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Shannon O'Brien, the former state treasurer and Democratic nominee for governor, filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing Treasurer Deborah Goldberg of unlawfully removing her as chairwoman of the Cannabis Control Commission. The lawsuit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, is the latest sign of upheaval around the agency that oversees the state's legal cannabis sector and lays bare details of internal acrimony. At the same time, Worcester Business Journal reports on charges that some customers of Central Mass. pot shops may have been sold tainted weed due to a breakdown in inspections or recordkeeping.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Monday, October 2
Recreation Advisory Board Meeting-CANCELED
7:00pm
Tuesday, October 3
CANCELED - Community Preservation Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Wednesday, October 4
5:00pm
Friends of Franklin Library Meeting
7:00pm
Thursday, October 5
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
Friday, October 6
10:00am to 1:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023
It's not everything she asked for, but Gov. Maura Healey this week called the tax relief bill that reached her desk a "comprehensive package that delivers relief to families and businesses" and stakeholders across the political spectrum are looking forward to seeing her sign the bill. As the fall sessions pick up, House and Senate Democrats are working on a final fiscal 2023 spending bill and processing fiscal 2024 budget veto overrides. House Republicans this week backed up Healey on some of her spending cuts, but Democrats in that branch were easily able to round up the votes to add about $80 million in spending back to the budget. The wait continues for a housing bond proposal from the Healey administration, the governor's first judicial nominations to dent the at least 14 current vacancies in the courts, and recommendations from the administration's climate chief on how to bring the executive offices more in line with the state's climate goals. Treasurer Deb Goldberg's suspension of Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O'Brien heads to court Friday for a hearing on the preliminary injunction that O'Brien is seeking to stop Goldberg from "continuing her unlawful removal of Chair O'Brien from her position at the CCC." Goldberg plans to spend the early part of the week in Las Vegas meeting with treasurers from other states across the country. As the calendar flips to October, people are bracing for impacts associated with a federal government shutdown and nearly one million borrowers in Massachusetts must resume student loan payments following a three-and-a-half-year pause dating back to the start of the pandemic.
On Monday, people freed and exonerated after wrongful convictions gather to call for change, advocates plan to outline their vision for a Boston LGBTQ Museum of Art, History and Culture, and lawmakers hear alcohol license proposals designed to close the racial wealth gap in the hospitality sector. On Tuesday, a two-day wind energy conference kicks off in Boston, a State House briefing pitches lawmakers on moving Bridgewater State Hospital's administration from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health, and in Salem, Witch City officials talk about preparations for a "record number" of expected visitors during Halloween season. On Wednesday, Gov. Maura Healey keynotes the second day of the Clean Power Association wind conference, officials celebrate the opening of a solar project at a Woburn Superfund site, and a bill to nix the MCAS graduation requirement is expected to draw testimony in the State House's largest hearing room. On Thursday, the state Persons with Disabilities Commission holds its inaugural celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month on Beacon Hill, a task force works on mapping out a Massachusetts Women's Rights History Trail, and the Edward Kennedy Institute is host to a conversation about "Americans' deepening dissatisfaction with their elected officials and government and what that means for the future of American politics."
SPILKA ON 10: Senate President Karen Spilka is on "@Issue" talking about the Legislature's tax reform agreement and the migrant crisis. Also on the program: Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper and NBC News national correspondent Steve Kornacki. Episode is also broadcast on NECN at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. (Sunday, 5 a.m., NBC10 TV)
NEW MMA CHIEF ON 4: Adam Chapdelaine, newly-installed executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, talks with Jon Keller about the migrant crisis' impact on cities and towns, the future of Proposition 2 1/2, and rising incivility in relations between government and the public. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
DiZOGLIO ON 5: Auditor DiZoglio is on "On The Record" talking about her efforts to audit the Legislature, both by lawsuit and by a potential 2024 ballot question. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
MASSCARE GALA: Mass-Care, an advocacy organization that favors a single payer health care system, holds its annual gala. Judiciary Committee Co-chair Sen. James Eldridge and Education Committee Co-chair Rep. Denise Garlick are slated to deliver remarks. (Sunday, 12 p.m., Castle Island, Boston | More Info)
GOLDBERG IN LAS VEGAS: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg attends the National Association of State Treasurers annual conference at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas through Wednesday. The conference features sessions on sports betting, workforce demographics, infrastructure, and more. Goldberg is a past president of NAST. (Sunday)
Monday, Oct. 2, 2023
PROVIDERS' COUNCIL CONVENTION: Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh speaks and LGBTQIA+ advocate Jodie Patterson delivers a keynote address as the Providers' Council welcomes approximately 1,200 attendees to its 48th annual convention and expo. The convention for community-based health and human services organizations features 34 educational workshops covering five learning tracks and dozens of exhibitors. Sen. Jason Lewis, Rep. Mindy Domb and Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie are among 14 individuals and organizations receiving Awards of Excellence. (Monday, 8 a.m., Marriott Copley Place Hotel, 110 Huntington Ave., Boston)
ALTWHEELS FLEET DAY: AltWheels Fleet Day, the largest meeting of corporate and municipal fleet managers on the East Coast, assembles in Norwood for its 20th annual event. The day will feature panels, exhibitors, opportunities to test drive vehicles with alternative transportation solutions, keynote remarks from EPA Region 1 Administrator David Cash and a recorded speech from auto enthusiast Jay Leno. (Monday, 8 a.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood)
SJC SITTING - MONDAY: Supreme Judicial Court has six cases on its docket, including a prisoner's rights case against the state commissioner of correction, superintendent of the Massachusetts Treatment Center and secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The docket also includes a case that seven Massachusetts housing authorities, five current or former local housing authority executive directors, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials brought appealing the Superior Court's dismissal of their complaint against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Housing and Community Development related to employment matters. 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)
WRONGFUL CONVICTION RALLY: People freed and exonerated after a wrongful conviction gather to advocate for bills (S 1101 / H 1752 / H 1820) related to providing compensation for those who have been wrongfully imprisoned. The bills would remove the current cap on compensation for significant periods of incarceration, provide $5,000 in immediate assistance upon release, clarify that state services can be provided on top of financial compensation, and provide compensation for people who can prove their innocence, even if their convictions were vacated on other grounds, according to event organizers the Exoneree Network, funded by the New England Innocence Project. The bills are currently before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. (Monday, 10 a.m., State House steps)
GAMING COMMISSION: Gaming Commission meets. Interim Executive Director Todd Grossman will give an administrative update, and the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau will lead discussions related to Encore Boston Harbor's request for an amendment to a beverage license and a request DraftKings made to be waived from a regulation having to do with advertising. Other topics up for discussion include the fiscal 2023 closeout budget, a number of requests from Plainridge Park Casino and updates on cybersecurity at MGM and Caesars. (Monday, 10 a.m., Agenda | Livestream)
LGBTQ MUSEUM: A new group of LGBTQ leaders holds press conference to announce their vision to launch the "Boston LGBTQ Museum of Art, History and Culture." The group includes founder Jean Dolin, whose "Portraits of Pride" exhibit was displayed on Boston Common last year. It intends to seek community input as it develops a more concrete plan for the museum. A permanent space for the museum in Boston is several years away, potentially in 2026, Dolin told the News Service. An initial exhibit celebrating 20 years of marriage equality in Massachusetts is slated for next spring at the Massachusetts Historical Society, Dolin said. The group will file papers with the Secretary of State's office on Monday to start the museum, said other founding board member Arline Isaacson. (Monday, 10 a.m., Lobby, One Ashburton Pl., Boston)
PRIVATE JET RALLY: Sen. Barrett is slated to speak at a rally opposing a potential expansion of hangar space for private jets at Hanscom Field in Bedford. The expansion, and an accompanying spike in emissions from private jets, could jeopardize the benefits gained from solar energy investments, according to the Coalition to Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere. Following the rally, attendees plan to deliver a petition with more than 10,000 signatures to Gov. Healey. (Monday, 11 a.m., State House steps |More Info)
HOUSE: House holds an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
SOLAR AND NATURE: Mass Audubon, Harvard Forest, elected officials and others hold an event to mark the release of "Growing Solar, Protecting Nature," a report that 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, and others. (Monday, 11 a.m., Zoom)
MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery holds a hybrid public hearing on 20 bills focused on behavioral health treatments and improvements to the care system. Proposals look to establish a pilot program for a behavioral health emergency department at Taunton State Hospital, with the goal of diverting patients who are medically stable from the ER. Other bills would create at least two intensive stabilization and treatment units in the Department of Mental Health for patients who "exhibit persistently aggressive or self-destructive behavior." Also on the agenda are proposals to establish a mental health grant program for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of hate crimes; to create peer-run respite centers for adults experiencing emotional or mental distress; and to launch a maternal health equity grant program. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hybrid public hearing on two Boston alcohol petitions. The bills (H 3741 / S 2380) would allow city officials to grant up to three non-transferrable restricted licenses for the sale of all alcohol, plus up to two non-transferrable restricted licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages annually for a five-year period in 10 ZIP codes, including in East Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park and Roslindale. The legislation aims to close the racial wealth gap in the hospitality sector, as the majority of restaurants with liquor licenses are currently situated in predominantly white neighborhoods in Boston, according to an aide for Sen. Miranda, who sponsored the bill. Rep. Worrell, who sponsored the House's legislation, said in a social media post that the liquor license system is "antiquated" and slow progress "has not helped underserved communities." Worrell continued: "The bill shouldn't affect the current value of existing licenses, which in some cases now cost nearly $1 million. That current value makes it almost impossible for a restaurateur to open a new restaurant in one of these underserved neighborhoods ... Right now, there are 47x more licenses in the four whitest ZIP codes compared to the four least whitest ZIP codes." NBC 10 Boston last year produced a series, called "A Seat at the Table: Black-Owned in Boston," exploring business struggles for communities of color, with a focus on liquor licenses and city contracts. (Monday, 1 p.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)
TISBURY BEACH ROAD: MassDOT hosts a second working group meeting to present the study team's review of existing conditions in the area of Beach Road and Five Corners in Tisbury, including flood vulnerability, road safety and operations, and existing infrastructure. (Monday, 1 p.m., Zoom)
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Transportation holds a hybrid public hearing on nearly 70 bills tied to autonomous cars, custom license plates and vehicle registration, among other topics. Legislation filed by Veterans Services Secretary Santiago, back when he was a state rep, and Sen. Keenan (H 3420 / S 2248) would install "freestanding unalarmed" naloxone boxes at all Red Line stations as part of an 18-month pilot program. Other bills look to create the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighter Memorial motorcycle license plate, as well as the Blue Star Family license plate honoring police officers killed in the line of duty. Also on the agenda are bills to create a workforce training program for the trucking industry, to raise awareness of the National Human Trafficking Hotline by posting signs at highway rest stops and MBTA stations, and to make safety improvements to ice cream trucks. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
SENATE GLOBAL WARMING COMMITTEE: Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change holds a virtual public hearing focused on a single topic: "reducing embodied carbon emissions." (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
NURSING LAB RIBBON CUTTING: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expansion of a nursing simulation laboratory at Mount Wachusett Community College. It was funded by a state grant meant to expand resources for nursing programs at public colleges and universities, with the goal of growing the nursing workforce. MWCC leaders and lawmakers are scheduled to attend. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Mount Wachusett Community College, Daniel R. Asquino Science Wing, 444 Green St., Gardner)
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023
VISION IMPAIRMENT, BLINDNESS CONFERENCE: Jane Ryder, commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services, delivers remarks during the "Focus" on Vision Impairment and Blindness Conference. The conference tackles the needs of individuals, clinicians, family members, advocates, and other providers and stakeholders. Dr. Felipe Jain, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, is the keynote speaker. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood | More Info)
OFFSHORE WIND CONFERENCE - DAY ONE: The first day of the American Clean Power Association's Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, which runs through Wednesday in Boston, features speeches from White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy Gina McCarthy, Vineyard Wind's Lars Thaaning Pedersen, Liz Klein of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Francis Slingsby of SouthCoast Wind, and a presentation from U.S. Department of Energy's Maria Robinson, a former state representative from Framingham. Register (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston)
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Service holds a hybrid public hearing on nearly 60 bills surrounding collective bargaining rights and post-retirement earnings, among other topics. One proposal deals with collective bargaining rights for unions in school districts that are under state receivership, while other legislation would carve out funding to cover rising costs covered by collective bargaining agreements at public colleges and universities. A slate of bills address disability and death claims for first responders for health issues developed in the line of duty, including post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer and heart disease. Also before the committee is a bill that would impose a surcharge on certain retirement earnings, with the money redirected for municipalities to spend on "recreational opportunities," like programs and land purchases. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room B-2 | Agenda and Access Info)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Issues around automobiles and associated industries are at the center of a hearing of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. A good handful of the bills deal with auto insurance and others relate to businesses like motor vehicle damage appraisers and auto body shops. Debate over the labor rates paid by insurers to auto body repair shops has lingered on Beacon Hill for more than a decade and special commissions conducted their own deep dives on the matter in 2008 and 2021. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Hearing Room A-1 | Agenda and More Info)
STATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hybrid public hearing on nearly 40 bills, including proposals to require free menstrual products to be available in bathrooms at all state buildings and to update regulations allowing for gender-neutral bathrooms in state buildings. Legislation from Rep. Madaro and Sen. DiDomenico looks to expand the use of trained interpreters and translation of vital documents across state agencies. Also on the agenda are bills to establish Indigenous People Day on the second Monday in October, enable Massachusetts to join an interstate compact for licensed psychologists providing virtual services across state lines, and to bolster state grant funding for rural communities. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)
SPILKA MEETS WITH ISRAELI CONSUL: Senate President Spilka plans to host a meeting with Israel's consul general to New England, Meron Reuben, who previously served as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations and as the country's chief of state protocol. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)
OCTOBER IN SALEM: Salem officials, including Mayor Pangallo and Police Chief Lucas Miller, hold a press conference in preparation for a "record number" of expected visitors to the city this October. Nearly 1 million people visited downtown Salem last October, a jump of 37 percent compared to 2019. Visitors are encouraged to use public transit; the MBTA is adding more trains and the Salem Ferry is using larger vessels out of Long Wharf in Boston. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Salem Police headquarters, 95 Margin St., Salem)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Court administration is the topic du jour for the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Some of the bills deal with jury duty (including efforts to reimburse jurors who use public transit to get to court, to establish a jury duty exemption for breastfeeding parents, and to address racial disparities in jury duty), others focus on particular courts and some deal with stipends, salaries and benefits for court employees. There is also a bill filed at the request of a constituent to remove a judge from the Dukes County Probate and Family Court. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2 | Agenda and More Info)
BRIDGEWATER HOSPITAL BRIEFING: Criminal Justice Reform Caucus hosts a legislative briefing on H 2985 / S 1239, to remove the administration of Bridgewater State Hospital from the hands of the Department of Correction and put it into the Department of Mental Health. Disability Law Center's Director of Litigation Tatum Pritchard will discuss the center's recent report on the hospital. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 428 | Virtual Link)
WOMEN'S RIGHT TRAIL - SHREWSBURY: Women's Rights History Trail Task Force holds a public meeting to accept input as it works to create an educational "trail" connecting locations around the state related to the fight for women's rights. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Shrewsbury Public Library, Meeting Room, 609 Main St., Shrewsbury | Agenda and More Info)
NORTH SHORE HOMEBUYERS: North Shore Chamber holds the first workshop in a series on financial education for young professionals. The chamber hosts a session on first time homebuyers, to cover common home buying myths. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., North Shore Chamber Education Center, 500 Cummings Center, Suite 1700, Beverly | Register)
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023
OFFSHORE WIND CONFERENCE - DAY TWO: Gov. Healey is the keynote speaker for the second day of the American Clean Power Association's Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition. Jason Grumet from the American Clean Power Association will facilitate a half-hour conversation with the governor. Through the state's first three procurement rounds, Massachusetts utilities chose and state officials approved offshore wind projects totaling 3,200 megawatts of capacity. But developers behind both wind projects selected in Massachusetts's last round of offshore wind procurement said that shifting economic conditions made their projects no longer financially viable at the prices they previously negotiated and have either secured or are seeking approval to terminate the contracts they signed. The state's first project, the 800 MW Vineyard Wind 1, is expected to begin generating some power next month and to be fully operational by next summer. It could be the only offshore wind project to deliver cleaner power to Massachusetts until 2028. Register (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston)
SJC SITTING - WEDNESDAY: Supreme Judicial Court has six cases on its docket, including four cases related to manslaughter or murder. Oral arguments will begin at 9 a.m. and will be streamed live. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1 | Calendar of Cases | Protocol For In-Person Media Coverage)
STATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hybrid public hearing on 40 honorary bills that make particular designations. They include proposals that would designate the "Giant Puffball" fungus as the the state's official mushroom, "Roadrunner" as the state's official rock song, the Spring Peeper as the state's official amphibian, the Charleston Chew as the state's official candy, and the Boston cream pie cupcake as the state's official cupcake. Other bills would establish March 10 as COVID-19 Remembrance Day, make a holiday called "John F. Kennedy Day" aimed at promoting civic engagement and voter participation, and recognize Oct. 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Also on the agenda is a bill that would create a memorial in the State House to honor Mercy Otis Warren, who was a "leading author, playwright, satirist, and patriot in colonial Massachusetts," plus a separate proposal for a memorial portrait in the State House for former Rep. Doris Bunte, the first Black woman elected to the Legislature. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
STATE HOUSE BLOOD DRIVE: American Red Cross holds a blood drive at the State House. Anyone interested in donating blood should call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter "MAStateHouse" to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)
HOUSE FORMAL: House plans to meet in a formal session. Roll calls are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security holds a hybrid public hearing on three dozen bills focused on building standards, emergency response and workplace safety. Health care employers would need to develop violence prevention plans and submit regular reports to the state about workplace violence incidents under legislation before the committee. Other proposals look to expand adaptable housing options for seniors and people with disabilities, as well as require window guards in certain residential buildings to protect young children. Also on the agenda are timely bills relating to ways to help businesses recover after disasters like tornadoes and floods; to require the Executive of Public Safety and Security to adopt a national standard for active shooter or hostile event situations; and to create a commission aimed at steering Massachusetts away from the production of nuclear weapons and toward developing green technologies. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT PANEL: As part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities hosts a panel discussion with individuals with disabilities across job sectors who will share their employment journey. Facilitators include Carl Richardson, the State House's ADA coordinator/504 diversity officer and a member of the commission, and commission program director Imene Bouziane Saidi. ASL and CART services will be provided and a virtual option is also available. Register (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 350)
MINI LOBBY DAY: National Association of Social Workers' Massachusetts chapter members hold a "mini lobby day" to call on the Legislature to pass the so-called SUPER Act (H 1253 / S 160), which would remove the requirement to pass a social work licensing exam at the master's level, establish a state grant program to provide stipends to master's students completing mandatory social work field placements, and grant continuing education credits to licensed independent clinical social workers who provide supervision to licensed certified social workers. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 136)
WOBURN SOLAR: MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple, EPA Region 1 Administrator David Cash and Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne are among featured speakers as Standard Solar announces the opening of a solar project at the Industri-Plex, a Woburn Superfund Site that was formerly a chemical and glue manufacturing facility. (Wednesday, 11:15 a.m., Commerce Way and Atlantic Avenue, Woburn)
THRIVE ACT SUPPORTERS: Ahead of an Education Committee hearing on the so-called Thrive Act (S 247 / H 495) that would replace the MCAS graduation requirement with a requirement for districts to independently certify that a student has completed coursework that shows they meet state standards, supporters aligned with the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance hold a press conference to detail their support. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Zoom)
BREAST CANCER BRIEFING: Lawmakers, experts and patient advocates host a legislative briefing to discuss a bill (H 1103 / S 711) seeking to improve access to follow-up breast imaging and exams. Organizers say the Affordable Care Act made mammograms available to millions of patients at no out-of-pocket costs, but follow-up exams can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., House Members' Lounge)
EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Education holds a hybrid public hearing on 32 bills focused on accountability, assessments and governance. The committee will hear testimony on the so-called Thrive Act (S 247 / H 495). A major priority for the state's teachers unions and other education advocates, the bill would replace the MCAS graduation requirement with a requirement for districts to independently certify that a student has completed coursework that shows they meet state standards. It would also eliminate the policy that allows the state to take control of an underperforming district and establish a commission to create a new assessment system based on the "whole-child." Testimony is expected on this legislation, for which advocates have held rallies and briefings on Beacon Hill. Other proposals look to further regulate state receivership of chronically underperforming school districts, to place the districts back under local control after six years, and to expand accommodations for special needs students for the MCAS test. A Rep. Galvin bill would impose stricter oversight of local school committees and require schools to post a syllabus and textbook information for each course to its website. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Gardner Auditorium | More Info)
STATE OF LATINO EDUCATION: Latinos for Education, a national nonprofit, holds its annual State of Latino Education event, featuring policymakers and lawmakers, including Sens. Lewis and DiDomenico and Reps. Peisch and Cruz. There will be a roundtable focused on obstacles to diversifying the educator workforce and strategies to boost enrollment in college, with panelists representing the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College, MassINC and Lynn Public Schools. Lawmakers and 26 Latino educators will be honored. The speaking program starts at 5:15 p.m. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St., 32nd floor, Boston)
WINCHESTER STATION UPDATE: MBTA and the Winchester Station Project Team host a public meeting to give an update on the completed construction activities to date at the temporarily-closed Winchester Station and what work is anticipated in the upcoming months. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
SEPTEMBER REVENUES: A report on September tax revenue collections is due from the Department of Revenue and the administration has established a benchmark of $4.337 billion for the month's collections. That would be $139 million above actual September 2022 collections. By Sept. 15, DOR had collected about 55.8 percent of what it expects to have collected by the end of the month. (Wednesday)
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023
AUGUSTUS AT AIM CONVERSATION: Housing Secretary Edward Augustus plans to discuss the state's housing needs and how those needs affect employers at an Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Commonwealth Conversation, according to AIM. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Putnam Investments, 100 Federal St., Boston)
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Health holds a hybrid public hearing on 26 bills focused on environmental matters. The Department of Environmental Protection would set air quality targets in environmental justice communities near highways, aiming to ensure air pollution hotspots are at least 50 percent below the current baseline by 2030, under one of the proposals that would also require air filtration in certain buildings. Other proposals amend lead laws, establish a division of indoor environments within the Department of Public Health, and restrict the use of polystyrene containers in restaurants. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Room A-2 | More Info)
HOUSE: House plans to hold an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS: Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities hosts its inaugural celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month to "honor policymakers for their work in disability employment, recognize Massachusetts businesses that lead the way in employing individuals with disabilities, and share best practices for employers to hire and retain persons with disabilities." Participants include Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, commission chairwoman Rep. Denise Garlick, State House ADA Coordinator Carl Richardson, and others. More Info (Thursday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)
OFFSHORE WIND BIDDER CONFERENCE: Mass. Clean Energy Center hosts a virtual conference for companies considering a bid in the state's fourth round of offshore wind procurement. The Healey administration is seeking up to 3,600 megawatts more offshore wind generation capacity at a time when several of the bidders selected in previous rounds are backing away from contracts, saying the projects are no longer financially viable without increased prices. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Zoom Registration)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet in a closed-door caucus a couple hours ahead of their planned formal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)
SENATE FORMAL: Senate plans to hold a formal session and take up budget veto overrides, according to a spokesman for President Spilka. Ways and Means Chairman Rodrigues on Sept. 28 said the House's action to override 23 of Gov. Healey's vetoes "looks very reasonable." (Thursday, 1 p.m., Senate Chamber)
WOMEN'S RIGHTS TRAIL - STATE HOUSE: Women's Rights History Trail Task Force holds a public meeting to accept input as it works to create an educational "trail" connecting locations around the state related to the fight for women's rights. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1 | Agenda and More Info)
MIDWIFE RALLY, BRIEFING: Maternal health advocates and providers hold a rally in support of expanding access to midwifery care, which organizers say is crucial to "address racial inequities, improve health outcomes, and lower healthcare costs." Sen. Miranda and Reps. Decker and Cruz are slated to speak. That's followed by a legislative briefing in Room 428 at 3 p.m., which will include remarks from Rep. Khan and Sens. Crighton and Rausch. The Bay State Birth Coalition, one of the organizers for the advocacy day, says midwifery is also important amid a maternal health crisis; state data released earlier this year showed the several maternal morbidity rate nearly doubled from 2011 to 2020. Proposals from Rausch, as well as Khan and Rep. Fluker Oakley, (S 1457 / H 2209) would license certified professional midwives for out-of-hospital births, such as at home or at birth centers, and allow them to become MassHealth providers. The legislation had a hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Health in June. (Thursday, 2 p.m., State House steps | More Info)
MEET BOSTON WORKFORCE INITIATIVE: Meet Boston, formerly known as The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, launches a workforce development and supplier diversity initiative in partnership with Conan Harris & Associates to increase diversity and employee retention and enhance procurement processes in the tourism industry. Officials from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development participate. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Lenox Hotel, 61 Exeter St., Boston)
"PERIOD POVERTY" RALLY: Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition holds a rally aimed at ending "period poverty." The coalition supports the "I AM" bills, filed by Reps. Barber and Livingstone and Sen. Jehlen (H 534 / S 1381) which would ensure access to free menstrual products at public schools, homeless shelters, correctional facilities and county jails, according to a summary from the coalition. A lack of access to menstrual products affects students' attendance and performance, according to the coalition. The Joint Committee on Public Health gave the bill a favorable report this week and it was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. (Thursday, 5 p.m., State House | More Info)
CHILDREN'S TRUST GALA: Children's Trust of Massachusetts hosts its annual fundraising gala to support programs that prevent child abuse and promote child wellbeing. The organization said 85 children are abused or neglected every day in Massachusetts. Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane will receive the Gov. Paul Cellucci Fatherhood Award in recognition of his transformational impact and leadership. Cocktail reception at 6 p.m., dinner and program at 7 p.m. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, 450 Summer St., Boston)
DEEPENING DISSATISFACTION: Edward M. Kennedy Institute and Pew Research Center host a conversation about "Americans' deepening dissatisfaction with their elected officials and government and what that means for the future of American politics," a topic of a recent Pew report. The panel features former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former Mass. Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, former Boston Globe columnist Mike Barnicle, and Jocelyn Kiley, associate director of Research at Pew Research Center. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United State Senate, Columbia Point, Boston)
"CHAMPIONS OF THE CHARLES" GALA: Charles River Watershed Association holds its 11 annual "Champions of the Charles" Gala. Honorees include Congresswoman Clark and Gina McCarthy, the former White House national climate advisor under President Biden. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Royal Sonesta, 40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge | Registration)
Friday, Oct. 6, 2023
SJC SITTING - FRIDAY: Supreme Judicial Court has two cases on its docket, both first-degree murder appeals. Oral arguments will 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)
INVESTOR CALL: The Treasurer's office hosts an investor conference call related to the state's Sept. 11 information statement. State officials, including Gov. Maura Healey and Treasurer Deb Goldberg, will discuss state revenue collections, fiscal and budget updates and the upcoming general obligation bond financing. The Treasurer's office will also provide a brief review of the state's capital financing activities as well as information on upcoming plans. Investors will be able to view presentation slides during the live presentation, and dial in to +1-800-343-4136, passcode: COMWEALTH. (Friday, 10 a.m.)
EOHHS HEARING: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a virtual public hearing on proposed regulations governing payment rates for surgery and anesthesia services provided to MassHealth patients, as well as rates for office visits, general medicine and radiology services. Also on the agenda is a new case management service designed to help "the highest risk children and youth" who have medical and behavioral health complexities. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom Access)
O'BRIEN VS. GOLDBERG: Superior Court Judge Debra Squires-Lee holds a hearing on a preliminary injunction that suspended Cannabis Control Commission Chairwoman Shannon O'Brien is seeking to stop Treasurer Deborah Goldberg "from continuing her unlawful removal of Chair O'Brien from her position at the CCC." Goldberg, who appointed O'Brien to chair the CCC a year ago, suspended her without publicly offering a reason on Sept. 15. Hours before O'Brien filed her lawsuit Thursday, Goldberg issued a statement saying she moved to suspend O'Brien based on "[s]everal serious allegations" that were made by an unnamed commissioner and CCC staff about O'Brien's behavior. O'Brien's lawsuit charges that "Treasurer Goldberg removed Chair O'Brien without notice, without articulated reason, and without any opportunity to be heard, all of which is required by the clear and unambiguous provisions of Massachusetts law ... as well as basic norms of due process." It argues that O'Brien has suffered professional and personal harms as a result. Squires-Lee was nominated to the Superior Court bench by Gov. Charlie Baker in 2017 after she sought, but was not nominated for, a position on the Supreme Judicial Court. (Friday, 2 p.m., Suffolk County Superior Court, Court Room 313, 3 Pemberton Sq., Boston)
