The Weekly Political Report is prepared by a political consulting group, Rasky/Baerlein, and shared with me by John Nunnari.
BRAC Development Preparation
Last week Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the Obama Administration would request Congressional authority to start a new Base Realignment and Closure Commission process (BRAC) as soon as 2013. In response, United State Senator John Kerry requested a briefing from the Pentagon on a potential round of military base closures while referring to Massachusetts as a key strategic mechanism in the country’s defense. In his letter, Senator Kerry noted that Hanscom Air Force Base provides a strategically located base along the coast that includes key research facilities. The Senator also said that Natick Soldier Systems Center has been able to influence the state’s highly regarded colleges, universities and technical institutions to provide improvements in development for the military. In 2005, both Natick and Hanscom became targets during the last BRAC and both bases have survived closure.
Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray announced this week that he will tour the state’s six military installations starting today at Barnes Air National Guard base in Westfield as the Patrick/Murray Administration beings to focus on preparing for the BRAC process.
Online Gambling Task Force Established
Before taking office in January 2011, Treasurer Steven Grossman identified online gambling as a threat to the state lottery. During budget hearings last year, Treasurer Grossman identified internet gaming as a major competitive threat to casino interests. Treasurer Grossman today named members to a task force aimed at readying Massachusetts for the possibility of internet gaming. Members of the task force include municipal officials, representatives from the Governor’s office, representatives of the Massachusetts Lottery, and business leaders.
Key Political Leaders Differ on Solution to MBTA Funding
As the MBTA struggles with an upcoming $161 million budget deficit, political leaders, including Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Senate President Therese Murray, differed this week on revenue solutions aimed at delaying fare hikes and service reductions. Mayor Menino says he wants to work with Governor Deval Patrick and legislative leaders on MBTA financing solutions by looking for an alternative to fare hikes and service cuts. Proposed MBTA service reductions and fare hikes have been estimated to be between 35 percent and 43 percent and service reductions include cuts to subway, commuter rail, and ferry and bus routes to close the budget gap. The Administration and the Legislature have yet to come to agreement on a long term funding solution for the MBTA. In 2009, Governor Patrick proposed a 19-cent increase in the gas tax which was rejected by the legislature in favor of a sales tax increase with a portion going to transportation and the MBTA. On Tuesday, Senate President Therese Murray again expressed her opposition to a gas tax hike.
John Nunnari, Assoc AIA
Executive Director, AIA MA
jnunnari@architects.org
617-951-1433 x263
617-951-0845 (fax)
MA Chapter of American Institute of Architects
290 Congress Street, Suite 200, Boston MA 02110
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