Constituents, Sen. Barrett fight back against money in politics

Citizens United has allowed special interests to play an even more discouraging role in the political process. A group of constituents is fighting back by calling for an amendment to the U.S. constitution. I’m with them. I recently co-sponsored the bill filed by Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Cory Atkins.

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Most Republicans Say They Back Climate Action, Poll Finds

The New York Times

Global warming bell-ringer — a huge shift from the divided public of five or so years ago.

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Barrett to Chair Senate’s Oversight Committee

Press Release

State State Senator Mike Barrett has been selected to head the State Senate’s Post-Audit and Oversight Committee, a unique body charged with overseeing implementation of all state programs run by the Governor and his appointees.

“This is a huge chance to shape policy for the district and the entire state,” Barrett said. “It means digging deep into how government operates day to day — and how it can do better. I’m honored and challenged by the assignment.”

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Youth Mentoring Day 2015

Dropped by the 9th annual Youth Mentoring Day at the State House.  The relationships these groups foster are something to behold.  Here with AmeriCorps Ambassadors Sylvia Ngo, Johnny Xu and Melissa Ventola.

Mass Mentoring

2014 Breaks Heat Record, Challenging Global Warming Skeptics

The New York Times

This just in.  Yikes.  For the urgent consideration of the new Mass. Legislature, I’m proposing “An Act Combatting Climate Change.”  Pollution and health are huge expenses excluded from the prices of “fossil fuels” like coal, oil and natural gas; the taxpayer gets whacked with the expense later on.  If you want to reduce emissions, clean the air and cool the planet, ask us Mass. state legislators to go where British Columbia has already gone — to honest full pricing for fossil fuels.

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