News from Beacon Hill
Governor Patrick Signs FY13 Budget; Includes $11.3M for McKinney-Vento funding
Governor Patrick signed a $32.5 billion fiscal year 2013 (FY13) budget that makes record investments in K-12 education and puts community colleges at the center of the state's workforce development strategy. In addition to prioritizing education and job creation, the budget invests in health care cost containment and youth violence prevention.
The FY13 budget funds local aid at $5.32 billion, an increase of 3.7 percent over FY12. Chapter 70, the largest block of state education aid, increases in FY13 by 4.5 percent from FY12, bringing funding to a historic level of $4.171 billion. The budget signed today also continues the Patrick-Murray Administration's efforts to reduce the state's reliance on one-time solutions. It includes a draw of $350 million from the stabilization fund, leaving the account with a FY13 balance of at least $1.28 billion and the Commonwealth with one of the nation's largest reserve fund balances. Compared to FY12, today's budget increases by roughly 4 percent, a rate of growth that is still less than the assumed growth in state tax revenue collections in FY13.
In addition to the targeted investments, spending reductions and policy changes, the Governor announced he has determined a way to pay for an August sales tax holiday without putting additional pressure on the FY13 budget. A supplemental spending plan filed alongside the FY13 budget sets aside an estimated $20 million from a recent one-time payment to the General Fund the Commonwealth recently received to support the popular measure.
Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter on Prevention and Wellness Trust Funding
In a letter to Senate President Murray, Speaker DeLeo and the Payment Reform Conference Committee, Rep. Stanley and his colleagues requested the dedication of $100 million over five years to the Prevention and Wellness Trust. The trust will help lower premiums by preventing people from developing the costly heath conditions that are driving up costs, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma and heart disease. The letter requests that the funds are used for evidence-based community prevention measures and not medical treatment or disease management activities that can be reimbursed through the healthcare financing system. Data shows that an upfront investment in prevention can save hundreds of millions of dollars in just a few years.
House Approves Series of Green Energy Bills
Rep. Stanley helped pass three pieces of legislation that expand on the state's Green Communities Act, improves emergency storm response protocol, and puts in place a new standard on how to handle gas leaks across the Commonwealth.
House Bill 4198 expands on the Green Communities Act of 2008 by establishing a new requirement for distribution companies to engage in two procurement periods to jointly solicit proposals for long term renewable energy contracts through a competitive bidding process. Contracts must be for projects that work to create jobs and stimulate the state's economy while being cost effective. These contracts shall last 10-20 years and satisfy an additional 4% of peak load.
The bill raises the net metering cap on public generation facilities from 2%-3% of a distribution company's peak load and from 1%-3% on private generation facilities. Additionally, the bill amends the current property tax exemption for solar or wind powered systems, directs the DPU to establish a cost-based rate design for distribution companies recovering costs and requires that they also design all base rates using a specific cost allocation method based on the equalized rates of return for each customer class, and establishes a requirement for distribution companies to enter into long-term contracts to procure energy from generating facilities that are located on the site of a retiring coal or oil-fired generating facility under certain circumstances.
House Bill 4196 mandates that emergency response plans must identify management staff responsible for company operations, including a public information officer responsible for coordinating with the state and municipal officials, and an estimate of service workers available to respond to an emergency within 24 hours. Plans must also include a communication system with customers during an emergency that includes continuous access to staff assistance and twice-daily updates on estimated return of service via telephone, a website and 1 other media outreach effort. Utility must set up a sufficiently staffed call center during an event, as well. Any violation of service standards or emergency response plans during a storm will result in a penalty collected by the DPU that will be credited to ratepayers.
House Bill 4199 puts in place an industry standard on how to handle gas leaks by first creating a classification system that measures how threatening each leak may be to public safety. The system works to prioritize leak repairs by helping to create a schedule wherein the most dangerous leaks are repaired immediately. The bill puts in place new reporting requirements for gas companies, authorizes DPU to establish a minimum winter patrol standard for cast iron pipelines susceptible to leaks, and addresses aging natural gas pipeline infrastructure by allowing gas companies to file replacement plans with the DPU for review.
House Passes Transportation Financing Bill
Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in the House in passing legislation that closes the MBTA's gap for the upcoming fiscal year and provides vital assistance to the regional transit authorities. This legislation first transfers $1.5 million in excess snow and ice removal funds to the regional transit authorities as supplemental assistance and also authorizes a one-time transfer of a total of $51 million from the Motor Vehicle Inspection Trust Fund to the MBTA and to the regional transit authorities for preventative maintenance expenses. This bill also increases fare evasion fines, which will provide additional aid to the transportation system. These funds will allow the MBTA to have a balanced budget for the next fiscal year.
Additionally, the legislation requires that MassDOT file a report to the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees and the Joint Committee on Transportation detailing the time needed to free the commuter boat service lots, piers, and the Fore River terminal from encumbrances in order to prepare these properties for appraisal and sale to Massport during FY 2013.
House Advances Bill to Prevent Pet Poisoning
To prevent animals from drinking the lethal, sweet-smelling liquids, the House gave initial approval to a Senate Bill 88 requiring anti-freeze and engine coolant wholesalers to add a bittering agent to their products. The Senate passed the legislation two weeks ago. More than 90,000 animals a year die from anti-freeze poisoning in the United States, according to the bill's sponsor, Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre).
Civil service employment
Civil service is a merit system under which state and municipal employees may be hired and promoted. Information is available about applying to take a Civil service exam, the civil service exam schedule, checking civil service exam standings with SOARIS (Standings & On-line Applicant Record Information System), police officer examinations and more. Click here to learn more.
Rep. Stanley helped pass legislation that finances necessary improvements to the state's transportation system. This legislation provides $200 million in chapter 90 funding, financial assistance for interstate construction projects in FY 12/13, support for regional transit authorities and the rail transportation system, and funding for other general operating costs of the transportation department.
The bill also provides for a Department of Transportation Board of Directors, a seven-member panel appointed by the Governor that shall exercise the MBTA's corporate powers and oversee transportation projects state-wide. Provisions of this bill include: $325 million for non-federally assisted construction projects in FY 12/13 including general highway maintenance, emergency bridge repairs, guardrail repairs, catch basin cleaning, line painting, etc.; $11 million in capital assistance to the regional transit authorities; $300 million for improvements to and funding of the rail transportation system; and $225 million in supplemental funding for federally-assisted interstate construction projects and $525 million for non-interstate construction projects in FY 12/13.
Gov. Patrick $56.8 Million in Health Insurance Rebates for Small Businesses and Individuals
The Commissioner of the Patrick Administration's Division of Insurance, Joseph Murphy, announced that individual citizens and small employers in the Commonwealth will benefit from nearly $57 million in rebates from five of the state's largest health insurers. The five carriers paying rebates for 2011 are: Fallon HMO, Harvard Pilgrim HMO, Harvard Insurance Company, Neighborhood Health Plan and Tufts HMO.
The rebates will be delivered to 50,000 individual policyholders and an additional 50,000 small businesses and their employees. Individuals will receive on average $205 and businesses will receive on average $936. The exact amount of the rebate will be based on the carrier and plan in which the participants are part. The $56.8 million in rebates, determined by the Division in concert with the insurance carriers, is approximately $10 million more than the carriers had initially estimated and reported to the Division.
The rebates reflect a portion of the difference between what the insurance carriers charged in premiums and what insurers actually spent on healthcare costs in 2011. Under Massachusetts law, health insurers last year must have spent at least 88 percent of the dollars collected from premiums on medical costs. Insurers that spent less than this amount are required to rebate part of the difference back to the individuals and small employer policy holders.
Under Massachusetts law, rebates must be calculated within six months of the end of each calendar year. Payments are made to individuals who purchase their own insurance, or to employers in the small group market that purchase insurance for their employees. Rebates either will be paid directly or will be credited toward the cost of future premiums.
Bill Names Bourne Bridge for Fallen Soldier
The House voted to rename the Bourne Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal in honor of Staff Sergeant Matthew Pucino, a decorated war hero killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009 when his mounted patrol unit was attacked with an IED. The bridge was renamed so lawmakers could show their appreciation for Pucino's sacrifice.
MWRA Approves $636 Million Budget Requiring 3 Percent Rate Hike
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Board of Directors approved a $635.9 million fiscal year 2013 budget, meaning an average increase of 3 percent in the water and sewer rates paid by participating cities and towns. The 3 percent rate increase follows a 3.49 percent increase last year. The MWRA had originally proposed a 3.9 percent average increase in February but the MWRA Advisory Board convinced the authority to bring the increase down to 3 percent. The Advisory Board features representatives from participating municipalities.
MEMA Advises Caution during Extremely Hot Weather
With the arrival of summer and recent heat waves, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is advising people to be cautious during this period of extreme heat, and is offering some tips to help keep cool and safe. Click here to view some tips to follow during hot, humid weather.
House passes gas leak bill
The House recently passed House Bill 4199, the gas leak bill, which requires leaks to be reported by Gas companies to DPU. Under the legislation, gas companies must also file gas infrastructure replacement plans with DPU.
Transgender Equal Rights Bill Went into Effect Sunday, July 1
An Act Relative to Gender Identity, also known as the Transgender Equal Rights Bill, went into effect on 7/1. The bill was signed into law by Governor Patrick on November 23, 2011 and adds gender identity as a protected category to existing Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws covering employment, housing, public education, and credit and lending. The new law also adds gender identity as a protected category under the state hate crimes law.
The statute provides new protections for people who have transitioned from one gender to another, as well as people whose gender identity, expression, and/or behavior does not match their birth sex. Individuals do not need to have undergone sex reassignment surgery to be covered by the new law, and the protection extends to individuals discriminated against based on the gender identity or expression, even if they do not identify as transgender.
The new law amends the state's principal anti-discrimination statute, G.L. c. 151B, as well as others to prohibit discrimination in housing and employment and to ensure that discrimination on the basis of gender identity is prohibited in public schools. The Commonwealth's hate crimes statute has also been changed to include acts against transgender individuals in the hate crime data collected by state police.
Shop for health insurance, now through August 15!
Do you buy individual or family health coverage on your own? Act from July 1 - August 15 to take advantage of the open enrollment period created by state law. Once the deadline passes, most people won't be able to make changes to their current coverage or buy a new plan for at least another year. You can save money by shopping for health insurance, and now is the time to shop. So use this opportunity to compare health plan prices and benefits. Visit the Health Connector for additional information.
The 9th Annual Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival will take place Thursday July 12 through Sunday 15, 2012. As the largest Sand Sculpting Festival on the East Coast, we are pleased to welcome world-renowned artists and over 500,000 spectators to Revere Beach - America's First Public Beach. The centerpiece is already taking shape and it's a tribute to the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park. The 2012 Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival is free and open to the public. Friday night will also feature the House's own Scott Mitchell & his band Overdrive. Saturday night will feature the Band World Premier, the awards ceremony and fireworks over Revere Beach.
Free Fun Fridays
The Highland Street Foundation is once again sponsoring Free Fun Fridays this summer. Every Friday from June 29 to August 31, 5 exciting attractions from across the Commonwealth will be open to the public for free. This is a great opportunity for the citizens and visitors to the Commonwealth to experience the fabulous museums and cultural attractions Massachusetts has to offer. To view the schedule of events, please visit www.highlandstreet.org.
State Health Officials Urge Residents to Take Precautions against Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging residents to stay vigilant against tick bites when they're outdoors this spring and summer. Ticks are present in our environment anytime temperatures are above freezing, but they're especially active as temperatures get warmer in spring and summer. If not removed promptly from the skin, ticks can transmit Lyme disease, a serious but treatable illness. To learn more, please click here.
DPH Offers Health Promotion Clearinghouse Website The website distributes publications and materials on important topics such as asthma, diabetes, nutrition & physical activity, sodium, stroke, substance abuse, tobacco cessation and prevention and more. These materials benefit a wide range of residents, including people interested in improving their health and making healthy choices, anyone in healthcare who provides information or education to patients and educators working with diverse populations. Visit www.maclearinghouse.com to learn more. Exciting New Veterans Resource! The Patrick-Murray Administration launched www.MassVetsAdvisor.org, a cutting-edge web portal that offers enhanced access to services and support for veterans living in the Commonwealth. The new site will help veterans and their family members access more than 200 state and federal benefits in one location, including programs for education, counseling, employment, health care and other services. MassVetsAdvisor streamlines comprehensive data from state and federal resources and lists only the benefits and services each veteran is qualified for, including an "action plan" to apply for the benefits. Veterans will be able to print, email, save or forward the action plan to their Veterans Services Officer for additional one-on-one assistance.
2012 MassWorks Infrastructure Program Application Materials Now Available The 2012 MassWorks Infrastructure Program application materials are now online! The second annual MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant round will be open to new applications through an online system between Monday, Aug. 27 and Monday, Sept. 10. The MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides a one-stop shop for municipalities and other eligible public entities seeking public infrastructure funding to support economic development and job creation. Municipalities with a population of 7,000 or less may also seek grants for road improvement that enhance safety. A copy of the 2012 application, guidelines, scoring, FAQ and other relevant materials are now available on the HED website at http://mass.gov/hed/massworks. The electronic application system will open on June 1, providing applicants with more than 12 weeks to complete their application before the submittal period opens on Aug. 27. All of the data submitted during the 2011 grant round will be available for updating, providing for the easy reapplication of a project submitted in 2011. All decisions will be rendered by the end of October. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program WIC is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC's goal is to keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under 5 healthy. To apply for WIC, call 1-800-WIC-1007 or contact a WIC Program in your community. Please click here for more info.
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. Mass 2-1-1, in Partnership with United Way, Partners with Department of Veterans Services To learn more about the services available to veterans by MA 2-1-1 and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services, the chief advocate for veterans and their families in the Commonwealth, please click here. 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services Information and Referral. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. 2-1-1 makes it possible for people to navigate the complex and ever-growing maze of human service agencies and programs. By making services easier to access, 2-1-1 encourages prevention and fosters self-sufficiency. It also is hoped that it will reduce the number of non-emergency calls inappropriately made to 911.
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. MassDOT RMV urges eligible drivers to renew their licenses 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"
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. 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. 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.
Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival House Approves Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Financing Bill Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter to Energy Bill Conference Committee on Section 42 In a letter to conference committee members, Rep. Stanley and his colleagues urged members to reject Section 42 of House Bill 4225, legislation relative to competitively priced electricity in the Commonwealth, stating that the section is anti-competitive and could be costly to ratepayers. By requiring distribution companies to enter into long-term contracts with fossil fuel burning generating facilities at the site of retiring coal and oil facilities, section 42 distorts the deregulated energy market. This will saddle ratepayers with the risk and cost of inevitable increases and fluctuations in natural gas and diesel prices over the next 15 years and beyond. Rep. Stanley Cosigns Salary Reserve Override Letter Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter to Speaker DeLeo asking for an override of Governor Patrick's veto of the Human Services Salary Reserve, an item endorsed by an overwhelming majority of House members during the budget process. When the House approved the FY 13 budget, it included a $20 million annualized Salary Reserve. It would have been the first annualized salary increase human services workers have received in the last five years, and it would have been an estimated increase of between one and two percent for most employees. Employees would have received an annualized increase of $635/year on average. The Governor vetoed $10 million of the $20 million Salary Reserve that would have given a modest salary increase to human services workers making under $40,000 per year. In a supplemental proposal, he also changed the Salary Reserve language so it would be given as a one-time payment and not annualize into workers' salaries. House votes to override Governor's veto on the legislature's EBT reform The House, by a vote of 152-2, voted to override the Governor Patrick's veto to reform Massachusetts' Electronic Balance Transfer (EBT) cards. Although Governor Patrick is in favor of restricting the use of EBT cards to certain stores, such as grocery and convenience stores, the House and Senate's budget limited the actual items that can be purchased, banning pornography, alcohol and lottery tickets among other things. The proposal will now be discussed by the Senate. Rep. Stanley was pleased that the final budget included $11.3 million in McKinney-Vento funding for municipalities to reimburse cities and towns for the cost of transporting homeless students to and from school. Earlier this year, Rep. Stanley gathered the support of 112 legislators to lobby funding transportation costs for the state's homeless children. Previously, the state was mandating cities and towns to pay roughly $100,000 to $140,000 annually to pay for the expense. |