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 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 10 is out!

Rep. Stanley recently sat down with Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki at the Waltham MAC-TV studio in episode 10 of The Stanley Report.

Click here to view the video.

Rep. Stanley testifies before the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture in support of the proposed UMass Center for Urban Sustainability

Rep. Stanley testified at the State House before the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture in support of the proposed UMass Center for Urban Sustainability to be located in Waltham. The new building will be situated on the 58-acre open space parcel located at 240 Beaver Street in Waltham, currently owned by UMass Amherst and the former site of UMass Suburban Experiment Station.

Rep. Stanley spoke in support of UMass' amendment to the Environmental Bond Bill which would earmark $20 million for the rehabilitation or reconstruction of a 20,000 square foot research and extension building at the University of Massachusetts Center for Urban Sustainability 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.

Highlights of the UMass Center for Urban Sustainability will include: science-based management practices, education programs and research will be conducted and demonstrated on site to help provide technical resources needed for commercial and community agriculture efforts to successfully  integrate and operate in urban settings; teaching urban agriculture practices to growers, decision makers and citizens who govern and/or grow, process and sell food in cities (ex: active CSA, roof top garden, community gardens, nutrient dense crop production, raising animals in urban settings, food safety and processing systems, greenhouse management); on-site job training, career development and credentialing  of the urban workforce in sustainability careers; solutions for creating and managing water, soil, waste, energy, non-point source pollution and wildlife in urban settings (working roof top garden, managing storm water practices, sustainable landscapes, contaminated soils, compost); creation of a private-public partnership to sustain the financial operations; practices for sustainable environments will be showcased; youth development programs and training for citizens of all ages; using remote teaching technology to connect urban students to  UMass Amherst courses in sustainability by connecting the Agricultural High Schools in Massachusetts with the new facility also using technology.

Supporters of the Center include Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham Land Trust, Mass Audubon, Massachusetts Farm Bureau, Massachusetts Arborists Association, Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals, Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals, New England Nurseryman's Association, New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association, Massachusetts Flower Growers Association, Massachusetts Tree Warden Association, New Entry Sustainable Farmers Network, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Rural Development Agency, Farm Service Agency and Massachusetts 4H.

Rep. Stanley's domestic violence bill reported favorably out of committee

Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Legislation to Improve Oversight, Licensing and Quality Standards for Compounding Pharmacies

Rep. Stanley helped pass legislation that will increase the oversight of compounding pharmacies, improve quality and safety standards in the Commonwealth, and establish rigorous transparency and accountability practices for compounding pharmacies across the state.  The House voted 155-0 to pass the bill, which now moves to the Senate.

The unanimous vote distinguishes Massachusetts as the first state to pass comprehensive legislation relative to compounding pharmacies. The bill addresses a previous lack of consistent standards, at both a state and federal level, governing the operations of specialty pharmacies engaged in sterile compounding. This legislation was carefully crafted following the 2012 meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated drugs produced at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. 

This compounding pharmacy bill modernizes pharmacy oversight while enhancing patient access to critical medications. The legislation establishes a specialty license for all in-state and out-of-state sterile compounding pharmacies; requires the Department of Public Health to track all sterilely compounded drugs made by state-licensed pharmacies; requires the Department of Public Health to collect and analyze data on adverse events tied to pharmaceuticals; creates an online database listing pharmacies that have prepared drugs resulting in adverse effects; mandates unannounced, detailed inspections of all sterile compounding pharmacies; requires state pharmacy inspectors to be specially trained and to take continuing education classes; requires that compounded medications are clearly labeled; mandates pharmacies to report the type and volume of compound drug production; reforms the composition of the State Board of Pharmacy; requires increased communications between prescribers, pharmacies, government officials and patients, including a support hotline for patients; and ensures that state and national agencies communicate on oversight and potential problems.

Executive Office of Health and Human Services Offers Info on the Affordable Care Act

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services recently offered the 10 top reasons why the Affordable Care Act is good for Massachusetts.  Click here to view the list.

Governor Patrick Celebrates State's Thriving Robotics Industry during Visit to Harvest Automation

Governor Patrick celebrated growth and opportunity in the Massachusetts innovation economy during a tour of Harvest Automation's onsite manufacturing facility and robotics testing area. Harvest Automation manufactures sophisticated robots to support the agricultural industry at farms across the nation. The company's growth from two to 37 employees has been bolstered by state investment through MassVentures, a quasi-public organization supporting the expansion of early-stage technology companies to help fuel the Commonwealth's innovation economy.

Headquartered in Billerica, Harvest Automation released the first practical, scalable robots for a range of agricultural applications. Assisting farms across the country with their labor shortages, Harvest is enabling growers to create a sustainable workforce of robots to work safely alongside people to increase efficiency, reliability and quality. The robots are able to perform as much manual labor as required by each grower, helping human workers focus on other vital tasks. They also can increase plant quality by optimizing plant placement in fields and reduce non-labor production costs, including the use of water, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

New Legislation Raises Age of Juvenile Jurisdiction to 18

After the House and Senate approved the bill, Governor Patrick signed legislation that raises the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to 18, opening up more opportunities for the Commonwealth's youth, at-risk population.  The legislation, H. 1432 "An Act Expanding Juvenile Jurisdiction," expands the delinquency and youthful offender jurisdiction of the juvenile courts to include persons who commit crimes when they were younger than 18. The new law also provides for 17-year-olds to be ordered into the custody of the Department of Youth Services, rather than into an adult prison or jail. In the case of violent criminal activity, though, the Juvenile Court will retain the discretion to impose an adult sentence. The law also provides that 17-year-olds will no longer receive an adult criminal record and that they will benefit from other safeguards provided to juveniles. Raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to 18 was one of the key provisions in the Governor's proposed, "Act to Reform the Juvenile Justice System" filed in January.

September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month

Governor Patrick celebrated the 25th annual Hispanic Heritage Month during an event at the State House. Throughout the month, Governor Patrick and leaders from the Administration have been participating in events that showcase the social and civic contributions and rich heritage of the Massachusetts Hispanic community. This year's theme, "25 Years Strong: A Celebration of Civic Engagement and Service" recognizes the impact of the Hispanic community's leadership and service to the Commonwealth.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, there are 53 million Hispanics in the U.S. Massachusetts' population is estimated at 6.6 million, of which over 10 percent identify as Hispanic or Latino. The Latino population is rapidly growing; as such social issues similar to other minority communities are prevalent.

Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino Kick-Off RoxMAPP Partnership

Governor Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined Secretary of Education Matthew Malone and Boston Public Schools Interim Superintendent John McDonough to kick-off the Roxbury Massachusetts Academic Polytech Pathway (RoxMAPP). The first-of-its-kind partnership between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston will allow students attending Madison Park Technical Vocational High School to enroll in a dual enrollment pathway at Roxbury Community College (RCC). RoxMAPP will create clear avenues for students to high-demand careers in health care, information technology and the life sciences, while increasing graduation rates and closing access and achievement gaps for students of both institutions.

Announced in June, RoxMAPP will allow students attending Madison Park to enroll directly into RCC after high school and graduate with a high school diploma, an associate's degree and a technical training certificate in a high-demand field in as few as five years. The partnership will also connect RCC graduates with local employers in their field of choice for employment options after college, and create more defined pathways to local four-year universities for students who want to pursue higher degrees.  The partnership will be advised and directed by a Joint Industry Advisory Board appointed by Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino. The Boston School Committee and the RCC Board of Trustees will retain control of their respective institutions and will be represented on the new advisory board by members of both boards.

Experience the Arts in Massachusetts

October is typically recognized as National Arts & Humanities month, a celebration of the importance of culture in America. Massachusetts offers many opportunities to learn about and explore the arts throughout the state, including the nation's first art in transit collection, which incorporates beautiful artwork into subway and commuter rail station design. Read more about the rich culture that you can experience right here in Massachusetts. 

Gov. Patrick's Mission to Canada Pursued Job Growth and Economic Opportunity

Governor Patrick led a delegation of the Commonwealth's government leaders on a Massachusetts - Canada Innovation Partnership Mission to strengthen the state's partnership with Canada and expand opportunities between the two for economic development and job creation in the clean-tech, innovation, digital health, financial services, digital gaming, life sciences and academic sectors.

From October 8-11th, the Massachusetts-Canada Innovation Partnership Mission included stops in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. During the mission, Governor Patrick participated in several business roundtables and meet with top business leaders in the innovation economy sectors to foster opportunities for collaboration between Massachusetts and Canadian businesses. Governor Patrick also delivered the keynote address at the Canada Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) conference to promote the Commonwealth's growing clean energy sector as a market open for business. In Toronto, the Governor participated in a tourism industry event sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism; and in Montreal, the Governor addressed a group of top Canadian business and academic leaders at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations to discuss opportunities for mutual partnership and growth in key sectors between Massachusetts and Canada. The Governor met with the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne.

Three New Boston Municipal Court and District Court Nominations

Governor Patrick announced three judicial nominations: Cynthia M. Brackett as Associate Justice of the Taunton District Court; John P. Stapleton as Associate Justice of the Fall River District Court; and Serge Georges, Jr. as Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, Roxbury Division. If confirmed, Brackett is slated to fill the Taunton District Court vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Joseph I. Macy, Stapleton will fill the Fall River District Court vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable David T. Turcotte and Georges will fill the vacancy on the Boston Municipal Court, Roxbury Division created by the appointment of the Honorable Shannon Frison to the Superior Court.

Judicial Nominating Commission Seeks Applications for 2014 Vacancies

The Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) is seeking applications this fall for several judicial vacancies scheduled to occur in 2014 due to mandatory retirements.  The JNC recently posted five Superior Court vacancies that will occur from February through December 2014, with an application deadline of October 24, 2013.  In the next few months, the JNC will be posting for additional vacancies opening due to mandatory retirements in 2014 on the Appeals Court, the Juvenile Court, the District Court, and the Land Court, among others.  All postings will be listed on the JNC website.  Questions should be directed to the JNC staff at (617) 725-4031.

State Awarded $11.67 Million U.S Department Of Labor 'Pay for Success' Grant

Massachusetts has been awarded an $11.67 million grant from the Obama Administration's U.S. Department of Labor that will expand the Patrick Administration's Social Innovation Financing juvenile justice project by providing additional success payments tied to increases in employment and reductions in recidivism.

Through competitive procurements, the Commonwealth has preliminarily selected Roca as the service provider and Third Sector Capital Partners as the project intermediary for the juvenile justice initiative. Roca's nation-leading intervention model has been successfully helping the most high-risk young people break the destructive cycles of poverty, violence and perpetual incarceration. Third Sector Capital Partners is a nonprofit organization that delivers strategic financial solutions in support of evidence-based programs that serve the nation's most vulnerable communities.

In January of 2012, the Patrick Administration announced its plan to allow Massachusetts to enter into "pay for success" contracts designed to encourage innovative solutions to social problems, improve the performance of government and save taxpayer money. In August of 2012, the Administration announced it had taken the next step toward finalizing these agreements by announcing apparent successful bidders for pay for success contracts to address juvenile justice and chronic homelessness.

The Administration is partnering with Roca and Third Sector Capital Partners to support youth aging out of the juvenile justice and probation systems so as to assist them in making successful transitions to adulthood. This contract will be designed with the specific goal of reducing recidivism and improving education and employment outcomes over several years for a significant segment of the more than 750 youth who exit the juvenile justice system, and the several thousand who exit the probation system annually. The U.S Department of Labor Grant will allow the Commonwealth to expand the scope of this project to serve nearly 400 additional at-risk youth.

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

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.  

Improved Benefits and Discounts for Drivers

Drivers around the state are able to take advantage of more discounts and expanded benefits as the competitive marketplace continues to mature. Managed competition went into effect April 1, 2008, ending the fixed-and-established system under which the state set auto insurance rates. The new system created a marketplace that allows companies to compete for consumers through rates, discounts, and benefits. Since the start of the reform, 13 new companies have entered the state, including three of four biggest carriers in the country (Allstate, Progressive and GEICO).

To shop for a better auto insurance policy, visit www.mass.gov/autorates, research carriers' websites, and meet with insurance agents. For more info, visit the Massachusetts Division of Insurance's website, (www.mass.gov/doi) an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Follow the Office at www.mass.gov/consumer.