VIDEO: Auchincloss: BIF A Big Deal

 

VIDEO: Auchincloss: BIF A Big Deal

 

This morning (11/08/21), Jake joined "Way Too Early" on MSNBC to discuss passage of the historic bipartisan infrastructure package, what comes next for the Build Back Better Act, and how Democrats can sell a winning progressive agenda through the Midterms and beyond. Happy Infrastructure Week (for real this time)!  

 

WATCH: https://youtu.be/AdFOroQOXjc

 

KEY EXCERPTS: 

On BIF: "A Big Deal":

"It is a big win for Democrats. More importantly, it's a big win for the United States. We have just made long overdue investments in this country's infrastructure and our economic competitiveness. We are upgrading our roads and our bridges and our public transportation system; we are ensuring that every family has access to clean water; and we are providing high-speed internet to rural, suburban, and urban cities and counties throughout the country – the 21st Century version of electricity. And, by the way, we're also upgrading the electoral grid as well. This is about core, physical infrastructure. This is about allowing the United States to compete on the world stage against China, and it's also about boosting the earning potential of working and middle class families. It's a big deal.  

 

On Next Steps to Passing Build Back Better:  

"I'm confident we'll pass [the Build Back Better Act] and as you said, there's going to be twists and turns along the way. We're trying to do big things with small margins, so that's going to require intense negotiations. That's important, better policy comes out the other end of a good, vigorous back-and-forth of ideas. It's the exact opposite of what we see from the Republican Party under Donald Trump where they are really a cult of personality in lock-step with whatever their leader Tweets. Here in the Democratic Party, we want to debate ideas. And we have fashioned a Build Back Better agenda that really meets the moment. 

"It is going to provide Social Security for kids. That means expanded tax allowance for working and middle class families with kids, so they have more disposable income to spend on high-quality nutrition and other needs. That means guaranteed three and four year old early education for every kid in the country, and that means more affordable childcare for families in all fifty states. This is improving outcomes for kids across America and it's going to be historic. 

"We are also taking a big bite out of healthcare costs – what people pay at the counter for prescription drugs, what seniors pay for long term care, what Americans in states without access to Obamacare pay to get coverage. 

"And finally, we are finally going to take the big, bold action necessary to meet the climate emergency with clean energy tax credits and a host of other climate resiliency measures. The Build Back Better agenda is historic, it's necessary, and we are going to get it done."  

On Selling the Progressive Agenda: 

"[Passing this legislation is] critical. Americans need to feel, not just hear, about the legislation that Democrats are enacting. I'm from Massachusetts as you mentioned, right next to Boston. And we just saw on Election Night my friend Michelle Wu become the next Mayor of Boston. Michelle ran on a progressive platform, but with a 'get it done' attitude and agenda. And I think that is the balance that Democrats are going to want to strike nationally. We are going to be unapologetic, be big and bold about what we're trying to accomplish for this country, whether it is ensuring voting rights, whether it is investing in our infrastructure, whether it is improving outcomes for kids. But we're going to do it in a way that is concrete and really lets people feel the deliverables that we're enacting."

To learn more about  Jake Auchincloss, visit https://jakeforma.com or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.   

Representative Auchincloss on New Congressional Map for District 4

 

 Auchincloss on New Congressional Map

"Our district has always been a powerhouse of talent, work ethic, and civic engagement. That tradition continues."

 

The following statement can be attributed to Congressman Jake Auchincloss in response to the release of the newly proposed Massachusetts Congressional map:

 

"I applaud the work of the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting and the leadership of Co-Chairs Senator Brownsberger and Representative Moran. They made certain this process was transparent and collaborative. The committee listened closely to constituents, tracked the letter and spirit of the law, and made thoughtful decisions."

"Representing a District like ours – rich in economic, geographic, and ideological diversity – gives me a valuable perspective in Washington. The new map preserves that vital diversity. The voters of the Fourth will continue to come from urban, suburban, and farmland communities. They will continue to vote both blue and red. They will continue to commute to both Boston and Providence. And they will continue to have a strong voice advocating for them in the halls of Congress during my tenure.

"Though the basic contours of the Fourth District persist, there is one major change. I am thrilled that all of Fall River will now be in the district. Through my strong partnership with Mayor Paul Coogan, Senator Mike Rodrigues, Representative Carole Fiola, Representative Paul Schmid, and Representative Alan Silvia, I have been working to ensure Fall River builds back better from the pandemic. That work will continue with full force in this Congress and beyond.

"It has been an honor to share representation of Fall River with my friend, Congressman Bill Keating, and I know he'll continue to fight for the new cities and towns he's taking on next term.

"I am excited to hit the campaign trail in the newly drawn Massachusetts Fourth this coming election cycle and I look forward to a continued partnership with state and local leaders in all of the cities and towns I represent. Our district has always been a powerhouse of talent, work ethic, and civic engagement. That tradition continues." 

You can view a copy of the proposed 4th Congressional District map
https://malegislature.gov/StateHouse/MediaGallery/Image/Proposed%20Congressional%20Statewide

New Congressional Map for District 4

CommonWealth Magazine coverage of the proposed map

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/congressional-redistricting-map-unites-fall-river/

Boston Globe coverage of the proposed map

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/01/metro/lawmakers-propose-new-congressional-maps-mass/

Voices of Franklin: Ted McIntyre also on "For The People Act"

The former guy lost the 2020 election. Sadly, his absurd lies about his loss have spawned an attack on voting rights across the country that threatens the integrity of our democracy. No matter what your personal political beliefs are, we citizens must act now to preserve the American experiment.

Trump is a diminished figure. Nevertheless, his multiple, fantastical lies about the election have been used to justify grotesque voter suppression bills in many state legislatures.  These bills do not address 'policy' questions or make good faith efforts to ensure election integrity. They are blatant attempts to intimidate the kind of voter Republicans don't like. For example, in Georgia and Florida, it is now illegal to give food or drink to people forced to stand in hours-long lines waiting to vote.  (This begs the question: Why are people forced to stand in line for hours?)

We are moving to "Jim Crow, Esq." in the sophistication and reach of these efforts. The intent is clear--make it harder for those who may oppose GOP policies to cast a ballot. They are intended to guaranty the dominance of a single political party in the currently red states, and weaken other voices in the rest of the country. But  this is not 'just' an issue for certain minorities. These laws will impact everyone in the country, and everyone should be alarmed.

The effects of these proposed new laws are far reaching. If these voter suppression bills had been in place in November of 2020, the GOP would have manipulated the results and the now former guy would still be president. If the new batch of bills is left unchallenged now, the integrity of the 2022 and 2024 elections will be compromised. Remember, the Members of Congress elected in 2022 will vote to certify the winner of the 2024 Presidential election. Based on the performance of the GOP in (not) certifying the 2020 election on the day of the Insurrection on January 6, 2021, we can expect a coup-like power play in 2024.

The good news is that a path back to sanity exists. The US House has passed a bill called the "For The People Act."  It set a nationwide floor for voting rights, and would reverse most of the egregious voter suppression bills in consideration in state legislatures. The bill is now before the Senate, but the filibuster rule is being used to prevent passage.

The filibuster rule was adopted early in our history and infrequently used-except to block civil rights legislation. It is anti-democratic, with a small "d."  The filibuster requires a supermajority of 60 votes in order to pass legislation. Unfortunately, in recent years it has been weaponized by the GOP to block all action in the Senate. The important word is 'rule.' The Senate sets its own rules of procedure and can change them. The filibuster is a self-imposed rule. It is not in the Constitution. The Senate can simply vote to change that rule and allow a vote on the For The People Act.

Time is of the essence. If the bill does not pass this summer, there will not be enough time to implement its protective measures before the 2022 election. What can be done to get the For the People Act through the Senate? There are many ways to help, but the simplest is to call your US Senator. Here in Massachusetts, both Senators Warren and Markey are outspoken in support of the bill.  They need to know that you support passing the bill and that you encourage them to do whatever it takes to get it passed. It is easy to reach the Senators. A brief phone call to 202-224-3121 will suffice. Simply leave a message saying "My name is ___ and I live in Franklin. Please do everything you can to abolish the filibuster and pass the For the People Act.  I think Joe Biden should speak forcefully. The Senate should cancel its August recess.  The Senate must pass these bills."

Time is short. The action is easy. Your democracy is at stake. Please act.

Ted McIntyre Ph.D.
Franklin MA 

Voices of Franklin: Ted McIntyre also on "For The People Act"

Voices of Franklin: Ted McIntyre on "For The People Act"

The Insurrection of January 6th was an attempted coup, a brazen assault intended to interrupt the functioning of the American democracy. But the coup attempt did not end on January 6th. In fact it is ongoing. The GOP is even now laying the legal foundation for a second coup attempt, this one conducted under a pretense of respectability.
 
Voter suppression laws are being passed in states across the country. Those laws not only selectively suppress voting by people the GOP dislikes, but they also provide means to reject the result of an election in favor of one the GOP legislatures like better. For example, the state of Georgia is attempting to take responsibility for the certification of election results in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta's largely black population.
 
If these state level  laws are not preempted by Federal legislation, the GOP will have two different paths for a new coup attempt, this time under the cover of law. The first path is through the impeachment of Joe Biden. If the GOP retakes the House and Senate in 2022, they could elect Donald Trump Speaker of the House. While according to tradition, the Speaker is always a Member of Congress, the Constitution does not forbid Trump's selection. Given the cult like devotion already accorded the former guy, it is not implausible to think the GOP would make this choice. Once Trump is Speaker, he is third in line to the Presidency. The House could impeach both Biden and Harris- truth and evidence be damned- and make Trump President.
 
The second pathway for the GOP's 'legal' coup is through the Electoral College. The Supreme Court, in the infamous 'Bush v Gore' decision of 2000, said that- unless there is a Federal law preventing it- the state legislatures hold the power to determine the Electoral College members. This is a nightmare scenario, since legislators are right now giving themselves the authority to challenge election results on flimsy grounds and then override the voter’s choice by installing electors they prefer. Does anyone think, if given the opportunity in 2020, that the legislatures of GA, PA, WI and AZ would not have chosen Trump electors for  the Electoral College? In 2024, those state legislatures will have granted themselves that opportunity.
 
We should not think that the GOP is too high minded or patriotic to do these things. Five years ago, who would have thought that Trump's  contempt of norms  and open corruption would be accepted? The recent testimony of Trump’s complicit DOJ employees is chilling. Who would have thought the GOP could install a Supreme Court Justice just before an election? Who would have thought Members of Congress would support a violent assault on the Capitol? The scenarios outlined above are shocking and nearly unthinkable. But the time had come to think about the unthinkable. The GOP has forfeited its status as a legitimate participant in a democratic process, and now represents an authoritarian power grab threatening our very democracy. There is no bottom, no ‘bridge too far’ for them in pursuit of power.
 
It is essential that the Senate, now under Democratic control, passes the For The People Act to protect the election process from the GOP plans. Time is of the essence. If the bill does not pass this summer, there will not be enough time to implement its protective measures before the 2022 election. What can be done to get the For the People Act through the Senate? There are many ways to help, but the simplest is to call your US Senator. Here in Massachusetts, both Senators Warren and Markey are outspoken in support of the bill.  They need to know that you support passing the bill and that you encourage them to do whatever it takes to get it passed. It is easy to reach the Senators. A brief phone call to 202-224-3121 will suffice. Simply leave a message saying "My name is ___ and I live in Franklin. Please do everything you can to abolish the filibuster and pass the For the People Act.  I think Joe Biden should speak forcefully. The Senate should cancel its August recess.  The Senate must pass these bills.”

The time to act is now.

Ted McIntyre

Franklin resident

Voices of Franklin: Ted McIntyre on "For The People Act"

Special Joint Committee on Redistricting - Congressional District 4 Hearing - July 19

Senator Becca Rausch (@BeccaRauschMA) tweeted on Tue, Jul 13, 2021:

Attention #CD4 residents! The district lines for Congress, State Senate, State Rep, and Governor's Council are about to be redrawn. 

The #redistricting committee wants to hear from you on Monday 7/19, 12-5 PM. 

More info and testimony sign-up: https://t.co/mvqVtmsRAn
#MApoli #democracy https://t.co/swTRiuhfGf

#CD4 is Congressional District 4 which includes Franklin

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1415063945992445954

Sign up to provide feedback  https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/3747

Special Joint Committee on Redistricting - Congressional District 4 Hearing - July 19

Congressman Auchincloss: Community Office Hours in Franklin this Friday - May 21

Neighbor,  This Friday I'll be hosting community office hours in Franklin and State Representative Jeff Roy will be in attendance as a special guest. This is an opportunity for you to come meet me, talk about issues important to you, and get updates on what I'm doing to serve our community. Details about our visit are below, I hope you'll be able to join me.   Community Office Hours with Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Special Guest State Representative Jeff Roy Friday, May 21, 1-3 pm Intermission Café 36 Main Street (Rear), Franklin, MA 02038 Sincerely, Jake Auchincloss Member of Congress OFFICE LOCATIONS WASHINGTON DC OFFICE • 1524 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515 • Phone: (202) 225-0182 NEWTON DISTRICT OFFICE • 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 • Newton, MA 02458 • Phone : (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO DISTRICT OFFICE • 8 N. Main St. Suite 200 • Attleboro, MA 02703 • Phone : (508) 431-1110 Congressman Auchincloss: Community Office Hours in Franklin this Friday - May 21

"A remarkable GOP admission: Undermining the electoral college threatens our best path to the White House"

"The last two Republicans to win a majority of the popular vote in a presidential contest were father and son: George H.W. Bush in 1988 and George W. Bush in 2004. At no other point since the elder Bush’s first term came to a sudden end with the 1992 contest has a Republican won the popular vote at all, much less with a majority of votes cast. While Republicans have controlled the White House for 12 of the past 20 years, only four of those years have resulted from a Republican having gotten more votes than his Democratic opponent.

This is not a new observation. Particularly after President Trump won the White House in 2016 despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million, there’s been an enormous amount of attention paid to the role the electoral college plays in determining the winner of the presidential contest. What in 2000 was something of a fluke — George W. Bush narrowly won the electoral vote while narrowly losing the popular — 16 years later became an eyesore. Trump is president thanks to about 78,000 votes in three states, despite far more Americans having preferred Hillary Clinton."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/04/remarkable-gop-admission-undermining-electoral-college-threatens-our-best-path-white-house/?s=03#click=https://t.co/oE1qvkauQd

The Washington Post: "Congress overrides a Trump veto for the first time"

Congress overrides a Trump veto for the first time with Senate vote on defense bill https://t.co/SMceouKirR

Boston Globe article:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/01/business/senate-moves-closer-vote-overriding-trump-defense-veto/

New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/us/politics/senate-override-trump-defense-bill.html

A subscription for each newspaper may be required to continue reading the articles online

The election endgame is underway

Having completed watching "The Queen's Gambit" over the holiday weekend, the chess term is quite appropriate here. Some refer to politics as a game, I tend not to, especially since it affects our lives and livelihoods. Nonetheless, the term applies well. 

 

"A Republican congressman from Texas sued Vice President Mike Pence in the latest long-shot effort to reverse President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump.

In the lawsuit, Representative Louie Gohmert seeks a court order forcing the vice president to acknowledge what Gohmert claims is Pence’s power to disregard states’ chosen Democratic electors and instead select competing slates of GOP electors on Jan. 6.

That’s the day the Senate and House meet jointly to open and count certificates of electoral votes from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The vice president has the constitutional role of presiding over the Senate, which has traditionally included overseeing the formal acceptance of the Electoral College vote."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/28/business/pence-is-sued-by-republican-congressman-long-short-effort-reverse-bidens-victory-over-trump/

The Boston Globe headline "Pence is sued by Republican congressman in long-shot effort to reverse Biden’s victory over Trump". 

The podcast "What Trump Can Teach Us about Con(stitutional) Law" provides insights into this recent development in the Presidential Election of 2020  https://trumpconlaw.com/47-lame-duck

 

 

What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law

 

Inside the deal: "There was still one important person to persuade: the president"

From the New York Times:

"A week before Thanksgiving, a small group of moderate senators gathered in the spacious living room of Senator Lisa Murkowski’s home on Capitol Hill to embark on what they considered an urgent assignment.

They were there — eating Tuscan takeout as they sat socially distanced, with the windows open to let the cold air circulate as a coronavirus precaution — to talk about how to get the Senate, polarized and paralyzed on nearly every issue, working again.

They were also determined to find a way to deliver a more immediate kind of relief, brainstorming how to break a monthslong partisan stalemate over providing a new round of federal aid to millions of Americans and businesses buckling under the economic weight of the coronavirus pandemic."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/us/politics/stimulus-deal-congress.html

And given the late news that the President is signaling that he would not to sign the bill as drafted after saying he would, we wait. That doesn't take away from the story. The story on how to broker a deal via compromise and collaboration still is a good message on what works for rational folks.

 

Washington Post: "Congress bans anonymous shell companies"

From the Washington Post, an article of national interest to Franklin:

"A groundbreaking measure to ban anonymous shell companies in the United States cleared Congress on Friday as the Senate joined the House in passing a defense-spending bill with a veto-proof margin.

The Corporate Transparency Act, which was tacked onto the defense bill, would require corporations and limited liability companies established in the United States to disclose their real owners to the Treasury Department, making it harder for criminals to anonymously launder money or evade taxes. The rule applies to future and existing entities alike.

The measure passed the Senate with an 84-to-13 vote as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which cleared the House earlier this week. Trump pledged to veto the defense bill — one of few laws that passes every year — because it doesn’t include his demand to repeal liability protections for social media companies. Trump also opposes a clause that orders military bases named for Confederate leaders to be renamed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/12/11/anonymous-shell-company-us-ban/

Letter to the Editor: Bill O'Donnell

 August 12, 2020 

Letter to the Editor:

Dear Residents,

I have never written a letter to the editor on behalf of a candidate running for office. However, we live in unique times with a number of serious issues that need to be collaboratively worked on and addressed.

I urge you to vote for Congressman Joe Kennedy in the Democratic Primary for United States Senator. Joe Kennedy can meet the pressing issues of our society. He will make himself available to the communities that make up Massachusetts and the residents that live in our Commonwealth.

It is my hope that Joe Kennedy can make government work at the federal level for all of us. As an elected official whose job takes him to all 28 communities in Norfolk County I have been very impressed with Joe Kennedy since he undertook to represent a good portion of Norfolk County as an elected Congressman. Joe Kennedy's decency, compassion, thoughtfulness and record of accomplishment is a solid foundation with which to build upon in years to come.

Please consider voting for Joe Kennedy for United States Senator.

Bill O'Donnell

Norfolk County Register of Deeds

In the News: "Last-ditch virus aid talks collapse; no help for jobless now"

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money collapsed in disappointment Friday, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.

“It was a disappointing meeting,” declared top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, saying the White House had rejected an offer by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. He urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “Unfortunately we did not make any progress today.” Republicans said Pelosi was relying on budget maneuvers to curb costs and contended she has overplayed her hand.

Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — not so this time. It means longer and perhaps permanent expiration of a $600 per-week bonus pandemic jobless benefit that’s kept millions of people from falling into poverty. It denies more than $100 billion to help schools reopen this fall. It blocks additional funding for virus testing as cases are surging this summer. And it denies billions of dollars to state and local governments considering furloughs as their revenue craters."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200807/last-ditch-virus-aid-talks-collapse-no-help-for-jobless-now?rssfeed=true 

In the News: "Candidates for Kennedy’s seat advocate views on voting, racial justice, COVID-19"

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

If one of the nine Democrats running for the state’s 4th Congressional District seat wins, voting rights, the environment, racial justice and tackling COVID-19 will be top priorities during his or her first term.

All 11 candidates vying for office, including two Republicans, discussed their experience and goals during the Aug. 5 League of Women Voters’ virtual forum. Questions came from league members and the public ahead of time.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200806/candidates-for-kennedys-seat-advocate-views-on-voting-racial-justice-covid-19?rssfeed=true

“The incentive structure is misaligned for compromise. That’s the reality of it"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"For a moment, Congress had a chance to act on a policing overhaul, mobilized by a national trauma and overwhelming public support. Those efforts have stalled now and seem unlikely to be revived in an election year.

It’s the latest example of how partisanship and polarization on Capitol Hill have hamstrung Congress’ ability to meet the moment and respond meaningfully to public opinion.

Major changes in policing policy appear likely to join gun control and immigration as social issues where even with Americans’ overwhelming support, their elected representatives are unable or unwilling to go along, especially when President Donald Trump is indifferent or opposed.

“In this moment, as it was with gun violence and immigration reform, we don’t know where the president really is,” said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who weeks ago was expressing skepticism weeks ago about a breakthrough. “If this were the first time we were in this situation, I’d be more hopeful,” he said then."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200628/once-again-congress-unable-to-act-during-national-trauma

Massachusetts Norfolk County (Franklin & Medway) Representative Jeffrey Roy Endorses Alan Khazei For MA-04

Massachusetts State Representative and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, Jeffrey Roy, announced his endorsement of Alan Khazei’s bid for Congress in the fourth congressional district on Wednesday, May 13. Calling Khazei a "movement leader, coalition builder, and policy innovator," Representative Roy highlighted his belief that Khazei is the candidate who is most prepared to effectively represent the 4th district in Washington.

The longtime public servant emphasized Khazei’s experience co-founding City Year, working with Senator Kennedy, President Clinton and President Obama to pass three major pieces of legislation creating and expanding AmeriCorps, his idea for “Restore the Dream Accounts” to relieve student debt and jumpstart all young people on the path to the American Dream, and his leadership in responding to the Covid-19 crisis by calling for policies like Emergency Wage Support to support Small Businesses, Vote by Mail, and one million Service Year Jobs.

“Alan Khazei has devoted decades to creating a culture of public service, through which he’s impacted the lives of more than 30,000 young leaders who have served through City Year and 1.1 million in AmeriCorps. We’ve seen first hand in Massachusetts how people in City Year and AmeriCorps programs put their idealism to work to educate our children, build housing, care for our elderly, and preserve our environment. They are given opportunities to learn important skills and access higher education, to achieve their full potential,” said Chairman Roy. 

“Recently, Alan’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic by supporting Vote by Mail legislation, which I’ve called for and we desperately need, and by proposing innovative policy solutions like Emergency Wage Support for small businesses and one million Service Year Jobs. I have no doubt that Alan will continue to be a leader in Washington where he will fight for progressive causes, including eliminating student debt, expanding health care, addressing climate change, reforming our democracy, sensible gun safety reform, and of course national service. He is the best candidate to effectively represent the 4th district.”

Massachusetts State Representative and Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Higher Education Jeff Roy has represented the 10th Norfolk district since he was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2012. Before his election to the legislature, he was elected to the Franklin School Committee and later the town council, and as chairperson of the Franklin Democratic Town Committee. 

In addition to his career as a public servant, Chairman Roy is the founding partner at his law firm, Roy Law, in Franklin, Massachusetts. He primarily focuses on the representation of injured persons. He has represented clients at every level of the Massachusetts Judicial System, including in cases heard by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Jeff Roy is a recipient of the St. Thomas More Society of Worcester Law School Scholarship and winner of the American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law.

Alan Khazei For MA-04

Reacting to Roy’s endorsement of his campaign, Khazei said, “I’m greatly honored to earn the endorsement of Chairman Roy. He commands a deep understanding of the needs of people in his district and our state and knows what it means to represent them effectively. Coming from Franklin, the home of our nation’s first Public Library and Horace Mann, Chairman Roy has been a tremendous champion for K-12 education and access to higher education so that every young person in Massachusetts has the chance to reach their fullest potential. 

Chairman Roy’s focus on putting his values into action, outstanding commitment to serving his constituents, solving problems, and building bridges is exactly the kind of leadership I want to emulate in Congress. If elected, I will work closely with Massachusetts leaders like Chairman Roy to advocate for those policies that the fourth district desperately needs, including better access to healthcare, recovering from the economic effects of Covid-19, tackling climate change, education, and addressing gun safety.” 

Alan Khazei campaign page  https://alankhazei.com/

“The president doesn’t just walk in"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Teaching the government shutdown

"When U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested delaying the State of the Union amid a government shutdown in January, Massachusetts educators jumped at a teaching opportunity. 

“The shutdown highlights separation of powers that people don’t think about until an unusual moment like this occurs,” said Peter Ubertaccio, dean of the school of arts and sciences at Stonehill College in Easton. “Simple questions like, ‘How does this happen?’ suddenly become really relevant.” 

The longest shutdown in U.S. history, which ended on Jan. 25, left thousands of furloughed workers without pay checks for weeks, and put numerous federal programs at risk of losing resources. But it also created new opportunities for Americans to learn more about how government works and what it means when it doesn’t work."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190125/teaching-government-shutdown

"The practice arises from a duty of the President under the State of the Union Clause of the U.S. Constitution:^[5]

He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

— Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution

Though the language of the clause is not specific, since the 1930s, the President has made this report annually in late January or early February. Between 1934 and 2013 the date has been as early as January 3,^[6] and as late as February 12.^[7]

While not required to deliver a speech, every president since Woodrow Wilson, with the notable exception of Herbert Hoover,^[8] has made at least one State of the Union report as a speech delivered before a joint session of Congress. Before that time, most presidents delivered the State of the Union as a written report.^[6]"

For more on the State of the Union
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_the_Union

A full copy of the US Constitution can be found online
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript

Page one of the original copy of the Constitution (via wikipedia)

Library of Congress: NEW BOOK- “Game Faces: Early Baseball Cards from the Library of Congress”

NEW BOOK: "Game Faces: Early Baseball Cards from the Library of Congress" “Game Faces: Early Baseball Cards from the Library of Congress” AVAILABLE NOW! A new book, "Game Faces: Early Baseball Cards from the Library of Congress," offers baseball fans and historians a visual delight that showcases early baseball cards from the 19th and early 20th centuries alongside photos from the early days of the nation's beloved pastime. Author Peter Devereaux takes readers behind the scenes of the Library of Congress' Benjamin K. Edwards Collection to see the vibrant world of the early boom of America's pastime. Click here for more information https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-18-130/?loclr=ealn .

Library of Congress Launches New Set of Educational Apps

The Library of Congress, in collaboration with educational organizations, today announced the launch of two new web- and mobile-based applications related to Congress and civics for use in K-12 classrooms. The two new civics interactives are: DBQuest, developed by iCivics. DBQuest teaches history and civics through the use of primary source documents and evidence-based learning. It offers a platform, accessible on mobile devices, that reinforces evidence-based reasoning and document-based questioning by teaching students to identify and evaluate evidence, contextualize information and write sound supporting arguments. Case Maker, developed by Bean Creative. Case Maker is a customizable system for inquiry-based learning for K-12 students using primary sources from the Library of Congress. Modeled after the “observe, reflect, question” framework, developed under the Teaching with Primary Sources program, Case Maker guides students to challenge a question, collect evidence and make a case. For more information: https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-18-112/?loclr=ealn Library of Congress: New Educational Apps