Paul Demakis

Template:TOCnestleft Paul Demakis

Democratic Socialists of America

On June 13, 2002 Boston Democratic Socialists of America presented its 25th Annual Debs–Thomas–Bernstein Awards to "leaders who fight for democracy, here at home and around the world". State Representatives Pat Jehlen and Anne Paulsen, Co-Chairs of the Progressive Legislators Group received the award. Ellen Feingold, the earliest known recipient (1979) spoke on the history of the organization. David Knuttunen and Susan Davidoff were benefactors of the reception. Paul Demakis was a patron of the reception.

Fighting free trade

In 2002, Brit Eckhart, a legislative aide to Rep. Byron Rushing (D-Boston), wrote an article for Boston Democratic Socialists of America newsletter The Yankee Radical (June edition) "WTO Comes to Massachusetts". bemoaning the impact of international trade agreements.

In response to these developments, the Massachusetts Globalization Impact Bill H.2119, sponsored by Rep. Byron Rushing and written by David Lewit of the Boston-Cambridge Alliance for Democracy, addresses the impact of globalization on state lawmaking powers. It would set up a Commission of 3 Representatives, 2 Senators, the Attorney General, the Treasurer, and 2 appointees of the Governor’s, to study the impact of these trade agreements on our state’s municipalities and regulatory framework. Early sponsors include Rep. Pat Jehlen, Rep. Paul Demakis and Sen. Dianne Wilkerson. The bill is currently lodged in the House Ways & Means Committee, chaired by Rep. John Rogers of Norwood; as of May there is legislative support from just over a dozen members in the House. A minimum of 80 votes will be needed to pass this legislation.

Endorsing Jay Livingstone

According to Eleanor LeCain, writing in the The Yankee Radical, a "true progressive is running for state representative" in Boston/Cambridge — Jay Livingstone — in a special election being held on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013.

Livingstone is an experienced community leader with a proven record of hard work in advancing progressive ideals—let’s help him win by making some phone calls now, and helping on Election Day, May 28th.

A Massachusetts native, Livingstone teaches at Northeastern University and operates his own law practice, standing up against employer discrimination. He has been a key organizer in the campaigns of Rep. Ed Markey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Gov. Deval Patrick. As a "State Rep Jay will work hard for quality, affordable public education; increased funding for at-risk youth, the disabled and the elderly; improved public transportation; and sensible development that works for small businesses and preserves the quality of neighborhood life".

He has been endorsed by Marty Walz and Paul Demakis, the two state reps who recently held this seat, the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee, Mass Alliance, Progressive Massachusetts, Massachusetts Peace Action, the Sierra Club, the ten Boston locals of AFSCME, the National Organization for Women (Mass NOW), Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts and Boston Democratic Socialists of America — among many others.

References

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