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1) WANT TO HELP ELECT DEVAL PATRICK AS GOVERNOR?
I sure do - I endorsed Deval early, and I'm always happy to explain why I think he is far and
away the best choice for our next Governor.
Since the September 19 Primary Election is fast approaching, it's crucial that we translate
support for Deval into a full-fledged Get-Out-The-Vote effort. This final push is a coordinated
effort, involving a number of local elected officials.
Starting this Sunday, August 20, 2006, and on every Sunday through Thursday until the
Primary, join the phone banking for Deval, taking place from 5 pm until 9 pm. If the telephone
is not your favorite mode of communication, canvassing door-to-door and other opportunities
will also be available.
The location for phone banking is Rep. Carl Sciortino's headquarters, at 78A Cameron Avenue,
West Somerville. If you would like to volunteer, please send to
an email with your availability.
---Directions to 78A Cameron Ave---
The office is in walking distance from Davis Square.
From Davis Square, go up Holland St towards Teele Square.
Take a left onto Cameron Ave.
The office is a small storefront on your left.
2) THE WAGES OF WORK
A) MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE VICTORY!
Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to create a minimum wage 94 years ago, but until
a few weeks ago, minimum wage workers hadn't seen an increase since 2001, when the
minimum was raised to $6.75. In the last few weeks of the legislative session, the House and
Senate adopted a bill increasing the minimum wage by $1.25 over the next two years, then voted
to override the Governor's veto of this bill. I worked with a coalition of legislators in the House
to raise the minimum wage, learning a great deal in the process.
Our original goal was to raise the minimum wage by $1.50, to $8.25 over the next two years.
We also had wanted to “index” the minimum _ have it increase automatically to keep up with
inflation. Unfortunately, the additional $.25 increase, and our intention to index the minimum
wage were lost during the process of legislative compromise.
Still, I am thrilled that we passed this long over-due raise in the minimum wage; it is one of the
legislative accomplishments that I am most proud to have been part of during my first few
months in office. Workers making minimum wage are the backbone of our economy, and
deserve the respect of a wage that helps them to live and raise their families in Massachusetts.
I will continue to push for fair wages, with the goal of making the minimum wage a true living
wage.
B) SOMERVILLE “LIVING WAGE” INCREASE
Several years ago, the Somerville Living Wage Committee put a sustained effort into getting our
city to enact a “Living Wage” ordinance, guaranteeing city employees and employees of city
contractors a wage meeting not just the legal minimum, but providing a wage sufficient to meet
the cost of living in this expensive metropolitan area. Moreover, the Somerville Living Wage
is indexed _ tied to increases in the consumer price index, and is adjusted annually.
The Somerville Living Wage has recently been set at $10.51 per hour.
C) COMPARING WAGES
Federal minimum wage: $5.15/hr
Annual income based on working 40 hrs/week: $10,712
MA minimum wage, starting in 2008 (after $1.25 increase): $8/hr
Annual income based on working 40 hrs/week: $16,640
Somerville Living Wage (city & city contractors' employees): $10.51/hr
Annual income based on working 40 hrs/week: $21,860.80
3) NEW HOMEBUYER CLASSES FOR FALL
The next scheduled Homebuyer Training Class is coming up in September:
Class 1: Tuesday, September 12
Class 2: Tuesday, September 19
Class 3: Tuesday, September 26
The class will be held at City Hall in the Aldermanic Chambers.
For more information, contact Paul Mackey.
Material from this newsletter may be quoted freely, provided that it is
credited to Denise Provost, www.provost-citywide.org
copyright 2006 Denise Provost
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