MASSACHUSETTS POLICE ASSOCIATION This is the official website for the Massachusetts Police Association, representing police officers serving the people of the State of Massachusetts.
August 12, 2008 -- This afternoon at 1:55PM, President Machado received word of a conference call scheduled for 2PM (you heard it right ... five minutes later) in which the Secretary of Transportation Cohen would be going over the regulation to be released to the press on 8/13. Just the timing indicated this would not be good.
The regulation which we place on the web tomorrow limits use of police on any state project especially those in municipalities where the speed is less than 45 MPH. It does allow for police to continue to be used if there is specific language in the collective bargaining agreement at the time of the regulations passage. This restrictive language would punish those that have local by laws or ordinances and goes even further by not allowing those to be integrated into the CBA at a later date.
We are deeply upset that a Governor that campaigned on putting 1000 new police on the street will now be removing that number on a daily basis. More annoying is the release will not be able to show any savings at all. We are not denying in certain circumstance and communities there is not a cost but their mandate was to be able to show that savings. This release does not. We will continue to update throughout the day on Wednesday after the official release.
Please contact me, Jim Machado, with any questions or ideas you may have: 508 208-6001
So Much to Do, So Little Time
July 14, 2008 -- Yesterday, July 13, Governor Patrick vetoed 100 million dollars in programs from the fiscal 09 budget. Budget conferees had sent the budget to Patrick on 7/3. Fortunately. non of the veto's were to public safety initiatives. The Governor also asked the legislature for special power to make emergency cuts mid year should revenues be less that expected. read more -- James Machado
Did Gov. Patrick break monopoly that police has over traffic details?
Thursday, August 19, 2008 -- (NECN) - The ink is barely dry on some of the bills that Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed, and a few that he vetoed, at the end of the 2008 legislative session -- and now, the governor is busy with the speech that he will give at Barack Obama's convention.
Meanwhile, the state reps are busy defending their votes.
State Representative Vinny deMacedo, Republican of Plymouth; Representative Bill Straus, Democrat of Mattapoisett; and Michael Widmer, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, join NECN's Newsnight for an in-depth discussion on everything from police details to pensions.
Progress on Details
Thursday, July 24, 2008 - After today's ( 7/23) meeting at DOT, it appears that we may have made some progress. Although still a work in progress, we may have convinced DOT that they must be mindful of collective bargaining rights (150E) in any regulation. If they were to concede, it would mean that any contract which covers details and who can work details would be protected. We will continue to update with the next meeting scheduled for early September.
July 7, 2008 - MPA Board -The Annual Convention will be held in Plymouth, MA on Wednesday October 29, 2008. full article...
Senate To Begin Budget Debate May 21,2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Senate will begin budget debate on Wednesday 5/21. The preliminary numbers differ in some areas from the House. Below is the message from Ways and Means as to their thought process. This is followed by a list of Amendments filed. Their fate will be decided this weekfull article...
Washington DC Memorial Wall Dedications
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 -- MPA board members pay their respects at the Washington Memorial Wall. Members of the Massachusetts Police Association Executive Board have attended the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Police Week ceremonies and have been posting memorial placards at the police wall.. pictures...
House Pads Public Safety Budget With $12.9 Million More
Monday, May 5, 2008 -- Ignoring GOP concerns they may be overspending, the Democrat-controlled House voted 145-13 to add $12.9 million to the state’s fiscal 2009 public safety budget; doubles municipal police grants to $4 million, increases by $90,000 and adds various earmarks to the $257 million budget for the Department of State Police.
VP's Office And now a word from Kenneth Scanzio, our MPA Vice President. read more -- Kenneth Scanzio
Treasurer's Ledger It's not always all about the money. Well, for our Treasurer John Christensen, it probably is. Check in and see what's going on in his office read more -- John Christensen
Secretary's Memos Timothy McCusker is keeping track of the MPA's paperwork and logistics as the MPA's Secretary. read more --Timothy McCusker
