Population drop raises concern over House seats

Transcript Statehouse Bureau ^ | December 26 | Rebecca Fater

[george76]

Massachusetts has lost thousands in population over the last two years, according to newly released U.S. Census numbers.

But the numbers do more than signal an...exodus from the Bay State...

It puts Massachusetts in danger of losing yet another congressional seat after 2010, when the House of Representatives is reapportioned.

"It's discouraging," said Phil Johnston, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "It means we're losing political clout with the Congress, and it's not good."

Since 1920, when Massachusetts had 16 representatives, the state has seen a steady decline, down to the current 10 representatives...

"It would be likely we would lose one (seat)," said U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Lowell. "But it's not out of the realm of possibility we could lose two."

Federal aid for various programs is distributed according to population, which means Massachusetts could start seeing fewer federal dollars...

One less seat also means less say in who becomes president of the United States.

"Assuming we lose a House seat, we lose a vote in the Electoral College, and someone else picks up a vote, (probably) in the south," ...

That means the more conservative southern states would have additional influence on the presidential pick.

Matt Wylie, executive director of the state's Republican Party, suggested Massachusetts legislators might have only themselves to blame.

"It's the will of the people," Wylie said, referring to a rollback of the state's income tax that voters supported in 2000, which the Legislature — controlled by the Democratic Party — has yet to perform.

"They ask for something and say this is what we expect to have happen. And when the (Democrats) don't do it, (the Democrats) say why are you leaving?"

[ozzymandus]

Considering the people Mass elects, I think they shouldn't have any representation at all.

[balch3]

Good that Mass is losing clout. Bad that these liberal pukes are moving elsewhere and infecting other areas.

[dandelion]

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AMERICA!!

This is the best present ever. Now if only it would affect their senators...

Ah well. Dream on...

[EagleUSA]

Any surprise? RATS deserting a sinking ship -- literally...

[KarlInOhio]

Unfortunately they'll still retain both Senate seats.

[El Gato]

Massachusetts has lost thousands in population over the last two years, according to newly released U.S. Census numbers.

Not surprising, if I had Flipper and The Swimmer as my Senators, I'd flee too if I could.

[DeFault User]

"Assuming we lose a House seat, we lose a vote in the Electoral College, and someone else picks up a vote, (probably) in the south," ... That means the more conservative southern states would have additional influence on the presidential pick.

Slowly awakening from a 35 year nap, Meehan's brain fog cleared and he realized his party might be in trouble.

[freedumb2003]

The irony is too delicious for words.

[metmom]

Maybe it's the conservatives that can't stand it anymore. Or maybe it's liberals who can't stand it anymore either. We can ony hope. Either way, it's good news.

[nhoward14]

It may not be liberals leaving... it may be the last of the conservatives jumping off the Titanic.

[Tall_Texan]

Ahh, don't worry. My gay younger brother and his partner are moving to Massachussetts from Florida because there "we'll be the majority". They were tired of living under two Bushes.

I figure there are many more just like them who will turn Massachussetts into the first official Gay state, all 2% of them. Don't wait for Boston to have the "Pink Sox" before you get out.

[george76]

Since 1920, when Massachusetts had 16 representatives, the state has seen a steady decline, down to the current 10 representatives...

[rasblue]

If Mass. is losing people why is real estate in Boston so darn expensive? Wacky zoning?

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Good that Mass is losing clout. Bad that these liberal pukes are moving elsewhere and infecting other areas.

I don't think it's the Liberals moving I think it's the Republicans

You can only live under a cloud of progressive tyranny for so long.

[mvpel]

"It's discouraging," said Phil Johnston, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "It means we're losing political clout with the Congress, and it's not good."

It's known as "voting with your feet," Phil, and it's a reflection on how thoroughly you and your Democrat party cohorts and your tax-and-spend policies have run the Bay State into the ground over the past decades.

Meanwhile, small-government, no-income-tax, no-sales-tax New Hampshire has seen a steady increase in population, and is poised for even more. I have at least half a dozen personal friends who have moved from Mass. to NH anywhere from 25 years to six months ago.

Rats leave a sinking ship, but they stay put in a sinking Democrat-run state.

[Radix]

Ain't it great?

I certainly hope that this state loses two seats. I'll enjoy the fallout.

By the way, Meehan is a serious ahole.

[george76]

"Matt Wylie, executive director of the state's Republican Party, suggested Massachusetts legislators might have only themselves to blame."

[Brad from Tennessee]

I lived in Massachusetts for two years in the late 1980's due to a company transfer. It has a very high tax rate. I bought an old pickup truck to drive during the worst part of the winter. I had to pay sales taxes to three different jurisdictions. The operation I ran was a regional distribution and sales office and warehouse. We came close to moving to New Hampshire because under Gov. Dukakis the commonwealth had no respect for private enterprise. I got along well with the natives though. Where I lived most of them were either Irish or Italian and they were decent folk.

I think we need to create an incentive where we could replace those fleeing Massachusetts with pecker-woods and dirty white boys to balance things out.

[george76]

"One less seat also means less say in who becomes president of the United States."

Or maybe lose two seats and votes !

Which might go south or west...