Romney is a Fraud

A Message From Willard Mitt

Many of you have been critical of my efforts to return morality to Massachusetts. And some have even suggested I’m using social issues to distract the public from my inability to do anything for the economy.

To demonstrate that I am a hands-on-leader, on this, the first day of the Christmas shopping season, I have decided to help jumpstart the economy by asking you to buy me a gift.

After all, when was the last time you thanked me for being your governor? And I don’t mean murmuring “thank gosh for Mitt” when you cruise our well-paved, remarkably uncongested roadways. I mean, when was the last time you walked into a store asking, “what would Willard want?”

Well, thanks to the good people at Amazon.com you can now access my wish list and pick out something special that you know I will treasure. And maybe even use!

Kindly note that as internet sales are not yet taxed by my Department of Revenue, if you decide to buy my gift on–line, you should also send me a personal check for five percent of the purchase price and I’ll make sure it gets to the proper authorities.

Thank you for helping return prosperity to Massachusetts.

Happy holidays. And happy shopping.

Sincerely

Willard Mitt
Fraud Governor


View Willard's Wish List

(To add items to Willard's Wish List, send a suggestion to The Rat Line.)

Romney Safety Concerns Lost In Space?

(EDITORIAL NOTE: Team Reform has killed the links on this post. To see the links, please jump to the February 13, 2004 post.)

Why is Willard Mitt so hepped about gay rights? Is it because he’s secretly carrying a torch for Bob Marsh but is afraid to be found out? Or because the issue strikes such a cord with so many “regular folk” that he can ride it for an h-e-double-hockey sticks amount of free ink?

While not totally letting Marsh off the hook, we’ll default to the latter – this time. We think Romney is chasing free ink. And consequently, letting a lot of other issues fall to the wayside.

Like state security.

Not too long ago, national and state security were sexy issues. Former Gov. Jane Swift (R-FlagBearer) even created a state agency to deal specifically with security. The S.A.T.U.R.N. program (Statewide Anti-Terrorism Unified Response Network) was developed by Swift’s Executive Office of Public Safety to be the state’s First Line of Defense against terrorism. (MetroWest Daily News, 4/10/2002)

Swift’s program was to act as anti-terrorism eyes and ears across every community in Massachusetts. (source: Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, 3/26/2002)

But enough about Swift. What about Willard Mitt? What were his thoughts on security?

Last year, Romney said that when he was Winter Games chef, he “worked with the law-enforcement and public-safety officials to construct and oversee an (unprecedented) anti-terrorist effort. The communication between federal agencies doing intelligence work and local law enforcement that was the front line of our defense was a wide-open pipeline. In Massachusetts and in other states, we are going to need to see that level of cooperation and collaboration across state and federal agencies.” (source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 7/28/2002)

Information. The Fraud Candidate was promising to protect us through information. How very cutting edge. So, how’s he doin’?

First, let’s go to the S.A.T.U.R.N. website and read what the State is doing about terrorism. Oh look, a quote by Governor Jane Swift? Wait a minute. Whoops. That doesn’t look right.

How about something more current, like the S.A.T.U.R.N. newsletter. Whoops. Nothing there.

Okay. It’s probably just an oversight. How about S.A.T.U.R.N. publications? There are two listed. Whoops. Each was posted on September 11, 2002.

How about news articles? They must have a fabulous news archive. Whoops. Nothing since September 6, 2002.

Nobody panic. We’ll all just head to the nearest public meeting and see our S.A.T.U.R.N. pals in person.

Oh. My. Gosh. There. Are. No. Public. Meetings. Listed.

(NOW what do we do?)

Quick, somebody start talking about gay marriage!

Romney: ‘HOT times ahead’

Last year, Willard Mitt's Commuter’s Bill of Rights promised to reduce traffic congestion. (source; Boston Herald, 9/6/2002) It contained typical Romney fluff: provide clear guidance to transportation authorities, give a voice to all who sit in traffic, and have the governor take responsibility for transportation. (source: Romney2002.com, Commuter bill of rights, 9/4/2002)

Sherry Kerry Healey said the plan would result in lower road costs. She criticized Jim Rappaport’s plan to put tolls on the New Hampshire border as a “back door” tax hike, and said “instead of putting up new tolls, we should be looking to find ways to provide relief to taxpayers and toll payers."

She also said, "adding more and more toll booths throughout the state is not the answer to our fiscal problems." (source: Romney2002.com, Healey criticized Rappaport for proposing “Back Door” tax hike,” 8/26/2002)

So, now that the Fraud Governor is "responsible for transportation" how does he plan on fighting congestion?

By adding more toll booths, of course.

Romney’s Transportation Secretary is proposing "an entirely new toll system in which drivers would be charged for the use of premium lanes during rush hour. The High-Occupancy Toll Lanes (HOT Lanes) could be incorporated into any new or expanded roadway in the state." (source: Boston Globe, 11/22/2003)

By a happy coincidence, the national consulting firm DeLoitte & Touche recently issued a report on how "road user pricing" could reduce traffic congestion. (source: DeLoitte.com, “Road User Pricing Could Help Ease And Manage U.S. Traffic Congestion Deloitte Research Highlights Effective Examples of Road User Pricing,” 11/4/2003)

And by a still happier coincidence, DeLoitte employees have given Romney/Healey Inc more than $12,000 from 2002 to 2003. (For a bit of perspective, DeLoitte employees last year gave Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shannon O’Brien less than $1,400.) (source: OCPF)

We wonder if DeLoitte & Touche owns any of the "road user pricing" action.

We also wonder if DeLoitte's contributions and Romney’s HOT new toll proposal have a “back door” connection?

If Jim Morrison were alive today he'd be spinning in his grave.

Task Forcing The Homeless

After disparaging the use of task forces (see RiaF, 10/30/2003), Willard Mitt yesterday accepted the results from one of the first blue ribbon panels he put in motion several months ago, his Task Force on Homelessness. Solution? Create another task force.

The Fraud Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Housing will focus on solving the problem of homelessness in the Bay State. (source: Office of the (Fraud) Governor, “Romney creates permanent homelessness & housing council,” 11/20/2003) 'Focus on solving'; that's what we call a professional qualifier.

As a sign that Romney views the Council’s mission as hopeless, he appointed lightweight Lieutenant Governor Sherry Kerry Healey council chair.

Healey immediately proved herself incapable by stating that “(Fraud) Governor Romney and I fought to preserve full funding for homeless programs during this year's fiscal crisis. We view assistance to the homeless as a core function of government that, to the extent possible, should not be compromised, even in bad fiscal times.”

Sure. So why did you cut the Affordable Housing Trust Fund by $7.5 million in FY2003 and by $20 million in FY2004? (source: chapa.org) Yes, the Senate later reestablished the Fund’s monies. (source: macdc.org) But Sherry Kerry doesn't work for the Senate. (Heck, she barely works for the executive branch!)

Of course, Romney/Healey would likely claim that as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund does not include the word “homelessness” in its title, it is not a homelessness program. However, housing experts long ago agreed that cuts to the Trust retard the construction of new affordable housing units, ergo, negatively impact the homeless. (source: SHNS, 1/30/2003)

This is not to say that Romney has not had an impact on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. In the past, the Fund received a straight budgetary appropriation. Romney, however, convinced lawmakers to fund the Trust with bonded monies. In other words, he turned a cash program into debt. (source: chapa.org)

What was it Romney/Healey, Inc said last year about debt? “There’s a lot of blame to go around for our high level of debt.” (source: Bill Vernon, Romney2002.com, 9/20/2002)

Maybe that can be fodder for Team Reform’s next task force.

Crate Fingers Romney In Sex Blame?, and Another Romney Flip

Shortly after the SJC released its decision on same-sex marriage, RSC Strongman Darrell Crate sallied forth with a statement reading:

“While I am disappointed with today’s SJC decision on same sex marriage, I applaud Governor Romney’s common sense defense of the institution of marriage as the union between a man and a woman.

“Of course, Massachusetts would not be in this predicament today if the Democrats in the Legislature did not block consideration of a constitutional amendment defending marriage. By refusing to address or debate this issue for several years, the Democratic-controlled Legislature paved the way for today’s SJC decision to redefine marriage.” (source: Republican State Committee, “Statement from … on today’s SJC Decision on same sex marriage,” 11/18/2003)

Crate must have been out of state last March when it was widely reported that while several Romneys signed the the defense-of-marriage constitutional amendment petition, none of them were named ‘Willard Mitt.’

In fact, the Fraud Governor, who appointed Crate to his post, denounced the amendment. He had his now loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman mewl that Ann, Jennifer and SpongeJob Tag Romney had signed the petition “without reading the fine print,” that “(Willard) Mitt did not know they signed it, and (Willard) Mitt does not support it. As far as (Willard) Mitt is concerned, it goes farther than current law, and therefore it's unnecessary.” (source: Boston Globe, 3/22/2002)

But now, according to Crate, the amendment was the bulwark against moral decay?

Ergo ... it's Romney's fault!

Strongman Crate, repeat after us, "sweetheart, get me re-write!"

(And pay your Lexis-Nexis bill. It’ll help stop you from attacking your boss in the future.)

Oh yeah, and in the grand tradition of burying our lead, RiaF is proud to announce that the Fraud Governor has flipped on the Defense of Marriage question. Last year he was agin it (see above), but now he's for it. (source: Boston Globe, 11/20/2003)

How queer is that?

Romney Flips On Separating Policy From Religious Beliefs

In 1994, while admitting to using his position in the Mormon church to coerce a young woman into not having an abortion, Willard Mitt pledged he would not allow his religious beliefs to shape public policy.

Romney said, “As an official of the church, I did my best to represent the teachings of the church, but when you ask me what I think our society should do, I believe society should allow individuals to do whatever they choose and live by whatever beliefs they have. It is not the role of government to make choices for individuals.” (source: Boston Globe, 10/20/1994)

So much for that.

Yesterday, after the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled that to deny gays and lesbians the right to wed violates the constitutional guarantee to equality and liberty under law, the Fraud Governor said “marriage should be reserved to a man and a woman. That's the way it's been since the beginning of time.” (source: SHNS, 11/18/2003)

Since the beginning of time? What ‘beginning’ is Romney referencing? The Big Bang? When Adam first found Eve in a Chat Room? The moment the first loathsome spokesman slimed its way from the wilds of Brookline? Referencing the beginning of time with the construct of marriage seems like a religious exercise to us.

And if Romney sees himself as the protector of all things moral and good (redundancy alert!), why didn’t he file a brief for amici curiae with the court relative to the marriage question? (source: massreports.com)

But here's what's really got us puzzled.

Last September Romney said that while he opposed gay marriage, he was open to other ways for the state to recognize domestic-partner status, but that other priorities – like restoring Medicaid cuts - must come first. (source: Boston Globe, 9/15/2002)

So what was Romney’s primary lie - that he was open to other ways to recognize domestic partner status, or that he would restore Medicaid cuts?

Know Your Depression-Era Governors

Quick, name five Depression-era governors of the Commonwealth. If you said Frank G. Allen (1929-1931), Joseph B. Ely (1931-1935), James M. Curley (1935-1937), and Charles F. Hurley (1937-1939), you're right! (source: Manual of the General Court, 1967-1968 edition, page 316)

And the fifth, of course, is Willard Mitt, who is (fraud) governing during the worst economic period since the depression, at least according to his secretary of A&F, Eric "Human Triage" Kriss.

Now, let's see how well you know your depression-era governors.

Which depression-era governor established the Massachusetts Transit Authority and the state's Industrial Commission? If you said Frank Allen, you were cor-rect! (source: State House Library)

Which depression-era governor began a series of public works projects to stem unemployment? If you said Joseph Ely, you were cor-rect!

Which depression-era governor forced banks and utilities to lower their rates, advocated conservation projects, a forty-eight hour work week, and improved old age pension laws? If you said James Michael Curley, you were cor-rect!

Which depression-era governor regulated the use of private police in strikes, imposed a minimum wage for women and children, and vetoed the law requiring teachers to take loyalty oaths? If you said Charles Hurley, you were cor-rect!

Which depression-era (fraud) governor spent $7,868 on techno-toys, $22,385.29 for new furniture, and $22,265 for plane tickets, hotels and gas for meetings, conferences and events in Utah, Indiana and Washington DC? (source: Boston Herald, 11/16/2002) If you said Willard Mitt, you were cor-rect!

The only question now is how long until Romney's loathsome $150,000-a-year spokesman tells us that the Fraud Governor's spending spree was simply Team Reform's attempt to jump-start the local economy.

Fraud Tidings

The Fraud Governor has proclaimed November 2003 'Massachusetts Family Literacy Month.' (source: doe.mass.edu)

What better way to celebrate than by reading how Willard Mitt's fiscal policies are closing libraries in Massachusetts!

Home of the Whopper

Republican State Committee Strongman Darrell Crate sends out periodic e-mails that are regularly filled with sour tidbits, vapid fluff and shameless distortions. That said, his latest piece hit a new low.

Let's go right to the tape:

Beacon Hill Update
-Romney Signs Bill to Restore Inland Fish and Game Fund
-New law will keep federal aid flowing to Bay State wildlife efforts

'In a move that will preserve more than $4 million in federal matching funds, (fraud) Governor Mitt Romney recently signed into law a measure to restore the Inland Fish and Game Fund, a sportsmen- and women-funded account that helps fund the state's wildlife restoration and maintenance efforts.

'"The future of wildlife funding in Massachusetts is secure with the signing of this bill into law," said (Willard Mitt). "These funds will continue to benefit all Massachusetts citizens as we work to promote strong environmental stewardship and recreation."

'This year's budget eliminated the Inland Fish and Game Fund as a dedicated fund. After learning that this change could jeopardize federal funding for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Romney filed legislation to restore the fund.' (source: Bay State Republican, 11/10/2003)

There’s more, but you get the point. Crate credits the Fraud Governor for saving the Inland Fish and Game Fund.

What he neglects to mention, however, is that the only reason the Fund was in trouble in the first place was because Romney’s rapacious A&F secretary, Eric “Human Triage” Kriss, redirected its monies into the General Fund.

But now Romney is to be credited with saving the thing?

This is like thanking Typhoid Mary for giving you a handkerchief, after she’s coughed in your face.

Turns out, however, that we’re not the only ones casting a baleful eye on Team Reform’s claim of the Fraud Governor’s heroics.

The following is excerpted from noreast.com, a site dedicated to fishing and fishermen. It seems they rejected Strongman Crate’s memo, too.

“Then along came Governor Mitt "Smiley" Romney and his tighten-your-belts-another-notch-folks 2004 budget plan and, whoops, there went some $15 million dollars disappearing into the Massachusetts General Fund never to be seen again. At least not by any fish related programs. Seems Old (Willard) Mitt's 2004 budget effectively repealed the Inland Fish and Game fund, a dedicated fund from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping permits and fees, thus diverting all monies from this fund into the general fund.

”But there was one small hitch in Smilin' (Willard) Mitt's money grab. Turns out the feds did not find his fiscal tactics amusing at all. In fact, they threatened to hold up nearly five million bucks in federal funds if the boys at the statehouse didn't get those monies back into the Inland Fish and Game fund from whence they were lifted by the nimble fingers of Mitt's money men. And, lo and behold, that news raised such a clamor from angry sportsmen, read: angry VOTERS, that it drove the message home to the pols and, by darn, if today's Boston Globe doesn't say it was all just a big misunderstanding and of course the (fraud) Guv's beancounters meant to return those funds all along. Yessir, that's just what (Willard) Mitt intended, plus no new taxes (well, maybe a few extra "fees" but what-the-heck) no cuts to essential services (That's if you don't consider health coverage for the poor an essential service)and, presto, a balanced budget. Amazing, huh?” (source: noreast.com)

Amazing isn't the word we were thinking of, but it'll do.

Romney Tees Off On Seniors, Again

The Fraud Governor recently renewed his historic and unprecedented assault on seniors, this time through Health and Human Services Secretary Ron Preston.

Preston is expanding the period when assets transferred from a senior citizen render them ineligible for Medicaid benefits, expanding the current three-to-five year period (before they make application to Medicaid) to a five-to-ten year period. (source: Boston Herald, 11/12/2003)

Why the change? According to Secretary Preston, “the (fraud) governor firmly believes that we have to sort through our programs and reserve them for people with true needs. We don't have enough to give everything to everybody.”

(pause)

Is he serious? Does Preston honestly believe that no one out here has ever heard of line-items 2820-4420 and 2820-4421?

Okay. Maybe no one has. But we’d bet they’ve heard of the Leo J Martin and Ponkapoag Golf Courses, which annually soak up $1.8 million in taxpayer dollars. (source: mass.gov) Neither of which received nary a tickle from the Fraud Governor's veto pen.

(Of course, in Preston’s world, Leo Martin and Ponkapoag are probably fine places to spend tax money because ‘we don’t have enough tee-times for everybody.’)

So Mr. Secretary, until your Bogus Boss targets frills like state-funded golf courses and purges Joe Malone’s former driver from the Department of (MDC Job) Conservation and Recreation pro shop (source: Boston Herald, 2/7/2002, yes - he's still there), would you please spare us the rhetoric about reserving programs for people with true needs?

And if you truly want to make Fraudo happy, we suggest you focus on something that is likely causing severe anguish in Room 360 of the State House.

Did you know that both Leo J. Martin and Ponkapoag Golf Courses offer … senior discounts!

Romney is a (Camera) Mugger

Hey hey kids, it's time for 'Capture the Caption,' a semi-sometime feature of RiaF where you, the reader, get to guess what is really going on in a topical news shot.

Today's photo is featured on page 5 of the Boston Herald. It shows the Fraud Governor leaning into and embracing a (frightened?) Gold Star mother during yesterday's Veteran's Day ceremony.

Is the Fraud Governor:

1) about to bite her nose?

2) describing where he found the best Parisian breakfast pastries when he was dodging the draft during the Vietnam War?

3) explaining how Eric "Human Triage" Kriss will soon be tightening the Medicaid eligibility rules?

4) saying/doing something else?

Send your entry care to the Rat Line.

Operators are standing by!

Romney Spawning Sprawl

Last year, Willard Mitt said, “Sprawl is the most important quality of life issue facing Massachusetts.” (source: Boston Globe, 10/12/2002)

He later pledged to “improve Beacon Hill housing policies that have made home ownership unaffordable to many and encouraged suburban sprawl over the rejuvenation of our urban neighborhoods.” (Boston Globe, 10/29/2002)

So what is the Fraud Governor’s Department of Environmental Protection doing about sprawl, a.k.a. the most important quality of life issue facing Massachusetts?

Why revising Title V, of course.

DEP is loosening (poor choice of words) the current percolation testing requirements. They’re changing the required maximum time to drain an inch of water from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. Which means that “dense soils such as silt, loam, and clay could pass perc tests.” (source: Boston Globe, 11/9/2003)

Which means that formerly undeveloped land, like large tracts of farmland in southeastern Massachusetts, will now be able to be developed. (Pssst. If these farmlands become large housing developments, that is called ‘sprawl.’)

(Read this next part reallyfast.) That’s okay because now the state will rake in huge sums of money through that groovy new greenspace tax that Romney talked about imposing on developers who develop undeveloped areas for new, uh, developments rather than adding affordable housing to existing neighborhoods. (source: Boston Globe, 7/2/2002)

(Now say this next part really s-l-o-w) Oh wait. That was just campaign talk. Ole’ Willard Mitt was just being friendly. The Fraud Governor now says he won’t impose new taxes. So while Team Reform will reform farm land into housing tracts, the greenspace tax that Romney pledged to impose won’t be. I-m-p-o-s-e-d.

So, the Fraud Candidate was against sprawl, but the Fraud Governor is for it?

Talk about a lousy development....

Romney Pension Bomb Stinks

One day after kicking off Beth Lindstrom’s probable state Treasurer’s campaign by appointing her to the state Lottery Commission (source: SHNS, 11/6/2003) Willard Mitt slammed the Treasurer’s pension investment strategy.

The Fraud Governor stated that early retirement incentives and poor investment returns had created a “pension bomb” that would affect ‘every aspect of the state budget.” (source: Boston Globe, 11/7/2003)

Except, presumably, taxes – but we digress.

Romney claimed the pension damage could have been minimized had the state invested more in fixed-income securities and less in volatile stocks. (Like AmPad and Stage Stores, upon which the Commonwealth lost millions, and which were both owned, in part, by Romney? (source: Boston Herald, 10/23/2002) But again, we digress.)

Last year, under state Treasurer Shannon O’Brien, the state pension fund held 59 percent of its monies in domestic and international equities, and 29 percent of its monies in fixed income vehicles. (source: Boston Globe, 8/14/2002)

This year, under state Treasurer Tim Cahill, the state pension fund held 58.9 percent of its monies in domestic and international equities, and 21 percent of its monies in fixed income vehicles. While the percentage of equity holdings is virtually identical, Cahill has moved some monies from fixed income to timber, real estate and other investments. (source: mapension.com)

Is this wrong? Romney claims Cahill should increase, not decrease his fixed income holdings.

So why hasn’t the Fraud Governor done anything about it?

Pension investments are controlled by the nine-member PRIM Board; three board members are gubernatorial appointments. Romney’s appointees include Alexander E. Aikens, III, a retired Fleet banker; Peter Schwarzenbach, a Staples-crony, and Paul Cesan, the Treasurer of the State Police Association (source: mapension.com; Boston Globe, 5/18/93, 9/5/2003)

All of his pension appointees have two-things in common.

(No, it’s not ‘donations.’ Cesan is the only appointee who had to pay Romney/Healey Inc. to play. In 2002/2003, Cesan and his hometown namesakes gave Team Reform $3,000. By the same token, banker Aikens contributed nothing, while Staples’ siring Schwarzenbach served over a piddling $200. (source: OCPF))

1) All of his appointees have been to at least one official pension board meeting.
2) None of his appointees have called for a reallocation of pension funds.

Why is that? We thought the Fraud Governor was interested in overseeing pension investment change.

Maybe he’s more interested in changing the pension investment overseer.

All's Fare That Ends Well

We’re not sure where to focus today: Romney raises MBTA fees (source: Boston Globe, 11/7/2003), Romney appoints Malone moll to Lottery Commission (source: SHNS, 11/6/2003) , Romney blames problems of his Sex Offender Registry on the Judiciary (source: Boston Herald, 11/7/2003) or, Romney education advisor called ethics cheat and influence seller. (source: Boston Herald, 11/7/2003)

Wait a minute - back when the MBTA fare increase was just a threat, Romney’s transit peeps said that the lack of new revenue would cause service disruptions, to wit: “20 bus routes will be axed, Night Owl service will be discontinued, and 50-100 percent of all Saturday and Sunday service will be eliminated.” (source: dotnews.com, 9/18/2003)

Hey hey! The MBTA fare hike saved the Night Owl, which an MBTA spokesman described as "a last call cab" that caters to passengers who are "intoxicated and lively after a night of drinking." (source: NU News, 9/20/01)

We’ve got it: Drunk College Kids Thank The Fraud Gov!

HEFA-ty Lifting

We love day-two news stories, but hate day-two blog stories. But this one's a puzzle.

On Tuesday Willard Mitt claimed "I don't even know what HEFA is" on WRKO. (see RiaF, 11/5/03)

HEFA, which helps hospitals and schools sell bonds to finance capital projects, has $88.2 million in aggregate long-term debt payments and sinking fund requirements for 2004. (source: mhefa.org) That’s not exactly walking around money, even for Romney.

Now we admit, when we first heard Romney's statement, we assumed he was lying.

But consider the alternative. Maybe Romney truly doesn't know HEFA. Maybe he only appointed John Fish to the HEFA board because Fish gave him $500 in both 2002 and 2003. (source: OCPF)

If so, then Romney has done Fish, and Fish's company - Suffolk Construction - a real disservice. Because Suffolk bids on work that is often funded through HEFA.

For example, in March 2001, Tufts announced it would sell $50 million in bonds through HEFA for new construction. (source: mhefa.org) Suffolk Construction was subsequently chosen to manage Tufts' Jaharis Family Center project – which was financed with the bonds. (source: high-profile.com)

The Suffolk/Tufts/HEFA relationship was not improper. Fish was not on HEFA's board when the Tufts bonds were issued or when Suffolk bid the job. However, had he been, Fish would have had to recuse himself from the vote, or decline to bid on the project.

Romney appointed Fish to a seven-year term. Which means that for the next seven years, Fish will either have to recuse himself from board votes, or steer his company away from HEFA-funded jobs.

This could make for cumbersome board operations, and hurt Suffolk's bottom line.

All in all, ‘tis a puzzlement.

In any event, we suggest that on November 11 the Fraud Governor traipse down to 99 Summer Street around 1:00 p.m. That's the next HEFA board meeting. He may wish to introduce himself to John Fish, the appointee he apparently forgot.

The Forgettable Fraud

Last night, the Fraud Governor did the Homer Stokes thing again on WRKO (this time as a guest.)

When asked about a report by the state Auditor on fiscal abuses at the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Willard Mitt said, "I don't even know what HEFA is." (source: Howie Carr Show, WRKO, 11/4/03)

HEFA helps hospitals and schools sell bonds to finance capital projects. It's headed by a nine-member board, all of whom are appointed by the governor to seven-year terms. The Authority's website lists one board-member, John Fish, as having a term which expires on July 1, 2010. Which means his seven-year term started in 2003. (Psst. That's this year.) (source: mhefa.org)

Which means that Fish was appointed by ... the Fraud Governor.

Not exactly a memorable appointment, eh Fraudo?

Romney Forgets Alzheimer’s Council?

It’s one of our favorite lines describing Willard Mitt. “Romney savors both the big picture and the smallest detail.” (source: skimag.com, March/April 2001) It makes him seem so … competent.

So let’s see how competent Willard Mitt has been in conforming to his office’s budgetary responsibilities.

Those of you following along at home may wish to turn to line-item 0411-1000. It’s on page 21 of the Conference Committee report.

Ready? Let’s begun.

“The offices of the (fraud) governor” were appropriated $5,432,067 for fiscal year 2004. (source: FY 2004 Budget) FY2004 stated on July 1. The first quarter ended on September 30. We are now in the second quarter of FY2004.

Line item 0411-1000 is nine lines long. It can be read in approximately one minute. Two minutes if you read ‘wicked slow.’

It contains two “provided’s”. Provided's are similar to conditions. You can have a hat, provided you have a head.

The (fraud) Governor's budgetary provided's are simple: one mandates the (fraud) governor’s commission on mental retardation; the other “that the advisory council on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, as established in the office of the (fraud) governor by section 379 of chapter 194 of the acts of 1998, and section 80 of chapter 236 of the acts of 2000, shall continue during fiscal year 2004.”

The key word is “shall.”

Yes, we looked up section 379 of chapter 194 of the acts of 1998, and section 80 of chapter 236 of the acts of 2000. Both require that “such (alzheimer's advisory) council shall meet not less than quarterly,” among other things. (source: MGL)

Hmmm. In order to satisfy the budgetary requirements of line-item 0411-1000, the Alzheimer’s advisory council must meet not less than quarterly during 2004.

Yet it is November, and the Council has yet to meet once. Which means that Team Reform has failed the basic tenets of line-item 0411-1000. Which means that Willard Mitt is improperly diverting $5.4 million of the taxpayers money!

Quick, someone call Eric "Human Triage" Kriss! We've found another Taker!

Zoiks, it’s a good thing the Fraud Governor is such a hands-on guy. Who knows what shape we’d be in if he didn’t savor both the big picture and the smallest detail!

What's Really Driving Perley Flight?

The highly respected Northeastern University's Center for Labor Market Studies recently released a study showing the state’s economy condition is worse than that of the nation as a whole (source: Boston Globe, 10/30/2003).

The highly suspected Fraud Governor responded with a photo op to highlight his “proposal to provide tax rebates to companies that create new manufacturing jobs in the biotechnology, life sciences and medical device industries.” (source: Office of (Fraud) Governor, “Romney works for resurgence of Massachusetts Economy,” 10/30/2003)

To “prove” that his proposal was not just empty task force rhetoric, Romney trotted out Christopher Perley, the Managing Director of Wyeth Bioxpharmaceuticals, to recite “the tax rebate is exactly the type of incentive that global companies like Wyeth need in order to focus and maintain jobs in Massachusetts.”

Whoops. Looks like Team Reform recruited the wrong shill.

It's true that Christopher Perley, who gave Romney $500 in October 2002 (when it actually mattered), has demanded governmental action, and threatened to move his company if he doesn’t get what he wants.

But his gripe is not about tax policy.

According to a local newspaper, “Wyeth Bioxpharmaceuticals is the local division of a New Jersey-based company. It employs 1,700, and is located in an office park near Route 93 in Andover. According to managing director Christopher Perley, Wyeth’s growth hinges on the state improving highway access.”

Perley wants the State to build a new highway ramp to alleviate the 5:00 p.m. parking lot traffic jam. His actual quote was “Wyeth has sites all over the world where we could expand. If the delays continue and it costs more money, we'll go somewhere else.” (source: Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, 4/15/2003)

But now Perley claims that all Wyeth needs to commit to the Commonwealth is a tax rebate?

So when were you lying, Managing Director Perley, last April or last week?

And Willard Mitt, is it too much to ask that your shills be consistent about their threats to leave the state?