Pffft!
O.K., Page One:
"Patrick to set new curbs on police details; Policy, to be released today, targets construction zones" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | August 13, 2008
Governor Deval Patrick is planning to release new regulations this morning that will take on powerful police unions by limiting construction details on nearly all state-owned roads, say several people who were briefed on the regulations.
While the plan will not force municipalities to adopt the regulations, it is the most aggressive step yet to end a cash cow for police officers that critics have long called a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Although there are no statewide regulations currently requiring the use of police details for Massachusetts road projects or utility jobs, state and local officials have used them for decades at construction sites anyway, in deference to politically powerful unions. Massachusetts is the only state that automatically assigns police officers to nearly all utility and road work sites.
Police have argued that the presence of a cruiser and a uniformed officer slows traffic and provides the best protection for the public and for road workers. Police have at times also made arrests or caught suspects on unrelated cases while on police details.
Critics, however, have railed against the frequent sight of police officers drinking coffee or talking on cellphones as they oversee construction sites. The details also add tens of thousands to police officers' salaries. In 2006, nearly 1 in 10 State Police officers made more than the governor, in part because of overtime and state police work.
Yeah, there is something wrong there.
In 1992, Governor William F. Weld proposed legislation to replace police details with civilian flaggers. After 800 police officers flooded the State House and accused him of taking food from the mouths of their children, Weld gave up, and few have tried to revive the issue.
Yup, that is Massachusetts: everybody looting everybody!
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I'm actually for the gov on this one, except he has no problem handing out money to rich Hollywood folk, Wall Street, corporate and lottery favorites, golf courses, overpriced contracts to favored clients, primo tickets to the games, or TAXPAYER BAILOUTS for BANKS!!!!
So what? The governor is eating just fine, thank you!
O.K. back to pimping for the governor. He get's the BG stamp of approval!!!
"GLOBE EDITORIAL
Patrick wields a skillful pen
GOVERNOR Deval Patrick, who ran for office as a political reformer, has struggled to work productively with the Legislature while also being true to his campaign promises to challenge the political status quo. This month Patrick found a way to thread that needle, to the benefit of sound public policy.
On Friday, Patrick resisted pressure from public employee unions and vetoed legislation that would have hiked state pensions without a responsible way to pay for it.
But they are fine with him borrowing from everywhere for corporate handouts and and bank payments.
These were the right policy decisions, but they also signaled that Patrick won't be rolled by special interests inside or out of the Legislature.
Yeah, unless they are FAVORED BIO-TECH CLIENTS or WALL STREET!!!!
Are you beginning to see why the Globe pisses me off so much?
Patrick's finishing touches on the 2007-2008 legislative session show a governor finding his footing on Beacon Hill.
Awww, they like him. Did you pat him on the head, too, Globe?
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And about that STANDING UP to SPECIAL INTERESTS:
"Tied up over disclosure; Life sciences firms anxious about rules on gifts to doctors" by Todd Wallack, Globe Staff | August 13, 2008
"All interested parties will have a full opportunity to participate and comment on the development of those regulations," Patrick said.
Translation: They will be writing the rules!!!
Yeah, that is STANDING UP to them, all right, Globe!
Before he signed the legislation, industry associations and companies made an aggressive push to derail the proposal. In an opinion piece in the Globe last week, the leaders of the state medical device and biotech industry trade groups warned the rules would "repel investment in the Bay State." But companies now say they have no immediate plans to move their operations out of state or stop participating in clinical trials in Massachusetts.
Oh, so that was all HOT FART MIST EXTORTION talk, huh?
Just EMPTY THREATS?!!!
Yeah, thanks for ADDING to the DECEPTIONS and LIES!!!!
Firms said they are waiting to see how the state crafts the regulations governing what payments must be disclosed and what gifts are still permitted.
Oh, so they STILL MIGHT LEAVE if their BRIBES have to be reported, huh?
Last week, Biogen Idec Inc.'s top research executive, Cecil Pickett, warned Patrick the new law could potentially force the Cambridge biotech company to disclose exactly how much it pays doctors on staff, compromising "confidential salary information." In addition, he complained the law could force the company to make public "sensitive proprietary" information about its arrangements with medical researchers to conduct clinical trials.
But it turns out the federal government already posts extensive information about clinical trials online, including the names of the corporate sponsors and principal investigators, though not the dollar amounts they are paid.
Why does the LITTLE BOY CRYING WOLF suddenly pop into my mind?
Also, Biogen Idec spokesman Tim Hunt said the state could ease concerns about staff salaries being revealed by exempting employees from the rules or letting companies avoid having to disclose the exact amount of the payments.
Translation: The state will make plenty of loppholes for them, so Patrick's big move just turmned oput to be shit, 'eh, BG?
Metzger, of Smith & Nephew, said the company had been planning to expand a medical training facility in Andover to teach doctors how to use its latest tools, but has put the process on hold until it sees the final regulations.
Another threat!!!
Several industry associations, however, said they remain pessimistic about the impact of the law. Mark Leuchtenberger, chairman of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, said in a statement: "Companies will no doubt reconsider whether to relocate, expand, or do business with Massachusetts."
And ANOTHER!!!
Ken Johnson, senior vice president for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, said, "We're hopeful, but not entirely optimistic" that the rules will allow companies to continue to work with doctors.
And ANOTHER!!!!
Fine! Take your BRIBERY NETWORK and POISONS somewhere else!!!!!!
Then we can SAVE SOME TAX MONEY!!!!
At least two other states already have passed laws to limit the pharmaceutical industry's influence on doctors. Minnesota banned gifts of more than $50 from drug companies, while Vermont has forced drug companies to disclose gifts of more than $25. In addition, other states have considered restrictions. The laws are intended to discourage medical companies from essentially bribing doctors into pushing their products.
One would think they would be WORRIED about our HEALTH instead, but that would just be foolishness, wouldn't it?
All about the $$$$!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh, and here is ONE MORE SIGN of the GREAT BIO-TECH BOOM!!!
"Plexus to close Ayer plant by March, cut 170 jobs
Plexus Corp., a provider of electronic manufacturing services, including mechanical, electronic, and software design, said it will close its Ayer manufacturing plant and transfer work to other facilities, primarily in Neenah, Wis., where the company is headquartered. Plexus says it expects to close the plant by March, resulting in the loss of about 170 jobs. Chief financial officer Ginger Jones says the company expects to save $4 million to $5 million annually by closing the plant (AP)."
Yup, BIO-TECH is going to SAVE MASSACHUSETTS!!!
After they get their CUT of TAXPAYER LOOT!!!!
