MAY 2001 - Some Shift in Political Boundary Lines Expected - With the release of the Year 2000 census figures on March 22, the special joint legislative committee began the intensely political process of redrawing the Commonwealth’s congressional, senatorial and representative districts.The joint committee consists of eight senators, chaired by Senator Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and 21 representatives, chaired by Representative Thomas Petrolati (D-Ludlow). Because of the population shift since the last census in 1990, there will undoubtedly be several realignment changes in the boundaries of the various districts. Each district must encompass equal population with other districts. The new districts must be in place in time for the 2002 election season.

MAY 2001 - Wants Another Blue-Ribbon Study - Our old friends at the Massachusetts Municipal Association are at it again. This time they come as white knights reputedly to save our Chapter 32 retirement plan from its “serious flaws” by filing a broad-based bill (H2067), which will address the ills of our pension systems, but would also delay all pending legislation, including COLA improvements.A March 8 seminar at Stonehill College, sponsored by the MMA, was the first unveiling of the MMA’s legislation, which will be heard in Gardner Auditorium at the State House this May 24.