Is anyone you know getting six weeks of vacation right before Thanksgiving? Maybe you are? No, I didn't think so. But if you're a member of the Massachusetts state legislature you are. And well deserved too, don't you think? (Answer: NO!)
After all, it's hard work to vote to restore $18.8 million to the "legislative fund," a slush fund we don't know much about that the legislature reserves for its own personal use. It also takes a lot of energy to fight for keeping the two "hack holidays" that the vast majority of us do not get paid for. Eliminating those would only save us about $10 million anyway. Chump change if you're an entrenched incumbent of the Massachusetts legislature.
The answer you've probably heard to any concerns about our elected officials recessing for the rest of the year when there is still much important work to do is that "those are the rules." And we know our trustworthy legislature never breaks the rules...right?
They are self-imposed rules!! Our state reps and senators make them, and they can change them. Of course, that would mean doing that dirty little thing we call "reform."
There's one sure way to get reform: vote in new candidates in 2010!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Veterans Day 2009
A Memorable Veterans Day
This year is by far the most meaningful Veterans Day I have experienced. I had the honor and privilege to participate in several events to honor our veterans and troops.
One of the events was the Taunton Fire Department's breakfast fundraiser for grave markers. I set up a table for the kids to make Christmas cards for our troops overseas. The children wrote tear-jerking notes like "Thanks for keeping us safe" and "You're my hero." It's very important that we teach our children how much other people have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for this country.
I always feel a strong sense of pride in my community when I'm out there volunteering my time and helping to instill in our children the importance of service and charity.
Shaunna
This year is by far the most meaningful Veterans Day I have experienced. I had the honor and privilege to participate in several events to honor our veterans and troops.
One of the events was the Taunton Fire Department's breakfast fundraiser for grave markers. I set up a table for the kids to make Christmas cards for our troops overseas. The children wrote tear-jerking notes like "Thanks for keeping us safe" and "You're my hero." It's very important that we teach our children how much other people have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for this country.
I always feel a strong sense of pride in my community when I'm out there volunteering my time and helping to instill in our children the importance of service and charity.
Shaunna
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Jessica's Law Working In Massachusetts
Today is a great day for children in Massachusetts. The first convicted sex offender in Mass. was sentenced under Jessica's Law, which requires mandatory sentences for sex offenders. The D.A. praised Jessica's Law as a valuable "sentencing tool to punish this defendant for his reprehensible actions against a vulnerable child."
Contrary to the claims that children would be "ripped apart" on the witness stand, this brave young girl was able to testify in front of a jury and help put this dangerous repeat sex offender in jail.
Although a watered-down version of Jessica's Law was passed in Massachusetts, we still have some of the weakest laws in the country for sex offenders. As I have in the past, I will continue to work with legislators, like Representative Karyn Polito, and child advocacy groups to help strengthen our laws. The safety of our children should be our number one priority.
Shaunna
Today is a great day for children in Massachusetts. The first convicted sex offender in Mass. was sentenced under Jessica's Law, which requires mandatory sentences for sex offenders. The D.A. praised Jessica's Law as a valuable "sentencing tool to punish this defendant for his reprehensible actions against a vulnerable child."
Contrary to the claims that children would be "ripped apart" on the witness stand, this brave young girl was able to testify in front of a jury and help put this dangerous repeat sex offender in jail.
Although a watered-down version of Jessica's Law was passed in Massachusetts, we still have some of the weakest laws in the country for sex offenders. As I have in the past, I will continue to work with legislators, like Representative Karyn Polito, and child advocacy groups to help strengthen our laws. The safety of our children should be our number one priority.
Shaunna
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Hopewell School Receives Blue Ribbon Award
Congratulations to all faculty and students at Hopewell School in Taunton on receiving the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award. Out of 120,000 schools in the country, only 314 were selected, three of them in Massachusetts.
The Blue Ribbon Award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the teachers, students and parents. This clearly demonstrates that the innovation and commitment of our teachers are key components in academic success.
Congratulations to all faculty and students at Hopewell School in Taunton on receiving the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award. Out of 120,000 schools in the country, only 314 were selected, three of them in Massachusetts.
The Blue Ribbon Award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the teachers, students and parents. This clearly demonstrates that the innovation and commitment of our teachers are key components in academic success.
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