People, Power, and Politics

.The persistent popularity of remote work and high interest rates have combined to form an "economic act of God" that puts Boston at risk of losing a chunk of its tax base by the end of the decade, according to a new report. A report published Thursday by the Boston Policy Institute, a non-partisan think tank that launched late last year, and the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University did not mince words in its assessment of the financial risks that the state's capital and largest city faces. "The annual gap over this window is not constant but slowly expanding as the new reality of commercial real estate trickles through the appraisal process and into the tax system," wrote Evan Horowitz, the executive director of cSPA and the report's author. "The end result is a new normal where the city collects $400 million to $500 million less each year than the long-term trend implies, amounting to an annual reduction of roughly 10 percent of total revenues."

TOWN OF FRANKLIN

Tues. Feb. 20

COA Meeting

10:00am

Wed. Feb 21

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting

10:00am

CSFC Subcommittee

5:15pm

Thurs. Feb. 22

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

10:00am

Conservation Commission Meeting

7:00pm

STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND

Next week is February vacation for many schools across Massachusetts (sorry, Newton) and it's generally a pretty quiet week on Beacon Hill. That seems to be the case this year, at least in the Legislature. Both branches will be in informal sessions on Tuesday after the long Presidents' Day weekend and then again on Thursday. Next week will be the fifth consecutive week without a House formal session and the third consecutive week without a Senate formal. House and Senate Democrats have not offered any new clarity on their agendas for the next two months or so, before budget debates will command most of the attention. "Well, we just had joint committees release a lot of bills, a lot of them are in Ways and Means. Ways and Means are doing their due diligence now on what they would like to see as priorities," House Speaker Ron Mariano said this week when asked about his branch's agenda between now and its April budget debate. "Obviously, the amount of money that we have to spend is an important factor that we haven't had the last couple of years. We're gonna go through them and make some decisions. But it's only been a week." Meanwhile, some of Gov. Maura Healey's top priorities -- among them her significant housing bill, a municipal tax reform proposal and a supplemental budget to address surging emergency shelter costs -- are still waiting to gain traction among lawmakers.

Healey will likely be at the center of attention on Wednesday when she introduces her second Supreme Judicial Court nominee -- and former longtime domestic partner -- to the Governor's Council. Appeals Court Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian will be interviewed by the council, and there will be an opportunity for people who wish to oppose the nomination to testify. "Of course I had a personal relationship with Judge Wolohojian for many years. I happen to know something about her character, her integrity, and the kind of person she is," Healey said earlier this month as she defended the nomination, arguing that the personal relationship should not disqualify Wolohojian. When and whether Wolohojian would have to recuse herself from cases involving Healey's administration is likely to be a topic of questioning during the council interview.

With most students out of school for the week, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has a packed schedule next week, hosting 81 free or low-cost family-friendly programs at 22 properties across Massachusetts starting Saturday. "School may be out, but the learning doesn't have to stop. Our February break programming is a tremendous way to connect kids and nature and help us grow the next generation of environmental stewards,” DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo said. Events include a "Quarry Quest—Treasure Hunt!" at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, DCR staff-assisted seal watching at Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth, a Winter Wonderland Activity Day at Mount Greylock State Reservation in Lanesborough, and a talk about wildlife habitats, competition, and survival on Wachusett Mountain in Princeton.

Monday is Presidents' Day. Massachusetts state law calls the day Washington's Day and provides separately for a Lincoln Day proclamation on Feb. 12. Under the Mass. General Laws, "Presidents Day" is May 29 -- John F. Kennedy's birthday -- and is set aside in memory of the four Bay State presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, and JFK. Tuesday brings the return of both the Legislature and shutdowns on the MBTA's Green Line. Wednesday will feature the Wolohojian hearing and a legislative breakfast focused on the workforce crisis in the human services field. A House lawmaker will appear Thursday on a panel to discuss cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. And the week wraps up Friday with Health and Human Services public hearings.

Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024

COMMUNITY NEWS: Northeastern University journalism professor Dan Kennedy talks with Jon Keller about news deserts, local stories of citizen innovation in journalism models, and his new book on "What Works in Community News," co-authored with Ellen Clegg. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)

DiZOGLIO ON 5: Auditor DiZoglio is on "On The Record" talking with Sharman Sacchetti and Ed Harding. Analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Virginia Buckingham take part in the roundtable discussion. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)

CARNEVALE ON 10: MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale is on "@Issue" with Sue O'Connell and Cory Smith. Also on the program: Doug Howgate of the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation and Phineas Baxandall of the Mass. Budget and Policy Center. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WBTS-TV Ch. 10)

Monday, Feb. 19, 2024

STATE HOUSE CLOSED: State House is closed in observance of Presidents' Day. (Monday)

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Health accepts written testimony on a Rep. Vaughn bill dealing with food truck licensure. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

GEOSPATIAL STRATEGIC PLAN: MassGIS holds a stakeholder workshop as it works to update the state's geospatial plan. The plan, last updated in 2007, is intended to support services in the public and private sectors. GIS officials say that "consistent provision of services to residents related to natural resources, economic development, social services, and public safety is a key objective for geospatial activity." (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 70 Allen St., Pittsfield | More Info

MERIT RATING BOARD: Merit Rating Board meets. The board maintains operator driving records consisting of traffic law violations, at-fault and comprehensive insurance claim records, and out-of-state driving records. The agenda calls for an update from MRB Director Sonja Singleton. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

STATE REHAB COUNCIL: State Rehabilitation Council's Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Consumer Satisfaction Committee meets virtually. (Tuesday, 5 p.m. Zoom)

MBTA FARE CHANGES MEETING: MBTA staff host an in-person public meeting to discuss plans to roll out a low-income fare option. T officials want to begin offering a reduced-price fare for income-eligible riders who do not qualify for an existing discount program, and Gov. Healey called for $45 million to support implementation in her fiscal 2025 budget. The MBTA's proposed fare changes would also make permanent a $10 holiday weekend pass on the commuter rail and phase out paper tickets that hold additional balance when riders overpay aboard trolleys and buses. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., La Colaborativa, 318 Broadway, Chelsea)

ROUTE 2 CORRIDOR MEETING: MassDOT staff host a virtual public meeting to discuss the Route 2 Corridor study. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., More Info)

GREEN LINE SHUTDOWNS: The next wave of Green Line shutdowns begins as the MBTA continues its effort to remove slow zones across the system. Shuttle buses replace services between Copley and Babcock Street on the B branch, Copley and Cleveland Circle on the C branch, and Copley and Brookline Hills on the D branch. The T says riders can use the Orange Line for downtown service; the Green Line is running but "wait times will be longer." The shutdowns are in effect through March 8. (Tuesday)

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024

MUNICIPAL POLICE TRAINING: Municipal Police Training Committee's Police Standards Subcommittee meets. (Wednesday, 8:45 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Dr., Randolph | More Info and Livestream)

GEOSPATIAL STRATEGIC PLAN: MassGIS holds another regional stakeholder workshop as it works to update its geospatial strategic plan, last changed in 2007. Officials are looking to hear from geospatial and technology users in local and state government, federal agencies, nonprofits, higher education, utilities and the private sector. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., One Armory Square, Springfield Technical Community College, Scibelli Hall, Springfield | More Info)

GAMING COMMISSION - CESSATION PLANS: Mass. Gaming Commission meets to get a report on the completion of Betr's plan to settle all of its bets and stop doing business in Massachusetts, and to hear an update on the progress WynnBet has made on its own cessation plan. Commissioners will also discuss the agency's fiscal year annual report. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)

LOTTERY BLOOD DRIVE: Mass. Lottery hosts a blood drive at its headquarters to support the needs of patients of Boston Children's Hospital. Appointment required on Boston Children's Bloodmobile. Visit www.bostonchildrens.org/halfpints or call 617-355-6677 to schedule. Use code MALOTT when scheduling online. Drive runs until 4 p.m. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 150 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester)

GAMING AGENDA: Mass. Gaming Commission meets to select the topics it will discuss in greater depth and potentially act upon at future business meetings. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)

WOLOHOJIAN INTERVIEW: Gov. Healey plans to introduce her second Supreme Judicial Court nominee, Appeals Court Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian, to the Governor's Council at the start of Wolohojian's confirmation hearing. The governor selected Wolohojian, a 16-year veteran of the Appeals Court bench and Healey's former domestic partner, to fill the SJC vacancy created by Justice David Lowy's resignation earlier this month. Wolohojian last went before the Governor's Council in 2007 and was eventually confirmed to the Appeals Court on a unanimous vote. During that interview, councilors learned that Wolohojian was known affectionately to colleagues at the musically oriented non-profit From the Top as "The Laser," the organization's founder and CEO said, because of her ability to drill down to the finest details of a problem as she did pro bono work for the group. Gerald Slavet, the founder and CEO, said the longtime attorney (and accomplished violinist) Wolohojian "truly has the soul and sensitivity of an artist." The 2007 interview also revealed that Wolohojian "is a perfectionist in all that she does." That's what Joan Lukey, a longtime partner at WilmerHale and a past president of the American College of Trial Lawyers, told the Governor's Council as one of Wolohojian's supporting witnesses. And Wolohojian told the Governor's Council herself that her desire to become a judge stemmed from two things: her clerkships in the early 1990s and the time she was sent to Siberia as part of a judicial exchange program in 1995. "They had never had a legal system of the type they were being asked in essence to create," she said in 2007. "They didn't even know how to record a title, let alone who owned the property." (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Livestream)

STATE REHAB COUNCIL: State Rehabilitation Council's State Plan Committee meets virtually. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Zoom)

CHILDREN'S WINTER FESTIVAL: The annual Children's Winter Festival on the Boston Common Parade Ground is hosted by Mayor Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. The free festival includes music, giveaways, winter activities and crafts. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Boston Common, Corner of Beacon and Charles streets, Boston)

ARC LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Arc of Massachusetts hosts a legislative briefing to educate lawmakers on the "unrelenting" workforce crisis, the thousands of people with autism or intellectual/developmental disabilities who are going unserved, and the governor's budget proposal "that begins to respond to this crisis." Families affected by the workforce shortage will speak. Gov. Healey's fiscal year 2025 budget proposes $485 million for human service provider rates -- $390 million via the Chapter 257 Reserve and another $95 million from an off-budget reserve. Arc Executive Director Leo Sarkissian said the governor's proposal is "essential to get our workforce up to and above $20 an hour, a minimum, in that range." He said the current rate benchmark for direct staff in residential services is around $16.79 an hour "and that's for all direct staff, whether they're eight years or eight minutes" on the job. The rates for day programs increased last year to just below $20 an hour, and Sarkissian said that the governor's proposal would essentially make $20 an hour the new floor for day programs and residential services. "HHS is committed to this, Governor Healey is committed to this, and I know if our Legislature understands it, I know Speaker Mariano and state Senate President Spilka will be committed to it too," he said. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Grand Staircase)

GAMING COMMISSION - QUARTERLY REPORTS: Mass. Gaming Commission meets to get quarterly reports from BetMGM, WynnBet and FanDuel. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)

WATER RESOURCES AUTHORITY: Mass. Water Resources Authority Board of Directors meets. The agenda calls for an update on lead and copper rule changes, fiscal 2024 budget updates, discussion of preliminary fiscal 2025 water and sewer assessments, information on the reorganization of the Department of Environmental Quality, and a diversity, equity and inclusion update. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Deer Island Reception/Training Building, 1st floor, Favaloro Meeting Room, 33 Tafts Ave., Boston | Virtual Registration)

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP ACADEMY: Middlesex DA Ryan hosts a Digital Citizenship Academy training program. The event helps people think critically and identify misinformation online. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Tewksbury Public Library, 300 Chandler St., Tewksbury)

MBTA TRACK IMPROVEMENT MEETING: MBTA staff host a virtual public meeting to discuss the 2024 track improvement plan, which involves a series of temporary rolling closures across subway lines to repair slow zones. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., More Info)

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024

ID THEFT PROTECTION: Boston's Center for Working Families and Chase Bank hold a virtual workshop to raise awareness about identity theft and share tools to stay protected. "Participants can expect to be provided an overview of several forms of Identity Theft, methods of protection and options to pursue if/when Identity Theft happens to you," organizers said. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Register)

OPIOID TASK FORCE: The Opioid Task Force of the Middlesex District Attorney's Office meets. It's hosted by DA Ryan. For access information, contact Sarah.Lamson@mass.gov. (Thursday, 10 a.m.)

SENATE: Senate plans to meet in an informal session, the third week in a row without a formal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

HOUSE: House plans to meet in an informal session, its fifth consecutive week without a formal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

HOUSING ACCOMODATIONS: Massachusetts Office on Disability holds a virtual workshop on the reasonable accommodation and modification request process for residents with disabilities. The workshop will cover how to draft requests, what type of medical information is necessary to disclose, when a request can be legally denied, and the formal complaint process, among other topics. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Register)

MBTA ACCESS GROUP: MBTA Riders' Transportation Access Group holds its monthly meeting. (Thursday, 3 p.m., More Info)

BLOCKCHAIN TECH PANELS: Two panels focused on blockchain technology are held as part of the Boston Web3 advocate town hall and reception. Panelists include Rep. Lipper-Garabedian of the House Blockchain Technology Caucus, Ian Cain of QUBIC Labs, Jason Hoch of the Innovation Institute at Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Hannah Shen of the MIT Blockchain Club, Sean Judge of Castle Island Ventures and John Sweeney of Momentum Capital Partners. The event, designed to explore the opportunities of blockchain technology, is hosted by Coinbase, Circle and Stand with Crypto. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. (Thursday, 6 p.m., UMass Club, One Beacon St., Boston | Register)

EARLY ED PATHWAYS: Department of Early Education and Care holds an information session about its Early Childhood Education Career Pathways program, which is meant to support the workforce by providing funding to the state's 15 community colleges. Educators can learn about program options in metro Boston, with this session focused on Roxbury, Bunker Hill and Mass Bay community colleges. Program coordinators can help participants navigate course selection, EEC certification, and college certificates or degrees. (Thursday, 7 p.m. | Register)

Friday, Feb. 23, 2024

DAY HABILITATION SERVICES: MassHealth holds remote public hearing on proposed regulations for day habilitation center services, including clarifying payments and nursing coverage. The changes would take effect no earlier than July 1. Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)

YOUTH STABILIZATION SERVICES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds remote public hearing on increasing rates for youth intermediate-term stabilization services. The rate increases will cost more than $8 million, which EOHHS says "represents an increase of 20.71% over FY23 spending of approximately $40.6 million." Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. (Friday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Livestream)

Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024

MASSGOP TRAINING: Mass. Republican Party hosts a training session for potential candidates, geared particularly toward people who might run in upcoming municipal elections and in the 2nd and 3rd Essex districts. "With Democrats faltering, it's time for Republicans to seize the opportunity in 2024. Our policies offer solutions for Massachusetts. Let's combat leftist agendas and cultivate future statewide candidates," the party said. Rep. Don Wong of Saugus, a party committee member, is among the hosts. Party Chair Amy Carnevale attends. (Saturday, Feb. 24, 9 a.m., Kowloon, Route 1, Saugus)