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AUBURN, Mass. – After the Daily Voice reported on Friday that several local businesspeople support state Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury), his Republican opponent in November’s election claimed that Moore’s voting record says otherwise.
Auburn Selectman Steve Simonian pointed to a voting scorecard from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), a nonpartisan organization, which stated that Moore votes for small business issues 46 percent of the time.
“When our state Senator is voting against small businesses 54 percent of the time, I don’t know how he can say that he’s looking out for small businesses,” Simonian said.
However, Moore said there is “no validity to this claim.”
“I have fully supported small businesses in my time in office,” Moore said. “As the businesspeople stated in the article, it’s clear that I’m accessible to all businesses, and I will correct business legislation if it causes a burden.”
Moore said that the NFIB priorities that he voted against were pro-employee items, including CORI reform, parental leave and mandatory health care benefits.
“Voting in support of employees is also voting in support of the small business community,” Moore said. “If there’s a climate where people aren’t happy and don’t enjoy working in industries, then those industries aren’t going to be successful."
But Simonian said that Moore and other Statehouse legislators are causing unfair competition for businesses in the state.
“I’ve had many face-to-face conversations with small business owners, and they are considering moving their business,” Simonian said. “If they’re moving out-of-state, there’s no way you can say it’s a friendly business climate here.
“And it’s because the Legislature is making it harder and harder for companies to do business here,” Simonian continued. “The laws that have been passed are really hurting small businesses.”
However, Moore said he has advocated for many small business policies, including the fair share legislation; he said that businesses are getting unfairly taxed as a result of the state’s health insurance mandate, and this bill would address that.
The NFIB, whose scorecard Simonian pointed to, released a statement supporting Moore’s advocacy of this bill:
“On behalf of a group of organizations representing employers, we want to express our support for the fair share contribution assessment amendment filed by Senator Michael Moore.
“The amendment seeks to correct a problem faced by many small and independent business owners who offer insurance and employ many part-time or seasonal employees and/or employees who are likely to have insurance from other sources, yet are still subject to the fair share contribution penalty.”
In addition, Moore said he has support from the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), which also has a voting scorecard. According to AIM, a nonpartisan organization, Moore received a 78 percent score, which was sixth highest in the state Senate out of 40 senators.
“Sen. Moore has consistently voted in support of issues that are important to the business community,” said John Regan, head of Massachusetts Government Affairs for AIM. “He’s one of the senators who is pro-business, and we know we can rely on him.”
Comments (13)
So we will have to wait to see if it gets to the Senate I guess.
Anyone know where Mikey stands on Right to Work? Now that would be a good thing for business in this state.
Well Sam since that is a house vote he wouldn't have voted on it at all.
Ok Irony then why don't you research how Mike voted on this nasty piece of garbage on Beacon Hill:
The House voted 32-119, again mostly along party lines, and rejected a Republican-sponsored rule requiring a two-thirds vote to ship proposed amendments off to a study committee unless the sponsor of the original amendment agrees with conducting a study. Only one Democratic legislator voted with the GOP in favor of the rule.
The rule is designed to stop what Republicans describe as successful attempts by Speaker Robert DeLeo and his Democratic leadership team to prevent Democratic members from having to vote directly against GOP proposals to reduce taxes.
Here’s an example of how it works: The Republicans offer a proposal to reduce the income tax from 5.3 percent back to 5 percent. If the Democratic leadership does nothing, there would be a roll call vote directly on the tax reduction. Most Democrats would vote against the reduction and then would be open to charges of being against tax relief.
Instead, a Democratic member offers a “delaying” amendment that would prohibit the tax reduction from taking effect until the Department of Revenue studies its economic impact.
Under House rules, the amendment to study and delay the tax cut is voted upon first. If it passes, which it always does, no other amendments can be introduced and the original proposal that would simply cut the tax is dead without ever having a direct vote on it.
Read more: Beacon Hill Roll Call: Mass. House begins budget process - Holliston, MA - Holliston TAB http://www.wickedlocal.com/holliston/news/x1783280577/Beacon-Hill-Roll-Call-Mass-House-begins-budget-process#ixzz21YNSiLMN
I don't know what is more ridiculous, simonian making yet another false claim or this reporter printing this dribble. At least sobey actually took the time to ask the writers of the report if it was accurate. He failed miserably asking simonian any follow up questions like, " what business have you spoken to that have said they are moving out of the state" or perhaps, you allege " The laws that have been passed are really hurting small businesses.” " specifially what laws that have been passed.
Sam, you say the numbers speak loud and clear louder and clear than the agency who wrote the report that says moore is pro business?
This is another example of twisting numbers to ones own benefit. Ive said it before and I;; say it again a do nothing first term selectman cant win without going negative and it looks like he's found his outlet thats buying into it
Lets not forget that Moore voted party line in favor unionizing DAY CARE WORKERS. Is he serious? This will only drive up costs which will severly impact the average worker or single parent trying to put food on the table and pay the rent. Let's see NFIB's reaction to that.
"NFIB was deeply disappointed by the near party line vote in support of House Bill No. 3986, which would make home based day care owners who accept subsidized children state employees. These new state workers would then be represented by a union for negotiations with the state government about wages, hours and conditions of employment. Day care owners would likely never vote on whether to join the union.
NFIB vehemently opposes the bill because it affects only small home-based centers not larger institutional centers. Secondly, the bill will increase costs of day care for consumers."
So lets stop with the Saint Mikey BS shall we?
Just look at the NFIB report and see for yourself. Moore supports pro small business legislation ONLY 46% of the time.
On the other hand the very same report shows Frost supports pro small business legislaion 88% of the time.
The numbers speak loud and clear. MIKE MOORE IS ANTI-BUSINESS.
And lets not forget this very basic fact that is also true. MIKE MOORE CARES ABOUT MIKE MOORE.
So I guess the fact that he worked with NFIB to successfully resolve the fair share issue, the recent story highlighting statewide business leaders supporting Moore, his announcement of a new micro-loan program for small businesses, his 78% rating with the Associated Industries of MA, and his leadership in passing the recent economic development bill....none of that matters, right?
I'm sure you looked at the NFIB scorecard, right? The reason for his 46%? Because he supports parental leave for a new child, mandatory minimum health care coverage for employees, and CORI reform to give non-violent one-time former offenders a chance at a job.. So, Sam27, are you against those things? There's nothing wrong with being in favor of employees as well as business, it doesn't have to be one or the other.
Your criticisms and baseless ranting are completely unfounded, Sam27. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you haven't been paying attention at all.
Simonian - Yet another embarrassment to Auburn...
Simonian is getting more and more ridiculous. Especially after recent stories showing Senator Moore's pro-jobs record. Talk about grasping at straws! You can always tell a desperate and irrelevant candidate by how negative they run. And it seems Simonians ONLY campaign strategy is all negative, even when theres nothing to go negative about. To me, that says a lot about him, that he'd rather run his race in the gutter than on the high road. Senator Moore has done a great job, and Simonian has done nothing to convince anyone otherwise.
Since beating Moore on the issues doesn't seem to be working. Simonian should take a page from the Tea Party handbook. From now on call everything Moore has ever supported 'SOCIALISM." Demand to see Moores birth certificate. Demand to see Moores college transcript. Fabricate some ties to Michael Moore the liberal film maker. (Has anyone ever seen the two of them together in the same room?) Insist the Moore is a Kenyan, Muslim, Marxist, enemy of the U.S. Constitution. You know the kinfd of stuff that got them some traction in the last mid-term elections. Never underestimate the stupidity of right leaning voters. Go negative and you may have a chance!.
All of your ignorant comments are pretty amusing considering the guy at the top of your ticket is strictly negative right now.
It appears to have been clearly established that Senator Michael Moore suports small business in Massachusetts and that he works tirelessly for the cause. Mr. Simonian is wasting the public's time with his continuous fruitless attacks and negative comments. To coin a phrase, "If it ain't broke don't fix it". Senator Moore is doing a stellar job for the people in his district. There is no need to make a change.
How does Simonian question business leaders supporting Sen. Moore? They either do or they dont, and they clearly do. I though Sen. Moore explained his NFIB record quite well: there's nothing wrong with being pro-employee. He supports parental leave, CORI reform, and mandatory minimum health coverage, and so do I! Does this mean Mr. Simonian is against these things? Its quite clear Sen. Moore has worked to help small businesses grow and flourish, though I cant say the same for Simonian. All he has done is go negative over and over again, without saying what he would do differently.