Rep. Stanley meets with MBTA officials about Fitchburg Line
Rep. Stanley joined Sen. Barrett and other lawmakers representing cities and towns along the Fitchburg line in a meeting with MBTA officials on Monday (11/23). After hearing concerns from many constituents unhappy with the new MBTA commuter rail schedule, the Fitchburg line legislative delegation effectively conveyed to the MBTA how the schedule changes created hardships for many constituents. The next day, the MBTA decided to delay the new schedules until the spring, promising more pubic engagement and input.
DOR Chief Positive about Job Growth and Wages
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance hosted the Fiscal Year 2017 Consensus Revenue Hearing, soliciting testimony from experts in the fields of state finance and revenue. At the meeting, Department of Revenue Commissioner (DOR) Mark Nunnelly projected tax revenue growth of at least 3 percent in the fiscal year 2016 and near 4 percent in 2017. Nunnelly recently addressed lawmakers and stated that revenues will end the fiscal year between $69 million and $231 million above the current fiscal 2016 estimates. This represents a growth of 3 percent to 3.7 percent from fiscal 2015, when revenue came in higher than projected. According to Nunnelly, income tax collections make up about 57 percent of the state's tax revenues, followed by sales taxes at 23 percent, and corporate and business taxes at 10 percent.
Rep. Stanley Attended Boston Premiere of the HBO documentary film, "Heroin: Cape Cod, USA"
On Tuesday evening (12/15) Rep. Stanley joined HBO filmmaker Steven Okazaki and special guests Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, First Lady Lauren Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders for the Boston Premiere of the HBO documentary film, "Heroin: Cape Cod, USA" at the Revere Hotel in Boston. All legislators were invited. After the screening, Governor Baker, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito, filmmaker Steven Okazaki and others took some time to discuss the film and the opioid epidemic.
Americans' dependence on and abuse of prescription opiates has set the stage for the devastating heroin epidemic that is hitting big cities and small towns across the country. This powerful new documentary by Oscar winning director Steven Okazaki follows the tragic highs and lows of eight young addicts in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Rep. Stanley Supports Bill to Improve Public Records Laws
Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation that updates its public records laws and enhances accountability measures. The legislation enumerates a timeframe and process in which requested documents must be produced and ensures that judicial remedies can be sought. This consensus legislation represents the first update to state's public records law in more than 40 years. Under the bill, Massachusetts will have standardized processes through which the public can access records and guidelines for the fees associated with obtaining documents.
This legislation requires municipalities and agencies to designate a records access officer to assist the public and facilitate timely responses. To create a predictable and rigorous timeline for responses, the bill mandates that records access officers comply with a request within ten business days of receipt. If the officer is unable to do so, he or she must contact the requester to identify pertinent documents, provide a fee estimate and specify why more time is needed. The bill caps the amount of time that may be taken for a response. Agencies must comply within 60 days, and municipalities must comply within 75 days. An extension may only be granted one time.
To ensure that the public can access records for a reasonable fee, agencies and municipalities will be prevented from charging for the initial time spent responding to a request, unless that request exceeds two hours for municipalities and four hours for agencies. The hourly rate at which an agency or municipality can charge for a request is also capped in this bill, a provision which was not previously included in Massachusetts' public records law. Fees and costs can be appealed by the requesting party and, accordingly, the supervisor of public records may reduce any unreasonable fee.
The judicial provisions, processes and remedies contained in this bill significantly heighten enforceability and accountability measures. Previously courts were unable to award attorney fees, address improperly incurred costs or award civil damages. Under this legislation, courts will now be able to award attorney fees, reduce or waive costs, and award civil damages. Additionally, the bill expands the Attorney General's powers by granting the Attorney General the power to file an enforcement suit against any agency or municipality, and intervene in cases involving public records. It also empowers the Attorney General to seek civil penalties for violations of public records laws.
With changes included in the bill, records must be provided electronically and agencies must post commonly requested public records online. Records access officers will keep track of requests, response times and fees charged.
This bill follows the launch of free public WiFi to the State House and the Legislature's updated website which received the Online Democracy Award, initiatives intended to facilitate public engagement.
Legislature Passes Solar Energy Legislation, Lifts Net-Metering Cap
The legislature passed legislation that immediately raises the net-metering cap while providing a long-term roadmap for future solar development beginning once Massachusetts reaches its 2020 solar energy goals. This bill provides a predictable and stable framework for the continued growth of the state's solar industry while the House advances its work on omnibus energy legislation. The immediate cap increase, which equals 2 percent for private facilities and 2 percent for public facilities, will allow the majority of net metering projects currently in the development pipeline to progress. This change represents a 44 percent increase of the overall cap.
These changes will better protect our ratepayers and ensure a cost-effective approach to the further development of solar power. Currently Massachusetts' incentives are the highest in the country. This legislation formally recognizes Massachusetts' goal of developing 1600 megawatts (MWs) of solar power in the Commonwealth by 2020. All solar projects that are developed prior to the Commonwealth reaching the 1600MWs mark will be grandfathered in under existing incentive programs.
Upon meeting that goal, several reforms would be launched including providing a framework for the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to create a new, less-costly incentive program that reflects a mature solar industry; ensuring that all ratepayers using the distribution system help pay for the maintenance, reliability and safety of our electric grid; and reforming our net metering program to more closely align with the price of power provided by the state's other electric generators.
Leo Roy Named Commissioner of Department of Conservation and Recreation
Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton announced that Leo Roy will serve as Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Roy returns to public service after 15 years in the private sector, most recently as a Principal at VHB - an infrastructure planning, design, engineering, and environmental firm. Roy brings to the Department of Conservation and Recreation his experience in natural and cultural resource management, sustainability, ecological restoration, and agency management.
As an environmental consultant Roy worked for state and municipal governments, colleges and universities, airport and port authorities, and private corporations and developers. He was named a LEED Fellow by the US Green Building Council for over a decade's work in promoting sustainable building design, construction, and operation, and was certified as an Envision Sustainability Professional by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure in 2012.
Previously, Roy served as Massachusetts Undersecretary of Environmental Affairs from 1992 to 1997. He has been an active supporter of numerous non-profit environmental organizations, serving on the Board of the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC), and as Chair of the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership.
New Home Mortgage Loan Program for Massachusetts Veterans
Governor Baker announced a new mortgage program designed to make it easier for Massachusetts veterans to purchase their first home. MassHousing's Operation Welcome Home loan is available to active duty members of the Armed Forces, members of the Reserves and Massachusetts National Guard, honorably discharged veterans and Gold Star Family members.
Qualified borrowers can receive up to 100% financing on a single-family home or condominium. Low downpayment options are also available for two-family and three-family homes. There are approximately 380,000 veterans living in Massachusetts, of which approximately 30,000 are in the prime home buying age group of 18 to 35.
MassHousing developed the loan program after finding that VA loans have some restrictions that make it more challenging to use in Massachusetts than in other states. There are relatively few lenders in Massachusetts offering the VA loan. MassHousing's loan will be particularly useful for purchasing a unit in a small condo development. VA loans can typically be used only in larger condo developments.
MassHousing has a long-standing partnership with Fannie Mae which makes the Operation Welcome Home program possible. Fannie Mae will purchase the 97% financing first mortgage loans, while MassHousing will retain the 3% second mortgage loans. Operation Welcome Home borrowers will make their monthly payments to MassHousing which will service the loans at their Boston offices.
Operation Welcome Home loans for which the borrower makes less than a 20% downpayment will include MassHousing's MIPlus™ mortgage insurance. MIPlus includes unemployment protection at no additional cost to the borrower. The benefit will cover the borrower's principal and interest payments up to $2,000 for up to six months in the event of a job loss. For a member of the Reserves or National Guard, activation or deployment overseas will make them eligible for the unemployment benefit as well.
Comprehensive information about how to qualify and apply for an Operation Welcome Home loan can be found on MassHousing's website
www.masshousing.com.
New Bills Support Veterans and First Responders Signed Into Law
Governor Baker signed five pieces of legislation supporting members of the Armed Services, veterans, first responders and their families, including bills making "stolen valor" a crime punishable by imprisonment and/or fine and granting Purple Heart recipients free access to state parks. The five bills signed into law by Governor Baker are:
An Act relative to the false representation of military status (H.B. 1641), making it a crime, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, a fine of $1,000 or both, for any person to fraudulently represent themselves as an active member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, including through the unauthorized use of military gear, regalia or honors with the intent to obtain money, property or any other tangible benefit.
An Act providing free access to certain parks and recreation areas to Purple Heart recipients (H.B. 3243), adding recipients of Purple Hearts to the list of persons exempt from admission fees at state recreation areas and parks, under section 2D of chapter 132A of the General Laws.
An Act providing further penalties for intentional loss or damage to a gravestone or other grave marker (H.B. 1600), requiring any person convicted of willfully damaging a war memorial, gravestone, or veteran's gravemarker to pay restitution to property owners in addition to existing provisions imposing imprisonment and fines.
An Act relative to the removal of commemorative flag holders from the graves of veterans and certain police and fire personnel (H.B. 3173), adding the American Flag, commemorative flag holders, and other emblems memorializing service by veterans, police officers, and firefighters to the list of objects protected from theft or destruction under MGL Chapter 272 Section 73.
An act relative to grave markers to commemorate the grave of a veteran, police officer or firefighter (H.B. 1306), making it a crime to buy or sell stolen grave markers, headstones and monuments honoring veterans, police officers and firefighters.
Bill to Crack Down on Fentanyl Trafficking
State officials signed a fentanyl trafficking bill into law. This legislation, titled "An Act Relative to the Trafficking of Fentanyl," was authored by Attorney General Healey and will increase the penalty for the possession and distribution of fentanyl to 20 years for distributing more than 10 grams.
Previously, individuals that were caught with large quantities of fentanyl could only be charged with possession or possession with the intent to distribute. The legislation has been endorsed by the Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police, Massachusetts Major City Chiefs, several District Attorneys and the Learn to Cope organization and represents an additional step in the state's efforts to address the opioid crisis in the Commonwealth.
Separately, numerous recommendations from the Governor's opioid working group have already been enacted to begin eradicating this public health crisis. The administration has budgeted more than $114 million in spending for substance misuse prevention, education and treatment, increased bulk purchasing of Narcan in municipalities and changed reporting requirements for the Prescription Monitoring Program from 7 days to 24 hours. One hundred and thirteen treatment beds have opened in six communities (Quincy, Plymouth, New Bedford, Boston, Westborough, Fall River) with more expected in Greenfield this winter.
Gov. Baker Signs Legislation Establishing Massachusetts' Workforce Development Board
Governor Baker signed legislation establishing the Massachusetts' Workforce Investment Board to improve the public workforce system and enhance regional economies around the Commonwealth by focusing on employers' growing need for skilled workers. Required by federal law and currently defined by state statute (MGL, Ch. 23H, §7), the Massachusetts Workforce Development Board advises the governor and the secretary of Labor and Workforce Development with the mission to build a strong workforce system aligned with state education policies and economic development goals.
The legislation signed, "An Act establishing a State Workforce Development Board" (H 3772), is based on a bill introduced by Governor Baker in June reconstituting the state's Workforce Investment Board, reducing its membership from 65 members to 33 and ensuring the makeup of its membership continues to comply with federal requirements under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA was signed into law by the President on July 22, 2014 reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 after more than a decade to transform the nation's workforce system, and to invest in a skilled workforce.
The Workforce Development Board is charged with developing plans and policies, which are approved by the Governor, to coordinate services through One-Stop Career Centers and workforce boards. The board also issues policy recommendations to align the public workforce system and improve performance accountability, and will develop strategies to promote workforce participation of women, people of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities across industry sectors.
Administration Introduces Municipal Modernization Bill
Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito introduced legislation to improve critical components of the partnership between state and municipal governments by eliminating or updating obsolete laws, promoting local independence, streamlining state oversight and providing municipalities with greater flexibility. This bill reflects the fact that expectations have changed concerning municipal government, ushering in significant improvements in professional management, and that advances in technology have profoundly changed the manner in which municipalities operate.
In April, through the Division of Local Services (DLS), the administration posed to local officials what the Commonwealth could do to improve their ability to deliver quality services to their constituents and the feedback included more than 550 individual responses and more than 1,300 suggestions from over 215 municipalities and 20 regional school districts. The administration has also completed internal reviews and met with numerous professional associations, including the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), Massachusetts Association of Public Purchasing Officials (MAPPO), Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO), Massachusetts Collectors/Treasurers Association (MCTA), and Massachusetts Municipal Auditors and Accountants Association (MMAAA).
The four foundational themes for the proposed municipal modernization bill are: eliminating or updating obsolete laws; promoting local independence; streamlining state oversight; and providing municipalities with greater flexibility. The need for modernization is further reflected by the fact that the proposed bill includes amending laws that haven't been modified since the early 1900's.
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