|
News from Beacon Hill
Election Day is 11/4
The general election will take place on November 4th. Polls are open from 7am until 8pm. For complete information on voting, please visit the Elections Division website
Residents will vote on four ballot questions on 11/4
Election Day is set for November 4th, 2014 and voters will see four questions on the ballot, according to Secretary of State William Galvin, the state's elections chief. The questions will include the potential of the elimination of gas tax inflation indexing at the top, the proposed expansion of the bottle deposit law, the initiative aiming to repeal the 2011 casino law and an initiative looking to guarantee earned sick time for employees.
LWVMA Launches Online Voters' Guide
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts proudly presents its Voters' Guide to Statewide Offices, featuring questions and answers from all 21 candidates for statewide offices on the November ballot. The Guide is now available on the League's website, www.lwvma.org.
The five candidates for governor answered questions on economic development, education, transportation, climate change and health care. Candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor answered questions specific to those offices. Voters can use the guide to read each candidate's responses to all the questions or to read all the candidates' responses to a particular question.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues.
MA DPH Responds to Ebola Virus Outbreak
One of the most basic and ongoing responsibilities of the Department of Public Health is monitoring and responding to emerging health threats, whether in Massachusetts or on the other side of the globe. The recent outbreak of Ebola virus in western Africa has attracted worldwide attention and a coordinated response from public health authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) among many others. Here in Massachusetts, DPH infectious disease and emergency preparedness specialists are closely monitoring the ongoing response to Ebola in Africa - just as we do for any other outbreak of illness or disease. To learn more, click here.
New Health Exchange Website to Launch 11/15
The new health exchange website is set to go live for the start of open enrollment on Nov. 15. Officials are testing the website, training customer service representatives and conducting outreach to roughly 450,000 residents who may need to use the site to sign up for insurance. The website will be able to handle roughly 40,000 concurrent users every hour browsing the website anonymously and 20,000 consumers an hour filling out applications and entering personal data into their accounts.
26th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month lasts from September 15 - October 15. During this time, there have been have events showcasing the social and civic contributions and rich heritage of the Massachusetts Hispanic community. This year's theme, "Civic Reflections: Promoting Diversity in Leadership" 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 ten percent identify as Hispanic or Latino. The Latino population is rapidly growing; as such social issues similar to other minority communities are prevalent.
According to the United States Library of Congress, National Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for Americans to celebrate "the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America." First recognized as a week-long observation under President Lyndon B. Johnson, President Ronald Reagan later expanded the holiday from September 15 to October 15.
Ways And Means Moves Spending Bill
House Ways and Means approved a $77.8 million spending bill to finish fiscal year 2014, which ended on July 1. The spending bill ratifies 69 collective bargaining contracts, extends a benefit for active duty members of the military and includes $20 million for a federal home heating assistance program. The bill increases by $5 million an area of the tax credit statute, and sends $31 million to the Cambridge Public Health Commission once the entity transfers $15.5 million into the Medical Assistance Trust Fund.
Governor Patrick Tours Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.
Governor Patrick joined state and local officials and Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. staff to tour the Ocean Spray manufacturing facility and discuss the growth of the Commonwealth's robust advanced manufacturing sector. Massachusetts is home to over 7,000 manufacturers with 250,000 employees. Governor Patrick proclaimed September 29, 2014 to October 3, 2014 as Advanced Manufacturing Week in Massachusetts, underscoring the Administration's support of the robust advanced manufacturing industry and its workforce throughout the Commonwealth. The week-long celebration coincides with national efforts to promote the role advanced manufacturing plays in the economy, with the third annual National Advanced Manufacturing Day, celebrated on October 3.
Third Straight Year of Double Digit Job Growth in Clean Energy Industry
The Massachusetts clean energy sector saw double-digit job growth for the third consecutive year and now employs more than 88,000 workers in the Commonwealth. The 2014 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report shows that the clean energy sector has grown by nearly 50 percent since 2010 and now includes 88,372 employees and 5,985 businesses. From July 2013 to July 2014, clean energy jobs in Massachusetts grew by 10.5 percent.
The Massachusetts clean energy sector is now a $10 billion industry, responsible for 2.5 percent of Massachusetts' Gross State Product. Employers are optimistic about the future, predicting a 13.3 percent jump in clean energy employment over the next year, with clean energy employment expected to surpass 100,000 in early 2015.
Nanobiotix Expands into Massachusetts
Nanobiotix, a clinical-stage nano-medicine company pioneering novel approaches for the local treatment of cancer, will be opening its first U.S. office in Massachusetts. Governor Patrick met personally with officials from Nanobiotix at this year's Bio Convention in San Diego this past June to explain the benefits of doing business in the Commonwealth. The announcement was made on the last day of the Governors Massachusetts-France Innovation Partnership Mission in Paris. Nanobiotix is focused on the development of NanoXray, a pipeline of products that are based on a physical mechanism of action. NanoXray products are built on the existing standard of care and can be used with existing radiation equipment available in almost every hospital worldwide.
Four Nominations to the Superior, District and Boston Municipal Courts
Governor Patrick announced four judicial nominations: Boston Municipal Court Judge Robert N. Tochka as Associate Justice of the Superior Court; Jeanmarie Carroll as Associate Justice of the Quincy District Court; David E. Frank as Associate Justice of the Concord District Court and Lisa A. Grant as Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester Division.
Tochka was appointed to the District Court bench in 2002. He has been serving as an Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court since 2004. Prior to his judicial appointment, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County for 18 years, including three years in the Appellate Division and 12 years in Superior Court. Carroll has had a distinguished 26 year legal career in the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, serving as the First Assistant District Attorney since 2009 and as Chief of the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit for 12 years. Frank has been a sole practitioner in Boston since 2005, focusing on criminal defense in the District and Juvenile Courts. He previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in Bristol County for four years and in Suffolk County for three years. He has been as a faculty member of the Harvard Law School Trial Workshop since 2006. Frank is the managing editor of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Grant has 17 years of experience as a public defender with the Committee for Public Counsel Services ("CPCS"). She served as a trial unit staff attorney for nine years, a supervisor for six years and the managing director of the southeast region for the past two years. This fall, Grant is working as a visiting professor in the Criminal Justice Clinic at Boston College Law School.
Agreement with Cape Wind for Use of the South Coast Marine Commerce Terminal
Cape Wind has entered into a lease agreement with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to stage its historic, first-in-the-Nation offshore wind project out of the South Coast Marine Commerce Terminal located on New Bedford harbor, a project that from construction through operation will create hundreds of new jobs. MassCEC expects Cape Wind to begin operations at the terminal site in January 2015.
The two-year lease agreement calls for Cape Wind to pay MassCEC $4.5 million in rent for use of the 28-acre facility. The South Coast Marine Commerce Terminal is the first facility of its kind in North America, and has been specifically designed to handle the heavy loads associated with the staging of offshore wind projects. The terms of the lease include an option for two one-year extensions. This week Cape Wind announced it will file a request for modification of its Construction and Operations Plan with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to allow the use of the South Coast Marine Commerce Terminal for deployment of the Cape Wind project. MassCEC broke ground on the terminal project in April 2013. Construction of the terminal is 80 percent complete and is scheduled to be completed in December 2014.
The terminal, located inside New Bedford Harbor and protected by the hurricane barrier, was designed as a multi-purpose facility and engineered to sustain the heavy loads of some of the largest cranes in the world. More than 21 acres of the South Coast Marine Commerce Terminal's main terminal site has the ability to sustain uniform loads of 4,100 pounds per square foot and concentrated loads of up to 20,485 pounds per square foot. This allows for heavy cranes to be mobile throughout the site, increasing the efficiency of the facility and providing logistical flexibility for terminal operators. The terminal is positioned in close proximity to the Cape Wind project, as well as many other offshore wind planning areas along the East Coast including large development areas in federal waters off the coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The U.S. Department of Energy projects 43,000 clean energy jobs will be created in the offshore wind industry nationally by 2030 and Massachusetts is poised to claim a strong portion of those jobs with its first-to-market position. Since 2009, the Commonwealth has been working with the federal government, tribes and local officials on the establishment of the Massachusetts Wind Energy Area. There are more than 742,000 acres in federal waters off the shore of Massachusetts - the largest offshore wind planning area along the East Coast. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab estimates that the area has the potential to generate between 4,000 and 5,000 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power more than half of the homes in Massachusetts. The federal government will be conducting an auction to lease this area for commercial wind energy development in December 2014.
Gov. Patrick Leads Innovation Partnership Mission to Denmark, UK and France to Grow the MA Global Economy
Governor Patrick announced he will lead a coalition of the Commonwealth's government and industry leaders on an innovation partnership mission to Denmark, the United Kingdom and France to expand opportunities between the Commonwealth and these three European countries for economic development and job creation in the innovation economy, clean tech, digital gaming, financial services, workforce training and education sectors.
From September 14, 2014 - September 19, 2014, the Innovation Partnership Mission made stops in Copenhagen in Denmark, London in the United Kingdom and in Lyon and Paris in France. The Governor and members of the delegation visited companies and business organizations in sectors important to the Commonwealth's continued economic growth, and meet with top business and government leaders to highlight all that Massachusetts has to offer.
During the mission, the Governor met with leaders of the global offshore wind industry to tour the Lilligrund Wind Farm off the coast of Copenhagen, met with England's Financial Secretary to Her Majesty's Treasury David Gauke and other top government officials in the United Kingdom, and deliver an address at the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) International and Paris Chamber of Commerce's event in Paris. MEDEF International is France's largest union of employers.
Edward M. Kennedy Institute Announces March 2015 Public Opening
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate (EMK Institute) announced it will open to the general public with a formal dedication in March of 2015. Housed in a beautiful 65,000 square-foot facility designed by world renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, the Institute will be a dynamic center of learning and civic engagement. It will use cutting-edge technology to convey the history of United States Senate and its pivotal role in America's development and governance.
The Institute is located next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The location, on the University of Massachusetts - Boston campus on Columbia Point, will enrich the cultural and educational life of Boston and the region and serve the country as a center of national and international scholarship and public discourse. As construction nears completion, a planned rollout will bring the Institute to life in stages in the next year with three tracks of targeted outreach, public activities, and initial programming leading up to the public dedication next March. For more information about the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, please visit www.emkinstitute.org. Follow the Institute on Twitter @emkinstitute.
Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvement Project Update
Throughout the months of September through November 2014 the MBTA will be continuing construction of major improvements on the Fitchburg Line. This is the second year of a 3-year improvement project to improve track, signals, bridges, and stations to reduce trip time and increase service reliability. To facilitate the efficient completion of this work, weekend service has been suspended on the line from July 12th through November 16th, 2014. Click here for additional information.
Learn about West Nile Virus
WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. In 2013, there were eight human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur. To learn more about protecting yourself and your loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes, click here.
Government Center Station Closure
Government Center Station is 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.
"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.
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
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.
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. 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. 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.
| 
