Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 8, 2022 With 26 Days Until Legislative Session Ends, MassFiscal Comments on Dysfunctional State House Leadership No Gas Tax Suspension, No Tax Relief, and No Annual Budget B oston – With 26 days until the 192nd legislative session comes to an end, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance commented on the fact that Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka still have not suspended the state gas tax, passed a tax relief package, or even passed their annual budget. The legislative session comes to an end on July 31. While it’s REPORT| FROM PAGE 3 the job when the “The Beast That Ate Pleasant Street” was removed. He’s the visionary boss of bosses that has skillfully guided Malden into the 21st century. He’s the Mayor that single-handedly keeps the streets clean. Heck, he’s even the mayor that is comfortable shoveling snow in a suit coat! He’s also the mayor whom some folks say is the only person photographed more often in his life than Peter Caso. True story! He’s also the mayor with a great sense of humor, a compassionate heart and what Dennis Eckersley would call great moss! He’s never too busy to answer 10 hard-hitting, thought-provoking questions: 1. Favorite restaurant in Malden growing up? “After collecting my paper route, I would go with my friends to Town House Pizza and then head to the movies at Granada Theatre or bowling at Granada Lanes. Today, Malden has so many great restaurants to choose from. One of my favorites was Pasta Market Café, one because it was located just down the street from my house and, two they had in my opinion the best Eggplant Parm!” 2. Favorite or most inspirational Malden politician growing up? “Ed Markey. I worked on his campaign for Congress while attending Malden High School and later interned for him at his Boston office.” 3. Favorite place or park to hang out in Malden growing up? “Granada Lanes. It was such a fanot uncommon for State House leaders to wait until the very last possible minute to pass controversial bills into law, the current leadership team cannot even seem to pass their basic budget, further demonstrating the depth of the current level of State House dysfunction. “With only 26 days left in the legislative session, Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President vorite place of mine that I ended up working there through High School and College.” 4. Who were your favorite musical acts growing up? “I was very much into rock and roll. My favorite band was AC/DC, and I couldn’t get enough of their music such as “Shook Me All Night Long” and “For Those About to Rock.” My favorite concert was definitely Queen at the Boston Garden headlined by rock legend Freddie Mercury.” 5. Favorite pizza place growing up in Malden? “Town House Pizza. It was so good that I could eat an entire pizza by myself!” 6. Fondest high school memory? “Running for Class President and somehow winning! I believe becoming president of my class and my experience serving in that role is what propelled me into a life of public service.” 7. Where do you see yourself five years from now? “Let me see if I can get through today! Seriously, right now my heart and soul are in serving the Malden community and it’s truly difficult to think much beyond that.” 8. Most inspirational educator growing up? “Mr. Brendan Duffy. He was my Assistant Principal and taught me the importance of respect and leadership.” 9. Favorite/most inspirational national politician growing up? “President John F. Kennedy. I still listen to his speeches today and have a picture of him on the wall across from my desk.” 10. Fondest childhood memory of Malden Square? “Walking with my mother to Malden Square to shop at Jordan Karen Spilka seem to be already in vacation mode. They are ignoring their constituents' calls for suspending the gas tax, ignoring efforts from the Governor and fellow legislative colleagues to pass any type of tax relief, and they remain so dysfunctional they cannot even pass their annual budget,” stated Paul Diego Craney, spokesperson of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. Marsh and Sparks Department Store followed by lunch and of course, ice cream at Brigham’s is my fondest memory.” As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character “Columbo” would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – since this column is all about shining the best possible light on Malden, and since I am (according to a certain somebody on social media) the biggest name-dropper and (expletive deleted) kisser in the city I bring to you yet another Malden “slice of life”: I kid when I include Peter Caso as part of the mayor’s staff. But I do not kid when I say that Peter’s Facebook page ‘All About Malden’ (with almost six thousand cult-like followers/fanatics) was a huge help when it came to plugging the Phantom Gourmet event. Thank you, Pete, for your contribution and for your love of Malden. (Next year we’ll make sure you get a “Very Important Phan (VIP)” admission lanyard). Insert smiley face. Postscript 1: Happy 6-0 to a great Maldonian, Dennis (Vetree’s) little brother Chris!! Malden is a better place with you in it, my friend! On July 5 if you see Chris out and about, wish him a great day. Postscript 2: Just as a reminder, “The Beast That Ate Pleasant Street” is Steve Freker trademarked. Brilliant nickname, my friend. Thank you for it. Postscript 3: 1973. Debbie Ross, Jimmy Damiano and I walk into Ross Tuxedo on Exchange Street. Eddie Andelman and “The Fabulous Judy” greet us like old friends. REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS BUYER1 NG, WAN T GAO, RUNZI CONNELL, NORMAN R LAZO, ESTEBAN A BASITH, ROBIUL M LAU, THANG C BUYER2 LI, XI SANTAWISOOK, PATCHARA FLORES-LAZO, SONIA M LIU, LU SELLER1 LI, PEI J CHEN, LI JU JSC HOLDINGS LLC PHAM, ROLAND JIA, YIFAN ROONEY PROPERTIES LLC SELLER2 YANG, XUE Q WU, KENT “With 26 days left, the clock is ticking, and time is running out. Instead of passing legislation that would help ordinary middle class Massachusetts taxpayers, they are focused on fringe policies that have an outsized influence in Democratic primaries like passing drivers licenses for illegal immigrants,” continued Craney. “There is also a looming ballot question this November proposed by the Speaker and Senate President which could increase the income tax by 80 percent on some high-income earners and small businesses. With the possibility of higher taxes down the road, and no action on tax relief right now, Massachusetts taxpayers should be ready for a very expensive 2023 if Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka continue to get their way,” concluded Craney. MassFiscal Announces Support for Repeal Effort on Driver’s License for Illegal Immigrants Citizens Should Have Final Say Through the Referendum Process B oston - Following news of the organization of a new effort to hold a referendum on Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka’s recently passed bill giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance has announced their endorsement of the effort and are encouraging their members to lend their support. “The legislature’s move, driven by Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, to give driver's licenses to people in this country illegally resonated like no other issue before with the people of Massachusetts. MassFiscal set a record with the number of people who used our website to contact their legislators opposing this vote. Thousands of people reached out to their state legislators and many individual lawmakers received hundreds of emails from their constituents as a direct result of our advocacy to hold our elected officials accountable,” noted Paul Diego Craney, a spokesman for MassFiscal. “It’s unfortunate that so many lawmakers chose to ignore the will of their constituents and forced the bill through. Fortunately, the referendum process will give the citizens of the Commonwealth an opportunity to right this wrong, despite Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka’s best effort to sidestep the will of their constituents,” noted Craney. The Fair and Secure MA committee, which organized as the official group championing the referendum, has until August 24 to collect around 41,000 signatures to get the law on the November ballot before it can take effect. Their website is: www. FairAndSecureMA.com. The bill was passed this May over the objections and veto of Governor Charlie Baker, who noted that the bill “significantly increases the risk that noncitizens will be registered to vote," and “restricts the Registry's ability to share citizenship information with those entities responsible for ensuring that only citizens register for and vote in our elections.” MassFiscal also opposes MASSFISCAL | SEE PAGE 18 Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. ADDRESS 58-60 LINDEN AVE 95 CLIFTON ST #L1 8 BOWMAN ST 82 OLIVER ST 9 NEWMAN RD #9 40-42 UPHAM ST #2 CITY MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN DATE 06.08.22 06.10.22 06.07.22 06.10.22 06.10.22 06.06.22 PRICE 850000 340000 650000 735000 325000 510000
17 Publizr Home