News from Beacon Hill
Congressional Primary on 10/15
A special state primary to select a replacement for Markey as US Representative for the 5th Congressional district will take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. The deadline for voter registration and party enrollment change is Wednesday, September 25, 2013. The general election will take place Tuesday, December 10, 2013. To view a list of the candidates or learn more about the election, click here.
Stanley Report Cable Episode 9 is out!
Rep. Stanley recently sat down with DTA Commissioner Stacey Monahan to discuss the agency's mission as well as her plans for cracking down on abuse in the system. Click here to view the video.
Rep. Stanley Supports Lincoln's Route 2 Oversight Committee Landscape Requests
Rep. Stanley recently wrote a letter to acting MassDOT District 4 Highway Director Paul Stedman expressing support of Lincoln's Route 2 Oversight Committee's request for additional landscaping in some of the areas most impacted by the Route 2/Crosby's Corner project's construction.
The Town's Selectmen and Planning Board appointed a local Oversight Committee to assist with monitoring the project during its construction phases and to serve as Lincoln's point of contact for communications with our residents and for communications between the Town and the State.
The Town does accept that areas most affected by the construction do not satisfy the State's criteria for sound walls. However, after consulting with acoustical engineers and landscape professionals, Lincoln does believe that some form of mitigation is needed to help offset some of the extensive tree clearing and roadway widening that was required for the project. The Oversight Committee has concluded that the best option available to the Town is to request additional trees and other plantings to the original landscape plan.
9th Middlesex District Receives Massachusetts Cultural Council Awards Grants The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) recently awarded grants totaling $118,100 to cultural organizations, schools, and communities Rep. Stanley's district (9th Middlesex). These grants support a wide variety of cultural activities and projects that benefit local residents, while supporting jobs in the nonprofit cultural sector. Local recipients awarded include the Community Outreach Group, the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Musicians of the Old Post Road, the National Center for Jewish Film, Inc. and the Robert Treat Paine Estate. Governor Patrick Participates in Series of Events in Remembrance of the Victims of 9/11 On September 11, Governor Patrick participated in the annual State House Commemoration of the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001. During the 9/11 Commemoration, Governor Patrick participated in the name reading ceremony for the 210 people who were killed on September 11, with ties to Massachusetts. Governor Patrick later joined the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund and the New England Center for Homeless Veterans for their 9/11 Service Project at the Mother's Walk on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, as a part of ongoing remembrances of 9/11. Governor Patrick worked with volunteers to assemble care packages to support active duty service members and veterans. The event included the preparation of 500 care packages for homeless veterans in Massachusetts, in addition to the 500 care packages for soldiers on duty overseas. As part of the care package project, participants wrote letters of support to our troops and the Fund collected pledges to support local families who have lost service members in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. This evening, Governor Patrick will attend the sixth annual ceremony for the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ashburton Park at the State House. This annual commemoration honors the lives of all firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty in Massachusetts. During the ceremony, the names of 22 firefighters will be added to the Memorial this year. Tech Hub Caucus will meet 9/18 to discuss Healthcare Innovation & Technology The Tech Hub Caucus, during National Health IT week, will meet for a special offsite meeting with industry innovators. Verizon's Innovation Center in Waltham is one of only two in the country and features some of the latest developments in health care technology. The meeting will take place on 9/18 at 9am. The program will begin with a tour highlighting some of the technologies being developed at the Center, with emphasis on those related to healthcare. The tour will be followed by a roundtable discussion about health IT trends, issues, and impacts featuring Laurance Stuntz, Director, Massachusetts eHealth Institute; Ross Blair, Chief Executive Officer, eHealth Inc, Andreina Millan Ferro, Education and Clinical Outcomes Coordinator, Joslin Diabetes Center; and Clifford Goldsmith, Health Care Solutions Strategist, Microsoft. These experts will lead a dialogue about the latest priorities on the health IT landscape, how and why organizations start and grow in Massachusetts, and how together we can foster an even better environment for this important industry sector. Healthcare is one of Massachusetts dominant economic engines and its future is being driven by innovations in IT, wireless, and other technologies. Smart phones, networked devices and remote monitoring tools are transforming approaches in healthcare and improving compliance and clinical outcomes. Massachusetts companies are developing applications and technologies that are enabling healthcare providers and patients to better manage chronic conditions and maintain health and wellness. A wealth of healthcare technology is already taking place in Massachusetts, and it is in the state's economic interest to ensure this innovation pipeline remains strong and thriving. Governor Joins Regional Partners to Increase Access to Affordable, Clean and Reliable Energy Governor Patrick approved six resolutions that will put Massachusetts on a path to increased access to affordable, cleaner and reliable energy sources and energy-efficient modes of transportation, more efficient disaster planning and increased infrastructure safety. The resolutions were signed at the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers' Annual Conference (NEG-ECP) in Quebec, Canada. One of the resolutions calls for Massachusetts energy and environmental officials to continue working with the other New England states on a number of regional initiatives including enhancing the Commonwealth's energy infrastructure, expanding large hydro imports and the coordinated regional procurement of renewable energy. Another resolution calls for the collaboration to support the increased use of alternative fuel vehicles, while another directs Massachusetts to work with its regional partners to track the progress on regional greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. Massachusetts is home to some of the most ambitious GHG reduction goals in the nation, outlined in the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), which Governor Patrick signed into law in 2008. In 2010 the Patrick Administration developed and released the Massachusetts Clean Energy & Climate Plan for 2020 which contains a portfolio of policies, including increasing clean energy imports like large hydro or wind, which will reduce MA GHG emissions by over 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. Massachusetts GHG emissions have dropped almost 11 percent since 1990. September is National Recovery Month September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, dedicated as such to raise awareness of the struggles of those fighting addiction and to reinforce the message that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. On Sept. 26, celebrate Recovery Day with a march to the State House in honor of those who have won their battles against drugs and alcohol. To learn more, click here. Two Attorneys Nominated to Clerk-Magistrate Governor Patrick announced the nominations of two attorneys with extensive court administration experience: Sean P. Murphy as Clerk-Magistrate of the Boston Municipal Court, West Roxbury Division, and Edward F. Savage, Jr. as Clerk-Magistrate of the Brookline District Court. Sean P. Murphy was recently appointed as the Acting Clerk-Magistrate for the Uxbridge District Court. He has been an Assistant Clerk-Magistrate at the Milford District Court since 2006. From 1994 to 2006, Murphy maintained a sole civil practice in Boston. Murphy began his professional career as a chemistry teacher at the Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, where he taught for 22 years. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross (B.A., 1984), Boston College (M.A. in Education, 1988) and Suffolk University Law School (J.D., 1994). Murphy is a resident of West Roxbury. If confirmed, he will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of The Honorable Richard L. Walsh. Edward F. Savage, Jr. has served as the Acting Clerk-Magistrate of the Brookline District Court since 2011. From 2000 to 2011, Savage was an Assistant Clerk-Magistrate in that office. Savage began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the Suffolk District Attorney's Office from 1990 until 1993. He then maintained a sole litigation practice for seven years, concentrating mostly on criminal defense and civil matters. Savage is a graduate of Stonehill College (B.A., 1982) and New England School of Law (J.D., 1989). He is a resident of Walpole. Savage is slated to fill the vacancy at the Brookline District Court created by the appointment of The Honorable Brian K. Lawlor as Clerk-Magistrate of the Salem District Court. September is Emergency Preparedness Month Prepare yourself, your family and your community before a disaster occurs. Learn what to do before, during, and after various types of emergencies. Massachusetts experiences a wide range of emergencies and disasters. In the past few years alone, the state has seen flooding, hurricanes and tropical storms, blizzards and winter storms, tornadoes, hazardous materials incidents, power outages, terrorism, water supply disruptions and more. In addition, there are many other hazards that could occur including earthquakes, pandemics and other public health emergencies. It is important for residents of Massachusetts to be ready for various types of emergencies and disasters including knowing what the risks are, and what to do before, during, and after various types of emergencies and how to be prepared ahead of time. Click here for more information. Help prevent child abuse in Massachusetts Too often child abuse and neglect is discussed only after an awful event occurs. All children deserve to grow up healthy in safe, loving homes. To learn more about the warning signs that a child may be suffering from abuse or neglect, click here. To learn how to report a suspected case to the Department of Children & Families (DCF), click here. "MyLegislature" 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. 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. Check out the 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 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.
|