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Above, a rare instance of Beacon Hill cooperating with `ICE.' Cold water rains down on the State House steps as dozens take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge on Wednesday to honor the late Pete Frates, who launched the viral fundraising campaign in 2014. [Sophie Hauck/SHNS]
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Monday, Aug. 14
7:00pm
Recreation Dept Advisory Board Meeting
7:00pm
Tuesdsay, Aug. 15
COA Meeting (POSTPONED ONE WEEK)
10:00am
COA Meeting (POSTPONED ONE WEEK)
10:00am
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting
10:00am
Davis Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting
5:45pm
7:00pm
Thursday, Aug. 17
Senior Coffee Hour w/ State & Local Officials
8:30am
8:30am
7:30pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Four hundred days after House Speaker Ronald Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, and Ways and Means chairmen Aaron Michlewitz and Michael Rodrigues assured Bay Staters that "the Massachusetts Legislature has heard loud and clear that increased costs due to inflation have cut into family budgets" and pledged to enact tax relief measures that would "represent the Legislature's commitment to delivering immediate financial relief directly to residents of the Commonwealth," people across Massachusetts are still waiting. With much of Beacon Hill on vacation until September, it's unlikely that the tax relief measures that have been batted around for more than a year will advance next week, but Massachusetts shoppers can avoid the taxman at least for this weekend. The state's 6.25 percent sales tax will be suspended on most purchases Saturday and Sunday, providing some immediate relief for consumers -- the 6.25 percent sales tax on an item that costs $2,500, the maximum amount eligible for the weekend relief, would be $156.25. Massachusetts has enshrined an annual sales tax holiday weekend in state law, but the recent trend has seen states moving away from the temporary suspensions. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy said this month that 19 states will have sales tax holidays in 2023, down from 20 states last year. The organization said the 19 sales tax holidays this year will "cost" states and communities about $1.6 billion in lost revenue, up from an estimated $1 billion across the 20 holidays last year. "At the end of the day, sales tax holidays are gimmicky tax policies that deliver very little for most working families but have a large and growing cost to state and local budgets," Marco Guzman, ITEP senior policy analyst, said. "Lawmakers who are genuinely interested in creating a fairer tax code have many better options to choose from than these temporary suspensions."
Michlewitz and Rodrigues, the lawmakers leading Beacon Hill's tax relief and reform negotiations, got even more put on their plates Friday when the Department of Revenue announced that the fiscal year 2023 budget has a revenue shortfall estimated at either $39 million or $177 million. Whether the gap is $39 million or $177 million will depend on what lawmakers, likely to include Michlewitz and Rodrigues, decide to do with a tranche of about $138 million in income surtax revenue that is currently sitting in the state's general fund. Conversations about how to account for the revenue gap and close the books on the fiscal year that ended June 30 have already begun. "[T]he process to close out FY23 has already started with my reaching out to the [legislative] chairs and talking about that in partnership with them. So there's more to come," Administration and Finance Secretary Matt Gorzkowicz said this week.
Next week will get going Monday with Gov. Maura Healey breaking ground on the new Holyoke Veterans Home, a $482 million facility to replace the long-term care facility for military veterans that was the site of a horrific COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Activity is expected to be light in the House and Senate next week, as is the case for most Augusts.
SALES TAX HOLIDAY: The state's sales tax holiday -- which applies to eligible retail items for personal use -- continues Sunday. Items that do not qualify include meals, motor vehicles, motorboats, telecommunications services, gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products, marijuana or marijuana products, alcoholic beverages, and any individual item that costs more than $2,500. For items that are more than $2,500, the sales tax applies to the entire price and "not just the amount that exceeds the threshold," according to the Department of Revenue. (Saturday)
Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023
WARREN ON 4: U.S. Sen. Warren talks with Jon Keller about tech regulation, the Federal Reserve's handling of inflation, and the migrant crisis in Massachusetts. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
SEN. MORAN ON 5: Sen. Susan Moran of Falmouth is on "On The Record" talking about climate change legislation after a summer of extreme weather, and the state of emergency declaration over shelter for migrants. Moran co-chairs the Revenue Committee and is one of the six lawmakers assigned to negotiate the Legislature's tax relief bill, talks for which take place in private. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
SUNUNU ON NECN: New Hampshire Gov. Sununu is on "@Issue" talking about Massachusetts business owners, the Bay State's new surtax on million-dollar household incomes, the race for the Republican presidential nomination, and the future of the GOP. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., NECN and NBC10)
Monday, Aug. 14, 2023
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: The Public Service Committee accepts written testimony on a handful of bills tied to local matters, including continuing the employment of certain firefighters or allowing retired firefighters to perform dispatch duties in Rowe, Charlemont, Newton, Holliston, Sunderland and North Brookfield. Testimony can be submitted through Tuesday at 5 p.m. (Monday, 9 a.m., Written testimony | More Info)
HOUSE AND SENATE SESSIONS: House and Senate each meet in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers | House Livestream | Senate Livestream)
ICE CREAM TRAIL: Mass Dairy Promotion Board holds a virtual public meeting to discuss a so-called "ice cream trail." In June, the MDPB and Department of Agricultural Resources announced two dairy grants totaling $70,000 to fund the promotion of local dairy products. (Monday, 11 a.m., Virtual | Access Information)
HOLYOKE VETS GROUNDBREAKING: Gov. Healey joins federal, state and local elected officials for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Holyoke Veterans' Home long-term care facility for military veterans. The $482 million project, expected to be complete in summer 2028, will include 234 long-term care beds in a "small house model." Officials received $263.5 million for the construction from a VA State Home Construction Grant Program, according to Healey's office. Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Congressman Neal, Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago and local officials also attend. Press asked to RSVP to Jacqueline Manning at jacqueline.manning@mass.gov by Sunday, Aug. 13. (Monday, 12 p.m., Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke)
SPRINGFIELD FIRE OPEN HOUSE: Springfield Fire Department holds open house for those interested in becoming firefighters to review the civil service process and eligibility requirements. (Monday, 6 p.m., Springfield Campus, 100 Grochmal Avenue, Indian Orchard | More Info)
Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023
GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission convenes a virtual public hearing to receive feedback on proposed regulations governing category 3 sports wagering licenses and a ban on marketing sports betting to patrons younger than 21 years old. (Tuesday, 9:15 a.m., Conference call number 1-646-741-5292, participant code 112 702 8485 | More Info)
PRIM MEETING: Treasurer Goldberg chairs a virtual Massachusetts Pension Reserve Investment Management Board meeting. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Virtual |Access Info)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION UPDATES: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education hosts a webinar to review updates to English language learner policies that will take effect this school year. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Virtual | Access Information)
BOSTON CHILDREN'S REC FEST: Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Mayor Michelle Wu host a free, family-friendly festival featuring music, arts and crafts and giveaways at Franklin Park. More Info (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Franklin Park Playstead, Pierpont Road, Boston)
TRADER JOE'S UNION RALLY: Members of the Trader Joe's United union rally at Trader Joe's headquarters in Boston, "demanding the reinstatement of Steve Andrade, who they say was terminated in retaliation for his union support," according to a notice from the union. The union will deliver a petition with 20,000 signatures to the headquarters. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Trader Joe's East Coast Corporate HQ, 160 Federal St., Boston)
Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023
FAFSA FESTIVAL: The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority and Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities, Inc. hold a virtual "FAFSA Festival" to help students apply for college financial aid. Help will be provided in English, Spanish and Chinese. The Healey administration made MEFA Pathway, an online college and career planning resource, free for all Massachusetts students in June, ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision restricting affirmative action admissions. Students are asked to start filling out their FAFSA forms online before the sessions. Participants can log in at anytime between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. and be paired with an expert. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Online | More Info and Registration)
FREE IMMIGRATION CONSULTATIONS: Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office for Immigrant Advancement offers free 15-minute immigration consultations by phone with a volunteer lawyer. Appointments must be scheduled in advance and are available only one time per person. To schedule an appointment, interested parties must call 617-635-2980 or email immigrantadvancement@boston.gov. Consultations are available on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 12 to 3 p.m. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | More Info)
DEDHAM CONSTRUCTION MEETING - VIRTUAL OPTION: MassDOT hosts an in-person meeting to discuss planned roadway and sidewalk improvements on Bussey Street in Dedham. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Dedham Town Hall, O'Brien Meeting Room, 450 Washington St., Dedham | More Info)
CYBERSECURITY MEETING: Cybersecurity Planning Committee holds a virtual public meeting to discuss the Federal Emergency Management Agency's State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, which provides funding to local, state and tribal governments to address cybersecurity threats. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Virtual | Access Information)
FAMILY-FRIENDLY NIGHT IN MOAKLEY PARK: Boston Harbor Now hosts a night of free, family-friendly activities at Moakley Park, featuring dinner, yard games, music and art and crafts. The second of three Moakley Park Summer Nights, the final event will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Participants should meet in the Northwest corner of the park by Preble Circle between the playground and baseball field. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m, Moakley Park, 1187 Columbia Road, Boston | More Info)
BOSTON RANKED CHOICE LAUNCH: A coalition of voting reform groups launch a campaign to implement ranked-choice voting in Boston municipal elections, in which voters would order candidates according to their preference. Co-chairs of the Ranked Choice Boston group, MassVOTE Executive Director Cheryl Clyburn Crawford and former secretary of state candidate Tanisha Sullivan, will speak. Groups set to attend include the Boston Teachers Union, Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, MassLandlords, New England United 4 Justice and Our Revolution Massachusetts, according to organizers. Massachusetts voters in 2020 rejected a ballot question seeking to create a ranked-choice voting system in statewide contests, though the question had significant support in Boston, where 62 percent of voters cast ballots in favor of implementing ranked-choice voting. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Boston City Hall)
DEDHAM CONSTRUCTION MEETING - VIRTUAL OPTION: Hours after discussing the topic in person, MassDOT hosts a virtual meeting to discuss planned roadway and sidewalk improvements on Bussey Street in Dedham. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Zoom | More Info)
Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
COMMUNITY COLLEGE WEBINAR: The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority holds a webinar about helping prospective students attend community college this fall, which will be free for residents ages 25 and older without a degree through the MassReconnect program included in the budget that Gov. Healey signed into law. The webinar will cover how to use MEFA Pathway -- a college and career planning website the Healey administration made free for students ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling -- and how to save money through the MassTransfer program. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Zoom | Registration)
REHAB COUNCIL COMMITTEE: State Rehabilitation Council holds a meeting for the Business and Employment Opportunities Committee. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Virtual | Access Information)
CHARLES RIVER SCREENING: Charles River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Turnaround Films and Friends of the Herter Park Amphitheater host "Climate Action On + Off the Screen" on the banks of the Charles River. The event will feature three short films about drought, pollution and stormwater. Advocates will discuss legislation they support, including a Rep. Meschino and Sen. Eldridge bill intended to maintain adequate water supplies through drought management (H 861 / S 475) and the so-called Outdoor Recreation Act (H 757 / S 488), sponsored by Rep. Blais and Sen. Feeney. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Herter Park Amphitheater, 1175 Soldiers Field Road, Boston)
Friday, Aug. 18, 2023
NORFOLK BLOOD DRIVE: Norfolk County Sheriff's Office hosts an American Red Cross blood drive. (Friday, 1 p.m., Sheriff's Braintree Public Safety Complex, 2015 Washington St., Braintree)
