Left In Lowell

Thanksgiving (or any holiday where cooking is involved) is never truly kicked off until the fire alarm goes off. The holiday in this house was officially kicked off when the apple pie dripped all over the catch pan.

Since Lynne is very busy with a house full of family, Mimi is spending the day with family and our dinner is later today…I’d like to wish folks in LiL land a Happy Thanksgiving!

So, here you go. A blank slate for discussion, between courses, breaks from the family and so on.

I’ll start off….How ’bout them apples?

Back when former Rep. Marty Meehan first announced (after months of speculation) his resignation to take the helm at UMass-Lowell, I was cautiously optimistic. While Meehan is most definitely an ambitious pol, he also struck me as intelligent, and also pretty loyal to all things Lowell, including the University.

However, a lot has changed since then.

First, there’s this new Meehan letter to UML’s president saying that hey, if the city does what Meehan wants, there could still be a deal reached for UML’s acquirement of the Tsongas Arena. The Sun’s Matt Murphy notes that the paper got its hands on the letter through a FOIA (Freedom of Information) request. Oh, really?

According to Murphy,

The letter was written in response to a request from Wilson for an update on the negotiations, and indicates a greater level of interest in the deal than the chancellor’s recent public and private comments have suggested.

The letter, obtained yesterday by The Sun under a Freedom of Information request, caught City Manager Bernie Lynch by surprise.

and

Lynch, in fact, said he last spoke to Meehan last Tuesday when Meehan told him the university was no longer interested in acquiring the arena. Meehan reportedly told Lynch he planned to inform Wilson in a letter that the deal was dead.

The letter that was sent, however, shows a great deal of interest from Meehan in buying the Tsongas Arena despite a skepticism that Lynch would agree to the conditions. Meehan also had copies of the letter delivered to members of the City Council.

And bah. Just go read the rest, it’s too complicated and screwball, I’d have to quote half of Matt’s excellent article, which would go beyond fair use.

But what the hell is up with these stupid head games?

So that brings me up to my second bout of fist-shaking anger with the Chancellor. Of course, we’re all tightening our belts, and the University has been asked to come up with cuts as well as any state-funded agency. However, for weeks I have been hearing about what the shape of those cuts might look like, and though I am not willing yet to go on the record about them, rest assured that if my sources are correct, when they are made public, the community is going to be outraged by many of them. Community services are going to be the hardest hit, as is apparently an entire department which I believe is one of the University’s greatest assets. So what I want to know is, is the pain of the cuts going to be felt across the board or is the ax going to fall disproportionately on some areas more than others? And what would be the reasoning for such an action, when other solutions could be found (like across the board 1% cuts, etc). Why do the “big” departments get to escape bearing their fair share? It’s to the detriment of the University to lose some of the assets and programs that I am hearing will be totally eliminated. Which means, they will not come back after we weather this.

Couple that with the snarky comments I’ve heard from UML personnel who are disgusted by the level of personal promotion (almost like shrines to Meehan) scattered around campus, and I’m starting to believe every anonymous comment ever made deriding the former Representative’s ego. Ug.

Last May Lynne asked if less work will work. The answer is no. She was referring to the Lowell City Council’s decision to change their schedule from weekly meetings to meeting twice a month.

Tomorrow ‘s City Council meeting agenda has a motion from CC Rita Mercier asking that the “ Council review new meeting schedule & vote to keep same or revert back to previous meeting schedule.”

Great motion. CC Mercier along with CCs Kevin Broderick and Rodney Elliott were in the minority when they voted to maintain the weekly schedule; the rest of their colleagues voted to try this out.

The primary reason for changing the schedule was to give an opportunity to the Sub-Committee meetings to be more meaningful both in length and content. The CC needs to be honest with itself and acknowledge that the experiment has failed.

Although the majority of CC members attend most Sub-Committee meetings, not all of them show up and participate. But more importantly if you look at the schedule of the Sub-Committee meetings covering the months of October – November and compare this year to last year, you would see that November 2008 had 8 Sub-Committee meetings and October 2008 had none; while November 2007 had 4 Sub-Committee meetings and October 2008 had 7.

I follow the City Council meetings closely and I lose track of when they are meeting and the agenda items that are left to be discussed and decided. Meeting twice a month is not the way to bring more people into the process. It certainly does not make it easy to follow our local government.

I hope that CCs Mercier, Broderick and Elliott can convince two more members to join them so that they can go back to meeting every week.

State Rep Will Brownsberger, writing at Blue Mass Group, has an excellent idea on how to give tax relief to most of us reg’lar folks while maintaining the state’s revenue stream - in essence, faking a progressive tax scheme which most other states that have income taxes employ. In MA, progressive tax structures are outlawed in the state constitution, which commands a “flat” tax. (Bold red text my emphasis.)

Some in the legislature are discussing a proposal to dramatically increase the personal exemption, so as to provide complete income tax exemption for families who make less than the eligibility thresholds for major public assistance programs — housing, heating and health care. To pay for this exemption without net revenue loss, it would be necessary to increase the tax rate. The net effect would be reductions in taxes for families up to a fairly high level, with increases for families at the highest income levels ($150,000 and up).
…
The reform concept: Families that have incomes below a livable level — as judged by the legislature and the agencies responsible for the various subsidy programs — shouldn’t be paying income tax. Yet, they do. Under current law, a family of four with an income of $50,000 — eligible for housing, heating and health subsidies — pays 5.3% on a taxable income of roughly $30,000 ($50,000 less roughly $20,000 in exemptions and deductions) or roughly $1,500 per year.

Background — tax computations: The tax rate for most income in Massachusetts is 5.3%. Income tax liability is computed based on taxable income — actual income less exemptions and deductions. For a family of four, the personal exemption would be $8,800 plus $1,000 for each child; additional deductions might total approximately $10,200 if the family were living in rental housing. So, under current law, a family of four might have a total of $21,000 in exemptions and deductions which would reduce their taxable income.
…
Possible specifics for the reform: If a married couple’s exemption were increased from $8,800 to $40,000, and dependent exemptions were increased from $1,000 to $5,000, our family of four with income of $50,000 would pay no income tax and save $1,500 per year. Based on on DOR simulation of similar proposals, to pay for this relief, the tax rate would have to go to somewhere close to 7.5%. The combined effect of the increased exemptions and the increased rate would be to reduce taxes on families up to a breakeven level of approximately $140,000. Families above that level would see an increase which would work out to approach almost 2.5% of their income for the wealthiest families. For a tax impact calculator, click here. Exemptions for a single person would be $20,000 (for a head of household, $30,000) if we wished to preserve the current proportionality of exemptions. In a scenario along these lines, the vast majority of taxpayers would see a decrease in taxes paid — only the top 15 to 20 percent would see an increase.

Please click and read that tax calculator. Even a family making $100K would see their taxes drop $1053 under this calculation. Families making $150K would see their taxes go up only about $235. And do go read Rep. Brownsberger’s full post.

I think if this is truly found to be revenue-neutral or maybe even a slight revenue gain to the state (so we can stop bleeding from cuts to essential services, local aid, and schools), this is a good alternative to changing the state constitution (a years-long process), at least in the short run. It’s not truly a progressive tax structure, but it simulates one, given the circumstances of the state. Heck, my husband and I, with no kids and with a decent family income, stand to get a substantial tax cut under this plan as Rep. Brownsberger lays it out.

Unless serious caveats are found, count me as completely on board!

Last Friday, the Lowell Sun had a front page story written by Chris Camire, on the removal of 10 homeless people who had set up a tent city along the banks of the Concord River.

Camire quotes one of the two policemen who were sent to ask these people to leave that “somebody called and doesn’t want them there.”

The camp site is near the condos (the old Mother Hubbard site) under construction on Rogers Street. Apparently CC Alan Kazanjian is the general contractor and he was called by the Sun to ask for his view and he told the reporters that he did not know who called the cops and he reiterated his view that homeless people should be sent to Tewksbury Hospital.

The Sun has now posted a video on its front page in which they interviewed some of the individuals who were moved out as well as Peter Duda, Executive Director of the Lowell Transitional House. It is about 2 ½ minutes long and it is well worth watching. It put a face and story to the plight of these people.

The easiest thing is to demonize these people, (i.e. they are drug users, lazy, drunk) so that we can clear our collective consciences and dismiss any responsibilities society may have towards those who are less fortunate than us or who do not have the ability to get their life back on the right road. Are there more homeless people in Lowell than beds?

By the way, the Mother Hubbard condos have a larger problem that a few people setting up an illegal camp along the river; the Planning Board (at least some of the members) are ticked off that one plan was submitted and approved and then changes were made without the Planning Board’s knowledge and approval.

I know that there is a Hunger and Homeless Commission that meets regularly to address the issue and that City Manager Bernie Lynch is committed to wiping out homeless in this City but someone, who is remaining anonymous, set the wheels in motion to remove these people from their “home” a week before Thanksgiving. Now that is heartless.

The Patrick administration is announcing a couple more initiatives to get the state onto more efficient, renewable energy. From their press release:

Governor Deval Patrick has set two new goals for energy efficiency and renewable energy: making all new malls and “big box” retail stores energy efficient and powered in part by solar energy by 2010 and offering a super-efficient building code as a local option for municipalities looking to take the lead in combating global climate change.

With the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference under way at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Governor Patrick directed Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to initiate a dialogue with the development community to put together the technical assistance, financing support, and regulatory standards to facilitate the universal adoption of solar power and super-efficient buildings for large retail stores and malls, typically greater than 50,000 square feet in size.
….
Secretary Bowles noted that there are already substantial financial incentives in place for solar power, but that only a few large retailers have taken advantage of them. These incentives include Commonwealth Solar, the state’s rebate program, which provides as much as 40 percent of the cost of a solar energy installation, and federal investment tax credits for solar installations, which were recently extended for another eight years.

“We want to work with the development community to make them aware of the opportunity they have before them in energy efficiency and solar energy, and work with them to find out what they need to take advantage of that opportunity,” said Secretary Bowles. “Malls and big box stores have big flat roofs that are naturals for solar power, and Governor Patrick wants to see them put to use generating clean, renewable energy.”
In addition, Governor Patrick has asked staff at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Public Safety to develop a super-efficient energy code for consideration by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards as a local option for municipalities that want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from development in their communities.

Under the Green Communities Act, the comprehensive energy reform bill signed by the Governor in July, Massachusetts is required to incorporate the latest version of the International Energy Conservation Code in its building code within one year of its adoption. The IECC approved its 2009 standards in September, and the BBRS is expected to update the Massachusetts energy code to include these standards sometime next year.

The new law also allows the BBRS to adopt standards event more stringent than the IECC, and Governor Patrick proposes the Board do so by creating a second, super-efficient code that local officials could adopt as a local option.

“The state is already adopting the highest standards of energy efficiency for its building code, but some municipalities would like to go further,” said Governor Patrick. “An alternative code that is 20 to 30 percent more efficient they can adopt as an option will give cities and towns the tool they are looking for to reduce their community’s carbon footprint as development moves forward.”

This “stretch” code, which will be presented to the BBRS for adoption in the coming months, will be based on established national voluntary above-code efficiency standards that have shown themselves to be cost-effective in producing energy savings, such as the Energy Star For Homes program and the New Buildings Institute’s “Core Performance” program for commercial properties. As an optional addendum to the state building code, the stretch code would be voted on by the BBRS following a public hearing. Once approved by the BBRS, any municipality choosing to adopt the stretch code would have to do so by a vote of town meeting or city council.

So, if there’s more solar going up on all new big retail and mall buildings, adding energy to the power grid, and many cities and towns adopt the more stringent building codes, there’s no need to build more polluting power plants. If we can reduce our usage in this state (and there are a lot of low-hanging fruits to achieve this quite quickly), then this state should have to host NO NEW traditional power plants ever again. Maybe even start thinking of closing some older, seriously carbon-polluting dinosaurs. Right?

This myth that “well, the future isn’t here yet so we still need to build CO2-producing power plants in the interim in order to sustain the current system” is bull. Don’t listen to it. You’d be surprised how rapid the tipping point towards lessening our dependence on fossil fuels will come with the right initiatives in place. I mean, do you like paying more every year for natural gas to heat your home? I sure as hell don’t. The fault for that lies at higher demand for supplies…because more natural gas power plants like the one proposed in Billerica are being built. I say it’s high time to stop the insanity.

Imagine if we had abolished the income tax in Massachusetts two weeks ago. Our chances to headline lists like “Best ‘New Economy’ State” would be next to nil.

One of our biggest strengths here is our higher education system, and our investment in new economic opportunities for self-starters. You can’t do that if you slash 40-70% of revenues to the state which helps foster this. People start businesses here (despite the higher cost of living) because they are supported here.

Hopefully the investments in up-and-coming fields such as clean energy, nanotech, and biotech will keep us in this number one position for a long time.

I’m down with a cold, plus a lot of work right now. And getting ready for Thanksgiving (and trying to get my dining room painted before then).

So have at ye!

Update: I’ll just use this open thread for a couple of rants and points:

OMFG, are the Senate Democrats stupid dupes or what! They stripped Lieberman of a committee chair where he actually votes and acts well, and let him keep Homeland Security?? Are you f-ing kidding me?? The blogosphere is pissed, and if you think this is going away, it isn’t. I’m fired up, ready to go. And this is not a “liberal base” hissy fit. There are two facts that matter here: first, Lieberman f-ing campaigned against Democrats! Against more than just Obama! Consistently! He voted and supported Bush! The second fact, and the more important one, is that the asshole didn’t even do his damn job in oversight, the most important job of this committee! The Democrats just rewarded disloyalty, but they also just rewarded deliberate partisan incompetence! Lieberman let his BFF’s in the Bush White House wipe their asses with our US Constitution and Bill of Rights, and you think he’ll do a better job now that Obama, the guy he literally called unAmerican, is occupying the White House??? I’m with Kos, and John, on this. The Democratic leadership can kiss my ass. No really. When we say MORE AND BETTER Democrats, we’re talking about replacing your pathetic selves.

The Democrats still think that we’re angry children, typing away in our basements, who don’t know a lick about politics. And while some bloggers might have been newcomers to politics years back, they aren’t new any more. Jane Hamsher at FireDogLake has built a massive email list with massive fundraising capabilities that she’s already proven. Cross Jane at your own peril. Markos has a huge online machine at his disposal, and over the past 7 years has learned to wield his influence deftly. And I like to think that Joe and I, among others, know a thing or two about getting the media’s attention as well.

The Democratic party, the Democratic establishment, doesn’t like you. They want you to go away. That is, until the next time they need you.
….
We are envied, but we’re not feared. The DC establishment, the politicians, the non-profits, the corporations and the PR firms, all know that no matter how much they ignore us and refuse to support us, no matter how deeply they betray us after we bust our asses for them, we will always be there for them the next time they come knocking on behalf of the progressive cause.

I think that gravy train just stopped.

You - and I know I don’t swear a lot on this blog, but I’m really pissed - fucking cowards.

Update II - FYI, to Chair Howard Dean: Mandate for reconciliation? My ass. The mandate was for a change in direction, not knuckling under to the other side in some sort of Stockholm syndrome reaction. The people want Dems who can stand up for what they believe in. THAT is what they voted for. You dupe.

This Wednesday evening, at 6:00 PM at Lowell City Hall, the Environmental Subcommittee will discuss the proposed Billerica power plant and the consequent impacts to Lowell. Subcommittee members as well as attendees will ask questions and make comments. The developer will be present. It is also expected that City Manager, Bernie Lynch, will attend. The Environmental Subcommittee includes City Councilor, Rodney Elliott, as Chair, Councilor Kevin Broderick, and Councilor William F. Martin. They have been trying since May to have this meeting.

Although the Lowell Sun has reported that the Energy Facilities Siting Board has rendered a tentative decision to permit the plant, the EFSB must still deliberate a final decision. More importantly, the proposal has yet to pass the scrutiny of several boards in Billerica. The process is far from over and the voice of neighboring residents continues to be very important. The neighborhoods near the proposed site would suffer increased noise and traffic, and reduced air quality. Lowell’s school buses travel the same roads tankers would use, and a newly renovated playground is on the same route.

A large show of support will send a strong signal to Lowell officials about the importance of this issue to its residents. Senator Panagiotakos and Representatives Golden, Nangle, and Murphy have been invited to attend.

Looks like the City of Lights parade is expanding its scope. CM Lynch has the details on his blog, and new events feature art and music, and for kids, a “Holiday Express” on a decorated trolley with a reading of the Polar Express and hot chocolate and cookies. That sounds really fun!

I’ll admit it. I have not yet once attended a City of Lights parade. Two reasons: we’re usually recovering from Thanksgiving and feeling really lazy (especially since I now host my whole family), and also, I really, really hate the cold. Same reason I skip Winterfest every year. Helps that I don’t have children for whom I must constantly find diversions…

Maybe this year I’ll make an exception. The City of Lights events start at 4:30 p.m. on November 29th.