Debate Success, Money for Consumers, and a Busy Weekend Ahead

Last night Attorney General Martha Coakley went head-to-head with Republican opponent Jim McKenna, and again demonstrated that she is the best candidate for the people Massachusetts. On NECN’s Broadside, Martha gave strong responses to moderator Jim Braude on issues such as public safety, immigration, marriage equality, death penalty, and public corruption. But don’t just take our word for it; watch the debate yourself online or read more about the debate on our website.

As Martha said following the debate, “Debates are important because they help people learn more about each candidates’ positions and record,” added Coakley afterwards, “The Attorney General’s office is not just a political office – it’s a serious law enforcement job, and I know that when people see my record of keeping people safe and standing up for taxpayers, the choice will be clear.”

The debate capped off another big week for Martha, with a series of endorsements from District Attorneys and law enforcement organizations, and some big case announcements from the Attorney General’s Office:

• Thousands of motorcycle owners are receiving checks from Safety Insurance following a $7.4 million settlement with the AGO. The average refund to consumers under this settlement is $348, some consumers are receiving checks up to $24,655.
• The former general manager of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority was indicted for allegedly stealing large amounts of money collected in bus fares from the agency’s money room.
• Following additional Medicaid fraud settlements this week, Martha announced that her office has recovered a record $173 million for the Commonwealth’s Medicaid program since she took office in 2007.

Martha will keep right on moving forward with a busy campaign weekend, including stops to canvass in Lynn, to enjoy the 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Give-a-Wey festivities in Weymouth, and march in the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade in North Adams.

Take a Look

We wanted to share a short video clip with you today.  Martha has an old pair of running shoes she’s dusted off for the campaign trail this year, for running in parades and knocking doors. Her friends have dubbed them – as you’ll see why – her "Campbell’s Soup Shoes!"Take a look:

Martha’s already put quite a few miles on those shoes this year, with a lot more to come. And everywhere she goes, we hear from people that she’s the person they trust to lead the Attorney General’s Office and to stand up for them. 

Please join Martha at a campaign stop near you.  Join us this weekend in Framingham, Holliston, Ashland, Yarmouth or New Bedford. If you can’t join, but still want to help – just sign up to volunteer and we’ll be in touch about future events. 

Neighborhood Conversations with Martha

Recently Martha has begun a series of Neighborhood Conversations, visiting people at house parties and other community events across the Commonwealth. These house parties are informal gatherings where Martha has an opportunity meet members of the community and answer their questions and hear their ideas and concerns.

Last week, Martha made visits to house parties in Reading and the South End , as well as to a candidates’ forum organized by the Auburn Council on Aging at the Lorraine Gleick Nordgren Senior Center in Auburn. This week Martha has visited homes in Worcester and Dorchester, with more stops planned in Haverhill and Peabody before the week is through. The response to these Neighborhood Conversations has been excellent. Visitors have asked thoughtful questions and engaged in spirited dialogue with Martha about issues such as the economy, jobs, gun control, and many others.

More Neighborhood Conversations will continue throughout the Fall, and Martha wants to visit your community. If you are interested in hosting a Neighborhood Conversations, email us at conversations@marthacoakley.com, or give us a call at 617-241-0200. Stay tuned to our Events Calendar for the latest updates.

Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary

This past Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is fitting that also this week, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a settlement with the three largest movie theater chains in the Commonwealth, providing greater accessibility for hearing and visually impaired residents.

With this settlement, these theaters must ensure that every Massachusetts location is equipped with accessible technology, such as captioning technology and description technology. To see the complete settlement details, visit the Attorney General’s Office website.

This settlement is just one among many successful advocacy efforts taken on by Martha since being elected Attorney General. In September 2008, Attorney General Coakley and the National Federation of the Blind reached an agreement with Apple, Inc. , that required Apple to make its iTunes software accessible to blind consumers and students worldwide and to pay $250,000 to Massachusetts to be used to purchase assistive technology for blind students. The Attorney General’s Office also achieved a nationwide settlement with Cardtronics, Inc., the nation’s largest ATM operator, that will provide significantly improved access for blind consumers to the company’s machines.

And in May, Martha was honored with the President Award by the Perkins School for the Blind ,  in recognition of her office’s work to promote accessibility, particularly in technology, for children and adults with sight impairments.

Martha continues to be an advocate for individuals with disabilities, and today’s impressive victory was another step forward in this mission.

Historic Bill Signing with President Obama

Today, Martha joined President Barack Obama, as he signed into law the historic financial reforms included in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

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In an email to supporters today, Martha wrote:

These national reforms will help ensure that Massachusetts residents are better protected from abusive lending practices, and will not only help stabilize our economy, but will also help prevent future meltdowns. I applaud the House and Senate for their efforts in passing these reforms, and I was honored to be in attendance as President Obama signed it into law.

The bill signed by the President today provides for better accountability and transparency in our financial system, increased protections for American taxpayers by ending bailouts and preventing abusive financial services practices, and the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help protect consumers when they make investments, take out mortgages, and use credit cards. Learn more about this new law on WhiteHouse.gov.

Video and thumbnail image from WhiteHouse.gov.

A Busy Summer

We’re only halfway through July, but it has already been a busy summer for Martha, both out on the campaign trail and in the Attorney General’s Office.

Near record-high temperatures this month haven’t slowed Martha down: Martha and her team of dedicated volunteers had a great day marching in the Chelmsford Independence Day parade; and Martha visited the Lynn Democratic City Committee Summer Family Cookout. Martha also made her regular appearance on WTKK with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan, discussing issues such as her work on behalf of taxpayers combating unemployment fraud.

Martha also recently announced a $102 Million settlement agreement with investment giant Morgan Stanley, which includes $58 million in relief to Massachusetts homeowners and a $19.5 Million return to Massachusetts taxpayers. This is just the most recent in Martha’s efforts on behalf of Massachusetts homeowners who have fallen victim to the subprime mortgage lending crisis, which – so far – has brought over $440 Million in relief for investors and borrowers and recovered more than $50 million in taxpayer funds for Massachusetts. More than 15,000 homeowners in the Commonwealth will see relief following Martha’s work.

And exactly one year to the day that Martha filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal judge ruled in favor of this effort and struck down DOMA. In her challenge, Martha argued that the law, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, unfairly excluded Massachusetts married same-sex couples and their families from critically important rights and protections and interfered with the state’s authority to regulate marriage.

Martha’s efforts in these cases and in her re-election campaign have been discussed by columnists and bloggers, such as The Boston Globe’s Adrian Walker and Samuel P. Jacobs of The Daily Beast – check them out! It's been a great summer so far, and we're looking forward to more exciting events in the weeks ahead.

Chelmsford Independence Day Parade

 

Martha and her team of dedicated volunteers had a great time marching in the Chelmsford Independence Day Parade this past Monday. 

Despite soaring temperatures, the route was full of enthusiastic parade-goers cheering on marching bands, elected officials, veterans, and various organizations.

 Thank you to the Chelmsford Parade Committee for hosting such a wonderful day!

 

2010 Massachusetts Democratic Convention

Next weekend is a very important marker in the 2010 campaign season: the Massachusetts Democratic Convention. The state nominating convention is the event where candidates secure their place on the primary ballot, earn the Party’s endorsement, and is an excellent opportunity to meet other active Democrats from your town and around the Commonwealth.

The convention will take place Friday and Saturday, June 4-5, at the DCU Center in Worcester. The Massachusetts Democratic Party website provides useful  information, including a convention agenda, standing rules, hotel accommodations, and more.

Martha will be there to seek the party’s endorsement Friday evening and to greet delegates Saturday. Our team of volunteers will be in attendance; can you join us? We are recruiting volunteers to help support convention operations, beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and beginning at 7:45 a.m. and throughout the day on Saturday. Delegates and non-delegates alike are welcome!

If you are able to help out for a couple hours or more, please email us at volunteer@marthacoakley.com or call 617-241-0200. Let us know if you are a delegate or not, and your availability, and we will follow up right away.

Martha has been so glad to see many of you out around the Commonwealth as she’s been out campaigning for re-election this spring, and we all hope to see you at next weekend’s convention.

Please Join Me May 26th

Friends,

I am running for re-election as Attorney General, and I am asking for your continued help and support. 

I have spent a great deal of time over these past months out on the campaign trail, meeting with folks at their town caucuses, at commuter rail stops, and out in their communities. It has been a great opportunity to listen to their ideas and concerns, and to share with them the reasons I am so passionate about continuing to serve as Attorney General. 

I have dedicated my career to fighting for those who need it most. Every day as your Attorney General, I work to stand up for consumers, taxpayers, and victims. I am running for re-election to continue these important and fundamental fights – keeping people safe in our communities, protecting our children and seniors, recovering money on behalf of taxpayers, and fighting for the families hit hardest during this difficult economy.

Please join me for our first fundraising event for my re-election campaign from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26th, at Anthony's Pier 4 in Boston.

If you can’t attend, please consider making a financial contribution online or by mailing a check payable to the “Martha Coakley Committee” to 529 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129.

I’m grateful for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you out on the campaign trail.

With warm regards,

Martha

Weekend Wrap-Up

This past Friday, Attorney General Martha Coakley participated in another Banned in Boston, playing the role of Ellen DeGeneres in the annual fundraiser for  Urban Improv's nationally recognized violence prevention programs for Boston-area youth.  

 Saturday brought a stop to the Haverhill Democratic City Committee Annual Brunch, where Martha and many other Democratic candidates addressed the crowd and met with activists in Haverhill. Governor Patrick attended the breakfast as he kicked off his campaign with a tour across the Commonwealth. 

The weekend concluded with a trip to Hudson for the Middlesex & Worcester Democratic Coalition annual breakfast, where Martha spoke with Democratic activists from 14 cities and towns from the area. Martha also extended special congratulations to photographer and friend Jeff Mayes, a recipient of the "Democracy in Action Award," for his outstanding commitment to the work of local Democratic Committees.