nationally and locally.
Speaker: Senator Lovely
Committee Assignments: Assistant Majority Leader, Chair of Rules (when bills are funnelled into respective committees and every bill has a hearing. We filled almost 7000 bills this year. If it’s a money bill it goes to ways and means, if its policy it comes to Rules), Vice chair of bills in 3rd in the senate, member of Senate committee on steering and policy, member of joint committee on Housing, member of senate committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, on senate committee for Reimaging Mass Post-Pandemic. Also co-chairing cacus of massachusetts women in legislature (this session is 62 female law makers strong. Three areas of Focus: empowering women in government, covid 19 impacts on women, health access and racial disparity. Co-chairing post-partum depression with Jim Odey from Worcester. Increasing awareness and treatment for perinatal mood disorders.
A lot of large bills passed and are being worked on. List below:
Police Reform
Student Opportunity Act
Patients first Act - Telehealth, no more surprise medical bills, financial assistance to community hospitals, advance practice nurses able to act on their training
Economic Development Bill - for Salem: .5 mil for downtown trolly pilot program that opens up service between peabody and salem
Housing choice - supporting the lowered required vote to simple majority at the city level
Transportation bond bill - for Salem: 3.7 mil for design and reconstruction of the derby street corridor, 25 mil for south salem commuter rail stop, 35 mil for transit system at peabody square
General government bond bill for telehealth services for seniors and vets in 2nd essex
Nikki’s Law - registry for those with a history of abuse or neglect to be prohibited from working with the disability community
Breakfast after the bell. This is now law. Salem was a leader already.
Banned harmful flame retardants in bedding, curtains, childrens items
Formed a racial inequities in health commission to address the issues with maternal health. Black and brown people are at higher risk of harm than a white person at the hands of the medical industry
This year budget includes:
200k for the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics and Civic Engagement at Salem State to support the future of public service
75k for the Salem Race Equity Task Force to support a position
800k for a homeless program. the YMCA helped write the bill. It gets funded every year but is not a bill that has passed. Allows children in these programs to attend after school programs by providing transprotation
350k for the NAN Project. Peer to peer mental health program. They are everywhere in the north shore and Massachusetts to work to end teen suicide.
55k for LEAP
So far we’ve passed the following this year:
Climate change next generation road map. For Salem: codefies Enviro justice and Salem is an Enviro justice community. Requires additional 2,400MW of offshore wind and we’re looking at that right now at the Footprint Power site and what that could look like for a marshalling yard
Directed DPU (Department of Public Utilities) to balance priorities. System safety, security, equity, reduce greenhouse gas immisions. I’m speaking out against the Peaboy peaker plant
Carbon sequestraion in MA. Plant more trees!
Holyoak soldier’s home. Bond bills to do small house concept. We know we need soldiers homes. Chelsea is being renovated. Now Holyoak. Veterans would like to stay in their communities so we’d have a home that houses multiple folks and services veterans
Emergency paid sick leave and extending this beyond covid
Created some better rates and systems for repaying the unemployment
Safe communites act - hearing has not been scheduled yet but I’m supporter
Working family mobility act. June 23rd hearing
Death with dignity with public health committee - hearing not yet scheduled
Extension bill on emergency orders - scheduled soon
Cocktails and outdoor dining is extended to 2022 to look at how we enact these in to permanent law
Same day registration, etc
Note: we will continue doing remote/hybrid meetings with vitural options so that we remain accessible
Q: John Mahoney - Can I read the bullet points somewhere?
A: Yes, she’ll put it in better form and share with the committee
Q: Mayor Kim Driscoll - Safe drivers bill - any chance it will pass here as it has passed in many other states, including some red ones?
A: there is new leadership in the house so it may be brought up. It certainly will be brought up in the senate
Q: John Mahoney - I’ve received pushback regarding affordable housing. What is our plan?
A: I have my own two adult children at home and with student loans, etc. housing is out of their reach - renting and ownership. We need to push back on the “not in my backyard” sentiment. Harborlight is establishing 100% affordable housing between multi communities. Cobbled together funding. These are the programs we need to support and fund. The ADUs program that was passed in Salem is another tool in the toolbox.
Guest: Alix Smullin - Swing Left North Shore
Many of you are likely familiar with us, and some of you aren’t so I will try to speak to both of you. We primarily focus on the federal level but sometimes on some local issues. We are an export state and so we focus on how we can help some of the states that have potential to flip senate and house seats. We are disciplined about focusing on races we believe we can actually win. Not territorial - if you move the agenda forward we support you.
We postcard every week and have 8 different pickup locations. 150k postcards so far. This was born out of covid, but I believe it will continue. Our focus in this between year is the For the People Act, and Reforming or Removing the Filibuster, Races where the primary has already taken place, redistricting, etc. We are looking at making phone calls - not just post-carding.
We would like to have you share these opportunities with your networks and take action with us.
Two options coming up for postcarding in partnership with common cause to get Maggie Hassan to pass Senate 1. We know that 1% of folks who get the postcard make these calls because they passthrough number they call is recorded by the program:
Tomorrow: Salem, home of Chris Malstrom, 45 Essex St, Salem, noon-6pm RSVP https://www.mobilize.us/swingleftnorthshore/event/395918/
Beverly, home of Ruth Rich, 63 Baker Avenue, noon-7pm (SOCIAL HOUR 6-7pm, come then and hang out with Ruth and other postcarders!!!!) RSVP https://www.mobilize.us/swingleftnorthshore/event/395925/
Questions:
John Mahoney - Contact information for sharing with folks I contact who are more comfortable with postcarding over phone banking
A: Alix.Smullin@gmail.com
Marilyn - Commented that it is fantastic going to collect postcards and writing to folks. It is one of the most satisfying experiences. Phone banking can be a little discouraging.
Business Portion of the Meeting
Review of Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve minutes for (MEETING DATE): John Mahoney
Seconded: Elizabeth Bradt
Discussion: None
Outcome: Approved
Old Business
Website/Internet Presence --
Recorded for record keeping only. This is so that notes can be kept accurate. I did reach out to Ben’s campaign to see if we could post his portion of the evening on Youtube. We can blur faces as needed depending on comfort level.
I’d like to set up a committee specifically for our presence. I’ve got access to the IG now and will make the first post tonight.
Any ideas/questions?
Marsha F would like to be on the committee.
Dues --
Not required. We want to be accessible and don’t want money to be a barrier. That said we do need some dues in order to, for instance, pay for our zoom account.
Sponsorship dues option - potentially a way for folks to support those who may not be able to afford dues.
Questions:
John M: Is this on the website?
A: Yes
Alice: I would be willing to do this and I believe we should create a system that is optional online
Chris F: Suggested dues and then have the option of scholarship for those who can’t afford it, and then an additional optional contribution if you can pay extra. Perhaps set up an email people can reach out to if they need help paying. We should explore again minimal dues for younger individuals to get them involved and the importance of contributing and being active.
A: I like that idea. Perhaps join one of our phone banks instead of contributing funding
Lori: I think there are some great ideas here. I think the way to remove stigma is to create a sliding scale. I think if we want to fundraise a bit then Chris’ and Alice’s ideas are great.
John: I think it makes sense that you contribute if you can and there be no list of folks who are not able to pay.
Jeff: We can’t attach a task and have it be equitable. Sliding scale just is what it is.
Chris: I want to close the discussion for now on this aspect of it, but I’d like to suggest that we use our dues to contribute to causes, Land Back movement, etc. Opening to the floor:
Marsha: My inclination is to step back and look at the larger view. How does this translate to new membership? I am curious about us having a vision that brings in more folks
More comments - Linda, John, open to being on the committee to discuss dues
Arthur Powell in the chat -- 2020 dues survey:
Beverly $25
Lynn. $10
Danvers $15
Andover. 0
Tewksbury $25
N. Reading. 0
Peabody. 0
N. Andover. 0
Gloucester. $15
Ipswich. $25
New Business
Cacus Date/Time Scheduled
Our full Salem City Democratic Caucus will be held on Saturday, July 17th at 2PM. We will hold the meeting via Zoom to ensure the definite safety of any immunocompromised members and to help maintain the current accessibility of our virtual meeting format. I will be sending out more specific details and registration information as we get closer to the date. Information will also be shared via social media, Patch and Salem News.
If you can help, please reach out to Chris. Facilitator is available to support us.
Announcements (Open Floor)
Marsha - Pride has been moved to September 18th. I think it would be helpful if we had a table. Let’s discuss next month.
Linda - curious about doing a picnic in August at the Pavillion so that we can meet in person. Additionally, a few years ago we discussed shirts and visors branded as Salem Dems. Any thoughts?
Chris - would love merch we can sell around town. Something to wear to attract questions and get new members
James Willis - for Pride or anything else I have a big banner made up for the Salem Dems, also the chairs, the state party is providing training for the virtual caucus
Matt Chilliak update from Moulton - given 5 minutes:
Town hall last week. Here is the link.
Seth is very vocal about evacuating our partners in Afghanistan. 18,000 partners from the country who applied for citizenship. If we leave without evacuating them, they have a huge target on their back. We lose credibility without those partnerships and promises kept. Letter here.
Event with Sunrise and AOC around high speed rail
Contact: chilliak@sethmoulton.com
Shared via chat function:
Jeff Cohen: Salem part of Greening the Gateway Cities program, 2000 trees for private properties in much of Salem (free) and 400 on municipal properties (starting with Lafayette St)Renters can participate with landlord permission and commitment to maintain 2 years (minimum work, mostly watering).
Saturday June 26 12-1:30pm, cleanup at The Point…meeting outside the BB court. No charge for Salem Dem members to attend and help out.
Christopher Lorant: Christopher Lorant Guest. Great to be hear and thank you for having me. I am in South Dartmouth visiting my Mom where there is spotty internet service. Thus, might get bumped off occasionally. Member of Framingham Democratic Committee on Twitter @FraminghamDems and Facebook. Also, Member of Disability Outreach Committee a SubCommittee of Our Democratic State Committee on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MADSCDOC Lots of great informational Posts! Best to all!
MOTION to adjourn made at 8:34: Alice
Seconded:. Liz Bradt
Discussion: none
Outcome: Adjourned
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