Bridgewater DTC Endorses Coalition for Social Justice

At the monthly meeting of the Bridgewater Democratic Town Committee held on Wednesday, June 14th, Anabel Santiago and Dan Gilbarg from the Coalition for Social Justice joined the Bridgewater DTC and shared some background on their organization, discussed issues they are currently working on and explained how dedicated Democrats residing in Bridgewater and across the region can help CSJ.

Upon hearing about the work that the Coalition for Social Justice is doing across the Commonwealth of Masssachusetts and the nation, the Bridgewater DTC unanimously voted to endorse the efforts of CSJ and encouraged members and non-members alike to support the work that CSJ is championing across the region. In addition to the endorsement, the Bridgewater Democratic Town Committee voted to donate $250.00 to the Coalition for Social Justice in support of their mission and their activities.

For more information about the Coalition for Social Justice, please visit their Facebook page by clicking here and follow them on Twitter by clicking here.

Bridgewater DTC Memorial Scholarship

The Bridgewater Democratic Town Committee would like to congratulate Daniel McGee, our 2017 recipient of the Bridgewater Democratic Town Committee Memorial Scholarship.

We wish Dan the best of luck as he pursues his next educational pursuit!

Why I'm Running by Bob Massie

You and I know what it means to call Massachusetts our home. We are recognized by the world as a “Commonwealth” because we know that when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

That's why I am running for Governor—because it’s time to renew our commitment to making Massachusetts a beacon of hope.

At this vital moment in history, when we have a president who is actively damaging our constitution, we are charged with fighting for core American values such as freedom, inclusion, and democracy. In the Democratic Party—the party of Roosevelt, Kennedy, and so many other progressive innovators— we must stand shoulder-to-shoulder and confront our state’s deep structural failures. To make progress in the decade ahead, we must face these problems with honesty, lay out a compelling vision of where we want to go, and then act boldly.

This article from the Boston Globe clearly explains why I made my decision to run. Today, inequality of wealth and opportunity continue to damage too many of our communities. Working people are being forced to work harder and harder for less and less. Our dependence on fossil fuels has damaged our ecosystem and cost families, small businesses, and communities billions of dollars that should be put to better use. And our failure to move forward on building truly modern transportation, education, and health care systems is undermining our prosperity.

I spoke about these issues at length with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan in this interview for WGBH Boston Public Radio last week. They are the bedrock issues of my campaign.

Massachusetts needs a Governor who can draw a road map to fix our most complicated problems. I know how to do this. Throughout my life I have brought people together to do things that were thought to be impossible, as the leader or founder of powerful national and international organizations like Ceres, the Global Reporting Initiative, the Investor Network on Climate Risk, and the New Economy Coalition.

This amazing BillMoyers.com profile by Columbia University professor Todd Gitlin chronicles my background and achievements. Working with groups from around the globe, I took on the world's biggest corporations and successfully pressed them to measure and disclose their impacts on workers, human rights, climate change, and the environment. Together we succeeded in driving sustainability straight into the heart of our corporate economy.

My approach to campaigning is simple. I am traveling to every corner of the state. I am listening to your concerns and suggestions. I know that our strength as a state comes not from the decisions of the few, but from the intelligence and creativity of the many.

I am pleased that a good number of Democratic leaders like you have already decided to support me. If you’re ready to help me and my team at the Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention on June 3 or in the future, please contact me directly at bob@bobmassie2018.com or visit my website — www.bobmassie2018.com — if you would like more information or would like to make a donation.

What we do—or do not do—in the months ahead will determine the health and strength of our Commonwealth long into our children's futures. We owe it to them to give it our all.

Best,
Bob

A Message from Jay Gonzalez, Candidate for Governor

Today, I reaffirmed my support for the Fair Share Tax and publicly called on Governor Charlie Baker to tell Massachusetts residents whether or not he supports it.

The Fair Share Tax is a proposed amendment to our state constitution, that if approved by voters next November, would generate an additional $2 billion a year specifically for investment in our education and transportation systems. The money would come from an increase in the income tax on people making over $1 million a year. It's the right thing to do to ask those who've done well during the economic recovery to help pay for badly needed investments in our children and in our infrastructure.

Like we've seen time and again, Charlie Baker has refused to tell the voters where he stands on this proposal. People deserve to know where their Governor stands on important issues, and if I am elected, I will be honest and forthcoming about my positions on pressing issues. Over a year and a half ago, Charlie Baker told reporter Jim Braude "... we have plenty of time to think about that one."

Does Charlie Baker support new resources for education and transportation or not?

I hope you'll join me in asking Charlie Baker to make his position known on this important issue. Share our statement on your social media, tell your friends and neighbors about the amendment and call the Governor's office at 617-725-4000 to tell him you support it.

In other news, our team of volunteers is growing and we'd love for you to join us. We held our statewide volunteer meeting Saturday at our new campaign headquarters in Cambridge as we gear up for the state Democratic Convention June 3rd. If you were unable to join us but are interested in volunteering, please email Brooks Richon at brooks@jay4ma.com. We're also looking for volunteers to join us for the Boston Pride Parade on Saturday, June 10th. Email Brooks at brooks@jay4ma.com for more information!

This week, you can catch me at the North Shore Delegates Dinner on Tuesday, the Braintree Democratic Town Committee Meeting on Wednesday and a Cambridge House Party on Thursday.

1st Annual Thomas P. Kennedy/Brockton Democratic City Committee Legislative Reception

On May 18, 2017 the Brockton Democratic City Committee will be holding the First Annual Thomas P. Kennedy/Brockton Democratic City Committee Legislative Reception, hosted by Sen. Michael Brady, Rep. Gerry Cassidy, Rep. Claire Cronin, and Rep. Michele Dubois. 

The event will be held at the Perfect Place, 2039 Main St. Brockton from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and the keynote Speaker will be Steve Tolman, President AFL-CIO of Massachusetts. Tickets are $25. and can be purchased at the door or online by clicking here.

YDMA 2017 Convention Elections

The Young Democrats of Massachusetts invite you to take part in the organization’s annual elections at the 2017 Annual Convention on Saturday, May 13th, 2017. The Convention will take place on the MIT campus at 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.

Elections for organizational leadership will occur at this session and will be administered as dictated by the Charter and Bylaws. The proceeding information shall dictate how the electoral process will be governed.
Those who are permitted to vote in the 2017 elections are individuals who:

• Have attended at least one YDMA event in the last calendar year.
• Are registered democrats.
• Reside within the Confines of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The following positions will be up for election at the 2017 Convention:

• President (formerly titled Chair)
• Vice President (formerly titled Vice Chair for Programming and Policy)
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Membership and Outreach Director
• Communications Director
• Diversity and Inclusion Director
• Political Director
• Public Policy Director
• YDA Committeeman and Woman
• Four (4) At-Large Directors
• Public Service Director
• Events Director

Descriptions of the roles and responsibilities for each position up for election may be found in the following Google Doc: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z8kmbuU8K4_Q93TtvqaMKVxNvKHSabMiK--YN0D5X0w/

The following positions are not up for election at the 2017 election:

• Vice Chair for Admin & Finance (role eliminated at recent Charter Convention)
• DSC Committeeman and Woman
• Chapter and Caucus Chairs

Candidates who wish to run for any office up for election must:

• Submit a statement of no more than 250 words to the YDMA secretary (Zachary Agush) no later than May 3, 2017, 10 days before the convention, which will be shared with the Membership-At-Large. Those who do not submit a statement will not be denied the ability for office to run from the floor of the convention.
• Be nominated and seconded. Only those individuals deemed eligible to vote in the convention have the right to nominate a candidate for office. The nominee must accept the nomination, either verbally in person, or in writing if not present.

Proceedings of the Election segment of the 2017 Convention:

• Equitable time for speaking and questions by candidates may be provided by appropriate motion.
• The election for each office in sequence shall be conducted before opening the floor to nominations for the next office.
• Contested elections shall be determined by ballot, and uncontested nominees may be elected by acclamation. Ballots shall include the preprinted names of candidates who declared before the deadline and write-in spaces for names of candidates nominated from the floor. The terms of those elected shall commence immediately upon the adjournment of convention.

Note: During the Elections segment of the Convention, the Secretary of the YDMA shall be deemed the presiding officer.

An agenda of the Convention is being finalized and will be distributed to the Membership-at-Large in the coming weeks. Copies of the Charter, as revised on April 11th, 2017 will be available for review by the Membership.

All attendees are encouraged to pay their Membership Dues ($35) or Membership Dues Plus ($35 + $10 cover for lunch at Convention) as soon as possible. You may pay here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/ydamconv17

If you have any questions, please contact Zachary Agush, YDMA Secretary, at zachary.agush@gmail.com.


We look forward to seeing you at the 2017 Annual YDMA Convention!

MassDems Platform Committee Public Hearing

On April 27, 2017 the Massachusetts Democratic State Platform Committee will be conducting a hearing to get input from Democrats on the development of the state platform. The hearing will be held at 80 Perkins Avenue in Brockton from 7PM to 9PM.