What's ahead in state government this week
Baker backs Christie
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Education and animal welfare advocates are ready to visit Beacon Hill next week to warn lawmakers that they're on track to circumvent the Legislature and pass ballot laws in November unless lawmakers decide to take action before then. Both sides of the charter school expansion debate are set to testify Monday on a proposed initiative petition that will be paired before the Education Committee with a ballot plan to roll back the state's adoption of Common Core education standards. On Thursday, activists plan to press lawmakers to phase out the use of certain confinement practices on farm animals.
Tuesday's New Hampshire presidential primaries are dominating attention, accentuated Friday by Gov. Charlie Baker's decision to endorse New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. But Beacon Hill officials also have a full agenda for the week, including hearings on Baker's budget in Amherst and Methuen and a hearing on bills calling for a $15 an hour wage for Logan Airport workers and underground economy whistleblower protections. There's also always the potential for breakthroughs on opioid abuse, solar energy and driver's license suspension bills that have cleared both branches and await resolution before conference committees. But it appears any major bills will have to wait a while to see action in the House, which does not plan to hold its next formal session until Wednesday, Feb. 24.
SATURDAY, FEB. 6, 2016
BAKER RALLIES FOR CHRISTIE: Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan will participate in a rally for presidential candidate New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in New Hampshire. Press interested in attending are asked to email press@chrischristie.com. (Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Millennium Running HQ, 136 Bedford Center Road, Bedford NH)
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DEBATE: With the field pared down following the Iowa caucuses, seven Republican presidential candidates vying for the nomination will square off in their last debate before the New Hampshire presidential primary. Up until now, many of the Republican party presidential debates have been held during the week, while Democrats stuck to holding debates during weekend prime time hours. ABC News will host the debate in conjunction with WMUR-TV, Independent Journalism/IJ.com and the Republican National Committee. Generating a backlash, ABC News decided to exclude former HP CEO Carly Fiorina as part of its debate lineup. The event will be broadcast live from the college's Carr Center with ABC World News David Muir and Chief Global Affairs Correspondent and co-anchor of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" Martha Raddatz as moderators. Since Iowa, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum - who this week endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio - have ended their White House bids. (Saturday,8 p.m., ABC News, Carr Center, Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire)
SEN. ELDRIDGE CANVASSING FOR SANDERS: Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Mary Keefe will visit to New Hampshire to canvas for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. Eldridge endorsed Sanders at the opening of the Vermont Senator's Boston campaign headquarters in Charlestown last month. (Saturday, Nashua, New Hampshire)
MASSACHUSETTS NURSES RALLY FOR SANDERS: Nurses from the Massachusetts Nurses Association/National Nurses United plan to join other health care workers at a get-out-the-vote and canvassing rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. (Saturday, 11 a.m., 254 N. Broadway, #113, Salem, N.H.)
SUNDAY, FEB. 7, 2016
KELLER TALKS N.H. PRIMARY: WBZ's Jon Keller welcomes political analyst Charley Manning and Joanna Weiss to discuss the New Hampshire presidential primary. (Sunday, 8:30, WBZ-TV Ch.4)
ON THE RECORD BREAKS DOWN THE N.H. PRIMARY: WCVB Anchor Ed Harding and State House reporter Janet Wu welcome Executive Director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and Political Library at Saint Anselm College Neil Levesque to discuss the state of the first in the nation primary and what it means for Tuesday's election. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB Ch. 5)
MONDAY, FEB. 8, 2016
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to meet at 11 a.m. Monday in informal sessions.
WAYS AND MEANS BUDGET HEARING: House and Senate budget-writers will hear from environmental, energy and transportation officials on the governor's proposed $39.55 billion fiscal 2017 budget. The hearing in Amherst will feature testimony from the Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Utilities, and the Department of Fish and Game. Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack will testify on behalf of the MBTA, which would receive $187 million under the governor's budget, and T Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve and General Manager Frank DePaola will be there. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton will testify and on-hand will be Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson, Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George Peterson, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Marty Suuberg, DEP Director of the Office of Law Enforcement Colonel Jim McGinn, Department of Conservation and Recreation Deputy Commissioner Matt Sisk, Department of Agricultural Resources Assistant Commissioner Jason Wentworth, Department of Public Utilities Chair Angie O'Connor, Energy and Environmental Affairs Chief Financial Officer, Eric Rebello, and Energy and Environmental Affairs Chief Operating Officer, Michael Valanzola. House Ways and Means Vice Chairman Stephen Kulik, of Worthington, and Sen. Benjamin Downing, a Pittsfield Democrat who co-chairs the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, will chair the budget hearing. (Monday, 10 a.m., UMass Amherst, Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst)
EDUCATION COMMITTEE -- CHARTER SCHOOLS AND COMMON CORE: Controversial proposals to expand charter schools and repeal the adoption of the Common Core curriculum -- both put forth by citizens as potential ballot questions -- will come before the Joint Committee on Education for a hearing. The charter school expansion initiative petition (H 3928) is similar to a bill filed by Gov. Charlie Baker and would allow authorization of up to 12 new public charter schools each year, with priority given to charters seeking to serve students in districts ranking in the bottom 25 percent of assessment performance. A group of senators, including committee chair Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and vice chair Patricia Jehlen, is working on writing a separate charter system reform bill. The proposal to end Common Core in Massachusetts (H 3929) would undo a 2010 vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and restore the state's previous math and English curriculum frameworks. "I look forward to the opportunity to explain to the committee why the Common Core Standards have been a disservice to our kids. Our home-grown standards that led the nation were pushed aside for an untested and untried set of empty skill sets," said Donna Colorio, chairwoman of End Common Core MA, the group backing the ballot question. "What's even worse is that they were created behind closed doors, and the process was funded and influenced by wealthy special interests. That's not how a free and appropriate public education should be administered." Sandra Stotsky, a signer of the ballot initiative and former senior associate commissioner in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Common Core validation committee member, plans to testify in support of the measure. A Supreme Judicial Court lawsuit is seeking to keep the Common Core question off the ballot, arguing that it does not meet constitutional requirements. End Common Core MA has blasted the suit as an attempt to deny citizens the chance to vote on the issue. Also on the committee's agenda are a Rep. Brian Ashe bill on preventing concussions and head injury (H 3799) and a Rep. Jim Miceli bill related to the Wilmington Wildcat Community Service Program (H 3799). (Monday, 10 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)
BUMP TALKS WITH FARLEY-BOUVIER: State Auditor Suzanne Bump will be the guest of Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier's cable access television show "From the Berkshire to Beacon Hill." (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Pittsfield Community Television, 4 Federico Dr., Suite 2, Pittsfield)
COMMUTER RAIL SCHEDULE CHANGES - NORWOOD MEETING: The MBTA will hold a public meeting to receive comments on commuter rail schedule changes. (Monday, 6 p.m., Coakley Middle School, 1315 Washington St., Norwood)
COMMUTER RAIL SCHEDULE CHANGES - WOBURN MEETING: Woburn residents will have a chance to give their opinions on commuter rail schedule changes. The MBTA will hold a meeting to receive public comments. (Monday, 6 p.m., Woburn City Hall, 10 Common St., Woburn)
CIVIL LEGAL AID BRIEFING: Civil legal aid staff will be available to help legislators and staff help constituents facing legal problems. The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation hosts its 15th Annual Constituent Services Briefing, which will feature a panel of legal aid attorneys who will discuss domestic violence and humanitarian relief; employment/unemployment; education; government benefits and health care; and housing topics including evictions, foreclosure and homelessness. There will also be a demonstration of the online Legal Resource Finder (http://www.masslegalservices.org/FindLegalAid). (Monday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)
WATER REGULATIONS COMMENT DEADLINE: Monday is the last day of a public comment period on proposed amendments to the state's drinking water regulations, which incorporate provisions of the new Federal Revised Total Coliform Rule. The proposed changes also include incorporation of other federal requirements and guidance, clarifications to staffing requirements to reflect current industry standards, and adoption of the Association of Boards of Certification's new treatment. Written comments can be mailed to MassDEP Drinking Water Program, Regulatory Comments, One Winter St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, or mailed to program.director-dwp@state.ma.us. (Monday, 5 p.m.)
'NIGHTSIDE' LIVE IN MANCHESTER | Dan Rea will be live in Manchester to preview Tuesday's presidential primary on "NightSide." Scheduled guests include former N.H. Gov. John Sununu at 8 p.m. and Joseph McQuaid, publisher of the Union Leader, at 9 p.m. (Monday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
BAKER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET: 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. (CLOSED PRESS) (Monday, 2 p.m., House Speaker's office)
NEYMAN SWEARING-IN: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attend the swearing-in ceremony for Appeals Court Justice Eric Neyman. (Monday, 4 p.m., John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Sq., Boston)
HEALEY ON GREATER BOSTON: Attorney General Maura Healey is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude, which will broadcast from New Hampshire ahead of Tuesday's presidential primary. Former Boston Globe columnist and MSNBC commentator Mike Barnicle will also be a guest. (Monday, 7p.m., WGBH-TV Ch. 2)
PROJECT ABLE ADVOCACY DAY: Project Able, a statewide coalition of AIDS service providers, advocates, and people with HIV, holds its annual advocacy day at the State House to push for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C funding. The group said more than 250 people are expected to attend. Before attendees visit individual legislators, there will be a speaking program featuring advocates and legislators. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Grand Staircase)
TUESDAY, FEB. 9, 2016
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attend a meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission. The agenda includes a discussion of the fiscal 2017 state budget and municipal and school aid priorities, a discussion of Chapter 90 education funding and the importance of a multi-year Chapter 90 bond bill, and a presentation of the Massachusetts Municipal Association's call to action for cities and towns to provide leadership to address the opioid crisis. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Room 157)
COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Rep. James Cantwell's proposal (H 3898) to create a special legislative commission on behavioral health promotion and upstream prevention is up for a public hearing Tuesday before the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The resolve calls for the commission "to investigate evidence-based practices, programs and systems to prevent behavioral health disorders and promote behavioral health across the commonwealth." The proposal has the support from a long list of lawmakers, including committee co-chair Rep. Elizabeth Malia.Full Agenda (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Room B-2)
LOGAN WAGES RALLY: A union seeking to organize workers at Logan Airport will hold a rally in favor of legislation to boost the minimum wage at the airport ahead of a Labor and Workforce Development Committee hearing on the matter. "While airlines across the country have been making record profits, the airport workers who make these profits possible are struggling to survive in jobs that pay poverty wages, provide little to no affordable health care, and few paid days off," read an advisory from SEIU 32BJ. The union has also organized strikes to protest conditions workers at the airport face. The legislation would raise the minimum wage for airport workers to $15 per hour. The Massachusetts Port Authority, which manages Logan Airport, voted in 2014 to require some private employers to accelerate minimum wage payments by $1 per hour above the state minimum wage, leading to some workers receiving $11 an hour as of Jan. 1, 2016. In a statement, Massport said it is "not inclined to oppose proposed legislation that would raise airport minimum wages to $15 per hour, but we respect that the decision is up to the state Legislature and that perhaps any raise should apply to all workers, not just airport workers." (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., State House steps)
CONGRESSMAN MOULTON HITS THE AIRWAVES: Congressman Seth Moulton is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio. Moulton will join co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan, who will be broadcasting from New Hampshire. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: The Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will hear testimony on bills (S 2125 /H 3923) filed by Sen. Sal DiDomenico and Rep. Adrian Madaro to require minimum of $15-per-hour wages for Logan Airport employees. A Rep. Thomas Calter bill (H 3943) would reward people who report violations to the Council on the Underground Economy. Whistleblowers would receive 10 percent of the proceeds recovered under the bill. A bill (H 3608) filed by Rep. Jeffrey Roy would make changes to independent contractor law, including an exemption for mystery shoppers. Rep. Antonio Cabral filed legislation (H 809) to establish paid family leave within a new temporary disability insurance program. The committee could meet in an executive session where bills can be reported out. The Logan bill would ramp up the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2018 and would apply to a range of jobs including wheelchair assistance, ticket agent services and baggage handling. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Room B-2)
ROBINSON TALKS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: Boston Globe editor at large Walter "Robby" Robinson, who led the paper's Spotlight Team in its investigation into the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal and was played by Michael Keaton in the movie "Spotlight," discusses investigative reporting at the Harvard Kennedy School. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., 79 JFK St., Cambridge)
REVENUE COMMITTEE: Bills filed by Sens. Humason and Tarr to improve tax administration processes are before the Revenue Committee for a public hearing, as well as a portion of Gov. Baker's municipal government modernization bill (H 3908). The panel will also consider bills dealing with boat excise tax revenue on the Chatham waterfront, requiring a waiting period for new taxes, and allowing a property tax underride in all communities. Full Agenda (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-1)
AUTOMATED VEHICLES PANEL: The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts hosts Automated Vehicles: State of the Practice and Implications for State DOTs. The panelists are: Ryan Harrington, Chief, Technology Innovation and Policy Division, US DOT/Volpe Center; Jane Lappin, Economic Analysis Division, US DOT/Volpe Center; Jonathan Koopman, Technology Innovation and Policy Division, US DOT/Volpe Center; and David Perlman, Technology Innovation and Policy Division, US DOT/Volpe Center. The moderator is Luisa Paiewonsky, Director, Center for Infrastructure Systems and Technology, US DOT/Volpe Center. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., VHB, 101 Walnut St, Watertown)
HEALTH CARE POLICY FORUM: Dr. John Freedman of Freedman HealthCare kicks off a forum to re-examine cost drivers and trends in Massachusetts health care, taking into account nine state-issued reports from the last couple years. Two years ago, the company looked at 16 independent state reports and identified factors that contribute to rising costs. A panel discussion will follow, featuring reaction from Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez, House chair of the Health Care Financing Committee; Executive Director David Seltz of the Health Policy Commission; and Assistant Attorney General Karen Tseng, chief of the AG's Health Care Division. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St. - 32nd floor, Boston)
TEWKSBURY HOSPITAL: The Tewksbury State Hospital Board of Trustees holds a meeting and will hear updates from the director of mental health services and chief executive officer. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., 365 East St., 1st floor board room, Tewksbury)
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS BOARD: The Board of Certification of Community Health Workers meets. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th floor, Boston)
PROPOSED MBTA FARE HIKES - CHELSEA HEARING: The MBTA will hold a public meeting to receive comments on proposed fare increases. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Chelsea High School Auditorium, 299 Everett Ave., Chelsea)
MASSCAP POLICY BREAKFAST: The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) will hold a breakfast briefing on its fiscal 2017 public policy priorities, including fuel assistance, housing and homelessness, the earned income tax credit and workforce development. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Nurses Hall)
CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS COMMITTEE: The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center Board of Directors will hold an investments committee meeting. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 63 Franklin St., 3rd floor, Boston)
WAYS AND MEANS - BUDGET HEARING: The House and Senate Ways and Means committees will hear from state officials involved in housing, economic development and employment as they gather information for the fiscal 2017 budget. Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ron Walker will testify before the budget writers as will Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. Additionally, lawmakers will hear from the Board of Library Commissioners, the Cultural Council and the Commission on the Status of Women. Chairing the hearing will be Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, a Methuen Democrat, and Sen. Kathleen O'Connor Ives, a Newburyport Democrat who is co-chair of the Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Methuen High School, 1 Ranger Road, Methuen)
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS LOBBY DAY: The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts holds its "Day on the Hill" lobby day including a panel discussion on "why bills that are introduced session after session finally gain traction and a chance to become law." Sen. William Brownsberger will speak to criminal justice bills; Rep. Shawn Dooley will speak to election reform; and Pamela Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause of Massachusetts, will cover public records reform. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. Snow date is Feb. 23. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)
UMASS DARTMOUTH 'MLK JR. BREAKFAST' | Humanitarian activist Kevin Powell will deliver the keynote address at UMass Dartmouth's 14th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. Powell is the author of 12 books and has been published in Esquire, Ebony, The Washington Post, and other periodicals. He is also co-founder and president of BK Nation, which is "focused on education, civic engagement, leadership training, health and wellness, social media, arts and culture, and job and small business creation." Tickets are $25 for everyone except students. Proceeds will benefit student diversity initiatives. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., UMass Dartmouth Woodland Commons, 285 Old Westport Rd., North Dartmouth)
EARLY ED BOARD: The Board of Early Education and Care meets. The agenda includes discussion and votes on: the 2015 annual report to the Legislature, pre-K science and technology engineering and standards and child care development block grant reauthorization plan submission. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 51 Sleeper St., Boston)
FRENCH AMERICAN INNOVATION DAYS: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Travis McCready attends French American Innovation Days, where "researchers and companies have the opportunity to exchange views on a specific technological issue, start co-operative activities and develop business transactions with a transatlantic perspective" with the goal of facilitating ties between France and the United States, according to the event's website. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., MIT Media Lab, 75 Amherst St., Cambridge)
MUNICIPALITIES COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on 101 sections of Gov. Charlie Baker's act to modernize municipal finance and government (H 3906), which has been split among various committees. The hearing will divide the bill sections into different subject matters, accepting testimony on: county finance reporting requirements, public notice requirements and procedures, powers and duties of cities, towns, and districts (sections 1-20); powers and duties, officers and employees, charter commission procedures (21-34); municipal finance (35-67); Elections, administrative procedures and penalties, housing, economic development, veterans services, utilities, assessors, governmental unit post-employment benefits (68-80, 93-98, 100); and alcoholic beverage licensing (81-92, 99, 101) (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Room A-2)
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE: Bills dealing with mandated reporters (S 97, H 132, and H 100) are before the Children and Families Committee for a public hearing, along with legislation extending kinship care to grandparents (H 93), protecting the home addresses of DCF social workers (H 112), and Rep. Dennis Rosa's bill changing the determination standard for the DCF (H 122). (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1)
LIVE PRIMARY COVERAGE FROM N.H. | "NightSide" will be on the road in Manchester as Dan Rea hosts live coverage and results of the N.H. Primary. (Tuesday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
ROSENBERG AT THE FED: Senate President Stan Rosenberg attends the monthly Jobs for Mass meeting. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Federal Reserve Bank, 31st Floor, 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10, 2016
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION - LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE: About half a dozen House members will host a briefing with a Colorado narcotics enforcement officer and other law enforcement experts on the potential impact of the legalization of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. Colorado was the first state to legalize the adult use of marijuana and a special Senate committee spent nearly a week in the Centennial State last month to study the impacts of legalization. Reps. Josh Cutler, Jim Cantwell, Tom Calter, John Rogers, Timothy Whelan, Matthew Muratore and Hannah Kane are sponsoring the briefing. "We believe it important to have the perspective of law enforcement to learn first hand about what kind of impact this might have in our state," Cutler wrote in a letter to colleagues. The guest speakers are Sergeant Jim Gerhart, Vice President Colorado Narcotic Enforcement Officer's Association; Matt Gutwill, President New England Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association; and Police Chief John Carmichael, New England Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association Board of Directors. (Wednesday, noon, House Members Lounge)
SENATE DEMOCRATS CAUCUS: Democratic members of the Senate hold a private caucus. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate President's office)
BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS SHOWCASE: The Massachusetts Association for Applied Behavior Analysis, a professional organization for behavior analysts, will hold a "legislative showcase" on services they provide, particularly services to children on the autism spectrum. According to the group, Massachusetts has the most behavior analysts per capita worldwide. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Members' Lounge)
CULTURAL COUNCIL ASSEMBLY: The Massachusetts Cultural Council hosts a daylong assembly of the 329 local cultural councils across the state, grassroots cultural funding organizations administered by municipally appointed volunteers. Musician Sally Taylor, the daughter of Carly Simon, gives a keynote address. The Medford Arts Council will receive the council of the year award in a ceremony that also honors individuals and performers. An hour is blocked off from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for meetings with state legislators in the Great Hall. (Wednesday, 9:45 a.m., Grand Staircase)
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION HEARING: The Joint Committee on Transportation will host a hearing covering 31 bills that will include a resolve (H 3122) by Rep. Chris Walsh regarding the use of handheld devices by junior drivers. The committee will also hear bills related to traffic, road safety, road improvements, and regulations regarding rental car companies and parasailing. | Agenda (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2)
MWRA BOARD: The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Board meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 100 First Ave., Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston)
WALSH TAKES CALLS FROM RADIO LISTENERS: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh is scheduled to make a regular appearance and take listener calls on "NightSide with Dan Rea." (Wednesday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
PROPOSED T FARE HIKES - ROXBURY HEARING: The MBTA holds a hearing to give people a chance to offer opinions on proposed MBTA fare increases. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Building 1, 1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury)
PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: The Public Health Council meets. Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel will begin the meeting with an update on nursing homes. Informational briefings are planned on proposed regulations dealing with bedding and upholstered furniture, labeling requirements for plastic bags and plastic films, and blood screening for newborns for treatable diseases and disorders. The council faces a vote to promulgate regulations governing control of radiation. And presentations are planned on cancer survivor wellness and public health accreditation, performance management and quality improvement updates. The council will then meet in executive session to discuss strategy in respect to the court case Southcoast Hospital Group, Inc. v. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, et al. Meeting Agenda (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 250 Washington St., 2nd floor, Boston)
NURSING REGISTRATION: The Board of Registration in Nursing meets. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th floor, Boston)
POLITO AT CRADLES TO CRAYONS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito speaks at a Cradles to Crayons Presidents' Day celebration. (Wednesday, 7:45 a.m., 155 North Beacon St., Brighton)
THURSDAY, FEB. 11, 2016
HOUSE: The House plans to meet at 11 a.m. Thursday in informal session.
SENATE: The Senate plans to meet in a full formal session at 11 a.m.
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Travis McCready participates in the Northeastern section of the American Chemical Society's black history month panel discussion. (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Biogen, Building 8 auditorium, 15 Cambridge Center, Cambridge)
MASSDEVELOPMENT BOARD: The MassDevelopment Board of Directors meets. An agenda for the meeting was not available as of Friday afternoon. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 99 High St., 11th floor, Boston)
CONGRESSMAN MOULTON HONORED: Congressman Seth Moulton will be recognized by Voices for National Service with their Outstanding New Member Award, given to leaders who make raising awareness about national service programs, like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, a first-term legislative priority. Moulton will be honored at the 13th Annual friends of National Service Awards in Washington D.C. along with Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Bob Dold (R-IL), Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, and CSX Corporation Chairman Michael Ward. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., East Hall at Union Square, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C.)
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESIDENT SEARCH: The Boston Public Library Presidential Search Committee invites the public to attend a listening session for an open discussion about the qualities the community is looking for in the next head of the library system. Comments may also be submitted viaSearchChair@bpl.org. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Lower Mills Branch Library, 27 Richmond Street, Dorchester)
"NEXT-GENERATION" ASSESSMENTS PANEL: Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on assessment trends and policies at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute in Washington D.C. Also on the panel are Tennessee State Board of Education Executive Director Sara Heyburn and Chris Minnich, executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers. The discussion follows a presentation of a new Fordham Institute study, Evaluating the Content and Quality of Next Generation Assessments, which reviews the PARCC, ACT Aspire and Smarter Balanced exams as well as the MCAS, which event organizers describe as "the best-in-class of previous state exams." The report presentation and discussion will be livestreamed online. (Thursday, 4 p.m., 1016 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C.)
PROPOSED T FARE HIKES: The MBTA will hold a public meeting to receive comments on proposed fare increases. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Weymouth High School Auditorium, 1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth)
SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION: House Speaker Robert DeLeo delivers remarks at the Massachusetts Senior Care Association advocacy day. (Thursday, 10:45 a.m., Grand Staircase)
NATIONAL HERITAGE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES: The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee meets at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters. The committee provides the division with independent scientific advice on the conservation and protection of over 400 wild plants and animal species that are not hunted, fished or trapped. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 1 Rabbit Hill Rd., room 103, Westborough)
PAID LEAVE LEGISLATIVE FORUM: U.S. Deputy Labor Secretary Chris Lu will join the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, Rep. Ken Gordon and Sen. Karen Spilka for a press conference to discuss paid family leave. Businesses that offer paid family leave, including Google, Spotify, Tamr and InkHouse PR, are expected to discuss their experiences. Before the press conference, attendees will hold a closed forum on the same topic. Spilka and Gordon have sponsored a bill (S 1008 and H 1718) that would establish a family and medical leave, and temporary disability leave insurance program. Nearly 50 legislators have signed on to co-sponsor the bill. (Thursday, 12:15 p.m., Room 350)
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IN WISCONSIN: Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will take the stage in Wisconsin. The debate will be hosted by PBS NewsHour, aired on PBS and streamed live on the NewsHour's website. PBS NewsHour co-anchors Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff with moderate. The debate will be held at the Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts on the main campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. (Thursday, 9 p.m., Wisconsin)
INSPECTOR GENERAL COUNCIL: State Auditor Suzanne Bump chairs a meeting of the Inspector General Council. (Thursday, 11 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 13th floor, Room 1311, Boston)
CONGRESSMAN KEATING ON THE RADIO: Congressman William Keating is scheduled to sit down with Dan Rea on "NightSide." (Thursday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
HOUSE BONDING COMMITTEE: Capital spending within the health and human services realm of state government will be the focus of a House Bonding Committee oversight hearing. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Room B-2)
FAMILY STABILIZATION BRIEFING: Rep. Kay Khan and Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, the co-chairs of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, will host a briefing on "strengthening families." The briefing, held with the Strengthening Families Coalition, will discuss the "need for increased funding for family stabilization and support services." (Thursday, 10 a.m., House Member's Lounge)
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE: A proposed 2016 ballot question aimed at phasing out practices that confine animals on factory farms and the sale of products resulting from such conditions is up for a public hearing before the Environment Committee. The initiative petition (H 3930) is being pushed by the Citizens for Farm Animal Protection Coalition, which includes the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Human Society of the United States, and the MSPCA. Noting a movement towards cage-free environments, activists say their measure will in particular focus on practices affecting breeding pigs, veal calves and egg-laying hens. The agenda includes one other bill: S 2096 relative to New England Convenience Stores and Energy Marketers Association. An executive session is scheduled after the hearing. Full Agenda (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room A-2)
ROSENBERG ON WESTERN MASS. RADIO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg joins Bill Newman for his monthly interview on WHMP radio in Northampton. (Thursday, 9 a.m., WHMP Radio, 96.9 FM and 1400 AM)
COMMUNITY COMPACTS - ATHOL: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with officials from Athol, Winchendon and Erving to sign community compacts. (Thursday, 12:00 p.m., 568 Main St., Athol)
COMMUNITY COMPACTS - HEATH: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with officials from Heath, Rowe and Shelburne to sign community compacts. (Thursday, 1:45 p.m., 1 East Main St., Heath)
COMMUNITY COMPACTS - NORTHAMPTON: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with officials from Northampton, Easthampton, Southampton, Williamsburg, Hadley, Chesterfield and Deerfield to sign community compacts. (Thursday, 3:15 p.m., 210 Main St., Northampton)
FRIDAY, FEB. 12, 2016
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Emergency Medical Care Advisory Board's medical services committee meets, with an agenda that includes discussion of ketamine, needle decompression and CyanoKit charts. (Friday, 10 a.m., 400 Worcester Rd., Framingham)
EMULATE HQ OPENING: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Travis McCready attend the grand opening of Emulate's new headquarters. (Friday, 11 a.m., 27 Dry Dock Ave., 5th floor, Boston)
MILLENNIAL ROUNDTABLE: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and Sen. Eric Lesser host a roundtable to discuss issues of importance to so-called millennials. (Friday, 3 p.m., 1350 Main St., Springfield)
CABINET MEETING: Gov. Charlie Baker meets with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and other members of his cabinet. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 10 a.m., Room 360)
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