Rep. Stanley files bills in 2011-2012 session 

Since the 2011-2012 legislative session kicked off in January, Rep. Stanley has filed a large number of bills.  The following are brief summaries of four of these pieces of legislation.

Rep. Stanley filed legislation to establish a pilot program designed to deter underage drinking by providing a new method of dealing with minors caught purchasing, in possession of, or using alcohol, aside from criminal charges.  The pilot program only applies to first time offenders under the age of 21 and includes a non-criminal penalty of $300 for minors caught drinking or trying to buy alcohol, notification of the violator's parents, a four hour alcohol awareness program and 10 hours of community service.

He also filed legislation to expand the existing Bottle Bill to include a five cent deposit on bottled water containers. Unreturned deposit receipts would be placed in a dedicated fund available to municipalities, water districts and the MWRA to be used for water and sewer infrastructure repairs and projects.This legislation will generate revenue for the state, save money for municipalities and encourage recycling. Additionally, the bill would help decrease landfill use, save energy and oil and creates green jobs.

Rep. Stanley filed a bill to require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop a curriculum on personal finance literacy.  The curriculum would include consumer financial education, personal finance and personal credit to be included in the development of standards and objectives for financial literacy for all grade levels.  The curriculum could also be used by accredited nonpublic schools. Standards and objectives for personal finance literacy would be developed by DESE within the existing math curriculum for all grades and integrated into existing social studies curriculums within three years of enactment.

Rep. Stanley also filed a bill to update the state's laws on selling, developing or protecting state land that is declared surplus.  This legislation preserves the Legislature's vote on disposing of every parcel of land, gives communities the right of first refusal to purchase state land and establishes clear notices, processes and review committees to ensure that the future use of any state land is in harmony with the interests of the municipalities where the land lies.

Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter to MA Congressional Delegation

Rep. Stanley cosigned a letter to the Massachusetts Congressional delegation urging members to oppose the proposed federal budget cuts to the EPA Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds (SRFs).  These funds are critical to ensuring local compliance with federal and state water quality standards, and spurring economic development in the state.

Massachusetts has one of the best SRF programs in the country. Over the life of the program, the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust has been able to leverage private capital to enhance modest federal grants by an average factor of 3.4, turning $1.59 billion in federal grants into $5.44 billion in project financing. This money has gone directly to important water infrastructure projects in over 280 Massachusetts communities. The proposed FY2012 federal budget would reduce the allotted federal grants to both SRFs to just $38.1 million, the lowest it has been in over 10 years.

Speaker DeLeo Unveils Court Reorganization Plan

Speaking before the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Speaker DeLeo announced his court reorganization plan designed to improve court management and oversight. The Speaker also offered reforms to the Department of Probation, including new guidelines to limit the influence of job recommendations in the hiring process both within the department and throughout state government. The court reorganization legislation will also address issues at the Department of Probation, including its organizational placement within state government. Speaker DeLeo also proposed new hiring processes within the Probation Department to ensure that only the most qualified candidates earn employment.

To increase transparency in the hiring process, the Speaker's bill will also propose new guidelines to govern recommending in hiring in the Probation Department and throughout state government. The legislation will require all recommendations to be made in writing. Further, the bill will require recommendations to be shielded from hiring evaluators until candidates have reached the final stage of consideration. The bill will also make the letters of recommendation for those who earn a job in public service a matter of public record.

Public Service Committee Holds Hearing on Muni Health Insurance

On March 8th, in Gardner Auditorium, the Public Service Committee held a public hearing on 26 bills dealing with municipal health insurance. Members of the committee heard testimony from the elected officials and the public on union contracts with municipalities and the renegotiating of these contracts, along with the possibility of making unions take on the Group Insurance Commission as their health insurance. 

Committee members heard testimony about legislation aimed at helping municipalities reduce the burden of health care costs.  Folks from both sides of the aisle attended the hearing but were divided on how to reduce costs.

At the hearing, union leaders reiterated their willingness to make concessions on benefits this year as long as collective bargaining rights were preserved and workers could share equally in any savings achieved through restructured health plans. The unions said they would agree to cut $120 million in spending on health care for municipal employees in exchange for half of those savings being poured back into health benefits for employees, as savings for municipalities would translate into cost increases for municipal employees. However, the Massachusetts Municipal Association immediately said the insistence of unions on splitting the savings defeats the purpose of municipal health care reform. The MMA has offered it own plan design legislation that would remove health coverage from collective bargaining as long as municipal managers don't cut benefits deeper than what is offered through the state. The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Michael Widmer said reforms are necessary to preserve local government services and jobs and noted the pending proposals don't even attempt to address billions of dollars in unfunded municipal retiree health care liabilities. 

The House of Representatives voted to continue an order passed on March 5, 2009 to establish a Special Joint Committee on Redistricting which will solicit testimony at a minimum of 12 hearings throughout the Commonwealth. The Committee will also host a website to provide redistricting information to the public, publicize the hearing and meeting schedule, and provide a means to contact the Committee to submit questions, comments or materials. The 2010 Census resulted in Massachusetts losing one congressional seat, forcing the state legislature to divide the state into new congressional districts. Due to changes in population, the redistricting effort will also alter state House and Senate districts.

Special Joint Committee on Redistricting Schedules Hearings

The Joint Committee on Redistricting created a website to provide information to the citizens of MA about the redistricting process.  This site includes maps, laws, rules, census data, documents, historical perspectives and a calendar of events and hearings for the Joint Committee.  To view a list of the 13 public hearing locations and details, please click here.

Special Joint Committee on Redistricting Schedules Hearings

The Joint Committee on Redistricting created a website to provide information to the citizens of MA about the redistricting process.  This site includes maps, laws, rules, census data, documents, historical perspectives and a calendar of events and hearings for the Joint Committee.  To view a list of the 13 public hearing locations and details, please click here.

Commission seeks to find ways to create and maintain jobs in MA

Members of a state commission discussed what prevents companies from creating jobs in MA and brainstormed methods to improve job skills of residents.The committee elected to stage monthly meetings and public hearings to determine ways to stimulate MA's economy on a long-term basic. The group examines employee skills, available jobs in different parts of the state and industries that are creating jobs, as well as industries that are growing or declining.

Governor Announces Four Nominees to State Parole Board

Gov. Patrick announced his four nominees to the state Parole Board including a forensic psychologist, a victim advocate, a former federal chief probation officer and an attorney experienced in parole issues. The nominees are Dr. Charlene Bonner, Lucy Soto-Abbe, John Bocon and Ina Howard-Hogan. Pending confirmation by the Governor's Council, these nominees will fill the four vacant seats on the board.

Attention Seniors! Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit

The Department of Revenue released the rules and regulations for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit in tax year 2010.  The credit is based on the actual property tax or rent paid by the eligible taxpayer who is either living in their own home or paying rent. A taxpayer's total income may not exceed $51,000 for a single individual; $64,000 for a head of household; or $77,000 for married couples filing a joint return. The assessed valuation of a residence may not exceed $764,000.  Many taxpayers 65 and over fall within these limits. The credit is equal to the amount by which the taxpayer's property tax payments in the current tax year, including water and sewer charges but excluding any abatement or exemption, exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income. The credit also works for renters. It is equal to the amount by which 25 percent of the rent actually paid during the taxable year exceeds 10 percent of the taxpayer's total income, with the credit capped at $970.  For additional details, please click here.

DCAM Names New Commissioner

The Patrick administration named Carole Cornelison the new commissioner of the Division of Capital Management (DCAM), replacing David Perini, who retired.  A native of Cincinnati, Cornelison previously served as director of the Cincinnati Girls' Club and executive director of Neighborhood Development Corporation. In 2004, she joined the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development.  She currently serves on the boards Casa Esperanza, Victory Programs and YouthBuild Boston.

Treasury Small Business Banking Partnership

In an effort to help small MA businesses grow, Treasurer Steven Grossman announced that his office sent official requeststo participate in his Small Business Banking Partnership to more than 200 banks. The banking partnership seeks to boost small businesses in the state by placing at least $100 million in state deposits with community, regional and local banks willing to increase their small business lending efforts.  The Treasury will have an open, rolling applications process for banks through at least September 1, 2011. It will review requests to participate and expects to negotiate official agreements with participating banks by March 28. No bank will receive more than $5 million, and the Treasury will work to ensure that funds are allocated to all regions of the state. Please click here to read the guidelines and learn more.

Spring Publication of Unclaimed Property Listings

Unclaimed Property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends and contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered "abandoned" and turned over to the Treasury after three years with no activity. An updated list of unclaimed assets is published biannually as new accounts are turned over to the Commonwealth. There is no time limit to claim unclaimed property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.

To see if you have unclaimed property, please visit www.findmassmoney.com or call 888-344-MASS (6277). Both the call and website are free of charge. The Unclaimed Property Division will have extended telephone hours from March 7, 2011 through April 16, 2011: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Tax Time!

Local holidays in Washington, DC and Massachusetts have caused the federal and state tax filing deadlines to be extended beyond April 15, 2011. Federal taxes must be filed by Monday, April 18, 2011 and Massachusetts state taxes must be filed by Tuesday, April 19, 2011. For additional state tax information, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's website at www.mass.gov/dor.

Permanent Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Task Force Established

Lieutenant Governor Murray signed an Executive Order making the Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Task Force permanent. The Force is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Murray, and is comprised of representatives from the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, and the Offices of the Attorney General, Inspector General, State Auditor and State Comptroller, each of which had previously been tasked with combating fraud, waste and abuse. By bringing together these key agencies, the Task Force will increase the effectiveness of recovery and prevention efforts, while also encouraging collaboration among independent state agencies.

The primary mission of the Task Force is to tackle issues surrounding fraud, waste and abuse and to identify potential targets for collective anti-fraud efforts, such as public benefits programs. In addition, it will assess existing investigative and enforcement methods to develop best practices among state agencies in identifying and preventing fraud, waste and abuse. The Task Force was originally proposed by the Patrick Administration and approved by the State Legislature in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.

Free program to help veterans & their families quit smoking

A free, statewide smoking cessation program is designed to help Massachusetts veterans and their families live healthier and longer lives. Massachusetts veterans and their family members can now call the Massachusetts Smokers Helpline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or click here to receive free telephone support and a two-week supply of nicotine patches to help them quit smoking.

Patrick Awards $4.3 Million in Grants for Local Teen Parenting Programs

The Patrick Administration announced that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) will award $4.3 million in grants to promote effective teen parenting efforts in five cities and towns across the state. The grants are part of the Massachusetts Pregnant and Parenting Teen Initiative (MPPTI), an innovative program designed to provide support and resources to pregnant and parenting teens and young adults. The goal of the initiative is to help young parents complete their high school education, help their infants and toddlers achieve positive social and developmental outcomes, and engage in responsible family planning in the future.

Community-based organizations that receive MPPTI funding will work to connect teen parents in their area with vital resources to help them succeed, including resources for age-appropriate medical care for themselves and their children, health education, social and emotional support services, and family support services designed to help address concerns in teen home environments. The program will serve as a pilot to develop best practices in promoting teen parenting skills, for use by other cities and towns across Massachusetts in the future.

MA to Serve As National Model for Stem Education Initiatives

Massachusetts will serve as a national model for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education initiatives as national organizations look to further implement STEM education programming in schools across the country. This was announced during the NGA Center for Best Practices, and Massachusetts Governor's STEM Advisory Council's Public-Private Partnership Forum in Boston, where national and state business leaders gathered to discuss how business and industry can best support the implementation and sustained success of Massachusetts' STEM education plan. In addition to the MOU between Innovate + Education and the Patrick-Murray Administration, the NGA Center for Best Practices will work with the Governor's STEM Advisory Council to convene a range of stakeholders from across leading STEM states to engage in cross pollination of effective practices. The NGA partnered with Innovate + Educate to provide support for the implementation of Massachusetts' STEM plan.