|
|
|
|
|
Weekly Roundup
|
December 1st, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Greetings!
We all know that there are things that we can do together that it are difficult or even impossible to do as individuals. As a network of community advocates and organizations, ONE Massachusetts works hard to support and highlight the work that our members do in our communities.
 One way that we give our members a chance to get their voices heard is by guest-blogging. If you haven't already seen it, please check out yesterday's piece, Why We're Part of People First by Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care, an association that represents 30 agencies whose mission it is to keep elders and individuals with disabilities living in the community, at their highest level of functioning. More than 55,000 people a month count on home care help to live independently.
In the article, Mr. Norman presses the need to protect the public structures that we've worked so hard to build, and that make our state a great place to live:
"A fair
tax code that closes loopholes and exemptions, and shares the [responsibility for] state
programs, is as important as direct appropriations for services. We must
enhance Revenue First if we want to help People First."
If you know of an individual or organization that
deserves recognition for making Massachusetts a better place to live
and work, please let us know!
Here's a look at what else has been happening around Massachusetts:
Civic Engagement | Revenue | Government Reform] |
 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
|
Goal: By 2013, the voice and input of the state's multi-racial, multi-ethnic communities will create a counterweight to the currently dominant voice and will be tangibly reflected in the public decision making process.
Updates:
 Massachusetts Senate Primary. Next Tuesday December 8th Massachusetts will have the primary race to elect the Democrat and Republican candidates to replace the late Senator Kennedy in the Senate. Get out to vote and encourage friends and family members to do the same.
Do you know where to vote? [More information]
Upcoming:
 Dec 10th - Commonwealth Legislative Seminar End of the Year Gathering. Join the graduates and friends of the Commonwealth Legislative Seminar on Thursday, December 10th at 11:30 a.m. at the State House, Grand Staircase. Governor Deval Patrick will be the special guest and give the keynote address. This a free event, and open to the public. RSVP |
| REVENUE |
Goal: By 2013, a fair, adequate, and stable tax system will be implemented. It will raise sufficient revenue so that state and local governments can fund the array of services needed.
Updates:
 State Budget Options. Gov. Deval Patrick last week again called on lawmakers to return to Beacon Hill and craft additional budget-balancing solutions and ordered his own budget chief to develop plans for $120 million in red ink that he says lawmakers have left unaddressed. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Charley Murphy, while acknowledging the bill sent to Patrick doesn't fully address the $600 million downgrade in state tax collections, says lawmakers can address additional budget problems later in the fiscal year, if necessary. [SHNS] [Video]
 Unemployment Health Insurance. The Patrick administration intends to double a key tax on employers in an effort to save health insurance for thousands of laid-off Massachusetts workers, after a fund to help them has been virtually drained by the highest unemployment rates in three decades. The administration's plan would also require the unemployed to shoulder more costs for certain doctors' visits. [Boston Globe]
 Children's Health Funding. About 4,000 children will lose access to physical and occupational therapy services because of a $2 million veto issued by Gov. Deval Patrick according to advocates for so-called early intervention services. Decrying the decision, the head of the Early Intervention Consortium - a coalition of providers who serve 30,000 children - said Wednesday her members were "stunned" by the decision. "It doesn't make any sense to us," said Martha Levine, president of the consortium. [SHNS]
 Child Care Funding. Thousands of children in Massachusetts risk losing subsidized child care services because of a $4.4 million budget cut that Governor Deval Patrick has made, according to the head of a Boston-based antipoverty group that helps arrange the services. John J. Drew, president and chief executive of Action for Boston Community Development Inc., said a cut announced last month by the governor imperils services to 57,000 low-income children statewide, including 12,000 served by his agency. [Boston Globe]
Upcoming:
- Nov 23rd - Dec 17th - Community Forums: FY2011 Budget. Governor Patrick and senior administration officials will host 19 Budget Hearings and Forums across the Commonwealth over the next five weeks to ensure that citizens across the state have input in developing the Governor's budget recommendations. All forums and hearings are open to the public. [Dates and Times for Community Meetings]
|
GOVERNMENT REFORM
|
| Goal: By 2013, a transparent, accessible and accountable state and local policy-making process will be in place.
Updates:
- Dec 15 - Lobbying Reform. On Tuesday, December 15th, Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts will join us in both answering your questions on the changes to lobbying registration and disclosure, and in walking you through the on-site registration process.
Tuition for this event is $5, and covers light refreshments and take-home materials. Please contact Carmen Arce-Bowen at (617) 275-2833 or carmen@realclout.org to RSVP for this event, or with any questions! [More information about event] | |
|
|
|
 Want More Information on ONE Massachusetts?
|
|
|
