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News
5.12.10 - Judiciary Committee extends
Wednesday May 12, 2010 - 06:51 AM
Inside This Issue: "Bathroom Bill" given another extension; Casino bill in the Senate's court; Kris Mineau quoted by Jon Keller on Kagan SCOTUS pick; New England Briefs; Mendon OKs strip club. Be sure to click on eForce to receive our MFI eForce E-Alert in your Inbox every Wednesday.
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"Bathroom Bill" given another extension
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With another deadline approaching, the Judiciary Committee once again postponed action on the “Bathroom Bill” and other bills still before them. The new date is May 18th, and this marks the third “deadline” the controversial bill has faced this year. However, Sen. Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) told the State House News Service that the bill might undergo review until at least early June.
It is important to note that our opponents are being afforded the luxury of having this extension to make their case to members of the committee because they know how controversial this bill is with the public. That is why the committee must again have a response from us. I ask you to continue to email and call the Judiciary Committee members, as well as your own state representative.
The State House News Service said on Friday that the electorate “is in a bad mood over the economy” and wants the government to pay “attention to job creation efforts” above anything else, and the fact that “two of the three leading candidates for governor are slamming the transgender rights bill … is helping to make passage of that proposal a heavier lift for its supporters.”
You can TAKE ACTION today on the “Bathroom Bill” through the following links:
- Make phone calls to your state representative and members of the Judiciary Committee HERE.
- Send an email to your state representative and members of the Judiciary Committee HERE.
You can also read my LETTER TO THE EDITOR on the “Bathroom Bill” in the Patriot Ledger.
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Casino bill in the Senate's court
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Massachusetts Senate leaders, true to their word, are taking their time to review the expanded gambling bill passed by the House last month. Senate leaders have said that they will give the issue a fresh look, craft their own bill and hold a public hearing, with no debate or votes until June.
MFI today released a new web-ad highlighting the fact that there has not been one truly independent study done on the pros and cons of bringing slot machines and casinos to Massachusetts. In each study that has been done thus far, the gambling industry or individuals with a stake in the gambling industry have sponsored or been involved in the research.
The web ad creatively demonstrates how the House of Representatives took the gambling industry at their word that casinos and slot machines are a good thing for Massachusetts. This amounts to trusting a used car salesman at his word and not getting an independent inspection done, or buying a house from a realtor without first having it inspected.
CLICK HERE to watch the new web ad, and then call Senate President Therese Murray and ask her to support a truly independent study on slot machines and casinos.
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Kris Mineau quoted by Jon Keller on Kagan SCOTUS pick
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With President Obama’s pick this week of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court, Washington is abuzz with talk about the upcoming confirmation hearings. While Democrats have been unified in their support of Kagan, Republicans have been much more measured in their response, not ruling out a filibuster.
WBZ-TV political reporter Jon Keller did a story on Kagan’s strong support for homosexual rights, interviewing Arlene Isaacson, head of the Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus. Though I am currently traveling abroad, Keller did include a quote from my statement: “Ms. Kagan’s disregard for our military leadership in her rabid opposition to ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ renders her unable to objectively review an issue like same sex marriage—an issue that has serious free speech and freedom of religion implications for the country.”
Click Here to watch Jon Keller’s full report.
Separately, the homosexual advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign, had this to say about Kagan: “We applaud President Obama for choosing Elena Kagan to become our nation’s next U.S. Supreme Court Justice . . . We are confident that Elena Kagan has a demonstrated understanding and commitment to protecting the liberty and equality of all Americans, including LGBT Americans," said Joe Solmonese. He went on to specifically cite the need for justices committed to LGBT issues on federal cases related to "marriage equality." |
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New England Briefs
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- Connecticut – A bill aimed at curbing “sexting” among teenagers was approved unanimously in both the House and Senate in Connecticut. According to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-Naugatuck), the bill creates more awareness of the issue and gives police and the court system an ability to make people pay for their crimes. It also makes a clear division between sexual predators and immature teens who engage in sexting. (Republican-American)
- New Hampshire – Governor John Lynch says he is proud of having signed the state’s same-sex “marriage” law last year and will continue to fight any effort by “the forces of discrimination and division” to repeal it. Lynch is running for a fourth consecutive two-year term as governor. Cornerstone Action has promised to remind voters this year of Lynch’s flip-flop on the issue. “If John Lynch wants to make his re-election into a referendum on gay marriage, I say bring it on,” said executive director Kevin Smith.
- Rhode Island – The House Judiciary Committee last week heard testimony from both sides of the same-sex “marriage” debate as the committee deliberated on a bill that would allow couples to divorce in Rhode Island even if they were not eligible to marry there. Though sympathizing with the situation of those same-sex couples who marry in states like Massachusetts, those against the bill were adamant in their opposition to the bill, viewing the bill as a way to introduce same-sex “marriage” to Rhode Island. (Providence Journal)
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Mendon OKs strip club
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Last week, selectmen in the town of Mendon granted an adult entertainment license to Showtime Entertainment LLC owners George and Christopher Funari, who plan to put a strip club at 50 Milford Street. The license includes condition, including pay for an off-duty police officer to patrol inside the building and in parking lots on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The establishment must also stick to the plans shown to selectmen, and abide by town bylaws. Alcohol sales will also not be allowed. “According to our lawyer … nude dancing enjoys constitutional protection as a form of express … and a town can only impose content-neutral regulations on time, place and manner of adult entertainment,” said Selectman Chair Michael Ammendolia.
Source: Milford Daily News
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