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News
Commonwealth Update - 6.30.10
Wednesday June 30, 2010 - 01:30 AM
Inside this issue: Keep up the calls to Brown, Kerry; Gambling debate continues in state Senate; Evelyn Reilly appears on FOX News; Rhode Island governor vetoes homosexual agenda, gambling measures; National Organization for Marriage tour coming to New England; Quincy city councilor takes on library porn viewers; Homosexual activists upset over McClurkin's GospelFest appearance. Be sure to subscribe to receive Kris Mineau's Commonwealth Update in your Inbox every Wednesday.
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Keep up the calls to Brown, Kerry
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Thanks to those of you who have called Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry regarding the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. While neither senator has given a direct indication as to how they will vote, your calls are being logged and making a difference.
If you have not yet called Senators Brown and Kerry, please CLICK HERE to do so. We have provided you with a short script to assist you with your calls.
For more information on the ongoing Kagan hearings, please visit Family Research Council’s special website, “The Judicial Review,” available here: http://thejudicialreview.org/.
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Gambling debate continues in state Senate
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The state Senate is continuing to debate the hundreds of amendments filed to accompany their plan to bring three resort casinos to Massachusetts. Among the amendments blocked from a vote was one by the Senate’s five Republicans to set aside all gambling revenue for property tax relief. The Senate chose instead to approve $3 million being set aside to help senior citizens with property taxes.
Senators opposed to expanded gambling have been using various procedural moves to postpone a final vote on the bill. According to the Boston Globe, State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) halted yesterday’s debate at 5pm citing a concern that more powerful legislators are trying to circumvent the ban on smoking last week.
Sen. Sue Fargo (D-Lincoln) said that gambling proponents have been too willing to retreat on protections against problem drinking and smoking, that have been years in the making, in order to protect casino interests. One amendment would exempt casinos from the state law requiring establishments not to offer discounted drinks.
These exemptions are outrageous. Casino proponents are so dead set on unleashing the predatory gambling industry on Massachusetts that they are willing to sacrifice the health of our citizens and the survival of small businesses around the state. Restaurants and bars in the local communities around casinos would have to compete with casinos where smoking and drink specials are allowed, putting them at a distinct disadvantage.
MFI and our allies continue to do all that we can to convince legislators to oppose expanded gambling. If the Senate does approve a plan, their plan would have to be reconciled with a House plan that was approved in April calling for 2 casinos and slot machines at the state’s four racetracks.
If you haven’t emailed your state senator on gambling, please CLICK HERE to do so today.
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Evelyn Reilly appears on FOX News
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Evelyn Reilly, the director of public policy for MFI, appeared on FOX News this past Saturday morning, addressing the Provincetown condom policy on Fox & Friends. You can view her interview on our YouTube channel:
Since the national uproar on the school committee’s decision to allow access to condoms for all children, regardless of grade, without parental consent, the school district in Provincetown is considering revising its policy to exclude students in grades one through four. The policy would remain in effect for students as young as 10 years old in the fifth grade and older.
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Rhode Island governor vetoes homosexual agenda, gambling measures
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Last week, Governor Donald Carcieri (R-Rhode Island) vetoed a set of measures that would have expanded the state’s existing hate crimes registry beyond sex-related “orientation” relating to heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality, to include “gender expression” and “gender identity.”
Governor Carcieri also vetoed a ballot referendum on casino gambling that the legislature had approved in the waning hours of this year’s session. He complained that the process was flawed and rushed. Were the referendum approved, communities that would play host to casinos would not be allowed to have any say. The referendum legislation “cavalierly wipes away the [local] role,” Carcieri noted, altering the process “without good reason.”
It is unclear whether the legislature will reconvene to override either veto.
Governor Carcieri has consistently concentrated on the financial and budgetary business of Rhode Island and rejected the special interest groups attempting to push a radical sexual agenda during an economic crisis. In Massachusetts, we continue to fight the similar special interest groups as they attempt to pass comparable sexual legislation in the form of the “Bathroom Bill.”
I applaud Governor Carcieri, who MFI hosted as our banquet speaker last October, for his strong stand for the families of the Ocean State. We are proud to have such a pro-family governor on our southern border.
Source: Providence Journal |
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National Organization for Marriage tour coming to New England
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The National Organization for Marriage is launching a Summer for Marriage Tour 2010, “taking the message for marriage directly to the American people and building support for marriage all across the eastern half of the United States.” They plan to travel more than 6000 miles in 33 days and hold rallies in 23 cities from Maine to Minnesota to Atlanta and Tampa.
Many of the states are critical battlegrounds for marriage, including three states right here in New England. The full lineup can be viewed at www.marriagetour2010.com but here are the three New England dates:
- July 14 – Augusta, Maine
Capitol Park (across from State House)
Noon to 1pm
- July 15 – Manchester, New Hampshire
City Hall Plaza (900 Elm Street)
Noon to 1pm
- July 18 – Providence, Rhode Island
State House
2pm to 3pm
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Quincy city councilor takes on library porn viewers
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Quincy Councilor Daniel Raymondi is hoping he has found a way to stop people from viewing pornography on public library computers. Raymondi has asked Mayor Thomas Koch to make public a list of people who have viewed pornography on library computers within the past year. The council unanimously approved the resolution on the idea last week.
According to the Patriot Ledger, library director Ann McLaughlin says that using library computers to access porn is against policy, and violators are given two warnings before they are banned. She is unsure if the new policy will work. A spokesman for the mayor says the city’s legal department is reviewing the request.
Source: Associated Press
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Homosexual activists upset over McClurkin's GospelFest appearance
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The City of Boston is facing criticism from the homosexual activist community after the city announced that this year's Boston GospelFest would be headlined by Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Pastor McClurkin was once trapped in the homosexual lifestyle, but was saved from that lifestyle and has since preached publicly about leaving homosexuality behind. McClurkin attributes his homosexual attractions to having been raped by male relatives at at the ages of 8 and 13.
According to homosexual newspaper Bay Windows, the mayor's office, after reaffirming their "pro-gay and pro-same-sex marriage" stance, is currently investigating options regarding the impatct of McClurkin's appearance and will be making an announcement soon regarding the GospelFest lineup. As of now, the Grammy-winning artist is still scheduled to perform at GospelFest on July 18th at City Hall Plaza. |
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