Mass. seeks a voice in debt talks

[Mass]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/09/15/mass_delegation_seeks_united_voice_in_debt_talks/

WASHINGTON - With $1.5 trillion in federal spending potentially at stake, lobbyists have packed Capitol Hill in an effort to grab the attention of 12 debt supercommittee members. Count members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation among those eager to be heard.
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Also at risk is the Small Business Innovation Research Program, which was championed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy and is up for reauthorization at the end of the month
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Markey’s report is an opening salvo for the state’s industry groups and lawmakers.

It describes how much money has gone to public and private sectors of the economy, from teaching hospitals and military contractors to homeowners needing help paying their winter heating bills.

Representative Niki Tsongas, a Lowell Democrat, said that she is still studying Markey’s report but agrees on the need to protect research funds for small businesses.

“We all understand that we have an extraordinary challenge going forward, that the issue of the deficit and debt are very real, but I also think we have to have a process that acknowledges that it cannot be solely about cuts from a very small portion of the budget,’’ she said.

Members of the delegation have already met with Kerry to discuss ways to trim the debt and how cuts could affect Massachusetts. Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez said that he plans to work with the delegation and the White House, to minimize the impact of the push to trim the deficit.
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Informative article, but it was fun to see that the BG decided to ignore Kerry's leadership on small business.

[karynnj]

1. The comments are toxic and show hatred not just to Democrats, but Massachusetts

The article does show that for every cut, there will be strong advocacy somewhere for the cut item.

It is telling that they credit Kennedy - where Kerry was the Chair of the committee. (On current work, it is irritating that they give the junior senator at least as much credit as the senior senator when he is a co-sponsor of a SB bill - but ignores when he then filibustered the bill he sponsored.

[ObamaKerryDem]

2. Yet another example of media having it out for JK..

..even so called "liberal media" like the BG. *sigh* :banghead: