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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.
Rep. Stanley signs onto letter supporting the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School application to SREC I program Rep. Stanley and his colleagues cosigned a letter to Mark Sylvia, Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources expressing support of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (LSRHS) application to the SREC I program. LSRHS, located in Sudbury, Massachusetts, is a shared, vibrant asset for Lincoln and Sudbury. The facility was built in 2004 with an energy efficient heat pump system, and received the 2013 Making a Green Difference Award for its collective efforts. For the past 16 months, the LSRHS School Committee and school administrators have been working with Power Options and Sun Edison to design a solar array that would cut the school building's electricity demand from the grid by 50%. Originally, the project plan entailed constructing a solar array on the roof of the building, the least expensive option, but now precluded by today's building codes. LSRHS currently proposes the next lowest cost alternative: to design and construct a solar array canopy covering the school's parking lots. SunEdison LLC has filed an application with the DOER under SREC I process to construct the solar parking canopy, which would be a 0.99 MW unit covering approximately 80% of the 1600+ student main parking lot. The citizens of both Lincoln and Sudbury have enthusiastically expressed their full support at their respective spring town meetings. If SREC I incentives can be secured via DOER, ground can be broken on the project this summer. Rep. Stanley meets with Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding Lincoln schools Rep. Stanley recently met with Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Executive Director Jack McCarthy and Rebecca McFall (Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent), Jennifer Glass (Lincoln School Committee), and Tim Higgins (Lincoln Town Administrator) to go over Lincoln Public School's statement of interest (SOI) to MSBA. Submitting an SOI is the critical first step in the MSBA's program for school building construction, addition/renovation, and repair grants. It allows districts to inform officials about deficiencies that may exist in a local school facility and how those deficiencies inhibit the delivery of the district's educational program. 
Lincoln Elementary School Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Housing Bond Bill State Representative Tom Stanley joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation to preserve and produce affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth. The bill authorizes $1.4 billion in investments over the next five years to finance the production and preservation of low and moderate income housing. The $1.4 billion includes $500 million for the rehabilitation and modernization of state-assisted public housing. These funds cannot be used to create new state-owned public housing but to expedite the turnover of dilapidated units once vacant. The bill also includes $55 million to facilitate modifications for the elderly and disabled to allow them to remain in their homes. This is the first long-term housing finance bill to come before the Legislature since 2008 and marks the introduction of a capital investment in early education centers through the Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund. The $45 million allocation funds the development of facilities for early education and out-of-school programs. Rep. Stanley Hosts Meeting Regarding Creation of Center for Urban Sustainability Rep. Stanley hosted a meeting at the State House to discuss the University of Massachusetts's plans of creating a Center for Urban Sustainability at the site of the former UMass Suburban Experiment Station on Beaver Street in Waltham. The Center will house partners that include industries and businesses, municipalities, government agencies and citizen groups who will collectively be involved with and address priorities related to food security and access, environmental stewardship, urban agriculture and workforce development in urban settings. The proposal calls for a LEED-certified, energy-innovative building to become the front door portal for education and research for urban sustainability issues and a destination for citizens, businesses, and municipalities to access resources for hands-on learning and classroom training focused on urban sustainability issues. Not only will this project benefit residents and businesses of the greater Waltham area, but it will seek to become the center of urban sustainability for the Commonwealth. Senate Approves $34 Billion Budget After two days of debate, the Senate approved a $34 billion annual state budget focused on early education, elder care and local aid. The budget, which was approved by a vote of 36-3, draws from the state's reserves and relies on revenues from a developing package of tax increases linked to the transportation system. The House approved its budget in April. A six-member conference committee will iron out differences between both budgets before the new fiscal year 2014 beings on July 1. Gov. Patrick Holds Road Funding; Local Officials Upset Although Gov. Patrick signed legislation setting the terms for borrowing $300 million to finance MA's local road repair program, his decision to release only $150 million at the moment is frustrating local officials. The administration says it will wait until the House and Senate finalize a transportation financing plan with new tax revenue to decide whether to release an additional $150 million for Chapter 90 road repairs (for roads, highways, bridges and public transit). Mayors, city councilors and selectmen are upset that Gov. Patrick withheld the $100 million increase in Chapter 90 approved by the Legislature, but also decreased funding by $50 million from this year's funding level of $200 million. Cellucci Honored at the State House Gov. Paul Cellucci, who died Saturday at age 65, lied in repose in the Hall of Flags on Thursday. There was a memorial service for Cellucci in the House chamber before the public viewing. Cellucci served in the House and Senate before becoming lieutenant governor and then governor. Massachusetts National Guard Awards Ceremony On Monday, June 3 at 4:00PM, thirteen members of the Massachusetts Army and Air National Guard received military commendations for their service during the Boston Marathon bombing. The ceremony was held in the Hall of Flags at the State House. The ceremony was unique because General Frank Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, awarded the commendations to our service members. General Grass, a four-star General in the United States Army, serves as the commander of all National Guard service members in the United States and its territories and is the primary advisor to President Obama on all matters relating to the operations of the National Guard. Committee will hear Texting-While Driving, Bicycling Bills on June 26 On June 26th, the Transportation Committee will consider legislation focused on the sharing of roads among motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. The Committee will discuss proposals to require the hands-free use of mobile phones while driving, to protect bicyclists in bike lanes, to protect pedestrians at crosswalks, to ban the use of mobile phones while driving, and to increase fines and penalties for texting and driving. Congressman Kennedy to Lead the Governor's Stem Advisory Council Congressman Joe Kennedy will chair the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Advisory Council. Massachusetts has received national recognition and has emerged as a leader in promoting STEM education. Congressman Kennedy is currently the state's only member serving on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Governor Patrick established the STEM Advisory Council in October 2009. As chair of the Council, Lieutenant Governor Murray has increased coordination and collaboration among existing STEM programs and resources, garnering national attention and praise for Massachusetts. In addition to being rated number one by the U.S. Department of Education on the nationwide Race to the Top Competition, Massachusetts has also been recognized by the National Governor's Association's Center for Best Practices, Change the Equation and Innovate+Education as a top STEM state. The STEM Advisory Council's most prominent accomplishment is the launch of the @Scale Initiative, hailed as a breakthrough model at delivering a combination of public and private funding to replicate and bring to scale transformative, system-wide improvements in STEM education. $1.1 Million in Grants to Benefit Vocational Schools across Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Murray joined Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor and Secretary of Education Matthew Malone to announce the 25 recipients of $1.1 million in Vocational School Equipment grants to benefit Massachusetts vocational schools. This program provides grant funding to qualifying institutions to purchase necessary equipment to prepare their students for the modern workforce. The 25 recipients of FY 2013 Vocational School Equipment grants include 184 cities and towns across Massachusetts. The recipients reflect geographic diversity across the Commonwealth, including several Gateway Cities. The grants provide over $1,149,997 in funding, benefiting 1,671 students in 184 municipalities across the Commonwealth. Approximately $1,925,553 in matching funds and in-kind donations will be leveraged to support these programs, a $1.67 match for every $1 dollar investment. Funded programs represent 9 of 10 occupational clusters as identified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), with the largest investments going to manufacturing, engineering and technology. Governor Patrick Signs Bill Appointing Officer Sean Collier Posthumously to Somerville Police Department Governor Patrick signed H. 3450, "An Act Authorizing the Mayor of the City of Somerville to appoint Sean A. Collier a police officer of the City of Somerville." The act posthumously appoints Sean Collier as an officer of the Somerville Police Department. Officer Collier was killed in the line of duty on April 18, 2013 while serving as a police officer for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. New Collaboration to Support Children of Military Families Gov. Patrick announced the creation of a collaboration to provide specialized training for early education and care providers to support the unique needs of the children of Massachusetts' military families. There are currently more than 25,000 military-connected children living in the Commonwealth. The initiative is a partnership between the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Massachusetts Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) and the U.S. Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD). Members of the Executive Office of Education, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the National Guard are working together to implement the terms of the Compact as part of the State Council to the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, which was created by the VALOR Act. The Commission is expected to hold their first meeting this summer. The agencies collaborated with Wheelock College and the Military Child Education Coalition to provide early educators with the latest research, skills and tools to develop strength and resiliency in military-connected children so that they can meet the challenges of family deployment. The training will address topics such as grief, trauma and reintegration. State Announces New Leadership for Three Major Policy Initiatives As part of Lieutenant Governor Murray's transition out of state government, the Lieutenant Governor announced new leadership to chair and oversee policies to end and prevent homelessness, substance abuse and sexual and domestic violence. Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein of the Department of Housing and Homelessness will chair the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH); Secretary John Polanowicz of Health and Human Services and Secretary Andrea Cabral of Public Safety and Security will co-chair the Governor's Council to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence; and Acting Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett of the Department of Public Health will chair the Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention. Patrick-Murray Administration Awards Improvement Grants for Massachusetts Farms Governor Patrick, along with Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, awarded grants totaling $700,000 to 11 projects that will help farmers improve their farm operations. Governor Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Murray and EEA officials then toured Konsinski Farms in Westfield, which received a $75,000 grant to install a value-added fruit winery. Awarded through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' (DAR) Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Improvement Program (AIP), grants went to farms in the communities of Cummington, Dartmouth, Dracut, Easthampton, Groton, Lanesborough, Rochester, Sunderland and Westfield. The program helps sustain active commercial farming on land that has been protected from development through DAR's APR Program. AIP provides technical assistance and business planning to improve farm productivity and profitability with the goal of enhancing the significance of APR farm operations and their contribution to the state's agricultural industry. Governor Patrick Joins State Wildlife Officials for Eagle Banding at the Quabbin Reservoir Governor Patrick joined Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Commissioner Mary Griffin and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) staff to band bald eagle chicks at the Quabbin Reservoir. MassWildlife has banded bald eagle chicks since 1982 as part of a bald eagle restoration project. As part of MassWildlife's annual effort to band all bald eagle chicks hatched in the Commonwealth every spring, each eaglet is outfitted with uniquely numbered metal leg bands that will enable researchers to identify it later. Banding young eagles is an important tool for measuring the success of species restoration programs by enabling scientists to gather information about survival rates, how far birds disperse when they leave the nest, habitat preferences and causes of death. A victim of habitat loss and reproductive failure linked to exposure to pesticides such as DDT, bald eagle populations had plummeted across the country by the time they were placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1973. Their numbers have since rebounded and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed bald eagles from the federal endangered species list in 2007. In Massachusetts, the bald eagle was down-listed from Endangered to Threatened status in 2012. Summer Reading for Children, Teens and Adults Find a reading program at the library, get new book suggestions for readers of all ages, and spend time relaxing with a good book on your next vacation. Click here to learn more. June is LGBT Pride Month Find information on events happening statewide as well as health, bullying, violence, and suicide prevention resources for LGBT individuals. Click here to learn more. Police & State Trooper Exam Rescheduled for June 15 The Police & State Trooper civil service exam that was originally scheduled for April 20, 2013, will now take place on Saturday, June 15, 2013. By now, applicants should have received a new "Notice to Appear" and should print it out and bring it to the exam with them on 6/15. If you have questions, please visit www.mass.gov/hrd or call the Civil Service hotline at 617-878-9895. 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 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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