One year ago today, I was given the privilege of representing the interests of the 7th Plymouth District at the State House when I was inaugurated on January 5^th, 2011, as part of the 187^th General Court. I am proud to report that, though the combined efforts of elected officials and the resilience of the hard working families and businesses of the Commonwealth, we have been able to significantly lower unemployment, increase our bond rating and rainy day fund, plus enact policies to enhance the safety of our fellow citizens.   

The first half of the 2011-2012 session has already demonstrated the positive effects of the 25% changeover in the legislature. Instead of new taxes, fees and business-as-usual politics, fiscal reform and relief for Massachusetts cities and towns, plus new business opportunities, have taken precedence on Beacon Hill.   

The following is a list and description of successful legislation and budget initiatives from the House, some missed opportunities, and a look forward to see what priorities are in store for 2012 and beyond.   

LEGISLATION AND THE FY12 BUDGET 

Local Aid “Check” Presentation to Abington BOS Chair Chris Aiello by Rep. Geoff Diehl and Senator John Keenan

 Reversions to Local Aid: Because of the struggling economy, many areas of state funding were cut in order to balance the budget, including government aid to cities and towns. In fact, my #1 campaign promise was to restore local aid funding. As a result, the Republican caucus proposed a creative solution aimed at maintaining funding for local aid at its current level. Under the proposal, which was unanimously adopted by the Legislature, half of all unspent appropriations in the FY11 budget that would otherwise “revert” to the General Fund will be given to cities and towns. On October 31st, the Department of Revenue certified that amount of money available from this amendment was $65M, level funding local aid for FY12 and restoring the cuts made in the Governor’s original budget. The town of Abington received $120,305, East Bridgewater got $91,541 and Whitman was given $148,090.  

Veterans’ “Welcome Home” Bonus Funding Increase: The House was able to secure increased funding for the “Welcome Home” Bonus account by $700K within the FY12 Supplemental Budget. Given the President’s recent announcement to draw down the number of troops in Iraq, it made sense to secure a portion of the $395 million in anticipated surplus revenue to ensure the Commonwealth’s 11,000 deployed service members would receive up to $1,000 when they return from active deployment. [Adopted unanimously on a voice vote, signed by the Governor on 11/11/11]   

National Guard Lt. Colonel Michael S. Finer, recently returning from duty in Iraq

EBT Commission: The Legislature adopted within the FY11 Supplemental Budget (H.3737) an amendment establishing a commission to study the use of electronic benefit transfer cards and the cost of requiring the Department of Transitional Assistance to include on the cards a photograph of the cardholder. This commission will hopefully provide the Commonwealth with further insight into how we can best prevent inappropriate use of electronic benefit transfer cards. [Adopted unanimously on a voice vote, signed by the Governor on 12/21/11  

Chapter 90 Transportation Funding: Each year the state provides cities and towns with a reimbursement for eligible road projects. This funding is capped and distributed proportionally to each municipality based on a number of factors, including the size of the municipality and the number of road miles. Traditionally, the total amount of Chapter 90 funding available to all cities and towns was roughly $155M. This year, however, economic conditions spurred the Legislature to provide $200M in Chapter 90 reimbursement monies in order to spur job growth from these transportation projects. [RC #31 (148Y to 0N), signed by Governor on 04/11/11]   

Municipal Health Insurance: Probably the most important reform passed by the Legislature this session, this well publicized budget amendment was enacted to provide the most relief for Massachusetts cities and towns – estimated at close to $100M by the Mass. Municipal Association. In order to curb year-over-year increases in municipal employee health insurance, lawmakers crafted a proposal to bring municipal health insurance plans in line with those offered to state employees. After negotiations between the Governor and the Legislature, the final plan calls for a 30-day timeframe for a governmental unit and labor to negotiate a plan that either transfers employees into the GIC or to implements plan design changes aligning municipal plans with the plans provided by the GIC. Also adopted was Labor’s requirement to have 25% of the savings, realized by making plan design changes or moving to the GIC, be returned through employees through health care savings accounts or some other out-of-pocket expense relief. Finally, the plan requires all eligible retirees to enroll in a Medicare health plan. [Governor’s amendment adopted on RC #87 (150Y to 2N), signed by Governor on 07/12/11]   

Court Reform: Following reports of patronage hires, the Legislature took the first step in addressing the issue by reforming the administration of the courts. The legislation places the financial and administrative responsibilities with a professional court administrator rather than the Chief Justice of Administration and Management. Perhaps most important, the bill reforms the courts hiring process, allowing legislator recommendations to be considered only in the final stage of the hiring process and making all written recommendations public record. [RC #77 (152Y-0N), signed by Governor on 08/04/11]   

Alimony Reform: The Commonwealth’s alimony system has been viewed as deeply flawed and one of the most generous to the recipient of alimony payments in the country. Lifetime alimony payments were permissible, with little consideration of the recipient’s income or assets. This reform creates different types of alimony categories with clear durational limits, thus providing judges with clear guidelines for alimony judgments. [RC #91 (151Y-0N), signed by Governor on 9/26/2011]   

House and Senate Redistricting: Following the completion of the decennial census, the representative and senatorial districts of the General Court are required to be redrawn to account for the change in population over the last decade. The Redistricting Committee worked closely with individual members, in an inclusive, bipartisan effort to create a map reflective of the Committee on Redistricting’s ideals and the wishes of the constituents of the Commonwealth. The revised House map includes 20 majority minority seats, and an increase of 10 seats over the 2000 Census. Individual legislators had the opportunity to meet with Chairman Moran, who led the House redistricting efforts, multiple times over the course of the year-long effort; and the process was as open and transparent as possible. [Adopted on RC #128 (151Y-3N), signed by Governor on 11/03/11]   

Pension Reform: This legislation makes many changes to the current pensions system and will potentially save the Commonwealth $6.4B over the next 30 years. Highlights of the bill include: increasing the retirement age from 55 to 60; increasing the COLA base from $12K to $13K; increasing the average of highest 3 years to highest 5 years for pension calculation; and mandating members who serve in more than 1 group to pro-rate benefits based upon the total years of service that member rendered in each group (all for employees hired after 4/2/12, with the exception of the COLA increase). [RC #147 (152Y-0N), signed by Governor on 11/18/2011]   

Human Trafficking: At the time the legislation was filed, Massachusetts was one of only four states in the nation that had failed to address the growing issue of human trafficking. This legislation makes human trafficking a criminal offense and gives prosecutors new tools to target prostitution and forced labor networks. [RC #145 (153Y-1N), signed by Governor on 11/21/2011]   

“Evergreen” Clause: Current law specifies that a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) shall not exceed a term of three years. However, certain CBAs include an “evergreen” clause, which allowed the terms of the CBA to remain in “full force and effect” beyond the maximum three year term, until a new CBA was negotiated. On October 22, 2010, the SJC ruled that, since the law specifies that the terms of CBAs shall not exceed three years, “evergreen” clauses are unenforceable because, in essence, that would extend the term of the contract beyond the statutorily allowable maximum. In its decision, the SJC noted that an “evergreen” clause can serve a purpose, but until the Legislature takes action to change the law, the Court must rule based on the Legislature’s original intent – which was to limit the terms to three years. Thus, this bill allows CBAs to include, in their 3 year agreement, a provision that allows the terms of the agreement to remain in effect beyond the 3 years, until a new contract is negotiated. As written, the inclusion of an “evergreen” clause is permitted prospectively. The bill also allows for retroactive enforcement of an “evergreen” clause if it was included in your already-executed CBA and that CBA matter was not involved in a pending or adjudicated case between October 22, 2010 (the date of the SJC ruling) and November 1, 2011. [RC #181 (151Y-2N), signed by Governor on 11/22/11]   

Expanded Gaming: Another well-covered bill that made headlines during its passage, this legislation, which was unsuccessful in the last session, allows for expanded gaming in the Commonwealth. A new 5 member Commission, called the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), is established to enforce the laws governing gaming licenses and to establish any necessary rules or regulations. The MGC makes the final determination for licensure. They may issue up to three Category 1 (casino gaming) licenses and one Category 2 (slot parlor) license. These casino licenses are awarded by region, but the slot parlor license is not site specific. All licenses are awarded by the MGC on the basis of the suitability of the licensure application. Estimates for annual tax revenue fall somewhere around $300M and it is believed that a total of around 15,000 jobs will be created once all three casinos and the slot parlor are up and running. [RC #144 (121Y-33N), signed by Governor on 11/22/11]  

Fingerprint database & analysis at the Crime Lab of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office

Habitual Offenders: Following the murder of Woburn police officer John Maguire and passage of a crime bill by the Senate, the House finally took action on a version of the Habitual Offenders Bill. The bill, based on Melissa’s Bill, which has been filed and advanced for many years by Representative Brad Hill and Melissa’s father, Les Gosule, targets the worst criminal offenders in the Commonwealth. This bill would ensure that an offender convicted of certain violent offenses who has been convicted twice previously of one or more the violent offenses, will be considered a habitual offender and be punished by imprisonment for the maximum term provided by law for the third offense. The bill includes amendments to require that parole for life sentences only be granted by a two-thirds vote of the parole board, and that the AG, DA, Chief of Police, and victim be notified in writing of parole hearings for an offender convicted of a violent crime who has served more than 5 years. The House and Senate have begun to meet in conference with hopes of coming to an agreement and taking final action on compromise language in 2012. [RC #180 (142Y-12N), in Conference Committee]  

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES   

The 2011-2012 legislation was not without its disappointments. Efforts aimed at implementing further reforms, providing municipalities with better fiscal forecasting, and reducing taxes were not supported by everyone in the House. Here are some initiatives that failed to pass.

Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald, Jr., with House and Senate members, speaks on behalf of Secure Communities

Secure Communities: After several months of “studying” whether the state would join the Secure Communities Program required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be implemented by all states by 2013, the Governor’s Administration chose to hold Massachusetts out of the program. This program leverages existing information sharing capabilities between the DHS and the Department of Justice to identify aliens who are arrested for a crime and booked into local law enforcement custody using fingerprint technology. [Rejected on RC #73 (73Y-84N) during House Budget Debate]

Local Aid Resolution: In order for many cities and towns to properly manage and set their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year, local leaders are forced to almost guess the amount of state aid that they expect to receive. Under this proposal, the Legislature would have been required to adopt a local aid resolution by March 15th of each year, setting the minimum amount of local aid from the state in a timely manner. [Amendment rejected on RC #16 (32Y-123N) during Joint Rules Debate]   

Income Tax Roll Back: In 2000, voters approved a ballot initiative to reduce the income tax from 5.95% to 5%; but the Legislature overrode the will of the voters and froze the rollback at 5.3%. This amendment would have reduced the income tax to 5% by decreasing the rate 0.1% each year for three years. [Rejected on RC #39 (34Y-121N) during House Budget Debate]   

Sales Tax Roll Back: Despite warnings from economic and business leaders to avoid regressive tax increases during a sluggish economy, Massachusetts Democratic Legislators raised the state sales tax by 20% in 2009. After initially suggesting the tax increase would generate $900M in new revenue, decreased consumer spending during the recession resulted in much less tax revenue ($580M). During debate on a sales tax holiday, Republican Leadership sought to debate the merits of reducing the state sales tax over the next two fiscal years; however, Majority Leadership used procedural tactics to prevent a debate on the issue. [Ruled beyond the scope. Vote was on supporting the ruling of the Chair – RC #94 (118Y- 35N) during Sales Tax Holiday Debate]   

LOOKING AHEAD   

With a busy first half of the 2011-2012 legislative session, the second half looks to be equally active. The following issues are anticipated to be debated by the House at some point prior to session adjournment:   

Jobs Package: After holding 8 Jobs Tour Events around the Commonwealth over the last several months, the Republican Caucus is poised to release a Jobs Package in January in response to the feedback provided to the members by local business owners. The legislative package will address a number of key issues discussed at each event, including: the state’s complex regulatory system; burdensome tax policy; and the generally poor business climate. The legislation will also seek to elevate and reintroduce a number of policies that have been promoted by small business owners for years, including reforms to: the independent contractor law; unemployment insurance; health care mandates; and several anti-business tax laws.   

Health Care & Payment Reform: Despite having 98% coverage, Massachusetts still has some of the most expensive premiums in the country. Action is necessary to reform how we pay for care and to lower costs for Massachusetts businesses, consumers, and municipalities. In January, members of the Legislature will offer a promising alternative to what is currently in place, including several initiatives that address critical issues in health care and payment reform. Some of these key issues include: disclosure and transparency; patient education and consumer protection; workforce development; medical malpractice; governance; electronic medical records; and payment reform.   

Education Collaboratives: In the summer of 2011, the Inspector General and State Auditor released reports chronicling vast mismanagement and fiscal abuse at several of the state’s 30 Education Collaboratives. An Education Committee redraft of two bills incorporate aspects into a comprehensive piece of legislation that: improves financial transparency and accountability; increases state oversight; creates new regulations for collaborative employees, board members, and related non-profit/for-profit organizations; and creates a commission to study the future role of collaboratives, including whether they should continue providing adult services.   

Main Street Fairness: In August of this year, the Revenue Committee reported out House bill 3673, An Act to promote sales tax fairness for Main Street retailers, favorably to the Joint Committee on Rules. If passed, the bill will make Massachusetts the 25th state signed onto the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSTUA), which was first initiated in 2000. The bill would provide Massachusetts with the option of joining the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board and having three voting delegates (appointed by the House Speaker, Senate President, and DOR). Twelve months after passage, the bill would require Massachusetts to adhere to uniform product definitions and to adopt uniform requirements for filing sales tax returns. Most notably, however, the agreement ties Massachusetts to a yet-to-be passed Congressional bill called the Main Street Fairness Act, which would enable states to collect sales taxes from Internet retailers, like Amazon.com, who do not have a physical presence in the state. Additional revenue estimates resulting from these changes range from $100M – $330M per year.   

Tax Expenditure Commission Report: The Tax Expenditure Commission, created in the FY12 Budget, will complete its report April 30, 2012. At a total of $24.2B, the FY12 Tax Expenditure Budget (TEB) is made up of $5.7B in personal income tax exemptions, $1.3B in corporate excise tax exemptions, and $17.2B in sales tax exemptions. On the other hand, the state is projected to collect $21B in total tax revenue to be put toward the $30.5B budget in FY12. The Commission is charged with formulating recommendations for an overhaul of the TEB, and intends to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of each expenditure with an eye toward broadening the overall base and lowering tax rates.   

Stella Karavas of Voltree Power (Canton) shows me a self-powering (solar/wind) low-voltage data collection/transmission unit for forest monitoring.

Green Communities Act Reforms: Following from the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy’s Green Communities Act (GCA) Oversight hearing, the Legislature may act to mitigate the costly impacts of the GCA on the Commonwealth’s ratepayers. Most notably, the Committee is expected to address the need for competitive procurement, increased transparency, added clarity in defining cost effective renewables, and the prohibition of sweetheart deals for utilities and renewable developers. Many of these reforms are included in a bill filed by the House GOP caucus. (H. 3767, An act relative to competitively solicited and cost effective long-term renewable energy contracts, in Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy)   

High Cost for Electricity and Storm Response: In addition to GCA reforms, the Legislature is expected to address the inadequate response to both Hurricane Irene and the late October snowstorm by the state’s public utilities, as well as other contributing factors to the high cost of electricity in the Commonwealth. This could include different means of increasing competition in transmission and distribution.   

Wind Energy Siting Reform: During the previous Legislative Session, the Governor’s Administration pushed for the passage of H. 4955, An Act relative to comprehensive siting reform for land based wind projects, to streamline the siting process for land-based wind turbines and to facilitate the Administration’s goal of 2,000MW by 2020. During 2011, the two hearings held by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy highlighted significant public opposition to the refiled bill (S. 1666), raising concerns regarding the detrimental health effects of inappropriately sited industrial wind turbines in Falmouth. Consequently, the Senate President, previously a key advocate, has renounced support and, as a result, the passage of this bill is no longer certain. 

I hope this has been informative and, as always, I welcome your valuable feedback and ideas on how we can make sure that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts remains one of the leading states in our great nation. Please call or e-mail me to set time to talk and, in the meantime, Happy New Year!   

Sincerely,   

___________________________________________
Geoffrey G. Diehl | State Representative
7th Plymouth District: Abington | Whitman | East Bridgewater
“Your Voice on Beacon Hill”
State House – Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2810
geoff.diehl@mahouse.gov
www.geoffdiehl.com   

Please visit Representative Diehl’s public pages:

Ms. Lugenia Gordon, author of the "Honor Roll of the Abolitionists"

The scroll, four feet high by two feet wide, was researched and created by Ms. Gordon over a seven year period in the late 1970′s and ’80′s. Ms. Gordon, a life-long Republican, was born in Selma, Alabama, the granddaughter of three former slaves and a Creek Indian in the early 1920′s. She moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, as soon as she was old enough to vote in order to escape the “white supremacy” culture in Alabama at the time. Ms. Gordon spent most of her adult life in the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn, working for the City of New York and later retired to Manchester, New Hampshire.

 

The “Honor Roll” contains the hand lettered names of more than 700 abolitionists from the period between 1683 and 1875, listed by state and country of origin. The scroll is bordered by African art work and contains at its top a drawing of an American Eagle with outstretched wings and talons. Lettering and art work were done by Ms. Joyce Williams of Glassboro, New Jersey, a cousin of Ms. Gordon.

Representative Diehl holding copy of the "Honor Roll of the Abolitionists"

Abington’s Island Grove was a well-known gathering place for orators such as William Lloyd Garrison to address crowds gathered for annual Abolitionist meetings, held from 1846-1865. The historic location was honored in 1909 at the spot where speakers once stood with a bronze plaque containing a line from Garrison reading, in part: “I am in earnest. I will not equivocate. I will not excuse. I will not retreat a single inch – And I will be heard.” In 1902, the Civil War Memorial Arch and Bridge were constructed to honor the town’s Civil War veterans for the town’s bicentennial. In 2002, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In May of 1861, Captain Harlow of South Abington (now Whitman) led what would become Company K of the Union’s 7th Regiment to Boston, becoming the first unit to report for duty in Massachusetts following the call of President Lincoln for volunteers to fight in the Civil War.

Lugenia Gordon receives Senate Resolution for Her Lifelong Work to Honor Abolitionists

 

During the ceremony, Ms. Gordon was presented with a Massachusetts Senate resolution honoring her for her lifetime work in recognizing those who contributed to the Abolitionist movement. Ms. Gordon also holds an honorary degree from Bridgewater State University, which was presented to her in 2005 by Milton J. Little Jr., then President and CEO of the United Way of Massachusetts “I am deeply honored to accept for our district this distinct recognition and wish to thank Lugenia for the courage and sacrifice required to make the ‘Honor Roll,’ said Representative Diehl. “My goal is to turn it into a travelling historical display for all the schools of my towns so that children can search to see if their family name is there, plus learn about an important chapter of American history.”

Over the last twenty years, the “Honor Roll” has also been presented to descendants of the Abolitionists in Boston; Bridgewater, Ma. ; Manhattan; Brooklyn; Washington, D.C.; Beaufort, S.C.; and overseas in London and Dublin.

** All photos shown are credited to Joe Goldsberry / Media Concepts, Whitman MA **

 

“Imagine there’s no countries
  It isn’t hard to do…”

John Lennon’s ballad was playing in my ears as I read the welcome letter from my professor at the Darden School at University of Virginia, urging me and the other 49 legislators from around the country to “take off the (D) or (R) off your persona and dig into the ideas.” We were all about to participate in a scholarship program run by the State Legislative Leadership Foundation and held on the campus designed by Thomas Jefferson, someone who helped transform America through his Declaration of Independence, so there was a nice congruity to it all. And Lennon’s “Imagine” came to mind based on the recent revelation that he might actually have been a Reagan Democrat at the end of his life, giving me renewed hope that “aisle crossing” was possible, after all.

So that’s what we did – State Representatives and Senators from all corners of the country resolved to discuss all issues covered during the week without prejudice of party and to speak only on the merits of ideas, unhindered by political posturing that often occurs at our respective state houses. Having received bi-partisan support from Massachusetts leaders who wrote me letters of recommendation, including Senator Scott Brown and Congressman Stephen Lynch, I found it an easy request to follow.

Prior to arrival, we’d also been tasked to read five books sent to us a month out from the program;

I groaned a little at the titles, especially Friedman’s book, thinking that there might be an educational agenda going on and I employed Google to check out articles and interviews to get more background on each. Friedman’s overt partisanship was confirmed after I read a Salon interview (scathing rebuke, though, by the New York Press), but I had an even bigger groan when I saw who the lead instructor was; Professor Edward Freeman. Admittedly, I hadn’t met the man but he looked like a cross between Jerry Garcia and Rubeus Hagrid! Was I about to be indoctrinated with green energy initiatives plus learn how a Petronus spell might reverse global warming?!?

My fears were unfounded, however, as I quickly realized that that there was a terrific balance in our material, likely borne of the fact that we were on the campus of a highly rated business school where the influence of hundreds of MBA candidates may have left their mark on the staff. Professor Freeman proved to be more of a libertarian and his educational focus on ethics and engaging stakeholders provided a good core philosophy for both business management and effective governance. He also has a great sense of humor and hosted our group at a dinner at his home with his wife and kids.

In was in this atmosphere that all participants found it very easy to shed their various affiliations and engage in meaningful discussions. In fact, on day three, someone noted that she was still having a hard time determining the party affiliation of the people with whom she was talking, to which most of us agreed. What seemed to be a common thread was that those selected to participate in the program must have demonstrated results-oriented activity in their respective legislatures, knowing that partisanship is never the solution to achieving rational consensus.

Rep. Geoff Diehl and SLLF Pres. Steve Lakis at Monticello

Mixed into the educational program, which I’ll elaborate on more below, were some treats for those of us with a passion for history and politics. We toured Jefferson’s Monticello, had a dinner in the Dome Room of the Rotunda at his University of Virginia, and were able to hear guest speaker Charlie Cook rattle off American political data in the same way that someone like Buster Olney fires off MLB statistics. Cook is a self-described “political junkie” and writes for the National Journal.

A couple of side-notes; Nick Collins, State Representative from Boston, was also selected and we enjoyed the chance to get better acquainted during the week. We also submitted a photo for the Improper Bostonian, so we’ll see if it makes their “Sightings” section. One week after returning from UVa, South Carolina State Representative Todd Atwater, along with his wife, kids and friends, stopped into the State House and I was able to get them introduced to the membership by the Speaker.

THE PROGRAM

The general purpose of the program, in my opinion, was to provide greater knowledge and tools to facilitate dialogue and positive results in the governing process. An emphasis on communication and ethics ran through the specific reviews of each book, so I’ll try to provide a synopsis of what we took out of each;

“Hot, Flat and Crowded,” by Thomas L. Friedman
To give away the punch line, Friedman comes to two conclusions;

 1) Cap & Trade and any other government regulation and/or incentive is the best way to force countries to develop green energy initiatives.

 2) Even if pushing a green revolution creates a market “bubble” (and subsequent burst), akin to the Dot-com “bubble” (200 – 2002), it is worth it if it points us towards long-term clean energy initiatives.

The book goes into great detail about increasing global energy demand, petro-dictatorships and, because he believes America is still the example the rest of the world follows, what we need to do to insure that we create a sustainable future for other countries to emulate.

Overall, I find that a good percentage of the book is hard to disagree with and I’m as concerned as anyone about our ability to take control of our energy future. I think Friedman treads dangerously close to socialism, if not totally over the edge, when he offers solutions like family planning initiatives and car banning. He also defeats the purpose of his book by not recognizing that the 34.4% of Americans who identify themselves as Republicans (34.7% for Democrats, Rasmussen, July ‘11) will not like the partisan shots taken throughout the book, nor appreciate the water-carrying for the left. If you’re going to get majority buy-in of something so major as a “green revolution” (as he states it), you need to do a better job of increasing the stakeholder and political demagoguery is not the path I’d choose to go down – one of the main points the “Emerging Leaders” program, in fact.

“The Republic,” by Plato
Rather than write a review of Plato’s’ dream for a “Philosopher Ruler” like a few hundred thousand people have done by now, I’ll just mention the relevant points;

 1) Plato wrote this at a time when the military might of Athens had allowed a period of great advancement in arts, science, mathematics and philosophy.

 2) The “democracy” that Athens enjoyed was “direct democracy” – any citizen could vote on anything, rather than having regionally elected representatives to vote. In reality, though, the public voted as infrequently as we do. Also, votes could be purchased (arguments can be made that this sometimes still happens!).

 3) Slaves outnumbered citizens 4-1, plus immigrants and women had no vote or power.

 4) Plato’s “hero,” Socrates, was sentenced to death for refusing to stop philosophizing, leading Plato to reject the “civilization” that Athens had become and leading to his writing of the book. Later in life, he founded the “Academy,” which became the training ground for future city planners.

This was my second chance to read/review the book – I’d studied it in college – so I enjoyed a 20+ year removed perspective. The allegory of The Cave was discussed (for a modern take, watch the move The Matrix), but what I found new and refreshing was talking about Gyges’ Ring. The concept is, if you had a magic ring that made you invisible, would you act in an ethical way if there were no consequences.

Of course, all participants felt they would act ethically whenever given the choice. Yet, for two hours, we broke into teams and played a game simulation called the Pepulator Pricing Exercise, developed at Harvard, which tests whether parties are willing to break trust for short term gains. All teams succumbed to taking advantage of the other party; it was just a matter of what level of remuneration caused the breach.

Another argument made against people’s nature to act ethically under the “Gyges’ Ring” theory is what occurs via e-mail or, more glaringly, in online comments made on media websites. You’ve all probably seen them, especially if you’re reading this blog and are comfortable with the use of online news. In the sections after an article, people are allowed to post anonymously comments related to the story. In my opinion, these have become cesspools for negativity, yet they illustrate that a certain sense of “invisibility” brings out the true nature of humanity.

Finally, we discussed ethics vs. “cosmethics” – the idea of how you want your behavior to appear, rather than how you may really act. The story of Arthur Nobel is truly fascinating, in this regard. Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, had a brother who died and, when the newspaper erroneously reported that it was Arthur who died, he was able to read his own obituary. “The merchant of death is dead…” was not how he wanted to be remembered so he made a decision to change his reputation by establishing the peace prizes he is now famous for. The story certainly left our group thinking of what we want to do and be remembered for while in office.

“The Global Achievement Gap,” by Tony Wagner
By far, my favorite book from the program and I’m excited to report that the author and I have a lunch meeting set in August to talk more about the concepts and solutions. I think this book is so important that I don’t really want to go too in depth because I think everyone should read it.

Suffice to say that it takes a “no holds barred” approach to identifying the problems with the education system in America and offers a comparative view of what is being done internationally. The author doesn’t make the typical clarion call for changes to the curriculum or organizations responsible for the delivery of education, but rather, suggests that the changes need to come from within in much the same way that Toyota moved the corporate world into the 21^st century via “kaizen” (continuous improvement).

Having taken part in a “Lean Manufacturing” program (based on the kaizen model) at the company I worked for prior to being elected, I can confidently say that it creates a huge improvement in determining the best practices as developed by the stakeholders themselves. This would be a great improvement over having the national and state education departments constantly rearranged every 2 to 4 years, whenever new administrations take office. The best step for the future of our children and our nation is to depoliticize the education “industry” and focus on the skills and knowledge base needed to compete with the global economy that now challenges our graduates.

One interesting perspective presented during the program was by one of the sponsor-representatives from IBM. His company has created a mandatory “Twitter 101” course for all employees so that they can learn the do’s and don’ts of this specific social media tool, plus how it can be used to market the company – and that ALL employees of IBM can be “marketers” for their company if they so choose. This illustrated the fact that companies still end up training their workforce on a regular basis so we need to make sure our educational system is developing “life-long” learners. The key, according to Tony Wagner, is to make sure they all have critical thinking skills, too.

“Drive,” by Daniel Pink
A fantastic take on what motivates people and how the corporate culture of America needs to adapt to new technologies and an inherent altruism that runs deeply though us. The main argument is that the “carrot and stick” philosophy to achieve goals is outdated and runs counter to what actually brings out the best results in employees. In the July “Governing” magazine, Ken Miller writes an article exactly about how the culture of awards and accountability has a “dark side.”

Some of the more forward thinking companies of our time (Google & 3M are just two examples) have created ROWE – Results Only Work Environment(s). Rather than dictate a work schedule, employees are trusted to accomplish goals based on the environment and timetable that works best for them. Some of these companies also allow a percentage of work time (15 – 30%) to be used for side projects – ideas that the employee has that would be a better product or service for that company. The freedom breeds creativity unfettered by either risk or reward, making for the optimal environment for innovation.

In our classroom, Professor Freeman even went so far as to say that the purpose of any business should NOT be about making money… I’m sure that goes over well with his MBA students! But his analogy is this… His body makes red blood cells and they serve to provide all organs with what the body needs to survive. Dollars are the red blood cells of a healthy business – a means to an end. The end result, insists Prof. Freeman, should be the best product or service your company can provide. The income will materialize from those efforts. Relating it to the audience, he pointed out that votes are the outcome of doing a good job in elected office, not what you should be working to obtain. If a business or an elected official can create value, in association with creativity and innovation, to their function, success will naturally follow.

On paper, it all seems quite simple, but it’s the fact that we like to hold to “tradition” and established paths to completion that hold us back from potential greatness. But the great reward is that, so long as we’re doing what we feel passionate about, we will be much happier in our occupations and will likely see increased fruit from that labor.

“What Got You Here Won’t Get You There,” by Marshall Goldsmith
Cognitive dissonance, the disconnect between what we believe in our minds and what we see or experience in reality, is the focus for the author in this book. A list of 20 leadership/interpersonal challenges are given and the goal we should have is to identify and correct those that affect us the most.

It is, primarily, a self-help book for those who probably think they may not need any help. The key to success in combating most of the flaws identified is better listening. But not just listening to what was said… also listening for what wasn’t said. And to go along with that, we were asked to think about whether, when we talk to people, are we seeking “feedback” or are we seeking “applause.”

I think the main point of that book is that anyone who has achieved some level of success in life needs to remain humble and to appreciate all that is said and done by those around us who help contribute to that success.

On page 84, I found what I think is the most powerful statement in the book; “If you put your fate in their hands – i.e., cede power to them – they will reward you.” It’s a Buddhist principle that I fully agree with and, let’s face it, if I didn’t put my fate in the hands of my district, I wouldn’t be working for them at the State House today!
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In all, I found the program to be extremely eye-opening and I was given a fresh perspective on the major issues facing our country’s leaders today. While we deal with state and federal budgets just beginning to recover from the collapse of ’08, there are new concepts and technologies racing to the forefront for which we may or may not be ready. In 1975, there were five (5) “megacities” in the world. Today, there are twenty-five (25). The demands to support that growth and the innovation we’ll need to match that arise from those urban environments is a major undertaking and the United States needs to play a pivotal role to remain a world leader.

We need to work in harmony at the state and federal level to insure that our people, corporations, laws and resources are part of the continued global growth. And the best way to do that is to create more dialogue with less toxicity between the various stakeholders that shape our national and regional discourse. It all starts at the local level, though, so I encourage everyone to look for ways we can work together, rather than against each other. As Professor Freeman told us, “Leadership is about how we have better conversations, not about telling people what to do.”

There was quite a bit more to the program that what is noted here in the blog, but I wanted to boil it down to a brief overview and the key notes for each book.  If you’d like to discuss the program or any aspect therein, you can always reach me at my State House e-mail: geoff.diehl@mahouse.gov.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I thank you, again, for letting me be your voice on Beacon Hill!

July 1, 1966. Charles de Gaulle graced the cover of Time Magazine as his visit to Russia sparked Cold War concerns. Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls was the bestselling book in the country. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton was in the theaters. And Medicare took effect.

Now, the new majority in the United States House of Representatives wants to take us back to that time. While the nostalgia might seem pleasant, the harsh reality was that over half our seniors had no health care and over thirty percent lived in poverty then. That is unacceptable, and we cannot run the risk of going back to these drastic levels. Medicare has provided our seniors with a guaranteed set of benefits and affordable premiums. As the average income for a senior citizen is $19,000 annually, the value of reliable health care cannot be quantified.

The majority party, however, is working to eliminate Medicare as we know it. In its place, they argue, should be a system where seniors receive a voucher to purchase private insurance. The vouchers would be for a fixed amount that may not even cover health providers’ premiums.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that seniors could be forced to pay approximately $6,000 out of pocket under this voucher program in the first year alone.

Moreover, the plan would increase prescription drug costs for over 83,000 Medicare beneficiaries in our region who enter the Part D donut hole, forcing them to pay an extra $824 million for drugs over the next decade.

This plan to eliminate traditional Medicare would also have a drastic trickle-down effect on our younger population. Individuals aged 55 or younger today would need to save an additional $182,000 before retirement to make up for the added healthcare costs they would face under a voucher system.

Without question, this voucher program will directly lead to higher costs and reduced services, and will have a devastating impact on the over 17% of Massachusetts’ 10th Congressional District that is currently age 65 or older. In fact, while Medicare spending has risen almost 400% since its inception, private health costs have almost doubled that amount, with private health insurance premiums rising 700% in the same amount of time.

Preserving Medicare is not only the right thing to do for our citizens; it’s the right thing to do for the future of our country. Medicare will cost our country less in the long run then a voucher program or private insurance would. Uninsured seniors tend to delay treatment until absolutely necessary, which often translates into expensive hospital visits. Those costs are ultimately charged to local taxpayers. If Medicare was replaced by a voucher program, seniors would only be able to afford certain, basic services. Thus, if they needed extensive medical treatment, those costs will similarly have to be absorbed by taxpayers. Medicare provides seniors with the affordable options to counter this problem by allowing continuous, preventative treatment.

When President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare bill into law, he famously said: “No longer will older Americans be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine. No longer will illness crush and destroy the savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime so that they might enjoy dignity in their later years.”

What President Johnson understood was that the good old days the House majority wants to go back to weren’t so good if you were a senior with health concerns. We need to preserve our senior’s right to Medicare benefits to ensure brighter days for them in the future.

File Photo: Congressman Keating visiting a local business in Rockland

Now that the warm weather is upon us, many Massachusetts residents are eagerly anticipating barbecues, road trips and some much-needed down-time. While the summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors, we must also remember to be safe, especially during this recent spate of extremely hot weather.

Here are some basic tips to help you beat the heat:

• Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty, which indicates you are already starting to become dehydrated.
• Dress in light, loose cotton clothing, which is cooler than most fabrics, and wear wide-brimmed hats to keep the sun from your eyes and your head cool.
• Be extra cautious in the sun and heat if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or other medical conditions. Also, take extra precaution with your medications. Certain medications cause you to sunburn more easily, and you should check with you doctor to see if that is a side-effect of any medication you are taking.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion can come on quickly during intense hot spells and symptoms should be taken very seriously, especially in seniors and children who are more susceptible to fatigue from the heat. For additional information on these dangers, as well as the best energy choices for warm weather and what to do if the heat causes a power outage, visit the FCIC’s Tips for Summer Survival and EPA’s Hot Tips for a Cool Summer.

File Photo: Congressman Keating inspecting seawall damage in Plymouth

Additionally, below are tips for how to protect yourself in the sun come from the EPA Guide: The Sun, UV, and You, which is an excellent resource.

• Do Not Burn. Five or more sunburns double your risk of developing skin cancer.
• Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds. UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
• Generously Apply Sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear Protective Clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
• Seek Shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.

Summer Travels

The residents of the 10th Congressional District know a thing or two about tourists in the summer, but as people from across the country flock to our towns and beaches, you too may take this time as an opportunity to travel. Our nation’s capital is always a good destination with the right mix of history and recreation. If you are making the trip to DC this summer, please contact our Washington office where our staff would be happy to help you arrange tours to important monuments or just give you general information. There is a wealth of things to do in Washington, DC. To determine which sites you would like to see, please review the “

Mt. Vernon Cemetary, Abington MA

Below is the speech delivered by Representative Diehl in Abington and Whitman and by his wife, KathyJo, in East Bridgewater for Memorial Day:

“The observance of Memorial Day serves as a reminder of a rich history of American might and sacrifice and of the men and women of our great state and country who have served in all branches of our military. It is a day of reflection, honor and reverence and must be fittingly celebrated if we are to remain “One Nation Under God.” And, it is also a call; a call to act.

For this day is too great to be dependent on memory alone. In 1884, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., himself a veteran of the Civil War, from where Memorial Day was first celebrated, had some forward-thinking insight into this day which I would like to share with you.   He said, “Today is the moment that by common consent, we pause to be conscious of our national life, to rejoice in it, to recall what our country has done for each of us and to ask ourselves what we can do for our country in return.”

Rep. Diehl at Whitman ceremony

Holmes understood to fight a war you must believe something and want something with all your might.

To fight for the Union, to abolish slavery, to liberate Cuba, to make the world safe for democracy, to fight fascism, to keep a nuclear world safe, to fight terrorism.

In their memory, we must remember this day not only as an observance, but a celebration of a life worth living.

Let us not only hallow the sacred memory of those from this town who died for our country, let us also be inspired this day to act diligently on the challenges that face us today so that we can be worthy of their actions.

KathyJo Diehl at East Bridgewater ceremony

This is the time for a new hope. This is the hour to stand up and be counted. This is a sacred moment to dedicate ourselves and to act with enthusiasm and faith on the issues that confront each and every one of us as Americans, both at home and abroad.

Let us here today dedicate our lives as Lincoln so eloquently stated, so that the dead shall not have died in vain, and that “government of the people, by the people, for the people” shall not perish from the earth.”

"A New Hope" (Click on image to see video)

BOSTON, MA

(April 27, 2011):

“A NEW HOPE”
MAIDEN SPEECH BY GEOFFREY G. DIEHL
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 7^TH PLYMOUTH DISTRICT
187^th MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL COURT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Representatives of the 187th General Court and Guests.

Thanks also to the people of my district who share with me the hope that we can find a solution to the financial hardships that face our Commonwealth.  In 1977 when our nation was going through a similar energy and economic crisis, my recently divorced mother found herself out of work due to a labor strike and I experienced first-hand the sacrifices she made for the two of us to get by.

I am asking today for your support of a budget amendment that will help families who may find themselves in similar peril with one of the most important assets they need to keep their lives together – their home. My amendment asks not for dollars, but a study to support a bill, number 1183, which is an “Act Providing for Homeowner Consolidation and Relief.” This study will allow for groups like Mass. Bankers, Mass. Credit Union and Mass Housing to leverage their experience towards finalizing a bill that will help thousands of residents remain in their homes.

Experience is a valuable ally in all walks of life.  As a freshman in this House, I can’t adequately express how in the short time I have been here I have come to treasure the helpful advice I have received from members on both sides of the aisle.  An individual who does not value experience is like Sophocles’ ignorant man, who only appreciates something of value after it has slipped out of his hands.

In as much as we value experience, however, we cannot mistake experience with the routine, the established pattern of behavior based on prior analysis or comfortable habit.

The eyes of the public are upon this chamber as never before – watching what priorities we set, waiting for action, not business as usual.  I was elected to provide a voice to the voiceless members of my community, barely making ends meet, still finding time to help their community, suffering in silence, too proud to take a hand out but in need of a helping hand. They have been ignored for too long. They shall not be ignored again.  The increased discontent expressed in the home, at school, and even in state capitals across the country is, in part, based on the continuous strain of our distressed economy.

Sixty years ago, Massachusetts was in large part a self- sufficient state.  It had, within its borders, significant heavy industry, agriculture and an integrated rail, highway and air system.  Its public education system shone as a beacon and a model for other states to follow. Our banking and insurance industries were second to none in the world.

Today the same cannot, in large measure, be said about the Commonwealth, we have seen the loss of significant heavy industry and lack of attention to our transportation infrastructure.  Our once progressive and uniformly excellent educational system is uneven and, all too often, a quality public education is an accident of birth.

We have the closest deep seaport to Europe and, rather than being the Seattle of the East, residential condos line the shores.  In the summer there is a harbor tour called the “Sunset Cruise.” As the ship passes the empty shell of a once-thriving commercial hub, the guide informs visitors to this city that “not a single export leaves the port of Boston.“ The “Sunset Cruise” an apt name for our current circumstances.

But for our universities, hospitals, skilled tradesmen and small business owners, our State’s economy would be even bleaker.  We continue to lose congressional seats in a predictable exodus of residents who leave for other states where job retention or growth is conducted more in earnest.

For those men and women who remain in the state, increases in the cost of living have left many with onerous consumer debt.  And the products offered by our financial institutions, such as interest only loans, are part of the Gordian knot that strangles the consumer.

We may not have been in this chamber when the decline began, but surely we can act to change the direction, the very language of political discourse in this state, indeed this nation, by taking the economic challenges of this Commonwealth head on.

It is in the public good that non-delinquent residential home owners be afforded a loan product that will allow them to consolidate and refinance their current debt, allow them relief from higher monthly payments, avoid foreclosure, and help increase consumer savings.

I hope you will join in support with the bipartisan and bicameral sponsors of “Act Providing for Homeowner Consolidation and Relief” and approve of the budget amendment study, allowing a true vetting by industry experts. 

 This mortgage relief act is a bill whose passage this year will send the clear and strong message that this body is serious about tackling the issues that threaten our neighbors’ needs and livelihoods.

I understand that many people may see only continued dark clouds on the horizon. John Bunyan reminds us in “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” however;

“…Dark Clouds bring Waters, when the bright bring none.
Yea, dark or bright, if they their Silver drops
Cause to descend, the Earth, by yielding Crops,
Gives praise to both, and carpeth not at either,
But treasures up the Fruit they yield together…”

I believe in the character of this body and the hope it has stood for these many years.  Let us resolve to be the session of a new hope.

A new hope that calls for the first priority to be a relief from the financial distress and the pain and suffering of our residents, caught in a credit crunch, by offering a solution that the private sector is unable to provide due to outdated lending regulation.

A new hope to those who see no hope in remaining in Massachusetts, by taking seriously the need for infrastructure changes in rail, highway and ports, in concert with the cultivating of industry and commerce, both traditional and technological.

A new hope for our public school system by planning for a twenty-first century delivery of education that ensures uniformity of buildings, curriculum, administration and teaching.

A new hope in our outlook, based on that firm foundation that is our eternal hope; that calls upon each of us at times to bear the other’s burdens, and to measure success and wealth not merely in dollars and cents, but how we lend a helping hand, working for the commonwealth of all.

I thank you.

These first Memorial Days both in the North and South, by all historical accounts, were somber occasions for families and friends to remember their loved ones. Services were simple and the theme of the day was remembrance. The day was chosen as May 30^th because it retained significance as a day of peace during what would become the bloodiest conflict in American history.

This all changed on June 7^th, 1968 when the Federal Government passed the Uniform Holiday’s Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates, to a specified Monday creating a three day weekend. Memorial Day was one of them, and was moved from the traditional May 30^th, a date of importance, to the last Monday in May. This was the beginning of the end for the traditional Memorial Day as a day of remembrance. As the VFW said in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, “Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public’s nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.” 

I could not agree with the VFW’s categorization of Memorial Day more strongly. A day once reserved for tradition and honor, for the linking of generations, has over time been corrupted so as to dilute the significance of the Memorial Day holiday. A three day weekend harkening the start of summer, barbeques, and special sale promotions at the mall, all compete for the attention of our citizenry for the meaning of the day.

For this reason I have co-sponsored Senate Bill 1826, reinstituting our old Blue Law closure for Memorial Day only. As politicians and elected officials, we often invoke the specter of remembrance for our war dead and their families; we say how important it is to remember their sacrifices to honor their service, we then conclude our speeches and the few who attend these ceremonies leave, and Memorial Day is over to be forgotten for another year.

That is not the ceremony I want for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom. This Memorial Day please remember General John A. Logan and all the men and women who in the service of their country gave their lives, and remember what this day used to be about, not what it has become.

State Officials are concerned over the recent decision by Fidelity to close its Marlborough facility and relocate some of those 1,000 jobs to Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and Evergreen Solar’s attempted sale of its $450 million dollar manufacturing plant in Devens after benefitting to the tune of almost $21 million in tax breaks and grants, and moving production to China.

These decisions highlight a larger problem for the Commonwealth.  Specifically, targeted tax breaks for favored industries, the Commonwealth’s inability to track job growth from tax incentives due to corporate shield laws, and the lack of effective clawback provisions allowing for the recouping of investments if job growth doesn’t meet expectations. In short, what I have believed for a long time is a failed tax policy and ineffective economic development strategy has created a situation where the Administration is gambling with your tax dollars, and putting the Commonwealth in a position of reading tea leaves to pick winners and losers in specific industries.

This has been the failed policy since 1996, picking the industry flavor of the month, Raytheon was first, then the film industry  - with testimony from this hearing claiming the state is giving away $113,000 in tax credits for every temporary film job created – , and most recently the biotech industry.

In the case of Evergreen Solar the Administration considered them a “winner” until they decided to close up shop and move to China.  Bringing us to one crux of the problem, state law protects companies from having to disclose tax information, making it virtually impossible for the Commonwealth to track the effectiveness of the tax and other incentives it offers. In the case of Evergreen that means when the economy shifts and the jobs “disappear” as Chief Executive Michael El-Hillow testified, the Commonwealth is left holding an empty $21 million bucket.

Testimony from Housing and Economic Development Secretary Gregory Bialecki indicates the Commonwealth could recoup up to $13 million from Evergreen through existing clawback provisions, but over $7million of that was an investment tax credit that went unclaimed. Some feel more effective clawback provisions could help the State in the future.

In the case of Fidelity a 1996 change in the tax code, not considered a tax break according to testimony of Fidelity President Ronald O’Hanley, allowed the mutual fund company to join manufacturers in benefitting from a single sales factor calculation for income tax rather than the three-factor formula which accounts for payroll and property. In this case Fidelity may be right; I do not categorize this as a giveaway.  I think it was a common sense incentive to get businesses to come to Massachusetts. The problem is that at the time of the passage the legislature required companies to increase employment by 5% a year for 5 years to take advantage of the single sales calculation. Fidelity exceeded this by creating nearly 3,000 jobs, double what it was required, while enjoying the tax break in perpetuity.

Frankly, Government should not be in the business of allocating a special benefit for one industry over another, or worse picking winners within one industry to receive special favors, tax breaks, or grants, as we now do with biotech companies through the “Life Sciences Initiative.”  This should serve as a wake-up call to this administration, and the legislature.

Tax policies need to be revisited, the tax code needs to be simplified and our corporate tax burden reduced across the board. Massachusetts is currently ranked #32 by the Tax Foundation in the State Business Tax Climate Index fiscal year 2011 calculations. Another step is making sure taxpayer investment is done with oversight and accurate information.