What's ahead in state government this week
Holiday tree lighting, ballot wishes and "hard hats for Hillary"
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Citizen activists and special interest groups frustrated that the Legislature hasn't passed certain laws plan to bring boxes of certified voter signatures to Boston by Wednesday as they forge ahead with plans to secure 2016 ballot access for their initiative petitions. Meanwhile, as solar industry activists clamor for a new law to break a logjam of stalled energy projects, 10 state senators, including the lead negotiator on a House-Senate solar compromise, are set next week to leave for an extended trip to Israel. Senate President Stan Rosenberg, who this week suggested a solar bill breakthrough could occur during the Legislature's informal session period that runs through December, is leading the trip, scheduled to run from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13 and featuring meetings with government officials and visits to cultural and historic sites. Lawmakers next week will also convene hearings on Gov. Charlie Baker's five-year capital plan for transportation, his proposal to comply with the federal REAL ID Act, and a slate of legislative proposals pertaining to sex offenders. Holiday tree lighting ceremonies are set to usher in the season and the arrival of December Tuesday serves as another reminder, especially to users and operators of public transit systems, that winter is nearly upon us.
-- Next week brings the first Wednesday in December, a critical deadline for initiative petition sponsors hoping to secure ballot access in 2016. Proponents of measures expanding access to charter schools, legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, forcing price-based hospital contracting changes, and banning farming practices deemed cruel to animals have expressed confidence that they've cleared the big initial signature-gathering hurdle. Secretary of State William Galvin, who as elections overseer has jurisdiction over the initiative petition process, is pushing his own public records reform proposal and has expressed hope that he'll have the 64,750 signatures required.
-- November tax collection figures are expected to arrive Thursday, coloring in another piece of the state budget picture as Gov. Charlie Baker weighs mid-year budget corrections. Baker has said he'll wait until December to decide whether to pull the trigger on fixes, which could include unilateral budget cuts known as 9Cs. As Baker mulls changes to the fiscal 2016 budget, planners are gearing up for the launch of fiscal 2017 deliberations which officially get underway on Wednesday, Dec. 16 when legislators and administration officials will hear from economic experts about likely revenue scenarios for fiscal 2017.
SATURDAY, NOV. 28, 2015
ROSENBERG AT FLORENCE PARADE: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg attends the Annual Florence Civic and Business Association Holiday Parade. (Saturday, 9:45 a.m., Trinity Row Park/ Florence Civic Center 90 Park Street, Florence)
SUNDAY, NOV. 29, 2015
WALSH, CLINTON AT "HARD HATS FOR HILLARY": Boston Mayor Martin Walsh will join Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for a rally titled "Hard Hats for Hillary" at Faneuil Hall. According to the campaign, Walsh will discuss Clinton's record on labor issues. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Public Registration: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/events/view/?id=1009733 PRESS REGISTRATION: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CmRGlA8H674udvOCC6ILr8js5sKLsWRTbeuk-i9NvM4/viewform (Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Faneuil Hall, Boston)
ROSENBERG ON KELLER: Senate President Stan Rosenberg will be stopping by "Keller at Large" to talk with moderator Jon Keller about the first half of the 2015-2016 session, discussing the charter school cap debate and UMass funding. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m, WBZ-TV Ch.4)
ROSENBERG ON THE RECORD: Co-moderators Channel 5 Anchor Ed Harding and State House Reporter Janet Wu welcome Senate President Stan Rosenberg as a guest. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch.5)
BLUE HILLS DEER HUNT: For the first time in about 100 years, hunting will be permitted at the Blue Hills Reservation. The Department of Conservation and Recreation has awarded hunting permits to nearly 200 hunters who will have the opportunity to hunt the Blue Hills for a total of four days this year in an effort to bring the deer population under control in and around the nearly 7,000-acre reservation. Hunting will be permitted only in certain zones of the reservation, according to DCR. Every hunter awarded a permit to take part in the controlled hunt must also attend a pre-hunt orientation with DCR officials and will be permitted to use only shotguns with slugs while hunting. Though state officials say the hunt will help bring the deer population under control -- to control the spread of Lyme disease, reduce the occurrence of deer-involved car crashes and maintain a balanced ecosystem -- a group called Friends of the Blue Hills Deer has organized to oppose the hunt. Arguing that DCR's estimate of the deer population is off and saying that the state did not listen to opposing voices during an abbreviated public comment period, the group has urged Gov. Charlie Baker to prevent the hunt from getting underway, and suggested that state officials control the deer population by using dart guns to inject contraceptives into the deer, rather than killing some. The first two-day wave of the controlled hunt runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Nov. 30. The second segment will occur Sunday, Dec. 6 through Monday, Dec. 7. (Sunday through Monday, Blue Hills Reservation)
CHEVERUS AWARDS: Cardinal Sean O'Malley will present the Archdiocese of Boston's Cheverus Award Medal to 129 recipients, including laypersons and deacons, who have served their parish in a "quiet, unassuming and, perhaps, unrecognized fashion." The medal is named for Boston's first bishop, Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus. Recipients come from Boston, Bedford, Peabody, Hingham, Methuen, Readville, Haverhill, Marlborough, East Boston, Andover, Monponsett, Somerville, Cambridge, Roxbury, South Boston, North Reading, Avon, Weston, Natick, Dorchester, Merrimac/West Newbury, Mattapan, Stoneham, Bridgewater, Foxborough, Braintree, Waltham, Hanson, Norwood, Lynn, Lynnfield, Quincy, Lowell, Duxbury, Winthrop, Lawrence, Chelsea, Sudbury, Danvers, Tewksbury, Medford, Belmont, Wayland, Ayer, Wellesley, Natick, Brighton, Townsend, Melrose, Gloucester, Milton, Billerica, Needham, Arlington, Cohasset, Malden, Shirley, Wilmington, Revere, Brookline, Franklin, Dover, Brockton, Hanover and Reading. (Sunday, 3 p.m., Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston)
MONDAY, NOV. 30, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
COMMISSIONER EVANS ON ON GREATER BOSTON: Boston Police Commissioner William Evans is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston. (Monday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch 2)
LGBTQ YOUTH OF COLOR: Our Health Matters, a collaboration between the Fenway Institute, the Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Youth, and Boston GLASS, will release findings and policy recommendations from its survey on health disparities and resilience in LGBTQ youth of color. Nearly 300 surveys were collected last year from youth in the Boston area. (Monday, 5 p.m., Fenway Health 10th floor auditorium, 1340 Boylston St., Boston)
BLUE HILLS DEER HUNT: For the first time in about 100 years, hunting will be permitted at the Blue Hills Reservation. The Department of Conservation and Recreation has awarded hunting permits to nearly 200 hunters who will have the opportunity to hunt the Blue Hills for a total of four days this year in an effort to bring the deer population under control in and around the nearly 7,000-acre reservation. Hunting will be permitted only in certain zones of the reservation, according to DCR. Every hunter awarded a permit to take part in the controlled hunt must also attend a pre-hunt orientation with DCR officials and will be permitted to use only shotguns with slugs while hunting. Though state officials say the hunt will help bring the deer population under control -- to control the spread of Lyme disease, reduce the occurrence of deer-involved car crashes and maintain a balanced ecosystem -- a group called Friends of the Blue Hills Deer has organized to oppose the hunt. Arguing that DCR's estimate of the deer population is off and saying that the state did not listen to opposing voices during an abbreviated public comment period, the group has urged Gov. Charlie Baker to prevent the hunt from getting underway, and suggested that state officials control the deer population by using dart guns to inject contraceptives into the deer, rather than killing some. The first two-day wave of the controlled hunt runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Nov. 30. The second segment will occur Sunday, Dec. 6 through Monday, Dec. 7. (Sunday through Monday, Blue Hills Reservation)
BUMP ON THE RADIO: Auditor Suzanne Bump will be a guest on the Jordan Levy Show on WTAG-580 AM/94.9 FM-Worcester. (Monday, 4:30 p.m., WTAG, 95 Stereo Lane, Paxton)
BUMP IN FITCHBURG: Auditor Suzanne Bump meets with students at Fitchburg State University. Closed press. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Fitchburg State University, Antonucci Science Complex, Room 314, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg)
WATERTOWN-CAMBRIDGE GREENWAY: The Department of Conservation and Recreation and the City of Cambridge hold a public meeting to present an update on the design of a multi-use path and greenway along former B&M Railroad line, which help complete the link between the Charles River path system and the Minuteman Bikeway. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., 69 Grove St., Watertown)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PLAN HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the 2016 through 2018 energy efficiency plan filings for each of the nine program administrators. (Monday, 2 p.m, One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room A, Boston)
BUMP AT GREATER GARDNER CHAMBER: Auditor Suzanne Bump speaks at the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Luncheon, co-sponsored by the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, the Gardner Rotary Club and the Athol-Orange Rotary Club. (Monday, 12 p.m., Williams Restaurant, 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner)
NEWTON MAYOR IN D.C.: Newton Mayor Setti Warren will participate as a speaker at the International Symposium on Housing Inclusion and Social Equity. In a panel discussion, Warren will talk about the role of government in promoting social inclusion and economic opportunity. Joining him on the panel will be co-director of Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institution Richard Reeves, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, and Vice President of the Ford Foundation Xavier de Souza Briggs. Hosted by the Center on Children and Families at Brookings, Washington University in St. Louis, Duke University, and the National University of Singapore, the event will feature a keynote address by the Deputy Prime minister of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The event will be available via live stream at http://connect.brookings.edu/register-to-watch-housing-inclusion-social-equity (Monday, 11 a.m., Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington D.C.)
GOLDBERG, BAKER MEET: Treasurer Deb Goldberg has her monthly meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker. (Monday, 4 p.m., Room 360)
ROSENBERG ON THE RADIO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg is interviewed by Mara Dolan, WCAP Radio. (Monday, 10:10 a.m.)
BAKER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and House Speaker Robert DeLeo meet with Gov. Baker. Closed press. (Monday, 2 p.m., Senate President's Office)
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE: President Barack Obama and 146 other heads of state are scheduled to attend the United Nations Conference on Climate Change. List of speakers | http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/leaders_event_speakers_list_cop21_cmp11.pdf Event Information |http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-arrival-of-the-heads-of-state-on-30-november/(Monday, 10 a.m. (GMT +1), Paris, France)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission Executive Director David Seltz will join executives from Heywood Healthcare and offer remarks to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the HPC's Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation Investment Program. (Monday, 1 p.m., Heywood Hospital, 242 Green Street, Gardner)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission staff will join executives from Harrington Hospital to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation Investment Program. (Monday, 2 p.m., 100 South St., Southbridge)
MBTA CONTROL BOARD: The MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board plans to discuss operating budget principles for fiscal 2017. The board is seeking to "reduce costs, increase own-source revenue, and improve the customer experience." The meeting will be held in the conference rooms on the Transportation Building's second floor, which are more conducive to large crowds. The cost of repairing all MBTA equipment is about $7 billion and the transit authority also faces a $242 million operating budget gap in fiscal 2017, according to MBTA chief administrator Brian Shortsleeve. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., 10 Park Plaza, Boston)
CONVENTION CENTER SEARCH: The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority will hold a meeting of its Selection Committee. The committee will meet in executive session to consider or interview applicants for executive director. (Monday, 12 p.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boardroom 202)
CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY: The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Executive Committee will meet for a presentation about Lawn on D and other matters. (Monday, 10 a.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boardroom 201)
NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY: The New England Conservatory of Music will appear before MassDevelopment for approval of development of a 135,000-square-foot, 10-story student life and performance center at 255 St. Botolph St. and $3.5 million in financing. (Monday, 11 a.m., 99 High St., eleventh floor, Boston)
TUESDAY, DEC. 1, 2015
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Automobile insurance is the subject of a Financial Services Committee hearing with 21 bills on the docket. Sen. Mark Montigny and Rep. Bradley Jones are sponsoring bills (S 525/H 877) that would prohibit driving with an expired inspection sticker from being a surchargeable incident. A Rep. Ted Speliotis bill (H 957) would similarly prohibit violations of the vehicle inspection law from impacting insurance rates. Sen. Will Brownsberger filed a lengthy piece of legislation (S 479) that lists Michael Dukakis as a co-sponsor, which is titled "An Act to establish consumer choice in automobile insurance." Massachusetts in recent years has transitioned from a regulated, "fixed and established" rate-setting system to one introduced by former Gov. Deval Patrick featuring less regulation and more competition among insurers for policyholders. Agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventDetail?eventId=2334&eventDataSource=Hearings (Tuesday, 11 a.m., TBD)
SPRINGFIELD FIRE ACADEMY: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg speaks at ribbon cutting at Springfield Fire Academy. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 100 Grochmal Avenue, Springfield)
EMPOWERING GIRLS - HIGH SCHOOL: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosts the Empowering Girls Conference for Middlesex County high school students. The annual conference introduces young women to powerful voices, positive role models and new opportunities. Ryan will deliver opening remarks. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Broad Institute, Cambridge)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on 69 bills addressing sex offenses and related laws. Several bills deal with child sexual abuse and with the registration or classification of sex offenders. Other bills include one that would see anyone convicted of three or more sex offenses sentenced to life in prison (S 908); one seeking to establish a "Bill of Rights for victims of sexual assault" (S 836); one that would allow prosecutions of sex offenses after the statute of limitation expires if DNA later identifies the offender (S 879). Proposed legislation would also set criminal penalties for inducing a minor into prostitution (H 1558) and distributing without consent any photos or videos of another person nude, partially nude or engaged in a sexual act (1513). (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-2)
FISHERY MANAGEMENT: The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting in Portland, Maine starting Tuesday. Tuesday's agenda includes a report on spiny dogfish, discussion of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's strategic plan, and a report from the Science and Statistical Committee, which will make recommendations on overfishing limits and acceptable biological catch of Atlantic sea scallops, red hake and most of the groundfish stocks in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. There will be an open period for public comments at 1:30 p.m. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, Maine)
PERFUSIONIST REGISTRATION BOARD: The Board of Registration of Perfusionists meets to discuss an advisory ruling related to the Ex Vivo lung perfusion practice sometimes used during organ transplant procedures. The board will also receive a report about the number of license applications since its March meeting. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th Floor, Room 418, Boston)
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY: The Organics Subcommittee of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meets at MassDEP's central regional office. The agenda includes discussion of best management practices for food donation and financial incentives for anaerobic digestion in Massachusetts. The meeting is also available via webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2748705772773088257. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 8 New Bond St., Worcester)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: Bills on the topic of ticket resale will be among those considered during a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Sen. James Eldridge has filed a bill (S 142) that would prohibit entertainment venues from employing a paperless ticketing system unless customers have the option of purchasing the same tickets in a different form for no additional charge at the time of initial sale. A Sen. Michael Rush bill (S 187) would forbid ticket issuers like sports teams or concert venues from pre-selling any tickets to ticket resellers like StubHub or Ace Tickets for the purpose of selling the tickets on the secondary market. Ticket resellers would also be banned from using "any software or other technology" that would restrict the sale of tickets to the general public within 24 hours of the tickets going on sale. The committee will also hear testimony on a bill to create a board of registration in phlebotomists (H 163), a bill to allow massage therapy services on Sundays and holidays (H 169) and to allow certain licensed hair dressers to become barbers (H 276). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2208&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 437)
CONGRESSMAN LYNCH ON THE RADIO: Congressman Stephen Lynch is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-hosts Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
LOTTERY COMMISSION: The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission meets, with Treasurer Deb Goldberg as chair. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 12th floor, West Conference Room, Boston)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Bay State Gas Company d/b/a Columbia Gas of Massachusetts for approval by the Department of Public Utilities of a 15-Year Firm Transportation Agreement with Portland Natural Gas Transmission System. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room B, Boston)
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito welcome guests to the State House for an open house and State House Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. Energy and Environmental Affairs Sec. Matthew Beaton and Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux will attend.Working with the theme ""Make it a Massachusetts Holiday!," the event will feature Massachusetts farmers, food producers, agricultural partners and tourism venues. The Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund will also be on site encouraging guests to create holiday greeting cards for service men and women stationed abroad. Guests will be able to join in singing of Christmas carols before the State House Christmas Tree is lit for the season. Santa Claus is expected to make a special guest appearance. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Grand Staircase)
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION: The Board of Higher Education holds a series of meetings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Academic Affairs Committee will meet at 10 a.m., followed by a full board special meeting at 12 p.m. and a Fiscal Affairs and Administrative Policy Committee meeting at 1 p.m. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston)
ASH CARTER AT KENNEDY SCHOOL: Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will visit Harvard's Institute of Politics for a discussion with Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Director Graham Allison. The world's militaries are engaged in overlapping missions in and around Syria where Turkey recently shot down a Russian fighter jet, claiming it had violated Turkish airspace. When Vice President Joe Biden visited the Kennedy School last year he ruffled feathers by saying, "Our allies in the region were our largest problem in Syria," and he later went on an international apology tour for his remarks. Carter has Boston ties, as a former Kennedy School professor who served on the boards of the MITRE Corporation and Lincoln Laboratories. A Philadelphia native, Carter is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, based in Cambridge. The event is ticketed. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Kennedy School)
WORLD AIDS DAY: UMass Boston commemorates World AIDS Day 2015 with a reception featuring Chancellor J. Keith Motley and Carl Sciortino, a former state representative who now serves as executive director of the AIDS Action Committee. Sciortino will discuss the future of the AIDS epidemic and the importance of its history. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., UMass Boston Campus Center, Second Floor Terrace)
PINTS OF ORDER - PART TWO: The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate and WGBH News will collaborate again to host the "Second Ever Pints of Order MApoli Trivia Night." Veteran trivia emcee and WGBH State House Reporter Mike Deehan will return as moderator to ask questions on a range of topics including as Senate history, current Massachusetts public affairs, fictional presidencies, and favorite political dynasties. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Kinsale Irish Pub & Restaurant, 2 Center Plaza, Boston)
FOCUS ON THE UK: The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism hosts a seminar titled "Focus on the United Kingdom," featuring information on UK travel trends, airline service and marketing tactics for the Massachusetts travel industry. Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nam Pham will participate. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4510, Boston)
PALMER COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with local officials to sign a community compact. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 4147 Main Street #10, Palmer)
SPRINGFIELD, WESTFIELD AND HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COMPACTS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with local officials from Springfield, Westfield, and Holyoke to sign community compacts. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Springfield City Council Chambers, 36 Court Street, Springfield)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2, 2015
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: The Governor's Council will meet and could take a vote on Eric Neyman, who has been nominated to the Appeals Court. Neyman appears poised for a unanimous vote on his confirmation. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Governor's Council Chamber)
APPEALS COURT INTERVIEW: The Governor's Council interviews Appeals Court nominee Vickie Henry, the leader of the Youth Initiative at the Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders who previously spent 15 years working at the firm Foley Hoag. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Governor's Council Chamber)
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Transportation holds an oversight hearing on the MassDOT five-year capital budget; repairs on roads, tunnels and non-Massport airports; the Project Selection Advisory Council recommendations; and the Chapter 90 program. The hearing is open to the public but testimony is by invite only. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., A-1)
TRANSMISSION LINE HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds an evidentiary hearing on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for approval of a new 345-kV overhead transmission line along an existing transmission right-of-way in the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut; and on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for an exemption to the zoning bylaws of the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut, Massachusetts, for the construction and operation of a new 345-kV electric transmission within 6.5 miles of an existing right-of-of-way. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room C, Boston)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION COMMITTEE: The Health Policy Commission's Cost Trends and Market Performance Committee meets to discuss preliminary findings on pharmaceutical drugs from the upcoming 2015 Health Care Cost Trends Report and to receive an update on the Material Change Notice process relating to provider-to-provider discount arrangements. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 50 Milk Street, 8th Floor, Boston)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION COMMITTEE: The Health Policy Commission's Community Health Care Investment and Consumer Involvement Committee meets to discuss program design for the Health Care Innovation Investment Program as well as the commission's fiscal 2016 funded telemedicine pilot program. The committee will also hear a presentation from Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth Hospital on their CHART Phase 2 project. HPC staff will update the committee on the Community Hospital Study. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 50 Milk Street, 8th Floor, Boston)
FORUM ON LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES: The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation hosts a forum to examine new data, models and opportunities to improve delivery and coordination of long-term services and supports (LTSS). According to organizers, such services account for 12 percent of the state budget, largely through the MassHealth program, and are expected to increase in frequency as Baby Boomers age. The program will include a presentation by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, and consulting firm Manatt Health Solutions. Participants include Audrey Shelto, President, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation; Carol Raphael, Senior Advisor, Manatt Health Solutions; Alice Bonner, Secretary, Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs; Daniel Tsai, Assistant Secretary, MassHealth; and Matt Salo, Executive Director, National Association of Medical Directors. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston)
BALLOT QUESTION SIGNATURE DEADLINE: It will be clear on Wednesday which petitions for 2016 and 2018 ballot initiatives have enough certified signatures to move forward and which don't. It's the deadline for voter signatures to be filed with the Elections Division of the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, following certification by local election officials. Petitions require 64,750 certified signatures each to proceed. Certification requires the signature to be legible and from a registered voter in Massachusetts, and the address where the voter is registered must be provided. No more than one-quarter of the signatures may come from any one county. If a petition has 64,750 certified signatures, it will be sent to the Legislature in January. If the Legislature doesn't enact the measure by May 4, proponents are required to gather 10,792 more signatures by early July. (Wednesday)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING: Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson will chair the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council's Executive Committee meeting. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Cambridge Street, Boston)
FOOD ESTABLISHMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The Food Establishment Advisory Committee meets. It's a 12-member panel that promotes food safety and advises the director of the Food Protection Program within the Department of Public Health. Allergen awareness training and discussion of retail food code changes are on the agenda. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Massachusetts Restaurant Association, 333 Turnpike Rd., Suite 102, Southborough)
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security holds a hearing on 24 bills, including measures establishing a task force to study the use of the Internet by sex offenders (H 2142), a forensic services drug laboratory oversight board (S 1302) and a commission to assess State House and state courthouse safety procedures (H 2166). A Rep. Evandro Carvalho bill (H 3276) requires no less than $100,000 to be expended to provide protection services for victims and witnesses of domestic abuse. Rep. Todd Smola has filed a bill (H 2174)that prohibits law enforcement agencies from refusing to accept a missing persons report and provides guidelines for what information agencies should attempt to gather. S 1286, sponsored by Sen. Michael Moore, establishes a corrections advisory board to identify best practices in areas such as care and custody of inmates, health management and human resources. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2335&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Wednesday, 1 p.m., A-1)
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION LISTENING SESSION: The Executive Office of Education will hold a listening session to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on its regulations, part of a regulatory reform initiative at all state agencies ordered by Gov. Charlie Baker. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., One Ashburton Place, Room 1403)
LGBTQ YOUTH COMMISSION: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth holds a meeting of its executive committee. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St., Lobby 2, Boston)
ENERGY METRIC REPORT HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds an evidentiary hearing on the Massachusetts Electric Company and Nantucket Electric Company d/b/a National Grid's 2014 Timeline Enforcement Metric Report. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room B, Boston)
WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION TRUST: The Massachusetts Water Supply Protection Trust meets. Agenda items include an end-of-season fishing report, financial and progress reports and discussion of Green Certification for forestry. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant, 84 D'Angelo Drive, Marlborough)
UMASS ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE: The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees's Committee on Administration and Finance will meet to discuss an update of the university's Fiscal Year 2015 report, the transfer of land from the federal government to UMass-Dartmouth and a quarterly update on various UMass capital projects. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Boston/Amherst Room, 32nd Floor, One Beacon Street, Boston)
ROSENBERG ON BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO: Senate President Stan Rosenberg is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-hosts Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
MARITIME INNOVATION CONFERENCE: The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UMass Dartmouth holds its first maritime innovations conference to showcase the state's marine technology industry. The event will focus on startups and opportunities for funding marine technology companies. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will discuss trends in the industry, and UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology Dean Steven Lohrenz provides opening remarks. Dr. James Bellingham, founding director of the Center for Marine Robotics at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, will also be present. Agenda and registration: http://www.umassd.edu/innovate/events/maritimeinnovation/ (Wednesday, 2 p.m., UMass Dartmouth Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, 151 Martine St., Fall River)
BUMP AT NEWBURYPORT CHAMBER: Auditor Suzanne Bump is the featured speaker at the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce Breakfast and Business event. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., The Phoenix Room, 19 Inn St., Newburyport)
HEALEY AT BOSTON FOUNDATION EVENT: Attorney General Maura Healey will attend The Boston Foundation's Centennial Gala Dinner. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave, Boston)
INSURANCE LISTENING SESSION: The Division of Insurance holds a listening session on home insurance. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., New Bedford City Hall, room 314, 51 Elm St., New Bedford)
METROWEST OPIOID FORUM: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosts a public policy discussion on using qualitative interviews with people in recovery to inform decisions. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Nevins Hall, 150 Concord St., Framingham)
MIDDLESEX DA ON SENIOR SCAMS: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan speaks to seniors to offer guidance on how to identify "red flags" for scams in emails, calls and solicitation, and how to respond or avoid scams. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Weston Council on Aging, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston)
FISHERY MANAGEMENT: The New England Fishery Management Council plans to meet on Framework Adjustment 55 following a report from the Groundfish Committee. As federal studies have shown a drastic drop in cod, the region's groundfish industry has been hard-hit by catch limits. Earlier in the morning, the council will hear the Skate Committee Report and receive an update on thorny skate. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, Maine)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission staff will join executives from Lowell General Hospital to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation Investment Program. (Wednesday, Lowell General Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive, Lowell)
MBTA POLICE CHIEF SWEARING-IN: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the swearing-in ceremony for MBTA Police Chief Kenneth Green. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Center, 1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury)
MARINE TECH: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito offers remarks at a marine technology event. (Wednesday, 1:45 p.m., UMass Dartmouth Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 151 Martine St., Fall River)
THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
PARTNERS CEO AT BOSTON CHAMBER EXECUTIVE FORUM: Dr. David Torchiana, the president and CEO of Partners HealthCare, speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Executive Forum. Tickets are $55 for members and $100 for non-members. (Thursday, 7:45 a.m., Mandarin Oriental, 776 Boylston St., Boston)
LYNN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Gov. Charlie Baker offers remarks at the Lynn Chamber of Commerce. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Porthole Restaurant, 98 Lynnway, Lynn)
ROSENBERG ON THE RADIO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg is interviewed by Bill Newman, WHMP Radio, Northampton. (Thursday, 9 a.m.)
SNOW READINESS DRILL: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito takes part in a snow readiness drill at Worcester Airport. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., 375 Airport Dr., Worcester)
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ANNOUNCEMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker and the Workforce Skills Cabinet make an advanced manufacturing announcement. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 80 Neptune Blvd, Lynn)
SENATORS DEPART FOR ISRAEL: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg departs Logan Airport for Tel Aviv, Israel and a trip with nine other senators scheduled to run through Dec. 13. (Thursday, 8 p.m., Logan Airport)
MUNICIPAL PERSONNEL: The Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association holds its holiday meeting, which will feature a discussion on police and firefighters workers compensation. Foxborough assistant town manager Mary Beth Bernard and Massachusetts Municipal Association senior legislative analyst Katie McCue are scheduled to speak. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 3 Restaurant, 461 West Central St., Franklin)
FLOOD MAP VIEWING: The public is invited to view the recently released FEMA flood maps for Marshfield, Scituate and Duxbury. The review session will also feature a 7 p.m. presentation about the maps by Leslie Fields from the Woods Hole Group. Comments on the maps are being accepted up until December 6. Click here for map: http://www.townofmarshfield.org/FEMAFloodMaps2015.htm (Thursday, 5 p.m., Furnace Brook School, Marshfield)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission staff will join executives from Lahey Health to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative with the HPC's Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation Investment Program. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Beverly Hospital, 85 Herrick St, Beverly)
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Health holds a hearing on 31 pharmacy-related bills. H 1925, sponsored by Rep. Geoff Diehl, requires people who manufacture controlled substances to provide for the return of outdated drugs from pharmacies within six months of expiration, for full credit or refund. Rep. John Scibak has sponsored a bill (H 2059) establishing the Massachusetts Prescription Drug Program to reimburse pharmacies for prescription drugs and make them cheaper for program participants. H 1957, sponsored by Rep. Sean Garballey, requires every retailer, medical office and hospital that dispenses sharps to provide a sharps collection and disposal program. Other bills establish the ePrescription Trust Fund (H 1935), regulate the dispensing of cancer-related drugs (S 1165) and prohibit pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturers from giving gifts to health care practitioners or members of practitioners' families. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2330&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Thursday, 1 p.m., A-1 and A-2)
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Gov. Charlie Baker's legislative effort (H 3814) to bring the Bay State into compliance with the federal Real ID anti-terrorism requirements will be before the Transportation Committee. The panel will also hear Sen. Bruce Tarr's bill (S 1894) seeking to enhance license plates in part by adding a symbol and limiting the number of alphanumeric characters to four. That bill is known as Molly's bill after 16-year-old lifeguard Molly Bish, who was abducted in 2000. A Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante bill (H 2992) would direct the registrar to auction off low-numbered plates. Every year about 6,000 people participate in the registry's lottery for low-numbered plates, according to a press release from June. Agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventDetail?eventId=2332&eventDataSource=Hearings (Thursday, 2 p.m., Room B-1)
GAMING COMMISSION: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will meet, with a to-be-determined agenda.(Thursday, 10:30 a.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield)
HEARING ON MGM SPRINGFIELD: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will hold a public hearing in Springfield on the proposed changes to the MGM Springfield casino. The casino developers reduced the footprint and removed a hotel tower from the designs of the project now estimated at $950 million, according to MassLive.com. (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Rooms 4 and 5, Springfield)
NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS MEET, HEAR KEYNOTE FROM BAKER: The Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association holds its annual meeting at Bastille Kitchen in Boston. Gov. Charlie Baker is the keynote speaker and will address the association during a 12:30 p.m. luncheon. The event will also feature a business meeting and election of officers, a panel discussion titled "The Right to Be Forgotten: How Newspapers Should Handle Requests to Take Down What They've Reported," and a networking reception. Registration is $90 for MNPA members and $95 for all others. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 49 Melcher St., Boston)
ELKEYS TO DRAW BOLD-FACED NAMES TO PARKER HOUSE: The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus holds the ELKEYs, an awards ceremony celebrating excellence in Massachusetts politics. The event will honor political operatives and candidates for achievements in the 2014 election cycle, with awards for best campaign, best television commercial, best pollster and more. The ElKey Legacy Award - which honors elected officials who have shown commitment to public service and bipartisanship - will be presented to former Attorney General Frank Bellotti and Jan Cellucci, in honor of her late husband, former Gov. Paul Cellucci. Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball is the host, and invited guests include Republican State Chair Kirsten Hughes, Democratic State Chair Sen. Tom McGee, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healey, Auditor Suzanne Bump and former governors William Weld and Michael Dukakis. Registration is required and available at https://form.jotform.com/53007973474965 (Thursday, 6 p.m., Omni Parker House, Rooftop Ballroom, 60 School St., Boston)
BOSTON COMMON TREE LIGHTING: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil will host Boston's 74th Annual Official Tree Lighting on Boston Common. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and, of course, Santa Claus, will join Walsh and McNeil on stage. The lighting ceremony will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. WCVB's Anthony Everett and JC Monahan will host Channel 5's live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m..(Thursday, 6 p.m., Boston Common)
ECONOMIC EXPECTATIONS FOR REALTORS: The Greater Boston Association of Realtors, the largest of five divisions of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, hosts its fifth annual economic expectations program. This year's speakers are realtor.com Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke and REAL Trends president and co-founder Steve Murray. They plan to discuss a forecast of the 2016 housing market and issues that may affect the real estate industry. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Federal Reserve Bank, Morris Auditorium, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston)
MASS. NOW CHAPTER CONFERENCE: The Massachusetts chapter of the National Organization of Women holds its annual conference to highlight the work of the organization and discuss future plans. There will also be focus groups, a roundtable discussion and an election for executive and foundation board positions. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston)
RAPPIN' WITH THE REP: Auditor Suzanne Bump joins Rep. Ken Gordon on his Burlington Cable Access show, "Rappin' with the Rep." (Thursday, 10 a.m., 123 Cambridge St., Burlington)
BUMP AT GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTANTS EVENT: Auditor Suzanne Bump attends the Association of Government Accountants Boston Chapter's annual holiday event. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant, 4 Columbus Ave., Boston)
FINANCIAL LITERACY REPORT: Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Consumer Affairs Undersecretary John Chapman and the Office of Economic Empowerment release the Financial Literacy Task Force report, reflecting the work of a task force convened in April to develop recommendations on how to empower citizens to budget, save for retirement and understand the impact of their decisions. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Nurses Hall)
NOVEMBER REVENUE REPORT: Tax collections for the month of November will be reported by the Department of Revenue, an important economic indicator for Gov. Charlie Baker who is closely monitoring state finances with an eye on possible budget cuts. Though November is one of the smallest net tax collection months of the year, Baker said earlier this month that he would wait to see the revenue report for November before deciding whether mid-year emergency budget cuts would be necessary. The administration has said it is tracking underperforming non-tax revenue and up to $250 million in spending exposures in the fiscal 2016 budget. October revenues came in strong at $92 million over benchmarks, but revenue officials suggested some of the positive growth could be due to the timing of payments and refunds. Budget writers estimate collecting $1.715 billion in November. (Thursday)
TRANSMISSION LINE HEARING -DAY 2: The Department of Public Utilities holds its second evidentiary hearing on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for approval of a new 345-kV overhead transmission line along an existing transmission right-of-way in the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut; and on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for an exemption to the zoning bylaws of the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut, for the construction and operation of a new 345-kV electric transmission within 6.5 miles of an existing right-of-of-way. (Thursday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room C, Boston)
JUDSON PARTICIPATES ON RENEWABLES PANEL: Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson will participate on a panel on the "Future of Large Scale Renewables and Associated Transmission" at the PowerOptions Annual Meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Avenue, Boston)
GAS COMPANY CONTRACTS HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds an evidentiary hearing on the petition of Boston Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company, each d/b/a National Grid, for approval of contracts with Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC. (Thursday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room A, Boston)
PREVENTION AND WELLNESS: The Prevention and Wellness Advisory Board meets at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health offices. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 250 Washington St., Public Health Council Room, Boston)
FISHERY MANAGEMENT: In the final day of its three-day meeting, the New England Fishery Management Council plans to finalize priorities for 2016 and take up recommendations for research on scallops and monkfish. Much of the day is devoted to the Scallop Committee Report. (Thursday, 8:15 a.m., Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, Maine)
AIRPLANE NOISE HEARING: Congressman Stephen Lynch will hold a public hearing to address a growing concern among his constituents: the frequency and increased noise levels of airplanes on flight paths in and out of Boston's Logan International Airport. In a release announcing the hearing, Lynch's office said much of the increased noise is a result of the Federal Aviation Administration's adoption of a GPS navigation system called NexGen. According to Lynch's office, "the NextGen system can increase efficiency and save on jet fuel costs, (but) the neighborhoods lying beneath those flight paths can experience extended periods of aircraft noise, raising health implications and negatively impacting the quality of life for local families." Also expected at the hearing are representatives from the FAA, MassPort officials, Congressman Michael Capuano, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, State Sen. Brian Joyce, Rep. Walter Timilty and Milton Town Administrator Annemarie Fagan. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Milton High School Auditorium, 25 Gile Road, Milton)
EMPOWERING GIRLS - MIDDLE SCHOOL: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan delivers opening remarks at an Empowering Girls Conference for middle school students. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Broad Institute, Cambridge)
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON OPIOID ADDICTION: Sen. Jason Lewis holds a forum on substance abuse and opioid addiction as part of his Community Conversations discussion series. Presenters include Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, Mystic Valley Regional Opiate Abuse Prevention coordinator Penny Funaiole, and Erica McNamara, director of the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse.(Thursday, 6 p.m., Reading Memorial High School performing arts center, 62 Oakland Rd., Reading)
FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 2015
BAY STATE GAS COMPANY AGREEMENT HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds an evidentiary hearing on the petition of Bay State Gas Company d/b/a Columbia of Massachusetts for approval of a Firm Transportation Agreement with Millennium Pipeline Company. (Friday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room A, Boston)
CUSHING-GAVIN AWARDS: The Labor Guild of Boston, an agency of the Archdiocese of Boston, hosts its annual Cushing-Gavin Awards dinner, a celebration of the labor management community. Awards are presented each year in four categories: an elected or appointed union official; a management representative from either the public or private sector; labor-management counsel; and auxiliaries, including arbitrators, academics, public agency personnel and support professionals. Auditor Suzanne Bump is scheduled to attend. (Friday, 6 p.m., Boston Park Plaza, 50 Park Plaza, Boston)
TRANSMISSION LINE HEARING - DAY 3: The Department of Public Utilities holds its third evidentiary hearing on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for approval of a new 345-kV overhead transmission line along an existing transmission right-of-way in the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut; and on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for an exemption to the zoning bylaws of the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut, for the construction and operation of a new 345-kV electric transmission within 6.5 miles of an existing right-of-of-way. (Friday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room C, Boston)
GAS SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PLAN HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company Light Company d/b/a Unitil, The Berkshire Gas Company, Boston Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company d/b/a National Grid, Liberty Utilities, Bay State Gas Company d/b/a Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and NSTAR Gas Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for approval of its 2016 Gas System Enhancement Plan, pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 145, and for rates effective May 1, 2016. (Friday, One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room A, Boston)
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