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Senate President Karen Spilka introduces her leadership team's budget proposal for next fiscal year at a press briefing Tuesday, joined by Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues. So as he discussed his committee's newly-released budget bill Tuesday, Ways and Means Chairman Mike Rodrigues said they had sewed in a $575 million placeholder to cover the yet-to-be-named relief proposals.[Sam Doran/SHNS]
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Tues. May 16
Special School Committee Meeting
6:30pm
Thurs. May 18
Senior Coffee Hour w/ State & Local Officials
8:30am
8:30am
Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting
6:00pm to 7:00pm
6:30pm
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
Friday, May 19
Arts & Culture Listening Session 3
10:00am to 12:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
While Beacon Hill waits for the Senate to tackle spending plans and come up with tax relief plans and for Gov. Maura Healey to name a housing secretary, activists from across the spectrum continue to clamor for legislators to take their priorities into consideration. Joint committees held 11 public hearings this week and plan 10 more in the week ahead. The loaded menu of hybrid hearings will be complemented by a full course of rallies, standouts, summits, symposiums, tours, briefings and commencement exercises as advocacy efforts are reaching their traditional springtime peak. As for the full House and Senate, legislative leaders this year have so far stuck to tackling the bare necessities, namely passage of the annual budget. Of the 10 laws that have taken effect since Gov. Healey took office, eight pertain to routine local matters; the other two were a popular supplemental spending bill and the governor's non-controversial executive branch reorganization plan. Senators spend the next week combing through amendments to their $55.8 billion annual budget, which will hit the floor for debate on May 23. Senators also appear to be struggling to come up with a precise plan for tax relief, an important topic that's already been addressed by Healey and the House. Outside of the budget and tax relief, the branches still have to come to an accord on a roughly $350 million road, bridge, and transportation infrastructure bill. There's still talk about a long-term care bill reaching the House for debate, though nothing's been scheduled.
Sunday, May 14, 2023
MAYOR O'CONNELL ON 4: Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell, a Republican former state representative, talks with Jon Keller about local aid in the state budget, the mood of local taxpayers, and the future of the state Republican Party. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
NEAL ON 5: Congressman. Neal is the guest on "On The Record." Hosts Sharman Sacchetti and Ed Harding ask about the debt limit ceiling talks and the consequences of a possible default. Political analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Virginia Buckingham join the roundtable discussion. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
SALE HOSTS BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale will host 22 breast cancer survivors and staff members from the New England Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Mother’s Day at Fenway Park. The group will watch the 7:10 p.m. game against the St. Louis Cardinals from a suite donated by Sale, according to the team, and have the chance to tour the ballpark, watch batting practice, and meet with Sale before being recognized on the field before the game. (Sunday, 7:10 p.m., Fenway Park)
Monday, May 15, 2023
VETERANS AND FEDERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs holds a hybrid public hearing on more than 20 bills focused on veterans' benefits and family affairs. Proposals from Rep. Blais and Sen. Comerford (H 3488/ S 2311) would require that reimbursements to municipalities for veterans' benefits are paid within six months of the expenses being certified. A Rep. Michael Kushmerek bill (H 3517) looks to raise the maximum reimbursement amount for veterans' burial expenses ro $9,000. Bills from Rep. Sena and Sen. Moran (H 3537/ S 2336) aims to tackle child abuse and neglect in military families. (Monday, 9 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
SCHOOL MEALS ROUNDTABLE: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Project Bread host USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long for a roundtable discussion on universal free school meals. Massachusetts is one of a handful of states that has continued the pandemic-era policy of guaranteeing free school meals for every child in its public school system. The governor and legislative leaders have indicated that they want to make the program permanent, though they differ on what that would look like. House Democrats included $161 million of newly-available surtax revenue in their fiscal 2024 budget to fund the program. Gov. Healey and Senate leaders have indicated that they would rather continue to fund the program on an as-needed basis, through future supplemental budgets. Roundtable participants will include Long, USDA Northeast Regional Director Lizbeth Silbermann, DESE Director of Food and Nutrition Programs Robert Leshin, Sen. DiDomenico, Rep. Vargas, Sen. Lewis, Rep. Michlewitz, Rep. Peisch, State Director of U.S. Sen. Warren Nikko Mendoza, and others. Prior to the roundtable at the State House, Long will join Leshin, Project Bread CEO Erin McAleer, legislators and administrators at Triton Regional Middle and High School to assist with school lunch service and speak with students about their experiences with universal school meals. (Monday, 10 a.m., Tour of Triton Regional Middle & High School, Newbury | 2 p.m., Roundtable Discussion, House Members Lounge)
HIGHER ED SUMMIT: The Higher Ed for All Coalition co-hosts a "Business Leaders for Public Higher Education" summit with Sen. Oliveira and Rep. Higgins, co-chairs of the Public Higher Education Caucus. While some business community members opposed the income surtax on high earners last year, the new tax is projected to spin off at least $1 billion in the coming fiscal year for investments in transportation and education, including public higher education. A panel discussion moderated by Katie Johnston, staff writer for The Boston Globe, will include Cait Brumme, CEO of MassChallenge, Leverett Wing, president and CEO of Commonwealth Seminar, Joel Mora, assistant director of the student support center at UMass Boston, and Barry Reaves, a vice president at the Northeast Clean Energy Council. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., University of Massachusetts Club, One Beacon St., 32nd Floor, Boston)
UMASS AMHERST ENERGY TRANSITION SYMPOSIUM: The Energy Transition Institute at UMass Amherst holds its second annual symposium. Students, faculty and staff present their work on clean energy, climate and decarbonization. Rep. Roy and Rep. Domb will make remarks. The event will begin with a career panel discussion featuring Jose LaSalle ’16 of the Massachusetts-based energy company florrent, Michael Ising of Quest Energy Group and Susannah Hatch of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. The panelists will discuss their respective organizations and their roles in energy transition and climate action work. (Monday, 10:30 a.m, Student Union, 280 Hicks Way, Amherst | Registration)
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches start the week with informal sessions. (Monday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers | House Livestream | Senate Livestream)
JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES CAMPAIGN: Gov. Healey and Treasurer Goldberg give remarks at Combined Jewish Philanthropies Face Jewish Hate public awareness campaign launch (Monday, 11 a.m., TD Garden, North Station, Boston)
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Agriculture holds a hybrid public hearing on over a dozen bills on topics ranging from animals to soil quality. Bills from Rep. Schmid and Sen. Comerford (H 101/ S 39) call for the creation of the Agricultural PFAS Relief Fund to help farmers who have suffered losses from "standard agricultural practices that may have resulted in the actual or suspected presence of PFAS in soil, water, or agricultural products." Other proposals would create an animal advisory board to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, establish a Massachusetts Agricultural Disaster Relief Fund, and bolster protections for commercial agricultural operations. (Monday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)
ELDER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs holds a hybrid public hearing on more than two dozen bills aimed at improving quality-of-life at nursing homes and oversight of long-term care facilities. Proposals from Reps. Lewis and Peake and Sen. Jehlen (H 637/ S 381) would establish an LBGTQI bill of rights at long-term care facilities to prevent discrimination related to denying admission to the facilities, blocking residents from being dressed in certain clothes and restricting medical or nonmedical care "that is appropriate to a resident's organs and bodily needs." Also before the committee are bills from Rep. Balser and Sen. Lewis (H 616/ S 384) that would strengthen the attorney general's ability to sue people who abuse, mistreat or neglect nursing home residents and other patients. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)
HEALTH CARE SAFETY BRIEFING: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing sponsors a legislative briefing on the Betsy Lehman Center's "Roadmap to Health Care Safety for Massachusetts." The strategic plan investigates physical or emotional harm to patients, families and staff in health care settings, and sets goals for safety improvement. Organizers say medication errors, preventable pregnancy complications, falls in hospitals and nursing homes, infections, and other "harm events" are costing families and the state hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Committee chairs Sen. Friedman and Rep. Lawn will offer remarks. (Monday, 1 p.m. Room 428 | Teams Link)
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH: Gov. Healey hosts a reception celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month in the governor's ceremonial office. Energy and Environment Secretary Tepper, Treasurer Deb Goldberg and Senate Majority Leader Creem plan to attend. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room 360)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hybrid public hearing on almost 20 bills about alcohol manufacturing, transportation, storage and reform, with a focus on farmer distilleries and wineries. A Sen. O'Connor proposal (S 206) would update the citizen requirements for which individuals can be appointed managers on licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages. A Rep. Cahill bill (H252) bill would allow for the sale of discounted alcoholic beverages at least three weekdays between Sunday to Wednesday. Proposals from Rep. Sena and Sen. Eldrige (H 391/ S 162) aim to enhance diversity in awarding liquor licenses. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
DRUG PRICES, AND OUT-MIGRATION REPORTS: The Pioneer Institute plans to release a study Monday on annual list prices published by drugmakers and media reports about those prices. The institute on Monday also plans to release a report "the accelerating pace of out-migration of wealth from our state."
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
21ST CENTURY AGRICULTURE: The 21st Century Agriculture Commission meets for the first time. Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ashley Randle plan to make remarks. The commission plans to study "the issues of viability, efficiency, climate change resiliency, education & workforce development, technical & legislative assistance and other needs of farms as we move through the 21st century." At their first meeting, the commission will discuss their objectives and a timeline to complete the report. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Virtual)
OFFSHORE WIND TRAINING: Business Network for Offshore Wind hosts a free, three-day offshore wind training through Thursday designed for Massachusetts companies owned by underrepresented groups. The training is sponsored by Vineyard Wind and only open to businesses in Massachusetts. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Register)
FINANCIAL SERVICES HEARING: The Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to pharmacy matters. The agenda includes a bill to regulate individual or group health insurance policies providing prescription drug coverage to reduce costs (H 1135 / S 670), as well as several others focused on drug price transparency and affordability. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Virtual Access)
HEALTH CARE FINANCING HEARING: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to workforce development, retention and recruitment. Workforce shortages are one of the biggest challenges currently facing the health care industry. The ratio of health care workers to the total population in Massachusetts is 5 percent below pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent Health Policy Commission report. Agenda items include a bill to increase the minimum wage for some care workers (H 1231), one to require MassHealth to make payments for certain graduate medical education training (H 1226), legislation to establish a $1,500 tax credit for family caregivers (S 764) and several bills relative to temporary nursing service agencies. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Virtual Access)
HUMAN SERVICES RALLY: The Caring Force, an advocacy initiative of the Providers' Council, holds its 11th annual rally. Human service professionals will highlight their priority bills, including proposals to ease the burden of loans and ensuring a livable wage for human services workers. Senate President Spilka gives remarks. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall)
HOME FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS: Hadley Fire Chief Michael Spanknebel, State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey and the Hadley Fire Department will host the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services' side-by-side sprinkler trailer to promote Home Fire Sprinkler Week. "The DFS Side-by-Side Sprinkler Demonstration Trailer is a mobile prop that contains two identical rooms, one of which is protected by a home fire sprinkler system. Viewers can see for themselves that one sprinkler head contains a residential fire and gives residents a chance to escape safely. The fire in the room without sprinklers continues to grow, destroying property and causing life-threatening danger," according to a media advisory. Research shows that sprinklers reduce the rate of civilian fire deaths by 87 percent and firefighter injuries by 67 percent, according to organizers, who add that more than two-thirds of this year's residential fire deaths involved people 65 or older. In 2021, the most recent year for which complete data is available, Massachusetts fire departments reported that smoke alarms were present and operated in 62 percent of the year's residential building fires. In the same year, sprinklers were reported to be present in just 6 percent of residential fires. Massachusetts endured a series of fatal fires this spring, with five fires claiming two lives each in the span of just a month, according to state public safety officials, who say there has never been a multiple-fatality fire in a residence with properly installed and maintained sprinklers. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., American Legion Post 271, 162 Russell Street, Hadley)
COVID VACCINE RISK BRIEFING: Rep. Durant, Sen. O'Connor, Health Rights MA and the New England Chapter of Children's Health Defense hold a legislative briefing, "The Covid Pandemic Response: What the Data Teaches Us." Director of Anesthesiology at Lawrence General Hospital Madhava Setty will present "The Pfizer Covid Vaccine Data: What It Reveals and Guidance for the Future." Electrical engineer John Beaudoin will discuss "Massachusetts Death Certificate Audit: What We've Learned about Covid Vaccine Risk." (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House Members' Lounge)
MARKEY SCOTUS PRESSER: U.S. Sen. Markey and U.S. Reps. Johnson, Bush and Schiff hold a press conference to reintroduce the Judiciary Act, which would add four seats to the U.S. Supreme Court. Advocates joining the press conference include Mini Timmaraju, president of NARAL Pro Choice America; Doug Lindner, senior director of judiciary and democracy at the League of Conservation Voters; Brian Fallon, executive director of Demand Justice; and Sarah Lipton-Lubet, president of Take Back the Court Action Fund. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Supreme Court, 1 First St. NE, Washington, D.C. | Livestream)
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING: The Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers holds a legislative briefing on the SUPER Act (H 1253 / S 160) sponsored by Reps. Barber and Kushmerek and Sen. DiDomenico. The proposals take aim at the shortage of behavioral health professionals, and remove barriers for BIPOC students to enter the field, incentivize social workers to remain in the field, and remove the standardized test requirement for social workers with master's degrees who are working toward the Licensed Clinical Social Workers level of licensure. Beyond lawmakers, other speakers include Pam Chamorro, director of social work at Boston Children's Hospital; Jorge Delva, dean of the BU School of Social Work; and Amber Sagastume, a Boston College social work student. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 428)
REVENUE HEARING: The Joint Committee on Revenue holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to corporate taxes and COVID-19. Agenda items include bills to establish a tiered corporate minimum tax, to tax corporations that own single family households, to create work from home incentives for companies, and to establish a COVID-19 pandemic emergency taxpayer relief exemption and refund for income taxes on 2020 unemployment benefits up to $10,100 in unemployment compensation. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Virtual Access)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to crimes. Testimony is expected on several bills that would move to decriminalize sex work, though not all to the same degree. A Rep. Keefe and Sen. Friedman bill (H 1597 / S 983) would partially decriminalize sex work, by clearing the criminal records of those who have sold sex, and direct money won in cases prosecuting those who buy or pimp out sex workers to the Victims of Human Trafficking Trust Fund. A Rep. Sabadosa bill (H 1757) would more fully decriminalize the industry, expunging prostitution-related arrests related to the sale and purchase of sex, as well as marijuana-related arrests. Several other bills relate human trafficking, the safety and welfare of sports referees, and enticing children to run away. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Virtual Access)
BOSTON REDISTRICTING HEARING: The Boston City Council Committee on Civil Rights and Immigrant Advancement holds a hearing regarding the federal court order to pass a new council district map. The Boston City Council must redraw the political boundaries of its nine district seats after a U.S. federal judge blocked Boston from using its most recent redistricting map in this fall's elections. Last fall's redistricting process was contentious and drawn out, ending with four of the 13 councilors voting against the map and two councilors challenging it in the courts. Now, the council must pass a new map by May 30, and Mayor Wu is seeking approval for a home rule petition that would extend candidate filing deadlines from May 23 to June 20, the Boston Herald reported. The mayor filed the petition to the council on Tuesday; as of Friday the council had not taken action on it. A coalition of community groups represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights and including the NAACP Boston, MassVOTE, the Massachusetts Voter Table, the Chinese Progressive Association, La Colaborativa, MIRA and New England United for Justice is calling for an open and fast redistricting process to "avoid voter and candidate confusion in the upcoming election." (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Iannella Council Chamber, 5th Floor, Boston City Hall)
BOSTON CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING: The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce holds its annual meeting, with the theme "The Future is Our Business, Start, Stay, Succeed." Gov. Healey and Mayor Wu are slated to deliver remarks, and Lidiane Jones, CEO of Slack, is a featured speaker. A few people will be inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians, including Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America; Callie Crossley, host and commentator at GBH; and John Drew, founder and chairman of The Drew Company. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Omni Boston Hotel Seaport, 450 Summer St., Boston | More Info)
STEM CLASSES INFO SESSION: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and VHS Learning hold an informational session for school administrators, students and families interested in the STEM Advanced Placement Access Expansion Opportunity. The program is a partnership between DESE and online course provider VHS Learning and is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, aimed at giving students greater access to Advanced Placement Science, Technology, Engineering and Math classes. The program prioritizes schools that have not had the capacity or resources to offer AP STEM classes and, within those schools, students who have been historically underrepresented in STEM. Participating high schools can offer online AP STEM courses free to students in a virtual, asynchronous format. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. | Zoom)
"CARBON COUNTDOWN" | State Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer joins the Sustainable Middlesex "Carbon Countdown 2023" series, to speak about "An Equitable and Sustainable Future: A Vision for Massachusetts." Her talk will be followed by a Q&A session and brief discussions of local climate initiatives (Tuesday, 7 p.m. | Register)
O'NEILL TUNNEL CLOSURE: The Department of Transportation will close the I-93 Tip O'Neill Tunnel southbound in Boston Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The closure will begin on I-93 southbound at exit 20 (Sullivan Square) and will include on-ramp locations within the tunnel including access to the Tobin Bridge from Route 1 southbound to I-93 southbound and from Storrow Drive to I-93 southbound. All other tunnel on-ramps will be temporarily closed as well. The closure will start at 11 p.m. on Tuesday and will reopen Wednesday morning at 5 a.m. During the closure, crews will conduct maintenance to the tunnel. (Tuesday, 11 p.m., Tip O'Neill Tunnel southbound)
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
CASA MYRNA FUNDRAISER: Casa Myrna, Boston's largest shelter for survivors of domestic violence, hosts its "Community of Conscience" fundraiser breakfast. The nonprofit serves over 2,000 survivors of domestic violence every year. Attorney General Campbell and Lt. Gov. Driscoll will speak. (Wednesday, 7 a.m., Omni Boston Hotel, Seaport)
SANCTUARY ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council holds a hybrid meeting. Agenda items include an update on the Provincetown Visitor Center, a wind energy subcommittee report, a presentation on ecosystem-wide diversity, conservation and management of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and reports from the Division of Marine Fisheries and U.S. Coast Guard. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hilton Double Tree Inn, 929 Hingham St., Rockland)
BUILDING TRADES: As part of National Infrastructure Week, the North America's Building Trades Unions will discuss the impact of $9.5 billion in federal infrastructure dollars coming to Massachusetts during a speaking program and training center tour. Speakers include Sean McGarvey, president of the North America's Building Trades Unions; Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council; Chaton Green, business agent at the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions; Lauren Jones, secretary of labor and workforce development; and Jill Ashton, regional director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 J.A.T.C., 1181 Adams St., Dorchester)
RIDESHARE PRESS CONFERENCE: Rideshare and delivery drivers hold a press conference on the State House steps about their legislative goals to protect driver flexibility and secure new benefits, according to Issues Management Group. The group is supporting bills filed by Rep. Cusack to classify app-based drivers as independent contractors with a required minimum compensation and benefits (H 1848) and a Rep. Cahill bill to establish a portable benefit framework and require delivery companies to purchase occupational accident insurance and maintain automobile insurance coverage for drivers (H 961). (Wednesday, 10 a.m., State House steps)
SPOTTED LANTERNFLY: Department of Agricultural Resources provides "up-to-date" info on the invasive Spotted Lanternfly -- a "growing threat to our environment and economy" -- in a webinar aimed at the green industry and environmental groups. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Info and Registration)
ELECTION LAWS HEARING: The Joint Committee on Election Laws holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to campaign finance. Agenda items include legislation that would allow parents running for office to use campaign funds for child care services that they would not have had if not for the campaign, a bill to reimburse cities and towns for costs related to early voting, and several bills related to political contributions, campaign finance reporting and political participation. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Virtual Access)
OLLIE'S LAW RALLY: The Ollie's Law Coalition holds a rally urging passage of bills from Rep. Ashe and Sen. Montigny (H 2019/ S 1309) to boost kennel safety. The bill is named after Ollie, a labradoodle who was attacked by other dogs at a doggie daycare in western Massachusetts and later died of his injuries, organizers say. Coalition members include the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Dakin Humane Society, Boston Dog Lawyers, the Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and JM Pet Resort. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., State House front steps)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets to conduct routine business like approval of new notaries public and justices of the peace. The council's primary function is investigating a governor's picks for judgeships and taking final approval votes on those nominees. Around six vacancies have opened up in the courts since Gov. Healey took office, and the governor's Judicial Nominating Commission is getting up and running. The JNC is tasked with pre-screening potential judges before sending recommendations to Healey's desk, and the 27-member commission has set its first application deadline for any qualified applicants interested in two Superior Court seats. Six other application deadlines -- for Housing, Juvenile, District, Boston Municipal, and Superior court openings -- have already been mapped out through August. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to climate change and energy policy. Dozens of bills related to climate resiliency, nature-based solutions, flood risk, wind mitigation funds, coastal resources and emissions are on the agenda. Testimony is expected on a bill that would create a climate and community resilience fund to address the causes and impacts of climate change, with a focus on low-income communities and people of color (S 472 / H 750). The Nature Conservancy, which is supporting the legislation, says the fund would raise up to $100 million a year from a property insurance surcharge. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Virtual Access)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INVESTMENT SUMMIT: The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust holds the "Economically Targeted Investment Summit - An Action Agenda for Affordable Housing, Construction Careers, and Public and Union Pension Investments." Organizers say elected officials like Gov. Healey and Treasurer Goldberg, alongside industry leaders and experts, will speak about the role that union pension funds and public investments can play as "catalysts for equitable development and workforce growth." Keynote addresses include Goldberg at 1:15 p.m.; incoming Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bok at 2:10 p.m.; Sean McGarvey, president of North America's Building Trades Unions at 3:15 p.m.; Healey at 4 p.m. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Local 103 IBEW, 256 Freeport St., Dorchester | Agenda)
WORCESTER SERVICE AWARDS: Worcester Regional Research Bureau recognizes recipients of the 2023 Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards. Awardees include James Brooks, director of housing development and healthy homes at the Worcester Executive Office of Economic Development, Jacquelyn Burmeister, senior environmental analyst and coordinator of the Lakes and Ponds Program at the Worcester Department of Sustainability and Resilience, Brenda Colon, instructional assistant at Worcester Public Schools, Scott Stark, electric supervisor at Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, and Evis Terpollari, homeless projects manager at Worcester Health and Human Services. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Mechanics Hall, Worcester)
SUPREME COURT BRIEFING: Experts participate in a Supreme Court "crystal ball" briefing as they look ahead to pending decisions. Panelists include Edwina Clark, partner at Goodwin Procter; Felicia Ellsworth, partner at Wilmerhale; and Mark Perry, partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges. The event will be moderated by Akhil Reed Amar, the Sterling professor of law and political science at Yale University. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston)
SEN. MORAN REGIONAL TRANSIT TOUR: Sen. Su Moran plans to highlight regional public transit services by commuting from her Falmouth home across Cape Cod and the South Shore to her State House office in Boston. Moran's schedule includes rides on the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority and the Greater Attleboro and Taunton RTA. In its announcement of the trek, Moran's office featured proposed RTA investments fueled by surtax revenue that are contained in the Senate Ways and Means fiscal 2024 budget bill, along with the Falmouth Democrat's bill (S 2277) aimed at "expanding funding and oversight flexibility" for RTAs. Moran is a member of the Joint Committee on Transportation. Interested media and participants are asked to contact Benjamin.Kaplan@masenate.gov. (Wednesday)
Thursday, May 18, 2023
PENSION RESERVE BOARD: The Pension Reserve Investment Management Board meets. Treasurer Goldberg will chair the meeting. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | Remote Access)
HOUSE AND SENATE: House plans to hold an informal session, and the Senate plans to meet without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers)
VACCINE INJURY EVENT: Rep. Durant, Sen. O'Connor, Health Rights MA and the New England Chapter of Children's Health Defense hold an event on "the faces of vaccine injury in Massachusetts." (Thursday, 11 a.m., Nurses Hall)
EARTH NIGHT: The Environmental League of Massachusetts hosts Earth Nick 2023. House Speaker Ron Mariano, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and former White House Climate Advisor and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will receive environmental leadership awards. Former House Speaker Robert DeLeo will present Mariano's award, former Secretary of State and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will present McCarthy's award, and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz will present Wu's award. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Fenway Park, 521 Overlook | Tickets)
Friday, May 19, 2023
FIRST KAFKA AWARD: The Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium will be joined by Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan as it presents House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz with the first Louis Kafka Early Intervention Champion of Early Intervention Award. Former Division Leader Kafka, who the consortium says was a champion for early intervention services for more than 30 years, will be there. (Friday, 11 a.m., House Members Lounge)
DRISCOLL COMMENCEMENT SPEECH: Lt. Gov. Driscoll delivers the commencement address at Salem State University, her alma mater. Driscoll will also receive an honorary doctorate "for her commitment to making positive change through public service." (Friday, 3 p.m., Salem State University Rockett Arena in the O'Keefe Center, 225 Canal St., Salem)
MVP 2.0 DEADLINE: Friday is the deadline for applicants seeking MVP 2.0 grants to address resilience to climate change. The state says that MVP 2.0 "focuses on addressing root causes of social vulnerability and moving from planning to implementation." (Friday, 4 p.m., More Info)
MMA DIRECTOR APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications for the job of executive director and CEO of the Massachusetts Municipal Association are due by Friday. Geoff Beckwith announced in January that he plans to retire in September after leading the association for more than 31 years. "The Executive Director/CEO can expect a salary of up to $250,000, depending on qualifications and experience," according to the job posting. "In addition to an excellent salary, the MMA offers a robust benefits package, including a defined contribution retirement plan through Mission Square with MMA contributing 6% of salary, excellent individual and family health and dental insurance coverage, life insurance, long-term disability benefits, an employer-supported health savings account, generous vacation and sick leave policies, and access to the fitness center at 1 Center Plaza at no cost. In addition, the Executive Director/CEO receives a car allowance and parking." The MMA has retained Mercer Group Associates to facilitate the executive search process and the transition. A search committee expects to interview semi-finalist candidates in Boston on July 12.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
CONGRESSMAN JORDAN IN ANDOVER: Republican Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio, a founding member of the conservative U.S. House Freedom Caucus, is scheduled to attend a fundraiser for the House Freedom Fund PAC in Andover, according to the New Boston Post. Event is held at the barn on the property of former Rep. and former MassGOP Chair Jim Lyons, who was ousted in this year's state party leadership election. RSVP to ElizabethSooLeeGroot@gmail.com. (Saturday, May 20, 2:30 p.m., 12 High Vale Ln., Andover)
