Colleen Garry continues Taxpayer Support

I’m really starting to like the new Colleen Garry.

The Beacon Hill Roll Call this morning lists three items that were voted on recently by the legislature. In each case, Representative Garry is taking the pro-taxpayer, and can I say conservative, side of the argument.

First, for a bill supporting the DEP’s having authority to exempt old landlocked tidelands from the Chapter 91 licensing requirements that make it difficult to develop land.. all the representatives voted together to support this need (and once again, tell the SJC to keep out of issues that belong in the legislative branch.)

In two other cases, Garry voted against the extending of programs that many see as just benefiting state employees at the cost of the taxpayer.

This first creats a “volunteer program” that actually pays “volunteers” (out of taxpayer money) to work with a local “non profit organization, civic initiative, or public entity”.
This could quickly turn into the state paying for town employees, or charity workers.. and then when the program runs out the local town would have to pick up the cost to continue the service that the local people had gotten used to.

I personnally find it morally wrong to “pay” someone to volunteer. Charity is a sacrifice, not a government entitlement.

Commonwealth Corps ( H 4322)
House 123- 26, approved a bill creating the Commonwealth Corps — a volunteer program providing that “ a limited number of carefully selected men and women of all ages be made available for a limited time for projects directed toward satisfying unmet community needs.” The original version of the measure was proposed in January by Gov. Deval Patrick. At that time, the governor said, “ The Commonwealth Corps will include 250 individuals in its first year, with a goal of expanding to 1,000 members over the next five years. Members will dedicate at least one year of service to a nonprofit organization, civic initiative, or public entity, providing direct service to people or communities in need.” The Senate has approved a different version of the bill and the House version now goes to the Senate for consideration. ( A “ yes” vote is for establishing the Commonwealth Corps. A “ no” is against establishing the Commonwealth Corps).

In this second case, Garry voted against the extending of a state program that allows state workers to take paid days off to volunteer.

Where the program was originally meant to allow state workers to mentor in schools (a fairly good idea that is measurable and accountable), Gov Patrick has expanded it to include a number of “charities.”

This can easily get out of hand, as the number of non-profit agencies that have been created for every purpose.. including a great number that support political issues.. would be getting direct support from the government… possibly without equal support for opposing views.

Again.. charity and volunteerism is a personal sacrifice, and should not be the role of government..especially with our limited funds.

If a charity needs paid workers, there are plenty of grants to support those needs.

Scale back order that gives state workers 12 paid days off to volunteer ( H 4322)
House 38- 110, rejected a Republican sponsored amendment to scale back Gov. Patrick’s newly expanded State Employees Serving as Volunteers ( SERV) program.
Patrick in January issued an executive order to expand this program that began in 1992 under former Gov. William Weld as a limited one that allowed state workers one paid day off per month to volunteer as mentors at schools. Patrick’s expansion gives one paid day off each month to state workers to volunteer at an expanded list of public entities including not only public schools but accredited non- profit organizations. The GOP amendment would scale back the program to mirror the Weld one that allowed one paid day off per month solely to volunteer as mentors at schools. The Patrick program provides a list of dozens of approved organizations and allows workers to request permission to work at an organization not on the list. Amendment supporters say it is fiscally irresponsible to expand this program and potentially pay 50,000 state workers to volunteer an estimated 4.3 million hours of time annually while collecting hundreds of millions of hard- earned taxpayers’ dollars. Amendment opponents said the expansion captures the spirit and intent of volunteerism and would help hundreds of struggling nonprofit organizations across the state. ( A “ yes” vote is for the amendment that would scale back the program to mirror the Weld one that allowed one paid day off per month only to volunteer as mentors at schools. A “ no” vote is against scaling back and supports Patrick’s expanded program).

So, congratulations and thank you to Rep Colleen Garry for voting to limit the growth of government and limit wasteful spending. She may not feel she is being supported at the state house, but she deserves the respect of her district on these ones.