What's ahead in state government this week
Right to die; Indoor growing; Unclaimed property
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Gov. Charlie Baker has laid out a non-budgetary agenda that includes hydro and solar power bills, charter school expansion and legislation to address opioid-related deaths, but legislative leaders well into their abbreviated fall session are having trouble finding traction on any of the big issues. A spending bill to close out the books on the fiscal year that ended June 30 remains unfinished ahead of an Oct. 31 deadline for the state comptroller to file his annual report on state finances. The sweeping and differing versions of the supplemental budget are being negotiated behind the scenes by just two lawmakers as House Speaker Robert DeLeo has opted to forego the traditional six-member conference committee process. Baker is waiting to see the details of that bill before deciding on potential midyear budget corrections to address non-tax revenues that are tracking south of projections and spending levels running north of authorized appropriations.
Meanwhile, from one big issue to another - energy, transgender rights, opioids, transportation services, and public records - the Legislature hasn't made much progress. Four weeks - an eternity in the eyes of lawmakers accustomed to getting things done on deadline - remain before lawmakers are scheduled to take another multi-week break. A breakthrough, albeit a small one, occurred Friday when DeLeo told business officials he expects the House to wait until next year to address comprehensive energy legislation and to tackle legislation before the winter break aimed at keeping solar power production on the rise. The Senate has approved solar power and opioid legislation and while it appears a solar bill might reach Baker before the break, progress on opioid legislation may take longer. House leaders have not offered a proposal yet and the scheduling of a Nov. 16 hearing on Baker's bill - two days before formal sessions end for the year - suggests House consideration of an opioid bill may not occur until 2016.
-- BELLA BOND CASE REVIEW: The Office of the Child Advocate has been reviewing the case of Bella Bond, the toddler whose dead body was found in a trash bag on Deer Island in June, and what, if any, involvement that the Department of Children and Families, executive agencies, police, and other service providers had with Bond's family. The office's report, which was requested by Gov. Charlie Baker, is due to the governor's desk on Wednesday.
-- CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM - THE PROCESS: In Massachusetts and across the nation there are growing calls for reforms to move more people out of prison and increase reentry services. On Beacon Hill, elected officials for years have been unable to agree on a path forward. Gov. Baker and legislative leaders in August announced they were farming out much of the work on criminal justice reform to the Council of State Governments Justice Center, which has helped 21 states apply a "justice reinvestment" approach. Look for state officials to be named next week to a group that will work with outside groups. This is how it's supposed to work - the council will partner on its work with The Pew Charitable Trusts and the US Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance in an effort to identify "wasteful spending and ways to reduce incarceration rates, while applying those savings towards reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety." The CSG Justice Center will eventually present findings to a bipartisan task force, which in turn is expected to develop policy options for the Legislature to consider. Senate President Stanley Rosenberg told reporters recently that he's opposed to adding new mandatory minimum sentences, "totally open-minded" on rolling back mandatory minimums, and said he expected reports from the council within the next six months. Rosenberg expects a group will be assembled along with a steering committee to work as a team with the Council of State Governments. "The governor's driving that process," Rosenberg told reporters.
-- COMMITTEE HEARING HIGHLIGHTS: Legislative committees continue holding hearings at a brisk pace. Some of the controversial topics due up for debate next week include carbon pricing, expansion of the bottle bill, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, the treatment of farm animals, family and medical leave, and assistance with dying.
-- GAMING COMMISSION TAKES UP FANTASY SPORTS: Debate over regulating fantasy sports sites takes on a more formal stature next week. FanDuel and DraftKings launched aggressive ad campaigns at the start of this year's NFL season, and top state officials appear mystified about what, if anything, to do about an industry that appears a major player in the competition for gambling dollars. Beacon Hill officials have appealed to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for guidance and commission members have scheduled a meeting next week to formally discuss the matter.
-- OPEN ENROLLMENT PREPARATION: After the Patrick administration badly botched health insurance enrollment efforts due to severe computer problems, the pressure is now on the Massachusetts Connector Authority and Gov. Baker's administration to oversee a more orderly and successful drive to pull the uninsured onto health plans and give others a chance to change their coverage. Next week is the last one before a two-month open enrollment period commences on Nov. 1.
-- SENATE CHARTER SCHOOL DEBATE: By all accounts, members of the Massachusetts Senate have been engaged in a robust debate over the potential expansion of charter schools and that debate is scheduled to continue next week. The one major caveat: all of the discussion has been occurring behind closed doors. A House-approved charter school expansion bill was rejected last session by the Senate and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg has been holding private caucuses with the goal of determining by Thanksgiving whether it's even worth his time to have senators draft an expansion bill. Senators have heard from proponents and opponents and are scheduled on Wednesday to huddle amongst themselves to continue the discussion.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 2015
BAKER, WALSH MARK 20 YEARS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS: Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will join more than 70 parents, teachers, charter alumni and supporters at a gala marking the 20th anniversary of the opening of the state's first charter schools in Fall River, Franklin, Boston, Lawrence, Devens, Easthampton, Lowell, Marblehead, Springfield, Norwell and Harwich. The event will include student performances from the Lowell Community Charter Public School Afro-Latin Percussion Ensemble, Clark University, Brooke Mattapan Charter School, Holyoke Community Charter School Street Percussion Ensemble, Seven Hills Show Choir, SABIS International Charter School Jazz Band, and The Voices of Renaissance Chorus. Dinner hosts are Neighborhood House Charter School founding headmaster Kevin Andrews and Boston Collegiate Charter School Executive Director Shannah Varon. (Saturday, 6 p.m., Park Plaza Hotel, Boston)
GOLDBERG CANVASSES FOR BRADY: Treasurer Deb Goldberg joins a door-to-door canvassing campaign in Brockton for Rep. Michael Brady, the Democratic candidate in a special election for the 2nd Plymouth and Bristol Senate seat. Brady is running against Republican Rep. Geoff Diehl and independent candidate Anna Raduc. (Saturday, 10 a.m., 623 Centre St., Brockton)
BOSTON BOOK FEST: First Circuit Court of Appeals Justice David Barron will preside over a mock trial of Abraham with Biblical scholar Harvey Cox as prosecutor and defense attorney Alan Dershowitz as the defense attorney. The 11 a.m. event is part of the Boston Book Festival taking place all day Saturday. In the afternoon, Stephen Kurkjian, Ben Mezrich and Deborah Halber will talk about crime with Boston Globe reporter Sacha Pfeiffer. Later in the afternoon Ret. General Stanley McChrystal will talk current events. McChrystal, who was the military commander in Afghanistan, retired in 2010 after Rolling Stone published a profile of him headlined "The Runaway General." McChrystal will be joined by former Navy SEAL Chris Fussell, one of his co-authors on a recent book. As part of the same session, Zipcar founder Robin Chase, a former member of the MassDOT Board of Directors, will discuss the sharing economy. At 4 p.m. the public will have a chance to hear from Atul Gawande, who balances his time between his jobs as staff writer for The New Yorker, a physician practicing endocrine surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Gawande will speak with Radio Boston co-host Meghna Chakrabarti for the Nonfiction Keynote. For a detailed schedule visit: http://www.bostonbookfest.org/ (Saturday, Copley Square area)
GREENFIELD FOOD DEMO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg participates in a food demonstration with local chefs and locally sourced ingredients as part of a Greenfield YMCA and Franklin County Community Development Corporation "greener diet" Food Day celebration. (Saturday, 2 p.m., 451 Main St., Greenfield)
ROSENBERG LIBRARY TOUR: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg tours the Greenfield Library. (Saturday, 1:15 p.m., 402 Main St., Greenfield)
NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the 1060th Transportation Company Unit deployment ceremony. (Saturday, Oct. 24, 3 p.m., Durgin Concert Hall, UMass Lowell South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell)
100 YEARS OF DEAN PARK: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito celebrates the 100th anniversary of Dean Park, a public park in her hometown of Shrewsbury. (Saturday, 1:30 p.m., 805 Main St., Shrewsbury)
SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 2015
BAKER ON THE RECORD: Gov. Charlie Baker will be a guest on Sunday's "On the Record" moderated by WCVB anchor Ed Harding and State House reporter Janet Wu. Baker will discuss the deadly opioid epidemic and legislation he's introduced to stop the spread. He will also discuss the MBTA and its winter readiness. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch5)
HEALEY RALLIES FOR PRESSLEY: Attorney General Maura Healey will attend a pre-election rally for Boston's incumbent City Council At-large candidate Ayanna Pressley. City Councilor Matt O'Malley will also attend. (Sunday, 3:45 p.m., Redd's in Rozzie, 4257 Washington St., Roslindale)
LOYAL ORDER OF THE MOOSE: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg attends a ceremony for Loyal Order of the Moose member Dick Henry, who will receive the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, the order's highest honor. (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., 20 School St., Greenfield)
INDOOR GROWING EXPO: After one day restricted to members of the industry the Indoor Gardening Expo will throw open its doors to the general public on Sunday. The event appears geared toward extensive indoor growing operations, as opposed to people who keep houseplants. One sponsor, Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Magazine, says it covers "hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics and organics as well as greenhouse, small-space, container, urban and vertical growing." Another sponsor, Exhale Homegrown CO2, advertises bags of a fungus that produce the carbon-dioxide plants need to grow. A third sponsor sells Cyco, "100% pharmaceutical grade nutrients" and warns they are "extremely addictive... to plants." In 2012, Massachusetts voters legalized people with a doctor's recommendation to grow their own marijuana or to purchase the drug - which is illegal for recreational use - at one of the medical marijuana dispensaries also legalized by the law. (Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Hynes Convention Center, Boston)
MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
MAYORAL CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Candidates for mayor in cities with populations of fewer than 75,000 people will need to file their pre-election campaign finance reports, according to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. The filing deadline is shared for Reps. Geoff Diehl and Michael Brady who are competing for the Brockton area Senate seat along with independent Anna Raduc. Those cities are Agawam, Amesbury, Attleboro, Beverly, Braintree, Chicopee, Gardner, Greenfield, Haverhill, Leominster, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Methuen, Peabody, Taunton, Waltham, Westfield and Woburn, as well as Fitchburg, Gloucester, Holyoke, Marlborough, North Adams, Pittsfield, Revere, West Springfield, and Weymouth - which all had preliminaries. In cities of over 75,000 people mayoral candidates are required to file campaign finance reports twice monthly. (Monday)
MONIZ ON GREATER BOSTON: U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz is a scheduled as a guest on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. (Monday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch2)
OPIOID EPIDEMIC - PANEL DISCUSSION: Gov. Charlie Baker and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey are among the featured speakers at a panel discussion Monday on the opioid epidemic. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is hosting the event, which will be moderated by Jon Keller of WBZ-TV and also feature state Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders and Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian. The event is part of the institute's Across the Aisle series. (Monday, 6 p.m., Kennedy Institute, Columbia Point, Boston)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY COUNCIL: The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council will meet on the expectation that it will conclude its discussion on the third three-year statewide energy efficiency investment plan for 2016 through 2018. Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson will chair the meeting. (Monday, 1 p.m., MassHousing offices, One Beacon St., fourth floor, Boston)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Monday, 6 p.m., Braintree City Hall)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Monday, 6 p.m., Bangs Community Center, Amherst)
FOUNDATION BUDGET REVIEW COMMISSION: The Massachusetts Foundation Budget Review Commission, tasked with reviewing the way school district foundation budgets are calculated, holds a meeting that is scheduled to include a discussion of edits for the group's final report. The commission includes legislators, state education officials and representatives from Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association, Stand for Children, Strategies for Children and the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators and the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools. (Monday, 2 p.m., Room 428)
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY VIEWING: Treasurer Deb Goldberg's office will offer an advance viewing of items slated for auction from the Treasury's Unclaimed Property Division. According to Goldberg's office, the items include gold, silver, jewelry, collectible currency, and high-end watches. The items will be auctioned on eBay on Oct. 31. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Treasurer Office, Room 227, Private Viewing for the Media, State House)
BAKER AT LASELL: Gov. Charlie Baker gives a lecture at Lasell College about his first several months in office and the history of state government. Present will be Lasell President Michael Alexander, Assistant Professor Paul DeBole's state and local government class, other students and faculty, and residents of Lasell Village, a college-sponsored retirement community. (Monday, 11 a.m., Lasell College, deWitt Hall, Winslow Academic Center, 80 Maple St., Newton)
COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH SEN. DOWNING: Sen. Ben Downing holds a free Coffee & Conversation public forum at the Florida Senior Center. Members of the public are welcome to ask questions, pitch ideas or submit comments. (Monday, 2 p.m., Florida Senior Center, 367 Mohawk Trail, Drury)
LONGFELLOW OVERNIGHT CLOSURES: The Longfellow Bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day from Monday through Friday, as contractors install utility cables and manholes at the Cambridge end. Bike and pedestrian traffic will be maintained and contractors will accommodate for events at the TD Garden. (Monday-Friday)
ADVANCED MANUFACTURERS MEETING: The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative and Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium come together for a regional meeting, which will feature discussion of energy, innovation, training and other issues important to manufacturers. Speakers include Marty Jones of MassDevelopment, Lowell City Manager Kevin Murphy, Brian Norris of the Northeast Manufacturing Consortium and Undersecretary of Workforce Development Ron Marlow. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, 110 Canal St., Lowell)
BUMP ON ROGERS' REPORT: Rep. David Rogers (D-Cambridge) welcomes State Auditor Suzanne Bump as a guest on his community access show Rogers' Report. (Monday, 5 p.m., Belmont Media Center, 9 Lexington St., Belmont)
OPIOID RECOVERY SUMMIT: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo join recovery/addiction professionals and advocates to discuss and share recent developments in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Sen. Anthony Petruccelli and Rep. RoseLee Vincent will also participate. (Monday, 11 a.m., Revere City Hall, 281 Broadway, Revere)
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING FORUM: MassINC, the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy, and Transforming Education hold an policy forum to discuss research on supporting the social and emotional development of students and examine the state of the practice in public schools today, with focus on innovative work taking place in Massachusetts schools. (Monday, 8 a.m., Omni Parker House, Boston)
WORCESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Officials plan to make an announcement regarding economic development in downtown Worcester. Congressman James McGovern, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr., Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash and other state officials are scheduled to attend the announcement. According to Conventures, officials plan to discuss a project that is "one of the largest in the state outside of Metro Boston and will continue the revitalization of Worcester's urban core." (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Mechanics Plaza, 100 Front St., Worcester)
FORUM WITH STATE STREET CEO: The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce holds an executive forum with Joseph Hooley, the chairman and CEO of State Street Corporation. Hooley has been with State Street since 1986, and he also serves on the board for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the board of trustees of Boston College. The cost of registration is $55 for members and $100 for non-members. (Monday, 7:45 a.m., Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel)
LYNN CHILD CARE FACILITY: Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber visits the Catholic Charities Child Care program in Lynn to mark the completion of renovations to the building that were funded in part through a $750,000 grant from the state's Early Education and Care and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund. The Catholic Charities Child Care program in Lynn is one of ten organizations across the state that shared $7.45 million in the first round of EEOST Capital Fund grant awards. (Monday, 10 a.m., 37 North Federal Street, Lynn)
MURDER APPEAL HEARING: Lawyers for convicted murderer James Rodwell, of Burlington, will continue to press their case that justice was not served in the 1981 trial for a homicide that occurred in Somerville. Defense attorneys are aiming to call to the stand Howard Whitehead, who was the prosecutor on the case before becoming first assistant district attorney in Middlesex County before the trial. Whitehead went on to become a Superior Court judge and is now part of the Judicial Nominating Commission that vets Gov. Charlie Baker's nominees for judgeships. Rodwell was convicted based on the testimony of an alleged witness who was granted immunity and a man who claimed Rodwell confessed to him in jail awaiting trial. The theory put forward by the defense is members of law enforcement and the justice system machinated to use the jailhouse informant's allegedly perjured testimony to convict Rodwell on the charges of killing Louis Rose, Jr. and then secretly rewarded him. Judge Thomas Billings is presiding in the evidentiary hearing on a motion for new trial. (Monday, 9 a.m., Woburn Superior Court)
YOUTHBUILD BENEFIT: Attorney General Maura Healey gives the keynote address at an event to benefit YouthBuild, an organization that helps provide pathways to education and jobs for kids from low-income families. (Monday, 6:20 p.m., Nixon Peabody, 100 Summer St., Boston)
EVANS ON BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO: Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans will stop by the Boston Public Radio studios for his monthly "Ask the Commissioner" segment with co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.(Monday, 12 p.m., WGBH 89.7 FM)
SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOL SUMMIT: The office of Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan will host the 4th Annual Safe and Healthy School Summit. The event welcomes experts to assist school-based teams to recognize and respond to student threats of violence. Presenters will discuss practices outlined in the book "Guidelines for Responding to Student Threats of Violence" written and developed by the Virginia Youth Violence Project. Educators, school staff, law enforcement, parents and community partners are encouraged to attend. The Massachusetts Teachers Association and National Education Association are co-sponsors.http://www.cvent.com/events/northwestern-district-attorney-s-office-4th-annual-safe-and-healthy-school-summit/event-summary-b9bbfd2b81c443889e12b066b1f8aead.aspx (Monday, 8 a.m., Log Cabin Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke)
RIGHT TO DIE LEGISLATION: Three years after Massachusetts voters narrowly defeated a measure seeking to allow the terminally ill legal access to drugs to end their own lives, Rep. Denise Provost will lead a discussion on legislation (H 1991) "affirming a terminally ill patient's right to compassionate aid in dying." Members of the disability community had criticized the 2012 ballot question, arguing it could have unintended consequences. Provost's discussion of the Rep. Peter Kocot's bill will include John Kelly of Second Thoughts Massachusetts and others, and the conversation aims to cover a breakdown on the 2012 vote, impact to vulnerable groups and social inequality. (Monday, 1 p.m., Member's Lounge)
LEADERSHIP MEETING: Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Minority Leader Bradley Jones and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr meet for their weekly leadership meeting. (CLOSED PRESS) (Monday, 2 p.m., Office of the Senate President, Room 332)
TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 2015
COST COMPETITIVENESS ROUNDTABLE: The Massachusetts High Tech. Council hosts a Cost Competitiveness Roundtable with Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash and Department of Revenue Commissioner Mark Nunnelly to discuss cost competitiveness issues, including Gov. Charlie Baker's regulatory reform initiative. According to the council, the roundtable is closed press but council staff will be available before and after the event. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Room 157, State House)
CHAIRMAN CROSBY ON GREATER BOSTON: The state's Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. The gaming commission is overseeing plans to build two licensed casinos, the potential licensing of a third resort casino and has also been drawn into the fantasy sports regulation debate. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch2)
MASS. HOUSING PARTNERSHIP: The Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund Board will discuss a loan proposal for Bel-Air Homes in Springfield and other matters. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 160 Federal St., second floor, Boston)
DIEHL'S PIZZA PUSH: Rep. Geoff Diehl, the Republican running for Senate in the Second Plymouth and Bristol District, hosts a pizza party in Hanover with special guest, Rep. David Decoste. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., American Legion, 104 King Street, Hanover)
TESTING MORATORIUM: Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Rep. Marjorie Decker hold a press conference to call for a three-year moratorium on "the punitive uses of state-mandated standardized tests." In a press release, Jehlen's office said standardized tests should still be given to students during the moratorium, but those results should not be considered as a reason to impose sanctions on teachers, schools and districts and students. Jehlen's call comes as state education officials prepare to determine whether Massachusetts will move forward with the Common Core State Standards-aligned PARCC test, will ditch PARCC in favor of the MCAS, or develop a new "MCAS 2.0" to align testing with the Common Core standards. The advisory from Jehlen's office said New Hampshire, New York and California "are piloting assessment systems that don't rely so heavily on standardized test scores," and now a majority of states do not require students to pass a standardized test to graduate high school. (Tuesday, 1:45 p.m., Room 222)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hearing on 27 bills. S 179, H 193 and H 273 prohibit robocalls to hands-free mobile telephones but lay out exceptions. Sen. Eileen Donoghue has sponsored a bill (S 136) establishing a Student Tuition Recovery Fund to reimburse students when a private occupational school closes or has failed in its contract with a student. H 160, which is sponsored by Rep. Gailanne Cariddi and has more than 40 cosponsors, seeks to increase transparency in telemarketing. Sen. Benjamin Downing has sponsored a bill (S 137) prohibiting the rental or sale of housing at an "unconscionable" price in an area where the governor has determined an emergency exists. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2200&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True(Tuesday, 2 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)
ESSAIBI-GEORGE CAMPAIGN EVENT: Attorney General Maura Healey will attend a campaign event for Boston City Council At-large candidate Annissa Essaibi-George. Healey recently endorsed Essaibi-George as well as At-large candidate Andrea Campbell ( Tuesday, 8:30 p.m., Brewer's Fork, 9 Moulton St. Charlestown)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Battleship Cove Marine Museum, Fall River)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Lowell campus of Middlesex Community College)
PUBLIC HEALTH HEARING - RIGHT TO AID IN DYING: The Joint Committee on Public Health holds a hearing on Rep. Louis Kafka's bill (H 1991) affirming a terminally ill patient's right to compassionate aid in dying. The bill lets a terminally ill patient request aid in dying and a prescription for medication if the patient is a competent adult, is a resident of Massachusetts, has been deemed terminally ill by the attending physician and a consulting physician, and has voluntarily expressed the wish for such medication. The proposed legislation, which has more than 35 cosponsors, also provides a form of written request and witness declaration. Massachusetts voters defeated a "Death with Dignity" initiative in 2012. Full text: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H1991(Tuesday, 1 p.m., A-1 and A-2)
POLICY BREAKFAST: Attorney General Maura Healey discusses ways to combat domestic violence and sexual assault, and support services for victims at Casa Myrna's annual breakfast. Casa Myrna is Boston's largest provider of shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Algonquin Club, 217 Commonwealth Ave., Boston)
ABANDONED HOUSING INITIATIVE: Attorney General Maura Healey will tour a property that was rehabilitated through her office's Abandoned Housing Initiative. Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter and Rep. Mike Brady will join Healey for the tour. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 209 Tribou St., Brockton)
ADAPTIVE BASKETBALL: Attorney General Maura Healey, who played professional basketball in Europe after playing collegiately at Harvard, will participate in a pick-up basketball game hosted by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital's Adaptive Sports Center. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Charlestown Community Center, 225 Medford St., Charlestown)
BOB SCHIEFFER AT JFK LIBRARY: Former CBS Face the Nation moderator and longtime journalist Bob Schieffer will discuss his career with WBZ-TV Anchor Lisa Hughes as part of a Kennedy Library Forum event. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Columbia Point, Boston)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on 18 bills. S 545, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Petruccelli, prohibits anyone doing business in Massachusetts from retaining the card security code data, PIN verification code number or contents of magnetic strip data beyond 48 hours following the transaction. Rep. John Fernandes has sponsored a bill (H 846) establishing two regional mortgage review boards within the Division of Banks, to review each residential mortgage loan denial an applicant believes was denied based on property location. Other bills require financial institutions to pay late fees when they fail to conduct electronic transfers (H 815), regulate the conducting of savings promotion raffles (S 495) and amend credit card merchant agreements (H 834). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2297&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Room B-2)
CHILDREN'S LEAGUE BRIEFING: Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka and the Children's League of Massachusetts host an informational briefing on the Families and Children Requiring Assistance law to provide an update on its implementation. Participants include Massachusetts Trial Court administrator Harry Spence, Home for Little Wanderers communications and advocacy director Brian Condron and Glenn Daly, director of Executive Office of Health and Human Services' office of children, youth and family programs. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., room 428)
ELDER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs holds a hearing on 17 bills on community care. S 367, sponsored by Sen. Michael Rush, compels the secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to establish a statewide "Adopt-a-Senior" volunteer program for people to assist seniors with snow removal and property maintenance services. Rep. Elizabeth Malia has sponsored a bill (H 526) requiring LGBT awareness training for aging services providers. H 527, sponsored by Rep. Ronald Mariano, establishes a trust fund for a program to convert parts of licensed nursing facilities to community-based residences. One of the bills Sen. Patricia Jehlen has sponsored (S 356) requires the Division of Medical Assistance to provide coverage for residential habilitation services for people over age 60, if they require such services and are clinically eligible for long term care services. Mass Home Care will testify to the benefits of allowing spouses to be a paid caregivers in certain Medicaid programs, allowing people with dementia or other cognitive deficits to get Personal Care Attendant services and expediting the development of small homes for up to 4 unrelated individuals as a MassHealth housing option to nursing facility care, among other topics. Full agenda:https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2245&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2)
FUTURE OF WIDETT CIRCLE: Suffolk University hosts a panel discussion on the future of Widett Circle, the area off the Southeast Expressway that had been slated to become home to a stadium during the city's Olympic bid. Richard Dimino of A Better City, M. David Lee of Stull and Lee, Thomas O'Brien of the HYM Investment Group, Michael Ross of Prince Lobel and Susan Sullivan of NewMarket Business Association will discuss how a commitment to transform Widett Circle could play out, including what would happen to existing businesses. NECN business editor Peter Howes will moderate. Robbins Beef President Jeffrey Corin and Aquanor Marketing chief executive Marion Kaiser complained to the Boston Globe that businesses in the area were not represented on the panel. Suffolk University reached out to the individuals and had not received confirmation as of late morning Friday. (Tuesday, 7:45 a.m., 55 Temple St., Boston.)
HOLYOKE PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM: Fran O'Connell, mayoral candidate for Holyoke, will host a public safety forum with Sheriff Michael Ashe, Jr. and Ed Caisse of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department. There will be a presentation followed by a question and answer session. Topics to be discussed include the South Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative, neighborhood watch and other community policing initiatives. The event is free and open to Holyoke residents. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., The Dam Cafe, 2014 Northampton St., Holyoke)
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: The Public Service Committee will hear bills extending and enhancing killed-in-the-line of duty benefits and other legislation that would alter or study the state's disability retirement system. A Rep. Tackey Chan bill (H 2216) would limit the frequency of evaluations for people retired for a disability. A Rep. Brendan Crighton bill (H 2253) would provide killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for deputy sheriffs, probation officers and court officers. Bills filed by Reps. Paul Heroux (H 2326) and Nick Collins (H 2250) would state that the Family and Medical Leave Act does not apply to a provision of law for leave with pay for incapacitated municipal employees. A Sen. Karen Spilka bill (S 1431) would provider for survivors' benefits to widows and widowers who remarry. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)
SEX OFFENDER RECIDIVISM COMMISSION: The Special Commission to Reduce the Recidivism of Sex Offenders meets. The agenda includes a discussion of the strategy the group plans to use to approach its final report and a presentation on special populations. The commission is chaired by Sen. William Brownsberger (D-Belmont) and Rep. Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose) and its members include Rep. Evandro Carvalho (D-Dorchester), Probation Commissioner Ed Dolan and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 11th floor, Boston)
MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE HEARING: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development holds a hearing on bills (H 1718/S 1008) establishing a family and medical leave and temporary disability leave insurance program. The bill states that an employee is eligible for leave if he or she has at least 1,250 hours of service for the employer. It stipulates that an employee who has taken leave shall be restored to the same position or a similar one, unless employees in similar positions have been laid off due to changes in economic or operating conditions. Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka, the sponsor of S 1008, is scheduled to testify. The act also lays out what constitutes retaliation, weekly benefit amounts based on the percent of the area median income the individual earns, and fines for employers who fail to provide sufficient notice of this policy. It establishes a Division of Family and Medical Leave within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, along with a family and employment security trust fund. Full text: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H1718 (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 437)
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE STUDY: The Special Commission to Conduct an Investigation and Study of the Activities and Efficacy of the Adjudication of Unemployment Insurance Claims will hold a meeting that includes a "welcome," introduction of new members and a review of initial draft report. The commission was established under a 2014 state law. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Office of the Auditor, One Ashburton Place, Room 1819)
TRIBUTE TO ABIGAIL ADAMS: The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus (MWPC) holds its 28th annual Tribute to Abigail Adams, honoring female leaders in Massachusetts who have fought for equality for women. Award recipients are Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, Rep. Kay Khan, Josefina Bonilla of Color Media Group, Peggy Dray of the Fairmount Copley Plaza and Mary Kakas of Edward F. Kakas & Sons. Treasurer Deb Goldberg is scheduled to introduce Wong. WCVB reporter Frank Holland will emcee. According to organizers, Speaker Robert DeLeo, Treasurer Deb Goldberg and Auditor Suzanne Bump will speak at the event. Tickets are $175 each and sponsorships range from $1,000 to $20,000. Proceeds of the awards benefit the MWPC Education Fund, a nonprofit that provides workshops, campaign skills training, sessions with elected officials, an internship program, and other informational resources to assist women in political involvement. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Fairmount Copley Plaza, Boston)
ENERGY COMMITTEE - CARBON PRICING: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy will hear from businesspeople, economists and faith groups on a bill (S 1747) to institute carbon pricing in Massachusetts. Sen. Michael Barrett, the bill's chief sponsor, says carbon pricing is the "single most effective step state government can take to combat global warming," and is an opportunity for Massachusetts to lead the country, as it has on health care and marriage equality. Carbon pricing would work by levying fees on fuels that emit carbon dioxide, which, due to the higher cost, could drive down the demand for carbon dioxide-emitting fuels. Proceeds from the fees would be dispersed as rebates, Barrett's office said, and about 60 percent of households could expect some sort of rebate. The committee will also consider several bills related to the so-called "bottle bill," including a Rep. Thomas Stanley bill to require deposits on certain non-carbonated beverage containers. Voters rejected an expansion of the bottle bill at the ballot last November. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1)
INTERSTELLAR TRAVEL FORUM: NASA Administrator Gen. Charles Bolden and astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, principal of the 100 Year Starship Project, will speak at a Harvard Institute of Politics John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum on space and interstellar travel. Acting Kennedy School Dean Archon Fung will moderate. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., 79 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge)
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION: The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education meets to hear presentations on the 2015 fall early enrollment report for UMass, state universities and community colleges and the work of the CONNECT campus partnership of Southeastern Massachusetts. Meeting agenda: http://www.mass.edu/bhe/agenda_20151027_BHE.asp. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bristol Community College, Commonwealth College Center, G Building, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River)
ROSENBERG ON BROADSIDE: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg is interviewed on NECN's Broadside. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., 160 Wells Ave., Newton)
FIRE & EXPLOSION CONFERENCE: Firefighters, police and prosecutors invited to attend the Fire and Explosion Investigation and Prosecution Conference hosted by Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan. The conference, which runs Tuesday and Wednesday, will cover a variety of topics such as crime scene management and mass casualty incidents. A keynote presentation will focus on the response to the Boston Marathon Bombing. The cost to attend is $175. Register at: www.NoFIRESjfis.com (Tuesday, 8 a.m, Log Cabin Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke)
POLLACK ON BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO: Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-hosts Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. State officials are striving to close a projected deficit at the MBTA. Inspectors have also identified hundreds of deteriorating nuts affixing lights to the ceiling of the Ted Williams Tunnel.(Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., WGBH 89.7 FM)
DPU PUBLIC HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a hearing on the petition of Eversource Energy for approval of issuance of long term debt securities of less than $100 million. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th floor, Boston)
REGULATORS PERSPECTIVES: Department of Public Utilities Chairman Angela O'Connor will speak on a panel about regulators perspectives on portfolio diversity and assuring an efficient power supply at the Northeast Energy Summit. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart St., Boston)
BOSTON DCR PARKWAYS: The Department of Conservation and Recreation will hold a public hearing to introduce a study that will provide DCR with an updated assessment and improvement analysis of DCR parkways in the Greater Boston area. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Shriners Hospital for Children, Auditorium, 51 Blossom St., Boston)
VETERANS CARE LISTENING SESSION: The Joint Commission on Veterans Housing and Long Term Care holds a listening session to hear from veterans and their families on the long-term care needs for veterans, including day health, assisted living and supportive housing. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 69 Grove St., Worcester)
DENTAL COALITION LAUNCH: Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler, Rep. Smitty Pignatelli and Health Care for All Massachusetts Executive Director Amy Slemmer will attend a press conference launching the Dental Care for Mass Coalition. The coalition is coming together to back legislation (H 249/S 1118) that would allow qualified dental hygienists to perform some tooth extractions and other procedures as way to expand access to dental care. Coalition members include Massachusetts Hospital Association, Mass Home Care, Stand For Children and Mass Senior Action Council. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Senate Reading Room)
SENIOR HEALTH FORUM: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the Senior Health and Wellness Forum hosted by Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., UMass-Boston, ISD Building, Boston)
ROSIE'S PLACE LUNCHEON: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and First Lady Lauren Baker attend a luncheon for Rosie's Place, the first women's shelter in the United States. Now, Rosie's Place provides meals and shelter to 12,000 women a year. Piper Kerman, author of "Orange Is the New Black" and the person whose life story serves as the basis for the Netflix series of the same name, will speak at the Rosie's Place fundraiser "Funny Women...Serious Business." The show explores life inside the federal prison system for women, and Kerman has become an advocate for prison and sentencing reforms. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St, Boston)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2015
HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS: House Democratic leaders and members will gather for a caucus. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room A-1)
HOUSE FORMAL SESSION: The House will hold a full formal session to consider items on the calendar. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., House Chamber)
SENATE CAUCUS ON CHARTER SCHOOLS: Senate Republicans and Democrats hold a joint caucus to continue debate on and discussion of the potential expansion of charter schools. Rosenberg says he's trying to determine if the Senate has the "bandwidth and desire" to move ahead with legislation. "Since the speaker has suggested that the Senate go first we need to figure out whether the body is prepared to write and take up a bill," Rosenberg told reporters recently. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate president's office)
BELLA BOND REPORT: The Office of the Child Advocate has been reviewing the case of Bella Bond, the toddler whose dead body was found in a trash bag on Deer Island in June, and what, if any, involvement that the Department of Children and Families, executive agencies, police, and other service providers had with Bond's family. The review aims to "see if any opportunities were missed to raise issues about her safety and well being and what lessons can be learned to prevent another tragedy like this." The report, which was requested by Gov. Charlie Baker, is due to the governor's desk on Wednesday. (Wednesday)
VETERANS AND FEDERAL AFFAIRS: A resolution backed by 17 legislators to urge Congress to reject the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement will get its public hearing before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, sought by President Barack Obama, would "promote economic growth, support the creation and retention of jobs, enhance innovation, productivity and competitiveness, (and) promote enhanced labor and environmental protections," according to the White House. Opponents, though, say the deal has been negotiated in secret and that it "would relocate millions of American jobs in a turbulent economy to other nations, decrease our access to affordable medicine, increase the volume of unsafe food and goods in American markets, and roll back regulatory safeguards." The resolution (H 3133) is sponsored by freshman Rep. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). The committee will also consider a resolution that urges the Congress to declare the city of Quincy as the most patriotic city in America. The resolution (H 3128) cites as evidence of Quincy's patriotism the fact that it is the birthplace of two U.S. presidents, the home of the first presidential library, and the home of the oldest Flag Day parade in the nation. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Hearing Room A-2)
WOMEN'S FORUM RECEPTION: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the opening reception for the International Women's Forum 2015 World Leadership Conference. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston)
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture holds a hearing on 23 bills. Sen. Jason Lewis has sponsored a bill (S 439) prohibiting the confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around, lie down, stand up and extend their limbs, with certain exceptions. H 713, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Kulik, establishes a Livestock Care and Standards Board, which shall at the first meeting examine practices related to battery cage hen operations, swine gestation crates and veal crates. Rep. Paul McMurtry has sponsored a bill (H 3241) stating that the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement shall take possession of any wild turkey captured by an animal control officer and release it into a relocation site. Other bills establish procedures for growing industrial hemp (H 773), regulate the distribution of raw milk (S 419) and require the Director of Fisheries and Wildlife to adopt regulations of the feeding of birds and mammals (H 636). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2295&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True(Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room B-1)
ROSENBERG ON WTAG: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg is interviewed live by Jordan Levy for WTAG Radio, 94.9 FM and 580 AM. (Wednesday, 4:05 p.m.)
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES LISTENING SESSION: The Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds the second of five listening sessions to give the public an opportunity to offer feedback on regulations that will be reviewed under Executive Order 562. The topics for this session are welfare reform and background/CORI checks. Attendees need a valid photo ID to enter the building. Feedback can also be submitted through an online portal at mass.gov/anf/regreview.html. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Charles F. Hurley Building, sixth floor, Minihan Hall, 19 Staniford St., Boston)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Peabody City Hall)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Natick Town Hall)
BUMP AT WORLD LEADERSHIP GALA: State Auditor Suzanne Bump attends the International Women's Forum 2015 World Leadership Conference and Hall of Fame Awards Gala. The forum serves as a way for women with diverse backgrounds and achievements to connect with each other. The event will run from Oct. 28-30. (Wednesday, 9 a.m, The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave., Boston)
BIOTECH IN THE ECONOMY: MassBioEd Foundation Executive Director Peter Abaire talks about the impact of the biotech industry on the Massachusetts economy, as part of UMass Boston's Massachusetts in the Global Economy series. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., McCormack Hall, 1st floor, room 201)
BEER AND TRANSIT WITH DUKAKIS: TransitMatters teams up with the Boston chapter of Young Professionals in Transportation to host former Gov. Michael Dukakis for Beer & Transit, the group's "monthly networking event, beer summit, and idea incubator." Dukakis is slated to discuss his work with fellow former Gov. Bill Weld to push the construction of a North-South Rail Link in Boston. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beer-transit-featuring-michael-dukakis-october-2015-tickets-19091003706 (Wednesday, 5 p.m., The Merchant, 60 Franklin St., Boston
IDEAS UMASS BOSTON: The annual IDEAS UMass Boston conference features experts from science, education, business, the arts, medicine and finance. Panelists and speakers include Jasmina Aganovic, president of the soap brand Mother Dirt; economist and blogger Jodi Beggs; Plymouth District Court Judge Rosemary Minehan; Eta Devices CTO and cofounder Joel Dawson; Parfait Gasana, assistant director of the Center for Peace, Democracy, and Development at UMass Boston and SQZ Biotechnologies CEO and co-founder Armon Sharei. Tickets are $75 per person, or $50 a person for nonprofits, $35 for UMass Boston alumni, $35 for Commonwealth Compact partners and $25 for students. Register at http://www.umb.edu/ideas. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., UMass Boston campus center, 3rd floor, ballroom)
CNBC GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: Fourteen Republican presidential candidates will meet in Boulder, Colorado for two separate debates hosted by CNBC. Featured in the first debate and main stage will be businessman Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. A second debate, with candidates polling below an average of 2.5 percent, will feature former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former New York Gov. George Pataki, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore will not be featured because he did not meet the qualifications. (Wednesday, 8 p.m., CNBC)
PANEL ON "TRANSFORMING BOSTON" | Rep. Byron Rushing moderates a Massachusetts Historical Society panel discussion titled "Transforming Boston: Connecting the Communities Back to the City," part of a series on the history of planning and politics in Boston. The talk will focus on the inequalities across Boston neighborhoods, with some areas seeing increased wealth and higher prices while others experienced depression and social and racial strife. Panelists include MIT urban planning professor emeritus Langley Keyes, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation development director Paul Chan, WalkBoston founder Ann Hershfang, and City of Boston economic policy and research director Karilyn Crockett. Admission is $10 and free for historical society, Rappaport and Boston Area Research Initiative members. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., 1154 Boylston St., Boston)
ENGLISH ED IN BUSINESS: Business, labor and advocacy groups will come together for awards to entities that support English education of immigrant employees. Legal Sea Foods CEO Roger Berkowitz, Undersecretary for Workforce Development Ronald Marlow and Robert Bower, of the AFL-CIO, will attend the English for New Bostonians event. The event will recognize AHEAD LLC in partnership with Bristol Community College; Bank of America in partnership with Asian American Civic Association; Bay Cove Human Services, Inc. in partnership with Catholic Charities/Haitian Multi-Service Center; Boloco in partnership with JVS; Kettle Cuisine LLC in partnership with North Shore Community College; South Shore Bank in partnership with Massasoit Community College; 1199SEIU Training & Upgrading Fund in partnership with 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East and the Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Northeastern University Curry Student Center Ballroom, Boston)
"UNDERSTANDING BOSTON" FORUM: The Boston Foundation's Understanding Boston forum series presents its next event, titled "Developing the Educational and Skills Pathways to Economic Security," focusing on the city's growing inequality gap. The forum will include a data framing presentation from Boston Indicators Project Director Jessica Martin. A panel discussion will feature Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ronald Walker, SkillWorks executive director Marybeth Campbell; Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger, mayor's office of workforce development director Trihn Nguyen and State Street Bank senior vice president of global human resources Michael Scannell. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., The Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington St., 10th floor, Boston)
PRO BONO AWARDS: The Supreme Judicial Court presents the annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards, named for John Adams and John Quincy Adams, to three attorneys and one recent law school graduate. The awardees have been selected by the SJC's Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, and Justice Geraldine Hines will present the awards. The attorneys receiving awards are Archer Battista, Elizabeth Ennen and John Regan, who have represented veterans, immigrants seeking political asylum and victims of a cholera outbreak in Haiti, respectively. Shannon Johnson, a 2015 graduate of Boston College Law School, will receive an award for her work on immigration issues. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., John Adams Courthouse, Seven Justice Courtroom, One Pemberton Square, Boston)
IRAN NEGOTIATOR TALK: Wendy Sherman, a lead U.S. negotiator in the discussions that established the Iran nuclear agreement, will give an off-the-record talk at Harvard's Institute of Politics titled, "Negotiating Change: How We Took on Some of the World's Toughest Problems and Sometimes Succeeded." (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Faculty Dining Room, Kennedy School, Cambridge)
FACILITIES ASSESSMENT: The Massachusetts School Building Authority's facilities assessment subcommittee meets for a presentation on Quincy's Sterling Middle School and updates on projects in Carver, Granby and Narragansett. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., MSBA board room, 5th floor, 40 Broad St., Boston)
LECTURE SERIES ON HEALTH: Regis College hosts the President's Lecture Series on Health Fall 2015 in partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. The lecture will bring together health experts to discuss autoimmune diseases and look-alikes lupus/fibromyalgia/ rheumatoid arthritis/ multiple sclerosis. The event is free and open to the public. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center, Casey Theater, Regis College, Boston)
PAIN MANAGEMENT SUMMIT: Attorney General Maura Healey, who has said that battling the state's opioid crisis is her top priority in office, will speak to pain management physicians about the opioid epidemic and the work her office has done on the issue. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Renaissance Boston Waterfront, Atlantic Ballroom, 3rd floor, 606 Congress St., Boston)
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. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., WGBH-FM, 89.7)
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: The Department of Housing and Community Development and United Way are hosting a legislative briefing about the positive impacts of the Community Investment Tax Credit on economic and community development across the commonwealth. The Community Investment Tax Credit, implemented in 2014, offers individuals, corporations, and nonprofit institutions the opportunity to obtain a 50 percent state tax credit and up to a 35 percent standard federal tax deduction while investing in Community Development Corporations. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Senate Reading Room)
FORUM WITH UMASS PRESIDENT: The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce holds a government affairs forum with Marty Meehan, president of the University of Massachusetts. Meehan served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 until 2007 and then spent eight years as chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The cost of registration is $55 for members and $100 for non-members. (Wednesday, 7:45 a.m., Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel)
GAMING COMMISSION - REGION C: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will meet for presentations by surrounding community and impacted live entertainment venue petitioners in the southeastern region, where Mass Gaming and Entertainment is seeking a commercing casino license for a facility in Brockton. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., location TBA)
SENATORS HOST HARVARD PROFESSOR: Professor Danielle Allen, director of the Edmond Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University, is the featured guest Wednesday for an informational session entitled "Challenges and Rewards of Leadership in the 21st Century." Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and Senate Ethics Committee Chair Cynthia Creem are hosting Allen. According to event organizers, Allen will reference the works of historical political thinkers for a conversation focused on "how contemporary leaders can navigate difficult choices and judgment calls in our modern democracy." (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Senate Reading Room)
BLUE HILLS MANAGEMENT COMPLEX: The Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a public meeting on the preparation of a resource management plan for the Blue Hills Management Complex. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave., Milton)
LABOR BRIEFING BREAKFAST: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash will deliver remarks at a breakfast briefing presented by the Labor, Employment and Benefits practice group at Nutter, McClennen & Fish. Attorneys will review proposed U.S. Department of Labor regulations that would change federal overtime requirements. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., 155 Seaport Blvd., Boston)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: The Governor's Council meets, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito presiding. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 360)
MASSCHALLENGE: Gov. Charlie Baker offers remarks at the launch of MassChallenge, a no-equity startup accelerator. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 420 Summer St., Boston)
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
GAMING COMMISSION - FANTASY SPORTS: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will hold its first conversation around online fantasy sports. With sites like FanDuel and DraftKings attracting attention on Beacon Hill, the commission is slated to begin determining its views on questions policymakers will need to address. Topics will include whether fantasy sports are legal, if the industry should be regulated and how, and who the regulator should be. A full agenda for the public meeting has not yet been released. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 101 Federal St., 12th floor, Boston)
SCHOOL ON THE MOVE PRIZE: EdVestors' annual School on the Move Prize for Boston's public schools -- a $100,000 award for ongoing school improvement and best-practices sharing -- will be presented. The awards are intended to recognize the work of the city's most rapidly improving schools and highlight their progress in closing the achievement gap. The finalists are the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, the John F. Kennedy STEM Innovation School in Jamaica Plain and the Hurley K-8 school in the South End. The two runners-up will each receive a $10,000 award. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh gives opening remarks and Superintendent Tommy Chang will attend. (Thursday, 7:45 a.m. networking breakfast, 8:30 a.m. awards presentation, Boston Harbor Hotel)
HOUSE BONDING COMMITTEE: The House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets holds a long term debt oversight hearing, with testimony expected from Assistant Treasurer for Long Term Debt Sue Perez. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Hearing Room A-2)
DESIGNER ROUNDTABLE: The Massachusetts School Building Authority holds its bi-monthly Designer Roundtable discussion. The agenda includes MSBA updates and "The Educational Importance of Adjacencies -- Beyond the Space Summary." Edward Frenette of Symmes Maini & McKee Associates will facilitate. (Thursday, 9:00 a.m., MSBA board room, 5th floor, 40 Broad St., Boston)
LABOR LAW CONFERENCE: The Labor and Employment Sections of the Massachusetts, Boston, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont bar associations, along with Suffolk University, host the 42nd annual Robert Fuchs Labor Law Conference, intended to highlight a year of legal developments. National Labor Relations Board general counsel Richard Griffin will provide an update on the latest developments in his office. M. Patricia Smith, solicitor of labor at the US Department of Labor, will discuss proposed rules, new government contractor responsibilities, and recent DOL interpretations on the question of employee versus independent contractor. Registration/program details: http://www.massbar.org/cle/cle-programs?p=4014 Reception follows the conference. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Suffolk Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston)
YOUNG LEADERS HONORED BY CHAMBER: The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce will present its annual Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Awards, recognizing honorees from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Congressman Seth Moulton is among the recipients, along with Jesse Brackenbury of the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, Angela Gomes of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, Linda Pizzuti Henry of the Boston Globe, Jana Karp of Boston Youth Sanctuary, Daniel Arrigg Koh of the City of Boston, Jennifer Murtie of Federal Street Advisors, Rick Musiol of Citizens Bank, J. Justin Pasquariello of Children's HealthWatch and Aditi Taylor of Deloitte and Touche. Tickets are $100 per person and $1,000 for a table of ten. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel)
DIEHL MEET AND GREET: Rep. Geoff Diehl, the Republican candidate for the 2nd Plymouth and Bristol Senate seat, hosts a meet and greet event in Whitman with free pizza. Diehl is running against Democrat Rep. Michael and independent candidate Anna Raduc. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., 95 Essex St., Whitman)
NEW BEDFORD COUNCIL MEETING: The New Bedford Economic Development Council holds its annual meeting. Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash will be the keynote speaker. The event is free but registration is required on Eventbrite (event name: NBEDC Annual Meeting 2015). (Thursday, 5 p.m., HTP, Inc., 272 Duchaine Blvd., New Bedford)
ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD LISTENING SESSION: The Energy Facilities Siting Board holds the first of two listening sessions for the public to offer feedback on 11 regulations (mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/energy-facilities-siting-board/relevant-regulations.html) to be reviewed under Executive Order 562. The order, issued by Gov. Charlie Baker in March, requires each agency in the executive department to review every regulation in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations under its jurisdiction. Comments may also be submitted to both dpu.efiling@state.ma.us and James.A.Buckley@state.ma.us or tomass.gov/anf/regreview.html by Nov. 25. (Thursday, 3-5 p.m., Department of Public Utilities, 5th floor, Hearing Room A, One South Station, Boston)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Pittsfield City Hall)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and the MBTA host a "capital conversations" event to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Plymouth Town Hall)
ROSENBERG, RUSH MEET BUSINESS OWNERS: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and Sen. Michael Rush meet with small business owners. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., West Roxbury Community Center, 1716 Centre St., West Roxbury)
ROSENBERG ON BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg is interviewed live on Boston Public Radio at the WGBH studios. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 1 Guest St., Brighton)
TOUR GUIDE BUMP: State Auditor Suzanne Bump will host attendees of the International Women's Forum 2015 World Leadership Conference at the State House and provide a tour of the building. Treasurer Deb Goldberg will meet with attendees at 2:45 p.m.(Thursday, 2:15 p.m.,State House)
DELEO AWARD: House Speaker Robert DeLeo will receive the 2015 Outstanding Legislator Award at the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts Gala.CLOSED PRESS.(Thursday, 6 p.m., Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston)
MASSCAP BRIEFING: Massachusetts Association for Community Action will hold a briefing for legislators or staff responsible for constituent services to outline services provided by the agency during the winter. Services include fuel assistance, weatherization, food pantries, winter coats, emergency services, Head Start, free tax preparation,and SNAP. RSVP by Oct. 27 to Joe Diamond atjoediamond@masscap.org (617) 357-6086 (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Room 437)
GREENTOWN LABS: Gov. Charlie Baker and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton tour Greentown Labs, a Somerville clean technology incubator. (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., 28 Dane St., Somerville)
GOLDBERG AT WOMEN'S LUNCHEON: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the International Women's Forum Luncheon. (Thursday, 12 p.m., The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave, Boston)
GOLDBERG WOMEN'S DINNER: Treasurer Deb Goldberg attends the International Women's Forum Dinner. (Thursday, 7 p.m., TBD)
LINKS UNDER LEDs: Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton attends an LED light groundbreaking event at Leo J. Martin Golf Course. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., 190 Park Road, Weston)
ASH IN NEW BEDFORD: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash will deliver remarks to the New Bedford Economic Development Council. (Thursday, 5 p.m., HTP Products, 272 Duchaine Blvd., New Bedford)
SPRINGFIELD APT RIBBON CUTTING: Gov. Baker attends a ribbon cutting ceremony for Outing Park Apartments. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 37 Saratoga St, Springfield)
BAKER AT WEYMOUTH FUNDER: Gov. Charlie Baker plans to attend a fundraiser for Pat O'Connor, Weymouth Town Council president, according to the state Republican party. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Shea Naval Aviation Museum and Gymnasium at The New Southfield)
BAKER AT WESTPORT FUNDER: Gov. Charlie Baker plans to attend a fundraiser for Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson, according to the state Republican party. (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., White's of Westport)
FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 2015
CABINET MEETING: Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito host a closed cabinet meeting. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 10 a.m., Gov. Baker's office)
MUNICIPAL LABOR RELATIONS: The Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association holds a daylong labor relations seminar in Boxborough, featuring a labor law update and workshops on bargaining subjects, family and military leave and Affordable Care Act reporting. Foxborough Assistant Town Manager Mary Beth Bernard, the association's chair, will give welcoming remarks and author Jay Therrien will deliver a keynote address. (Friday, 8:15 a.m., Boxborough Holiday Inn, 242 Adams Place, Boxborough).
GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE MEETING: The board of of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc. meets via teleconference. The agenda includes approval of the 2016 budget and executive committee elections. RGGI, Inc. is a cooperative effort among nine New England and mid-Atlantic states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Members of the public can register athttps://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=qqnrherslp6v. (Friday, 11 a.m.)
CONGRESSMAN MOULTON AT JFK LIBRARY: Congressman Seth Moulton (D-Salem) will sit down with presidential advisor and Harvard Kennedy School professor David Gergen as part of a Kennedy Library Forum event to discuss the turmoil in the Middle East and the importance of national service. (Friday, 6 p.m., John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Columbia Point, Boston)
MAHP CONFERENCE ON PAYMENT REFORM: Gov. Charlie Baker is scheduled to deliver opening remarks and Assistant Attorney General Courtney Aladro is scheduled to present on health care cost trends and cost drivers at the Mass. Association of Health Plans 14th Annual Health Policy Conference entitled "Payment Reform - Three Years Later: Are Policies Delivering on the Promise of Lower Costs & Higher Quality?" Uwe Reinhardt, an authority on health economics, is the keynote speaker. Health Policy Commission Executive Director David Seltz will participate in the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP) Dr. The conference runs for most of the day. Agenda: http://www.mahp.com/unify-files/2015AnnualConference_Agenda10-15-15.pdf (Friday, 8 a.m., Seaport Hotel, Boston)
FIREFIGHTER GRADUATION: State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director George Kramlinger will present certificates of completion to members of the Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class #235 in a graduation ceremony. The 26 graduates, all men, represent 15 fire departments from around the state: Agawam, Ashland, Bourne, Boxford, Charlton, Clinton, Everett, Hyannis, Malden, Methuen, Northbridge, Peabody, Reading, Sharon and Taunton. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., Department of Fire Services, 1 State Road, Stow)
AMHERST CHAMBER BREAKFAST: The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a legislative breakfast with speakers Congressman Jim McGovern, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Rep. Ellen Story and Rep. John Scibak. (Friday, 7:15 a.m., Lord Jeffery Inn, 30 Boltwood Ave., Amherst)
ROSENBERG TOURS CANCER CENTER: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg tours Cooley Dickinson Health Care's new MGH Cancer Center in Northampton. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., 30 Locust St., Northampton)
CHARLES RIVER GATEWAY RIBBON CUTTING: Sen. James Timilty, Rep. Denise Garlick, the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, town officials in Medfield and Charles River Watershed Association celebrate the opening of the Medfield Charles River Gateway. Located on the site of the former Medfield State Hospital, the Medfield Charles River Gateway was created through the remediation of the hospital's three-acre dumping site along the Charles and the restoration of wetlands. The project includes recreation trails, a canoe/kayak launch, and marks the restoration of a floodplain and acres of wildlife habitat along the Charles River. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., 100 Hospital Road, Medfield)
ASH IN CHICOPEE: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash will deliver remarks to the Westmass Area Development Corp. (Friday, 3 p.m., 255 Padgette St., Chicopee)
GOLDBERG ATTENDS FORUM: Treasurer Deb Goldberg attends the last day of the International Women's Forum 2015 World Leadership Conference. She will also attend the closing luncheon at 12:45 p.m. titled Delivering the Dream: Innovation for Everyone. (Friday, 11 a.m., The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston)
GREENFIELD HIGH RIBBON-CUTTING: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg attends a ribbon-cutting for the new Greenfield High School. (Friday, 12 p.m., 21 Barr Ave., Greenfield)
CHESTNUT PARK RIBBON-CUTTING: Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay will deliver remarks at the Chestnut Park Apartments Ribbon-Cutting. (Friday, 11 a.m., 85 Chestnut St., Holyoke)
SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2015
HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!
"SENATE CHAMBER OF HORRORS" | The Edward M. Kennedy Institute hosts a Halloween event billed as "sena-terrifying fun for all ages." Admission is free for all Massachusetts children and $2 off for anyone else attending in costume. Guests can listen to scary stories in the "Senate Chamber of Horrors," and children can trick-or-treat through the interactive exhibit and cast their vote on the "frightful question" of whether the school day should be longer. (Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m., Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Columbia Point, Boston)
CANVASSING FOR ESSAIBI-GEORGE: Attorney General Maura Healey will help kick off a canvassing event for Boston City Council At-large candidate Annissa Essaibi-George. (Saturday, 11 a.m., Roslindale Square, Roslindale)
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The State House News Service has covered Massachusetts government news since 1911.
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