Letter to the Editor

September 5, 2003

Editor, Boston Globe

The new charges for non-governmental groups for the use of various meeting spaces at the State House is a staggering new tax on the Constitutional rights of assembly and a mockery of the right to address grievances to the government. It will insure that the Governor and the Legislature will not be bothered by volunteer and non-profit groups representing ordinary or needy citizens. On the other hand, the fees will be pocket change to the lobbyists of well-heeled special interests.

Moreover, the legislation provides that the State House Superintendent, a political appointee, may waive these fees at his discretion. If anyone believes that this discretion will be exercised without regard to the political position of the groups applying, we have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell him.

Outside sections to the regular budget are a time-tested method for the legislative leadership to slip through substantive measures without normal deliberations. In a supplemental budget and in an informal session, it is doubly certain that the vast majority of legislators had any idea these provisions were even before them. But to be even handed, it is the Romney administration’s obsessive opposition to raising revenue by open and equitable means (that is, taxation) which makes this kind of travesty possible. Once again, we get the government our inattention deserves.

Joel Eigerman, Esq.

Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action