So when I asked him yesterday what the status was on the ” Lantigua ” Bill that would prohibit a State Rep. or Senator from being a Mayor or City Manager, Rep. Golden informed me that it was “In Committee” and in all likelihood he was willing to let it die there. “I got what I wanted (meaning State Rep. Lantigua resigned) so why waste any more “political capital” on it?”

That is one of my biggest disagreements and disappoints with Rep. Golden, he caves when it comes to taking a stand on a tough issues and does more flip-flops then a pancake at Ihop. His vote can be swayed by the party with a promise to support something else he wants that is a lot less controversal or reforming.

Remember back in December + January when Tom Golden was getting coverage like:

SUN: Lowell State Representative Thomas Golden (D) is planning to file a bill after Jan. 1 that would prevent legislators from holding executive office in any city or town

WBZ & Boston GLOBE: Another lawmaker, state Rep. Tom Golden, D-Lowell, has filed a bill that would bar Lantigua from serving in both the House and as mayor.

Herald story states: he’ll be tacking an amendment on a proposed $35 million bailout bill for Lawrence that would bar mayors from serving as state representatives. “I know Willie. I like Willie. I just think it’s wrong,” Golden said

So basically what Rep. Golden is saying is when he makes statements like ““I know Willie. I like Willie I just think it’s wrong,” he is not talking about the general issue of a State Rep being a Mayor or Manager and collecting two paychecks from the taxpayer being wrong.

He just means it’s wrong for a State Rep. whose city needs a bail out.
or wrong for a State Rep. who he can garner some free publicity from by throwing him under the bus to the public
Or wrong for a State Rep. he likes but doesn’t think he should hold two jobs….Oh wait most of the Reps. including Rep. Golden hold two jobs so that can’t be it.

Good thing he liked him huh, and I get accused of treating Tom badly.
What does the statement ““I know Willie. I like Willie I just think it’s wrong” say about how Tom treats someone he works with and likes? For the sake of some cheap headlines and free press, he’ll rip them as badly as I get accused of ripping Tom.

He flipped-flopped on voting for replacing Senator Kennedy after voting to change the rules making it so No Gov. could appoint a replacement. (Oh wait that was when a Republican was Gov.)

He told people he would not vote to cancel a primary then did.

He thinks it’s wrong for a State Rep to be a Mayor or Manager and wrong enough to go after a fellow State Rep. until he resigns but not wrong enough to make sure it isn’t ever allowed again. Who knows a time may come where he needs the publicity and can refile the Bill again.

If it was wrong for that State Rep. and wrong enough for Tom to grab the headlines and take a stand, why isn’t wrong enough for him to follow through on the Bill?

Instead he flips and flops and it seems to me that all of Beacon Hill knows that about him and it is why he has never grown into a Leadership Role.

In MY OPINION it is why Senator Pangy never groomed him as his replacement. Golden doesn’t have the political cache nor backbone to follow through on tough stands. He may have been selected by John Cox but doesn’t have any of Cox’s clout or political acumen.

Tom maybe a solid Rep for his district and constituents taking care of the smaller needs. However without a high-ranking Senator to apply the needed muscle, I don’t see Tom delivering heavily for Lowell in the next few years because he won’t take a stand and follow it through.

Rep. Tom Golden answered the 3 questions and another point I have been making when we spoke yesterday. Here are his comments on 2 and the issue of district meetings.

I will post a separate item about the 3rd question because it is one I disagree with Rep. Golden on.

1) What is the Status of your Prescription Med Bill?

The Bill is being combined with another bill and the Reps involved in both Bills are working with the State Health Dept. trying to get regulations changed that will quicken the crackdown on abuse of prescription drugs.

2) On the vote for Bars/ RES. having to have Liquor Liability Insurance..why did you not vote? Simple, he was not present. He had a personal matter to attend to and he missed the roll call and this vote but got back in time for the next vote. Rep. Golden has a very very high attendance record and this was just an unavoidable situation.

I have commented on the fact he did not have office hours here in the district. While technically that may be true, he did point out that he tries to attend the Pawt. and Centraville Neighborhood meetings giving residence the chance to talk with him there. He also pointed out that he will meet people at Top Donut (he and I met there in Oct), Dunkin Donuts or any place they want including at a person’s home because he wants to meet their schedule and offer that flexibility rather than confine it to a certain time.

He also mentioned that he still does office hours in Chelmsford because it seems to work out there.