Gifts of Sunglasses Cause Row in MA Senate

"State senators north and west of Boston who received pricey sunglasses from Sen. Brian Joyce say they didn't think much of what the Milton Democrat gave them as a Christmas gift," starts the story in the Lowell Sun. "Joyce's gift of sunglasses reported to be worth more than $200 each -- but that he bought for one-third of that price -- was the subject of a complaint from the state GOP to the state Ethics Commission on Thursday. 'Senator Brian Joyce, who has been in office for 17 years, should know that state ethics prohibits him from receiving a special discount that is not available to the public,' the letter from Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Kirsten Hughes said. All of the state's senators received the gift." Read more.