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Instead of hanging a portrait of an individual by her desk, Gov. Maura Healey is instead opting for a minimalist gold frame, a move proposed by students that the governor hopes will inspire young people to envision themselves inside the frame.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. May 1
Library Board of Directors Meeting
7:00pm
Tues. May 2
School Comm. Budget Sub Committee agenda
5:00pm
CANCELED - Community Preservation Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Wed. May 3
5:00pm
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting
5:30pm
7:00pm
Friends of Franklin Library Meeting
7:00pm
Thurs. May 4
Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting
6:00pm to 7:00pm
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
May's arrival on Monday means it's nearly time for the Senate to weigh in on the critical spending and tax relief decisions that are being made in the first few months of the new two-year session. By June, the House and Senate usually have both annual budget bills ready for conference committee talks but this year's negotiations over spending outlays are likely to also feature a repeat of last summer's talks over how best to reconfigure the state tax code to deliver tax relief to those most in need and to make Massachusetts more competitive with other states. After saying Thursday that the Senate's annual budget proposal will be released on May 10, a spokesman for the Senate Ways and Means Committee then said the budget release date is not locked in and "will be announced shortly." Spokesman Sean Fitzgerald also told the News Service Thursday that a Senate tax relief bill would probably be out before the budget, but then later added that even that broad timetable is not certain. The House opted to approve its tax relief bill (H 3770) first, and then factor the bill's tax relief fiscal impacts into the $56.2 billion annual budget (H 3900) it approved on Wednesday night. While the heavily amended House budget may take a few days to reach Ways and Means, the committee chaired by Sen. Michael Rodrigues got the House tax relief bill ten days ago, on April 18. Senators don't have any formal sessions planned next week to tackle serious business but Senate Democrats do plan to meet up privately on Wednesday for a caucus where more precise plans may be a discussion topic. Joint committee activity continues next week, voters in Boston on Tuesday choose among candidates for two open House seats, and local talksters Jim Braude and Margery Eagan plan a unique radio program featuring the new Republican and Democratic Party chairs.
Sunday, April 30, 2023
BRIAN KANE ON 4: MBTA Advisory Board Executive Director Brian Kane, who formerly worked for the T and its Fiscal and Management Control Board, talks with Jon Keller about T officials working remotely, financial problems facing the transit system, and the likelihood of deep service cuts. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
NORFOLK SHERIFF: The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and Free Jacks Rugby Club hosts "Heroes Among Us," a celebration of first responders. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy | Schedule)
SEN. SHAHEEN ON 5: U.S. Sen. Shaheen (D-N.H.) is the guest on "On The Record," talking about former President Trump's campaign stop in the Granite State, President Biden's reelection announcement, and the Democratic National Committee's move to end New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary status. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
GHANA CELEBRATION: Attendees are invited to wear traditional clothing and to take an "unforgettable journey" into Ghana at a Hibernian Hall event that features a multimedia presentation from Cornell Coley, a dancer and percussionist who in 1994 wrote the first draft of the arts curriculum framework for Massachusetts public schools. He's taught at Mount Holyoke College and Northeastern University, among other Massachusetts schools. "An Evening in Ghana" will also include a multimedia presentation from Coley's travels in Ghana; a photo exhibit from Reginald Jackson, whose work is on display at MIT Museum and the Boston Athenaeum; samplers of Ghanaian food; and live music from The Akwaaba Ensemble, a West African drumming group. General admission tickets are $15; senior and student tickets are $10. (Sunday, 6:30 p.m., Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., Roxbury, More Info)
Monday, May 1, 2023
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches start the week with informal sessions. (Monday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers | House Livestream | Senate Livestream)
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE: The Joint Agriculture Committee is slated to hear about the sale of raw, or unpasteurized, milk along with cranberry and hemp issues as it considers testimony on nine bills. A bill filed by Sen. Gobi of Spencer (S 43) would allow for dairy farmers to sell raw milk through direct delivery, third-party delivery, or farm-share programs. It would also allow dairy farmers to sell raw milk at their farm stands even if the stand isn't contiguous with the dairy property. Right now, according to the UMass Extension Service, "raw milk sales in Massachusetts are legal only through the direct sale from the farm in which it was produced." According to the Raw Milk Institute, the unpasteurized beverage's benefits include facilitating "production of lactase enzyme in the intestinal tract, allowing many people who are lactose intolerant to digest raw milk with no problems." The Department of Agricultural Resources, in its fact sheet on raw milk in Massachusetts, cautions that "pasteurization destroys organisms that may be harmful to human health." Proposals from Cape Cod and South Coast lawmakers Sen. Moran and Rep. Straus deal with a cranberry wetland mitigation bank (S 539) and a cranberry water use transfer program (H 909). A bill from Northampton Rep. Sabadosa and Ludlow Sen. Oliveira (H 94) would add hemp and marijuana growing to the definition of "agriculture" in state law. Another bill by Western Mass. Reps. Pignatelli and Blais aims to expand the state's agriculture preservation restrictions to include hemp cultivation (H 93). (Monday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium Agenda and Access Info)
KERRIGAN, CARNEVALE ON RADIO: Mass. Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan and Mass. Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale, both of whom were newly elected this year, appear on "Boston Public Radio" for what GBH News advertises as "their first public dialogue about the future of their respective political camps." (Monday, 11 a.m., WGBH-FM 89.7 and GBH News Online)
AMERICAN REVOLUTION DIVERSITY: Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee of the state Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution meets to outline topics and action items for its subcommittee report and identify potential guests for its next meeting. (Monday, 3 p.m., Virtual)
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS' DAY: Mass. Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) gathers in East Boston (Liberty Plaza, 216 Border St.) at 4 p.m. before walking to Chelsea to commemorate International Workers' Day with a main event set for Chelsea City Hall (500 Broadway) at 5:15 p.m. Labor Council for Latin American Advancement's national president, Yanira Merino, headlines a speaking program that also includes entertainment and music. (Monday, 4 p.m., Liberty Plaza, 216 Border St., East Boston)
WESTWOOD FIREFIGHTERS PICKET: Westwood Firefighters Local 1994 cap off a weekend of picketing with a press conference ahead of Town Meeting to discuss what they describe as "department/city retaliation and ongoing contract issues." Union president Anthony Burke, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Vice President of District 2 Richard Paris and attorney Leah Barrault attend. (Monday, 5:15 p.m., Westwood High School, 200 Nahatan St., Westwood)
TOBIN LANE CLOSURES: MassDOT begins a series of evening and overnight lane closures on the Tobin Bridge, which links Boston and Chelsea. The upper deck left lane on the southbound side of the bridge will close from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning Sundays through Thursdays for about the next three months, likely increasing traffic during that span, which figures to overlap partly with a summertime Sumner Tunnel closure. Two lanes of traffic will remain open during the partial closures. MassDOT said the closures "are needed to support Tobin Bridge structural repairs and safety walk rehabilitation operations." (Monday, 6 p.m.)
NIGHTTIME BLUE LINE CLOSURES: MBTA begins four straight evenings of closing Blue Line subway service at 8 p.m. to provide workers with more time on the tracks for maintenance for the second straight week. Shuttle buses will replace service between Government Center and Wonderland but will not run to Bowdoin. During that time, crews plan to replace nearly 2,000 feet of rail and more than 450 ties as well as tamp more than 3,000 feet of track, which MBTA General Manager Phil Eng estimates will allow the T to reduce the share of the Blue Line subject to slow zones from 44 percent currently to 28 percent by the end of May. MBTA officials initially planned to begin the nightly closures around 7 p.m. but pushed back the start time by an hour based on "feedback from public stakeholder groups," according to a press release. The agency also said it is exploring the opportunity for additional evening closures starting around 8 p.m. in June and will share more information once those plans are finalized. (Monday, 8 p.m.)
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
SPECIAL ELECTIONS - DEM PRIMARIES: Voters head to the polls in a pair of Boston-area special primary elections to fill two House seats. The primary contest will presumably seal the victor in both races, neither of which features any Republicans on the ballot. In the 10th Suffolk District that stretches from Jamaica Plain to West Roxbury across parts of Brookline, three Democrats are on Tuesday's ballot: Bill MacGregor of West Roxbury, Robert Patrick Orthman of Roslindale and Celia Segel of Jamaica Plain. The Boston Globe endorsed Orthman, who works as deputy general counsel at the state Department of Early Education and Care. Segel, associate director for pharmaceutical pricing and policy at the Health Policy Commission, has the support of EMILY's List. And MacGregor, a loan officer who previously worked as chief of staff to Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley, won the endorsement of the lawmaker all three are hoping to succeed: former Rep. Ed Coppinger, who resigned weeks into the 2023-2024 term to take a job at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. In the 9th Suffolk District, the result appears already decided. Amparo "Chary" Ortiz dropped out earlier this month, leaving Biogen employee John Moran as the lone candidate actively campaigning and the contest's presumptive winner. He would succeed former Rep. Jon Santiago, who left the House to become veterans' services secretary in Gov. Healey's Cabinet. The special general election will take place on May 30. Polls typically open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. (Tuesday, 7 a.m.)
PENSION RESERVE COMMITTEE: The Pension Reserve Investment Management Committee meets remotely. The committee is scheduled to hear a report from the executive director and chief investment officer, an update on risk management, public markets and private equity performance summary, and vote on a global equities benchmark recommendation. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)
CAMPBELL ADDRESSES CHAMBER: Attorney General Andrea Campbell addresses the Greater Boston Business Chamber for the first time in her new role. She plans to discuss her priorities, including "building economic prosperity and stability for all residents, prioritizing the mental health and wellbeing of children, and stopping cycles of incarceration and violence." (Tuesday, 9:45 a.m., Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Ave., Boston)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hybrid public hearing on several dozen bills, including legislation tied to reproductive health and telehealth. Bills from Rep. Decker and Sen. Gomez (H 986/S 655) would bolster equitable access to telehealth, which became increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure insurance coverage, including reimbursement for interpreter services. Other bills seek to expand gender-affirming care and reproductive care in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision last summer to overturn Roe v. Wade. That includes proposals backed by Reproductive Equity Now from Rep. Sabadosa and Sen. Friedman (H 1137/S 646) that would ensure access to full-spectrum pregnancy care, encompassing insurance coverage for abortion, prenatal care, childbirth and postpartum care. Also before the committee are bills from Rep. Kilcoyne and Sen. Moran (H 1074/S 689) designed to increase access to biomarker testing, which can help providers gauge the best treatment options for patients with cancer, arthritis, other autoimmune conditions and rare diseases. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Access Info)
ADULT FOSTER DAY CARE: Mass. Council for Adult Foster Care holds an awareness day, and Senate President Spilka's office said she is scheduled to attend and present the group's Legislative Champions Award. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Nurse's Hall)
COLLEGE MENTAL HEALTH: Behavioral health initiatives at colleges and universities will be highlighted by the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts. Sen. Gobi and Reps. Keefe and Balser will receive awards for their work tied to behavioral health in higher education. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 428)
BLUE ECONOMY CONFERENCE: The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Blue Economy Foundation holds its inaugural Big Blue Conference. Discussions on day one will focus on offshore wind energy production with speakers from Avangrid and Mass. Maritime Academy. Offshore wind is being eyed to play a significant role as Massachusetts tries to make good on its clean energy commitments, and major questions remain over Avangrid's 1,200-megawatt wind development project, picked in the state's last procurement, as the next round is being mapped out. Day two topics will highlight speakers representing aquaculture, tourism, education, energy providers and municipal representatives. Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Sen. S. Moran, Rep. Fernandes, Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra Blazquez, and Shark Week and Deadliest Catch producer Paul Gasek are scheduled to speak. Conference fees are $85 per person for Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce or Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce members and their employees, or $125 per person for non-members. Media can contact Geoff Spillane at gspillane@pierce-cote.com (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Maritime Conference Center, 101 Academy Driver, Buzzards Bay | Full Schedule)
IMMIGRANT NUTRITION, CASH ASSISTANCE: Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition -- which lists 65 member organizations including Mass General Brigham, UMass Chan Medical School, and the Greater Boston Food Bank -- holds legislative briefing featuring a bill (S 76 / H 135) that seeks to "restore state-funded nutrition benefits to legally present immigrants, and cash assistance to immigrant families with children." Bill sponsors Sen. DiDomenico of Everett and Reps. Cabral of New Bedford and Garcia of Chelsea are scheduled to speak, along with La Colaborativa executive director Gladys Vega, Anissa Dickerson of the Boston Medical Center Refugee Women's Health Clinic, and a Chelsea immigrant family. Organizers say the briefing will also feature resources for constituent services aides to help them work with immigrant families. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Room 222)
EDUCATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Education holds a hearing on bills related to extracurriculars and student learning time. Bills under consideration would establish an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program (H 577 / S 360), support student participation in 4-H programs (H 447), mandate that children with disabilities not be precluded from participating in after-school sports or activities (S 269), provide mandatory recess time in elementary schools (H 480), and study the effects of school start times on middle and high schoolers (H 486). A Sen. Creem and Rep. Khan bill aims to remodel public schools athletics through a lens of social-emotional learning, by requiring districts to teach students and coaches about creating bias-free team cultures, provide students with age-appropriate leadership roles and teach emotional skills such as emotion management, conflict resolution and ethical decision-making. Sen. Creem will testify on the bill. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Virtual Access)
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Service hears testimony on 35 bills dealing with proposed shifts in retirement group classifications for different sets of public employees, like adding public safety dispatchers to Group 2 (H 2575), moving UMass police officers to Group 4 (H 2644), and adding municipal harbormasters to Group 2 (H 2519). Other bills on the agenda would add a retirement group classification for staff attorneys at the Department of Children and Families who hold that position for at least 10 years (H 2462), along with Committee for Public Counsel Services attorneys, investigators, social workers, and social service advocates who work for the public defender agency for at least 10 years (H 2592). Attendees who want to testify virtually must register by 5 p.m. Monday. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 and Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
TRAHAN ART CONTEST WINNER: Congresswoman Trahan hosts an event to announce the winner of this year's Third Congressional District art competition. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Chelmsford Center for the Arts, 1A North Road, Chelmsford)
PRESSLEY AT GBH FORUM: Congresswoman Pressley is the guest at a "Boston Public Radio After Hours" event with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan that also features live music, beer, and wine. Event is free but requires an RSVP. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., GBH Studio, Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boston)
HEATH BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds a virtual hearing on the design for the proposed Jacksonville Stage Road Bridge replacement over the West Branch Brook in Heath. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. | Registration and More Info
MORAN ELECTION NIGHT: Boston Democrat John Moran, the last candidate remaining in the special election to fill the 9th Suffolk House seat, plans to hold an election night watch party. The district includes the South End and part of Dorchester. Location only available via RSVP to press@johnmoran9.com. (Tuesday, 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
CHILDREN'S LEAGUE LOBBY DAY: Sen. Moran, Sen. R. Kennedy, and Rep. Lewis are among the scheduled speakers at Children's League of Massachusetts annual lobby day. Speaking program starts at 10 a.m. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Great Hall)
PENSION RESERVE COMMITTEE: The Pension Reserve Real Estate and Timberland Committee meets remotely. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)
MCAS RECEIVERSHIP BRIEFING: Citizens for Public Schools and Fair & Open Testing hold a briefing to discuss a recently released report titled "Lessons Learned: After 25 Years of Test-And-Punish Accountability, It's Time to End the Misuse of Tests and Help All Our Students Thrive." It will focus on state receivership of "chronically underperforming" districts, which are identified partially through student performance on the MCAS, and support the passage of the so-called Thrive Act (S 246 / H 495). The bill would replace the MCAS graduation requirement with a requirement for districts to independently certify that a student has completed coursework that shows they meet state standards. It would also eliminate the policy that allows the state to take control of an underperforming district and establish a commission to create a new assessment system based on the "whole-child." (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Zoom)
BOSTON EARLY ED REPORT: The Boston Opportunity Agenda, Boston Birth to Eight Collaborative and Boston's Office of Early Education release a report "(Re)Building Boston's Early Education and Care Sector", examining the availability, affordability and quality of education and care for children age five and younger in Boston. The report is a follow-up on the Boston Opportunity Agenda's work to measure the impact of the pandemic on early education and care, even as pandemic-related funding helped ease the burden for centers and providers. The new report finds a lack of availability of early education and care for infants and children up to age 2 compared to older students. It explores what "quality" education and care looks like, and discusses the impact of public funding on keeping programs open throughout the pandemic. It recommends the continuation of the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants program for all providers. The event will include a data presentation and panel discussion on the report. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., The Edgerley Center for Civic Leadership at the Boston Foundation, 3rd Floor, 75 Arlington St., Boston | Register)
MEDICAL AID IN DYING: The End of Life Options MA Coalition holds a virtual briefing to release its poll of Massachusetts' voters' views on medical aid in dying. Chris Anderson from Beacon Research will present the findings of the poll on voters' level of support for proposed legislation that would authorize physicians to prescribe medication that would end a terminally ill patients' life (H 2246 / S 1331). The Supreme Judicial Court ruled last year that the constitution does not protect a doctor providing this medication, and that such an action could be prosecuted as manslaughter. But, the courts left an opening for lawmakers to take action on the topic. "The desirability and practicality of physician-assisted suicide raises not only weighty philosophical questions about the nature of life and death, but also difficult technical questions about the regulation of the medical field," Justice Frank Gaziano wrote in the ruling. "These questions are best left to the democratic process, where their resolution can be informed by robust public debate and thoughtful research by experts in the field." Gov. Healey has voiced support for legalizing some form of the practice without detailing any lines she would not cross or guardrails she sees as necessary. Voters rejected the idea at the ballot box a decade ago, and for years the Legislature has held hearings on bills to legalize the practice without advancing legislation for a vote. Sen. Comerford, Rep. O'Day and Rep. Philips are scheduled to make remarks at the virtual briefing. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Register)
SENATE DEMS POLITICAL CAUCUS: The Senate's 37 Democrats plan to huddle in a private political caucus. Because of the campaign-related subject matter, this meeting is held off-campus outside the State House. In recent years, Democrats have been as likely to face serious challenges from within their party as they have from Republican Party members. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Omni Parker House, 60 School St., Boston)
NEW BEDFORD 'STATE OF CITY': New Bedford Mayor Mitchell, the Whaling City's leader since 2012, gives his annual State of the City address at a luncheon event hosted by the One SouthCoast Chamber. Mitchell's office says more than 500 attendees are expected, making it "the state's second-largest event of its kind." Media RSVP to Holly.Huntoon@newbedford-ma.gov or Katie Greene at kgreene@onesouthcoast.com. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., New Bedford High School, 230 Hathaway Blvd., New Bedford)
HUMAN SERVICES WORKFORCE REPORT: A report highlighting a "staffing crisis" in the human services sector is marked for release. Sector insiders say there are 160,000 jobs in human services but a declining working age population and increased service needs mean that some of the state's most vulnerable residents "may be threatened with fewer essential services available." The Human Services Providers Charitable Foundation, Inc. and the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute are releasing their latest report, "Essential or Not? The Critical Need for Human Services Workers." Report authority Christina Citino of the Donahue Institute will present the report and there will then be a panel discussion featuring Sen. Cindy Friedman, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh; Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Children's Services of Roxbury CEO Sandra McCroom, and Providers' Council President Michael Weekes (moderator.) (Wednesday, noon, Verve Hotel, 1360 Worcester St, Natick)
DEBT-FREE HIGHER ED: The Higher Ed for All Coalition lobby for the so-called CHERISH Act (S 816 / H 1260) and Debt-Free Bill (S 823 / H 1265), calling for debt-free public higher education, increased student supports, better wages and working conditions for educators, and green buildings. Students, faculty, librarians and staff will speak. Beacon Hill leaders have identified more affordable public higher education as one of their key priorities this year, though they disagree on exactly what that will look like. Gov. Healey and the House have both recommended funding a new program, MassReconnect, that would provide last-dollar support for community college students over 25 to cover tuition and fees. Senate President Spilka has signaled that she supports free community college for all, not just those over 25 years old. Differences in the governor and House's budget include a House plan to provide $50 million for a High Demand Scholarship Program for students pursuing "in-demand" jobs in Massachusetts, and Gov. Healey proposed that UMass and state universities be able to "lock" tuition for students, so the cost of attending school in their fourth year would be the same as it cost them as freshmen. The Senate has not yet released its budget, which will include their version of higher education investments for the upcoming fiscal year. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State House Steps)
AMHERST - JONES LIBRARY FUNDING: Congressman McGovern announces over $2 million in federal funding to renovate and preserve Jones Library in Amherst. Project upgrades will eliminate the use of fossil fuels and low-embodied carbon materials, reduce energy use intensity by 60 percent, and reduce total lifetime carbon emissions by 41 percent compared to the current building. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 43 Amity St., Amherst)
BOSTON COLLEGE LUNCHEON: Robin Hayes, the CEO of JetBlue, speaks at a Boston College Chief Executives Club event. The luncheon starts at noon, followed by the speaking program at 1 p.m. Hayes also joins a discussion with Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Celtics managing partner and governor, about the airline's "significant Boston presence" and upcoming acquisition of Spirit Airlines, among other topics. JetBlue has more than 4,500 employees in Boston. Media can register to attend by contacting Ed Hayward at ed.hayward@bc.edu or 617-552-4826. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston)
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSION: Behavioral Health Advisory Commission meets virtually to finalize details on its report to the Legislature on workforce challenges in the industry. The report is in its final stages after a months-long process, and the commission meets to review and make any last additions or changes. The report will include recommendations to address the workforce shortage. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access Info)
CLEAN WATER TRUST: Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees meets virtually. At its last meeting, the agency approved $38 million in new loans and grants. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. | Remote Access, Meeting ID: 935 1598 6199, Passcode: 143459)
STORMWATER FLOODING REPORT: The Metropolitan Area Planning Council releases research on the "increasing threat of stormwater flooding in Greater Boston." The council analyzed 27,000 flood claims from the historic March 2010 storms that dropped 18 inches of rain across eastern Massachusetts, and cost $59 million in disaster assistance. MAPC will host a forum to discuss the report's findings, which will include a panel with retired MAPC Principal Environmental Planner Anne Herbst, Director of Climate Adaptation and Resilience at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Mia Mansfield, and Dedham Director of Engineering Jason Mammone, moderated by MAPC Senior Environmental Planner Van Du. Those who register for the event will receive a copy of the report afterwards. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. Register)
HEALTH & HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SUMMIT: Mass. Health and Hospital Association hosts its Emerging Leaders Summit, which will feature discussions about career pathways in the state's hospital ecosystem and health policy. UMass Memorial Medical Center Media and Public Relations Director Shelly Hazlett, Beverly Hospital Director of Social Work and Admissions for Inpatient Behavioral Health Denise Mason, Boston Medical Center Health Equity Accelerator Director of Innovation Sheila Phicil and Lahey Hospital Vice President Jason Robinson participate in a panel discussion. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Suffolk University, 120 Tremont St., Boston | More Info)
BIRTH COALITION BRIEFING: Lawmakers host a briefing for the Bay State Birth Coalition, which they describe as an organization focused on expanding access to midwives, birth centers and home births. Sen. Rausch, Rep. Fluker-Oakley and Rep. Khan participate. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Room 428)
APRIL ENGLISH, MAYOR WU ON DIVERSITY PANEL: Gov. Healey's Chief Secretary April English, Boston Mayor Wu, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper, South Hadley Town Administrator Lisa Wong, and The Partnership COO Carmen Arce-Bowen are among the guests at a GBH hybrid event about diversity, equity, and inclusion in government, education, and the private sector. Doors open at 5 p.m. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., GBH Studios, One Guest St., Brighton | Info and Registration)
HYDE PARK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds a virtual hearing on the design for the proposed plan to replace the River Street Bridge in Hyde Park. Attendees will see a 25 percent design plan and hear about construction staging, anticipated duration and other details. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Registration and More Info)
Thursday, May 4, 2023
DRISCOLL, WU AT AIM ANNUAL MEETING: Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Boston Mayor Wu are headline speakers at Associated Industries of Massachusetts' annual meeting. AIM plans to also present its Vision Award to R.H. White Companies of Auburn, the Latimer Award to Boston Impact Initiative CEO Betty Francisco, and the John Gould Award to the Worcester Technical High School and Springfield's Roger L. Putnam Vocational Academy. Attendance is projected to include representatives of more than 300 businesses. An hour of networking starts at 7 a.m. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Seaport Hotel, One Seaport Ln., Boston | Registration)
KEATING ADDRESSES NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL: Congressman Keating addresses local business leaders at the latest Capitol Hill Report event hosted by the New England Council. Media are asked to RSVP by email to eheisig@newenglandcouncil.com. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St., Boston)
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE HEARING: The Joint Committee on Public Health holds a hybrid public hearing on dozens of bills. The agenda includes bills, known as the SAPHE 2.0 Act, from Rep. Kane and Sen. Comerford (H 2204/ S1334) to tackle disparities in local and regional public health bodies across Massachusetts, such as by creating a uniform data collection and reporting system and ensuring "sustainable" state funding for local health boards to meet minimum public health standards. Massachusetts for Safe Technology is advocating for a Rep. Farley-Bouvier bill that would require the Department of Public Health to add electromagnetic sensitivity to the list of diseases dangerous to public health (H 2158). There are also bills to create a Parkinson's disease registry to analyze its prevalence (H 3614/ S 1344), develop a public awareness campaign about Alzheimer's and other types of dementia (H 2178/S 1380), and a pancreatic cancer advisory council within the Department of Public Health (H 2182/S 1330), among other pieces of legislation tied to disease prevention. A Rep. Domb bill (H 2147) would create a special commission on long COVID-related needs, tasked with identifying various socioeconomic, medical, public health, mental health, social and fiscal needs, as well as making legislative recommendations to ensure racial, cultural and regional equity. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)
SPILKA SPEAKS TO POLICE CHIEFS: Senate President Spilka speaks at the Middlesex Chiefs of Police Association's legislative breakfast. Closed to press. (Thursday, 9 a.m., One Burlington Rd., Burlington)
PENSION RESERVE COMMITTEE: The Pension Reserve Investment Management Administration and Audit Committee meets remotely. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)
URBAN FORESTS BRIEFING: Speak for the Trees Boston, Sen. Creem and Reps. Owens and Armini host a briefing on legislation to help preserve and expand urban forests. Participants will discuss the "municipal reforestation act," (S 452 / H 869) which would set up a funding structure and technical assistance for participating municipalities to create urban tree canopy covers, especially in treeless and environmental justice neighborhoods where residents are more likely to suffer from extreme heat and air pollution. Supporters say urban forests remove carbon dioxide and filter pollutants from the air, provide cooler ambient temperatures, reduce stormwater runoff, provide habitat for urban wildlife, calm traffic by creating more livable streets, boost property values and improve physical and mental health outcomes of the humans who live near them. The municipal reforestation program would establish an Urban Forest Advisory Council under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Participating communities would develop reforestation plans, supported by the advisory council. First priority for funding and assistance would go to cities, towns and neighborhoods with less than 20 percent tree canopy cover, neighborhoods with high levels of particular pollutants that affect human health, environmental justice neighborhoods and sites that are deemed to be heat islands. The bills propose funding for the program would come from appropriations, bond proceeds, gifts and grants from public and private sources, and other funds authorized by the Legislature. The second bill to be discussed at the briefing is the Shade Tree Update Bill (S 1280 / H 2094), which aims to modernize Chapter 87, the Massachusetts Shade Tree Law by regulating the powers of tree wardens. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Room 428 | Registration)
MASS-CARE LOBBY DAY: Mass-Care lobbies lawmakers for "Medicare for All." They are supporting twin bills from Reps. Sabadosa and Garlick (H 1239) and Sen. Eldridge (S 744) to eliminate co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance and set up a state trust fund to pay for the health care of Massachusetts residents and non-residents who work here at least 20 hours a week. The bills propose funding the trust with new taxes, which supporters say would be in lieu of the significant amounts of money currently spent on premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The Senate bill has 18 petitioners, and 41 lawmakers have signed on to the House's version of the bill. "Medicare for All" bills last year hit dead ends in the Health Care Financing Committee and when sent to a study order. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | More Info)
SAFE DRINKING WATER: The "Get the Lead Out" report, which grades the performance of Massachusetts and other states in tackling lead in school drinking water, will be released by MASSPIRG and Environment Massachusetts. The outdoor press conference will include remarks from Rep. Lipper-Garabedian and Sen. Joan Lovely, sponsors of bills (H 851/ S526) to ensure safe drinking water in schools. Also speaking: Dr. Alan Woolf, associate chief medical education officer at Boston Children's Hospital; Brynn Wartman, of the Massachusetts PTA Safety and Wellness Committee; Deirdre Cummings, legislative director at MASSPIRG; and John Rumpler, clean water program director for Environment America. More than 80 percent of taps analyzed at over 1,700 schools and child care centers have tested positive for lead since 2016. In case of weather and late changes for location, contact 978-201-6093. (Thursday, 10:15 a.m., State House Steps)
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to hold informal sessions. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers)
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS: The Nature Conservancy hosts a webinar on Massachusetts' Reptiles and Amphibians. TNC land steward Rene Wendell will show some of the frogs, turtles and snakes he comes across in his work in western Massachusetts. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Register)
MBTA JOB FAIR: The MBTA will be present at the Latino Career Expo, where human resources representatives will be onsite to answer questions regarding careers at the T. As staffing shortages continue to limit bus and subway service, the T is working to fill hundreds of open positions and is offering a $7,500 sign-on bonus for a range of positions. (Thursday, 1 p.m. Marriott Courtyard Boston Downtown, 375 Tremont St., Boston | More Info)
LIFE SCIENCE INCUBATORS: Sen. DiDomenico of Everett plans to attend grand opening of Bayer Co.Lab in Cambridge, the flagship location of a network of life science incubators. The site is dedicated to early stage companies focused on cell and gene therapy innovations, according to DiDomenico's office, which said it expects Gov. Healey will be in attendance. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., 238 Main St., Cambridge)
ROUTE 20 RECONSTRUCTION MEETING: MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing to provide an update on the design for the Route 20 reconstruction project and discuss early construction. The meeting will begin with a presentation by the project team, followed by time for the attendees to ask questions. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | Registration and More Info)
CREEM AT HEBREW COLLEGE: Senate Majority Leader Creem attends the Hebrew College Spring Gala and will give citations to the night's honorees, Andy Offit and Dan Miller. Offit has been chair of the Hebrew College Board of Trustees for the last six years and Miller is the founding supporter of the Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership of Hebrew College. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Hebrew College, Newton)
Friday, May 5, 2023
EARLY INTERVENTION AWARD: Mass. Early Intervention Consortium fetes Sen. Rodrigues of Westport with its Frederick E. Berry Champion of Early Intervention Award, named after the late former Senate Majority Leader Berry. The consortium told the News Service that while demand for early intervention services is back to pre-pandemic levels, staffing of those programs is still down more than 27 percent. The House boosted early intervention funding in its budget this week by $12 million, the consortium said, with the money aimed at rebuilding staffing capacity. Rodrigues chairs the Senate's budget-writing committee and will be releasing that branch's version of the fiscal 2024 spending plan in May. (Friday, 10 a.m., People, Incorporated, 4 South Main St., Fall River)
NEW FRAMINGHAM STATE PREZ: Framingham State University puts on a formal inauguration celebration for its president, Nancy Niemi, who took over as leader of the university in 2022. Niemi came to Framingham from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she served as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Senate President Spilka plans to attend. (Friday, 10 a.m., Dwight Performing Arts Center, Dwight Hall, 100 State St., Framingham | Info and Registration)
MBTA NETWORKING: MBTA holds a networking event for professional service firms, focused on increasing the number of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises on MBTA projects. Contractors must be certified as a DBE before registering. (Friday, 10 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Registration and More Info)
BEREAVED MOTHER'S DAY: The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression holds its eighth annual Perinatal Mental Health Day, including an International Bereaved Mother's Day commemoration. The event comes a week before Mother's Day, recognizing women who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, such as through miscarriage or stillbirth. (Friday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)
SPILKA VISITS NEW SCHOOL: Senate President Spilka visits the site of the David Mindess Elementary School in Ashland. The new school building site was cleared in November and December of 2021, according to the Ashland school system's website, and it's slated to open to students this fall. (Friday, 2 p.m., 90 Concord Street, Ashland)
ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE: Mass. Coalition for Adult Education hosts its annual NETWORK Conference virtually, bringing together adult educators from across Massachusetts. The event will feature workshops, awards and exhibits on instructional materials and services. (Friday, More Info)
WIND RFP APPROACHES: State environmental officials could issue the next request for proposals for more offshore wind power ahead of the Sunday, May 7 deadline enshrined in state law. The upcoming round will be the fourth under a 2016 clean energy law, and it will give the public a sense of how much more clean offshore energy generation the Healey administration wants to pursue. Upheaval with Commonwealth Wind, a 1,200-megawatt project selected in the last procurement round, looms over the upcoming process as developer Avangrid seeks to cancel its contracts and rebid at a higher price, warning the installation cannot be financed and built under the existing terms. (Friday)
