Leaders Look to Modify Probation Department's Hiring Process

Legislators proposed to eliminate the Probation Department's hiring process and place it under the state's Civil Service Commission.  The Commission ranks employment candidates based on test scores and limits the hiring discretion of department administrators.  Additionally, leaders will create a nine-member bipartisan committee to draft a bill to change the probation agency's structure. Gov. Patrick, Senate President Murray and Speaker DeLeo will each appoint three members to the commission.

In July 2010, Rep. Stanley cosigned a letter to the budget conferees relative to adopting language included in the Senate budget to make important reforms to the Probation Department.  Rep. Stanley believed that the Senate proposal represents a balanced and thoughtful approach toward restoring the integrity of the Probation Department, as well as developing a long-term plan on how to best incorporate and utilize state resources in protecting and enhancing public safety.

Ireland Confirmed as Chief Justice

Becoming the first African-American to hold the position, Judge Roderick Ireland was recently confirmed as chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.  Ireland will fill the position vacated when Margaret Marshall stepped down. The Governor's Council approved Ireland on a 7-0 vote.

Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter to Sen. Brown Urging Passage of DISCLOSE Act

In a letter to Sen. Brown, Rep. Stanley and his colleagues asked for the Senator's assistance in passing the DISCLOSE Act before the end of the 111th Congress. The House passed similar legislation in June.  This past September the bill fell short in the Senate by a single vote.

The bill was written in response to the Supreme Court ruling that allowed unions and corporations to spend unlimited funds on political activities. The DISCLOSE Act would require corporations, unions and interest groups to identify themselves when they sponsor political ads and, in the case of smaller organizations, to reveal their donors. 

"The DISCLOSE Act is a common-sense bill that would provide American voters with more information about who's trying to influence elections, and how much they're spending to do it," said Rep. Stanley. "Increased disclosure will help voters make informed choices, hold politicians accountable, and keep the power in our democracy where it belongs -- with the people."

MASSPIRG Releases 25th Annual "Trouble in Toyland" Report

MASSPIRG recently released its 25th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report and cited nine toys as choking or toxic  chemical hazards. A partial list of these toys includes a wooden train made by Haba, the Princess Expressions Tiara and Jewelry set made by Almar Sales and Fisher Price's Let's Get Building! Construction play set.  The full list is available at www.toysafety.mobi.

In 2009, according to MASSPIRG, 250,000 children were admitted to emergency rooms across the US for dangerous toy-related accidents or illness, including 90,000 children under 5-years-old. Twelve children died in 2009 from interactions with dangerous toys.