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Republican Senate candidate Michael Sullivan's campaign manager borrows heavily from website of previous client Richard Tisei

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It isn't the colors, font or style of the website that matches up, but rather the words in the sections that are supposed to be outlining Sullivan's views on topics like jobs, national debt, seniors, health care and education.

Michael Sullivan Senate Former U.S. attorney Michael Sullivan speaks to the media after turning in signatures to the town clerk in Abington, Mass., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Sullivan is seeking the Republican nomination in a special election to run for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant when John Kerry became secretary of state. (AP Photo/The Patriot Ledger, Greg Derr)

Former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan's campaign website has a lot in common with that of former congressional candidate Richard Tisei.

It isn't the colors, font or style of the website that matches up, but rather the words in the sections that are supposed to be outlining Sullivan's views on topics like jobs, national debt, seniors, health care and education.

The Boston Globe first reported the similarities which were attributed to Sullivan sharing the same campaign manager as Tisei: Paul Moore.

Moore told the Globe that he copied and pasted sections of the website because of the abbreviated timeframe in the special election.

“The issues in this election are very much the same issues — jobs, economy, and debt — as in 2012, and in this case, the campaign manager was the same person, and campaign managers typically write these things," Moore told the Globe.

In 2012, Congressional candidate Andrea Nuciforo Jr. had policy papers published on his campaign website that were copied or heavily borrowed from other Democratic politicians without attribution. One of the Democrats words were lifted from was disgraced former Presidential candidate John Edwards, a previous client of Nuciforo's campaign manager who left his campaign before election day.

Nuciforo's campaign stumbled in its initial handling of the incident, and later lost the election to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.

In October 2011, former Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's website was found to have a passage that contained several sentences which were verbatim remarks delivered by ex-North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2002. At the time, Brown's Senate office in Washington attributed the similarities to his website being based off of the template of Dole's website.

During the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, candidate Hillary Clinton accused then-candidate Barack Obama of lifting parts of a speech delivered in Milwaukee, Wisc., from Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

Once the allegations hit the news, Obama said that he and Patrick, a longtime friend, wrote the speech together, and he acknowledged that he should have credited him. But before long, Obama moved past the plagiarism allegation and went on to become president of the United States.

Another incident dates back to the 1988 presidential campaign by then-U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, who was found to have taken without credit portions of a speech by Neil Kinnock, leader of the British Labour Party. When media reports emerged about the similarities between the two speeches, Biden didn't address the controversy head-on, and further reports emerged that he had borrowed without attribution from Robert Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.

The response to the plagiarism stories are partially credited for ending Biden's 1988 presidential run, although 20 years later, Biden ended up becoming a vice president to serve alongside Obama in the current administration.

Sullivan is preparing to take the stage along with former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez and state Rep. Daniel Winslow Tuesday evening at their first forum debate at Stonehill College. The event, which takes place from 7-8 p.m., will be streaming live on MassLive.com for those wishing to get a closer look at the Republicans running for U.S. Senate.

The Democratic candidates, congressmen Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey, will take part in a Stonehill College forum on April 1.



Holyokers learn changes to federal flood hazard maps could require purchase of flood insurance

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A public hearing on the redrawn federal flood zone map will be continued at a later date.

conn.riv.JPG The Connecticut River at Jones Ferry in Holyoke in July.  

HOLYOKE — The redrawing of federal flood hazard maps for the first time since 1978 will affect 350 properties, some of whose owners could now be required to buy flood insurance, officials said at a hearing Tuesday.

The average cost of a flood insurance policy is $600 a year, but some homeowners may qualify for less expensive policies if their property is in a moderate- to low-risk area.

Some of the 350 properties have been mapped into higher risk areas and others into lower risk areas, officials said.

About 30 people attended a hearing on the flood zone remapping held by the City Council Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board at City Hall.

The Connecticut River separates the city to the east from South Hadley and Chicopee.

Notices about the hearing were sent to residents whose homes are considered to be in flood zones and abutters of such areas. Some residents said they were trying to figure out why their homes suddenly are designated at flood risk but those across the street are not.

Jeffrey P. Hayden, of Stratford Road, attended the hearing and said while he didn't get a hearing notice, neighbors across the street did.

"This process, as a citizen, has been somewhat confusing," Hayden said.

Representatives of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) discussed the map changes and took questions.

The hearing will continue on April 23 for additional review, committee Chairwoman Rebecca Lisi said.

The new maps are scheduled to take effect July 16.

Richard Zingarelli, program manager of the flood hazard management program of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and other officials said the flood zone maps were redrawn to take advantage of technology that allows for more accurate elevation measurements.

Property owners with questions about whether they must buy flood insurance or matters related to the redrawn maps have several options. Colleen Bailey, a flood mapping coordinator with the state, said a first step is to contact the Holyoke Conservation Department to review the latest maps. That number is (413) 322-5615.

Those who believe properties are incorrectly designated as being in flood zones can seek a letter of map amendment from FEMA, Zingarelli said.

FEMA can be reached at fema.gov or (877) 336-2627.

To view or purchase flood insurance maps call (800) 358-9616.

Two New York men arrested for series of bank robberies in Northeast, including holdup at Chicopee bank

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One of the suspects told police they blew most of the money they stole at a casino in Vernon, N.Y.

CHICBANKROB.JPG View full size Suspects for a surveillance photo from a Feb. 25 robbery at the Bank of America branch in Chicopee. Officials said two New York men are in custody for this robbery and six others committed over the last two months.  

CHICOPEE – Two men are in custory in Utica, N.Y. and are charged in connection with a series of bank robberies including the Feb. 25 holdup of the Bank of America branch on Memorial Drive in Chicopee, officials said.

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian of the Northern District of New York announced Tuesday that the two suspect, Zacharia Edwards, 21, of Frankfort, N.Y. and Nicholas Ferrone, 21, of Utica, are in federal custody. Edwards was arrested Friday, and Ferrone surrendered to police on Monday.

For now Edwards is charged with stealing $3,400 in a March 4 bank robbery in Syracuse, and Ferrone with stealing $4,409 in a Jan. 28 robbery in Dewitt,N.Y.

The U.S. Attorney has filed criminal complaints against each man in connection with a total of seven bank robberies in New York and Massachusetts between Jan. 14 and March 4.

The Feb.25 robbery at the Bank of America branch, 638 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, was the only one that occurred outside New York state.

According to Chicopee police, two men entered the bank shortly before 12:30 p.m. They handed the teller a note demanding money. Both men were dressed in black. One was wearing a black knit hat, while the other was wearing a black baseball cap with a Pittsburgh Pirates logo.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Edwards and Ferrone with U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, the pair stole a total of $26,701 in the seven robberies. The largest single score was the Chicopee robbery where they made off with more than $10,000.

According to documents, Edwards confessed that he and Ferrone blew most of the money from the robberies gambling at the Turning Stone Casino is Vernon, N.Y.

At their arraignments Tuesday, United States Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles ordered the pair held without the right to bail.

Bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for each count.

Hartunian said the arrests are the result of a multi-agency police effort involving departments in several New York communities, the Chicopee police, Massachusetts State Police and the FBI.

East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen candidates Peter Punderson, Angela Thorpe advance to April election

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A town election will be held April 9 to select East Longmeadow's newest selectman.

punderson thorpe.png East Longmeadow selectman-elect Peter Punderson is seen with challenger Angela K. Thorpe  


EAST LONGMEADOW
— Incumbent Peter Punderson and candidate Angela Thorpe will advance to the town election April 9 after getting the most votes during Tuesday's Board of Selectmen preliminary election.

About 11.5 percent of the town's 11,016 voters came out to the polls for a total of 1,293 votes cast, according to Town Clerk Thomas P. Florence.

It was a low turnout out, but considering the rain and the fact that it's a preliminary election it was to be expected, Florence said.

Punderson led the votes with 643, followed closely by Thorpe with 625. Punderson beat Thorpe by 12 votes in a special election held in January. After a recount, he earned the seat.

Fellow candidates Ronald Culter and Joseph Townshend received 357 and 333 votes respectively.

"I'm delighted," said Punderson, who previously served on the Planning Board. "I'm going to work hard, visit houses, knock on doors and do my mailing and calls."

Punderson said he hopes voters see the work he has put in on the board so far.

"I think some faith has been restored in the Board of Selectmen and the town, which is one of the reasons I did this," he said.

Thorpe said she is thankful to all of the voters who came out to vote on a dreary day.

"I'm looking forward to the upcoming race. I think it should be an interesting race, but I'm very confident that we will do well," she said.

Agawam hit by major power outage; 5,600 customers, or 43 percent of town, in the dark

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The earliest projection for restored power is 6 hours, an official said at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

update: all power was restored by 10:30 p.m. An updated story is posted here.

AGAWAM — Problems at an electrical substation Tuesday night has knocked out power to almost half of Agawam, and as of 9:30 p.m., officials said power may not be restored until early Wednesday.

Tricia Modifica, a spokeswoman with Western Massachusetts Electric Co., said the earliest estimates for full restoration are roughly six hours.

The outage is affecting 5,600 of the town's 12,800 customers, or about 43 percent.

Crews are on scene and are working to identify and repair the problem, she said. It is not clear what caused the equipment problem.

The problem was based at an electrical substation located in town, she said.

Bus carrying Vt. lacrosse team crashes in NY

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The crash happened shortly before noon Tuesday on Interstate 87 in Saratoga County, about 150 miles north of New York City.

bus.jpg aption

Members of the St. Michael's College lacrosse team walk away from the wrecked bus that was carrying them after it crashed Tuesday, March, 12, 2013 on the southbound Adirondack Northway in Clifton Park, N.Y. A car spun out of control on the wet highway, crashing into the bus and sending it toppling onto its side, authorities said. One person in one of two other vehicles involved died. (AP Photo/The Troy Record, Mike McMahon)







 


By CHRIS CAROLA
Associated Press


CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — A bus carrying college lacrosse players from Vermont was hit Tuesday by a sports car that spun out of control on a wet highway in upstate New York, sending the bus toppling onto its side, police said. One person in the sports car died.

The victim was a 64-year-old female passenger in the red Porsche that hit the bus, authorities said; the 65-year-old man who had been driving was in critical condition. Four players on the bus were treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The crash happened shortly before noon Tuesday on Interstate 87 in Saratoga County, about 150 miles north of New York City. Players stood alongside the highway after the crash in purple jackets and white shorts and were taken on a school bus to a nearby firehouse.

The bus was carrying 34 players, three coaches and a driver from Saint Michael's College, a small Catholic liberal arts school in Colchester, Vt., to a game in Westchester County, just north of New York City, State Police Lt. Greg Thomas said.

The bus landed on its side off the road after running into the Porsche, which ended up mangled on the median, he said. Police are investigating why the Porsche driver lost control and haven't said whether speed might have been a factor.

Bob Urban, who was driving in front of the bus, told WNYT-TV he saw the Porsche sluing across the three-lane road.

"As I accelerated to clear him he veered left again, causing his Porsche to spin out of control," the Clifton Park resident said. "When I looked up, I could see the bus was going to make impact. It was unavoidable. The bus had no other option."

Urban said the Porsche "shattered ... more like exploded" when it was hit.

A work van was also damaged after hitting one of the other vehicles or debris, Thomas said. Its driver wasn't hurt.

The southbound lanes of the highway were closed until just after 5 p.m., troopers said.

According to the Saint Michael's website, the team is scheduled to play at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., on Wednesday afternoon.

"Everyone's OK. They're safe, they're happy," said interim head coach Pat Ivory, who took over the team after the Feb. 15 death of longtime head coach Paul Schimoler, who died at age 45 of brain cancer.

It was the team's first road trip of the season. Ivory said he was sitting at the front of the bus when the crash happened, but he declined to comment on details, saying he'd leave that to police.

Ivory said the team would be talking with its opponents about whether to complete the trip. Saint Michael's College also is scheduled to play Saturday at New York Tech.

Penn National, MGM Resorts tout Springfield casino projects and their differences

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Penn National Gaming and MGM Resorts provided their detailed plans to city councilors and residents, marking their second major presentation in 24 hours.

march2013 mgm vs penn national square.jpg View full size Artists' renderings of the casino proposals for Springfield: MGM Resorts International's MGM Springfield, above, and Penn National Gaming's Hollywood Springfield Casino.  

SPRINGFIELD — For a second consecutive day, two companies vying to build a casino in Springfield laid out their plans on Tuesday to bring economic vitality to the city, while also responding to city councilors' concerns ranging from their record on local and minority hiring to their ability to keep their promises.

Representatives of Penn National Gaming and MGM Resorts International met for three hours on Tuesday at City Hall with city councilors, the council’s Casino Site Committee and residents.

Just 24 hours earlier, both companies made a similar presentation lasting 2 1/2 hours at CityStage on One Columbus Center, attended by approximately 200 people.

“It was very positive,” Council President James J. Ferrera III said following Tuesday’s meeting. “You have two great companies in the city of Springfield. It was clear that both companies have pros and cons, and both companies want to make a commitment here in Springfield.”

“It was very informative,” Councilor Timothy J. Rooke said. “The process has been very open to the residents and to elected officials. That helps to educate all of us.”

Both Ferrera and Rooke said there were many similarities to the companies and their presentations, but also a number of differences.

While Penn National promoted itself as the ideal company for a regional casino and the most active casino developer in recent years, MGM officials promoted the company as a worldwide leader in entertainment, able to bring the best shows to Springfield.

MGM estimated it would bring 8 million visitors to Springfield while Penn National estimated it would bring 4 million.

And while MGM stated it was committed to hiring 35 percent of its workers from Springfield, Penn National stated that its goal would be to hire 90 percent from Springfield. Both companies said they have strong records on workforce diversity.

Both companies said they will deliver on their promises, as shown by their records in other communities across the nation, their local partnerships and their current and future written agreements.

MGM is proposing a casino in the South End while Penn National is proposing a casino in the North End of the downtown district.

In addition, casinos are proposed in Palmer off the Massachusetts Turnpike and in West Springfield on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.

Representatives of MGM and Penn both said that increased traffic resulting from their casinos will be beneficial to the city and the downtown area, and can be accommodated by Interstate 91 and 291.

William Hornbuckle, representing MGM, described a project that would include a mix of entertainment including high end theaters, a bowling center, and “A list” acts affiliated with MGM.

Jay Snowden, representing Penn National, described the company’s agreement to lease and help refurbish the Paramount Theater in downtown Springfield, and to directly tie in with Union Station across the street and with Peter Pan Bus Lines. Peter A. Picknelly, who in a partner in the Penn National project, is chief executive officer of the bus company.

MGM said it too would tie in to Union Station redevelopment.

Both MGM and Penn officials said their projects will tie in to existing entertainment venues in Springfield, promote local attractions, and provide local trolley service.

Both companies urged the City Council to approve the proper zoning ordinances that will be needed to allow their casino construction plans, saying that issue needs to be finalized before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission considers approving one casino in Western Massachusetts.

The zoning ordinances will guide development of a casino, such as height, special permits, and off-street parking requirements.

The gaming commission will consider approving up to three casinos in Massachusetts and one slots parlor.

Any casino in Springfield will need approval from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the City Council, city voters and the state Gaming Commission.

Massachusetts Auditor Suzanne Bump flags $1.3 million in questionable Medicaid dental billings

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Five audits since 2010 have found $7.5 million in questionable Medicaid billings by dentists.

BOSTON - A state audit on Tuesday found thousands of questionable and possibly medically-unnecessary claims for dental services through the state's Medicaid program.

State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump said many of the claims are not allowed and cost MassHealth about $1.3 million. The audit covered dental claims from January 2008 through June 2011 that stemmed from services to eligible low- and moderate-income recipients.

bump.JPG Suzanne Bump says the state's Medicaid program needs to start detecting questionable Medicaid claims by dentists.  

It was Bump's fifth audit since 2010 on the MassHealth dental system. In all, she has found $7.5 million in questionable billings by dentists.

Bump put most of the fault on officials at MassHealth for failing to detect the questionable billing. She called on MassHealth to take steps to end problems in its system for processing dental claims.

“I acknowledge the challenge of advancing quality dental care to underserviced populations, but audit after audit has shown that MassHealth needs to improve its screening of claims for payments from dental providers,” Bump said in a statement.

In response to the audit, a spokeswoman for the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said program integrity is one of MassHealth's top priorities.

"We have already implemented recommendations from the auditor's report," the spokeswoman said in a statement. "We are taking necessary action to recover funds for taxpayers to ensure that these important dental benefits are reserved for those who truly need them."

During the period of the audit, about 2,000 dentists were taking part in the state's dental program. During a recent fiscal year, the state paid $266.9 million in dental claims.

The audit, which included a sample of 10 dental providers, focused on 19,274 claims for "detailed oral screenings," which are only for MassHealth members having radiation treatment, chemotherapy or an organ transplant. Reimbursements for the claims totalled $1.241 million -- all for members who were not receiving treatment for cancer or an organ transplant, the audit said.

The audit calls for MassHealth officials to review the $1.241 million of billings for detailed oral screenings and recover whatever portion might be appropriate.

Bump's office also found that two providers received $37,687 for 972 photo images that were not allowed under MassHealth regulations, $15,803 of oral evaluations that were excessive and not allowed and $14,280 paid to two providers for fluoride treatments that exceeded recommendeed levels and were not allowed.

The audit included one provider in the Pioneer Valley -- Facial Cosmetic & Maxillofacial Surgery, an East Longmeadow dental provider. Facial Cosmetic performed 4,529 detailed oral screenings with total payments of $309,666.

But Christopher J. Thompson, a spokesman for Bump, said the East Longmeadow provider includes oral surgeons and may have simply billed MassHealth under the wrong code.

According to the audit, Facial Cosmetic should have billed under a medical service code established for dentists specializing in oral surgery. Those codes allow payments for evaluations and exams for MassHealth members, the audit said.

In a response included in the audit, Facial Cosmetic said there was no intent to commit fraud.

Facial Cosmetic said it is now using the correct code for billing MassHealth. Facial Cosmetic said it was following billing guidelines set by the American Dental Association and that MassHealth had "a unique definition" for the code that the provider used for the claims that were flagged in the audit.

Facial Cosmetic offered to pay restitution to cover a nominal difference in the aggregate amounts of the claims under the two codes.


Airlines seek alternative for grounded 787

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Boeing's newest jet has been grounded for almost two months because of two battery incidents, including a fire.

787.jpg FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2013, file photo, a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 jet aircraft is surrounded by emergency vehicles while parked at a terminal E gate at Logan International Airport in Boston as a fire chief looks into the cargo hold. Federal regulators have approved a Boeing plan to redesign the fire-prone lithium-ion batteries, although extensive testing will be needed before the planes can fly passengers again. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday, March 12, 2013, the plan includes a redesign of the internal battery components to minimize the possibility of short-circuiting, better insulation of the battery's eight cells and the addition of a new containment and venting system.(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)  


By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Airlines Writer


ORLANDO, Fla. — The prolonged grounding of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has forced some airlines to seek alternative arrangements, including renting other planes to fill gaps for the upcoming busy summer travel season.

It's a sign that some Boeing customers don't expect a quick fix to the 787's problems.

Jeff Knittel of airplane leasing company CIT said on Tuesday morning that unnamed airlines are talking to CIT about alternatives to the Dreamliner. He said leasing rates for planes like the Boeing 767 and the Airbus A330 "have remained strong and strengthened slightly."

Boeing's newest jet has been grounded for almost two months because of two battery incidents, including a fire. Late Tuesday, Boeing received regulatory approval for a proposed redesign of the battery, but extensive testing must be conducted before the 787 can fly passengers again.

Knittel said interest in other planes has come from a handful of airlines that already have the 787 or were supposed to get it before the summer travel season.

"This is not some feeding frenzy out there," Knittel said at an aviation finance conference. Airline fleet managers are just being practical, he said.

Boeing has delivered 50 planes to eight airlines. Deliveries are currently halted, but the company is still building the planes and has said it still expects to deliver at least another 60 this year.

For now, airlines are making other plans. Last week, Norwegian Air Shuttle, which was due to receive its first 787s in April and June, said it will lease two Airbus A340s along with flight crews if it doesn't get its 787s on time.

The replacements will be costly for airlines, because planes like the 767 generally have more seats and are not as fuel efficient as the 787. Many airlines planned to use the 787 specifically on routes where the larger 767 was unlikely to be profitable, such as United's planned Denver-to-Tokyo flight, which has been postponed. United Continental Holdings Inc. has six 787s.

Boeing has 200 engineers working on a battery fix and has proposed a solution to U.S. and Japanese aviation regulators who are currently reviewing it.

Boeing, regulators, and the airlines that fly the 787 haven't said when they expect the plane to return to the skies. But Knittel's comments show that at least some airlines don't think it will be soon.

"This isn't about whether this will be resolved but when it will be resolved," Knittel said.

Knittel still stands behind the 787. His company has 10 of them on order and is expected to get its first at the end of 2014.

"I'd love to be in a position where we could accelerate orders," he said.

___

Massachusetts Republican Senate candidates share views on Supreme Court nominees, Social Security and gun laws in 1st debate

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In their 1st debate, Gabriel Gomez, Daniel Winslow and Michael Sullivan appeared to share more policy positions than they differed on.

EASTON — From gun laws to Supreme Court nominees to Social Security, the Republican candidates for a Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat shared more policy positions than they differed on at their first debate Tuesday evening.

Businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez, State Rep. Daniel Winslow and former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan met for the first time in a forum at Stonehill College, hosted by the Joseph Martin Institute for Law and Society. All of the candidates have low name recognition and the debate gave them their first chance to introduce themselves to voters and activists.

Gomez spent the debate portraying himself as an outsider, turning almost every question into a comment on “career politicians” in Washington. Sullivan drew on his experience as a former U.S. Attorney, referring frequently to his work at the Department of Justice. Winslow focused on a need to reform government.

On several policy issues, their responses were similar. All three candidates committed to serving no more than two terms in the U.S. Senate.

Asked about gun violence, Gomez, Winslow and Sullivan all said government should focus on keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill. Gomez and Sullivan said they would not support an assault weapons ban. “People like to think bans are effective, they’re completely ineffective,” Sullivan said. Winslow did not commit to supporting or opposing an assault weapons ban, but said instituting new laws carries the risk of constraining law-abiding citizens but not criminals.

Democratic Senate candidate Stephen Lynch said Tuesday that he would support raising the wage cap on Social Security, so people would pay the Social Security tax on a larger portion of their income. Winslow and Sullivan said they disagreed with raising the wage cap, while Gomez did not commit. All three Republicans said they would consider raising the retirement age, though not for those currently close to retirement. Winslow and Gomez said they would consider means testing, so seniors earning more money would get fewer benefits, while Sullivan would look at new ways of indexing benefits.

“We don’t have a lack of ideas, we have a lack of courage to even think about talking about these issues,” Gomez said.

All three candidates also agreed they would not have a litmus test for Supreme Court nominees, particularly relating to a nominee’s position on Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case legalizing abortion. On the question of whether the court decided Roe v. Wade correctly, Sullivan, who is pro-life, said there are constitutional scholars on “on both sides of the issue.” “We know they got it wrong in Dred Scott,” Sullivan said, referring to an 1857 ruling that slaves were not considered U.S. citizens.

One distinction between the candidates came in a discussion of judicial authority. Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has criticized government for declining to prosecute large banks and allowing banks to grow “too big to fail.”

Gomez essentially agreed with Warren. “I don’t believe any bank or any institution is too big to fail or too big to prosecute,” Gomez said.

Sullivan disagreed, saying as a U.S. attorney he had to balance prosecuting a company with “significant collateral consequences” to shareholders, employees and pensioners. “Companies don’t commit crimes, people commit crimes,” he said, arguing that those individuals should be prosecuted.

Winslow turned the debate into a larger issue about prosecutors who exercise “unfettered discretion.” He pointed to the case of Internet activist Aaron Swartz, who was prosecuted for illegally downloading and intending to share academic articles from an online database at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Swartz committed suicide before going to trial. “That kind of overreach inhibits our liberty interests,” Winslow said. While Sullivan stressed prosecutorial discretion, Winslow said the Senate “has an obligation to define those parameters where there have been abuses.”

“We’ve criminalized inordinately wide swaths of conduct in the U.S., which impact our freedom as citizens, when government is empowered to prosecute us for what seems like innocent behaviors,” Winslow said.

Sullivan declined to criticize U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz for overreaching in Swartz’s prosecution, saying he did not know all the facts. Sullivan said as a prosecutor, “there is no worse feeling” than thinking circumstances you were involved in may have driven someone to commit suicide.

All three candidates expressed admiration for Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who recently held a 13-hour filibuster arguing for clarification on whether the U.S. would use drones against U.S. citizens on American soil. “If I were in the Senate, I would stand with Rand Paul on the filibuster,” Winslow said, getting laughs when he said filibustering would be “mind over bladder.” Gomez said as a former Navy SEAL, “I could go a few days” while filibustering. Sullivan capitalized on dissatisfaction with the U.S. Senate, when he quipped, “It wasn’t like he was interrupting a lot of business that the Senate was doing.”

Each candidate was asked about an issue for which they have faced personal criticism. Gomez, pressed on his refusal to release his letter to Gov. Deval Patrick in which he asked to be appointed as interim senator until the special election, said he will release the letter Wednesday.

Sullivan, asked about reports that policy positions on his website were copied from the website of former congressional candidate Richard Tisei, said he would not criticize anyone volunteering for his campaign. He said he had not read the positions before his campaign staff posted them, but “there’s nothing on there that I’d say that contradicts positions that I’ve taken historically.”

Winslow, asked about his grandstanding as a state representative – delivering marshmallow fluff to the governor’s office to make a point about the budget – defended the move as a way to “engage the dialogue.”

New York cop convicted in cannibalism plot

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Prosecutors said Valle plotted in lusty, lip-smacking detail to abduct, torture and cannibalize six women he knew, including his wife. While none of the women were ever harmed — and only his wife discovered his schemes — prosecutors said he took concrete steps to carry out his plot.

valle.jpg Caption

Elizabeth Valle is surrounded by news reporters as she leaves court on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 in New York. A federal jury convicted her son, New York City police officer Gilberto Valle, of charges he plotted to kidnap and cook women to dine on their “girl meat.” Valle, 28, faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 19. With the conviction, he loses his job as a police officer. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)







 


By DAVID B. CARUSO
and LARRY NEUMEISTER
Associated Press


NEW YORK — Police Officer Gilberto Valle's lawyers said he was just spinning sick and twisted fantasies for his own pleasure when he chatted online about abducting, roasting and eating women. A jury, though, decided he was deadly serious.

Valle, 28, was convicted Tuesday of conspiracy in a macabre case that opened a window on a shocking Internet world of cannibalism fetishists. He could get life in prison at sentencing June 19 but is likely to face much less.

His lawyers branded the outcome a "thought prosecution" that sets a dangerous precedent, while federal prosecutors said the verdict proved that Valle crossed the line from fantasy to reality and was genuinely bent on committing "grotesque crimes."

Valle slumped in his chair, dropped his head and wept when the verdict in what the tabloids dubbed the "Cannibal Cop" trial was announced after more than two days of deliberations: guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and guilty of illegally using a police database.

The jurors left the courthouse without comment. Most did not immediately respond to emails and phone messages or declined to discuss the case.

Valle's mother, Elizabeth, shook her head.

"I'm in shock and want to be left alone," she said. As she sat on a wooden bench after almost everyone had left the courtroom, she said loudly: "This is going to kill my mother."

Prosecutors said Valle plotted in lusty, lip-smacking detail to abduct, torture and cannibalize six women he knew, including his wife. While none of the women were ever harmed — and only his wife discovered his schemes — prosecutors said he took concrete steps to carry out his plot.

They said the New York City police officer looked up potential targets on a restricted law enforcement database; searched the Internet for how to knock someone out with chloroform and where to get torture devices and other tools; and showed up on a woman's block after striking an agreement to kidnap her for $5,000 for a New Jersey man who wanted to rape and kill her. That man was also arrested and is awaiting trial.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement: "Today, a unanimous jury found that Gilberto Valle's detailed and specific plans to abduct women for the purpose of committing grotesque crimes were very real and that he was guilty as charged. The Internet is a forum for the free exchange of ideas, but it does not confer immunity for plotting crimes and taking steps to carry out those crimes."

The defense insisted all along that he was just fantasizing and never intended to harm any of the women.

"This was a thought prosecution," his attorney Julia Gatto said outside court after the verdict. "Obviously, the case involved thoughts that were unusual and bizarre and frankly very ugly. We think that the jury couldn't get past that and they never got to the law."

Another Valle lawyer, Robert Baum, said of the verdict: "It sets a dangerous precedent."

In one of the numerous online conversations shown to the jury, Valle told a man he met in a fetish chat room, "I want her to experience being cooked alive. She'll be trussed up like a turkey. ... She'll be terrified, screaming and crying."

In another exchange, Valle suggested a woman he knew would be easy prey because she lived alone. The men discussed cooking her, basted in olive oil, over an open fire and using her severed head as a centerpiece for a sit-down meal.

"I'm dying to eat some girl meat," Valle mused in yet another exchange.

During the trial, Valle's wife tearfully testified that she fled the couple's home with her baby and contacted the FBI after putting Internet tracking software on his computer and discovering what he was up to.

Members of the jury recoiled upon seeing what appeared to be mostly staged Internet images from a sexual fetish site Valle visited. The images included photos of wide-eyed women with apples stuffed in their mouths like roasted pigs and a video of a chained, naked woman screaming as flames appeared to scorch her crotch.

Marcellus McRae, a former federal prosecutor in Los Angeles now in private practice, said it was a stretch by the defense to claim Valle was prosecuted for his thoughts because the jurors were required to find that he took one or more concrete steps to carry out the conspiracy.

"It's not just a thought crime. It's a thought-and-action crime and conviction," he said.


Metro East briefs: Palmer Town Councilor Jason Polonsky to hold 'Community Feedback Forum' at library; town seeking new payroll clerk

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Polonsky said the informal sessions are a chance for constituents to tell him what's on their mind.

PALMER — Town Councilor Jason R. Polonsky will hold a Community Feedback Forum on Tuesday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of Palmer Public Library.

This is the at-large councilor's second such session, following a Nov. 7 forum that brought "several ideas forward," he said.

"The goal of these forums is to gather residents' ideas for community improvement and feedback on the current concerns our town is facing through open dialogue in a casual setting," Polonsky said. "I feel this will allow my vote on the Town Council to better represent Palmer and for all residents to have a greater impact on Council discussions."

Some of the ideas generated during the Nov. 7 session "are now being worked on by the newly formed Palmer Recreation Committee," Polonsky said. "We also brainstormed how to further promote the new Salvation Army Kettle Program in Palmer," he added.


PALMER — The town is seeking qualified applicants for the position of payroll/benefits/finance clerk, a 19-hour-a-week position that pays $12.07 an hour. The clerk is responsible for overseeing the town's weekly payroll, among other duties.

Qualified candidates must have a working knowledge of all aspects of payroll, as well as strong organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills and strong analytical skills, according to town officials.

Job applicants are asked to send electronic copies of their resumes and cover letters to Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard at cblanchard@townofpalmer.com. Paper copies may be mailed to: Town Manager’'s Office, 4417 Main St., Palmer, MA, 01069.

Colo. judge enters not guilty plea for suspect in movie theater rampage

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Holmes can still change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, and he can wait to do so until after prosecutors announce whether they will seek the death penalty.

holmes.jpg James Holmes, Aurora theater shooting suspect, sits in the courtroom during his arraignment in Centennial, Colo., on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Judge William Blair Sylvester entered a not guilty plea on behalf of James Holmes on Tuesday after the former graduate student's defense team said he was not ready to enter one. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)  


By DAN ELLIOTT
and NICHOLAS RICCARDI
Associated Press


CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A bearded and bushy-haired James Holmes sat quietly as a packed courtroom waited Tuesday for a plea that could help shed light on a deadly shooting rampage he is accused of going on in a crowded Colorado movie theater last summer.

Instead, his lawyers told the judge they weren't ready to enter a plea — despite numerous delays since the July 20 attack that killed 12 people and injured 70 at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."

A barely audible gasp rose from dozens of family members and victims.

"So how am I supposed to make an informed decision?" Judge William Sylvester asked pointedly, his gaze fixed on defense lawyer Daniel King, before the judge entered a not guilty plea on Holmes' behalf.

Victims were relieved by Sylvester's action.

"It's been since July," said Marcus Weaver, who was shot in the arm and who lost friend Rebecca Wingo in the attack. "We're just so thankful we're able to move forward."

Legal experts said the defense's statement may be part of a larger strategy to avoid the death penalty. Holmes can still change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, and he can wait to do so until after prosecutors announce whether they will seek the death penalty.

"This just allows the defense to think through how they want to proceed," said Dan Recht, a Denver defense attorney who is following the case. "The odds are the prosecution is going to pursue the death penalty and literally Holmes' life is at stake, so they want to be able to think through all the pleas they can offer."

That makes it easier for the defense to plan its best case. Holmes could plead insanity and would wind up in a mental hospital indefinitely — and would never face execution — if the jury finds in his favor.

Holmes could also simply plead innocent, and he wouldn't have to give prosecutors potentially incriminating medical records and statements made to doctors.

Attorneys on both sides left Tuesday's hearing without commenting. They are under orders from the judge not to speak about the case.

As he has done in past hearings, Holmes sat silently through the proceedings. He wore a red jail jumpsuit and sported a thick, bushy beard and unkempt dark brown hair. When he walked into the courtroom, he looked at his parents, Robert and Arlene Holmes. They sat silently at the front of the room and left without comment after the hearing.

Prosecutors say Holmes planned the assault for months, casing the theater complex in Aurora, amassing a small arsenal and rigging potentially deadly booby-traps in his apartment.

Then he donned a police-style helmet and body armor, tossed a gas canister into the theater crowd and opened fire, prosecutors said.

Nearly eight months later, the defense has dropped hints about Holmes' mental state but has given no clear statement on whether he would plead insanity.

Holmes, a former graduate student at the University of Colorado, Denver, had seen a psychiatrist at the school before the shootings.

Last week, his lawyers revealed that he was taken to a hospital psychiatric ward in November because he was considered a threat to himself. Holmes was held there for several days and spent much of the time in restraints.

Tuesday, there was another clue. At one point, in saying they weren't ready to enter a plea, King said, "We have ongoing work scheduled. We're doing the best that we can."

King said he couldn't reveal what the work was, or say when it would be finished. But he did hint that the defense might have its own expert conduct a mental evaluation of Holmes. He said that if Holmes pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, the court would have to order a state mental evaluation, and "whatever evaluations we're doing would be truncated."

The next step in the case comes April 1, when prosecutors announce their decision on the death penalty. The judge scheduled the trial to start Aug. 5, setting aside four weeks.

Whether and when Holmes will change his plea remains uncertain. His lawyers would have to ask the judge to set a hearing for a new plea.

Power restored in Agawam; problem at substation not as bad as feared, says WMECO official

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Moments after WMECO officials announced to the media that power would not be restored until early Wednesday, the lights started coming back on.

This is an update of a story that was originally posted at 9:45 p.m.

AGAWAM - After initial reports projected a major power outage affecting nearly half the town would take up to six hours to repair, workers on the scene determined the damage was not as bad as originally thought and began restoring power immediately.

As a result, moments after WMECO officials announced to the media that power would not be restored until early Wednesday, the lights started coming back on. By 10:30 p.m., power was fully restored.

The 6-hour projection "was a worst-case scenario," said WMECO spokeswoman Tricia Modifica.

Obviously, she said, workers determined the problems at the faulty substation that caused the outage were not the worst case.

At its peak, 5,600 of the town's 12,800 customers -- or 43 percent -- were without power for a little more than two hours. The outage was reported at about 8:30 p.m.

Minutes after 10 p.m. power was restored to all but 600 customers, and the remainder was on line by 10:30 p.m.

Springfield-area politicians turn out for Hampden Register of Deeds Donald Ashe's annual St. Patrick's party

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The party has come to be seen as the unofficial start of the campaign season, and over the years has attracted some candidates running for statewide office.

SPRINGFIELD — It was time for the annual St. Patrick’s Party sponsored by Hampden County Register of Deeds Donald E. Ashe on Tuesday, and corned beef was in the air.

Literally, for outside the John Boyle O’Reilly Club, the moist air from the afternoon rain was causing fumes from the kitchen exhaust vent to linger close to earth and making a walk across the parking lot an olfactory sensation.

For going on 30 years, Ashe’ s St. Patrick’s Party has been a staple of the social calendar, just as the corned beef sandwiches have been a staple of the menu.

“They don’t come to see me, they come for the corned beef,” Ashe said. “We got a lot of it.”

The annual party has a dual purpose, he said.

One is to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and to pay tribute to the many people in the Springfield area who are of Irish decent.

The second, Ashe said, “is to keep my political friends together.”

Over corned beef sandwiches, Irish soda bread and beer, politicians and members of the public dined, drank and got reacquainted. For those who are planning to be on the ballot in the fall, it is never too early to be out shaking hands.

The party has come to be seen as the unofficial start of the campaign season, and over the years has attracted some candidates running for governor and lieutenant governor, Ashe said.

As in previous years, the event was expecting as many as 300 people to make it, although Ashe, glancing around the room to gauge the crowd in the first hour, said he was not sure if that many would show.

The heavy rain would keep some away, Ashe said. Several people greeting Ashe at the door commented on how bad the roads were as they shook the rain off their coats.

Another complication was that the night of the event had to be moved. Traditionally, it is held on the Wednesday before St. Patrick’s Day, but this year, the John Boyle booked a concert by the Irish musical group The Wolfe Tones.

Rescheduling was the only choice, and as late as Tuesday afternoon, Ashe’s staff was not altogether certain if they had notified all the expected guests about the switch, he said.

Among those present: Ashe’s son, State Rep. Brian M. Ashe, former Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett, Springfield School Committeee member Barbara Gresham and Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr. (no relation to Donald Ashe).

Springfield City Councilor Clodo Concepcion said that overall the party is a good event. “It is very nice," he said.

He said it’s a chance to meet people who are involved in the community.

“It’s a good event for everyone and for the city,” he said.



Gov. Deval Patrick urges hundreds of supporters to lobby for his tax hike

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House Speaker Robert DeLeo said the governor's tax plan will be significantly reduced.

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval L. Patrick today urged hundreds of people to lobby state lawmakers in support of his plan to raise taxes by $1.9 billion a year to finance education and transportation improvements.

"Are we prepared to do for the next generation what our grandparents did for us?" Patrick said in an emotional speech in front of about 600 people at the Statehouse.

dev.JPG Gov. Deval Patrick spoke in February at Holyoke Community College. William Messner, president of the college, is at right.  

The Campaign for Our Communities, a coalition in support of the governor's tax plan, held a rally with Patrick as state lawmakers consider the tax plan.

Last week, in a blow to the governor's plan, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said he would support a "significantly smaller" plan to hike taxes.

During a meeting with legislative leaders on Monday, Patrick said, DeLeo gave him no indication how much he is willing to increase taxes.

"He is working it through. The body will work it through," Patrick told reporters after his speech. "That is part of the process. He has assured me nothing is off the table and I appreciate that."

Patrick said he expects changes in his tax package.

"When I made this proposal, I said at the outset there was more than one way to accomplish these ends but we should agree these are the right ends. I think the speaker shares these goals very much."

Patrick is seeking to raise the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent and to lower the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent.

Also, during a hearing by the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation, Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, estimated the state’s transportation needs at $800 million a year.

Widmer said that a 15-cent increase in the state's 23.5-cent-a-gallon gas tax, combined with regular increases in Registry fees and tolls, would provide sufficient funding for the system. “By 2017, you get $821 million,” Widmer said, according to the Statehouse News Service.

Patrick said he is concerned that an increase in only the gas tax would fail to generate enough money to pay for regional road and bridge projects such as some in Western Massachusetts.

"I don't rule out anything including a gas tax increase, a modest gas tax increase, as a part of the solution," Patrick told reporters on Monday. "But we are not going to be able to get all the way there with a gas tax increase alone."

Patrick's tax increase would eventually provide about $1 billion annual increases over current spending for education and transportation.

Patrick is proposing $550 million increase in education spending in his proposed $34.8 billion state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The education plan includes $226 million increase in general education aid to communities, $131 million increase to reduce a wait list for state-subsidized early education and care for pre-school children and $152 million increase for state colleges and universities. The higher education money would provide a dramatic hike in scholarships for students attending public and private colleges and an increase for the University of Massachusetts that would be enough to freeze tuition and fees for the next academic year.

The state currently spends about $6.17 billion on education each year.

Advanced Disposal to close South Hadley landfill

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The Advanced Disposal decision follows months of complaints that the facility was not managed according to government standards.

SOUTH HADLEY — The South Hadley landfill will close in a year, the company operating the facility on behalf of the town said in a letter to the selectboard dated March 11.

Advanced Disposal began running the site Sept. 1. Interstate Waste Services previously was the operator.

The Advanced Disposal decision follows months of complaints that the facility was not managed according to government standards. Fines and several warning letters have been issued by the state the past year – improper record keeping at the site, the acceptance of banned waste items and air pollution are among the transgressions cited.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection commissioner ordered a wide-ranging investigation on the myriad problems in December.

The state recently ordered a halt to Advanced Disposal’s expansion plans.

In a Technicial Deficiency Determination, the DEP said resdential property is too close to a proposed new dumping area. The DEP said the footprint included in the expansion plan was not properly identified in 2009 when engineering plans were being drawn.

The DEP also told the company, in a February letter, it must provide the state “written determination” from the South Hadley Board of Health “that these issues have been reconciled satisfactorily.”

The South Hadley Board of Health has told the DEP that “the appropriate response to the encroachment problem is to prohibit the construction on any landfill liner in the encroachment area, where the DEP’s own site assignment regulations clearly prohibit landfilling.”

Dave Lavender, Advanced Disoposal's East Regional Vice President, told the selectboard in a letter dated March 11 that the company "has used all reasonable good faith and efforts to obtain permits necessary for the construction and Expansion to the Landfill; yet despite those reasonable and good efforts, it has become very obvious that further Expansions to the Landfill are not supported by the Town and its residents."

Lavender then states: "The Board of Health has been obstructionist at every turn and has not provided the cooperation as contemplated in the agreement."

In the letter, Lavender told the selectboard that Advanced Disposal "must cease taking waste on or about, but no earlier than 365 days from the date of this Notice letter. ... we are providing this Notice so that the Town will have sufficient time to plan for alternative waste disposal."

The Advanced Disposal letter to South Hadley announcing the closure was received by the town March 12.

Calls placed to Advanced Disposal seeking comment and to South Hadley Board of Health were not immediately returned.

According to the selectboard, the company is exercising its right under the contract giving a year's notice of the closure. The site must be capped upon closure. Although South Hadley owns the land, the town has contracted with private companies over the years to manage it.

Selectboard Chairman John Hine says the financial impact to South Hadley is now under review.

The contract with the company provided the town free trash and wastewater sewage sludge disposal – a $600,000 per year benefit. In addition, the town has collected 10 percent in “tipping fees” for each ton of garbage dumped at the landfill, or about $800,000 annually. There are also two household hazardous waste collection days a year with a value of $15,000 and a cash payment to Department of Public Works of $50,000 a year.

“It’s unfortunate that efforts to address issues surrounding the operations and expansion of the landfill to the satisfaction of all parties involved will now apparently come to a stop,” Hine said Thursday morning.


This story was updated at 3:05 p.m. with a copy of the letter from Advanced Disposal to the town (below)

Advanced Disposal Notice of Discontinuance of Operations by masslive

Gay rights group MassEquality endorses Democrat Ed Markey in Massachusetts U.S. Senate race

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MassEquality cites Markey's 1996 vote against DOMA and his sponsorship of other gay rights bills. MassEquality also endorsed State Rep. Carl Sciortino to replace Markey.

Ed Markey 03.10.2013 | WORCESTER -- Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., center, greets people while marching in the Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade. Markey is running in a special election for the U.S. senate seat vacated by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the former senior senator from Massachusetts.  

The Massachusetts gay rights organization MassEquality will support Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race.

MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini cited Markey’s 1996 vote against the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman for purposes of federal benefits. Suffredini said Markey had co-sponsored nearly a dozen measures relating to gay rights issues, including anti-bullying measures, transgender-inclusive employment protections and support for bi-national same-sex couples. “His record of support goes back decades, spanning his entire career, and he is the clear choice for the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community in the Democratic primary for the special election for the U.S. Senate seat,” she said.

Markey said in a statement that he is honored to receive the endorsement. “I have always supported equality for the LGBTQ community and believe no one should be denied their rights based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” Markey said. “I voted against DOMA and have urged President Obama to prevent discrimination by federal contractors.”

Markey is running against U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch in the April 30 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Since his election to Congress in 2001, Lynch voted against constitutional amendments that would ban gay marriage and voted to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. The pro-gay rights Human Rights Campaign said Lynch voted with the organization’s positions at least 90 percent of the time in each of the last three Congresses, while Markey voted with the organization 100 percent of the time.

However, as a state senator, Lynch opposed gay marriage and domestic partner health insurance benefits.

Lynch was recently the only member of the Massachusetts congressional delegation not to sign an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that DOMA is unconstitutional. Lynch said his office never received the brief because of an email glitch, but he opposes DOMA and supports its repeal. However, Lynch also did not sign a similar amicus brief on DOMA in 2012. That brief was signed by 132 congressional Democrats and submitted to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Should Markey win the U.S. Senate seat, there will be another special election to fill his seat in the U.S. House. MassEquality said it is endorsing State Rep. Carl Sciortino, a Medford Democrat, in that race. Sciortino is openly gay and has advocated for numerous pieces of legislation relating to gay and transgender rights.


Live chat: Ask Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse your questions

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As a part of MassLive.com's ongoing live chat series, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is scheduled to take reader questions at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 14.

Submit your questions for a 2 p.m. live chat with Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse below. Mobile readers can click here to view the chat on a mobile device.

Deval Patrick: Revised deal reached with Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, planning casino in Taunton

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Patrick said the revised agreement has been vetted with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and that he needs to brief legislative leaders about it – the compact needs legislative approval.

By MICHAEL NORTON and MATT MURPHY

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, which hopes to build a casino in Taunton, have reached an agreement in principle on a revised compact, Gov. Patrick said during a radio appearance Thursday.

An initial compact reached between the governor and the tribe was rejected by the federal government in October 2012 and state gaming industry regulators are considering whether to open the southeastern Massachusetts region up to commercial casino bidders.

Patrick said the revised agreement has been vetted with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and that he needs to brief legislative leaders about it – the compact needs legislative approval.

The governor, speaking early Thursday afternoon on his “Ask the Governor” segment on WGBH, said he may be able to sign the revised compact in the "next few days."

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission plans a meeting March 21 at Bristol Community College in Fall River to discuss the status of expanded gambling in southeastern Massachusetts, an area officials described as Region C.

Some southeastern Massachusetts lawmakers have expressed concern that casino development in the area will stall or lag behind other areas of the state if tribal gaming issues become hung up before the federal government.

Last October, the Bureau of Indian Affairs objected to the balance of concessions made by the state to justify a revenue-sharing agreement that would have sent 21.5 percent of net casino revenue back to Massachusetts. The government also ruled the administration overstepped its bounds in seeking to include hunting and fishing rights in the compact, and for trying to exert authority over issues such as regulation of suppliers and entertainment services.



 
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