News from Beacon Hill

House Approves Bill to Balance Budget

After Gov. Baker identified a $768 million budget gap, the House met to approve a bill (153-1) to balance the state budget with redirected revenues and spending cuts. The bill establishes a corporate tax amnesty program and redirects capital gains tax receipts into the general fund while cutting spending across state government.

In the new legislative session, House Speaker Robert DeLeo will focus on clean energy policies, early education and economic development in MA.  DeLeo noted that high energy prices are problematic to individuals, families and businesses and he will look for clean energy policies to help keep rates down.  Additionally, DeLeo's priorities include substance abuse and behavioral health.  DeLeo reiterated that he is not interested in raising taxes or adding fees.

MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott resigned this week after months of record snowfall created service problems on the transit system. Scott is under a three-year contract which would have expired in December 2015.  She said will work until April 11 to aid in a smooth transition.  Governor Baker met with MTBA officials after the announcement and will work with them to assess the issues that have plagued the agency in recent weeks and developing operational and maintenance plans moving forward.

Governor Deploys National Guard, Requests Additional Equipment for Snow Removal

Governor Baker deployed 500 Massachusetts National Guardsmen to assist with snow removal and cleanup efforts for areas of the Commonwealth most impacted by heavy snowfall from recent winter storms.

The National Guard will mobilize their heavy equipment, including front end loaders, bobcats, and dump trucks, to communities starting this afternoon to assist with snow removal.  Other National Guard teams will be deployed to shovel out fire hydrants, dig out passageways, and clear snow around public safety building or critical areas.  The Vermont National Guard will also be sending equipment and personnel to Massachusetts to assist with cleanup efforts.

Governor Baker also announced that through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Commonwealth has authorized the purchase of two additional snow-melting machines and more heavy equipment from surrounding states to clear roadways and sidewalks.  The snow-melters can process about 120 tons of snow per hour, or about 25 truckloads of snow every hour. MEMA will coordinate these resources to the communities with the greatest public safety need.

AG Healey Alerts Consumers to Beware Of Identity Theft during Tax Season

With tax season underway, Attorney General Maura Healey is offering helpful information for consumers on how to protect their information against identity theft and avoid scams.  Tax identity theft happens when someone files a fake tax return using your personal information - like your Social Security Number - to get a tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It also can happen when someone uses your Social Security number to get a job or claims your child as a dependent on a tax return. Tax identity theft has been the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the past five years. The IRS also reports receiving thousands of complaints about IRS imposters who contact people and claim they owe unpaid taxes and will be arrested if they do not pay up.  Consumers may find out something is wrong after they file their tax return, or if they receive a letter from the IRS saying that more than one tax return was filed in their name, or if IRS records show wages from an employer that they do not know. To learn more, click here.

Governor Baker Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Municipal Partnerships

Governor Baker signed his first Executive Order, creating the Community Compact Cabinet, to elevate the Administration's partnerships with cities and towns in all communities of the Commonwealth.  Chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, the Community Compact Cabinet will allow the Governor's Office to work more closely with leaders from all cities and towns.

The order allows Lt. Gov. Polito to be a champion for municipal issues across state government and restructures the Department of Revenue to include a new Senior Commissioner for the Division of Local Services, reporting directly to the Commissioner.  It also creates a Community Compact Cabinet that will work toward mutual accountability, work to reduce red tape, promote best practices, and develop specific "community compacts" with local governments.  These community compacts will create clear, mutual standards, expectations, and accountability for both the state and municipalities as we seek to create better government for our citizens.

Baker Administration Announces Health Connector, MassHealth Appointments

Governor Baker announced two key healthcare appointments who will be tasked with ensuring that Massachusetts' Medicaid population are receiving proper coverage and that healthcare consumers have the tools necessary and readily available to seek out insurance on the private market and Connector website.

The position of Director of MassHealth will be elevated to Assistant Secretary for MassHealth under Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders and appointed Daniel Tsai to that post. This change in designation will allow for enhanced coordination between MassHealth and other state agencies and empower policy, payment and service reforms needed to benefit members and the Commonwealth.

Louis Gutierrez, a longtime information technology and planning specialist in the private sector and state government, was announced as the Executive Director for the Massachusetts Health Connector. Mr. Gutierrez will be officially appointed to the post by Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore under her office's statutory authority as Chair of the Health Connector Board of Directors.

Daniel Bennett will serve as Secretary of Public Safety

Governor Baker named Worcester County Senior First Assistant District Attorney Daniel Bennett as Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety. Bennett brings two decades of legal experience to the administration, and is recognized for his work as a public prosecutor and effective manager committed to public safety.

Bennett has been a Senior First Assistant District Attorney in Worcester County since 2011 where he was named a 2013 Prosecutor of the Year by the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association.  Prior to joining the Worcester District Attorney's office, Daniel was senior trial counsel in the Middlesex District Attorney's office where he began his career as an assistant district attorney in 1994.  In between two terms of service with the Middlesex District Attorney's office, Daniel worked in the gang unit of the Suffolk District Attorney's office and spent eight years in private practice. 

Stephanie Pollack will serve as Secretary of Transportation

Governor Baker named Stephanie Pollack as Secretary of Transportation. An expert on transportation policy and transit financing, Pollack has spent the last nine years as an Associate Director for Research at Northeastern University's Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy and currently serves as a senior strategy consultant for public policy in both the private and non-profit sectors.

Pollack has worked on transportation policy, finance and equity as Associate Director for Research at the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University since 2005, where she has also served as an adjunct professor sharing her skills and experience with the next generation of public policy leaders.  Stephanie has also provided over a decade of strategic consulting on transportation issues to the public and private sectors including the Boston Transportation Department and Massachusetts Port Authority, following a distinguished career at the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston.  She has been active in public policy issues affecting transportation, development and sustainability nationally and locally, serving on numerous boards and advisory bodies including MassDOT's Transportation Advisory Committee and chairing the Transportation Advisory Committee in her hometown of Newton.

Sign up for Prescription Advantage Online or Over the Phone

Massachusetts residents who are elderly or living with disabilities can get supplemental assistance through Prescription Advantage to help pay for prescription drugs without insurance. Prescription Advantage is a prescription drug assistance program run by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA).  Prescription Advantage provides prescription drug coverage for eligible Massachusetts residents, including assistance with co-payments based on yearly household income, as well as an annual out-of-pocket spending limit. And for members with a Medicare Prescription Drug plan, Prescription Advantage can help to fill the coverage gap commonly referred to as the "donut hole."  Click here to learn more. 

AG Healey Urges Nine Oil Companies to Eliminate Synthetic Drugs from Retail Locations

Concerned about the dramatic increase in the use of synthetic drugs over the past four years, Attorney General Maura Healey joined a coalition of states in asking nine oil companies to collaborate with their franchisees to help eliminate synthetic drugs from retail locations operating under their brand names, including gas station and convenience stores. More than 28,000 people, many of whom were younger than 17, went to the emergency room after using synthetic marijuana. Since then, thousands more have been harmed by synthetic drugs. Enforcement agencies have confirmed more than 130 instances of branded gas stations having sold synthetic drugs in 29 states.     

AG Healey expressed concern over the problem of gas stations and convenience stores operating under brand names of reputable oil companies and selling illegal and extremely dangerous synthetic drugs. Many of these well-known retail locations give the appearance of safety and legitimacy to dangerous synthetic products. The attorney generals state that enforcing stronger policies against the sale of synthetic drugs in retail locations can protect the brand reputations of these oil companies while also protecting our youth.   To learn more, click here.

MA Health Connector

Visit the Massachusetts Health Connector website which helps MA residents find the right health insurance - with expert advice and affordable plans from top carriers.  With up-to-date information, expert advice, free quotes, and affordable health plans from top carriers, Health Connector helps Massachusetts residents find the right health insurance and avoid tax penalties. Click here to learn more. 

Northeast Utilities Announces New Name

Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU), which operates New England's largest energy delivery company, today announced it will begin doing business under the new brand name of Eversource Energy on February 2nd. All of the company's subsidiaries, including Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P), NSTAR Electric, NSTAR Gas, Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH), Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) and Yankee Gas Services Company (Yankee Gas) will adopt and operate under the Eversource name.

The company's re-branding initiative will officially take place on February 2nd. Customers will receive more information regarding the brand change after the launch. As part of the change, Eversource plans to trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol ES. Changes to the comp

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.

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. 

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. 

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.