FCCPR General Assembly
Feb.
11, 2018
2-4 pm
Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St. Greenfield
At the upcoming General Assembly we will be voting on the proposed
by-laws for FCCPR. You can read and make comments by using this link.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r7bWd6oQ1RADvhqB2sid2_bZl6jCZuLJFG1ReQZT6dw/edit?usp=sharing
News
from the FCCPR Endorsement Committee
The FCCPR Endorsement Committee met recently to discuss whether it would
recommend an endorsement of a Democratic Gubernatorial candidate for
ratification by the full membership. The Committee decided not to
recommend an endorsement at this time and the Coordinating Committee
expressed their agreement. As always, the decision to endorse or not
endorse depends upon the vote of the general membership.
While the Committee is heartened by all three candidates, it did not feel
that any one candidate was clearly superior to the other two to the
extent that we would recommend commitment of time and resources to
this race. We feel that it is important for one of them to unseat
Governor Baker and would have no problem backing any one of the three
in the general election.
The Committee has recommended the endorsement of Tahirah Amatul-Wadud for
Congress in the First Congressional race against longtime incumbent
Richie Neal. We also feel that there are several ballot questions
that merit our attention and commitment and that these initiatives
will inevitably need to go back to voters this Spring to collect the
additional 10,000 signatures needed to make the ballot. We hope the
membership agrees and will endorse Tahirah and action on ballot
questions and volunteer to work on their behalf.
Several members of the committee have said they will work as individuals on
various gubernatorial campaigns and we encourage members to do the
same. In addition. We encourage our members to participate in the
town Democratic caucuses and run to be delegates to the state
Democratic Convention.
A reminder to all. Only FCCPR members who have renewed their 2018
membership will be able to vote in these upcoming endorsement votes.
Please send your renewal dues to FCCPR, PO Box 216 Greenfield Ma
01302, or renew online at FCCPR.us, or you can renew at the General
Assembly on Feb 11th.
Ballot
Question in 2018
2018 promises to be an exciting election year! Not only do we have three
democratic gubernatorial candidates ready to challenge Republic
governor, Charlie Baker, but also an array of ballot measures that
are likely to be important to FCCPR members. The Coordinating
Committee is discussing ways to tailor our existing endorsement
process to suit statewide races and ballot measures, and what
activities we might want to engage in as a group either in support of
or opposition to any measures in which the membership chooses to take
a position.
FCCPR members will be asked to vote on whether to take a position on these
measures soon. We will then discuss campaign strategies and
organizing activities at the next General Assembly on Sunday,
February 11th. We will also ask members to volunteer for one or more
campaign-related activities to ensure that our endorsement is more
than just a stamp of approval, but a commitment to achieving
progressive victories.
According to Ballotpedia, there are two certified ballot measures and five
potential measures.
On the ballot:
The Income Tax for Education and Transportation Amendment (also known as
the millionaire’s tax) would create a 4 percent tax on income in
excess of $1 million per year. The revenue from this tax would be
earmarked for education and transportation purposes.
The Transgender Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum would repeal an
existing state law prohibiting discrimination based on gender
identity.
Potential ballot measures which can be approved by the Legislature or if not
will appear on the ballot pending
final signature collection.
The Citizens Commission for Amending U.S. Constitution to Regulate
Campaign Finance Initiative would create a citizen’s commission to
advocate for changes to the U.S. Constitution regarding campaign
finance.
The Nurse-Patient Assignment Limits Initiative would set limits on the
number of patients a nurse can be assigned to.
The $15 Minimum Wage Initiative would increase the state minimum wage to
$15 an hour by 2022.
The Paid Family and Medical Leave Initiative would create a fund to
provide for paid family and medical leave.
The Sales Tax Decrease and Tax-Free Weekend Initiative would decrease the
sales tax and establishes a tax-free weekend.
In Franklin County, we will be collecting signatures to get the following question on the ballot in both Rep. Steve Kulik’s and Rep. Paul Mark’s districts.
Shall the Representative from this District be instructed to vote for
legislation to create a single- payer system of universal health
care, that provides all Massachusetts residents with comprehensive
health care coverage including the freedom to choose doctors and
other health care professionals, facilities, and services and
eliminates the role of insurance companies in health care by creating
an insurance trust fund that is publicly administered?
Attend
Your Democratic Town Committee Caucus!
FCCPR is encouraging the people on our mailing list to attend their town
Democratic committee caucus. As we did last year, we are trying to
get as many progressive delegates to the state convention as
possible. And with your help, we can do this! If you are not a
registered Democrat, you can register anytime up until, and even at,
the caucus meeting, at which point you will be able to run and/or
vote for delegates to attend the Mass. Democratic Party Convention.
The Massachusetts Democratic Party Endorsing Convention will take place
at the DCU Center in Worcester on June 1st and 2nd, 2018.
All the information that you need can be found by clicking here.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TFTM7bZdtWWrj0aQVqMfTzLI5y5CORRjPADxDxJ-qZo/edit?usp=sharing