DOCSLIB.ORG

April 2013 V.47 N.3

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
April 2013 V.47 N.3 Bulletin MASCMASC www.masc.org April 2013 V.47 n.3 Massachusetts Association of School Committees MASC Files Legislation Based MASC LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY: on Delegate Assembly Actions School leaders and Based on actions taken by the delegates at the 2012 MASC Delegate Assembly last November 9, MASC General Counsel Stephen Finnegan has filed legisla- legislators moving tion that will address the special education circuit breaker formula; a special forward on issues commission to study mandated reports for school districts; health insurance coverage for treatment in school; education evaluation system funding; ad- to promote student equacy study; and governance boards for charter schools. In addition MASC achievement will also be refiling legislation relative to charter school funding; school im- Legislators have a lot to know. It's provement plans; and MCAS scores and 766 schools. Reported below are brief up to school leaders to help them rationales of the proposed legislation, the bill number and legislative sponsors. understand school issues. Establishment of a Special Commis- Health Insurance Coverage for Medi- This year, more than ever as the sion of the Legislature for Mandated cally Necessary Treatment in School FY2014 budget season reaches full Reports and Data Submission for (H.2088) throttle, legislators are facing nu- School Districts (H.512) Sponsoring legislators: Representa- merous budgetary challenges from Sponsoring legislators: Representa- tives Smizik, Calter, Coppinger, Peisch, the governor, their constituents and tives Christopher Walsh, Conroy, Dw- Lewis, Dykema, Benson; Senators a raft of social service and other yer, Gregoire, Linsky, David Rogers, Barrett, Eldridge advocacy groups. From school Roy; Senators Spilka, Tarr The purpose of this legislation is budgets to probate law reform, Among other matters covered by to require private health insurance to environmental concerns, skyrock- this anti-mandate legislation is the cover medically necessary expenses eting health care costs, as well as requirement that before new regula- for special needs children. Currently, new concerns over school and tions are promulgated by DESE a only Medicaid provides funding for public safety, these are just some financial and programmatic audit certain diagnostic matters. of the issues that legislators need must be conducted. (resolution proposed by the Brookline to be knowledgeable about and (resolution proposed by the School Committee) make budgetary determinations. Framingham School Committee) That's a lot of detail to be absorbed, Appointment of Governing Boards and who better to help legislators Modification of the Special Educa- of Commonwealth Charter Schools unravel the complexities of public tion Circuit Breaker Formula (H.511) (H.495) school issues than the school lead- Sponsoring legislators: Representa- Sponsoring legislators: Representatives ers who understand them best-- tives Christopher Walsh, Conroy, Smizik, O’Day, Ferrante, David Rogers Gregoire, Linsky, Pignatelli, Turner; This bill will require that the ap- that's you and your colleagues. Senator Spilka pointment of all members of govern- As districts prepare for the im- Current law reimburses school dis- ing boards of Commonwealth Charter plementation of the common core tricts through the Special Education Schools be subject to the review and curriculum and PARCC assessment, Circuit Breaker Account for 75% of approval of school committees where the requirements of RETELL, and the costs after 4 times the foundation such students reside. In addition to the educator/administrator evalu- formula, and this legislation would this bill, Rep. Smizik also intends to ation requirements, never has it increase the percentage to 100%. refile the charter school legislation been as imperative to remind legis- (resolution proposed by the Framing- filed in the previous session about lo- lators of the need to relax mandates ham School Committee) continued on page 2 on educators and provide sustain- continued on page 2 of the Acts of 2004. This amendment continued from page 1 MASC files legislation, removed school committees from cal approval of new charters (H.491). referenced local approval is received their longstanding statutory role con- (resolution proposed by the MASC the new charter school shall be funded cerning the review and approval of Board of Directors) pursuant to current statute. If either school improvement plans submitted method of local approval is not re- by school councils. The school com- PRIOR Legislation ceived funding must be provided by mittee is the policy making authority An Act Relative to Charter Schools the Board of Education without usage of the school district (G.L. c.71, §37). (H.491) of Chapter 70 or any other local funds. The review and approval of school Sponsoring legislators: Representa- (this resolution was originally submit- improvement plans is an essential el- tives Smizik, O’Day, Turner, Swan, ted by the MASC Board of Directors) ement of the policy making authority Ferrante, Malia, Sciortino, Provost, of school committees. As a result of Vega, Balser, Brady, Lawn, Khan, An Act Concerning Charter School the 2004 legislation superintendents Decker; Senators Jehlen, Creem. Two Funding (S.222) now approve school improvement other bills were also filed replicating Sponsoring legislators: Senator DiDo- plans submitted by school councils. H. 491. S. 258 sponsored by: Sena- menico; Representative Swan This bill will keep approval of super- tors Pacheco, Jehlen, Kennedy; Repre- It is the premise of this legislation that intendents and reinsert the approval sentatives Gregoire, Brady, Lawn and charter schools receive greater funding of school committees. S. 212 sponsored by: Senator Clark; from the foundation budget for “as- Finally, in early December 2012 Representatives Kahn, Stanley, Swan, sumed in school special education” we were able to secure the agree- Andrews, Provost, David Rogers. than they are otherwise eligible to ment of all parties affected by this This proposed legislation was filed receive based upon the students they legislation and therefore, we antici- by MASC during the previous session. actually serve. This bill will correct the pate the passage of this bill during the In addition to the present system of inflated reimbursement. current legislative session. approving commonwealth charter (this bill was originally sponsored by schools, this legislation provides for the Everett School Committee) MCAS Scores and Approved 766 the additional methods as follows: Schools (H.455; S.205) approval of a commonwealth char- School Improvement Plans (H.414) Sponsoring legislators: (H.455): Rep- ter school application by the district Sponsoring legislators: Representatives resentatives Peisch, Turner; (S.205): or regional school committee, or by Haddad, Peisch Senator Chang-Diaz; Representative the voters of a school district(s) or This bill seeks to correct an amend- Sanicandro region(s) at a general election or town ment that was added in the Senate to This bill has been revised to ad- meeting(s), city councils. If the above a Supplementary Budget, Chapter 65 dress the issue of reporting aggre- gate MCAS scores for special needs students attending Approved Private MASC Advocacy Day, continued from page 1 766 Schools. During the last session MASC was able to secure the pas- Registration information has been able resources to districts. Legisla- sage of this amendment as it applies mailed to all members and is posted tors need to understand the critical to education collaboratives. We are online. The format for the day is importance of ensuring support for pleased to have secured the sponsor- informal and there is no charge to districts as they educate a diversity ship of this legislation by the Joint attend but we do ask that you regis- of students to succeed in the 21st Chairs of the Committee on Educa- century global workplace. ter in order to ensure that sufficient tion. MASC's revamped LEGISLATIVE materials are available for you to ADVOCACY DAY, Tuesday, May distribute and bring back to your dis- An Act Including Transitory Student 21 is an invaluable opportunity for trict. In addition, copies of MASC's Enrollment in the Calculation of Aid members to meet their legislators at Summary and Guide to Public Policy Under Chapter 70 (S.239) their State House offices and rein- Priorities 2013 is being mailed to all Sponsoring legislator: Senator Jehlen force the message that real achieve- members and we encourage you to This legislation seeks to recognize the ment can only be accomplished use it as a starting point for discus- category transitory student enrollment with real dollars. Don't forget to sion with your legislators. in Chapter 70 so that funds may be make appointments in advance Please contact the MASC with available to serve these needy stu- with your legislators and follow questions (800-392-6023) and check dents. through with discussions on the fu- the website (www.masc.org) for continued on page 4 ture of education funding in an era registration information and updates. of high expectations and excessive We look forward to seeing you at the regulation. State House on Tuesday, May 21. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCED Earlier this month Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray announced their Legislative Committee appointments. Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees with particular relevance to is- sues around public education are listed below. HOUSE COMMITTEES JOINT COMMITTEES
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SENATE ...No. 1007
    SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1048 FILED ON: 1/15/2015 SENATE . No. 1007 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts _________________ PRESENTED BY: Karen E. Spilka _________________ To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled: The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolution: Resolutions encouraging equitable and diverse gender representation on the boards of companies in the commonwealth. _______________ PETITION OF: NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: Karen E. Spilka Second Middlesex and Norfolk Patricia A. Haddad 5th Bristol Jason M. Lewis Fifth Middlesex Jay D. Livingstone 8th Suffolk Kay Khan 11th Middlesex Tricia Farley-Bouvier 3rd Berkshire Josh S. Cutler 6th Plymouth Carole A. Fiola 6th Bristol Thomas J. Calter 12th Plymouth Carolyn C. Dykema 8th Middlesex 3/9/2015 Gailanne M. Cariddi 1st Berkshire Jeffrey N. Roy 10th Norfolk Timothy R. Madden Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Ann-Margaret Ferrante 5th Essex Tackey Chan 2nd Norfolk Edward F. Coppinger 10th Suffolk 1 of 6 Lori A. Ehrlich 8th Essex Ruth B. Balser 12th Middlesex Barbara L'Italien Second Essex and Middlesex William N. Brownsberger Second Suffolk and Middlesex Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. 26th Middlesex Michael J. Barrett Third Middlesex Denise Provost 27th Middlesex Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. 12th Hampden Daniel J. Ryan 2nd Suffolk Sal N. DiDomenico Middlesex and Suffolk Paul McMurtry 11th Norfolk Michael J. Moran 18th Suffolk Kathleen O'Connor Ives First Essex Kate Hogan 3rd Middlesex Louis L. Kafka 8th Norfolk Jennifer E. Benson 37th Middlesex Gloria L. Fox 7th Suffolk Harriette L. Chandler First Worcester James B.
    [Show full text]
  • Protect Your Collective Bargaining Rights!
    PROTECT YOUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS! On April 26th, a majority of the members of the Massachusetts of House Representatives voted to dramatically restrict the rights of municipal employees to collectively bargain over the issue of health insurance. It is critically important that you let your Representative know how you feel about their vote. These Representatives voted IN FAVOR of your collective bargaining rights: Democrats: Geraldo Alicea Denise Andrews Bruce Ayers Michael Brady Paul Brodeur Thomas Calter Christine Canavan James Cantwell Tackey Chan Nicholas Collins Edward Coppinger Geraldine Creedon Mark Cusack Marcos Devers James Dwyer Lori Ehrlich Christopher Fallon Robert Fennell John Fresolo Denise Garlick Coleen Garry John Mahoney Paul Mark James Miceli Kevin Murphy Rhonda Nyman James O’Day Thomas Petrolati Denise Provost Kathi-Anne Reinstein Carl Sciortino Joyce Spiliotis Thomas Stanley David Sullivan Walter Timilty Timothy Toomey Cleon Turner Marty Walsh Steven Walsh Alice Wolf Republicans: Bradford Hill Daniel Winslow If your state representative stood up for you, it is important that you call them and thank them for their support. You can say something like this: My name is ____________________ and I live in __________________. I work for the city/town of ___________ as a _____________. I am calling because Rep. ____________ voted in favor of maintaining collective bargaining rights for municipal workers like me. I wanted to thank Rep. ______________ for standing up for my union rights. These Representatives voted AGAINST
    [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]
  • Advocacy for Policy Change
    Advocacy for Policy Change Brandeis students work to reform Massachusetts law November 2020 Advocacy for Policy Change is a part of a national program, ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation. ENACT was made possible by a generous gift from Ethics Center International Advisory Board Member Norbert Weissberg and his wife, former Board Member Judith Schneider. In spring of 2019 ENACT was awarded a multi-year grant from the Teagle Foundation’s “Education for American Civic Life” initiative to expand to all 50 states and to enhance ENACT’s digital platform. t Norbert Weissberg and Judith Schneider at “Present and Defend: Projects from Advocacy for Policy Change,” April 2011. For more information about the projects in this report, visit www.brandeis.edu/ethics/atbrandeis/advocacy To learn about ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation, and to sign up for updates, visit go.brandeis.edu/ENACT Photos: David J. Weinstein except page 2: Mike Lovett and page 4 (bottom): Evan Berry Editorial Assistant: Elaina Pevide ’20 Table of Contents n Introduction 2 Melissa Stimell n A Message from Jay Kaufman ’68, MA ’73 4 n Required Project Components 5 n Ensuring Equitable Health Coverage for Children 6 Erin Chambers ’20 & Kalianni Neal Desatnik ’20 n Removing Obstacles and Expanding Abortion Access 12 Allia Service ’22 & Emma Wolters’20 n Fair Scheduling of Employees 18 Emily Rae Foreman ’20 & Elaina Pevide ’20 n Preventing Overdose Deaths and Increasing Access to Treatment 24 James Parkhill ’21 & Abby Smurzynski
    [Show full text]
  • CLM Endorsed Legislation
    40 COURT STREET, SUITE 410, BOSTON, MA 02108 | 617-695-1991 | WWW.CHILDRENSLEAGUE.ORG CLM Endorsed Legislation AN ACT RELATIVE TO MANDATED REPORTER REFORM (H.137) The bill establishes a Special Commission to review the existing mandated reporter law and make recommendations to improve the response and prevention of child abuse and neglect. The Commission will be composed of the OCA, DCF, EEC, the AG, CPCS, and CLM. FILED BY: SEN. JOAN LOVELY & REP. KAY KHAN LEAD BY: CHAIR KAY KHAN AN ACT RELATIVE TO EXPUNGEMENT (S.900) In 2018, Massachusetts passed legislation that created an opportunity to expunge juvenile and adult criminal records for folks whose offense was charged prior to their 21st birthday. The law created a significant limit: In order to expunge a record, there can only be one court case on the record. In effect, anyone who has a second or subsequent court case would be ineligible for expungement. This is a missed opportunity to tackle recidivism. This bill will close major gaps in the proposal by removing the only one court case restriction for cases charged prior to the individual’s 21st birthday and instead would limit eligibility by how long ago the individual had their last court case—allowing individuals to expunge their records if their last offense was three years (for misdemeanors) or seven years (for felonies) ago and they have no subsequent court case since. It will also reduce the number of offenses that are categorically ineligible for expungement (while keeping judicial discretion on the review of expungement requests), reduce the time to seal juvenile records for non- adjudications and allow for automatic sealing of eligible records.
    [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]
  • Legislative Profiles Spring 2019 |
    Legislative Profiles Spring 2019 | Announcement Inside This Issue This portfolio contains the profiles of all legislators that belong to PG. 2: Forward key committees within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. PG. 4: House Bill – H.2366 Each key committee will play a role in the review and approval of the retirement bills that have been filed. PG. 8: Senate Bill – SD.1962 PG. 11: Joint Committee on Public Service – Profiles PG. 29: House Ways & Means – Profiles This portfolio is for the members of MCSA to use to determine PG. 63: House Committee on Third Reading – Profiles which members reside within their regions so contact can be made with each legislator for support of both retirement bills. PG. 67: Senate Ways & Means – Profiles PG. 86: Senate Committee on Third Reading – Profiles PG. 92: Talking Point Tips PG. 93: Legislative Members by MCSA Regions FORWARD Many of us do not have experience with advocating for legislation or meeting with our legislative representatives. This booklet was created with each you in mind to assist in determining which members reside within your region or represent your town and city. We request you contact your respective legislators for support of both retirement bills. If you are familiar with the legislative process and your representatives this may seem rudimentary. The Massachusetts Legislature is comprised of 200 members elected by the people of the Commonwealth. The Senate is comprised of 40 members, with each representing a district of approximately 159,000 people. The House of Representatives is comprised of 160 members, with each legislator representing districts consisting of approximately 40,000 people.
    [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]
  • View the Vote Chart
    UPDATE THE BOTTLE BILL YES! I pledge to help. The Bottle Bill (5¢ deposit on some beverage containers) is the single most successful recycling tool in the country. But the Updated Bottle Bill­­—adding water, juice and sports drinks to the deposits—is being blocked by powerful business interests on Beacon Hill. The Updated Bottle Bill (H890/S1650) will reduce litter, increase recycling, and save cities and towns money in trash disposal and litter cleanup. In fact, 208 cities and towns, 375 small businesses, and 90 state and local organizations have endorsed our campaign and joined the effort to pass this bill. Despite this overwhelming support, the Updated Bottle Bill has been “bottled up” in the Legislature for more than a decade. It has never been brought to the floor for a vote, and we need your help now. No more delays! Here’s how you can help: STEP 1: To find out the name of your representative and senator, go to www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com STEP 2: Find out where your legislators stand on the Updated Bottle Bill. See the back of this flyer for a complete guide. STEP 3: Call your state senator and representative today. The State House main number is (617) 722- 2000. Ask for your senator (and then call back and ask for your representative). Tell them: “I am a voter in (name your town) and I support the Updated Bottle Bill. There should be no more delays, this bill needs to come up for a vote now.” (If your legislator supports the Updated Bottle Bill, make sure to thank them, if they are undecided or not supporting the bill, ask them to consider supporting the bill.) STEP 4: After you call, please email [email protected] to let us know your legislator’s response.
    [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]
  • Massachusetts Nurse Newsletter :: August 2005
    August 2003 Inside… Single payer health care: The business community.............2 Executive director’s column: Hospitals still fi ghting ratios ........3 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS NURSES ASSOCIATION ■ www.massnurses.org ■ VOL. 74 NO. 6 MNA on Beacon Hill: MNA Web site wins accolades from Union Web Services Budget victories...........................4 The Massachusetts Web Steward, a Political Pulse: Web portal from Union Web Services that Rep. Patricia Haddad...................5 provides users with access to union news throughout the state, recently recognized Personal contact can help sway the MNA for its new and improved Web site legislators on safe staffi ng...........5 (www.massnurses.org)and then sweetened the pot by naming it the best union site for Listing of legislators supporting the month of May. The honor came just months after the MNA quality care/safe staffi ng..............6 expanded its public communications depart- ment to include an in-house webmaster, a Labor Relations news..................7 position that has been seamlessly managed by Amy Weston. Since February, Weston has Collective bargaining updates .....7 added and edited dozens of pages and links in an effort to turn the site into the user- MNA Convention: friendly version that members had been Schedule & registration ............8-9 asking for. From its graphical redesign to its expanded job-postings page, the MNA Web Unit 7 Consent to Serve ............10 site has become a resource that members can depend on. Health & safety: Sensitivity to personal fragrances...................10 The redesign According to Weston, navigating through Benefi ts Corner .........................10 the MNA’s site once proved to be a bit of a challenge.
    [Show full text]
  • T4MA Legislative Fact Sheets
    Transportation Investment Act SB1646/HB3284 Lead Sponsors: Senator Katherine Clark (Melrose); Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier (Pittsfield) and Carl Sciortino (Medford) Cosponsors: Senators Patricia Jehlen, Sal DiDomenico, Michael Barrett, William Brownsberger, Gale Candaras; Representatives Timothy Toomey, Frank Smizik, Benjamin Swan, Chris Walsh, Jason Lewis, Denise Andrews, Kay Khan, Mary Keefe, Anne Gobi, Jonathan Hecht, Alan Silvia, John Scibak, Marcos Devers, Stephen Kulik, Thomas Stanley, Jay Kaufman, Tom Sannicandro, Denise Provost, Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, Sean Garballey, Aaron Vega, Paul Schmid, Brian Ashe, James O’Day, Michael Brady, Thomas Conroy This legislation will guide transportation investment to build a financially stable, safer and more modern transportation system in every corner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from Pittsfield to Provincetown. Creating Financial Stability Eliminates the practice of using capital dollars to pay for operating expenses Eliminates the practice of putting everyday operations on a high-interest credit card Creating Regional Equity Requires that an equitable portion of revenue benefit regions throughout the Commonwealth. Provides funding to gateway cities and environmental justice neighborhoods to plan and design projects eligible for federal transportation money. Provides funding to gateway cities and environmental justice neighborhoods to invest in projects that residents care most about – such as fixing roads and bridges, RTA improvements, sidewalks, bike lanes, and projects that promote transit oriented development and affordable housing. Making Smart Transportation Investments Transportation projects must comply with stated policy goals and objectives that reduce pollution, improve public health, improve land-use coordination and meet our mode shift goals. Requires that transportation investments be analyzed for their impact on our economy, environment, public health, low-income communities and communities of color, pedestrian and bike access, and cost of operations.
    [Show full text]