News from Beacon Hill

Rep. Stanley Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony at Walden Pond State Reservation

Rep. Stanley attended the Walden Pond Visitor Center Phase 1 Groundbreaking Ceremony with Governor Deval Patrick, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett, DCR Commissioner Jack Murray, and Senator Mike Barrett.  Funding for the project was included in the Environmental Bond Bill passed earlier this year.

The project includes a new visitor's center, solar canopy and two electric vehicle charging stations at DCR's Walden Pond State Reservation. The $8 million investment includes new visitor center powered by solar parking canopy and electric vehicle charging stations.

The new near net-zero energy Visitor Center will be a model of green technology, featuring sustainable building materials, a super insulated building, high-efficiency windows and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.  The new building will feature interior and exterior exhibits, public bathrooms and larger meeting and administration space.  The project will also include pedestrian safety improvements and greater accessibility for people of all abilities.

Rep. Stanley serving on Enough Abuse Campaign Board

Rep. Stanley is serving as a Board member on the Enough Abuse Campaign.  The Enough Abuse Campaign is a grassroots movement gaining momentum across the country.  Developed in Massachusetts, the Campaign has been adopted by New Jersey and Maryland and has now been launched in New York and California. To learn more about the group, visit http://www.enoughabuse.org/.

The Enough Abuse Campaign will hold a Training of Trainers in January 2015 to prepare participants to educate parents, youth, professionals and other concerned adults in the community about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. Trainers must agree to present a minimum of four training sessions on a volunteer basis in their community or area within the next 12 months.  To be considered for this training opportunity and to be certified as an Enough Abuse Campaign Trainer, participants must be willing to commit to the full two days of training.  If you are interested, please contact Rep. Stanley or Jetta Bernier, Executive Director

Massachusetts Citizens for Children at 617-742-8555 ext. 2 or jetta@masskids.org.

Work, Community, Independence (WCI) Selects Rep. Stanley as its Representative of the Year

Work, Community, Independence (WCI) recently selected Rep. Tom Stanley as its Representative of the Year for 2014.  WIC based its decision on Rep. Stanley's ongoing support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

WIC will honor Rep. Stanley at its Annual Awards Banquet and Dinner on Tuesday, December 9th at 6pm at the Hellenic Cultural Center on 25 Bigelow Avenue in Watertown.  More than 250 individuals, family members and staff will attend the event. 

Work, Community, Independence is a private non-profit agency providing 24 hour and less than 24 hour homes and apartments and employment/day supports to people with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. "To foster the greatest possible degree of independence and competence for individuals with intellectual disabilities" has been WCI's goal for four decades. WCI encourages individuals "to live, work, be a part of the community and achieve their optimal lifestyle." WCI provides flexible options to people it supports as each individual's needs are different.

Gov. Patrick swore in the 2014 - 2016 members of the Governor's Statewide Youth Council. The 28 members, representing all14 counties of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are the fourth Youth Council class and will serve for two years.  Gov. Patrick established the Youth Council Executive Order in April of 2008 to encourage young people to become involved in their communities and to participate in tackling the state's biggest challenges, such as education reform, teen violence, and climate change, and by assuming leadership and planning roles.

Applications to the Council are reviewed by the Governor's Office and a working group, comprised of current Council members and Adult Sponsors, as well as state and private sector employees. Members range from ages 14-20.

The Youth Council holds formal bi-monthly meetings, focusing on the Governor's priorities of education, economic development, civic engagement, and community outreach, and advising the Governor as representatives of all Massachusetts youth. In addition to bi-monthly meetings, members also gather independently to discuss issues happening in local communities and how state government can partner with these communities to create solutions. The Members were selected by an application review committee for their excellence in leadership and their outstanding potential to create change in their communities.

America's First Day Hikes 2015

On January 1st, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will host America's First Day Hikes 2015 at 12 park locations across the Commonwealth. With over 450,000 acres, spanning Boston to the Berkshires, Massachusetts state parks boast a variety of beautiful settings for year-round outdoor recreation, and each hike will offer a unique natural and cultural environment. The First Day Hikes tradition began more 20 years ago in MA, and has now become a national event. 2015 will mark the 4th consecutive year that all 50 states have held First Day Hikes. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.  To learn more and access a list of hikes, click here. 

Gov. Patrick announced $1.5 million in funding to build on the Patrick Administration's efforts to make Massachusetts a hub for the emerging water innovation sector. Governor Patrick was joined by University of Massachusetts Amherst and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials as they announced $4.1 million in federal funding for a national center for drinking water innovation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Gov. Patrick honored 25 law enforcement officers and one K-9 from state and local law enforcement agencies during the annual Massachusetts State Trooper George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery ceremony. The 31st annual presentation included 11 awards to 25 police officers, one posthumously, and one canine. MIT Officer Sean A. Collier was shot and killed while on active duty on campus during an encounter with the suspects of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Gov. Patrick announced the designation of 13 new Green Communities. With a total of 136 participating cities and towns, more than half of all Massachusetts residents now live in a Green Community. In addition to recognizing the new communities, Governor Patrick celebrated the success of seven communities in achieving the program's 20 percent energy use reduction goal and released the program's first ever progress report links to PDF file.

The March of Domes plans to launch a smoking cessation campaign in 2015 and is seeking support from the MA legislature.  One out of 10 women smoke during pregnancy in the United States. The group would like the lawmakers to help them boost awareness of smoking-related birth problems, which can be linked to 23 to 34 percent of all Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cases. In 2013, the Commonwealth spent 4.4 percent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended $90 million on anti-tobacco programs, ranking behind 34 other states and Washington, DC. According to the March of Dimes, approximately 5 to 8 percent of all pre-term births are related to smoking, and 13 to 19 percent of low birth-weight babies can be attributed to smoking during pregnancy.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) announced grant awards to 23 communities across Massachusetts to help first responders save lives by providing funding for opioid overdose response training and naloxone units that can be used to reverse overdoses.

Winter Heating & Energy Savings Resources

In preparation for the upcoming winter, please be aware of winter energy efficiency and renewable energy resources available to Massachusetts consumers. The most up to date information including energy efficiency programs and rebates, do-it-yourself options and help with utility/fuel bills and fuel assistance can be found here.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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

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