FY2015 State Budget Released

On Wednesday, January 22, 2014, Governor Patrick submitted his Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal to the House of Representatives.  The final budget (after it is enacted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor) will take effect on July 1, 2014 and will run through June 30, 2015. To learn more about the budget process, click here. 

Waltham Local Aid Boost

Waltham local aid is increasing by almost $1 million in FY15! Reps. Stanley and Lawn voted for a Local Aid Resolution that commits a nearly $1 million increase in public education and unrestricted local aid for Waltham. The Resolution commits $9,012,826 in public education (Chapter 70), an increase of $704,140 over FY14 levels ($8,308,686), and $8,544,931 in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), an increase of $230,573 over FY14 levels ($8,314,358).

As a Way and Means Committee member, local aid is one of Rep. Stanley's top priorities when the Committee is drafting the House budget.  Rep. Stanley is pleased that the Legislature supported increased public education and local aid funding in the FY15 budget. These funds will help Waltham continue to provide essential education and public safety services.

Waltham Housing Authority Receives State Funding

The Waltham Housing Authority received $1,057,202 in Formula Funding (FF) from the Department of Housing and Community Development: $539,452 targeted for FY16 and $515,750 for FY17. The idea behind FF is to provide Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) with ongoing, predictable funds to plan and execute high priority projects. As the FF program enters its third year, the level of construction and number of capital improvements are on the rise, resulting in increased occupancy, easier and less costly maintenance and operations, reduced utility costs and greater resident satisfaction. Many LHAs have been able to use their Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) to leverage local and utility contributions to increase the impact of their FF awards. 

Rep. Stanley and Committee on Ways and Means Continue to Hold Budget Hearings Across MA

Rep. Stanley and his colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee have continued to hold budget hearings across the Commonwealth. Rep. Stanley recently participated in a budget hearing in Everett, questioning Dept. of Transportation Secretary Davey and Environmental Affairs Secretary Sullivan. Sec. Sullivan and Rep. Stanley discussed the unfortunate decline in the DCR budget and the proposed UMASS Urban Sustainability Center at the Waltham Field Station for which Rep. Stanley has been advocating.  

Rep. Stanley Meets with DCAM to Discuss Fernald

Rep. Stanley met with Rep. Lawn, MA DCAM Commissioner Carole Cornelison and her staff regarding the Fernald property in Waltham. The state is poised to offer a proposal to the city after a decade of struggle between state and local interest. If the mayor and city council agree with the state's proposal, legislation will be drafted and filed by Rep. Lawn, Sen. Barrett and Rep. Stanley to transfer most of the property.

In 2003/2004, former Gov. Romney tried to sell off the land with little community input. Together, with local advocates, residents and officials, Rep. Stanley was able to thwart state attempts to change the state land disposition process which would have greatly limited legislative involvement in the process to reuse state property. Rep. Stanley also authored legislation that created the Fernald Reuse Committee to ensure that local residents and officials played a pivotal role in the property reuse decision process.

Environmental Bond Bill to include funding for the UMass Center for Urban Sustainability

Rep. Stanley is pleased to announce great news for Waltham, Urban Agriculture and workforce development. Rep. Stanley has been assured that the Environmental Bond Bill will include full funding for the proposed UMass Center for Urban Sustainability at the former site of the UMass Suburban Experiment Station on Beaver Street in Waltham a short walk from Bentley University.

Rep. Stanley met with Steve Goodwin, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst about this proposal three years ago at the Amherst Campus. Since then, he has worked for its creation with environmental advocates, school officials and many others including Rep. Lawn and Sen. Barrett.

Rep. Stanley Asks Ways and Means to Fund Domestic Violence Programs

In a letter to and in a meeting with Brian Dempsey, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Rep. Stanley asked that the Legislature address the issue of domestic and sexual violence by increasing funding in the fiscal year 2015 state budget.  On Beacon Hill, the budget process has begun and Rep. Stanley is lobbying budget decision makers to include additional funding to raise awareness of and prevent domestic and sexual violence. An increase in funds is needed to provide the community-based sexual and domestic violence programs the resources they need to provide the life-saving and life-changing services to those who have experienced sexual and domestic violence. 

Domestic violence affects thousands of MA residents each day.  Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men in the Commonwealth have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.  On an average day in Massachusetts, 1,752 domestic violence victims are served by local, community-based programs.  Due to a lack of resources, there are sometimes as many as 443 unmet requests for services that day.  A large majority of unmet requests are typically for emergency domestic violence shelter and transitional housing.  Unfortunately, as the need for domestic violence services has increased, funding for local domestic violence programs have not kept pace.  Many local domestic violence programs have experienced MA state budget reductions, reductions in Federal funds and decreases in private giving. 

Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Enhanced Anti-Bullying Legislation

Rep. Stanley voted in favor of legislation that builds on the 2010 landmark anti-bullying legislation by creating new reporting measures and recognizing certain populations as more vulnerable to bullying. The updates are designed to increase the efficacy of the original legislation which prohibited bullying and cyber-bullying, and required schools to establish related programs. The bill creates a data collection and reporting mechanism that will help educators, administrators and legislators identify trends and respond appropriately. The House voted 143-4.

Provisions of the bill are based on recommendations developed by a special commission chaired by Attorney General Coakley and include the following: Schools must annually report bullying data to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and submit aggregate data on bullying to the Attorney General and Legislature; DESE is required to inform parents about its Problem Resolution System and the process for seeking assistance or filing a claim; and school bullying prevention plans must recognize that certain enumerated categories of students may be more vulnerable to becoming targets of bullying.

Rep. Stanley Votes for Bill to Ensure Effective Management and Expansion of Natural Gas

Rep. Stanley and the House approved a bill to further enhance the state's ability to anticipate, repair and guard against natural gas leaks to improve public safety.  The bill establishes an infrastructure replacement program to accelerate the process of replacing aging pipelines in a manner that can lower capital costs for companies and gas rates for consumers. The legislation also creates uniform classification standards with corresponding requirements and timelines for repair, surveillance or reevaluation.

The legislation establishes a Gas Expansion Program which makes natural gas service available to new consumers and allows companies to offer financing programs to those switching to natural gas. This should result in cost savings for households, businesses and municipalities. Additionally, anticipated improvements will reduce greenhouse emissions as an estimated 5,600 leak-prone pipes in Massachusetts are repaired.

House Enacts Military Bond Bill

Health Care Ballot Questions Set for March 24 Hearing

The Health Care Financing Committee will host a public hearing on March 24th on two health care proposals that could become ballot questions this November. The State House hearing will review two initiative petitions governing patient safety and nurse staffing (H 3843) and limiting "excessive" hospital operating margins and executive compensation (H 3844).  As the

Massachusetts Nurses Association has gathered ample signatures to advance the petitions, legislative leaders must decide whether to address the proposals themselves of let the voters decide in November. The committee will also review two patient safety bills at the hearing.

House Approves Bill to Sell Alcohol Earlier on Sundays

House Members voted in favor of letting alcohol retailers sell beer and alcoholic beverages on Sunday morning starting at 10am rather than waiting until noon. Advocates of the bill said the change will help retailers who border Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The bill is now before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules.

 Rep. Stanley Announces Civil War Preservation Grant Opportunity

Rep. Stanley announces the availability of matching funds for the preservation of historic objects, sites, and document collections that are significant to the history of the Civil War. The Massachusetts Sesquicentennial Commission of the Civil War is accepting applications until April 1, 2014.  The program, a partnership of the Sesquicentennial Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services, and the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, is now in its second cycle.  Earlier this year, the Commission awarded over $91,000 in matching funds to 24 projects across the Commonwealth. Application materials may be found on the Sesquicentennial Commission's website.

The program is open to Massachusetts municipalities and non-profit organizations and provides state matching funds of up to 50 percent of a project's total cost, but not exceeding $7,500.  Eligible projects may include the renovation, rehabilitation, restoration, or enhancement of existing monuments or memorials relevant to the Civil War and Civil War veterans.  Proposals to construct new markers for historically significant sites will also be considered.  Also, eligibility was recently expanded to include preservation or digitization of historic documents. This will encompass local libraries and towns which may own or seek to acquire documents relevant to the Civil War such as archived records, or letters which may require restoration or digital archiving. 

DCR's Park Serve Day

House Passes Newborn Screening Bill

By a vote of 146-0, the House unanimously passed a bill to require a test on newborns to detect potentially deadly heart defects. The bill directs the Department of Public Health to develop regulations governing the screenings.  The Centers for Disease Control estimates pulse oximetry screenings for congenital heart disease cost $15 per infant and take about 10 minutes. Massachusetts would become the 26th state with such a requirement. 

Governor Patrick Signs Upskirting Bill

Governor Patrick signed H. 3934, "An Act Relative to Unlawful Sexual Surveillance," which modernizes the Commonwealth's criminal voyeurism laws to outlaw what is known as "upskirting." The law goes into effect immediately. The legislation makes the secret photographing, videotaping, or electronically surveiling of another person's sexual or other intimate parts, whether under or around a person's clothing or when a reasonable person would believe that the person's intimate parts would not be visible to the public, a crime.  Under the proposed legislation, whoever willfully photographs, videotapes, or electronically surveils, with the intent to secretly conduct or hide such activity, another person's sexual or other intimate parts will be subject to imprisonment for not more than 2½ years or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

The bill also creates a new crime that states whoever videotapes or photographs, with the intent to secretly conduct or hide such activity, the sexual or other intimate parts of a child will be subject to imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2½ years, by imprisonment in state prison for not more than 5 years, by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and a fine.

Gov. Patrick Announces Nomination to the Parole Board

Governor Deval Patrick announced the nomination of Tina M. Hurley as a member of the Parole Board. Hurley has worked at the Parole Board for over 26 years, including the last seven years as a hearing examiner.  During her tenure she has served as a parole officer, a special assistant to the Director of Institutional Services, the Deputy Chief Parole Supervisor, the Director of Transitional Services, and the Director of Women's Services and Partnership Development.  Hurley is a graduate of Northeastern University (B.S. Criminal Justice, 1984) and University of Massachusetts (M.S. Public Affairs, 1994).  She is a resident of Cohasset.  If confirmed, Hurley will fill the position on the Parole Board formerly held by Cesar Archilla, with a term expiring in June 2014.

State to Invest $100 Million in Renovations at Logan Airport

Governor Patrick announced $100 million in renovations focused on better serving international passengers at Boston's Logan International Airport.  The project will include a new post-security connector between terminals E and C,  improvements to hold rooms and concessions, renovations to accommodate expanded international air service, and the installation of self-service kiosks to expedite the processing of passports for those traveling internationally. The renovations will begin in July and are expected to be complete in about 2 years. They are funded through Massport's capital plan.

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination Has New Chair

Jamie R. Williamson will serve as Chair of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). Williamson has served as a Commissioner of MCAD since 2010.

Williamson was previously in charge of MCAD's Springfield office, where she oversaw the administration, adjudication and education of civil rights matters for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Williamson replaces the previous Chair, Julian Tynes, who is now serving as the Director of Labor Relations for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Prior to joining the MCAD, Williamson served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center in Holyoke, a private non-profit fair housing organization serving central and western Massachusetts. In 2005, Williamson was appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts to serve on the Access to Justice Commission. This Commission was created by the Supreme Court to provide leadership, vision and coordination to the multitude of organizations and interests involved in assuring access to civil justice for families and individuals in the Commonwealth.

Gov. Patrick Outlines Series of Reforms to Reduce Recidivism

Governor Patrick announced a package of sustainable, cost-effective criminal justice initiatives that will help Massachusetts reach the goal of reducing recidivism by 50 percent over the next five years by dramatically improving inmates' reentry into their communities, increasing educational and workforce training opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, improving treatment options for individuals suffering from substance abuse and mental illness and enhancing public safety in communities across the state.

The Governor's proposal recognizes that preparation for re-entry must be intentional and start at the point of entry and includes improvements to the Department of Correction's (DOC) classification system and the launch of a step-down program that provides more opportunity for inmates to access educational and training programs.  The Governor also strongly believes that substance abuse must be treated as a health problem and not a criminal issue, and has proposed steps to increase the availability of substance abuse treatment programs in community settings.  Additionally, to better care for those suffering from mental illness in custody, the Governor has proposed additional funding to train law enforcement to learn how to de-escalate and properly handle people with mental health issues and refocused the Department on ensuring that the use of restraints is a last resort. The Governor also called for an end to the use of restraints on pregnant inmates during labor. While current regulations already prohibit this practice in state prisons, the Department of Corrections will issue emergency regulations extending that prohibition to all facilities, including Houses of Correction. Lastly, the Governor called for a renewed focus on bringing criminal sentencing in Massachusetts up to date, proposing to reinvigorate the Sentencing Commission's work of bringing a critical and data-based lens to the Commonwealth's sentencing practices.

MA Takes Actions to Ensure All Residents Have Access to Health Care Coverage

Governor Patrick announced a series of actions that will provide a clear path forward to developing a fully functioning website that will give residents easy access to the choice, benefits and expanded subsidies created by the Affordable Care Act. The Governor announced the appointment of Sarah Iselin as a temporary new Special Assistant to the Governor for Project Delivery to lead the consolidated state government management of website functionality, and the formation of a new technology and policy partnership with Optum to complete the Health Connector website. These actions will ensure that Massachusetts will provide excellent online customer service while remaining the national leader in health care reform and coverage.

$42 Million for Community Partnerships to Promote Health and Wellness

Forty million in grants were awarded to nine community-based partnerships to help fight chronic illness and improve health outcomes while reducing health care costs. Part of the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, this first-in-the-nation effort is part of a $60 million grant over four years created by the Legislature and administered by the Department of Public Health (DPH).

The Fund supports community-based partnerships in achieving measurable health goals through research-based interventions. Working together, municipalities, healthcare systems, community organizations, businesses, regional planning organizations and schools design community-specific programs addressing issues such as: hypertension, smoking, falls prevention among older adults and pediatric asthma. As a condition of funding, each partnership must achieve specified health and cost saving benchmarks on at least two of the four health issues prioritized by the Trust.

Funded partnerships will work to reduce rates of the most prevalent and preventable health conditions, advance healthy behaviors, increase the adoption of workplace wellness or health management programs and address health disparities. 

Massachusetts Approves 20 Registered Marijuana Dispensaries

The Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana (MMJ) Program announced the first 20 Registered Marijuana Dispensaries approved for provisional licensure to operate, which will lead to patient access and hundreds of jobs across the Commonwealth. The Registered Marijuana Dispensary Selection Committee made their selections based on a review of 100 Phase 2 finalists, using objective scoring guided by state procurement principles. The process included extensive background checks and was based on factors such as overall quality of the application, appropriateness of the site, local support, and the applicant's ability to meet the overall health needs of registered patients while ensuring public safety.

The law, overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2012, allows for up to 35 dispensaries across the state. The first 20 approved dispensaries will be spread across 10 of Massachusetts' 14 counties. All approved applicants are non-profit entities responsible for seed-to-sale control of the business, including the dispensary and secure cultivation facility.

Governor Patrick Announces Two Boston Municipal Court Nominations

Governor Patrick announced two judicial nominations: Debra A. DelVecchio as Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, East Boston Division and Lisa A. Grant as Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, South Boston Division. DelVecchio has maintained a criminal and civil litigation practice based in Salem since 1995. Her prior legal experience includes three years as Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, three years as a Department of Justice tax attorney and four years as a litigation associate at a Boston firm.  Grant has practiced law in Boston for 29 years, including the past 24 years as a sole practitioner in Boston. She maintains an active litigation practice with a concentration on criminal defense.

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Opens New Vertex Facility in Boston

Governor Patrick joined Vertex Pharmaceutical's leadership, industry stakeholders and state and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of the company's new 1.1 million-square-foot global headquarters at 11 Fan Pier Boulevard in Boston. Construction began in June 2011, and a 15-year lease for the space was signed in May 2011. Vertex is a global biotechnology company that aims to discover, develop and commercialize innovative new medicines so people with serious diseases can lead better lives.  The new facility, encompassing two connected buildings, is designed to stimulate collaboration and attract new talent to Vertex.

Massachusetts Launches Landmark Initiative to Reduce Recidivism among At-Risk Youth

The Commonwealth launched the nation's largest financial investment in a Pay for Success (PFS) initiative, which is designed to improve outcomes for hundreds of at-risk young men in the probation system or leaving the juvenile justice system. The Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Pay for Success Initiative will not only improve the lives of young people, but also reduce crime, promote safer and stronger communities and save taxpayer dollars.  The Commonwealth's PFS initiative is part of an ongoing commitment by the Patrick Administration to reform the juvenile justice system and provide tools to keep youth on the right track to achieve future success.

This initiative, in partnership with Roca, Inc., Third Sector Capital Partners and commercial and philanthropic funders, is the largest PFS financial investment in the country and is designed to encourage innovative solutions to chronic social problems and improve outcomes for individuals in Massachusetts. PFS contracts allow governments with limited resources to expand innovative social programs and only pay for those that actually make a difference.

Governor Patrick Announces $12M Investment in Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth

Governor Patrick announced a $12 million investment in the successful YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program as part of his Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Budget proposal. The investment is a $3 million increase over the FY14 budget, and will provide youth across the Commonwealth with opportunities to gain valuable work experience while simultaneously building stronger and safer communities.  The YouthWorks Program, a summer jobs program, provides subsidized employment to low-income and at-risk youth ages 14-21 in 31 communities across the Commonwealth. These employment opportunities provide youth with job experience, beneficial career skills and a chance to give back to their communities.

Kaprielian Appointed Secretary Of Labor and Workforce Development

Governor Patrick appointed Rachel Kaprielian, the current Registrar of the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), as Secretary of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD). Secretary Joanne F. Goldstein is departing the Administration to accept a job at Northeastern University as an Associate Vice President. The Governor will join Secretary Goldstein and Registrar Kaprielian for the announcement at noon today in Doric Hall at the Massachusetts State House.

Kaprielian brings to her new position the expertise and experience needed to serve the Commonwealth's workers, job seekers and employers. As Registrar and State Representative, Kaprielian has advocated for smart and consumer-friendly policies, innovative job training initiatives, comprehensive pension reform, municipal and regional organizational reforms, aggressive anti-tobacco policies and Early Intervention programs for at-risk children. As Secretary, she will oversee the Commonwealth's five labor and workforce agencies: the Departments of Unemployment Assistance, Career Services, Labor Standards, Industrial Accidents, and Labor Relations as well as the quasi-public agency Commonwealth Corporation.

Governor Patrick Signs Executive Order to Create Safer, More Secure Schools

Governor Patrick signed Executive Order No. 548 establishing a cross-Secretariat Task Force on School Safety and Security. This Task Force will be charged with developing a model school safety and security plan that school districts can adapt and implement to ensure that students and educators are safe in the event of an emergency situation. Governor Patrick signed the executive order this morning following a roundtable discussion with parents, educators, public safety and public health officials at the A.C. Whelan Elementary and Susan B. Anthony Middle School complex in Revere.

State Announces $50M for Comprehensive Climate Change Preparedness Initiatives

Governor Patrick announced a $50 million investment for a statewide plan to address the present and future impacts of climate change in Massachusetts. These investments will assess and address vulnerabilities in public health, transportation, energy and the Commonwealth's built environment. 

The plan includes a $40 million municipal resilience grant program, to be administered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), that will enable cities and towns to harden energy services at critical sites using clean energy technology. The grants will be funded through Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP), which are paid by electric retail suppliers if they have insufficient Renewable or Alternative Energy Certificates to meet their compliance obligations under the Renewable and Alternative Portfolio Standard programs.

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will work with utilities to determine ways to accelerate storm hardening and deploy micro-grids and resiliency projects for transmission and distribution. In addition, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will establish an inventory of generation facilities vulnerability and preparedness plans.

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.