DOCSLIB.ORG

Massachusetts Nurse Newsletter :: May 2003

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Massachusetts Nurse Newsletter :: May 2003 May 2003 Inside… Single-payer health care: Health Care Action Day...............2 Executive director’s column: A budget to protect ‘real people’..3 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS NURSES ASSOCIATION ■ www.massnurses.org ■ VOL. 74 NO. 4 A tragedy reminds us of the First step towards safe staffi ng is June 18 hearing importance of nurse volunteers...3 The effort to pass safe staffi ng legislation nize opportunities for nurses to visit their MNA on Beacon Hill ....................4 has never had more momentum. H.1282, legislators so that they can share personal MNA legislatin that requires minimum RN- accounts of how safe staffi ng will improve Capitol Hill Watch ........................4 to-patient ratios in Massachusetts hospitals, patient care. has 100 legislative sponsors and more than 55 The MNA’s campaign to pass safe-staff- Political Pulse: consumer and advocacy group endorsers. ing legislation is aggressive, but it cannot Sen. Robert Travaglini .................5 The fi rst step towards the bills’ passage succeed without your active participation. begins on Wednesday, June 18—the day when It will not happen without you! The MNA Safe staffi ng update ....................6 the Legislature’s health care committee will needs every RN to write, call and visit with his hold a public hearing on the MNA’s proposed Stand Up For Safe Staffi ng or her elected offi cials about this legislation. bill. It is essential that nurses have a strong If a legislator doesn’t hear from us and they MNA joins coalition to support presence at the hearing. June 18 don’t pass H.1282 as a result, it is not the fault The Fernald Center .....................7 “We’ve come so far in this fi ght for the Saves Lives Rally” in the Statehouse at 9:30 of the elected offi cial—it is our fault. best safe-staffi ng legislation,” said MNA a.m. to draw media attention to our cause. Legislators are responsive to the needs and MNA urges DPH to suspend President Karen Higgins. “This is an impor- Details about the hearing that members need concerns of their constituents. If you don’t smallpox vaccine .........................8 tant opportunity to demonstrate to legislators to know include: take the time and effort to educate them on an how important safe staffi ng is to nurses and Scheduled to take place in Room A-2 issue, they will not be able to serve you well. So you think it’s safe at work? .....8 to patients. We need a sea of nurses in scrubs (hearings are from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) Please use the “5 steps to pass safe staffi ng fi lling the Statehouse. If you’ve ever asked, Nurses should dress in scrubs legislation” guide that is included on Page 6 Latex glove safety........................9 ‘what can I do to improve my practice condi- Buses will be provided. For details con- to help you in contacting your state senator tions,’ this is one tangible thing you can do tact Dolores Neves at 781-830-5722 or by and representative. Nursing news briefs...................10 that will really make a difference.” e-mail at [email protected]. And please attend the hearing on June 18. The MNA has scheduled a “Safe Staffi ng Throughout the day, the MNA will orga- The success of safe staffi ng and the health of Benefi ts Corner .........................10 patients depend on it. Professional survey shows Coalition to Protect Staff nurses cite better RN-to-patient unionized nurses earn more......11 Massachusetts ratios as solution to nursing shortage MNA contract update.................11 A study reported in last month’s issue of of those surveyed responded that increased Patients formed to Deadline extended for the American Journal of Nursing shows that pay was a top solution to the nurse staffi ng fi ght for safe staffi ng more than 85 percent of nurses surveyed shortage. Other highly rated solutions include annual MNA awards ..................12 Nurses are not alone in their desire to believe limiting the number of patients each greater autonomy and control for staff nurses see the legislature pass legislation to regu- nurse cares for is the most important solu- (66 percent) and safer working conditions (65 MNA election news...............13-14 late RN-to-patient ratios in Massachusetts tion to a growing staffi ng crisis in America’s percent). hospitals. The general public and more hospitals. The study’s conclusions mirror the results Continuing Education ...........16-18 than 55 consumer advocacy groups have More than 80 percent of the nurses sur- of similar surveys conducted in recent years rallied behind the MNA’s Quality Patient veyed report being understaffed, and nearly that also identifi ed low RN-to-patient ratios MNA member benefi ts ..............19 Care/Safe RN Staffi ng legislation. 70 percent report having less time to spend as key to protecting patients, preventing com- To date, more than 55 prestigious and with patients and they identifi ed increased plications and stemming the fl ood of nurses powerful organizations have endorsed the workload and burnout from these conditions away from the hospital bedside due to unsafe MNA Convention 2003 as the key reasons for nurses leaving the bill and joined a newly formed Coalition workloads mandated by the hospital industry Save the date for the annual MNA hospital bedside. In fact, similar to previous to Protect Massachusetts Patients, a group over the last decade. convention: October 15, 16 & 17 studies, this study again found that nearly one The study also found that only half the that will push for passage of this desper- in Worcester. Featured speakers ately needed legislation. in three nurses is considering leaving their nurses surveyed felt the hospital industry include Anita Hill and for Boston “As the scientifi c evidence grows, and position in the next fi ve years. was doing a good job addressing the short- as nurses talk to the public about the rela- The study provides further strong evidence age and nurses thought many of the strategies Globe reporter Larry Tye. For con- tionship between proper RN staffi ng and to support efforts by a growing coalition of being employed—including offering sign-on vention details, call the MNA Nursing quality patient care, the support for this nurses and patient advocates who are seeking bonuses, hiring temporary nurses and foreign Dept. at 800-882-2056, x727. long overdue measure continues to build,” to pass legislation to regulate RN-to-patient nurses, and mandating overtime—were inef- said Karen Higgins, president of MNA. ratios in Massachusetts hospitals, according fective. “The MNA is committed to working with to the Massachusetts Nurses Association. In addition, while hospital industry reports these groups and the public to convince the “The scientifi c evidence is clear and over- often cite the need to provide nurses with For the latest legislature that they need to act and act now whelming: when nurses have too many fl exible scheduling as a key solution to the developments patients, patients’ lives are in jeopardy. The to ensure patients the care they deserve. shortage, nurses in this survey did not iden- impacting nurses, Our motto is clear and direct: safe RN staff- evidence also makes clear that poor staffi ng tify this as a problem. Again, nurses reported ing saves lives,” Higgins said. conditions in Massachusetts hospitals have that they were most concerned about their visit the Among the groups signing onto the caused and are exacerbating a growing short- lack of control over RN-to-patient ratios. MNA Web site, age of nurses willing to work in hospitals,” bill are: Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Currently, the American Hospital Asso- www.massnurses.org Health Care, AIDs Action Committee, said MNA President Karen Higgins, RN. “Pas- ciation reports that 126,000 RN positions American Diabetes Association of Greater sage of this legislation is key to improving are going unfi lled. According to the Health Boston, the Massachusetts Chapters of the care to our patients and to creating conditions Resources and Services Administration, there American Heart Association, American that will retain and recruit the nurses we need could be a defi cit of 808,000 nurses by 2020. to provide safe patient care.” In addition to safe ratios, fully 82 percent See Coalition, Page 5 See Soluton, Page 4 Page 2 Massachusetts Nurse May 2003 Nurses’ Guide to Single Payer Reform MNA will join thousands of workers for Health Care Action Day on June 5 A coalition of health care, labor and con- also an opportunity for unions to show lead- choice of doctors, hospitals, or treatment sumer advocates, including the MNA, is ership to the non-union majority of working options. Now managed care is no longer organizing a “Health Care Action Day” on people. able to restrain health care costs and pre- June 6 to advocate for universal health care Showing strong resistance to cuts in benefi ts mium increases are expected to average 15 reform. and services motivates politically powerful percent this year. Once again, management One of the biggest problems facing employ- employers to support reforms that would wants labor to foot the bill or get by with ers and workers is double-digit increases in lead to a publicly-fi nanced health care plan fewer benefi ts. the cost of health insurance premiums. In that covered everyone and had the clout to Thousands of retirees who thought they the vast majority of workplaces that are non- control costs by reducing bureaucratic waste had health care coverage for the rest of their union, the burden of medical cost infl ation and ineffi ciency. However, if workers don’t lives have since lost that coverage, par- gets shifted from management to workers link their resistance with the fi ght for broad ticularly among companies who blame such unilaterally, causing fi nancial pain for wage health care reforms that benefi t everyone, "legacy costs" for landing them in or near earners but little pain for their employers.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Massachusetts Nurse Newsletter :: April 2003
    April 2003 Inside… Single-payer health care: Why are we cutting Medicaid? ....2 President’s column: Where we are headed.................3 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS NURSES ASSOCIATION ■ www.massnurses.org ■ VOL. 74 NO. 3 MNA joins new coalition to save Hundreds gather to celebrate MNA’s 100th anniversary Worcester State Hospital.............3 More than 400 nurses from all corners of current crisis in nursing and patient safety MNA on Beacon Hill: the commonwealth took part in an historic in the state. Upon entering the hall, nurses Safe staffi ng & quality care..........4 three-part celebration on February 26 to mark were each given a single white carnation. The the 100th Anniversary of the Massachusetts carnations symbolized nurses’ commitment MNA on Beacon Hill ....................4 Nurses Association. The MNA, the largest to providing quality patient care, as well as and oldest association for registered nurses those nurses who have left the profession Capitol Hill Watch: in Massachusetts, used the occasion to honor because of untenable staffi ng conditions. Bush’s Medicare proposal ..........4 its past, celebrate its many accomplishments Higgins introduced the ceremony by and to point to present and future challenges saying, “Nurses are here to tell you that faced by the profession. while we are proud of our history and the Political Pulse: The event was kicked off with a special profession we have created to care for the Sen. Jarrett Barrios......................5 ceremony and demonstration in the Gard- public, you need to know that we are fi nd- registration for nurses. It was here that the ner Auditorium at the Massachusetts State ing it more diffi cult to meet the legal, ethical Safe staffi ng update ....................6 nurses made their case for the creation of an House.
    [Show full text]
  • Housing on Hold: the State Freeze on Funding for New Affordable Homes
    Housing on Hold: The State Freeze on Funding for New Affordable Homes An MACDC MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS Publication 89 South Street, Suite 406, Boston, MA 02111 617 426.0303 Fax 617 426.0344 www.macdc.org July, 2005 Housing on Hold: The State Freeze on Funding for New Affordable Homes Executive Summary In February 2005, the Romney Administration decided to withhold state and federal funding for the construction of new state-assisted homes being developed for sale to first time homebuyers.1 This decision has put a freeze on the development of such homes by the state’s community development corporations (CDCs) and other developers of affordable housing in the state. In total, 19 CDC projects in 10 communities totaling 286 units are now at risk as a result of the Administration’s actions. The State and federal housing funds being withheld by the Romney Administration are used to make the homes affordable to moderate income families. Most of these homes would be affordable to working families making approximately $40,000 to $60,000 per year. The result of the Romney Administration’s action is that homeownership projects that need state funding to be built have ground to a standstill. In a significant change from prior years, the Administration has chosen to delay releasing the funds necessary to move forward until the Legislature passed the FY 2006 State Operating Budget, even though there is absolutely no legal or policy rationale for such a delay. Projects that have already been awarded state funds and are ready to start construction cannot obtain the funds to acquire properties and construct or renovate the homes.
    [Show full text]
  • Direct from the Legislative Directors
    Issue 3 March 2006 Caucus of Women Legislators Newsletter 2006 Caucus Co-Chairs: Senator Harriette Chandler and Representative Kathleen Teahan Executive Director: Erica Mattison INSIDE THIS ISSUE GO RED FOR WOMEN Know your health numbers! ● Congratulations!...page 3 Caucus members ● Photos from recent events...page 3 gathered on Feb- ruary 2 to bring Messages from outgoing and incoming ● awareness to the members of the Caucus...page 5 fact that heart ● Events calendar...pages 6 & 7 disease is the #1 killer of women. ● Tips for working with Legislative Directors...page 8 To read more, turn to page 4. # of Women in MA Legislature = 52 The addition of two new Representatives ups the percentage from 25% to 26%. Turn to page 9 to see how this compares to previous years. Direct from the Legislative Directors The Aide Mentoring Program of the where aides had the opportunity to meet Legis- Caucus of Women Legislators seeks to provide lative Directors from agencies that receive a “I was thrilled to partici- information and support to State House Aides high volume of inquiries and requests from leg- pate and share my ex- to help them be effective at their jobs. islative offices - Department of Mental periences at the Aide Mentoring Program On February 24, the Aide Mentoring Health, Department of Housing and Commu- nity Development, Executive Office of Envi- event. I wish there was Program hosted a panel at the State House such a forum to listen ronmental Affairs, and the Governor’s Of- and speak to agency fice. The panel was moderated by Carla Moran, representatives when I Staff Director to Representative Patricia Wal- was starting out.
    [Show full text]
  • Uncorrected Proof of Senate Journal for 01/07/09
    NOTICE: While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data herein, this is NOT the official version of Senate Journal. It is published to provide information in a timely manner, but has NOT been proofread against the events of the session for this day. All information obtained from this source should be checked against a proofed copy of the Senate Journal. UNCORRECTED PROOF OF THE JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. At a General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, begun and holden at Boston on the first Wednesday, being the seventh day of January, in the year two thousand and nine, and the two hundred and thirty-third of the independence of the United States of America, and the one hundred and eighty-sixth General Court of the Commonwealth, the following named members-elect of the Senate, having been duly summoned by the Executive, assembled at six minutespast eleven o’clock A.M.,in the Senate Chamber, to wit:- Hon. Benjamin Brackett Downing, of Pittsfield...…...…. in the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin District. Hon. James E. Timilty of Walpole…….....…………………………….. in the Bristol and Norfolk District. Hon. Joan M. Menard of Fall River ............…...……………… in the First Bristol and Plymouth District. Hon. Mark C. Montigny of New Bedford...…….…………….in the Second Bristol and Plymouth District. Hon. Robert A. O'Leary of Barnstable.....………………………................in the Cape and Islands District. Hon. Steven A. Baddour of Methuen….........…………………….…………....... n the First Essex District. Hon. Frederick E. Berry of Peabody.........………………………....…...…... in the Second Essex District. Hon. Bruce E. Tarr of Gloucester……………………………….
    [Show full text]
  • Italy Under the Golden Dome
    Italy Under the Golden Dome The Italian-American Presence at the Massachusetts State House Italy Under the Golden Dome The Italian-American Presence at the Massachusetts State House Susan Greendyke Lachevre Art Collections Manager, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Art Commission, with the assistance of Teresa F. Mazzulli, Doric Docents, Inc. for the Italian-American Heritage Month Committee All photographs courtesy Massachusetts Art Commission. Fifth ed., © 2008 Docents R IL CONSOLE GENERALE D’ITALIA BOSTON On the occasion of the latest edition of the booklet “Italy Under the Golden Dome,” I would like to congratulate the October Italian Heritage Month Committee for making it available, once again, to all those interested to learn about the wonderful contributions that Italian artists have made to the State House of Massachusetts. In this regard I would also like to avail myself of this opportunity, if I may, to commend the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Hon. William F. Galvin, for the cooperation that he has graciously extended to the Committee in this particular endeavor. Italians and Italian Americans are rightly proud of the many extraordinary works of art that decorate the State House, works that are either made by Italian artists or inspired by the Italian tradition in the field of art and architecture. It is therefore particularly fitting that the October Italian Heritage Month Committee has taken upon itself the task of celebrating this unique contribution that Italians have made to the history of Massachusetts. Consul General of Italy, Boston OCTOBER IS ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH On behalf of the Committee to Observe October as Italian-American Heritage Month, we are pleased and honored that Secretary William Galvin, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Art Commission and the Doric Docents of the Massachusetts State House, has agreed to publish this edition of the Guide.
    [Show full text]
  • TBF 2006 Annual Report Cover REV 12/12/06 1:44 PM Page 1 the BOSTON FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2006
    TBF 2006 Annual Report Cover_REV 12/12/06 1:44 PM Page 1 THE BOSTON FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2006 REPORT ANNUAL FOUNDATION THE BOSTON Guided by Seasoned Leaders Inspired by Emerging Leaders Turning the Corner . 75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: 617-338-1700 Fax: 617-338-1604 Web Site: www.tbf.org TBF 2006 Annual Report Cover_REV 12/12/06 1:44 PM Page 2 Learn More About the Boston Foundation at www.tbf.org Cover Photo The Leaders: Reverend Ray Hammond, Chair of the Boston Foundation’s Board of Directors and one of our city’s most effective ‘seasoned’ leaders, talks with ‘emerging’ leader Janet Barry, who was a member of the 2005/2006 graduating class of LeadBoston, a major leadership development program for young professionals. Recently relocated from Seattle, she is Director of Development for World Education, which was founded in 1951 to meet the needs of the educationally disadvantaged in the United States and around the world. She has volunteered for the community-based organization Freedom House, is a neighborhood activist in Jamaica Plain and plans to stay in Greater Boston and work with other seasoned and emerging leaders to strengthen our community from within. The Setting: Reverend Hammond and Ms. Barry are walking through Christopher Columbus Park in Boston’s North End—adjacent to the evolving Rose Kennedy Greenway. We chose this setting for the cover of our 2006 annual report to stand as a symbol of what lies ahead for Greater Boston as we work together to “turn the corner” on the challenges we face as a community.
    [Show full text]
  • Letters 27-39
    Letter 27 Mary C. Berninger 156 Saint Andrew Road East Boston , Massachusetts 02128 617-569-3643 July 28, 2006 John Silva Federal Aviation Administration 12 New England Executive Park Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 Re: ROD pertaining to Proposed Centerfield Taxiway at Logan Airport Dear Mr . Silva, In keeping with my previous statements regarding the proposed centerfield taxiway at Logan International Airport, I would like to submit this letter of objection to the project's being built . Also, I would like to use this letter as a vehicle to request that you extend the public comment period to a date later this Fall, thereby affording more individuals the opportunity to submit written testimony regarding the negative impacts further development of rampside projects would have on the communities most contiguous to Logan's boundaries . A two mile addition to Logan's infrastructure is too great of a safety issue to my neighborhood not to be given the utmost scrutiny by all interested parties . My reasons for objecting to this project have been many and, after reading the report prepared by Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc . (HMMH,) those reasons still stand the test of time . The FAA held too few meetings with representatives from East Boston and Winthrop to answer adequately the concerns that residents have about further development at Logan Airport . Those concerns focus on public safety and public health issues and those same concerns have been met with what amounts to a cursory examination of future impacts to our neighborhoods . A more comprehensive public process must occur before a final decision is rendered.
    [Show full text]
  • Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance
    Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance Campaign Finance Activity by Candidates for the Massachusetts General Court 2018 INTRODUCTION This study examines campaign finance activity undertaken by candidates for the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives (known collectively as The General Court) in calendar year 2018. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance has issued a report of this type after every state election since 1990. The information contained in this legislative study is based on data compiled from campaign finance reports electronically filed by candidates and treasurers of political committees organized on behalf of candidates for the Massachusetts Senate and House. In 2018, 377 candidates sought legislative office and filed disclosure reports with OCPF: 76 running for 40 Senate seats, and 301 seeking one of 160 House seats. Legislative candidates and their committees are required to file three campaign finance reports disclosing election year financial activity. The reports are due with OCPF eight days prior to the state primary election; eight days prior to the November general election; and in January of the year immediately following. Reports were due from the candidates in this study on Aug. 27, 2018, Oct. 29, 2018, and Jan. 21, 2019. Candidates and committee treasurers are required to disclose their account balances at the beginning of each reporting period; receipts and expenditures for the reporting period; in-kind contributions for the reporting period; and all liabilities. OCPF has taken steps to ensure that the information contained in this study is accurate as of the time of its compilation in 2019. This study takes into account many corrections, additions or deletions made by candidates as a result of any review conducted by OCPF or amendments filed by candidates or political committees.
    [Show full text]
  • For Dorchester and I’M Happy to Have Been Able to Work Closely with Guard at Mat- Our Many Neighbors Who Make It Such a Great Place
    Dorchester Reporter “The News and Values Around the Neighborhood” Volume 31 Issue 1 Thursday, January 2, 2014 50¢ Farewell, Dorchester ‘Service’ events to mark big Walsh weekend By Gintautas Dumcius been nice,” Walsh said. news eDitor “It’s fine, I don’t have Marty Walsh of Savin a problem with it,” he Hill will be sworn in as added. the next mayor of Boston Walsh said he and his on Jan. 6 on the campus girlfriend Lorrie Higgins of his alma mater, Boston had dinner with Menino College. The ceremony and his wife Angela last starts at 10 a.m. at the week. Conte Forum. Walsh’s inaugural Walsh will resign his festivities, which will 13th Suffolk House seat start on Friday Jan. 3 on Jan. 3, days before and stretch through the he takes the oath of weekend and culminate office, which will be ad- with a party at the Hynes ministered by Roderick Convention Center on Ireland, the chief justice Monday night, will have of the state Supreme a public service compo- Judicial Court. nent. Walsh said this O u t g o i n g M a y o r week he is seeking to Thomas Menino won’t keep civic engagement be attending. Walsh told alive after the first open reporters this week that race for mayor in 30 he did not feel “slighted years. at all” by Menino declin- Volunteer events in ing to appear at the Dorchester and Mat- swearing-in. “It would’ve (Continued on page 17) Work to begin on St. Kevin’s project By Gintautas Dumcius of community space, news eDitor instead of a replacement Mayor Thomas Me- for the Uphams Corner nino and officials from Branch Library, which the Boston Archdiocese city and project officials on Monday dug into the had initially considered.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring/Summer 2007
    OCPF Reports Published quarterly by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance Commonwealth of Massachusetts Volume 12, Number 1 Spring/Summer 2007 From the Director On to the cities Legislative candidates Election season is gearing up in cities across the spent almost $12m in 2006 Commonwealth, with elected Candidates for the House and Senate, 70 candidates reported a total municipal offices, including Senate spent just under $11.9 million in of $4,612,580 raised and $4,596,300 mayor, on the fall ballot. their campaigns for the Legislature spent, down from $7.6 million in both Though we at OCPF provide last year, according to a new study by categories two years before. The the reporting forms that local the Office of Campaign and Political 2006 averages were $65,894 raised clerks and election official Finance. and $65,661 spent – both distributed to these candidates, The 339 candidates a drop of about $28,000 the vast majority file their reported receipts of from 2004. campaign finance reports to How much can $12,398,381 and expendi- In the House, the 269 those local officials. The only you give to all tures of $11,877,068. candidates raised exceptions are candidates for Neither figure is a record candidates? $7,785,801 and spent mayor and councilor-at-large in for aggregate fundraising Page 5 $7,280,786, which were the five largest cities — Boston, or spending; in fact, both decreases of $1.9 million Cambridge, Lowell, Springfield represent a significant drop and $2.7 million, respec- and Worcester — who report from the all-time highs of $17.3 tively, from 2004.
    [Show full text]
  • False Promises
    False Promises HOW THE RIGHT DEPLOYS HOMOPHOBIA TO WIN SUPPORT FROM AFRICAN-AMERICANS by Nicholas Ray National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. 1 Introduction. 1 Methodology. 2 Findings . 3 Evidence underlying the poll findings. 4 Economic status . 4 Education. 4 Health care . 5 Who are the conservative legislators and how well do they score on issues of concern to African-Americans? . 5 Republican congressional leaders . 8 Religious leaders . 9 Black leaders who support equality . 10 Conclusion. 11 INTRODUCTION. 13 HISTORY AND CONTEXT . 16 Increase in support for the Republican Party . 18 Making the connection: the Republican Party, the evangelical Christian right and African-Americans . 19 The “special rights” argument . 21 Recruiting African-American leaders to their cause . 22 Opposition among African-American leaders: It’s not just a one-way street . 24 METHODOLOGY . 27 AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRIORITIES: WHAT THE POLLS SHOW. 29 Racial disparities: the continued chasm between wealth and poverty in america . 30 FALSE PROMISES ii 1. Economic status . 30 2. Education. 32 3. Health care and prescription drug coverage . 33 4. Other issues . 34 Opinion poll data on African-American beliefs about same-sex marriage and “moral values” . 35 WHO ARE THE CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATORS AND HOW WELL DO THEY SCORE ON ISSUES OF CONCERN TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS? . 37 REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS: HISTORICAL OPPOSITION TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN INTERESTS. 41 Sen. Rick Santorum . 41 Rep. Tom DeLay . 42 Sen. Trent Lott. 44 RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE IN REPUBLICAN OUTREACH TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS . 46 Rev. Louis P. Sheldon and the Traditional Values Coalition . 46 Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council.
    [Show full text]
  • The Senate and 309 Running for the House
    INTRODUCTION This study examines campaign finance activity undertaken by candidates for the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives (known collectively as The General Court) in calendar year 2004. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance has issued such a biennial study since the 1990 election. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) is an independent state agency that administers Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 55, the Campaign Finance Law. The law provides for disclosure and regulation of campaign finance activity on the state, county and municipal levels. Candidates who report directly to OCPF include those running for state and county office and most citywide offices in Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Springfield and Worcester, as well as state and local party committees, political action committees, people’s committees and state ballot question committees. The reports filed by these candidates and committees are available for public inspection at OCPF’s office at the John W. McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston. Reports from most of the above candidates and committees are also available on the office’s web site at www.mass.gov/ocpf. The information contained in this legislative spending study is based on data for 2004 compiled from campaign finance reports filed by candidates and treasurers of political committees organized on behalf of candidates for the Massachusetts Senate and House. The campaign finance law defines a “candidate” as a person who takes steps to advance himself or herself for nomination or election to an office, whether by gathering signatures to get on the ballot or mounting a write-in or sticker campaign.
    [Show full text]