It’s been quite some time since I have done late night links. Usually, I reserve late night for posting the press releases, but since I still don’t have a TV and there was a minimal amount of sports that I wanted to see, I was quite productive posting the release earlier tonight so I can do some linkage for you now.

We’ll start with ESPN Ombudsman Don Ohlmeyer to whom I’ll give credit for discussing the network’s handling of the Steve Phillips affair, the reporting of the Tom Cable domestic violence story, Bob Griese’s suspension and finishing off with the 30 for 30 documentary series. All quite candid and I was glad to see Ohlmeyer address the Phillips story, although I would have preferred if he had done it earlier.

Editor & Publisher reports that Chicago Sun-Times baseball writer Chris DeLuca has been promoted to the paper’s top spot in its sports department. Thanks to Indiana University’s National Sports Journalism Center for the link.

We’re finding out more about the creepy stalker who videotaped Erin Andrews in the nude not just once, but several times.

Rick Kissell of Variety writes that the NFL continues to dominate the network primetime ratings.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says Monday Night Football steered ESPN to a cable primetime win last week.

Hibah Yousuf of CNNMoney.com writes that CBS is 90% sold for Super Bowl XLIV.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine tells us that the NFL continues to set ratings ablaze this season.

Jay Fitzgerald of the Boston Herald reports that the Celtics and Comcast are teaming up to provide Video On Demand programming

I’m not sure why, but NESN.com is offering a photo gallery of Heidi Watney.

The Lehigh (PA) Express-Times says Fox Sports Net and Gatorade are teaming up to air a special, recreating high school football rivalries across the nation.

Here’s the press release anouncing the program.

In the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg who’s been keeping track of the on-air Tony Kornheiser-Mike Wise radio feud says Mr. Tony decided to not to throw verbal barbs on Wednesday.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times writes that FedEx Field isn’t just used for the DC NFL team exclusively anymore.

In his blog, Tim talks about how FedEx Field hopes to be the site of the FIFA World Cup Finals in either 2018 or 2022.

MASN has announced it will air some 200 college basketball games this season.

Jack Bogaczyk of the Charleston (WV) Daily Mail says the West Virginia-Rutgers Big East regular season finale will be aired by ESPN on December 5.

Barry Horn in the Dallas Morning News says Fox’s Terry Bradshaw is sharpening his claws on Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams.

Also in the Morning News, Tim Colishaw looks at noted charlatan Bill Simmons’ book on the NBA.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Bearcats football brought in good ratings for ESPN last Friday.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News gives us an update on what’s up with the planned new USFL.

Carl Steward of the Oakland Tribune says DirecTV subscribers will be shut out of Saturday’s Cal-Stanford game as it will be shown on Versus.

To the Sports Media Watch and a few links from that blog.

The NFL on Fox continues to score this season.

Pats-Colts helped to steer NBC’s Sunday Night Football to higher reaches.

A lackluster Monday Night Football matchup gave the series its lowest ratings of the season.

The NBA on TNT is off to a fast start in the young season.

And a developing story, SMW says MLB plans to cut the number of off days during the postseason.

Steve Lepore from Puck the Media says Versus’ ratings for the NHL are all over the place.

Dave Kohl’s Major League Programs blog looks at some various sports media issues from the last week.

Lots of good links for you as we head into the wee hours of Thursday morning. I’ll be back with you later today.

Remember when Guy Fieri, the host of the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," pulled up in his infamous red 1967 Chevy Camaro Super Sport and filmed a segment for his show at Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage located at 1246 Massachusetts Ave. in Harvard Square on Monday, July 27?

The segment is airing Monday, Nov. 23 at 10 p.m.

As previously reported in Loaded Gun Boston, it's been a tumultuous year for the Harvard Square staple that has been serving up political slander and pop-culture worship along with its killer burgers since 1960.

A grease fire on Saturday, Sept. 20 forced the owners to close down shop for the first time in almost 50 years.The iconic Mass. Ave restaurant caught on fire after a buildup of grease in the grill's hood became combustible.

Bartley's is famous for spotlighting B-list celebs and politicos with tasty burgers named after folks like Dick "a heart beat away" Cheney, Arnold "this is no girly burger" Schwarzenegger and Al "they all lie" Franken.

Fieri also taped a segment at Sam LaGrassa's, located at 44 Province St. in the Financial District, spotlighting the hot spot's killer selection of sandwiches and tasty lunchtime grub.

Click here for Mr. Bartley's Web site.Boston-based pop culture blog focusing on the controversial voices who fuel the local news, media, arts, film, politics, music, LGBT and comedy scenes.

This week, the podcast that is co-hosted by yours truly and Southeastern New England media mogul Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal explores a whole host of topics.

For the entire half hour, our guest is Tom Hoffarth, sports media writer of the Los Angeles Daily News. Among the topics we discuss are Jon Gruden’s contract extension to remain in the ESPN Monday Night Football booth, ESPN’s West Coast SportsCenter and LA presence, as well as ESPN’s 24 hour college basketball marathon.

We also talk about Tom doing play-by-play of an inning of a minor league baseball game, running the field mic for a college football game, his playful tweaking of USC football voice Pete Arbogast, speculation on Vin Scully’s retirement, the reduction of newspapers covering the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as well as bringing back the NFL to Los Angeles.

It’s another great edition and a quick listen. Just over a half hour. You can check it out right here.

Over the next two weeks, we have some good guests so be ready for some fun podcasts.

Senator Reid's office has released its 2,074 page health care bill.  If you're a glutton for punishment, you can read the whole thing here (big PDF).

There is an abortion restriction, but early reports indicate that it's not as bad as Stupitts.  

The Senate version would require at least one plan within the health insurance exchange that the bill sets up to offer a plan that covers abortion and one that doesn't. It would also authorize the Health and Human Services Secretary to audit plans to make certain that abortion isn't being paid for with federal dollars.

I've copied and pasted the abortion language on the flip.  Can you find anything in there that others have missed?

Looking forward to hearing whether Senator wannabes Coakley and Capuano find this language acceptable.
SEC. 1303. SPECIAL RULES.
(a) SPECIAL RULES RELATING TO COVERAGE OF ABORTION SERVICES.--
VOLUNTARY CHOICE OF COVERAGE OF ABORTION SERVICES.--

19 (A) IN GENERAL.--Notwithstanding any
20 other provision of this title (or any amendment
21 made by this title), and subject to subpara22
graphs (C) and (D)--
23 (i) nothing in this title (or any
24 amendment made by this title), shall be
25 construed to require a qualified health plan
Page 117

1 to provide coverage of services described in
2 subparagraph (B)(i) or (B)(ii) as part of
3 its essential health benefits for any plan
4 year; and
5 (ii) the issuer of a qualified health
6 plan shall determine whether or not the
7 plan provides coverage of services described
8 in subparagraph (B)(i) or (B)(ii) as part
9 of such benefits for the plan year.
10 (B) ABORTION SERVICES.--
11 (i) ABORTIONS FOR WHICH PUBLIC
12 FUNDING IS PROHIBITED.--The services
13 described in this clause are abortions for
14 which the expenditure of Federal funds ap15
propriated for the Department of Health
16 and Human Services is not permitted,
17 based on the law as in effect as of the date
18 that is 6 months before the beginning of
19 the plan year involved.
20 (ii) ABORTIONS FOR WHICH PUBLIC
21 FUNDING IS ALLOWED.--The services de22
scribed in this clause are abortions for
23 which the expenditure of Federal funds ap24
propriated for the Department of Health
25 and Human Services is permitted, based

Page 118

1 on the law as in effect as of the date that
2 is 6 months before the beginning of the
3 plan year involved.
4 (C) PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL FUNDS
5 FOR ABORTION SERVICES IN COMMUNITY
6 HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION.--
7 (i) DETERMINATION BY SEC8
RETARY.--The Secretary may not deter9
mine, in accordance with subparagraph
10 (A)(ii), that the community health insur11
ance option established under section 1323
12 shall provide coverage of services described
13 in subparagraph (B)(i) as part of benefits
14 for the plan year unless the Secretary--
15 (I) assures compliance with the
16 requirements of paragraph (2);
17 (II) assures, in accordance with
18 applicable provisions of generally ac19
cepted accounting requirements, circu20
lars on funds management of the Of21
fice of Management and Budget, and
22 guidance on accounting of the Govern23
ment Accountability Office, that no
24 Federal funds are used for such cov25
erage; and

Page 119

1 (III) notwithstanding section
2 1323(e)(1)(C) or any other provision
3 of this title, takes all necessary steps
4 to assure that the United States does
5 not bear the insurance risk for a com6
munity health insurance option's cov7
erage of services described in subpara8
graph (B)(i).
9 (ii) STATE REQUIREMENT.--If a State
10 requires, in addition to the essential health
11 benefits required under section 1323(b)(3)
12 (A), coverage of services described in sub13
paragraph (B)(i) for enrollees of a commu14
nity health insurance option offered in
15 such State, the State shall assure that no
16 funds flowing through or from the commu17
nity health insurance option, and no other
18 Federal funds, pay or defray the cost of
19 providing coverage of services described in
20 subparagraph (B)(i). The United States
21 shall not bear the insurance risk for a
22 State's required coverage of services de23
scribed in subparagraph (B)(i).
24 (iii) EXCEPTIONS.--Nothing in this
25 subparagraph shall apply to coverage of

Page 120

1 services described in subparagraph (B)(ii)
2 by the community health insurance option.
3 Services described in subparagraph (B)(ii)
4 shall be covered to the same extent as such
5 services are covered under title XIX of the
6 Social Security Act.
7 (D) ASSURED AVAILABILITY OF VARIED
8 COVERAGE THROUGH EXCHANGES.--
9 (i) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary shall
10 assure that with respect to qualified health
11 plans offered in any Exchange established
12 pursuant to this title--
13 (I) there is at least one such plan
14 that provides coverage of services de15
scribed in clauses (i) and (ii) of sub16
paragraph (B); and
17 (II) there is at least one such
18 plan that does not provide coverage of
19 services described in subparagraph
20 (B)(i).
21 (ii) SPECIAL RULES.--For purposes of
22 clause (i)--
23 (I) a plan shall be treated as de24
scribed in clause (i)(II) if the plan
25 does not provide coverage of services

Page 121

1 described in either subparagraph
2 (B)(i) or (B)(ii); and
3 (II) if a State has one Exchange
4 covering more than 1 insurance mar5
ket, the Secretary shall meet the re6
quirements of clause (i) separately
7 with respect to each such market.
8 (2) PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL
9 FUNDS.--
10 (A) IN GENERAL.--If a qualified health
11 plan provides coverage of services described in
12 paragraph (1)(B)(i), the issuer of the plan shall
13 not use any amount attributable to any of the
14 following for purposes of paying for such serv15
ices:
16 (i) The credit under section 36B of
17 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (and
18 the amount (if any) of the advance pay19
ment of the credit under section 1412 of
20 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
21 Act).
22 (ii) Any cost-sharing reduction under
23 section 1402 of thePatient Protection and
24 Affordable Care Act (and the amount (if
25 any) of the advance payment of the reduc122
O:BAIBAI09M01.xml [file 1 of 9] S.L.C.
1 tion under section 1412 of the Patient
2 Protection and Affordable Care Act).
3 (B) SEGREGATION OF FUNDS.--In the case
4 of a plan to which subparagraph (A) applies,
5 the issuer of the plan shall, out of amounts not
6 described in subparagraph (A), segregate an
7 amount equal to the actuarial amounts deter8
mined under subparagraph (C) for all enrollees
9 from the amounts described in subparagraph
10 (A).
11 (C) ACTUARIAL VALUE OF OPTIONAL
12 SERVICE COVERAGE.--
13 (i) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary shall
14 estimate the basic per enrollee, per month
15 cost, determined on an average actuarial
16 basis, for including coverage under a quali17
fied health plan of the services described in
18 paragraph (1)(B)(i).
19 (ii) CONSIDERATIONS.--In making
20 such estimate, the Secretary--
21 (I) may take into account the im22
pact on overall costs of the inclusion
23 of such coverage, but may not take
24 into account any cost reduction esti25
mated to result from such services, in123
O:BAIBAI09M01.xml [file 1 of 9] S.L.C.
1 cluding prenatal care, delivery, or
2 postnatal care;
3 (II) shall estimate such costs as
4 if such coverage were included for the
5 entire population covered; and
6 (III) may not estimate such a
7 cost at less than $1 per enrollee, per
8 month.
9 (3) PROVIDER CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS.--No
10 individual health care provider or health care facility
11 may be discriminated against because of a willing12
ness or an unwillingness, if doing so is contrary to
13 the religious or moral beliefs of the provider or facil14
ity, to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer
15 for abortions.
16 (b) APPLICATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS
17 REGARDING ABORTION.--
18 (1) NO PREEMPTION OF STATE LAWS REGARD19
ING ABORTION.--Nothing in this Act shall be con20
strued to preempt or otherwise have any effect on
21 State laws regarding the prohibition of (or require22
ment of) coverage, funding, or procedural require23
ments on abortions, including parental notification
24 or consent for the performance of an abortion on a
25 minor.

Page 124

1 (2) NO EFFECT ON FEDERAL LAWS REGARDING
2 ABORTION.--
3 (A) IN GENERAL.--Nothing in this Act
4 shall be construed to have any effect on Federal
5 laws regarding--
6 (i) conscience protection;
7 (ii) willingness or refusal to provide
8 abortion; and
9 (iii) discrimination on the basis of the
10 willingness or refusal to provide, pay for,
11 cover, or refer for abortion or to provide or
12 participate in training to provide abortion.
13 (3) NO EFFECT ON FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS
14 LAW.--Nothing in this subsection shall alter the
15 rights and obligations of employees and employers
16 under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
17 (c) APPLICATION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
18 LAWS.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to relieve
19 any health care provider from providing emergency serv20
ices as required by State or Federal law, including section
21 1867 of the Social Security Act (popularly known as
22 ''EMTALA'').

It’s gift-giving season, and you’re on a budget. More than usual, even. So aren’t we all. But you also want to do the right thing - not just buy a lead-and-BPA baby rattle made by starving children in China or whatever. So, where do you shop? Here are my obviously perfect suggestions:

Local shopping that’s also a party: Davis Square Midnight Madness: Quite a few of the businesses in Davis Square will be extending hours and cutting prices on December 3rd. My suggestions: Dave’s Fresh Pasta (unusual and delicious wine and beer) Artifaktori (indie and/or vintage fashion, antiques, oddities), and Boston Shaker (bar supplies).

Deep discounts on good reads: Harvard Book Store Warehouse Sale: Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, at the Harvard Book Store Warehouse (14 Park St., Somerville, near Porter Square on the Red Line or the 87 bus). They’ll have 15% off already-discounted remainders as well as some signed first editions. Pick up a glossy coffee-table book and look like you spent the bank! This is their second warehouse sale, and I’m assured it’ll be bigger and better than the last one. Also check out their card selection for letterpress cards you won’t find anywhere else. (Helpful hint: A fancy card with a heartfelt message they’ll love is still way cheaper than a chintzy gift they won’t appreciate).

Craft and fashion: Design Hive in Cambridge. It’s a bit like an indoor version of the (summer-only) SoWa Open Market, a bit like a craft-show flea-market, and quite a bit Cambridge. Last event of the season (”Handmade Holidaze”) is on Sunday 12/6 starting at 10 AM.

Stuff you never knew you needed: Bazaar Bizarre: December 6 at the Cyclorama on Tremont St. You’ll find art, craft, chintz, kitsch, punk, disco, glam, jewelry, makeup, and sixteen kinds of what-have-you. Also affiliated with Boston Handmade. Speaking of which…

From the first minute to the last minute: Boston Handmade has a storefront open at 505 Washington St. in Downtown Crossing from November 27th through December 24th. They’re carrying goods from 30 or so different Boston artisans, and have a big opening party the 28th of November.

So sez DeLeo. His letter to the House membership (and released publicly) is below. The tone is remarkably positive. I'm impressed by both chambers' willingness to take on CORI, which must be a tough (but correct and necessary) vote for a lot of members.

November 18, 2009

Dear Colleague:

As you know, today marks the last day of full formal sessions in calendar year 2009 as dictated by our Joint Rules. Few could have imagined when the 186th General Court convened on January 7th that this first year of our biennial session would see such unprecedented legislative activity. After first strengthening the rules that govern our own body, we passed unprecedented reforms in transportation, ethics, lobbying, campaign finance and pension law; dealt compassionately yet decisively with the worst budget crisis in a generation; stopped a toll increase that would have affected thousands of drivers throughout Massachusetts; ensured our Commonwealth would be fully represented in the United States Senate; protected and continued to promote affordable housing; and passed omnibus legislation to support and assist the brave Bay Staters who serve in our armed forces.

To be sure, the second year will see as much or more activity as we have a great deal to accomplish. In addition to the Fiscal Year 2011 budget, which will certainly prove no less challenging than the present one, we will have a host of issues to tackle in the six months prior to July 31st. Some of those issues I have previously stated would be on our agenda, such as our coming debate on the merits of expanded gaming in Massachusetts. But additionally, two bills which have received, or will today receive, initial consideration by the Senate will also be under consideration once we reconvene: Education Reform and CORI legislation.

continues on the flip ... 

Last evening, the Senate passed an amended version of the Education Reform Act. This legislation was the product of many hours of labor on the part of Chairwoman Walz and the Joint Committee on Education. I cannot express enough my deep appreciation for her and the committee’s efforts. These efforts began with the filing of two bills by the Governor that he believes will help strengthen the Commonwealth’s application for a Federal Race to the Top Grant. The first relates to a targeted charter cap lift. The second would modify the Commonwealth’s accountability system for our lowest performing schools and districts, and also provide for more so-called “innovation” in all existing districts.

These bills were combined by the Joint Committee on Education into legislation which attempts to address many difficult and long standing issues surrounding charter schools generally, and also advances ways to promote rapid school improvement and innovation efforts in our traditional district schools.

The bill has now been amended and passed by the Senate. However, as of the sending of this letter, the Senate bill has not yet even been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Given this, and having spoken with Members individually and listened to the concerns raised at yesterday’s caucus, I believe it would be a disservice to the Members of the House and, most importantly, to the students and families of the Commonwealth to attempt to consider this bill at today’s session.

As the amended bill is analyzed by the Ways and Means Committee, we will focus our energies and resources on crafting legislation that addresses our unacceptable achievement gap and maximizes potential federal dollars by ensuring our application is as strong as possible. We are cognizant of the fact that much of the public school system in Massachusetts is performing wonderfully. We are universally acknowledged as the highest achieving state on national and international assessments of student achievement, and we have sustained that status for an extended period of time.

However, the fact that there is excellence and high achievement in many corners of Massachusetts’ educational system is not an excuse for inaction in the face of glaring need. Far too many children and their families are left behind, and we do not intend to allow that realty [sic] to continue.

Therefore, the House will continue to work on this legislation through the remaining days of the year. Please make sure that during this time you express your concerns and ideas concerning the bill so they can be properly considered. Please also anticipate debate on this matter upon our return to formal sessions in January. As the date for filing of applications for the Race to the Top Grant is January 19, 2009, it would be my intention to debate our own bill, conference with the Senate, and send a final bill to the Governor’s desk in time to have our efforts reflected in the Commonwealth’s application. This course, which gives us sufficient time to complete our work while not endangering our grant application, will be of far greater benefit to the Bay State than if we were to attempt to unnecessarily rush the bill through for the sake of political expediency. The House is dedicated to improving education for all Massachusetts students and will ultimately join with the Governor and our colleagues in the Senate to make timely and significant changes to our educational system without jeopardizing the excellence that characterizes so many of our public schools.

Finally, with respect to CORI legislation, it is my understanding that the Senate will attempt to debate such legislation today. As Chairman O’Flaherty is still in the process of vetting this legislation currently before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, I would similarly suggest that to address it now would be to do a disservice to this important piece of public policy. It would be my intention to allow the committee process to proceed on this matter in order to allow for a full and thoughtful analysis of it policy implications.
At today’s session we have a number of items to address including a vehicle addressing our current budget deficit. I look forward to working with you today on this and the other important matters before us. It has been a true honor to serve as your Speaker for the last ten months, and I can think of no greater honor than the opportunity to continue our efforts together in the coming months as we engage the great challenges—and opportunities—that lay ahead.

Very truly yours,
ROBERT A. DeLEO
Speaker of the House

Report from Anti-Violence Project Chair Don Gorton:

The Boston Globe estimated that 300 people filled State House hearing room A1 for the 11/17/09 hearing on anti-bullying legislation. That estimate sounds about right: it was standing room only. A large number of the seats were filled by students from the Rashi School, a Newton-based Reform Jewish private school, who were attending as part of a class project. There were perhaps 40 school-age children in the audience, and their presence alone was a powerful signal to legislators.

Initial Testimony

11 bills in total were under consideration, but the bulk of the support was behind H. 483, An Act Relative to Bullying Prevention, sponsored by Rep. John Rogers of Norwood and initiated by the Anti-Defamation League ("ADL"). Rep. Matt Patrick of Falmouth was the first to testify, and he threw his support behind H. 483. Next to testify was Rep. Anthony Cabral of New Bedford, who introduced H. 364. He advocated that the various bills be consolidated into a single piece of legislation to report out of committee. He said he wanted a "bill with teeth." He noted that educators and health care providers have a duty to report child abuse if they learn of it, and said the rule should be the same for school employees who find out about bullying. He advocates that "consequences" be imposed where a school employee fails to report bullying activity.

House Minority Leader Brad Hill of Ipswich testified in favor of his bill, H. 428. He noted that anti-bullying bills have been pending in the legislature for 6 years, and criticized the delay in enacting a law. He said that he has regularly received assurances from Superintendents that they're committed to acting against bullying and have plans, but still the problem seems to be getting worse. He suggested that schools need "better plans." Responding to Rep. Hill, Rep. Marty Walz, House Chairman of the Ed Committee indicated that the committee would likely develop a single piece of legislation for action, taking the best from all the bills.

Rep. Paul Donato of Medford, who co-sponsored anti-bullying legislation with former Sen. Jarrett Barrios, testified in favor of anti-bullying legislation generally, and noted that too much time had passed without legislative action. A parent of a bullied student from New Bedford, Gary Pinto, testified in support of Rep. Cabral's bill. He had organized an anti-bullying community group called "safe zones." He favored mandatory reporting. Grace Fritato of New Bedford advocated efforts to rehabilitate bullies as part of a comprehensive response.

61-year-old Evelyn Kaufman testified as a survivor of bullying. She emphasized that bullying during childhood had left her scarred for life. She attempted suicide and continues to need mental health services. A Quincy parent, Goulastan Malek (sp.?) described the bullying to which his partially blind son had been subjected, and how the school had failed to act to remedy the problem despite repeated requests.  
ADL Coordinated Testimony

Michael Sheetz, the Vice-Chair of the ADL regional board, described the ADL bill, H. 483 as the most comprehensive of the 11 under consideration. He noted that Massachusetts lags behind in efforts to fight bullying; 38 other states, including North Carolina and Alabama, already have laws in place. He advocated that the bill be amended to add into the definition enumerated categories, differentiating characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, which influence bullies' selection of targets. Asked why enumeration was warranted, Sheetz said that bullying related to sexual orientation and gender identity is not treated as seriously otherwise. Chairman Walz requested proposed amendment language to add in enumerated categories. (GLAD has developed an amendment which has the support of the advocacy organizations participating in the lobbying effort.)

The most moving testimony of the day came from a panel of three parents of bullied children. First to testify was Theresa Jackson, the mother of an autistic boy from Sandwich. 12 years old at the time, the boy went to a school dance and "had the time of his life." Another student videotaped his unusual dance movements and posted the video on You Tube, triggering abusive comments online and taunting from classmates at school. The boy was devastated because he could not understand why someone would do that to him. Ms. Jackson choked up early in her testimony, and I teared up too. She described the insensitive reaction of school administrators. One teacher told the boy to "suck it up." The boy wound up transferring to a different school and remains terrified of going to another school dance. Ms. Jackson had the committee riveted as she spoke.

Sirdeaner Walker of Springfield testified about the suicide of her 11-year-old son Carl Walker-Hoover earlier this year. He was repeatedly taunted as being "gay" and for "dressing like a girl." Ms. Walker complained to school employees, but nothing was done to make the bullying stop. She was told that bullying was "ordinary social interaction" and that Carl and his tormentors would be friends by seventh grade. She described being at home one evening, cooking supper for her 4 children and thinking that Carl was doing homework in his room. When she went to his room, she discovered his body hanging by an electrical cord, an image which continues to haunt her. She has since teamed up with GLSEN to promote awareness of harassment triggered by sexual orientation and gender identity prejudice.

The third parent, Dr. Robin D'Antona, lost her child to suicide brought on by remorseless bullying in 1993. Since then, she has dedicated her life to anti-bullying education, and is a certified trainer in the Olweus anti-bullying method. She noted that there is an established positive correlation between effective bullying prevention and student academic achievement. She had three basic points to get across: bullying is pervasive, controllable, and affects everyone. A legislator asked if the law should cover charter schools, such as the one Carl Walker-Hoover attended. Responding, Chairman Walz said whatever bill comes out of committee will apply to charter schools. Chairman Walz was understated when she described the parents' testimony as "extremely powerful."

The next panel included 4 students, including 2 from the Rashi School in Newton. The most interesting witness was an admitted former bully. The Rashi School has a robust and effective anti-bullying program, and the student was actively counseled and assigned to do a research project on the effects of bullying on its target. He said he developed compassion and empathy for his targets, something he had not felt before, and that prompted a change in his behavior. A female student said she had been insensitive and practiced social exclusion, until a school awareness campaign led her to rethink her behavior. Emily Dale of Swampscott related the torment she went through when she started 8th grade. She was taunted for wearing glasses and being Jewish. When she reported the bullying, the bully was mildly disciplined, but things got worse as the bully's friends ganged up on her. The school did nothing to protect her from retaliation. Emily had an episode where she destroyed all of her personal items in her bedroom, then retreated to her closet to cry. She said she gained the courage to carry on when her mother came to her and extended a hand. She's now in a private school. Finally, Brigitte Berman, the teenaged author of Dorie Witt's Guide to Standing Up to Bullies spoke about her harrowing experiences and how she developed strategies for standing up for herself.

A panel of experts followed. Dr. Elizabeth Englander, head of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center ("MARC") at Bridgewater State College, delivered 11 pages of comments from the parents of targets of bullying. She described the role of MARC, which offers free bullying prevention programming and training for Massachusetts schools. She said there was a need for the state to define minimum standards to give schools uniform guidance in addressing the problem. Professor Jack Levin of Northeastern University stressed the long-lasting effects of bullying. He recounted a conversation he had with a former target in her 40's, who is so debilitated by childhood bullying that she is unable to hold a job or form intimate relationships. He also noted that targets can lash out in horrific violence. He spoke of the Virginia Tech gunman who killed 32 people. He had a history of being bullied that stretched back to his Middle School days, and was never offered "a helping hand." Heidi McCoy, a graduate student studying at Bridgewater State under Dr. Englander also spoke, offering statistical information.

Testimony of Right Wing Groups

Two organizations which have fiercely opposed LGBT rights in Massachusetts, Mass. Resistance and the Mass. Family Institute, offered cautionary testimony, but did not flatly oppose legislation. Brian Camenker of Mass. Resistance voiced his suspicion that anti-bullying legislation was a "homosexual activist cause." He argued that "special interest groups" were behind the legislative push, and pointed to the overflow crowd as evidence of their machinations. He said the bill represented an "agenda." He contended that H. 483 was overly comprehensive and "way overdone." In his somewhat desultory remarks, he also protested the characterization of Mass Resistance as a "hate group," which he insisted is not true. (The Southern Poverty Law Center includes them as a "hate group" in its authoritative listing.)

Camenker drew pointed questions from the committee, particularly H.483 sponsor Rep. John Rogers. He had to admit that he supported the provision for parental notification when children are bullied. He said the way to deal with bullies was "to read them the riot act.". He admitted that bullying is often triggered by perceptions of the target's status. As he put it, "kids act weird" and that causes bullying. Put on the spot by Rep. Allen McCarthy, he said some legislative action was necessary.

Sally Knowlton expressed her concern that anti-bullying education was twisted to support homosexuality. She said that bullying prevention conveys a message that "gay is good" and that message needed to be stopped. She cited an incident in Washington state where a nine-year-old boy was praised by a teacher for saying he didn't like it when kids called other kids "gay" as though that were a bad thing. She asserted that being gay is not good; it leads to sickness and death; and no one is born "that way."

Evelyn Reilly of the Mass. Family Institute, which espouses more a "moderate" brand of homophobia than does Mass. Resistance, conceded that something needed to be done. She said the bills before the legislative were well-intended but had some problems. For example, she opposes provisions calling for anti-bullying education to be woven into general school curriculum subjects. She also saw no need to address issues of discrimination. She supported a stripped-down version.

Other supportive testimony

Although I will not recount the testimony in the interest of brevity, other important stakeholders spoke in support of H. 483 at the request of the ADL. These witnesses included Asst. Attorney General Maura Healy, the head of the Civil Rights Division in the Office of the Attorney General; Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz who testified on behalf of the Mass. Chiefs of Police Association; Julie Johnson, who testified on behalf of the Mass. Teachers Association; the principal of Sharon High School (the only school administrator to speak); Sheila Decter of the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action; Attorney Sam Bickett of GLAD; Lisa Perry-Wood, Executive Director of the Mass. Commission on LGBT Youth; Co-Chair Jeff Stone of the Greater Boston Civil Rights Coalition; and Co-Chair Arline Isaacson of the MGLPC.

Some of the most powerful testimony came from members of the public who had not been recruited to appear and speak. John Kuyper of Roxbury introduced himself as a survivor of bullying for being gay in the 1950's. He said his experience was like "Peyton Place meets Lord of the Flies." He described being taunted as a "crybaby" and noted that his fundamentalist minister father offered no support. He said LGBT victims suffer alone. 50 years later, he said the wounds of his adolescent experience are still there, and that the sense of anger never leaves.

Kathleen Godbaut of Weymouth delivered a petition signed by 200 students at Weymouth High School calling for legislative action. The petition was prompted by the suicide of Carl Walker Hoover. David Laird testified as the father of 4 children, the oldest of whom is in fourth grade. He described his son's torment and his daily protestations that he didn't want to go to school. He said he had gone to school officials, who lacked understanding of how to take effective action. He said they needed guidance and help. John Graham, a nonagenarian who said he had been neither a bully nor a target, was moved to appear after reading a newspaper headline about the bullying of autistic students. Hard of hearing, Mr. Graham loudly decried the delay in action on anti-bullying legislation. He said the effects of bullying last a long time. He felt that bullying should be treated as a mental defect and a crime. Targets of bullying should not have the burden of solving the problem themselves yet schools turn a blind eye. Finally, a Quincy resident who has been a firefighter in Waltham for over 20 years quietly conveyed his pain as the father of a transgender son who died of a drug overdose earlier this year, after years of being bullied.

Conclusion

Only the House members of the Ed Committee attended the hearing, since the Senate was in session at the time debating a larger education reform bill. Nevertheless, the Senate members of the committee are seen as generally supportive already, while the opportunity to educate the House members was especially valuable. Committee members stayed throughout the 3-hour hearing and paid careful attention to the testimony. The impression I gathered from Chairman Walz was that the committee views the issue as one demanding action after years of delay. The committee is likely to combine the pending bills into a single version to report to the full legislature, and was open to suggestions for improving the final product. All in all, the presentation was well-coordinated, thorough, and deeply moving, but not too lengthy or repetitive. I was misty-eyed for much of the hearing, but then I'm a survivor of bullying myself and related to the testimony on a very personal level.  

Dear friends,

As you may have heard, we just passed CORI reform in the Senate as part of the crime bill, a momentous, innovative step toward a criminal system that works to return productive citizens convicted of a crime to a contributory life. I am proud of the work my fellow Senators - particularly Senate President Therese Murray, and Senators Chang-Diaz, Creem, and Eldridge, among many others - have done getting to this point. I am also proud of the wide support CORI reform had: even of the 12 Senators who voted against this bill, several spoke in favor of the CORI piece.

As offered, this bill fixes several key aspects of current law. Among the most important:
? It moves the sealing and dissemination of criminal records to 10 years for a felony and 5 years for a misdemeanor. This will allow those who have served their time to get back to being productive citizens quicker, and not pay a too-long penalty for a long ago transgression. This reduction from 15 years and 10 years also moves the starting time on the timing to immediately after someone is released from prison.
? Non-convictions will no longer appear on CORI reports. This allows accused citizens to avoid penalties for crimes they weren't convicted of.
? We've "banned the box" that asked if someone has been convicted of a felony on written job applications, removing a HUGE psychological and actual hurdle for prospective employees.

I must note that this balanced bill also maintains strong law enforcement priorities. The expanded bill as filed contains mandatory supervision provisions, and law enforcement agencies will have expanded and immediate access to CORI records.

As we've worked on this bill, I've come to know many people whose lives have been unduly altered by relatively minor transgressions in their past. A medical student prevented from participating in a certain clerkship because of an underage alcohol possession conviction; workers who are consistently denied opportunities to even demonstrate their qualifications because of the stigma attached to the word "convicted."

When a citizen is convicted of a crime, it shouldn't be the end of their life. It shouldn't mean entering an unbreakable cycle of unemployment, more crime, recidivism, re-incarceration, and so on. Too often, otherwise productive citizens are essentially told they aren't welcome to work or live where they may want because of a distant, non-violent offense that they have already paid their due to society for.

Serious crimes deserve serious punishments from our judicial system. But once a sentence is served, we shouldn't keep doling out punishments as a society. We are a great Commonwealth. And we are better than sentencing one of our own to a life as an unwanted.

While this isn't the end of the road, I am heartened that after a long, hard trail traversed by so many on the legislative and advocacy side, we've gotten this far. This is a well-rounded bill that has brought together advocate groups from all sides. The CORI piece is being supported by everyone from Neighbor-to-Neighbor, to the District Attorneys, to business groups. I anticipate the House taking up the matter in 2010, and I urge you to contact your representatives in the House to make sure CORI reform passes when they return to session in January.

Thanks for your support!
State Senator Harriette Chandler
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Some of you might remember a book that I mentioned in a post a few months ago. Well, it's finally published!

The BloggerAid Cook Book is now for sale. You can purchase it by clicking here.

I contributed a recipe along with many other food bloggers from all over the world. Over 60 countries are represented!

Food bloggers are a very generous bunch of people. ALL the money from sales will go towards a very important cause. Read an edited excerpt from the book website below.

"Food does not simply nourish the body; food also celebrates what makes the world diverse, as well as, what unites us. The BloggerAid Cook Book is a collection of international recipes illustrating that we can work together and unite for a greater cause. The authors of this cookbook are food bloggers from around the world who have endeavored to make a difference by raising funds for the World Food Programme and encompassing their passion for "all things foodie" at the same time. ...

We chose the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) to receive the funds generated by the cookbook because of the wonderful work this organization does. The WFP has touched the lives of our members, many of whom are from countries where poverty is often a way of life. More specifically, 100% of BloggerAid's proceeds from the cookbook will benefit the WFP's School Meals Programme, which benefits an average of 22 million hungry children each year."
I hope that we can all spread the word about the cookbook. And for those who are able, any purchases would be appreciated as well. Wouldn't this make a great holiday gift? I think it would!

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According to one of my favorite internet news sites, TalkingPointsMemo, things are breaking on the Senate side of the healthcare reform process, and we may have our much awaited cloture vote this weekend.

Several things seem to be happening:

* Harry Reid meeting with moderate Senate Democrats

* The Congressional Budget Office released its analysis of the Senate bill, and the numbers look good. The CBO projects the bill will reduce the federal deficit by $127 billion over 10 years.

The Senate plan will cover 94% of Americans by 2019.

Details below the fold:
The complete TPM article:

Democratic leadership has distributed figures to reporters from a CBO analysis of Senate health care legislation. The numbers affirm what we reported this morning--that Majority Leader Harry Reid is very pleased.

The health care bill--which includes an opt-out public option--will require $849 billion over 10 years in new spending, to be paid for with cuts to Medicare, while reducing the deficit by $127 billion.

In that time it will extend coverage to 31 million Americans--94 percent of citizens will be covered by 2019.

Over the second 10 years, CBO projects even greater cost savings--up to $650 billion, with the caveat that after 10 years, their analyses become highly uncertain.

This meets all of President Obama's goals, and, as has been the pattern during this legislative process, the Senate bill comes at a lower cost, and with greater cost-savings than the House bill, while the House bill covers more Americans.

TPM also says Ben Nelson appears to be supporting this version.

Nothing I can find on whether the Senate version has anything like the Stupitt Amendment.

Jury duty continues to play hell with the blogging schedule...but you should know that Bob Dylan met some old friends backstage in Boston the other night ... and Museum of Fine Arts Director Malcolm Rogers is a cover dude. ... And Greg Cook, days after being touted by the Globe's Geoff Edgers, tries valiantly to stir up some shit about the state of visual arts coverage in Boston, in the Globe and elsewhere. I'd try to have an opinion about what he wrote, but I've been in court all day, and my priority at the moment has three olives in it. Tomorrow is a half-day, so maybe I'll have more for you then. ...

Crews with the made-in-Boston spy flick "Knight & Day" wrapped filming in Boston earlier this week and have set up shop in Sevilla on Monday, Nov. 16. Shooting is slotted to continue in Spain for three weeks.

Now that the Boston-area filming has ended, the James Mangold action comedy is also scheduled to shoot in Salzburg, Austria as well as a tropical destination rumored to be Hawaii.

Cruise, who reportedly turned up for the memorial service at the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse for Church of Scientology attorney Earle Cooley, was scheduled to film scenes in Salzburg beginning Thursday, Nov. 19, however, there's been a bit of a snag after Austrian filmmakers protested a $448,455 incentive greenlit for the "Knight & Day" film from Salzburg authorities. In response to the backlash, the Austrian shoot has been cut from three weeks to seven days.

In "Knight & Day," Cruise and Cameron Diaz have a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure, where nothing and no one--even the now fugitive couple--are what they seem.

Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth versus trust. "Knight & Day" is slotted to hit theaters on July 2, 2010.

Co-stars include Peter Sarsgaard (“An Education”) as a federal agent relentlessly pursuing the couple; Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as a CIA director trying to decipher the true purpose of their high-wire activities; Paul Dano (“There Will Be Blood”) as an eccentric genius behind a revolutionary technology; and Olivier Martinez (“Unfaithful”) as a ruthless arms manufacturer. Also co-starring are Maggie Grace (“Taken”) and Marc Blucas (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”).

Crews with "Knight & Day" filmed scenes throughout the Boston area including the Worcester Regional Airport, Jacob Wirth Restaurant located at 31 Stuart St. in Boston's Theatre District, South Boston's waterfront district, Boston Public Library, Boston Fire Museum as well as the classic Parisian brasserie Gaslight located at 560 Harrison Avenue.

Click here for the latest on "Knight & Day."
Boston-based pop culture blog focusing on the controversial voices who fuel the local news, media, arts, film, politics, music, LGBT and comedy scenes.

sooz posted a photo:

Posted via email from The Life & Times of Sooz, continued

Remember this interview with DMX, back in March 2008?

Are you following the presidential race?
Not at all.

You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton.
His name is Barack?!

Barack Obama, yeah.
Barack?!

Barack.
What the **** is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?

Yeah, his dad is from Kenya.
Barack Obama?

Yeah.
What the ****?! That ain’t no ****in’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s
name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the **** outta here.

You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before.
I ain’t really paying much attention.

I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black…
Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack
Obama. What the ****, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his ****in’ name.
Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that
bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your ****in’ name.” Your momma ain’t
name you no damn Barack.

So you’re not following the race. You can’t vote right?
Nope.

Why hasn’t anybody in the press followed up with DMX to see if he’s aware that Obama got elected and has been the president for 3/4 of a year already? Aren’t you curious as to whether or not he knows? Seems like someone should ask DMX…

A couple of quick programming notes:

 The Instigators Returns to NESN

The Instigators presented by Cadillac Village of Norwood returns for its second season on Thursday, November 19th at 6:00 pm. The Instigators is an Original NESN Entertainment (ONE) production that was first introduced last December. The weekly show is hosted by NESN studio analyst Mike Milbury who is joined by color analyst Andy Brickley, play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards and other special guests as they debate the hottest and most controversial hockey topics every Thursday night.

The Instigators, which will once again air every Thursday at 6:00 PM and again at 10:30 PM the same night, is unlike traditional regional sports network programs as Mike Milbury and his co-instigators tackle national topics like hirings and firings, NHL rules controversies, and debates about their favorite NHL tough guys and personalities.

Comcast Unveils Expanded Celtics On Demand Library

The new season of Celtics On Demand returns exclusively to Comcast to put fans in control and give them access to in-depth coverage of the players, team and Celtics Dancers, as well as press conferences and community events, which have been produced by the Boston Celtics. With Celtics On Demand, fans can watch Celtics Captain Paul Pierce teach a new generation how to play basketball; see Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo rollerskating; and take a front row seat at Coach Rivers’ post-game press conferences. Soon, fans will also enjoy the latest documentary “Take It Back,” which tells the story of how the Celtics added Rasheed Wallace and other talent to this year’s team to make for another championship-driving season. 

Additionally, fans can tune into replays of Comcast SportsNet’s Celtics game telecasts within four hours of each game’s conclusion. Games are available On Demand for 24 hours. 

Celtics On Demand programming is updated regularly and is available around the clock with the ability to pause, fast forward and rewind selections for Comcast’s digital cable customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. It’s easy to access just by selecting the “Get Local” or “Sports and Fitness” categories from the On Demand menu, then choosing “NBA TV” and “Boston Celtics.” For game replays and other Comcast SportsNet content, viewers can then select the “Comcast SportsNet” category. As with the vast majority of Comcast’s 17,000 On Demand programs available each month, Celtics On Demand comes at no additional cost to the company’s digital cable customers.

“Instigators” Returns, Comcast Offers More Celtics On Demand is a post from: Boston Sports Media Watch

For some reason, I keep closing my eyes here at the office. I was also doing that while blogging on the main site last night, so yes, I need to get more sleep. Let’s give you some linkage today.

Thanks to Sports Business Daily which opened its Morning Buzz section today. Several good stories there.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable writes that NFL Network is now amping up the pressure on Time Warner Cable.

Toni Fitzgerald in Media Life Magazine writes about college football’s ratings which are up for both ABC’s and CBS’ afternoon broadcasts.

Advertisting Age says CBS just has a handful of ads to sell for Super Bowl XLIV.

Bob Kimball of USA Today says TNT is polling fans to get the decade’s top moments in the NBA.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell warns travelers to beware of the airline Super Bowl tax which will be tacked on to fares the day after the Big Game.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk writes that New York Giants owner John Mara is choosing a strange time to complain about playing on Thanksgiving night for the NFL Network.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times gives Jon Gruden some pointers for Monday Night Football.

Dave Caldwell of the Times looks at St. Peter’s College playing basketball at 6 a.m. Tuesday to accommodate ESPN.

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union has the updated NFL TV schedule for Week 11 in the New York Capital Region.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner writes that the 1979 Pirates will be featured tonight on MLB Network.

Jim says dirtbag and first class jerk Art Modell was “inducted” into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If the Pro Football Hall of Fame wants to honor a man who took a franchise out of a perfectly good market and rape the city of Cleveland, then go right ahead. The Browns fans will be waiting for him in Canton. No, I’m not angry.

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg writes in the DC Sports Bog that the Tony Kornheiser-Mike Wise feud continues on the radio airwaves.

Matt Levin of the Sebastian (FL) Sun tells readers where to find the Dolphins-Panthers game this Thursday.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman is skeptical that Jon Gruden will stay at ESPN for the length of his new contract.

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer tells his readers where to find the Bearcats-Toledo basketball game tonight.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at the local NFL ratings (scroll down).

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business talks with NBC’s Tony Dungy about Bears QB Jay Cutler.

The Los Angeles Daily News’ Tom Hoffarth is not a fan of the UFL.

Tom has the college football TV schedule for SoCal.

Tom also has the NFL TV schedule.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says the CFL playoffs did well in the TV ratings in Canada.

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that TSN second-guessed the now-infamous Bill Belichick decision, but failing to mention a similar situation in the CFL earlier in the day.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours says Al Strachan’s lawyer is firing off a letter to CBC after the reporter was taken off Hockey Night in Canada’s Hotstove feature over a branding dispute.

The Sports Media Watch has the weekend overnight ratings.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media wishes Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis would end his man crush on Siena. The least said about this the better. I’m not a fan of Seth Davis.

Joe Favorito looks at how sports branding is bringing countries and nations together.

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann writing in his Baseball Nerd blog predicts an increase in video replay within a year and a half.

The Big Lead has a Miami radio DJ getting kicked out of a party hosted by Sammy Sosa for making fun of his complexion.

Here’s Kristine Leahy hosting The Five on WEEI.com.

In one of the funniest stories I have read all year, SportsbyBrooks has the video of the Stanford Marching Band making fun of “Girls Gone Wild” owner Joe Francis during the halftime of the Stanford-USC game which was played at the LA Coliseum last Saturday. Francis is a USC alum. The Stanford band is known for rather unusual halftime shows and this is no exception. That’s really funny. And very ballsy to do that.

Those are the links for today.

We are now selling some quality bicycle related goods!

Notice anything new up on the top bar there? Click the shop link at the top of the page and feast your eyes on our current offerings (some sweet stickers), more items will be showing up shortly (including headbadges with the option to get custom work done). At some point in the future we will also be offering the option for BostonBiker.org bloggers to use the store to sell their own items, but we will get to that in the future.

The system is very simple, and it has instructions, but if anything gets broken, or if you need help contact me.

If you have any suggestions please do leave them in the comments below.

Related Posts:

• New Feature: Gravatars, Spam Blocking, Adsense
• I Am Not Sure How To Feel About This, Sheldon Browns Old Bicycles Up For Sale
• Boston Bike Film Festival
• Boston Bike Film Festival
• Work At Broadway Bicycle School

[Crossposted from ONE Massachusetts by Harmony Blakeway]

As our community leaders and advocates look through the dramatic cuts being made to all manner of state structures and programs, we thought it would be good to look at one of our many success stories. This is just one example of a victory we can achieve if we work together to give it the proper support:

Drop in Smoking RatesState coverage for cessation programs hailed
Lower income Massachusetts smokers have dramatically abandoned their habit amid a major state campaign that vigorously promotes and pays for tobacco addiction treatment, according to a report scheduled to be released this morning.

Smoking rates among the poor plummeted 26 percent in the first two years of the ongoing state program, a striking result that is already drawing national attention to the effort. Officials targeted a population that historically had the highest smoking rates in Massachusetts. [Full Globe Article]

Although the study shows great success, including decreases in smoking-related health issues like  asthma and heart attacks - funding for Massachusetts smoking prevention and cessation programs has been decreased by budget and 9C cuts from over $12 Million spent in FY2009 to $4.5 Million for FY2010. [Funding Details]

It is these types of cuts that are making folks ask for a more stable, balanced solution to our budget problems - not just for their specific program to be spared, but for a reformed look at our revenues, at our tax loopholes, and at what public structures are building a better Massachusetts.