GALVIN TAKES “TRANSPARENCY” PLEDGE

Westford, MA, June 30, 2014 – Describing the condition of Massachusetts State government as one of “systematic failure”, state representative candidate, Dennis Galvin, running in the Second Middlesex District, pledged his support to a group of reform-minded House members.  Galvin stated, “It is essential that transparency and fairness be restored on Beacon Hill.”   He joined current state representatives Marc Lombardo, Shaunna O’Connell and James Lyons in signing a “transparency pledge” on the steps of the statehouse on Wednesday, June 25.

In signing this pledge, Galvin vowed, if elected, to support: posting committee votes online, supporting any member who asks for a roll call vote, applying the state’s Open Meeting law provisions to the statehouse,  opposing the practice of bundling amendments and demanding that the House ethics committee be evenly comprised of both Democrats and Republicans.

Galvin charged that the current House leadership has given strong evidence that it intends to carry on the underhanded practices of the previous three House Speakers, all of whom were convicted on federal corruption charges.  Galvin stated that this state of affairs is “unacceptable” for this Commonwealth.  Galvin stated, “Our Commonwealth will never achieve the goal of becoming a society that is open and welcoming to all unless and until we finally rid ourselves of our ugly legacy of corruption and underhandedness in government.  This pledge is a strong first step in that direction and I wholeheartedly support it.”

Galvin charged that incumbent state representative, James Arciero, has consistently supported House Speaker DeLeo in his efforts to stifle debate in the House and that he also supported House Speaker Sal DiMasi, who was convicted on corruption charges in 2009.  Galvin said, “The people of the Second Middlesex District expect a higher quality of leadership from their House leaders and Arciero’s choices have repeatedly missed the mark.”

The election for state representative for the second Middlesex District will be held on November 4, 2014.  The Second Middlesex District comprises the towns of Littleton, Westford and precincts 5, 7 and 8 in Chelmsford.