New England Public Radio

Neal Denies Any Connection Between Investment Bill, MassMutual Contributions

Springfield Congressman Richard Neal is defending his support for legislation that would preempt investment industry reforms sought by the Obama administration. The reforms are opposed by retirement investment firms, including Springfield-based MassMutual. The company has donated heavily to Neal’s campaigns, though the Massachusetts Democrat denies there’s any connection.

“I’ve worked longer on retirement issues than virtually anybody at MassMutual, and virtually anybody at the Labor Department,” Neal says.

The proposed rules from the administration would crack down on incentives for brokers to steer clients toward more costly investments. The Boston Globe reports Neal’s bill does not include some of the toughest requirements.

MassMutual is the largest contributor to Congressman Neal’s election committee. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the company’s political arm and its employees have contributed nearly $350,000 to Neal, who was first elected in 1988.

Clash Over Free Cash In The Whip City

The candidates for mayor of Westfield, Massachusetts, clashed over what to do with a million dollar budget surplus. The issue came up in a debate on WWLP.

City Council president and mayoral candidate Brian Sullivan says there’s plenty of money in the city’s free cash account — and more coming.

“I made a promise and I will stick to that promise that it’s about time some of that money went back to the ratepayers to help with the tax rate, ” Sullivan said.

Candidate Michael Roeder challenged the reality of Sullivan’s plan, asking, “What bills would have to be paid before you could give that one million dollars to the taxpayers? Because you said all bills would have to be paid first.”

Roeder ran for mayor in 2013, losing to Mayor Daniel Knapik, who decided not run again this year.

 

 

 

 

 

The Week Ahead On Beacon Hill

After once-a-week formal sessions set the pace for most of the past 18 months, legislative leaders are now grinding out the final two weeks of formal sessions, using the pressure of the July 31 deadline to force bills through, often with little or no debate.

Many of the 2013-2014 session’s priority bills are in various stages of final passage, including several that are being negotiated privately by six-member conference committees. Legislative leaders who often face criticism for being too reactive and taking too long to address issues are suddenly taking the opposite approach, redrafting and fast-gaveling bills to Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk at a clip that affords little if any time for review.

The expectation among lawmakers is that most if not all of the major bills will get to the governor, but there will be surprises along the way, such as this week’s implosion of efforts to allow more charter schools, and bill sponsors are mindful of legislative trap doors.

For Henry Epp’s conversation with Matt Murphy about the week ahead on Beacon Hill, click the audio player above.

With Referendum Question Released, Pro and Anti-Casino Campaigns Begin in Springfield

Late last week in Springfield, the ballot question language for the proposed MGM Resorts casino was sent to voters, ahead of the referendum set for July 16th. Now the campaigns for and against the downtown casino are officially underway.

The referendum will ask whether voters approve of the proposed casino development and host community agreement with the city. That would allow MGM to continue to seek the sole casino license in western Massachusetts, which will be awarded by the state gaming commission.

Michael Kogut is chair of Citizens Against Casino Gaming. He says his organization faces long odds in their bid to rally support against MGM.

“It’s a classic David vs. Goliath. We are out there talking to community groups, just as MGM has been doing for quite some time, doing it grassroots. We have a couple of rallies planned next month, and we’ll just be going to as many voters as we can to educate them.”

Meanwhile, MGM held a “Vote Yes” campaign kickoff event last week. Michael Mathis, vice president of global gaming development at MGM, says the company’s grassroots operation is well underway, based out of its downtown office.

“Anybody can come in 9-5, and learn about the project, pick up collateral, and then we’ll be – we’ve got various supporters throughout the community and we’ll have them out in force.”

Mathis says MGM wants to build on what it sees as an already solid majority of voters supporting the measure ahead of the referendum.