The Stanley Report

Hanscom Air Force Personnel Visit State House

Senior military leadership and civilian personnel of Hanscom Air Force Base, led by General Ted Bowlds, Commander, Electronics Systems Center, visited the State House on Tuesday, January 12th. Rep. Stanley and Rep. Kaufman welcomed the visitors, who received an official tour of the State House, met with legislative leaders and had lunch in the Member's Lounge.

Lexington Violinist Performs at State House

Rep. Stanley attended the performance of From the Top at the State House on January 12th. Yukki Beppu, a talented, young violinist from Lexington performed. For the past decade, From the Top has been the preeminent showcase for America's best young musicians. Through award-winning NPR and PBS programs, online media, a national tour of live events, and education programs, From the Top shares the stories and performances of pre-collegiate musicians with millions each week. Each program provides a compelling and entertaining window into the world of a diverse group of young people, who pursue life with passion, determination, and joy.

Rep. Stanley questions House legal bills

Rep. Stanley and three of his colleagues continue to question Speaker DeLeo about $378,000 in bills paid to outside attorneys that represented the House over the past year. Rep. Stanley, Rep. Patrick, Rep. Harkins and Rep. Greene again asked the Speaker to release a detailed, itemized account of the legal expenses linked to the indictment of former House Speaker DiMasi. The four reps also asked for a review of Daniel Crane's scope of work. Crane is a past president of the Massachusetts Bar Association hired by the Speaker to review the House's contract with the law firm of Gargiulo/Rudnick.

These efforts follow the legislators' efforts to block floor action four times in legislative sessions last month to demand an independent outside financial audit be performed on the legal spending. The four reps also signed and delivered a letter to US Attorney Carmen Ortiz expressing concern over 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. Ortiz's public corruption unit chief Brian Kelly informed the reps that the release of the billing records wouldn't hinder the DiMasi probe.

Rep. Stanley Votes against Education Legislation, Against Charter School Provisions

Rep. Stanley voted against education legislation which would greatly expand Commonwealth Charter Schools. Rep. Stanley opposed the legislation to prevent further dismantling of traditional public school systems. He also cited the failure of charter schools to close the achievement gap; the significant erosion of collective bargaining rights; and Leadership's rejection of amendments sponsored and co-sponsored by Rep. Stanley among others. The amendments would have ensured local school committee involvement in any decision to divert funds from existing public schools to charter schools.

Additionally, Rep. Stanley voted against the legislation after Leadership added a "consolidated amendment" after 12 hours of debate, an amendment which was unclear and not fully explained to House members.

Rep. Stanley filed amendments to demand a public hearing be held in the town where a proposed charter school would be located and a majority of the members of the board of education shall be present. By ensuring that these meetings take place in the community where the charter school is proposed, residents of that community will have easier access to meetings and will be more likely to participate in the decision making process. Furthermore, this amendment states that a majority of State Board of Education officials are in attendance at these meetings so they the State is as informed as possible about the proposed charter school.

Rep. Stanley also filed amendments to help public schools mitigate the financial demands of having a charter school in their district, gives each individual community the right to decide whether or not to release private information (names and addresses) of students in the district to charter schools for their recruiting process and protect host communities from bearing the brunt of the costs of regional charter schools.

The bill, as passed, allows for more charter schools in districts performing in the lowest ten percent of districts statewide by doubling the cap on local charter tuitions from 9% to 18% of net school spending. The bill intends to use charter school initiatives as one method for narrowing the achievement gap without having an impact beyond the lowest performing districts.

Gov. reverses mid-year (9C) budget cut to the TAFDC program

Advocates gathered at the State House to celebrate and thank the Governor and legislative allies for preserving subsistence benefits for the most vulnerable children and families in the state. The cut (scheduled for February 1) would have eliminated or drastically reduced Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) benefits for children whose parents are too disabled to work.

TAFDC provides a subsistence benefit to 50,822 families in Massachusetts, averaging less than $500 per family. TAFDC benefits have increased only 10% since 1988, despite inflation of more than 90%. Parents must work unless they are caring for young children or a disabled family member or are too disabled themselves.

US Census 2010 - Please be counted!

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects and emergency services.

In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. When you receive yours, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. For more information, please here click here.

Civil Service Examination for Firefighters

A recruitment campaign is now under way for the upcoming entry-level Civil Service Examination for firefighters scheduled for Saturday, April 24. Applications must be filed or postmarked no later than March 16, 2010. Applications and information about eligibility requirements, application fees, and the examination process are available at the Human Resources Division, One Ashburton Place, Room 301, Boston, MA 02108 or by calling the Examination Hot-Line at 617-878-9895. Click here to apply online.

Rep. Stanley Announces New Aide, Tara Conklin

Tara Conklin is replacing Rep. Stanley's aide Judy Bromley, who recently recently left the State House to attend law school full time. Prior to her work with Rep. Stanley, Tara served as a Client Support Representative at Sage Systems, where she assisted clients with technical and strategic issues regarding the use of the Sage database for their constituency and campaign needs. Her past experience also includes positions and internships with the European Parliament, the MA/New Hampshire Democratic Coordinated Campaign, the Coalition for Our Communities and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

Tara is interested in public policy and state and local government and encourages constituents who need assistance to call her in Rep. Stanley's office at 617-722-2800, extension 8247.

Please vote! General Election TODAY

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

New to Massachusetts??

Click here to learn more about services for folks new to the Commonwealth. Learn more about registering to vote, elected officials and voting, searching school profiles and finding a flu clinic for your family.

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