Drug Testing TANF

Earlier this year, Governor Rick Scott of Florida pushed for and signed into law the requirement for drug testing anyone that receives cash welfare assistance.  (Cash welfare assistance is different from food stamps and housing assistance.)

The law, which took effect on July 1, mandates that any adult that applies to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Family program will be tested for drugs by the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.  The person receiving the aid would be responsible for covering the cost of the testing, estimated at $35 per test, and may be able to recoup that money in their assistance if they qualify.

So, the person that is looking to feed, clothe and house a needy child, which is the primary role for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) program, must be tested, to make sure that the funds the caregiver receives do actually go towards feeding, clothing and housing a child or children?  

Well, immediately after Governor Scott made his intentions known regarding making it a law, the ACLU quickly jumped in the fray, and called the law unconstitutional; a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.  The amendment reads:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

While the ACLU has been involved in previous court hearings that were eventually struck down, Governor Scott's law is different from the previous rulings which involved employees who are mandated to undergo random drug testing due to their position.

I wonder if Governor Deval Patrick ever considered such a law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?

Well, we know that a number of people would look at Governor Patrick side-eyed, and wonder why he's "picking" on the poor.

And, I know that Governor Patrick, who stated in a Boston Globe interview that he won't seek re-election in 2014, is dealing with bigger issues, such as the 300,000 unemployed Bay State residents.  

I just hope that the next governor, whoever she or he is, doesn't waste taxpayer dollars, similar to what's taking place in Florida.

The larger issues that are facing Floridians, and the millions of people in the United States of America are the disparities that exist for education and access to resources.

I mean, why only test the TANF recipients when Governor Scott or President Obama could decide to test every person because each one of us, that lives in the USA, receives some sort of "benefit".  

Think about it for a second.  

A retired schoolteacher, that receives Medicaid could be tested, along with folks, say, living in Monson, MA, who are still dealing with the devastation from the tornado that ripped through the region in June, could also be subjected to being tested because they received federal emergency relief money, or what about the kid that has worked multiple jobs in order to save and attend college, but has to apply for students loans and grants, she/he, too, could be tested for drugs.

I'm all for every human being doing what they can to contribute to society, you know, making the world a little better.  I have little patience for "sponge cakes".  The "sponge cakes" get no love from me, but, at the same time, I'm the type of person that gives spare change to panhandlers.  Hey, I'm not all bad.

Money To Burn: Just NOT in Massachusetts

The casino debate in Massachusetts has been taking place for more than a decade and, quite honestly, I'm getting tired of it. 

When Mitt Romney was Governor, I knew there was no way that he'd vote to approve there being casinos in MA.  He'd rather see that money, which at the time, was near $200 million being spent by Massachusetts residents in CT.  

Well, fast forward to the Patrick & Murray team getting elected to the State House, and a ton of folks thinking, "OK, maybe now we can get some of this paper to stay in state, and not lose it to CT."  That would be wishful thinking because the bosses that run stuff in Beantown are all about making sure their paper isn't messed up, and, more importantly, that they get their cut when casinos are allowed in Massachusetts.  See, it's all about protecting your neck like the Wu Tang Clan.

I mean, if I were a member of the Mashantucket Pequots or any tribe that can lay claim to land and rights being taken away, I'd push for recognition and usage of land for a casino.  Shoot, if the tribe says to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that the state would be guaranteed $600 million per year just from the slot machines, who wouldn't take that deal?

I've even argued that a casino in Central Massachusetts, and, specifically in Worcester County, would work.  

We have the old manufacturing buildings that could be removed, and as long as the casino is near the Mass Pike, that would equate to additional revenue for the state.  Sounds good, doesn't it? 

Worcester County businesses, on all ends of spectrum, would benefit, and it would help the DCU Center for booking conferences, concerts and additional trade shows.  

It would be a Charlie Sheen-like win for all!

Governor Patrick's Statewide Youth Council

Help youth of Massachusetts , and the Governor with issues you care about. Be a voice in government and in your community. Boost your leadership and team-building skills.  Become an advocate in shaping your community.

Participants would attend monthly meetings and conference calls, advocate for youth, and incorporate youth ideas into advising and policy making.

JOIN THE GOVERNOR’S STATEWIDE YOUTH COUNCIL

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 30, 2010

For more information, please visit: www.mass.gov/governor/youthcouncil

Or contact Anny Jean Jacques at the Governor’s Office of Community Affairs at 617-725-4020

Democratic Convention

After record breaking temperatures on Wednesday, things are heating up in Massachusetts once again, but this time, it's because of the Massachusetts Democratic Convention taking place in Worcester.

The MADemCon is taking over the DCU Center (a.k.a. The Worcester Centrum) next Friday (6/4) and Saturday (6/5).

And while the MARepCon, which took place in April, was low-browed, I do expect there to be alot of folks protesting various issues:

• The Tea Party 
• The Coalition of Worcester Retirees 
• Anyone against Governor Deval Patrick

I wonder if this will bring the typical drama that any convention brings to any city?  

Texting Ban: YES!

The law is long overdue, and I'm guilty of doing it occassionally, the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts has decided to ban texting while driving.

The law has to be signed-off by Governor Patrick, but there will be some rangling by those in the House, but rest assured that it's a welcomed law by many drivers.

More details on Boston.com at http://bit.ly/aTg6rn

Economy: Growing anywhere but Massachusetts!

This news is VERY disheartening when folks in Massachusetts are trying to figure out how to put food on their table as the Commonwealth's economy gets leaner.

The economy grew 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter, the second straight quarter of growth and fastest pace since 2003.

Twit for Twat

With the President of the United States, the Governor of Massachusetts and the Boston Police Department using Twitter, it appears as if there's a push to encourage City Manager Michael O'Brien to use the social-media darling, Twitter, in Worcester.

Let's see how long it takes City Manager O'Brien to respond with a "yes" or a "no", and if he chooses not to Twit, don't worry, we'll see a few City Councilors jump on the band wagon before he's forced to.

Change Is Inevitable

The Republican National Committee is banking on Michael Steele turning
things around for the RNC, but can the first Black Chairman be the
beacon that so many think he is? That, as they say, is the one
hundred million dollar question.

Steele has been very critical of President Barack Obama's election and
even stated that Governor Deval Patrick's election was more of a
cultural phenom than political ideas.

Some political analyst see Steele's chairmanship as a retort to the
Democratic party's strategic placement of key politicians over the
past 6-years.

When Steele was elected, he quickly "laid the smacketh down" by firing
the entire RNC staff and made some big promises for the turnaround. He
even went as far as to say that he was going to bring the "the hip hop
generation," into the GOP. (Yeah, right!)

Can a Black man that is galavanting for the GOP bring ethnic and
racial groups to the party? I certainly don't think so, as the message
of the GOP doesn't appeal to many Hispanics, Blacks, and the
frustrated Whites who will quickly state that President Bush was the
worse President the United States has ever had.

Well, we'll have to wait and see if Steele becomes "that dude" and
leads the RNC against Governor Patrick, as he runs for relection next
year, and Obama in 2012. He's even been so bold as to state that, "It
will be interesting to see what happens in 2012, when the novelty of
having a black president has worn off."

At least we know we're going to be a part of yet another historic
event in the United States of America!

Gas-guzzler Tax

It appears that not only is Governor Patrick looking to increase the
taxes on gasoline, he is now proposing to hit folks that drive so
called "gas-guzzlers" with extra registeration fees and offer
discounts to those that drive more eco-friendly cars.

So, businesses that need large trucks for their business or families
that need a SUV to accommodate their family not only get hit at
the pump, but Gov. Patrick is proposing hitting them with higher fees
when they go to the RMV! Let's see if this law gathers any support in
Massachusetts. 

If it becomes a law, Massachusetts would be the first  state to do so, prior to even California, which has been kicking around the idea for the past 4-years.

Leave it to Gov. Patrick to beat Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the punch!

'Da Face' of Worcester pt. 2

When I initially wrote about the sour puss face that I often see on Mayor Lukes's faces back on June 25, 2008 (you can read it here.) I was contacted by a few residents that agreed with my observation and noticed 'da face too.



Well, I guess I'm not the only one that notices 'da face, because it appears that Governor Patrick, got 'da face at the recent Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting and had to go 'hard body' and call Mayor Lukes on the snicker a/k/a/ grimace a/k/a/ pucker that she hit the Governor with.

Check out this article on Daily Worcesteria that Scott Zoback posted yesterday.

Weather: Part 2

Here are some additional pictures from East Worcester.

From WIM

From WIM

From WIM

A tree hanging in my back yard.

Weather: Part 1

With the winter wonderland in full effect, we've been fortunate to not
have any trees knock out any power lines. We did have a tree fall in
our back yard that took out a small portion of our fence.

I've heard from a few friends who are without electricity due to down
power lines. We hope National Gtid is able to get those without power
back up and running. You can only go "off the grid" for so long.

Chamber report on Casinos

Chamber of Commerce reported on the proposed casinos in Massachusetts and the estimated numbers that Gov. Deval Patrick is proposing.

Listen to this report by WBUR 90.9 FM.

Ep12: The Noise

Worcester Is MAJOR-Episode 12- The Noise