Brown Votes To Block Repeal Of DADT; Bill Fails

Published December 9, 2010

Sen. Scott Brown in November (Josh Reynolds/AP)

Scott Brown (AP)

Sen. Scott Brown, who six days ago said he would support repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, has voted to block debate on repeal.

The test vote needed to advance legislation was blocked by Senate Republicans on Thursday afternoon. It needed 60 votes; it got 57.

Last week, Brown was one of 42 GOP senators who signed a pledge not to advance any legislation until tax cuts and funding the government have cleared the queue. Speaking to the AP, a Brown spokesman cited the pledge today:

A spokesman for Brown said Thursday he has been clear that he would not vote to repeal the law until after the Senate takes a vote on a tax package.

Susan Collins of Maine was the only Republican senator to break ranks and vote yea.

Update: A Brown spokesperson has e-mailed WBUR. From the e-mail:

Senator Brown has said we need to prevent the looming tax hike and fund the government before we move forward with other legislation. He supports repealing don’t ask, don’t tell once those issues have been addressed.

Live Blog: Richard Davey On ‘Radio Boston’

Published December 9, 2010

What’s your MBTA wish list? What are you gripes? Here’s your chance to ask the guy in charge. We’re talking with MBTA General Manager Richard Davey live on Radio Boston. I’m taking notes and posting your questions here. (You can read my round-up of T news from earlier today.)

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Caught On Video: T Chief Busts A Fare Jumper

Published December 9, 2010

Hubbub exclusive: A spokesman for the MBTA just shared this amazing video with me. A surveillance camera was rolling yesterday as a fare jumper at Park Street Station was caught in the act — by none other than the MBTA general manager, Richard Davey. The man appears to get a stern talking-to from the big boss and then leaves.

[youtube url=”G3nYKY1PRkI”]

We asked Davey about it today on Radio Boston:

I was getting on the Red Line yesterday, because I was off to Ashmont Station for an event, and this fellow literally was scaling the fare gate — which is pretty high these days. I didn’t touch him, but I did yell at him. He stepped back down. I did lecture him on the need to pay his fare. …

It was pretty obvious he didn’t have a whole lot of money, so I offered to pay for him. And then he decided that — I don’t know if it was a moral question or if he just wassick  of hearing me, but he decided to wander off to go to the ticket machine on the other side of the station and buy it himself. …

I’m quite sure he didn’t know who I was. I didn’t tell him who I was.

T officials have tried to cracked down on fare evasion in recent years.

Your Questions For MBTA Head Richard Davey?

Published December 9, 2010

Richard Davey (MBTA)

Richard Davey (MBTA)

He’s everywhere — on the loudspeaker at Park Street, on Twitter, on YouTube, and today, new-ish MBTA General Manager Richard Davey joins Radio Boston for about 30 minutes to take your questions.

There is a lot to talk about. Here is some of what we hope to cover:

  • “Quiet cars” on the commuter rail. Starting next month, the T will test no-chatter coaches on the Fitchburg and Franklin commuter rail lines. That means no cell phones, bleeding earbuds or loud conversations.
  • T ridership at a 2-year high. Davey said average weekly ridership reached 1.3 million in October. The T faces a dilemma: too few riders, and the drop in fares hurt its budget. Too many riders, and the T can’t handle the capacity.
  • New ways to raise revenue. The T has only two revenue streams: fares and proceeds from the state sales tax. When the recession hit and consumer spending fell, the T’s multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall ballooned. Davey has proposed selling officially branded T merchandise as one way to raise cash.
  • Additional cars on the Green Line. The T will test three-car trolleys on the D branch. If it’s a success — I can’t imagine it won’t be a hit with riders — the T will expand to the B line, Davey said. (Wish this had happened when I lived in Brookline.)
  • Real-time transit data. The T has steadily expanded its offering of real-time transit data for developers. All buses in the system are covered, and trolley cars are next. Davey said Green Line tracking is “several years away,” however.

What’s your MBTA wish list? What are you gripes? Here’s your chance to ask the guy in charge. Leave your questions for Davey in the comments, or tweet @RadioBoston.

Update: I live-blogged the conversation. Davey made some news.

Thursday Morning: Ireland Confirmed, Crawford Acquired?

Published December 9, 2010

What’s news on a cold Thursday morning in Boston:

Lawyer: Aides to the governor pushed for jobs at the Probation Department. Gov. Deval Patrick “has repeatedly denied his office plays the Beacon Hill patronage game.” (Herald)

Roderick Ireland is confirmed as the state’s first black chief justice. The Governor’s Council voted unanimously to confirm Ireland as the successor to Margaret Marshall. (Globe)

Sources: Slugger Carl Crawford has a $142 million deal with the Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays left fielder is a four-time All-Star and a first-time Gold Glove winner this year. (AP)

The third suspect in the Mattapan murders was tried four years ago. Edward Washington, charged with four counts of murder, was linked to a violent Dorchester gang. He was acquitted of a racketeering charge. (Globe)

Robert Manning, the UMass trustees chairman, suddenly resigned yesterday.“It follows a decision last week by UMass Lowell chancellor Martin T. Meehan to drop out of the running for the presidency, after Patrick and his staff raised concerns about the selection process.” (Globe)

Boston Police Make 3rd Arrest In Mattapan Murders

Published December 8, 2010

Boston Police say a third person has been arrested in the murders of four people in Mattapan.

Edward Washington, of Dorchester, is charged with four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, home invasion, armed robbery and illegal possession of a weapon.

On Sept. 28, police found the bodies of four people, including a mother and her two-year-old son, on Woolson Street in Mattapan.

Police say Washington is the cousin of Kimani Washington, the first man arrested in connection with the case. Kimani Washington was arrested Oct. 2 in New Hampshire on drug and weapons charges. He is being held without bail.

On Nov. 22, police arrested a second suspect, Dwayne Moore, of Mattapan. Moore, like Edward Washington, has been charged with four counts of murder, among other charges. He is being held without bail.

Update from Universal Hub:

In 2006, Washington was acquitted on federal racketeering and conspiracy charges related to his alleged involvement in the Esmond Street Crew, a violent gang that authorities said attempted to murder members of the rival Franklin Hill Giants partly for status, but mostly to protect its cocaine business in the Esmond Street area. A federal judge ordered Washington and a co-defendant not guilty the day after the jury declared itself deadlocked on charges stemming from alleged activity in 2000 and 2001.

My past coverage:

Health Premiums Triple For Brigham & Women’s Part-Timers

Published December 8, 2010

CommonHealth reports part-timers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital face triple-digit increases in health care premiums next year:

With health insurance costs spiraling ever upward, we’re all feeling premium pain. But what’s happening with roughly 2,000 part-timers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital right now flies off the charts. Some part-time workers will see their health insurance premium payments rise by 300, 400, even 500% for the coming calendar year, and a total of 700% above current rates in 2012. Just for reference, when premium hikes hit double digits, politicians tend to throw fits. These workers are facing triple digits.

WBUR’s Carey Goldberg interviewed a young college grad who enjoyed free health benefits after working a year at the hospital. Starting in January, she’ll pay a premium of $47 per week.

“The percentage increases that are being given to these part-time workers are really quite extraordinary,” said Nancy Turnbull, associate dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. “Part-time workers tend to be lower-paid,” she said, “so this is very regressive.”

The woman interviewed does not qualify for state-subsidized health care, and she tells Carey she might be better off working for the Gap.

Weds Morning: Shapiro Forfeits Millions, O’Brien Speaks

Published December 8, 2010

I’ll be donning my face mask for the first time this season… in preparation for a bitter bike ride into work. Here’s what’s news on a cold Wednesday morning in Boston:

Boston philanthropist Carl Shapiro is giving back $625 million in Madoff money. Shapiro says he will be able to maintain his commitments to nonprofits that depend on the family’s support. (Globe)

Commissioner John O’Brien says the Probation Department report was incomplete. “He gave an investigator as many as 100 job-related thank-you notes from a broad array of elected officials and judges … but they are never mentioned in an explosive hiring scandal report.” (Herald)

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) is criticizing President Obama’s tax-cut compromise. “It certainly seems as though the president just called the Republicans in and said, ‘What is it that you want?’ ” Capuano said. (WBUR)

Five months after he took over a failing South End school, the principal is resigning. Steve Zrike was supposed to “turn around” Blackstone Elementary School, but he has taken another job in Chicago. (South End News)

Justice Roderick Ireland could be confirmed as SJC chief justice today. Many members of the governor’s council say they will support the governor’s nomination. (WBUR)

Did I miss any big news?

Bloomberg: Shapiro, Other Madoff Investors Will Forfeit $625M

Published December 7, 2010

Bloomberg News reports:

Carl Shapiro, one of the first clients of convicted con man Bernard Madoff, and a group of related investors agreed to forfeit $625 million to the government.

Shapiro, who held an account with Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC beginning in 1961 and controlled accounts for family members and others, reached a forfeiture agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan today, according to a complaint filed by the government seeking to gain control of the funds.

The suit claims the Shapiro money, held in accounts at JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., is traceable to funds invested by victims of Madoff’s fraudulent investment advisory business.

In 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to running the largest Ponzi scheme in history.