News from Beacon Hill

11 Years Later, Massachusetts Remembers 9/11  

On September 11, citizens across the Commonwealth gathered at ceremonies to remember the attacks and its victims.  At the State House, events included a wreath laying ceremony on the Public Garden, a raising of the flag and reading of names outside the State House, and a ceremony in the House Chamber which honored acts of civilian bravery.  Two hundred and six victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 lived in Massachusetts.    

2012 Statewide Ballot Questions

Three statewide ballot questions will appear on the November 6, 2012 State Election ballot. The first question focuses on a proposed law would prohibit any motor vehicle manufacturer, starting with model year 2015, from selling or leasing, either directly or through a dealer, a new motor vehicle without allowing the owner to have access to the same diagnostic and repair information made available to the manufacturer's dealers and in-state authorized repair facilities.  If passed, the second would allow a physician licensed in Massachusetts to prescribe medication, at a terminally ill patient's request, to end that patient's life.  The third proposal would eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for the medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients.  To learn more about these three initiatives, please visit Secretary Galvin's website.

Learn about the West Nile Threat in MA

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recently raised the West Nile virus (WNV) threat level in communities throughout MA.  WNV infected mosquitoes have been found in 93 communities from nine counties so far during 2012, and health officials predict that the state is on track to have the greatest number of WNV-positive mosquito pools since WNV was first seen in Massachusetts in 2000. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.  People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.  To learn more, please click here.

Gov. Patrick Requests Federal Funding for MA Fishermen

Gov. Patrick recently asked the federal government to help provide economic relief to Massachusetts fishermen.  He wrote a letter to Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank which included information on National Marine Fisheries Service data suggesting potential groundfish catch limit cuts in 2013 of between 43 percent and 73 percent across multiple stocks, which would hurt the livelihood of New England's fishermen.  

Gov. Patrick Signs Prescription Monitoring Bill with Concerns over Funding

Gov. Patrick signed a bill (Senate Bill 2125) designed to protect against prescription drug abuse, but warned that public health officials will need additional funding to meet the goals of the Legislature. While the governor supports the bill, he was concerned that the Legislature did not appropriate enough money to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, or the Department of Public Health, to "effectively implement the more costly measures" in the bill in fiscal 2013. The legislation limits the number of doctors who excessively prescribe medications that can be abused or sold illegally.  The bill also tries to increase participation in the state's Prescription Monitoring Program which helps identify patients who might be shopping for prescription from various doctors.

MA to Use $300K Grant to Advance Nursing Profession

A $300,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an organization focused on improving healthcare, will help the Commonwealth further advance the nursing profession.  Massachusetts was one of nine states to receive a grant the Foundation.  Funds will be uses to enhance curriculum at state universities to examine the core skills nurses will need in the future and find ways to eliminate financial and other barriers some nurses overcome to receive advanced degrees.  The Department of Higher Education will oversee the grants.

Mass Students Improve Performance on ACT

High school students in the 2012 class in MA outperformed most students in the U.S. on the annual ACT test, a benchmark for their college and career readiness. Students scored an average composite score of 24.1 out of a possible 36 points. The national average was 21.2.  A rival college entrance exam to the SAT, the ACT test studies college readiness in English, reading, math and science.

Mass.gov Offers Open Government Website

MassDOT RMV Customer Service has New Number

MassDOT announced a new telephone number for Registry of Motor Vehicles business and transactions, 857-DOT-8000/857-368-8000. The number serves the RMV's Call Center which answers an average of 45,000 calls each month.  Over the next year, customers will become familiar with the 857-DOT area code and exchange as MassDOT offices across the Commonwealth transition to the new number. The telephone transition will result in annual phone bill and maintenance savings of approximately $422,000.

Concerned about lead in your home?

Lead is a toxic metal that can come from a number of materials found in and around our homes, including old paint and contaminated soil. If you have lead pipes, or brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures, it can enter your drinking water via the plumbing. Lead exposure frequently occurs without any symptoms, and can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and death. Children six years old and younger are most at risk.   The state offers information about lead and removing it from your home.  To learn more, visit the Health and Human Services' website.

File for unemployment insurance benefits online or by phone

Connect & Serve's user-friendly design has many features to increase the visibility of opportunities across the state, including a quick search function highlighting impact areas, an easy zip-code radius search, and a monthly service projects calendar. All volunteer opportunities are promoted through a statewide collaboration with volunteer connector agencies to build awareness to a wider audience in all regions of the state.

Massachusetts is an amazing place to visit year-round, and when the leaves explode with color and the fall air becomes crisp and cool, our state comes alive anew! Enjoy hot apple cider, hayrides, apple and pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and agricultural fairs. Plan a fall foliage tour, a day trip to or overnight stay at one of our many state parks, discover our national parks, or visit a nature center. Hunters can look forward to the season opening for deer, as well as black bears, turkeys, and waterfowl. Looking for more inexpensive fall fun? Check out our 50 fun things to do for under $50 to learn the best events and places to be in Massachusetts this fall!  Click here for more information.

Spreading the Word on the Flu Vaccine

Every flu season, local health officials work hard to get the word out about the importance of getting vaccinated. At the same time, our communities are becoming more ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse than ever before. Now there's a new, comprehensive guide to help local public health departments and community-based organizations get the message out about flu vaccine to the wide variety of people, languages and cultures in their midst. The guide provides a range of real-world practical tips and tools for anyone looking for ways to engage with hard-to-reach populations on the importance of flu vaccination. For more information about how to stay healthy this flu season, click here.

2012 KIDS COUNT® Data Book

The 2012 KIDS COUNT® Data Book was recently released, published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  The Data Book compares all 50 states on key indicators of child well-being.  The 2012 Data Book ranks Massachusetts 2nd overall in supporting children who live here.  Please click here to access the report.

Broken down the Data Book ranks Massachusetts: 1st in education looking at measures including preschool attendance, 4th grade proficiency in math and reading and high school graduation rates;  2nd in health including number of low-birth weight babies, children without health insurance, child and teen deaths per 1,000 and teens who abuse alcohol or drugs;  10th in family and community including children living in single parent families, children whose parents do not have a high school diploma, children living in areas of high poverty and teen birth rates; and  11th in economic well-being including teens who are neither in school nor working, children living in poverty, children whose parents are unemployed or underemployed, and children who live in households with high housing cost burdens.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

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

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

 
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.

Waltham Farm Day - FREE Public Event!

The Waltham Fields Community Farm will host Waltham Farm Day on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 2-5pm at 240 Beaver Street Waltham.  All are welcome! Live music will be provided by Royer's One Man Band.  Activities will include cider making, family-friendly farm projects, tractor climbing, meeting the Hawke family's chickens and bees, seed art and face painting, recipe sampling, a Pick Your Own carrot patch and pumpkins for sale!  A free trolley will depart from the Waltham Common starting at 2pm, with overflow parking at the Warren Ball Field at the corner of Beaver St. and Waverly Oaks.

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.    

The Lexington Arts & Crafts Society