What's ahead in state government this week
Baker at Sheriff's Association in Plymouth; Homeowner's insurance hearing in Hyannis
- See more at: http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2015/12/05/227290-Whats-ahead-state-government-week#sthash.e2wqyTQN.dpuf
State transportation officials who have already embarked on the long-planned Green Line extension are set next week to discuss whether to go forward with it and if so, how to pay for it in the face of a major spike in its cost estimate. Baker administration officials revealed earlier this year the project, a trolley line extension through Somerville and Medford, will cost $3 billion, up from the previous $2 billion estimate. Options mentioned to date include seeking new public revenues, scaling back the scope of the project and trying to draw revenues from developers along the rail path.
-- BALLOT CAMPAIGNS AWAIT NOTIFICATIONS: Ballot question committees next week will receive official notification about whether their proposals cleared signature requirements. Proposals with at least 64,750 certified signatures will be transmitted to the Legislature and campaigns will be notified of the exact number of signatures allowed and the number disallowed for not complying with requirements. Secretary of State William Galvin, who this week dropped his own initiative petition to overhaul the public records laws, said Wednesday that based on preliminary numbers, he believed six initiative petitions and one constitutional amendment would advance. In addition to a constitutional amendment seeking to impose an additional tax on incomes above $1 million, the six questions deal with expanded gaming, charter schools, Common Core education standards, protection of farm animals, recreational marijuana and health care pricing. Certified petitions will be presented to the House clerk in early January, and be assigned to committees for review and public hearings. If lawmakers fail to pass proposals by May 3, campaigns must collect a second, smaller batch of signatures by July 6 in order to secure ballot access in November 2016.
SATURDAY, DEC. 5, 2015
UNSOLVED MURDERS AWARENESS: The Women Survivors of Homicide Movement and the Boston branch of the NAACP host "Turning Blue Hill Avenue Purple," an event designed to bring attention to the more than 900 unsolved murders in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan since 1970. In remembrance of the victims of both solved and unsolved murders, purple ribbons will be placed along a section of Blue Hill Avenue, followed by a prayer for justice and a purple wreath ceremony at the Boston Police District B-3 station. (Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Boys and Girls Club of Boston, 15 Talbot Ave., Mattapan)
MAYORS RELEASE CLIMATE REPORT: The U.S. Conference of Mayors will release a special report from its Mayors Climate Protection Center as part of COP 21, the 2015 climate conference in Paris. U.S. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley will host Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz and USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. The report calls attention "to how U.S. mayors have been global climate leaders over the last decade," according to a statement from USCM. The mayors will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which started with 141 mayors pledging to take action consistent with the Kyoto Protocol and grew to more than 1,000 mayors. The event is open press and interested reporters must RSVP to DosSantosSC@state.gov. (Saturday, 5 p.m., 41 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, Paris 8e, France)
SUNDAY, DEC. 6, 2015
GREATER BOSTON MENORAH LIGHTING: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Joseph Kennedy III will take part in the Greater Boston Menorah Lighting in downtown Boston. (Sunday, 5 p.m., Washington and Summer streets, Boston)
HEALEY ON KELLER: WBZ's Jon Keller welcomes Attorney General Maura Healey as a guest on his show "Keller at Large" to discuss gun control, home insurance rate hikes, and charter schools. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch.4)
COUNCILOR-ELECT GEORGE GOES "ON THE RECORD": Channel 5 Anchor Ed Harding and State House Reporter Janet Wu welcome Boston City Councilor At-Large Elect Annisa George as a guest. George recently won one of four at-large seats knocking out incumbent Stephen Murphy in an election last month. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch.5)
COPLEY SQUARE MENORAH LIGHTING: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the Copley Square menorah lighting. (Sunday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m., Copley Square, Boston)
TOYS FOR TOTS: Gov. Charlie Baker attends a Toys for Tots event at Warren Tavern. (Sunday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m., Warren Tavern, 2 Pleasant St., Charlestown)
TOY DRIVE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will co-host the 8th Annual Holiday Toys for Troops, which provides toys for the families of local soldiers. (Sunday, 11 a.m., The Shaws Center, 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton)
MONDAY, DEC. 7, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
FED ED TALK: The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and Massachusetts Institute of Technology will hold a conference titled "Leveraging Research and Policy to Improve K-12 Education in Massachusetts." The keynote speaker will be Harvard professor Roland Fryer, a member of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Christopher Gabrieli, Rep. Alice Peisch, Boston Superintendent Tommy Chang and Chelsea Superintendent Mary Bourque will speak during portions of the day-long event with discussions on Lawrence Public Schools, charter schools and accountability. Agenda: http://seii.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/SEII-Fed-Conference-Agenda_12.4.15.pdf (Monday, 8 a.m., Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston)
MENORAH LIGHTING: The State House holds its annual ceremonial lighting of a 15-foot Chanukah Menorah. Scheduled attendees include Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Secretary of State William Galvin, Attorney General Maura Healey, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Rabbi Rachmiel Liberman, of Congregation Lubavitch Jewish Educational Center. Auditor Bump is unable to attend. (Monday, 4 p.m., State House, Grand Staircase)
CHARTER SCHOOL HEARING -- STURBRIDGE: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education holds a public hearing on the proposed Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School. The K-8 school hopes to open in 2016, with a maximum enrollment of 360 students from Brimfield, Brookfield, Dudley-Charlton, Holland, Monson, Sturbridge, Palmer, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Brookfield, Tantasqua, Quaboag, Spencer-East Brookfield and Southbridge. Hearings are part of an application process for new charter schools, which culminates with a vote from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, planned for February. (Monday, 4 p.m., Tantasqua High School auditorium, 319 Brookdale Rd., Fiskdale)
MASS POETRY: Mass Poetry hosts "An Evening of Inspired Leaders," in which notable personalities read a poem and reflect on its connection to their life and work. Confirmed participants include former First Lady Diane Patrick, former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough Sr. and his son, Wellesley High School English teacher David McCullough Jr., former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, Suffolk University President Margaret McKenna, author Andre Dubus III, WCVB anchor Ed Harding, Boston Chief of Arts and Culture Julie Burros, musician Peter Wolf, WBUR General Manager Charles Kravetz, chef Jody Adams, Home for Little Wanderers President Joan Wallace-Benjamin, City Year founder Michael Brown, Racepoint Global CEO Larry Weber and WBUR host Tom Ashbrook. Tickets, which range from $25 to $250, are available at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-inspired-leaders-with-historian-david-mccullough-former-first-lady-of-ma-diane-tickets-19339047612. (Monday, 7 p.m., Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston)
LGBT AGING COMMISSION: The Special Legislative Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Aging holds a public meeting. The agenda includes an end of year report from the work group that lays out goals for 2016. The commission also plans to address filling open seats, the gubernatorial reappointment process, creating a new work group for outreach and membership, and adding new member organizations to the commission. Rep. Denise Garelick and Sen. Patricia Jehlen chair the meeting. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room 167)
MASS. GOP LEADERS ATTEND HOLIDAY PARTY: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Polito, Mass GOP Chair Kirsten Hughes, House Minority Leader Brad Jones and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr are expected as special guests at a Christmas and holiday party hosted by Massachusetts Young Republicans. According to the Mass GOP, sponsorship opportunities include $1,000 for platinum, $500 for gold, $200 for silver, $100 bronze. Tickets: www.massyrs.org (Monday, 6 p.m., The Brahmin, 33 Stanhope St, Boston)
SUNUNU ON "NIGHTSIDE" | Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu is the scheduled guest for an interview with Dan Rea. NightSide with Dan Rea. (Monday, 8 p.m., WBZ Radio AM 1030)
POLITICO CAUCUS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: POLITICO's "New Hampshire Caucus" will host a discussion at Saint Anselm College on the economic policy issues facing the next president. Speakers include: radio host Arnie Arnesen; Jared Bernstein, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; Heather Boushey, Center for American Progress; Raymond Buckley, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair; David Gergen, Harvard Kennedy School; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, American Action Forum; Jennifer Horn, New Hampshire Republican Party Chair; Kevin Madden, Hamilton Place Strategies; James Pethokoukis, American Enterprise Institute. RSVP Live Stream (Monday, 6 p.m., New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, Manchester)
CAPITAL DEBT AFFORDABILITY: The Capital Debt Affordability Committee of the Executive Office of Administration and Finance will meet to discuss and take action on a debt affordability recommendation. The committee will review research on historical revenue growth and future debt service, and the statutory debt limit. The committee will also review the state's credit ratings outlook. Standard and Poor's, one the three major bond rating agencies, downgraded the state's credit outlook from stable to negative last month. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room 373)
"GAME CHANGE" ANNOUNCEMENT: Attorney General Maura Healey will visit Greater Lowell Technical High School to announce the 98 high schools that will participate in the Game Change anti-violence program. A partnership between Healey's office and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, the program aims to educate high school students, teachers and coaches on preventing relationship violence. Healey has previously said the participating schools will include students from rural, suburban and urban communities. (Monday, 10 a.m., 250 Pawtucket Blvd., Tyngsborough)
COMMISSIONER EVANS TALKS POLICING AT BC: Boston Police Commissioner William Evans will address the challenges facing his department in a discussion titled "Policing in Difficult Times." The cost to attend is $20 per person and $10 for GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) attendees. The event is sponsored by the Boston College Law Enforcement Alumni Network. Event info:http://bcalumni.bc.edu/s/1627/index01.aspx?sid=1627&gid=1&pgid=2613&content_id=2194 (Monday, 6 p.m., Boston College, Brighton Campus, Cadigan Alumni Center, 2121 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton)
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FUND: Treasurer Deb Goldberg-will attend the Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board meeting. (Monday, 1 p.m., One Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, West Conference Room, Boston)
SJC SITTING WEEK - MONDAY: The Supreme Judicial Court will convene to hear various cases.Case Calendar (Monday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
WOMEN'S FORUM: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Women's Forum Annual Meeting and Holiday Reception. (Monday, 6 p.m., Boston Children's Museum, 308 Congress Street, Boston)
BLUE HILLS DEER HUNT: The second and final segment of hunting in the Blue Hills Reservation just south of Boston will take place Monday and Tuesday. Hunters took 41 deer during the first two days of the controlled deer hunt in the Blue Hills and another 98 hunters will have their opportunity to take part in the first deer hunt in the reservation in at least 100 years early next week. Last Monday, 84 of the 89 permitted hunters checked in with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and ultimately reduced the deer population by 26, according to DCR. The next day, 66 hunters checked in and took a total of 15 deer. In an effort to bring the deer population under control in and around the nearly 7,000-acre reservation, DCR awarded hunting permits to nearly 200 hunters who have the opportunity to hunt certain areas of the Blue Hills for a total of four days this year. DCR estimated that the deer population density in the Blue Hills is roughly 85 deer per square mile, well above the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's statewide goal of no more than 18 deer per square mile. The total deer population in the reservation is estimated at between 600 and 800, according to a presentation put together by DCR. 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 stop the hunt, and suggested that state officials control the deer population by using dart guns to inject contraceptives into the deer, rather than killing some. (Monday and Tuesday, Blue Hills Reservation)
WWII VETERAN GETS KEYS TO THE CITY OF WORCESTER: Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty plans on Monday to present a Key to the City to US Navy Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class Ms. Jean Flanagan. According to Petty's office, Flanagan enlisted in 1943 along with her twin sister and her brother, She served at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor until the end of the war. In 1953 she married and moved to Worcester where she has lived since. (Monday, 9 a.m., Dodge Park Rest Home; 101 Randolph Road, Worcester)
STEM ADVISORY COUNCIL: Secretary of Education Jim Peyser hosts a meeting of the STEM Advisory Council Executive Committee. The agenda includes discussion of recommendations, a potential grant opportunity and the STEM council committee structure. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room 360)
TUESDAY, DEC. 8, 2015
MENTAL HEALTH CUTS PROTEST: SEIU Local 509, the Massachusetts union for human service workers and educators, holds a rally to protest Gov. Charlie Baker's cutting of mental health services in the southeastern part of the state, according to Massachusetts AFL-CIO. This will be outside a conversation on substance abuse and mental health that Gov. Baker plans to attend. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Building, 1234 Columbus Ave., Boston)
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATION: The Suffolk County Sheriff's Department holds a conversation about substance abuse and mental health in Massachusetts. The scheduled panelists are Gov. Charlie Baker, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, Dimock Center President and CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, McKenzie & Associates attorney Joseph Feaster and iRecover founder and CEO Jack Kelly. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is open at http://www.scsdma.org/forum.shtml (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Building, 1234 Columbus Ave., Boston)
LG ANNOUNCES GRANT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito makes a workforce training fund program grant announcement at Reebok International. (Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., 1895 J W Foster Boulevard, Canton)
WALSH ON "GREATER BOSTON": Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. Walsh's effort to prevent the building of a casino in Everett via a lawsuit, was recently dismissed by a Suffolk Superior judge. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch.2)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with the Local Government Advisory Commission. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., room 157)
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Health holds a hearing on 26 bills concerning hospitals and the "determination of need" program governing capital investments. Rep. Thomas Golden has sponsored a bill (H 1969) prohibiting emergency room physicians from providing a patient seeking emergency care more than 72 hour's worth of a controlled substance. A Rep. David Nangle bill requires each hospital operating an emergency room to annually file with the Department of Public Health an operating plan to eliminate overcrowding. H 1917, sponsored by Rep. Mark Cusack, states that the commissioner of public health must adopt regulations requiring hospitals to offer inpatients over age 65 free flu vaccines prior to discharge. Other bills establish the Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Trust Fund (S 1134), require hospitals providing maternity services to fully support all mothers in their infant feeding decisions (S 1148) and compel each new member of a hospital's governing body to complete a trustee training program (H 1905). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2336&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-2)
ALLSTON INTERCHANGE HEARING: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation holds a public meeting to discuss an improvement project at the Allston interchange on the Massachusetts Turnpike. The meeting will include an update on the progress made over the past six months on concept development and information on the next phase of project development. Written comments may be submitted to: Patricia Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, ATTN: Bridge Project Management, Project File No. 606475. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Jackson Mann Community Center auditorium, 500 Cambridge St., Allston)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on 25 bills related to health insurance. A Rep. Louis Kafka bill (H 880) provides regulations for policy issuers when a child is covered under a health insurance policy issued to the child's non-custodial parent. H 862, sponsored by Rep. Colleen Garry, prohibits health insurance plans from requiring co-pays for regular preventative screenings required by physicians. Rep. James Cantwell has sponsored a bill (H 813) regulating payments for use of ambulance services, and this has more than 60 cosponsors. A bill (H 801) filed by Sen. Michael Brady prohibits carriers from initiating communication with a member regarding end of life treatment options without the knowledge or presence of the patient's physician. Other bills require a physician to inform a patient if a test of lab work will be conducted outside the patient's network (H 3731), prohibit the denial of a pharmacy or pharmacist as a preferred provider under the same terms applied to all other preferred providers (H 859) and increase health insurer reporting transparency (S 563). Full agenda:https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2337&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room A-2)
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL: The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council meets. Agenda items include a public policy report, reports from the membership and state plan committees, and program updates. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., 100 Hancock St., first floor conference room, Quincy)
THE PARTNERSHIP: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Partnership-28th Annual meeting and 2015 Class Culmination. Carol Fulp is president and CEO of The Partnership Inc., which seeks to develop and bring together multicultural professionals.(Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston)
TRANSATLANTIC TRADE PANEL: The Bertelsmann Foundation, a German non-profit focusing on trans-Atlantic reaction, hosts a panel discussion exploring how Massachusetts businesses and economic sectors could benefit if the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union passes. Susie Kitchens, the United Kingdom Consul General in Boston, will give opening remarks. The discussion will feature U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade Ken Hyatt; The Vertex Companies division manager for international renewables James Bowen; and Adeline Hinderer, the deputy head of trade and agriculture for the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., British Consulate General, 1 Broadway, Cambridge)
POLITO AT MYRA KRAFT BRIDGE OPENING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito gives remarks at the ribbon cutting for the Myra Hiatt Kraft Memorial Footbridge in Worcester's Elm Park. The bridge was designed and built by students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Worcester Technical High School. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 284 Highland St., Worcester)
"ASK THE COMMISSIONER": Boston Police Commissioner William Evans stops by the Boston Public Radio studio for the program's monthly "Ask the Commissioner" segment. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
CONGRESSMAN NEAL ON THE RADIO: Congressman Richard Neal is scheduled to be a guest of co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan on Boston Public Radio. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7
CLINTON VISITS NH: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visits Salem, New Hampshire for a town hall. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Woodbury School, 206 Main Street, Salem, New Hampshire)
STREETTALK 10-IN-1: LivableStreets Alliance, an organization advocating for a better transportation network in Boston, holds its annual StreetTalk 10-in-1. The event "will feature 10 short-form presentations highlighting innovative ideas to transform our streets," according to LivableStreets. The speakers are Alice Brown of GoBoston2030, Kris Carter of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, Mark Chase of Somerville Neighborways, Emily Curran of Old South Meetinghouse, Jackie Douglas of LivableStreets, Scott Hamwey of MassDOT, Tommy Hayes of Lyft, Matt Lawlor of WalkUP Roslindale, author Russ Lopez, Vivian Ortiz of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Ari Ofsevit of the Allston I-90 Interchange Improvement Project. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston)
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Among the 27 bills to be heard before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland security is one that would ban the use of hand-held phones while driving a car except in the case of an emergency. The bill (H 3474), filed by Concord Democrat Rep. Cory Atkins, lays out a fine structure for first, second and subsequent offenses, and would establish a "Police Training Trust Fund" into which the fines would be deposited. Earlier this year, the House gave initial approval to a similar bill filed by Rep. William Straus (H 3315) and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg has said that a bill addressing cell phone use while driving will be among the Senate's priorities when the Legislature returns from its winter recess in January. Massachusetts has a law banning texting while driving, but many drivers continue to fumble with handheld devices while behind the wheel, and advocates for the so-called hands-free phone option say it will improve public safety. The Public Safety Committee will also accept testimony on a bill (S 1327) filed by Sen. James Welch to create a Council Against Violence and Aggression at Youth Activities that would work to develop a statewide youth activity code of conduct to be implemented at youth sporting events. The council would consist of five members appointed by the governor and would "hear complaints of incidents of adult violence and aggression at youth sporting events." A bill (H 3679) amending the law on shackling of incarcerated pregnant women will also be before the committee. In 2014, then-Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law a bill restricting the shackling of female inmates while they're pregnant or during childbirth. The bill filed by Rep. Kay Khan would amend that law, including a provision requiring correctional facilities to file a report to the secretary of public safety and security within 48 hours of restraints being used on pregnant or postpartum inmates. Full agenda:https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2340&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1)
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION: The Board of Higher Education meets at Framingham State University. An agenda will be available Monday morning. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., McCarthy Center Forum Room, 100 State St., Framingham)
HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE HEARING: The Division of Insurance holds its final informational hearing on the marketing and sale of Massachusetts homeowners' insurance policies. The hearings are intended to help the division review the state's home insurance market, including the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance, consumer experience with decisions to deny applications for coverage, and how consumers are notified of potential rate and coverage changes or coverage options. The public and members of the insurance industry are encouraged to attend the hearing or provide written comments via email toDOI.HOI.2015@state.ma.us. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Barnstable Town Hall, Hyannis)
CHARTER SCHOOL HEARING -- LYNN: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education holds a public hearing on the proposed Central Square Public Charter Public School. The school would open in 2017, serving up to 640 Lynn students in grades five to 12. Hearings are part of an application process for new charter schools, which culminates with a vote from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, planned for February. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Lynn City Hall council chamber, 3 City Hall Square, Lynn)
BAKER ON "NIGHTSIDE": Gov. Charlie Baker is the scheduled guest on "NightSide" with host Dan Rea. (Tuesday, 8 p.m., WBZ Radio AM 1030)
SJC SITTING WEEK - TUESDAY: The Supreme Judicial Court will convene to hear various cases.Case Calendar (Tuesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE BOARD: The Board of Early Education and Care meets. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 51 Sleeper St., Boston)
ASIAN NETWORKING LUNCHEON: Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nam Pham attends an Asian networking luncheon. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Sassoon & Cymrot, 84 State St., Boston)
LAWRENCE PARTNERSHIP: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash attends a luncheon for the Lawrence Partnership, private/public sector collaboration for the economic development and general improvement of the city of Lawrence. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Salvatore's, 354 Merrimack St., Lawrence)
BLUE HILLS DEER HUNT: The second round of a controlled hunt at the Blue Hills Reservation just south of Boston takes place Monday and Tuesday. Last week, hunting was permitted at the reservation for the first time in at least 100 years. The Department of Conservation and Recreation awarded hunting permits to nearly 200 hunters who 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, 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 stop the hunt, and suggested that state officials control the deer population by using dart guns to inject contraceptives into the deer, rather than killing some. (Monday and Tuesday, Blue Hills Reservation)
UMASS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees' Committee of the Whole meets. Associate Vice President for Labor Relations Mark Preble will lead a discussion of diversity and inclusion efforts taking place throughout the UMass system. The agenda also includes discussion of work being done to foster relationships with Massachusetts-based and minority-owned business and an update on key financial metrics. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, 110 Canal St., 3rd floor, Lowell)
JOINT COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS: Legislative committees in recent years have gravitated towards secret electronic polls as a means of voting on bills but the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs plans an old-fashioned executive session Tuesday to take up nine bills - H 516 and S 360 training elder services workers in dementia and Alzheimer's; H 529 assisting elders and people with disabilities; S 371 Medicaid eligibility for seniors; H 514 increasing penalties for unfair and deceptive actions against people with disabilities and senior citizens; H 523 senior hoarding; S 359 protecting the health and safety of elders with hoarding disorders; H 527 promoting innovation in elder care services; and H 531 authorizing the establishment of senior citizen safety zones. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room B-1)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9, 2015
GREEN LINE EXTENSION MEETING: After learning some of the reasons why the cost of the Green Line Extension ballooned 50 percent by $1 billion from last December to May, the officials holding the purse strings on the project will finally begin discussion of how and whether to move forward on the project Wednesday. Both the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the MassDOT Board of Directors meet on Wednesday with the MassDOT board kicking things off at 1 p.m. State officials revealed the extraordinary price-tag growth in August, sketched out options to move forward - scaling back on station design; new financing methods, including "value-capture" and developer contributions; scrapping the contractor group White-Skanska-Kiewit and re-bidding the project; seek additional bond authorization from the Legislature - or cancel the planned trolley line from East Cambridge through Somerville to Medford. Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack listed several reasons to continue to pursue the project at a recent meeting: About 26 percent of households in the area don't own a car; the area is congested and polluted with exhaust emissions; and all but one bus route within the area failed to meet MBTA service standards. Consultants have told the MBTA's overseers that the state failed to properly implement the procurement, and MBTA Control Board Chairman Joe Aiello said he wants the project team replaced. Rebuilding Lechmere and constructing six new Green Line stations is estimated to result in 49,000 daily riders on the extension and $4 to $5 billion in development on the 4.7-mile corridor. The Control Board will provide a report to the MassDOT board and the Control Board is set to meet on its own at 2:30 p.m. The projected pegged at roughly $2 billion a year ago was approved to receive nearly $1 billion in federal New Starts funding. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., MassDOT Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Boston)
BALLOT QUESTION PANEL: The Massachusetts Bar Association is hosting a session with three lawyers on two sides of this year's ballot question process for a discussion of the "legal mechanics, jurisprudence and salient issues regarding initiative petitions." The panel will feature Will Luzier, attorney for a group seeking to legalize and regulate marijuana; Tom Bean, attorney for a proposal to prohibit restrictive livestock cages; and Juliana Rice, deputy chief of the Attorney General's Office Government Bureau. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Mass. Bar Association, 20 West Street, Boston)
WALSH ON "NIGHTSIDE": Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is the scheduled guest on "NightSide" with host Dan Rea. (Wednesday, 8 p.m., WBZ Radio AM 1030)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash attends a meeting of the Economic Development Planning Council. The council is expected to vote to adopt Gov. Charlie Baker's "Opportunities for All" plan - the commonwealth's official economic development plan. The plan, as rolled out by Baker last month, aims to attract and retain highly-skilled workers, strengthen the state's competitive business clusters, and produce middle-market housing, especially near public transit. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Greentown Labs, 28 Dane St., Somerville)
DISCUSSION ON LINKS BETWEEN BUSINESS AND ART: Citi Performing Arts Center and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce will host a discussion titled "The Arts Mean Business: Fueling the Economy through Surprising Links between Business , Innovation & the Arts." The program will feature guest speaker Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., Wang Theater, 270 Tremont Street, Boston)
UMASS TRUSTEES: The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees meets in Lowell. The agenda includes votes on the dissolution of the Massachusetts Accelerator for Bio-Manufacturing; an internal audit charter; the university's annual financial statements; a report on federal financial assistance programs; appointments at the Amherst, Boston and Lowell campuses and the medical schools; and a Board of Trustees statement on fossil fuel divestment. The UMass Foundation announced this week that it would divest its $770 million endowment from investments in coal companies and look for a way to manage funds that promotes environmental sustainability. Full agenda: https://www.umassp.edu/sites/umassp.edu/files/content/12-9-15%20BoT%20notice%20and%20agenda.pdf (Wednesday, 9 a.m., UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center ballroom, 50 Warren St., Lowell)
DePAOLA ON MBTA WINTER PREPAREDNESS: MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola will discuss how the T has prepared for the upcoming winter, the impact of reforms passed by the Legislature, and what it means for commercial real estate at an event organized by The Commercial Real Estate Development Association, NAIOP Massachusetts. Tamara Small, senior vice president of government affairs at NAIOP Massachusetts, will join DePaola as an event speaker. The event will also include an update on the legislative and regulatory issues pursued by the NAIOP in the past year. Registration begins at 7:15 p.m. and the program begins at 8 p.m. | Registration. (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m., Brown Rudnick LLP, One Financial Center, Boston)
AG READS TO STUDENTS: Attorney General Maura Healey reads to students at the Joseph Lee Elementary School and discusses the role of her office, as part of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Elected Officials Reading Day. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 155 Talbot Ave., Dorchester)
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PATIENT PROTECTION: The Health Policy Commission's Quality Improvement and Patient Protection Committee will discuss implementation of the HPC's new pilot programs in paramedicine, and the effects of the opioid crisis on newborns and neonatal abstinence system. (Wednesday, December, 11 a.m., 50 Milk Street, 8th Floor, Boston)
POWDER MAGAZINE BUILDING REHAB: The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking requests for expressions of interest (RFEI) for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the historic Powder Magazine Building in Cambridge. The structure, built in 1818, has functioned as an ammunition storage depot, bathhouse and park storage space. A partnership could be facilitated between an interested party and DCR through the department's Historic Curatorship Program. To date, 19 properties - Maudslay State Park is the most recent - have been rehabilitated or are currently in rehabilitation through the program. Responses to the RFEI are due by 3 p.m. on Dec. 9. For information on the building and submission requirements, visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/stewardship/curator/powderhouse-rfei-2015.pdf (Wednesday, 3 p.m.)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: The Health Policy Commission's Care Delivery and Payment System Transformation Committee meets to discuss the commission's patient-centered medical home and accountable care organization certification programs. Staff will also preview findings from the upcoming 2015 Health Care Cost Trends Report related to alternative payments and emergency department utilization trends. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 50 Milk Street, 8th Floor, Boston)
NURSING BOARD: The Board of Registration in Nursing meets, with an agenda to include a complaint resolution, three terminations of probation and two requests for notice of probation violation. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 239 Causeway St., Room 417, Boston)
STATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hearing on a bill that would give 5.2 acres to the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center Inc. H 3844, sponsored by Rep. David Muradian and Sen. Michael Moore, permits the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance commissioner to convey the land to the museum. If the property ceases to be used for the museum and learning center, its custody would revert to the division. This is the only bill on the agenda for the hearing. Full text: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H3844(Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room A-2)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: The Governor's Council holds its weekly meeting, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito presiding. The council is expected to vote on the confirmation of Vickie Henry to the state Appeals Court. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 360)
GOLDBERG FUNDRAISER WITH VICKI KENNEDY: Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the widow of longtime U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, hosts a fundraising reception to benefit the campaign coffers of Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. Kennedy recently joined the Boston office of Greenberg Traurig. Contribution levels range from $125 for "friend" to $1,000 for "co-host." (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., UMass Club, One Beacon Street, 32nd Floor, Boston)
INVESTOR CONFERENCE: Gov. Charlie Baker offers remarks at the Investor Conference. Treasurer Deb Goldberg will speak also speak, at 8:30 a.m. The conference is hosted by the state treasurer's office and attended by investors in public debt.(Wednesday, 9 a.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Ground Level, Boston)
THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
MUNICIPALITIES COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on 27 bills addressing home rules, municipal finance, officers and employees and miscellaneous issues. Rep. Marc Lombardo has filed a bill (H 1856) that would withhold unrestricted government aid from municipalities that declare themselves as "sanctuary cities" or otherwise fail to enforce federal immigration law. A bill from Sen. Donald Humason (S 1084) would prevent Massachusetts communities from passing or enforcing laws or ordinances "concerning the lawful ownership, use, possession, transfer, purchase, receipt or transportation" of weapons and ammunition. Sen. Kathleen O'Connor Ives filed a bill to create a commission to study the effects of unfunded mandates on cities and towns (S 1096), and Sen. Brian Joyce sponsored a bill that would allow municipalities to ban polystyrene packaging (S 1086). (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room B-2)
MASSDEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING: Jay Ash, secretary of housing and economic development, chairs a meeting of the MassDevelopment Board of Directors. A meeting agenda was not available as of Friday afternoon. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 99 High St., Boston)
POLITO IN WORCESTER: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito gives remarks at the Worcester Memorial Clock Tower (Thursday, 10 a.m., 309 Belmont St., Worcester)
UMASS LOWELL BUILDING OPENING: UMass Lowell officials will unveil the school's overhauled McGauvran Center, the 12th new building opened on the campus since 2009. Originally opened in the 1970s, the building has been expanded to 52,00 square feet and features new study areas, a welcome center, meeting rooms, classroom space and multiple dining locations. UMass President Marty Meehan, UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney, students and officials, representatives from the UMass Building Authority, city officials and members of Lowell's Beacon Hill delegation are scheduled to participate in the opening event. (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., 71 Wilder St., Lowell)
NATURAL HERITAGE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES: The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee meets at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters office. The meeting will include discussion of non-game and endangered species and updates on agency activities. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough)
DAILY FANTASY SPORTS PUBLIC FORUM: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will hold a day-long public forum on the topic of daily fantasy sports. In October, the commission formed something of a consensus that the relatively new form of online sports wagering ought to be regulated, but the commission's chairman urged caution, noting the industry is already taxed on its profits and winnings. "Should there be more? I don't know. I do think we want to be mindful of the fact that if we came in heavy on this, we could crush an industry like this overnight," Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said. A few weeks later, Attorney General Maura Healey announced her proposal for daily fantasy sports regulations -- including a prohibition on players under the age of 21, a ban on fantasy games based on college or youth athletics and a requirement that daily fantasy sports companies make it known which players have won a disproportionate amount of money. Healey's proposed regulations will be the subject of a Jan. 12 public hearing and a public comment period will be open until Jan. 22. The daily fantasy sports industry seemed to catch many on Beacon Hill off guard earlier this fall when an advertising blitz by companies like DraftKings and FanDuel forced the issue into the mainstream public consciousness. While legislative leaders have grappled with the "gambling or game of skill" question, most have agreed that the burgeoning industry was in need of some form of regulation. Senate President Stanley Rosenberg has added that the industry should be taxed but has not offered any specific proposal. (Thursday, 9 a.m., location TBA)
CHARTER SCHOOL HEARING -- FITCHBURG: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education holds a public hearing on the proposed International Academy of Montachusett Charter School, which has a proposed maximum enrollment of 1,168. The K-12 school would serve students from Fitchburg, Leominster, Clinton North Middlesex Regional and Wachusett Regional. Hearings are part of an application process for new charter schools, which culminates with a vote from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, planned for February. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St., Fitchburg)
CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, First Lady Lauren Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh will all attend the Massachusetts Conference for Women. Polito and Baker are featured at the luncheon keynote scheduled for 1 p.m. Walsh is listed as a special guest speaker. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and opening keynote session will begin at 8:15 a.m.| Agenda | Speaker list|(Thursday, 1 p.m., Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, 415 Summer Street, Boston)
MSBA COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Massachusetts School Building Authority Compensation Subcommittee meeting. (Thursday, 3 p.m., MSBA Headquarter, 40 Broad Street, 5th Floor, Boston)
MSBA COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Massachusetts School Building Authority Compensation Subcommittee meeting. (Thursday, 3 p.m., MSBA Headquarter, 40 Broad Street, 5th Floor, Boston)
SJC SITTING WEEK - THURSDAY: The Supreme Judicial Court will convene to hear various cases. Case Calendar (Thursday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
MOULTON ON "NIGHTSIDE": Congressman Seth Moulton is the scheduled guest on "NightSide" with host Dan Rea. (Thursday, 9 p.m., WBZ Radio AM 1030)
EDUCATIONAL FINANCING AUTHORITY: The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority holds its annual meeting to discuss the MEFA refinance loan program and to receive reports from its audit, investment and nominating committees. (Thursday, 4 p.m., 160 Federal St., Boston)
BAKER AT SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION: Gov. Charlie Baker attends a meeting of the Massachusetts Sheriff's Association. (CLOSED PRESS) (Thursday, 11 a.m., Plymouth County Sheriff's Training Center, 24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth)
STATE GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE: The Council of State Governments holds its national conference, which will focus on topics such as cybersecurity, pensions, workforce development and more. There will be keynote speeches from Outside magazine editor Hampton Sides and FedEx Corp. President and CEO Frederick Smith. The featured musicians are Sixwire with Steve Cropper, Lorrie Morgan and Chris Janson. The cost for state and provincial government officials and staff is $525 through Dec. 8 and $625 onsite but is nearly twice as high for those in the private sector. Registration is available at https://secured.csg.org/csg/national2015/(Thursday-Sunday, Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.)
LOWELL OPIOID TASK FORCE: Middlesex District Attorney Ryan will host members of the Lowell Opioid Task Force and community members to discuss recommendations to address the opioid crisis. According to organizers, the meeting will also address issues unique to veterans. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Lowell General Hospital, Saints Campus, 1 Hospital Drive, Lowell
ESSEX COUNTY DRUG TRAINING: Attorney General Maura Healey will speak to Essex County police officers about her office's work on the opiate epidemic and collaboration with law enforcement. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Peabody Marriott, 8 Centennial Dr., Peabody)
NEW MASSCOP PRESIDENT: Norwood Police Chief William Brooks III will be sworn in as the new president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. Attorney General Maura Healey will conduct the swearing-in. Brooks has been a police officer for 38 years. He serves as director of the NORPAC Task Force, a multi-agency unit comprised of detectives from 15 Norfolk County police departments, and as a member of the Supreme Judicial Court's Standing Committee on Eyewitness Identification. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Four Points by Sheraton Norwood, 1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood)
FRIDAY, DEC. 11, 2015
CABINET MEETING: Gov. Charlie Baker meets with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and the other members of his cabinet. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 10 a.m., Room 360)
FALLEN HEROES DINNER: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial Dinner. (Friday, 7 p.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston)
MERCY MEDICAL CENTER: Health Policy Commission staff will join regional elected officials and executives from Mercy Medical Center to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation (CHART) Investment Program. (Friday, 1:15 p.m., Mercy Medical Center, 271 Carew St., Springfield)
MEDICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Department of Public Health's Medical Services Committee meets to discuss topics including newborn medical transportation, pain management practices and changes made to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation advanced life support guidelines. (Friday, 10 a.m., Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, 400 Worcester Road, Framingham)
HOMESTART CELEBRATION: HomeStart, a nonprofit promoting permanent housing solutions for homelessness in Boston, holds its annual luncheon to celebrate previously homeless people who have found stable housing through HomeStart. Matt Pritchard, president and executive director of HomeStart, and others will give awards to clients who have been stably housed for more than a year. (Friday, 12 p.m., State House, Great Hall)
SJC SITTING WEEK - FRIDAY: The Supreme Judicial Court will convene to hear various cases. Case Calendar (Friday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
FALLEN HEROES: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will attend the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial Dinner. (Friday, 6 p.m., Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, 415 Summer Street, Boston)
VICKI KENNEDY AT NEASC CONFERENCE: Victoria Reggie Kennedy gives the keynote address on the final day of the New England Association of School and Colleges Annual Meeting of Conference. Kennedy is the co-founder and board of trustee president at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Full conference agenda: https://www.neasc.org/annual-meeting/conference-program-2015 (Friday, 12:20 p.m., Boston Marriott Copley Place, 110 Huntington Ave., Boston)
AIR FORCE/ARMY BUSINESS DAY: The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force hosts Air Force/Army Business Industry Day, an event providing businesses information on how to contract with Hanscom Air Force Base and the U.S. Army's Natick Soldier Systems Center. Participants include personnel from Hanscom and Natick, Army research officials, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. (Friday, 8 a.m., Devens Common Center, 33 Andrews Parkway, Devens)
BAYSTATE NOBLE HOSPITAL: Health Policy Commission staff and regional elected officials will join executives from Baystate Noble Hospital to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation (CHART) Investment Program. (Friday, 11 a.m., 115 W. Silver St., Westfield)
SATURDAY, DEC. 12, 2015
CLIMATE RALLY: The Massachusetts Climate Action Network hosts a "Jobs, Justice, Climate" rally on the Boston Common to call for solutions to climate change that also "create secure union jobs, strengthen community power and help build a more resilient future." Various labor and environmental groups plan to participate. (Saturday, 1 p.m., Boston Common)
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