Senator Patricia D. Jehlen

At least one Member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee Senator Pat Jehlen sees the big picture and regretted that the Committee "lacked the aspiration" to see that our government could have solved the problem of the budget gap another way:
One of the few voices of dissent came from the Senate's liberal wing. Patricia D. Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat, lamented that the budget had no tax increases to offset the cuts that hit the most vulnerable. "I hope in the future we will have higher aspirations for the role of state government in solving problems,'' said Jehlen, who nevertheless voted for the budget when it was released by the committee. [Boston Globe]
Of course, Senator Jehlen is very familiar with a possible solution because she is a cosponsor of one solution being promoted by a very big and coalition of community based groups, state wide advocacy groups and organized labor in the Coalition for Our Communities and ONE Massachusetts haven't even slowed down their activities.

Here are some notes from a community forum held in Senator Ken Donnelly's district:

Harris Gruman, who is working for the coalition seeking to support the Act to Invest in Our Communities stated that the Greatest Generation invested in America, but that investment has been eroded over the last 20 years. An example he gave was the cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program. He stated, "We cannot cut our way out of this economic situation." According to Gruman, the Invest in Our Communities Act is historic legislation in that it raises revenue while protecting the vulnerable, for example by seeking to raise capitol gains taxes to 8.95% from 5.3% while exempting seniors with incomes of $40,000.00 or less from the proposed tax increase.

Now those of us who are advocating for new taxes in this anti-government, anti-tax era are not afraid of being out of step - we are in fact leading a movement to restore the public's confidence in government. We see government as a way we can work together to do things that we can't do alone - educate our children, keep our neighborhoods clean and safe, repair our roads and bridges, keep our water and air clean and on and on.
Seneca
If people think we are crazy we can only quote the ancient Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist Seneca - Aliquando et insanire iucundum est - "It is sometimes even pleasant act like a madman."

We are pretty confident that we can build the public support for tax reform - and we recommend the ONE Mass budget and tax policy trainings offered by ONE Mass and inspired and supported by the Demos Public Works project.
We understand the legislative process is like a labyrinth - follow it all the way around and it takes you to where you want to be and then you will experience that feeling of joy --

The little squirt of dopamine hitting the brain when you get it right-and win!

Reorganizing State Agencies Act of 2009 and the Municipal Relief Act in 2010.

Two major reforms that the Legislature passed in my first term have been theThe Reorganization of state agencies legislation restructured certain state agencies to make them more cost effective and responsive by consolidating programs and program staff within agencies whose mission and expertise will ensure the most coordinated, efficient operation of the programs. The Municipal Relief Act allowed cities and towns to enter mutual aid agreements in an effort to share services and costs, and also develop electronic billing systems to save billing costs. The bill also extended pension fund funding deadlines, and gave cities and towns the option to lease public buildings for a longer term than the current 30 year limit. While making state government operations more efficient, we also gave the cities and towns tools to save money. The next step is coming to an agreement that benefits all parties involved when it comes to reforming municipal health insurance.