Lovers, Muggers, and Thieves

MassHealth v. the Affordable Care Act

2010-07-20T08:51:00.001-04:00

Ezra Klein offers up a look at the Massachusetts healthcare system as opposed to the US health care reform law, because critics of the ACA are leveling their criticisms against Massachusetts.

Before the reforms, Massachusetts had the highest health-care costs in the nation. That's still true after the reforms. Massachusetts has an incredibly powerful hospital industry. Think of the legendary research hospitals in Boston -- Harvard and Tufts and Partners. Their reputation allows them to command huge premiums, and their centrality to the economy ensures them huge political power. Long mentions a survey that found one out of five households in Massachusetts gets some income from the health-care industry.

Some of the attention, however, is the product of politics, not policy. Various Massachusetts observers noted that Patrick has gone to war against the state's insurers -- but not because of the reform plan. Patrick is running for reelection against Charles Baker, the former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim, a large insurer in Massachusetts. So he's making the insurance industry an issue in the campaign. In fact, the insurer whose rates he overturned was ... Harvard Pilgrim. This all seems normal enough as a matter of politics, but because it's Massachusetts, it's become part of a conversation over the state's reforms.

Klein concludes that the feds should stick to all the cost control parts of the ACA, to learn a lesson from Massachusetts. Also, because the ACA had cost control parts, Congress already learned Massachusetts lesson.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Bad Prescription: Governor Patrick's Premium Caps

2010-06-08T20:06:00.000-04:00

Glenn Johnson reports that Deputy Insurance Commissioner Robert Dynan warned against premium caps.

The April 6 e-mail, obtained following a public records request, showed Deputy Insurance Commissioner Robert Dynan warned the caps could cause insolvency at the insurance companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Dynan also wrote the caps were imposed "against my objections," as well as without his input.

...

"I should have been more careful in the selection of words I used to express my private opinion," Dynan wrote on June 4. "As you know, but others for whom the e-mail was not intended may not, the Financial Surveillance Unit does not and never has participated in rate filings, their approval or disapproval."

...

In a second e-mail to Murphy, dated April 30, Dynan wrote that artificially setting rate limits -- rather than basing them on the projected costs -- could create "the potential for catastrophic consequences to our nonprofit health care industry."

In a lengthy rebuttal sent just two minutes later, Murphy wrote that "negative and conclusory statements about the effect of the division's actions on insurers and markets are unprofessional and counterproductive."

Governor Patrick is campaigning partly on a battle between himself and "Big Insurance," using it to distinguish himself from his rival, former health insurance CEO Charlie Baker.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

House Call (UPDATED)

2010-05-18T20:13:00.001-04:00

The AP and WBUR Wire Services report that the Massachusetts Senate will debate a bill to curb healthcare costs.

Senate President Therese Murray says the bill will ease market instability, smooth out annual fluctuations in premiums and require insurers to offer affordable small business plans.

Murray says the bill would make it easier for the public to compare insurers based on medical expenses, relative price and standard quality measures. Brian Rossman, research director at the Boston-based organization Health Care for All, called this “transparency provision” important for helping the public better comprehend how their health dollars are being spent. - WBUR

The AP adds:

The debate also comes a day after the state's four major health insurers said they lost $116 million in the first quarter of the year because of an ongoing dispute with Patrick on small business premiums.

Insurers had proposed small business premium increases of up to 32 percent. The state Division of Insurance rejected most of the increases, and a Suffolk Superior Court judge later ordered insurers to use 2009 rates until the dispute was resolved.

Patrick fired back, saying the state's insurers have reported $2.6 billion in reserves at a time when many small businesses and families continue to struggle with health costs.

UPDATE: The AP reports that the Senate has passed the bill. It goes to the House now.

Conflict of Interests

2010-05-03T08:19:00.000-04:00

The Globe's Brian Mooney reports on a conflict of interests in the health care debate. The Massachusetts Municipal Association is lobbying the Legislature for municipal control over union health insurance plans. The problem is that the MMA also sells health insurance.

“Everyone seems to be negotiating in good faith,’’ said state Representative Paul J. Donato, a Medford Democrat and House chairman of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. “I’ve been talking with the mayors and the MMA and the bargaining units, and all three indicated they are trying to work toward an agreement.’’

The municipal association typically does not mention its role as an insurer in testimony before the Legislature or in press releases about this issue.

“That hasn’t come up, but it’s important. It should,’’ said state Senator James B. Eldridge, an Acton Democrat and Senate chairman of the municipalities joint committee.

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Fat cats not so fat?

2010-05-02T11:27:00.000-04:00

Robert Weisman and Kay Lazar report on the financial outlook for health insurance companies.

However, when the report uses a more complete accounting measurement to examine the companies, one that also takes into account each firm’s liabilities and investments, the state’s largest insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, ended the period on a significantly less firm financial footing. That measurement, known as a risk-based capital ratio, shows Blue Cross’s health slipping by about a third.

By the same measurement, the financial strength of the state’s second-largest insurer, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, more than doubled, and the state’s third-largest, Tufts Health Plan, more than tripled. Fallon Community Health Plan, the fourth-largest, notched a more modest 50 percent.

So... BC/BS is doing poorly under the new measurement, but Harvard Pilgrim and others are still going strong. Hm.

The summary of the report did not address the key concern of consumers: whether or how the significant increases in premiums they paid over the past decade contributed to the companies’ surpluses.

The study comes as insurers are challenging the state’s rejection of premium increases for individuals and small businesses, warning that it could threaten the insurance industry’s financial stability and even push some into receivership.

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House Call (VI)

2010-04-21T21:08:00.001-04:00

The AP is reporting that a judge has ruled on a temporary measure while the Division of Insurance decides what to do about health care increases: use the 2009 rates until the matter is resolved.

This is a win for Governor Patrick and Attorney General Coakley. Coakley argued for the use of 2009 rates. Fallon and Harvard Pilgrim wanted to institute the new rates.

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House Call (V)

2010-04-21T16:52:00.000-04:00

The AP is reporting that Attorney General Martha Coakley will represent the rights of consumers in the hearings being conducted by the Division of Insurance regarding health insurance premiums.

She's doing her job, basically.

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House Call (IV)

2010-04-14T09:38:00.000-04:00

Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth, Barnstable) proposed a bill to stabilize healthcare costs in the state this morning, reports the AP.

WBUR's Sacha Pfeiffer notes that Murray's proposal is a compromise between the regulators and insurance companies. The proposal is ending regulation, with a promise from the companies that no more than 10% of revenue goes towards marketing and administration.

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Pols on a Plane (I)

2010-04-13T09:53:00.000-04:00

Geez, first the Mitt Romney/Sky Blu fight and now this? Mass pols can't fly anywhere nowadays.

Fox reports that Representative Barney Frank got into a little tiff involving affordacare. Two ophthalmologists derided the bill. Frank wanted to ignore it, but his life-partner Jim Ready stepped in to defend his Congressman.

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Municipal House Call (I)

2010-04-13T09:50:00.000-04:00

The Globe's Andrew Ryan reports that Boston's 2011 budget includes an extra $20M for healthcare.

That $20 million increase, reflected in the budget Mayor Thomas M. Menino will present to the City Council tomorrow, is more than half the proposed budget of the Boston Public Library after closing four neighborhood branches. The figure also eclipses what the city appropriated this year for snow removal ($15.9 million), and for the entire budget of the Parks Department ($15 million).

“This is a huge concern,’’ Lisa Calise Signori, Boston’s director of administration and finance, said yesterday. “It crowds out our ability to spend money on other services. Something’s got to give.’’

By releasing a sneak peek at the budget figures yesterday, the Menino administration, is trying to increase political pressure on state lawmakers to give cities and towns more control in designing their health care plans and on local labor unions to help Boston curb a fast-rising expense.

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House Call (III)

2010-04-12T21:30:00.000-04:00

The AP's Steve LeBlanc reports that the judge has ruled against the health insurance companies in Regulators v. Big Insurance.

Former Harvard Pilgrim Insurance CEO and candidate for Governor Charlie Baker responds, reports Conor Yunits.

“Despite today’s ruling by the Suffolk Superior Court, nothing changes the fact that Deval Patrick has spent three and a half years taxing and spending small businesses into the ground, while failing to implement any solutions that address the underlying causes of skyrocketing healthcare costs under his watch.”

“For the last five years, I have proposed – and will continue to propose – real solutions for controlling health care costs.”

Blue Mass Group's David Kravitz marks down this one in Governor Patrick's win column.

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The Brown Ascension

2010-04-12T14:00:00.000-04:00

Jeremy Jacobs pens an interesting article about exactly why Scott Brown won the special election in January. (HT to Gintautas Dumcius)

SPOILER! It was not a referendum on healthcare.

This was in large part because Brown was part of a tiny—five out of 40-member—Senate Republican caucus. Nevertheless, Brown’s thin legislative record led to one advantage when crafting his campaign message: He was a blank slate. A Massachusetts Republican operative who did not work for the campaign put it this way: Brown was a great candidate because he was good looking, extremely hard working, disciplined and coachable. In these respects, Brown reminded this operative of George W. Bush in his first presidential campaign.

Also interesting, mostly because I expected this from the get-go:

The Shawmut Group consultants told Brown they saw a good opportunity for him even if he lost. There is a vacuum of credible statewide Republican candidates in Massachusetts, so the race could set him up nicely for another run in the future. “Running a good race,” Lindstrom, Brown’s campaign manager, says of the early objectives. “That was the mission: To run a positive campaign and to get Scott running statewide to develop him as a candidate.”

Add a dream team to anti-incumbent fervor (italics mine):

On top of that, the anti-incumbent fervor that is now sweeping the country has been percolating in Massachusetts for several years. Simply put, Massachusetts voters don’t trust or like their elected officials. Approval ratings for the state legislature on Beacon Hill typically lie in the teens. Three speakers of the state House of Representatives have resigned in disgrace. In the last three years, three state senators have resigned: One because of a drunken hit and run,(that'd be Galluccio- Foxed) one for sexual harassment (Marzilli- Foxed) and another because she was caught—in photos taken by an undercover FBI agent—just steps from the state House allegedly shoving bribe money into her bra (Wilkerson- Foxed). (Yes, really.)

Anyways, there's loads more I could talk about, but Jacobs is right on the money in his analysis.

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House Call (II)

2010-04-11T18:36:00.000-04:00

The AP reports that state regulators and the insurance companies are awaiting a ruling by a judge, which is expected by end of business tomorrow.

... That was quick. I expected this to drag for longer.

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Healthcare Costs in Massachusetts

2010-04-10T16:54:00.000-04:00

Political blogger Kevin Drum examines Attorney General Martha Coakley's report on widely varied healthcare costs in Massachusetts (see chart).

So this astonishing variation isn't explained by quality of care, older/sicker patients, Medicare rates, or even differences in underlying costs. What could possibly be left?

Answer: leverage. If a hospital group owns most of the hospitals in an area, it's got the whip hand and can demand higher payment rates. Insurers can't afford to be shut out of entire market, so they have to pay up. Conversely, if a single insurer is dominant in an area with lots of providers, it can squeeze the local hospitals, who can't afford to be dropped.

To wit: insurance companies can't afford to exclude expensive hospitals from their plans, especially if one hospital group owns most of the hospitals in the area. As a result, they have to charge more for their plans.

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House Call (I)

2010-04-09T09:55:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the health insurance round-up.

Blue Mass Group's Bob Neer reprints an email sent to Patrick supporters by Steve Crawford. Crawford explains that Patrick is looking out for small business. Crawford goes on to point out the opposition of both Baker and Cahill.

Red Mass Group's Rob Eno argues against Patrick's political maneuvering. Eno points out that the real problem in health insurance is the fact that Massholes are gaming the system, only purchasing health insurance when they're sick. The Massachusetts individual mandate is so weak that we'd rather eat the penalty than purchase health insurance. Instead of proposing a stronger mandate, Eno suggests that routine medical care get taken off health insurance, and insurance only covers "catastrophic" incidents.

WBUR's Sacha Pfeiffer, health and science reporter, sat down with Deb Becker to discuss what the lawsuit means for "regular folk."

The AP covers the first day of the legal battle.

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'Round the Bubblah 04-08-2010

2010-04-08T10:44:00.001-04:00

Silence of the Libraries

House Call

Former insurance CEO and gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker calls Governor Patrick's plan to cap rate increases an "election year gimmick," reports the Globe's Noah Bierman. The Herald's Christine McConnville reports that Tim Cahill, independent candidate, is also slamming Patrick over the cap.

The Patrick Administration and the insurance companies will see each other in court today about this, reports the AP.

Hit Me

The Globe's John Laidler rounds up legislator reactions to the gambling bill.

The Brockton Enterprise's Erik Potter reports that Clyde Barrow, casino expert, will speak at a gaming forum in Brockton.

The Dorchester Reporter's Gintautas Dumcius reports on how fast this bill is moving. It helps that there will be no public hearing on the bill.

Our Delegation

A couple of days ago, North Korea sentenced a Massachusetts man to 8 years hard labor (see this AP story). Today, the Globe's James Smith reports that Senator John Kerry is stepping in to ask North Korea to release the man.

The Globe's Bryan Bender reports that Senator Scott Brown is calling for a couple hundred jobs in Massachusetts, by way of a multibillion dollar weapons program for a back-up jet engine to be built in Lynn. Bender and the Outraged Liberal note that this goes against Brown's position as a deficit hawk, and the OL contrasts the couple hundred jobs with Brown's stance against providing unemployment benefits to 9,000 of his constituents.

The Globe's Matt Viser reports that Representative Ed Markey (D-MA 7) is coming down hard on triclosan.

Beneath the Streets of Boston

The AP reports on a new independent review of the MBTA that is highly critical of it. The Herald's Hillary Chabot, Joe Dwynell, and Ed Mason also report on the review.

Budgetary Woes

Good news: the Herald's Jay Fitzgerald notes that Massachusetts's tort system gets good marks from businesses.

The Worcester Telegram's Debbie LaPlaca reports that State Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin) stated that the 4% reduction in local aid is real.

The Globe's Kay Lazar reports that the elderly are suffering from a lack of funding.

The Governor's Race

The Globe's Frank Phillips and the State House News Service report that Christy Mihos is optimistic about getting his share of the delegates at the State Convention.

The AP's Glen Johnson reports that Lt. Gov. Murray is attacking Charlie Baker. And water is wet. I knew something was missing these past few weeks: Murray barking at the opposition.

Mayor Tom Menino gives election-year Deval Patrick a B+, reports the State House News Service's Jim O'Sullivan.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits reports that Tim Cahill has received the required amount of signatures to appear on the ballot.

Other 2010 Elections

The Globe's John Laidler reports on the major issue in the special election for Galluccio's Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex seat: jobs.

Garrett Quinn in his new Globe blog "Less Is More" is asking for questions for the Republican candidates for Auditor.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits notes that Jeff Perry is out-raising his opponent Joe Malone in the Mass Tenth's Republican primary.

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'Round the Bubblah 04-07-2010

2010-04-07T10:59:00.001-04:00

Tim Cahill's campaign lost a member: Mike Dennehy, part of the McCain dream-team Cahill brought in. The Globe's Brian Mooney reports that fellow McCainiac John Weaver claims that Dennehy was a redundancy, end of story.

The AP's Steve LeBlanc reports on a number of fundraisers conveniently timed for this week, when the Legislature will be debating casinos and the budget. You know, a perfect time for lobbyists to speak with their wallets.

Red Mass Group's Rob Eno notes that the MassGOP has more cash on hand than the Mass Dems. It may be because, as the AP reports, Charlie Baker is out-raising everyone.

The Globe's Matt Viser and the Herald's Hillary Chabot report that Senator Brown is on a fact-finding trip in Southern Asia.

George Brennan of the Cape Cod Times and MassBeacon's Conor Yunits report that Jeff Perry, a Republican who is running for Delahunt's seat in the Mass Tenth, is calling upon Attorney General Martha Coakley to challenge the constitutionality of the healthcare law. Now, I've noted before that I sincerely doubt Governor Patrick left his healthcare plan with a giant legal loophole, and I'm surer that President Obama would check with the Constitution before making a freaking law, given that he used to teach constitutional law.¹ Furthermore, in the Senate race, Coakley promised to be the 60th vote for healthcare. So, you know, I'm sure she'll make challenging that law priority uno.

And, finally, Massachusetts state law, where you also legally have to purchase health insurance, also has to abide by the Constitution, so, you know... you'd think someone would have challenged that all the way to the Supreme Court by now.

WBUR's political analysts, Todd Domke and Dan Payne, analyze the new Romney.

Suzy Khimm, filling in for Ezra Klein on his WaPo blog, examines whether Massholes are screwing the state's healthcare system by eating the no-health-insurance penalty each month because the penalty is cheaper than actually having insurance.

Because Governor Patrick didn't approve the insurance companies' new rate hikes, the insurance companies can't write new policies, reports the AP. The Herald's Christine McConnville reports that this also affects Commonwealth Choice plans.

The Herald's Jay Fitzgerald reports on the disparity between the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's (Massachusetts has 8th highest tax burden in country) and the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's (43rd highest) figures.

The Herald's Christine McConnville reports that the Advisory Council on Historical Preservation won't be changing its mind about Cape Wind.

The AP reports that the RMV is trying out a new online appointment system for people who would rather not wait in line for license renewals. The Herald's Ira Kantor reports on Charlie Baker's solution: install RMV kiosks in malls and pharmacies throughout the state.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits reports on a new poll that shows Baker losing momentum in the Governor's race. The Outraged Liberal also comments on Patrick's campaign waking up. The State House News Service also reports on the poll.

Yunits reports on Cahill's defection from the Democratic party after pledging his commitment to the Dems. Meanwhile, Red Mass Group's Rob Eno posts a web ad responding to Cahill's recent attack on Baker. And Marjorie Arons-Barron wants to give Cahill a Pander Bear Award.

One-time dual Mayor Legislator William Lantigua is trying to get travel expenses out of Beacon Hill for his time as Representative, reports WCVB.

There was a Democratic debate for Brown's state Senate seat (Norfolk, Bristol, Middlesex). For analysis, look at the Metro-West Daily News's Charlie Breitrose and David Sabia, as well as the Globe's Jason Woods.

Conor Yunits wraps up fundraising reports in the other special election, for the Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex district.

Universal Hub's Adam Gaffin reports on which Boston libraries might be closing under the proposed plan.

The Herald's Thomas Grillo has more on Boston asking non-profits to give more to the city. Of note is that now they mean museums, too, reports Grillo.

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[1] See FactCheck.org for Obama's credentials as a senior lecturer, treated as a professor, at the University of Chicago.[back to text]

'Round the Bubblah 04-06-2010

2010-04-06T10:23:00.000-04:00

Made my first specialized roundup this morning regarding casinos. Check it out.

The Outraged Liberal criticizes Senator Brown (R-MA) for toeing the party line with regards to holding unemployment funds hostage.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits offers notes on Charlie Baker's (R-candidate for Governor) chat with the Boston Globe yesterday. WBUR notes that they also sponsored the chat, and plans to have a series of moderate discussions with all the gubernatorial candidates. Now, that might mean the Big Three likely candidates (Gov. Patrick, Baker, and Independent Tim Cahill), but it would be interesting if they included the other three candidates (Christy Mihos challenging Baker, Grace Ross challenging Patrick, and Green-Rainbow Jill Stein).

The Globe's Michael Levenson also analyzed the chat, noting that Baker praised the Tea Party movement, but skirted the issue of Sarah Palin.

The AP's Glen Johnson reports that Baker is criticising Patrick's move to close branches of the RMV.

The Herald's Hillary Chabot, Laura Crimaldi, and Sydney Lupkin report that Tim Cahill is speaking out against the Lawrence bailout plan. He cast a vote against the plan as a member of the Municipal Finance Oversight Board, but he's acting as if this is the first he's heard of it. You think he could have voiced his opinion when the Lawrence bailout was being voted on in the Legislature, or even before Governor Patrick signed it. Here's all my Lawrence posts (mostly 'Round the Bubblahs that mentioned Lawrence). I'm really not sure why Cahill waited this long to speak up, but I suspect he let it pass so he'd have a chance to decry it once it became a fait accompli.

The Herald's Christine McConnville reports that health insurance companies are suing the state, claiming that capping health insurance prices is illegal. ... I'm pretty sure, maybe 64% sure?, that Governor Patrick wouldn't be so incompetent that he'd leave himself open to a legitimate legal challenge.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits spent a day with the Democratic candidates in the Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex district (the primary in the election to fill Galluccio's seat is next Tuesday).

In the other special election (to fill Brown's Norfolk, Bristol, Middlesex seat), Yunits examines campaign finance reports, which were due yesterday.

The Globe's Andrew Ryan reports that Boston is taking on tax-exempt properties, urging them to voluntarily contribute more money to the city.

And City Councillors have written to BPL president Amy Ryan, stating that they believe closing library branches should be the final option, reports Gintautas Dumcius, editor of the Dorchester Reporter.

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'Round the Bubblah 04-05-2010

2010-04-05T07:59:00.001-04:00

The Globe's Sean Murphy examines what the Cadillace health insurance tax is and what it means for Massachusetts.

The Globe's Farah Stockman reports that Sen. John Kerry is being wooed by Pakistan because he cares about the country.

The Globe's Adrian Walker warns us not to write Governor Patrick's political obituary just yet.

The AP reports that the government and the IT industry will get together to discuss the future of that industry in Massachusetts.

Red Mass Group's Garrett Quinn has the deets about a Republican candidate for Auditor forum tomorrow in Jamaica Plain.

Immigrant activists are rallying against budget cuts and for national immigration reform on Beacon Hill tomorrow, reports the AP.

And farmers will be talking Mass agriculture this Thursday at the State House, from the AP.

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'Round the Bubblah 03-31-2010

2010-03-31T12:04:00.002-04:00

Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Suffolk 19) will unveil his plans to bring casinos to Massachusetts today. The Herald's Hillary Chabot reports on what the plan will likely be: two resort casinos and four racino racetracks. The AP also has the story.

The AP reports that Governor Patrick plans to plug the budget gap this year with a series of cuts, transfers, and our rainy day fund.

Blue Mass Group's Charley Blandy argues that Romneycare really was never Romney's baby.

The Herald's Christine McConnville reports that Cape Wind will be buying its turbines from Siemens Wind Power.

The Globe's Brian Mooney discusses a post-Citizens United Massachusetts.

The Guardian's Dan Kennedy argues that Rachel Maddow might actually be the best candidate to run against Brown in 2012. And that's bad news form Massachusetts Democrats.

Political Intelligence's Michael Bailey has the latest regarding Scott Brown and healthcare, analyzing his op-ed that I seem to have missed this past Sunday.

The Herald's Michael Graham argues that the Tea Party anger is completely about how well-payed public employees are. The Worcester Telegram's Priyanka Dayal reports on Republican candidates at a Tea Party night.

Fox's VB Goudie interviews Tim Cahill about not-politics. Gene Lavanchy interviews Representative Mike Capuano (D-MA 8) about healthcare.

Fox's Joe Battenfield discusses the flood photo op that politicians are so into now that Massachusetts is damp.

Suzanne Bump, candidate for State Auditor, writes an op-ed for MassBeacon called "Tax Subsidies are State Dollars, Too."

The Outraged Liberal would probably be a fan of the new GOP ad attacking Tim Cahill. Red Mass Group's Garrett Quinn has the ad.

Steve Grossman makes a stand on Blue Mass Group against the banks. Grossman is running for Treasurer.

MassBeacon's David Guarino argues that, despite everyone's efforts, nobody in the 2010 elections is Scott Brown.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits reports on Dan Hill's position on green jobs. Hill is running for the Galluccio seat (Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex) in the State Senate.

Conor Yunits reports that Brad Marston has a web ad out calling for state Republicans to take back their state. Marston is running for State Representative against the incumbent Marty Walz (D-Suffolk 8).

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'Round the Bubblah

2010-03-30T11:26:00.001-04:00

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"¹

Big news today is that Massachusetts missed out on those "Race to the Top" sweet education grants. The Globe's James Vaznis reports on the loss. WBUR's Monica Brady-Myerov reports that Mass got a B-, while Tennessee and Delaware, the winners, got B+.

The AP reports that Massachusetts officials have set their sights on the second round of the "Race to the Top" contest. State Education Secretary Paul Reville wants to review the winning applications and the feedback from Massachusetts's application before submitting a new one.

The Herald's Hillary Chabot argues that the loss is a snub to Governor Patrick from the President himself.

The Herald offers its editorial opinion.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits reports that House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-Middlesex 20) is criticizing Patrick for failing to win the "Race to the Top."

Christy Mihos is in financial troubles... again. The illegal kind, this time. The Globe's Frank Phillips reports that Mihos is under fire from regulators after using his personal fortune to pay for campaign expenses. This might be it for him, since the campaign expense in question was his attendance fee for the State Republican Convention. He has to cancel the personal credit card payment and pay with a campaign committee check by tomorrow.

And Tim Cahill's campaign is in a Mihos-ian amount of trouble. The Globe's Michael Levenson reports that Cahill's campaign accidentally sent out a fundraising letter to legislators, which is such a clear violation of campaign finance law that I'm inclined to believe that it's an accident. However, the last thing the Cahill campaign needs is more "breaking the campaign finance law" trouble. The Herald's Dave Wedge has Cahills apology. MassBeacon's Conor Yunits notes that the email seems to have only been sent to Republican lawmakers.

The Outraged Liberal thinks the wheels are starting to come off the Cahill campaign.

Cahill's campaign also released a web ad arguing that Charlie Baker is himself a special interest, reports the Globe's Hannah McBride. MassBeacon's Conor Yunits has the ad.

The Herald's Hillary Chabot reports that Baker is talking RMV changes this week, in an effort to get his ideas out there.

Marjorie Arons-Barron argues that Baker's right about municipal healthcare.

The AP reports on Mitt Romney's recent visit to Iowa.

The Globe's Sasha Issenberg reports that Romney's current stance on Obamacare is that it's a state's rights issue. That's a more principled critique of the affordable care law. It's too bad that his other talking point is how it'll bankrupt the United States (see the previous AP article), despite the Congressional Budget Office insisting that the affordable care law will reduce the budget in ten years (For extra credit, here's Ezra Klein discussing the validity of the CBO). The Outraged Liberal critiques Romney's perceived flip-flopping.

More old school v. new kids GOP action in the Massachusetts Tenth Congressional District, sort of. MassBeacon's Conor Yunits reports that Kerry Healey is endorsing Jeff Perry (along with Senator Brown). The old school is represented by Bill Weld and A. Paul Cellucci supporting former Treasurer Joe Malone.

There will be a Democratic debate for the Norfolk, Bristol, Middlesex special election for state Senator on April 6^th, a week before the primary, reports Massachusetts Elections 2010.

Gold Mass Group reports an increase in Libertarian Party activity this year.

Fox's Gene Lavanchy interviews new MBTA GM Richard Davey.

Red Mass Group's Rob Eno reports that Citizens United (the Supreme Court decision that allows corporations to donate money to candidates for public office) has finally hit Massachusetts. Eno argues that this will be a check on the politically active unions in the state.

Universal Hub's Adam Gaffin reports that even librarians who work in libraries that aren't in danger of closing will have to worry about their jobs, because the closings may come with systemwide layoffs and transfers.

Gaffin also reports that Attorney General Martha Coakley has pretty much done nothing with regards to the City Hall email troubles.

The Herald's Thomas Grillo argues that Mayor Menino's eminent domain threat may have scared off skittish investors.

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[1] Picture and quote are from National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) and are (c) Universal Pictures.[back to text]

'Round the Bubblah 03-29-2010

2010-03-29T10:15:00.003-04:00

"I am shocked, SHOCKED to find gambling going on in here!"¹

I redesigned the site this weekend. Really pleased with how it looks. Let me know what you think, and if there are any problems with the new design.

Also, don't forget to visit LMT on Sundays to read the Weekend Edition. Here's Vol. III from yesterday, if you missed it.

A new study has come out showing that several license plates in Connecticut casino parking lots are from the Bay State, and the study alleges that we spent $1B at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. The Herald's Thomas Grillo, the Metro-West Daily News's Laura Krantz, the Cape Cod Times's Steve DeCosta, and WBUR's Steve Brown discuss the new study. The Outraged Liberal notes that this is the same type of study used the last time

The Globe's Michael Levenson makes some undergrad connections in the Patrick/Baker contest decades before Patrick offered Baker the bottom half of a "bipartisan ticket."

The Globe praises the parting Senator Panagiotakos.

Fox's Kim Carrigan moderates Scott Harshbarger and Mike Sullivan in "Monday Morning Quarterbacks." They discuss healthcare, the fallout of healthcare, and the gubernatorial race.

The Globe's Patricia Wen reports on the BPL protests.

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[1] Image and quote from Casablanca (1942). (c) Warner Bros. Pictures.[back to text]

LMT Weekend Edition, Vol. III

2010-03-28T15:47:00.000-04:00

Charlie Baker and Christy Mihos held a debate in Hyannis on Friday. Deval Patrick Watch rounds up summaries of the debate. Red Mass Group's (lone?) South Shore Republican analyzes the debate. The AP and the Cape Cod Times's K.C. Myers also have summaries of the event.

The Globe's Brian Mooney reports that while Baker is calling on Cahill to fully disclose all his donations, Cahill's donations are more fully disclosed than Baker's own. Conor Yunits points out in his Sunday shorts that Baker has way more donors to disclose, though.

In the meantime, Cahill is still trying to brand himself as the anti-healthcare reform candidate, to get everyone's mind off the donors thing. Conor Yunits reports that Cahill has issued a press release warning Mass voters to beware of Baker's latest plans (lobbying the Legislature to allow municipalities to form their own healthcare plans). Cahill calls Baker's experience (with the Big Dig) into question about why Baker's plans are bad, which is nothing but an ad hominem attack, really. He doesn't mention why the municipal care plan is bad, other than it comes from Big Dig Baker. The press release is also vague about Cahill's solution.

The Herald's Christine McConnville also reports on Cahill's anti-affordable care law stance. Cahill claims that he's been telling us that Romneycare is bad for Massachusetts and Obamacare is bad for America. McConnville also reports on criticism of Cahill's claims.

The Metro-West Daily News's Krista Perry reports on a meeting of Mendon Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker, yesterday.

The AP's Glen Johnson reports on Romney's tricky dance with healthcare reform. "Mitt Romney has a problem with Obamacare. It looks a lot like Romneycare."

Universal Hub's Harry Mattison links to full video of a debate between the candidates running for the Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex Senate seat (the Galluccio seat).

The AP reports that labor groups and Victoria Kennedy are marching on Beacon Hill in support of a bill that would guarantee sick days to workers.

The AP reports that Massachusetts will hand out almost half a million dollars to protect open space in the state. The Worcester Telegram's Linda Bock has more.

The Globe's Yvonne Abraham has some advice for new MBTA Chief Richard Davey.

The Globe's Peter Schworm reports that many "high hazard" dams in the Bay State are uninspected. He notes that the Department of Conservation and Recreation has a limited budget and the public doesn't actually care until it starts raining. Only then do we wonder why the dams are uninspected.

The Herald's Christine McConnville reports that MassHealth was swindled out of $300K by a pharmacist.

MassElections2010 reports that Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty (D-Suffolk 2) is blocking CORI reform on Beacon Hill.

We're getting information regarding last-minute donations in the Senate race that ended with Mr. Brown going to Washington. The Globe's Matt Carroll and Steve Rosenberg report that, in addition to the widely reported out-of-state donations Scott Brown received, he did receive alot of donations from within Massachusetts in the final days, as well. And the Globe's Casey Ross notes that Martha Coakley received donations from the chief executive of Caritas, and she's now in the middle of reviewing a proposed acquisition of Caritas by a New York buyout firm. And the Metro-West Daily News's David Riley notes that Coakley lost despite earning more in-state donations than Brown.

The Herald's Peter Gelzinis expected more from Senator Brown than picking fights with liberal cable news pundits who happen to be constituents. Instead of simply apologizing to Maddow for using her name, Brown's spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom is claiming that Maddow's ad was "written by the DNC", reports the Herald's Hillary Chabot. And then Fehrnstrom insults Maddow with a nice (if unnecessary) burn by saying, "I think Rachel Maddow would be an interesting candidate. The problem she would have is that winning requires more votes than she has viewers." The Globe's Stephanie Ebbert argues that Maddow's response doesn't matter and the facts don't matter to Brown's campaign, because the rumor is enough to get Brown cash money.

The Herald's David Wedge reports that our senior Senator John Kerry has pledged to work with Senator Brown, and has blasted voter anger and violence while stumping in support of the affordable care law in Boston yesterday.

Universal Hub's Adam Gaffin posts pictures from a march against library closures at Copley. Gaffin notes another march is planned at City Hall for this Thursday.

The Globe's Joanna Weiss reports on the Greater Boston Tea Party movement.

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'Round the Bubblah 03-26-2010

2010-03-26T11:57:00.000-04:00

Rachel Maddow is absotively posilutely not running for U.S. Senate in 2012. To that end, she has taken a front page ad out in the Globe (from Blue Mass Group's sco) and demanded an apology from Senator Brown for treating one of his constituents this way (from the Herald's Jessica Heslam).

Meanwhile, the Herald's Jenna Scherer reviews "You're a Good Man, Scott Brown." I wonder if Maddow can get in on the sequel.

The Herald's Peter Gelzinis reports that one of Representative Lynch's union buddies is saddened that Lynch didn't heed his advice on the affordable care law.

“Stevie says to me he has to vote against the bill because of the so-called Cadillac tax on our insurance,” said Hurley, now district council president of New England’s Ironworkers. “I told him, ‘Stevie, let us worry about that. That’s my job. You’re not an ironworker anymore. You’ve got insurance and it’s being paid for on the backs of taxpaying, working people like our members.’"

The Herald's Christine McConnville reports that the Cape Wind legal battle has begun in earnest.

Two demagogues arriving in Boston next month. I mentioned Palin yesterday (she's coming April 14^th, and the AP reminds us today that President Obama is coming on April 1^st.

Patrick is asking Obama for extra funding to deal with recent flooding in the area, reports the AP.

The Herald's Hillary Chabot and Jessica van Slack wrote two articles about Massachusetts using stimulus money to hire workers from out of state for stimulus projects.

The AP reports that new MBTA chief Davey will be making less money than his predecessor. The MBTA board voted on it. No word on whether Davey is pleased, although having $40M more in the budget might make his job a little easier.

Charlie Baker isn't Governor yet and he's already ordering around the Legislature in his position papers, reports the State House News Service's Kyle Cheney. He wants the Legislature to approve cities and towns to create municipal health insurance plans.

The Herald calls Governor Patrick out on supporting the healthcare bill and completely missing the medical device tax, which would hurt the Massachusetts medical device industry. Patrick is only now, after the affordable care law is passed, noticing the harm to Massachusetts.

Red Mass Group's Rob Eno reprints an affadavit signed by Christy Mihos in the case of Manzoli v. Mihos.

WBUR's Monica Brady-Myerov reports that the Boston Public Library will hold off on staff reduction decisions until April 9^th.

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'Round the Bubblah 03-25-2010

2010-03-25T10:40:00.000-04:00

Tim Cahill's campaign continues to take a dive this week. Governor Patrick takes issue with Cahill not warning anyone about healthcare until this political season, reports the Herald's Thomas Grillo.

The State House News Service's Gintautas Dumcius reports that Charlie Baker is demanding Cahill disclose his campaign finances. The Globe's Brian Mooney argues that the rivalry between Baker and Cahill is inevitable, because both know that they'll split the incumbent vote and let Patrick win the election. And the Outraged Liberal points out that when Cahill flames out, Patrick and Baker are going mano a mano, which might not be good for either of them.

The Globe's Yvonne Abraham examines Cahill's rhetoric v. Cahill's history.

And the SEC is investigating Cahill over questionable donations from the people he does Commonwealth business with as the Treasurer.

The Herald's Jerry Kronenberg
The AP
The Globe's Steven Syre

The Globe's Jeremy Herb blogs that Senator Brown (R-MA) and Vice President Biden talked during a lunch yesterday.

The Herald's Jay Fitzgerald reported yesterday that Brown would file an amendment repealing a medical device tax in the healthcare overhaul law. Later in the day, though, the AP has him cosponsoring an amendment to do that. Blue Mass Group's Lance Harris wonders why Brown said he'd file the amendment when he was really just putting his name on someone else's amendment.

Fox's Joe Battenfeld interviews Senator Brown about his failure to stop healthcare reform. I think it's a case of overhype, myself, and Brown was right to not listen to people criticizing him for being ineffective in the face of the Democrats' procedural skills. However, Battenfeld and Brown are still laboring under the delusion that Brown's election was a referendum on healthcare.

WCVB reports on Brown's new stance on healthcare, but Marjorie Arons-Barron has heard them all.

Frank Phillips argues in the Globe that Brown's endorsement of Jeff Perry (R- Running for Congress MA 10) says more about Brown and Malone than Perry. WBUR's Steve Brown notes that it's Weld and Malone (old school) versus Brown and Perry (new school).

The AP's Glen Johnson has a story where Mitt Romney admits he should have focused on the economy in his 2008 bid for the Presidency.

MassBeacon's Conor Yunits reports that the DNC has released a web ad featuring Romney's support for the individual mandate. You know. 2006 Governor Romney, not 2012 Candidate Romney.

Sarah Palin's coming to town in a couple weeks, as the Herald's Jessicas Heslam and van Slack remind us.

Senator Kerry (D-MA) hopes to ratify a new nuclear arms treaty by the end of the year, reports Political Intelligence's Michael Bailey.

The AP reports that there is some criticism of charges added later to former House Speaker Sal DiMasi's trial. The AP later reports that, despite the criticism, the judge will not dismiss the charges in question. The Herald's Laurel Sweet reports that the federal judge wants proof that DiMasi is destitute and unable to pay his legal bills.

The State Legislature will work on redistricting first thing next year, reports the State House News Service. MA Elections 2010 reports on who signed the local aid resolution. The Mass House of Representatives rejected a cap on the film tax credit, reports the AP. And despite lauding the state of bridges in Massachusetts, the state has received criticism that despite the money sunk into a Quincy bridge, it still needs a complete do-over, reports WCVB.

David Bernstein investigates Mike Lake's (D- Running for State Auditor) bio.

Bernstein wonders in the Phoenix if this run for Treasurer might be Boston City Councillor Stephen Murphy's last hurrah.

Universal Hub's EM Painter gives a firsthand account of the protests outside the Boston Public Schools hearing yesterday. Despite the protests, WBUR reports that the BPS will lay off 83 school custodians to close a budget hole.

WBUR's Jack Lepiarz reports that Boston may require city retirees to join Medicare. The City Council is deliberating on the proposal.

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