BOSTON – The Young Democrats of Massachusetts (YDM) will present their 4th annual ‘Ladies in Blue’ awards at the Roosevelt After Dark fundraiser at Storyville on Thursday, May 16th from 8:30-11:00pm. This year’s honorees are Senator Elizabeth Warren as Woman of the Year, Representative Ellen Story as Legislator of the Year, and Dr. Harmony Wu as Activist of the Year. Half of the proceeds from the event will go towards a new scholarship for a YDM member to attend Emerge Massachusetts, a training program for women running for office.

Immediately following the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s Annual Roosevelt Awards, the Young Democrats traditionally host Roosevelt After Dark, a dessert and cocktail reception at which all are welcome. The event will also include the 4th annual ‘Ladies in Blue’ awards, which celebrate outstanding Democratic women named for their contributions to the Commonwealth. “This year YDM honors three remarkable women,” said Chair John H. Kleschinsky. “And I cannot think of a better way to honor them than with the establishment of YDM’s first scholarship program for young women interested in participating in the Emerge training program.”

For over 10 years, Emerge has recruited and trained Democratic women to run for office. Elizabeth Maynard, who is President of the Pioneer Valley chapter of YDM, graduated from Emerge in 2012. “Emerge Massachusetts is a program in which every woman leader who is considering a run for office should participate,” said Maynard. “The skills, tools, and confidence developed are invaluable resources for women with a desire to lead here in Massachusetts.” On the scholarship Emerge Executive Director, Taylor Woods-Gautier, commented, “Our goal is simple: to get more Democratic women elected. Thanks to the generosity of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts, we are thrilled to have this scholarship for young women to participate in our program.”

4th Annual ‘Ladies in Blue’ Awards at Roosevelt After Dark

Who: Young Democrats of Massachusetts, interested members of the public. All are welcome.
Where: Storyville, 90 Exeter Street, Boston, MA 02116
When: May 16th, 2013 8:30-11:00pm

To purchase tickets visit: http://ladiesinblue2013.eventbrite.com/

For more information or to join the host committee please contact Chair John H. Kleschinsky at jkleschinsky@ydma.org.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Ellen Story, and activist Harmony Wu to be honored at Roosevelt After Dark fundraiser to support Emerge Massachusetts

BOSTON – The Young Democrats of Massachusetts (YDM) will present their 4th annual ‘Ladies in Blue’ awards at the Roosevelt After Dark fundraiser at Storyville on Thursday, May 16th from 8:30-11:00pm. This year’s honorees are Senator Elizabeth Warren as Woman of the Year, Representative Ellen Story as Legislator of the Year, and Dr. Harmony Wu as Activist of the Year. Half of the proceeds from the event will go towards a new scholarship for a YDM member to attend Emerge Massachusetts, a training program for women running for office.

Immediately following the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s Annual Roosevelt Awards, the Young Democrats traditionally host Roosevelt After Dark, a dessert and cocktail reception at which all are welcome. The event will also include the 4th annual ‘Ladies in Blue’ awards, which celebrate outstanding Democratic women named for their contributions to the Commonwealth. “This year YDM honors three remarkable women,” said Chair John H. Kleschinsky. “And I cannot think of a better way to honor them than with the establishment of YDM’s first scholarship program for young women interested in participating in the Emerge training program.”

For over 10 years, Emerge has recruited and trained Democratic women to run for office. Elizabeth Maynard, who is President of the Pioneer Valley chapter of YDM, graduated from Emerge in 2012. “Emerge Massachusetts is a program in which every woman leader who is considering a run for office should participate,” said Maynard. “The skills, tools, and confidence developed are invaluable resources for women with a desire to lead here in Massachusetts.” On the scholarship Emerge Executive Director, Taylor Woods-Gautier, commented, “Our goal is simple: to get more Democratic women elected. Thanks to the generosity of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts, we are thrilled to have this scholarship for young women to participate in our program.”

4th Annual ‘Ladies in Blue’ Awards at Roosevelt After Dark

Who: Young Democrats of Massachusetts, interested members of the public. All are welcome.Where: Storyville, 90 Exeter Street, Boston, MA 02116

When: May 16th, 2013 8:30-11:00pm

Please contact Chair John H. Kleschinsky at jkleschinsky@ydma.org for ticket information.

– ### –

A Primer on Campaign for our Communities

The Campaign for Our Communities was formed to “improve the strength of the Massachusetts economy and the quality of life for Massachusetts residents”. It is an activist organization with the goal of influencing policy toward smart investments in our population and communities. To this end, the policies they organize on behalf of focus on tax reforms and revenue.

An Act to Invest in Our Communities is their “model legislation.” It would raise $2 billion dollars by restoring the income tax rate to 5.95% while increasing the personal exemption to hold down increases for low and middle income families, and raise the tax rate on investment income to 8.95%, with an exemption for low and middle income seniors. The Committee would support other legislation that would achieve these goals. An Act to Invest in our Communities is supported by groups such as the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Progressive Mass, the MTA, and now the Young Democrats of Massachusetts. Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz has sponsored the bill, which is now in committee on Beacon Hill.

The Committee’s plan is to pass revenue reform in Massachusetts before 2013 is out. In order to do that, they’ve been engaged in an 18-month campaign to make the need for investment in our communities clear by:

• Mobilizing activists to call for adequate revenues to invest in our communities through local grassroots organizing and social media outreach.
• Demonstrating local support through municipal resolutions, forums, and press coverage.
• Building a broad coalition of allies.
• Educating the public on the need for revenue and community investment.
• Meeting with legislators in their local communities to discuss with them the need for revenue.

To get involved, please contact the Board. Visit the Committee website and sign their petition at www.OurCommunities.org, write letters to the editor of your local paper about the needs in your community, and of course speak to your legislators!

Tina-Marie Stanton
Chair, Greater Boston Young Democrats

Special Election Primary for United States Senate:

April 10, 2013 – Last Day to Register to Vote in the Primary for the United States Senate Special Election. Download a registration form here. If you have moved or changed your name (such as some people do when they get married) since November 2012, you must re-register at your new address or with your new name to vote in the primary.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 – State Primary. Find your polling place here.

June 5, 2013 - Last Day to Register to Vote in the General Election for the United States Senate Special Election. If you move or change your name (such as some people do when they get married) after Tuesday, April 30th 2013, you must re-register at your new address or with your new name to vote in the general election. Download a registration form here.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 – GENERAL ELECTION. Find your polling place here.

From investments for early education to our public higher education system, Gov. Patrick’s agenda would provide greater education opportunities for young people across the Commonwealth. In addition to strengthening early education and continuing to increase funding for K-12 education, Gov. Patrick proposed doing more to make college affordable by raising our investment in public colleges and universities, and reinvigorating the MassGrants scholarship program.

Gov. Patrick also proposed bold action to create a 21st century transportation system. Gov. Patrick and MassDOT have laid out priorities that will connect communities around the Commonwealth to greater economic, housing, and social opportunities. Gov. Patrick’s investments in transportation include funding later hours for the MBTA, the Green Line expansion, the South Coast Rail Line, Commuter Line services to Springfield, and a connection between Pittsfield and New York. Gov. Patrick’s plan also includes innovations and improvements to our highway system.

Gov. Patrick proposed bold reforms that will make our tax code more progressive and generate new revenue to pay for these important investments. Under Gov. Patrick’s plan, the sales tax would be reduced from 6.25% to 4.5% and would be entirely dedicated to infrastructure and transportation funding. To support his education initiatives, Gov. Patrick has proposed raising the income tax 1% to 6.25% while doubling the personal exemptions and eliminating some itemized deductions.

YDM is pleased to see that the Governor understands that youth are not only the future of the Commonwealth but a part of its foundation and is bringing our issues to the forefront to support us. Education, revenue, and transportation are pillars of YDM’s platform. We look forward to learning and sharing more about this proposal so that together we can help shape the debate.

- YDM Public Policy Committee

Check out the video below to hear Gov. Patrick deliver the State of the Commonwealth Address for all the details:

YDM Inaugural Ball at Naga, 450 Mass Ave. Cambridge, MA 

Celebrate the 2013 Presidential Inauguration in style with Young Democrats from across the state. We’ll enjoy an evening of food, music, and dancing. With so much to cheer for this election cycle, this event is not to be missed.

RSVP on Facebook and then purchase your tickets!

Congress
Elizabeth Warren turned out an outstanding victory and will be the first woman Senator from Massachusetts. Congressman John Tierney beat challenger Richard Tisei and will be returning for another term representing the 6th Congressional District. And we have a new Young Democrat as our Congressman-elect waiting to begin his service, Joe Kennedy III.

State Senate
Senate President Therese Murray‘s leadership as the highest ranking woman in the legislature won her a re-election in Plymouth & Barnstable. Progressive champion and former Young Democrat Jamie Eldridge will be returning to continue his fight for progressive taxes and equality. Pat Jehlen was lucky to have run uncontested, and continue to fight for us for another four years in the 2nd Middlesex. Kathleen O’Connor Ives will be replacing Senator Baddour after his resignation, and we wish her much luck in her first term. We unfortunately did not win the Plymouth and Norfolk race, but Genevieve Davis ran a good campaign, and we thank her for giving voters the opportunity to support a Democrat on the ticket.

State House of Representatives
Barbara L’Italien ran a tough, tough race in the 18th Essex, but was unfortunately defeated by just 500 votes. Josh Cutler was able to win a seat in the 6th Plymouth formerly held by a Republican. Our Metro-West allies: Tom Sannicandro and Carolyn Dykema both secured re-election in the 7th and 8th Middlesex seats respectively. Unfortunately Sherry Costa-Hanlon, Marilee Kenney Hunt,  Don Bourque, Kathleen Walker, and Keith Carreiro failed to unseat their Republican opponents even after running strong campaigns. We appreciate their efforts and hard work on their campaigns and thank them for running. Jeff Roy will take over from Democrat James Vallee in the 10th Norfolk. Young Democrats Carl Sciortino and Sean Garballey we’re decisively re-elected; both with over 80% of the votes in their districts. Young Democrat Danielle Gregoire also came back to win a seat for the 2nd time. We look forward to seeing these young legislators working together again. Paul Heroux unseated his opponent, an incumbent Republican, and will now be serving the people of the 2nd Bristol district. And finally, Jim O’Day, another progressive champion, beat not one, but two opponents to secure another term. Congratulations and thank you to all of our candidates!

Overall, Democrats picked up one seat in the State Senate, four in the State House of Representatives, protected our all-Democratic representatives to Washington D.C. and added women and youth into the delegation. Good work Young Democrats!

The third Presidential debate showed our President and Commander in Chief at the top of his game! But, we weren’t alone.

Salon.com wrote:

President Obama won the third debate, articulating his policies more forcefully, offering more detail and a coherent foreign policy rationale.

CNN wrote:

 Forceful Obama defended his policies and challenged Romney on shifting positions on key issues while arguing his Republican rival’s proposals would favor the wealthy if elected on November 6.

Forbes called Obama the victor because:

.. he seemed relaxed, in command and clear in his explications of the administration’s policies…The president seemed reasonable and confident and scored points

Check out the full video here:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy