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News from Beacon Hill
Senate Special Election Info
Massachusetts will hold a special election to fill the vacancy left by the appointment of Senator John Kerry (D) as U.S. Secretary of State. The general election is scheduled for June 25, 2013. Polls open at 7:00AM and close at 8:00pm. For information on registering to vote, click here.
House Passes Balanced FY '14 Budget Rep. Stanley helped pass a balanced FY '14 budget focused on increased government accountability and oversight across the Commonwealth. Through this budget, by increasing Chapter 70 funding by $5.3M, the House strengthens the state's commitment to cities and towns that are paying more than their target local contribution. The $34 Billion budget ensures over $1 Billion will remain in the state's Rainy Day Fund. This budget demonstrates the House's continued emphasis on supporting higher education. Honoring the commitment demonstrated in the 2011 gaming legislation, the House budget targets over $29M in revenue, associated with the licensing of gaming facilities, to community colleges and prioritizes the implementation of the Speaker's STEM Academy Initiative. The House increases funding to state universities and invests in the UMass system to enable them to meet their goal of a 50/50 split, facilitating a freeze in tuition and fees. It also funds a competitive grant program for Adult College Transition Services to help low-income workers succeed in college programs. Through all this, the House budget fosters affordability and makes a significant commitment to ensure that the Commonwealth's residents are better equipped to attain a college degree and enter the competitive job market. The House budget takes a firm stand on reforming the agencies tasked with fostering safe educational environments for our youngest citizens. A Special Commission will examine the need for greater, affordable, quality early education and care services and will determine methods for addressing the high cost of such services. The House budget also addresses the concerns raised by the Auditor's recent inquiry into the lack of compliance oversight essential to ensuring the health and safety of children in private care. A compliance manager is placed in the Department of Early Education and Care to review oversight procedures and to create efficiencies that ensure vendors are compliant with new and existing regulations. Continuing our focus on reform, the House proposes additional oversight within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to bolster the waste and abuse prevention reforms we enacted last fiscal year. The budget establishes the Bureau of Program Integrity, which will provide continuous oversight of public assistance programs while maintaining eligibility verification and ensuring we focus our state resources on those residents most in need of our assistance. The FY '14 House budget reflects a commitment to protect and assist the Commonwealth's most vulnerable residents. The budget includes increased funding to important services within the Department of Developmental Services, such as Family Support Services and the Turning 22 program. It ensures that homeless shelters receive sufficient funding to enter into 12 month contracts, providing increased predictability and certainty over previous fiscal years. To protect families in need of shelter, this budget requires that clients be granted presumptive eligibility, so that no family in an emergency situation will be turned away from shelter. The budget also provides additional funding for Emergency Food Assistance. To combat the growing problem of addiction and substance abuse, particularly for individuals 17 to 25 years old, the House focuses support on substance abuse programs, increasing funding for recovery and family intervention services to help those most in need of these vital programs. Particularly after the recent tragedy at the Boston Marathon, the House budget provides targeted investments to support our public safety officials, specifically through increased funding to the Shannon Grants program; the budget also authorizes $100,000 in killed-in-the-line of duty benefits to the family of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier. Additional funding is also provided to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to help us remind travelers worldwide that the city of Boston and the entire Commonwealth remain a symbol of the vitality and an important source of history for our country. Rep. Stanley Sponsors Two Amendments to House Budget Representative Stanley filed two amendments to the FY14 Budget: one to increase the Homeless Student Transportation line item from $6,050,000 to $11.3 million and the other which allots $100,000 from the Office of Children, Youth & Family Services line item to the Fragile Beginnings Program administered by Jewish Family & Children's Services. In regards to the Homeless Student Transportation line item, Massachusetts participates in the McKinney-Vento program, a Federal program that allows homeless families in temporary housing to decide which school district to enroll their children. The families can chose either the community where they previously lived or the one where they are temporarily housed. If a family chooses the town where they permanently resided, both the hometown and the town in which the student currently resides must share the cost of transporting the student to and from school. The State Auditor has determined the town's obligations must be funded. Fragile Beginnings is a network of initiatives committed to improving the lives of parents of premature infants through direct support services, educational materials, and connections to community resources and to each other. In Massachusetts, one out of nine babies is born prematurely. Mothers, fathers, and their infants often leave the hospital and make the transition home without the necessary supports and safety nets in place. Free supports offered through Fragile Beginnings include hospital and home visits, the Fragile Beginnings Support Group, and the Fragile Beginnings Preemie Parent Alliance (FBPPA). This amendment would reserve $100,000 from for the Fragile Beginnings Program. House Budget Includes $350K for Charles River Weed Removal Rep. Khan, Rep. Lawn and Rep. Stanley lobbied House leaders to include $350,000 in the House budget for the removal of invasive weeds in the Charles River. The measure will need approval by the Senate before it can be signed into the final budget by Gov. Patrick. State Senate to Debate Budget The state Senate must file amendments to the fiscal 2014 Senate budget Friday, May 17 with the bill scheduled for floor debate beginning on Wednesday, May 22. The Senate Ways and Means Committee has not yet released it version of the House of Representative's $34 million budget proposal but should release it within 14 days. Rep. Stanley and Post Audit Committee Members Receive Documents on Tsarnaev Benefits As a member of the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight, Rep. Stanley received 500 pages of documents about welfare and health benefits received by the Tsarnaev family. The committee requested records from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transitional Assistance and MassHealth. The House Post Audit and Oversight Committee last week met twice review the documents investigating public welfare benefits received by the family. Treasury Awards $130M in Tax Credits To Three MA Companies Three Boston-based community development entities will receive $130 million in federal tax credits intended to leverage private capital for investments in low-income communities. MassDevelopment New Markets LLC received $40 million in New Markets Tax Credits, MHIC NE New Markets CDE II LLC received $65 million, and The Community Builders CDE LLC received $25 million. Eighty-five organizations received awards nationally out of a pool of 282 applicants. According to Treasury officials, more than $8 in private investment has been generated historically for every dollar invested by the federal government in the tax credit program. The tax credits were authorized under the tenth award round of the New Markets program, which Congress established in December 2000. The program permits individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes, claimed over a seven-year period, for making equity investments in community development entities. Marian Ryan is new Middlesex County District Attorney Governor Patrick named Middlesex District Attorney's (DA) Office General Counsel Marian T. Ryan as Middlesex County DA. Ryan will assume responsibility for all Middlesex County DA's office operations and fills the vacancy created by the departure of Middlesex County DA Gerard Leone. With over 30 years of experience in the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Ryan most recently served as General Counsel and Chief of the Middlesex DA's Elder and Disabled Unit under outgoing Middlesex County DA Leone. She has extensive and varied experience in both the prosecution of homicide and other felony cases as well as in the development and implementation of prevention and outreach initiatives in communities throughout Middlesex County. Ryan is a member of the Middlesex District Attorney's Office Senior Leadership Team and has been intimately involved in the legislative, personnel, training and budgetary processes of the Office. She has tried hundreds of cases in the District and Superior Courts and briefed and argued over 40 cases in the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. Women's Advocacy Day was May 15 The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and their supporters joined together in Nurses Hall at the State House on May 15 to advocate for legislation that advances women's rights and equalities. The Commission released key findings from 2012-2013 in collaboration with its county commissions from throughout the Commonwealth. The speaking portion of the program will include Commission Chair Victoria A. Budson, whose remarks will be followed by Treasurer Steven Grossman and Women's Caucus Co-Chair Representative Ruth Balser, along with county commission Chairs Amy Wolfe, Berkshire County; Ellen Heffernan-Dugan, Bristol County; Pam Pollock, Cape Cod and Islands; and Becky Hallowell, Essex. Commissioners and legislators shared information regarding the status of women in Massachusetts, reported on findings collected from public hearings hosted over the course of the year throughout the Commonwealth, and made recommendations regarding policy that would affect positive change on behalf of women and their families. After formal remarks, members of the commissions and supporters visited legislators to discuss the following legislation: An Act Further Defining Comparable Work, An Act Establishing Earned Paid Sick Time, An Act Providing for Equitable Coverage in Disability Policies, An Act Establishing a Worcester County Commission on the Status of Women, An Act Relative to Healthy Youth, An Act Updating the Public Health Laws, and An Act Establishing the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Governor Patrick Honors "29 Who Shine" Recognizing Outstanding Academic & Civic Achievements Gov. Patrick presented the 29 Who Shine Awards, recognizing 29 public college and university students for their academic achievements and civic contributions to the Commonwealth. The students, one from each of the state's 29 community college, state university and UMass campuses, demonstrate how the Commonwealth's public college and university graduates are poised to contribute to the civic and economic well-being of the state. Each of the Commonwealth's 29 public college and university campuses selected its own student honoree for the 29 Who Shine Awards based on criteria established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Students considered for the recognition needed to demonstrate a strong academic record, have made a contribution to the civic well-being of the Commonwealth, and be Massachusetts residents who intend to remain in the state upon graduation. This year's honorees include five students who have created non-profit organizations and/or small businesses in their local communities, and one student who hopes to market computer inventions for which he holds patents. One-third of the students will graduate with degrees in high-demand fields for which Massachusetts has a critical need for employees, such as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), health care and finance sectors. An additional one-third of the group are adult students, age 25 or older. Four are parents. Patrick Administration Reaches 2017 Solar Energy Target, Sets New Goal Gov. Patrick joined Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan and other energy officials to celebrate 250 megawatts of solar energy installed - reaching the Patrick-Murray Administration's goal four years early - and announced a new goal of 1,600 MW by 2020. Under Governor Patrick's leadership, the amount of solar energy installed has increased 80 times from the 3 MW installed in 2007. Massachusetts has established strong incentives for renewable energy production that have led to significant cost reductions in solar electricity, making clean energy more accessible to Massachusetts businesses and residents. The Commonwealth's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Solar Carve-Out program has established a strong solar energy market in Massachusetts, with a current cap of 400 MW. As that target approaches, state energy officials are fast-tracking revisions to expand the program. Residential solar electricity prices dropped 28 percent in Massachusetts in 2012, according to a report issued by the Solar Energy Industries Association in March 2013. This was the second biggest drop in the nation last year. Senator Warren & Congresswoman Tsongas Join the Executive Committee of the Military Asset & Security Strategy Task Force Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas will serve on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force. After establishing the Task Force by Executive Order No. 541 in February 2012, Lieutenant Governor Murray formed an Executive Committee to bring together key leaders in government and the private sector to strategize on issues and implement goals of the Task Force. The Executive Committee focuses on protecting, promoting and enhancing the state's six military bases by delivering resources to support workforce training, infrastructure improvements, environmental and utility savings, veterans' services and military family support, housing and transportation at each base. Last year, the Task Force partnered with the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute to release the state's first comprehensive report on the jobs and economic impact of Massachusetts' six military bases. The data indicates Massachusetts' six military installations support more than 46,500 jobs and contributed more than $14.2 billion to the Commonwealth's economy in 2011. Since these findings were released, the Task Force continues to collaborate with private sector partners and each base to 1) address infrastructure needs, 2) identify areas of mutual interest, 3) build community support, 4) fund energy audits to support cost-savings and greater efficiency and 5) explore options for new workforce development and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education programs. Patrick Administration Requests Federal Assistance for Businesses Impacted By Boston Marathon Bombings Governor Patrick requested federal relief for small businesses and private non-profits impacted by the Boston Marathon bombings that occurred on April 15. In a letter sent to the U.S. Small Business Administration (USSBA), he requested that the USSBA issue an Economic Injury Declaration for Suffolk County so that long term/low interest SBA loans may be available to the affected businesses and private non-profit organizations. In order to receive this federal assistance, the Commonwealth must show that businesses were negatively impacted and suffered substantial economic injury. If this request is granted, and the USSBA issues an Economic Injury Declaration, MEMA will coordinate with the USSBA and Boston's Office of Emergency Management to have USSBA disaster specialists available in Boston to work with impacted businesses that may be interested in the loans. First-Time Homebuyer Tips Spring is a popular time to think about purchasing a home, and as a first-time homebuyer in Massachusetts, you may have questions about the process. Luckily, there are state and federal programs to help you through it, including assistance with down payments - being a low- to moderate-income household does not necessarily mean you can't own the home of your dreams - seminars and more. Click here to learn three great tips on buying a home. Boston to Cape Cod Weekend Rail Service to Begin in May
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.
Check out the NEW Massachusetts Business One-Stop
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. 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.
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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