RSN: Police Unions Sustain Police Violence Epidemic

A sad commentary from Police Unions that adds nothing to quell the anger! 

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FOCUS: William Boardman | Police Unions Sustain Police Violence Epidemic

William Boardman, Reader Supported News
Boardman writes: "Two of the biggest police unions in the country are now on record in opposition to free speech. They are on record against constitutionally protected free speech that opposes the epidemic of police violence across America (more than 900 killed by police so far in 2015)."
READ MORE

Since when did we decide that police officers should be above the law?

wo of the biggest police unions in the country are now on record in opposition to free speech. They are on record against constitutionally protected free speech that opposes the epidemic of police violence across America (more than 900 killed by police so far in 2015).

The current round of police union intimidation tactics started October 24, after filmmaker Quentin Tarantino spoke briefly to the “Rise Up October” protest, a “Call for a Major National Manifestation Against Police Terror.” The crowd of thousands marched peacefully up Sixth Avenue for two miles and included some 100 families impacted by police violence and killing. Police unions have reacted with violent rhetoric to Tarantino’s brief “speech,” which offered a non-specific truism (here in its entirety):

“Hey, everybody. I got something to say, but actually I would like to give my time to the families that want to talk. I want to give my time to the families. However, I just do also want to say: What am I doing here? I’m doing here because I am a human being with a conscience. And when I see murder, I cannot stand by, and I have to call the murdered the murdered, and I have to call the murderers the murderers. Now I’m going to give my time to the families.” [emphasis added] 

The event centered on victims of police violence [video]. There is no doubt that police have killed unarmed, innocent people. There is no doubt that a few cops have been convicted of murder. The reality of police violence is beyond dispute and longstanding. It goes with the territory, and responsible police leaders everywhere know perfectly well that part of their job is not only to keep their officers safe, but also, and arguably more important, to keep the public safe from their officers. The question is why they do so little about police violence.

In the aftermath of the Rise Up October rally, there were a reported 11 arrests, two of which on video show gangs of police roughing up single, unresisting men. Even though the demonstration was peaceful and had a lawful parade permit, police turned out in force. No police officers were reported hurt, except for their feelings. 

Police union goes ad hominem with attack on First Amendment  

The day after the rally, Patrick Lynch, president of the New York police union (Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association) went on the offensive, as he often does. He ignore the vast substance of the Rise Up October group and chose instead to make an ad hominem personal attack on Hollywood director Tarantino and his right to free speech. Lynch’s press release in its entirety:

“It’s no surprise that someone who makes a living glorifying crime and violence is a cop-hater, too. The police officers that Quentin Tarantino calls ‘murderers’ aren’t living in one of his depraved big screen fantasies — they’re risking and sometimes sacrificing their lives to protect communities from real crime and mayhem. New Yorkers need to send a message to this purveyor of degeneracy that he has no business coming to our city to peddle his slanderous ‘Cop Fiction.’ It’s time for a boycott of Quentin Tarantino’s films.”

Actually the police officers that Tarantino calls “murderers” are in fact murderers, which is why Tarantino called them murderers – because, although they are but a small percentage of the total police cohort, they have murdered people, mostly without significant consequence to themselves. On October 30, Lynch sent another press release featuring Tarantino’s father saying, “Cops are not murderers, they are heroes,” which is the police union party line. In reality, it should go without saying, most cops are neither murderers nor heroes. Like the first press release, this one also ignored the complaints of police brutality, but it omitted the proposed boycott, too.  

Whistling much the same tune, Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid, the New York Post, covered the protest with open hostility. The paper made the editorial choice to run a picture of a demonstrator giving a cop the finger. And its story suggested that years of police violence were somehow beyond objection because a police officer was recently killed in the line of duty, even though there was no connection between the recent murder and the years of police abuse:

“Just four days after the on-duty murder of a hero NYPD street cop, a rally in Washington Square Park against ‘police terror’ devolved Saturday into a raucous, law-enforcement gripe-fest.”  

Los Angeles police claim victimhood, too, and backs boycott

Craig Lally, president of the LA police union, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, jumped on the boycott Tarantino bandwagon on October 27 in a somewhat more nuanced press release [in its entirety]:

“We fully support constructive dialogue about how police interact with citizens. But there is no place for inflammatory rhetoric that makes police officers even bigger targets than we already are. Film director Quentin Tarantino took irresponsibility to a new and completely unacceptable level this past weekend by referring to police as murderers during an anti-police march in New York. He made this statement just four days after a New York police officer was gunned down in the line of duty. New York police and union leaders immediately called out Tarantino for his unconscionable comments, with union head Patrick Lynch advocating a boycott of his films. We fully support this boycott of Quentin Tarantino films. Hateful rhetoric dehumanizes police and encourages attacks on us. And questioning everything we do threatens public safety by discouraging officers from putting themselves in positions where their legitimate actions could be falsely portrayed as thuggery.” 

While this statement begins with support for “constructive dialogue about how police interact with citizens,” that very formulation betrays an imagined dichotomy between “police” and “citizens.” Police need to think of themselves as our fellow citizens. Worse, Lally immediately moves into his own unconstructive dialogue, mischaracterizing what Tarantino said, launching another ad hominem attack on Tarantino, and completely evading the substance of the Rise Up October protest.

Worst of all, Lally reinforces the police-as-victim trope, which is a form of psychological denial. It’s not “inflammatory rhetoric that makes police officers even bigger targets,” its inflammatory behavior by police officers. Given the spate of police horrors since 1999, when NY police shot unarmed Amadou Diallo 41 times, it’s fair to wonder why police departments everywhere aren’t showing a whole lot more humility. Instead, the NY chief of police has given one of the four killers his gun back (after all four were found not guilty by a jury).

Amadou Diallo’s mother, Katiatoo Diallo, was a speaker in the Rise Up October protest. What she said was in stark and humane contrast to the whining victimhood of the police unions:   

“We are not bitter. I told the world then, the day when they stood up and told me that the four cops who shot my son had done nothing wrong, that it was the fault of my son, I said to you, I say to you now, I said it then: We need change. Amadou has died. It’s too late for him. But we have to prevent this from happening again. When you have tragedies like that, you need to learn what went wrong and correct it….

“Law enforcement community should know that we are not against them. We even feel for those who were shot just recently in Harlem. We are not against them. We are anti-police brutality. We are not anti-cop, because we know some of them are doing good job. But we need to root out those who are brutalizing our children for no reason.” 

What should a police union be doing, anyway?

The core issue with police unions, teacher unions, and all other public employee unions is how to manage the inherent tension between the good of union members and the good of the public that pays their salaries. Police unions, because their members are empowered to use lethal force, should be especially sensitive to the public perception of what is in the public good. That is almost never going to include killing innocent, unarmed civilians.

In December 2014, NY police union head Lynch actually blamed innocent, unarmed civilians for the ambush assassination of two police officers by a lone gunman. It was a breath-taking manipulation of reality and defiance of both logic and authority:

“There is blood on many hands tonight — those that incited violence on the streets under the guise of protest, that tried to tear down what New York police officers did every day. That blood on the hands starts on the steps of City Hall, in the office of the mayor….”

These comments set the stage for a symbolic police mutiny, as officers turned their backs on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference dealing with the assassination ambush. This is a direct challenge to civil order, open defiance of the mayor’s lawful authority over the police. And it is a gesture of arrogance, not only against non-violent protests of police killing, but in support of an above-the-law right to continue to execute civilians more or less randomly. 

Who is more deserving of protection, police or public? 

The same day as the Rise Up October protest, The New York Times ran a front page story about FBI Director James B. Comey telling a Chicago Law School audience that increased scrutiny of police violence have led to an increase in violent crime, a theory for which he admitted he has no data. The data available does not support the claim. But Comey’s perception of “a chill wind that has blown through American law enforcement over the last year” is just a more sophisticated whine than the police unions use. For the head of the FBI to defend police officers from scrutiny for their actions, especially their violent or lethal actions, is little more than a defense of police criminality. As the Times reported:

“Mr. Comey said that he had been told by many police leaders that officers who would normally stop to question suspicious people are opting to stay in their patrol cars for fear of having their encounters become worldwide video sensations. That hesitancy has led to missed opportunities to apprehend suspects, he said, and has decreased the police presence on the streets of the country’s most violent cities.”

Wait a minute, that’s pure sophistry. If you have police officers afraid of becoming viral video villains, then you have police officers who are tacitly admitting that they are likely to behave illegally if not lethally. Police officers who act properly make boring videos that don’t go viral. 

The Times did not cover any of the Rise Up October activities. But it did re-publish the FBI chief story on October 30, with the additional comment: “It’s not clear why Mr. Comey decided to wade into this issue now.”

On October 18, the Times ran a story in the business section based on FBI statistics of police killings. The story notes that the available data strongly shows pervasive racial bias in many areas of American life. Police behavior is no exception:

“The data is unequivocal. Police killings are a race problem: African-Americans are being killed disproportionately and by a wide margin.”  

The same persistent pattern of racial bias in police traffic stops was found in North Carolina statistics, as reported by a long analysis in the Times October 25 – “The Disproportionate Risk of Driving While Black.”  

The evidence of racial bias in American life remains powerful and its effects are cruel and unusual. Perhaps the nation is less bigoted than it was in the past, but it remains a long way from being a place where all people are treated equally. And one of the grosser reasons for perpetual racial oppression is the willingness of powerful police unions to deny reality and blame the victims. Police unions need to reflect on the healing words of Kadiatou Diallo and put aside their bitterness. Police unions need to protect and serve the public, not the perpetrators of violence and death. 

How about: if you’re not careful enough to identify a toy gun in the hands of a child before you shoot to kill, then you’re not careful enough to be an armed police officer. That seems like a pretty low bar. 

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William M. Boardman has over 40 years experience in theatre, radio, TV, print journalism, and non-fiction, including 20 years in the Vermont judiciary. He has received honors from Writers Guild of America, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Vermont Life magazine, and an Emmy Award nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.

VoteVets.org: Let's beat David Vitter

Three weeks from today, we have a chance to make history in Louisiana:

West Point graduate, Airborne Ranger, and Democratic candidate for governor John Bel Edwards leads Republican David Vitter by twelve points. Twelve points! No one expected this, and the special interests are sure to rally to Vitter's cause in the final days of the campaign.

Help John over the finish line with your $5 contribution today.

You already know about David Vitter's shameful voting record in the United States Senate on veterans issue - including his NO vote on the comprehensive veterans' health care and benefits legislation last year.

John Bel Edwards will be a breath of fresh air. As a state legislator, he authored and pushed for dozens of bills protecting veterans and the benefits they've earned. These bills include expanding eligibility for veterans' housing, recreating the Department of Veterans Affairs in the state, and reversing budget cuts that harmed veterans in Louisiana.

Early voting starts soon, and if John maintains this lead he'll bank a lot of votes that can't be recouped by Vitter, even if the race gets closer. Make your $5 contribution today and let's win this thing.

All my best,

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran and Chairman
VoteVets.org

PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

PEW: The Complex Story of American Debt

http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2015/07/the-complex-story-of-american-debt

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Sponsored · 

Everything you wanted to know (and maybe a few things you didn't) about American debt.

The Complex Story of American Debt

Over the past 30 years, American families have taken on increasing amounts of debt. The growing use of credit among American households, particularly following the Great Recession, has different implications across generations.…

PEWTRUSTS.ORG

Short Changing Americans to Build US EMPIRE!

Robert Reich's post below highlights how Wrong Headed Republican Fiscal Policy is. 

Below is a breakdown of the US Budget feeding the Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex to build American Empire, feed the Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex and not keep Americans any safer. 

Seven of Paul Ryan's Worst Ideas

By Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Facebook Page

31 October 15

ow that Paul Ryan is Speaker of the House, keep a wary eye out for Ryan’s 7 favorite ideas (they’re also cropping up among Republican presidential candidates):

1. Reduce the top income-tax rate to 25 percent from 35 percent (a huge windfall to the rich at a time when the rich take home a larger share of total income that at any time since the 1920s).


2. Cut corporate taxes to 25 percent from 35 percent (a giant sop to corporations, the largest of which are already socking away $1.2 trillion in foreign tax shelters).


3. Make these cuts without adding the budget deficit by slashing spending on domestic programs like food stamps and education for poor districts (now, 18% of the nation's children are in poverty, and these cuts would only make things worse).


4. Also by turning Medicaid and other federal programs for the poor into block grants to the states, and let the states decide how to allocate them (in other words, give Republican state legislatures and governors slush funds to do with as they wish).


5. And turning Medicare into vouchers that don’t keep up with increases in healthcare costs (which would in effect cut Medicare for the elderly).


6. Deal with rising Social Security costs by raising the retirement age for Social Security (making Social Security even more regressive, since the poor don't live nearly as long as the rich).


7. Finally, don’t raise the minimum wage but let it continue to decline as inflation makes it irrelevant; instead, provide poor workers with a larger Earned Income Tax Credit (enlarging the EITC is a good idea, but we need a higher minimum as well).

Bottom line: Beware Paul Ryan.

What do you think?

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/33237-seven-of-paul-ryans-worst-ideas

US Empire, Your Tax Dollars and Why WIkileaks was important...

The US can't re-build crumbling roads and bridges, can't feed hungry children, can't house the homeless, yet this defines the Moral Bankruptcy of the US: 
****************

Daily Kos

This says it all.

Thanks to The Middle Class is Drowning for the graphic.

The article below deserves a 'STAND ALONE.' 

It doesn't begin to define the extent of EMPIRE BUILDING, the War Profiteers, the Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex, the Chicken Hawk NeoCons that will lead to the bankruptcy of the US, penalizes its citizens, kills and destroys people and nations. 

Please read and give serious consideration to its contents. 

This explains why the US War Against Whistle Blowers. 

Anatomy of the U.S. Empire

And where is this empire?

Each working day, 71,000 people across 191 countries representing twenty-seven different US government agencies wake and make their way past flags, steel fences and armed guards into one of the 276 fortified buildings that comprise the 169 embassies and other missions of the US Department of State.

They are joined in their march by representatives and operatives from twenty-seven other US government departments and agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the various branches of the US military.

http://middlebororeview.blogspot.com/2015/08/us-empire-your-tax-dollars-and-why.html

RSN: Israeli Soldiers to Palestinians: 'We Will Gas You Until You Die', Whistle-Blower Claims the USDA Suppressed Research on Bee-Killing Pesticide

PAUL RYAN'S BUDGET CUTS?
CAN WE STOP PRETENDING? 

THIS IS WHERE YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING: TO BUILD US EMPIRE! 

US Empire, Your Tax Dollars and Why WIkileaks was important...

The US can't re-build crumbling roads and bridges, can't feed hungry children, can't house the homeless, yet this defines the Moral Bankruptcy of the US: 

Daily Kos

This says it all.

Thanks to The Middle Class is Drowning for the graphic.

Anatomy of the U.S. Empire

And where is this empire?

Each working day, 71,000 people across 191 countries representing twenty-seven different US government agencies wake and make their way past flags, steel fences and armed guards into one of the 276 fortified buildings that comprise the 169 embassies and other missions of the US Department of State.

They are joined in their march by representatives and operatives from twenty-seven other US government departments and agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the various branches of the US military.

http://middlebororeview.blogspot.com/2015/08/us-empire-your-tax-dollars-and-why.html

It's Live on the HomePage Now:
Reader Supported News

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Robert Reich | Seven of Paul Ryan's Worst Ideas

Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Facebook Page
Reich writes: "Now that Paul Ryan is Speaker of the House, keep a wary eye out for Ryan's 7 favorite ideas (they're also cropping up among Republican presidential candidates)."
READ MORE

ow that Paul Ryan is Speaker of the House, keep a wary eye out for Ryan’s 7 favorite ideas (they’re also cropping up among Republican presidential candidates):

1. Reduce the top income-tax rate to 25 percent from 35 percent (a huge windfall to the rich at a time when the rich take home a larger share of total income that at any time since the 1920s).


2. Cut corporate taxes to 25 percent from 35 percent (a giant sop to corporations, the largest of which are already socking away $1.2 trillion in foreign tax shelters).


3. Make these cuts without adding the budget deficit by slashing spending on domestic programs like food stamps and education for poor districts (now, 18% of the nation's children are in poverty, and these cuts would only make things worse).


4. Also by turning Medicaid and other federal programs for the poor into block grants to the states, and let the states decide how to allocate them (in other words, give Republican state legislatures and governors slush funds to do with as they wish).


5. And turning Medicare into vouchers that don’t keep up with increases in healthcare costs (which would in effect cut Medicare for the elderly).


6. Deal with rising Social Security costs by raising the retirement age for Social Security (making Social Security even more regressive, since the poor don't live nearly as long as the rich).


7. Finally, don’t raise the minimum wage but let it continue to decline as inflation makes it irrelevant; instead, provide poor workers with a larger Earned Income Tax Credit (enlarging the EITC is a good idea, but we need a higher minimum as well).

Bottom line: Beware Paul Ryan.

What do you think?

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/33237-seven-of-paul-ryans-worst-ideas

FBI Planes Conducted Extensive Electronic Surveillance Over Baltimore's Freddie Gray Protests 

Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica 

Gallagher writes: "The American Civil Liberties Union has obtained documents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations that detail the surveillance flights made by FBI-operated aircraft over Baltimore last May." 

READ MORE

Jeb Bush's Stunning, Televised Implosion: How the Former Frontrunner's Campaign Came Unraveled
Heather Digby Parton, Salon
Parton writes: "He needed a moment to assuage donor fears and it backfired. As much as people may say the Bush name is a hindrance, the reality is that his last name is the only thing keeping him in the conversation right now."
READ MORE

Hillary Clinton Protested by Black Lives Matter
Dan Merica, CNN
Merica writes: "Black Lives Matter protesters interrupted Hillary Clinton on Friday while she was speaking at a historically black university here."
READ MORE

As Heroin Use by Whites Soars, Parents Urge Gentler Drug War
Katharine Q. Seelye, The New York Times
Seelye writes: "When Courtney Griffin was using heroin, she lied, disappeared, and stole from her parents to support her $400-a-day habit. Her family paid her debts, never filed a police report and kept her addiction secret - until she was found dead last year of an overdose."
READ MORE

Israeli Soldiers to Palestinians: 'We Will Gas You Until You Die'
Megan Hanna, Ma'an News
Hanna writes: "Israeli military forces issued a disturbing message to residents of Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem on Thursday, telling them that unless they stopped throwing stones 'we will gas you until you die.'"
READ MORE

Whistle-Blower Claims the USDA Suppressed Research on Bee-Killing Pesticide
Jason Best, TakePart
Best writes: "After a government scientist began raising serious questions about the environmental impact of a popular pesticide that experts widely believe is helping to drive the drastic decline in America's bee populations, he claims he got stung - and stung bad."
READ MORE

fter a government scientist began raising serious questions about the environmental impact of a popular pesticide that experts widely believe is helping to drive the drastic decline in America’s bee populations, he claims he got stung—and stung bad.

Jonathan Lundgren, an 11-year entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, filed an official whistle-blower complaint this week, alleging he was harassed and retaliated against after speaking out in the media last year on research he conducted that points to the potentially insidious effects of a class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, or neonics.

Since neonics began to be widely marketed in the mid-1990s, their use has exploded. Whereas but a scant amount was used by farmers in 1995, today an estimated 6 million pounds of the pesticides are applied to fields every year—and that doesn’t take into account the staggering amount of seeds planted that are pre-treated with the stuff. According to a report from the Center for Food Safety, “almost all of the corn seed and approximately half of the soybeans in the U.S. are treated with neonicotinoids,” and upwards of 90 percent of canola planted in North America is as well.

Coincidentally, as the use of neonics has gone up, the populations of key pollinators such as bees and monarch butterflies have plummeted. Although neonics can kill bees outright, many scientists believe that it’s chronic exposure to the chemicals that imperils bees—by weakening their immune system, for example, or causing them to become disoriented and unable to find their way back to their hives.

But with an estimated $3 billion or more in neonic sales at stake on the global market, big agrichemical companies like Bayer and Syngenta have adamantly denied any link between their pesticides and the devastating declines of bees and other pollinators.

That may very well be what landed Lundgren in hot water.

The senior research scientist made headlines by discussing his work regarding neonics, including two studies that concluded that using neonic-treated seed did not lead to higher crop yields for farmers. After that, Lundgren claims, “USDA managers blocked publication of his research, barred him from talking to the media, and disrupted operations at the laboratory he oversaw,” according to Harvest Public Media, which reviewed the complaint Lundgren’s attorneys filed with the federal Merit Systems Protection Board this week.

“Having research published in prestigious journals and being invited to present before the National Academy of Sciences should be sources of official pride, not punishment,” one of those attorneys, Laura Dumais, staff counsel at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, told The Washington Post. “Politics inside USDA have made entomology into a most dangerous discipline.”

For its part, the USDA has declined to discuss Lundgren’s case, but the department issued a statement that read, in part, “We take the integrity of our scientists seriously, and we recognize how critical that is to maintaining widespread confidence in our research among the scientific community, policymakers and the general public.”

Yet word among the scientific community seems to be the USDA isn’t doing such a bang-up job fostering a sense of scientific “integrity.” As the Post reported, a study by Scott W. Fausti from South Dakota State University on the unexpected environmental and economic consequences of the widespread adoption of genetically modified corn in the U.S., published in the most recent issue of Environmental Science & Policy, carried this telling footnote from the author: “I would like to acknowledge Dr. Jonathan G. Lundgren's contribution to this manuscript. Dr. Lundgren is an entomologist employed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). However, the ARS has required Dr. Lundgren to remove his name as joint first author from this article. I believe this action raises a serious question concerning policy neutrality toward scientific inquiry.”

 http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/312-16/33231-whistle-blower-claims-the-usda-suppressed-research-on-bee-killing-pesticide

CapeCodToday, SHNS: Visit to YMCA in West Barnstable ; MASC/MASS joint conference in Hyannis

What's ahead in state government this week

Visit to YMCA in West Barnstable ; MASC/MASS joint conference in Hyannis

ARTICLE | POLITICS | OCTOBER 31, 2015 06:00 AM | BY STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

- See more at: http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2015/10/31/226850-Whats-ahead-state-government-week#sthash.xosvvkSW.dpuf

In addition to producing a senator-elect, the week ahead may lead to a potential new wave of special legislative elections and will bring recommendations for K-12 public education financing and a major new effort to get residents signed up for health insurance.  Meantime, the Legislature limps into November, with just over two weeks before their next extended recess, without much to show as far as accomplishments this fall. Lawmakers have talked about the need to address opioid addiction, transgender rights, energy solutions, transportation services regulation, and public records reform but made little progress, and it appears completed laws on some if not all of those topics may have to wait until 2016. Aside from work on those major issues, House members have also been reluctant to take up many of the bills, including those concerning local affairs, that have won committee approvals and made it onto the session calendar. While the Senate regularly takes up each bill on its calendar, the House routinely skips past scores of bills that are ready for consideration by that body.  

The major bills that have made it through the chambers and won Gov. Charlie Baker's signature this session have primarily dealt with transportation reform and the state budget, including a budget rebalancing bill and a bill spending surplus funds and shoring up fiscal 2015 accounts that were underfunded. The House and Senate have until Nov. 18 to see if they can rally momentum behind any other major proposals, mindful that bills carry over in their current position from the first to second year of the session, which starts in January and features formal sessions through July.  The Senate has approved a bill aimed at preventing opioid abuse and attached  a solar power bill to climate change adaptation legislation.  The House this week floated ideas for its own solar energy bill, which differs significantly from the Senate-approved proposal.

Other storylines for the week ahead:

-- SENATE SPECIAL - MUNI ELECTION DOMINOES? | Voters will choose a successor to the late Sen. Thomas Kennedy of Brockton on Tuesday, a special election featuring a pair of state representatives, Democrat Michael Brady of Brockton and Republican Geoff Diehl of Whitman.   Municipal elections, largely races for mayor and city council, are also scheduled in 53 communities. Several lawmakers seeking to become mayors appear poised to punch their ticket off Beacon Hill, which in turn would launch another wave of special elections in 2016.

-- K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS | The Legislature since 1993 has largely taken a hands-off approach to the K-12 education funding formula. While many lawmakers have problems with the status quo, few are able to explain the formula and efforts to address problems within it have fallen flat over the years. On Monday, a commission formed last year to evaluate the adequacy of school funding in Massachusetts plans to make recommendations. The real question here is whether Baker and legislative leaders will choose to become forceful advocates for any of the proposed solutions.

-- SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET DEADLINE | Comptroller Thomas Shack has warned that unless a final fiscal 2015 supplemental budget is signed by Monday, the funds lawmakers plan to spend in that bill will instead be swept into the state's rainy day fund. Hoping to avert that, the House and Senate on Wednesday whisked a bill to Gov. Baker. "We are still reviewing the supplemental budget. We expect to take final action early next week," Administration and Finance spokesman Dominick Ianno said in a statement. The bill allocates $328 million for a variety of programs and departments, the largest portion of which - $203 million - will go to MassHealth to account for increased caseloads connected with the technology failures that required thousands of residents to be temporarily enrolled in Medicaid coverage. The budget bill (H 3829) also socks away $120 million into the state's "rainy day" savings account and puts $113 million toward paying down debt in the current year, sums House and Senate leaders did not count toward the bottom line. Both items push the overall value of the bill, before federal reimbursements, to $561 million.  According to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, more than 95 percent ($314.7 million) of the new spending in the supplemental budget was proposed in the original version of the bill filed by Gov. Baker in July. "The fiscal restraint regarding new discretionary spending is important for two reasons," the taxpayers foundation wrote in a bulletin on Friday. "First, it enables lawmakers to replenish state reserves. Just as importantly, it does not add to the existing budget deficit by including new discretionary spending with future budget implications."

-- HEALTH INSURANCE - LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN | Computer problems in recent years mucked up the annual health insurance open enrollment process, frustrating customers and costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.   On Sunday, the Health Connector opens up a three-month open enrollment period designed to help pull the uninsured onto plans and give those with insurance a change to make changes.  It's the first open enrollment effort under Gov. Charlie Baker's administration. While officials have touted preparations they believe will have them ready to deal with issues, Baker on Friday said the Connector had been a "total crackup" in recent years. While the Connector is well prepared, according to Baker, he's also knocked on his wooden desk when fielding questions about open enrollment.

-- MEEHAN, UMASS CHANCELLORS MULL CUTS | UMass President Martin Meehan plans to meet with university system chancellors on Monday to go over potential spending cuts.   Believing funds would be delivered by the Legislature, UMass went ahead and funded contracts bargained with workers.   The university learned this week that lawmakers did not agree to the contract funding, prompting a disappointed Meehan to say he's getting together with chancellors to come up with a plan.  

-- LAWMAKERS FOR MAYOR | Four members of the Legislature will appear on municipal ballots Tuesday, as they seek the mayoralities in their cities and towns, which would potentially set up special elections for their replacements. Rep. Tom Stanley is running against Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, who has held the office since 2004. In West Springfield, Rep. Michael Finn is facing off against Will Reichelt, the town attorney, in an open race for mayor. In Fitchburg, Mayor Lisa Wong decided to move to Holyoke where her husband Anthony Soto ran for mayor and lost in the preliminary. Rep. Stephen DiNatale has far outspent the other candidate seeking the now open office in Fitchburg City Hall, Andrew Couture, an attorney. Sen. Robert Hedlund is hoping to topple Weymouth Mayor Sue Kay who was first elected in 2007.   Wins by any of these lawmakers will instantly spur debate and speculation over the next wave of special election entrants.

-- WESTERN MASS. MAYORAL RACES | In Holyoke where the school system was recently taken over by the state, Mayor Alex Morse, who was elected in 2012 at the age of 22, is facing a challenge from Fran O'Connell, who owns the elder care business O'Connell Care at Home. In Chicopee, former Mayor Michael Bissonnette is seeking to reclaim the office from Mayor Richard Kos - and along the way Bissonnette was charged with assault on a police officer, according to the Springfield Republican, for an incident that occurred at a preliminary polling station. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who has ushered in a planned casino and a Chinese railcar manufacturer to the city, will face off against Salvatore Circosta, whom the Springfield Republican described as a 29-year-old "former seminarian, military chaplain and business manager of a Catholic church." In Pittsfield, Mayor Daniel Bianchi is attempting to fend off a challenge from City Clerk Linda Tyer, who bested Bianchi 55 - 38.6 in the preliminary election, according to the Berkshire Eagle. The newspaper said Bianchi blamed "anemic" turnout and said there would be more interest in Tuesday's general.

-- SOUTHEAST MASS. MAYORAL RACES:  In Fall River, former District Attorney Sam Sutter in 2014 defeated former Mayor William Flanagan in a recall after an outcry over trash collection fees and after City Councilor Jasiel Correia accused Flanagan of threatening him with a gun. On Tuesday Sutter will have to defend his office against an electoral challenge from Correia after less than a year as mayor. In Brockton, a city where a slim majority of citizens supported a casino, Mayor Bill Carpenter is facing a challenge to a second term in the form of Chris MacMillan, a former city councilor who ran for mayor in 2013. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is attempting to hold on for a third term against a challenge from Maria Giesta, a former top aide to Congressman Barney Frank.

-- METRO BOSTON MAYORAL RACES: As the Patriot Ledger reported, Tuesday is the third contest between incumbent Mayor Tom Koch and former Mayor William Phelan. In Medford the retirement of Michael McGlynn, the mayor of the city since 1988, has opened up a contest between Stephanie Muccini Burke, a former city councilor, and City Councilor Robert Penta. In Revere, Mayor Dan Rizzo, who tried and failed to bring a casino to Suffolk Downs, will face a challenge from Brian Arrigo, a member of the City Council. The Boston Globe reported that Charles Lightbody, the convicted felon whose alleged involvement in Everett land complicated Wynn Resorts casino plans, has switched allegiance from Rizzo to Arrigo.

-- OTHER MAYORAL CONTESTS: Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, a two-term mayor and nine-term city councilor, is facing a challenge from two candidates, and according to the Telegram & Gazette he has been touting the city's economic development. William Coleman III, a Worcester activist who moved to the city in 1973 to study for priesthood, said at a recent debate that he had worked for the late U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke. Michael Gaffney, a captain in the Army National Guard of the 1058th Transportation Company and a lawyer, was elected to Worcester's City Council in 2013 and at a recent debate he questioned whether others would have the "personal courage" to stand up to special interest groups. Sefatia Romeo Theken was elevated from the Gloucester City Council to the mayor's office when Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash appointed former Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk to an administration post. On Tuesday a former journalist at the Gloucester Daily Times and later the Boston Globe, Paul McGeary will challenge Theken for the post. In Gardner, Mayor Mark Hawke, who has held the office since 2008, is facing a challenge from City Councilor Jeffrey Palmieri.

SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2015 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN

KENNEDY FOR BRADY: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III plans to attend a canvas kick-off for Brockton state Rep. Mike Brady, who is running against Republican Geoff Diehl in a special election for the 2nd Plymouth and Bristol Senate seat. (Saturday, 9:45 a.m., 623 Centre St., Brockton)

SUNDAY, NOV. 1, 2015

WALSH ON THE RECORD: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will be this week's "On the Record" guest with Ed Harding and Janet Wu. Walsh plans to discuss the new age of business in Boston including ridesharing services and DraftKings. Additional topics include school taxes and the ongoing debate between implementation of PARCC or MCAS exams. Plus, Walsh shares his favorite Halloween candy. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch.5)

INCLUSION SUMMIT: The Ruderman Family Foundation, a Jewish organization that supports the disabled community, holds it first-ever Inclusion Summit. It marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and will honor former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, the bill's chief sponsor. The program, which more than 500 activists are expected to attend, will focus on advocacy, networking and best practices. Speakers include Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne, radio journalist John Hockenberry, author Ron Suskind, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein and White House disability liaison Maria Town. (Sunday-Monday, Seaport World Trade Center)

POLITO BRIDGE DEDICATION: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends Burns Bridge Dedication and Lighting Ceremony. (Sunday, 5 p.m., Burns Bridge, Worcester)

BAKER CAMPAIGNS FOR DIEHL: Gov. Charlie Baker will help Republican Rep. Geoff Diehl make a final push before Tuesday's special election for state Senate, joining Diehl to meet with voters at Venus Cafe in Whitman and Damien's Pub in Hanson. Baker will be in Whitman from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and in Hanson from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., according to Diehl's campaign. (Sunday)

MONDAY, NOV. 2, 2015

HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m. Monday.

BAKER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET: Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Minority Leader Bradley Jones and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr meet for their weekly leadership meeting. (CLOSED PRESS) (Monday, 2 p.m., Office of the Governor, Room 360)

DRIVING CHANGE CONFERENCE: Attorney General Maura Healey will discuss her office's work to combat domestic violence and sexual assault at the 2nd annual Driving Change Conference hosted by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center. (Monday, 7:45 a.m., Boston Marriott Copley Place, 101 Huntington Ave., Boston)

DPU - FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil for an increase in base distribution rates for gas service and approval to changes in its schedules of rates for gas service to become effective July 1, 2015. (Monday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, HR A.)

BOARD OF EARLY ED COMMITTEE: The Board of Early Education and Care Fiscal/Oversight Committee will meet to discuss the child care financial assistance system, fiscal year 2016 caseloads, early education and care and out-of-school time capital fund grants, and the department's fiscal 2017 budget.  (Monday, noon, 51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor, Boston)

FOUNDATION BUDGET REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT: State education leaders release the Foundation Budget Review Commission's report.  The panel was created under a 2014 law and charged with evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the state's education funding formula.   According to the office of Education Committee Co-chair Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, the report recommends "significant updates to the way the state calculated the per pupil cost of delivering a quality education in Massachusetts, including investments necessary to close the achievement gap."  Attendees will include Chang-Diaz and commission co-chair Rep. Alice Peisch, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester, former Education Secretary Paul Reville, Sen. Patricia Jehlen, Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Kim Ferguson and representatives from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, American Federation of Teachers and Massachusetts Teachers Association. (Monday, 10:15 a.m., Senate Reading Room)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPO: The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, Harm Reduction and Drug Law Reform Caucus, House and Senate Progressive Caucus and Justice Involved Women task force of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators hold a criminal justice expo. Legislators, staff and advocacy groups plan to share information about criminal justice bills. Speakers include Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, former Department of Corrections commissioner Kathleen Dennehy, Rahsaan Hall of the American Civil Liberties Union and Andrea Goode James of Families for Justice as Healing. (Monday, 2 p.m., Great Hall)

SUBSTANCE ABUSE HEARING: The Joint Committees on Mental Health & Substance Abuse and Public Health hold an informational hearing on substance abuse. It will be chaired by Rep. Elizabeth Malia, Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, Rep. Kate Hogan and Sen. Jason Lewis. Testimony will be provided by invite only. The agenda includes Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello, and representatives from AdCare Hospital, Community HealthLink, Gosnold on Cape Cod, Tapestry Health and AIDS Action Committee, High Point Treatment Center, Hudson Public & Community Health Services and Northampton Public Schools. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-1)

AUTHOR EVAN THOMAS AT JFK LIBRARY: Journalist and author Evan Thomas will sit down with historian Tim Naftali as part of a Kennedy Library Forum event to discuss his new book, "Being Nixon: A Man Divided." Forums are free and open to the public, and registration is available at jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Forums.aspx. (Monday, 6 p.m., John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Columbia Point, Boston)

LOTTERY COMMISSION MEETING: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will chair a meeting of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, West Conference Room, Boston)

MBTA FMCB: The MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board will hold a meeting where Department of Public Utilities Chairwoman Angela O'Connor will be introduced to the board. The DPU has some transportation regulatory responsibilities, including safety oversight at the MBTA and oversight of 250 motor coach companies. The board will also discuss "internal cost control and efficiency opportunities" as regards "bus maintenance." (Monday, 1 p.m., MassDOT Boardroom, 10 Park Plaza, Boston)

OPEN ENROLLMENT CAMPAIGN: Health Care For All, a nonprofit advocacy organization working to bring affordable health care to everyone in Massachusetts, launches an ethnic media campaign to drive open enrollment in the Health Connector. The two-week multimedia/multilingual campaign will target residents of Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Lowell, Lynn and Revere. Expected attendees include Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Sen. Salvatore DiDomenico, Rep. Joseph McGonagle, Rep. Steven Ultrino, Health Connector executive director Louis Gutierrez and HCFA communications director Maria Gonzalez Albuixech. (Monday, 12 p.m., Super Burritos II Mexican Grill, 366 Broadway St., Everett)

TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and MBTA are hosting "capital conversations" to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. Those who cannot attend a meeting can email comments to masscip@state.ma.us.   (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Mansfield Town Hall)

FALLS PREVENTION: The Massachusetts Commission on Falls Prevention meets. The agenda includes a presentation on strategies to reduce injuries in elders and discussion of future work plans. (Monday, 11 a.m., 250 Washington St., lobby 1 conference room, Boston)

SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear the following cases: George Goe v. Commission of the Probation Service of the Massachusetts Trial Court; Commonwealth v. Danny Vargas; Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania v. Great Northern Insurance Company; Commonwealth v. Kristen Labrie; the Matter of Malgorzata B. Nabialczyk-Chaluposwski; and Robert Monteiro v. Commonwealth. Case information: http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc (Monday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)

TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 2015

ELECTION DAY 2015: It's election day in 53 communities across Massachusetts. Unlike in state elections, Secretary of State William Galvin said polling hours can differ slightly from town to town. While most voters will be going to the polls to elect city councilors, aldermen and mayors, Westminter has a Proposition 2 1/2 override on the ballot to finance a sewer expansion. Voters in the 2nd Plymouth and Bristol District will also choose between Democratic state Rep. Michael Brady, Republican Rep. Geoff Diehl and independent Anna Grace Raduc in a special election for state Senate to replace the late Thomas Kennedy. The district includes Brockton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Plympton, Whitman and parts of East Bridgewater and Easton. (Tuesday)

GOLDBERG MEETS WITH BAKER: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will have her monthly meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Treasurer Office, Room 227, State House)

BOARD OF PHARMACY REGISTRATION: The Board of Registration in Pharmacy will meet. Agenda items include application and file reviews, nomination of board officers, discussion of pharmacy signage requirements and discussion of proposed new regulations. Full agenda: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/quality/boards/pharmacy/pharmacy-board-agenda.pdf (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., room 417, Boston)

DPU - FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil for an increase in base distribution rates for gas service and approval to changes in its schedules of rates for gas service to become effective July 1, 2015. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, HR A.)

GOLDBERG REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will host the South Coast Regional Roundtable on Wage Equality in Boston. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., University of Massachusetts - Boston, Campus Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston)

TALKING NON-RECYCLED WASTE: The American Chemistry Council, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the New England Council, and the Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance host a discussion about converting more of non-recycled waste into energy, fuels and other commodities. The event will explore policy solutions and new technologies that could help advance energy recovery in Massachusetts to build a more sustainable future, organizers said. The panel will feature Rep. Paul Mark and Bob Rio from AIM, as well as keynote remarks from a U.S. EPA official. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Omni Parker House, 60 School St., Boston)

SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear the following cases: Bernard Bulwer v. Mount Auburn Hospital and others; Eventmonitor Inc. and another v. Anthony Leness; Federal National Mortgage Association v. Edward M. Rego and another; Commonwealth v. John C. DePiero; and Marie Esler v. Mary Sylvia-Reardon. Case information: http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc (Tuesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)

MEDICAL/LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS: Attorney General Maura Healey will be the keynote speaker at the 6th annual Medical-Legal Partnership Conference, where she will talk about affordable health care and the work her office's Community Engagement Division. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Ave., Suite #100, Boston)

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REGIONAL SERIES: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Regional Series. The traveling series, which kicked off in Lawrence on Oct. 27, will stop in Worcester where purchasing representatives from surrounding communities are invited to meet with state, municipal, private buyers and Statewide Contract Vendors. The gathering aims at discussing business growth through potential partnership opportunities. (Tuesday, 8:45 a.m., 1 College Street, Worcester)

LANCASTER MASSWORKS ANNOUNCEMENT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announces a MassWorks grant award to the Town of Lancaster. (Tuesday, 10:15 a.m., Location TBA)

LANCASTER COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Lancaster town officials sign community compact. (Tuesday, 11:45 a.m., 695 Main St #2, Lancaster)

POLITO COMMUNITY COMPACT SIGNING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Shrewsbury and Westborough officials attend a Community Compact signing. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury)

OPIOID PANEL: Public Health Committee Chair Rep. Kate Hogan hosts a panel on identifying community and statewide solutions to the opioid crisis. Panelists include Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey, Maynard Police Chief Mark Dubois, Learn to Cope regional manager Marcy Julian and Richard Ellberg, the director of emergency services and ICU at the Nashoba Valley Medical Center. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Maynard High School auditorium, 1 Tiger Dr., Maynard)

FAMILY CAREGIVERS RECOGNITION: The Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition hold an event in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. Two out of every five adults are family caregivers, and more 39 percent of adult Americans are caring for a loved one who is sick, disabled or frail because of aging, according to the elder affairs office. The event will highlight the need for caregivers to receive support and respite. Speakers will include Amy Nazaire of the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition, Department of Developmental Services Commissioner Elin Howe, Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner, Veterans' Services Secretary Francisco Urena, and AARP Massachusetts director Michael Festa. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Nurses Hall)

BRAIN BUILDING IN PROGRESS CAMPAIGN | Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber joins officials from United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and PricewaterhouseCoopers to announce a partnership that will provide training support and resources to Horizons for Homeless Children's Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs) and homeless shelter liaisons.  According to organizers, it's part of the state's Brain Building in Progress campaign, which "promotes the importance of enriching environments in fostering healthy brain development in children."   (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Horizons for Homeless Children, 1705 Columbus Ave, Roxbury)

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on 98 bills. Sen. Sal DiDomenico has sponsored a bill (S 801) stating that no person who administers overdose prevention drugs in good faith shall be liable in a civil suit for damages. H 1541, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, regulates physicians' acquisition of written consent before performing abortions. Rep. Paul McMurtry has sponsored a bill (H 1492) allowing restaurants to donate their edible leftover cooked food to local pantries and assistance shelters. H 1163, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Ayers, establishes a fine of up to $500 for selling a tattooing, branding or body piercing kit or device to an unlicensed art practitioner or minor. Other bills lay out fines for non-emergency 911 calls (H 154), provide credit for Massachusetts law school graduates providing public interest law (S 816), and aim to reduce smoking and the use of nicotine products by minors (H 1582 and H 2434). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2302&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2)

DESIGNER SELECTION PANEL: The Massachusetts School Building Authority holds a meeting of its designer selection panel.agenda includes an application review for the Clyde F. Brown Elementary School in Millis and informational interviews with Mikyoung Kim Designs and William Starck Architects. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 40 Broad St., suite 500, Boston)

DINING WITH THE STARS: The Massachusetts Health Council holds its 2015 awards gala, Dining with the Stars. The honorees are Ice Bucket Challenge founder Pete Frates and the Frates family, Massachusetts Hospital Association president and CEO Lynn Nicholas, Learn to Cope founder and executive director Joanne Peterson, Home for Little Wanderers president and CEO Joan Wallace-Benjamin, and Raytheon. Jody Adams - owner of the Boston area restaurants Rialto and Trade - will design and oversee the preparation of a three-course dinner. Tickets are $200 each and are available at mahealthcouncil.org. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St., Boston)

MARIA SACCHETTI AT HARVARD: Boston Globe immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti speaks at the Harvard Kennedy School on the international refugee crisis and U.S. immigration policy. Sacchetti recently traveled from the Greek Island of Lesbos through Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria and Germany to report on refugees. (Tuesday, 12 p.m, Harvard Kennedy School Taubman 275)

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4, 2015

SENATE CAUCUS: Senators plan to meet in a closed caucus Wednesday in the Senate president's office to discuss S 75 relative to the re-homing of children at 11 a.m. Part of the caucus will be bipartisan and part of it will be limited to Democrats.

HOUSE FULL FORMAL: House members gather for a full formal session to consider items on the calendar. Roll calls begin at 1 p.m.(Wednesday, 1 p.m., House Chamber)

HOUSE DEMS CAUCUS: House Democrats caucus ahead of full formal session. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room A-1)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a meeting of the Governor's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Governor's Office, Room 360)

NEWBURYPORT MASSWORKS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito makes a MassWorks grant announcement in Newburyport. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 1 Boston Way, Newburyport)

APPEALS COURT INTERVIEW: The Governor's Council will interview Appeals Court nominee Judge Jeffrey Kinder, a Superior Court judge since 2006 and the regional administrative justice for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Governor's Council Chambers)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency hosts its 2015 conference, titled "Effective Leadership During Crisis." Attendees will hear about the experiences of local, state and federal leaders who managed response and recovery during the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and the July 2015 shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Featured speakers include former Boston Police superintendent-in-chief Daniel Linskey; Oren Segal of the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremists; retired Rear Admiral Mary Landry, the director of incident management and preparedness for the Coast Guard; Tennessee Emergency Management Agency deputy commissioner and homeland security advisor David Purkey; and Harvard Kennedy School professor Dutch Leonard. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., DCU Center, Worcester)

DeLEO ON THE RADIO: House Speaker Robert DeLeo is the scheduled guest with Dan Rea on Nightside.  (Wednesday, 8 p.m., WBZ radio AM 1030)

GETTING THE T ON TRACK: As part of the 2015 Planes, Trains and Automobiles (and Bikes) series at the Harvard Kennedy School, MBTA Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve will speak on the topic of a financial roadmap for "getting the T on track." The transit authority continues to face financial problems despite a series of efforts to stabilize the agency.  (Wednesday, 4:15 p.m., Allison Dining Room, Taubman 5th floor, Harvard Kennedy School)

FIREFIGHTERS GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM: State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director George Kramlinger present certificates of completion to graduates of the Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Class #54. The 33 graduates represent the fire departments of Amherst, Belchertown, Chesterfield, Dalton, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Granby, Great Barrington, Hadley Hampden, Hatfield, Monson, Palmer, Richmond, South Hadley, Southampton, Ware and Williamsburg. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Easthampton High School, 70 Williston Ave., Easthampton)

ARTISTS UNDER THE DOME: Various state offices, committees and cultural groups host the 9th Annual Artists Under the Dome event. At 10 a.m., there will be a speaking program featuring remarks from Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Sen. Eric Lesser and Rep. Cory Atkins. A group photo at the Grand Staircase and visits to legislative offices will follow. A brown bag lunch will be held in the Great Hall at noon while the Massachusetts Cultural Council celebrates the 40th anniversary of their Artists Fellowships program. At 1 p.m. there will be a roundtable discussion with Nam Pham, Katie Stebbins and Richard Dalton of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition co-founder Kathleen Bitetti and Future Boston Alliance co-founder Malia Lazu will facilitate the event, which is free and open to the public. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Great Hall)

DENTISTRY REGISTRATION: The Board of Registration in Dentistry holds a meeting that will include nominations for board chair and secretary, pending investigation statistics, complaint resolution, and an executive session. Agenda:http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/dhpl/dentist/about/board-agenda.html. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., room 417, Boston)

CROSBY ON THE RADIO: Gaming Commission Chairman Steve Crosby is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-hosts Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. Crosby weighed into the debate over regulating online fantasy sports on Thursday and urged caution to state officials who are looking to regulate online sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES LISTENING SESSION: The Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds the third of five listening sessions for the public to offer feedback on regulations to be reviewed under Executive Order 562. The topics for this session are substance abuse disorder treatment, service planning and programs, long-term care and assisted living. Feedback can also be submitted through an online portal at mass.gov/anf/regreview.html. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Springfield Public Library, Mason Square Branch, first floor, Community Room, 765 State St., Springfield)

LOWELL MASSWORKS GRANT: Gov. Charlie Baker joins Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in making an announcement of a MassWorks grant. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Location TBA, Lowell)

PREP FOR SUCCESS: Gov. Charlie Baker offers remarks at Roxbury Prep Charter School's Prep for Success dinner. The dinner is a fundraiser to finance a permanent facility for the high school, according to the school. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., JFK Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston)

NORTH SHORE CHAMBER: Auditor Suzanne Bump gives the keynote address, "Making Government and Business Work Better," at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce's monthly Executive Breakfast Forum. Tickets are $38 for chamber members and $60 for non-members. Register: https://www.northshorechamber.org/secure/new_register_breakfast_2.html (Wednesday, 7:15 a.m., Doubletree Hilton, 50 Ferncroft Rd., Danvers)

MASC/MASS JOINT CONFERENCE: The Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents hold their joint conference, the state's largest annual gathering of education leaders. The event runs for four days, featuring a variety of panels and presentations. A 12:30 p.m. "featured panel" will look at the status of Chapter 70 funding. The guest speaker at a 7 p.m. keynote dinner is Teachers 21 president and former Canton superintendent John D'Auria, who is scheduled to discuss the "links between academic achievement, school improvement and the social and emotional skills that support learning for both students and educators."   Full schedule: http://www.masc.org/component/content/article/80-events-and-conferences/conference/conference-2015/685-masc-mass-2015-conference-program-schedule (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center, 35 Scudder Ave., Hyannis)

O'MALLEY IN BOSTON: Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley will stop in Boston to host a Civic Innovation Pitch Competition and New Leadership Reception. The event will feature teams of local civic tech start-ups and community organizations, chosen by business leaders, to present a two-minute pitch to a panel of judges. A reception will follow the competition. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., District Hall, 75 Northern Avenue, Boston)

CONTRACTOR ROUNDTABLE: The Massachusetts School Building Authority holds its bi-monthly roundtable for contractors who are currently working on or who wish to work on MSBA-funded projects. The agenda includes an overview of addition/renovation projects and discussion of future roundtable topics. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., MSBA board room, 5th floor, 40 Broad St., Boston)

THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 2015

SENATE FORMAL: The Senate meets in a formal session on Thursday at 11 a.m. to take up S 75 relative to the re-homing of children and other matters.

HOUSE INFORMAL: The House holds an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

LIBRARY BOARD TURNS 125: The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, celebrating its 125th anniversary at the State House, will hold a board meeting at 10 a.m. in room 428 followed by a reception and award ceremony in Nurses Hall at 12:30 p.m.. Created in 1890 by a law signed by Gov. John Q. A. Brackett, the board held its first meeting on Oct. 30, 1890 in the State House as the first board of its kind designed to promote free access to libraries. Awards will be presented to U.S. Sen. Edward Markey; Boston Public Library Digital Projects Manager Tom Blake; former Worcester city manager and state senator Ed Augustus; Amy Ryan, board chair of the Digital Public Library of America and former president of the Boston Public Library; and Katherine Dibble, former MBLC commissioner (Thursday, 10 a.m., Room 428)

YMCA CHILDREN'S CROSSING PROGRAM: Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber visits the YMCA Children's Crossing program.  (Thursday, 1 p.m., 2245 Iyannough Road, Hyannis)

REAL WOMEN OF ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK: Suffolk University presents The Real Women of "Orange is the New Black," a conversation featuring three women who served time in the Danbury federal prison where Piper Kerman, author of the book on which the Netflix series is based, was incarcerated. Beatrice Codianni ("Esposito") and Carol Soto ("Yoga Jones") both served time alongside Kerman. Andrea James - former criminal defense attorney, founder of Families for Justice as Healing and author of "Upper Bunkies Unite" - was sentenced to a 24-month sentence in the Danbury prison in 2009, after Kerman got out. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Suffolk University, C. Walsh Theatre, 55 Temple St., Boston)

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD LISTENING SESSION: The Energy Facilities Siting Board holds the second of two listening sessions for the public to offer feedback on 11 regulations (mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/energy-facilities-siting-board/relevant-regulations.html) to be reviewed under Executive Order 562. Comments may also be submitted to bothdpu.efiling@state.ma.us and James.A.Buckley@state.ma.us or to mass.gov/anf/regreview.html by Nov. 25. (Thursday, 7-9 p.m., Worcester State University, Student Center, Blue Lounge, 486 Chandler St., Worcester)

TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and MBTA are hosting "capital conversations" to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. Those who cannot attend a meeting can email comments to masscip@state.ma.us.   (Thursday, 6 p.m., Springfield City Hall)

WORKING CITIES CHALLENGE: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the Boston Federal Reserve Working Cities Challenge event. The Working Cities Challenge is an initiative that looks to "advance collaborative leadership in Massachusetts smaller cities and to support ambitious work to improve the lives of low-income people in those cities," according to the Boston Fed. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Great Hall)

FITCHBURG MASSWORKS GRANT: Gov. Charlie Baker makes an announcement about a MassWorks grant. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., 8 Sheldon St., Fitchburg)

BAKER AT OPIATE FORUM: Gov. Charlie Baker offers remarks at a forum held to discuss opiate abuse and treatment, hosted by the Northeast Veteran Training and Rehabilitation Center. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Northeast Veteran Training and Rehabilitation Center, 3 Victory Lane, Gardner)

TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and MBTA are hosting "capital conversations" to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021.  Those who cannot attend a meeting can email comments to masscip@state.ma.us.  (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Tilden Arts Theater of Cape Cod Community College.  

DPU - FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil for an increase in base distribution rates for gas service and approval to changes in its schedules of rates for gas service to become effective July 1, 2015. (Thursday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, HR A.)

JUSTICE BREYER ON THE RADIO: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Stephen Breyer is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-host Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. Justice Breyer recently published a new book titled "The Court and The World: American Law and the New Global Realities."(Thursday, 1:30, WGBH-FM 89.7)

EFSA REGULATORY REVIEW: The Department of Public Utilities' Energy Facilities Siting Board will host a public hearing to discuss regulatory review efforts under Executive Order 562. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Worcester State University, Blue Lounge, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester)

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture holds a hearing on 23 bills concerning the fisheries and funds. H 667 and H 760 establish a commission to examine the status of striped bass in Massachusetts, while S 476 and H 759 prohibit the commercial harvesting and sale of wild striped bass, with exceptions. Rep. Angelo Scaccia has sponsored a bill (H 744) authorizing the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish a trust fund for planting and maintaining trees. S 400, sponsored by Sen. Eileen Donoghue, establishes a Clean Environment Fund for programs supporting solid waste management, parkland and air quality. Rep. Colleen Garry has sponsored a bill (H 681) allowing any community to be granted Brownfields Assessment and Remediation Funds, regardless of participation of the regional planning organization. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room B-1)

ELDER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Eleven bills concerning the health and safety of senior citizens are marked for a hearing before the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, including two bills that would add compulsive hoarding to the statutory definition of elder abuse. The bills (H 523 and S 359) characterize compulsive hoarding as "the acquisition and retention of large quantities of items and materials, resulting in an extensively cluttered living space that substantially impedes the performance of essential self-care tasks or threatens the health and safety of the resident." The bills have 22 legislative co-sponsors between them. A similar bill was reported favorably out of the elder affairs committee last session, but failed to gain traction after that. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Hearing Room B-1)

CHELSEA COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joins with Chelsea city officials for a Community Compact signing. (Thursday, 3 p.m., 500 Broadway #1, Chelsea)

BROOKLINE COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joins Brookline town officials for a Community Compact signing. (Thursday, 4 p.m., 333 Washington St, Brookline)

ROSENBERG AT REALTOR GALA: Senate President Rosenberg plans to attend the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley 100th anniversary gala.  (Thursday, 6:45 p.m., MassMutual Convention Center, 1277 Main Street, Springfield)

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Bills pertaining to health care mandates will be the subject of testimony at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. Among the bills to be considered is a bill (H 946) to provide health benefit plan coverage for hearing aids and two bills (H 833 and S 537) requiring prescription drug insurance providers to provide coverage for medically-prescribed voice-synthesizer "used in connection with a container that would provide audible information of a prescription for use by a person who is legally blind or visually impaired."  Bills (S 485/H 843)  cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler and Rep. Kimberly Ferguson would require private insurance companies to cover post-acute cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with acquired and traumatic brain injury. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2306&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Thursday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2)

BUMP AT SALEM STATE: Auditor Suzanne Bump will be the featured speaker at professor Jennifer Jackman's introduction to public policy class at Salem State University. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Room, George H. Ellison Campus Center, 1 Meier Dr., Salem)

EARLY VOTING CHALLENGE LAUNCH: The Massachusetts Election Modernization Commission, predicting low turnout in Tuesday's municipal elections, announces a series of recommendations for implementing the state's new early voting law, which the Legislature passed in 2014 to modernize voting procedures, give voters more options and curb long lines in high-turnout elections.   The early voting option kicks in with the 2016 general election.  Advocates will also announce their inaugural "Early Voting Challenge," a contest in which Massachusetts communities can win medals for "robust early voting implementation." Event participants include Pam Wilmot of Common Cause Massachusetts, Cheryl Crawford of MassVote, Gavi Wolfe of ACLU Massachusetts, Anne Borg from the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Janet Domentiz of MassPIRG, Tony Mack of Massachusetts Voter Table and Ben Wright of Progressive Massachusetts. (Thursday, 11 a.m., One Ashburton Place steps)

LOW TURNOUT PANEL: Two days after voters in 53 cities in towns head to the polls, Suffolk University's Ford Hall Forum hosts a discussion of declining voter turnout in municipal elections and the impacts on municipal services, people of color, low-income individuals and the democratic process as a whole. Speakers include University of California Berkeley professor Sarah Anzia, UC San Diego professor Zoltan Hajnal, UMass Boston professor Erin O'Brien and Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts executive director Elena Letona. Register: http://www.fordhallforum.org/programs/low-turnout (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Modern Theatre, 525 Washington St., Boston)

FIRE PREVENTION REGULATIONS: The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations holds its monthly meeting, scheduled to include reports from various committees and task groups, discussion of fire safety code, communication regarding grills and technical committee training. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Department of Fire Services, 1 State Rd., Stow)

CHAIN OF GIVING: As part of the 10th annual Chain of Giving, Attorney General Maura Healey will help volunteers and employees of the Greater Boston Food Bank unload turkeys that will be given to families during the upcoming holiday season. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito is also scheduled to attend. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 South Bay Ave., Boston)

MBTA GM ON WBZ: MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola is Dan Rea's guest on NightSide.  (Thursday, 9 p.m., WBZ, 1030 AM)

QUINCY COLLEGE BIOTECH PROGRAM:  Quincy College will hold a ceremony for more than a dozen students who completed the the Bridges to College program offered by Jewish Vocational Services (JVS).  The 23-week preparation program helps students looking to pursue careers in the biotechnical fields. At the ceremony, students will have the chance to network with industry professionals. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., President's Place Conference Center, Lower Level Conference Room, 1250 Hancock Street, Quincy)

EARLY EDUCATION PANEL: The Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents host a panel discussion on early education access, quality, and finance at their annual joint conference. Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber,  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Deputy Director Luc Schuster, Strategies for Children Executive Director Chris Martes, and Somerville Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Vince McKay are the panelists.  Schuster and David Verdolino, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officers, will co-moderate the discussion, which will be followed by a question and answer session with the audience.  (Thursday, 4 p.m., Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center Ballroom, 35 Scudder Ave, Hyannis)

GOLDBERG AT PRIM CONFERENCE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will deliver welcome remarks at the 2015 PRIM Investor Conference. (Thursday, 8:45 a.m., College of the Holy Cross, Hogan Center, Worcester)

SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear the following cases: Katz Nannis & Solomon PC and others v. Bruce C. Levine and another; Commonwealth v. James Allen; Robert and Ardis James Foundation and another v. Daniel Maxwell Meyers; Commonwealth v. Daunte Beal; Commonwealth v. Admilson Resende; an impounded case; Commonwealth v. Robert Wade. Case information: http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc (Thursday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)

MCGOVERN ON THE RADIO: Congressman James McGovern is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-host Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. (Thursday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)

FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 2015

CABINET MEETING: Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito host a closed cabinet meeting. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 10 a.m., Gov. Baker's office, Room 360)

HEALTH ADVOCATES BENEFIT BREAKFAST: Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks at the 20th annual benefit breakfast for Health Law Advocates, a law firm providing pro bono representation to low-income residents who struggle to access or pay for medical services. HLA hopes to raise funds to continue its Children's Mental Health Access Project, which was established ten years ago but is being depleted this year, as planned. Tickets are $250 each and are available at interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=hlainc&id=8. (Friday, 7 a.m., Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St., Boston)

DPU - FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil for an increase in base distribution rates for gas service and approval to changes in its schedules of rates for gas service to become effective July 1, 2015. (Friday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, HR A.)

EOEEA LISTENING SESSION: The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs holds a listening session to give the public an opportunity to hear about the secretariats' regulatory reform efforts and offer feedback on energy and environmental regulations that will be reviewed under Executive Order 562. (Friday, 2 p.m., Cape Cod Community College, 2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable)

MASC/MASS JOINT CONFERENCE -- FRIDAY: Education Committee Chair Rep. Alice Peisch, Rep. Steven Ultrino, and Sen. Patricia Jehlen participate in a panel at the Massachusetts Association of School Committees/Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents joint conference to provide an update on key bills pending in the Legislature and a look ahead to 2016. Auditor Suzanne Bump is scheduled to deliver remarks at 10:30 a.m. At noon, Rep. Jay Kaufman is the guest speaker at a "leadership lunch," where he will discuss fair school financing as a challenge facing Massachusetts. In a 2:30 p.m. panel, MASC and MASS legal counsels will review recent state and federal education legislation. (Friday, 9 a.m., Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center, 35 Scudder Ave., Hyannis)

COFFEE WITH BUMP, FIOLA: Rep. Carole Fiola holds her weekly "Coffee and Conversations with Carole" session, with Auditor Suzanne Bump joining. (Friday, 2 p.m., New Boston Bakery, 279 New Boston Rd., Fall River)

BUMP, FIOLA TOUR MENTAL HEALTH CENTER: Auditor Suzanne Bump and Rep. Carole Fiola tour Corrigan Mental Health Center. (Friday, 3 p.m., 49 Hillside St., Fall River)

PANEL ON WOMEN IN MASS. POLITICS: Rep. Katherine Clark, former Gov. Jane Swift and former lieutenant governors Kerry Healey and Evelyn Murphy take part in a panel on the barriers to women in Massachusetts politics. The event is part of the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy's Distinguished Public Policy Series. Elisabeth Medvedow, executive director of the Center, will moderate. (Friday, 3:30 p.m., Boston College Law School, Stuart House, Room 315, 885 Centre St., Newton)

SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear murder appeals by George Philbrook; Cauris Gonzalez; Demond Chatman and Adam Cassino. Case information: http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc (Friday, 9 a.m. John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)

WOMEN VETERANS APPRECIATION: The Women Veterans' Network and the Department of Veterans' Services will hold the 11th annual Women Veterans Appreciation Day Ceremony. The event is open to all veterans and their families and will include the presentation of the Deborah Sampson Award to a Massachusetts resident with extraordinary service to the military and her community. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito is scheduled to attend. (Friday, 11 a.m., Memorial Hall)

UXBRIDGE MASSWORKS ANNOUNCEMENT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito makes a MassWorks grant announcement in Uxbridge. (Friday, 3:30 p.m., 515 Douglas Street, Uxbridge)

JUSTICE BREYER TALKS NEW BOOKS: Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will discuss his new book "The Court and the World: American Law and the New Global Realities" at an event hosted by Harvard Book Store. Breyer will be interviewed by presidential advisor and Harvard Kennedy School professor David Gergen. Tickets cost $5 with $1.27 fee, which includes a copy of the book. (Friday, 7 p.m., First Parish Church, 1446 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge)

ROSENBERG IN HOLYOKE: Senate President Rosenberg speaks at Checkpoint 2015, 5 Chambers of Commerce (South Hadley Granby, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and Easthampton). (Friday, 12 p.m., 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke)

WOMEN'S ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will give the welcoming remarks at the Seventh Annual Women's Alternative Investment Summit. According to the summit's website, the gathering is meant to provide networking, fundraising and deal-making opportunities for senior-level women across a broad spectrum of alternative investments. (Friday, 8 a.m, The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, 2 East 61st Street, Main Ballroom, New York, NY)

SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 2015

BEACHES COMMISSION: The Metropolitan Beaches Commission will hold the first of multiple public hearings about the state of Boston area beaches with a hearing focused on beaches in Lynn and Nahant. (Saturday, 10 a.m. the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development Community Room, 10 Church Street, Lynn)

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