CLT UPDATE
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
One more nail in the coffin of incumbency
Boston Herald Front Page
September 2, 2009
A Westport lawmaker who voted to hike
the state sales and alcohol taxes was spotted brazenly piling booze in
his car - adorned with his State House license plate - in the parking
lot of a tax-free New Hampshire liquor store, the Herald has learned.
Michael J. Rodrigues’ blue Ford Crown Victoria, emblazoned with his
“House 29” Massachusetts license plate, was parked outside a Granite
State liquor store on Interstate-95 South over the weekend, according to
a witness who provided pictures to the Herald.
The witness, who requested anonymity, claimed he approached Rodrigues,
noted his State House plate, and asked if he was on personal or official
business. Rodrigues, who was loading booze into his car, snapped “mind
your own business,” the witness said.
The witness’ account was also posted yesterday on Citizens for
Limited Taxation’s Web site.
The Boston Herald
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Pol nabbed on New Hampshire booze run
The competition is always fierce, but this morning we have a
new Dumbest State Rep.
Come on down, Rep. Michael Rodrigues, (D-Westport). He’s in the mix every year
for the coveted DSR award, a 50-year-old career layabout whose blinding
intellect lights up the room like a three-watt bulb.
But now, he rises above the other perennial contenders for the coveted DSR
award, more commonly known as the Kujawski. Wait ’til next year, John Rogers and
Ben Swan.
In what may be a first, Rodrigues (rhymes with, “dumb as bricks”) snagged the
award out of state - specifically, at a New Hampshire liquor store. When this
photo was taken, Rodrigues was picking up some distilled spirits just after he
voted to impose a 6.25 percent sales tax on liquor sales in the commonwealth.
In other words, do as he says, not as he does.
The Boston Herald
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
New Hampshire booze run puts rep at top of idiot heap
By Howie Carr
The Republican parties of both Massachusetts and New
Hampshire, as well as local Republican radio and Boston Republican radio, are
all over state Rep. Mike Rodrigues of Westport today....
The longtime Westport legislator said he and his wife Patty had gone to New
Hampshire to get away for a two-day vacation because he hadn't had time to take
a week this year. On the way back, he had to use the bathroom, and bought some
liquor while he was in the store.
"It's no big advantage," he said of driving all the way to New Hampshire from
Westport to buy alcohol. "Beer and wine is cheaper here."
Rodrigues said that the Republican demagoguery -- everyone from the state
Republican Party chair to the Dartmouth town committee chair to WBSM's
Republican radio host Ken Pittman beat the drum on the issue -- is an example of
what the party does instead of debating issues.
The New Bedford Standard-Times
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
All Politics is Local (Blog)
By Jack Spillane
GOP cheap shots Rodrigues?
Rep. Michael J. Rodrigues’ weekend trip to a New Hampshire
state liquor store marks his second booze-related controversy.
In 2005, he was snapped by the Herald lugging a case of wine out of a winery
during a workday junket criticized by Republicans.
The Boston Herald
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sobering reminder of 2005 winery jag
This past weekend Rep. Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) was
seen stocking up at the tax-free New Hampshire State Liquor Store.
Rep. Rodrigues voted in favor of the sales tax hike and additional tax on
alcohol sales....
In a statement today, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour
said the following:
"Taxes are not just for other people to pay. This is the height of arrogance by
a Beacon Hill Democrat. Rep. Rodrigues should support those small businesses he
imposed a tax upon."
NOTE: Today the MassGOP mailed and emailed the photograph of Rep. Rodrigues'
vehicle at the New Hampshire State Liquor Store to all liquor stores and
vineyards in his district.
Massachusetts Republican Party
September 1, 2009
Taxes Aren't Just For Other People To Pay!
Chip Ford's CLT
Commentary
What a firestorm was
ignited when I sent out that photo and my enlargement of the license
plate yesterday, posted it on the CLT website, e-mailed it to some
friends in the media.
I found it in my inbox at
dawn yesterday,
sent overnight by a member. Barbara had received it last
Wednesday from another CLT member. She thought I'd have gotten it
then too, so never mentioned it to me. I hadn't. While
listening to WTKK Monday night I heard Michele McPhee mention it, but
without much detail. Nobody yet knew who the state rep was, but
she vowed to find out the next day and report on her next program.
There was the photo and
eyewitness story in my inbox the next morning. After I posted it
to the CLT website, I sent it out as a
members Update and to some friends in the media, then tried finding
out which state rep owned license plate number House 29. On his
morning WTKK program, Michael Graham thought it was Rep. Rodrigues.
A reporter at the State House News Service responded to my inquiry with,
"I’ve heard Rep. Rodrigues." By the time I was a guest on Howie
Carr's program on WRKO at 3 pm, he'd already found out for himself.
Barbara called and spoke
with the eyewitness who took the photo last night, after a call from a
Boston Herald reporter who was seeking confirmation. The
Barbara was a guest on
Michele McPhee's program last night at 7:30. Chip Faulkner was
interviewed very early this morning by WBZ radio, and WBZ TV-4 is
interviewing him today for this evening's news. Barbara will be on
the Eagan & Baude show on WTKK (96.9 FM) today just after noon, then on
WSAR (1480 AM) in Rodrigues' district at 12:50 pm. I'll be on Dan
Rea's program this evening at 9 pm on WBZ radio (1030 AM).
It's funny how these things
somehow work out -- it's all in the timing. If we'd tried to get
the story out last week it would have fallen on deaf ears -- amidst
24/7, wall-to-wall, cover-to-cover Kennedy Canonization Coverage.
Nothing was going to get through that barrage until the senator was laid
to rest.
This exposé
is one more nail in the coffin of incumbency, on Beacon Hill and
Capitol Hill too -- one more blatant example of the "do as I say, not as
I do" attitude of career politicians.
One of our members has a
good contact inside the Statehouse. The insider told him yesterday,
"This is flying around among the House members. They are using it
as a warning to one another. Amazing."
Not so amazing. The
Bacon Hill pols are beginning to feel the heat, sense the mood, and see the
handwriting on the wall.
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Chip Ford |
The Boston Herald
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Pol nabbed on New Hampshire booze run
By Michele McPhee, Dave Wedge and Hillary Chabot
A Westport lawmaker who voted to hike the state sales and alcohol taxes
was spotted brazenly piling booze in his car - adorned with his State
House license plate - in the parking lot of a tax-free New Hampshire
liquor store, the Herald has learned.
Michael J. Rodrigues’ blue Ford Crown Victoria, emblazoned with his
“House 29” Massachusetts license plate, was parked outside a Granite
State liquor store on Interstate-95 South over the weekend, according to
a witness who provided pictures to the Herald.
The witness, who requested anonymity, claimed he approached Rodrigues,
noted his State House plate, and asked if he was on personal or official
business. Rodrigues, who was loading booze into his car, snapped “mind
your own business,” the witness said.
The witness’ account was also posted yesterday on Citizens for
Limited Taxation’s Web site.
A member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Rodrigues did
not return several phone calls yesterday. But in an online interview
with The Standard-Times in New Bedford, he acknowledged buying the booze
during a bathroom stop while he and his wife were on a weekend getaway
in New Hampshire.
He also blamed the brouhaha on “Republican demagoguery.”
“Unfortunately, I think that’s why the Republican Party is in such bad
shape in Massachusetts,” Rodrigues is quoted as saying. “The electorate
here is smart enough to figure out what they’re up to.”
The Westport Democrat, whose family owns a rug business, was among the
lawmakers who voted in an unpopular 25 percent sales tax hike for Bay
Staters. The increase pushed the sales tax to 6.25 percent and slapped
that same levy on booze - the first time alcohol has been subject to
retail sales tax.
The hike has been blasted by business owners, especially those on the
New Hampshire border, who say the increase has driven business north.
Mike Cimini, owner of Yankee Spirits liquor stores in Sturbridge,
Attleboro and Swansea, said he’s lost about 10 percent of his business
since the booze tax went into effect Aug. 1.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable that a Massachusetts state representative
would be that hypocritical, let alone be that bold to actually drive his
car with political plates to a New Hampshire liquor store,” said Cimini,
noting Rodrigues represents communities close to his stores. “He’s up in
New Hampshire to avoid the very taxes he approved.”
State law prohibits transporting more than 20 gallons of malt beverages
or three gallons of any other alcoholic beverage. Police have the
authority to detain and charge anyone illegally importing booze into the
state. It’s unknown how much Rodrigues purchased at the New Hampshire
store.
Authorities have also cracked down at the border, targeting Bay Staters
seeking to avoid paying state taxes by crossing into New Hampshire to
shop.
The Boston Herald
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
New Hampshire booze run puts rep at top of idiot heap
By Howie Carr
The competition is always fierce, but this morning we have a new Dumbest
State Rep.
Come on down, Rep. Michael Rodrigues, (D-Westport). He’s in the mix
every year for the coveted DSR award, a 50-year-old career layabout
whose blinding intellect lights up the room like a three-watt bulb.
But now, he rises above the other perennial contenders for the coveted
DSR award, more commonly known as the Kujawski. Wait ’til next year,
John Rogers and Ben Swan.
In what may be a first, Rodrigues (rhymes with, “dumb as bricks”)
snagged the award out of state - specifically, at a New Hampshire liquor
store. When this photo was taken, Rodrigues was picking up some
distilled spirits just after he voted to impose a 6.25 percent sales tax
on liquor sales in the commonwealth.
In other words, do as he says, not as he does.
Being spotted at a New Hampshire state packy was stupid enough, but what
makes it worse is that he was driving a Ford with his own personal House
license plate - 29.
A call placed to Rodrigues yesterday was answered by his aide. She said
he was at the State House but was on another line. I gave her my number
but when the phone didn’t ring, I knew it was him. I called again. A
machine answered. The rep was taking it on the lam.
Too bad, because I had only one question for Rodrigues: Why the hell
didn’t he use somebody else’s car for the booze run? Who in their right
mind, or with a mind at all, would put one of those I’m-a-hack license
plates on his car? As one ex-rep said to me, “When people see those
tags, they throw bleep at you.”
Rodrigues is obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer. You should
see the political vermin who donate to his campaign - the feds should be
empaneling a grand jury, just on spec alone.
He took dough from Richard Vitale, indicted Sal DiMasi’s indicted
accountant. (His committee handled a bill that would have benefitted one
of Vitale’s very ethical clients, the ticket-scalping community.)
Other Rodrigues contributors include Felon Finneran, who gave him $200,
and Mrs. Felon Finneran, who not being a lobbyist was able to chip in
$500.
After his conviction, Felon Finneran was replaced as the top lobbyist of
the Mass. Biotech Council by ex-Rep. Bob Coughlin, who is mentioned in
the recent DiMasi indictment. Coughlin gave $200. Ex-Sen. Henri
“Kickenbach” Rauschenbach, indicted but not convicted, also chipped in
the lobbyist’s traditional $200. Ex-Sen. Biff MacLean was good for $125,
Bulger rumpswab Bobby Karam put up $150.
Do you get the picture?
By the way, as of his most recent filing, Rodrigues had $160,381.08 cash
on hand in his campaign war chest.
If a shameless, money-grubbing hack who’s sitting on 160 large thinks a
6.25 percent tax on booze and the excise tax that’s already been imposed
on it is too much, how does he suppose people who actually work for a
living feel?
The New Bedford Standard-Times
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
All Politics is Local (Blog)
By Jack Spillane
GOP cheap shots Rodrigues?
The Republican parties of both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well
as local Republican radio and Boston Republican radio, are all over
state Rep. Mike Rodrigues of Westport today.
Rodrigues, it seems, was recently spotted in the parking lot of a New
Hampshire state liquor store after having made some purchases. This
after Rodrigues was among the overwhelming number of Democratic state
reps this summer who voted to increase the sales tax, including on
alcohol.
The longtime Westport legislator said he and his wife Patty had gone to
New Hampshire to get away for a two-day vacation because he hadn't had
time to take a week this year. On the way back, he had to use the
bathroom, and bought some liquor while he was in the store.
"It's no big advantage," he said of driving all the way to New Hampshire
from Westport to buy alcohol. "Beer and wine is cheaper here."
Rodrigues said that the Republican demagoguery -- everyone from the
state Republican Party chair to the Dartmouth town committee chair to
WBSM's Republican radio host Ken Pittman beat the drum on the issue --
is an example of what the party does instead of debating issues.
"Unfortunately, I think that's why the Republican Party is in such bad
shape in Massachusetts. The electorate here is smart enough to figure
out what they're up to."
Republicans, he said, have fewer seats in the state Legislature in
Massachusetts than anywhere.
Having a photo of your license plate snapped, and circulated like this,
is why people don't run for public office, Rodrigues said. Most people
will not subject themselves to this kind of thing.
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Boston Herald File Photo by Ted Fitzgerald -
CASE CLOSED: Rep. Michael J. Rodrigues also caught heat in
2005 for tour of a Buzzards Bay winery. |
The Boston Herald
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sobering reminder of 2005 winery jag
By Dave Wedge
Rep. Michael J. Rodrigues’ weekend trip to a New
Hampshire state liquor store marks his second booze-related controversy.
In 2005, he was snapped by the Herald lugging a case of wine out of a
winery during a workday junket criticized by Republicans.
Rodrigues (D-Westport) and several other lawmakers
ditched Beacon Hill hearings in September 2005 for a leisurely afternoon
tour of a Buzzards Bay brewery and Westport winery. The group also took
a boat cruise and capped off the trip with a dinner at one of Rodrigues’
favorite local waterfront spots, The Back Eddy in Westport.
While loading a case of wine into a van following the
tour and hospitality tasting, Rodrigues quipped to a reporter, “We’re
sober.”
Massachusetts Republican Party
September 1, 2009
Taxes Aren't Just For Other People To Pay!
BOSTON - This past weekend Rep. Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) was seen
stocking up at the tax-free New Hampshire State Liquor Store.
Rep. Rodrigues voted in favor of the sales tax hike and additional tax
on alcohol sales.
The Westport / Fall River Democrat's license plate, "House 29," was
spotted and photographed by a listener of the Michelle McPhee Show on
WTKK. The McPhee listener allegedly saw Rep. Rodrigues carrying boxes of
alcohol from the store and placing them in his car.
In a statement today, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer
Nassour said the following:
"Taxes are not just for other people to pay. This is the height of
arrogance by a Beacon Hill Democrat. Rep. Rodrigues should support those
small businesses he imposed a tax upon."
NOTE: Today the MassGOP mailed and emailed the photograph of Rep.
Rodrigues' vehicle at the New Hampshire State Liquor Store to all liquor
stores and vineyards in his district.
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this
material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes
only. For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
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