Fed's Social Security Error may bring $160M to MA
 
According to Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Bigby, the federal government owes the Commonwealth $160 million for a Social Security policy that's been overlooked for 35 years.  At question is the way the Social Security Administration (SSA) handles disability claims.
 
Secretary Bigby said the SSA often declines applications for disability payouts on an applicant's first attempt.  If an applicant appeals the rejection, the state then covers health care costs for that person until the matter is resolved. However, if the applicant is ultimately approved, the SSA is supposed to reimburse the state for that interim coverage.

Since the SSA has acknowledged the error, Sec. Bigby said U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) attempted to insert a provision into the Senate's national health reform bill to reimburse MA and 30 other states to compensate for this error.

Broadband Stimulus Award
  
The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded approximately $2 million in federal stimulus funding to aid in the development of affordable, reliable broadband Internet services for all communities in the Commonwealth.
 
This award will lead to the creation of a comprehensive, statewide database of broadband availability and an updated state map of broadband coverage. This project will help the state prepare for additional federal funding to build new broadband infrastructure that will bring high-speed Internet, or broadband, access to tens of thousands of households, businesses and community anchor institutions throughout the state - including the unserved and underserved communities of western MA and the Cape. The project could create as many as 3,040 jobs and would be in partnership with other state and local government entities, non-profits and for-profit companies.
 
Gov. Patrick designated the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, to lead the state's efforts to increase broadband deployment. In August 2009, the state applied for more than $100 million in federal stimulus funding, which was divided into two proposals focused on mapping and infrastructure development in western Massachusetts. Federal funding awards for broadband infrastructure deployment are expected to be announced on a rolling basis beginning mid-December 2009 through February 2010, and will be followed by one additional funding round.
 
The Massachusetts Broadband Data Mapping Project will develop a database of broadband availability and capability at the county, community and street level; put in place the tools, partnerships, and processes to keep the database current and accurate; make the public portions of the database easily accessible by the citizens, businesses and agencies throughout the state, while maintaining the security and integrity of the data; utilize stringent protocols and processes consistent with all state and federal legal requirements to protect confidential data; and provide regular updates of the data to the NTIA for inclusion in a nationwide database.

House Passes Saltwater Fishing License Legislation
 
Rep. Stanley joined his House colleaguesin passing legislation to establish a saltwater fishing licensing program in MA and ensure that any fees collected for licensing is retained for programs concerning the conservation and preservation of saltwater ecosystems in the state. Federal law requires a national registry of recreational fishing. To collect the necessary data for the registry, a state may implement a license program or the federal government will implement its own. 
 
Were this legislation not passed in the Commonwealth, the federal government has a pre-established saltwater fishing licensing program in place that would begin on January 1, 2010. Under the federal program, fees collected from licenses would be diverted to the federal government.  The legislation includes federally-allowed exemptions for those with disabilities, those under 16 years of age or over 59, and passengers on for-hire vessels. In addition, the bill includes two free fishing days which would allow anglers to fish without a license.  
 
House Passes Legislation to Support Veterans
 
Rep. Stanley voted in favor of passing legislation to provide MA veterans with improved services and support as they return from war during these difficult economic times. The bill establishes the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to honor fallen service members and offers increased housing opportunities for veterans.
 
The Massachusetts Medal of Liberty award is intended to recognize the ultimate sacrifice of Massachusetts service members and will be presented to the next of kin of service men and women killed in action. The bill also allows the Commonwealth to partner with Home of the Brave, Inc., a newly created non-profit organization, to provided new housing for veterans. Home of the Brave will seek to access Federal funding for veterans housing that would have been otherwise unavailable.
 
Under this legislation, honorably discharged veterans will be given the opportunity to substitute appropriate military training and experience in occupational specialties in lieu of current state
permitting, licensing and certification requirements.  Following in the footsteps of the Federal Government, this legislation will allow disabled veteran-owned businesses to qualify for state contracts with rights similar to those of women and minority-owned businesses.
 
The bill also expands the "Welcome Home Bonus" program to give MA service members expanded access to monetary bonuses upon returning from duty. Under the new provision, service members who perform multiple tours of duty will receive a bonus upon return from each tour. Prior to this legislation, the bonus was only awarded upon a service member's return from his or her initial deployment.
 
November Workshops at MBHP

The Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) will host its monthly Apartment Search and Utility workshops on the 3rd Wednesday of November. The Apartment Search workshop is for people
who are looking to move but need some help and advice to get through the moving process. This workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 18th at 10am.  A utility workshop will be held on Nov. 18th at 11:30am. This workshop is for people who are worried about losing their utility serve this winter or those who have a large bill and would like some tips for lowering it.

MBHP will also host Parts 2-4 of the Home Buying 101 workshop sponsored by the City of Boston. This workshop is for people who are thinking about buying a home but who are not sure where to start. Part 2 is November 2, Part 3 is November 9, and Part 4 is November 16th.  All sessions are from 12-2pm.
 
Workshops take place at MBHP, 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111-2503 (near South Station). To RSVP for these workshops, please contact Iris Sierra at 617-425-6650 or Iris.sierra@mbhp.org.   To learn more, please click here.   

 

House Passes Affordable Housing Legislation
 
Rep. Stanley voted in favor of passing legislation to preserve affordable housing and protect tenants living in publicly-assisted housing.  The bill allows the state and localities to purchase affordable housing units before they hit the open market. The legislation also protects tenants of affordable housing units by requiring that they be given 24 months notice of affordability termination.
 
House Passes Mixed Martial Arts Legislation    
 
Rep. Stanley joined his House colleagues in passing mixed martial arts (MMA) legislation that creates mandatory statewide safety standards as well as age and insurance requirements for MMA events.
The bill renames the State Boxing commission as the State Athletic Commission and empowers the new entity to issue licenses for MMA events across the state. Upon issuing a license, the State Athletic Commission is required to notify the municipality in which the event is scheduled to take place. According to the bill's "opt-out" clause, the municipality has seven days to prohibit the event by a majority vote of the city council or board of selectmen.
 
Invitation to Educators to Participate in NEBHE's New STEM PBL Project
 
The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) has won funding for a new three-year project to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to help America develop homegrown sustainable technologies. The project, titled The Problem Based-Learning (PBL) for Sustainable Technology: Increasing the STEM Pipeline, will be funded by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.
 
The STEM PBL project includes an intensive professional development opportunity for educators. Participants are eligible for CEUs and graduate college credit after successful completion of the distance-learning course.  To lean more, please click here.

 

 

Resources Available to Battle Economic Downturn
 
Mass.gov offers residents information on how to get help in tough economic times.  Please click here to access information on topics such as jobs and unemployment, housing and foreclosures, home heating and energy, gas prices and commuting, managing finances, health care and insurance, food and nutrition and business assistance. 

RMV License Renewal Notification Site

The new Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) hopes to integrate many more technology-based features into the services that it brings to its citizens and commuters everyday. Please click here to navigate directly to the RMV's official site to sign-up for the license renewal notification service.

 

ARRA-Created Job Opportunities
 
Employers who create jobs using ARRA funding post new job announcements to the Commonwealth's JobQuest system. A wide range of stimulus-related positions--ranging from career counselors to communication specialists are available. This system is constantly updated, so residents should check back for new opportunities.  Please click here to access the website.