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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
 Posted - 05/22/2007 : 8:35:33 PM
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I just heard Barrios has resigned and is taking a job with Blue Cross. Anybody know what's going on?
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 8:58:57 PM
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I am so sorry to hear this. He did so much for Everett.
Sally |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 9:14:51 PM
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Senator to resign, accept Blue Cross Foundation position
Senator to resign, accept Blue Cross Foundation position
Related Links
* Sen. Jarrett Barrios
* Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
BOSTON -- Sen. Jarrett Barrios, an ambitious lawmaker who's championed public safety issues and vigorously defended the high court ruling that allowed him and other gays to marry, said Tuesday he's resigning to lead a foundation that promotes health coverage statewide.
The Cambridge Democrat, who plans to resign in early July, told The Associated Press that he accepted an offer Tuesday to become president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.
"My goal in the House and Senate has always been to improve the life opportunities of the commonwealth's most vulnerable citizens. This job's goal is no different," Barrios said.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, whose 3 million members make it the state's largest health insurance company, started the separately run foundation in 2001.
Barrios, who has sat on the foundation's board since its inception, would succeed Nancy Turnbull, who resigned to return to Harvard University's School of Public Health. Barrios would not comment on his salary, which he said is still being negotiated.
"Jarrett's a person of exceptional leadership ability and we believe that he will be able to continue to take our foundation to the next level of excellence," said Philip W. Johnston, the board chairman at the foundation and the former head of the state's Democratic Party.
"I hope the fact that we have selected a person of Latino descent will send a strong message to the Latino community that they are valued in our society," Johnston said.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Barrios served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002 before winning a seat in the Senate.
During his time in office, Barrios focused on public safety issues, including anti-gang and anti-bullying legislation.
But Barrios, 39, found his personal and political lives colliding when the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in 2003 that the state could no longer ban same-sex couples from marrying in Massachusetts.
Barrios, who would later marry his partner, Democratic campaign strategist and former Al Gore spokesman Doug Hattaway, forcefully defended the decision.
During one debate, Barrios pointed to his wedding ring and warned his colleagues against putting a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the ballot.
"We are only asking you today to end the debate so that we can sleep easily knowing that while you may not live next to us, or even like us, that we will at least have the right to enjoy the same rights the rest of you enjoy," Barrios said.
Last year, Barrios jumped into the race for Middlesex district attorney, then abruptly withdrew, saying he had much more to accomplish in the Senate seat he had held since 2003. He won re-election easily.
His departure from the 40-member chamber is not expected to change efforts to repeal gay marriage through the constitutional amendment, since his district is one of the state's most liberal. A vote on the amendment could come as early as June 14, before Barrios leaves.
His departure is the Senate's second this year. Former Senate President Robert Travaglini, D-Boston, resigned earlier this year.
Cambridge City Councilor Marjorie Decker, who along with fellow Democrat and Councilor Anthony Galluccio are potential candidates for Barrios's seat, said she has been disappointed by Barrios.
"He decided he was no longer interested in being a senator and wanted to run for district attorney," she said. "Now he's going to step down midterm. His ambitions have been the principle."
Since its creation in 2001, the foundation has issued grants totaling $21.6 million to 199 organizations. It also was key player in developing Massachusetts' universal health care law.
Although it operates separately from Blue Cross Blue Shield, the corporation contributed an initial endowment of $55 million to the foundation.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
New England News
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Edited by - massdee on 05/22/2007 9:16:13 PM |
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charm
Senior Member
264 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 07:55:48 AM
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| what happens to the former alderwoman who is by his side. Does she go with him? Galluccio all the way for Everett. |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 08:09:52 AM
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I hope she runs for Mayor
Sally |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 08:17:48 AM
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| She may be unemployed. I always thought she was there for the lesbian vote......... I'm not saying that's her thing, but she certainly looks the part! |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 09:44:35 AM
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| I believe her husband is an Everett Police Officer and she has children. She was also formerly in the military. |
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justthfcts
Member
72 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 10:02:06 AM
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| I agree for the most part that he has been a somewhat effective legislator, but i also believe he is a hypocrite. He touts his passion for public safety and than co-sponsors a bill with that reprobate Marie St. Fleur to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens. Also he gets up there and whines and throws 3 year old temper tantrums anytime someone disagrees with him on gay marriage, as if the people who signed the petition to put it on the ballot are all "haters". Typical liberal garbage, you cannot agree to disagree with them, god forbid you disagree you are tagged a racist and they do anything in their power to destroy you. Last summer when we were all up in arms about gas prices and property tax and all the other TAXES and FEES and SHAKEDOWNS that the geniuses up on Beacon Hill continue to jam down our throats, by us i mean the blue- collar hard working AMERICAN CITIZENS of Everett. Jarrett Barrios decided to declare war on Fluffernutter sandwiches instead of maybe considering a summer rollback of the gas tax, another empty suit in my opinion who was just a rubber stamp puppet for Cadillac Deval. With no candidate from Everett in the mix, the clear choice to replace Senator Fluff is ANTHONY GALLUCCIO. Anthony has a ton of support in Everett and would be a much bettter representative for our city than Jarrett ever was. PAUL D. DOBBINS |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 10:49:41 AM
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justme that was really uncalled for. She is a married mother.
Sally |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 11:57:48 AM
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| I realize she's married and a mother but that doesn't change the fact that she looks the part............ |
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Court4Fred
Advanced Member
1201 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 12:03:57 PM
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| I'd like to see Galluccio take another run for it. I did hear that Cambridge state rep, Alice Wolf is looking at this race, too. Just say no........ |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 1:08:19 PM
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very very rude
Sally |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 1:55:10 PM
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| Sorry Sally, I'm just calling it like I see it. You can call it rude but someone else will call it honest. |
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H1ghCh4r1ty
Advanced Member
967 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 4:42:02 PM
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I supported Barrios with donations and time working for him and I asked for nothing in return but his dedication to the people of Everett.
I am incensed that he has decided to resign, not even finish his term, from the State Senate. I feel betrayed that he casually cast aside those who supported him in his campaign.
His poor decision to run for DA is another example of his opportunistic ambitions. I am disgusted by his actions and disregard for his constituents.
Mr. Dobbins is absolutely correct in his assessment of Mr. Barrios. We should have supported Galuccio at first instead of this useless turncoat.
Of course he is of no obligation by law to return any campaign donations to those who contributed.
Typical self serving politician. I guess he fooled many of us. Sleaze.
Emile Schoeffhausen |
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FrenchFries
Member
23 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 5:40:42 PM
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I guess so Emile. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
Here we have on this blog someone who is already up Gallucio's butt before we know if someone from Everett is running. I'd like to see someone from Everett run.
Senator Schoeffhausen has a ring to it. |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 6:08:02 PM
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| Exactly what happens to the campaign contributions when there's no more campaigning? What can Barrios do with the money in the war chest? |
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Barrios
