OPINION | Barry Richard: Politicians, Not Corporate Greed, Drive Phillips From Fall River
Fall River's legislative delegation is noted for its photo op moments. These folks missed their calling--they should have been models. Perhaps if they had, they might not have been a party to the job-killing policies they continue to support that are driving jobs out of Fall River and Massachusetts.
Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia held a news conference to denounce Philips Lighting for its decision to close its local facility (something that has been in the works for at least five years) and move the operation to Mexico and Canada. Some 160 jobs will be lost.
Somehow the local pols are pretending that this is news to them. I call BS on that.
State Rep. Carole Fiola is married to the executive director of the Fall River Office of Economic Development. The subject never came up over Bloody Marys one Sunday morning?
The truth of the matter is that Fall River's legislative delegation, as well as New Bedford's, has supported one bad policy after another to the benefit of their benefactors--the labor unions--while pounding the tar out of business. And now the chickens are coming home to roost.
Here are a few examples: employer paid family leave, sick pay, the millionaire tax and medical assessments. Their policies have resulted in the highest energy and health care costs in the nation. And now they are demanding $15 minimum wage. Nice going, folks!
Yet Fiola and her colleagues flanked Correia at his presser, expressing outrage that Philips would consider leaving Fall River high and dry. The mayor actually said, "This is about Philips making more money!" Ahem, yeah, so whats wrong with a private company wanting to make a profit and not wanting to give it all back to the state?
The one-party system that dominates Massachusetts is killing it. The Bay State's GDP continues to fall as young workers flee the state, leaving aging boomers behind to run the show. Progressive politicians are foisting their liberal policies on those who remain, and driving up the cost of living and doing business in the process.
Head the warning, voters, as this may be the beginning of the end. Perhaps it's time to lower the blue flag and raise the MAGA banner in its place.
Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.