The Stanley Report

Rep. Stanley Demands Financial Audit of House Expenses

In an effort to promote transparency and accountability in state government, Rep. Stanley and three House colleagues blocked floor action four times in legislative sessions this week to demand an independent outside financial audit be performed on a legal expense linked to the indictment of former House Speaker DiMasi. Rep. Stanley, Rep. Patrick, Rep. Harkins and Rep. Greene are asking House Speaker DeLeo to authorize an audit of at least $378,000 in bills paid to outside attorneys that represented the House over the past year. They are also asking for the the release of basic expenditure information of the House budget.

On Tuesday, Speaker DeLeo announced he would hire an independent attorney to review House spending but Rep. Stanley stated that "the audit would not be truly independent if the Speaker chooses who performs it." Additional lawmakers are now calling for an audit or review of legal expenses linked to the former Speaker to ensure that taxpayers are not footing these legal bills.

Speaker DeLeo informed the House that House Counsel indicated that these inquiries might hinder the federal case involving the former speaker. On Thursday, Reps. Stanley, Harkins, Patrick and Greene singed and delivered a letter to US Attorney Carmen Ortiz expressing concern over the Speaker's announcement and the management of the budget for the MA House. The representatives asked Attorney Ortiz to review the issue of payment for the legal services pertaining to the case involving former Speaker DiMasi.

Although the House and Senate ended formal sessions for 2009, the legislature meets informally to take up certain issues. During informal sessions, any member can block action. Informal session resumed on Thursday, allowing the House to approve $41 million in funds to shelter the homeless well as $100,000 to the family of a slain Weymouth Police officer.

Coakley Wins Primary Election; General Election on 1/19

The 2010 United States Senate special election will take place on January 19, 2010. AG Martha Coakley won the primary election on December 8th. The death of Sen. Kennedy on August created the vacancy.

Rep. Stanley Asks Speaker DeLeo to not Politicize Coakley Replacement

Rep. Stanley recently wrote a letter to House Speaker DeLeo requesting that the Legislature not appoint someone to fill Attorney General (AG) Martha Coakley's term should she win the Senate election in January 2010. Rep. Stanley encouraged his colleagues to sign onto this letter.

In light of the December 8th Statehouse News article, "Underneath Statewide Campaign, a Smaller Electorate Considers Own Choice," a Boston Globe article "Taxpayers' bill nearing $378,000 in DiMasi case," and previous actions by the AG's office, significant issues have emerged that suggest that the House should not politicize the selection of an AG should Martha Coakley win the US Senate election in January. Previous legislative action may be under investigation by the AG's, and the appointment of a House member who has not been elected by the people may be viewed as compromising such an investigation going forward.

Rep. Stanley Supports Financial Literacy Pilot Program

Rep. Stanley cosponsored a bill to establish a financial literacy pilot program in MA. The legislation seeks to ensure that high school graduates in three selected pilot districts receive instruction on budgeting, savings and investment, credit card debt and other issues associated with personal financial responsibility.

The current economic downturn has served as a stark reminder for families and communities of the importance of money management skills. Further, there is an increased need for parlaying money management techniques to our youth, providing them with the tools to develop smart life-long financial habits. Currently, the program, Are You Credit Wise, operates on nearly 80 college campuses annually, reaching more than 500,000 students. However, statistics show students in high school are beginning to take on similar financial burdens, without the proper education for being financially literate.

Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter to Gov Protesting Cuts to Regional Transportation Reimbursement

The letter asks Gov. Patrick to reconsider the 49% cut to Regional School Transportation Reimbursement, which is part of the Gov's plan to close the $600M gap in the Fiscal 2010 budget. Rep. Stanley and his colleagues feel that regional vocational technical school students have been especially hurt by this cut, given the 9th Middlesex district is typically much larger geographically than other K-12 regions and therefore Waltham and Lexington's students rely on the ability to provide transportation, sometimes from significant distance. Many students travel nearly an hour to attend the Minuteman Regional School District and transportation should be provided to this school community. The letter also stated that the reduction of Regional School Transportation reimbursement is having a significantly greater impact on career and technical regional schools than other reductions. Thus, regional school districts are being cut disproportionally when compared to the other budget cuts.

Patrick Administration Releases $17.8 Million in Stimulus Funding To Rehire Municipal Police Officers & Fire Fighters

To help municipal police and fire departments impacted by budget cuts that have forced layoffs and vacancies, Gov. Patrick announced the administration will release $17.8 million in federal stimulus funds to hire, rehire or retain 83 police officers in 35 police departments and 105 firefighters in 85 fire departments. The funds will also be used to support additional shift staffing needs. This is the first round of awards to police departments and the second round to fire departments from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Police departments will receive $6.2 million. 147 cities and towns previously received a combined total of $15,749,229 in police grants directly from ARRA earlier this year. The administration will direct $11.6 million to fire departments. Because the ARRA program does not include staffing grants for fire departments, the Governor set aside funds specifically to retain and rehire fire fighters in communities throughout Massachusetts earlier this year. The federal Recovery Act does make $210 million available nationally for fire departments to compete for grants to support the renovation and construction of local fire stations.

124 police departments and 87 fire departments submitted applications to the Patrick Administration's Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) for the two staffing grant programs. EOPSS used formulas based on budgets, staffing issues and public safety concerns to determine which departments received grants. For a full list of award recipients, please click here.

House announces furloughs and layoffs

Employees of the Massachusetts House of Representatives will participate in a five-day furlough program expected to yield approximately $620,000 in savings. Reps. Stanley and Koutoujian will also participate in the five-day furlough program. These savings are in addition to the $602,810 the House has already returned to the General Fund in Fiscal Year 2010 and to the $2,040,600 returned in Fiscal Year 2009. The furloughs and layoffs, the latest cost-saving action taken by the Houseand layoffs, will yield $620,000.

Hangar 24 Community Meeting

Massport will sponsor a public meeting on Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 pm to update interested parties on the status of Hangar 24.   The meeting will take place at the Hanscom Civil Air Terminal, second floor, 200 Hanscom Drive in Bedford.

DCR Holds Public Meeting on Beaver Brook

At a meeting on November 17, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) held a public hearing at the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont. DCR unveiled a plan to protect and care for Beaver Brook's natural environment while encouraging public recreational use.   The plan will be submitted to the agency's Stewardship Council for approval.

Some of the DCR's recommendations include creating a visitors center and parking area; offering educational brochures and putting up signs about the park's habitats, wildlife, and history; maintaining its existing trails and creating new ones to expand access to more areas in the reservation; and finding ways for school groups to use the parkland for biology and ecology studies.

Expiring Use Bill Signed into Law

After passing both branches unanimously, Gov. Patrick signed a bill to preserve "expiring use" affordable housing. Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2009 addresses expiring use challenges in three ways: 1) tenants will be notified prior to a change in the rent's affordability, 2) a housing authority, local nonprofit or developer will have a right of first refusal to match the building's purchase price, and 3) tenants who do not qualify for enhanced Section 8 vouchers would have potential rent increases capped for 3 years. The bill will help maintain affordable homes for tenants in buildings where rent levels are no longer protected.

House to Discuss Education

The House will caucus this Wednesday to discuss Senate-approved education reform legislation. The House will take up its version of the bill in January, aiming to agree on a bill with the Senate in time for the Commonwealth to meet a Jan. 19th, 2010 deadline to apply for federal "Race to the Top" education funds.   The bill would boost underperforming schools, launch new "innovation" schools and allow more charter schools.

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.

Online access to statewide community resources

Mass 2-1-1 online directory is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families. Click here to learn more about Mass 2-1-1.

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.

Weekly Flu Updates

With the flu season approaching, it is important that we do what we can to stay healthy. For more information about protecting yourself and others, please click here for the most up to date information.

AARP launches new web tool to help lower drugs costs

AARP launched its new Doughnut Hole Calculator, a free web tool that can help residents "avoid the dreaded coverage gap" which can leave folks stuck with thousands of dollars in unbudgeted spending. Click here to access this calculator. According to the AARP, in 15 minutes visitors can view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, look up lower cost drugs for their conditions, create a Personal Medication Record and print out personalized letters to their doctors to help start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions.

Contact Information: State Representative Thomas M. Stanley State House, Room 167 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2810 Thomas.Stanley@state.ma.us

Contact Information:

State Representative

Thomas M. Stanley

State House, Room 167

Boston, MA 02133

(617) 722-2810

Thomas.Stanley@state.ma.us