News from Beacon Hill

Rep. Stanley and Post Audit Committee Meet with State Auditor

Rep. Stanley and the House Post Audit and Oversight Committee, of which he is a member, met with State Auditor Suzanne Bump, SAO officials and officials from the State Department of Housing and Community Development. Discussions included recent findings and recommendations taken by both agencies with regard to the Merrimack Education Collaborative, the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council and the Northeast Center for Youth and Families. In addition, the Committee discussed governance and oversight issues as well as the Auditor's request to be given greater legislative authority to access information and actions taken between collaboratives and vendors.

Rep. Stanley Attended Public Hearing on Proposed Hazardous Material Route

Rep. Stanley attended a public hearing in Waltham on August 30, held by MassDOT which provided the public with the opportunity to provide testimony and comments regarding the City of Boston's routing analysis and proposed Non-Radioactive Hazardous Material through routing designation along I-93/I-95. MassDOT and City of Boston representatives were present to discuss the proposed route and answer questions.

Rep. Stanley strongly opposed the proposal. Rep. Stanley and his colleagues recently sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Jeffrey B. Mullan to express 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. 

Financial Literacy Bill Update

Rep. Stanley's financial literacy bill, An Act Establishing a Financial Literacy Curriculum, was redrafted and attached to the other financial literacy bills assigned to the Education committee. The new bill is S. 1994, An Act Concerning Personal Financial Literacy In Schools, and it was reported favorably by the Education Committee and referred to the Committee on Senate Ways and Means.

Rep. Stanley's 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 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.

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

State Announces Massachusetts Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program

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.)

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.

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.