Healthcare workers continue to suffer assaults and other incidents of workplace violence. The Massachusetts Nurses Association, the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Division of 1199SEIU, the Massachusetts Emergency Nursing Association and the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians have come together to support meaningful, measurable and enforceable legislation addressing workplace violence in our healthcare facilities. Pass H.4767.
KELLER @ LARGE
What a weekend of fireworks, partying and total immersion in a 250th birthday bash of U.S. patriotism that left us all prouder than ever to be Americans.
OK, maybe not all of us.
In a Suffolk University survey of 500 residents of Philadelphia — a city deluged with patriotic commemorations — for the Philadelphia Inquirer CityView poll, 67% said they considered themselves American patriots. Not bad, until you dig beneath the veneer and find that somewhere along the road, American exceptionalism fell out of the trunk.
Just 37% of these self-described patriots said the U.S. was the greatest or one of the greatest countries in the world. In a 2020 national Suffolk poll, that number was 60%. In Philly, amid all the semiquincentennial hoopla, 16% said we’re just average, and 39% said we’ve fallen behind the world’s other major countries (!).
This year is also the 210th anniversary of Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur’s famous quote about support for our country in foreign affairs: “May she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.” Asked if they agreed with that sentiment, the 67% of avowed patriots in the Philly survey split 48-44% between those who did and those who felt “my patriotism depends on the country’s direction.”
Land of the free, home of the brave, domain of the disillusioned. Looks like instinctive saluting of the flag has gone the way of phone booths, newsprint and NBA dynasties. In 1998, national polling showed 70% of respondents felt patriotism was “very important.” More recently, it's down to 38%.
What happened to Decatur’s unconditional love of country?
Massachusetts lawmakers must act now. Measles is already showing up in our communities, and H.2554 can help prevent the next outbreak before it starts.
Polling confirms a broad, bipartisan pro-vaccine majority supports strong school immunization laws. Pass H.2554 to protect children, schools, and families across the Commonwealth.
HAPPENING TODAY
9:00 | Project Bread and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern along with lawmakers and state officials kick off the annual Summer Food Rocks Tour | Spanish American Center at St. Cecilia's Church at 180 Mechanic St., Leominster
11:00 | Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts hosts a celebration for the 91st birthday of the Dalai Lama, including cultural performances, community tributes and remarks. Rep. Sabadosa will launch the premiere of the community documentary, "Year of Compassion: Massachusetts Tribute to the Dalai Lama at 90" | Most Holy Redeemer Church, 120 Russell St., Hadley
11:00 | House meets in an informal session | House Chamber | Livestream
11:00 | Senate meets without a calendar | Senate Chamber | Livestream
1:00 | Department of Energy Resources holds a public hearing on emergency rulemaking tied to the Clean Peak Energy Standard, which looks to bolster clean energy use when net demand for electricity is at its highest. | Register
MASSterList Job Board |
|---|
Chief Financial Officer — NEW!, Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office |
Court Administrator, MA Supreme Judicial Court |
Executive Director, LivableStreets Alliance |
Organizing Director, City Life/Vida Urbana |
Senior Counsel – Workers’ Compensation and Employee Benefits, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority |
Capital Projects & Procurement Manager, MetroWest Regional Transit Authority |
Jobs continue below the fold — post a job
FROM BEACON HILL
SENATE SOCIAL MEDIA: State senators are gearing up for a Thursday debate on a social media bill that would require less-addictive default settings for minors. It’s a different approach than the ban the House passed, setting up complex negotiations. — State House News Service via MassLive
DNA EXCEPTION: Gov. Maura Healey says she'll approve budget language that would lift a 15-year deadline for prosecuting rape charges in cases where DNA matches identify a suspect after that window. — WBUR
Join us for our fourth annual Meet the Media event, a timely gathering that brings together journalists and professionals in communications and government affairs for a morning of connection, conversation, and community. Hear from Boston Globe Power Play co-authors Shirley Leung and Jon Chesto, MASSterList columnist Jon Keller, Axios Boston’s Mike Deehan, GBH News Rooted host Paris Alston, CommonWealth Beacon editor Laura Colarusso, NBC10 Boston politics reporter Matt Prichard, and MASSterList editor Katie Lannan.
NEWS NEXT DOOR
ELECTRIC SLIDE: Electric vehicle sales in Massachusetts dropped after the elimination of a federal tax credit, while the buildout of charging stations presses ahead. — Boston Globe
BPS BUDGET BEEF: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s office is defending a city budget that cuts nearly 570 jobs across the school district as a move to match staff size to the student population. Councilor Ed Flynn wants the city to tap its reserves to pump more money into the schools. — Boston Herald
NURSING A STRIKE: More than 4,000 Brigham and Women’s Hospital nurses, plus about 450 clinicians with MGB Home Care, are preparing to strike Wednesday after contract talks stalled out. The healthcare system plans to bring in temporary workers. — WCVB
CORREIA’S REENTRY: Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II is set to be released from federal prison this weekend, after he was convicted in 2021 on fraud and extortion charges. — Fall River Herald News
CAMERAS, CANDIDLY: Tewksbury is reviewing its use of Flock Safety license-plate cameras, as residents raise questions around data security and privacy. — Tewksbury Town Crier
COURTROOM DRAMA: Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno says the state “shunned” the city and its local developers by picking a former medical building as the new site for the the Roderick Ireland Courthouse. Sarno favored a Riverfront Park spot he says would have also allowed for housing, retail and a mini marina. — NEPM
MORE HEADLINES
JOB BOARD
Do you have an open role you'd like to feature here? Click here to place a job board order, or email Dylan Rossiter, Vice President of Affiliated News Services, at [email protected].
Constituent Services Representative, Office of Congressman Jake Auchincloss, MA-04
VP Program and Grantmaking, Atrius Health Equity Foundation
Senior Associate General Counsel (Counsel II), Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance
Director of Donor Engagement, Charles River Watershed Association
District Press Assistant, Congressman James P. McGovern
