The MassGOP has announced that Registration is now open for the 'Growing Grassroots Conference' that will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at the Double Tree Hotel in Milford which is conveniently located off I-495. The conference will feature training sessions for Republican activists, candidates, and town and city committee members.
Building on the success of the seminars held in several locations across the state during 2010, the conference will feature campaign experts from inside and outside Massachusetts, including an encore session by GOPAC, the national party organization dedicated to training and electing GOP candidates. "We know training is a key element in building our farm team of candidates and our grassroots of activists, and that is why we are excited to build on the popularity of this year's seminars with the party's first ever grassroots conference," said Jennifer Nassour, chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party.
Conference sessions will cover running for municipal and legislative seats, building city and town committees, how to be a super-star activist, and much more. Sponsored by the Massachusetts Republican Party, the conference seeks to bring together Republicans from across the state for a full day of informative and inspirational sessions. Saturdays sessions will be followed by an optional Sunday morning program of roundtables and group discussions. Those considering attending the conference are advised to keep checking the conference website for more details.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
CommonWealth Magazine: Should we subsidize Canadian Hydro?
By Bruce Mohi / December 2, 2010
Republican Charlie Baker may not have won the race for governor, but his idea to import more hydroelectric power from Canada isn't going away.
Canadian Provinces are eager to do business and several Massachusetts business groups are quietly talking the idea up. They see Canadian hydropower as the best way to keep electricity costs stable while meeting the state's environmental goals on renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One business group hasn't gone public yet but is drafting legislation that would classify large-scale Canadian hydro as renewable and therefore eligible for renewable energy subsidies paid for by utility ratepayers.
Most people would agree that hydroelectricity is as renewable as rain and a very low emitter of greenhouse gases, but Massachusetts officials chose not to designate large-scale hydro as renewable when they passed the Green Communities Act of 2008. Their decision was based less on concerns about the environmental impact of dam-created reservoirs on habitat and wildlife, and more on the fear that low-cost hydro from Canada would overwhelm the renewable energy market in Massachusetts, depressing demand for more expensive wind and solar projects that the state was eager to jumpstart.
Massachusetts and most other New England states operate a subsidy system designed to encourage the development of renewable energy. Companies that produce qualifying renewable energy generate renewable energy credits, or RECs, for each kilowatt hour of power they produce. The RECs are sold to companies that sell electricity to customers. The state currently requires the electricity sellers to buy RECs equal to 5 percent of their sales. The mandate rises one percentage point a year, so that by 2025 the electricity sellers will have to buy RECs equal to 20 percent of their sales.
During the gubernatorial campaign, Baker said the rising demand for renewable energy and the scarity of supplies mean electricity prices will keep going up. He said the state should designate large-scale hydro-power from Canada as renewable as a way of meeting the state's environmental goals and holding electricity prices down.
But Gov. Deval Patrick said he didn't favor paying subsidies to large-scale hydro produces in Canada who could afford to sell their electricity in New England without subsidies. He also feared the inclusion of Canadian hydo would dampen enthusiasm for home-grown wind and solar projects.
Canadian provinces are eager to become much bigger players in the New England energy market. Quebec-owned Hydro-Quebec is working with Northeast Utilities and NStar to gain approvals for a transmission line that would deliver approximately 1200 megawatts of hydroelectricity to a substation in New Hampshire. Nalcor Energy, which is owned by Newfoundland and Labrador, is developing a hydro power station in Labrador and a transmission line that would deliver the power to Nova Scotia and eventually New England.
A spokesman for Hydro-Quebec declined to comment on whether the company would like to see its hydroelectricity qualify for renewable energy credits. A spokesman for NStar also declined comment.
But sources say the utilities are quietly laying the groundwork for a legislative change. Some industry officials even suggest Hydro-Quebec may need the subsidies to make its power competitive in the New England market.
Hydro-Quebec signed a 26-year power deal with Vermont utilities this summer to supply approximately 225 megawatts of electricity to the Green Mountain state. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Hydro-Quebec President Thierry Vandal was quoted as saying the intial price in 2012 would be 6 cents a kilowatt hour, a third of what Cape Wind power will cost. The Vermont deal also gave Hydro-Quebec a public relations victory when the Vermont legislature passed a law recognizing large-scale hydro as a form of renewable energy. Quebec Premier Jean Charest, at the official announcement of the Vermont deal in August, used the Vermont designation to make his case for expansion into the New England states.
"We do not want large-scale hydro to be discriminated against," Charest said. "Our view is that the United States will not be able to meet the objectives of a low-carbon economy without this energy. So it represents a win-win for everyone."
Republican Charlie Baker may not have won the race for governor, but his idea to import more hydroelectric power from Canada isn't going away.
Canadian Provinces are eager to do business and several Massachusetts business groups are quietly talking the idea up. They see Canadian hydropower as the best way to keep electricity costs stable while meeting the state's environmental goals on renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One business group hasn't gone public yet but is drafting legislation that would classify large-scale Canadian hydro as renewable and therefore eligible for renewable energy subsidies paid for by utility ratepayers.
Most people would agree that hydroelectricity is as renewable as rain and a very low emitter of greenhouse gases, but Massachusetts officials chose not to designate large-scale hydro as renewable when they passed the Green Communities Act of 2008. Their decision was based less on concerns about the environmental impact of dam-created reservoirs on habitat and wildlife, and more on the fear that low-cost hydro from Canada would overwhelm the renewable energy market in Massachusetts, depressing demand for more expensive wind and solar projects that the state was eager to jumpstart.
Massachusetts and most other New England states operate a subsidy system designed to encourage the development of renewable energy. Companies that produce qualifying renewable energy generate renewable energy credits, or RECs, for each kilowatt hour of power they produce. The RECs are sold to companies that sell electricity to customers. The state currently requires the electricity sellers to buy RECs equal to 5 percent of their sales. The mandate rises one percentage point a year, so that by 2025 the electricity sellers will have to buy RECs equal to 20 percent of their sales.
During the gubernatorial campaign, Baker said the rising demand for renewable energy and the scarity of supplies mean electricity prices will keep going up. He said the state should designate large-scale hydro-power from Canada as renewable as a way of meeting the state's environmental goals and holding electricity prices down.
But Gov. Deval Patrick said he didn't favor paying subsidies to large-scale hydro produces in Canada who could afford to sell their electricity in New England without subsidies. He also feared the inclusion of Canadian hydo would dampen enthusiasm for home-grown wind and solar projects.
Canadian provinces are eager to become much bigger players in the New England energy market. Quebec-owned Hydro-Quebec is working with Northeast Utilities and NStar to gain approvals for a transmission line that would deliver approximately 1200 megawatts of hydroelectricity to a substation in New Hampshire. Nalcor Energy, which is owned by Newfoundland and Labrador, is developing a hydro power station in Labrador and a transmission line that would deliver the power to Nova Scotia and eventually New England.
A spokesman for Hydro-Quebec declined to comment on whether the company would like to see its hydroelectricity qualify for renewable energy credits. A spokesman for NStar also declined comment.
But sources say the utilities are quietly laying the groundwork for a legislative change. Some industry officials even suggest Hydro-Quebec may need the subsidies to make its power competitive in the New England market.
Hydro-Quebec signed a 26-year power deal with Vermont utilities this summer to supply approximately 225 megawatts of electricity to the Green Mountain state. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Hydro-Quebec President Thierry Vandal was quoted as saying the intial price in 2012 would be 6 cents a kilowatt hour, a third of what Cape Wind power will cost. The Vermont deal also gave Hydro-Quebec a public relations victory when the Vermont legislature passed a law recognizing large-scale hydro as a form of renewable energy. Quebec Premier Jean Charest, at the official announcement of the Vermont deal in August, used the Vermont designation to make his case for expansion into the New England states.
"We do not want large-scale hydro to be discriminated against," Charest said. "Our view is that the United States will not be able to meet the objectives of a low-carbon economy without this energy. So it represents a win-win for everyone."
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Timothy E. Donovan, Dead at 78
Timothy Emmett Donovan a former Medford Republican City Committee Chairman and long-time member of the Ward Four Medford Republican Committee died after a long illness on December 7th at the age of 78. A Medford resident for many years, Timothy was a former Court Officer at the Suffolk Superior Court, former MDC Police Officer and a US Air Force veteran having served in the Korean War. Regrets and sympathies are extended on behalf of the Committee to his wife Margaret, daughters Denise and Patrice and sons Timothy Jr., Christopher and Mathew. Tim was also survived by his brother Michael, his sister Ann and eleven grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are provided by the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home 29 Governors Avenue in Medford. Visiting Hours will be between 4:00PM and 8:00PM on Thursday. Funeral Mass and burial will begin Friday morning at 9:00AM.
Funeral arrangements are provided by the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home 29 Governors Avenue in Medford. Visiting Hours will be between 4:00PM and 8:00PM on Thursday. Funeral Mass and burial will begin Friday morning at 9:00AM.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
MCFL welcomes House wins
In an open letter, Anne Fox President of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life advised State Party chair Jennifer Nassour that most of the newly elected Republican House members are proclaimed pro-life supporters. In her November 15th letter Ms. Fox states:
Dear Ms. Nassour,
Along with the rest of the state, we at Massachusetts Citizens for Life have been looking at the election results. There are a couple of important facts to which we would like to draw your attention.
Most of the newly elected State Representatives in Massachusetts are pro-life. We are delighted by this outcome.
In addition, the huge Republican sweep across the country was accomplished by pro-life candidates. The Republican wins in Massachusetts were almost entirely reserved to those candidates who are willing to defend human life.
Looking at the data, it seems obvious that the lack of "surge" in Massachusetts is attributable to the fact that the statewide candidates were led by a man who described himself as "To the left of Obama on social issues" and were coached by professional consultants who told them to steer clear of anything that sounded pro-life. That was bad advice.
For many election cycles now, Republicans have been winning nationally running with pro-life positions. The Republican win of note over that time in Massachusetts was Scott Brown. Senator Brown took pro-life positions on the legislative issues facing the US Senate. The factor which propelled him to victory was his promise to be the "41st vote" against pro-abortion, pro-rationing Obamacare. He was also helped by Martha Coakley's "Shannon O'Brien moment" when Ms. Coakley said that pro-life people should not be allowed to work in emergency rooms.
Keep in mind, as of 10/13/2010 the number of registered Republicans in MA has dropped to a new low of 474,798 voters, representing a mere 11.33% of all voters. If the GOP leadership wants the State Republican Party to remain relevant, they must reconsider their advocacy of candidates who are "left of Obama" and adopt true Republican Principles.
We respectfully suggest that in reviewing your statewide losses, you learn from the local successful legislative races and listen to those newly elected who embraced the value of life. In setting a course for the future, the leadership of the MA State GOP should embrace, and not abandon, the core principle on which it was founded - the defense of Life.
We would respectfully suggest that leaders on the party in this state meet with successful national Republicans to understand better the role of life issues. Of course, we would be happy to meet with you locally as well.
Sincerely,
Anne Fox, President
Dear Ms. Nassour,
Along with the rest of the state, we at Massachusetts Citizens for Life have been looking at the election results. There are a couple of important facts to which we would like to draw your attention.
Most of the newly elected State Representatives in Massachusetts are pro-life. We are delighted by this outcome.
In addition, the huge Republican sweep across the country was accomplished by pro-life candidates. The Republican wins in Massachusetts were almost entirely reserved to those candidates who are willing to defend human life.
Looking at the data, it seems obvious that the lack of "surge" in Massachusetts is attributable to the fact that the statewide candidates were led by a man who described himself as "To the left of Obama on social issues" and were coached by professional consultants who told them to steer clear of anything that sounded pro-life. That was bad advice.
For many election cycles now, Republicans have been winning nationally running with pro-life positions. The Republican win of note over that time in Massachusetts was Scott Brown. Senator Brown took pro-life positions on the legislative issues facing the US Senate. The factor which propelled him to victory was his promise to be the "41st vote" against pro-abortion, pro-rationing Obamacare. He was also helped by Martha Coakley's "Shannon O'Brien moment" when Ms. Coakley said that pro-life people should not be allowed to work in emergency rooms.
Keep in mind, as of 10/13/2010 the number of registered Republicans in MA has dropped to a new low of 474,798 voters, representing a mere 11.33% of all voters. If the GOP leadership wants the State Republican Party to remain relevant, they must reconsider their advocacy of candidates who are "left of Obama" and adopt true Republican Principles.
We respectfully suggest that in reviewing your statewide losses, you learn from the local successful legislative races and listen to those newly elected who embraced the value of life. In setting a course for the future, the leadership of the MA State GOP should embrace, and not abandon, the core principle on which it was founded - the defense of Life.
We would respectfully suggest that leaders on the party in this state meet with successful national Republicans to understand better the role of life issues. Of course, we would be happy to meet with you locally as well.
Sincerely,
Anne Fox, President
GOP Chair on hot seat after dismal Election
State Committeeman Bill McCarthy of Worcester led an effort to oust Massachusetts Republican State Party chairwoman Jennifer Nassour claiming she misspent the party's cash - funnelling $1.2 million into failed GOP candidates for Governor and Congress while ignoring other races.
GOP State Committeeman Bill McCarthy had announced that he would push for a vote to remove Nassour at the November GOP meeting in Newton. McCarthy said "I've spoken to a number of candidates who have won and they either received no help or very little help."
Nassour spent $1.2 million on Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker's ads. She also spent at least $132,000 to help congressional candidates. Baker and the nine GOP Congressional candidates all lost. The GOP more than doubled its seats in the state House of Representatives from 16 to 34 - but that's still too few to influence most House votes.
The chairwoman of the state Republican Party used rulings by the party's parliamentarian, secretary and lawyer at the November 17th meeting, who said that McCarthy had not followed the procedure outlined in the By-Laws to call for a 'Special Meeting' to remove the chair, in order to stop any effort to replace Nassour prior to the required election for Party Chair at the yet to be announced January 2011 meeting.
Click here to see related story.
GOP State Committeeman Bill McCarthy had announced that he would push for a vote to remove Nassour at the November GOP meeting in Newton. McCarthy said "I've spoken to a number of candidates who have won and they either received no help or very little help."
Nassour spent $1.2 million on Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker's ads. She also spent at least $132,000 to help congressional candidates. Baker and the nine GOP Congressional candidates all lost. The GOP more than doubled its seats in the state House of Representatives from 16 to 34 - but that's still too few to influence most House votes.
The chairwoman of the state Republican Party used rulings by the party's parliamentarian, secretary and lawyer at the November 17th meeting, who said that McCarthy had not followed the procedure outlined in the By-Laws to call for a 'Special Meeting' to remove the chair, in order to stop any effort to replace Nassour prior to the required election for Party Chair at the yet to be announced January 2011 meeting.
Click here to see related story.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
TARS Come to Medford
Trent Sullivan a sophomore at Medford High School has announced the formation of the Medford High School Teenage Republican Club also known as TAR's. Sullivan reported that the first official meeting for the Medford Teenage Republicans, which is applying for it's Charter from the National Federation of Teenage Republicans has already been held with eleven students attending the first meeting and more expressing an interest to join.
As previously reported in August teens from several New England States met in Arlington to organize the New England Federation of Teenage Republicans and later the Massachusetts Assembly of Teenage Republicans and also select Officers to create an umbrella for the young Republicans in the various New England States to organize existing Clubs and start new ones.
In an e-mail update, Trent who is the Interim Chairman of the new Medford HS Club stated his hope to interact to work with and communicate closely with the Medford Republican City Committee. Committee Chair Bernie Green, who met Sullivan at the NFTAR and MATAR organizational meeting in August stated that he would "welcome the opportunity to work closely with the Medford TAR's group" and hopes that Sullivan and the members of the new Club will feel welcome to attend the business meetings of the City Committee and report on their activities to our members. Green noting Sullivan's request for speakers to appear at their meetings said he would be happy to provide a list of notable speakers. City Committee Treasurer Mark Crowley revealed recently that he had been an active member of a TAR's group when he was a student at Melrose High School and was familiar with their goals.
As previously reported in August teens from several New England States met in Arlington to organize the New England Federation of Teenage Republicans and later the Massachusetts Assembly of Teenage Republicans and also select Officers to create an umbrella for the young Republicans in the various New England States to organize existing Clubs and start new ones.
In an e-mail update, Trent who is the Interim Chairman of the new Medford HS Club stated his hope to interact to work with and communicate closely with the Medford Republican City Committee. Committee Chair Bernie Green, who met Sullivan at the NFTAR and MATAR organizational meeting in August stated that he would "welcome the opportunity to work closely with the Medford TAR's group" and hopes that Sullivan and the members of the new Club will feel welcome to attend the business meetings of the City Committee and report on their activities to our members. Green noting Sullivan's request for speakers to appear at their meetings said he would be happy to provide a list of notable speakers. City Committee Treasurer Mark Crowley revealed recently that he had been an active member of a TAR's group when he was a student at Melrose High School and was familiar with their goals.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Upgrades in Voter ID Laws Needed
With the November elections over many problems and questions concerning voting procedures in Massachusetts, and in other States across the country, still need to be addressed. One change that should be put in place now - is a requirement for a Voter ID - to be presented by all who wish to excercise their right to vote.
The federal Help America Vote Act mandates that all states require identification from first-time voters who register to vote by mail and did not provide verification with their mail-in voter registration. Twenty six states have broader voter identifiation requirements that what HAVA mandates. In these states, all voters are asked to show identification prior to voting. Eight of these states specify that voters must show a photo ID; the other eighteen states accept additional forms of identification that do not necessarily include a photo. In no state is a voter who cannot produce identification turned away from the polls - all states have some sort of recourse for voters without identifiation to cast a vote. However in Georgia and Indiana, voters without ID vote a provisional ballot, and must return to election officials within a few days and show a photo ID in order for their votes to be counted.
Click here to view video.
The federal Help America Vote Act mandates that all states require identification from first-time voters who register to vote by mail and did not provide verification with their mail-in voter registration. Twenty six states have broader voter identifiation requirements that what HAVA mandates. In these states, all voters are asked to show identification prior to voting. Eight of these states specify that voters must show a photo ID; the other eighteen states accept additional forms of identification that do not necessarily include a photo. In no state is a voter who cannot produce identification turned away from the polls - all states have some sort of recourse for voters without identifiation to cast a vote. However in Georgia and Indiana, voters without ID vote a provisional ballot, and must return to election officials within a few days and show a photo ID in order for their votes to be counted.
Click here to view video.
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