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SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. — The Daily Voice accepts signed, original letters to the editor. Letters may be emailed to southborough@dailyvoice.com.
To the Editor,
Government regulations are hurting our local businesses. I was disappointed to learn that Rep. Dykema voted to force home daycare centers into a state employee union. She’ll say they are not forced, but the state takes the money out of the voucher whether they join or not. These are small, women-owned home daycares that are being hurt.
These small businesses have opposed being in the SEIU for eight years. Instead of the legislature accepting that decision, they passed legislation to force them to pay union dues.
Rep. Dykema’s vote was anti-small business. The large corporate daycare centers like Kindercare are exempt.
Worse yet, it will cause the rates for parents to increase, and moreso cause them to close their doors. This hurts parents and children who rely on trusty local daycares.
On Nov. 6 we can do better. Vote Marty Lamb for state representative.
Donald Folkes
Stowe Road
Southborough, Mass.
Comments (11)
So which number is yours? Mine is 27
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Lets see an outpouring of support for Dykema from this district and it brings out an out of district whiners and a contingent pressing an issue that doesnt even effect this district.
11/6 Vote Dykema - an outstanding rep and giver in for the good to those she serves, the 8th district.
How can you say the unionization of daycares doesn't "effect" this district. There are certainly in home daycare providers in the 8th Middlesex!!! Perhaps the number isn't huge however, even if there is just one small in home daycare center being forced to unionize...it is too much!!!
Perhaps Dykema also thinks the way you do.."it's only just a handful of centers, that's not so bad'. Afterall, she does have to take good care of her unions.
You are dishonest, Mr. Frank.
Mr. Frank is absolutely wrong in his analysis of the forced unionization of home daycare. If you read the legislation it does. For 8 years home daycares have refused to join the SEIU of their own free will. So this year the SEIU got the legislature to force it upon them.
Mr. Frank states in his letter that a small amount will be taken out of the voucher. He makes the point. That money goes to the union. It doesn't go to the home daycare owner. It doesn't help care for children. Mr. Frank leaves out his letter that the legislature care raise the rates at any time to home daycare owners. No union is required. He also leaves out of the letter that the legislature rejected raising their rates this year. Let me state it very clearly no union is required to raise the rates at any time. The legislature has the power to do it. This was just an election year gift to the powerful union in the state.
The state does have a low rate of reimbursement. Now home daycares are making an even lower rate due to the money coming out of the voucher. Mr. frank fails to explain how that difference will be made up. There are two ways. One the home daycare will raise the rates on parents. Or two they will close their doors.
I do suggest people read the legislation. I also suggest that contact Kathy D'Agostino. She is the home daycare lady who has been fighting the SEIU. She is living thru this nightmare.
Mr. Frank is just upset that this is another one of Rep. Dykema's votes with the Speaker where she didn't know what she was voting for or didn't care. As we saw in the Hopkinton debate, Rep. Dykema had to admit she was wrong voting against putting committe votes online. That's just one of many votes. If Marty could debate her on all of her other votes it would become very evident she just votes for the Speaker. She voted against making the Ethics Committee nonpartisan twice. She voted against a new code of ethics. She believes not taxing food and clothing is a tax loophole. Most people believe that is a new tax not a loophole to be closed.
When a person runs for political office we expect them and their surrogates to be honest about what legislation means. It reflects on their character. In the case of Mr. Folkes and Marty Lamb (whom Mr. Folkes represents here), they have misrepresented the facts on 2012’s home daycare center legislation.
This legislation is only for day care providers who accept Massachusetts paid vouchers for low-income and at-risk children. Not all children. Nothing in the legislation forces a day care provider to join any union. Day care workers would not become state workers for any reason, not for state payroll or state benefits. What the legislation does is take out a small amount of money from the voucher for an organization to bargain on behalf of both child care providers and low-income and at-risk children (and their families). It should ensure that voucher payments remain fair and adequate for all. As far as I can read it, if a day care center doesn’t want to accept the vouchers they don’t have to.
This will not increase rates parents pay. It will not affect parents who do not need vouchers.
Don’t take my word for it. Here’s the legislation:
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2012/Chapter189
It’s like car insurance. If you want to drive a car in Massachusetts you accept a regulation through car insurance. It levels the playing field and if you get hit by another car it makes sure you are covered.
Large, corporate daycare centers are not included in this legislation because they already have lobbyists and representatives who work for them.
Not everything in government and not every regulation is intended to restrict the free market. Carolyn Dykema represents her district with a fair and even hand. As a small business person I know she represents our district well. It reflects badly on her opponent and their supporters when they don't honestly represent the facts.
When a person runs for legislative office we have a right to expect them to READ the bills, and understand the long-term consequences.
Dykema FAILS that basic test.
She votes with the 'leadership' – i.e. with Speaker Bob DeLeo and the other union hacks.
Just Thursday afternoon we learned about the $500.oo SEIU contribution she FAILED to report.
And FYI, the large daycare factories were DELIGHTED with the bill – because it will force many home centers to CLOSE, - thus driving business into their high-priced arms. It is the working moms and their kids who get shafted – something Dykema FAILED to envision.
Rep. Dykema is not responsible for the daycare providers seeking to unionize. It is the daycare providers that fought for it, get you facts correct...typical republican response....
The point is to protect those daycare providers who do not get to set their own rate because most of their income comes from vouchers. By joining a union their voices will be heard collectively rather than having just a lone voice.
Good for Rep Dykema for standing up for what is right...
Why doesn't the concept of "pro-choice" apply to joining a union?
Your points on the unionization of home daycare is just the tip of the iceberg Don.
The REAL ISSUE is an incumbent progressive who is unable to think and visualize unintended consequences,...vs...
...a thoughtful [and legally trained] challenger who understands that a bill that 'seems good' may have long-term and harmful consequences for our state.
He also understands that 'government' is NOT the solution to every problem in our lives or our towns.
By contrast, Dykema is beholding to unions like the Teachers and the SEIU, so she will side with with their interests each and every time, - then use her charm to spin it as a 'good thing'. People are beginning to catch on.
Marty has no special interests backing him – just ordinary citizens – the ones fed up with the obnoxious kind of corrupt and bloated government we've had here for 60 years under one-party rule.
Four days!
If a home daycare accepts ONE child on a voucher, they are forced into the union!!
If the legislature wanted to increase the rates they could just do it. Senate Republicans offered an amendment to increase the rates and Democrats voted it down. Hence this is just to put home daycare people into a union.
Two years ago the union tried to recruit the home daycare centers into the union. They were turned down so now they got the legislature to force them into the union.
Why do daycare centers need a lobbyist??? That's what is wrong, too.
This puts home daycare at a competitive disadvantage because they now have to pay union dues in the cost of doing business
Home daycare centers are being forced if they accept one child. Moreover, if the home daycare centers want to add children to their center to cover the costs, they can only take voucher children
Dykema's people should be ashamed for not telling the truth. The legislature could have raised the rates without forcing them into the unions! Shame on Dykema.
Here's the real picture from someone who knows firsthand, ie, a woman who runs a home daycare.
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x595541111/D-Agostino-Bill-forces-unions-on-care-providers