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News from Beacon Hill
Winter Storm Resources
Visit the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's (MEMA) website for information on weathering the aftermath of Nemo. Available information includes roof collapse and storm drain safety, tips to stay safe while cleaning up after the storm, power outage safety tips, how to find updates on Twitter using the hashtag #MAStorm, non-emergency help and shelter info and instructions on how to receive storm alerts on your cellphone.
Rep. Stanley Receives Committee Assignments, Files Legislation
During the 2013-2014 legislative session, Rep. Stanley will serve on the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight and the House Committee on Ways and Means. Over the past month, the House and Senate have been busy filing legislation for the session. To view a list of legislation sponsored and cosponsored by Rep. Stanley, click here.
Rep. Stanley's Monthly Cable Access Show
Rep. Stanley hosts a cable access show, The Stanley Report, on the Waltham's Municipal Access Channel (MAC). During the sixth episode, Rep. Stanley speaks with Sec. Coleman Nee of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services and discusses the role of the department, veteran service organizations and the 2012 Valor Act. To view the video, click here.
The purpose of MAC is to provide resident with the medium to be connected with local government through the coverage of public meetings, as well as programs that highlight the government operations. To learn more about MAC, click here.
FY2014 State Budget Released
On Wednesday, January 23, 2013, Governor Deval Patrick submitted his Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal to the House of Representatives. The final budget (after it is enacted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor) will take effect on July 1, 2013 and run through June 30, 2014. The FY14 budget also proposes a series of reforms to achieve savings, improve performance and increase transparency in state government. The Governor's FY14 budget recommendation proposes state spending of $34.8 billion, a 6.9 percent increase from FY13. This rate of growth is consistent with pre-recession budgets. To learn more, click here.
Rep. Stanley asks House to restore cuts to McKinney/Vento Act
Rep. Stanley spoke on behalf of an amendment he filed to restore the Governor's (Ch. 9C) cut to the McKinney/Vento Act homeless school transportation funding. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students. To view the video of Rep. Stanley speaking on the House floor, click here.
Earlier this year, in a letter to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Dempsey, Rep. Stanley urged that when the supplement budget for FY13 is discussed, that the legislature restores the funding for the McKinney-Vento line item to the FY13 budget recommendation at $11.3 million. As state revenues have not been meeting FY13 budget estimates, the Governor has included line-item 7035-0005 as part of his administration's 9c cuts from local government accounts, effective immediately. The McKinney-Vento homeless student transportation account has been slashed by $5,250,000, 46 percent less than what the FY13 budget had allocated.
Many municipalities were very relieved last year when the McKinney-Vento line item was included in the FY13 budget to fully reimburse homeless student transportation costs. Rep. Stanley led the effort to create the new $11.3 million line item.
House Prevents Cuts to Local Aid
Rep. Stanley and his colleagues spoke out to prevent local aid cuts. The Supplemental Budget voted on by the House for FY13 will not feature any cuts to local aid. The Governor requested a one percent or $9 million cut as part of his 9c cuts in late 2012 when state revenue estimated were not meeting their FY13 predictions. The governor does not have the authority to touch the unrestricted local aid account without the House's approval.
Rep. Stanley cosponsors bill to levy fines for mislabeled seafood
Rep. Stanley signed onto a bill filed by the legislature's Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to levy fines on supermarkets and restaurants that mislabel seafood. The bill also bans the sale of escolar (currently banned in Italy and Japan), also known as the "ex-lax" fish that is often served as sushi. More than a year ago, the Boston Globe launched an investigation that showed widespread seafood substitution in restaurants across the Commonwealth, where less expensive and less desirable species was substituted for fresh local fish. Under the new bill, businesses charged with mislabeling fish such as Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, red snapper, or grey sole could face fines of up to $800 and have their license to operate suspended or revoked after repeat offenses.
Rep. Stanley Attended American Heart Association Event
On February 6th, Rep. Stanley joined members of the American Heart Association and the Massachusetts Women's Legislative Caucus at an annual Go Red for Women State House event. Each year, cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than half a million women, about a death a minute, more lives than the next five causes of death combined. To raise awareness of this problem, the American Heart Association has turned a special spotlight on women and heart disease with its Go Red for Women campaign. To learn more, click here.
Rep. Stanley's Staff Attends Briefing on the Massachusetts Tech Sector
Mark Philips, Rep. Stanley's Chief of Staff, recently attended a legislative briefing at the State House about the tech sector and tech economy in Massachusetts, the top issues facing tech companies, and the outlook for the state's tech ecosystem going forward. The program included a panel discussion moderated by Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Panelists included Tom Hopcroft, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC), Debi Kleiman, President of the Massachusetts Information and Technology Exchange (MITX) and Angie O'Connor, New England Node Executive Director, TechNet.
Rep. Stanley Participates in National Conference of State Legislatures
Rep. Stanley will meet with members of the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) state liaisons for Massachusetts on February 13 and 14th. NCSL members will provide Rep. Stanley and his colleagues with the latest information on NCSL services, including research, technical assistance, testimony by issue experts and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. Additional, NCSL members will host an open house on Feb. 13th which will feature a briefing on NCSL's services.
Restaurant and Business Alliance Holds State House Event
The Restaurant and Business Alliance recently hosted a 2013 legislative reception at the State House in support of its ideas for the Commonwealth. This event was hosted by Dave Andelman, the President of the Restaurant and Business Alliance. The reception was an ideal opportunity for members of the restaurant and business community, legislators and their staff to interact, discuss legislative priorities and other important issues relevant to the restaurant industry. Refreshments were provided by Dunn Gaherin's of Newton, The Flatbread Company, Harrows Chicken Pies, McGuiggin's in Whitman, Sweet Kitchen and Bar of Worcester, The Chocolate Truffle of Reading and Dunkin Donuts.
William "Mo" Cowan Named Interim U.S. Senator
Governor Patrick appointed William "Mo" Cowan as interim United States Senator, filling the seat left vacant by Senator John Kerry. Governor Patrick also announced that the Special Election to fill Senator Kerry's seat will be held on June 25. Cowan will serve as interim senator until a new senator is elected on that date. Cowan is the former chief of staff and chief legal counsel to Governor Patrick, having served in the Patrick-Murray Administration since 2009.
Governor Patrick Files Legislation to Create Fairer Justice System for Juveniles
Governor Patrick filed "An Act to Reform the Juvenile Justice System in the Commonwealth," legislation that will create a fairer justice system for the Commonwealth's youth by extending the juvenile court jurisdiction from 17 years old to 18 years old and eliminating mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles convicted of first degree murder. The Governor's legislation comes on the heels of the United States Supreme Court ruling in Miller v. Alabama, which held that mandatory criminal sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole, imposed on defendants who were less than 18 when they committed their crimes, were unconstitutional.
House Passes Unemployment Insurance Rate Freeze Legislation
Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing legislation that freezes a scheduled increase in the unemployment insurance assessment paid by all employers. The unemployment system run by the Commonwealth is primarily funded by the state's employers. By law, as the funds in the unemployment system become depleted, employers' contributions would increase. Freezing the rate at Schedule E will save the average employer from having a near 30% increase for unemployment insurance per employee and workers would continue to receive the same benefits under this rate freeze.
Furthermore the bill reduces the appropriations for non-executive offices by 1% and addresses items that require additional funding or corrective language. For example, the supplemental budget draws $30M from the Stabilization Fund to address a deficit caused by the Hinton Drug Lab case; however, after this draw, the state maintains a healthy balance of $1.2B in the rainy day fund.
This legislation also includes spending provisions for operating deficiencies of immediate need that include $45M for Homeless Family Shelters and $3M for unexpected costs to state agencies as a result of Hurricane Sandy among others.
Governor Patrick Swears in Andrea Cabral as Secretary of Public Safety
Governor Patrick officially swore in Andrea Cabral as Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Cabral is a leader in the field of public safety and as the first female in the Commonwealth's history to hold the position of Sheriff of Suffolk County, she brings an extensive background in criminal justice and public safety to the Patrick-Murray Administration. The Governor also announced today that Secretary Cabral will lead a working group between the Administration and the Commonwealth's Sheriffs to improve the state's funding structure for Sheriff Departments.
State Announces $3.3 Million for New Telenursing Center to Help Victims of Sexual Assault
Lieutenant Governor Murray announced $3.3 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to create the Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Telenursing Center, which will be used to enhance care and support for victims of sexual assault nationally.
Nationally, many frontline health care providers do not routinely provide sexual assault treatment services, and may not be readily familiar with the specific medical, emotional needs of the victims and the forensic needs of the criminal justice system. A pilot Telenursing Center will be created at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and will provide 24/7 access to expert medical assistance and consultation for health care providers developed by national expert forensic sexual assault nurse examiners. The grant will provide consultation by the Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Telenursing Center for health care providers who work with selected populations in pilot locations around the country.
Grant funding will support several critical components of the pilot, including information technology equipment and assistance at each pilot site, expert clinical staffing, education and technical assistance for pilot participants, and ongoing evaluation of the overall program. Best practices and lessons learned from this national telemedicine pilot project will be later used to inform the development of a National TeleNursing Center.
Patrick Announces Nominations to the Superior Court and The Parole Board
Governor Patrick submitted three nominations for the advice and consent of the Governor's Council: Boston Municipal Court Judge Shannon Frison as an Associate Justice of the Superior Court; and Lucy Soto-Abbe and Tonomey Coleman as members of the Parole Board. Shannon Frison currently serves as an Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, Roxbury Division. Lucy Soto-Abbe is a member of the Parole Board, first appointed by Governor Patrick in 2011 to fill an unexpired term. Tonomey Coleman has been a sole practitioner in Boston since 2001, with a practice focused primarily on criminal defense in both state and federal courts.
State Awards Planning Grants to Eight Potential Innovation Schools
Education Secretary Matthew Malone announced $80,000 in grants to eight potential Innovation Schools across the Commonwealth. This funding builds on the Patrick-Murray Administration's continued efforts to close persistent achievement gaps, promote innovative and bold strategies in education and give students and their families greater access to high-quality public schools. There are currently 44 operational Innovation Schools across Massachusetts.
Initial prospectuses for these schools have already been approved by local stakeholders including superintendents, school committee members and union leaders and the grants will be used to develop robust innovation plans that will be presented to local school committees for final approval. Many of these schools could open as early as September 2013.
A signature component of Governor Patrick's Achievement Gap Act of 2010, Innovation Schools are in-district, charter-like public schools that use inventive strategies and creative approaches to education while keeping school funding within districts. Innovation Schools can utilize greater autonomy and flexibility with regard to curriculum, staffing, budget, schedule/calendar, professional development and district policies.
Gaming Commission Advances Timeline on Slots License
Advancing the timeline by three months, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby will issue a license for the state's lone slots parlor by September 1. Developers will have to provide all information to the Gaming Commission prior to the deadline; public hearings will take place should any applications be contested. Gov. Patrick's fiscal 2014 budget is dependent on $83 million in gaming revenues related to the licensing of gaming facilities. The Gaming Commission recently Rick Day, currently head of the Washington State Gambling Commission, as its own executive director.
Transportation Day on Beacon Hill
Members of the legislature joined Governor Patrick and MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey on February 13th for Transportation Day on the Hill. Governor Patrick, Secretary Davey and each Division Administrator offered opening remarks and highlighted the critical need to create growth and opportunity in the Commonwealth's transportation system by repairing our aging infrastructure and making targeting expansions. Following the speaking program, MassDOT will host a number of interactive transportation-related service tables.
The Flu and Staying Healthy
Influenza activity continues to increase in the United States and most of the country is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness (ILI), according to CDC's latest FluView report. CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccination for people who have not yet been vaccinated this season and antiviral treatment as early as possible for people who get sick and are at high risk of flu complications. Click here for more information on what you can do to stay healthy.
Resources to help you find a job in 2013
Finding a job can be difficult, so Massachusetts offers a number of programs and services to help job seekers find work. Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers connect workers and employers through job fairs and workshops, while the office of Labor and Workforce Development offers detailed job hunting information, including tips on writing a resume and cover letter, interviewing and networking, as well as career planning advice. The state also offers a variety of training opportunities for job seekers to obtain the education and skills needed for good paying jobs and careers. Additionally, special Section 30 Training Benefits programs exist for the unemployed. Please click here to learn more.
Ways to Save Money on Your Winter Heating Bills
Whether you heat your home with gas, oil, electricity or some other fuel you can save money by "winterizing your home." By taking steps to make your home more energy efficient you will lower your energy consumption and thereby reduce your heating bill. Click here to view 15 things to do now to winterize your home.
Mobile ticketing for Commuter Rail now available
Commuter Rail customers: Buy your single-ride, 10-ride tickets, and monthly passes via the MBTA's new mobile app for smartphones. Single and 10-ride tickets are now available for the Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport Lines. Purchase your monthly pass from your smartphone. No waiting required. Please click here to learn more.
Indoor ice skating rinks
Ice skating is a great winter activity for people of all ages and abilities. Many ice skating rinks have skate rentals and snack concessions. Click here for a list of rinks listed alphabetically by city or town.
2013 outdoor recreational licenses available
Purchase your 2013 hunting, sporting, fishing and trapping license online, at any walk-in license vendor location, or at the MassWildlife District office. Please click here for more information.
New Health Care Cost Containment Website
Governor Patrick launched the next phase of health care reform, signing legislation that builds on the Commonwealth's nation-leading access to care through landmark measures that will lower costs and make quality, affordable care a reality for all Massachusetts residents. The mission of the Center of Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) is to improve health care quality and contain health care costs by critically examining the Massachusetts health care system and providing objective information, developing and recommending policies, and implementing strategies that benefit the people of MA. Click here to visit CHIA's website which outlines information on the law, notice of upcoming events and a single portal for connecting with other health care related state agencies, authorities and commissions.
Get Emergency Information on Your Smartphone
Ping4alerts! is a new mobile communications app for alerting the public in emergencies and disasters. Through geofencing technology, ping4alerts! enables the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to send highly targeted, instant multimedia alerts to iPhone and Android devices to notify citizens about situations and events happening near them. The ping4alerts! FREE mobile app is one way that MEMA sends emergency information and messages. To learn more, click here.
Do you have unclaimed property in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts State Treasury has identified hundreds of thousands of new individuals, charities and businesses over the last six months that are entitled to over $60 million in unclaimed property. As part of an effort to return this money, the Treasury will be publishing in newspapers a list of names identified over the past six months owed more than $100.
Unclaimed Property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered unclaimed and turned over to the Treasury for safekeeping after three years with no activity. In addition to the $60 million that the Treasury identified over the last six months, the Commonwealth is holding over $2 billion in trust until rightful owners can be identified.
The newly released list will include 11 accounts over $100,000, 23 accounts between $50,000 and $100,000, 434 accounts between $10,000 and $50,000 and 10,795 accounts in excess of $1,000. Due to space constraints the list will not include the names of approximately 297,000 individuals identified in the last six months who are owed less than $100, but anyone can easily check to see if they are owed money at www.findmassmoney.com or by calling 888-344-MASS (6277). One in ten people in Massachusetts has unclaimed property in their name.
Mass.gov Offers Open Government Website
To foster an "open government," Mass.gov offers information about legislative and regulatory processes, public records, campaign finance reports, lobbyist registrations and reports, open meetings and more. Residents can also get details on the state budget, see where the state's money comes from, locate a law on a topic that is of interest to you or obtain information on any city or town in Massachusetts. Residents can also view detailed information on state government spending. To learn more and visit the site, click here.
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
The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) administers the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, providing temporary assistance to unemployed Massachusetts workers. Click here to get help with filing a new claim.
Find Volunteer Opportunities at Connect & Serve Connect & Serve is a free web-based volunteer portal administered by the Massachusetts Service Alliance. The Connect & Serve website is a valuable resource for organizations who recruit volunteers and for individuals who wish to find fulfilling volunteer opportunities in their communities. Click here to find a volunteer opportunity near you.
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. 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.
Exciting New Veterans Resource!
The Patrick 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.
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.
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