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News from Beacon Hill
Rep. Stanley to Fight for Local Aid
Last week, Governor Patrick signed the state's $34 billion fiscal 2014 budget into law, but imposed a $177 million veto in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), also known as local aid, as well as $240 million in transportation-related vetoes.
Because cities and towns cannot afford any cuts to local aid, Rep. Stanley will vote this week to override the $177 million local aid veto and maintain our commitment to local aid. Communities have set their budgets based on the local aid levels in the Legislature's budget, and this veto will translate into fiscal distress for cities and towns. If this cut is imposed, communities will be forced to implement sweeping reductions in vital services, including police and fire protection, education, public works, libraries and much more. Cities and towns would lay off thousands of municipal and school employees, and increase their reliance on regressive property taxes.
Rep. Stanley Votes to Strengthen EBT Enforcement
Rep. Stanley helped the House pass legislation that provides immediate funds for reforms to the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). The bill now moves to the Senate. The bill updates EBT oversight measures included in the FY '14 budget and advances continuous efforts by the House to address and prevent EBT abuse. The legislation also allocates supplementary funds for existing appropriations and projects.
Since 2011 the House has enacted numerous welfare reforms including prohibiting certain purchases using EBT cards and criminalizing the use of an EBT card in any manner not authorized by law. The new legislation requires a photo ID on EBT cards for each eligible household member over the age of 18 and establishes a timeframe for implementation; establishes a Bureau of Program Integrity within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to monitor and correct deficiencies in the programs administered by the office; requires the EOHHS to create a computerized integrated eligibility system to monitor eligibility before funds are dispersed; establishes a state verification and eligibility task force made up of the State Auditor, Attorney General, Inspector General, Treasurer, and Secretary of Administration and Finance. The task force will coordinate efforts with the Bureau of Program Integrity; allows for the sharing of tax return information with agencies that provide benefit programs; requires the development of a system in which DTA will work with law enforcement agencies to use fingerprinting comparisons in instances of trafficking and fraud; prohibits out-of-state EBT card use, except in states contiguous to Massachusetts; requires businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards at point of sale; and requires the DTA to submit its annual report the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means on or before November 1st of each year.
In addition to the welfare reform measures, the bill authorizes $56 million for road-clearing bills, $10 million for the summer jobs program and $13.5 million to cover the costs of state and municipal elections. This legislation also provides funds for victims of the marathon bombing to help modify their homes or move into more accessible housing.
House, Senate Pass Comprehensive FY14 Budget
Rep. Stanley helped enact a $34.06 billion state budget for fiscal year 2014 (FY14). The spending plan makes important investments to rebuild the Commonwealth's essential services and programs, including local aid, education, housing, public safety, and health and human services, and supports the ongoing recovery of the local economy. The budget reflects the priorities of the Commonwealth and the needs of cities, towns and residents, while also maintaining the highest level of fiscal responsibility and accountability, leaving the state's rainy day fund at $1.46 billion. The budget now goes to the Governor for his approval.
The budget represents the Legislature's continuing commitment to cities and towns, boosting investments in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), Chapter 70, and the Special Education Circuit Breaker. For the first time since FY10 UGGA funding will increase to $920 million, an increase of more than $21 million, due largely in part to gaming licensing revenues.
This year's spending bill underscores Massachusetts' ongoing commitment to strengthening its educational systems through both new and updated provisions. The budget increases key areas of local education funding including $4.31 billion for Chapter 70, full funding for educating high-needs special education students and $51.5 million for Regional School Transportation. The budget also allocates a $15 million investment in early education that will take approximately 2,000 children off the waitlist for income-eligible child care.
Legislature Passes Fiscal Year 2013 Supplemental Budget; Gov. Signs
The Legislature recently enacted a $133.4 million supplemental state budget, providing funding for vital state programs and implementing reforms to the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). On July 11, Gov. Patrick signed a $125 million supplemental budget bill that includes funding for summer jobs for at-risk youth in communities across the Commonwealth, additional funding to pay for last winter's snow and ice removal costs and funding to reimburse cities and town for costs associated with the June 25th Senate special election, among other items.
Key items in this bill include $10 million for summer jobs for at-risk youth; $55.7 million for snow and ice removal costs from the winter of 2012/2013; $18.2 million to fund Committee for Public Service Counsel (CPCS) caseload costs; $13.6 million for state and municipal costs related to the U.S. Senate special election in June; and $8 million to reimburse municipalities for Charter School enrollment
The Governor is supporting sections in the bill associated with photo identification requirements on EBT cards, but is returning those sections with an amendment to require the Department of Transitional Assistance, in conjunction with the Offices of the Inspector General and Auditor, to conduct a review of this measure's effectiveness and report back to the Legislature in three years. The Governor will also be seeking $2.5 million in a FY14 supplemental budget recommendation to fund implementation of the photo ID requirement, as no dedicated source of funding for the measure was included in this bill.
The Governor is also proposing to amend the ambulance provider reimbursement section of the bill to include guidelines on reasonable charges for emergency ambulance services. In addition, the Governor vetoed $7.3 million in non-essential spending included in the bill.
New Website Features Improvements
Updates to the public website will allow users to personalize their experience when navigating bills, committees, hearing information and connecting with legislators. Through "MyLegislature" users can create a user-id and password to access their secure MyLegislature account. Users can identify specific bills, hearings, committees and legislators that they are interested in following and their personalized homepage will display each selection. Any hearings scheduled for their selected committees will automatically be included in their MyLegislature hearing list. In addition, users can further personalize MyLegislature by identifying any accessibility needs. The updated website also includes an easy-to-use format to connect with legislators. The public website can be found at www.malegislature.gov.
Governor Patrick Announces First-in-the-Nation Academy Designed To Improve Access to Jobs in Manufacturing Sector
Governor Patrick announced the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Regional Partnership Academy (the Academy), a first-in-the-nation program designed to meet the manufacturing industry's future workforce needs. The Academy will provide hands-on learning opportunities, and tool and peer-education to regional leaders, helping eliminate one of the industry's chief concerns of finding well-trained employees to fill available jobs in manufacturing.
The announcement of the Academy was part of an Advanced Manufacturing Summit at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, the first event of its kind to bring together government officials and industry and business leaders to discuss a resurgent sector of the state's economy that expects to hire 100,000 people over the next decade. Nearly 500 industry professionals attended the summit.
The creation of the Academy builds on the record investments in workforce training and education made by the Patrick Administration in recent years, including more than $10 million in Workforce Training Fund Grants awarded to 117 manufacturers since July 2011. Additionally, the Administration has fostered relationships throughout the regions to strengthen and expand connections between manufacturing companies and community colleges, career and technical high schools, career centers and workforce boards. For example, in partnership with Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Westfield Vocational Technical High School and Springfield Technical Community College, the Precision Manufacturing Training Program has supported the training of 89 workers in Hampden County, including 31 veterans and 44 residents from Gateway Cities.
Governor Patrick Announces Nominations to the District Court, Boston Municipal Court and Parole Board
Governor Patrick submitted four nominations for the advice and consent of the Governor's Council: Gerald A. Lemire as Associate Justice of the Uxbridge District Court; Jennifer A. Stark as Associate Justice of the Marlborough District Court; Shelbey D. Wright as Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, Roxbury Division; and Charlene M. Bonner as a member of the Parole Board.
Lemire currently serves as the Clerk-Magistrate of the Uxbridge District Court. Prior to his appointment to this position by Governor Patrick in 2009, Lemire maintained a general litigation practice in Uxbridge, representing individuals and small businesses in civil and criminal matters. Stark has been serving in leadership positions in the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office since 2007, first as the Chief of the Policy and Government Division and since November 2012 as the Chief of the Business and Labor Bureau. Wright began her legal career in 1992 as a litigation associate at Bingham, Dana & Gould in Boston. She was active in the firm's pro bono program, prosecuting cases through the Plymouth District Attorney's Office and handling asylum, evictions and habeas matters. Bonner is a member of the Parole Board, first appointed by Governor Patrick in 2011 to fill an unexpired term. She is a certified forensic psychologist, with many years of experience as a court psychologist and as a private consultant to attorneys representing clients with mental illness.
New Broadband Network for Cape & Islands
A new OpenCape fiber-optic broadband network will offer the Cape and Islands a 300-mile open-access fiber-optic network connecting over 70 important community facilities, including community colleges, high schools, libraries, public safety facilities and other municipal buildings. Broadband expansion is a critical component of Governor Patrick's strategy to invest in education, innovation and infrastructure in order to drive growth and economic opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth.
President Humala of Peru visits Massachusetts
President of Peru Ollanta Humala recently visited Massachusetts and reaffirmed his Administration's commitment to expand opportunities for collaboration with emerging markets around the world that will help build a stronger Commonwealth for future generations. During the visit, Massachusetts and Peru signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will formalize cooperation between the two entities on key issues including education, science and technology development and culture.
The MOU calls for expanded graduate and post-graduate programming, along with culture and language exchanges and collaboration between institutions of higher learning in Massachusetts and Peru. In science and technology, the memorandum expands cooperation and initiatives in the life sciences and biotechnology, digital technology, and clean energy and technology. The memorandum also prioritizes the organization of joint cultural activities, and the exchange of best practices for conservation and preventive care, including sharing relevant information regarding technology, academic cooperation and scientific research.
Peru is one of a number of emerging economies in South America, and the Patrick Administration has identified the continent as an important, growing force in the global economy. Peru's economy has been growing 6 - 9 percent per year over the last three years, and has been growing by an average of 6.4 percent annually since 2002. In 2012, Massachusetts exported $31 million worth of goods and services to Peru, making it the state's 52nd largest export partner, and Massachusetts imported $77.8 million worth of goods and services from Peru in 2012, making the country Massachusetts' 40th largest import partner.
MA is One of Six States in Early Ed Policy Academy
The National Governors Association (NGA) announced that Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada and Pennsylvania are participating in a policy academy aimed at improving learning outcomes for students from early childhood through third grade. The program's goal is to develop and carry out state-specific plans and the NGA will provide guidance, technical assistance, and consultants to the six states. The academy is funded by the Alliance for Early Success, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Heising-Simons Foundation, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
Commission Sets Guidelines Limiting Mandatory Nurse Overtime
The Health Policy Commission approved guidelines limiting the practice of mandatory overtime for nurses at hospitals, a result of last year's omnibus health care reform law. Receiving unanimous approval, the new guidelines prohibit mandatory overtime except in the case of a "catastrophic event," an emergency declaration by government authorities or an emergency within the hospital affecting patient safety. The commission will monitor the program by reviewing reports on mandatory overtime submitted to the Department of Public Health.
AG Coakley Signs onto Push for Car Emissions Limit
AG Coakley united with a coalition from 15 other states and cities on to lobby the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt a rule reducing air pollution from passenger cars and trucks. The rule, proposed by the EPA in March, would reduce motor vehicle emissions of smog-producing pollution by an estimated 80 percent and soot pollution by 70 percent starting in 2017. The letter urges the EPA to finalize the rule before the end of the year. The new emission standards for tailpipes on passenger vehicles would be phased in, under the rule, between 2017 and 2025. Attorney generals from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia support the initiative, as well as the Corporation Counsels of Chicago and New York City.
Two Confirmed To Probate and Family Court
The Governor's Council confirmed two of Gov. Patrick's judicial nominees to the Probate and Family Court in Bristol and Norfolk Counties. Attorney Peter Smola, an attorney specializing in workers' compensation, civil litigation, domestic and estate litigation, won confirmation 7-1 to become an associate justice on the Probate and Family Court in Bristol County. Susan Jacobs, a partner at a law firm who concentrates on domestic relations law, was unanimously confirmed as an associate justice to the Probate and Family Court in Norfolk County.
UI Online, a new web-based unemployment insurance system
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) announced the launch of a new web-based unemployment insurance (UI) system known as UI Online effective July 1. UI Online will provide easier access to services for employers and jobseekers streamline the claims process and strengthen the state's ability to prevent, detect and rectify UI fraud. With UI Online, services currently offered by telephone or via an in-person visit will now also be available on the web. To learn more, click here.
Bartlett Named State Public Health Commissioner
Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz announced that Cheryl Bartlett, who has worked as acting commissioner of the Department of Public Health since May, has been appointed to the post on a permanent basis. The appointment comes after Bartlett helped coordinate the health response to the marathon bombings and shepherded through new medical marijuana regulations. Bartlett will take the post with 18 months remaining in the Patrick administration.
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.
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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