|
Dear Neighbor,
It's been a busy spring around our towns! There have been lots of community events and it was a special honor to help welcome visitors from across the country and the world to share some local hospitality for the start of the 116th Boston Marathon.
The State House has also been busy with activity, including the House budget debate last week and visits from students and friends from across the district.
Like budgets in households across the district, the state budget required some difficult choices again this year, including cutbacks and reliance on rainy day funds. After the debate, I'm proud that the House approved a balanced budget that prioritizes local aid and key services, while nurturing our still fragile economy by not increasing taxes or fees.
In the legislature, we continue to work on efforts to address inefficiency and ensure proper oversight of state spending, including passing a bill to address misuse of funds at our education collaboratives which is described later in this issue.
There is still a lot of work to be done, and I hope that you will stay in touch about issues that are important to you.
Enjoy the beautiful spring! Sincerely, |
|
Legislature Allocates $200m for Local
Road Repair
In March I joined my colleagues in the House to pass a bill allocating $200m in transportation funding that will go directly to towns for local road repair and maintenance. Many of the roads in our towns are in need of repair, and getting shovels in the ground for the spring construction season is critical. The bill is now in conference committee with the Senate and I am working to help move the bill out of committee and on to the Governor's desk as soon as possible so that payments can be disbursed to our towns.
Back to Top |
|
Rep. Dykema Launches MetroWest
Veterans Consortium
On April 13, I brought together leaders in the MetroWest veterans community to discuss areas to improve services for those who have served. A prominent theme at the meeting was the need to support and communicate with recently returned veterans who often communicate primarily online. Secretary of Veterans Services Coleman Nee also presented to the group, which represents 18 communities. The next meeting of the Consortium will be held in June.
If you or a family member is an active service member or veteran, and have thoughts you would like me to share with the Consortium, please contact my office.
|
Agriculture Day at the State House
I joined local farmers and agricultural businesses at Agriculture Day at the State House in April and was honored to receive the Agricultural Day Award from the industry. There are many businesses in our district related to agriculture, including nurseries, landscapers and local farms, so receiving this award was very special.
Agricultural businesses represent a significant segment of our local economy, and this segment is growing with increased interest in locally grown products. Focusing on agriculature is one of the ways that I've been helping stimulate the local economy and create jobs - jobs that will stay here in the Commonwealth.
Working with advocates in the industry, I filed legislation to fight for investment credits for smaller farms, prevent new restrictions on the scope of practice for landscapers, and I successfully sponsored a budget amendment that will help support innovation in the industry.
I look forward to continuing my work with these Massachusetts businesses to promote their economic success, and also partner in industry efforts to promote healthy and environmentally sustainable practices.
|
There continue to be reasons for optimism about the economy, many of which are highlighted in a new MassBenchmarks report issued by the UMass Donahue Center. Hopeful signs include improving consumer confidence and a 4.5% growth rate in the Massachusetts real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) vs. 2.2% nationally.
To read the report in its entirety, visit http://www.massbenchmarks.org/indices/indices.htm
I continue to work on efforts to support economic growth by recognizing the needs of our local businesses, especially the cost of healthcare which is one of the biggest impediments to job creation. As a member of the Healthcare Finance Committee I've been talking with practitioners and local medical providers across the state and participating in conversations around solutions. I will be joining my colleagues on the Committee for Healthcare Finance when we release a health care cost control bill in the near future.
|
Reform of Education Collaboratives
In response to recent news about inappropriate spending at state-funded education collaboratives, this spring I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass legislation to require more transparency and oversight of these entities. Recently signed into law by Governor Patrick, the law provides new ethics requirements for board members and personnel, more oversight, and more strict reporting requirements for programs and services.
Ultimately, these new requirements along with appropriate audits, will help ensure that education collaboratives function in a way that provides students with the education they deserve and continues to provide a mechanism for municipalities and regional school districts to pool resources.
Back to Top
|
|
Budget Highlights
Last week the House debated and voted on a balanced budget for fiscal year 2013 (FY2013). The total budget is $32.4b, of which $10.5b are expected funds from the federal government.
Health insurance for income eligible residents through MassHealth continues to account for a lion's share of state spending, totaling $12b of the overall state budget, highlighting the importance of healthcare cost control.
The budget debate now moves to the Senate, which will take it up prior to Memorial Day.
House Budget highlights include:
Education
Education funds for our towns are always a priority and I was pleased to vote for a healthy education appropriation, including:
o Local Education Aid (Chapter 70) was increased by $163m over FY2012, with each local school receiving an additional $40 per pupil.
o The Special Education Circuit Breaker was increased to $221.6m, meaning that in FY2013, the state will reimburse towns for 68% of their special education costs.
Direct Aid to Cities and Towns
In addition to education aid, the following appropriations were made that come directly to cities and towns:
o A new line item of $11.3m was added to reimburse cities and towns, including several towns in our district, for transporting homeless students to school.
o Transportation reimbursement for regional school districts, including Algonquin Regional, was increased by $1.9m - a 4% increase over FY2012.
o Unspent funds from last year will be dedicated to the Community Preservation Act, which will directly benefit Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Southborough by roughly doubling the CPA matching percentage from the 22% match this year.
Higher Education
o Funding for state universities and community colleges was increased from $929m to $988m, consistent with maintaining our well educated citizenry and workforce.
o The state scholarship/financial aid account was also level funded with 2012, after increasing the amount by $1.1m through a successful amendment.
Environment
o Through the amendment process, we were able to increase the appropriation for the Dept of Environmental protection, which has seen significant cuts in recent years.
o Funding for dam safety was increased
o Toxic Use Reduction Institute, which works with local businesses to reduce toxics in their manufacturing processes, was level funded with FY2012.
Economic Development
o I was pleased to sponsor the creation of a new agricultural trust fund that will be funded with existing fees collected by the industry. This fund will be used to support local agriculture - small businesses that are the mainstay of our communities.
o Funding for the Small Business Development Center was significantly increased. This is a great resource for local small businsses.
o Funding for the Regional Economic Development Centers was maintained at FY2012 levels. These Centers, including those serving MetroWest towns are "one stop shops" for businesses seeking to locate here and work closely with municipalities to support well planned economic growth.
Human Services
o Turning 22 and Respite Family Support services for the disabled, both of which directly support many individuals and families in our district, were increased over FY2012.
o Early intervention services to address early learning challenges, and which often prevent the need for more intensive special education services later in life, were increased 5%.
Seniors
o Councils on Aging Formula Grants were increased by 5%, an increase that was a priority for our local senior centers.
o Funding for elder protective services was increased over FY2012.
o Senior home care to help keep seniors in their homes and out of nursing homes, was level funded to FY2012.
Veterans
With more veterans returning home from overseas, we're continuing to allocate resources to meet their needs.
o The Train Vets to Treat Vets program was level funded to FY2012. This program was begun last year and allows veterans to obtain federal education funds to be trained in how to provide counseling to their returning peers. This is a needed program to meet a growing need; it provides jobs for returning veterans while addressing the need to provide counseling for PTSD and related trauma.
o The House budget requires that the Board of Higher Education establish a policy to determine the conversion of military training/experience into college credit
o Allocation of $100,000 to hire an independent reviewer to determine the impact and feasibility of moving to a cashless system for electronic benefits (EBT) for low-income residents. Restrictions on the use of benefits were also clarified.
o Cultural Council Grant funding, which I know is important to many in our district, was disappointing and I'm hoping that more can be added in the Senate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marathon!
All eyes were on Hopkinton for the 116th start of the Marathon. This year was a special year for female runners as it marked the 40th anniversary of the first officially sanctioned women's division. Growing from an initial field of 8, this year there were thousands of women who ran the Boston Marathon.
Rep. Dykema is pictured here with Allison Roe of New Zealand. Allison won the Boston and New York City marathons in 1981. |
|
Attorney General Martha Coakley recently announced a new initiative to prevent unnecessary foreclosures by increasing the number of loan modification specialists to help distressed borrowers and by providing several grant opportunities.
If you are facing foreclosure and need assistance, contact loan modification experts on the HomeCorps Hotline at 617-573-5333. You can also get more information on the AG's website here. |
Holliston Seniors Visit the State House in April 
|
|
Join Rep. Dykema at Upcoming Office Hours
Monday May 21st
8 - 9 am
The Holliston Grill
802 Washington Street
Holliston, MA 01746
Thursday May 24th
8 - 9 am
Coffee Sensation
116 Main Street
Medway, MA 02053
Friday May 25th 8 - 9 am Red Barn Coffee
20 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA 01772 Friday, May 25th 9:30 - 10:30 am Tatnuck Bookseller 18 Lyman Street Westborough, MA 01581 Tuesday May 29th 8 - 9 am The Golden Spoon 85 West Main Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 There's no need to schedule an appointment, all are welcome. If you are not able to attend any of these times, please call
617-722-2210 or email leah.robins@mahouse.gov to arrange for an individual meeting.
|
Algonquin Girls Gymnastics Team Visited State House to Celebrate State Championship
|
|
