DOCSLIB.ORG

Summer 2020 • Vol

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Summer 2020 • Vol Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group Citizen agenda: An update for members of MASSPIRG Summer 2020 • Vol. 39, No. 2 • More at https://masspirg.org HEALTHY LIVING PIRG assembled a COVID-19 response team of policy experts, advocates, organizers and researchers. Credits: (clockwise from top left) WSYX News ABC 6, U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Pedro Tenorio, WFXT, Staff, Mongkolchon Akesin via Shutterstock, WLEX-TV, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, Screenshot of Amazon.com, Scripps National News. Responding to the COVID-19 crisis The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Americans were not enough COVID-19 tests available for to confront harsh realities—from concern for all who would need them. The inability to ade- the health and safety of themselves and their quately test for the virus left health professionals families, to the financial struggles brought on by and lawmakers with an incomplete picture as to mass layoffs and a dampened economy. the scope of the problem. In response to the crisis, MASSPIRG and U.S. MASSPIRG, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and our PIRG Education Fund, the research and policy national network called on Adm. Brett Giroir, the arm of our national network, have continued head of the government’s coronavirus testing re- to work—from a safe social distance—for a sponse, to implement a national plan for scaling healthier, safer world, calling for measures to up our testing capacity as quickly as possible. improve our country’s ability to discover and care for COVID-19 cases, to protect consumers MASSPIRG and U.S. PIRG Education Fund sup- MEMBER from price gouging in the marketplace, and to ported plans crafted by public health experts— RESOURCES increase production and distribution of vital including former Food and Drug Administration Read the latest news and sign up for email medical supplies as rapidly as possible. Commissioners David Kessler, M.D. and Scott alerts on our public Gottlieb, M.D.—for federal leadership to build health and consumer this testing capacity. The plans included expand- campaigns at: Ramping up our testing capacity https://masspirg.org ing labs and speeding up testing time, national When the novel coronavirus made landfall in the coordination on large-scale purchasing of testing United States, health experts warned that there supplies, and building systems to collect data PAGE 1 SUMMER 2020 PAGE ONE CONTINUED and identify cases as fast as possible to prevent called on President Trump to fully utilize the further spread of the virus. Defense Production Act (DPA) and to coordinate distribution of critical medical supplies directly Preventing price gouging in a pandemic to affected areas. As people rushed to buy hand sanitizer and oth- Across the country, hospitals have struggled to er critical supplies early on in the outbreak, U.S. get the supplies they need to protect frontline PIRG Education Fund released groundbreaking workers and care for COVID-19 patients. Our national network recruited 116 mayors and county executives to sign onto a letter urging the Trump administration to centrally coordi- nate procurement and distribution of essential supplies to everyone who needs them. Joining Screenshot of Amazon.com the call were 12 mayors from Massachusetts, including Paul Brodeur of Melrose, Michael Cahill of Beverly, Gary Christenson of Malden, Carlo DeMaria of Everett, Kim Driscoll of Sa- lem, Tom McGee of Lynn, Jon Mitchell of New Bedford, Alex Morse of Holyoke, Dan Rivera of Lawrence, Domenic Sarno of Springfield, Sum- bul Siddiqui of Cambridge and Yvonne Spicer of Framingham. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our In March, a research that revealed massive price gouging way of life. As we confront these challenges, four-pack of 28 on Amazon. The report found that, in February, MASSPIRG and U.S. PIRG Education Fund are ounce Purell hand sanitizer most surveyed hand sanitizers and face masks committed to championing the policies that bottles was found saw price surges of more than 50 percent above will best protect Americans’ health, safety and selling for $159 on their 90-day averages. Even 1 in 6 products sold well-being in this time of crisis. n Amazon. directly by Amazon—not third-party vendors— saw similar spikes. More than 375,000 people have since joined MASSPIRG and our national network in calling MASSPIRG’s Mission on Amazon and other major online marketplaces NEWS BRIEFS When consumers are to implement safeguards that prevent prices cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are from significantly increasing during states of drowned out by special emergency. GET THE LEAD OUT interest lobbyists, MASSPIRG speaks up and takes action. We Even top officials and lawmakers have joined Massachusetts moves closer toward safe uncover threats to public us in taking action to ensure consumers aren’t drinking water in schools health and well-being taken advantage of during this time of crisis. and fight to end them, using the time-tested Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey When students return to school, our state could tools of investigative and 32 other attorneys general from across the be on its way toward safer drinking water if research, media exposés, country signed onto a U.S. PIRG Education Fund lawmakers approve a MASSPIRG-backed bill. grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. letter calling on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Face- MASSPIRG’s mission is to book and Craigslist to proactively put a stop to On March 9, a key state legislative committee deliver persistent, results- price gouging on their platforms. In April, 346 unanimously passed a bill to establish a health- oriented public interest activism that protects state legislators from 45 states signed a similar based lead level standard for schools and child consumers, encourages a letter sent by U.S. PIRG Education Fund to those care centers, and to take other steps to minimize fair, sustainable economy, same companies. lead in school drinking water. A significant and fosters responsive, democratic government. win for our Get the Lead Out campaign, the Confronting our medical supply shortage bill addresses many of the concerns raised in a March 2019 MASSPIRG Education Fund report PAGE 2 In response to ventilator supply shortages, warning that many Massachusetts schools had SUMMER 2020 MASSPIRG and our national network have unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water. NEWS BRIEFS USDA viaUSDA Flickr, 2.0 BY CC “Time and time again, Massachusetts has been a leader in protecting our children’s health and safety,” said Deirdre Cummings, legislative director of MASSPIRG. “Massachusetts should take this opportunity and put ourselves ahead of the curve in getting the lead out of drinking water in our schools and day care centers.” As of this writing, the bill awaits approval by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. n TRANSFORM TRANSPORTATION Massachusetts Senate passes bill to switch MBTA to electric buses calls for meat and poultry have rocketed up 65 U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s Today, nearly all of the Massachusetts Bay percent since 2013, finds the “How Safe is Our “How Safe Is Our Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) buses run Food?” report. Food?” report on fossil fuels, contributing to global warming found that safety and air pollution. That could soon change. Upticks in recalls don’t necessarily mean our recalls from the U.S. Food and Drug food has gotten less safe. In fact, they could Administration for On Jan. 30, the Massachusetts Senate passed a mean our food safety systems have gotten better meat and poultry MASSPIRG-backed bill that would require the at identifying dangerous foods. But, says PIRG have increased 65 MBTA to fully transition to electric buses by Consumer Watchdog Grace Brombach, that percent since 2013. 2040. The effect would be staggering: 55,000 point is moot: Contaminations should be caught tons of greenhouse gases would no longer be before recalls become necessary. emitted each year, the equivalent of taking more than 10,600 cars off the road. The bill would also “Americans should be confident that their food permanently authorize the commonwealth’s is safe and not contaminated by dangerous existing electric vehicle tax credit. bacteria like E. coli and salmonella,” said Grace. “For too long, our communities have been U.S. PIRG Education Fund is advocating for subjected to toxic pollution from cars, trucks improvements in our food safety systems— and buses that run on fossil fuels,” said Matt including increased testing, monitoring and Casale, director of MASSPIRG’s Transform traceability for pathogens. n Transportation campaign. “The sooner that all Massachusetts residents can reap the benefits of electric buses, the better it will be for our kids, our communities and our planet.” As of this writing, the bill sits with the Massa- Domain Public chusetts House of Representatives. n BE AN ADVOCATE FOR FOOD SAFETY MASSACHUSETTS’ FUTURE How safe is our food? Produce recalls are down, but meat and poultry are sky-high Support our work in the public interest by including a gift to MASSPIRG or MASSPIRG Education Fund in your will, Did our food get safer in 2019? A U.S. PIRG Ed- trust or retirement accounts. ucation Fund report finds mixed results. For more information call 1-800-841-7299 or send an email While safety recalls for produce and processed to: [email protected] food from the U.S. Food and Drug Administra- tion have declined 34 percent since 2016—when new safety standards were implemented—re- PAGE 3 SUMMER 2020 MASSPIRG 294 Washington St., Ste. 500 Boston, MA 02108 (617) 292-4800 TOP STORY: Responding to the COVID-19 crisis The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Americans to confront harsh realities. In response to the crisis, MASSPIRG has continued to work for a healthier, safer world. CITIZEN AGENDA • VOLUME 39, NO.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • November 2013
    POV_November_1_2013_POV_Novemberber_1_2013.qxd 10/17/2013 1:32 PM Page 1 P OINT OF V IEW www.afampointofview.com Our Community News Magazine november 1, 2013 Celebrating “YES,” WE’RE SUPPORTING 1100Years 2003 - 2013 OUR CHILDREN! 688 Boston Road DENISE M. …BABY’S GIFT HURST “A baby is unable to use a fork and RECEIVES spoon, so allow her tiny fingers to dis- cover her food. Simply put foods that POWERFUL will not be choking hazards in front of SUPPORT! her and let her go at it. Food will end up on her clothes and face, and in her hair Endorsing her but be assured she will eat some too. School Enjoy your explorer.” Committee By Dr. Anika C. Thrower – 10 At Large THE SECOND CIVIL WAR AND Re-Election are THE REPUBLICAN PARTY L to R: “It is not Obamacare. It is the re-fighting Springfield of the Civil War. I obviously cannot call Mayor Domenic the opponents of Obamacare supporters of slavery; but it is clear that their politi- Sarno; State cal and philosophical roots are with the Representative slaveholding southern-based Benjamin Swan; Democratic party of the Civil War era.” State By Dr. Fred McKinney – 23 Representative AN HISTORICAL MOMENT Cheryl Coakley- FOR (NEW HAVEN) MAYORAL Rivera and CANDIDATE TONI HARPER Democratic City “During several debates held before the Committee Chair primary, Toni Harp’s opponents too E. Henry Twiggs often spoke of her in various demeaning ways rather than addressing the issues facing residents living in many of the FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK undesirable inner city neighbor- hoods….” MY SON, JUSTIN HURST, By Arlene Davis-Rudd – 23 THAT LOVE THAT WILL NOT FOR CITY COUNCIL LET US GO OF VIEW F r eder ick A .
    [Show full text]
  • Threat from the Right Intensifies
    THREAT FROM THE RIGHT INTENSIFIES May 2018 Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................1 Meeting the Privatization Players ..............................................................................3 Education Privatization Players .....................................................................................................7 Massachusetts Parents United ...................................................................................................11 Creeping Privatization through Takeover Zone Models .............................................................14 Funding the Privatization Movement ..........................................................................................17 Charter Backers Broaden Support to Embrace Personalized Learning ....................................21 National Donors as Longtime Players in Massachusetts ...........................................................25 The Pioneer Institute ....................................................................................................................29 Profits or Professionals? Tech Products Threaten the Future of Teaching ....... 35 Personalized Profits: The Market Potential of Educational Technology Tools ..........................39 State-Funded Personalized Push in Massachusetts: MAPLE and LearnLaunch ....................40 Who’s Behind the MAPLE/LearnLaunch Collaboration? ...........................................................42 Gates
    [Show full text]
  • Sept. 1 State Primary
    INDEX The Indian Orchard 5 Opinion: 6 Business: 8 In The Classroom: 9 Sports: 11 Obituaries: 13 Notices: 15,16 Classifieds: 18 REGISTERLOCAL NEWS ❙ LOCAL STORIES ❙ LOCAL ADVERTISERS A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com August 26, 2020 ❙ Vol. 78, No. 16 www.register.turley.com NEWSLINE Debate shows Ludlow Weekly Update Sept. 1 State Primary aggressive SEE PAGE 2 race between Outdoor recital What’s on the ballot? By Elise Linscott trict, which represents Ludlow, Neal (D-Springfield) will be Morse, Neal [email protected] Ludlow School Committee challenged by Holyoke Mayor members Jacob Oliveira and and Democrat Alex B. Morse. By Gregory A. Scibelli LUDLOW/INDIAN OR- James “Chip” Harrington are There will be two Demo- [email protected] CHARD – On Tuesday, voters both running, but won’t face cratic candidates on the bal- will take to the polls for the off at the polls until Novem- lot for Register of Probate in SPRINGFIELD – In a State Primary; residents in In- ber – Harrington is running as Hampden County: Bob Colla- showing of how ugly a pri- dian Orchard will vote for 9th a Republican and Oliveira as a more and Rosemary A. Sacco- mary race has gotten, Holy- SEE PAGE 3 Hampden District State Rep, Democrat. mani. oke Mayor Alex Morse faced while voters in the 7th Hamp- Sen. Eric Lesser (D-Long- The last day to apply for an off against U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Massachusetts, in a INDIAN ORCHARD den District will see uncontest- meadow) is running unop- Absentee or Early Vote Ballot ed primaries, with two Ludlow posed for reelection to the State by mail in Ludlow before the debate broadcast on NBC last Indian Orchard Blooms names on the ballot.
    [Show full text]
  • 22-23 Stats 3/21/13 10:52 PM Page 64
    LOOK WHO’S TALKING: CAPE WIND’S JIM GORDON AND COAL BILLIONAIRE BILL KOCH POLITICS, IDEAS & CIVIC LIFE IN MASSACHUSETTS FEAR AND LOATHING on the TAX TRAIL ’13 commonwealthmagazine.org SPRING 2013 $5.00 The percentage of people who can even understand this problem is becoming a problem. America needs more engineers. Simple as that. And as a company that depends heavily on engineers, National Grid has invested more than three million dollars in our “Engineering Our Future” Program. Every year, we’re creating paid internships, mentoring programs, and job shadow opportunities that allow high school students in our region to get hands-on engineering experience. And with programs that build technology, science, and math skills, engineering feats like building smart grids and next generation delivery systems will be in very good hands. For more about what we’re doing, visit nationalgrid.com MAINC-CWM-01-06 4/8/13 11:17 AM Page 1 3/8/13 10:56 AM Page 1 Coverage from head to toe. Blue Cross Blue Shield for your health and dental. With connected coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield, your health and dental work together. It’s better, more coordinated protection that also helps you stay well and save money. Tolearnmoreaboutourhealthanddentalplansforyourcompany, talk to your consultant, broker or call 1-800-262-BLUE. And get connected. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. MAINC-CWM-01-06 4/8/13 11:17 AM Page 2 CommonWealth The greatest return editor Bruce Mohl on investment.
    [Show full text]
  • City of Springfield, Massachusetts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisories, Recommendations and Resource Guide
    City of Springfield, Massachusetts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisories, Recommendations and Resource Guide Provided as a Courtesy by the Office of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno (updated – April 16, 2020) 1 An Open Letter to our Residents and Business Community The City of Springfield is committed to keeping our residents and business community informed about the latest developments on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We will continue to monitor the situation and adhere to any and all public health and safety measures recommended by the health experts, the Governor’s Office, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the CDC and other state and federal agencies. As we all deal with the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19), I wanted to reassure you that our proud city team has been tested and true through a number of natural and man-made disasters. I’d like to give special thanks to our Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, who has done the yeoman’s work as our city’s point person. On March 13, 2020, I declared a state of emergency in the City of Springfield to help mitigate any potential spread of the coronavirus. This action is taken out of an abundance of caution and to avail our city to all state and federal relief and recovery assistance needed. Again, I would ask you all to please adhere to and follow all of the preventative and recommended health measures – though they seem simple and common sense these efforts will help meet and defeat this challenge before us. I want to encourage our residents and businesses to continue to check in for any updates and new developments on our city’s website at www.springfield-ma.gov.
    [Show full text]
  • Dorchester Reporter “The News and Values Around the Neighborhood”
    Dorchester Reporter “The News and Values Around the Neighborhood” Volume 31 Issue 43 Thursday, October 23, 2014 50¢ City awaits imminent sale of Globe site By Bill FoRRy editoR Mayor Martin Walsh hopes that the sale of the massive Boston Globe property on Mor- rissey Boulevard will result in a new mixed-use development that will follow guidelines laid out by a city-led task force four years ago. “Whatever happens with the Globe is really going to be the catalyst for that whole corridor,” Walsh told the Reporter in an interview Mayor Walsh on future ad- last week. “If it is tasteful aptation of Globe property: and done right, mixed-use on “If it is tasteful and done that site would be important right, mixed-use on that site would be important, with a with a component of housing component of housing and a and a component of economic component of economic devel- development, whether it’s an opment, whether it’s an office office building or retail park.” building or retail park.” John Henry, the owner of the Boston Red Sox, purchased the Dorchester since 1958. Henry Globe and its assets – includ- and his executive team intend Photo courtesy of Colliers International ing Worcester’s Telegram to move the Globe’s editorial, & Gazette newspaper – in advertising, and office staffs a $70 million deal executed to a new, smaller location in Weekend hours, lower fares last October. he has since the city, probably in the city’s sold the Telegram & Gazette Seaport district, according and contracted with Colliers to published reports.
    [Show full text]
  • Per-Vote Expenditures by Mayoral Candidates 2019
    Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance 2019 Mayoral Spending Study OCPF ONE ASHBURTON PLACE BOSTON, MA 02108 617-979-8300 www.ocpf.us INTRODUCTION This study examines campaign finance activity by candidates for mayor in municipal elections throughout Massachusetts in 2019. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) began issuing mayoral studies after the 1997 city elections. OCPF devotes considerable attention to municipal races, both by providing guidance and workshops to candidates and working closely with local election officials to help ensure compliance with the campaign finance law. All mayoral candidates in the state e-filed campaign finance reports with OCPF in 2019. Mayors in Boston, Everett, Framingham, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lynn, Newburyport, Newton, Northampton, Salem and West Springfield were not up for re-election in 2019 and are not included in this report. The information contained in this study is based on data compiled from campaign finance reports filed by 64 mayoral candidates in the 34 cities that held mayoral elections in 2019. The study is limited to those candidates who were on the ballot in the November elections in cities and does not include those who were eliminated in preliminary elections. In cities with populations of less than 65,000 in 2019, the first report was due eight days before the preliminary, and only if the candidate’s name appeared on the preliminary ballot. The second report was due eight days before the general election (in 2019, that due date was Oct. 28). All candidates and committees were required to file year-end reports on Jan. 21, 2020, disclosing activity through Dec.
    [Show full text]
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
    COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT Suffolk, ss. No. SJ-2021- CHRIS GRAHAM, JORGE LOPEZ, MEREDITH RYAN, KELLY AUER, COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC COUNSEL SERVICES, and HAMPDEN COUNTY LAWYERS FOR JUSTICE, Petitioners, v. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR HAMPDEN COUNTY, Respondent. PETITIONER’S RECORD APPENDIX PETITION FOR RELIEF PURSUANT TO G. L. c. 211, § 3 AND c. 231A, § 1 Martin M. Fantozzi (BBO #554651) Matthew R. Segal (BBO #654489) Matthew P. Horvitz (BBO #664136) Jessica J. Lewis (BBO #704229) Abigail Fletes (BBO #707177) Daniel L. McFadden (BBO #676612) GOULSTON & STORRS PC William C. Newman (BBO #370760) 400 Atlantic Avenue AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION Boston, MA 02110 FOUNDATION OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC. (617) 482-1776 211 Congress Street [email protected] Boston, MA 02110 (617) 482-3170 Somil Trivedi* [email protected] AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION, INC. Rebecca Jacobstein (BBO #651048) 915 15th St., NW Mitchell Kosht (BBO #706334) Washington, DC 20005 COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC COUNSEL (202) 715-0802 SERVICES [email protected] 100 Cambridge Street, 14th Floor Boston, MA 02110 Ezekiel Edwards* (617) 910-5726 AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION [email protected] FOUNDATION, INC. 125 Broad Street, 18th Fl. Counsel for the Committee for Public Counsel New York, NY 10004-2400 Services (212) 549-2610 [email protected] *pro hac vice application pending TABLE OF CONTENTS Description Page U.S. Dep’t Justice, Civil Rights Div. & U.S. Atty’s Office Dist. of Mass., Investigation of the R.A.00001 Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau (Jul. 8, 2020) Affidavit of Chris Graham, April 2021 R.A.00029 Affidavit of MarySita Miles, March 3, 2021 R.A.00033 Affidavit of John Nolen, Esq., April 5, 2021 R.A.00036 Affidavit of Nicholas Raring, Esq., March 3, 2021 R.A.00068 Dugan Arnett, ‘One of the worst police departments in the country’: Reign of brutality brings a R.A.00070 reckoning in Springfield, The Boston Globe (July 25, 2020) Memorandum of Decision and Order on Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss, Commonwealth R.A.00083 v.
    [Show full text]
  • Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Housing Choice Bill in Springfield | Mass.Gov
    2/28/2020 Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Housing Choice Bill in Springfield | Mass.gov Mass.gov PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Housing Choice Bill in Springfield Local stakeholders join chorus of voices calling for passage of legislation to support new housing production in Massachusetts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/28/2020 Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Housing and Community Development Housing Choice Initiative Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito MEDIA CONTACT Ryan Boehm, Director of Communications Online [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor Charlie Baker joined Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, Housing and Community https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-highlights-housing-choice-bill-in-springfield 1/9 2/28/2020 Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Housing Choice Bill in Springfield | Mass.gov Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox, along with legislators, local officials and community stakeholders to highlight An Act to Promote Housing Choices. This legislation was re-filed by Governor Baker last year (/news/baker-polito-administration-files-new-housing-legislation-to-increase-housing-production-in) and calls for targeted zoning reform to advance new housing production in Massachusetts and support the Administration’s goal to produce 135,000 new housing units by 2025. Past events spotlighting the Housing Choice Legislation have taken place
    [Show full text]
  • How to Use Receivership to Stabilize Abandoned and Foreclosed Properties
    How to use receivership to stabilize abandoned and foreclosed properties A guidebook by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and the Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley Massachusetts Housing Partnership 160 Federal Street May 2009 Boston, MA 02110 This publication is supported by www.mhp.net the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community The Office of Development with funds from the Attorney General Martha Coakley federal Neighborhood Stabilization One Ashburton Place Program Boston, MA 02108 www.massgov/ago May–June, 2009 Dear Receivership Training attendee, elcome to today’s receivership training. We appreciate your dedication W to the effort to stabilize abandoned properties and neighborhoods across the Commonwealth. In today’s economy, as more homeowners face foreclosure, it is critical that communities have the tools they need to address the growing number of abandoned properties plaguing neighborhoods. One of these tools is receivership. Today’s training will help you understand how receivership can help your community stabilize foreclosed and abandoned properties. Speakers from the Attorney General’s Office and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership will explain the receivership process, and experts from local government, housing courts and non-profit organizations will discuss the challenges and opportunities of using receivership to improve and stabilize properties. Support for today’s training, and other regional trainings scheduled across the state, is being provided by the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Earlier this year, the state Department of Housing and Community Development awarded NSP funds to us so we could collaborate and expand our abandoned housing and receivership initiatives. We appreciate your interest in receivership and hope you find today’s training session helpful in your efforts to address abandoned and foreclosed properties in your community.
    [Show full text]
  • Court Denies Motion to Dismiss
    S.S. by S.Y. v. City of Springfield, Massachusetts, 146 F.Supp.3d 414 (2015) 331 Ed. Law Rep. 214, 52 NDLR P 56 146 F.Supp.3d 414 United States District Court, Motion granted in part and denied in part. D. Massachusetts. S.S. , a minor, by his mother, S.Y., on behalf of himself and other similarly situated students; West Headnotes (17) the Parent/Professional Advocacy League; and the Disability Law Center, Plaintiffs, [1] Education v. Free appropriate public education City of Springfield, Massachusetts; Domenic Under the IDEA, a school district is Sarno, in his official capacity as Mayor of City of not under a compulsion to afford a Springfield; Springfield Public Schools; Daniel J. disabled child an ideal or an optimal Warwick, in his official capacity as Superintendent education, but only to provide an adequate of Springfield Public Schools, Defendants. and appropriate education. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act § 612, 20 U.S.C.A. Civil Action No. 14-30116-MGM § 1412(a)(1)(A). | Signed November 19, 2015 Cases that cite this headnote Synopsis Background: Advocacy groups and parent brought [2] Education putative class action against City, its mayor, school Free appropriate public education district, and its superintendent, on behalf of parent's Free appropriate public education (FAPE) child and other school-age children with mental health required by the IDEA is tailored to the disabilities who were, or had been enrolled at public needs of a disabled child through the creation day school and did not currently attend district's and implementation of an individualized neighborhood schools, alleging students placed at the educational program (IEP).
    [Show full text]
  • The Honorable Roderick L. Ireland Northeastern University School of Law 204 Churchill Hall 360 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115
    April 9, 2021 The Honorable Roderick L. Ireland Northeastern University School of Law 204 Churchill Hall 360 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Re: Springfield Police Department Dear Justice Ireland: Lawyers for Civil Rights (“LCR”) is encouraged by the City of Springfield’s recent stated commitment to police reform, in particular the City’s support for your investigation and the ongoing roll-out of the most expansive body-worn camera program in the state. Your investigation is an important and necessary first step on the road to improved community- policing relations, and an opportunity to re-examine how Springfield deploys its police force. Unfortunately, little has changed in the months since the U.S. Department of Justice (“DoJ”) published its report1 on the Springfield Police Department (“SPD”), which led the City to request your guidance in implementing much-needed reforms. The release of the DoJ report has been followed by further allegations of racism in the SPD,2 police misconduct settlements,3 the SPD commissioner expressing confusion about how to implement the DoJ report’s recommendations,4 and community groups calling on the DoJ to issue a consent decree to bind the City to abiding by the DoJ’s recommendations.5 1 U.S. Department of Justice, Investigation of the Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau (Jul. 8, 2020), https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1292901/download. 2 Nick Stoico, New England NAACP Chapters Condemn Springfield Police for Removing Chaplain, BOSTON GLOBE (Oct. 26, 2020), https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/10/26/metro/new-england-naacp-chapters-condemn- springfield-police-removing-chaplain/.
    [Show full text]