What's happening in state government in the coming week of September 13
Wolf, Whelan making waves
Members of the Massachusetts Senate return to Beacon Hill next week for the second and shortest of three stretches of formal sessions during the 2015-2016 General Court. The House doesn't have a formal session planned next week but representatives will be back on the Hill for a slew of public hearings on issues such as regulation of ride-sharing services, access to early education, expungement of criminal records of juveniles, free community college, trafficking of fentanyl, and a mandate for police to file reports on use of force.
Gov. Charlie Baker and legislative leaders focused nearly exclusively over the first seven months of formals on state budget issues, a perennial concern, and efforts to improve operations at the MBTA. The rest of the legislative agenda awaits, and the coming stretch of formal sessions - the branches have kept to a schedule of one per week - will run until Nov. 18 before lawmakers take another breather that will run into January. Legislative leaders keep specific agenda items relatively secret, but action is expected soon on a budget bill to wrap up fiscal 2015, which could have an impact on how much UMass students pay in tuition. Lawmakers are actively considering changes to energy policies, a title-clearing bill for foreclosed properties, public records access issues, and policies to address growing rates of addiction to opioids and heroin. Senators this week outlined an opioid bill that they've been working on for months and which could emerge for a floor vote in the next few weeks. It would also not be surprising to see movement soon on a transgender rights bill given growing levels of support and lobbying on behalf of that legislation. Here's a look at storylines that will drive next week and a detailed breakdown of government events and meetings in the days ahead:
-- Democratic Party leaders including many from within the ranks of the party that has long controlled the Legislature are gearing up for a trip to Springfield late next week. The party plans to hold its non-election year convention on Saturday, Sept. 19.
-- Companies like Uber and Lyft are gobbling up an increasing share of the ride industry, using innovation to cut into a business long dominated by taxis. The trend has spurred calls for regulation of the new companies, which customers say are more convenient than cabs. The Financial Services Committee on Tuesday holds a hearing on ride industry bills, including one filed by Gov. Charlie Baker.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12, 2015
TSONGAS RIVER DAY TO FEATURE U.S. INTERIOR SECRETARY: Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas will be joined by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell for the 9th annual River Day, a celebration of the rivers that connect Tsongas's district. The daylong event will begin with Tsongas and Jewell paddling on the Concord River before meeting with a group of 4th grade students from Lawrence. Each child will receive a pass granting them free year-long access to all public land and water across the country as part of the Obama administration's "Every Kid in a Park" initiative. Tsongas and Jewell will then head to Lowell National Historic Park for a boat tour of the Mill City's river and canal system. Tsongas is the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee, which oversees national parks and forests. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord, 12:30 p.m., Lower Locks outside Middlesex Community College's Cowan Center, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell)
PRESSLEY DOUBLE DUTCH EVENT: Keying off a popular jump rope game, At-Large Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley will join a large range of community organizations and law enforcement for her second annual Jump Into Peace Double Dutch Community Event. "Why double dutch? Our children are forced to grow up so quickly today. I thought back to a time when as a girl I felt free and safe, and it was when I could jump double Dutch on my block without any fear, laughing and moving rhythmically with my girlfriends," Pressley said in a statement. "I want the girls of 2015 to know the same peace and sisterhood - they deserve it." Aimed at encouraging girls to help foster peace in city neighborhoods, the free event will include food, music and double Dutch lessons. (Saturday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Malcolm X Park Tennis Courts, Roxbury)
ROSENBERG MARCHES IN ROYALSTON: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Royalston by marching in the Royalston 250th Celebration Parade. (Saturday, 11:45 a.m., North Fitzwilliam Road, Royalston)
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS OPENING: Suffolk University marks the official opening of its new athletic facility at East Boston Memorial Park, established in a partnership with the city of Boston. Suffolk baseball, softball and soccer teams will train and play home games at the park, sharing the facilities with East Boston High School and the East Boston community. Attendees include Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, East Boston High School Headmaster Phillip Brangiforte, and Suffolk President Margaret McKenna, Senior Vice President John Nucci and Athletic Director Cary McConnell. A Suffolk Rams soccer doubleheader will follow the opening ceremony. The women's team takes on Lasell College at 1:45 p.m., and the men play Mount Ida College at 4:30 p.m. (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., 143 Porter St., East Boston)
CONAN AT JFK LIBRARY: The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's New Frontier Network hosts its inaugural fundraiser, featuring honorary chairman Conan O'Brien. The late-night host and Brookline native will hold a discussion with MSNBC political correspondent Kasie Hunt, ABC News political director Rick Klein and Alexis Wilkinson, a staff writer for the HBO show "Veep" and former president of the Harvard Lampoon. The event will include a reception, dinner with musical entrtainment provided by Berklee College of Music graduates, a program on "presidential wit and humor" and a VIP post-reception for eligible ticket buyers. Tickets are $100 to $200 for members, $150 to $250 for non-members and $2,500 for a table of eight. New Foundation Network funds support the programs at the JFK Library. (Saturday, 6 p.m., JFK Library, Columbia Point, Boston)
WEST ROXBURY FIELD UPGRADE: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh will announce improvements made to the West Roxbury Education Complex, Raiders Field. The project, which cost $18.2 million, covers 14 acres in addition to the existing recreational amenities located at Millennium Park. Expected in attendance are Chief of Streets Chris Osgood, Chief of Civic Engagement Jerome Smith, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space Austin Blackmon, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang, Public Works Commissioner Michael Dennehy and Boston Parks Commissioner Christopher Cook. (Saturday, 11 a.m., West Roxbury Education Complex, 1205 Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway, West Roxbury)
MERRIMACK VALLEY PREVENTION FORUM: The Merrimack Valley Prevention & Substance Abuse Project hosts a community forum to raise awareness of the growing heroin and opioid abuse and overdose crisis and promote recovery efforts. Panelists include Rep. Diana DiZoglio, Danielle Murray of the Lawrence Drug Court, Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon, Jim Kane of Serenity at Summit New England in Haverhill, Jennifer Burns of Peer Recovery Center and Eagle Tribune managing editor Tracey Rauh. (Saturday, 11 a.m., 77 Lowell St., Methuen)
OPIATES AND SCHOOLS: Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, a Leominster Democrat who has pushed legislation to divert youth from drugs and ease access to overdose-reversal medication, will attend a opiate workshop with Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. "Are your Students at Risk?" asks an advisory for the discussion. The event will be moderated by Ellen Holmes, who is chair for the central Massachusetts division of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Easton Public Schools Nursing Team will also be in attendance. A committee chaired by Flanagan on Thursday recommended screening middle and high school students for drug use and other dangerous behavior, among a slew of proposals included in proposed legislation. (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Worcester Technical High School)
SIGNATURE DRIVE FOR MILLIONAIRE'S TAX: Raise Up Massachusetts plans to launch a signature drive Saturday with the goal of advancing a constitutional amendment placing an additional 4 percent tax on incomes above $1 million to pay for public transportation and education investments. The organization plans signature-gathering efforts in Worcester, Lynn, Fall River, New Bedford, Brockton and Brookline. Supporters hope to place the amendment on the 2018 ballot but first need to collect signatures and secure two favorable legislative votes, one this session and one in the 2017-2018 session. Those votes would occur at a Constitutional Convention where the presiding officer, new Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, has been a longtime supporter of a graduated income tax. The next convention is scheduled for Oct. 21. Citizen-sponsored constitutional amendments need only 50 or more votes during conventions to be advanced.
DUTCHMEN VS. COLONIALS: When the Union College Dutchmen line up against the Western Connecticut State University Colonials, Gov. Charlie Baker will be in the audience cheering on the team from New York. The governor's youngest son A.J. is a senior wide receiver and co-captain of the Union football team. At 6 feet tall, 192 pounds, A.J. led the Dutchmen with eight catches and 81 receiving yards in Union's season opening loss last weekend to Ithaca. (Saturday, 6 p.m. Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, Conn.)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 13, 2015
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY ON OTR: Janet Wu and Ed Harding welcome Congressman Joe Kennedy III as an On The Record guest. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CANNABIS CONVENTION - DAY TWO: The New England Cannabis Network (NECANN) will hold its second day of the Boston Medical Marijuana Industry Convention. The weekend-long 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. No smoking or vaping is allowed at event. Must be 18+ to enter. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Castle at Park Plaza, Boston)
MONDAY, SEPT. 14, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches start the week with informal sessions Monday at 11 a.m.
Barnstable gets easement relief
SENATE BONDING COMMITTEE: The Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets holds a public hearing on two land bills - S 1631 designating certain lands in the town of Adams for conservation and public recreational purposes, and S 1990 authorizing the Commonwealth to grant an easement to the town of Barnstable and the town of Barnstable to grant or assign several conservation restrictions to the Commonwealth. Full agenda:https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2230&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Room 222)
KENNEDY TOURS CPS: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III will tour the Norton-based CPS Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of advanced materials, according to the congressman's office. (Monday, 11 a.m., CPS Technologies, Inc., 111 South Worcester St., Norton)
KENNEDY VISITS SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITY: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III will visit North Cottage Program, a residential facility for substance abuse treatment, to discuss drug and alcohol abuse treatment. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 69 East Main St., Norton)
ADAMS PARK ANNOUNCEMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito make a "capital announcement" about Adams Park. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Adams Green, Hancock and Washington Streets, Quincy)
ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III will host a discussion and workshop with specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant for fire chiefs and fire service professionals. (Monday, 10 a.m., Stonehill College, Ames Sports Complex, Room 120, 320 Washington St., North Easton)
MILITARY ACADEMY INFO SESSION: Rep. Seth Moulton invites students to attend a military academy informational session at North Shore Community College. Interested students can meet with representatives from the Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Air Force Academy, and West Point. There will also be a question and answer session with the representatives and other students. All of the academies except for the Coast Guard Academy require a congressional nomination. (Monday, 7 p.m., Lecture Hall DM 119, Math & Science Building, North Shore Community College)
MBTA CONTROL BOARD: The MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board will review aspects of the 60-day report due to the Legislature and the administration by Sept. 22, meet in executive session on security and real estate, and then re-emerge from the closed-door session to vote on an amendment to the lease between the T and Equity Office Partners for management of the South Station Concourse. (Monday, 11 a.m., MassDOT Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830, Boston)
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2015
PRESCHOOL EXPANSION GRANT: Gov. Charlie Baker visits an elementary school in Holyoke to make an announcement about a preschool expansion grant. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Sullivan Elementary School, 400 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke)
GUV'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker will make an announcement about affordable housing. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 4 Hampden St., Holyoke)
DESIGNER SELECTION PANEL: The Massachusetts School Building Authority's Designer Selection Panel meets to interview architect finalists for the James F. Peebles Elementary School in Bourne and to discuss a consultant for the Sylvester Elementary School in Hanover. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 40 Broad St., 2nd floor, Boston)
CONGRESSMAN MOULTON ON GREATER BOSTON: Congressman Seth Moulton is scheduled to appear on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch.2)
COMMUNITY HARVEST: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visit Community Harvest, a volunteer-based farming non-profit that grows fruits and vegetables in an effort to address hunger in the state. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 27 Wheeler Road, North Grafton)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hearing on 27 bills related to lotteries, secondary metals, flea markets, and alcohol licenses. A Sen. Jennifer Flanagan's bill (S 151) seeks to establish and regulate an online lottery. Other acts would prohibit the sale of lottery tickets by credit card (S 160) and require encouragement of recycling lottery tickets (H 129). Rep. Colleen Garry's bill (H 191) would prohibit the sale of food for children under two, drugs and cosmetics, and any product with an expiration date at flea markets. Also under consideration are four bills related to alcohol licenses and regulations in Northampton, Somerville, Norwood and Milton. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2197&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1)
BOARD OF RESPIRATORY CARE: The Board of Respiratory Care's agenda includes discussion on a memo about license status codes and a debate on a draft probation policy and a draft Valor Act policy. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 239 Causeway St., Room 417, Boston)
FIRE SERVICE COMMISSION: The Massachusetts Fire Service Commission is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Department of Fire Services, State Road, Stow)
WORKFORCE TRAINING BOARD: Richard Lord of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts will host a meeting of the Workforce Training Fund Advisory Board. Lord is a member of the board. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., One Beacon St., 16th floor, Boston)
WORKFORCE TRAINING BOARD: Richard Lord of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts will host a meeting of the Workforce Training Fund Advisory Board. Lord is a member of the board. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., One Beacon St., 16th floor, Boston)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: As more travelers choose between taxi cabs and new ride-share services, the Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing regarding Transportation Network Companies (TNC's), such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar. Gov. Baker's bill (H 3351) empowers the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to provide comprehensive regulation of TNC's. It would require background checks and adequate insurance for drivers, along with the creation of an advisory counsel to the DPU. Rep. Michael Moran and Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry's bill (H 3702), an act relative to passenger safety, provides regulations on permitting, background checks, drug testing, fines, and passenger nondiscrimination. The hearing will also include Sen. James Timilty's act relative to TNC insurance (S 559) and Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli's act relative to TNC services (H 931). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2218&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)
BOSTON'S PROPOSED ALCOHOL TAX: Boston City Council President Bill Linehan, City Councilor Frank Baker and Hope House President and CEO Fred Newton hold a news conference to discuss an addiction crisis facing the city and a proposed 2 percent tax on alcohol, which the councilors believe would help mitigate the problem. Money raised by the tax would go directly towards prevention, intervention, and recovery services for residents in the City of Boston, according to Linehan's office. The event will feature a screening of the video "20 Cents Makes Sense," which supports the tax. Boston voted overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the state alcohol tax in 2010, when a repeal ballot question passed with about 49 percent of the vote. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Hope House, 8 Farnham St., Dorchester)
GATEWAY CITIES CAUCUS DISCUSSES WAGES, TAXES: A $15 minimum wage and the "fair share amendment" -- which would increase the income tax rate for people earning over a million dollars by 4 percent on their income over one million dollars -- will be discussed by the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus. The meeting will feature speakers from the Raise Up Massachusetts Coalition, SEIU Executive Director Harris Gruman and MassBudget President Noah Berger. The guests will speak with legislators about effects the $15 minimum wage and millionaire's tax would have on working families in the state's so-called Gateway Cities. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 350)
Wolf's sustainable communities bill has more than 50 cosponsors
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses holds a legislative hearing for four zoning bills. The bills are an act to safeguard municipal permitting (S 118), establishing senior citizen safety zones (S 120), Sen. Pacheco's bill to promote livable communities and zoning reform act (S 116) and promoting the planning and development of sustainable communities (S 122). The sustainable communities bill has more than 50 cosponsors and is sponsored by Sen. Dan Wolf and Rep. Stephen Kulik. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2183&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Room B-1)
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture holds a hearing with 16 bills on the agenda. Rep. Paul Schmid III has sponsored four bills, on protecting the viability of farms (H 748), buffer zones on land under the agricultural restriction program (H 749), loans for failed septic systems (H 750), and nitrogen sensitive areas (H 751). Rep. Stephen Kulik has 25 cosponsors for his act to strengthen the Massachusetts agricultural infrastructure relative to meat and poultry production and processing (H 711). Other bills call for a task force to preserve and strengthen the state's cranberry industry (H 764) and encourage SNAP purchases at local farmers markets (H 3419). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2220&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Westport Grange, 931 Main Road, Westport)
ASK THE AG: Attorney General Maura Healey is scheduled to be on Boston Public Radio for the monthly "Ask the AG" segment with co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. (Tuesday, 12:30, WGBH-FM, 89.7)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies holds a hearing on bills affecting "gateway cities" and regional development. According to the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth, gateway cities are "midsize urban centers that anchor regional economies around the state" but have struggled because of the disappearance of manufacturing jobs. Five of the 11 bills seek to change the definition of a Gateway Municipality. Other bills seek to establish an Office of Rural Policy within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (H 295) and an underutilized building repair fund (H 300). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2226&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, 110 Canal St., Lowell)
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Service holds a hearing on bills related to group classification. Rep. Tackey Chan has sponsored eight bills regarding classifications in the retirement system and one about attorneys at the Department of Children and Families. Other bills concern the retirement rights and classifications of criminal prosecutors, nuclear reactor operators, nurses, police dispatchers, Massachusetts Housing Authority electricians, and employees of the Department of Youth Services, Department of Correction, and Parole Board. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2227&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1)
FRESH AIR FOR PATIENTS REGS: Concerned that the Department of Mental Health is set to scale back the rights of patients confined in facilities to access fresh air, mental health advocates plan to "blast" proposed regulations, according to the Disability Policy Consortium. The consortium said the regulations are "much less protective of the right to go outside than their own policy," which states fresh air is beneficial, and said the department "goes out of its way to suggest many ways for hospitals to deny their patients access to fresh air, access to which convicted felons in prisons are entitled." Backed by Somerville Democrats Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Rep. Denise Provost the 2014 fresh air law requires "reasonable daily access to the outdoors, as weather conditions reasonably permit, at inpatient facilities in a manner consistent with the person's clinical condition and safety as determined by the treating clinician and with the ability of the facility to safely provide access." Sen. Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican, sponsored amendments to the legislation allowing weather to be taken into consideration and charging the department with developing regulations that "ensure the safety of staff members charged with accompanying patients outdoors." The proposed rule changes would allow "across the board denials of fresh air" to a swath of patients, permit hospitals to deny fresh air to patients deemed "security risks," allow facilities to blame structural limitations to deny outdoor access completely and allow for denial of outdoor time when programming is ongoing, according to the consortium. The group credits Jonathan Dosick with championing fresh air legislation for a decade before it passed. "The Department of Mental Health strongly believes all patients have the right to fresh air," the department said in a statement. "However, the law requires other factors, including the patients clinical condition and safety concern, be taken into consideration. The proposed regulations were developed in consultation with stakeholders representing consumer advocates as well as providers. DMH welcomes public comment into its proposed regulations at the public hearing." (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Department of Mental Health Legal Office, 25 Staniford Street, Plaza West, Boston)
PRELIMINARY ELECTIONS IN EVERETT: The city of Everett will hold a preliminary election. (Tuesday)
CLEAN ENERGY CENTER: The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Board of Directors meets. Full agenda: http://www.masscec.com/events/masscec-board-directors-meeting-9 .... (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 63 Franklin St., Third Floor, Boston)
RAYTHEON CEO AT BIZ ROUNDTABLE: Raytheon Chairman & CEO Thomas Kennedy is the featured guest at a Massachusetts Business Roundtable breakfast. The event is for roundtable members and representatives of member companies. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m., Four Seasons Boston)
EVENING RECEPTION HONORING POLITO: The Massachusetts Republican Party will host an evening reception honoring Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at the Worcester Country Club. Gov. Charlie Baker will attend, according to the state party website. According to the invitation, an attendee must contribute or raise $5,000 to attend the co-chair reception. Tickets for the main reception range from $100 to $1,000. Donations will go to the Polito Committee. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Worcester Country Club, 2 Rice Street, Worcester)
CARVER COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Carver Board of Selectmen Chair Ronald Clarke sign a community compact. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 108 Main St., Carver)
HALIFAX COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Halifax Board of Selectmen Chair John DeLano sign a community compact. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Halifax Town Hall, 499 Plymouth St., Halifax)
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16, 2015
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL MEETING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a meeting of the Governor's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 360, State House)
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS VISIT WORCESTER: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will join Congressional Medal of Honor recipients for a visit to Worcester Technical High School. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Worcester Technical High School, 1 Skyline Dr., Worcester)
Timothy Whelan would criminalize the trafficking of fentanyl
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on 93 bills related to criminal procedure. Sen. Karen Spilka and Rep. Kay Khan have each filed bills (S 900, H 1433) that would allow the expungement of criminal records of juveniles. Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Claire Cronin (S 810, H 1248) have similar bills which would also expunge the records of those who have been falsely accused. Bills from Rep. John Fernandes and Attorney General Maura Healey (H 3755) and Reps. Timothy Whelan and Paul Tucker (H 3756) would criminalize the trafficking of fentanyl. A Rep. Mary Keefe and Sen. Patricia Jehlen bill (H 1428) would require police departments to file annual use-of-force reports with the state, for analysis and public posting and give the attorney general "control and responsibility" over all proceedings concerning officer-involved deaths. The bill also mandates an inquest into all officer-involved deaths and spells out additional requirements for a medical examiner and district attorney. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2232&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2)
NEW HAVEN-QUEBEC RAIL: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Vermont Agency of Transportation will release a study on the potential to expand passenger rail service to serve large and small communities along a 470-mile corridor across New England, Quebec, and New York. "After examining needs in the region and possible service options, the study team developed a cost-effective plan for increasing services along the corridor to meet passenger demand over the next 20 years," MassDOT said in announcing three meetings in Massachusetts and Vermont. The service improvement could include one round-trip train between Montreal and New Haven, one round-trip train between Boston and New Haven via Springfield, running local service with "speed improvements" up to 79 miles per hour. The state recently reopened a train station in Holyoke, and New Haven is located on Amtrak's busy corridor between Boston and Washington D.C. The first meeting is in Boston. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Massachusetts Department of Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Conference Room 1, second floor, Boston)
UMASS BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Members of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees will meet. Scheduled public speakers at the meeting include Marlene Kim, Faculty Staff Union President, and Professor, Department of Economics, UMass Boston; Tom Goodkind, President, Professional Staff Union, UMass Boston; and Allen Davis, UMASS Alumni Divestment Committee. The agenda also includes authorization to submit the university's fiscal 2017 budget request, amendments to the capital plan, and a matter described as "Department of Defense, Exclusion from Personnel Clearance Requirements." Full agenda: https://www.umassp.edu/sites/umassp.edu/files/content/9-16-15%20BoT%20notice%20and%20agenda9.4.15.pdf (Wednesday, 9 a.m., UMass Boston, Ballroom C,Campus Center, 3rd Floor, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston)
UMASS BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Members of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees will meet. Scheduled public speakers at the meeting include Marlene Kim, Faculty Staff Union President, and Professor, Department of Economics, UMass Boston; Tom Goodkind, President, Professional Staff Union, UMass Boston; and Allen Davis, UMASS Alumni Divestment Committee. The agenda also includes authorization to submit the university's fiscal 2017 budget request, amendments to the capital plan, and a matter described as "Department of Defense, Exclusion from Personnel Clearance Requirements." Full agenda: https://www.umassp.edu/sites/umassp.edu/files/content/9-16-15%20BoT%20notice%20and%20agenda9.4.15.pdf (Wednesday, 9 a.m., UMass Boston, Ballroom C,Campus Center, 3rd Floor, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston)
PRE-K RALLY: Parents and advocates belonging to the Pre-K for MA Coalition will rally in support of legislation to expand access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, before a hearing of the Joint Committee on Education. Bills from Education Committee Chair Rep. Alice Peisch (H 462) and Sen. Sal DiDomenico (S 267) would establish an early education grant program that the coalition says would ensure 3- and 4-year old children in underperforming school districts would receive high quality pre-K programs. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Gardner Auditorium, State House)
TECH LEADERS RECOGNIZED: The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council will present its Distinguished Leadership Award to Shawn Szturma and Charlie LaFauci at its annual Technology Leadership Awards Gala. Szturma is a Somerville parent who connected with LaFauci, Somerville Public Schools' media services head, to give the city's students tech skills. They helped bring the national Hour of Code to Somerville, involving more than 150 volunteers and 4,600 students. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Seaport World Trade Center)
ROSENBERG AT AIM CELEBRATION: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will address the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Centennial Regional Celebration, held to mark 100 years of AIM's work in the Bay State. The event will feature a cocktail reception, networking and regionally-focused awards. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester)
WOMEN IN VENTURE CAPITAL: The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts a Women's Network panel focused on women in venture capital. Jodi Goldstein of the Harvard Innovation Lab will talk with panelists Payal Agrawal Divakaran of .406 Ventures, Maia Heymann of CommonAngels Ventures and Rudina Seseri of Fairhaven Capital. (Wednesday, 8:10 a.m., InterContinental Boston)
EARLY EDUCATION DISCUSSION: Tom Weber, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, will join The Alliance for Business Leadership for a bring-your-own-lunch discussion on early education in the Commonwealth. Soft drinks and dessert will be provided. Register: http://www.allianceforbusinessleadership.org/?page_id=2071#!event/2015/9/16/abl-think-tank-brown-bag-lunch-early-education (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 3 Post Office Square, 8th floor, Boston)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE - WORCESTER: The Worcester Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance is scheduled to meet to discuss the fiscal 2016 state budget and to hear from an unnamed guest speaker. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Department of Revenue - Child Support Office, 67 Millbrook St., Worcester)
BAKER, WALSH AT BREAKFAST: Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attend the first Massachusetts POLITICO Playbook Breakfast. Playbook founder and POLITICO's chief White House Correspondent Mike Allen and Massachusetts Playbook author Lauren Dezenski will moderate the conversation. Food and drink will be provided. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 100 Federal Street Auditorium, Boston)
POLLACK AT HARVARD: Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack will talk about her efforts to improve the MBTA, which have so far included efforts to more accurately gauge system needs, winterizing the system to improve performance, testing the water on privatizing some bus routes, scaling down late-night service, committing to spending $3 billion in a year on capital needs, and seeking to cut costs at the Green Line Extension. The talk is being held by Harvard Kennedy School's Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston whose executive director, Steve Poftak, is also a member of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board. The talk is cosponsored by the Taubman Center for State and Local Government. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Weil Town Hall, 1st floor Belfer Building, Corner of JFK and Eliot Streets, Cambridge)
BAKER, WALSH ON RADIO TOGETHER: Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh join Dan Rea for NightSide on WBZ Radio. Mayor Walsh is on NightSide for an hour every month, and Gov. Baker joined Rea and Walsh once before, in February. (Wednesday, 8 p.m.)
MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY: Gov. Charlie Baker will attend the Congressional Medal of Honor Society President's welcome breakfast. The Medal of Honor Society will be holding its 2015 Annual Convention in Boston from September 15-19. The Medal of Honor Society consists of the living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The society exists to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal of Honor, to maintain a bond of brotherhood among living recipients, and to promote patriotism and the principles on which our nation was founded. Approximately 54 recipients will be attending the convention including the three living recipients from Massachusetts. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Seaport Hotel, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston)
BAKER WELCOMES MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY CONVENTION: Gov. Baker, Lt. Gov. Polito, and Secretary of Veterans Services Francisco Ureña host the Medal of Honor Society for the "Official Massachusetts Welcome." The Medal of Honor Society will be holding its 2015 Annual Convention in Boston from September 15-19. The Medal of Honor Society consists of the living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The society exists to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal of Honor, to maintain a bond of brotherhood among living recipients, and to promote patriotism and the principles on which our nation was founded. Approximately 54 recipients will be attending the convention including the three living recipients from Massachusetts: Thomas Hudner, Thomas Kelley and Ryan Pitts. The event will feature remarks by Gov. Baker, Speaker DeLeo, and Senate President Rosenberg, and will be followed by an informal reception in the Great Hall. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Memorial Hall, State House)
AUTOMOBILE REINSURERS - LOTS OF COMMITTEES: The Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers Governing Committee will meet to hear a report from the president, outside counsel, the audit committee, the ad hoc relocation subcommittee, the loss reserving committee, the ad hoc contracting and recusal procedures committee, the actuarial committee, the operations committee and the budget committee. The governing committee, which is chaired by John Olivieri Jr., of J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency, is also set to go into executive session. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 225 Franklin St., Boston)
ROSENBERG WITH WORCESTER CHAMBER: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will be the featured speaker at a meeting of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce's President's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Worcester Chamber of Commerce conference room, 446 Main St. #10, Worcester)
MASS. LIFE SCIENCES BOARD: The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, which is without a permanent chief executive, will hold a meeting of its board of directors. An agenda was not immediately available. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., One Ashburton Place, 21st Floor, Boston)
UMASS TRUSTEES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: Members of the UMass Committee of the Whole will meet. The agenda includes "current issues and trends impacting student debt," a discussion with Matt Pellish from the Education Advisory Board, and "diversity and inclusion efforts taking place throughout the UMass System." Associate Vice President for Labor Relations Mark Preble will lead a discussion on the University's Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Plans. Full agenda: https://www.umassp.edu/sites/umassp.edu/files/content/9-16-15%20COTW%20notice%20and%20agenda.pdf (Wednesday, 11 a.m, UMass Boston, Alumni Lounge , Campus Center, 2nd Floor, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston)
PHOTOGRAPHY ON FOOD INSECURITY: The opening for Nicholas DeCandia's "Take Another Look: A Photographic Essay on Food Insecurity in Berkshire County" will be held. DeCandia, Rev. Joel Huntington of South Congregational Church in Pittsfield, and Sen. Benjamin Downing will speak. The opening coincides with Berkshire Interfaith Organization's Hunger Action Day, during which members will thank legislators for supporting the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program and encourage them to support the Massachusetts Food Trust Program. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Doric Hall, State House)
EDUCATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Education holds a hearing on 27 bills related to early education and care, extra-curricular activities and learning time. Education Secretary James Peyser and Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber plan to testify. Several bills deal with expanding access to kindergarten and pre-kindergarten. Bills from Sen. Sal DiDomenico (S 268) and Rep. Frank Smizik (H 489) seek to establish universal pre-kindergarten programs, while a Rep. Antonio Cabral bill would establish a special commission to study universal pre-K and a Rep. Marjorie Decker bill (H 3223) would establish universal pre-K pilot programs in gateway cities and low-income areas. Cabral also sponsored a bill (H 323) that would require each child to attend a full-day kindergarten program. A Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz bill (S 253) would provide full-day education to preschool- and kindergarten-aged children. Set to testify at the hearing in support of legislation that would expand access to high-quality pre-kindergarten are Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, Boston Chief of Education Rahn Dorsey, Fall River Superintendent Meg Mayo Brown, Stand for Children Massachusetts Executive Director Jason Williams and Strategies for Children President and CEO Chris Martes, according to the Pre-K for MA Coalition. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2225&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Wednesday, 10 a.m., B-1)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: The Health Policy Commission's Care Delivery and Payment System Transformation Committee meets to receive an update on the commission's certification programs, including patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations, and will receive a presentation from MassHealth on the agency's payment and care delivery reform efforts. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 50 Milk St., Boston)
HPC ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Health Policy Commission's Advisory Council holds its third quarter meeting to discuss the HPC's recent work, including a discussion of the HPC's upcoming 2015 health care cost trends hearing. The advisory council is a 30-plus member group of health care industry stakeholders. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 50 Milk St., Boston)
HPC ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Health Policy Commission's Advisory Council holds its third quarter meeting to discuss the HPC's recent work, including a discussion of the HPC's upcoming 2015 health care cost trends hearing. The advisory council is a 30-plus member group of health care industry stakeholders. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 50 Milk St., Boston)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE - BOSTON: The Boston Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance is scheduled to meet to elect its officers for the next year. The meeting agenda also includes an update on DTA programs. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., Cass Room, 3rd floor, 178 Tremont St., Boston)
COMMISSIONER EVANS ON BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO: Boston Public radio co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan welcome Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans for their monthly "Ask the Commissioner" segment. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
MUNICIPAL DEPOSITORY TRUST ADVISORY BOARD: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Massachusetts Municipal Depository Trust Advisory Board meeting. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 125 High Street, Conference Center, 2nd Floor, Boston)
ROSENBERG VISITS EVANGELIDIS: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will visit Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis at the Worcester County House of Correction. Evangelidis, a Republican, is a former member of the House of Representatives. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 5 Paul X. Tivnan Dr., West Boylston)
SENATE PRESIDENT ON AIR WITH JORDAN LEVY: Worcester talker and former mayor Jordan Levy will have Senate President Stanley Rosenberg in studio for an on-air interview on the Jordan Levy Show on 580AM /94.9FM WTAG. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 96 Stereo Lane, Paxton)
MWRA FINANCES: The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Administration, Finance & Audit Committee will discuss fiscal 2015 finances and capital spending along with other items. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 100 First Ave., second floor, Charlestown)
CAMBRIDGE SEWAGE OVERFLOWS: The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Wastewater Policy & Oversight Committee will hear an update on the Deer Island Treatment Plant co-digestion program, and take up approval on an agreement with Cambridge to control combined sewage overflows. (Wednesday, right after the finance and audit committee, 100 First Ave., second floor, Charlestown)
SOUTHFIELD WATER: The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Water Policy and Oversight Committee will discuss the supply of water to Southfield, which is a development on a formal U.S. Navy base, and an update on Spot Pond covered storage tank. (Wednesday, right after the wastewater committee, 100 First Ave., second floor, Charlestown)
MWRA MEETING: The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority will approve items taken up by committees and meet in executive session on watershed land acquisition. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 100 First Ave., second floor, Charlestown)
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 2015
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Ahead of the first formal session since the Legislature's August recess, the Senate Democrats will hold a private caucus. (CLOSED PRESS) (Thursday, 12 p.m., Senate President's office, State House)
SENATE FORMAL SESSION: The Senate at 1 p.m. is scheduled to hold its first formal session since July. In addition to other bills that could be placed on the calendar, the Senate is scheduled to revisit a matter that divided the body during the summer: legislation aimed at clearing the titles on previously foreclosed properties (S 882). Critics say the bill will cut off a means of recourse for those who lost their homes to illegitimate foreclosure while proponents say it will limit the legal limbo faced by some homeowners when they attempt to sell their properties or refinance their mortgages. Sen. Michael Moore is the sponsor of the bill. The Legislature passed similar legislation last year, but it was returned with amendment by former Gov. Deval Patrick. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Senate Chamber)
DELEO ON GREATER BOSTON: House Speaker Robert DeLeo is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. DeLeo underwent weight loss surgery Aug. 3 and told the News Service this week that he had lost 42 pounds since the surgery. (Thursday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV, Ch.2)
DELEO TOURS TRIP ADVISOR HQ: Speaker Robert DeLeo tours new Trip Advisor's global headquarters. (Thursday, 2:15 p.m., East office park, Needham)
BUMP CELEBRATES CONSTITUTION AND CITIZENSHIP DAY: State Auditor Suzanne Bump will be the featured speaker at Middlesex Community College's Lowell campus as part of the school's Constitution and Citizenship Day celebrations. The event is co-sponsored by MCC's Center for Leadership and Engagement and the Paralegal Student Association. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., Middlesex Community College Federal Building, Assembly Room, 50 Kearney Square, Lowell)
LONGFELLOW BRIDGE REHAB UPDATE: The public will receive an update on the delayed rehabilitation of the Longfellow Bridge. Originally envisioned as a three-year project, the bridge rehab that began two years ago is now anticipated to continue until at least November 2018. After a presentation, state transportation staff and officials from contractor White-Skanska-Consigli JV will be available for questions. Automotive traffic is limited to traveling from Cambridge to Boston as half the bridge is completely consumed with reconstruction work. A similar meeting was held in Cambridge last week. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Shriners Hospitals for Children, Auditorium, 51 Blossom Street, Boston)
KEVIN WEEKS ON NIGHTSIDE: Former Whitey Bulger associate Kevin Weeks joins Dan Rea for Nightside on WBZ Radio to discuss his time as a Bulger confidant. Weeks is the author of "Brutal: The Untold Story of My Life Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob." In their book "Black Mass," authors Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill describe Weeks as the son of a boxing training and a "sidekick, driver and sometimes enforcer" for Bulger and Stephen Flemmi. (Thursday, 8 p.m.)
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Higher Education holds a hearing on 27 bills, including a proposal from committee chairs Rep. Tom Sannicandro and Sen. Michael Moore (H 1070) to make Massachusetts community colleges free for state residents. Bills from Rep. James O'Day (H 1059) and Sen. Harriette Chandler (S 652) would allow up to 25 out-of-state students per class at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, after the school recently announced its intentions to admit non-residents. Other bills deal with tuition retention at state schools, tying fee increases to the Consumer Price Index and creating college savings accounts for children born in Massachusetts. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2203&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Hearing Room A-2)
HOUSE BONDING COMMITTEE: The House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets meets to hold an oversight hearing related to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Energy Secretary Matthew Beaton is expected to provide the committee with testimony on the secretariat's capital spending plan over the next year and to discuss the goals of various programs funded with state bond money. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Hearing Room A-1)
"THE NEXT WAVE OF CONDOMINIUMS": With hundreds of condo units under development in Greater Boston, NAIOP officials convene a forum Thursday to discuss the market's future. "With the projected increase in supply, it's time to examine what is down the road for this reviving sector," NAIOP wrote in an event advisory. "Where are we in the cycle? Will there be another condo boom in the near future? How will it be the same or different from last time?" Sue Hawkes of the Collaborative Companies will moderate a discussion featuring Mike Coyne of JLL, Nick Iselen of Lend Lease, David Nagahiro of CBT Architects, David Traggorth of Traggorth Companies, and Jordan Warshaw of The Noannet Group LLC. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Westin Waterfront Hotel, 425 Summer Street, Boston)
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on 38 bills, primarily on the topics of food and nutrition. Among them is a Rep. Kay Khan bill (H 3471) that would restrict the sale of dietary and muscle-building supplements, including prohibiting their purchase by minors. A Rep. Stephen Kulik bill (H 2005) would implement nutritional standards for vending machines on state property, including bans on selling soda and food with more than 200 calories per snack or 400 calories per meal. Also before the committee are bills dealing with testing for infectious diseases in sexual assault cases, labeling requirements for fish sold in Massachusetts, and requiring changing tables in family restaurants. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2229&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Thursday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2)
AG TO MAKE CALLS WARNING OF FRAUD: Attorney General Maura Healey will join the attorneys general from New Hampshire and Vermont as well as executives from AARP to light up phone lines to warn thousands of consumers about two common "imposter scams" affecting Massachusetts residents. The scam calls, according to the AARP, come from fraudulent callers claiming to be from the IRS or tech support companies, or from people claiming to be police officers or federal agents. Residents who receive calls from Healey or the other attorneys general will be given tips on how to best protect themselves from imposter scams. The attorneys general and AARP officials will also hold a press conference to highlight the scams and protection information. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Westin Boston Waterfront, Galleria Room, 425 Summer St., Boston)
BAKER ON ASK THE GUV: Gov. Charlie Baker is scheduled to appear on Boston Public Radio for his monthly "Ask the Governor" segment with co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. (Thursday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
FRANKLIN RTA FARES: The Franklin Regional Transit Authority will hold a meeting to discuss proposed fare and route changes and to vote on executive session minutes from March and April. (Thursday, 4 p.m., John Olver Transit Center, Greenfield)
MASS BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE BOARD: The Massachusetts Business Roundtable holds a member-only board meeting. Michael Hogan of AD Makepeace chairs the board and Marcy Reed of National Grid is vice chair. (Thursday, noon, location TBD)
LGBT people have faced numerous incidents of discrimination throughout their lives
LGBT AGING REPORT: The Massachusetts Special Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Aging will release its report of recommendations to improve access to benefits and services for older LGBT adults. The commission, which was formed in 2013 and has 26 members, is co-chaired by Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Rep. James O'Day, who will speak at the briefing. The report contains data from public hearings in Boston, Orleans, Worcester and Holyoke that involved older LGBT adults and the community groups serving them, according to a release from Sen. Jehlen's office. According to Jehlen's office, the report will include recommendations for long-term support services, housing, public health, legal considerations, and senior centers and community engagement. "Many older LGBT people have faced numerous incidents of discrimination throughout their lives," O'Day said in the release. "They have every right to a future of dignity and safety, and the LGBT Aging Commission is working to facilitate that process." (Thursday, 10 a.m., Room 428)
MUNICIPALITIES COMMITTEE: Twenty bills related to land use and zoning will be the subject of a hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. Among the bills to be heard is a Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz bill (S 1059) that would make it unlawful for a local or state government to discriminate in land use decisions or in permitting of development based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability condition, familial status, and in some cases, the fact that a development or proposed development contains affordable housing units. Sen. James Eldridge and Reps. Benjamin Swan and David Rogers have also sponsored the bill. The committee is also expected to consider H 1838, a Rep. Susan Williams Gifford bill that would make the installation of solar energy systems or the building of structures to facilitate the collection of solar energy subject to local zoning ordinances. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Hearing Room B-2)
ED OFFICIALS VISIT PRESCHOOL CLASS: Education Secretary James Peyser and Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber plan to visit the YMCA of Greater Boston - Roxbury branch to tour a preschool classroom that is funded through a federal expansion grant award. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 285 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Roxbury)
TRANSGENDER RIGHTS LOBBY DAY: Freedom Massachusetts holds a lobbying day in support of anti-discrimination protections for people who are transgender. Transgender Massachusetts residents, with friends, families and allies, will gather at the State House to make their case to lawmakers in support of legislation (S 735 / H 1577) proponents say would prevent transgender discrimination in public spaces like restaurants and hotels. In a recent letter to elected officials, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and 11 other mayors wrote: "While Massachusetts is as strong as ever, we're concerned about the more than 100 bills that have been filed across the nation that would effectively strip away legal rights for people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Even more disturbing is that Massachusetts, often known as a progressive powerhouse, has a significant hole in its law that allows for the continued discrimination of transgender people in public spaces." (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Grand Staircase, State House)
SCIENCE FROM SCIENTISTS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will offer remarks at the ribbon cutting of the Science from Scientists program at Burncoat Preparatory School. (Thursday, 9:45 a.m., Burncoat Preparatory School, 526 Burncoat St., Worcester)
MEDWAY COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Medway Board of Selectmen Chair John Foresto will sign a community compact. (Thursday, 2:15 p.m., 155 Village St., Medway)
POLITO AND LEGISLATORS MEET: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Rep. Kevin Kuros, Rep. Joe McKenna and Sen. Ryan Fattman will hold a closed municipal meeting, with open media availability to follow. (CLOSED PRESS) (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Uxbridge Town Hall. 21 South Main St., Uxbridge)
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse hears 12 bills on mental health issues. Bills from Rep. Kay Khan (H 1799) and Sen. Kenneth Donnelly (S 1028) seek to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care. A bill from committee co-chair Rep. Elizabeth Malia (H 1810) would mandate coverage of behavioral health services via telemedicine in situations where office visits are not practical. Other bills relate to the access to services for people with mental illness. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2223&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room B-1)
COMMUNITIES HOLD PRELIMINARY ELECTIONS: Voters in the cities of Malden, Newton, Somerville as well as the towns of Amesbury, Watertown and Weymouth will hold preliminary elections for various positions. In Weymouth, Sen. Robert Hedlund is one of six candidates, including Mayor Sue Kay, vying for two ballots slots in the November mayoral election.(Thursday)
ROUNDTABLE ON WAGE EQUALITY: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will host a regional roundtable on "Wage Equality Best Practices." (Thursday, 2 p.m., UMass Medical School, Shrewsbury Campus, Amphitheater 4th Floor, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury)
AUGUST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: The Massachusetts unemployment rate held at 4.7 percent in July. There were 32,400 fewer unemployed persons over the year compared to July 2014. On Thursday, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will release an updated rate for August as well as the latest jobs data.
BAKER HONORS BOSTON COP: Gov. Charlie Baker will offer remarks at a ceremony to honor deceased Boston Police Officer Dennis Simmonds, who died a year after sustaining head injuries in the Watertown shootout with the Boston Marathon bombers. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Boston Police Headquarters, 1 Schroeder Plaza, Boston)
GOLDBERG ATTENDS WINGATE RESIDENCE GROUNDBREAKING: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Wingate residence groundbreaking ceremony. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 235 Gould Street, Needham)
QUEBEC RAIL: A meeting organized by MassDOT and Vermont's transportation agency on potentially adding rail service between Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Quebec will be held in Springfield. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 60 Congress Street, second floor, Springfield)
GOLDBERG KEYNOTES PERAC EMERGING ISSUE FORUM: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will be the keynote speaker at the PERAC Emerging Issue forum. (Thursday, 12:15 p.m., College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester)
QUEBEC RAIL IN VERMONT: A meeting organized by MassDOT and Vermont's transportation agency on potentially adding rail service between Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Quebec will be held in Vermont. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Hotel Coolidge, 39 S Main Street, White River Junction, Vt.)
GARDEN OF PEACE: Public officials and family members gather for an annual event honoring homicide victims and their survivors at the Garden of Peace. Attorney General Maura Healey will emcee the event. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Garden of Peace, 100 Cambridge St., Boston)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 2015
BAKER IN PENNSYLVANIA: Gov. Charlie Baker will give the keynote speech at the Republican Party of Pennsylvania's Fall Dinner. In an announcement, Pennsylvania GOP Chairman Rob Gleason describes Baker as "one of the great Republican success stories of the Northeast," citing his leadership during last winter's storms and signing of an earned income tax credit increase for working families. (Friday, 7 p.m., Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, Harrisburg, Penn.)
ROSENBERG HEADS TO QUEBEC: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will depart Logan International Airport bound for Quebec City to attend the Massachusetts-Quebec Cooperation Conference, a working group made up of representation of Massachusetts and Quebec legislative bodies. State and provincial leaders are expected to discuss energy, transportation and trade. (Friday, 12:30 p.m., Logan International Airport, Boston)
"WOMEN FIGHTING HUNGER": Treasurer Deb Goldberg will be honored by the Greater Boston Food Bank at the "Women Fighting Hunger" event. According to the food bank, 32,637 women in eastern Massachusetts are receiving food from a pantry, community meal program or shelter. (Friday, 7:45 a.m, Mandarin Hotel, Boston)
CABINET MEETING: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and members of the governor's cabinet meet. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 10 a.m., Governor's Office, Room 360)
ED OFFICIALS VISIT PRESCHOOLS IN LAWRENCE: Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber plans to visit new preschool programs opening in Lawrence that are funded through a federal Preschool Expansion Grant award, which supports a year of high-quality preschool for four-year-olds in targeted communities. (Friday, 10 a.m., Community Day Learning, 404 Haverhill St., Lawrence; 11 a.m., Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, 96 East Haverhill Street, Lawrence)
SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN'S ANNUAL GALA: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will be the keynote speaker at Saheli Support and Friendship for South Asian Women's Annual gala. According to INDIA New England, the gala is put together by Saheli, a community-based women's organization whose mission is to empower South Asian women and their families to live safe and healthy lives. (Friday, 6 p.m., Westin Waltham Hotel, 70 3rd Avenue, Waltham)
'BLACK MASS' OPENS IN THEATERS | The film "Black Mass," based on the book by Globe reporters Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill, will open in theaters. The movie stars Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger, Joel Edgerton as FBI agent John Connolly, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Senate President William Bulger. Scenes were filmed in the Boston area last summer. James "Whitey" Bulger was found guilty in 2013 in 11 murder cases. The book details Bulger's criminal dealings and efforts by the FBI to protect their informant.
BAR ASSOCIATION TO HONOR DeLEO, FERNANDES: The Boston Bar Association plans to honor House Speaker Robert DeLeo with a presidential citation and House Judiciary Chair Rep. John Fernandes with a distinguished legislator award at its annual luncheon. Gov. Charlie Baker is slated to deliver the keynote address at the luncheon. DeLeo is being honored for his "important role in supporting both the judiciary and civil legal aid," the bar association said on its website. "Through his friendship with former Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Roderick Ireland as well as generous legislative funding increases, the courts have flourished," the association said. Fernandes will be given the distinguished legislator award for having "been the force behind many positive changes in the state," according to the bar association. Registration is required. Attorney General Maura Healey will attend. Tickets can be purchased online at www.BostonBar.org or by contacting Erica Southerland at esoutherland@bostonbar.org or (617) 778-1930. Tickets are $150, though the discounted rate for judges, legal services lawyers, government lawyers, and law students is $75. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston)
Wampanoags: The commission extended its original Sept. 11 deadline
GAMING COMMISSION - REGION C COMMENTS EXTENDED 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." The commission extended its original Sept. 11 deadline.
PRESCRIPTION MONITORING REGS: Seeking to implement a provision of the state budget requiring more frequent reporting through the prescription monitoring program, the Department of Public Health will hold a hearing Friday. Pharmacies would be required to make reports "by the end of the next business day." There are 1,375 retail pharmacies in Massachusetts, and about 10 percent are independent, according to the department. (Friday, 11 a.m., Public Health Council Room, 250 Washington St., Boston)
NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS: The Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators will consider applications for licensure and hold an executive session to discuss "the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual." (Friday, 10 a.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th floor, room 417A, Boston)
ANNA MARIA COLLEGE INAUGURATION: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend the inauguration of new Anna Maria College President Mary Lou Retelle. (Friday, 3 p.m., 50 Sunset Lane, Paxton)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2015
DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION: After losing the governor's race last year, Democrats will convene in Worcester for an off-year annual convention that spokesman Pat Beaudry described as an "action agenda" meeting rather than a platform convention. Membership of the state's most popular political party could still take up platform items, though Beaudry said there has not been interest in that. He said party chair Sen. Tom McGee made the decision to focus on actions that can be taken by Democrats, with breakout sessions on social media and other topics. Without platform items up for a vote, there will be more access for guests, Beaudry said. There will be a number of speakers, including former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, who will represent Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign and Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, who will represent presidential candidate Martin O'Malley. All of the presidential campaigns have been invited, though in first-in-the-nation primary state New Hampshire, the state's Democratic Party is holding its convention on the same day. Beaudry said 5,000 Democrats attended local caucuses this spring, electing 3,200 delegates to the convention. (Saturday, 7:30 a.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main Street, Springfield)
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