“Nurses unions are split on the initiative. The Massachusetts Nurses Association has endorsed it. The larger American Nurses Association opposes it.” This line in a recent news story about Senator Warren’s support of nurse staffing ratios and Question One caught my eye. To me, this was an incredibly counter-intuitive claim. Are nurse’s unions really “split”…
Month: September 2018
What Is the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership?
When anyone asks me why I follow so-called education reform groups in Massachusetts I tell them it’s for the same reason Willie Sutton robbed banks: it’s where the money is. So while I can’t say too much about the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership (MEEP) only 24 hours after its launch,…
Rick Green Fumbles and Bumbles the Dark Money Question
Rick Green is doing something unusual. Wealthy individuals who run dark money schemes like Green’s Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance usually stay in hiding. Secrecy is the whole purpose of a dark money operation. Instead Green is running for Congress and thus having to answer questions about his furtive dark money front. It’s not going so well….
After Merrimack: What Comes Next?
Less than 24-hours after explosions rocked the Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts residents are struggling to make sense of the tragic incident that resulted in more than 60 fires, at least 25 injuries, and one death. The months ahead will pose an innumerable number of challenges for the residents of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. From rebuilding…
Why Rick Green is Not Like The Buddha; and Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance’s Allies
Politicians may not have the insight of Buddhist monks but is anyone less self-aware than Republican 3rd CD nominee Rick Green? He keeps announcing how he will protect democracy in the district, actively ignoring that his dark money front Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance’s mission is to emasculate democracy. A dark money shop like Mass Fiscal operates…
Democratic Primaries Showed the Route to Beating Baker
Charlie Baker is likely to win re-election this November, just like every elected Massachusetts governor who has sought re-election has in the last 34 years. Re-electing governors, regardless of party, is what Massachusetts voters do. However, Baker’s re-election isn’t a sure thing. There is a scenario wherein his chances could plummet. It’s a scenario that came…
Will Progressive Newcomers Reshape the Legislative Agenda?
Last Tuesday’s primary has been deemed a watershed moment for Massachusetts progressives. From Ayanna Pressley’s defeat of 10-term incumbent Michael Capuano to Nika Elugardo’s victory over Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sánchez, progressive candidates notched a host of impressive wins. For context, 15 out of the 30 candidates endorsed by Progressive Massachusetts won their primary…
American Presidents and Their Removal From Office.
One of the most studied tenets in comparative politics is the inherent instability in presidential systems. First proposed by Juan Linz, the basic insight is that in a system where the main actors have contrasting sources of legitimacy, deadlock is not just more likely, but the norm. This, in turn, leads to governmental incapacity, public…
In MA, progressive generational change (not ideological insurgency) is underway.
Massachusetts Democratic primary voters signaled on Tuesday that it’s time to start updating their office holders with younger (but not inexperienced) professional politicians. The Democratic establishment isn’t under attack in Massachusetts. It is being fortified for changing times as the next generation of skilled political practitioners begins to take its place in high office. The upset…
Can Geoff Diehl Bring the Pot to a Boil?
When I want to know what’s about to happen in Massachusetts politics, there’s no better place to turn than my colleague Professor O’Brien. Her August 2 post, Ayanna Pressley: Harbinger of Change to MA Democratic Party really stands out. But I’ve been thinking even more of her July post, Massachusetts Senate Race Diehls-In Trump Immigration…