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Category Archives: Massachusetts House of Representatives

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After 8 Month Trial, a Full Term and a Full Plate for Velis…

This is the third in a series of posts on the new 189th Massachusetts General Court sworn in January 7. WESTFIELD—When John Velis first became the 4th Hampden’s representative, it was too late to file items for the budget himself, let alone legislation that could escape

Analysis: Finding Balance to the East in that City on a Hill…

On January 7 when Representatives-elect Carlos Gonzalez and Jose Tosado and Senator-elect Eric Lesser formally join the Massachusetts legislature, a lot of pomp and circumstance and celebration will be the order of the day. The next day, perhaps after locating legislator hangouts 21st Amendment and

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Fiscal Records Ripple out to a Rep Race & Mass House GOP…

Can a race in the general election for state rep or more accurately about twenty of them connect to a intraparty fight within the GOP? That appears to be a serious question as Republicans challenge Democratic incumbents in the Pioneer Valley and across the commonwealth.

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In 6th Hampden, Thrust and Parry, Bech and Finn…

UPDATED 10/10/14 4:30PM: For a correction. A prior version of this post stated Rep. Mike Finn was in support of more charter schools immediately after a sentence in which he said he was wary. In fact, his opponent Nathan Bech is the one in favor of more

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To Take on the 9th Hampden as a Client…

SPRINGFIELD—The 9th Hamdpen Democratic primary shares some similarities with Peter Murphy’s run for the School Committee seat that covers wards 2 & 8.  A great deal of those wards are in the district and Murphy has experience in low turnout electoral affairs. However, in other

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The Primary Numbers: A Remainder of 5 Races…

For the remainder of the races, we shall keep our endorsements brief. Certainly, we could go on & on about any of these candidates and races. However, with time actually running out to influence the electorate, brevity carries the day over intricate analysis. To see

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As History Has Shown, Don’t Bet Against Ivette…

UPDATED 9/8/14 2:00AM: For grammar. SPRINGFIELD—The campaign for state representative in the 10th Hamdpen District differs greatly from the last time it was open. There has been no truly open race for the seat in its modern incarnation. When Anthony Scibelli took the seat in

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10th Hampden’s AQCA Debate Team Hunger Force…

SPRINGFIELD—Against the brightly painted enclosed courtyard of Classical Condominiums, the three Democrats seeking the nomination for the 10th Hampden House seat sat facing the crowd seated in stacking chairs. Few in the room probably realized that the last time the seat had a truly competitive

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Carlos Gonzalez’s Second Act in Political Life…

SPRINGFIELD—An open legislative seat in a predominantly minority area may come only once in a while. Very rarely does the same person have two opportunities within a relatively short period of time. However, with the woman who won it from him the first time now