What's ahead in state government this week
Cape Downwinders protest at the Sagamore Bridge; Bump on Nantucket
- See more at: http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2015/09/05/226064-Whats-ahead-state-government-week#sthash.mskjrHOk.dpuf
Governors Michael Dukakis and William Weld over nearly five terms in office were unable to advance a project connecting downtown Boston's two train hubs and closing the broken link in East Coast rail service. On Wednesday, they plan to meet with Gov. Charlie Baker to appeal to him to get the job done. Rail link supporters promote it as a logical solution to long-term congestion problems and a way to avoid other costly upgrades, like the expansion of South Station. But the project is in line behind many others, including mega-projects like the Green Line Extension, a commuter rail spur to the South Coast, and needed maintenance upgrades on the MBTA. And the rail link lives in the haze of the historic Big Dig cost overruns left from the last time the downtown area was dug up to bury the interstate highway.
Other storylines for the week ahead:
-- While they bill themselves as full-time, the House and Senate are in the midst of a weeks-long summer recess and reps and senators are not about to rush back to Beacon Hill the day after Labor Day. A few committees plan to resume business next week but the House and Senate plan to stick with informal sessions.
-- President Barack Obama visits Monday, Labor Day, with plans to address a breakfast put together by employee unions. Obama arrives amid debate around the country over sick leave and parental leave benefits, wage equity, the so-called "living wage" for low-income workers and in Massachusetts a new push to impose higher taxes on those who earn more than $1 million per year. New England Police Benevolent Association Executive Director Jerry Flynn said his organization would boycott the breakfast, arguing that Obama has not addressed the recent spate of attacks on police. "The president of the united states has blood on his hands," Flynn told WMEX. He said, "Where's he been? He's been among the missing." The shortened work week closes on Friday, the 14-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.
--Speaker Robert DeLeo plans to be in Springfield on Wednesday and Thursday, though details of his events in the city are still being worked out. Senate President Stanley Rosenberg has events in the Pioneer Valley and in Boston next week.
-- The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is promoting through the month of September the creation of personalized emergency preparedness kits and other hazard-avoiding steps that the public can take. Gov. Charlie Baker proclaimed September Emergency Preparedness Month in conjunction with a nationwide preparedness campaign. The month also corresponds roughly with the peak Atlantic hurricane season, the 10-year anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the start of the school year. MEMA said emergency kits are "stocked with supplies that will help sustain individuals and families during disasters," and also encouraged people to stay informed, develop a plan and be involved in their communities.
-- The annual commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, wherein planes out of Logan Airport were turned into weapons used to destroy the Twin Towers in New York City, will begin at 7:15 a.m. Friday, and include a ceremony in the House chamber for the Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 2015
AND THEY'RE OFF: Live horse racing returns to Suffolk Downs on Saturday, with several races featuring locally trained and bred thoroughbreds, as well as local trainers and jockeys. The seventh, ninth and eleventh races of the day -- with post times of 3:14, 4:11 and 5:07 p.m. -- are restricted to Massachusetts-bred horses. Fitchburg resident and jockey Tammy Piermarini will race Heavy Hitter in the first race of the day. Piermarini has been racing at Suffolk Downs for most of her career and is closing in on 2,400 career wins, according to the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Revere resident and trainer Jay Bernardini's horse Wildcat Honey will run in the third race of the day, and Rehoboth-based trainer George Brown will run Grosero in the sixth race of the day. (Saturday, Sept. 5, races begin at 12:30 p.m., Suffolk Downs, 525 William F. McClellan Hwy, Boston)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 6, 2015
CONGRESSMAN CAPUANO GOES 'ON THE RECORD': Congressman Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) is a scheduled guest on On The Record moderated by NewsCenter 5 anchor Ed Harding and political reporter Janet Wu. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch.5)
AFL-CIO PRESIDENT ON THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS: Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman will be a guest on This Week in Business. Topics to be discussed include August jobs report, President Obama's visit, Tom Brady, as well as minimum wage protests and labor presidential endorsement. (Sunday, 12:30 p.m., NECN)
MONDAY, SEPT. 7, 2015
LABOR DAY BREAKFAST: President Barack Obama headlines the 2015 Labor Day breakfast organized by the Greater Boston Labor Council. Other guests include U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healey, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Mass. AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman, Greater Boston Labor Council President Lou Mandarini and many others. The president is expected to arrive at Logan International Airport shortly after 10:30 a.m. and is scheduled to address the Labor Day breakfast at 11 a.m. Gov. Charlie Baker said he would meet Obama when he arrives. The president's remarks will be livestreamed at www.whitehouse.gov/live. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 50 Park Plaza, Boston)
CAPE EVACUATION PROTEST: The Cape Downwinders, a group seeking the closure of Plymouth's Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, will hold a "No Escape from the Cape" demonstration near the Sagamore Bridge, rallying against the evacuation plan that would be instituted in the event of a nuclear emergency. Citizens will gather with signs, banners and noisemakers to protest the plan, which they say calls for Cape Codders to shelter in place while others are evacuated off the Cape. Federal regulators recently said they will increase oversight of Pilgrim, following a special inspection earlier this year and several unplanned plant shutdowns. (Monday, 11 a.m., Christmas Tree Shop parking lot, Route 6, Bourne)
FIGHT FOR $15 RALLY: After President Barack Obama's remarks at a Labor Day breakfast sponsored by the Greater Boston Labor Council, hundreds of workers and union members are expected to gather on Boston Common for a rally to draw attention to the "Fight for $15 and a Union" push for a $15 an hour minimum wage and the right to unionize for fast food restaurant workers. After a speaking program that will feature union and public officials, the group will march through downtown Boston, ending at the Aquarium MBTA station. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, Tremont St., Boston)
TUESDAY, SEPT. 8. 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: Thirty-nine bills pertaining to insurance are before the Public Service Committee for a public hearing on Tuesday. Several of the bills affect the Group Insurance Commission, which oversees health insurance plans for public employees and retirees. The committee will also consider bills affecting the surviving spouses of public employees, access to health care for charter school employees, the municipal health care market, and a Massachusetts state universities' part-time faculty health insurance trust Fund. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2221&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-1)
SELTZ AT MASS. MEDICAL SOCIETY: Health Policy Commission Executive Director David Seltz will speak to the Massachusetts Medical Society Interspecialty Committee. (Tuesday, 6:45 p.m., 860 Winter St., Waltham)
PRELIMINARY ELECTIONS: The cities of Boston, Chicopee, Springfield, Worcester and the towns of Greenfield and West Springfield will hold preliminary elections for various elected positions. (Tuesday)
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS: The Board of Certification of Community Health Workers meets to discuss a review of relevant state regulations pursuant to an executive order issued earlier this year by Gov. Charlie Baker and to provide a "refresher on ethics" for new members of the board. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th floor, Room 417 A&B, Boston)
HUBSPOT INC. INBOUND 2015: HubSpot is hosting its annual Inbound Event in Boston. The event gathers luminaries from an array of backgrounds to exchange ideas about digital media and business. According to HupSpot's website, Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, is slated as a featured speaker on Friday, Sept. 11. Celebrity guests include comedians Marc Maron and Aziz Ansari. The event runs Tuesday, Sept. 8 through Friday, Sept. 11. (Tuesday, 6 a.m, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston)
REHABILITATION COUNCIL: The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Council is expected to hold its quarterly meeting. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Springfield Library, Central Library Community Room, 220 State St., Springfield)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attend the Local Government Advisory Commission's monthly meeting. The agenda includes a discussion of the state budget issues and economic conditions, a presentation on solar development legislation, an update on the Community Compact initiative and a presentation by the administration on community economic development programs. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 157, State House)
BUMP IN NANTUCKET: State Auditor Suzanne Bump is scheduled to visit Nantucket with Rep. Timothy Madden to meet with health care providers from Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. (Tuesday, 9 a.m.)
MMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Massachusetts Municipal Association Board of Directors will meet to discuss local issues and to prepare for the Local Government Advisory Commission meeting, which is expected to include a discussion of the state budget issues and economic conditions, a presentation on solar development legislation, an update on the Community Compact initiative and a presentation by the administration on community economic development programs. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., MMA office, 1 Winthrop Sq., 2nd floor, Boston)
FEMALE UBER DRIVERS: Rep. Danielle Gregoire, other legislators, and members of the tech community are expected to gather at the Seaport Hotel for "Women Move Massachusetts," an event to recognize female Uber drivers. In July, women accounted for more than one third of all new Uber drivers, the company said. Speakers are expected to "highlight the social and economic contributions these driver-partners offer to the state and local economies." (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Seaport Hotel, Plaza Ballroom, 3rd floor, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston)
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments for the following cases: SJC-11842 Elmer Wing vs. Commissioner of Probation; SJC-11852 Commonwealth vs. Raheem B. Garrett; SJC-11862 Commonwealth vs. Richard J. St. Louis; SJC-11800 Chris E. Maling and another vs. Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garret and Dunnder, LLP and others; SJC-11856 Impounded Case |Case Calendar :http://ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc#September (Tuesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY: The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Selection Committee plans to meet in an executive session to have a preliminary screening committee interview applicants for the position of executive director of the convention center authority. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Room 161, 415 Summer St., Boston)
2016 CANDIDATE O'MALLEY ON GREATER BOSTON: A pre-taped interview with Democratic presidential candidate and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to air on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. O'Malley did a campaign swing through the Boston area this week where he attended a fundraising event in Somerville and a reception hosted by Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley in Jamaica Plain. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch.2)
BRIDGE CLOSURE IN REVERE: On Tuesday morning, the Railroad Street Bridge in Revere will be closed because of "advanced deterioration." The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced the closure Friday, and said there is no immediate concern about the safety of the bridge for the days leading up to its closure. (Tuesday)
FOOD POLICY: Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux will chair a Massachusetts Food Policy Council meeting. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 100 Cambridge Street, Rooms C & D, 2nd Floor, Boston)
NORTH ADAMS SOLAR: Department of Energy Resources Deputy Commissioner Dan Burgess will speak at a ribbon cutting for a 3 megawatt solar installation on the City of North Adams' capped landfill. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 151 E Street, North Adams)
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TOUR: Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders tours Boston Children's Hospital. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., 300 Longwood Ave., Boston)
COST OF DOING BUSINESS: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash participates in a forum on the cost of doing business. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Suffolk University Law School)
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9, 2015
POLITO CHAIRS GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL MEETING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a meeting of the Governor's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 360, State House)
NORTH-SOUTH RAIL MEETING: Former Govs. Michael Dukakis and William Weld plan to meet at the State House Wednesday with Gov. Charlie Baker to pitch him on the need for an underground rail corridor to connect South Station with North Station. The governor's office on Friday declined to share additional details about the private meeting.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Bills dealing with teacher dismissals, licensing and educator evaluations are before the Joint Committee on Education for a public hearing on Wednesday. The agenda also includes bills pertaining to nursing service in public schools, the composition of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, background and fingerprinting checks, and the teaching of "gifted and talented students." Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2212&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2)
EVENT FOR QUINCY CITY COUNCILOR KIRSTEN HUGHES: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito are the expected special guests at a re-election reception for Kirsten Hughes, who is running for her third term as Quincy City Councilor in Ward 5. According to her campaign website, Hughes was the first woman elected to the position in the ward's history. Hughes is also state Republican Party chair. (Wednesday, 5:30, Common Market Restaurant, 97 Willard Street, Quincy)
UMASS BOARD OF TRUSTEES ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE MEETING: The University of Massachusetts' Board of Trustees Committee on Administration and Finance meets. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., UMass President's Office, Amherst Room, 33rd Floor, 225 Franklin Street, Boston)
SUFFOLK RIBBON CUTTING: Suffolk University officially opens its new academic building, 20 Somerset, with a ribbon cutting. Lt. Gov Karyn Polito, Auditor Suzanne Bump and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh are all scheduled to attend, along with Suffolk President Margaret McKenna. The 10-story building includes classrooms, labs, a cafe and event space, and will house the school's Communication and Journalism Department. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 20 Somerset St., Boston)
UMASS BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING: The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Audit Committee is scheduled to meet to hear a report by the director of internal audit. An executive session will follow. Meeting Agenda:https://www.umassp.edu/sites/umassp.edu/files/content/9-9-15%20Audit%20notice%20%26%20agenda.pdf (Wednesday, 10 a.m., UMass President's Office, Amherst Room, 33rd Floor, 225 Franklin Street, Boston)
LIVE POLITICAL HAPPY HOUR WITH MAYOR WALSH: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will sit down for a Political Happy Hour event with Boston Globe writer Joshua Miller to discuss his long-term view of the city and current events. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Boston)
MBTA CONTROL BOARD: The MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board will meet. An agenda will be posted in advance here:http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/?id=6442454761 Created after the problems that occurred last winter, the control board has met regularly, dealing with a planned privatization of bus routes, a ballooning $7.3 billion state-of-good-repair backlog and the $700 million to $1 billion jump in the estimated cost of the Green Line Extension. Unlike prior meetings of the board, held in a chamber on the third floor, Wednesday's gathering will take place in more accessible and larger space on the second floor of the building, according to a meeting notice. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, 2nd Floor, Conference Rooms 1, 2, and 3, Boston)
GUV AT CODMAN ACADEMY: Gov. Charlie Baker offers remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Codman Academy Charter Public School's newly renovated Lithgow Building expansion. The Lithgow Building is more than 115 years old and is a focal point of Codman Square in Dorchester. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 622 Washington St., Dorchester)
MASS POWER FORWARD: In five cities environmental activists pushing a "just transition" to clean energy will rally ahead of a State House lobbying effort. Gov. Charlie Baker has proposed two energy bills. One would facilitate procuring hydroelectricity from Canada and the other would temporarily allow increased access of a solar-friendly utility program known as net-metering to take advantage of federal solar incentives. The Senate passed legislation this summer that provides a substantially larger lift in the net-metering cap. The House has not yet taken an approach to solar energy. Consisting of business, religious and community organizations, the movement calling itself Mass Power Forward will mobilize for what an organizer said would be a Sept. 29 hearing of the Committee on Telecommunications Utilities and Energy on energy issues. Emily Kirkland, of Better Future Project, said the hearing would cover at least Baker's hydro bill and comprehensive energy bills filed by Rep. Patricia Haddad and Sen. Benjamin Downing. The events will be held at 9 a.m. at the Greater Boston Food Bank Yawkey Distribution Center, 70 S Bay Ave, Boston; at 9 a.m. at Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St., Holyoke; at 11 a.m. at Newell Playground, 184 Idlewell Blvd, Weymouth; at 11 a.m. outside the offices of Kinder Morgan, 137 North Street, Pittsfield; and somewhere in Fall River, with a time and place to be determined. (Wednesday, various times and locations)
FRANKLIN COUNTY OPIOID TASK FORCE: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will offer the opening remarks at the Franklin County Opioid Task Force's "sequential intercept mapping" event. Sequential intercept mapping helps communities develop and implement plans for change through cross-system collaboration. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., John Olver Transportation Center, 12 Olive St., Greenfield)
AG MEETING WITH MASS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION: Attorney General Maura Healey will meet with the members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation in Washington D.C. Closed to press.(Wednesday, 11 a.m., Washington D.C.)
FOSTER KID COALITION: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and Gov. Charlie Baker will meet with the Foster Kid Coalition. (CLOSED PRESS) (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Governor's Office, Room 360, State House)
REPORT ON BUSINESS COSTS: The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation releases its latest report on the "true costs of doing business in Massachusetts." After the report is released, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash will headline a panel discussion about the report and business conditions in the Commonwealth with Steve Fugarazzo from Raytheon, Douglas Rosenfeld from Analogic and Joanne Domeniconi from The Grommet.. Registration required. To register, contact Andrea D'Attilio at 617-720-1000. (Wednesday, breakfast at 7:30, event begins at 8 a.m., Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston)
BRIEFING ON BILL TO REGULATE SALE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS: Reps. Kay Khan, Denise Provost, and Marcos Devers and eating disorder awareness advocates will hold a briefing on bill that would regulate the sale of dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building. The bill (H 3471) would ban the sale of weight loss or muscle building supplements to anyone under 18 years of age. The bill also requires establishments to post a notice about the side effects of dietary supplements and calls for all supplements to be kept in a secure place - behind the counter, or accessed only by a store supervisor. The bill also imposes fines for violators. An estimated 300,000 Massachusetts residents suffer from eating disorders, according to briefing organizers. Speakers will include Beth Mayer LICSW, executive director of the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)and Kathryn Ackerman, director of the Female Athlete Program at Boston Children's Hospital, (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 350, State House)
GOLDBERG IN NYC: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will be a participant on the Women Investors' Forum. The Financial Women's Association brings together professionals from the financial world. During lunch Goldberg and North Carolina Treasurer Janet Cowell will participate in a joint interview on pension issues and board diversity. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Winston & Strawn LLP, 200 Park Ave., #4511, New York, N.Y.)
MASSDOT BOARD MEETING: The MassDOT Board of Directors will hold a meeting that includes presentations on a capital planning overview and a "look back/lessons learned analysis" on the Green Line Extension project. The Fiscal Management and Control Board will formally begin its meeting after giving a report to the Board of Directors. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, Conference Rooms 1,2 & 3, 2nd floor, Boston)
BLIND REHABILITATION COUNCIL: The Mass. Commission for the Blind Rehabilitation Council meets with an agenda that includes an update from the commissioner and a discussion of "White Cane Day," which is meant to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and to "make people more fully aware of the meaning of the white cane and of the need for motorists to exercise special care for the blind persons who carry it," according to the National Federation of the Blind. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 600 Washington St., 2nd floor, Boston)
CONGRESSWOMAN CLARK ON GREATER BOSTON: Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch.2)
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments for the following cases: SJC-11855 Commonwealth vs. David J. Kaeppeler; SJC-11861 Commonwealth vs. John Doe; SJC-11809 Outfront Media VW Communications LLC and another vs. Massachusetts Department of Transportation and others; SJC-11823 Impound Case; SJC-11838 Michael Champa vs. Town of Weston Public Schools and others |Case Calendar :http://ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc#September (Wednesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
MSBA MEETING: The Massachusetts School Building Authority holds a meeting of its Facilities Assessment Subcommittee. The town of Dedham and the Mount Greylock Regional School District are each scheduled to make presentations. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 40 Broad St., Boston)
HEALTH INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS: The Center for Health Information and Analysis will present its 2015 Annual Report of the Massachusetts Health Care System at the Health Policy Commission's board meeting. HPC staff will preview the 2015 Health Care Cost Trends Hearings, scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2015. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor, Boston)
TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE: The New Bedford Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance meets to get an update from the director of the department and to hear from a yet-to-be-announced guest speaker. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., New Bedford Transitional Assistance Office, Oceanside Plaza, 160 West Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford)
INTERAGENCY PERMITTING: Requests from the towns of Freetown, Millbury, Sutton and Ayer will be considered by the Interagency Permitting Board at its business meeting. The board is charged with approving or denying municipal priority development site proposals and administering technical assistance grants. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor, Suite 2101, Boston)
BECKER COLLEGE PROJECT FINANCING: The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency will discuss the issuance of up to $10 million in bonds for a project at Becker College's Worcester and Leicester campuses. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 89 Shrewsbury St., Worcester)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of the towns of Westborough, Carver and Westford for Approval by the Department of Public Utilities of its Municipal Aggregation Plan. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, Hearing Room C.)
THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2015
GUV TALKS RECOVERY: In a keynote address at the Lowell House "Celebrate Recovery" breakfast, Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to discuss some the state's key strategies in dealing with the opioid epidemic. Lowell House provides a range of residential recovery programs to help those addicted to drugs and alcohol. (Thursday, 7:45 a.m., UMass-Lowell Inn and Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell)
BAKER ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to make an "affordable housing announcement." (Thursday, 1:45 p.m., Causeway and Beverly streets, Boston)
VISIT TO MATTAPAN TECH: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will visit Mattapan Tech, a non-profit institution that aims to promote self-sufficiency and empower people through job training and career building. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 24 Regis Road, Mattapan)
COMMUNITY COMPACT SIGNING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Quincy Mayor Tom Koch will sign a community compact at City Hall. (Thursday, 11:45 a.m., Quincy City Hall, 1305 Hancock St., Quincy)
BROCKTON PLAZA OPENING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends the grand opening of Brockton's City Hall Plaza. (Thursday, 1 p.m., City Hall amphitheater, 45 School St. Brockton)
HEALTH CONNECTOR: The Board of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority meets to receive an update on 2016 open enrollment readiness and outreach, and to vote on final award of the 2016 seal of approval. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor, Boston)
SOCIAL SERVICES REPORT: The Executive Office of Health and Human Services will hold a public forum to gather feedback on the Social Services Block Grant Pre-Expenditure Report for fiscal 2016, which has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families. The report is available on the Department of Children and Families's website. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 600 Washington St., 7th floor, Room 7012, Boston)
MASS MUTUAL EXEC ADDRESSES CHAMBER FORUM: Roger Crandall, chairman, president and CEO of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, is set to address the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Executive Forum. (Thursday, 8:10 a.m., Four Seasons Hotel, Boston)
MASSDEVELOPMENT BOARD: The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Board is scheduled to hold a meeting that will include discussion of the agency's annual performance report for the 2015 fiscal year and the strategic themes and goals for the 2016 fiscal year. According to the agenda, the board will vote on bonds for Harbor Health Services, the Northbrook Senior Limited Partnership, the Parallel Environmental Services Corporation, Emerson Hospital, the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston, Marbury Terrace, Human Resources Unlimited, ServiceNet and the Community Action Agency of Somerville. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 99 High Street, 11th floor)
KINDER MORGAN HEARING: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, an Amherst Democrat, will host a comment session on the Kinder Morgan pipeline, which would traverse portions of western Massachusetts and bring Pennsylvania shale gas to New England. Opponents of the pipeline have proposed taking legal action after the Department of Public Utilities approved 20-year contracts for utilities to purchase capacity on the line, according to the Boston Herald. In an email to constituents, Rosenberg said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates the siting of natural gas lines, had denied his request for a second scoping meeting. Rosenberg said one scoping hearing had been held in Greenfield on July 29. "I then asked FERC officials if I could conduct my own hearing. They indicated that such a thing had never been done before, but agreed to accept the testimony collected on September 10th," Rosenberg wrote. He said he would meet with FERC Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur in Washington D.C. and hand-deliver the testimony to federal officials on Sept. 30. "Commissioner LaFleur is a Massachusetts native and is known for her emphasis on developing a diverse power supply for our nation, which includes alternative energy sources," Rosenberg said. "I can't think of anyone better to speak with about the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline, the concerns of western Massachusetts residents, and energy policy in general. I certainly appreciate her willingness to meet with me." Rosenberg said that as FERC develops its environmental impact statement the agency is most concerned with geology and soils, water bodies and wetlands, vegetation and wildlife, cultural resources, land-use and recreation, socioeconomics, air quality and news, cumulative impacts and public safety. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Greenfield Community College Dining Commons)
MEETING OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATORS: Calling all municipal personnel administrators: The annual meetings of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association will include an update on the Affordable Care Act and how it affects cities and towns in the Bay State. Later in the day, participants will be regaled with a presentation on "how data collection and wellness surveys can be used to design a wellness program specific to the needs and interests of your municipality." Lunch will be served. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Pkwy, Devens)
MEDICAL REGISTRATION LICENSING COMMITTEE: The Board of Registration in Medicine's Licensing Committee will meet to discuss licensing cases in an executive session and to take action on about a dozen licenses that have lapsed over two years. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 200 Harvard Mill Square, Suite 330, Wakefield)
DCR ACCESSIBLE CAMPING ANNOUNCEMENT: The Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Universal Access Program will offer yurt camping for individuals with disabilities at two state forests. According to DCR, a yurt is "a circular, dome structure that is supported by a wooden frame and covered in heavy, durable canvas." The camping structure, which can house four to six people, features a skylight, screen windows, locking door, beds, furniture and electricity. Yurt camping will be offered at Otter River State Forest and Shawme-Crowell State Forest from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13. More information: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/accessibility/accessible-camping-generic.html
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS: How many physician assistants can a registered physician supervise? Are physician assistant students are required to be supervised by a supervising physician while on rotations? What is the protocol for a supervising physician working in Antarctica? Those questions and more will be pondered by the Board of Registration of Physician Assistants, which is also expected to "discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against an individual, and to discuss strategy with respect to litigation" in an executive session. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th floor, Room 417 A&B, Boston)
ROSENBERG ON WHMP: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg joins Bill Newman for his monthly interview on WHMP. (Thursday, 9 a.m., www.whmp.com, WHMP-AM 1400 Northampton, 1600 East Longmeadow, 1240 Greenfield, FM 96.9 Amherst)
COFFEE WITH ROSENBERG: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will host a community coffee hour with constituents in Northampton. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Northampton Coffee, 269 Pleasant St., Northampton)
FINANCIAL LITERACY WEBINAR: Treasurer Deb Goldberg and the Office of Economic Empowerment will host their first webinar on financial literacy. (Thursday, 1 p.m., One Ashburton Place, 12th Floor Conference Room, Boston)
UMASS LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will attend the University of Massachusetts legislative luncheon with UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. (Thursday, 12 p.m., 150 Chancellor's Dr., Amherst)
ROSENBERG VISITS UMASS FACULTY SENATE: State Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will offer brief remarks and will take questions at the UMass Faculty Senate meeting. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Herter Hall, Room 227, UMass-Amherst, Amherst)
BAKER ATTENDS GRID OPERATOR MEETING: After attending an energy-focused conference in Newfoundland, Gov. Charlie Baker will speak at the annual meeting of ISO New England, the region's electrical grid operator. ISO New England is expected to release its 2015 Regional System Plan at the meeting and will gather feedback. (Thursday, 12:15 p.m., Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston)
PREVENTION AND WELLNESS: The Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund Advisory Board is set to hold a working group meeting with the goal of becoming "aware of the controversy surrounding the use of incentives in worksite wellness programs" and to learn more about two partnerships the board is a part of. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 250 Washington St., Public Health Council Room, Boston)
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments for the following cases: SJC-11835 Commonwealth vs. Ronjon Cameron; SJC-11858 Commonwealth vs. Robinson Tejeda; SJC-11865 Robert Maclaurin and another vs. City of Holyoke and others; SJC-11866 Robert Maclaurin and another vs. City of Holyoke and another; SJC-11864 Gregory T. Magazu and another vs. Department of Children and Families; SJC-11911 Impound Case; SJC-11846 In The Matter of Chandrakant Shridhar Panse; SJC-11863 Randall Trap and another vs. Commissioner of Department of Corrections and others Reserve Case. |Case Calendar :http://ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc#September (Thursday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
DCR HEARING: The Department of Conservation and Recreation will host a public meeting at which Community Rowing, Inc. will present plans for expansion of docks at the Harry Parker Boathouse at 20 Nonantum Road in Brighton. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Community Rowing, 20 Nonantum Road, Brighton)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Liberty Utilities (New England Natural Gas Company) Corp. d/b/a Liberty Utilities for approval of the rates and charges set forth in tariffs, and approval of an increase in base distribution rates for gas service. (Thursday, 7 p.m., North Attleboro Emergency Operation Center, 102 South Washington St., North Attleboro)
BIOHUB RIBBON CUTTING: AstraZeneca cuts the ribbon on its Gatehouse Park Biohub in Waltham. Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash will join. (Thursday, 11 a.m., AstraZeneca R&D Facility, 35 Gatehouse Dr., Waltham)
BEVERLY DEMONSTRATION LAB: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Interim CEO Mike Kennealy and MassBio Vice President for Member Services Kendalle O'Connell join representatives of United Kingdom-based Applied Photophysics to cut the ribbon on the company's new demonstration lab in Beverly. (Thursday, 4 p.m., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 440 C)
ASH LISTENS: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash attends the Roxbury Economic Development listening session. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury Crossing)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2015
BLOOD DRIVE: Gov. Charlie Baker will attend a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross. (Friday, 2 p.m., Fenway Park, Gate D, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston)
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear the following cases: SJC-11687 Commonwealth vs. Deshawn Chappell, SJC-11411 Commonwealth vs. Steven Gonzales; SJC-11605 Commonwealth vs. Richard M. Boucher, Jr.; SJC-10993 Commonwealth vs. Scott Foxworth.|Case Calendar :http://ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc#September(Friday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
"LUNCH AND LEARN" WITH FORMER GOV. DUKAKIS: Former Gov. Michael Dukakis is a scheduled guest for City Hall's monthly "Lunch and Learn" series for city employees. Not open to general public. (Friday, 12 p.m., Boston Redevelopment Authority Boardroom, 9th floor, 1 City Hall Square, Boston)
9/11 WREATH LAYING: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov Karyn Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey will attend a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. (Friday, 7:30 a.m., Boston Public Garden, 9/11 Contemplative Garden, Boston)
FLAG LOWERING: To honor and remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will participate in the lowering of a flag, a moment of silence and a reading of the names of some victims. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., State House, Front lawn, Boston)
SWEENEY AWARD: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito,Attorney General Maura Healey and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg attend a presentation of the Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery. Madeline Sweeney, a flight attendant who lived in Acton with her husband and two children, was aboard Flight 11 the first plane to hit the World Trade Center, striking the North Tower 14 years ago. "Amy Sweeney had the courage and bravery to contact the airline's ground services crew to convey critical information about the five hijackers and their fatal actions on the plane that morning," the Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security reports on its website. The award has been part of the Bay State's annual commemoration of the attacks since the first anniversary 2002, and was first awarded posthumously to Sweeney herself and Betty Ong, a flight attendant from Andover who was able to call the American Airlines Reservation Center, and pilot John Ogonowski, of Dracut, who allowed ground crew to listen in intermittently to cockpit conversations after his plane was hijacked.(Friday, 9:30 a.m., House Chamber, State House)
MASS 9/11 FUND: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend a reception for the Mass. 9/11 Fund, a non-profit corporation devoted to supporting families with ties to Massachusetts who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. (Friday, 11 a.m., Taj Hotel, 15 Arlington St., Boston)
DAY OF SERVICE: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey will take part in a care package service project to support active duty service members and veterans, sponsored by the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund. The day of service will include building 500 military care packages for service men and women overseas, writing letters of support to the troops, and building care packages for local veterans in need. (Friday, 12:30 p.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway -- Mother's Walk, 185 Kneeland St., Boston)
CABINET MEETING: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and members of the governor's cabinet meet. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 3:30 p.m., Governor's Office, Room 360)
THANKS TO YANKS: The 2015 Thanks to Yanks 9/11 Dinner will feature remarks from Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. The dinner is organized to recognize the sacrifices of current and former service members and to remember the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (Friday, 7 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, 11 Beaver St., Milford)
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend a women's leadership breakfast organized by UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman. (Friday, 10 a.m., UMass Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth)
GOLDBERG ON WAGE EQUALITY: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will host her regional roundtable on "Wage Equality Best Practices." (Friday, 11:30 a.m., UMass Dartmouth, Lawrence Hall Woodland Commons, 285 Old Westport Road, N. Dartmouth)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROYALSTON: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will attend a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Royalston. (Friday, 5:30 p.m. Royalston Town Hall, 13 On the Common Royalston)
GAMING COMMISSION - REGION C COMMENTS DEADLINE: Written comments are due by Friday at 5 p.m. in connection with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission proceedings regarding casinos in southeastern Massachusetts. Mass Gaming and Entertainment, which is seeking a commercial license to build a casino in Brockton, has requested that the commission "make an immediate determination (prior to the Region C application date) that the Commission will issue a casino license in Region C if it determines that a Region C gaming applicant meets all of the criteria for issuance of such a license and it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth regardless of whether or not the United States Secretary of the Interior puts land into trust in Taunton for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe prior to the issuance of a casino license." Under Mass Gaming and Entertainment's request, the commission "would not deny Mass Gaming and Entertainment LLC's application for a Region C license merely because such land had been taken into trust for the Tribe prior to the issuance of such license" if certain policies and criteria have been satisfied. According to the commission, its current plan and policy "is that it will make a determination on whether to issue a license only after its review of the full gaming application and then only if its review shows that issuance of a license would be beneficial to the Commonwealth given the totality of the then existing and foreseeable economic circumstances. For the Region C review, this totality would include the potential for competition by a Tribal casino."
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12, 2015
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CANNABIS CONVENTION - DAY ONE: The New England Cannabis Network (NECANN) will kick off the first day of the weekend-long Boston Medical Marijuana Industry Convention. The event will feature opportunities to network with vendors, talk with doctors and health care providers as well as wholesale and retail suppliers of lighting, soil and growing equipment, according to NECANN. Medical marijuana panels, workshops, and lectures are also apart of the event's program. "For anyone who is interested in seeing the true scope of the local Medical Marijuana Industry, including its benefits and enormous potential this is the place to be," said Marc Shepard, co-founder of NECANN. A convention in February drew 5,000 attendees, according to the group. There will be no medicinal marijuana present, according to organizers, and attendees must be 18 or older. (Saturday, 12 p.m., Castle at Park Plaza, Boston)
BRIDGEWATER RIBBON CUTTING: Treasurer Deb Goldberg along with Massachusetts School Building Authority CEO Maureen Valente will join state and local officials to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony for Bridgewater Middle/Senior High School. A tour will follow after the ceremony. (Saturday, 1 p.m., Bridgewater Middle/Senior High School, 155 W Center Street, West Bridgewater)
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