Rep. Stanley sends letter to Auditor Bump on transportation costs for nonresident pupils

Rep. Stanley, in a letter to Auditor Bump, recently asked the state auditor's office to examine the transportation costs of non-resident students, and question whether Waltham's transportation costs are an unfunded mandate. According to Chapter 29, Section 27C of Massachusetts General Law, which requires that local mandates that impose new costs on municipalities must either be fully funded by the state or be subject to voluntary local acceptance, Rep. Stanley believes that this is an unfunded mandate imposed on Waltham and its taxpayers.

Rep. Stanley has previously filed legislation and budget amendments that would reimburse school districts for the costs associated with transporting nonresident pupils. Waltham has graciously been a host community to many homeless families from across the Commonwealth, and is currently shouldering the financial burden of transporting the children of these families back to their home communities to receive their education, as is required.

Rep. Stanley Scores 100% on Mass Audubon scorecard

The Mass Audubon have released their 2009 -2010 Legislative Report Card, which reports the environmental voting records of the MA Legislature in order to inform citizens of their state legislators' performance in protecting the nature of Massachusetts. It is a compilation of all roll call votes on environmental bills or budget items. The 2009 - 2010 session included roll calls on off-highway vehicle legislation, saltwater fishing licenses, and funding for the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Rep. Stanley received a score of 100%, representing his dedication to the environmental and conservation in MA.

Legislature Passes Alimony Reform

Comprehensive alimony reform legislation has cleared the House and Senate and is currently awaiting final passage. Prior to the legislation reaching the floor for debate, the Caucus of Women Legislators hosted Massachusetts Bar Association President Denise Squillante for an informational presentation on the proposed reform of the state's alimony law. The legislation, which originated with Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), was examined by a task force comprised of legislators, divorce attorneys, judges and the state's bar associations. The task force tackled the issue for more than a year, gathering input from all sides. Supporters of the bill, including Attorney Squillante, reported a demand for reform from both payors and payees of alimony. Prior to the passage of the legislation, alimony had no end date, which, Attorney Squillante said, meant some possible payees were discouraged from filing because judges are unlikely to award alimony without an end in sight, especially after short-term marriages.

DPU to Review the Storm Response of Two Utilities in the Wake of Irene

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will conduct a review of storm preparation and power restoration efforts by two of the state's investor-owned electric utilities following last week's Tropical Storm Irene. Goals of the review include compiling lessons learned and requiring improvements, if necessary, in service during storm events.

In response to customer and municipal concerns, DPU will examine how two of the state's investor-owned electric distribution companies -National Grid and NSTAR - responded to Tropical Storm Irene, focusing on the companies' efforts to restore electric power, as well as their communications with affected communities. The DPU will also review whether the companies complied with DPU regulations and fully implemented their Emergency Response Plans, which were last filed in May 2011.

In addition, as a matter of course, the DPU requires all four of the utilities (National Grid, NSTAR, Massachusetts Electric Company and Unitil) to submit a 30-day post-storm report. In that report, the DPU will be requiring that each of the utilities include a section on lessons learned and specifically suggest recommendations that will help them improve performance for the upcoming winter storm season. The DPU noted that WMECO and Unitil successfully restored power to their customers within 48 hours.

The DPU's inquiry will focus on compliance with DPU's performance standards for emergency preparedness and restoration of service, including: (1) preparation for and management of the restoration efforts with respect to Tropical Storm Irene; (2) allocation of company resources in the affected communities; (3) communications with state, local municipal and public safety officials, and with the department; (4) dissemination of timely information to the public; and (5) identification of company practices requiring improvement, if any.

SHINE counselors to help guide open enrollment for Medicare beneficiaries later this year

Most Medicare beneficiaries have just one opportunity a year to evaluate and change their coverage-and this year it's coming earlier, from October 15th to December 7th.  Every year, the "open-enrollment" period allows seniors and others on Medicare to change their part D (prescription-drug) coverage, enroll or change enrollment in a Medicare Advantage program, such as an HMO or PPO plan, and generally reevaluate their healthcare package.   While the open enrollment period offers an opportunity for reevaluation, it can also be a confusing time for beneficiaries. Plans inundate seniors with information and those who don't know the system can end up drowning in a sea of questions and paper.  That's why the Serving Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE) program will be training "Part D Enrollment Counselors" to help seniors make informed enrollment decisions. The counselors will have a role similar to that of SHINE counselors, who are state-certified guides to health insurance options, but they are focused specifically on Part D. Volunteer SHINE counselors and Part D counselors can sit down with beneficiaries to explain their benefits giving them the options they need to make the choice that works for them. SHINE counselors are conversant in the in the language of the enrollment process, which means they can help find solutions to complex problems by drawing on diverse resources within the healthcare finance network. Anyone interested in becoming a SHINE counselor or Part D Specialist should contact the SHINE program via EOEA's hotline, 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636; press #3).

AG Coakley Offers Info for Supporters of Veterans & Public Safety Charitable Organizations

Given the tenth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy and Veterans Day, AG Coakley reminds consumers and retailers to give wisely to charities.  Many veterans, police and fire charities will be increasing their solicitation activities during this time.  Consumers who are not familiar with a particular charity are encouraged to familiarize themselves with an organization before making contributions. Most charities that solicit donations during this time are reputable and worthy of financial support from the public.  The Attorney General's Office has received calls about charities that have utilized alleged questionable tactics, including the use of civilians dressed in military uniforms soliciting funds.  The AG's office also reminds consumers that they have the right to ask how much of their donation will go to the charitable purpose of the organization. Please click here for tips and suggestions.

Application Deadline for Small Business Banking Partnership Extended

Treasurer Steven Grossman extended the deadline by which community banks must apply for membership in the Small Business Banking Partnership from September 1, 2011 to January 1, 2012. The Small Business Banking Partnership moves Treasury cash reserve funds typically held by large national and international financial institutions and deposits them in amounts of up to $5 million in Massachusetts banks. In exchange for the infusion of new deposits, the banks sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signaling their intent to enhance their loan portfolios to small credit-worthy Massachusetts businesses.

The first deposits were made in early May of this year, and the Treasury quickly surpassed the initial $100 million that had been set aside for the program, prompting it to designate another $100 million to the initiative. Presently, the Partnership has over $121 million on deposit with 27 community banks across the Commonwealth, many of which have already extended new loans leveraged through the deposits to small businesses.

In addition to the banks with Treasury money on deposit, 24 banks statewide have made a commitment to participate in the Small Business Banking Partnership and are in varying stages of signing up for the program. Treasurer Grossman said he has been travelling across the state to promote the program with bank officials, with an eye toward ensuring that all community banks are aware of the benefits of the Partnership before the application period closes on the newly extended deadline of January 1, 2012. All deposits that the Treasury makes in these community banks are protected through either insurance or collateral, and the interest rate on the money is comparable to what the Commonwealth receives at out-of-state financial institutions.

Massachusetts Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program Converts to Waitlist

The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced that the Massachusetts Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program is expected to roll into a wait list process, as participants have successfully expended most of the program's funding. The percentage of appliance rebate funds reserved through the program is currently at 88 percent or $229,850. The Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program began on July 28 as part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to helping consumers reduce their energy use and costs, while stimulating retail sales. Once program funds have been depleted, the rebate program website will automatically notify customers that they may place their applications on a wait list. Customers may apply to the wait list via the rebate program website at www.massenergyrebates.com or the toll free call center at (877) 574-1128, which is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.  

State Announces $16 million in Federal Financing for Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency Projects in Eight Communities

Eight communities in Massachusetts will receive a share of $16 million in low-interest federally subsidized financing, for the creation of renewable energy and efficiency projects, including efforts to cut municipal energy consumption, and fund municipal wind power and anaerobic digestion projects. Projects in Belchertown, Cohassett, Deerfield, Fairhaven, Gill, Kingston, Marshfield, and Pentucket will receive a share of the $16 million. The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, enacted by Congress in October 2008, authorized the issuance of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) to state, local and tribal governments to finance certain types of energy projects. QECBs are qualified tax credit bonds, through which the borrower pays back the principal on the bond, and the bondholder receives federal tax credits in lieu of traditional bond interest payments. QECBs allow a project to obtain zero or very low interest financing while encouraging investment in clean energy projects. The QECB program is a partnership between EEA, DOER, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance (ANF), and MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development authority. Under the program, DOER and ANF provide the bond allocations and MassDevelopment issues the bonds.

MassDEP and EPA Unveil Series of Free Stormwater Workshops 

 The fall portion of the Massachusetts Statewide Stormwater Seminar Series will kick off on September 13th in Westborough, with the first of 16 hands-on stormwater workshops across the Commonwealth. The workshops will cover up to 20 topics, including:  Low Impact Development; Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; Writing a Local Stormwater Ordinance; and, Funding Local Stormwater Programs.  These seminars describe practical actions that town officials and residents can take to reduce stormwater pollution into local rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. The seminars, offered from September through October 25th in 16 locations across the state, are free, and open to all. Click here for additional information on the workshops. 

Lieutenant Governor Murray Announces Endorsements for Statewide STEM Initiatives

Lieutenant Governor Murray announced the Commonwealth's support for six statewide STEM programs, including: advanced robotics, engineering and biomedical sciences, an Advanced Placement expansion initiative and a community college STEM transfer program. The endorsements came during the National Governors Association's (NGA) Center for Best Practices conference in Boston, attended by officials from more than a dozen states who view Massachusetts as a national leader in STEM education. As chair of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, Lieutenant Governor Murray has engaged STEM stakeholders from across the state to identify potential initiatives that will increase the number of students who are both prepared and interested in STEM fields. The STEM operations board, a subcommittee of the STEM Advisory Council, reviewed applications and selected the following projects known as @Scale Endorsements: Quinsigamond Community College's (QCC) Advanced Robotics Program; Mass Insight Education's Math + Science Initiative; DIGITS Project; WPI's Project Lead the Way; MassBioEd Foundation's BioTeach; and Massasoit Community College's Science Transfer Initiative. 

Legislation would Create Veteran Designation on Mass I.D. Cards

Sen. Rodrigues (D-Westport) and Rep. Koczera (D-New Bedford) filed legislation to allow veterans to request that a capital "V" be added to their driver's license or identification card. If passed, a veteran could request the marker on their license at the Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV). The RMV would be required to present a U.S. Department of Defense form to veterans who have received an honorable discharge from active duty. Connecticut, Maine, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, Utah and Indiana have similar laws currently in place.

Internet Sales Tax Clears Committee on Revenue

The Committee on Revenue endorsed legislation designed to allow Massachusetts to collect sales taxes on online purchases. Supporters of the legislation claim that this would bring in $335 million per year. The bill (H 3672) passed the committee by a vote of 8-2 and is designed to allow the state to collect the 6.25 percent sales tax from online, mail and phone vendors, even those without a physical presence in the state, who sell taxable items to state residents. For this to take place, Congress has to pass enabling legislation. Currently 24 states have a streamlined sales and use tax agreement.

MBTA Deputy Davis Named Acting General Manager

To fill the position vacated by Richard Davey, who will head the state Department of Transportation, Jonathan Davis, longtime chief financial officer of the MBTA, will become the agency's acting general manager on September 2. Davis has previously served as deputy general manager and CFO of the MBTA for over 10 years.

MBTA Launches App for Customer Concerns

A new application is available on iTunes which allows customers to convey concerns or complaints about MBTA service. The new application lets customers send photos and comments directly to the T's operation center. Once the pictures and comments reach the MBTA's control center, they are parceled out to members of the maintenance or operations staff.

New Health Care Finance and Policy Commissioner

Gov. Patrick announced that Áron Boros would become the new commissioner of the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy on September 15. Boros previously served as director of federal finance for the state's Office of Medicaid since 2008. As commissioner, Boros will help the Patrick administration's efforts to pass and implement health care cost containment reform, which the Legislature will discuss in spring 2012.

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