The Stanley Report

Rep. Stanley Launches "Representatives for Reform" Facebook Page; Continues Efforts to Reform State Government

Rep. Stanley and several House colleagues launched a new Facebook page called "Representatives for Reform". The new Facebook page will allow users to share experiences, opinions and suggestions about state government reform. To become a fan, just search "Representatives for Reform" on Facebook and join the page. Rep. Stanley launched the page to create an open and honest discourse to make real reforms within the House and improve the governance of our state.

The page seeks to gather momentum for the reform movement in the House of Representatives and to give the public an outlet to express their opinions and suggestions for reform to make the House more transparent and open. The Facebook page will also keep readers up-to-date about recent news stories covering the growing dissent in the House, particularly about the $378,000 in legal bills that which House Leaders refuse to offer information.

Rep. Stanley is a member of a small group of state representatives who are striving to make the House a more democratic and transparent place. This group has proposed a number of reforms to combat increasing power consolidation in the hands of the leadership in the House. This near-complete consolidation of power has been intensifying over years, making it more and more difficult to legislate on behalf on our districts and constituents.

Rep. Stanley's reform efforts include ensuring that Home Rule Petitions can be discharged from the Rules Committee in a timely fashion; making the state budget process in the House more transparent, and make the House operating budget specifics accessible to all members; providing a leadership election and committee appointment process that distributes more power to the members and less power to the Speaker; providing legislators with greater control of the operating budgets for their offices; and
eliminating or narrowing legislative exemptions to the open meeting law, public records law, and purchasing standards.

Click here to listen to WBZ's Ed Walsh speaking with Representative Tom Stanley on the controversy over legal fees for former Speaker Sal DiMasi.

For additional coverage of the group pushing for reform on Beacon Hill, please click here to read a Boston Globe column by Yvonne Abraham.

For up-to-date information on Rep. Stanley's effort to reform state government, please click here.

Rep. Stanley Cosponsors Two Anti-Bullying Bills

Rep. Stanley cosponsored two bills at the beginning of the 2009-2010 legislative session aimed at preventing bullying, An Act Protecting Students Against Bullying, Cyber bullying, and Teen Dating Violence and An Act Addressing Bullying of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Rep. Stanley hopes both bills will be addressed during this legislative session. To learn more about anti-bulling efforts on Beacon Hill, please click here to view a video on Channel 5's website. Please click here to read print coverage by the Metrowest Daily News.

State of the Commonwealth Address

Governor Patrick delivered his third State of the Commonwealth address in the House Chambers in the State House in Boston on Thursday, January 21, 2010. During the speech, Gov. Patrick acknowledged missteps but promised to remain focused on struggling citizens' needs during difficult economic times. Despite sliding approval ratings, the governor promised to turn the dissatisfaction of his constituents into progress.

Please click here to read more about the event and see a video of Governor Patrick's address as delivered.

Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Process Begins

Governor Patrick filed his FY11 budget recommendation on January 27, 2010. This budget recommendation invests in key areas of short- and long-term growth while minimizing needed cuts to programs and services as much as possible. To learn more, please click here.

The new fiscal year begins July 1. The release of the Governor's budget is the first step in the annual state budget process. The House and Senate will release their own budget recommendations in April and May, respectively. The two chambers must then agree on a budget before sending it back to the Governor for final approval.

Rep. Stanley calls for reimbursements to cities & towns for special election costs

In an effort to relieve communities from the expenses of holding a special election, Rep. Stanley and Sen. Fargo delivered a letter signed by 52 other House and Senate colleagues to Gov. Patrick, Sen. President Murray and Speaker DeLeo. The letter asked for reimbursements to MA cities and towns for the expenses of holding the recent special elections for the Senate seat held by the late Sen. Kennedy.

In a September 3, 2009 ruling, the State Auditor declared that MA cities and towns were mandated to hold both the primary and general elections and must be reimbursed under Proposition 2 ½. While the General Court has already set aside $5.4 million to cover the state's costs of said elections, there have not yet been any appropriations made for the costs incurred by the municipalities. These municipal costs, according to an initial estimate made by Auditor DeNucci, equal approximately $7.2 million. Rep. Stanley and Sen. Fargo asked the General Court appropriate $10 million in a reserve account for the reimbursement of the municipal costs for the special election.

Recent Votes on Beacon Hill

In late January, the House passed three bills pertaining to more nutritious food in schools, using local farm food in schools and allowing victims to take out restraining orders against abusers and stalkers with whom they have had no prior relationship.

Rep. Stanley voted yes to a bill that would ban the sale of junk food in schools and require new and healthy nutritional standards to be developed for food sold in all school cafeterias and vending machines. He also voted to approve an amendment requiring that MA's education and agriculture departments work with each other to maximize the number of schools that get their food from local farmers. Rep. Stanley voted to change current law which allows victims of abuse to petition for protection orders only if the perpetrator of the abuse is a family or household member.

Other pieces of legislation up for discussion on Beacon Hill are banning text messaging while driving, lowering the tuition for illegal immigrants, paying college tuition by credit card, punishing businesses that hire illegal workers and keeping firearms during emergencies.

Rep. Stanley Supports School Nutrition Bill

Rep. Stanley helped pass legislation that would ban the sale of unhealthy competitive foods and drinks in Massachusetts public schools. The bill - modeled after the recommendations of a 2007 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report - calls for a ban on unhealthy competitive foods and beverages that do not meet scientifically based nutritional standards and are not part of federal meal programs. It would also require schools to sell non-fried foods and vegetables at any location where foods are sold.

The bill's provisions will apply to public elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. The legislation does not prohibit high school students from purchasing food sold off school ground during breaks. Additionally, parents will still be allowed to give their children any type of food to bring to school.

Other provisions of the bill include: continuing education of school nurses, nutrition and exercise instruction in schools, collection and reporting of obesity trends and the establishment of a farm to school program developed by the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Agricultural Resources.

Gov. Patrick Announces Next Phase of Pension Reform

Building on pension reforms signed into law last year that closed loopholes and eliminated abuses in the public retirement system, Gov. Patrick filed a proposal to further overhaul the benefits plan to ensure its long-term sustainability and credibility. The Administration's plan, informed by the recommendations of the Special Commission on Pension Reform, calls for capping pension earnings, eliminating the so-called section 10 early retirement incentive and increasing retirement ages, among other proposals.

The Administration's Phase II pension reform legislation proposes to change the system to make it more fair and equitable for taxpayers and all state workers, while also making the system fiscally sustainable. Taken together, the reforms are expected to save taxpayers an estimated $2 billion over 30 years.

Gov's Budget Includes $9.4M for MA Cultural Council

Gov. Patrick released a proposed state budget for the coming fiscal year that calls for $9.4 million for arts and cultural funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). The Governor's fiscal year 2011 recommendation for the MCC represents a cut of just over $291,000, or three percent, from the agency's current budget. The MCC is a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences, in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

Gov. Seeks to Advance In-state Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants

Gov. Patrick asked lawmakers to help advance proposals to extend MA tuition rates to undocumented immigrants, stating that the proposal will help the state generate revenue and help immigrants become productive, taxpaying citizens. Under the proposal, an illegal immigrant would pay the same tuition rate as a MA resident to attend public colleges in the Commonwealth. Opponents argue that no one who violates the law should receive a lower tuition rate than a legal citizen who happens to be from out of state. Rep. Stanley voted against the proposal in 2006 when it was last brought up for a vote in the House. The proposal did not pass.

House Passes Unemployment Insurance Rate Freeze Legislation

Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in the House in passing legislation to halt a scheduled increase in the unemployment insurance assessment that all employers pay.

As a result of increased claims to the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund during the current economic slowdown, the contribution rate employers pay into the fund was scheduled to increase dramatically. The bill passed by the House will freeze the rate at the 2009 level.

In 2009, the average employer contribution into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund was $584 per employee. Without legislative action, this per-employee assessment would have jumped to approximately $852. The bill as passed will maintain contribution rates on the 2009 schedule. It is anticipated that even with the passage of the legislation the assessment on employers will increase a modest amount as a result of increased layoffs.

House Passes Impaired Driving Legislation

Rep. Stanley helped pass impaired driving legislation that prohibits texting while driving, requires vision testing for drivers over the age of seventy-five and bans junior operators from using a cell phone behind the wheel. The bill dictates that applicants for license renewal that are over the age of seventy-five must renew their licenses in person at a Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) branch office. The bill also requires all applicants for license or renewal who appear at an RMV branch office to undergo and pass a vision test before receiving their license, regardless of age.

Helpful Information for Filing Your Taxes

Mass.gov offers a large amount of information to guide you through the tax filing process. Click here to learn more about filing information, tax guides, tax changes for 2010, earned income credit, a 2010 filing season video presentation, info for seniors and retirees and refund anticipation loans.

MBHP Announces Apartment Listing Service

The Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) announces the release of a major upgrade to its unique, free online apartment listing service. Located at www.mbhp.org, the service now includes the ability for property owners to post photos of their apartments and to include mention of more amenities. Additionally, addresses will be linked to an online map service so prospective tenants can see the location of the properties. The improved online service provides the Greater Boston region with a unique, free, real-time option for searching for affordable housing.

Listing an apartment is easy. Property owners and managers can submit their information via an online form and have it posted within 24 hours. Enhancements to the site allow property owners to include photos of their units, give owners more choice in describing amenities, and automatically link the apartment's address with an online map service.

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.

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