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Charlie Baker expected to return to Beacon Hill? Sort of. A Pennsylvania-based artist is working on a portrait of former Gov. Charlie Baker, a work that will presumably hang in the State House alongside the likenesses of the governors who served before the Swampscott Republican. Ellen Cooper, an award-winning portrait artist with a portfolio that includes paintings of dozens of academic, medical and judicial officials, lists "Charles Baker, Governor Massachusetts (in progress)" on the collections page of her website. A spokesman for Baker did not respond Wednesday to a News Service inquiry about the portrait.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. July 10
7:00pm
Tues.July 11
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting - CANCELED
10:00am
7:00pm
Thurs. July 13
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
The week ahead could bring the final word on tax relief details, whether Lottery sales will go online, and how to spend a billion new tax dollars on transportation and education. Or the Legislature could just continue processing local alcohol license bills, congratulatory resolutions, and welcoming summertime guests to their air-conditioned chambers. Another late annual budget means it's hurry-up-and-wait time again in July. Gov. Maura Healey hasn't been around much since summer rolled in -- a week in Ireland followed by a week in Rhode Island -- and she is scheduled to be out of state again in the coming days while she waits with everyone else for six lawmakers meeting privately, who are guided by House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, to agree on an overdue state budget. The National Governors Association is holding its summer meetings Wednesday through Friday in Atlantic City and a Healey spokeswoman said the governor plans to depart for those meetings on Wednesday afternoon. The tax relief debate is largely a repeat of last year's unsuccessful deliberations, House and Senate Democrats remain hung up on a mostly routine annual local road and bridge infrastructure funding bill, and Democrats in the General Court have put Massachusetts among a tiny group of states that haven't been able to produce an annual budget on time. Democrats on the Hill like to point out how well they work with Republicans, but their output over the first half of 2023 is raising questions about how well they can get things done working together. As Gov. Charlie Baker did, Healey offered an interim budget to keep state government from shutting down, and the House and Senate were quick to approve that. It will keep the government funded roughly through July. In the absence of movement on the omnibus bills, and with legislative leaders showing little interest in putting scores of other bills up for debate and votes, a few legislative committees will gavel in hearings next week, where they will explore artificial intelligence, housing affordability, and decarbonization bills, among others. Away from Beacon Hill, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission appears to be closing in on a choice for its next executive director, and across town, stakeholders in the slowly developing offshore wind energy sector will gather for a two-day conference at the Hynes Convention Center.
Sunday, July 9, 2023
MOULTON ON 4: Congressman Moulton talks with Jon Keller about President Biden and partisan relations in Congress. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
TUTWILER ON 5: Education Secretary Tutwiler is the guest on "On The Record," talking about the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's race-based college admissions ruling, the future of the MCAS exam, and addressing a shortage of teachers. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
FRAMINGHAM HEALTH CONNECTOR FEST: Health Connector holds festival in Framingham to explain health insurance options, with live music, lawn games and carnival food. (Sunday, 12 p.m., 220 R Maple St., Framingham | More Info)
Monday, July 10, 2023
ARCHITECTURAL ACCESS BOARD MEETING: Architectural Access Board holds a virtual public meeting to review cases, including a South Boston Municipal Courthouse and public housing facility in Worcester, among other buildings. (Monday, 9 a.m., Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
GAMING COMMISSION - INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mass. Gaming Commission holds a public meeting to select their interim executive director, holding interviews for two candidates before commissioners make a final selection. Executive Director Karen Wells will step down on July 14, following a ten-year tenure at the commission, first as its chief investigator, before taking the helm in January 2020. (Monday, 10 a.m., Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
BERKSHIRE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING SESSION: Economic Development Planning Council holds an in-person public meeting to gather input regarding the economic needs of people and businesses in the Berkshires. It's one in a series of listening sessions led by the council to collect feedback on the state's economy before developing a plan to guide the Healey administration's economic policy. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield | More Info)
CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL BRIEFING: Sen. Creem and the OpenAir Collective hold a virtual briefing on carbon dioxide removal. Creem filed a bill (S 2096) to establish a state-administered annual carbon dioxide removal procurement commitment. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) encompasses strategies to capture the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and store it in geological, biobased and ocean reservoirs. This strategy is used in tandem with carbon-reducing policies, according to Sen Creem's office. "By the middle of this century global carbon dioxide removal (CDR) capacity must reach billions of tons per year. Achieving this essential objective will require rapid deployment, cost reduction, and scale-up of multiple high-impact CDR solutions starting today," her office says. The Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap calls for the development of "a robust framework for a range of 'negative emissions' through carbon dioxide removal and storage methods." In Creem's bill, annual CDR procurements would be fully funded by repealing existing sales tax exemptions on aircrafts, and aircraft replacement parts and repairs. (Monday, 11 a.m., More Info | RSVP)
RE-ENTRY GRANT FUNDING: Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones announces funding for the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Grants program at an event where she will be joined by members of the business community. The grant program aims to create paths to employment for people coming out of incarceration in high-demand industries like manufacturing, construction, transportation, food services, and hospitality. (Monday, 11 a.m., MassHire Lowell, 107 Merrimack St. - 3rd floor, Lowell)
HOUSE, SENATE MEET: The House and Senate hold informal sessions while closed-door negotiations continue on an overdue fiscal year 2024 state budget as well as a related tax relief bill. (Monday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers | House Livestream | Senate Livestream)
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE AND RECOVERY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery holds a hybrid hearing on 10 bills tied to the behavioral health workforce. Proposals from Rep. Fluker Oakley and Sen. Miranda (H 1984 / S 1261) would award grants aimed at expanding or launching programs to increase and diversify the perinatal mental and behavioral health care workforce; similar legislation from Reps. Kushmerek and Kerans (H 1995) is also on the agenda. Licensed mental health professionals who want to use artificial intelligence as they diagnose, treat, or prevent illnesses and disorders would need to seek approval from their licensing board and get informed consent from patients under a bill from Rep. Cutler (H 1974). A board of registration of licensed recovery coaches would be established through a Rep. O'Day bill (H 2005). (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hybrid hearing on three bills that add new regulations for alternative healing therapies, which includes Asian bodywork therapy, reflexology, and energy and somatic healing practices. Proposals from Rep. Day and Sen. Montigny (H 282 / S 191) look to create a board of registration of massage therapy and alternative healing therapies, which would establish standards of professional and ethical conduct, investigate complaints and conduct inspections, and make a public list of licensed practitioners, among other responsibilities. At a 2019 hearing, Montigny had said a loophole in a 2006 law tied to licensure for massage therapists was being exploited by human traffickers to run commercial sex operations that purported to be legal businesses. Also on the agenda is a Rep. LeBoeuf bill (H 350) to create a board of registration of Asian bodywork therapy, which is defined as the "practice of a person who applies Chinese medical principles in the evaluation and treatment of the body, mind, emotions and spirit, including the electromagnetic or energetic field, which surrounds, infuses and brings that body to life." The board would adopt rules and regulations for different practice areas, evaluate and approve out-of-state schools and programs for licensure, and administer penalties for fraudulent, deceptive, or professionally incompetent or unsafe practices, among other tasks. (Monday, 1 p.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)
CENTRAL MASS. PLANNING MEETING: Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization holds a virtual public meeting to review revisions to the Long Range Transportation Plan, a 20-year plan to maintain and modify the region's transportation system. (Monday, 5 p.m., Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
BABY STROLLER BRIGADE, RALLY: A baby stroller brigade and rally meant to show support for the birthing center at Leominster Hospital is planned by the North Central Massachusetts legislative delegation and the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center campaign. UMass Memorial Health plans to close the birthing center in September, though opponents of the closure say the facility provides an "essential service" that must continue. "The loss of this service will jeopardize the health of mothers and newborns in our community, leaving mothers to deliver in overcrowded emergency departments or on the side of highways as they travel to birthing centers in faraway communities," organizers said. (Monday, 6 p.m., Leominster Town Common, Corner of Park and West streets)
MARINE TRADES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: National Marine Trades Council holds 50th anniversary conference following a four-year hiatus, hosted by the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association. About 20 to 25 attendees are scheduled to participate in four days of sessions regarding workforce initiatives, the future of the recreational boating industry, environmental stewardship, advocacy initiatives, boat show marketing and association profit center ideas. (Monday, Lighthouse Inn, 1 Lighthouse Inn Rd., West Dennis)
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
OFFSHORE WIND CONFERENCE -- DAY ONE: Major players in the offshore wind world will descend upon Boston for the Reuters Events US Offshore Wind 2023 conference. Day one events include a Massachusetts update from DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony and Undersecretary for Energy Mike Judge. Other speakers include Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Jennifer Daloisio, Sen. Marc Pacheco, New Bedford Energy Cluster Executive Director Jennifer Downing, Chief of the Minority Business and Workforce Division in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Economic Impact Shalaya Morissette, Avangrid Renewables VP of Offshore Wind Development Kenneth Kimmell, and more. More Info (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston)
'SWATTING' INCIDENTS: Middlesex District Attorney Ryan hosts training session with Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM) to address a recent rise in "swatting" incidents at Massachusetts schools. Swatting involves phony emergency calls to draw first responders to a location without cause. Closed to press. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Bentley University, Waltham)
BOARD OF BUILDING STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS MEETING: Board of Building Standards and Regulations holds a public meeting to introduce new Executive Director Shaynah Munro. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Virtual | More Info)
LABOR COMMITTEE HEARING: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development holds a hybrid public hearing on unemployment insurance. Bills before the committee include legislation to improve data accessibility and transparency around workforce development programs, increase unemployment insurance benefits for low wage workers, and waive non-fault overpayments of unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, Massachusetts is still awaiting a decision from federal officials on how they plan to handle the "over withdrawal" of $2.5 billion in federal funds to pay for unemployment benefits under former Gov. Baker during the pandemic. Gov. Healey's administration is involved in an Employment Modernization and Transformation Project to transform UI operations and systems, according to a letter U.S. Sens. Warren and Markey sent to the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the $2.5 billion administrative error. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Room B-2 | Livestream)
STATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hybrid public hearing on matters related to finance and state regulations. Bills filed by Reps. Higgins and Lipper-Garabedian (H 3045) and Sen. Fattman (S 1997) would prohibit professional boards and agencies from revoking or refusing to renew a professional license based on an individual defaulting on educational loans. Other bills would require that government agencies make certain demographic data publicly available and reimburse indirect costs that nonprofit organizations incur in the process of receiving grants or contracts from the state. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Livestream)
TOURISM BILL PRESSER: Sen. Oliveira, Rep. Duffy and the MASSCreative Action Network hold a press conference on "cultural equity in tourism" bills (H 3244 / S 2194). The proposals would launch a grant program within the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to support tourism marketing and promotion for arts organizations, cultural groups and historic sites. Criteria to award grants would include geographic and cultural diversity, as well as including programs that "seek to amplify the stories of historically marginalized or underrepresented cultures," according to legislation. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Polish Center of Discovery and Learning, Chicopee | More Info)
UBER, LYFT DRIVERS RALLY: Capping off a "caravan," drivers for ride-hailing platforms Uber and Lyft plan to rally at the State House in support of legislation that would affect their working conditions. Organizers with the Drivers Demand Justice coalition say more than 500 drivers will mobilize, marking "the largest demonstration of Uber and Lyft Drivers in Massachusetts history." The coalition, which includes SEIU Local 32BJ and the International Association of Machinists, backs a bill (H 1099 / S 666) that would give ride-for-hire drivers access to collective bargaining rights, a guaranteed minimum wage, paid sick time and other benefits. Drivers will gather at UMass Boston's Bayside parking lot starting around 10 a.m., depart around 11 a.m., and start a speaking program at the State House at 12:15 p.m. (Tuesday, 12:15 p.m., State House)
HOUSING COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Housing holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to affordability. Testimony is expected on legislation seeking to provide rental assistance for low-income people with disabilities. The Sen. R. Kennedy and Rep. Consalvo bill (S 884 / H 1305) would create mobile and project-based vouchers through the Alternative Housing Voucher Program for residents with disabilities. Other bills on the agenda would expand the definition of affordable housing to include homes in manufactured housing communities, mobile and group homes, in-law apartments and any first-time home buyers participating in state or federal assistance programs. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Livestream)
EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARING: The Joint Committee on Education holds a hybrid public hearing on matters related to special education, special education finance and education collaboratives. As districts around the state are facing a jump in special education costs, bills seek to increase the rate at which schools are reimbursed for costs related to the sizable tuition that schools pay to special education providers. Tuition costs have gone up about 14 percent this year, to serve the same amount of students, as pandemic grant dollars have expired and shifted costs onto districts. Bills filed by Sen. Oliveira and Rep. Kushmerek (S 335 / H 525) would increase the special education circuit breaker reimbursement from 75 percent to 90 percent. Sen. Oliveira and Rep. Kushmerek also proposed bills to increase special education transportation reimbursement -- another large expense for school districts -- from 75 percent to 90 percent. (H 526 / S 336) Other bills before the committee create commissions to study neurodiversity education in Massachusetts' schools and to advocate for deaf and hard of hearing students. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Livestream)
SPILKA SPEAKS TO SENATE INTERNS: Senate President Spilka speaks to Senate interns as part of the Summer Legislative Intern Seminar Series. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Room 222)
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
SPILKA-EDWARDS 'LA HORA DEL CAFE': Senate President Spilka and Sen. Edwards are on El Mundo Boston's "La Hora del Cafe" for an interview to discuss the Senate's proposal -- included in its version of the budget -- to expand in-state tuition eligibility to all residents regardless of immigration status. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., El Mundo Boston)
OFFSHORE WIND CONFERENCE -- DAY TWO: Day two of the Reuters Events US Offshore Wind 2023 conference features a panel on interstate collaboration and state procurements featuring Sen. Pacheco, a presentation on the potential of floating wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine, a discussion of the wind power potential in the Great Lakes, and a panel on "stabilizing PPA agreements and contracts for long-term reliability," an issue that plagued the last offshore wind procurement in Massachusetts. More Info (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston)
PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: The Public Health Council meets. Agenda not yet available. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Henry I. Bowditch Public Health Council Room, 250 Washington St. - 2nd floor, Boston)
BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN NURSING: Board of Registration in Nursing holds virtual public meeting to review disciplinary action towards staff, addressing concerned individuals' "reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence." (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
MASSDOT FINANCE AND AUDIT MEETING: MassDOT Finance and Audit Committee holds a hybrid meeting. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., MassDOT Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Virtual)
FRAMINGHAM JUSTICE CENTER: Senate President Spilka discusses Capital Investment Plan funding for Framingham's new Regional Justice Center. Lt. Gov. Driscoll participates, according to Spilka's office. Press availability follows. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Framingham District Court, 600 Concord St., Framingham)
MIDDLESEX OPIOID TASK FORCE: Middlesex District Attorney Ryan hosts meeting of her Opioid Task Force. Contact Sarah.Lamson@mass.gov for more information. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Virtual)
MASSDOT CAPITAL PROGRAMS MEETING: MassDOT Capital Programs Committee holds a hybrid meeting. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., MassDOT Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Virtual)
BUSINESS FRANCHISES: Owners of local McDonald's, Dunkin', and Great Clips locations are among the speakers at a panel discussion on the franchising business model and how franchises play into the Massachusetts economy. Event is hosted by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts and the International Franchise Association, featuring refreshments and coffee from McDonald's and Dunkin'. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 428)
RTA COUNCIL MEETING: Regional Transit Authority Council meets, with agenda topics including workforce shortages and electrification. There's also a public comment period. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., MassDOT Board Road, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Virtual)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS, UTILITIES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE: Sen. Barrett chairs a hybrid hearing with Senate members of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy as House and Senate members continue to quarrel over committee rules and hold separate meetings. The agenda has nearly 30 bills tied to decarbonization, including a Barrett proposal (S 2080) to expand carbon pricing by imposing fees on the heating and cooling of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings to help the state slash greenhouse gas emissions. A Green Infrastructure Fund would be established and support projects aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions -- including investments in public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, municipal infrastructure and public school buildings -- under a Rep. Driscoll bill (H 3693); at least 60 percent of investments would need to support environmental justice populations. Legislation from Reps. Owens and Armini and Sen. Creem (H 3203 / S 2105) would create a thermal transition trust fund for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, which would support replacing gas appliances with electric appliances and retraining employees who work in gas pipeline infrastructure to similar jobs with thermal pipes or other non-emitting renewable thermal infrastructure projects. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
CLEAN WATER TRUST MEETING: Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees meets remotely. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Wednesday, 1:45 p.m., More Information | Zoom)
DISABILITY POLICY CONSORTIUM MEETING: Disability Policy Consortium holds its annual meeting on Zoom, which includes updates on the organization's work and the election of new members and officers. Rep. Khan is the keynote speaker. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
GOVERNORS GATHER IN ATLANTIC CITY: Gov. Healey is slated to attend the National Governors Association annual meeting alongside federal officials and business, academia and philanthropy representatives. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, though a Healey spokesperson didn't clarify when the governor will be departing from and returning to Massachusetts. (Wednesday, Hard Rock Hotel - Atlantic City, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ)
DCR CHARLES RIVER WORK: Department of Conservation and Recreation conducts invasive aquatic species control work in the Charles River from the Commonwealth Ave. Bridge in Newton to the Moody Street Dam in Waltham. The river will remain open to the public, but DCR recommends that those on the river avoid the treatment area. (Wednesday)
HEALEY TO NGA MEETINGS: Gov. Maura Healey plans to depart Wednesday afternoon to attend National Governors Association meetings in Atlantic City. (Wednesday)
Thursday, July 13, 2023
MBTA AUDIT AND FINANCE MEETING: MBTA Audit and Finance Subcommittee holds a virtual meeting. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Virtual)
MBTA PLANNING, WORFORCE, DEVELOPMENT, COMPENSATION MEETING: MBTA Planning, Workforce, Development and Compensation Subcommittee holds a virtual meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Virtual)
MIDDLESEX ANTI-HATE: Middlesex District Attorney Ryan convenes her Anti-Hate Anti-Bias Task Force for a meeting to talk about discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Contact Sarah.Lamson@mass.gov for more information. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Virtual)
NATIONAL AVIATION ACADEMY CAREER FAIR: MBTA HR representatives are slated to attend the National Aviation Academy's July Career Fair to answer questions about career opportunities and "paths for growth." (Thursday, 10 a.m., National Aviation Academy - New England, 130 Baker Ave. Extension, Concord | More Info)
DISABILITIES WORKFORCE MEETING Workforce Supports Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets remotely. The agenda calls for a panel discussion about workforce supports between Undersecretary of Human Services Mary McGeown, Providers' Council CEO Michael Weekes, Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers CEO Ellen Attaliades, and Disability Law Center Executive Director Barbara L'Italien. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Zoom)
CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING: Cannabis Control Commission holds a virtual public meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Virtual | More Info)
SENATE: The Senate plans to meet without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
CHILD CARE RALLY: Families, early educators and family child care providers rally to call for "affordable, accessible, high-quality early education and child care" as several bills lay before the Legislature regarding affordability and accessibility of child care in the state. The fiscal 2024 budget, currently in negotiations between the House and Senate, could include increased funding for early childhood education. Both the House and the Senate proposed increases to Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants in their versions of the budget, investing $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion respectively, representing at least a $109 million increase over fiscal 2023. The chambers also differ on how much of newly-available surtax revenue to spend on the early ed sector. The rally, organized by the Common Start Coalition, will feature a speaking program, followed by children and their families leading a march around the State House focused on "the need for comprehensive solutions to the child care crisis." The coalition supports bills filed by Reps. Gordon and Madaro and Sens. Lewis and Moran (H 489 / S 301) would increase pay and benefits for early educators and create a new source of funding for providers. The event will include face-painting, glow-sticks, poster-making and other art activities for children. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Grand Staircase)
MBTA SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT MEETING: MBTA Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee holds a hybrid meeting. (Thursday, 11 a.m., MassDOT Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Virtual)
UTILITIES & ENERGY COMMITTEE - HOUSE SIDE: House members of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy hear testimony on 31 bills related to decarbonization, amid an ongoing schism between House Co-chair Roy and Senate Co-chair Barrett that has them chairing divorced hearings with largely identical agendas. Roy's agenda for Thursday's House-side hearing includes five bills that did not feature on the Senate members' agenda for their hearing this Wednesday, including a proposed moratorium on "new gas system expansion" filed by Rep. Williams of Springfield (H 3237). Brookline Rep. Vitolo sponsors a proposed local-option "methane emissions surcharge," Lexington Rep. Ciccolo is backing a new commission on net-zero transportation financing, a Rep. Fernandes of Falmouth bill deals with climate goals and the Mass Save program, and a Sen. Payano of Lawrence bill deals with the stretch energy code. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Room A-1 and Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
MASSDOT ADVERTISING MEETING: MassDOT Office of Outdoor Advertising holds a virtual meeting. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Virtual)
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEARING: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a remote public hearing to gather public input on proposed amendments to MassHealth regulations dealing with rates for freestanding birth center services "for dates of service on or after November 1, 2023." The proposed amendments "update the data sources to reflect the applicable components used in calculating the RY2022 acute hospital Adjudicated Payment Amount per Discharge under the acute hospital Request for Application," resulting in an estimated annual fiscal impact of $14,000. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Access Info)
INTERNET COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity solicits public testimony on 40 bills dealing with broadband, cybersecurity, emerging tech, and "digital governance," which involves government cybersecurity. One bill from Rep. Garballey and Sen. Lewis (H 64 / S 33) would create a new "commission on automated decision-making by government." The ACLU of Massachusetts has flagged that bill as a "digital privacy" priority. The commission would file an annual report, due by each Dec. 31, that includes "a list of all automated decision systems in use in Massachusetts offices, the policies, procedures, and training guidelines in place to govern their use, and any contracts with third parties pertaining to the acquisition or deployment of such systems." AI is gaining prominence across a number of sectors, including government, and a study conducted by University of California Davis and University of Missouri Kansas City recently looked at applying a machine learning algorithm to evaluation of inmates' parole requests. The committee is also set to hear testimony on a proposal to update the funding mechanism for local community media and cable access stations. Cable access has been funded for years through franchise license agreements negotiated with cable providers at the municipal level. A number of viewers have cut their traditional cable connection and moved to web-based streaming services. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Meschino, Rep. Muratore, and Sen. Lewis (H 74 / S 34), would impose a fee on "digital streaming providers which are using public rights of way in order to sell their services to Massachusetts residents," according to the Mass Access coalition, which is backing the measure. "This bill updates the law to include new entertainment options that have entered the marketplace in the past decade and are rapidly growing in popularity," Mass Access says, adding that nine states have imposed a similar fee on streaming companies. Agenda also includes Sen. Finegold's bill (S 31) seeking to regulate ChatGPT and other AI chatbots, which Finegold drafted this year with the help of AI. Proposed requirements include a "distinctive watermark" or "authentication process" on the chatbot's output that would help detect plagiarism. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room B-2 and Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
MASSHEALTH REDETERMINATION PRESSER: Lt. Gov. Driscoll holds a press conference on the MassHealth redetermination process and efforts in Worcester to ensure people maintain their health insurance. She's joined by Assistant Secretary for MassHealth Mike Levine, Health Connector Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier, Health Care For All Executive Director Amy Rosental and the MassHealth Redeterminations Worcester Outreach Team. To request a livestream link, contact lgiordano@melwoodglobal.com. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Worcester MassHealth Enrollment Center, 50 SW Cutoff, Suite 1A, Worcester)
NURSING HOME STAFFING RALLY: SEIU, AFL-CIO and the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care host a virtual rally in support of the Biden administration's proposed nursing home reform agenda. The Biden-Harris administration is poised to propose minimum staffing levels for nursing homes, amidst a staffing shortage sweeping the industry. In Massachusetts, House Speaker Ron Mariano has yet to deliver on his early-session promise to push a long-term care bill to the floor for debate. Reforms in the legislation (H 3929) include new monitoring and enforcement tools, tuition reimbursement, career ladders and leadership trainings to attract workers, and infection management mandates. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Link not yet available)
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION DISCUSSION: A virtual community conversation on the Supreme Court's affirmative action decisions is hosted by the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance - Education Fund, as well as the Asian and Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network. Panelists will discuss how to ensure equitable access to colleges and universities for all Massachusetts communities, particularly "historically impacted groups," organizers say. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Virtual | Registration)
MARTHA'S VINEYARD HOUSING: Martha's Vineyard Commission holds a hybrid public meeting to discuss affordable housing on the Vineyard, inviting Provincetown Select Board member Leslie Sandberg to present on P'town's strategy for creating affordable housing. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., 33 New York Ave., Oak Bluffs, and Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
Friday, July 14, 2023
FIREFIGHTER GRADUATION: Department of Fire Services graduates 23 firefighter recruits representing nine cities and towns. State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director Jeffrey Winn present the graduates with certificates. (Friday, 11 a.m., One State Rd., Stow | More Info)
MOVIE NIGHT ON THE ESPLANADE: WBZ NewsRadio 1030 and Department of Conservation and Recreation kick off the Friday Flicks summer movie series on the Esplanade, featuring a free, family-friendly movie at the Hatch Shell every Friday until the end of August. The feature presentation is Minions: Rise of Gru. Coming attractions: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Puss In Boots: Last Wish, The Goonies, Back To The Future, Super Mario Bros., and Thor Love And Thunder. (Friday, Sundown, Hatch Shell, 47 David G. Mugar Way, Boston | More Info)
