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Cindy Walker, the new communications coordinator at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, speaks about Gov. Maura Healey's proposal to rename the agency "MassAbility" on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Healey is proposing to rename a 67-year-old state agency, a switch that she says will remove stigma surrounding individuals in the disability community and boost their employment opportunities. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) would be renamed MassAbility, under a new bill filed Thursday. "Rehabilitation is a term that is no longer relevant to the work" of the agency, she said, and connotes that "something is wrong or needs to be fixed."
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. Nov. 6
7:00pm
Tues. Nov 7.
Town Election at FHS
6:00 am to 8:00 pm
Community Preservation Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Weds. Nov. 8
5:00pm to 6:30pm
6:30pm
Franklin Historical Commission Meeting
6:30pm
7:00pm
Thurs. Nov. 9
7:30pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
The Massachusetts Legislature is on a leisurely glide path toward a soft and light-duty end to the 2023 portion of its two-year session. The House has approved a sweeping proposal overhauling firearms laws, but a corresponding Senate bill is not expected to surface until January. And on issue after issue, the answers seem to be wait 'til next year for solutions. House and Senate Democrats appear content to let Ways and Means Chairs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues make the important calls on what will be in and what's left out of an overdue fiscal 2023 budget that is expected to pass this year. Senate schedulers have penciled in another pair of informal sessions for next week. But some time before the Nov. 15 end of formal sessions for 2023, the House plans to advance a bill addressing issues in the long-term care industry (H 3929) -- it could be as soon as Wednesday, when the speaker's office has scheduled a formal session without saying what business might come up. The Senate meanwhile plans to resurrect and pass its latest bill aimed at bringing down prescription drug costs (S 2492). Both bills are currently pending before each branch's respective Ways and Means Committee. Drug costs are likely to feature in Wednesday's annual state hearing on health care cost trends, an area of growing concern following years of more modest increases. For policy wonks and anyone else interested in care costs, this event is known by insiders as the Super Bowl of Health Care. The state appears to be content letting Boston Mayor Michelle Wu handle the wrenching work of addressing the addiction, health and welfare issues associated with transplanting people away from the tent encampments at Mass. and Cass. Similarly, the federal government, and the Legislature, are mostly leaving it up to Gov. Maura Healey to try to manage the unceasing flow of migrants to Massachusetts. The governor is trying to mitigate full family shelters by issuing housing vouchers to move families out of shelters, which in turn may open up spots in shelters for new arrivals. If no spots are available, Healey's controversial waitlist approach will be put to the test. Municipal elections will be held around the state on Tuesday, when voters will also choose a new state senator. The winner of the race between Republican Peter Durant and Democrat Jonathan Zlotnik will give up their seat in the House, likely triggering another special election.
Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023
ISRAEL CONSUL ON 4: Ambassador Meron Reuben, Israel's consul general to New England, talks with Jon Keller about local reaction to the Israel-Hamas war and its impact on public opinion and Jewish-Muslim relations. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
MBTA DRILL: MBTA will conduct an emergency evacuation drill involving an Orange Line subway train north of Malden Center Station. "The drill is a learning exercise that will include a scenario in which a subway train traveling inbound between Oak Grove and Malden Center hits an obstruction within the track area and derails before coming to a stop. Several passengers are injured, and others must evacuate the train. This exercise is designed to establish a learning environment for public safety officials to exercise emergency response plans, policies, and procedures as they pertain to a mass casualty event on an Orange Line subway train," the T said. Media check-in at Malden District 3 Fire Station, 332 Pleasant St. (Sunday, 10 a.m., Malden Center Station, Malden)
HEALEY ON 5: Gov. Healey is the guest on "On The Record," followed by a roundtable discussion with analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Virginia Buckingham. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
MICHLEWITZ ON 10: House Ways and Means Chairman Michlewitz is on "@Issue" talking about the Legislature's response to the migrant crisis. Also on Sunday's show, Sen. Miranda and Michael Curry of the Mass. League of Community Health Centers talk about inequity in the public health system. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WBTS-TV Ch. 10)
MCAS BALLOT QUESTION SIGNATURES: South Shore parents run a signature-gathering campaign for the Massachusetts Teachers Association-backed initiative aimed at ending the graduation requirement tied to MCAS testing in Massachusetts public schools. Ballot question campaigns have until Nov. 22 to gather 75,000 signatures to move forward in getting the issue before voters during next fall's election. (Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Press Juice Bar, 340 Washington St., Norwell)
SERVICE DOG GRADUATION: NEADS World Class Service Dogs holds a public graduation ceremony for 34 service dog and assistance dog teams graduating from training this fall. NEADS dogs regularly make an appearance at the State House around budget time as Rep. Kim Ferguson seeks additional funding for service dog programs. (Sunday, 2 p.m., Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, 1050 Westminster St., Fitchburg)
ISRAEL MEMORIAL SERVICE: Consulate General of Israel to New England and the Israeli American Council hosts a Shloshim Memorial service, an "evening of remembrance and unity" and "an urgent call to release the hostages" to mark 30 days since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. (Sunday, 7 p.m. | Register)
Monday, Nov. 6, 2023
HORSE RACING HEARING: Mass. Gaming Commission holds an adjudicatory hearing on Plainridge Park's request to host live horse racing in 2024. The track, which has been the only venue for live horse racing in Massachusetts since June 2019, plans to hold 110 live race days from mid-April through November. This year, it expects to have run 107 live race days by the time the season ends this month. Plainridge Park runs harness racing and multiple efforts to revive thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts have fallen through in recent years. Licensed horse tracks are among a small group of entities eligible to seek in-person sports betting licenses in Massachusetts, an incentive that some think may help make the development of a thoroughbred track here more appealing. The commission is under a firm statutory deadline of Nov. 15 to review and act on the racing application. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Notice and Access Info)
REDETERMINATION PRESS CONFERENCE: Leadership from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassHealth, the Health Connector and Health Care For All hold a press conference and briefing to discuss the MassHealth eligibility redetermination process and ongoing efforts to provide continued coverage for those who lose MassHealth insurance. EOHHS Undersecretary for Health Kiame Mahaniah, MassHealth Assistant Secretary Mike Levine, Health Connector Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier, and Health Care For All Executive Director Amy Rosenthal are scheduled to attend. (Monday, 10 a.m., Grand Staircase)
LOAN FORGIVENESS PRESSER: Attorney General Campbell, Boston Mayor Wu, U.S. Sen. Warren and U.S. Rep. Pressley hold a press conference to share resources that could help federal student loan borrowers access Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a program that will enable government and nonprofit workers to get credit toward forgiveness for past repayment periods that would not otherwise qualify. After the press conference, a clinic to help city employees start the forgiveness process will be held at City Hall. (Monday, 10 a.m., City Hall, 3rd floor Mezzanine, 1 City Hall Sq., Boston)
GIG ECONOMY DISCUSSION: Mass Cultural Council holds a panel discussion about the creative gig economy, exploring its impact for individual artists and the state economy. Panelists include Terry Borderline of the Transformative Culture Project, Sara Hartmann of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, and Emily Ruddock of MASSCreative. In a break-out room, attendees can also learn about Mass Cultural Council programs, including a new grant program. (Monday, 10 a.m., Pao Arts Center, 999 Albany St., Boston)
GALVIN PRE-ELECTION PRESSER: Secretary of State Galvin holds a press conference ahead of municipal elections on Tuesday, as well as the special election in the Worcester and Hampshire Senate District to fill the seat vacated by Anne Gobi. Galvin is slated to discuss polling hours, special town elections and mail-in ballot requirements. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., State Library)
FINANCIAL SERVICES HEARING: Joint Committee on Financial Services holds hybrid public hearing on bills related to transportation network drivers and transportation network companies. Supporters of both union-backed and industry-backed initiatives will testify on opposing bills. The Local 32BJ-based group of drivers supports the Rep. Frank Moran and Sen. Jason Lewis bill (H 1099 / S 666) bill, which they say "would be the first law in the nation to provide rideshare drivers a direct path to unionization" plus access to benefits such as paid sick leave and a minimum pay guarantee. The question of how to reshape the rights and benefits for on-demand drivers on apps has been the subject of years of debate. 32BJ SEIU is also pushing a narrower ballot initiative that would allow drivers to unionize, which could ramp up pressure on lawmakers to act. An industry-backed group is instead pushing its own proposal, both via a ballot initiative campaign and Rep. Cahill legislation (H 961), that would define app-based drivers as independent contractors under state law while extending to them some new benefits, like an earnings floor 20 percent higher than minimum wage. Drivers Demand Justice, which is aligned with the unionization push, put out a "travel alert" that warns "Uber and Lyft delays expected in greater Boston on Monday, as hundreds of drivers slated to attend the first hearing for [a] bill that would grant Uber and Lyft drivers union rights." The hearing was originally scheduled for the smaller hearing room, Room B-2, and was rescheduled for the larger Gardner Auditorium, usually signaling lawmakers expect a high turnout. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | More Information)
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)
CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH: The Children's Mental Health Campaign hosts a legislative briefing ahead of a Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery hearing. The campaign supports a Rep. Marjorie Decker bill (H 1979) that would introduce the development of a School-Based Behavioral Health Implementation Coordinating Council, made up of representatives from the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Behavioral Health for Integrated Resources for Children Project at UMass Boston. The council would develop a "comprehensive school-based behavioral health system" within three years of the bill's passage and help school districts implement the plan. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room 350)
PFAS FILM SCREENING: Screening of the documentary "BURNED: Protecting the Protectors," which explores the presence of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in gear worn by firefighters. The film profiles the wife of a Worcester firefighter who was diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Room 428)
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, RECOVERY: Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery holds a hybrid public hearing on 10 bills dealing with youth behavioral health. Proposals look to establish a commission to study risks and best practices for children using social media; adopt new criteria to diagnose and treat children with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; and list the 988 Suicide and Crisis Life contact information on student ID cards. Also before the committee is a bill to expand the availability of Narcan in schools and establish naloxone overdose prevention programs. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)
MARKEY WAGE RESOLUTION: U.S. Sen. Markey hosts a press conference in Washington, D.C. to introduce a resolution that his office says will "call for living wages, good benefits, and fair working conditions for paraprofessionals and education support staff such as custodians, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers." He'll be joined by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, National Education Association Vice President Princess Moss, Calvert Association of Educational Support Staff President Stacy Tayman, Springfield Federation of Paraprofessionals President Catherine Mastronardi, and California Federation of Teachers Council of Classified Employees President Carl Williams. (Monday, 1 p.m., Senate Swamp, Washington, D.C. | Livestream)
HEALEY'S VETERANS AFFAIRS ADVISORS: Gov. Healey swears in 25 members of the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Services, and 16 members of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Veterans' Services Secretary Santiago, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, and Senate President Spilka plan to attend. (Monday, 1 p.m., Grand Staircase)
GUV, LAWMAKERS MEET: Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll meet privately with Senate President Spilka and House Speaker Mariano, followed by a press availability, according to Spilka's office. (Monday, 2 p.m., Governor's Office)
HIT COUNCIL: Massachusetts Health Information Technology Council meets virtually. Agenda includes an update on a notification service to providers about patient admissions, discharges and transfers to hospitals and other health care settings. (Monday, 3:30 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom
FRAMINGHAM LIBRARY: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Framingham Public Library's Technology Learning Center and Homework Center. Senate President Spilka plans to attend. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., 49 Lexington St., Framingham)
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023
GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission meets to review the deal in which Penn Entertainment (parent company of Plainridge Park Casino) will partner with ESPN for sports betting purposes and to consider potential amendments to the slots parlor's sports betting licenses. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
HEALTH CARE FINANCING: Joint Committee on Health Care Financing hosts a hybrid public hearing to receive testimony on bills related to health professions and practices and miscellaneous topics. Several proposals deal with nursing licensure and health care records. Top Democrats in both branches have expressed plans for action this fall on health care reform bills, though they appear to be targeted on different topics: the long-term care industry and community hospital protections in the House and prescription drug prices in the Senate. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Access Info)
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Statutory Advisory Board meets virtually. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
CCC EXECUTIVE SESSION: Cannabis Control Commission meets to go into executive session so commissioners can "discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation." (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Agenda and More Info)
ELECTION DAY: Republican Rep. Durant of Spencer and Democrat Rep. Zlotnik of Gardner face off in a special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Anne Gobi, who resigned to work as state director of rural affairs. Durant is backed by former Gov. Baker and former Lt. Gov. Polito, while Zlotnik is endorsed by Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll. A bevy of municipal elections, including some mayoral contests, are also held in Agawam, Amesbury, Amherst, Attleboro, Barnstable, Beverly, Boston, Braintree, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Easthampton, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Franklin, Gardner, Gloucester, Greenfield, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Marlborough, Medford, Melrose, Methuen, New Bedford, Newburyport, Newton, North Adams, North Hampton, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Somerville, Springfield, Taunton, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield, Westfield, Weymouth, Winthrop, Woburn and Worcester, according to Secretary of State Galvin's office. Galvin has urged voters to deliver their mail-in-ballots in person at this "late stage," since ballots must be submitted by the time polls close Tuesday to be counted. "Unlike last November, when ballots postmarked by Election Day had three additional days to arrive in the mail, the law requires mail ballots in local elections and special elections to arrive by Election Day," Galvin said in a statement Friday. (Tuesday)
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023
"SCHOOL ON THE MOVE" AWARD: EdVestors, a nonprofit focused on school improvement, will award one Boston public school a $100,00 award, for its 18th Annual School on the Move Prize. The winner will be announced during the event. Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper will speak and present awards to the three finalist schools for 2023: Boston Green Academy (Brighton), East Boston High School (East Boston) and Fenway High School (Mission Hill). The two finalists that do not win will be awarded $10,000. The prize is intended to honor schools for "successful efforts at enhancing learning environments where every student can excel." WCVB journalist Rhondella Richardson will emcee the ceremony. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave., Boston)
HEALTH CARE COSTS TRENDS HEARING: Health Policy Commission convenes its annual cost trends hearing. The commission has blocked out an eight-hour window to hear from industry insiders about the factors that continue to push health care costs higher and delve into their 2023 cost trends report. Gov. Healey and Attorney General Campbell are scheduled to give remarks. At 10:30, HPC Executive Director David Seltz and HPC Senior Director of Research and Cost Trends David Auerbach will discuss affordability trends in Massachusetts and the commission's recommendations. A panel of industry experts will also recommend policy solutions to health care affordability and equity. Afternoon panels include discussions on the role of health insurance plans in driving affordability, navigating the changing provider landscape in Massachusetts, and the perspective of health system leaders. The event will also be livestreamed. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Suffolk Law School, Boston | Media Registration, Livestream)
PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: Public Health Council meets virtually. Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein gives an update. Agenda includes a vote on a Beth Israel Lahey Health request for a "substantial capital expenditure and required equipment," as well as a presentation about the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
MASSDOT FINANCE: Finance and Audit Committee of the MassDOT Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | More Info)
EXCLUSIONARY ZONING: Boston Foundation and Boston Indicators host webinar on the release of a new report "exploring the history of zoning's use as a tool to limit access of racial, immigrant and other groups to housing in and around Greater Boston." The report looks at Boston suburbs from 1920 to present. Amy Dain of Dain Research presents the findings, followed by a panel discussion with Ted Landsmark, director of Northeastern University's Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy. Copies of the report embargoed until 5 a.m. are available to the press by emailing ted.mcenroe@tbf.org. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Registration)
MUNICIPAL FINANCE OVERSIGHT: Auditor DiZoglio chairs a virtual Municipal Finance Oversight Board meeting. On the agenda are requests from the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School and the City of Fall River. For remote access, the conference call number is 571-317-3122; access code is 691-287-117. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info)
MASSDOT CAPITAL PROGRAMS: Capital Programs Committee of the MassDOT Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. | More Info)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - PAROLE BOARD: Governor's Council interviews Parole Board nominee Edith Alexander of Roslindale, a longtime probation officer at the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
HOUSE FORMAL: House meets in a full formal session. Speaker Mariano's office said more information on the purpose of the session will be available next week. Roll calls expected to begin at 1 p.m. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
HOUSE DEMS CAUCUS: Ahead of roll call votes at a formal session, House Democrats will huddle privately. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Rooms A-1 and A-2)
HEALTH CONNECTOR WEBINAR: Massachusetts Health Connector holds a free webinar during the open enrollment period to help people who are considering changing their insurance plans or enrolling in coverage for the first time. The session comes during the sprawling MassHealth eligibility redetermination process that is trimming the MassHealth rolls and requiring people to get insurance elsewhere. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)
SPILKA IN FRAMINGHAM: Senate President Spilka speaks to the Framingham Business Association at its monthly meeting. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., La Cantina Italiana, 911 Waverly St., Framingham)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets and plans to vote on confirmation of attorney Audrey Carr Murillo to the Juvenile Court bench and attorney Michael Pineault to the Superior Court bench. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
CRITICAL FEEDBACK WEBINAR: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a webinar about "embracing critical feedback" as part of its Virtual Municipal Leadership Academy. Organizers say the session "aims to increase attendees' abilities to give and receive critical feedback, and to leverage feedback to enhance performance and workplace relationships." (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. | Register)
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources holds a hybrid public hearing on about 20 bills related to animals. Proposals aim to ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops, as well as block the sale of fur products like handbags, hats, scarves, and home accessories and decor. Other legislation looks to regulate dogs at boarding kennels and daycare facilities, including by setting staff-to-dog ratios and minimum care requirements. Also on the agenda are bills to clamp down on the use of animal testing for cosmetics and household products. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
SEAL COMMISSION: State Seal and Motto Commission meets, one week ahead of its deadline to report recommendations to the Legislature on how to modify the state's current symbols. The commission has blown past multiple deadlines since its establishment in 2021 and already received three deadline extensions from lawmakers, but appears poised to file a report this time. Members continued mulling over the basic principles of what they would include in the report at a Nov. 1 meeting, with co-chair Brian Boyles suggesting, "I think it's helpful for us to start to actually imagine this report." Sen. Nick Collins said some of the "factfinding" may be "incomplete" and suggested yet another deadline extension. "I know we're up against a deadline in two weeks ... but we're doing a supplemental budget, and I can put forth an amendment to extend this if that's something that people think is worthy," Collins offered. Rep. Antonio Cabral said he would not support another extension, and Boyles replied that he "still think[s]" hitting the current deadline is "possible." Boyles said a draft report will be circulated to members at least a day ahead of this meeting. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Virtual)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - JUVENILE COURT: Governor's Council holds a hearing on attorney Fabiola White's nomination to a Juvenile Court judgeship. White currently works as deputy legal counsel for the state Probation Service, and previously represented children and families at her own private practice in Cambridge. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
FAMILY TAX CREDITS: Healthy Family Tax Credits Coalition gathers with lawmakers to celebrate new tax breaks and credits supporting working families. Sens. Eldridge and DiDomenico and Reps. Decker and Vargas plan to speak. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., House Members Lounge)
'ETHICAL BLIND SPOTS' WEBINAR: Auditor DiZoglio attends a webinar about ethical blind spots in leadership. It's hosted by the Association of Government Accountants. (Wednesday, 2 p.m.)
LEHIGH BOOK TALK: Boston Globe political columnist Scot Lehigh talks about his debut novel, "Just East of Nowhere," in a conversation with UMass Boston psychology professor Jean Rhodes. UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco gives opening remarks. Light refreshments. RSVP to membership@umassclub.com. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., UMass Club, One Beacon St., Boston)
HINGHAM FERRY DOCK: MBTA holds virtual meeting to give a public update on Hingham ferry dock improvements. A comment and question period follows. Project includes planned upgrades to the existing floating dock and gangways to "bring them into compliance with updated accessibility standards." (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Registration)
Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023
MBTA SAFETY: Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee of the MBTA Board of Directors meets. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Transportation Building, 2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)
DIZOGLIO AT MERRIMACK VALLEY CHAMBER BREAKFAST: Auditor DiZoglio attends a networking breakfast hosted by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. (Thursday, 8 a.m., X-Golf, 90 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen)
DCR STEWARDSHIP: DCR Stewardship Council meets virtually. Agenda includes a report from DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo and a legislative update from Matthew Perry, manager of stewardship programs and strategic initiatives. Other items include presentations on dam removals and the South Coast Resource Management Plans. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
TRANSFORMING THE GRID: State House News Service/MassterList hosts an event focused on rebuilding the electric grid for the transition to renewable energy. As Massachusetts moves towards its first benchmark target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030, the electric system will need to support a sharp increase in megawatts. Massachusetts utilities, including National Grid and Eversource, recently submitted Electric Sector Modernization Plans outlining how they propose ensuring a successful, equitable and reliable clean energy transition. Elizabeth Mahony, commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources will give opening remarks, and a panel discussion will feature Joe Curtatone, president of the Northeast Clean Energy Council, Melissa Lavinson, head of corporate affairs at National Grid New England, Digaunto Chatterjee, vice president of system planning at Eversource, and Kate Dineen, president and CEO of A Better City. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 10 Winter Pl., Boston | Register)
HEALTH CONNECTOR MEETING: Massachusetts Health Connector Board meets virtually. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Livestream)
GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK: Greater Boston Food Bank holds its 18th annual Chain of Giving event. Attendees will form a chain as a truckload of turkeys are unloaded ahead of Thanksgiving. Treasurer Goldberg is slated to attend. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 70 South Bay Ave., Boston | More Info)
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: The Workforce Supports Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets virtually. Agenda includes identifying "measurable goals" for 2024, as well as meeting dates. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
CANNABIS COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission holds a regular business meeting, featuring a report from Acting Executive Director Debbie Hilton-Creek, seven changes of ownership, 95 license renewals, three provisional licenses and eight final license awards. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
"EVERYONE NEEDS ID" BRIEFING: Rep. O'Day hosts a legislative briefing with Mass. Coalition for the Homeless to discuss bills that would provide identification to Bay Staters experiencing homelessness. The Senate approved a version of the bill in July, and it has not emerged for a vote in the House. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., House Members Lounge)
SENATE INFORMAL: Senate plans to meet without a calendar. President Spilka's office said last month that the Senate "will release and debate a prescription drug affordability bill before Thanksgiving of this year." If the chamber follows its usual procedure for weightier bills, the drug pricing legislation could be polled out of the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday to allow senators in Thursday's session to tee up the matter and place it on the Senate Calendar for the following week, since formal sessions must come to an end this year on Nov. 15. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats plan to caucus behind closed doors, perhaps to discuss plans for the days before they embark on a month-and-a-half holiday break on Nov. 15. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)
MASSDOT OUTDOOR ADS: MassDOT Office of Outdoor Advertising holds a public hearing. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Conference Rooms 5 and 6, Transportation Building, 2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)
MCAS DEBATE: Edward Lambert Jr., the executive director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, and Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, debate whether the MCAS standardized exam should be a high school graduation requirement. Page and the MTA are leading the push for a 2024 ballot question that would eliminate the requirement that a student pass the MCAS to graduate high school. Lambert and a group of nearly 20 other education and business leaders unsuccessfully lobbied Attorney General Andrea Campbell to not certify the question and argue that MCAS "has proven to be a reliable indicator of a student's college and career readiness and eliminating it as a graduation requirement would amount to a huge step backward in the Commonwealth's quest to ensure that all Massachusetts high school graduates acquire a basic mastery of the subject areas needed to be successful in their futures." Mandy McLaren, a reporter for the Boston Globe's Great Divide initiative, moderates. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Register)
SCHOOL MEALS CELEBRATION: Project Bread and the Feed Kids Coalition celebrate the state's universal school meals program, which lawmakers made permanent in the fiscal 2024 budget this summer, in a three-hour "closed event" at Fenway Park. Senate President Spilka, House Ways and Means Chairman Michlewitz, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Health and Human Services Secretary Walsh, Sen. DiDomenico, and Rep. Vargas will be among attendees, according to Project Bread. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Fenway Park)
COMMONWEALTH SEMINAR CELEBRATION: Commonwealth Seminar, a nonprofit focused on "opening the doors of government to everyone" through legislative training courses, holds its annual celebration and kicks off a year of events to mark the organization's 20th anniversary. The seminar counts 1,700 alumni since it launched in 2003, with more than 90 percent coming from communities of color. Auditor DiZoglio is slated to attend. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., EasternBank, 265 Franklin St., Boston | More Info)
POCKETBOOK PROJECT SOCIAL: Networking event hosted by The Pocketbook Project, which aims to support "fiscally responsible female leaders," according to the organization's website. Event organizers say they will be collecting signatures to support the ballot initiative to allow Auditor DiZoglio, who plans to attend the event, to audit the Legislature. DiZoglio had also sought to audit the Legislature by seeking Attorney General Campbell's support for a potential lawsuit, but Campbell in a new 17-page letter ruled the auditor doesn't have that authority. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge, 25 School St., Boston | More Info)
SPIRIT OF JUSTICE: The 14 plaintiffs in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the 2033 Supreme Judicial Court case that made Massachusetts the first U.S. state where same-sex couples could legally marry, are honored with GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders' Spirit of Justice Award at the organization's annual dinner. GLAD filed the Goodridge case in April 2001 on behalf of the plaintiffs, seven couples who were denied marriage licenses because they were same-sex couples. "When the SJC decided Goodridge, it forever changed the standards for how LGBTQ+ people must be treated under law and raised the bar for equality across the country. This momentous victory would not have happened without the courage, commitment, and perseverance of the fourteen Goodridge plaintiffs," GLAD Senior Director of Civil Rights and Legal Strategies Mary Bonauto said. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Register)
Friday, Nov. 10, 2023
BREAKFAST FOR VETS: Cape and Islands District Attorney Rob Galibois is the keynote speaker at the annual Breakfast4Vets event held by the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Cape Cod Irish Village at The Emerald Resort & Conference Center, 35 Scudder Ave., Barnstable)
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY: A Veterans Day celebration will feature a POW/MIA remembrance candle lighting and a performance by the 215th Army Band. It is the Healey administration's first time observing Veterans Day, and the event will bring together officials including Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Auditor DiZoglio, and Veterans' Services Secretary Jon Santiago, whose office was elevated to the Cabinet-level through legislation passed last year. (Friday, 10 a.m., Great Hall at Faneuil Hall)
BRANCHES CLOSED, STATE HOUSE OPEN: State House is open to the public on Friday, the federal government's observed Veterans Day holiday, though House and Senate offices are closed. Secretary Galvin's "Doric Docents" will be on duty to provide guided tours of the capitol building. (Friday)
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023
FREE FERRIES FOR VETS: Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority offers free passenger travel on Veterans Day to active duty military personnel and veterans who show corresponding identification. Applies to both regular and high-speed ferries. (Saturday, Nov. 11 | More Info)
ARMY CORPS RECREATION AREAS: Fees are waived at recreation areas operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in honor of Veterans Day. The waiver doesn't apply to camping or specialized facilities like group picnic shelters. (Saturday | More Info)
