News from Beacon Hill

Boston Marathon Tragedy

I'd like to express my sympathy and deepest sorrows following the horrific acts of violence that occurred at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15th.   My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this event, especially the loved ones of those who lives were lost and those who were injured.  I'd also like to thank the leadership of the City of Boston and Commonwealth for their quick response to public safety.  We value our rich traditions in Massachusetts, such as the Boston Marathon, that help make up this great city's history.  The spirit of Boston is strong and I know that we will all join together, look after each other and become a stronger Commonwealth.

Senate Special Election Dates

Governor Patrick filed a transportation bond bill to authorize and fund the 21st Century Transportation Plan "The Way Forward," the 10-year plan for the next generation of transportation investments to modernize and maintain a transportation system that spurs economic growth and creates jobs across the Commonwealth. 

The bill invests $13.7 billion over ten years to address a backlog of deferred maintenance and strategically improve our transportation system to reduce congestion on roads, curb delays and minimize crowding on trains and buses, and improve customer service. In addition, this bill continues funding current investments identified in the statewide road and bridge program identified in the Fiscal Year 2013-2017 Capital Investment Plan. In total, the bill authorizes $19 billion of capital investment in the Commonwealth's transportation system. Taken together, this legislation represents the administration's commitment to a 21st century transportation system for Massachusetts.

Rep. Stanley signed onto legislation to establish early in-person voting.  Currently, voters are allowed to vote in-person on Election Day only.   The new legislation would require the local election officers and registrars of every city or town to allow any qualified voter to cast a ballot 14 days prior to any election, and 8 days prior to a special election. Cities and towns must also provide for early voting in elections not held in conjunction with state elections. There must be a request made, in person, by a qualified voter, to participate in early voting and the voter must fill out an Early Voter Certificate.  Rep. Stanley feels that an early voting law will increase voter participation throughout the Commonwealth as well as help reduce long lines and traffic at the polling station on Election Day, which factors into lower voter turnout.

Sect. Davey speaks on Rep. Stanley's cable access show

Rep. Stanley hosts a cable access show, The Stanley Report, on the Waltham's Municipal Access Channel (MAC).  The most recent episode features Rep. Stanley speaking with MA Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey about Waltham's traffic needs. The video is online 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. 

Governor Patrick Signs Retirement Community Consumer Protection Legislation

Governor Deval Patrick hosted a ceremonial bill signing for legislation that will give residents of continuing care retirement communities additional consumer protections and housing rights.  The legislation will give residents of Continuing Care Retirement Communities the right to establish a resident's association, receive a current copy of the facility disclosure statement and receive information on fees and construction.

Providers must make reasonable efforts to explain the terms of disclosure statements, adjustments in monthly fees, information that may affect the health and welfare of residents and the future of the facility, including the ownership and providers' financial health.

The Medical Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (MACET) held an awards ceremony and legislative briefing on March 26th at the State House.  The program included information and data critical to the health, safety and economy of Massachusetts and remarks by Interim Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. Lauren Smith.  Additionally, local men and women who made extraordinary contributions to protect MA communities from this disease were honored.  MACET is a volunteer panel of physicians and other experts that advises the MA Department of Public Health on tuberculosis prevention and control.

State transportation announced weekend rail service between South Station in Boston and Hyannis on Cape Cod from Memorial Day through Labor Day.   There will be space for bikes on the train, which will connect with Cape Cod bus and ferry services.  On Fridays, the commuter rail will depart South Station at 5:12 p.m. for Middleborough and will continue to Hyannis. Additionally, trains will depart Boston at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.  Returns trips will leave Hyannis at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Fares are $20 one-way and $35 round-trip.

Gov. Patrick met with the Ambassador of Turkey to the United States Namik Tan and the newly appointed Consul General of Turkey Burak Kararti, in the State House as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the relationship between Massachusetts and Turkey.

In April 2012, the Governor met with Ali Babacan, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and then met with Nihat Ergün, Minster of Science, Industry and Technology for Turkey, at the BIO International Convention in June 2012.

Last year, Turkey was Massachusetts' 23rd largest export partner and 43rd largest import partner. The 2010 U.S. Census estimates there are 4,700 Turkish-born residents in the Commonwealth. Between 2002 and 2008, Turkey's annual GDP growth rate was 6.8 percent, making it one of the fasting growing markets in the world.

Gov. Patrick joined Education Secretary Matthew Malone, Higher Education Commissioner Richard Freeland, UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley and 100 students to announce the Commonwealth's new High-Demand scholarships, awarded to students pursuing careers for which the state has an urgent need for skilled talent. The Commonwealth's knowledge-based economy relies on a high-knowledge, well-skilled workforce for continued growth, and these scholarships will help ensure that Massachusetts has the talent needed to remain competitive in the 21st century.

High-Demand scholarships will assist students majoring in the Commonwealth's growing health care, science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), business and finance sectors, and those planning careers in fields like computer science, engineering, nursing and the life sciences. Of the available scholarships, 52 percent were awarded to UMass students, qualifying them for spring semester scholarships of $3,250 each. Twenty-eight percent of the scholarships were awarded to state university students, eligible to receive $2,750 each and 20 percent of the awards went to community college students, who will receive $2,000 each this semester. The average GPA for a High-Demand Scholarship recipient is 3.76, and more than half the recipients have demonstrated high financial need. In order to qualify, students must attend one of the state's public institutions.

These scholarships will help the Commonwealth meet an urgent need for mid and high-level skilled talent in key industries where we know employers are actively seeking qualified candidates for positions that too often go unfilled.

Gov. Patrick joined over 100 members of youth groups and coalitions gathered at the State House for the Youth of MA Organizing for a Reformed Economy (YMORE) Advocacy Day to urge support for strategic investments in education and adequate resources for the youth of Massachusetts. The Governor thanked attendees for making their voices heard about the type of Commonwealth they want to live in, and engaged in a conversation on the importance of youth jobs funding, out-of-school programming and progressive revenue.

The Governor's FY14 budget includes a $550 million investment in education, reaching $1 billion over four years, to provide universal access to high quality early education for children across the state, from birth through age five; fully fund K-12 education and allow for extended school days in high-need schools; make college more affordable and accessible for high school graduates; and allow our community colleges to expand their efforts to provide students with the knowledge and skill training needed to succeed in the workplace.

The Governor's FY14 Budget also proposes increasing the Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth account to $10 million, an increase from FY12, which was funded in total at $9 million. The Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth funding supports YouthWorks, a statewide program that partners with local workforce boards, employers and youths to ensure that young people get work experience, learn about job expectations, teamwork and career advancement; all the lessons, best learned on the job. Program participants are income-eligible young people ages 14 to 21 that live in Massachusetts cities with the highest levels of poverty, where low-income youth are especially in need of summer job opportunities.

YMORE, founded in 2008, is a coalition of teens from youth groups and coalitions from across the Commonwealth. YMORE advocates for its progressive agenda by educating teens about the state budget and training them to effectively meet with their elected officials. Prior to the event, YMORE members visited legislative leaders to push for progressive revenue to support their FY14 budget priorities.

Gov. Patrick and Chairman Cedric Cromwell announced that a new gaming Compact between the state and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has been signed and will now be sent to the Legislature for approval. This Compact paves the way for a resort-style casino in Region C in the southeast of Massachusetts, created by the Expanded Gaming Act signed by Governor Patrick in 2011.

The Expanded Gaming Act makes it clear that the tribal rights to gaming in the Southeastern portion of the state are a priority, and by continuing to move this process forward, the Patrick-Murray Administration can ensure that priority remains while bringing new jobs and opportunity to Southeastern Massachusetts.

The new Compact changes the revenue share formula, which will be set at 21 percent of tribe revenues to the Commonwealth and will continue to be the case for as long as the tribal facility is the only one operating in the Commonwealth. When a commercial facility opens in one of the other two gaming regions, the revenue share will fall to 17 percent. The Compact reduces the revenue share of the applicable rate by 2 percent if a slot parlor opens in the region.

All state agencies that oversee professional licensing within the Patrick Administration have established guidelines to assist members of the armed forces, veterans and their spouses as they prepare and apply for jobs in Massachusetts.  The announcement is a follow up to the authorization and implementation of "An Act Relative to Veterans' Access, Livelihood, Opportunity, and Resources" (VALOR Act), signed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2012, which required certain areas of state government to establish military friendly practices for licensing.

Among the state agencies involved in professional licensing, the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) oversees 31 licensing boards that have licensed more than 370,000 individuals and businesses in a wide range of professions and trades including electricians, plumbers, engineers, architects and allied health professionals.

Each of the 31 DPL Boards of Registration will now accept relevant education, training and service completed by a license applicant as a member of the armed forces or the military reserves toward the qualifications required for licensure; allow for the trade or professional license of a member of the armed forces who is on active duty to remain valid until he or she is released from active duty, and for 90 days thereafter; and expedite the licensure process for military spouses who are licensed in other states and have left employment there to accompany a spouse relocated to the Commonwealth due to a military transfer.

Are you doing business in Massachusetts or just getting started? Our one-stop business portal has the information and tools to help you succeed.  Click here to learn more.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 Mark Phillips, Rep. Stanley's legislative assistant, with information about your event.    

The Lexington Arts & Crafts Society