Franklin Democrats Resolve Finance Question with State

A recent communication withi State Rep Jeffrey Roy, clarified that a kerfuffle with the states's OCPF earlier this year was resolved, as far as the state was concerned in early August. But Roy is still fuming and sees the OCPF action as excessive, so much so, he is filing legislation to amend current statutes.

At issue is a long-standing practice by both Franklin Democrats and Republicans of selling small food and refreshment items to the public during the town's July 4 celebration on the Common. The dollars add up, slowly, and have been deposited without issue in the past, but not so in 2023. The correspondence, reproduced below, tells the story...and, at the bottom, Rep Roy's proposed legislative remedy...

And, Rep. Roy's Follow-up Letter...

And, finally,  Rep Roy writes, "It is important to note that we did not agree to their interpretation of the law and I will be filing a bill to clarify what a contribution really is. OCPF approved of the language. The language of that bill is:

Political Party Committees and bake sale, farmer’s markets, or community festivals

SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 55 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end of the definition of “contribution” the following sentence in line 72:-

It shall not include any payments in the aggregate of less than $10,000 per calendar year made by individuals for food, beverages, or goods sold by a political party committee organized pursuant to G.L. c. 52, §§2 and 3 for a nominal price per item at events such as bake sales, farmer’s markets, or community festivals even if the purchase price exceeds the cost of the goods sold.