Sen. Jacques Recruits an Army of Student Activists

By Ed Oliver
July 2001

State Senator Cheryl Jacques has recruited 38 summer interns from high schools and colleges - a staggering number according to observers who point out that other legislators, and even the governor, only have a couple of interns on their staffs.

The students were solicited to ostensibly help with constituent services and other office duties. It is a volunteer program which requires a commitment of at least twenty hours per week according to information provided by Jacques' office.

Massachusetts News asked Katrina Johnson, who manages the interns, if the interns are used at all for political activities such as campaigning or for issue advocacy.

Johnson said interns participate in those activities only if they are interested and if they do so, they do it on their own time.

MassNews asked Johnson if the interns are offered the chance to participate in such activities.

"Potentially, yes," said Johnson, "But that is not the focus of the program. The focus of the program is to do Senate work."

Sen. Jacques is strongly opposed to the Protection of Marriage Bill that may move out of committee this summer and come up for a vote. She also is preparing to seek her party's nomination to run for Lieutenant Governor.

A government watchdog group, Citizens for Truth, charges that Jacques improperly used federally funded youth workers at a gun control rally last October.

Over 20 City Year workers were used to set up the shoes of "gun victims" at Trinity Church for the "Silent March" exhibit and then to attend the rally to boost tepid attendance.

The youth workers thought they would be paid, but their paychecks were held back after irate administrators of the program learned they were deceived about the political nature of the event. It is against the law to use federal funds for political purposes.

Some observers say that Sen. Jacques' volunteer intern brigade could be her latest scheme to get free help for her pet political projects.