What's ahead in state government this week
House back to work on Wednesday, Senate starts up on January 21
- See more at: http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2016/01/02/227582-Whats-ahead-state-government-week#sthash.3laKU7VM.dpuf
The second leg of the 2015-2016 legislative session gets underway next week. Between Feb. 9 and Dec. 29, the Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker teamed up to put 164 laws on the books, coming up short so far on major statutes covering opioids, energy and charter schools and focusing instead on budget matters, the MBTA and small bore alcohol license and sick leave bank bills. Under legislative rules, the House and Senate assigned themselves 11 months for formal sessions during the first year of the session and seven months, ending on July 31, in the second year, before hosting informal sessions for the remainder of the year and focusing on reelection efforts and this year, the election of the next president. On that note, GOP frontrunner Donald Trump plans to visit Lowell on Monday for a rally at the Tsongas Arena, Bill Clinton plans to campaign for Hillary Clinton Monday in Nashua, N.H., and Sen. Bernie Sanders plans rallies Saturday in Amherst and Worcester.
Given that the Legislature is usually slow to resume formal sessions - the Senate doesn't plan to hold a formal session until Jan. 21, while the House will kick things off on Wednesday - here's a look at some of the issues to watch in January and in 2016:
-- BAKER'S BUDGET MOVES/STATE OF THE STATE: Gov. Charlie Baker on is set to deliver his annual State of the State address on Jan. 21, a day before municipal officials gather in Boston for a meeting where they will be looking for signals about local aid levels. Baker will roll out his fiscal 2017 budget proposal on Jan. 27. It appears the governor will also at some point soon reopen the fiscal 2016 budget and make changes intended to address a shortfall in non-tax revenues and spending levels that exceed budgeted allocations. Baker has pledged to grow local aid accounts at the same rate as state revenue growth and municipal officials will be eager to learn exactly how much more money they might be receiving in the fiscal year that begins on July 1. Baker and his team are also getting ready to roll out an economic development bill.
-- SENATE'S JANUARY PLANS: According to tentative plans, the Senate on Jan. 21 plans to hold its first formal session of the new year, with an agenda that includes S 408 establishing the Massachusetts paint stewardship program; S 469 regulating the processing of lobsters; S 458 relative to 2030 and 2040 emissions benchmarks; and S2032 to prohibit the use of handheld mobile telephones while operating a motor vehicle. On Thursday, Jan. 28, the agenda includes S 983 to establish pay equity and H 1354 relative to juries and the Office of the Jury Commissioner. Public records legislation (H 3858) is on the tentative agenda forThursday, Feb. 4.
-- TAX TALK: Gov. Baker's opposition to new or higher taxes combined with the recent arguments against new taxes from House Speaker Robert DeLeo and House budget chief Brian Dempsey have collectively put a damper on the hopes of elected officials who favor tax hikes to preserve and grow government services. But taxes are not completely off the debate table in 2016. Senate President Stan Rosenberg, a longtime advocate of a graduated income tax structure, wields the gavel at Constitutional Conventions and will face pressure in 2016 to both put the so-called millionaire's tax proposal before a joint meeting of the House and Senate and corral the required 50 votes to advance the amendment to the 2017-2018 General Court and potentially to the 2018 ballot. The 4 percent surtax on incomes above $1 million is intended to generate $1.5 billion to be spent on education and transportation. The convention meets next on Feb. 3, and has nine additional items on the calendar - including proposed constitutional amendments concerning control of state reserves, redistricting and political spending. "There are nine - I think nine matters before the question on the state income surtax for millionaires would come up at the convention," Rosenberg told the News Service in an end-of-year sitdown interview with the speaker and governor. He said, "We have to have a discussion about what the agenda will be on that particular day. But basically there are nine items before you can actually get to debate that issue." ConCon calendar:https://malegislature.gov/People/ClerksOffice/Joint/Calendar
-- OPIOID ABUSE BILL: Given that opioid overdoses are taking a daily, deadly toll in Massachusetts, failure is not an option when it comes to passing legislation to address the crisis. Gov. Charlie Baker's proposal has been pending for weeks and the Senate has already okayed its opioid bill. The next move belongs to the House where a bill recommended this week by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee is expected to undergo changes during reviews before the Health Care Financing Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. While there are some heated battles occurring over details of the bill, passage of an opioid bill appears inevitable, possibly before lawmakers turn most of their attention to the budget.
-- SPECIAL ELECTIONS: Three special elections have been set for March 1 to fill open House seats due to the departures of former Rep. Michael Brady of Brockton, who won election to the Senate, former Rep. Leah Cole of Peabody, and Rep. Stephen DiNatale of Fitchburg, who steps down on Monday and is scheduled to be sworn in that day as the next mayor of Fitchburg. Sen. Robert Hedlund of Weymouth also steps down on Monday and will be sworn in as mayor of his hometown. Special elections are expected to fill Hedlund's South Shore seat and the seat held by Sen. Anthony Petruccelli of East Boston, who is stepping down to work for a Boston lobbying firm. It's up to Senate President Stanley Rosenberg to put orders before the Senate establishing the dates of those special elections. The race for the South Shore Senate seat is shaping up as a spirited contest ahead of the 2016 elections in November.
-- UNDERCURRENT OF INITIATIVE PETITIONS: Citizen activists are on track to circumvent the Legislature and potentially put major laws on the books without the involvement of members of the House and Senate. The Legislature now formally has before it seven proposed laws and one proposed constitutional amendment calling for higher taxes on incomes above $1 million. The initiatives deal with rolling back the state's adoption of Common Core education standards, an expanded gaming proposal, expanding medical marijuana legalization to allow for its general use by adults, making adjustments to health care prices, and preventing cruelty towards farm animals. A measure to expand the state's stable of charter schools is tracking for the ballot and has been the subject of private debates among members of the Senate, with Sen. Rosenberg expected to announce in January whether the Senate will attempt to pass a charter expansion bill. The initiatives will go before legislative committees for public hearings and it's then up to the Legislature to decide whether to tackle those subjects or risk having voters handle the policymaking.
-- MBTA FARE HIKES: The beleaguered MBTA continues to operate in a fiscal crisis despite scores of reforms approved over the years and intended to make that agency self-sufficient. House Speaker Robert DeLeo is counting the creation this year of a control board to take over MBTA management decisions as a major accomplishment. That board is currently trying to close a projected $242 million budget gap in fiscal 2017 and commuters are waiting for the T to outline its latest fare hike proposal, which will likely go public in January.
-- SOLAR ENERGY BILL: Just before the Legislature quit formal sessions for the year back in November, the House approved a bill to advance stalled solar energy projects and adjust solar incentives. The Senate then quickly modified its stance on solar energy policies but the branches could not reach an agreement and the proposals have stalled out in conference committee during December. Come January the pressure will ratchet back up on conferees to strike a deal. The disagreement over solar is serving as a prelude to a broader debate next year over energy policies. Offshore wind and Canadian hydroelectricity interests are angling for a piece of the energy mix as lawmakers weigh price, reliability and demand issues that will be exacerbated with Pilgrim Nuclear Plant shuts down.
-- PUBLIC RECORDS REFORM: There's been a general lack of enthusiasm for years within the Legislature when it comes to public records reform. But legislative leaders this year appear intent on at least trying to make records more easily accessible to the public and the media. The House in November approved a records reform bill and Sen. Rosenberg has identified the issue as one the Senate plans to address in early February. Secretary of State William Galvin, who oversees the public records division, proposed a records reform initiative petition but was unable to round up the required certified voter signatures to keep that proposal on track, which would have added pressure on the Legislature to act. Galvin earlier this month raised the possibility that voters next year might have defeated his proposed ballot question. "There's always the danger it could lose," he told the News Service. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, an organization that represents local government officials, and municipal assessors oppose the proposal, Galvin said. Other "bureaucracies" in state government "are not terribly fond" of records law upgrades, he added. In addition, the proposal is not easily understood, is one that voters would "not necessarily be very excited about," and could have been overshadowed by a proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, he said. Sen. Jason Lewis is pressing for a records bill in the Senate and has co-authored legislation with Rep. Peter Kocot that Lewis says will "ensure that all public records in both state and municipal government are available to the public in electronic form whenever possible, that any fees charged are reasonable and affordable, and that requestors who are wrongfully denied access can be awarded attorney's fees, which is already the case in virtually every other state in the country."
-- SENATORS RESEARCH MARIJUANA IN COLORADO: A group of state senators plan to spend Monday, Jan. 11 throughThursday, Jan. 14 in Colorado in January researching legalization of marijuana in that state, before issuing a report and policy recommendations early in 2016. Sen. Jason Lewis and other members of a special Senate panel the Senate Special Committee on Marijuana are taking the trip with the goal of gathering information that might be helpful to Massachusetts lawmakers who are weighing an initiative petition legalizing marijuana here. The other members of the committee are vice-chair Michael Moore (D-Millbury), Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester), Kenneth Donnelly (D-Arlington), Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Dorchester), John Keenan (D-Quincy), Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), James Welch (D-West Springfield), Viriato deMacedo (R-Plymouth), and Richard Ross (R-Wrentham). According to Lewis aides, the panel is analyzing "health impacts, public safety impacts, different kinds of marijuana products, product testing and potency, market structure, licensing and regulatory requirements, advertising and marketing restrictions, taxes, home growing, local control, driving under the influence, and compliance with federal law. The committee has not held any public meetings and while it has held dozens of meetings with industry stakeholder it has declined identify participants in those meetings. The roster of senators planning to take the trip is still being finalized, a Lewis aide said Thursday.
SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 2016
SANDERS HOSTS PAIR OF MASS. RALLIES: Sen. Bernie Sanders, running behind Hillary Clinton in Democratic presidential primary polls, plans rallies Saturday in Amherst and Worcester. Sanders plans a 1 p.m. event at the Fine Arts Center at UMass Amherst and a 5 p.m. rally at North High School, 140 Harrington Way, Worcester.
SUNDAY, JAN. 3, 2016
A NEW ERA AT MEDFORD CITY HALL: After 28 years under Mayor Michael McGlynn, a new Medford mayor will be sworn into office. Stephanie Muccini Burke will take the oath during a ceremony that will also mark the inauguration of members of City Council and School Committee. Attorney General Maura Healey plans to swear in Burke. Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to a local food pantry. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Marsha Caron Theater, Medford High School, 489 Winthrop St., Medford)
WALTHAM INAUGURAL: Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, who fended off a challenge from Rep. Thomas Stanley in November, will be sworn into office again Sunday at a ceremony that Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito plans to attend. McCarthy became mayor of Watch City in 2004. (Sunday, 1 p.m., Kennedy Middle School, 655 Lexington Street, Waltham)
MONDAY, JAN. 4, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
BILL STUMPS FOR HILLARY: President Bill Clinton will host two organizing events in New Hampshire as part of his first campaign stop on behalf of his wife - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Bill Clinton will visit Nashua for an event at Nashua Community College at 11:30 a.m. He will then travel to Exeter Town Hall for an event starting at 5:15 p.m. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Nashua Community College, 505 Amherst St., Nashua, New Hampshire)
TRUMP IN LOWELL: GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump will make a campaign stop in Lowell and host a rally at the Paul Tsongas Center. Event info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donald-j-trump-in-lowell-ma-tickets-20146616071(Monday, 7 p.m., Paul E. Tsongas Center at Umass Lowell, 300 Arcand Drive, Lowell)
LEOMINSTER INAUGURAL: Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella, first elected in 1993, will be sworn in with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito on hand for the festivity. Mazzarella is a member of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors and vice-chairman of the management side of the Joint Labor Management Committee. The Leominster native defeated John Roberge in November's municipal election. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Leominster City Hall, 25 West Street, Leominster)
HAWKE REAFFIRMS OATH OF OFFICE: Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to attend the inauguration of Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke. Hawke, a Republican who was born and raised in Gardner, has served as mayor of the Chair City since 2008. (Monday, 10 a.m., Gardner High School, Landry Auditorium, 200 Catherine St., Gardner)
BAKER, POLITO MEET WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, House Minority Leader Bradley Jones, and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr plan to meet privately. (CLOSED PRESS) (Monday, 2 p.m., Governor's Office, Room 360)
KOCH TAKES OATH IN QUINCY: Gov. Charlie Baker will offer remarks at the inauguration celebration of Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, a Democrat. Koch was elected to a fifth term as mayor of the City of Presidents in November. Baker endorsed Koch, who backed Baker's bid for governor in 2014, in his re-election bid. (Monday, 7:30 p.m., Granite Links Golf Club, 100 Quarry Dr., Quincy)
DiNATALE TAKES OATH IN FITCHBURG: Rep. Stephen DiNatale, who in November was elected mayor of Fitchburg, steps down from his House seat Monday and will be sworn in as the city's next mayor the same day. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend. DiNatale will officially be sworn in, along with the City Council and School Committee, during a ceremony at Fitchburg State University on Monday morning. Under the city's charter, the mayor must be sworn into office by 10 a.m. Later Monday, the city will hold a larger, ceremonial swearing-in for DiNatale at Fitchburg High School. Auditor Suzanne Bump is expected to provide remarks. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and members of the House and Senate are expected to attend. (Monday, 5 p.m., Fitchburg High, 140 Arn-How Farm Rd., Fitchburg)
HEDLUND TAKES OFFICE IN WEYMOUTH: Sen. Robert Hedlund, who has represented South Shore communities in the Senate for more than 20 years, will resign his Senate seat and be sworn in as mayor of his hometown Weymouth. Gov. Charlie Baker and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg are both expected to attend. Hedlund will take the oath of office during a ceremony at Abigail Adams Middle School. The Town Council and School Committee will also be sworn in. A reception with light refreshments will follow the ceremony. (Monday, 6 p.m., Abigail Adams Middle School auditorium, 89 Middle St. East Weymouth)
MARKEY TO SWEAR IN HAVERHILL MAYOR: U.S. Sen. Edward Markey will administer the oath of office to Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini, who was elected to a seventh term in November. The inauguration ceremony will also include members of the City Council and School Committee. (Monday, 10 a.m., Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St., Haverhill)
PITTSFIELD MAYORAL INAUGURATION: Pittsfield Mayor-Elect Linda Tyer will be sworn into office for the Shire City's first four-year mayoral term. Tyer, who had been Pittsfield city clerk, defeated incumbent Daniel Bianchi for the mayoralty in November. Auditor Suzanne Bump is expected to attend. (Monday, 10 a.m., Pittsfield City Hall, City Council chambers, 70 Allen St., Pittsfield)
REICHELT TAKES THE REINS IN WEST SPRINGFIELD: Will Reichelt, the West Springfield Town Attorney who defeated Rep. Michael Finn for that city's mayoral post, will be sworn in during a ceremony at the Senior Center. (Monday, 8 a.m., Senior Center, 128 Park St., West Springfield)
CHANGING OF THE GUARD IN REVERE: After defeating incumbent Mayor Daniel Rizzo by a slim margin, Brian Arrigo will take the oath of office as Revere's new mayor. Arrigo will be sworn in, followed by the members of Revere's City Council and School Committee. (Monday, 7 p.m, Revere City Hall, City Council chambers, 281 Broadway, Revere)
CORREIA SWORN IN AS FALL RIVER MAYOR: City Councilor Jasiel Correia, who defeated one-time Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter in November, will be sworn in as Spindle City's youngest mayor. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will be there. The ceremony will also include the inauguration of other municipal officers and an election of the city council president. (Monday, 10 a.m., B.M.C. Durfee High School, 360 Elsbree St., Fall River)
DELEO ATTENDS BOSTON CITY COUNCIL INAUGURAL: House Speaker Robert DeLeo will attend the Boston City Council 2016 Inauguration ceremony, where several newcomers will be sworn in after a November election shakeup which forced out two long-time city incumbents. Ayanna Pressley, Michelle Wu, Michael Flaherty and Annissa George will be sworn in as the city's Councilors At Large. George won one of the four at-large positions, beating Stephen Murphy. Andrea Joy Campbell, who beat District 4 incumbent Councilor Charles Yancey, will also be sworn in along with incumbent councilors Frank Baker, Salvatore LaMattina, Timothy McCarthy, Matt O'Malley, Tito Jackson, Josh Zakim, and Mark Ciommo. (Monday, 10 a.m, Faneuil Hall, Boston)
MBTA FARE PROPOSALS: Fare hikes for MBTA riders will be on the table Monday, kicking off about a month or so of discussion before a decision is made on how to proceed. Fares are one arrow in the MBTA's quiver as it seeks to diminish a projected $242 million fiscal 2017 budget deficit. The T's Fiscal and Management Control Board allowed for hikes as much as 10 percent on average in its fare policy. Fares went up an average of 5 percent in 2014 and an average of 23 percent in 2012. Activists and key senators have argued that a 2013 law was intended to limit fare hikes to 5 percent every two years, not 10 percent every two years. The "fare increase scenarios & process" is one item on the board's agenda along with "various contracts" and "commuter rail schedule changes and public hearing update." Fare hikes would go into effect as early as July 1, 2016. The T has a variety of fares, including discounts for students and seniors, with ferry customers covering the greatest percentage of operating costs with their fares (68 percent) and heavy rail subway riders requiring the smallest dollar-value of subsidy per trip (61 cents). Fares range from 80 cents for students and seniors riding a bus to $17 for the most expensive ferry ride. (Monday, 1 p.m., second floor of 10 Park Plaza, Boston)
ROSENBERG HOSPITAL TOUR: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg plans to join a tour of Franciscan Hospital. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., 30 Warren St., Brighton)
TUESDAY, JAN. 5, 2015
HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE: Financial journalist Roger Lowenstein, author of "America's Bank: The Epic Struggle to Create the Federal Reserve," talks about the Fed's 1913 inception and the financial and political issues involved. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Abbey Room, Boston Public Library, Copley Square)
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM HEARING: The Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System holds a hearing on a proposed amendment to regulation of regular compensation. In part, the amendment relates to annual contracts for those covered and not covered by collective bargaining agreements. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., One Charles Park, Cambridge)
REGISTRATION IN PHARMACY: The Board of Registration in Pharmacy meets. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., Room 417)
GOLDBERG, BAKER MEET: Treasurer Deb Goldberg has her monthly meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Room 227)
ATTLEBOROUGH INAUGURAL: Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, one of the few Republican mayors in Massachusetts, will be inaugurated along with other city officials at an event where Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will be in attendance. According to the city's webpage, Dumas became Attleboro's youngest mayor in 2003. (Tuesday, 7 p.m. Attleboro High School, 100 Rathbun Willard Drive, Attleboro)
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6, 2015
HOUSE FULL FORMAL: The House will hold a full formal session with roll calls to begin at 1 p.m. Reps have been advised to be prepared to consider bills on the House calendar, committee reports and bills arriving from the Senate. The House has a lengthy agenda of bills on its formal calendar but members have often shown little interest in tackling those bills and debating them. During their last week of formal sessions in November, the House gave initial approval to a bill (H 3315) requiring the hands-free use of mobile phones while driving. A second affirmative vote would send that bill to the Senate. House calendar: https://malegislature.gov/People/ClerksOffice/House/Calendar (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS: House Democrats will meet in a private caucus prior to their full formal session. It could be an opportunity for House Speaker Robert DeLeo to welcome representatives back to Beacon Hill and brief them on what's ahead. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Hearing Room A-1)
CLEAN WATER TRUST: The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board meets. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 3 Center Plaza, suite 430, Boston)
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT WEBINAR: The Massachusetts Climate Action Network will host a webinar on how the international climate change agreement reached in Paris will effect the Bay State. Sonia Hamel, a board member of the local organization who was at the conference in France, will share her experience, thoughts on the agreement, and answer questions as part of an hour-long presentation. RSVP: http://www.massclimateaction.net/update_from_paris_20160106?utm_campaign=parisjan6remind&utm_medium=email&utm_source=massclimateaction Contact: carololdham@massclimateaction.net (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The Transportation Committee will hear legislation sponsored by the committee's chairman, Rep. William Straus, aiming to establish a process for local real estate growth to finance transportation investments. Straus has suggested the bill (H 3877) could be used to help finance the Green Line Extension and the South Coast Rail. The committee will also hear a portion of a bill Gov. Charlie Baker filed, attempting to provide some relief to municipalities. The portion of Baker's bill in Transportation (H 3910) would give the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security authority to establish regulations for e-citations. The committee will also hear bicycle bills, including several filed by regular bike commuter Sen. William Brownsberger. S 1807 would establish rules for how cars can pass bicyclists, skateboarders and horse-drawn carriages. Motorists would need to give "at least three feet when the motor vehicle is traveling at thirty miles per hour or less, and one additional foot of clearance is required for every ten miles per hour above thirty miles per hour," crossing the center line if necessary. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. Room A-2)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hearing on 26 bills related to regulation and liquor licenses for West Bridgewater, Walpole, Shrewsbury, Acton, Salem and Westborough. Other legislation up for discussion includes a Rep. Paul Mark bill that would create a commission to review home improvement contractor laws for potential updates (H 227) and a bill sponsored by Rep. Thomas Calter and Sen. Vinny deMacedo that would require apprentice electricians to register with the state (H 158). Two bills seek to exempt school stadiums from plumbing code regulations around the minimum facilities based on building occupancies. A bill from Rep. Jerald Parisella (H 244) exempts school stadiums for K-12 populations from the regulations, while a Rep. James Dwyer bill (H 182) specifies public school stadiums and says the exemption would be to prevent "unnecessary additional expenses to municipalities and school districts." (Wednesday, 1 p.m., room A-1)
REGISTRATION IN DENTISTRY: The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry holds a regulatory workgroup meeting. Members will continue review of anesthesia and sedation regulations. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., Room 417, Boston)
HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE: The Massachusetts Health Data Consortium hosts a discussion on the latest developments regarding the state's health information exchange and what new and prospective users of The Massachusetts Health Information Highway (HIway) can learn from current users. Event info: http://www.mahealthdata.org/events(Wednesday, 9 a.m., Massachusetts Health Data Consortium Offices, 460 Totten Pond Rd, Ste 690, Waltham)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION HEARING: The Health Policy Commission's Care Delivery and Payment System Transformation Committee holds a public hearing on proposed certification standards and associated documentation for the HPC's Accountable Care Organization Certification Program. The commission will accept comment on the draft standards through Jan. 29. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., 50 Milk St., 8th Floor, Boston)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: The Community Health Care Investment and Consumer Involvement Committee of the Health Policy Commission meets to discuss the a new health care innovation investment program and the commission's telemedicine pilot program, which was created by the Legislature through the fiscal 2016 state budget. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 50 Milk St., 8th Floor, Boston)
PROBATE COURT NOMINEE HEARING: The Governor's Council holds a hearing on the nomination of attorney Melanie Gargas as associate justice to the Probate and Family Court. Gargas, of Newton, has been principal at the firm Travers & Gargas since 2000, representing clients in divorce, child custody and restraining order cases. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 360)
REGULATORY REVIEW LISTENING SESSION: The Department of Transportation holds a regulatory review listening session to gather feedback on MassDOT regulations. Those who are not able to attend the session can join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #regreview or submit written comments to the Executive Office for Administration and Finance at 24 Beacon Street, Massachusetts State House Room 373, Boston, MA 02133, via email at RegReform@state.ma.us or at http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/regulatory-review/ . (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, Boston)
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM HEARING: Disability retirement application forms and their due dates are the subject of a Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System hearing. A proposed regulatory amendment would "clarify" the ordinary or accidental disability retirement forms. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., One Charles Park, Cambridge)
ENERGY ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson chairs. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., 100 Cambridge St., 10th floor, Boston)
SCHOOLS EMERGENCY PLANNING: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education holds its two-day multi-hazard emergency planning course for schools in Worcester County. The program, running Wednesday and Thursday, provides school and district officials, safety personnel and law enforcement with skills and tools to develop multi-hazard evacuation plans, drills and exercises. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, 1 State Rd., Stow)
ENERGY ENGINEERS FORUM: Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson speaks at the New England Association of Energy Engineers' Annual Energy Forum. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Raytheon, 870 Winter St., Waltham)
THURSDAY, JAN. 7, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to hold informal sessions. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House and Senate Chambers)
SENATE PREZ TO PUERTO RICO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg departs for Puerto Rico where he will attend the winter 2016 "Senate President's Forum," a national organization for leaders of state Senate's across the country. Being in Puerto Rico, the presidents will hear a review of the territory's history and relationship with the United States and a discussion of issue arising from the Puerto Rican debt crisis. Leaders will also hear presentation on state budget from the National Conference of State Legislatures and explore trends among Hispanic populations, drug trafficking, and U.S.-Cuba relations. (Thursday, 9:45 a.m., Logan Airport)
MURATORE REELECTION FUNDRAISER FEATURES BAKER: Gov. Charlie Baker is featured as a special guest at a re-election kickoff fundraiser for Rep. Matt Muratore, according to an invitation posted on the Plymouth Republican's Facebook page. Donors contributing $250 to $1,000 are eligible to attend a private reception with Gov. Baker, which begins at 5:30. A general reception will follow at 6 p.m. Baker has shied away from presidential politics while staying active in state contests. Event information:https://www.facebook.com/events/445893705614807/ (Thursday, 6 p.m., American Legion Post 40, 199 Federal Furnace Road, Plymouth)
NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION: The National Governors Association leadership will deliver the association's third annual state of the states address. The NGA has bipartisan leadership with Gov. Gary Herbert, Republican of Utah, serving as chair and Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Democrat of Virginia, as vice chair. The governors are expected to highlight "key congressional wins," detail collective priorities for 2016 and "reveal some exciting innovations happening at the state level," according to the association. In a recent interview with media outlet Route Fifty, NGA Executive Director Scott Pattison said that budgeting best practices, K-12 education and infrastructure are among the issues at the forefront of NGA discussions. Gov. Charlie Baker serves as chairman of the NGA's Health and Human Services Committee. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., The National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C.)
SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will begin its January sitting on Thursday, hearing Michael Skawski and others v. Greenfield Investors Property Development; The Drummer Boy Homes Association v. Carolyn Britton; Linda Bowers v. P. Wile's Inc.; Commonwealth v. Linda Mayotte; Commonwealth v. Branden Mattier; and Commonwealth v. Domunique Grice. Full docket:http://ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc#January (Thursday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
FIRE PREVENTION REGULATIONS: The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations meets. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 1 State Rd., Stow)
BIOSIMILARS/BIOLOGICS LEGAL WEBINAR: Mintz Levin holds the first in a five-part webinar series on regulations and legal issues of biosimilars and biologics-based therapeutics. The first hour-long session will give a general overview of the subject. Featured speakers include Terri Shieh-Newton of Intellectual Property Practice and Joanne Hawana, of counsel to Health Law Practice. Registration: https://www.cvent.com/events/biosimilars-biologics-webinar-series/registration-fd790578ee1e41ed84889de0e0c609c8.aspx (Thursday, 3 p.m.)
FRIDAY, JAN. 8, 2015
SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments on the following cases: Commonwealth v. Daisy Obi; Isabel Kain and others v. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection; Commonwealth v. Harvey Bigelow; Roland Van Liew v. Colleen Stansfield; Commonwealth v. Jemaul Oliveira; and Commonwealth v. Mitchell Violet. Both Van Liew and Stansfield have been active in Chelmsford local politics. Stansfield is an elected member of the town's Planning Board and Van Liew has run for selectman. Van Liew accused Stansfield of seeking an anti-harassment order for the purpose of "silencing" his political speech and "stifling his candidacy for public office." Full docket: http://ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc#January (Friday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE REGULATORY HEARING: The Department of Revenue will hold a hearing on proposed regulations dealing with tax assessments (830 CMR 62C.26.1); changes in federal taxable income, credits, or estate (62C.30.1); and abatements (62C.37.1). The tax assessment regulations are designed to conform regulations with a new automated processes for disputing changes and corrections to assessments as part of the new computerized tax system, MassTaxConnect, and the other regulations also pertain to the new tax system. (Friday, 10 a.m., 100 Cambridge St. - 2nd floor, Boston)
BOND REGULATION PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE: The public comment period closes on proposed corrections to a regulation on the allocation of a state ceiling on volume of private activity bonds (801 C.M.R. 30.00). The proposed edits would replace outdated names of state entities with "those of their successors," among other "clarifying edits," according to the Executive Office for Administration & Finance. (Friday, 5 p.m.)
MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE REGULATION COMMENTS DUE: Written public comments are due regarding proposed changes to municipal health insurance regulations (801 C.M.R. 52.00). The changes would eliminate an annual reporting requirement for municipalities that choose not to change their health insurance benefits under MGL Chapter 32B, Sections 21-23, according to the Office for Administration & Finance. (Friday, 5 p.m.)
About the Author »
The State House News Service has covered Massachusetts government news since 1911.
No comments:
Post a Comment