26° and Sunny
Image
Cash for Votes? Sort of...Seeking to remove more barriers to voting, the Massachusetts House approved legislation Thursday allowing employees to take paid time off on election day to cast their ballots in person. Without discussion, lawmakers passed the bill (H 4217) during an informal session, about 90 minutes after the House Ways and Means Committee released it. Employees who don't have enough time to vote at the polls outside of their working hours can request time off and give their bosses three business days' notice, according to the bill.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Monday, Dec. 18
7:00pm
Tuesday, Dec. 19
10:00am
Wednesday, Dec. 20
7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Beacon Hill appears on a mostly inactive glide path toward the new year, when the pressure again will ramp up to take action on issues across the spectrum, from health care to energy, housing to economic development, early education to gun laws, and possibly even ballot question alternatives. House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka in 2023 have followed the same path that has led to a succession of chaotic end-of-July marathon sessions where the most critical policy and spending decisions are forced, or left hanging, by a legislative rule calling for formal sessions to end on July 31 in even-numbered, election years. Democrats have long held huge majorities in both branches, but have been unable, or unwilling, to team up on a strategy that moves away from this leave-everything-until-the-end approach to making laws, even while acknowledging its shortcomings. In recent years, the House and Senate have settled into a rough pattern of holding one formal session each per week, if that, during even-numbered years, which is more frequent than in odd-numbered years.
The unfolding emergency shelter crisis will demand legislative attention in the new year and require ongoing management from the Healey administration. In the short term, Gov. Maura Healey must by Dec. 31 stand up an overflow shelter site or sites to accommodate families who have been turned away from shelters and put on a waitlist, and next week faces the first of many new reporting deadlines. And as is the case each year, efforts to move bills large and small will compete with the most important and time-consuming bill of every session: the annual state budget. The fiscal 2025 budget cycle kicks off in January with Healey's general appropriations act filing. A growing mismatch between tax collections and spending in fiscal 2024, which is approaching its midpoint, bears watching. The week ahead could bring news on an overflow shelter site or sites that the Legislature insisted upon in the recent $3.1 billion supplemental budget. A Superior Court judge's latest ruling in the slow-burning saga involving suspended CCC Chair Shannon O'Brien and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg could come any day now. Former Gov. Charlie Baker and his supporters are due back on Beacon Hill for the unveiling of his official portrait. The Governor's Council takes the first step toward breaking up Baker's high court, with a confirmation hearing scheduled Wednesday for state Solicitor Elizabeth "Bessie" Dewar, Healey's pick to fill the Supreme Judicial Court seat that Justice Elspeth Cypher will give up when she retires on Jan. 12, 2024. Meanwhile, the comptroller's office is working to wrap up an annual financial report that's technically due Oct. 31, though the late enactment of the close-out budget could push that work into the new year.
Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023
ZONING REPORT @ ISSUE: Co-hosts Cory Smith and Sue O’Connell talk to Sara Bronin, a Cornell University professor and the author of a report that is guiding Boston’s zoning overhaul, on NBC10's @ Issue. (Sunday, 5 a.m., NBC10 Boston)
KELLER AT LARGE: U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch is Jon Keller's guest on Sunday's "Keller at Large" segment. The congressman will discuss U.S. foreign policy, federal aid to Massachusetts and President Biden's reelection campaign. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
GALVIN GOES "ON THE RECORD": Secretary of State Galvin is the guest on WCVB's "On the Record," hosted by Sharman Sacchetti. Democrat analyst Mary Anne Marsh and Republican analyst Rob Gray join for a roundtable discussion. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
Monday, Dec. 18, 2023
WARREN TALKS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY: U.S. Sen. Warren joins the New England Council for a discussion about the lack of affordable housing in New England and its economic impact. After Warren speaks, Harvard Kennedy School visiting lecturer Ira Jackson moderates a panel discussion with Keolis USA General Counsel Tavares Brewington, Conifer Realty Regional Vice President of Development Sean Carpenter, The Boston Foundation, associate vice president Soni Gupta, M&T Realty Capital Corporation Executive Managing Director Todd Trehubenko and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Senior Vice President Kenneth Willis. Press should email eheisig@newenglandcouncil.com to RSVP. (Monday, 10 a.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St., 32nd Floor, Boston)
EARLY EDUCATION RALLY: Lawmakers join early education and care providers, advocates, business leaders and parents to call for the Legislature to advance the so-called Common Start bill (H 489 / S 301), which would deploy hundreds of millions of state dollars to expand subsidies for early childhood education and invest in the industry's workforce. Top Democrats in both branches have said they view making child care more affordable as a top priority, but they have yet to advance specific standalone proposals this term. Reps. Madaro and Turco, Sens. DiDomenico and Edwards, City of Boston Office of Early Childhood Director Kristin McSwain and others join the event. (Monday, 10 a.m., East Boston Social Centers, 68 Central Square, East Boston)
HOUSE INFORMAL: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE INFORMAL: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
AMELIA EARHART DAM: Healey administration officials join local and state elected leaders to announce "millions in funding to improve climate resiliency and provide significant flood protection for the environmental justice communities surrounding the Amelia Earhart Dam," which stands on the Mystic River between Somerville and Everett. (Monday, 11 a.m., Mass General Brigham, 399 Revolution Drive, Room 11W35, Somerville)
MILFORD HEALTH CENTER: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, which will expand access to primary care and behavioral health services. Attendees include Congressman Auchincloss, Rep. Murray and Stephen Kerrigan, CEO of Kennedy Community Health. (Monday, 11 a.m., 41 Cape Cod Road, Milford)
HATE CRIMES TASK FORCE: Task Force on Hate Crimes meets virtually. Agenda includes reviewing and voting on recommendations from its legislative subcommittee. (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023
POST COMMISSION: POST Commission meets virtually. Agenda includes a report from Executive Director Enrique Zuniga, a recommendation to create a certification policy subcommittee, and a legal update from general counsel Randall Ravitz. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. | https://www.mass.gov/event/public-meeting-december-19-2023-2023-12-19t083000-0500-2023-12-19t103000-0500)
BOARD OF ED: The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets. The board is scheduled to discuss Boston Public Schools, chronic absenteeism and proposed changes to 2024 district and school accountability reporting. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, John W. McCormack Building, 1 Ashburton Place, 21st Floor, Conference Room 1 and 2 | Access Info)
ARLINGTON CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT: Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus tours an Arlington Housing Authority property, which was retrofitted to be more energy efficient. The $1.3 million project included HVAC upgrades, 105 recently installed heat pumps, insulation upgrades, new windows and other weatherization efforts. "The project provides Chestnut Manor residents, historically an energy burdened population, with climate-controlled units year-round, adding comfort and an increased quality of life," according to an advisory. "The improvements lower energy use, drive cost savings, and reduce the carbon footprint for Arlington Housing Authority." Other attendees: Sharon Scott-Chandler and James Collins of Action for Boston Community Development, Katherine Peters of Eversource and Jack Nagle of the Arlington Housing Authority. (Tuesday, 9:45 a.m., 54 Medford St., Arlington)
LOTTERY COMMISSION: Massachusetts State Lottery Commission meets remotely and is chaired by Treasurer Goldberg. For access, contact 781-917-6057 or gpolin@masslottery.com. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.)
WESTERN MASS. SOLAR: The fourth virtual session of the Western Massachusetts Solar Forum focuses on "perspectives on solar," with Rep. Mindy Domb among the presenters. The 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., Register)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Forty-four bills reforming motor vehicle, criminal records and miscellaneous laws are on the agenda at a Judiciary Committee hearing. Several of the proposals would overhaul expungement and sealing of criminal records, particularly for juveniles and young adults, an area that criminal justice reform advocates have targeted. Another common topic among the proposals is road safety, with several measures proposing reforms to penalties for drunk driving, driving with a suspended license, and reckless operation. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 and Virtual | Agenda and Access Info)
WOMEN'S COMMISSION MEET AND GREET: Massachusetts Committee on the Status of Women hosts a meet-and-greet session featuring Commissioner Kim Shea, who is also dean of nursing and health sciences at Mount Wachusett Community College. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., MWCC Leominster Campus, 100 Erdman Way, Room L314, Leominster)
WOMEN'S RIGHTS TRAIL: Women's Rights History Trail Task Force meets virtually. The task force is working on an educational "trail" connecting locations around the state that played a role in the fight for women's rights. The panel will discuss its report and a potential extension to its work. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. | Agenda and Access Info)
SHELTER SYSTEM REPORTING DEADLINE: Gov. Healey's administration faces the first deadline for enhanced shelter system reporting as mandated by lawmakers in the supplemental budget bill she signed this month. The Executive Office of Administration and Finance and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities are required to submit reports on emergency assistance data to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means every two weeks. The reports must provide the number of families and new immigrants enrolled in shelters, the amount of money the state is spending on the system, and the number of families that are on a waitlist Healey created when she capped the system's capacity at 7,500 families. The Senate Ways and Means Committee said this week it will make the report available to the public. (Tuesday)
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023
MUNICIPAL AGGREGATION: Department of Public Utilities holds a technical session as it works on developing guidelines for municipal aggregation programs. Stakeholders requested the session for DPU to "understand the concerns and perspectives of stakeholders involved with implementing municipal aggregation programs," according to the notice. A group of 35 municipal aggregators also asked for the session to "address aggregation plan content, rate setting and operational adders, program launch timing, and next steps." (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 1 South Station, Third floor, Boston | More Info)
DEWAR SJC HEARING: Governor's Council holds a confirmation hearing for Elizabeth "Bessie" Dewar, whom Gov. Healey nominated to serve as associate justice on the Supreme Judicial Court. Dewar, the state solicitor who served for a brief stint as acting attorney general earlier this year, would fill the seat being vacated by Justice Elspeth Cypher, who's retiring Jan. 12. "Bessie Dewar is a consensus builder who has significant experience working with the Supreme Judicial Court and also a deep passion for the important work that the Court does," Healey said in a statement last week. "She is a true student of the institution, and I am confident that she is the right person to fill this seat in this pivotal moment for the Court." Healey, the state's former AG, tapped Dewar to serve as state solicitor in 2016; in the role, Dewar has managed the briefing and arguing of appeals by attorneys in the office, advised the AG on appealing adverse decisions and led the "friend of the court" amicus brief practice for state and federal courts. Some of those recent briefs have dealt with abortion access and gender-affirming care. Her resume also includes serving as appellate and trial-level lawyer at Ropes & Gray LLP and civil rights advocate at the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, as well as a law clerk for Justice Stephen Breyer at the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge William Fletcher of the U.S. Court of Appeals, and U.S. District Court Judge Louis Pollak. (Wednesday, 10:15 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)
IMMIGRATION CONSULTATIONS: Free immigration consultations are held as part of a bimonthly program offered by the Boston Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. Appointments for the 15-minute consultations via telephone must be scheduled in advance due to "high demand." (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | More Info)
ASSISTED LIVING: Assisted Living Advisory Council meets virtually. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Zoom)
YEE CONFIRMATION HEARING: Governor's Council holds confirmation hearing on Michelle Yee, Gov. Healey's nominee for a Probate and Family Court judgeship. She's worked at the court system for more than 18 years and is currently senior program manager in the administrative office. Yee helped implement the Pathways Case Management Initiative, which was designed to connect people to resources and resolve their cases efficiently amid an increase in unrepresented litigants. She previously managed daily court operations as the judicial case manager in the Essex division; her other roles include serving as an assistant judicial case manager, Uniform Probate Code magistrate, sessions clerk, and judicial law clerk in the Essex and Norfolk divisions. (Wednesday, 2:20 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)
CAMPBELL AT HANUKKAH 'AFTER PARTY': Attorney General Campbell speaks at the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action's Hanukkah "after party," which is scheduled for after the eight-day festival. People must donate to JALSA to attend the event, hosted at a private home. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Brookline)
Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023
'BROWSE BORROW' BOARD: Press conference to launch the Browse Borrow Board program, which will allow MassDOT riders waiting for their buses to browse digital audiobooks, ebooks, newspapers and magazines; riders can then enjoy those materials while "on the go," according to Sen. Oliveira's office. The program is supported through funding that Oliveira secured for increased aid to regional public libraries, the office said. Attendees include Oliveira, Sandra Sheehan of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, Sarah Sogigian of the Massachusetts Library System, and Melissa Andrews of Library for the Commonwealth and Boston Public Library. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Union Station, 55 Frank B. Murray St., Springfield)
POST AUDIT CLIMATE CHANGE: Senate Post Audit & Oversight Committee holds an oversight hearing it is calling "Preparing For The Costs & Consequences Of Climate Change." Chairman Marc Pacheco has invited officials from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Division of Insurance, Office of Coastal Zone Management, Conservation Law Foundation, and select climate adaptation and resilience experts to offer testimony. The topics to be covered include the impacts of more frequent extreme weather events, financial risks, home insurance practices and plans, flooding and sea level rise, coastal property impacts, and other high priority vulnerabilities. The Healey administration last month mapped out the skeleton of its strategy for preparing the Massachusetts coast to deal with the impacts of a changing climate. Massachusetts has more than 1,500 miles of coastline across 78 communities that count nearly 2.5 million people as residents. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Room 428)
RETIREMENT BOARD: Massachusetts State Retirement Board meets remotely and is chaired by Treasurer Goldberg. For access, contact MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us. (Thursday, 10 a.m.)
SENATE INFORMAL: Senate plans to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE INFORMAL: House likely to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
HEALTH CONNECTOR WEBINAR: Massachusetts Health Connector holds webinar to help people navigate the open enrollment period. The webinar will review insurace plan options, new carriers as part of the expanded ConnectorCare program, and savings made available through the Connector, which is the state's health insurance marketplace. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Register)
BAKER PORTRAIT UNVEILING: Continuing a tradition for Massachusetts chief executives, former Gov. Charlie Baker returns to the State House for the unveiling of his official portrait. Baker, a Republican who served two terms and now leads the NCAA, has spent nearly $30,000 from his campaign account for a portrait from Pennsylvania-based artist Ellen Cooper. Unlike portrait ceremonies for his immediate predecessors, Baker's event is closed to the public and to the press. (Thursday, 5 p.m., State House Library)
Friday, Dec. 22, 2023
No events scheduled.
