Rep. Stanley's Fragile Beginnings Amendment Adopted into House Budget

The House adopted Rep. Stanley's "Fragile Beginnings" amendment into the FY15 House budget.  Rep. John Lawn, Rep. Kay Khan, Rep. Tom Conroy and Rep. Marjorie Decker co-sponsored the amendment which funds the JF&CS program "Fragile Beginnings" with $100,000 to be used for counseling and education programs designed for at-risk pregnant women.

Fragile Beginnings is a program for parents of premature infants. In MA, 1 in 9 babies are born prematurely.  JF&CS integrates their growing understanding and experience with families affected by substance use with their long term expertise in perinatal home visiting, infant/parent mental health, and hospital to home transitions for parents with vulnerable infants. Fragile Beginnings has become a model program serving substance-exposed newborns and their families.

Rep. Stanley's Tourism Amendment Adopted

During House budget deliberations, the House voted to include Rep. Stanley's amendment for $75,000 to support the Waltham Tourism Council. The funds will help promote the City's restaurants, higher education institutions, museums, art galleries, music, theater, parks, walking and bike paths, outdoor farmers market, concerts and more.

Rep. Stanley fights for Funding for the Charles River water-chestnut project

Representatives Stanley, Khan and Lawn recently fought to keep funding for aquatic-weed control in the House budget.  This funding should allow the Department of Conservation and recreation to continue its excellent work toward ridding the Charles River Lakes District of invasive water chestnut.  The funding will help keep the weeds under control with a low-cost maintenance program.  

Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Balanced FY'15 Budget

Rep. Stanley helped pass a balanced FY'15 budget focused on economic growth and increased government accountability and oversight.  The $36.32 billion proposal emphasizes the importance of enhanced fiscal predictability and sustainable investments without assuming the availability of federal funding, a practice that has raised Massachusetts bond rating to AA+, the highest in the state's history. Building on its responsible yet proactive approach to combatting the recession, the budget contains multiple measures to generate revenue, achieve sustainable economic growth and create jobs.

This budget enhances the Commonwealth's partnerships with municipalities by not only boosting local aid, but also increasing predictability of funding levels. In March, the House and Senate adopted a Joint Local Aid Resolution, which includes a $25.5 million increase to Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) and a $100 million increase to Chapter 70 education funding. The early announcement allowed cities and towns to prepare appropriately as they crafted their municipal FY'15 budgets.

House FY15 Budget Invests in Health Care

Rep. Stanley and his House colleagues passed the House Ways and Means Committee's FY15 budget, making increases in funding for both the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The FY15 budget makes direct appropriations for DPH totaling $572 million, making increases in support of the Department's core functions, including increases in the Critical Operations account, Bureau of Health Care Safety & Quality, and makes serious investments in substance abuse programs through the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.

In particular, the budget provides notable public health funding for Youth At-Risk Matching Grants at $3.85M, $1.7M for Community Health Center Services, over $14.1M for the State Lab, programs such as Mass in Motion, PKU education, medical error reduction initiatives received a total of $3.4M, and $1M for the Nasal Narcan Bystander and First Responder Pilot. The House budget adds $43.6 million in spending to support hospitals, and makes increases in funding for several key areas of Health and Human Services. It makes 2% increases in funding levels for increased hospital inflationary rates, increased rates for Medicaid managed care and Care Plus plans.The budget also allocates over $2.36 for Medical Assistance Recipients, including a 5% rate increase for Disproportionate Share Hospitals and $207M for the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative.

New programs were also created, including a commission on aphasia, a program to provide breast pumps to new mothers, a chronic care coordination plan, a Hepatitis assessment and screening program, and a task force to study behavioral health services in the Commonwealth.

Rep. Stanley Signs Veterans Resolution

Rep. Stanley attended a rally to support our nation's veterans and signed onto the resolution calling for further investigation of U.S. department of Veteran Affairs.  The resolution comes after recent reports alleged that over 40 veterans have recently died while awaiting admission and care in VA facilities throughout the nation.  Reports have also alleged that VA officials have attempted to hide waiting lists and backlogs.  These troubling reports have demonstrated that veterans in our nation are not receiving the service and care they are entitled to.  Each day, 22 veterans in our nation commit suicide.  If we cannot rely on our federal government to provide our veteran services, we will continue to fail our nation's true heroes.  As George Washington once said, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation."

  Rep. Stanley at the rally

Rep. Stanley Announces Comprehensive Autism Legislation

Rep. Stanley helped pass comprehensive autism legislation that will help foster independence for autistic individuals and provide their families with financial tools for long-term planning.  The bill permanently establishes a state Autism Commission and creates new programs and enhances resources for individuals, families, and education professionals. The Autism Commission will be responsible for making recommendations and monitoring the implementation of policies to improve autism care in the Commonwealth. 

One provision, widely referred to as the ABLE program (Achieving a Better Life Experience), is designed to encourage and assist families with financial planning for individuals with disabilities. Modeled on a federal bill pending in Congress, the tax-advantaged savings accounts can be used to help plan for disability-related expenses, enabling parents of children with disabilities, as well as older individuals with disabilities, to pay for long- term costs.  Contributions to the account grow tax-free and distributions from the account for qualified disability expenses are also tax-free.  Eligible costs include expenses for education, medical and dental care, job training, housing, transportation, financial management, assistive technology, home improvements and other uses.

The legislation also ensures that as the number of students with autism increases, school districts and teachers are able to provide effective education. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will develop a training program to help teachers educate those with autism in a manner that is individualized and allows them to stay in classrooms, if appropriate.  The bill will also expand the IQ-based eligibility requirement for adult services provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) so that these services can be effectively extended to those requiring care.

Governor Patrick Announces Over $1.4 Million in Federal Funding to Strengthen the Advanced Manufacturing Sector

Governor Patrick announced over $1.4 million in federal funding to help manufacturers and other companies impacted by sequestration and defense budget cuts to diversify their markets. The grant will help the defense industry, which employs over 130,000 Massachusetts residents, identify and pursue other markets to sell their products and services. The Governor also announced the launch of two initiatives designed to strengthen the Commonwealth's manufacturing sector by providing free life sciences training to manufacturers and combining the energy usage of many companies into a single buying group, giving more manufacturers increased control over their energy costs.

The federal funding was awarded to MassDevelopment by the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment. MassDevelopment applied for this funding as part of their defense sector initiatives with the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force. The Task Force's mission is to support the mission and people at and surrounding the Commonwealth's military installations. This grant will help strengthen organizations who rely on DoD and Department of Homeland Security funding, with or without a local connection to a military installation, to expand their reach to new markets, and will help map a strategy that will capitalize on the Commonwealth's competitive advantage within its defense industry. Phase I will develop an overall approach to mitigate the effect of defense cuts on the economy. Phase II will be developed as a result of the findings and strategy set forth under Phase I.

Governor Patrick Signs Next Steps in Anti-Bullying Legislation

Governor Patrick signed H. 3909, "An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools." The legislation requires school districts, charter schools, approved private-day schools, residential schools and collaborative schools to develop bullying prevention plans that will ensure they remain safe and supportive places for the Commonwealth's students to learn and thrive. It also includes procedures for collecting, maintaining and reporting bullying incident data.

Under the legislation, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be required to analyze collected bullying data and publish annual reports on the frequency and nature of incidents. Additionally, DESE will develop a survey to be administered to students every four years to assess overall school climates and the prevalence, nature and severity of bullying to better determine measures needed to prevent it.

New Support for Job Training, Employment Readiness Skills for Homeless and Low-Income Families

Governor Patrick announced $1 million in funding to connect homeless and low-income families with services to help some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable citizens overcome barriers to work and succeed in life. These Secure Jobs Initiative grants will help connect them with suitable employers in jobs with long-term career pathways. The Governor made the announcement at the Jewish Vocational Services organization in Boston, which assists individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers.

Through five regional partnerships, these grants will help homeless and low-income families receive job training and placement skills, as well as access to child care services so that they can successfully attain and thrive in their careers. These partnerships will increase coordination and local innovation to improve the Commonwealth's ability to serve the needs of low-income and homeless families.

The Secure Jobs Initiative represents a strong collaboration between DHCD, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), regional housing networks, nonprofit organizations and philanthropic organizations, many of whom participate on the Secure Jobs Advisory Board.

Boston Strong License Plate Bill Signed Into Law

Governor Patrick signed H. 3664, "An Act Relative to a Massachusetts Boston Strong License Plate," which directs the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to establish a license plate memorializing the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings adorned with the phrase "Boston Strong."  All proceeds from sales of the license plate will be distributed to the One Fund or, in the event of its dissolution, another non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to the victims of last year's Marathon attacks.

Government Center Station Closure

Beginning March 22, 2014, Government Center Station will be closed for two years while crews work to reconstruct the station into a fully accessible, safer, modern, more comfortable facility.  During the Station's closure, both Blue and Green Line trains will pass through Government Center Station but will not stop there.  For more information, click here. 

Treasury invites you to Operation Money Wise

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.