What's ahead in state government this week
Holiday recess on the horizon
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Gov. Charlie Baker returns from a three-day vacation to south Florida Saturday and he won't find on his desk reworked versions of his charter school access bill, his opioid bill, his bill to regulate ride-hailing companies, or his solar or hydro power bills. And it probably would not have made much of a difference if he'd hung around and tried to exercise his influence during Wednesday's final formal session of 2015. The House and Senate capped their allegedly busy period by advancing mostly non-controversial bills and illustrating that when it comes to weightier matters, like a bill to keep the solar power industry growing, they are defined by their differences more than their areas of agreement.
The House is under the veteran leadership of House Speaker Robert DeLeo and experienced negotiator Brian Dempsey, while the Senate has just put its first year on the books under the new leadership of President Stanley Rosenberg and first-time Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka. At least over the first 10-plus months of this new arrangement, the branches are not connecting with the same frequency that they did when the DeLeo-Dempsey duo was lining up opposite former Senate President Therese Murray and former Ways and Means Chairs Stephen Brewer and Steven Panagiotakos. With the next budget season around the corner in December, the pressure on DeLeo and Rosenberg to start advancing their non-budgetary agenda is quietly ramping up and those with a stake in their work are having doubts about their odds of success. The Legislature did not come up completely empty-handed this week.
When the Legislature departed for its holiday recess Wednesday night, it left something of a present for Gov. Charlie Baker. More than a dozen bills are currently awaiting the governor's signature, having been enacted by both legislative branches. Among the bills sitting on the governor's desk is one that would give some legal assurances to homeowners who purchased homes in foreclosure that they won't be caught in limbo should they try to sell or refinance, one to establish the crime of trafficking in the dangerous drug fentanyl and five bills related to veterans issues. Baker may sign, veto or return the bills with amendments and action is required by the governor by Nov. 27 for 12 of the bills and by Nov. 28 for two bills. The complete list of bills is as follows:
-- S 2015 clearing titles to foreclosed properties;
-- H 3798 trafficking of fentanyl;
-- H 1306 grave markers to commemorate the grave of a veteran police officer or firefighter;
-- H 1600 providing further penalties for intentional loss or damage to a gravestone or other grave marker;
-- H 1641 false representation of military status;
-- H 3173 -removal of commemorative flag holders from the graves of veterans and certain police and fire personnel;
-- H 3243 providing free access to certain parks and recreation areas to Purple Heart recipients;
-- H 3591 - sick leave bank for Carol Gulino, an employee of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission;
-- H 3836 - safety and well-being of children in the custody of the Department of Children and Families;
-- H 2937 the Lance Corporal Andrew J. Zabierek Memorial Bridge in the town of Chelmsford;
-- H 3083 - designating a bridge in the city of Boston as the PFC Alvin Richard Gale Memorial Bridge;
-- H 3340 - authorizing the town of Norton to use water supply and conservation land for public way purposes;
-- H 3361 taking of property by eminent domain by the Medway Redevelopment Authority;
-- H 3835 relative to reimbursement of certain costs regarding underground storage tanks and systems;
SATURDAY, NOV. 21, 2015
STUDENTS FOR EDUCATION REFORM: Local college student members of Students for Education Reform Massachusetts (SFER MA), members of the PreK4MA coalition, elected officials and community members hold an event to advocate for the passage of a bill (H 462) that would develop a "high quality pre-kindergarten education grant program." Among those expected to attend are Joint Committee on Education Chairwoman Alice Peisch, Boston Superintendent Tommy Chang, Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu and a group of Boston College students. Early education generated a lot of discussion during last year's gubernatorial campaign but has not been a major debate topic so far during the 2015-2016 legislative session. (Saturday, 2 p.m., Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, 6th floor, 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury)
TREE LIGHTING: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the tree-lighting ceremony at Faneuil Hall. (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Faneuil Hall, Boston)
WILDLIFE HISTORY: MassWildlife Chief of Information and Education Marion Larson gives a keynote presentation on the history of wildlife since the 1990s at the annual meeting of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation. (Saturday, 11 a.m., MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough)
1199SEIU ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East will celebrate their 10th anniversary with members and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healey and Congressman Joe Kennedy III. According to the union, which represents thousands of healthcare workers, its membership has grown from 10,000 to 52,000 since 2005. (Saturday, 5 p.m., 1199 SEIU Union Hall, 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester)
SUNDAY, NOV. 22, 2015
SHORTSLEEVE ON THE RECORD: Brian Shortsleeve, the MBTA's chief administer talks with On the Record co-moderators Channel 5 Anchor Ed Harding and State House Reporter Janet Wu. Shortsleeve will talk about the T's debt as well as its preparedness for the coming winter. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
KELLER AT LARGE: WBZ's Jon Keller welcomes WBZ security analyst and former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis to discuss local security issues after Paris. Davis will also weigh in on the refugee debate. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
DAY OF THANKS: Gov. Charlie Baker attends Boston Rescue Mission's 23rd annual Day of Thanks, an event that provides hundreds of complete Thanksgiving dinners to families in need. (Sunday, 12 p.m., Boston Rescue Mission, 39 Kingston St., Boston)
TITO JACKSON TURKEY GIVEAWAY: Gov. Charlie Baker attends Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson's annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. (Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Reggie Lewis Center, 1350 Tremont St., Roxbury)
NEAL AT JFK CEREMONY:Congressman Richard Neal speaks at an annual memorial ceremony for President John F. Kennedy. (Sunday, 1 p.m., Eternal Flame Forest Park, Springfield)
MONDAY, NOV. 23, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
MONTE'S MARCH: Congressmen Jim McGovern, Richard Neal and Joe Kennedy III will join with local community leaders for the 6th Annual "Monte's March" in Western Massachusetts. Stretching 42 miles, the longest walk to date, the two-day march aims to increase awareness about hunger in local communities and help families in need this thanksgiving. The march will begin at St. John's Church in Springfield and continue on with stops in Chicopee, Holyoke and Northampton on Monday. The march will stop in Hadley, Amherst, Sunderland and end in Greenfield on Tuesday. (Monday, 7 a.m., St. John's Church, Springfield)
WYNN HOCKEY HELMET DONATION: Local high school hockey teams will be outfitted with 140 Bauer helmets and then participate in a one-hour hockey clinic at the TD Garden hosted by select Boston Bruins alumni and the Youth Hockey Development Team. The helmets were purchased by the Boston Bruins and Wynn Resorts. Medford High School, Malden Catholic High School, Everett High School, Cambridge Rindge and Latin, East Boston High School, and Revere High School will all be participating. A host of lawmakers are expected to attend including Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Paul Donato, Rep. Joe McGonagle, Rep. Christine Barber, Rep. Dan Ryan, Rep. Sean Garballey, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, Medford Mayor-Elect Stephanie Muccini-Burke, and Revere Mayor-Elect Brian Arrigo. (Monday, 4:30 p.m., TD Garden, Boston)
SCHOONER ERNESTINA: The Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a meeting of its Schooner Ernestina Commission. The Schooner Ernestina is the state ship of Massachusetts and is designated as a national historic landmark as part of the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park. Formerly known as the Effie M. Morrissey, the ship made many scientific expeditions to the Arctic. The agenda includes updates on restoration and finances and "planning toward Ernestina-Morrissey's future." (Monday, 1 p.m., Corson Building, New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park, 33 William St., New Bedford)
VICTIMS AWARENESS MONTH: Attorney General Maura Healey will offer remarks at the opening ceremony of Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month, a yearly observance that runs from Nov. 20 through Dec. 20. Healey is expected to discuss the victim witness services and victim compensation work of her office. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Grand Staircase)
MBTA TO HEAR OPPOSITION TO AD: Members of Boston's Jewish community plan to attend an MBTA Control Board meeting Monday to oppose an ad that they say is designed "to demonize Israelis and Jews." In an advisory, Americans for Peace and Tolerance said, "Attempts to place countering ads have been rejected by the MBTA with no reason given. MBTA's double standard and bigotry must end. The public officials responsible for permitting these hateful ads in MBTA properties must be held accountable." (Monday, 1 p.m., MBTA Boardroom, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830, Boston)
PRESSER TO OPPOSE SENATORS' TRIP TO ISRAEL: The Boston Alliance for Water Justice plans a press conference Monday to oppose state senators who plan to visit Israel next month. Speakers will include Nidal al-Azraq (1for3.org), Nancy Murray (Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights), Ann Glick (United for Justice with Peace), and Munir Jirmanus. Ten senators plan to spend much of the first half of December on a trip to Israel that is being funded with their campaign funds and the Jewish Community Relations Council. According to a spokesman for Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, who is chairing the Dec. 3-13 trip, the purpose is to "forge new relationships and strengthen current ties between Israel and the Commonwealth." No taxpayer dollars are being used to finance the trip, spokesman Pete Wilson said. Wilson said the JCRC is handling trip logistics and planning and said Rosenberg will be joined on the trip by Sens. Michael Barrett, Eileen Donoghue, Benjamin Downing, Anne Gobi, John Keenan, Barbara L'Italien, Richard Ross, Karen Spilka and Dan Wolf. Organizers of the press conference plan to deliver signatures to the senators from more than 1,200 Massachusetts voters who oppose the senators taking the trip. "The human rights community in Massachusetts says no to this cooperation as long as Israel continues to violate human rights with impunity. They urge the Senators not to take trips to Israel until the occupation ends and there is real justice for the Palestinian people," organizers said in a media advisory. (Monday, 10 a.m., State House steps)
MBTA CONTROL BOARD: Several contentious items will be before the MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board, including action items on fare policy, service planning, advertising policy - including the existing ban on alcohol ads - and capital budget priorities. A projected $242 million fiscal 2017 deficit and impetus to improve operations have given the control board a long to-do list since its creation over the summer. The board is scheduled to release for public comment the revised 2016 fare policy. House and Senate leaders who worked on a 2013 law that capped fare increases are in disagreement over whether the law should have capped them at 5 percent or 10 percent. A 2013 law encouraged the T to adopt more regular, modest increase in T fares. The soonest fares could be increased under the law is July 1, 2016. The deadline for the control board to present a plan to the Legislature is Dec. 15. The control board will also take up "operating budget principles" for fiscal 2017 as well as "a contract valued at $26,860,026.83 for an option to overhaul the 3600 series of the Green Line's type 7 fleet." (Monday, 1 p.m., MassDOT Boardroom, 10 Park Plaza, Boston)
HEALEY AT JFK FORUM: The JFK Presidential Library Forum Series will host "A Conversation with Maura Healey" where the attorney general will discuss her first year in office and legal challenges facing the Commonwealth with Dean of Harvard Law School Martha Minow. Register: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Forums/Forum-Registration.aspx?ref=%7b6D8966B5-D71A-4C89-9EBA-BCC3978F0CE3%7d (Monday, 6 p.m., Smith Hall, Columbia Point, Boston)
ENERGY FACILITIES - REGULATORY REFORM: The Department of Public Utilities will hold an Energy Facilities Siting Board stakeholder meeting on Executive Order 562 regulatory reform. Some of the Baker administration's regulatory reform sessions have drawn few attendees but given the landscape of energy siting proposals there's at least reason for this one to draw some interest. (Monday, 10 a.m., 100 Cambridge St. 2nd Floor Conf. Room A)
COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES: Nineteen bills related to banking and finance are on deck at a Joint Committee on Financial Services hearing. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin will testify on a bill (H 939) that he co-sponsored with Rep. Angelo Scaccia. Known as the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program Act, the bill would encourage retirement savings through automatic enrollment of employees of small businesses. Other bills to be heard include a Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez bill (H 936), which focuses on consolidations and mergers and a bill (S 517) filed by the late Sen. Thomas Kennedy regarding disclosure of ATM fees. Agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventDetail?eventId=2328&eventDataSource=Hearings (Monday, 11 a.m., Room A-2)
LYNN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker and Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton attend a kickoff event for the Lynn Economic Development Task Force. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Lynn City Hall, 3 City Hall Square, Lynn)
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Gov. Charlie Baker, Public Safety and Security Secretary Daniel Bennett and State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan recognize acts of bravery during the 26th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards. Firefighters from Boston, Bourne, Chelsea, Brookline, Falmouth, Framingham, Greenfield, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Massport, Melrose, Nantucket, Norwood, Palmer, Three Rivers, Revere, Saugus, Taunton, Turners Falls, Westwood and Worcester will be honored during the ceremony. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., MIT Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge)
COLUMBIA POINT HEALTH ANNIVERSARY: The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers hosts a symposium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Dorchester's Columbia Point Health Center, the first community health center in the country. The day-long program includes panel discussions on the history of the health center movement, issues for at-risk populations and solutions for challenges facing health centers. There will also be a mock Senate session and cocktail reception. Featured speakers include Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, League President and CEO Jim Hunt, Columbia Point Health Center founder Dr. H. Jack Geiger, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston President and CEO Josh Kraft, Congressman Michael Capuano and Congressman Stephen Lynch. Registration is available at http://www.massleague.org/Calendar/Event.php?id=786. Full schedule:http://www.massleague.org/thefutureofhealthcarestartedhere/Schedule.pdf (Monday, 11 a.m., Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, 210 Morrissey Blvd., Boston)
TUESDAY, NOV. 24, 2015
COMMISSION ON WOMEN: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women holds a public hearing, followed by a full commission meeting in Room 460 at 5:30 p.m. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Room 437)
TABLE OF FRIENDS: Attorney General Maura Healey will help serve Thanksgiving dinners to the homeless as part of the Garden Neighborhood Charities' 20th annual Table of Friends event. (Tuesday, 1:45 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston)
SEN. DiDOMENICO GOES BACK TO SCHOOL: Sen. Sal DiDomenico will head back to his alma mater and participate in an alumni career panel discussion at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. He and other panelists will discuss their career paths, provide advice and answer career-related questions from 11th and 12th graders. DiDomenico graduated CRLS in 1989. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Media Cafe, Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, 459 Broadway, Cambridge)
SENATE GLOBAL WARMING COMMITTEE: The Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change holds an oversight hearing on the clean energy future of Massachusetts. Chairman Marc Pacheco's office said the hearing will include testimony from Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, someone from the Attorney General's office, and policy leaders and businesses involved in hydroelectricity, offshore wind, solar, and energy efficiency. The hearing comes less than a week after the House and Senate failed to reach a last-minute deal to raise caps on solar power that advocates say are hindering solar development across the state. Pacheco and committee vice chair Benjamin Downing were joined by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr as Senate conferees who met briefly with counterparts from the House to try to hammer out a deal before the end of formal sessions on Nov. 18. Though the sides could not come to an agreement, Pacheco and Downing said they intend to continue negotiations in the coming days. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Hearing Room A-2)
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Service holds a hearing on one bill, filed by Gov. Charlie Baker, which would authorize the town of Manchester-by-the-Sea to employ Albert B. Beardsley as fire chief (H 3859). (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1)
ROSENBERG AT SMITH: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg speaks to an American politics class at Smith College. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Smith College Seelye Hall, North Hampton)
ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARDS: The Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development holds its 12th annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards Luncheon. Gov. Charlie Baker and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg are scheduled to speak. "Gold" award winners are GE Healthcare of Marlborough, TripAdvisor of Needham, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing of New Bedford and Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing of Lee. "Silver" winners are Great Wolf Lodge of Fitchburg, Baxalta of Cambridge, Southwick of Haverhill, Lafrance Hospitality of Wareham and Kennametal of West Greenfield. "Bronze" winner are SanDisk of Marlborough, Carbonite of Boston, Energi of Peabody, South Shore Millwork of Norton and Mohawk Fine Papers of South Hadley. Jack's Abby Brewing of Framingham and MicroTek of Chicopee are being honored as "community heroes" and Massport as a "global leader." (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Boston Renaissance Waterfront Hotel)
STATE RETIREMENT BOARD: Treasurer Deb Goldberg chairs the Massachusetts State Retirement Board monthly meeting. The board will consider requests for creditable service, changes to open selection and retirement date, benefits, and group classification. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., One Winter St., 8th floor, Boston)
FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE: The Fisheries and Wildlife Board holds its monthly meeting. Items up for discussion include a lake drawdown review and study, proposed regulatory changes, law enforcement comments and approval for an updated agency seal. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough)
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
DELEO SERVING THANKSGIVING DINNER: House Speaker Robert DeLeo will serve Thanksgiving dinner at a Goodwill in Boston. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 1010 Harrison Ave., Boston)
DRAFTKINGS HEARING: Boston-based pay-to-play fantasy sports site DraftKings will ask a New York judge to block the Empire State's attorney general from standing in the way of the business. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said daily fantasy sports sites FanDuel and DraftKings were "engaged in illegal gambling under New York law, causing the same kinds of social and economic harms as other forms of illegal gambling, and misleading New York consumers." DraftKings is seeking a preliminary injunction to allow it to continue operating while the courts work out whether it is legal. "The AG assured the Court he will take no action against DraftKings or its business partners before then," DraftKings said in a statement this week. It said, "As a result, we intend to continue operating in New York." Representing DraftKings will be David Boies, chairman of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP whose online bio said he has represented the New York Yankees, the tobacco company Altria and he "served as the lead counsel for former Vice-President Al Gore in connection with litigation relating to the 2000 election Florida vote count." According to the New York Times, he has also represented the National Football League. Manuel Mendez is the judge in the hearing taking place in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Thursday announced proposed consumer protection regulations for the industry including a $1,000-per-month limit on deposits from most players. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 71 Thomas Street, Room 209, New York, New York)
FRIENDS OF METRO BOSTON THANKSGIVING DINNER: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the Friends of Metro Boston Thanksgiving Dinner. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Florian Hall, 55 Hallet St., Dorchester)
THURSDAY, NOV. 26, 2015 - THANKSGIVING DAY
ROSENBERG AT PINE STREET INN: Senate President Stan Rosenberg attends and helps serve a Thanksgiving meal at the Pine Street Inn (Thursday, 10 a.m., 444 Harrison Ave., Boston)
FRIDAY, NOV. 27, 2015
No known public events scheduled.
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