The Sandwich Democratic Town Committee

(Editor’s Note: This post was submitted by guest contributor Alex Morash of Yarmouth Port, former member of the Democratic State Committee)

Recently the State Ethics Commission issued a ruling stating Senator Dan Wolf has a conflict of interest and they believe he needs to disinvest in Cape Air or end his bid for Governor.

Now before I weigh in on this decision I want to say that I consider Dan Wolf and Steve Grossman friends. Treasurer Grossman has invited me into his home and has been very kind to me and the people of Cape Cod. I have also had great experiences with Senator Wolf. After the 2010 primary where my candidate was defeated by Senator Wolf, I sat down with him and found him to be a great, passionate progressive. I was glad to help get Dan Wolf elected to the Senate that year. Between the two for Governor I have not decided on whom to support. But, I want the option to vote for either one of them, and I think both have a right to be on the ballot!

This ethics ruling is flawed and raises more questions about the Ethics Commission than it does about any particular candidate. The ruling found that since Cape Air pays Massport to use Logan Airport, that it is a non-competitive contract, this is a conflict of interest. However, when examining the details of what the Ethics Commission calls a contract, it looks more like paying any other fee to the government.

The Facts  

•  This so-called contract is not negotiated, all airlines pay the same rent based on square feet.
•  This so-called contract is profit neutral. Rent per square foot is determined on maintaining the property. Massport receives no profit from this rent, and tax payers pay nothing to maintain the property.
•  This so-called contract is not exclusive. Massport is federally mandated to accept all applicants that pay the fee.

Once these truths come out, this so-called conflict of interest starts to fade away. Senator Wolf cannot manipulate the fee his business pays, and he is not granted any exclusive rights at the airport. Cape Air is paying a fee just as any other airline. There is not even the appearance of a conflict because he has no mechanism to create a conflict.

This ruling is silly once the facts are brought to light. Under the Ethics Commission’s logic a frequent user of I-90 should be barred from running for office if they sign up for an easy pass. That too is a contract with the state, that anyone can purchase and rates are not negotiated. Shall we remove the quarter of the state legislators who commute from Western Massachusetts?