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Above, on the East Coast, Mass, New York and Vermont are the states with the highest ratios of homelessness, according to Wikipedia. In response, the departing Baker-Polito administration is proposing to spend some $130 million to expand shelter capacity for homeless persons and both legal and illegal migrants. In addition, the administration has budgeted more than $9 million to help the Registry of Motor Vehicles prepare to issues licenses to illegal immigrants.
FRANKLIN WEEK AHEAD
Monday, Nov. 28
Library Board of Directors Meeting
7:00pm
Tuesday, Nov 29
2:00pm
Wednesday, Nov. 30
5:45pm to 6:45pm
7:00pm
Thursday, Dec. 1
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
7:30pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Air Force One landed in Massachusetts on Tuesday night and President Joe Biden, and his large traveling entourage, is again spending Thanksgiving week enjoying off-season Nantucket. Gov. Charlie Baker also remains on the move in Ireland, where his weeklong family trip also included a meetup this week with UMass President Marty Meehan and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin ahead of a college hockey tournament in Belfast. Maura Healey has kept a low profile in the two weeks since voters elected her to succeed Baker, traveling out of state a few times, delegating work to transition team members, setting up an inaugural committee account and leadership, attracting job applicants, and also working to hand off her current office to the next attorney general. Like Healey, AG-elect Andrea Campbell and Auditor-elect Diana DiZoglio are also trying to staff up before taking office in January. Insiders are awaiting senior staff appointments from all three incoming statewide officeholders to give their developing administrations some shape. The day before he went on vacation, Baker offered a $139 million proposal (H 5394) to address what the state's top housing official called a "humanitarian crisis" stemming from migrant arrivals into the country, and Massachusetts. Then, while the governor was vacationing in Ireland this week, his aides announced that the state plans in December to open a temporary central intake center in a former U.S. Army base to help address the increased demand on the emergency shelter system. Up to 60 families or a maximum of 125 people can live at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center in Devens during their first few days in shelter before being transferred to another emergency assistance site or permanent housing, the state said. While Baker said urgent action is needed to address a system that's already at full capacity, top House Democrats this week gave no sense of when or even if they plan to take up Baker's emergency spending request, which includes $20 million to establish an intake center. "This supplemental spending proposal will provide the state with resources urgently needed to respond to increasing demand in the emergency shelter system," Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan said. "The Commonwealth has sufficient revenues to finance these appropriations and measures in Fiscal Year 2023, and we hope to see this legislation quickly acted upon to ensure we are able to continue providing critical services and shelter to all families in need in Massachusetts." The bill is before the House Ways and Means Committee, and chairman Aaron Michlewitz was not available this week to discuss it.
Other Storylines In Progress
... Recounts in two House districts can only begin after the Governor's Council certifies the 2022 election results, which could happen Wednesday. Republican Rep. Leonard Mirra appears to lead Democrat Kristin Kassner by only 10 votes, the same margin by which Democrat Margaret Scarsdale leads Republican Andrew Shepherd in the race for an open seat. The recounts will determine whether House Democrats expand their already-massive supermajority by a net three seats, four seats or five seats to start the 2023-2024 session ... Representatives leaving the House after this term will have the opportunity to say goodbye in a couple of weeks. The speaker's office has set aside an informal session on Dec. 12 for farewell speeches ... Regulators at the Gaming Commission look ready to take another big step forward in their implementation of legal sports betting now that they have 15 license applications they can scrub and scrutinize. After meetings planned for Tuesday and Thursday, regulators likely will have finalized a bundle of important regulations and provided some clarity on the path the commission sees itself taking from here as it tries to hit its goal of having in-person betting live at casinos and the state's slots parlor in about two months ...
Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022
BAKER IN IRELAND: Gov. Baker continues his family trip to Ireland, with plans to return to Massachusetts on Monday, Nov. 28.
BIDENS DEPART NANTUCKET: Having been on the island since Tuesday evening for the celebration of Thanksgiving, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden leave Nantucket to return to Washington, D.C. (Sunday)
PALEOLOGOS ON 4: Suffolk University pollster David Paleologos is on "Keller At Large" talking about the elections and what he saw in the data at the state and national levels. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
MARKEY ON 5: U.S. Sen. Markey is the guest on "On The Record," followed by a roundtable with Globe columnist Adrian Walker and political analyst Rob Gray. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
Monday, Nov. 28, 2022
EASTIE MUSIC EDUCATION: Boston Public Schools superintendent Mary Skipper and nonprofit EdVestors announce a multi-year investment to expand music education in public schools, focusing on schools based in East Boston. The grant comes through EdVestors from an anonymous donor. (Monday, 9 a.m., Curtis Guild School, 195 Leyden St., East Boston)
BOSTON RECYCLING HEARING: Boston City Council Committee on Civil Services and Innovation Technology holds a public hearing to examine "the diversion of trash in the interest of recovering recyclables at large Boston venues." The order setting the hearing says large sports, concert and event venues produce "tons of trash" that staff do not have time to sort, leaving it all disposed into landfills or incinerators. (Monday, 10 a.m., More Info)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
HOUSE SESSION: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSION: Behavioral Health Advisory Commission holds a virtual public hearing, where commission members will discuss mental health workforce recruitment and retention. (Monday, 1 p.m., Agenda and Access)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure accepts written testimony on two bills: H 5377 to extend the time for the issuance of alcoholic beverage licenses in the city of Woburn, and H 5379 concerning horse racing within the town of Plymouth. The Plymouth bill would prohibit horse racing in Plymouth except under specific circumstances, including when a town-wide vote supports an application for a horse track. Earlier this year, Boston South Real Estate and Development Group indicated an interest in building a $500 million racetrack and entertainment center in Plymouth. The Boston Globe reported in June that 88 percent of Plymouth residents who voted on a non-binding question related to the project were opposed to it and the town's Select Board later voted unanimously to tell the Mass. Gaming Commission that it and its town's voters were opposed to horse racing in Plymouth. The Gaming Commission did not receive an application from Boston South Real Estate and Development Group for horse racing dates in 2023. (Monday, 1 p.m., More Info)
AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMISSION: Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution holds a virtual meeting of its Education Subcommittee. The agenda includes a discussion about the topics subcommittee members want to consider, the start of a list of groups or people the subcommittee wants to hear from, and a plan for future meetings. (Monday, 3 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)
CANNABIS ADVISORY -- PUBLIC HEALTH: Public Health Subcommittee of the Cannabis Advisory Board meets. The agenda shows that the group, which makes non-binding suggestions to the Cannabis Control Commission, is slated to discuss and vote on a series of unspecified recommendations. (Monday, 3 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)
BAKER RETURNS: Gov. Baker is scheduled to return from more than a week in Ireland with his family.
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022
GAMING COMMISSION - TUESDAY: Mass. Gaming Commission holds its first of two meetings of the week. This one will include a sports betting application process update, an update on casino operations, and an update on racing days that Plainridge Park had to either reschedule or cancel this summer due to extreme heat. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
LOTTERY COMMISSION: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg chairs a meeting of the Mass. Lottery Commission. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., contact gpolin@masslottery.com or 781-917-6057 for access)
EARLY CHILDHOOD WEBINAR: Boston Children's Hospital's Offices of Government Relations and Community Health host a webinar on early childhood health and policy. The event includes a panel discussion among senior advisor for early childhood and director of Boston's Office of Early Childhood Kristin McSwain, deputy director of Strategies for Children Titus DosRemedios, 2022 Families First Leadership fellow Zea Lennard, and Boston Children's Hospital state government relations specialist Sarah Mills. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | Register)
COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHS: Student Pathways to Success coalition hosts a webinar with Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll, Mass. Business Alliance for Education Executive Director Ed Lambert, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education Amy Loyd, and Getting Smart CEO Tom Vander Ark to discuss ways Massachusetts could "strengthen and scale pathways to college and career success that benefit every single student." (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Register)
GOLDBERG AT NELF: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg will give featured remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Downtown Crossing headquarters of the New England Legal Foundation, which is led by President Dan Winslow. "Treasurer Goldberg's family is part of the fabric of the entrepreneurial spirit that makes New England a wonderful place to do business: people who do well and do good and give back to their communities by philanthropy and public service," Winslow said, referring to the Goldberg family's past stake in Stop & Shop. "She understands the importance of donor support for non-profit organizations like the New England Legal Foundation, and we are most appreciative of her visiting with us on this special day." (Tuesday, 5 p.m., 333 Washington St., Suite 850, Boston | Register)
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg gives remarks at the launch of the Treasury's Small Business Resource Toolkit website Sen. Lydia Edwards, Boston Director of Small Business Aliesha Porcena, and others are expected to join Goldberg. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Register)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets with votes likely on judicial candidates and to certify the 2020 election results. (Wednesday, noon, Council Chamber)
CHEVRON CEO IN BOSTON: Chevron CEO Mike Wirth is the featured speaker at the Boston College Chief Executives Club's latest luncheon. Wirth will chat with Suffolk CEO John Fish about "the state of global energy markets, the long-term energy transition, and the balance between economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection," organizers said. Wirth has been Chevron's CEO and chairman since 2018. Media RSVP to ed.hayward@bc.edu or 617-552-4826. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston)
DESE ARTS PROGRAM: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education holds an informational session about the Arts and Cultural Vitality Index and grant program application and process. The ACV Index is a voluntary self-evaluation schools can use to examine their arts and cultural assets. The index "details a structure for identifying areas of strength, and pinpointing opportunities to advance the arts and cultural vitality." The grant will provide funding support for schools to conduct an arts program review using the index. (Wednesday, 4 p.m. | Register)
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022
WOMEN IN HEALTH CARE: Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association hosts its annual conference of women leaders in health care. This year's theme is "Women Supporting Women: Strength in Community Building." (Thursday, 8 a.m., Westin Waltham, 70 3rd Ave., Waltham)
MBTA AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Audit and Finance Subcommittee meets virtually. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Agenda and Livestream)
PRIM BOARD: Massachusetts Pension Reserve Investment Management Board of Directors meets with Treasurer Deb Goldberg as chair. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., More Info TBA)
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN WESTERN MASS. | Massachusetts Health Policy Forum at the Heller School at Brandeis University hosts a virtual panel discussion to explore the impacts of a lack of access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment in Western Massachusetts. The forum is made possible by funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Baystate Health. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders will offer remarks at the outset, as well as Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health. Audrey Shelto, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. Foundation, will provide an overview of state action and moderate a panel featuring Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western Mass.; Tania Barber, President and CEO of Caring Health Center in Springfield; and Steven Winn, president and CEO of Behavioral Health Network. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
GAMING COMMISSION - THURSDAY: Mass. Gaming Commission is expected to hold its second business meeting of the week and could vote to finalize a series of regulations critical to the implementation of legal sports betting here, possibly including the final version of regulations that spell out how commissioners are to review and evaluate sports betting license applications. (Thursday, 10 a.m., More Info TBA)
MBTA PLANNING AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Planning, Workforce, Development and Compensation Subcommittee meets virtually. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Livestream)
MBTA SAFETY COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee meets virtually. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Agenda and Livestream)
HOUSE SESSION: House meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
NAIOP MARKET FORECAST: Commercial real estate development group NAIOP Massachusetts and SIOR hold a virtual event to give members (and non-members who pay $55) a look at where key market sectors stand, with a special emphasis on capital markets, lab, industrial, multifamily, and office space. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Register)
BOSTON COMMON TREE LIGHTING: Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer join Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston for the 81st annual Boston Common Tree Lighting celebration. For 51 years, Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for Boston's quick relief efforts following the Dec. 6, 1917 explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. This year's 45-foot white spruce was donated by landowner Roddy Townsend of Christmas Island, along with his children Angela, Carmen, and Andrew. The tree will be lit shortly before 8 p.m. and WCVB broadcasts live starting at 7 p.m., but festivities start at 6 p.m. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Boston Common)
LEOMINSTER ROUTE 12 MEETING: MassDOT hosts a public hearing to discuss the proposed reconstruction of Route 12 in Leominster, known as Central Street, and a bridge over Fall Brook. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Leominster City Call, 25 West St., Leominster | More Info)
BOURNE ROTARY IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT hosts a virtual public meeting to present the design for planned improvements to a rotary in Bourne. (Thursday, 7 p.m., More Info)
COMMONWEALTH MALL LIGHTING: Boston Mayor Wu joins city officials and community leaders for a ceremony to turn on "the thousands of shimmering, artfully designed holiday lights" along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods, Friends of the Public Garden President Liz Vizza and community leader Matt Sidman also participate. (Thursday, 8 p.m., Commonwealth Avenue Mall at Arlington-Berkely block)
Friday, Dec. 2, 2022
IMMIGRATION LICENSING REGULATIONS: Registry of Motor Vehicles hosts a virtual public hearing about proposed amendments to driver's license regulations, which officials are intended to implement a new law that will allow any eligible Massachusetts resident to acquire a license regardless of their immigration status. Under the law, which takes effect July 1, 2023, immigrants without legal status must submit documents including a valid, unexpired foreign passport or a valid, unexpired consular identification document to prove their identity, date of birth and current residency. (Friday, 11 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
RGGI BOARD MEETS: Board meeting, via teleconference, of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc., a cap-and-trade compact of 11 eastern states that reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants. The compact limits emissions from regulated power plants with a regional cap that declines over time. Members of the public are invited to listen to the meeting proceedings. The RGGI states are conducting their third program review to consider successes, impacts, and design elements of their CO2 budget trading programs. Friday's agenda includes approval of the 2023 RGGI budget, executive committee elections, and an update on RGGI milestones. (Friday, 4 p.m., Teleconference)
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
PROGRESSIVE CONFERENCE: Sen. Jamie Eldridge is slated to give a political update at a conference for Massachusetts progressives hosted by the Massachusetts Progressive Action Organizing Committee. The virtual conference is meant to give progressives a chance "to dissect the 2022 election results and chart the path for our movements in the next two years and beyond," organizers said. John Nichols, a national affairs correspondent for The Nation, is also among those scheduled to speak. (Sat., Dec. 3, 9 a.m., Register)
