Mass. to vote on law requiring financial transparency 4 houses of worship

[Ian David]

OUR SENATOR BARRIOS SPONSORED THIS BILL! LET'S SUPPORT HIM!
VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL ENDORSES THIS BILL!

THIS BILL IS OPPOSED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS FAMILY INSTITUTE AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON!

I think I know what side I want to be on, don't you?

Now that the Bush administration is shoveling loads of faith-based money into religious institutions, that is our tax money, and we deserve to know where it is going.

Call your Mass. State Congressmen and tell them to pass this bill!
http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/?lvl=L

Ask your Congressmen to vote "YES" on Senate bill no. 1074.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25th, the Massachusetts House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on legislation that would require all churches, synagogues and mosques to report financial information to the Attorney General’s Office annually.

As part of the annual financial report, religious institutions with revenues of $100,000 or more would be required to file a CPA’s certification of financial review with the Attorney General. Religious institutions with revenues of $500,000 or more would be required to undergo annual audits, and file the audit report with the Attorney General.

Ask your Congressmen to vote "YES" on Senate bill no. 1074.

AN ACT RELATIVE TO CHARITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

By Ms. Walsh, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1074) of Marian Walsh, John Hynes, Robert K. Coughlin, Jarrett T. Barrios and other members of the General Court and others for legislation relative to Massachusetts charities. The Judiciary

More:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st01/st01074.htm



Walsh legislation introduced in Boston, MA would require churches to open their books. What evolves in Boston is expected to have a broad ripple effect across the country.

From John Hynes, VOTF Boston Area Council:

By any measure, we would have to regard last week's response to the Voice of the Faithful's call for action on behalf of Senator Marian Walsh's proposed legislation as a huge success.

Last week's response was all about Massachusetts VOTF members doing for others:

*

for clergy and other parish staff members whose pension benefits have been misused;
*

for parishioners whose churches have been unfairly closed, and/or whose contributions have been misappropriated;
*

and for all those generous citizens of Massachusetts, who have a right to know a) how their funds are being spent and b) that all appeals for funds in this Commonwealth are truthful and accurate.

This hearing was just the first step in what is a marathon-like process. Within the next month or so, we need to convince the Judiciary Committee to vote S1074 out of committee to the full Senate. Eventually, we need to convince the entire legislature that they should pass this bill. Some of you will be able to help with one phase of this effort; others will be able to do more. As a minimum, we are hoping that you will all contact your Senator and Representative ASAP and ask them to support Senate Bill 1074.

More:
http://www.votf.org/vineyard/Aug25_2005/world.html

[mom cat]

1. This bill should be supported.

[mom cat]

2. I just sent my rep a letter.

[Ian David]

3. Me too. After I got an email from a group that opposed the bill. n/t

[paineinthearse]

4. Congressmen?

Me thinks you mean "statehouseperson". Congress is in DC.

Recommended.

Go Jarrett!

[paineinthearse]

5. My senator voted yes

The Senator voted in favor of Senate 1074 -- The Church Disclosures Bill. In fact, the bill passed the Senate this past November by a vote of 33-4.

If you have any more questions or concerns about the bill, please feel free to ask away!

xxxx
Chief of Staff
Senator xxxxxxxxxxx
Phone: 617-722-xxxx
Email: [e-mail]

[Ian David]

6. Anti-gay Bigot / Hack Senator Bob Creedon says he is against this bill

From: Creedon, Robert (SEN) <[e-mail]>
Date: Jan 24, 2006
Subject: RE: Please support Senate bill no. 1074

I am not in favor of this bill.

Bob



----
STATE SENATOR
ROBERT S. CREEDON, Jr.


Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT{SIC}
State House E-Mail Address: [e-mail]
State House
Room 413-C
Boston, MA 02133
Telephone: [phone]

State House E-Mail Address: [e-mail]

DISTRICT REPRESENTED— SECOND PLYMOUTH AND BRISTOL. — Brockton, East Bridgewater, precincts 1 to 3, inclusive, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson and Whitman, in the county of Plymouth; and Easton, precincts 1 and 2, in the county of Bristol.

More:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/member/rsc0.htm

See also:
http://www.knowthyneighbor.org/thelist.php?searchValue=creedon&searchField=last_name&sortBy=last_name&sortDir=ASC&page=1&anchor=list#list