My Name is Paul H Cosentino. I started this Blog in 2011 because of what I believe to be wrongdoings in town government. This Blog is to keep the citizens of Templeton informed. It is also for the citizens of Templeton to post their comments and concerns.
These Legislators DID NOT Sponsor the Anti-Life Bill, S.1209
THEY’RE NOT SPONSORING THE ANTI-LIFE BILL S.1209
...THEY NEED TO HEAR WHY YOU NEED THEM TO OPPOSE IT.
Suggested comments to each legislator:
May I speak to… My name is… I’m
from _______ district. I’d like to thank [ legislator ] for not
sponsoring S.1209, which seriously endangers our women, children and
infants. I’m calling also to ask you/them to actively oppose it.
We strongly suggest you first check to see if any of the below represent your district and call them first! As a constituent, you have that much more influence when you call.
You can also look these legislators up online, and
reach out to them via email, FaceBook or Twitter, and via traditional
mail. All of their contact information is easily accessible at Mass Legislature.
Use our Quick Fact Sheet for reference during your calls here.
Review the in-depth analysis of S.1209 here for better understanding of the mechanics of this legislation here.
SENATE Members who did not sponsor S.1209 -
RYAN FATTMAN 18TH WORCESTER [617-722-1420 ] MIKE BRADY 2ND PLYMOUTH AND BRISTOL [ 617-722-1200 ] SONIA CHANG-DIAZ 2ND SUFFOLK [ 617-722-1673 ] NICK COLLINS 1ST SUFFOLK [ 617-722-1150 ] VINNIE DEMACEDO PLYMOUTH AND BARNSTABLE [ *DIANA DIZOGlIO 14TH ESSEX [ 617-722-1604 ] ANNE GOBI PLYMOUTH AND NORFOLK [ 617-722-1540 ] DON HUMASON 2ND HAMPTON AND HAMPSHIRE [ 617-722-1415 ] JOHN KEENAN NORFOLK AND PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-1494 ] EDWARD KENNEDY 1ST MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-1630 ] MARK MONTIGNY 2ND BRISTOL AND PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-1440 ] MICHAEL RODRIGUES 1ST BRISTOL AND PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-1114 ] KAREN SPILKA 2ND MIDDLESEX AND NORFOLK [ 617-722-1500 ] BRUCE TARR 1ST ESSEX AND MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-1600 ] WALTER TIMILTY NORFOLK BRISTOL AND PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-1643 ] DEAN TRAN WORCESTER AND MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-1230 ]
HOUSE members who did not sponsor S.1209 -
BRIAN M ASHE 2ND HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2430 ] BRUCE J AYERS 1ST NORFOLK [ 617-722-2230 ]
F JAY BARROWS 1ST BRISTOL [ 617-722-2488 ] DONALD R BERTHIAUME JR. 5TH WORCESTER [ 617-722-2090 ] DAVID BIELE 4TH SUFFOLK [ 6177222080 ] NICHOLAS A BOLDYGA 3RD HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2810 ] LINDA CAMPBELL 15TH ESSEX [ 617-722-2380 ] PATRICK O’CONNOR PLYMOUTH AND NORFOLK [ 617-722-1646 ] MICHAEL RUSH NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK [ 617-722-1348 ] TACKEY CHAN 2ND NORFOLK [ 617-722-2014 ] EDWARD F COPPINGER 10TH SUFFOLK [ 617-722-2080] WILLIAM CROCKER 2ND BARNSTABLE [ 617-722-2014 ] MARK J CUSACK 5TH NORFOLK [ 617-722-2320 ] JOSH CUTLER 6TH PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-2810 ] ROBERT DELEO 19TH SUFFOLK [ 617-722-2500 ] [SPEAKER ] DAVID DECOSTE 5TH PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-2460 ] MARCOS DEVERS 16TH ESSEX [ 617-722-2020 ] PAUL DONATO 35TH MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2180 ] SHAWN DOOLEY 9TH NORFOLK [ 617-722-2810 ] PETER DURANT 6TH WORCESTER [ 617-722-2060 ] TRICIA FARLEY-BOUVIER 3RD BERKSHIRE [ 617-722-2240 ] KIMBERLY FERGUSON 1ST WORCESTER [ 617-722-2263 ] MICHAEL FINN 6TH HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2676 ] PAUL K FROST 7TH WORCESTER [ 617-722-2489 ] WILLIAM GALVIN 6TH NORFOLK [ 617-722-2692 ] COLLEEN GARRY 36TH MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2380 ] SUSAN WILLIAMS GIFFORD 2ND PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-2100 ] THOMAA GOLDEN 16TH MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2263 ] SHEILA HARRINGTON 1ST MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2305 ] BRADFORD HILL 4TH ESSEX [ 617-722-2100 ] RUSSELL HOLMES 6TH SUFFOLK [ 617-722-2220] STEVEN HOWITT 4TH BRISTOL [ 617-722-2305 ] DANIEL HUNT 13TH SUFFOLK [ 617-722-2692] BRADLEY JONES 20TH MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2100 ] HANNAH KANE 11TH WORCESTER [ 617-722-2810 ] KATHLEEN LANATRA 12TH PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-2430 ] MARK LOMBARDO 22ND MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2460 ] CHRISTOPHER MARKEY 9TH BRISTOL [ 617-722-2020 ] RONALD MARIANO 3RD NORFOLK [ 617-722-2300 ] JOSEPH MCKENNA 18TH WORCESTER [ 617-722-2060 ] LENNY MIRRA 2ND ESSEX [ 617-722-2488 ] DAVID MURADIAN 9TH WORCESTER [ 617-722-2240 ] JAMES MURPHY 4TH NORFOLK [ 617-722-2220 ] DAVID NANGLE 17TH MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2520 ] SHAUNA O’CONNELL 3RD BRISTOL [ 617-722-2305 ] NORMAL ORRALL 12TH BRISTOL [ 617-722-2090 ] JERRALD PARISELLA 6TH ESSEX [ 617-722-2240 ] THOMAS PETROLATI 7TH HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2575] ELIZABETH POIRIER 14TH BRISTOL [ 617-722-2100 ] ANGELO PUPPOLO 12 HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2006 ] DAVID ALLEN ROBINSON 19TH MIDDLESEX [ 617-722-2210 ] JOHN ROGERS 12TH NORFOLK [ 617-722-2092 ] JEFFREY ROY 10TH NORFOLK [ 617-722-2030 ] ANGELO SCACCIA 14TH SUFFOLK [ 617-722-2230 ] TODD SMOLA 1ST HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2100 ] ALAN SILVIA 7TH BRISTOL [ 617-722-2230 ] THEODORE SPELIOTIS 13TH ESSEX [ 617-722-2410 ] MICHAEL J SOTER 8TH WORCESTER [ 617-722-2460 ] ALLYSON SULLIVAN 7TH PLYMOUTH [ 617-722-2014 ] JOHN VELIS 4TH HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2877 ] DAVID VIEIRA 3RD BARNSTABLE [ 617-722-2230 ] ROSELEE VINCENT 16TH SUFFOLK [ 617-722-2210 ] JOSEPH WAGNER 8TH HAMPDEN [ 617-722-2783 ] TIMOTHY WHELAN 1ST BARNSTABLE [617-722-2488 ] SUSANNAH WHIPPS 2ND FRANKLIN [ 617-722-2090 ] BUD WILLIAMS 11TH HAMPDEN [617-722-2304 ] JONATHAN ZLOTNIK 2ND WORCESTER [ 617-722-2080 ]
Statements from European Health, Water, & Environment Authorities on Water Fluoridation
Fluoride Action Network | 2007
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control hails water fluoridation as one of the “top ten public health
achievements of the twentieth century,” most of the western world, including the vast majority of western Europe, does not fluoridate its water supply.
At present, 97% of the western European population drinks
non-fluoridated water. This includes: Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Sweden,
Switzerland, and approximately 90% of both the United Kingdom and Spain.
Although some of these countries fluoridate their salt, the majority do
not. (The only western European countries that allow salt fluoridation
are Austria, France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland.)
Despite foregoing “one of the top ten public health achievements of the twentieth century,” tooth decay rates
have declined in Europe as precipitously over the past 50 years as they
have in the United States. This raises serious questions about the
CDC’s assertion that the decline of tooth decay in the United States
since the 1950s is largely attributable to the advent of water
fluoridation.
STATEMENTS FROM EUROPEAN OFFICIALS:
Austria:
“Toxic fluorides have never been added to the public water supplies in Austria.” SOURCE: M.
Eisenhut, Head of Water Department, Osterreichische Yereinigung fur das
Gas-und Wasserfach Schubertring 14, A-1015 Wien, Austria, February 17,
2000.
Belgium:
“This water treatment has never been of use in Belgium and will never
be (we hope so) into the future. The main reason for that is the
fundamental position of the drinking water sector that it is not its
task to deliver medicinal treatment to people. This is the sole
responsibility of health services.” SOURCE: Chr. Legros, Directeur, Belgaqua, Brussels, Belgium, February 28, 2000.
Denmark:
“We are pleased to inform you that according to the Danish Ministry
of Environment and Energy, toxic fluorides have never been added to the
public water supplies. Consequently, no Danish city has ever been
fluoridated.” SOURCE: Klaus Werner, Royal Danish Embassy, Washington DC, December 22, 1999. To read the Danish Ministry of the Environment’s reasons for banning fluoridation, click here.
Finland:
“We do not favor or recommend fluoridation of drinking water. There are better ways of providing the fluoride our teeth need.”
Looking to buy a house? These are the 100 towns with the highest
property tax rates in 2019, according to the Massachusetts Department of
Revenue.
Communities across Massachusetts saw a dip in property taxes this
year, even some on this list, according to state data. The median
property tax rate dropped about 1.5 percent from $15.57 per $1,000 of
assessed value in 2018 to $15.34 in 2019.
Still, some homeowners could be paying more. Changes in the federal
tax law that take effect this year include a cap on deducting state and
local taxes. Some residents learned they owe the IRS more money because
of these changes.
Anecdotal evidence has suggested
marijuana, also known as cannabis, can ease conditions common to
veterans and help them fight opioid addiction. But because the drug
remains illegal in the eyes of the federal government, there are few
studies to support its use, and the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs
does not offer it as a treatment.
Undeterred, individual veterans
and organizations have taken it upon themselves to improve access to the
drug for a population they are confident would benefit from it.
“Almost
every single veteran that comes through our doors is coming to get off
prescription drugs,” said Chapman Dickerson, an Army veteran and CEO of
Bask, a medical dispensary based in Fairhaven.
The interest in
medical marijuana among veterans was born out of widely circulated
stories of success among former members of the armed services who have
found the drug helps treat conditions such as chronic pain,
post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. A 2017 poll by
the American Legion showed one in every five veterans used marijuana to
alleviate a medical or physical condition.
Dickerson got hooked on
prescription medication while working as a commercial fisherman after
he served from 1997 to 2001. He says marijuana helped him break the
addiction.
“I used to pop pills like crazy. It’s how I got through
the day,” he said. “Cannabis has changed my life. It makes me want to
do more good things and it makes me want to do less bad things, and
everyone should give it a try before they go to pharmaceuticals.”
Despite
the anecdotal success, however, evidence-based research into the drug
and how it could help treat common afflictions among veterans is scant.
The federal government considers marijuana a Schedule 1 drug – the
classification for cocaine, heroin and LSD – making research highly
restricted.
And despite its growing popularity across the country,
not everyone is convinced promoting marijuana use is a good idea. A
study conducted in Europe and published last month in The Lancet
Psychiatry, a medical journal, found the daily use of marijuana,
especially high doses of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, increases the
odds of developing a psychotic disorder, giving traction to a
long-standing concern about the drug.
“Given the increasing availability of high-potency cannabis,
this has important implications for public health,” researchers said in
the study.
Both medical and recreational marijuana are legal under
Massachusetts law, but because the federal government still considers
it illegal, the drug is often out of reach for veterans who rely on
services and benefits provided through the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, which has issued a stern warning about its use.
“Several
states in the U.S. have approved the use of marijuana for medical and/or
recreational use. Veterans should know that federal law classifies
marijuana as a Schedule One Controlled Substance. This makes it illegal
in the eyes of the federal government,” according to the VA. “The
[department] is required to follow all federal laws including those
regarding marijuana.”
The VA does not deny veterans benefits
because of marijuana use, but clinicians cannot recommend or prescribe
any medication that hasn’t been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Last year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex
Azar said that because it has not been approved by the FDA, “there
really is no such thing as medical marijuana.”
Meanwhile,
VA-provided insurance does not cover the cost of medical marijuana, but
will pay for prescribed opioids, meaning veterans – despite personal
preference – might choose opioids over marijuana because of the cost.
Marijuana flower, which is typically smoked, ranges from $15 for a gram
to $325 for an ounce at most dispensaries. Five pre-rolled joints at
NETA Brookline cost $75, according to its website. Sales in the illicit
market are slightly less, ranging from $10 per gram to $250 to $300 for
an ounce, according to the self-reporting website www.priceofweed.com.
Japan Leads the Way: No Vaccine Mandates and No MMR Vaccine = Healthier Children
The Promise of Good Health; Are We Jumping Off the Cliff in the U.S.?
By Kristina Kristen, Guest Writer
In the United States, many legislators and public health officials
are busy trying to make vaccines de facto compulsory—either by removing
parental/personal choice given by existing vaccine exemptions or by
imposing undue quarantines and fines on those who do not comply with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) vaccine edicts.
Officials in California are seeking to override medical opinion about fitness for vaccination, while those in New York are mandating the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for 6-12-month-old infants for whom its safety and effectiveness “have not been established.”
The
U.S. has the very highest infant mortality rate of all industrialized
countries, with more American children dying at birth and in their first
year than in any other comparable nation—and more than half of those
who survive develop at least one chronic illness.
American children would be better served if these officials—before
imposing questionable and draconian measures—studied child health
outcomes in Japan. With a population of 127 million, Japan has the
healthiest children and the very highest “healthy life expectancy” in the world—and
the least vaccinated children of any developed country. The U.S., in
contrast, has the developed world’s most aggressive vaccination schedule
in number and timing, starting at pregnancy, at birth and in the first
two years of life. Does this make U.S. children healthier? The clear
answer is no. The U.S. has the very highest infant mortality rate of all
industrialized countries, with more American children dying at birth and in their first year than in any other comparable nation—and more than half
of those who survive develop at least one chronic illness. Analysis of
real-world infant mortality and health results shows that U.S. vaccine
policy does not add up to a win for American children.
Japan and the U.S.; Two Different Vaccine Policies
In 1994, Japan transitioned away from mandated vaccination in public
health centers to voluntary vaccination in doctors’ offices, guided by
“the concept that it is better that vaccinations are performed by
children’s family doctors who are familiar with their health conditions.” The country created two categories
of non-compulsory vaccines: “routine” vaccines that the government
covers and “strongly recommends” but does not mandate, and additional
“voluntary” vaccines, generally paid for out-of-pocket. Unlike in the
U.S., Japan has no vaccine requirements for children entering preschool or elementary school.
Japan also banned the MMR vaccine in the same time frame, due to thousands of serious injuries over a four-year period—producing an injury rate of one in 900 children
that was “over 2,000 times higher than the expected rate.” It initially
offered separate measles and rubella vaccines following its abandonment
of the MMR vaccine; Japan now recommends a combined measles-rubella
(MR) vaccine for routine use but still shuns the MMR. The mumps vaccine
is in the “voluntary” category.
Here are key differences between the Japanese and U.S. vaccine programs:
Japan has no vaccine mandates, instead recommending vaccines that (as discussed above) are either “routine” (covered by insurance) or “voluntary” (self-pay).
Japan does not vaccinate newborns with the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine, unless the mother is hepatitis B positive.
Japan does not vaccinate pregnant mothers with the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.
Japan does not give flu shots to pregnant mothers or to six-month-old infants.
Japan does not give the MMR vaccine, instead recommending an MR vaccine.
Japan does not require the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
No other developed country administers as many vaccine doses in the first two years of life.
In contrast, the U.S. vaccine schedule
(see Table 1) prescribes routine vaccination during pregnancy, calls
for the first HepB vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth—even though 99.9%
of pregnant women, upon testing, are hepatitis B negative, and follows
up with 20 to 22 vaccine doses in the first year alone. No other
developed country administers as many vaccine doses in the first two years of life.
Representatives to Decide on All Municipal and School Amendments
Please Call Your Representatives TODAY, and Ask them to Support Higher Chapter 70 Minimum Aid, Charter School Reimbursements, School Transportation Reimbursements, PILOT Funding, and Other Key Priorities
Monday, April 22 – Beginning later this morning, the House of Representatives is scheduled to start debate on the fiscal 2020 state budget. During this debate, House members will take up nearly 1,400 amendments, including dozens related to municipal and school aid accounts and important policy issues that affect local government. Debate is expected to wrap up by the end of this week.
Now is the time to talk with your State Representatives about budget amendments.
The MMA has sent a detailed letter to all House members, forcefully advocating on the major local government amendments.
Please review the MMA’s House budget letter, and call your Representatives as soon as possible today to let them know how these amendments would impact your community. This is the best time to influence their support for the issues and amendments that matter most. Please call on them to support amendments that would fully fund state obligations, such as charter school reimbursements and school transportation reimbursements.
This is a quick reference to the many amendments highlighted in the MMA’s letter to all House members:
School Aid
Ask Your Representatives toSupportthe Following Amendments:
• Chapter 70 Minimum Aid at $50 per Student (#992), instead of the $30 in H. 3800
• Full Funding of Charter School Impact Payments (#615)
• Retaining a 6-Year Charter School Reimbursement Schedule (#340)
• Full Funding for Regional School Transportation Reimbursements (#44)
• Full Funding for McKinney-Vento Student Transportation Reimbursements (#244)
• Funding for Out-of-District Vocational Student Transportation (#480 and #482)
• Funding for Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth (#1285 and #1011)
Ask Your Representatives toOpposethe following Harmful Amendments:
• Increasing the Charter School Facilities Formula Component, which would Reduce Funds that could be Used to Offset Losses to Charter Schools (#615 and #1340)
Municipal Aid
Ask Your Representatives toSupportthe Following Amendments:
• Increased Funding for PILOT – the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes Program (#878)
• Increased Funding for Shannon Anti-Gang Grants (#127)
• Increased Funding for Local Planning Grants (#836, #233, and #391)
• Increased Funding for Public Libraries (#337, #863, and #339)
• Increased Funding for the Housing Choice Initiative Program (#1215)
• Increased Funding for Labor Relations Staffing (#864, #77, and #798)
• Increased Funding for Complete Count Census Grants (#1354)
General Budget Amendments
Ask Your Representatives toSupportthe Following Amendments:
• Fixing Problems in the Tax Title Law (#100)
• Updating the Outdated Statute Governing Solar Property Tax Exemptions (#803)
• Creating an Extractor Bulk Purchasing Trust Fund (#286)
If you have any questions regarding any of these amendments, please contact MMA Legislative Director John Robertson atjrobertson@mma.orgor (617) 427-7272.
Please Call Your Representatives Today and Ask them to Support Cities and Towns in the House Budget Debate
