News from Beacon Hill

House Adopts Stanley Amendment to help Major Job Centers

The House of Representatives adopted Rep. Stanley's amendment to the Economic Development Bill which will help qualified municipalities address their downtown parking demands. Traditionally, cities and towns seek to resolve parking issues by constructing new garages which often seem like a quick fix at the time.  However, to build a garage, communities need to make a major capital outlay for construction and then come up with continued funding for operations and maintenance.  Sometimes parking cover these expenses, but more often than not, they don't.  In addition to the high costs of construction and maintenance, parking garages also use up valuable land in downtown areas that could otherwise put into productive, revenue-generating uses for the community.

Rep. Stanley's amendment will provide major job centers of the Commonwealth, municipalities seeing more than 30,000 daily visitors, with assistance to address downtown parking challenges.   According to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development's latest published data set (2012), there are 15 communities across the Commonwealth that host at least 30,000 jobs, which meet the criteria for this benefit as a major jobs center.

The House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a hearing on H.4009, An Act providing for the preservation and improvement of land, parks, and clean energy in the Commonwealth (The Environmental Bond Bill). Included in the bill is funding for the University of Massachusetts Center for Urban Sustainability in Waltham. The Waltham Legislative Delegation (Rep. Tom Stanley, Rep. John Lawn and Sen. Michael Mike Barrett), along with Waltham Planning Director Catherine Cagle, testified before the Committee in support of the bill.  Rep. Stanley and the delegation submitted an amendment to restore funding; see story below.

The House adopted Rep. Stanley and Rep. Lawn's amendment to the Environmental Bond Bill to restore $20 million to the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Center for Urban Sustainability in Waltham.  The funding was cut by the House during the legislative process but Rep. Stanley and Rep. Lawn filed the amendment to restore funding for this important program. The allocation will fund the design, rehabilitation or construction of a 20,000 square foot research and extension building at the Center, which will conduct research and advance urban sustainable agriculture through public-private partnerships.  The research will focus on urban agricultural issues related to food security, safety and access, environmental stewardship and workforce development.

The Center's goal is to create a financially self-sustaining entity in which UMass Amherst collaborates with private and public organizations and agencies on metropolitan Boston's first "sustainability mall".   The building will feature organizational offices, conference and learning spaces, complemented by community-supported farming, agricultural incubator enterprises practicing urban farming of the future inside, as well as applied research and demonstration of best green landscape practices for urban and suburban residents on the surrounding land outside.  The Center will become a hub for programs related to food security and access, environmental stewardship, urban agriculture and workforce development in urban settings.

New and innovative science-based and best management practices and research will be on display and taught to visitors for them to bring back to and share with their own communities.  Solutions for managing urban natural resources such as water, soil, waste, energy, pollution, and wildlife will be available to learn.  This includes being instructed how to install a working roof top garden, managing storm water practices, what to do with contaminated soils, and best practices for composting food waste.  Methods and techniques for sustainable environments, urban agriculture and food systems will also be educational features of the center.  Visitors will be able to find information about water and wetland remediation tools, low input plants, community gardens, nutrient crop production, and greenhouse management.  Those seeking training for sustainability careers will be able to use the new UMass Green School, and agriculture and green industries for workforce development.

Rep. Stanley Attended DOR Finance Forum

Rep. Stanley and 128 local officials joined Department of Revenue (DOR) Division of Local Services staff on Thursday, June 5th for the annual New Officials Finance Forum in Worcester. With an emphasis on the basics, the day fostered a team approach to municipal finance by developing an understanding of the responsibilities of the various offices as well as their interrelationships.  Deputy Commissioner Robert Nunes provided opening remarks and topics presented during the seminar included an overview of municipal government, the budget process, the tax recapitulation process and reserve and debt policies. Attendees also participated in group exercises with DLS table facilitators.

House passes Transportation Bond Bill

Rep. Stanley helped pass a $12.7 billion bond bill to assist Massachusetts communities in paying for local transportation-related projects.   The bond bill authorizes $300 million in Chapter 90 funding to help cities and towns complete road, bridge and infrastructure improvement projects. This marks the eighth consecutive year that the House has either raised or level-funded Chapter 90.  The legislation will improve and modernize the state's infrastructure system through projects including $2.97 billion for state-wide roadway and bridge projects; $350 million in investments for Regional Transit Authority improvements; $125 million to support the Department of Conservation in preserving and improving historic parkways; and $2.5 billion for MBTA rail improvements including new Red and Orange Line cars.

The bill also includes $50 million in grant monies for the 'complete streets' project which supports investments that accommodate users including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit.

Rep. Stanley and his colleagues in the House voted in favor of Rep. John Lawn's bill to extend the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual assault to bring civil claims against their abusers.  Rep. Stanley cosponsored the bill which will enable victims of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits up until the time they turn 53 years old, an additional 35 years on top of what is currently allowed.   The bill will also increase from three years to seven years the period in which a lawsuit can be filed after the recovery of repressed memories of childhood abuse.  The Senate approved similar legislation and members from both branches are now working to establish a compromise bill which will head to the Governor for approval.

Rep. Stanley helped pass a comprehensive election laws bill that will authorize early voting for biennial state elections starting in 2016. With the Governor's final approval, Massachusetts will become the 33rd state in the nation to allow early voting. The bill also creates an online voter registration system and will allow 16 and 17-year olds to preregister to vote in the Commonwealth for the first time. Gov. Patrick signed the bill into law.

Early voting for biennial state elections will begin 11 business days before an election and end at the close of the polls two business days before the election. The Secretary of State will disseminate regulations regarding the process for establishing additional early voting locations and for applying for, receiving, separating, compiling, recording and securing early voter ballots.

The bill requires the Secretary to create an online voter registration system as well as an online tool where voters can check their voter registration status and inform them of their polling place. Any voter registered in a political designation that does not run a candidate on the ballot now will be considered unenrolled for the purposes of the primary and will receive a ballot of a political party of one's choosing.

To better track election results and ensure than voting machines are counting votes accurately, the bill allows the state to conduct election audits during presidential general election years in races that have more than one candidate on the ballot for President and Vice President, Representative in Congress, Senator in Congress, State Representative and State Senator, as well as one statewide ballot question. Precincts to be audited must be chosen in a random drawing and the number selected must be equal to 3 percent of all precincts in the Commonwealth. The Secretary of State will oversee the audits, and if a discrepancy arises, additional audits may be performed.

The bill also establishes an Election Laws Task Force to undertake a study on election issues including, but not limited to: the costs of early voting, administrative requirements of implementing and providing early voting for additional elections, expanding the use of technology including employing election day mobile alerts and "e-voting," and more accessible voter registration such as same-day registration.

The bill also requires municipal election officials to attend annual trainings given by the Secretary of State regarding applicable state and federal election laws, and the training must be offered at no cost to the municipality or individual; requires the Secretary of State to create a waiver system to allow cities and towns to request permission to hire fewer election officers than currently required in the General Laws; clarifies that the police detail requirement at polling locations does not apply to early voting sites, but a city or town may opt to detail police officers at its own expense; eliminates the requirement for a cancellation device on voting machines - Massachusetts is the only state with this requirement; and requires the Secretary of State to conduct a study to review existing laws with regard to residency requirements for purposes of voting and report to the Legislature by August 1, 2015.

Rep. Stanley and his House colleagues approved comprehensive economic development and jobs legislation which aims to further strengthen Massachusetts' innovation industries and position the state as a global leader both economically and culturally through forward-looking solutions including a focus on emerging industries, investments in workforce development and education, and promoting targeted regional growth.

The legislation invests $1.5 million in MassCAN, a public-private partnership which requires matching investments dollar-for-dollar, for the development and implementation of a program to establish widespread, progressive computer science education in public schools. It creates and provides $2 million for the Big Data Innovation & Workforce Fund to promote the use of big data and analytics industries, provide tools for related career development and explore how analytics can help address problems of public concern like transportation, energy and public health.

The legislation also invests $2 million in the Talent Pipeline initiative, a program that has won national praise since its creation through the 2012 economic development law. The program encourages students and young innovators to get a head start on their futures by matching stipends for interns at innovation start-ups, and providing mentoring opportunities for new entrepreneurs.

Governor Patrick swore in Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Dr. Jeffrey Leiden as the new Co-Chair of the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Advisory Council. Together with the Council's Honorary Chair Congressman Joe Kennedy, this leadership model will enhance STEM related efforts in the Commonwealth. Dr. Leiden brings more than 20 years of scientific, commercial and financial experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and clinical experience in academia as a practicing cardiologist and molecular biologist. As Co-Chair of the STEM Council, Dr. Leiden will play a leading role to strengthen industry partnerships in promoting STEM opportunities across Massachusetts.

Governor Patrick announced a $10.3 million investment to build or renovate playgrounds and spray parks in all 54 cities in Massachusetts.  Through the Our Common Backyards program, EEA will commit up to $200,000 to fund projects in each city. Most projects will go into construction over the spring and summer, with the goal of completing all 54 projects by the end of 2014. EEA worked with each city to agree on projects that advanced the goals of the program and the communities. In most cases, cities are contributing additional funding towards the construction of playgrounds and spray parks. In total, cities are expected to spend nearly $4.5 million this year to improve parks in connection with the Our Common Backyards program.

Governor Patrick signed S. 2063, "An Act to Prevent Shackling and Promote Safe Pregnancies for Female Inmates." The bill, sponsored by Senator Karen Spilka and Representative Kay Khan, strictly limits the use of restraints, including handcuffs and leg irons, on pregnant inmates and establishes a minimum level of care that must be afforded to pregnant inmates in county correctional facilities.

The use of restraints has, until now, been governed by emergency regulations the Department of Correction (DOC) instituted at the Governor's direction following the Re-entry Summit in February where he announced a ban on this practice in county-run facilities. Regulations previously prohibited this practice in state prisons, but that ban did not extend to all correctional facilities in Massachusetts until now. Under the legislation, the DOC will be directed to develop appropriate standards of care for inmates in both state and county facilities compliant with National Commission on Correctional Health Care standards.

The legislation prohibits inmates in labor or those in post-delivery recuperation from being restrained at all, absent extreme cases. The bill also provides that female inmates be screened for pregnancy upon admission to a correctional facility and receive non-directive counseling, daily exercise, appropriate prenatal nutrition and medical care if pregnant while also stipulating that the correctional officer present for any medical examination of an inmate be female, if possible, and ensure the privacy of the patient.

Governor Patrick announced new support for homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers across the Commonwealth, including the production of new affordable homes and access to reduced-cost mortgages through various lenders.  The $9 million in funding, supported by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Housing Stabilization Fund, will create over 160 new affordable and market rate homes across the Commonwealth. The funds allow the homes to be priced so they are affordable to low and moderate income residents.

The announcement comes as 26 mortgage lenders and over 1,000 first time homebuyers have signed on and utilized the Mass Homeownership Compact, a commitment among lenders to originate mortgage loans to first-time home buyers with household incomes below the area median income.

Maeve Vallely Bartlett will serve as Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). Prior to the swearing in, Bartlett served as Environment Undersecretary.  With over 20 years of experience in the environmental field, Bartlett has served as Environment Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Planning, Assistant General Manager for Environmental Compliance at the MBTA and General Counsel at EEA. Bartlett has also served as Senior Enforcement Council at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A resident of Newton, Bartlett earned her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Wheaton College, and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.

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

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.

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

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 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.

Health Care Cost Containment Website

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.

Mass.gov Offers Open Government Website

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.

File for unemployment insurance benefits online or by phone

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.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

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

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

 
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. 

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.

The Scouting programs of Massachusetts offer many varied opportunities for youth.  Cub Scouting is a year-round, family-oriented part of the Boy Scouts of America program designed for boys who are in first through fifth grades (or are 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the 10 purposes of Cub Scouting: character development, spiritual growth, good citizenship, sportsmanship and fitness, family understanding, respectful relationships, personal achievement, friendly service, fun and adventure, and preparation for boy scouts.

The Girl Scouts of America programs are also available for the same age range. In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

If you're interested in either program, the best way for you to get information is through the "Be a Scout" tools online.  Just enter your address, and the information for the closest units will be displayed. For info on Boy Scouts, visit https://beascout.scouting.org/.  For info on Girl Scouts, visit

http://www.girlscouts.org/join.asp.

The Stanley Report is a great way to spread the word about an upcoming event!  Please forward any community, civic or nonprofit upcoming events that you would like included in next month's Stanley Report.  If interested, please email Mark Phillips, Rep. Stanley's legislative assistant, with information about your event.    

The Lexington Arts & Crafts Society