By Bob Katzen
ByAaron Singer, the producer and director of “Shadows on the Hill,” an upcoming documentary that he says asks why common-sense bills don’t pass the Massachusetts Legislature, announced the unveiling of his GoFundMe website to raise money for the production.
“I’m making this movie because local media has failed to draw critical attention to a Statehouse that routinely ignores the public’s will,” Singer told Beacon Hill Roll Call. “Voters largely don’t understand how Beacon Hill lawmaking actually works. If they did, they’d stop lobbying their representatives and start showing up at Speaker Mariano’s office [because] that’s where the monied interests go.”
Singer continued, “I invite current and former staffers, reporters, lobbyists and lawmakers who understand this broken system to share their story. If you’ve seen firsthand how power is hoarded and democracy is undermined, join me and others in calling it out.”
The project’s website is http://www.shadowsdoc.com which includes links to the GoFundMe fundraiser.
House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking for his reaction to the making of the documentary.
DIVEST STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS FROM COMPANIES THAT SELL WEAPONS TO ISRAEL (H 2984) – The Public Service Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with companies selling weapons to the State of Israel, unless the company announces within 30 days of the effective date of this bill, if it becomes law, that it will not renew or enter into contracts for weapon sales to the State of Israel.
“While I support Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself, the war on Gaza has exceeded all legitimate bounds and has widely been condemned as a genocide,” said Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge), a co-sponsor of the bill. “A ceasefire is long overdue, and yet the massacre of Palestinians continues with support from the United States government and weapons manufacturers. I am co-sponsoring this legislation to help do my part to ensure our state government is not complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and crimes against humanity in Gaza.”
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (D-Somerville), the chief sponsor of the bill did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to explain why she filed the bill. Two other co-sponsors, Reps. Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) and Samantha Montano (D-Boston) did not respond to the same request.
DIVEST STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS FROM FIREARMS COMPANIES (S 1869) – Another measure heard by the Public Service Committee would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with companies that derive more than 15 percent of revenues from the sale or manufacture of ammunition, firearms or firearm accessories used for civilian purposes.
“It is crucial that we take a stand against gun violence, which is now the leading cause of death for children ages one to 19,” said sponsor State Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “This bill takes a fiscally responsible approach in divesting from an industry that has repeatedly refused to work toward protecting our communities.”