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© 2013 The Sandwich Democratic Town Committee
The Chair of the Sandwich Democratic Town Committee, Paul Houlihan, has sent the following message to state senator and gubernatorial candidate Dan Wolf. We are posting it in the Free Press per Paul’s request.
Hi Dan:
I just read your statement concerning the Ethics Commission ruling and your decision to suspend your gubernatorial campaign and resign your Senate seat. I’m so sorry that you have been forced into this decision. Those of us who support and work for a progressive and transparent government are losing a real leader and thoughtful official. We were greatly energized by your remarks at our July meeting of the Sandwich Democratic Town Committee. Please know that you have our best wishes and greatest respect.
Paul Houlihan, Chair
Sandwich Democratic Town Committee
Sent on August 22, 2013, 7:35 AM
State Senator Dan Wolf has announced in a communique to his followers that without a change in the Ethics Commission’s ruling he will resign his seat in the State Senate and suspend his campaign for governor as of August 29, 2013. Wolf states in his message that the Commission has given him only two choices: 1) give up all contracts/leases Cape Air has with MassPort (stop flying there), or 2) divest completely from the company. Neither of those are viable options in his opinion, so he writes that:
And so, without a change in the Ethics Commission’s position, I will resign my Senate seat effective Thursday, August 29. I would do so under duress. I would do so believing that the Cape and Islands Senatorial district is being denied duly elected representation. Until this matter is resolved, I am suspending my efforts to become the next Governor of Massachusetts, believing that unless this ruling is changed I cannot conduct a campaign for real economic and social justice, defining a bright future for the Commonwealth that includes affordable public education, a rebuilt infrastructure, and healthy partnerships between the public and private sectors.
State Senator Dan Wolf
To read the complete announcement click on: Wolf Resignation and Suspension Announcement
An opinion piece in this morning’s Cape Cod Times, “Is Ethics Commission crying wolf,” makes for interesting reading. It seems to raise questions and concerns that Democrats have raised ever since the Commission’s ruling was announced. See the recent post by Alex Morash in the Free Press for an example: A Question of Ethics in the Ethics Commission.
In the editorial, the Times asserts:
From our point of view, it appears the Ethics Commission is taking a rather strict and narrow view of state conflict-of-interest laws. After all, the airline’s contracts with Massport have been renewed month to month and year to year since 2002. The rental rates are the same for each airline operating out of the same terminal. So if the Massport contract with Cape Air is essentially fixed and nonnegotiable, and all airlines get the same deal, where’s the conflict of interest?
Check out the editorial and join the conversation.
(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?
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