Last week was an exciting week at the Massachusetts State House, as both the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto of the Work & Family Mobility Act, making Massachusetts the 17th state to ensure that all qualified residents, regardless of immigration status, are able to get a driver’s license.
You can see how your legislators voted below.
VOTES Act Advances…But With a Big Gap
Last week, the House and Senate released their final version of the VOTES Act. The bill contains many important reforms, like making the option to vote early-by-mail permanent, expanding early voting options, and strengthening the protections for jail-based voting. Unfortunately, however, the House’s opposition to Same Day Registration carried the day, and Massachusetts will continue to lag behind our neighbors with our arbitrary and exclusionary voter registration cutoff. The bill would shorten the deadline from 20 days before an election to 10 days, but that’s still 10 days too many.
The bill passed the Senate last week and is on track to pass the House soon.
Many of the educational issues and controversies we face today — state takeovers, standardized testing, charter schools, many more — have interconnected historical roots and mutually reinforcing current impacts that result in huge gaps in school quality and huge gaps in student opportunity. Understanding that history is crucial for finding solutions.
Join the important discussion with Dr. Rooks about her research on: segrenomics, connecting the dots between economics with segregated schooling and community organizers from across the state on their work.
Community Forum on Suffolk & Plymouth County DA Races
We’ll be joining community partners from the Justice for Massachusetts coalition for a forum with the Suffolk and Plymouth County DA candidates on Monday, June 20, from 6 pm to 9 pm.
But a number of progressives say Healey is too conservative on some issues, including criminal justice. For example, they point out that Healey pushed to expand the state’s wire tapping law; she supported no-knock warrants and facial recognition software in some circumstances.
Jonathan Cohn, policy director for the group Progressive Massachusetts, is among those critics. The group has endorsed Chang-Díaz for governor, and Cohn says Healey sides with law enforcement too often and is too comfortable working within the current criminal justice system — instead of fighting to reshape it.
“If inequities are baked into a system and you’re accepting the system as it is, you’ll never fully address them,” Cohn said. “Because she’s largely operating as a law enforcement official.”
“The type of voter who pays attention to all of the constitutional offices really early are a subset of a subset. When you have those people, you go in knowing there’s a large pool of people who are undecided,” said Jonathan Cohn, policy director for the group, Progressive Massachusetts. “It ups the stakes.”
Dempsey, for his part during the forum, blasted DiZoglio for her 30% rating on the Senate’s police reform bill, as tracked by Progressive Massachusetts based on a string of amendments to the legislation. The organization, which has endorsed Dempsey for state auditor, gave other statewide candidates — including lieutenant governor candidates Sen. Adam Hinds and Sen. Eric Lesser, as well as gubernatorial candidate Sen. Sonia Chang- Díaz — a 100% rating.
Chang-Díaz’s platform web pages link to news articles, studies, and votes the senator has taken while serving on Beacon Hill, going into great detail with bulleted lists of actions she would take as governor. She’s been endorsed by groups like Progressive Massachusetts, which require lengthy, detailed questionnaires. Chang-Díaz’s was 48 pages long.
Healey did not file a questionnaire with the group, and thus did not partake in its endorsement process. Instead, Healey’scampaign sent the group an e-mail with an abbreviated version of her record as attorney general.
Progressive Massachusetts reached out earlier this year to candidates for Secretary of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, and state Auditor with ourcomprehensive policy questionnaire. And then we interviewedthose who filled out a questionnaire last month.
We then sent the question to our members: whom, and whether, to endorse, with a high threshold of 60% for endorsement.
We are thus proud to endorse Tanisha Sullivan for Secretary of the Commonwealth (93% of our member vote), Quentin Palfrey for Attorney General (62% of our member vote), and Chris Dempsey for State Auditor (78% of our member vote).
Secretary of the Commonwealth: Tanisha Sullivan
Tanisha Sullivan has been an inspiration as President of the Greater Boston NAACP, and we are excited by what she could do as our state’s Chief Democracy Officer and Chief Information Officer. Tanisha will be a strong champion for strengthening voting rights in our Commonwealth and knows that democracy is year-round, not just at the ballot box. She would be a creative and proactive leader in ensuring that racial and economic equity are at the center of all aspects of the office’s work, including the office’s role in corporate governance and historic preservation. Massachusetts has, for too often, been a laggard on voting rights and government transparency when we should be a leader. We have the opportunity to change that.
Here’s what our members said about Tanisha:
“Tanisha has demonstrated an understanding of how a more activist SoC can be helpful to all people.”
“She has the background to be successful in this position & has new ideas to make voting easier.”
“Tanisha will be a tenacious defender of voting rights. She will modernize the office, and ensure that everyone’s right to vote will be defended.”
“Tanisha will bring a new perspective to the role and is committed to transparency and connecting more communities across the Commonwealth.”
“I look forward to Tanisha Sullivan serving as the Chief Democracy Officer of the state. Reading her questionnaire made me feel hopeful — like maybe the future is not as grim as it’s been looking.”
“She is a smart progressive woman of color. We need more than transactions. We need transformations.”
“We need this change. Experience means nothing if you aren’t willing to make changes. Tanisha will bring the change we need!”
“Tanisha Sullivan will bring new energy and ideas, and a different lived experience to the job.”
“Tanisha Sullivan is an accomplished attorney & civil rights advocate who will both: bring much needed modernization to the office, and serve as an invaluable & insightful voice on vital issues in Massachusetts and nationally.”
“Tanisha is an amazing candidate who has a great track record working as the President of the NAACP. She will put racial justice first in her work in the Secretary’s office.”
” Tanisha is a breath of fresh air, and her experience as a corporate attorney and as a racial equity advocate will ensure the corporations division expands its role in ensuring economic access to entrepreneurship.”
“Tanisha Sullivan, with her experience of advancing equity and access, will be a fabulous Secretary of the Commonwealth! Her vision of making the office more than procedural – who knew this branch of government could have been doing more all along, even today? We must have election systems that engage more people, historic preservation that represents everyone’s histories, information that is actually accessible, and a corporate division that supports small and micro-businesses that help communities thrive.”
Learn more about Tanisha at https://www.tanishasullivan.com/.
Attorney General: Quentin Palfrey
Whether taking on health insurance and pharmaceutical companies as an Assistant Attorney General, advocating across the country for voting rights, or advising on policy and strategy in Washington, Quentin Palfrey has demonstrated a keen sense of how to use the law to advance and protect the public good. Quentin would be an effective and proactive Attorney General, ready for the work of holding big corporations accountable, protecting the civil rights of all, strengthening our response to climate change, and reforming our criminal legal system.
Here’s what our members said about Quentin:
“Palfrey combines a passion for progressive causes with the knowledge of what the power of the AG office can do.”
“Quentin is strong across all policy areas and has experience working as an attorney in government, working in the office of the attorney general and as a government attorney, and managing large staffs of lawyers at all levels, not to mention doing so for voter protection efforts.”
“Quentin has devoted his career to public service, and he is a highly experienced lawyer who has advocated for progressive causes.”
“He has a long record of supporting progressive policy in public sector legal offices across the United States.”
“Quentin is clearly the most progressive candidate and is someone we can trust to get progressive policy done.”
“Quentin has the clearest plan with keen determination.”
“His experience, passion, and vision are perfect for this moment.”
“He’s got the combination of progressive vision and experience.”
“He’s a high-caliber candidate with a wealth of experience; he’s the only candidate to support all these progressive agenda items that matter to me: single payer health care, safe consumption sites, a cap on charter schools, fare-free public transportation, and ending qualified immunity.”
“Quentin Palfrey’s experience & policy positions are the right fit, full stop. I think Palfrey’s experience in office would better allow him to hit the ground running using the AG’s office proactively from day one.”
“He’s bright, thoughtful and caring. Public service is in his genes. Quentin is a doer. He is strong and committed to issues of importance to me. I share his values. He doesn’t just talk about ideas; he walks the walk and makes things happen.”
“I’m impressed with Quentin Palfrey’s breadth and depth of legal experience across so many different critical areas, and his leadership of huge efforts, including the healthcare division of the AG’s office itself. I can’t imagine anyone more prepared to step right into the role of Attorney General, ready to be the people’s attorney, pushing us toward greater equity, justice, health, and sustainability. Quentin has the experience to interrupt our state’s indefensible practices, and to push or work with other branches of government when either is called for.”
Learn more about Quentin at https://www.quentinpalfrey.com/.
State Auditor: Chris Dempsey
Throughout his career in public service and advocacy, Chris Dempsey has been committed to making state government work better for everyday people—whether that’s through innovations at the Department of Transportation, standing up against special interests and misuse of public funds in the fight against Boston’s Olympic bid, or advocating for equitable and efficient transportation. A systems thinker and a coalition builder, Chris has demonstrated creativity in his approach to what the Office of the State Auditor can do on climate change and police accountability. An Auditor needs to uncover data and then use it to advocate for a better Commonwealth, and Chris has the track record to do it.
Here’s what our members said about Chris:
“I am energized by Chris’s commitment to making the Auditor’s Office the first in the country to incorporate carbon accounting. We need a leader who isn’t afraid to stand up and hold state government accountable for the climate goals we’ve written into law.”
“Chris Dempsey has an expansive vision of the role of the state auditor’s office. He also has the technical and managerial skills to do the job.”
“Chris Dempsey is the clear progressive choice and he has the requisite experience to hit the ground on day one and hold those in power accountable.”
“He’s a strong strategic thinker. What is there to not like about a state auditor who is strategic, has vision, and personal tools to carry it out?”
“Chris’ history of coalition building and his focus on improving government efficiency both financially and with his climate audit make him a clear choice of PM. “
“Chris is smart, courageous & proved his willingness to take on the status quo with his opposition to the Olympics proposal.”
“In his leadership with No Boston Olympics, Chris Dempsey demonstrated his commitment to holding power accountable and to taking on influential special interests. And, Dempsey is a vocal public transit advocate. As someone who wants to see massive public transit investment to improve the quality and accessibility of service, I think Dempsey would be a stronger advocate in statewide office.”
“Chris Dempsey is professional, forward looking and insightful. He has an activist vision for the Auditor’s office.”
“I met Chris when we led the Campaign for No to the Boston Olympics. He took on powerful business leaders to spare us from chaos, wasteful spending that would have put the Commonwealth in debt had we hosted the Olympics. His team argued the facts and prevailed. He showed guts, conviction and didn’t cower when the campaign was backed by power brokers. We need Chris in the Auditor’s office to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely and in the manner they were intended to be spent.”
“Chris Dempsey brings a whole new vision to what the Auditor’s office can do! He has the values to choose investigations that matter to MA residents, and the experience to both carry out those investigations and make sure the findings are acted on.”
Learn more about Chris at https://dempseyforauditor.com/.
This year, Massachusetts will have open races for Attorney General and Auditor, as well as a contested race for Secretary of the Commonwealth.
These offices, although often overlooked compared to Governor, can and will have a major impact on the future of the Commonwealth and our ability to advance an agenda of equity, justice, democracy, and sustainability.
Progressive Massachusetts reached out to all candidates, inviting them to fill out our comprehensive questionnaire about their policies, priorities, and leadership style. We view these questionnaires as a vital opportunity to educate candidates about issues that matter to progressive voters, get candidates on record, and create a more informed and engaged electorate.
“When you are an attorney general, there tends to be a built-in relationship [with police] and she has definitely been too deferential to state and local police,” said Progressive Massachusetts policy director Jonathan Cohn. “There are many good things she has done as attorney general, but she has not been a leader on criminal justice issues.”
It’s time to spring into action. Here are some upcoming events to put on your calendar.
Saturday, 3/26: Progressive Mass Spring Statewide Candidate Interviews
2022 is a busy year, with open AG and Auditor races and a contested Secretary of the Commonwealth race.
Join fellow activists across Massachusetts on Saturday, March 26, from 1 pm to 4 pm, as we interview candidates for these offices about how they will advance a progressive agenda.
Immigrants’ Day at the State House is an annual tradition from our ally MIRA, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. Each spring, MIRA brings together hundreds of immigrants and refugees to the State House to hear from public officials and advocate for legislative and budget priorities.
The event will be held in a virtual space for safety and public health reasons, with a speaking program with built-in digital advocacy opportunities, followed by regional “roundtables” with legislators co-hosted by MIRA member organizations.
Join us to advocate for our pro-immigrant budget and legislative agenda. The event will focus on the Safe Communities Act, the Work and Family Mobility Act, the Language Access and Inclusion Act, the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Act, and several budget line-items.
Saturday, April 9: Spring into Action for Common Start
Join the Common Start Coalition to celebrate the milestones of the campaign and to hear how
YOU can help us ensure a stronger future for every child!
Saturday, April 9, 11 am to 1 pm, Boston Common
In addition to learning more about our next steps, the day will include opportunities for child and family fun! Buses to the Boston Common will be provided from certain areas. Stay tuned for more details!
Election Day is exactly 8 months away: November 8, 2022.
In Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont, prospective voters will be able to register or update their registration at the polls. But in Massachusetts, they won’t be able to because of our arbitrary, exclusionary, and outdated voter registration cutoff.
Late last month, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted in favor of the VOTES Act, pledging their support for making permanent critical electoral reforms like mail-in and early in-person voting. However, the House chose to leave out the heart of the VOTES Act: Election Day Registration (EDR). Now, because the House and Senate versions of the VOTES Act differ, a small group of legislators are finalizing the bill in conference committee.
EDR has been proven to make elections more equitable and efficient in 20 states. By reducing voter registration barriers, EDR boosts voter turnout for all, especially BIPOC, low-income, immigrant, and young voters. It also decreases administrative burdens of running elections by allowing election workers to update registration information on the spot.
Before November will be the primaries on September 6 to determine who advances. And before that will be the party conventions in June that determine who even makes the ballot in the first place.
Over the past month, Democratic ward and town committees have been holding caucuses to elect delegates to the state party convention. If you want to take part, check out the caucus calendar here to see if your caucus has happened yet or is still to come.
And if you didn’t get elected or can’t make your caucus, you might still be able to become a delegate. You can find additional opportunities here.
Know What’s on the Ballot
Do you know what an Attorney General, an Auditor, or a Secretary of the Commonwealth does?
Do you want to know?
And do you want to find out more about what the candidates vying for these important statewide positions plan to do with these offices?
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