News from Beacon Hill

Rep. Stanley Attends Financial Literacy Trust Fund Board of Trustees Meeting

Rep. Stanley attended the first Financial Literacy Trust Fund Board of Trustees meeting, which was held in Treasurer Steve Grossman's office.  The purpose of the Fund is to provide and encourage financial literacy and education for residents, educational institutions, community organizations and other entities that will promote financial literacy throughout the Commonwealth. The Fund will accept private donations, publicly or privately funded grants and funds appropriated by the state or federal government. The funds will be used exclusively to advance its mission of encouraging financial literacy and education throughout the state.

Rep. Stanley recently attended the Minuteman Advisory Group of Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC) Annual Legislative Breakfast at The Lexington Historical Society.  MAGIC, a regional planning group, includes local officials from Acton, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Sudbury. The group organizes trainings and forums to address transportation, environmental, open space, affordable housing, planning, legislative, and economic issues. MAGIC is a sub region of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Metro Boston's regional planning agency.

A collage from the MAGIC breakfast 

As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Rep. Stanley attended the fiscal year 2013 Consensus Revenue Hearing on Monday, December 12, in Gardener Auditorium at the State House.

As part of the supplemental budget passed in October, Massachusetts will double its funding for low-income housing tax credits, exceeding the amount of federal credits used within the state.  The federal government provides $14.2 million in federal tax credits in Massachusetts, according to Novogradac & Company, a certified public accountant company based in CA.  MA will increase its tax credits from $10 million to $20 million for two years, ending June 30, 2014. The low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) creates affordable housing units, creates jobs and stimulates local economies.  Since 1986, most LIHTC developments throughout the U.S. have been funded by banks and other major companies seeking federal tax breaks. In 1999, MA launched its own tax credit program.

Governor Patrick signed H.3810, "An Act Relative to Gender Identity," historic legislation to legally protect transgender individuals from discrimination in housing, education, employment and credit. The new law, signed at the State House, also provides additional civil rights and protections from hate crimes.

The transgender equal rights law will make Massachusetts the 16th state to treat transgender citizens as a protected class. The law modifies language in Massachusetts statute to protect all individuals from discrimination, regardless of gender identities. This change will create equal protections for transgender individuals seeking employment, housing, credit and education. There are approximately 33,000 transgender residents living in Massachusetts.  However, the law will make no changes to bathroom attendance requirements that already exist.  

On November 22, 2011, Gov. Patrick signed H. 3807, "An Act Establishing Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth," legislation that will advance job creation and economic development in the Commonwealth by creating the potential for thousands of jobs in the construction, tourism, hospitality, leisure and convention sectors.  

Potential 2012 Ballot Questions

In 2012, voters may have to opportunity to vote on four policy issues come election time.  The ballot may include questions on legalizing marijuana for chronically ill and suffering patients, permitting certain terminally ill residents to self-administer life-ending medication and forcing auto dealers to send diagnostic information to repair shops.  All ballot campaigns are requires to collect 68,911 valid signatures and file them with city and town clerks. After a successful signature campaign, Massachusetts lawmakers have six months to support their own versions of the proposals if they wish to prevent them from moving toward the ballot.

The Restaurant and Business Alliance is lobbying for a meals tax holiday, a repeal on the ban of education dinners for doctors and an extension of the movie tax credit to catering services as methods to help the restaurant industry. According to the Restaurant and Business Alliance, the hospitality industry which makes up roughly 10 percent of the Massachusetts workforce, has lost over 7,000 jobs from August to October. Many of those trends are often attributed to seasonal fluctuations in tourism.

The House passed legislation to enable package stores in MA to open on Monday, Dec. 26, removing one of the last remaining colonial-era Blue Laws restricting alcohol sales. Current state law requires package stores to close on Monday when Christmas falls on a Sunday, meaning that package stores this year would need to stay closed for two consecutive days. The bill now heads to the Senate.

A new 30-member task force will make recommendations by June 2012 on ways to better integrate college and career readiness principles into K-12 education in Massachusetts. The task force will meet five times over the next six months.  Task force members include Worcester Polytechnic Institute President Dennis Berkey, City of Boston Office of Jobs and Community Services Director Conny Doty, Sovereign Bank chief of staff Carlos Garcia, Katie Gray of the Massachusetts School Counselors Association, and Massachusetts Department of Career Services Director George Moriarty.

After a review of dozens of shipping and handling fee rules for retailers at the onset of the holiday shopping season, the Office of Consumer Affairs has identified some of the most frequent ways retailers use those fees to add to a consumer's bottom line.  The Office of Consumer Affairs checked 50 retailers, mixing traditional department stores, online-only retailers, and television infomercial-style items. In reviewing the shipping and handling rules, the Office identified six issues consumers should be aware of before making a purchase.  Please click here to learn more.

MassWildlife Offers Calendar of Events

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.   The Division works to balance the needs of people and wildlife today so wildlife will be available for everyone's enjoyment today and for future generations.  To learn more about DFW events across the Commonwealth, such as wildlife-related workshops, talks, walks or demonstrations, please click here.

MassDEP, Massachusetts Food Association Announce Reduction in Disposable Shopping Bag Use

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Food Association (MFA) announced that a joint initiative with the grocery and supermarket industry to reduce the number of disposable paper and plastic shopping bags distributed in Massachusetts has achieved excellent results during the first three years - a reduction of 33 percent since 2007.

As part of the voluntary initiative, 12 supermarket chains, comprised of 384 stores representing more than two-thirds of the industry in Massachusetts, have been participating in the effort by tracking annual paper and plastic bag usage. Participating chains reported a 33 percent reduction in disposable bag distribution in Massachusetts since 2007. The goal of the initiative is a reduction of at least 33 percent by 2013.

Minority Business Development Agency Center opens

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center in Boston recently held a grand opening to highlight the importance of supporting minority businesses and entrepreneurs in the Commonwealth.  The MBDA Business Center-Boston, operated by the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC), has three primary goals: (1) to work with minority business enterprises to identify procurement opportunities with large public and private sector organizations with the goal of increasing minority business enterprise vendor outcomes by over $100 million a year; (2) to assist minority business enterprises in identifying and accessing sources of debt, equity and angel financing to accommodate their growth and success; and (3) to create and retain jobs in women and minority-owned businesses.  MBDA Boston joins a nationwide network of MBDA Business Centers that provide assistance to local minority entrepreneurs by offering strategic business consulting services focusing on large public and private contracts, financing, and access to global markets.

Committee Endorses Education Collaboratives Bill

The Legislature's Education Committee approved a bill which imposes a series of new checks on collaborative aimed at fostering accountability.  The bill creates new reporting requirements for collaborative and related non-profits, gives greater regulatory authority to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, reinforces public bidding law requirements, mandates that collaborative administrators be certified professionals and requires collaborative to perform an annual financial audit.  Additionally, the bill also creates a commission to study the roles that collaborative play in the state's K-12 education system and make recommendations regarding services to individuals 22 and older. The bill was endorsed following a series of oversight hearings and is not expected to move until formal session resume in 2012.

New State Psychiatric Center to Open in Worcester

A new 320-bed Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital will open in July 2012. Having spent seven years in the planning, design and construction stages, the center will represent the first newly built state psychiatric facility in more than 100 years.

MassDOT RMV urges eligible drivers to renew their licenses online

The number of license renewals is expected to increase by 50 percent beginning in November and continue at higher levels for the months thereafter. November is the beginning of a five-year license renewal cycle that began in 1991, replacing the previous four-year cycle.   The result of that change is one year every five years with a reduced number of license renewals.  That lower volume year ends as of November 1, and transactions will increase. The RMV has responded by launching a publicity campaign through Highway Division billboards and public service announcements at the MBTA to urge drivers to check their license expiration dates and renew online.

Unclaimed Property Listings for Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Treasury has identified thousands of new individuals, charities and businesses over the last six months alone that are entitled to over $61 million in unclaimed property. Unclaimed property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and contents of unattended safe deposit boxes.  Most accounts are considered "abandoned" and turned over to the Treasury after three years with no activity.  Over the last six months alone, $61.3 million in new unclaimed property has been turned over to the state, adding to a total of $2 billion that the Commonwealth is holding in trust until rightful owners can be identified.

The newly released list includes four accounts over $100,000, nineteen accounts between $50,000 and $100,000, and over 3,700 accounts in excess of $1,000.  In addition to bank accounts, the new accounts include 1,180 owners of safe deposit boxes, 546 owners of mutual funds, and 9,062 owners of stock.  It is estimated that one in ten people in Massachusetts has unclaimed property in their name.

The Treasury releases an updated list of unclaimed assets every six months as new accounts are turned over to the Commonwealth.  There is no time limit to claim this property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.  To determine if they have unclaimed property, citizens can call 888-344-MASS or visit www.findmassmoney.com.

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.

Renew Your 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 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. 

Job Opportunities with the Commonwealth of MA

There are a number of job listings posted on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts home page. For more information, click here.

Publish your events in The Stanley Report

The Stanley Report is a great way to spread the word about an upcoming event!  Please forward any community, civic or nonprofit upcoming events that you would like included in next month's Stanley Report.  If interested, please email Tara Conklin, Rep. Stanley's legislative assistant, with information about your event.