News from Beacon Hill 

Waltham to Receive $1.56 Million for Municipal Road and Bridge Maintenance

Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in the House in passing legislation today to authorize $200 million for the maintenance and upkeep of municipal roads and bridges across the Commonwealth.  Waltham will receive $1.56 million under the legislation. Overall, the bill authorizes $200 million for the maintenance and upkeep of municipal roads and bridges across the Commonwealth.  This $200 million marks a high for Chapter 90 funding and demonstrates the House's strong commitment to local road and bridge funding.

Rep. Stanley spearheads effort to reimburse cities and towns for McKinney-Vento Reimbursements

House Ways and Means Budget Includes $11.3M for McKinney-Vento Reimbursements

Representatives Stanley and Lawn joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in thanking Speaker DeLeo and House Ways and Means Chairman Dempsey for including $11.3 million for McKinney-Vento reimbursements in the House Ways and Means budget.  Representatives Stanley and Lawn were two of 108 legislators who cosponsored a letter to Gov. Patrick, Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Murray and House and Senate Ways and Means Committee members requesting the reimbursement of $11.3 million in unfunded mandates be included in a supplemental budget appropriation and in future budgets. 

Rep. Stanley and Rep. Spelliotis asked State Auditor Suzanne Bump for reviews of these unfunded mandates for their towns.  Because of the results, Auditor Bump found reason to conduct a state-wide review.  She announced the results of a statewide survey which found that school districts are projected to spend close to $11.3 million this fiscal year as a result of an unfunded state mandate.  Auditor Bump determined that the voluntary state plan to implement the federal McKinney-Vento Act relating to educational opportunities for homeless students imposes unfunded state mandates on local cities and towns.

Due to the state's participation in the federal McKinney-Vento Act, cities and towns are required to provide transportation and education of some homeless children after they are placed in a different municipality for temporary housing.  The Act provides that a homeless student living in temporary housing in a "host community" outside of the city or town where the family lived prior to becoming homeless (the community of origin) may choose to remain enrolled in the community of origin schools. Most significantly, the state plan requires "host" and "origin" communities' school systems throughout Massachusetts to fund school transportation costs for homeless students choosing to remain in their community of origin school system. This requirement is in contrast to the general rule whereby school districts are not responsible for students who move outside of district boundaries or students from other communities temporarily living in theirs.

Rep. Stanley recently spoke at a legislative briefing regarding the McKinney Vento Homelessness Assistance Act. The briefing featured several legislators, the State Auditor, and several policy experts. At the briefing, a variety of speakers provided an overview of the Act, and explained its impacts on students, schools, and communities. 

Rep. Stanley cosponsors legislation to end the fraud and abuse of EBT cards

Rep. Stanley signed onto House Bill 4343, an act relative to electronic benefit transfer card reform, legislation to implement reforms to end the fraud and abuse of EBT cards.  He also signed onto legislation requiring businesses to apply to accept electronic benefit cards.  In order to accept EBT cards as payment for point of sale purchases, businesses will need to apply and receive an authorization number that must be displayed in their place of business.  This simple online application will enhance the ability to identify businesses that should be prohibited from accepting EBT cards. There is no fee to apply.

Senate Passes Energy Bill

The Senate passed legislation to increase the state's renewable energy supply and stabilize electricity prices.  Opponents of the bill claims that renewable energy efforts could have a negative effect on prices while proponents claims the investments in the renewable energy sector will generate new jobs and decrease reliance on dirtier imported fuels.  The legislation includes provisions to encourage competition and transparency in the renewable energy industry, give hydropower a role in the renewable energy mix and reduce risks associated with long-term renewable energy contracts. 

Rep. Stanley supports bill to help domestic violence victims keep their jobs

As an honorary Board member of Reach Beyond Domestic Violence (REACH), Rep. Stanley is supporting a Senate Bill which will bring much-needed assistance to victims of domestic violence by helping them keep their jobs. In May, Rep. Stanley and REACH will host an event to raise awareness of Senate Bill 918. 

Too many victims of domestic violence are losing their jobs due to abuse.  According to Jane Doe Inc., a statewide coalition that promotes the safety, liberty, and dignity of victims and survivors, more than 20 percent of women who have experienced abuse have consequentially arrived late or missed work as a result.  Approximately 50 percent of victims reported a job loss in part due to domestic abuse and nearly 60 percent of victims are reprimanded at work for abuse-related incidents.   According to REACH, victims are exponentially more likely to stay with their abuser when they are financially dependent.  Having and keeping their jobs is critical to the safety of victims of domestic abuse.

Senate Bill 918, drafted for victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault, will help protect victims in their fight for independence by providing job security.  The bill, which only effects businesses that employ more than 50 employees, would provide 15 days unpaid, guaranteed leave for domestic violence victims and their families.  

Transportation Reform, Budget Legislation Filed

The Patrick-Murray Administration has filed transportation reform legislation that addresses the MBTA FY 2013 budget and builds on the success of the Transportation Reform Act of 2009.  The legislation would authorize several steps to allow the MBTA to close its FY13 structural deficit, including a shift of Motor Vehicle Inspection Trust Fund surplus funds. The bill calls for increased MBTA fines for fare evasion to $75 first offense, $200 second offense, and $350 for subsequent offenses, along with requiring the reporting to RMV in 21 days of citations not paid, resulting in license suspension until fines are paid.  The number of MBTA noncriminal fare evasion citations increased from 818 in 2007 to 3,248 in 2011.  The increases in fines are intended to serve as a significant deterrent to those deliberately not purchasing the required fare.

House Passes Legislation to Create Emergency Response Plans in Schools

Rep. Stanley helped pass legislation that calls for school committees and trustees to create and implement an emergency medical response system in their institutions. This legislation applies to Massachusetts public and charter schools.  The legislation will help minimize the number of tragedies we see among students, athletes and faculty.

House Passes Job Protection Legislation for Volunteer Firefighters

Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in passing legislation to protect the primary jobs of call and volunteer firefighters.   This legislation adds a level of job protection for call and volunteer firefighters to the current statute that protects them from being dismissed from their primary job if they arrive late for work because they were fighting a fire. This legislation broadens the responsibilities of call and volunteer firefighters that may be excused by primary employers to include natural disasters, emergency medical response, and hazardous material incidents.

Governor Signs Bill to Create Supportive Housing Opportunities for Low-Income Residents

Gov. Patrick signed House Bill 3963, "An Act Relative to Community Housing and Services," legislation that will promote supportive housing for the Commonwealth's homeless, individuals with disabilities and elders. The legislation calls for the development of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) across state agencies to create housing opportunities that combine affordability with voluntary services for the most vulnerable populations.

The MOU will promote the procurement and availability of supportive housing for low-income residents of the Commonwealth. Specifically, the MOU must facilitate the development of a demonstration program that would create up to 1,000 units of permanent supportive housing by December 31, 2015; require agencies to assess the need for permanent supportive housing to serve the Commonwealth's homeless or at-risk of homelessness, citizens with disabilities and elders; and establish a long-term target to produce new supportive housing opportunities to meet the state's need.  

The MOU will be between state agencies within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and Commission for the Blind, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Department of Veterans Services, the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency and Housing Partnership, and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation.  The bill also requires the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to study the establishment of a comprehensive ombudsman program to service the needs of the Commonwealth's elderly residents.    

Five Member Gaming Commission Moving Forward With Business

State officials announced the final two appointments to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, rounding out the five member independent body which is responsible for implementing and overseeing the expanded gaming industry in the Commonwealth.  The appointees are James F. McHugh, retired associate justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court; and Bruce Stebbins, business development administrator for the City of Springfield. Both appointees will serve as full time commissioners.

Governor Patrick appointed Steve Crosby as chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on December 13, 2011. In February, Attorney General Coakley selected former New Jersey Lieutenant Colonel Gayle Cameron as the Attorney General's law enforcement appointee to the Commission. Treasurer Grossman selected Enrique Zuniga as the Treasurer's corporate finance and securities appointee. In order to ensure the strongest possible commission, Justice McHugh will now serve as the Attorney General's law enforcement appointee, and Lieutenant Colonel Cameron will now serve as the joint appointee with legal experience related to gaming. Stebbins will serve as the final joint appointee.

All costs of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will be borne by the gaming industry itself and will not be paid for by Massachusetts taxpayers.  The commission will now move forward with its business of hiring staff, establishing an office, hosting public meetings and soliciting bids for up to three commercial casino licenses and one slots facility. Licenses must be competitively bid and awarded following local approval, under the rules of the Expanded Gaming Act signed by Governor Patrick on November 22, 2011.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program 

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Grant Funding Available for Local Consumer Programs

Funding is available for local consumer and mediation programs through grants available from Attorney General (AG) Coakley's Office.  The application period for Local Consumer Aid Fund Grants (LCAF) is open for new or existing grantees throughout the Commonwealth.  The AG's Office provides grants to a statewide network of Local Consumer Programs (LCPs) and Face-to-Face (FTF) Mediation Programs.   Interested applicants can visit the Attorney General's website, www.mass.gov/ago/grants, for additional information about the application process and to download application materials.

Eligible organizations seeking funding should submit a letter of intent to apply no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 16, 2012, including information on the coverage area and contact details for the grant manager.  Questions regarding the grant funding must be submitted no later than April 19, 2012.  Grants will be awarded for the period from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, for fiscal year 2013.

New Law Will Expand Retirement Options for Non-Profit Workers

Gov. Patrick signed a bill which will allow Treasurer Steven Grossman's office to offer a tax-deferred retirement savings plan to employees of non-profit organizations.  The Treasury will work with the Internal Revenue Service to set up a retirement savings plan that will be available to all non-profit organizations in Massachusetts with twenty or fewer employees.  Much like a 401(k) or 403(b), this plan would deduct pre-tax dollars from an employee's paycheck and invest them in a tax deferred market portfolio.  The Treasurer's Office would administer the participant-funded plan at no cost to taxpayers. The Treasurer's Office presently oversees tax-deferred retirement savings accounts for over 280,000 government workers, giving it the existing infrastructure and expertise to set up these non-profit accounts.

EEA Kicks Off 2012 Conservation Land Tax Credit Program

Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan announced that applications for tax year 2012 are now being accepted for the EEA's Conservation Land Tax Credit Program. This new initiative, launched in 2011, offers refundable state income tax credits in exchange for conservation land donations.    In 2011, the program received 22 donations totaling 934 acres, with land valued at $5.8 million. Tax credits in the amount of $976,225 were distributed for land donations. To learn more about the program and view an application, please click here.

SAVE Partners with Veterans' Services to Support Veterans & Their Families

The fundamental principle of the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment (SAVE) program is to advocate for veterans who are not able to obtain the benefits they have earned due to institutional or personal barriers. The program's primary mission is prevention of suicide and mental health distress through the identification of issues facing veterans when they return from service and proactively providing them with access to benefits and services that may address these issues and result in positive transitions back to civilian life. SAVE acts as a liaison between veterans and their families and the various agencies within the federal and state governments.  To learn more, please click here.

Partnering to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke

The Department of Public Health (DPH) is partnering with the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke in an effort to reduce the number of deaths each year. Heart disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, is the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women, accounting for nearly 600,000 deaths annually. Every year, about 785,000 Americans suffer a first heart attack. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death, accounting for more than 128,000 deaths a year. Every year, about 795,000 people have a stroke.

To increase awareness about how to prevent heart attack and stroke in the first place, how to recognize the signs, and what to do if someone has a heart attack or stroke, DPH partnered with the Massachusetts Medical Society to produce this month's edition of Physician Focus: Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke.  

In addition, Massachusetts is partnering with the CDC on the Million Hearts Campaign, which aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the next 5 years. The Department will continue its work to educate people about reducing the amount of salt in their diet, encouraging healthy eating and active living through Mass in Motion, recognizing the signs of heart attack and stroke, and educating people about the ABCS of prevention.

Mass 2-1-1, in Partnership with United Way, Partners with Department of Veterans Services

Massachusetts' New and Leased Car Lemon Law

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.

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.

Services available on the MassDOT RMV website include applying for a first time license; converting an out-of-state license; scheduling a branch appointment; registration renewals; ordering a driving record, crash report or Fast Lane transponder; viewing the status of a license, registration, driver education certificate and title; signing up for organ/tissue donation; and canceling a registration plate.    

Drivers Encouraged to "Donate Life"