News from Beacon Hill

Rep. Stanley Testifies on behalf of his bill to establish a Municipal Library Facilities Loan Fund

Rep. Stanley testified before the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development today in support of a bill he filed to establish a Municipal Library Facilities Loan Fund. The legislation will create a separate fund to allow the Massachusetts Library Commission to allocate monies to municipalities for their libraries, including the construction or purchase of public parking facilities.

At the State House hearing, several members of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development explained their districts' library parking needs and agreed that helping to pay for increased parking facilitates may be the most beneficial use of the funds. Currently, the capital funding regulations through state and federal grants and loans do not allow for the funds to be directed to the creation of parking garages. The Municipal Library Facilities Loan Fund will provide another means to financially support local libraries and enable more of them to meet parking standards to apply for traditional capital grants.

Rep. Stanley Appointed to Financial Literacy Trust Fund Board

House Speaker DeLeo appointed Rep. Tom Stanley to a 20-member board of trustees who will administer a bill recently passed by Gov. Patrick which establishes a financial literacy trust fund within state treasurer's office. The bill encourages financial literacy and education for residents, businesses, educational institutions, community organizations and other entities that will promote financial literacy throughout the Commonwealth.

The board will include six members of the legislature, including Rep. Stanley and 14 members including representatives from the Treasurer's office, the Attorney General's office, the office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Executive Office of Education, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and additional stakeholder designees.

The fund will accept private contributions, publicly or privately-funded grants and funds appropriated by the state or federal government to advance its mission of encouraging financial literacy and education.

Rep. Stanley filed similar legislation to establish a financial literacy curriculum in Massachusetts. This legislation will require that public schools teach a financial literacy curriculum developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to cover consumer financial education, personal finance and personal credit.

Rep. Stanley Asks DMF to hold Hearing on Striped Bass Harvest Legislation

Rep. Stanley asked the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to hold a hearing concerning the commercial and recreational harvest of striped bass for the 2011 summer season.

Rep. Stanley and Senator Timilty sent a letter to Paul Diodati, Director of DMF, asking him to hold a hearing to consider a reduction of 50 percent in the recreational and commercial striped bass fishing quota for 2011. With fishing season approaching, the timing of this hearing is critical before more damage is done to the remaining stock of striped bass.

Rep. Stanley filed legislation to conserve striped bass by designating them as game fish and making it illegal to take them for commercial purposes, which is already a law in several other New England states. In addition to amending current provisions to the ban on fishing Atlantic wild striped bass and penalties for violation, Rep. Stanley also filed legislation requiring the DMF to consider both the economic importance and revenue implications for the state relative to striped bass fishing when making decisions about the commercial striped bass fishery.

Rep. Stanley Sponsors Letter to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Rep. Stanley and his colleagues recently sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Jeffrey B. Mullan to express our concern over the proposed shifting or rerouting of hazardous materials trucks from Boston's North End neighborhood streets into suburban communities adjacent to Route 128.

According to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the stretch of Route 128 from Route 3 in Burlington through Waltham currently hosts 200,000 cars and trucks each day, well over its capacity of 150,000. Diverting an average of 317 trucks a day from Boston will further intensify Route 128's traffic congestion issues through the heart of the western suburbs.

Rep. Stanley Attends Public Hearing on Low Pressure Steam Boilers Bill

As a member of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Rep. Tom Stanley and committee members attended a public hearing being at the N.E. Home for the Deaf in Danvers, MA. The committee heard testimony on a House Bill 122, an Act increasing the experience and background necessaries to operate low pressure processed steam boilers similar to those which tragically exploded in Danvers in the fall of 2006.

House Passes Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking

Rep. Stanley helped the House pass legislation aimed at fighting human trafficking in the Commonwealth. The bill creates crimes for human trafficking offenses such as trafficking persons for sexual servitude and trafficking persons for forced services. The bill creates the crimes of trafficking persons for sexual servitude and trafficking persons for forced services, each of which carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $25,000, or both.

The legislation also creates the crimes of trafficking for sexual servitude or forced services on a person under 18 years-old. Each crime carries a penalty of up to life in prison. Additionally, the bill increases protection for children by raising the age required to be considered a minor in the context of engagement in sexual conduct. Previously, only those under 14 years of age had qualified as minors in this context. This legislation increases the age to 18.

The legislation authorizes all money seized as a result of human trafficking apprehensions to be made available to human trafficking victims who are awarded restitution by a court. The bill also addresses the demand side of human trafficking by increasing the punishment for those who pay another person in exchange for sexual conduct.

In an effort to provide needed social services for victims of human trafficking, the bill includes a "Safe Harbor" provision that allows a court to judge a person under 18 years-old who is apprehended for prostitution - but found to be a victim of human trafficking - to be in need of services rather than simply delinquent.

Finally, the bill establishes an inter-agency task force to address human trafficking. The task force will collect data to continually study the problem of human trafficking and devise plans to share information across agencies to facilitate a more efficient pursuit of human traffickers.

Rep. Stanley Attended UMASS Lowell Groundbreaking

The University of Massachusetts at Lowell broke ground on its first new building in 35 years to accommodate a 30 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment over the last four years.  The $40 million Health and Social Sciences Building will house the criminal justice, nursing and psychology majors. The building will open in 2013 and will have the capacity to serve nearly 900 students and more than 140 faculty. Funding for the new building was provided through the Commonwealth's Higher Education Bond Bill, passed by the legislature in 2008.

Biodegradable Bag Law Receives Public Hearing

Legislation on Beacon Hill would require that all plastic shopping bags given to customers at large retail stores be made of biodegradable and compostable material. The bill would affect
retail stores larger than 4,000 square feet that use plastic checkout bags for customers. Should the bill pass the MA legislature, the Commonwealth would be the first to impose a biodegradable restriction on plastic bags on a statewide level. Several cities, including San Francisco and Seattle, currently have bans and fees on plastic bags.

Gov. Patrick Files $52 Million Supplemental Budget for Safety Net Services and Storm Recovery Efforts

Gov. Patrick filed a supplemental budget bill that will allow cities and towns to maintain critical safety net services through the remainder of the year and help mitigate costs associated with damage incurred during the June 1st storms in Central and Western Massachusetts. The $52.2 million budget bill includes $10 million to fund costs incurred during state emergency response efforts, and provides new tools for municipalities to expedite emergency borrowings.

This bill proposes eliminating the requirement for approval from the Legislature and the Municipal Finance Oversight Board (MFOB) for short-term borrowing in the event of an emergency. It also allows communities to expedite emergency borrowings by allowing emergency borrowing for capital purposes for a longer term with the approval of the MFOB and would allow communities that have not adopted the local option alternate property tax assessment date to provide fiscal year 2012 property tax relief to property owners affected by the tornado. Fiscal year 2012 property taxes would be based on the damaged condition of the properties.

The bill also includes language proposed in the Governor's FY12 budget that would allow the Governor to draw up to $25 million in funding from the Rainy Day fund in the case of a disaster where other funding cannot be identified to support the costs of emergency preparedness and responses.

Other funding items in the bill include: $10 million in grants and investments to reduce youth violence across the Commonwealth; $12 million for a reserve to mitigate deficiencies at various sheriffs' offices; $10 million for estimated child care caseload deficiencies; $1.2 million to support one-time staging costs in line with reforms in the state's family homelessness programs; and $500,000 for the Commonwealth Corps, including language for administration of this program by the Massachusetts Service Alliance.

Reforms Announced to Remove Barriers to Small Businesses to Help Create Jobs

Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez announced several reforms which will standardize and streamline the Commonwealth's procurement process and help contain health care costs for small businesses. Effective July 1, the Operational Services Division (OSD) will stop collecting the annual vendor registration fee of $275 charged to businesses participating in Comm-PASS, the Commonwealth's procurement bidding system, which will result in more competition and lower costs for doing business. In July, the Health Connector will eliminate the fee it currently charges small businesses to shop through Commonwealth Choice. This fee was already significantly lower than those charged when small businesses shopped through other intermediaries, and will now be waived to further promote the use of Commonwealth Choice. To learn more, please click here. 

State Announces Massachusetts Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program

The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia announced the Massachusetts Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program will launch on July 28, 2011.

A follow-up to last year's Great Appliance Exchange, the new program is open to Massachusetts households. Customers who purchase a new ENERGY STAR® refrigerator and/or room air conditioner to replace an inefficient model may qualify for rebates of $150 and $50, respectively.

The program is funded by a combination of a US Department of Energy American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and funds available to promote energy efficiency from a nitrogen oxides (NOx) cap and trade program established to reduce ozone pollution. The program is expected to fund approximately 20,000 rebates worth $2 million and is estimated to save around 1.8 million kilowatt hours in a year, enough to power 250 homes for a year.

Rebates will be available on all ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators and room air conditioners, purchased on or after July 28, and each purchaser must replace an existing refrigerator or room air conditioner to receive a rebate. Customers who participate and who are eligible will receive a $150 rebate for refrigerators and $50 for room air conditioners. Those households served by the Cape Light Compact, National Grid Electric, NSTAR Electric, Unitil, and Western Massachusetts Electric Company are also eligible for an already existing $50 Mass Save rebate on their ENERGY STAR® refrigerator purchase. (The Mass Save refrigerator rebate is available only through www.MassSave.com, not through this program.)

Spencer Named Commissioner of Department of Correction

Gov. Patrick named Luis Spencer as commissioner of the Department of Correction.  Spencer has previously served as superintendent of three facilities, as assistant deputy commissioner and since last year as acting commissioner.  The department includes 18 facilities, 5,400 staff member, houses 11,000 inmates and has an annual budget of approximately $500 million.

Housing Committee Recommends Housing Innovation Bills

The Housing Committee approved two bills which would offer the Department of Housing and Community Development new authority to pilot public housing innovation programs with up to 10 local housing authorities to find "creative and efficient" ways to repair, redevelop, expand and develop state-assisted housing.  The committee also gave favorable recommendations to two bills that would instruct various state departments and agencies to develop and execute a memo of understanding and action plan to create no less than 1,000 units of housing for low and extremely low-income residents with community-based support services within three years.

I-93 Fast 14 Project - Summer Traffic Alert
  
This summer, MassDOT will replace 14 bridge superstructures on I-93 in Medford over weekends in June, July and August (except for the 4th of July weekend). Plan ahead for weekend travel. Visit www.mass.gov/massdot/93fast14 for more information and weekly construction updates.

State Announces New Internship Opportunities Website

The state launched a website featuring internship opportunities across Massachusetts. The new website, promoted by the Commonwealth Marketing Office, aims to convince college students and recent graduates to stay in the state. Companies are allowed to post opportunities at no charge and serves as a "a one-stop shop" for students searching for internships. Currently, the site features more than 100 internship opportunities.

Drivers Encouraged to "Donate Life"

Massachusetts drivers can register as organ donors on their driver's license or online through the Donate Life New England registry. About 99 percent of all Massachusetts residents who designate themselves as organ and tissue donors do so through the Registry of Motor Vehicles at RMV branches and on its website.

Registering as a donor can save the life of someone desperately in need of a transplant. More than 110,000 Americans, including about 3,000 Massachusetts residents, are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant that may not come in time. In 2009, the RMV became the first state agency in New England to create an on-line application to allow an individual to register to be a donor. New England Organ Bank is the federally-designated, non-profit procurement organization responsible for the surgical recovery of organs and tissues for transplant throughout the New England region. Donate Life New England is a joint project of two federally designated organ procurement organizations that serve New England - LifeChoice Donor Services and New England Organ Bank. They have come together to create a fast and easy way for citizens of New England to register as organ and tissue donors in a secure and confidential manner. For more information, visit www.donatelifenewengland.org.

Agricultural Officials Announce Grants for Farmers' Markets to Assist Low-Income Residents

The Patrick Administration announced that it will provide $50,000 in grants for equipment and support to help farmers' markets process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits used by low-income residents. These grants, made possible by an ongoing partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), are for the purchase or rental of wireless point-of-sale terminals capable of processing SNAP benefits through the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system.

The grants also fund transaction fees, outreach programs for SNAP participants, promotional materials and incentives to encourage SNAP participants to use their benefits at farmers' markets.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, serves more than 755,000 individuals in Massachusetts - one in nine residents of the Commonwealth - by assisting low-income individuals and families with purchasing healthy food. SNAP households can access their benefits by using an EBT card that is similar to a debit card and is accepted at most grocery stores. This program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and serves as the first line of defense against hunger and poor nutrition. Individuals, families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities who are having difficulty meeting their basic needs are encouraged to apply for SNAP by visiting www.mass.gov/dta, calling 1-866-950-FOOD, or visiting their local DTA office.

Improved Benefits and Discounts for Drivers

Drivers around the state are able to take advantage of more discounts and expanded benefits as the competitive marketplace continues to mature. Managed competition went into effect April 1, 2008, ending the fixed-and-established system under which the state set auto insurance rates. The new system created a marketplace that allows companies to compete for consumers through rates, discounts, and benefits. Since the start of the reform, 13 new companies have entered the state, including three of four biggest carriers in the country (Allstate, Progressive and GEICO).

To shop for a better auto insurance policy, visit www.mass.gov/autorates, research carriers' websites, and meet with insurance agents. For more info, visit the Massachusetts Division of Insurance's website, (www.mass.gov/doi) an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Follow the Office at www.mass.gov/consumer.

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.

Learn more about Mass 2-1-1

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.

MA 2011 Fishing and Hunting Licenses for Sale Online

 Hunting and fishing licenses for the 2011 season are now available through a new online licensing system for fishing and hunting licenses and permits - including the new recreational saltwater fishing permit. The system, known as MassFishHunt, allows hunters and anglers to order and print licenses online for use on the same day they place an order. In addition, the new system will enable the nine DFG field offices across the state to issue licenses electronically beginning in January 2011. MassFishHunt will process licenses for inland fishing, hunting, and trapping and permits for recreational saltwater fishing and lobstering. Prior to this new system, hunters and anglers could order licenses online but most hunters would have to wait to receive their license in the mail before hunting.