MA Fiscal Alliance sent me its 2012 candidate questionnaire.  My answers along with a signed and witnessed “Good Government Agreement” were submitted online on August 15, 2012.

Questions are in text blocks.

My answers are in italics.

My campaign responds to all questionnaires and publishes all answers sent.

Citizens For Limited Taxation sent me its 2012 candidate questionnaire.  My answers were submitted to it on August 10, 2012.

Questions are in text blocks.

My answers are in italics.

My campaign responds to all questionnaires and publishes all answers sent.

The United Auto Workers sent me its 2012 candidate questionnaire.

The text that is in blocks is the text of the questionnaire.

My answers and comments are outside of the blocks in italics.

My campaign responds to all questionnaires and publishes all answers sent.

It’s a sure thing that the majority party will offer Robert DeLeo up for confirmation as House Speaker when the next legislative session convenes in January 2013.

As I stated when I obtained a spot on the ballot, I will vote AGAINST confirming Robert DeLeo or any candidate of similar ilk.

My opponent, William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli, should be asked, if he is re-elected, if he would vote once again to confirm Robert DeLeo.  If the media doesn’t ask him I’ll do so in a debate or on the campaign trail.  

Advocates of progressive legislation such as the Bottle Bill and Mass Muni Choice are becoming tired of hearing the old refrain that their ‘allies’ in the State House are doing all they can to advance legislation, only to be told that it’s the House Speaker who is blocking progress.

When these ‘allies’ continue to vote to confirm a House Speaker who then subverts good legislation by refusing to allow the bills to come out of committee or to allow a vote, then those ‘allies’ are complicit in the problem.

There was a story in the July 31, 2012 Berkshire Eagle about Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli being fined $250 for a ‘campaign finance gaffe.’  His campaign treasurer worked for the town of Lenox, which is a violation of campaign finance law.  The full story is pasted at the end of this diary.

In response to several media inquiries for a statement from me I released the following:

I would not want to be found in violation of campaign finance laws.  I’m surprised that Representative Pignatelli stated to the Berkshire Eagle that he was not aware of the matter until OCPF did its investigation.  I can reasonably assume that the town of Lenox had notified his treasurer, Ms. Pero about the matter in August 2011.  It should have been an easy matter to research and take appropriate action then.  I have high praise for the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.  OCPF staff and its web site have always been extremely helpful in assisting candidates like Rep. Pignatelli and me to comply with the campaign finance laws of Massachusetts when a modest effort is made by such candidates to learn the rules.

My statement continues, along with relevant appendices.

Mass Alliance sent me its 2012 candidate questionnaire on June 28, 2012.

The text that is in blocks is the text of the questionnaire.

My answers and comments are outside of the blocks in italics.

My campaign responds to all questionnaires and publishes all answers sent.

MassEquality sent me its 2012 candidate questionnaire on June 11, 2012.

The text that is in blocks is the text of the questionnaire.

My answers and comments are outside of the blocks in italics.

My campaign responds to all questionnaires and publishes all answers sent.

The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers sent me a questionnaire on June 22 and asked for it to be submitted today (June 29).

The campaign has acted solely in publicizing the questions and answers.  This action was not coordinated with or requested by the MA Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

The text that is in blocks is the text of the questionnaire.

My answers and comments are outside of the blocks in italics.

My campaign responds to all questionnaires and publishes all answers sent.

The AFL-CIO sent its 2012 candidate questionnaire to me on June 8, asking for responses by June 29.

The text that is in blocks is the text of the questionnaire.

My answers and comments are outside of the blocks in italics.

My campaign responds to all questionnaires and publishes all answers sent.

Having accepted nomination from Independent and from Green-Rainbow voters to be placed on the ballot, and having filed certified nomination signatures and other necessary paperwork with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, I choose to make public my federal and state tax returns from 2011.