Rep. Stanley testifies on behalf of his bill to create pilot program to discourage underage drinking by creating a non-criminal disposition process

Representative Stanley testified before the Judiciary Committee in support of a bill he filed to discourage underage drinking. The legislation will deter underage drinking and provide education to individuals who have been charged for the first time with violating laws relating to procurement, possession or use of alcoholic beverages. Rep. Stanley and Sen. Jack Hart filed the legislation, which was co-sponsored by 40 legislators.

Rep. Stanley's legislation will establish a pilot program designed to deter underage drinking by providing a new method of dealing with minor caught with alcohol, aside from criminal charges. The program only applies to first time offenders under the age of 21 and includes a non-criminal penalty of $300 for each violation during the first offense, notification of the violator's parents, a four- hour alcohol awareness program and 10 hours of community service.

According to a report issued by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), it is estimated that underage drinking cost the citizens of Massachusetts $1.5 billion in 2007, which translates to a cost of $2,440 per year for each youth in the state (includes medical care, work loss, pain and suffering). The direct costs of underage drinking incurred through medical care and loss of work cost Massachusetts $445 million each year.

House and Senate Pass Balanced FY12 Budget

The Massachusetts Legislature passed a $30.59 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2012 aimed at increasing government efficiency, cutting costs and shielding essential services. The budget reduces the state's FY12 Stabilization Fund draw by $15 million and closes a $1.9 billion budget gap with funding reductions, ongoing revenue initiatives and one-time revenues.

The budget increases Chapter 70 funding by $140 million and SPED Circuit Breaker funding by $80 million over their FY11 appropriations. The budget includes a plan to reform municipal health insurance that provides savings for cities and towns while ensuring that employees and retirees have a strong voice without a veto. The spending plan also includes no new taxes while preserving services for some of the neediest residents of the Commonwealth by focusing limited resources for the Department of Mental Health, early intervention services and public safety initiatives.

Selected highlights of the budget agreement include $213 million for special education circuit breaker funding, an increase of $80 million over FY11; Full funding for the state's inpatient mental health beds, club houses and mental health community services; Full funding for the Early Intervention program that addresses developmental delays in children ages 0-3; A $4.5 million increase in funding from FY11 for District Attorneys; Increased funding for the State's Veteran Outreach Centers and Veterans homeless shelters by 10% at $1.91 million and $2.29 million, respectively; Regional School Transportation was funded at $43.52 million, an increase of $3 million from FY11, allowing school districts to receive a reimbursement rate of 61%; $2 million in funding for a new State Police Class; $525 million to the Department of Correction, which will prevent any facility closures; and $6 million in funding for Regional Tourism Councils.

Patrick Admin Supports $100 Million Borrowing Program to Fund Research

Leaders in scientific research and economic development lobbied for the creation of a $100 million borrowing program that would use state funds to leverage federal research dollars and help Massachusetts compete with other states. Rep. Thomas Sannicandro, the co-chair of the Committee on Higher Education, and officials from the University of Massachusetts and the American Cancer Society informed legislators that the creation of a matching grant fund in MA would allow the state compete with Texas, Ohio, Maine, Florida and West Virginia, where similar programs already exist.

Interest Free Loan Program for Unemployed Homeowners

Lieutenant Governor Murray launched a new public service campaign to inform struggling homeowners about the availability of interest free loans through the Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program (EHLP). Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with NeighborWorks America, Massachusetts homeowners are eligible for a total of $61 million in EHLP assistance, and must apply by July 22, 2011.

The PSA will be distributed statewide through traditional and social media in an effort to raise awareness about EHLP. To qualify for an interest free loan of up to two years or $50,000, homeowners must have experienced a 15% reduction in income due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment or medical emergency, are at least three months delinquent on a first mortgage and are facing foreclosure. Additional eligibility requirements apply and income requirements differ by region.

EHLP counseling agencies will evaluate applications to make a pre-determination of household eligibility. Selected homeowners will then be asked to meet with an EHLP counselor to submit required documentation. To find out more and complete the pre-applicant screening documents, visit http://www.nw.org/ehlp or call 855-346-3345.

New Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period Starts July 1

The Patrick Administration's Division of Insurance is reminding individuals who purchase their own health care that the annual open enrollment period starts July 1, and going forward individuals will be able to change their insurance policies only on an annual basis. The open enrollment periods are part of the effort to reduce health-care costs for small businesses and working families, and are part of legislation passed in 2010. In the past individuals could purchase insurance at any time of the year, and in some cases were purchasing expensive policies for a short period of time, using a large amount of costly services, and then moving back into a lower-cost plan.

The open enrollment period, which runs from July 1-Aug. 15, gives consumers the opportunity to review their health insurance plans and consider changes that may be appropriate. Once in a plan, consumers will have to stay in those plans until the next open enrollment period, which starts July 1, 2012. Under the new law, there were two open enrollment periods in 2011, one that ran from Jan. 1-Feb. 15, and the new period starting on July 1. Starting in 2012, however, there will be one annual open period, from July 1-Aug. 15.

Individuals who are without coverage because of lost employment-sponsored coverage or government-sponsored coverage, or are self-employed, or for other limited circumstances, can purchase insurance at any time. However, after purchasing coverage, changes can be made only during open enrollment periods. The Division of Insurance is available to help individuals with questions about the new enrollment rules or any other health insurance issue. Consumers can call (617) 521-7794, or visit www.mass.gov/doi.

Goldberg Named Tech Collaborative Director

Pamela Goldberg, director of entrepreneurial leadership at Tufts University, will be the new executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, becoming the first woman to lead the organization in its 30-year history. Goldberg has 25 years of experience in the areas of start-up ventures, academia, finance and strategic planning.

State Sees Significant Energy Savings for First Year of Statewide Energy Efficiency Plans

The Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. announced that ambitious energy efficiency improvements undertaken by businesses, homeowners, and state and local agencies across the state in 2010 resulted in significant electric, natural gas, and greenhouse gas emission reductions. These savings - accomplished under three-year energy efficiency plans authorized by the Green Communities Act of 2008 - are equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 85,000 households, the annual natural gas usage of 14,000 homes and the annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from over 74,000 cars.

The results are outlined in a report filed with the Legislature by the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), a panel established to guide the development and monitor the implementation of the three-year energy efficiency plans authorized by the Green Communities Act signed into law by Governor Patrick in 2008. The year-one results indicate the state is meeting 98 percent of its electric and 103 percent of its natural gas savings goals.

The Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council is chaired by EEA's Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and made up of 11 voting members representing the energy and environmental communities as well as consumer, labor and industry groups.

State Awards Conservation Partnership Grants to Protect 136 Acres

State officials announced $602,525 in Conservation Partnership Grants that will enable nine nonprofit organizations to preserve 136 acres of open space throughout the state, including 57 acres of working forest.

Conservation Partnership grants are designed to help nonprofit organizations purchase land or interests in land for conservation or recreation. Proposed projects are evaluated and selected based on their ability to conserve biodiversity, protect water quality, promote recreation, and preserve working farms and forests. Projects this year include properties that enlarge or connect to other conservation land, increase opportunity for hiking and other outdoor recreation, or contain prime agricultural soils or important fish and wildlife habitats. The awards will fund projects in Brewster, Concord, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Mendon, Wellfleet, Westhampton, Westport and Worcester

Bullying Commission Recommends Annual Reporting Mechanism to Improve Bullying Prevention Efforts

Annual reporting data should be compiled and submitted by schools in order to improve bullying prevention efforts in the Commonwealth, according to a report from a Commission convened in the wake of the passage of the state's anti-bullying law last year. The Commission to Review Statutes Relative to Implementation of the School Bullying Law (The Commission), chaired by AG Coakley, was charged with reviewing the Massachusetts General Laws to consider whether any laws needed to be amended or created in order to more effectively address bullying and cyber-bullying. The Commission held public hearings in Boston and Springfield, and gathered testimony from more than 50 people including educators, parents, civil rights advocates, law enforcement, and bullying prevention experts.

The Committee submitted recommendations to the Legislature, including the implementation of annual reporting. The recommendations include establishing a mechanism for annually reporting data regarding bullying to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; requiring that schools make explicit in school anti-bullying plans that certain enumerated categories of students are particularly vulnerable to bullying and harassment; continuing to emphasize and publicize the Department's problem resolution system; considering additional funding sources for training initiatives and for DESE's work and working to foster parental involvement to stop bullying and resolve incidents of bullying.

MassDOT Orders Development of Plan to Address Boston Tunnels Maintenance

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Mullan ordered development of a comprehensive, five-year Capital Maintenance Program (CMP) to coordinate and enhance current ongoing maintenance procedures involving the tunnels of the Metropolitan Highway System in Boston. MassDOT has secured the services of infrastructure firm HNTB Corporation to develop the CMP by fall 2011, which will identify existing and future expected maintenance needs and estimate the costs necessary to implement solutions that ensure the tunnels remain safe. The CMP will address coordination of response to recent tunnel issues, including securing and the ultimate replacement of light fixtures, recommendations for the maintenance safety/emergency egress railing, and the ongoing water infiltration mitigation efforts. The plan will also incorporate remaining long-term maintenance items identified in the 2008 Stem-to-Stern Safety Review.

Renew Your Boat, Recreation Vehicle and Snowmobile Registration Online!

Through the Massachusetts Environmental Police Online Registration System, you can now renew your motorboat, snowmobile, or recreation vehicle registration online. Please click here for more information.