DOCSLIB.ORG

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2019-2020 Legislative Session

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2019-2020 Legislative Session LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2019-2020 Legislative Session ad We advocate for strong environmental laws and regulations on a broad range of issues. • Encouraging adequate funding for • Creating sustainable management of our state environmental programs water resources • Combating climate change • Ensuring stewardship of our urban and • Supporting compact, walkable state parks communities • Reducing the use of toxic chemicals • Building a 21st century transportation • Increasing recycling and reducing solid system waste FIRST TIER PRIORITIES Green Budget DEP Admin, DCR Parks, NHESP, and DER Our environmental agencies remain underfunded and understaffed. Adequate budgets for DEP, DCR, NHESP, and DER are critical to maintaining Massachusetts’ clean air and water and the public health of our residents. An Act Relative to Multi-State Offshore Wind Procurement H2920 – Representative Dave Rogers Compels Massachusetts to reach out to the other New England states to explore issuing a joint procurement for 6 GW of new offshore wind. It would also authorize Massachusetts to enter into such an agreement and direct utilities to purchase this new power. Between 4 and 9 GW of older fossil and nuclear power plants will close in coming years. It should be replaced by clean, inexpensive, and plentiful offshore wind. An Act to Promote Green Infrastructure and Reduce Carbon Emissions H2810 – Representative Jen Benson Puts a price on carbon emissions and creates new revenue while ensuring low and moderate income families are protected. In order to meet our GWSA mandates, we need to accelerate our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This market based approach would result in significant emissions reductions. An Act to Create a 2050 Roadmap to a Clean and Thriving Commonwealth H832 – Representative Joan Meschino Amends the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) to require carbon neutrality by 2050. It would authorize carbon pricing, identify pathways to eliminate carbon from all sectors, and require 2030 and 2040 interim emission limits. 1 An Act providing for climate change adaptation infrastructure investments in the Commonwealth S10 – Governor Charlie Baker Increases the real estate transfer tax to fund the Global Warming Solutions trust fund; which would fund the Municipal Vulnerability Program (MVP)and other resiliency initiatives. Greenworks Speaker Robert DeLeo Legislation under development; would generate $1 billion over 10 years, through bonding, to fund municipal level projects needed for resiliency and mitigation. SECOND TIER PRIORITIES Energy An Act relative to energy savings efficiency (Energy SAVE) H2832 – Representative Josh Cutler Updates the energy efficiency standards for appliances. An Act re-powering Massachusetts with 100% renewable energy H2836/S1958 – Representative Marjorie Decker and Senator Jamie Eldridge Sets a goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2035, and 100% renewable energy economy- wide (including heating and transportation) by 2045; accelerates the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2035; requires the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to set interim renewable energy targets for 2030 and 2040, and issue regulations to meet those targets; and establishes a Clean Energy Workforce Development Fund to support training and job placement assistance for Massachusetts residents to work in the clean energy industry. An Act relative to enhancing reliability of renewable resources in the Commonwealth H2862 – Representative Thomas Golden Enhances the Commonwealth’s usage of energy storage. An Act relative to the continued enhancement of the offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth H2867 – Representative Patricia Haddad Reforms the offshore wind procurement process by removing utilities from the selection committee and removing the decreasing price requirement. Also codifies the additional 1600 MW approved last session. An Act sparking the modernization of state heat systems H2930/S1803 – Representative Tommy Vitolo and Senator Harriette Chandler Creates statewide heat pump training program at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center; begins to change the gas utility business model to lower incentive to oppose clean heating conversions, lowers the risk of stranded costs after 2040, and requires that any gas conversions must be efficient; and updates state building “lead by example” statute and requires non-fossil heating for new state buildings. An Act to secure a clean energy future H2802/S2005 – Senator Marc Pacheco and Representative Ruth Balser 2 This is the Senate energy omnibus that passed the Senate last session; it includes a requirement to establish a carbon pricing mechanism, an increase in the Renewal Portfolio Standard (RPS), and solar and EV initiatives. An Act to combat climate change S1924 – Senator Michael Barrett Directs the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary to establish a market based mechanism to reduce GHG emissions. Proceeds from a price on carbon would be used for appropriate rebates, and to support transit (60%), school aid (30%) and environmental health and justice (5%). An Act promoting clean energy storage S1977 – Senator Adam Hinds Establishes a new exemption for the cost of energy storage systems, at the sole discretion of a municipality. The exemption will be allowed for a period of twenty years from the date of the installation of such system or device. In addition, the Department of Energy Resources is required to establish a rebate for Massachusetts-based companies installing and manufacturing energy storage systems, and provides a sales tax exemption for the sale of energy storage systems. Environmental Justice An Act relative to environmental justice and toxics reduction in the Commonwealth H761/S464 – Representative Michelle DuBois and Senator Jamie Eldridge Codifies environmental justice language relative to human exposure to environmental toxins. Land An Act to sustain natural and working lands carbon in communities H842/S2014 – Representative Sarah Peake and Senator Bruce Tarr Enables the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to accurately measure carbon stored by, and released from, natural and working lands. It sets a goal for increasing the size of our natural carbon sink, and develop a plan to reach it with public and private lands. Also establishes the Communities for a Sustainable Climate Program for municipalities (like the Green Communities Program), which provides technical assistance and funding to communities that opt in and adopt carbon-friendly local policies and practices. An Act relative to the conservation land tax credit H2522/S1767 – Representative Bradley Jones and Senator Bruce Tarr Increases the Credit Against Taxes Imposed for Qualified Donation of Certain Land to Public or Private Conservation Agency and Income Tax Credits to from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 over three consecutive tax years. The enhanced credit is to expire December 31, 2029. An Act relative to pipeline siting S2000 – Senator Marc Pacheco Prohibits the department of public utilities from approving pipeline capacity contracts or gas storage contracts that involve the installation of gas infrastructure on environmental conservation lands protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution; voids future approvals of contracts located on Article 97 protected lands. Mitigation 3 An Act to expand the green communities program to mitigate climate change H2841/S1987 – Representative Carolyn Dukema and Senator Jason Lewis Builds on the successful Green Communities program that more than half of MA municipalities have adopted by creating a new “Green Plus” designation that focuses local efforts on greenhouse gas emissions reduction. To qualify, municipalities first establish a community-wide GHG emissions baseline and then put in place a comprehensive program to reduce GHG emissions by at least 20% within 5 years. Participating municipalities then have access to funds to implement their plans. It also includes a provision to allow DOER to develop alternate regulations to allow those communities served by municipal light plants to participate in both Green Communities and the new Green Plus Communities programs. Recreation An Act establishing the Office of Outdoor Recreation S484 – Senator Adam Hinds Creates the Office of Outdoor Recreation to be housed within EEA with the purpose of promoting and marketing outdoor recreational activities of the commonwealth to the public, to support economic development in the commonwealth and to improve the quality of life, health and well-being of residents in the commonwealth. The secretary of energy and environmental affairs shall designate a competent and qualified person to be the director of the office of outdoor recreation. Resiliency An Act establishing the commission for a climate-ready Commonwealth H825/S433 – Representative Adrian Madaro and Senator William BrownSerger Establishes a thirteen member Commission for a climate-ready commonwealth to advise the legislature on how to fund, implement and prioritize climate resilience and climate adaptation infrastructure projects that will protect against and avoid risks posed and expenses incurred by climate change; articulates the qualifications of Commission members; identifies several specific areas of investigation for the Commission; provides that the Commission be supported by staff from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection; requires the Commission to submit
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MCSW Annual Report, FY 2020
    th Charles F. Hurley Building | 19 Staniford Street, 6 ​ Floor | Boston, MA 02114 | ​ Phone: (617) 626-6520 | Email: [email protected] ​ 1 Table of Contents Remarks from the Chair . 4 ​ Commissioners, Staff, and Interns . 4 ​ ​ Introduction . 5 ​ Charges . 5 ​ ​ Organization . 5 ​ ​ 2020 Recommendations to Appointing Authorities. 6 ​ MCSW FY 2020 Budget . 6 ​ Programs, Advocacy, and Education. 8 ​ Public Hearings . 8 ​ ​ International Women’s Day . 8 ​ ​ Advocacy Day . 9 ​ ​ Seventeenth Annual Commonwealth Heroines Program . 9 ​ ​ Girls Initiative . 10 ​ ​ ​ MCSW Internship Program . 10 ​ ​ ​ ​ Priority Legislation . 10 ​ Regional Commissions . 12 ​ Local Women’s Commissions . 13 ​ ​ ​ Regional Commission Annual Reports . 14 ​ Berkshire Regional Commission Annual Report . 14 ​ ​ Cape Cod and Islands Regional Commission Annual Report . 17 ​ ​ Eastern Regional Commission Annual Report . 24 ​ ​ Essex County Regional Commission Annual Report . 27 ​ ​ Hampden County Commission Annual Report . 29 ​ ​ Hampshire-Franklin Regional Commission Annual Report . 31 ​ ​ MetroWest Regional Commission Annual Report . 38 ​ ​ ​ ​ Plymouth County Commission Annual Report . 42 ​ ​ Upper Middlesex Commission Annual Report . 46 ​ ​ ​ Worcester Regional Commission Annual Report . 49 ​ ​ 2 Appendix . 53 ​ Cape and Islands Public Hearing Summary . 53 ​ ​ Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Meeting Agenda(s) . 60 ​ ​ Great Barrington Public Hearing Notes and Testimony . .75 ​ ​ Springfield Public Hearing Notes and Testimony . 78 ​ ​ Weymouth Public Hearing Notes and Testimony . 80 ​ ​ COVID-19 Virtual Public Hearing and Survey Data . 83 ​ ​ Advocacy Day 2020 . 91 ​ ​ Community Meetings: May 13-15, 2020 . 93 ​ ​ 3 Remarks from the 2019-2020 Chair On behalf of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, it is my pleasure to present a brief summary of our FY20 Annual Report.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013-2014 Legislative Scorecard
    Legislative Scorecard Votes and Leadership 2013-14 LEGISLATIVE SESSION - 1 - This is the inaugural edition of the Environmental League of Massachusetts legislative scorecard. We produced this scorecard to inform citizens about how their legislators voted on important environmental issues. We are pleased and grateful for the support of so many environmental leaders in the legislature. The scorecard relies first on roll call votes on legislation that deals with environmental and energy issues. Because there are so few roll call votes each session—and often these votes are unanimous—we have scored additional actions by legislators to further distinguish environmental champions. Bonus points were awarded to legislators who introduced bills that were ELM priorities or who introduced important amendments, particularly budget amendments to increase funding for state environmental agencies. In addition, we subtracted points for legislators who introduced legislation or amendments that we opposed. We want to recognize leadership and courage, in addition to votes, and have made every attempt to be fair and transparent in our scoring. Much happens during the legislative process that is impractical to score such as committee redrafts, committee votes to move or hold a bill, and measures that would improve flawed legislation. We have not attempted to include these actions, but we recognize that they greatly influence the process and outcomes. None of the bills or amendments scored here should be a surprise to legislators in terms of ELM’s support or opposition. Going forward, ELM will include votes and other actions that support additional revenues for transportation and promote transit, walking and biking. George Bachrach, President Erica Mattison, Legislative Director Highlights of the Session projects.
    [Show full text]
  • An Act to Provide Identification to Homeless Youth and Families
    ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Everyone Needs ID: An Act to Provide Identification to Homeless Youth and Families Senate Bill 2043 and House Bill 3066 Sponsored by Senator Harriette Chandler and Representative Kay Khan Lead Sponsors: Senator Harriette Chandler and Representative Kay Khan Senate Cosponsors: Senators Will Brownsberger, Jo Comerford, Julian Cyr, Sal DiDomenico, Jamie Eldridge, Cindy Friedman, Pat Jehlen, Jason Lewis, Mike Moore, and Becca Rausch House Cosponsors: Representatives Ruth Balser, Natalie Blais, Daniel Carey, Mike Connolly, Dan Donahue, Marjorie Decker, Mindy Domb, Carolyn Dykema, Nika Elugardo, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Sean Garballey, Carmine Gentile, Carlos González, Tami Gouveia, James Hawkins, Kevin Honan, Mary Keefe, David LeBoeuf, Jack Patrick Lewis, David Linsky, Adrian Madaro, Liz Malia, Paul Mark, Paul McMurtry, Liz Miranda, Jim O’Day, Elizabeth Poirier, Denise Provost, Dave Rogers, Lindsay Sabadosa, Jon Santiago, Tom Stanley, José Tosado, Steve Ultino, Aaron Vega, and Bud Williams Bill History: Both Senate Bill 2043 and House Bill 3066 were refiled in January 2019, and were reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Transportation in November 2019. S. 2043 was sent to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and may come up for a vote by the full Senate soon. H. 3066 was sent to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, and is awaiting action. Last session, the bill (Senate Bill 2568) passed the Senate unanimously. Importance of
    [Show full text]
  • Bristol County
    YOUTH JUSTICE VOTER GUIDE AND LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD: MASSACHUSETTS 2020 BRISTOL COUNTY WELCOME LETTER Each year, thousands of young people in Massachusetts come in contact with the juvenile justice system. These young people are disproportionately children of color, children from the child welfare system, children coming from areas of concentrated poverty, and LGBTQ children. For the majority of these young people, interactions with the juvenile justice system are overwhelmingly negative, and lead to poor outcomes and even increased delinquency. Progress in reforming our legal system into one that is fair and works to create positive outcomes for all system-involved youth, creating stronger and safer communities for everyone, is dependent on elected officials who support or oppose these reforms. This non-partisan voter guide is intended to ensure that you, as a voter, know your rights and are informed in our decisions. The primary focus of this voter guide is to provide the voting record of state elected officials currently in office. We also compiled information on resources from MassVOTE and the Massachusetts Chapter of the League of Women Voters regarding candidate forums in contested elections. This voter guide is intended for educational purposes. The above not-for-profit, non-partisan organizations do not endorse any candidates or political parties for public office. Table of Contents WELCOME LETTER IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES SPECIAL COVID-19 ELECTION LAWS: VOTE SAFELY BY MAIL THE KEY ISSUES QUESTIONS TO ASK CANDIDATES IN CONTESTED ELECTIONS VOTING RECORD METHODOLOGY KEY TO THE SCORECARD Bristol County State Senators Bristol County State Representatives PARTNERS IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION Am I eligible to vote? You must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen on election day and registered to vote at least 10 days before the election.
    [Show full text]
  • The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA 02133-1053
    The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA 02133-1053 April 7, 2020 David L. Bernhardt, Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20240 Dear Secretary Bernhardt, We are deeply dismayed and disappointed with the Department of the Interior's recent decision to disestablish and take lands out of trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on March 27, 2020. Not since the mid-twentieth century has an Interior Secretary taken action to disestablish a reservation. This outrageous decision comes as we mark 400 years since the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620 and recognize the People of the First Light who inhabited these shores for centuries before contact. The Department’s capricious action brings shame to your office and to our nation. Your decision was cruel and it was unnecessary. You were under no court order to take the Wampanoag land out of trust. Further, litigation to uphold the Mashpee Wampanoag’s status as a tribe eligible for the benefits of the Indian Reorganization Act is ongoing. Your intervention was without merit and completely unnecessary. The fact that the Department made this announcement on a Friday afternoon in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates a callous disregard for human decency. Mashpee Wampanoag leaders were focused on protecting members of their tribe, mobilizing health care resources, and executing response plans when they received your ill-timed announcement. As you are well aware, the Department of the Interior holds a federal trust responsibility to tribes, which includes the protection of Native American lands.
    [Show full text]
  • Preparing for a School Year Like No Other!
    BOSTON TEACHERS UNION, LOCAL 66, AFT Non-Profit Org. 180 Mount Vernon Street U.S. Postage Boston, Massachusetts 02125 PAID Union Information Boston, MA you can use. Permit No. 52088 Refer to this newspaper throughout the year. EVERYONE ¡TODOS IS SON WELCOME BIENVENIDOS BBOSTON TEACHERSU HERE! AQUÍ! TUNION BT U BT U The Award-Winning Newspaper of the Boston Teachers Union, AFT Local 66, AFL-CIO • Volume 53, Number 1 • September, 2020 President’s Report Jessica J. Tang Preparing For A School Year Like No Other! ypically, each fall, we begin the new caravan and rally ending at City Hall It is only through our collective Tschool year with much anticipation, with hundreds of members, filling the action, the demonstration of our unity, hope and expectation. We eagerly pre- parking lot of Madison Park and circling strength and purpose that we have been pare our classrooms and look forward to the BPS headquarters before heading to able to make progress since the “hop- meeting new students and a fresh start. circle City Hall. scotch” plan was revealed. Since then, 2020, however, has brought unprec- We joined hundreds of educators we were able to win a delay in the start edented challenges and the usual excite- from across the state the next week for of the school year so that educators had Jessica J. Tang ment that a new school year brings has another car caravan—this time circling time to get professional development and BTU President been filled with strife and anxiety of the the State House as hundreds more educa- training in safety and health protocols.
    [Show full text]
  • MA CCAN 2020 Program FINAL
    Source: Ballotpedia Source: Secretary of Commonwealth Massachusetts Senate *Denotes candidate does Candidates not have a website Senate District Democratic Republican Others 1st Bristol and Plymouth District Michael Rodrigues (i)* No candidate 1st Essex District Diana DiZoglio (i) No candidate 1st Essex and Middlesex District No candidate Bruce Tarr (i) 1st Hampden and Hampshire District Eric Lesser (i) No candidate 1st Middlesex District Edward Kennedy (i) No candidate 1st Middlesex and Norfolk District Cynthia Stone Creem (i) No candidate 1st Plymouth and Bristol District Marc Pacheco (i) No candidate 1st Suffolk District Nick Collins (i) No candidate 1st Suffolk and Middlesex District Joseph Boncore (i) No candidate 1st Worcester District Harriette Chandler (i)* No candidate 2nd Bristol and Plymouth District Mark Montigny (i)* No candidate 2nd Essex District Joan Lovely (i) No candidate 2nd Essex and Middlesex District Barry Finegold (i) No candidate 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District John Velis (i) John Cain 2nd Middlesex District Patricia D. Jehlen (i) No candidate 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk District Karen Spilka (i) No candidate 2nd Plymouth and Bristol District Michael Brady (i) No candidate 2nd Suffolk District Sonia Chang-Diaz (i) No candidate 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex District William Brownsberger (i) No candidate 2nd Worcester District Michael Moore (i) No candidate 3rd Essex District Brendan Crighton (i) No candidate 3rd Middlesex District Mike Barrett (i) No candidate 1 Source: Ballotpedia Source: Secretary of Commonwealth
    [Show full text]
  • January 27, 2021
    January 27, 2021 His Excellency Governor Charlie Baker Massachusetts State House 24 Beacon Street Office of the Governor, Room 280 Boston, MA 02133 Delivered Electronically and via Certified Mail Dear Governor Baker, We, the Merrimack Valley Superintendents Association, write to you as a unified group of 22 school superintendents joined in this effort by all 22 of the union presidents in our respective districts, to respectfully request that you reclassify educators and make them eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations during Phase 1 of the vaccination process. We cite the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in urging you to prioritize the health and well-being of our educators so that Massachusetts school districts can operate at the fullest possible strength as our nation begins to emerge from this global pandemic. In making our request, we cite the following: 1. Your office and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) have drawn from the guidance and wisdom of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which strongly advocates for students to return to, at a minimum, an in-person hybrid learning model. AAP further advocates that students should fully return to the classrooms where and when possible. 2. We, as educators and leaders, recognize and agree that the best place for learning for our children is in the classroom. 3. We have a profound responsibility to support the educational, emotional, physical, and mental well-being of the children across the Commonwealth. 4. First responders, healthcare workers, and educators share a commonality in their work in that they must come into contact with dozens or hundreds of people daily and often cannot be completely socially distant from those they serve.
    [Show full text]
  • TOWN of ACTON 2020 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT Town of Acton
    TOWN TOWN ACTON OF 2020 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT TOWN ANNUAL 2020 TOWN OF ACTON 2020 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT Town of Acton Incorporated as a Town: July 3, 1735 Type of Government: Town Meetings ~ Board of Selectmen/Town Manager Location: Eastern Massachusetts, Middlesex County, bordered on the east by Carlisle and Concord, on the west by Boxborough, on the north by Westford and Littleton, on the south by Sudbury, and on the southwest by Stow and Maynard. Elevation at Town Hall: 268’ above mean sea level Land Area: Approximately 20 square miles Population: Year Persons 1950 3,510 1960 7.238 1970 14,770 1980 19,000 1990 18,144 2000 20,331 2010 21,936 2020 22,170 Report Cover: (Top and Bottom Left) Groundbreaking at the North Acton Fire Station; (Top and Bottom Right) Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Miracle Field Sports Pavilion Photos courtesy of Town Staff 2020 Annual Reports Town of Acton, Massachusetts Two Hundred and Eighty Fifth Municipal Year For the year ending December 31, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Administrative Services 8. Public Works Board of Selectmen 4 DPW/Highway 96 Town Manager 5 Green Advisory Board 97 Public Facilities 99 2. Financial Management Services Board of Assessors 8 9. Community Safety House Sales 9 Animal Control Officer 101 Finance Committee 18 Animal Inspector 101 Town Accountant 18 Emergency Management Agency 101 Fire Department 101 3. Human Services Auxiliary Fire Department 109 Acton Housing Authority 28 Police Department 109 Acton Nursing Services 29 Commission on Disabilities 31 10. Legislative Community Housing Corporation 32 Annual Town Meeting, June 29, 2020 116 Community Services Coordinator 35 Special Town Meeting, September 8, 2020 127 Council on Aging 35 Health Insurance Trust 37 11.
    [Show full text]
  • Cloudfront.Net
    Would vote against abortion Would vote against Districts Candidates on-demand. Doctor-Prescribed Suicide Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Adam G. Hinds (D) Bristol and Norfolk Paul Feeney (D) X X 1st Bristol and Plymouth Michael Rodrigues (D) Mixed 2nd Bristol and Plymouth Mark Montigny (D) X Cape and Islands Julian Cyr (D) X 1st Essex Diana DiZoglio (D) Mixed 2nd Essex Joan Lovely (D) X X 3rd Essex Brendan Crighton (D) X 1st Essex and Middlesex Bruce Tarr (R ) Mixed 2nd Essex and Middlesex Barry Finegold (D) X Hampden James T. Welch (D) X 1st Hampden and Hampshire Eric Lesser (D) X 2nd Hampden and Hampshire Donald Humason, Jr. (R) ü ü Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Chelsea Kline (D) X 1st Middlesex Ed Kennedy (D) X 2nd Middlesex Patricia D. Jehlen (D) X X 3rd Middlesex Michael J. Barrett (D) X X 4th Middlesex Cindy Friedman (D) X 5th Middlesex Jason Lewis (D) X 1st Middlesex and Norfolk Cynthia Stone Creem (D) X X 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk Karen Spilka (D) X Middlesex and Suffolk Sal DiDomenico (D) X Middlesex and Worcester James B. Eldridge (D) X X Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex Rebecca (Becca) Rausch (D) X Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth Walter Timilty (D) ü ü Norfolk and Plymouth John Keenan (D) X ü Norfolk and Suffolk Michael F. Rush (D) ü ü Plymouth and Barnstable Vinny deMacedo (R) ü ü 1st Plymouth and Bristol Marc Pacheco (D) Mixed ü 2nd Plymouth and Bristol Michael Brady (D) Plymouth and Norfolk Patrick O'Connor (R) Mixed ü 1st Suffolk Nick Collins (D) ü ü 2nd Suffolk Sonia Chang-DiaZ (D) X 1st Suffolk and Middlesex Joseph A.
    [Show full text]
  • Sent a Letter
    The Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Court July 31, 2020 Chief Kenneth Green MBTA 240 Southampton Street Boston, MA 02118 Dear Chief Green, It has come to our attention that the Transit Police have recently disbanded their highly regarded and respected Transit SWAT unit. As public officials and stewards of taxpayer resources, we can appreciate the need to ensure that resources are most appropriately allocated. We question the rationale of this decision and the long-term effects on the safety of the riders of the transit system and preparedness of the Transit Police to respond to an incident within their jurisdiction. While well intentioned, the disbandment of a SWAT unit trained specifically to deal with issues on our transit system seems ill advised. The fact that they have not been utilized much over the last few years does not mean that they aren’t a vital and necessary component to the public safety responsibilities and emergency operations that will be required. As we have seen in other countries, a public transit system is often a target for both foreign and domestic terrorism and having a SWAT unit with specialized training ensures that we remain vigilant and ready to face such threats to public safety. We are respectfully requesting that you share the reasoning for the decision to disband the transit SWAT team and to explain in detail what measures you have put in place to replace the loss of this specially trained force. We would also like to know the costs associated with the Transit unit and what savings you expect to realize as a result of this decision.
    [Show full text]
  • Please Actively Support These Housing, Homelessness, and Safety Net Program Amendments to the Senate Version of the FY’16 Budget
    Please Actively Support These Housing, Homelessness, and Safety Net Program Amendments to the Senate Version of the FY’16 Budget Thank you for your support of housing, homelessness, and safety net programs and your co-sponsorship of related amendments. We ask for your continued active support for these programs and amendments throughout this week’s caucuses and debates. In particular, we ask for your strong support of the key amendments listed below. 1. Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter and services (EA, line item 7004-0101): ••• Amendment #416 , filed by Senator Joan Lovely, to ensure that families staying in motels/hotels as part of the EA program have access to the same services and resources as other guests of those motels/hotels whose stays are not being paid for by DHCD. ••• Amendment #404 , filed by Senator Jason Lewis, to prohibit the imposition of new shelter eligibility restrictions in FY'16. 2. HomeBASE Housing Assistance Program (line item 7004-0108): ••• Amendment #760 , filed by Senator Barbara L'Italien at the request of the Coalition and Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, to direct DHCD to waive the 18-month bar for families who are in need of additional HomeBASE or shelter resources, based on a family's circumstances and if the application of the bar would not be "fair, just, and equitable". See the amendment fact sheet here . ••• Amendment #422 , filed by Senator Joan Lovely, to increase HomeBASE funding to $33 million and to include language to expand access to families in domestic violence and substance abuse treatment shelters. 3. Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP, line item 7004-9024): • Amendment #446 , filed by Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, to carry over unspent funds from FY'15 into FY'16 for MRVP ("prior appropriation continued" language).
    [Show full text]