News from Beacon Hill

Rep. Stanley Receives Committee Assignments

In the 189th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Rep. Stanley will serve as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.  He will also serve as a member of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Joint Committee on Revenue, House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.

Rep. Stanley Attends MAGIC Legislative Breakfast

Rep. Stanley attended the Minuteman Advisory Group on Inter-local Coordination (MAGIC) Legislative Breakfast on February 27th in Bedford.  MAGIC is a group of 13 communities northwest of Boston working collaboratively on issues of regional concern.  The group focuses on transportation, the environment, energy, open space, affordable housing, economic and community development, and legislative issues.  MAGIC consists of representatives from Acton, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Sudbury.  To learn more, click here. 

Governor Baker Unveils Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Proposal

The Baker Administration filed a budget proposal with the Legislature for Fiscal Year 2016 that right-sizes state government and fuels economic growth across the Commonwealth. The budget recommendations include increased investments in local aid, education, homelessness and reliable transportation, while instituting reforms to curb overall spending, and holds the line on new taxes and fees.  The $38.062 billion proposal increases investments in education, local aid and transportation, and holds line on taxes and curbs overall spending growth to three percent. Click here to learn more. 

Governor Baker Requests $200 Million in Chapter 90 Transportation Funds for Municipalities

Governor Baker has filed H.D. 3712, "An Act Financing Improvements to Municipal Roads and Bridges," to allocate $200 million in Chapter 90 transportation funds to the Commonwealth's cities and towns for local transportation infrastructure improvements. The Administration released $100 million in budgeted Chapter 90 transportation funds, which with the passage of this legislation, would make $300 million in funding available for the 2015 construction season. Chapter 90 funding is issued by municipality and predetermined by a formula that includes factors such as population, road miles and employment.

Chapter 90 reimburses cities and towns for costs incurred for eligible transportation projects. Cities and towns must submit receipts to the MassDOT Highway Division district in which they are located which verifies that the expenditures qualify for reimbursement under Chapter 90. The Highway Districts in turn submit these receipts to the Department of Transportation's Fiscal Department which facilitates the reimbursements to cities and towns. Funding for Chapter 90 is accomplished through the issuance of bonds.

FY16 Budget to Include Tax Amnesty Program

The 2016 fiscal year budget proposal will include a tax amnesty program to generate $100M.  The program is for taxpayers of all tax types who have not previously filed in Massachusetts (non-registrants), plus taxpayers known to DOR who have not filed and have not yet been assessed by the Department of Revenue (DOR) for failing to file.  The amnesty program would run for all of fiscal year 2016.  The last non-filer tax amnesty program ran in 2002, and generated $176 million.

Snow Storm Loan Fund to Help Small Businesses Recover from Lost Storm Revenue

The Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has approved a snow storm loan fund to help small businesses regain financial stability and recover from lost storm revenue.  MGCC will make up to $1 million in loan funds available to provide micro-loans of $5,000 to $10,000 to small businesses located in communities impacted by the harsh winter weather, particularly those in Boston and in gateway cities. It is anticipated that this program will run through May 2015.  MGCC will be responsible for funding the loan, managing the loan portfolio, collection of interest and principal payments and all decision-making regarding loan approval. For more information about the application and terms and conditions of the loan, please visit www.massgcc.com.

Governor Baker Appoints Paul Sagan to Chair Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Governor Baker announced the appointment of Paul Sagan to chair the 11-member Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).  Among other duties, Sagan will spearhead the Board's effort to solicit public input on the Commonwealth's upcoming choice between two alternative statewide student assessments, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), and the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).  Mr. Sagan will replace BESE Board member Karen Daniels whose term expired in January. Outgoing Chair Margaret McKenna will remain on the Board; her term expires in 2019.

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Expanded Early Retirement Program Would Not Provide Savings

Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore announced that extending a proposed budget-balancing early retirement program to public employees outside the executive branch would most likely not produce savings.  To help close what Gov. Baker called a $1.8 billion budget gap, he included $38.1 billion in his fiscal 2016 budget an early retirement program targeting 4,500 executive branch employees.  The program would accompany controls to limit new hires to backfill vacated positions to 20 percent of the payroll savings gained from the program. Baker expects the program would result in $178 million in savings.  The measure does require legislative approval.

Governor Charlie Baker announced his commitment to broadband expansion initiatives designed to narrow existing gaps in high-speed Internet access for residents and businesses in Western Massachusetts.  The Administration will commit up to $50 million in existing capital funding to the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) for broadband expansion initiatives. These state funds will be used to catalyze significant additional municipal and private investment, and will support innovative, sustainable, locally-led projects.

Governor Baker signed an Executive Order reinforcing the administration's priority to coordinate and increase diversity and inclusion within state government. The Executive Order elevates the Office of Access and Opportunity (OAO) directly to the Governor's Office, and creates a position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Access and Opportunity to lead the office. Previously, the work of OAO had been housed within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance. The Executive Order also establishes a cross-government Steering Committee for Access and Opportunity of key administration leaders.

Governor Charlie Baker announced the first steps of his plan to attack the growing opioid addiction crisis in the Commonwealth, including the establishment of a 16 member Working Group and a call on insurers to more effectively manage opioid prescribing practices.  The Working Group will collaborate with experts and a broad range of interest groups to review resources and the manner in which they are utilized, preside over four public events, to be held in different regions of the state, to listen to communities and ignite conversation and ideas, and complete their work and submit a list of recommendations by May.

Governor Baker announced the selection of national leaders in transportation, economic development and municipal planning to perform an in-depth diagnostic review of the MBTA's core functions.  The panel will synthesize recent MBTA studies, conduct a performance review, examine the T's core functions and benchmark results with other transit operations in order to ascertain the status of the system's governance, finances, and capital planning. The special panel is expected to complete its review by the end of March.

The experts include Jane Garvey, a national leader in transportation policy and top pick for Secretary of Transportation in the Obama administration, Jose A. Gomez-Ibanez , the Derek C. Bok Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy at Harvard University, and Katie Lapp, former Executive Director and CEO for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, North American's largest transportation network.  Paul Barrett will serve as chair.

Governor Baker, in regional partnership with the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island, announced a coordinated process to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for clean energy resources.  The Administration also has directed the Department of Energy Resources to file a request with the Department of Public Utilities to open a docket to consider options for natural gas capacity expansion.

Electric distribution companies within Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are collaborating with their respective state agencies to issue a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for clean energy resources.  The RFP is a competitive bidding process conducted by the electric utilities, in coordination with their respective state agencies.  It seeks proposals from suppliers from renewable resources such as wind, solar, and other non-carbon emitting sources.

Additionally, the Administration has directed the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to file a request with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to commence a process to consider how the electric utilities can pursue gas capacity contracts that would improve winter reliability and lower winter electricity costs.  DOER will file documents with the DPU to explore how gas expansion could be pursued under existing law and ask the DPU to obtain public input.  DPU will then consider any comments received and may issue a written order providing direction to the electric utilities on how they should proceed.  The utilities would follow the DPU-stipulated process and file any proposed contracts for review and approval as part of evidentiary hearings. 

Governor Baker signed an Executive Order today to begin the process of bridging the workforce skills gap in Massachusetts, establishing a Workforce Skills Cabinet chaired by the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Ron Walker, and comprised of the Secretaries of Education, Housing and Economic Development and others as required. The cabinet is charged with creating and implementing a strategy to develop workforce skills to meet the varying needs of employers in the Commonwealth's regions, today and in the future.

The Workforce Skills Cabinet will develop goals, objectives and metrics with the input of individuals, businesses, government agencies and community-based organizations and advocacy groups, identifying, recommending and ultimately implementing by region, suggestions to improve alignment amongst state policies, programs, resources to improve workforce skills, job readiness and vocational and educational opportunities, reporting their progress back to the Governor.

The Director of Education and Workforce Development, a jointly funded position in the Executive Office of Education, will be elevated to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and coordinate with the Governor's Office, the Workforce Skills Cabinet, and with external groups.

Governor Baker unveiled a series of reforms aimed at reducing family homelessness and proposed a $20 million 'End Family Homelessness Reserve Fund.' The proposals reorganize efforts around prevention, support aggressive casework to shorten the length of shelter stays and task the Executive Office of Health and Human Services with implementing the new policies to combat homelessness.

These reforms and the $20 million 'End Family Homelessness Reserve Fund' proposal will be part of the administration's Fiscal Year (FY) '16 budget. An additional $2 million for homelessness support services at the Department of Mental Health is also included in the budget, and the administration has identified an additional $1.5 million for the HomeBASE program, which provides short-term housing assistance.

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.

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.