Framingham Green 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701

Minutes – Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 7 PM 

Call to Order: Chairman Jerry Desilets called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM.

2.  Program: panel discussion: H. 3285 Safe Driving: Presenters: Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Sponsor H. 3285, Thalita Dias (MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition: MIRA), NataliciaTracy (Brazilian Immigrant Center), Laura Wagner (Unitarian Universalist Mass Action Network). 

H3285 would allow for Mass. residents to obtain a learner’s permit or license to operate a motor vehicle even if they are unable to provide a Social Security number (if they are ineligible for one) or evidence of immigration status.  The bill would further require that they obtain liability insurance, and might mandate additional training in MA / USA driving laws.

Rep. Farley-Bouvier opened the discussion.  All drivers should be properly trained and carry liability insurance.  License applicants would need to pay the test and renewal fees as do other residents.

Thalita Dias: This bill has been passed in 10 other states, including CT & VT.  In CT, the bill was heavily supported by the auto insurance companies.

Laura Wagner: The licenses would provide real ID compliance. It is not evidence of citizenship, cannot be used to acquire benefits or buy a gun, and, although it can be used to board a plane, residents can do that without the license. The present bill would provide licenses identical to the licenses currently in use.  She believes a different form of the driver’s license, which has been proposed in the past, is potentially dangerous, in that it identifies the carrier as undocumented.

Natalicia Tracy: The bill would require  applicants to provide 2 forms of ID & proof of 3 months residency in MA.  Additionally, the bill requires driver training, licensure testing, and auto insurance. Passage of the bill would be good for the economy, as it would allow more of the affected residents to work; they now fear driving.

Reps. Walsh and Gentile noted that there over 30K driving deaths annually in the US.  All possible steps to reduce this number by increasing driver training should be taken.  Rep. Walsh does not believe the bill will pass in the MA House of Reps.

Jack Duffy made a motion to endorse HR 3285 (seconded by M. Warshaw).  The motion passed with a 15-0-3 vote.

3.  Report on the current status of the budget: Reps. Walsh and Gentile, and Sen. Eldridge.

The budget is in Conference Committee, having gotten a slow start this year because of disagreements amongst the leadership. (The future of joint legislative committees (House plus Senate) is in jeopardy.) For the budget items where the Senate and House agree, passage seems certain, but when the two houses disagree, negotiations continue.

Additionally, some legislative items worth watching are:

·         Criminal justice Reform: & Drug Minimum sentences.  Some of these may get overturned, as too many people are incarcerated.

·         Progressive Taxation: should be addressed.  Raise up Mass is promoting budget priorities.

·         Housing courts: there is pending legislation to develop these in MA

·         Care Act: to provide more in-home care.  In-home care is cheaper for the taxpayer and often better than in many health care facilities.

4.  4/12/2015 Minutes: Secretary Barbara LeDuc                            Approved unanimously

5. Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer Mel Warshaw                             Approved unanimously

A total income of $258.46, with expenses of $508.71*, decreased the 4-12-15 balance of $2,677.48 to $2427.23.  (* This includes return of a $250 check originally written from a PC account, rather than a personal account, as ordered by the OCPF.) Members who have not paid their annual dues are urged to do so after tonight’s meeting.)

6. Report from the MNW Alliance meeting: / We the People Act (H. 3127)

Norma Shulman gave the report on the Alliance meeting and their consideration of the We the People Act.  In summary, the MA legislation calls on Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution that would affirm that

·         Constitutional rights are rights of human individuals only;

·         Congress and the states shall place limits on political contributions. Spending money to influence elections is not protected free speech under the first Amendment;

·         Further, if congress does not propose this constitutional amendment within 6 months of the passage of this bill, then this bill calls for a Constitutional Convention, pursuant to Article V of the US Constitution, when 2/3 of the states have applied for a Convention.

·         (Note:  Sen. Spilka and Reps. Sannicandro, Walsh, and Gentile are co-sponsors of this legislation.)

 There was considerable and widespread discussion of this Act.  John Stefanini questioned the wisdom of the third section which might permit a “runaway convention”, particularly in view of the current party makeup of the congress, and Republican domination in parts of the US. Vigorous discussion ensued.

Norma Shulman made a motion for the FDTC to become a supporting organization (B. LeDucseconded) of H. 3127.  The motion passed with a vote of 9-7-0.

7.  Reports of the Subcommittees:

Programming Subcommittee: Chairman Bev Hugo listed the following dates.

            8-16: our BBQ

            9-19: MA Democratic Convention in Springfield

            10-18: Suggestions for the topic are welcomed.

            11-15: Suggestions for the topic are welcomed.

            12-6: Holiday Party

            The 2016 dates are 1/10, 2/21, 3/13, 4/10, 5/15, 6/12, and 9/18.

Civics Education Subcommittee: Jack Duffy will convene the committee shortly.

By-laws Subcommittee & Legislative Subcommittee: no reports at this time.

9.  Announcements:

·         Rush Ashton announced that this year is the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.  On August 6, there will be a celebration at the Hanover Theater in Worcester.  Tickets are $25.  The MA. State Party is hoping DTCs will buy tables of 10 seats for $250.

·         (Note added later: this event has been rescheduled to October 15.) 

10. Charitable donations:  Tonight’s charity donations were for the Pearl Street Shelter. 

 The next FDTC business meeting will be on September 12 at 10 AM.  PLEASE NOTE the time and day change. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara LeDuc, Secretary