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Will Mass Have a Shroom Boom? Grassroots coalition, Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, gave a presentation to more than 60 lawmakers and staff Tuesday, pushing the legislation that supporters say would bring relief for people suffering from addiction and mental health issues. Bay Staters for Natural Medicine has been a driving force in agreements between Massachusetts municipalities and their local police forces to decriminalize psychedelic plants. Somerville, Cambridge, Northampton, Easthampton, and Salem have all passed these measures, making Massachusetts the state with the most decriminalized cities in the country, according to the coalition. In Worcester, the plants are decriminalized for veterans and first responders only, and the Amherst Town Council passed a resolution supporting decimalization.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Monday, Sept. 11
School Community Relations Sub Comm. agenda
6:00pm
7:30pm
Tuesday, Sept 12
10:00am
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting
10:00am
7:00pm
Wednesday, Sept, 13
6:30pm
7:00pm
Friends of Franklin Library Meeting
7:00pm
Thursday, Sept. 14
7:30p
Sat. Sept 16
9:00am to 12:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
State government emerges from its summer slumber to once again begin exercising the infrastructure of its joint committees while top House and Senate Democrats work behind the scenes to decide which measures they'll eventually put up for votes whenever formal sessions resume. Bills on the hearing dockets in the coming days deal with election law reforms, sex offenses and domestic violence, and the sales tax rate and the idea of taxing short-term rentals. Gov. Maura Healey finds herself eight months into her term trying to manage a pair of crises -- slow service on the MBTA that stems from its infrastructure woes and the state of emergency surrounding the job of sheltering and caring for an influx of migrants arriving from other countries. The associated emergency shelter costs being absorbed by taxpayers are rising fast at a time when Healey and Housing Secretary Ed Augustus are also still working on new approaches to address the state's longstanding housing inventory shortage, a situation that is helping to drive up rents and home prices and make Massachusetts even more unaffordable. Healey on Monday is officially losing her transportation secretary, with Gina Fiandaca stepping down and being replaced by acting secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. One area where the Legislature and Healey are heavily investing state funds is early education and care, a topic that will be the focus of an informational hearing on Thursday. The governor's team also gets back together, formally, with local officials on Tuesday, with the emergency housing crisis on the agenda, as well as the priorities and goals of the housing secretariat and a spending bill closing the books on fiscal 2023 that will get attention in the fall.
Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023
COUNCIL PRESIDENT FLYNN "ON THE RECORD" | Boston City Council President Ed Flynn is the guest on WCVB's "On The Record" program. According to the station, the segment will cover Mass and Cass crisis plans, addressing violent crime in Boston, and ongoing controversies on council. The person serving as council president is in position to take over as acting mayor, if necessary. Tom Menino became acting mayor, for instance, when Flynn's father departed to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. More recently, former president Kim Janey became acting mayor when Martin Walsh resigned to become U.S. labor secretary. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Channel 5)
CREEM IN WELLESLEY: Senate Majority Leader Creem speaks at the Wellesley Democratic Town Committee Annual Picnic and food drive in support of the Wellesley Food Pantry. (Sunday, 4 p.m. | RSVP only event, RSVP to rachel.guerra@masenate.gov)
Monday, Sept. 11, 2023
SJC SITTING: Supreme Judicial Court has five cases on its docket. Oral arguments will begin at 9 a.m. and will be streamed live. (Monday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1 | Calendar of Cases | Protocol For In-Person Media Coverage)
ROSA WRONGFUL CONVICTION: New England Innocence Project and the Boston College Innocence Program host a press conference to discuss the overturning of Thomas Rosa's alleged wrongful conviction by a Suffolk Superior Court judge. Rosa was convicted for the 1985 murder of Gwendolyn Taylor, but his attorneys filed a motion for a new trial to overturn what they said was a wrongful conviction in June 2020. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Michael Ricciuti granted that motion on Sept. 6 and vacated the convictions. Press conference organizers said it is now up to the Suffolk County district attorney's office to decide whether to dismiss the charges against Rosa or proceed with a fourth trial. (Monday, 10 a.m., Plaza in front of Suffolk Superior Court, 3 Pemberton Sq., Boston)
HOUSE SESSION: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, noon, House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
DISABILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE: Legislative and Budget Subcommittee of the permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets virtually. According to the subcommittee, it intends to serve as "clearing house of legislative and budget priorities for the commission." (Monday, noon, Details)
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT BOARD: Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Monday, 1 p.m. | Email samantha.c.perry@tre.state.ma.us for access information)
HATE CRIMES TASKFORCE: Task Force on Hate Crimes' legislative subcommittee meets virtually. (Monday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Access Information)
FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL: Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial hosts its annual remembrance of firefighters who have lost their lives. A procession from Boston Common begins at 4:45 p.m. and the 5 p.m. ceremony honors firefighters from Attleboro, Boston, Cambridge, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Mansfield, Nantucket, Needham, Newburyport, Peabody, Pepperell, Springfield, Swampscott, Watertown, Winchester, Worcester and the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Executive Board. Gov. Healey, Auditor DiZoglio and Treasurer Goldberg are among the elected officials slated to attend. (Monday, 5 p.m., Ashburton Park, Boston)
FIANDACA STEPS DOWN: After a short stint, Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca plans to step down Monday, but the Healey administration says she will remain in an "advising role through the end of the year to support a smooth transition." Undersecretary for Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt becomes acting transportation secretary on Tuesday. Fiandaca didn't say why she's leaving the critical post atop the Healey administration at a time when the state is searching for solutions to consistently bottlenecked roads and a crisis at the MBTA. "I believe that she must have left for good reasons," Senate President Karen Spilka said during an WCVB interview televised on Sept. 3. "Whoever comes in I assume that the person who's interim will work well and be out there and make some changes hopefully, and work with the MBTA and our RTAs across the state, and improve our commuter rail and all the other issues that are before us."
ASHBURTON PARK ENTRANCE REOPENS: State House's Ashburton Park entrance, one of the capitol's two primary entryways, is set to reopen after nearly eight months of construction work in the lobby and the adjacent outdoor park on Bowdoin Street. The project was originally estimated to run through the fall. The general visitors' entrance will remain in its original location at the basement level, while State House employees will now be rerouted up a set of outdoor stairs to an auxiliary entrance directly over the main door. Turnstiles have been installed inside those first-floor doors where people who work in the building can swipe their employee IDs to enter. (Monday)
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023
HEALEY AT NGA IN NH: Gov. Healey travels north to New Hampshire to participate in a National Governors Association event meant to "model a more positive and optimistic way of working through our problems." It is the first in a series of bipartisan events planned to support NGA Chair and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's "Disagree Better" initiative, which the NGA said is "a yearlong initiative to help Americans bridge the partisan divide" through public debates, service projects, public service announcements, and more. Healey will be joined at the event by Cox, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, and others. A media availability is planned for 12:30 p.m. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Southern New Hampshire University, Millyard Building, 33 South Commercial St., Manchester, N.H.)
CASH ASSISTANCE BENEFITS: Lift Our Kids Coalition members gather for a rally where they will call on the Legislature to pass bills (H 144, S 75) to raise cash assistance levels. According to organizers, "until the state legislature sets a floor for cash assistance grants at 50 percent of the federal poverty level, families with children, elders, and people with disabilities will continue to live in deep poverty." The new state budget includes a 10 percent increase for Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) cash grants, starting in April 2024, according to the coalition. At the start of 2023, the coalition said that the maximum TAFDC benefit for a family of three was $783 a month, and that 39,000 Massachusetts families with children and 28,000 elders and people with disabilities are struggling to survive at benefit levels that are below the "deep poverty" level of $1,036 a month for a family of three. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., State House steps)
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, DISABILITIES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities holds a hearing on nearly 50 bills surrounding the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, particularly the Department of Transitional Assistance. Proposals from Reps. Cabral and Garcia and Sen. DiDomenico would ensure eligible immigrants can receive cash assistance and other benefits targeted at eligible children, pregnant people and adult caretakers, including nutritional assistance benefits. Bills filed by Rep. LeBoeuf and Sen. Robyn Kennedy would create a special commission tasked with analyzing the state's refugee resettlement infrastructure, which includes collecting data on current efforts to resettle refugees and "any failures or gaps that exist due to the systematic dismantling of the federal refugee programs over the previous 5 years." Also on the agenda are bills to establish a diaper benefits pilot program and require diaper changing stations in public buildings, as well as "universal changing stations" in public buildings for larger children or adults with disabilities. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)
NO-COST ARTS VENUE IN FALL RIVER: Supporters of the arts in Fall River hold a ribbon-cutting and grand opening of The Ignition Space, an event that organizers say "signifies the beginning of a new chapter in creative expression and cultural growth for the Fall River arts community." The Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition and One SouthCoast Chamber are rallying around the new 700 square foot space that will serve as a no-cost venue for exhibitions, learning, and arts programming. "This space embodies our unwavering commitment to supporting local artists and creatives, serving as a beacon of inspiration and collaboration for years to come," said Ashley Occhino, Executive Director of FRACC. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our program partners, Bristol Community College and site owner John Varao, and our funder, the TDI Creative Catalyst Grant Program, administered by MassDevelopment and funded by the Barr Foundation, for their instrumental support in bringing this creative venture to life." (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 341 South Main Street, Fall River)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on about 30 bills tied to health insurance matters, including proposals aimed at bolstering access to mental health, pediatric care, nurse midwifery services and telehealth. Other pieces of legislation look to halt insurance companies from denying "medically necessary services" and prevent treatment delays for patients. Also on the agenda are proposals updating the reimbursement structure for community health centers. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
HEALTH CARE FINANCING: Joint Committee on Health Care Financing holds hybrid public hearing on bills related to health care prices, rates and affordability. Legislation includes bills to establish an electronic system of public reporting for medical debt data, limit the ability of health care providers to negotiate rate increases with carriers that exceed the state's health care cost growth benchmark and to continue enhanced Medicaid hospital payments. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-1 | More Info)
DIZOGLIO IN BEVERLY: Auditor DiZoglio talks about her office's work at HighRes Bisolutions, a lab automation company, followed by a tour and meet-and-greet. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 102 Cherry Hill Drive, Beverly)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Economic Development Planning Council meets as the Healey administration works on creating its economic development strategy. Agenda items include reviewing the draft plan framework, discussion and questions. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room 428)
OFFSHORE WIND TRAINING: Business Network for Offshore Wind, with Vineyard Wind, hosts a free offshore wind training program for underrepresented business owners. The trainings are intended to help business owners "understand the industry and how to successfully enter the market." The program runs Tuesday through Thursday. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall, 561 Purchase St., New Bedford |More Info)
CANNABIS ADVISORY: Cannabis Advisory Board, which makes recommendations to the Cannabis Control Commission, meets. The group is expected to discuss the CCC's draft regulations that are intended to implement last year's marijuana industry reform law. The board will also discuss recommendations from its Cannabis Industry, Public Health and Research subcommittees. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
REVENUE COMMITTEE HEARING: Joint Committee on Revenue holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to sales tax and excise tax. Testimony is expected on lowering the state sales tax and creating exemptions to it. Three bills filed by Republicans (H 2846 / H 2881 / S 1912) seek to create a tax exemption for municipalities to pay the gas tax. Attorney General Andrea Campbell certified a potential ballot question last week that would halt the state's gas tax when gas prices are above a certain threshold. Sen. Moran has a bill to tax short-term rentals, a priority for some in the Cape towns she represents. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room B-1 | More Info)
BIRTH CENTER HEARING: MassHealth holds a virtual public hearing on a proposed regulation on eligibility parameters for birth centers to enroll as MassHealth providers. It also addresses payment rates for services provided at freestanding birth centers, which are not operated under a hospital license but are licensed by the Department of Public Health. Covered services would include prenatal visits, ultrasounds, low-risk labor and delivery, postpartum visits and newborn care services. Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. The regulation would take effect by Jan. 5, 2024 at the earliest. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COMMITTEE: Restorative Justice Advisory Committee meets virtually as it seeks public comment on its framework for establishing a state restorative justice office. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. |Agenda and Access Information)
LENDING LAWSUIT: Members of the National Coalition Against Predatory Lending hold a press conference to discuss a class action lawsuit against Boston-headquartered BlueHub Capital. The suit alleges consumer protection violations by BlueHub Capital related to mortgage lending. The coalition also plans to ask lawmakers to reject legislation (S 1104 / H 1404) that they say "would subvert victims' due process of civil recourse to nullify current and future class action lawsuits." Massachusetts residents who used BlueHub testified before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in May, urging the committee to not recommend the bill. The legislation has not emerged from the committee. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Warren St. & Blue Hill Ave., Roxbury)
WESTERN MASS. SOLAR FORUM: The second virtual session of the Western Massachusetts Solar Forum focuses on solar development and land use, with speakers expected to talk about local bylaws, patterns for solar development, balancing climate goals, farmland protection and wildlife conservation, and land use tradeoffs. Presentations are scheduled from Mass Audubon, The Nature Conservancy and Harvard Forest. The September meetings, coordinated by the UMass Clean Energy Extension and western Massachusetts delegation, are meant to explore opportunities and challenges surrounding solar energy. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Virtual | More Info and Registration)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on dozens of bills related to sex offenses and domestic violence. Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield has a bill (H 1477) that seeks to update and clarify the law related to so-called upskirting. In 2014, the Supreme Judicial Court said perpetrators caught taking photos or video underneath a person's clothes without their knowledge could not be prosecuted under then-current law. The House and Senate fast-tracked a bill to outlaw upskirting -- it was written and approved by both branches and sent to the governor's desk for his signature with unusual haste, in about 24 hours. Farley-Bouvier's bill alters some definitions in the law and includes a new line stating that "the actual knowledge and consent of the person so photographed, videotaped, or electronically surveilled shall be an affirmative defense" to the offense of upskirting. Rep. Tackey Chan of Quincy has a bill (H 1417) co-sponsored by Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey that aims to update the sex offender registry process to reflect realities of the 21st century, like inclusion of "all electronic aliases, addresses and domains" used by an offender. Rep. Colleen Garry of Dracut proposed (H 1510) to prohibit sex offenders from entering public or private school property for any reason, House Minority Leader Brad Jones of North Reading suggests (H 1584) a prohibition on level 3 sex offenders residing together, and Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida of Abington has a bill (H 1774) prohibiting registered sex offenders from changing names. And Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem has a bill (S 1038) that aims to eliminate the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases. Middlesex DA Ryan plans to testify in support of H 1550, which would criminalize instances of fraud involving a medical or health care professional who knowingly deceives a patient into engaging in sexual intercourse or sexual touching. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2 | Virtual)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION: Two Cabinet secretaries are set to make presentations during a Local Government Advisory Commission hybrid meeting with local officials to discuss the unfolding emergency housing crisis and other state-local issues. Tentative agenda features Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, A&F Secretary Matt Gorzkowicz, and Housing Secretary Ed Augustus. Plans call for discussion of the state budget and fiscal condition, the fiscal 2023 closeout budget, the priorities and goals of the new housing secretariat, and the emergency housing assistance program. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 157, State House | Remote Access)
OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS: JSI Research and Training Institute, through a contract with the Department of Public Health, holds a southeast regional meeting outlining resources for municipalities as they use opioid settlement funds. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Virtual | Registration)
BOSTON CHAMBER FESTIVAL: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and City Awake, the Chamber's young professional platform, host the opening ceremony of the Fierce Urgency of Now Festival, featuring panelists Rep. Madaro; Kristen Riley, diversity and inclusion director at Stop & Shop; and Brandon Cadet-Hernandez, chief strategy advisor of Mrs. Wordsmith and Boston Public Schools school committee member. WBZ/CBS's Katrina Kincade will moderate the discussion. Panelists will discuss the future of Boston and Massachusetts and "how to successfully cultivate inclusion and belonging across industries, neighborhoods and cultures," according to the chamber. The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival focuses on bringing together young professionals of color. It will be held this year from Sept. 12 through Sept. 16. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., TD Garden's 1928 Club, 100 Legends Way, Boston)
FOREST MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' hosts a virtual public input session on its climate-oriented forest management guidelines. The guidelines will be applied to forest management on state lands, inform forest landowners and serve as the basis for state incentives for adoption of climate-oriented forest management practices. In this initial meeting, members of the public are encouraged to give input on a questions regarding the role humans should play in preserving forests. A second public meeting will be held in November to seek feedback on specific issues in draft guidelines. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Zoom)
SOMERVILLE CONSTRUCTION INFO SESSION: MBTA holds a public meeting on the upcoming Squires Bridge construction, and will go over a project overview, schedule and the suspension of Green Line train service between Lechmere and Union Square stations on Monday, Sept. 18 and lasting 25 days through Thursday, Oct. 12. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and give comments. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Somerville Public Library (Central), 79 Highland Ave., Somerville | More Info)
ASL CLASSES: Willie Ross School for the Deaf begins its fall term of American Sign Language classes. Classes will be held once a week on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will run for 13 weeks. (Tuesday, Longmeadow campus, 32 Norway Street, Longmeadow | Registration Info)
BOURNE LIBRARY: Sen. Moran starts her "Big Check Tour" in Bourne, where she will highlight the $25,000 earmark she secured in the fiscal 2024 budget for a Bourne library feasibility study. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Bourne Community Center, 239 Main St., Bourne)
NEW UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM: Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development launches the first phase of its new strategy to modernize the Department of Unemployment Assistance's Unemployment Insurance system. The first phase of the UI modernization plan includes streamlining the online experience for employers and third-party administrators to manage unemployment services activities. The project aims to increase accessibility features and offer services in more languages; build a new process for uploading information, like wage or employment details, to improve the system's usability; and create a mobile-friendly design for people to apply for unemployment assistance. Development of the modernization process began in April 2022. Fast Enterprises, LLC was selected for the project. In January 2023, the unemployment department began testing the system for usability, accessibility and functionality. The second phase of modernization, which is focused on claimants rather than employers, is scheduled to rollout in 2025. Employers and third party administrators will need to operate in both the new system and the current UI system for about 18 months. To prepare for the transition, the department recommends employers and third party administrators confirm their contact information in the current UI online system is up to date. Additionally, due to the new system rollout, UI Online will be unavailable from Friday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. to Tuesday, Sept. 12. Claimants will not be able to file claims or certify for weekly benefits during this timeframe. Weekly certifications for the benefit week ending Sept. 9 will be available starting Tuesday, Sept. 12 As a result, claimants who would have certified for weekly benefits on Sunday or Monday will see a delay in weekly benefit payment by at least 2 business days. (Tuesday)
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023
SPRINGFIELD POLICE SJC CASE: Supreme Judicial Court has five cases on its docket and will hear arguments on an ACLU and Committee for Public Counsel Services lawsuit against the Hampden County District Attorney's Office that seeks a state investigation into allegations of systemic violence, false reporting and other misconduct by the Springfield Police Department, according to the ACLU. The lawsuit also seeks the disclosure of misconduct to all defendants whose cases may have included police officers identified as having engaged in misconduct. "More than three years ago, in July 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a report finding six years of routine excessive force and false reporting by Springfield Police Department Narcotics Bureau officers. Following the release of this report, the [Hampden County District Attorney's Office], which prosecutes people almost daily based on assertions made by SPD officers, did not investigate this misconduct nor did any other entity on behalf of the Commonwealth," the ACLU says. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom 1, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston | Watch Oral Arguments)
COMMUNITY POLICING: Community Policing and Behavioral Health Advisory Council, which helps oversee training programs for responding to mental health and substance use crises, holds a virtual meeting. Agenda includes discussion of a crisis report draft and public comment. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Livestream)
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP REPORT: Boston Indicators, the research center of the Boston Foundation releases a new report cataloging the state's programs designed to drive affordable homeownership and reduce racial homeownership gaps across Massachusetts. "A Long Road Home: A Racial Equity Analysis of Homeownership Support Programs in Massachusetts" will also include policy recommendations to build upon efforts to increase affordable homeownership opportunities. Executive Director of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance Symone Crawford, Executive Director of MassHousing Chrystal Kornegay, and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Clark Ziegler will participate in a panel discussion at the report's release. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., The Edgerley Center for Civic Leadership at the Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington St., 3rd Floor, Boston | Register)
MASSDOT FINANCE COMMITTEE: MassDOT Finance and Audit Committee holds a virtual meeting streamed on the MassDOT website. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info)
WU @ BOSTON CHAMBER: Boston Mayor Wu delivers an address at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Forum. (Wednesday, 9:45 a.m., Fairmont Copley, 138 St. James Ave., Boston | More Info)
DISABILITIES COMMISSION: Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities holds a hybrid meeting. The agenda includes introduction of new Commissioner Rachel Stanton, a "signature event update," subcommittee reports, an annual report review, fiscal 2024 goals discussion, and "commissioner announcements." (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room B-2 | More Info)
SOLAR AND NATURE: Mass Audubon, Harvard Forest, elected officials and others hold an event to mark the release of a new report, "Growing Solar, Protecting Nature," which details "the imprint to nature and farmlands resulting from the current approach to siting large solar projects in the Commonwealth and provides a vision and a clear roadmap forward for building the solar we need without sacrificing the nature we have," organizers said. Speakers include Mass Audubon President David O’Neill and VP of Policy & Advocacy Michelle Manion, Harvard Forest senior ecologist Jonathan Thompson, Roxbury Community College Interim President Jackie Jenkins-Scott, and tentatively Sen. Jo Comerford. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Roxbury Community College, Cedar Street Parking Lot under the solar canopy, Roxbury)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - PAROLE BOARD: Governor's Council interviews Sarah Beth Coughlin, a clinical social worker nominated by Gov. Healey to fill one of three vacancies on the state Parole Board. Coughlin is the director of community engagement and partnerships at Mass General Brigham, works with the Committee for Public Counsel Services, and previously spent eight years as director of the Charlestown Coalition. The Dorchester resident earned her master of social work degree at Boston College, and also spent three years as a clinical social worker with the Boston Police Department/Youth Connect based out of the downtown and Charlestown police station. Councilor Iannella of Jamaica Plain chairs the hearing. (Wednesday, 10:45 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
MASSDOT CAPITAL COMMITTEE: MassDOT Capital Programs Committee holds a virtual meeting streamed on the MassDOT website. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. | More Info)
PFAS FILTRATION PLANT: MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple will be on hand as the Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments open a $20 million filtration system to remove PFAS from drinking water. Like dozens of other communities in Massachusetts, Littleton discovered elevated levels of PFAS (also known as forever chemicals) in its drinking water supply. So far, an iron filtration system is fully operational, a manganese filtration system is coming online this month and the PFAS filtration system is set to be fully operational in November. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Water Treatment Plant, Whitcomb Avenue, Littleton)
AUSTRIAN SPEAKER AT EMK INSTITUTE: The speaker of the Austrian Parliament and the Austrian ambassador to the U.S. will visit the Edward M. Kennedy Institute to tour the institute's replica U.S. Senate chamber and participate in a demonstration of immersive civic education programs. The Austrian Parliament recently launched a "Demokratiewerkstatt" (or "Democracy Workshop") that is designed to bring the work of the Austrian Parliament closer to Austrians aged 8 to 19 and educate them about democratic processes and institutions, according to organizers. The visit will conclude with a tour of the JFK Library with Library Director Alan Price. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., 210 Morrissey Blvd., Boston)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets and could potentially vote on approval of the four latest pardons recommended by Gov. Healey. Council assemblies are also a potential venue for the announcement of new nominations from the governor, who still has two openings to fill on the Parole Board along with a number of judicial vacancies, particularly in the Superior Court. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee holds hybrid public hearing on bills dealing with public safety services. Overdose fatalities, air emergency helipads, missing and abducted children, lawfully owed DNA, spent fuel pool water, American Sign Language training, college campus safety, and arson investigations are among the many topics of bills on the agenda. (Wednesday, noon, Room B-1, Agenda and Access Info)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission meets to review the "2023 Health Care Cost Trends Report and Policy Recommendations" and vote to issue its release. Executive Director David Seltz will provide an overview of the report, which includes a review of health care market trends, an examination of excessive health care prices, and policy recommendations to reduce health care spending growth, promote consumer affordability, and advance health equity. Commissioners will also be joined by guest speaker Loren Adler, Associate Director at the Brookings Schaeffer Initiative on Health Policy, to discuss site neutral hospital outpatient payment policy. The meeting will conclude with an update on the agency's application of a health equity lens to its work. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda & Livestream)
CELEBRATION OF CENTENARIANS: Central Boston Elder Services plans to welcome eleven 100-year-old Bostonians into the Centenarian Society of Boston. Organizers say that an additional 26 former inductees over age 100, including a 108-year-old, plan to attend. This year marks the group's tenth annual centenarian ceremony, with 122 centenarians welcomed to the society since its inception. "One purpose of the event is to have the opportunity to capture the unique stories of the centenarians and document their lives historically. Many centenarians say that the secret to their longevity is hard work and strong family connections," according to CBES. The group credits home care services funded in part by the state for helping these seniors "live at home in their communities surrounded by family and friends." (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Great Hall, State House)
PURPLE FLAG CEREMONY: Newton Wellesley Hospital hosts a "purple flag ceremony" to remember and honor the lives of Massachusetts residents lost to the opioid epidemic. Middlesex DA Ryan plans to attend. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 2014 Washington St., Newton)
"STUDY SESSION" WITH SECRETARY AUGUSTUS: Housing Secretary Edward Augustus is scheduled as the featured guest for a Dignity Alliance Massachusetts "study session." The group looks forward to a discussion of development of affordable, accessible housing; expansion of the Affordable Housing Voucher Program; home modernization grants; funding for independent living centers; accessory dwelling units; responding to heat wave emergencies; and issues regarding elder and disabled housing. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Remote Access)
ELECTION LAWS COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Election Laws holds a hearing to take input on legislation related to election administration, voter participation, street lists and same-day voter registration. Rep. Dan Cahill of Lynn, Rep. Carmine Gentile of Sudbury and Sen. Michael Brady of Brockton each have proposed bills related to same-day or Election Day voter registration (H 663 / H 688 / S 407), a topic with lots of legislative support but not yet widely embraced by Democratic leadership. Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville has two bills on the hearing docket, one (H 724) to restore voting rights to incarcerated felons and another (H 723) that would require polling places be located within a half-mile of higher education institutions if at least 1,000 students or faculty are eligible to register to vote in that precinct. House Minority Leader Brad Jones of North Reading proposes (H 697) creating a special commission to study and provide recommendations on practices the state could deploy to increase voter turnout, including seeking "to find the differences in policy preferences of non-voters and voters in the commonwealth and whether or not an increase in voter turnout would affect policy outcomes and quantify that effect." And a bill (H 709) from Rep. James Murphy of Weymouth would require that any entity conducting push-polling on behalf of, in support of, or in opposition to a candidate for public office inform the person being polled that the call is a "paid political advertisement" and provide details on the sponsoring organization. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Virtual)
MWRA BOARD: Mass. Water Resources Authority's board meets. The agenda calls for an update on the wastewater impacts from this summer's heavy rainfall, approval of a memorandum of agreement between the MWRA, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and Mass. Historical Commission related to the removal of the Quinapoxet Dam, and a fiscal year 2023 year-end budget update. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Deer Island Reception/Training Building, 1st floor, Favaloro Meeting Room, 33 Tafts Ave., Boston | Agenda and Virtual Access)
MASSHEALTH ELIGIBILITY: Officials from MassHealth, the Health Connector and Health Care For All hold a news conference and briefing to discuss the MassHealth redetermination process and detail efforts in Lawrence "to ensure MassHealth members know what they need to do to stay covered," according to event organizers. MassHealth and its members are in the midst of an exhaustive process to redetermine whether enrollees are still eligible, and those who have lost or are about to lose government-funded health insurance need to make sure they are still covered by insurance or face tax penalties under the state's universal health care law. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library, Sargent Auditorium, 51 Lawrence St., Lawrence)
"REINVENTING ROCKWELL AND BEYOND" | Reception for the State House exhibition "Reinventing Rockwell and Beyond," by Berkshire-based artist Pops Peterson. According to Sen. Mark's office, the collection of artwork, previously showcased at the Norman Rockwell Museum where it was the museum's longest-running solo exhibition, "has captivated audiences with its fresh and inclusive interpretations of the iconic Rockwell masterpieces." (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Senate Lobby and Room 428)
DIGITAL DIVIDE LISTENING SESSIONS: Massachusetts Broadband Institute holds a listening session to take feedback about digital equity and internet access barriers as part of its planning process for deploying federal dollars meant to tackle the digital divide. People can also participate in the "Internet for All" listening tour at the North Adams Public Library and Lenox Library. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St., Pittsfield | More Info)
SMALL BUSINESS SERIES: Treasurer Goldberg kicks off the Small Business Initiative Financial Empowerment Series, which the treasurer's office described as "a collaboration with Citizens to provide valuable resources to entrepreneurs to start and advance their businesses." (Wednesday, 3 p.m. | Register)
CANNABIS AND EQUITY: Cannabis Control Commission hosts a discussion of its Social Equity Program and a networking session with industry representatives "who can share helpful resources for entering the legal, adult-use cannabis marketplace, highlighting the nation’s first statewide equity program." Register (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Roxbury Community College, Reggie Lewis Center, 1350 Tremont St., Boston)
DIZOGLIO AT UNICO DINNER: Auditor DiZoglio delivers remarks at the UNICO Merrimack Valley dinner. The organization is focused on promoting Italian culture. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Luna Rossa, 1699 Shawsheen St., Tewksbury)
ABINGTON INTERSECTION PROJECT: MassDOT holds a public hearing on the proposed intersection improvements project on Hancock and Chestnut Streets. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., 500 Gliniewicz Way, Abington | More Info)
PEMBROKE WATER: Sen. Moran continues her "Big Check Tour" in Pembroke, where she will highlight the $25,000 earmark she secured in the fiscal 2024 budget for the Pembroke water management system. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Town Hall, Pembroke)
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023
MBTA FINANCE COMMITTEE: MBTA Audit and Finance Subcommittee holds a virtual meeting, its second of the week after also meeting on Wednesday. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | More Info)
FINANCIAL SCAMS -- DRACUT: Middlesex DA Ryan visits the Dracut Council on Aging to speak with seniors about financial scams and elder safety. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 951 Mammoth Road, Dracut)
MMA MONTHLY MEETING: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds its monthly meeting. It will feature a legislative update from Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine and a panel discussion on public safety sector recruitment efforts featuring Lindsey Stromgren, Amherst's deputy fire chief; Christopher Delmonte, Bridgewater's fire chief; Peter Burke, Hyannis' fire chief and president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts; and Caitlyn Julius, Springfield's assistant HR director. Another session will focus on developing a media plan for public safety incidents. The registration cost is $40. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St., Wrentham | More Info and Registration)
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND WEBINAR: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind holds a webinar for employers to learn about support provided throughout the hiring process. Employers who have hired candidates who are blind and visually impaired will speak. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | Registration)
CANNABIS COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission meets a week after holding a public hearing on the regulations it recently drafted and approved. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
MBTA WORKFORCE MEETING: MBTA Planning, Workforce, Development and Compensation Subcommittee holds a virtual meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | More Info)
ANTI-HATE, BIAS TASKFORCE MEETING: Middlesex DA Ryan holds a meeting with her Anti-Hate Anti-Bias Task Force, with the discussion slated around initiatives to address hate in the county. For access information, email Sarah.Lamson@mass.gov. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Virtual)
SENATE: Senate plans to meet without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
MBTA SAFETY MEETING: MBTA Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee holds an in-person meeting. (Thursday, 11 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza | More Info)
CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Sen. Moran continues her "Big Check Tour" in West Barnstable, where she will highlight the $170,000 earmark she secured in the fiscal 2024 budget for the Cape Cod Community College Inter-Campus Transit Program. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Cape Cod Community College, 2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable)
EARLY EDUCATION - INFORMATIONAL HEARING: Joint Committee on Education holds a hybrid informational hearing on early education and care, an area targeted for major budgetary investments fueled by new revenue from the income surtax on wealthier households. The panel plans to hear from Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, and unnamed others. The committee is co-chaired by Sen. Lewis and Rep. Garlick. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room B-2 | More Info)
GRID MODERNIZATION: Grid Modernization Advisory Council meets for the first time since the state's three electric distribution companies (National Grid, Eversource and Unitil) filed their required Electric Sector Modernization Plans. The plans lay out what the utilities think they need to build, develop or strategize for to position Massachusetts to achieve net-zero emission by 2050. National Grid said its plan looks ahead to how it will meet peak customer demand more than twice as high as it is today and "connect at least twice the amount of energy storage, 10 times the amount of renewable energy, 75 times the number of EVs, and 100 times the number of heat pumps than we see today." The GMAC plans to review the plans until Nov. 20, and final versions are to be submitted for Department of Public Utilities approval in January. The GMAC plans public input sessions in October and November. Thursday's meeting will focus on stakeholder engagement, the current state of the grid and five- to 10-year demand forecasts. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Register)
FINANCIAL SCAMS -- WALTHAM: Middlesex DA Ryan visits the Waltham Council on Aging to speak with seniors about financial scams and elder safety. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 488 Main St., Waltham)
OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS: JSI Research and Training Institute, through a contract with the Department of Public Health, holds a central regional meeting outlining resources for municipalities as they use opioid settlement funds. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Virtual | Registration)
MBTA RIDER ACCESS: Riders' Transportation Access Group holds an advisory meeting. The group is a customer organization that advises the MBTA on transportation issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities. Membership in the group and attendance at group events are open to the general public. (Thursday, 3 p.m. | Zoom)
DIGITAL DIVIDE LISTENING SESSION: As part of its "Internet for All" listening tour, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute seeks feedback from residents about digital equity and internet access barriers. The information will help guide state proposals on using federal funds to tackle the digital divide and boost digital literacy. Participants can also weigh in at the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum in Northampton and at the the Monson Free Library. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Holyoke Community College, MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke | More Info)
VACCINE PURCHASING: Massachusetts Vaccine Purchasing Advisory Council, which is focused on the Department of Public Health's distribution of childhood vaccines, meets. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Massachusetts Medical Society, 860 Winter St., Waltham)
"SPECTACLE ON SPECTACLE" | Boston Harbor Now holds its flagship fundraising event, "Spectacle on Spectacle," on the harbor island. Lt. Gov. Driscoll is scheduled to attend, according to organizers, who say there will be ferry service from downtown Boston and entertainment, networking and inspirational speakers on the island. The fundraiser runs from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is intended to raise money toward the nonprofits mission of improving public access to Boston Harbor and fortifying it against impacts of climate change. "As we celebrate our shared harbor, its accessibility, and our commitment to its future, we're thrilled to welcome our guests to Spectacle on Spectacle," said Kathy Abbott of Boston Harbor Now. "It's especially gratifying to honor Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, who has been a critical ally in our work to expand water transportation, develop climate adaptation strategies for our shoreline, and support our blue economy and our ports." (Thursday, 5 p.m., Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor | More Info)
MUNICIPALITIES COMMITTEE: Municipalities and Regional Government Committee is taking a written-testimony-only approach to solicit feedback on 14 local bills. The testimony, in lieu of a public hearing, is due by 5 p.m. The committee co-chairs are Rep. Carole Fiola and Sen. Jacob Oliveira. (Thursday, 5 p.m., More Info)
RED LINE DISRUPTION MEETING: MBTA holds a public meeting on the planned closure of the Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line for 16 days in October. The two sections of the Red Line will be closed from Saturday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 29 to allow the T to make track repairs. Shuttle buses will replace service during the shutdown. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Immigrant Family Services Institute, 1626 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan | More Info)
LATINX AWARDS: Latinx leaders who have "demonstrated outstanding excellence and made significant contributions" in their fields and communities will be honored at Amplify LatinX's inaugural ALX100 award reception. Gov. Healey, who's the honorary chair of the event alongside Mayor Wu, is scheduled to give remarks. A traveling installation, highlighting honorees and people who collaborate with the nonprofit, will be unveiled at the reception, and it will be at the MFA later this month. "The Latino community in Massachusetts is hardworking, strong and resilient," Healey said in a statement. "They make incredible contributions to our communities and our economy every day." (Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Boston Public Library | More Info)
Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
SJC SITTING: Supreme Judicial Court has two cases on its docket. Oral arguments begin at 9 a.m. and will be streamed live. (Friday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1 | Calendar of Cases | Protocol For In-Person Media Coverage)
CANNABIS ADVISORY -- RESEARCH: Research Subcommittee of the Cannabis Advisory Board, which makes recommendations to the Cannabis Control Commission, meets. The bulk of the meeting will focus on a discussion about medical cannabis vertical integration and medical cannabis industry regulatory recommendations. (Friday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
FALMOUTH SOLAR: Sen. Moran continues her "Big Check Tour" in Falmouth, where she will highlight the $90,000 earmark she secured in the fiscal 2024 budget for the Falmouth Veterans Center's solar panel installation. (Friday, 10 a.m., Town Hall, Falmouth)
SANDWICH PLAYGROUND: Sen. Moran continues her "Big Check Tour" in Sandwich, where she will highlight the $50,000 earmark she secured in the fiscal 2024 budget for improvements to the Henry T. Wing Playground. (Friday, 12 p.m., Basketball court on Morse Road, Sandwich)
ENCORE BOSTON HARBOR: Encore Boston's Harbor supervisor of purchasing, Julianna Bellia, is the featured speaker at a virtual event aimed at helping businesses of color learn about procurement and contract opportunities. It's part of a series from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce called "Pacesetters Doing Business." The program is free for attendees. (Friday, 3 p.m. | Registration)
EPA RESILIENCY FUNDING DEADLINE: Friday is the deadline for eligible applicants to seek federal money through the Southeast New England Program Opportunity to Advance Resilience Fund, which is designed to aid "disadvantaged communities" as they tackle climate change and the "long-term impacts of environmental and social injustices," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Grants will range from $50,000 to $300,000, and $1.25 million is available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Local governments, public and private universities, and public and private nonprofits can apply and propose projects tied to planning, implementation, outreach, training or staffing, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association. (Friday | More Info)
UNEMPLOYMENT DATA: State officials plan to release the preliminary August 2023 and revised July 2023 unemployment rate, labor force, and job estimates for Massachusetts. The July jobless rate was 2.5 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from the revised June estimate of 2.6 percent. (Friday)
