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Deeper ties to corporate cash for doubtful climate researcher
The New York Times
Well, well.  Things just got a little hotter for a recipient of funding to belittle climate change.
Knowledge isn't power
The New York Times 
Food for thought: the NYT's Paul Krugman suggests we can't come up with good answers without asking good questions; such as, if there's a shortage of educated workers, why haven't the salaries of educated workers gone up?
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Dear Friend,

As part of the State Senate's statewide listening tour, my colleagues and I will be visiting businesses, universities and organizations throughout Middlesex County and MetroWest this Monday.  The idea is to hear directly from residents, business people and non-profits about their state government priorities.  The tour builds on Senate President Stan Rosenberg's commitment to accessibility and openness.
 
The day will conclude with an open public forum in the Newton North High School cafeteria on Monday, March 2, from 7:00-8:30 pm.  Drop by if you can.  Next time, in this newsletter, I'll tell you what I saw -- and what I learned.

Appreciatively,

 

   

 

  

 

 

Sen. Mike Barrett
Touring central Mass., outside the district
Earlier this month, I joined colleagues on site visits in Worcester and Hampden counties, on another leg of the State Senate listening tour.  Top: Hearing from Monson Town Administrator Evan Brassard in a new municipal building rebuilt after the original was destroyed by the tornadoes.  Left: Speaking with Dan Mardirosian, Senior Operations Manager of the Worcester Tech Biomanufacturing Education & Training Center.  Right: At National Grid's NE Distribution Center. 
Talking legal aid
I heard from two high-ranking constituents on the importance of legal aid for low-income people with respect to non-criminal problems like evictions and heating shutoffs.  With Boston Bar Association President Julia Huston of Weston (right) and President-elect Lisa Arrowood of Lincoln (left). 
2014 was the hottest year in recorded history
Spoke recently with members of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee on An Act Combating Climate Change, my proposal to "put a price on carbon."  Pollution and health care are huge expenses excluded from the price of coal, oil and natural gas; instead, the taxpayer gets whacked with pollution and health care costs later on.  If we want to fight back against global warming, Mass. legislators should go where British Columbia has already gone -- to full upfront pricing for fossil fuels.