The town of Salem, Massachusetts has a revenue problem (don’t we all?). The local government’s cost of living exceeds its income. They need a solution. Cut spending? No. Raise taxes? Taxes are too high. Hey, let’s tax tourism some more! How about a ticket tax?
Articles tagged as
Massachusetts
Mass. Court Ruling Bans Breathalyzer Results in Drunk Driving Cases
It’s a case that goes back at least as far as 2011. The Massachusetts State Police Office of Alcohol Testing is implicated in a scandal to hide faulty Breathalyzer equipment. Initial questions related to inconsistencies were blamed on operator error. But the problem didn’t go away and several local Massachusetts DA’s stopped accepting the results as evidence. And … Read more
It’s a ‘Ma$$hole’ Invasion to GOTV for NH Democrats
Apparently, there aren’t enough out-0f-state college students at New Hampshire colleges to get out the vote for Democrats so they decided to ship them up from Massachusetts… and Rhode Island. They are so on board with Chris ‘RESIST’ Pappas that they even trademarked the name Chris PapBus… which seems a tad disturbing. This should go … Read more
ICYM – Massachusetts Law Bans Ownership of “Assault Weapons” Whatever Those Are…
Words mean things. I think we’ve made that clear. But this isn’t Massachusetts.
A Massachusetts statute prohibits ownership of “assault weapons,” the statutory definition of which includes the most popular semi-automatic rifles in the country, as well as “copies or duplicates” of any such weapons. As for what that means, your guess is as good as ours. A group of plaintiffs, including two firearm dealers and the Gun Owners’ Action League challenged the law as a violation of the Second Amendment. Unfortunately, federal district court judge William Young upheld the ban.
North Country Writer Points to Springfield MA Casino As Proof Of Something…
A north country writer made the case today, in the Union Leader, that the opening of a new Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts is proof that the casino market is not oversaturated in New England.
I spoke with someone who has lived most of their life around Springfield with deep ties to the community. The local buzz down there is that even the casino operators think New England is probably oversaturated.
Massachusetts ‘Takes’ Family Medical Leave Act “Bullet” New Hampshire Just Avoided
“Republican” Massachusets Governor Charlie Baker (who is up for re-election this fall) signed a bill to raise the minimum wage, add permanent tax holiday weekend, and something Granite Stater’s luckily (just) avoided.
An $800 million paid family and medical leave program overseen by the state government and backed by a payroll tax will be launched so workers can more easily take care of themselves and their families without facing fiscal crises.
The 2-day (sales) tax holiday is “cute” but there will be no tax holiday from the 800 million in new plunder from employees and employers or it’s leasting effects.
Gender Identity Guidance
The Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination has issued a draft document titled “Gender Identity Guidance” that could cause trouble for churches in the Bay State. Dustin Siggins explains the issue as we explore the ramifications for free speech and religious freedom.
Vote Fraud – In Pictures “Free Shuttle 8am – 7 pm”
In November 2012, there was some vote fraud. I know Democrats are denying it, but it is true. People who should not have voted in the swing state of New Hampshire came here and voted. Democrats conspired and planned it, statewide.
Stella Tremblay Already Proven Right – Sort of…
Democrats love to dither over context, so here’s a stick in your eye. Tremblay, who bless her heart refuses to back down despite being badgered by the left over her own personal concerns about US government sponsored domestic terrorism with regard to the Boston Marathon bombing, was–to some degree at least–correct. Skip provided that tid-bit … Read more
Free Stater or Out-of-Stater? Pick one: The New Hampshire Advantage, or the Massachusetts/ New Jersey way….
Take your choice! Here’s a nice little explanatory essay by state Representative (and Free Stater) Andrew Manuse, entitled “We’re All Free Staters Now!”:
The Irony Alligator Rises To Bite Liz Warren In Her…um…’Law Practice.’
I’m having an Irony and hypocrisy overload. Where to start? Did you hear the one about Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren…?
Warren represented not just Travelers, but numerous other companies starting in the late 1990s working out of and using her Harvard Law School office in Cambridge, which she listed as her office of record on briefs filed with various courts. Warren, however, never has been licensed to practice law in Massachusetts.
Sounds bad and may she burn in that special hell reserved for such scoundrels, but that’s not even where I’m going with this. (See the picture for a hint…)
You’re Messin’ With The Wrong People
Democrats are not just hypocrites they are violent ones. They excuse themselves from the rule of law and the rule of decency, any rule at all actually, if it in any way obstructs their blind pursuit of political power, or the advancement of their extremist agenda. Today’s lesson comes from Massachusetts where Democrat (and candidate … Read more
Minorities, The Elderly, And The Poor Shut Out of Massachusetts Democrat State Party Convention
Just doing my morning reading when what to my wondering eyes should appear…but a link to the Massachusetts Democrat Committee Delegates Guide for their 2012 Convention (Which is happening today, right now.) It looks like the Democrats in Massachusetts don’t want minorities, the elderly, or the poor to participate in their state party. Just scoot … Read more
HB-1412 “WARNING! Massachusetts Border 500 FEET”
Want to send a message about the differences between New Hampshire and Massachusetts? Make people ask why we might want to pass a house bill that would allow the placement of “Warning” signs 500 feet before the border on every road leading from New Hampshire into Massachusetts. That is what HB 1412 would do.
New Hampshire Advantage Strikes Again
“New Hampshire is a very cost-effective opportunity for us to build out and grow the company,” he said. “Definitely that facility,
staying in the area where we’re at, provided the most business advantages for us and that growth.”
-Enterasys President and CEO Chris Crowell in the Union Leader.
Enterasys is moving 540 jobs to Salem New Hampshire from Massachusetts and adding about 80 more as part of the move. They want to stay in New England, and New Hampshire offers them the best growth opportunity to do that. Hell yeah, it does.
Bay State Transplants Support the Sign Warning Bill While “Mass-holes” Oppose it
“There is nothing more likely to start disagreement among people or countries than an agreement.” —E. B. White
Today’s Union Leader Editorial weighed in on House Bill 1412, referred to as the, “Massachusetts New Hampshire Warning Sign Act.” The UL likes the bill, but opines the measure does not go far enough. The folks over at the UL think we should also expand the concept to include Maine and Vermont. Perhaps in some incidences that might be arguably appropriate.
Prison Reform. Do We Need Some?
I’ll admit it. I have no idea what goes on in State Prisons, county jails, or local lock ups. And I plan to keep it that way. But two weeks ago I met the Sheriff of Bristol County Massachusetts and I was inspired. Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has a few idea that remind me of my visit with Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County Arizona (here and here); a willingness to make incarceration just that. More like punishment, less like a gated country club.
Upon assuming the role of High Sheriff of Bristol County, Sheriff Hodgson immediately set out to implement his goals for corrections reform, public safety and raising the standards for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. He instituted structured disciplines for the inmate population and expanded the work release programs.
Approximately three years ago Sheriff Hodgson gained international attention when he instituted the Tandem Work Crew, a strictly voluntary program for medium security inmates. While initially controversial, the Tandem Work Crews continue to work in communities throughout the County. He banned tobacco products for staff and inmates, removed televisions from cells, and donated weight-lifting equipment to police departments and the local Boys and Girls Club. In July of 2002, in an attempt to offset severe budget cuts, Sheriff Hodgson instituted a $5.00 cost-of-care fee that every inmate is charged for each day they are incarcerated. Programs affording educational opportunities, spiritual assistance and vocational aptitude have expanded at the House of Correction.
Prisoners should not have cable television, weights, or any creature comforts at all.
Massachusetts ‘”Live Free or…
Thanks to FB buddy Bruce, who linked to my Earth Hour post, which lead me to his blog, which lead me to a web site that sells stuff with this on it…
Bay State Bathroom Bill Bi-Pass (Get it? Bi-pass!)
I’m here to tell you that there are 188 very happy current and former state legislators from New Hampshire today. That’s right, 184 democrats and 4 republicans must be beside themselves with envy after Deval Patrick executed an order that bi-passes the MA legislature and does for public employees in that state, almost exactly what HB 415 -2009 tried to do to the entire State of New Hampshire..
HB 415 – 2009 was the infamous bathroom bill, no not the $72,000.00 bill taxpayers paid when the democrats remodeled the State House ladies room just a casual saunter from former Speaker Norelli’s office door; I’m referring to the ‘Gender Identity and Expression’ bill that would require (among other things) equal access to all public ‘accommodations’ regardless of gender identity or expression–by law. Feel like a girl today (sex offenders)–well go get one and hello ladies bathroom, shower, sauna…it’s the law. Well, not here in NH. The State Senate killed it.
But HB 415 -2009 was one of those bills the democrats wasted days and days debating (strong-arming no votes to ‘don’t votes,’ and democrat fence sitters to vote yes) while in the midst of the Worst Recession in historyTM. You know, something to distract us from all the taxes and fees they had to come up with because democrats always spend first and tax you later.
And now with a flamboyant stroke of a pen, Deval Patrick has mandated that all public employees have equal access to same, regardless of sexual identity or expression. Public schools are full of government employees. How’s that going to work exactly? (Democrats don’t think that far ahead.)
But for our Bathroom Bill supportes and the “NH House 188,” there is an opportunity at hand. They can all move south to the promised land, get jobs in state or local government, or go into a public government facility, and use whichever bathroom they feel like identifying with, at any time.
So let us reminisce about the halcyon NH House days in the "spring of 09," and review the final Roll call from the NH House passage of HB 415 – 2009 (on the jump.) because it is always good to remember who it was that was wasting time on social issues during a growing economic recession. Or so I hear.
Enjoy.