Rapid Response

We have stayed clear of much of the controversy surrounding the Russia investigation and Trump's assertions around that. We have preferred to allow that process to proceed while keeping ourselves focused on the task at hand -- resisting the terrible policy moves and plans of radical right wing interests  led by a president apparently unable to respect his office or the Constitution he has been sworn to uphold. By now it is painfully clear to all of us that upholding the law is not something those currently in power feel compelled to do.  So, we stand ready to compel them. PDA will continue insisting on progressive policy solutions -- like Medicare for all, climate justice, and a clean DACA bill -- and PDA will also be prepared with our allies to rise when Trump or his devotees attempt to avoid the scrutiny of the Mueller investigation.  Several groups are working together to be prepared to respond rapidly should the need arise to make it clear that Donald Trump is not above the law.  Should he attempt to fire the special prosecutor or shut down the investigation before it reaches its natural conclusion, those who join this effort will be quickly alerted to appropriate ways to respond most effectively. Sign up to attend one of the hundreds of rapid response events here. One of the good things coming out of this difficult period for our nation and our planet is the solidarity many groups are showing as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the barricades.  No one is above the law.  No matter who we may be or our stations in life, no one of us is above the law. Our strength is our solidarity. See you in the streets! Peace, Donna Smith and Mike Fox for the national PDA team Progressive Democrats of America http://pda.nationbuilder.com/

Democratic Public Policy Committee

Last week, our member Mike Politshnak attended the State Democratic Party Public Policy Committee meeting. He goes to most of those meetings, and it is really good that someone from Belchertown is there and reports back. Thank you, Mike!

Help is needed in next week's Virginia Governor's race, especially now that the Republican candidate has made preservation of Confederate monuments a wedge campaign issue.

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Mike reports that key items dicussed at the Public Policy Committee included:

 

a. There is organizing for a proposed Massachusetts referendum that is hostile to transgender rights. The Democratic State Committee wants everyone to pay attention to it. 

b. Action on the Safe Communities Act is expected as well.

c.  There is an interest in making climate change a higher profile issue.

d.  They were giving out petitions to sign for minimum wage and paid sick leave, and I reported that we did our thing at the Belchertown Fair and gathered a lot of signatures.

Raise Up Massachusetts is a grassroots coalition of community organizations, religious groups, and labor unions committed to building an economy that works for all of us. We’re focused on three issues of critical importance to working families in Massachusetts: 

• Paid Family and Medical Leave
• $15/hr Minimum Wage
• Fair Share Tax

 The Fair Share Amendment will be on the ballot in November 2018. This fall, we’re collecting signatures to put Paid Family and Medical Leave and a $15 minimum wage on the ballot as well, while continuing campaigns for both issues in the Legislature. The Belchertown Democratic Committee collected 120 signatures during the Belchertown Fair, but more work needs to be done. If you have an hour or two to volunteer gathering signatures at Stop & Shop contact Jim Walker at jwwalker60@gmail.com. 

For more information about Raise Up Massachusetts and the the ballot initiatives go to: 

•  http://raiseupma.org/
• https://twitter.com/RaiseUpMA
• https://www.facebook.com/RaiseupMA/

Belchertown Town Election

The Belchertown town election will be held on May 15 at the Belchertown High School. Members of the Belchertown Democratic Committee who are running for office are: Carla Dell'Olio - Board of Selectman and Randi Shenkman - School Committee, one year seat. The Belchertown Democratic Committee supports Heidi Gutekenst who is running for the three year seat on the School Committee.

If you want to help elect Carla:

Sign holding at south end of town common

Thursdays 4 to 6:00 p.m.

Fridays 4 to 6;00 p.m.

Saturdays 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

April 27, 28, 29

May 4,5,6

May 11, 12, 13

Email Randi at rshenkman@hotmail.com for information 

Email Heidi at hgutekenst@yahoo.com for information

Masssachusetts Democrats Platform Hearings

The Massachusetts Democratic Party is in the process of rewriting the Party platform. The Party has a Committee of Democratic party members holding hearing around the state to gather input from citizens about what changes they want to make to the Platform. 

The Committee is being chaired by Former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Murphy, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, and Paul Feeney, the Legislative Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2222 and former Massachusetts State Director for Bernie Sanders for America. These three Democratic leaders have decades of experience working on behalf of Massachusetts residents and voters. They will be overseeing the entire Platform Committee, which is made up of local Democratic activists, officials, and organizers. “Considering the state of our democracy and nation, people are concerned about where we’re headed and we’ve seen a swell in momentum at the local level,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford. “We’re excited to get these hearings underway and learn about the issues our residents and voters are most concerned about. I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Murphy, Sheriff Tompkins, and Paul Feeney for their dedicated work on behalf of the Party and its members.”
Following the hearings, the Platform Committee will draft the proposed 2017 state Party Platform. The Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform is a statement of values and reflects the current policy positions of the Party. 

The Committee held hearings in Springfield on April 8th at Van Sickle Middle School. About 100 democrats attended and around 25 gave testimony about changes and additions they would like to see in the Platform. Some of the additions and changes proposed included: college student debt forgiveness, climate change, arts and humanities support, unfunded mandate for schools, world peace, raise minimum wages, funding of pubic schools, senior citizens, voting fraud, equal pay for women and single payer health care. 

If you are unable to attend a hearing or were unable to offer testimony at a hearing, please submit written testimony here: http://bit.ly/2017writtentestimony. Written testimony should include your name, address, email and phone number and be in a PDF or Word document format.

THE CASE FOR AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION OF TRUMP

WORSE THAN WATERGATE: THE CASE FOR AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP

WHEN: Tuesday, April 11th, 6-8PM
WHERE: South Hadley Public Library, 2 Canal St. South Hadley

WHAT:  On Tuesday, April 11th, from 6-8PM, John Bonifaz, Co-Founder and President of Free Speech For People, will be speaking in the Community Room of the South Hadley Public Library on the Emoluments Clause (Article, I, Section 9, Clause 8) of the U.S. Constitution, making the case that President Trump is in direct violation of the clause, which is justification for impeachment.  This event is free and open to all.  For more information visit freespeechforpeople.org/.

EVENT FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/270853470028333/

Massachusetts Democratic Platform

Mike Potishnak of the Belchertown Town Democratic Committee attended a meeting of the State Democratic Party’s  Public Policy Committee on March 24, 2017 in Cambridge.  The Public Policy Committee basically provides input to the Platform Committee for drafting the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s platform.  This is effectively achieved by the fact that a few of the more senior members of the Public Policy Committee are also members of the Platform Committee.  Mike notes that he was the only attendee of the several meetings that he has attended who lived west of 495.  If you are interested in providing additional representation for Western Massachusetts interests, you can simply show up for these open meetings.

There are 11 meetings that have been scheduled already to allow public input into the platform.  They are taking place between April 4th and May 6th, with the closest one being in Springfield on April 8th.  If we would like to schedule a platform review meeting in our town, possibly in conjunction with other neighboring towns, it can be done with a 5 business day lead time in an ADA compatible location.  Nigel Simon (nigel@massdems.org) would be the person to contact if such an additional meeting is desired.  The following is a link to further information about the platform review meetings.
http://massdems.org/media/press-releases/568-massachusetts-democratic-party-announces-platform-hearingshttp://massdems.org/media/press-releases/568-massachusetts-democratic-party-announces-platform-hearings

Progressive Dialogue with Congressmen McGovern and Ellison

Several hundred progressives were excited to hear from congressmen Jim McGovern (MA-2) and Keith Ellison (MN-5) on Mach 25 at the University of Massachusetts. Congressman Ellison is also the newly appointed deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee. The event was organized by Progressive Democrats of America, UMass progressives and UMass Democrats.

Jay Gonzalez Meets With Region's Democrats

Jay Gonzalez, who is seeking the 2018 Democratic nomination for Governor, met with Quabbin area Democrats in South Hadley on Friday evening, March 24th.

Jay Gonzalez served as Secretary of Administration and Finances under former Governor Deval Patrick, with major responsibilities in policy and budgets.



In his initial speech, he stressed he ran a state budget with good management that included infrastructure funds for roads and bridges. Under his watch, Massachusetts achieved its highest bond rating in state history.

Gonzalez believes we can do a better job managing state government than has occurred under Governor Baker, who “ran as a good manager” but “has failed”. He believes we must “aim high,” which has been our history in Massachusetts, from support for the American Revolution to early free public education to a wide expansion of health care.

He supports affordable higher education, and is “committed” to giving every child a solid start in pre-school. He said that western Massachusetts “has gotten shafted for decades” on transportation. He cited the Big Dig and spending on regional Boston’s “T”, with little regard for the transportation needs of our region. He would develop a workforce strategy for Quabbin area towns that would allow access to vacant jobs in the eastern part of the state.

Gonzalez supports the proposed “Fair Share” ballot initiative, which would increase revenue by raising taxes on those earning over $1 million. On health care, he would like to see a Single Payer option under, as he called it, Romney Care.

Gonzalez also wants Massachusetts to join 48 other states by ending the governor’s office exemption from the Public Records Law.

At the meeting, Democrats from Belchertown, Granby, and other towns joined those from South Hadley, along with State Representative John Scibak (D-Easthampton, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley). The event was co-sponsored by the South Hadley Democratic Town Committee and the Quabbin Area Democrats. Gonzalez repeatedly referred to “Quabbin Democrats” during his remarks.

The Quabbin Democrats will be holding similar events in the coming months with other prospective candidates, as well as meetings that focus on important issues.