Franklin, State House, and Beyond

Image

Rep. Jeff Roy said Thursday he would use "every ounce of my energy and blood to reach a deal with the Senate" on energy legislation, appearing alongside Energy Committee co-chair Sen. Michael Barrett at an SHNS event. [Sam Doran/SHNS]

FRANKLIN WEEK AHEAD

Monday, May 9

4:00pm

Franklin Housing Authority Agenda

4:30pm

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing

6:30pm

Planning Board Meeting

7:00pm

Tuesday, May 10

COA Meeting

10:00am

Council on Aging Agenda

10:00am

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

10:00am

School Committee Space Needs Sub Committee Agenda

6:00pm

Design Review Commission Meeting

7:00pm

Wednesday, May 11

Pole Petition

2:00pm

Pole Petition

2:30pm

School Comm. Negotiations Sub Comm. Agenda

3:00pm

CRPCD

3:00pm

CRPCD Agenda

3:00pm

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing

6:30pm

Thursday, May 12

Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing

6:30pm

Conservation Commission Meeting

7:00pm

Commission on Person with Disabilities Agenda

7:00pm

STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND

Halftime in the annual state budget game ends next week when the Senate on Tuesday rolls out an alternative to the $49.7 billion fiscal 2023 budget the House approved in April. Senators will spend the bulk of next week drafting amendments they hope to attach to the spending bill when it is debated the week before Memorial Day weekend. Then it will be on to a conference committee in June. Six-member conferences have already been charged with coming up with a consensus election reform bill and legislation overhauling operations as the state's two long-term care facilities for veterans. This week, the House and Senate dumped into conference competing bills addressing offshore wind and carbon emission reductions. The branches are far apart on sports betting bills, which have yet to be assigned to a conference, but closer on legislation making so called “undocumented” immigrants eligible for state-issued driver's licenses. The branches have a host of issues to square away on the health care and mental health front, and legislative leaders haven't signaled any path forward there. Other bills expected to pass this session, but which have long paths ahead, address the business landscape for marijuana companies, economic development, and infrastructure. Gov. Charlie Baker's $9.7 billion infrastructure bill has yet to reach the floor of either branch, and his $3.5 billion economic development bill will be aired next week during a hybrid hearing featuring both in-person and virtual testimony.

Sunday, May 8, 2022

BAKER ON 5: Gov. Baker is on "On The Record" talking about Roe v. Wade, his tax relief proposals, and MBTA funding levels. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)

Monday, May 9, 2022

MERRIMACK VALLEY LABOR BREAKFAST: Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council holds a legislative breakfast. Republican candidate for governor Chris Doughty attends. (Monday, 7:30 a.m., 57 River Rd., Andover)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee holds virtual and in-person public hearing on Gov. Charlie Baker's economic development bill. People have the option of testifying in-person or virtually. Baker, Lt. Gov. Polito, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox are expected to testify, according to the committee. There is excitement around this bill because a version of it is expected to pass the Legislature and it will serve as a late-session vehicle for proposals that would not likely pass as standalone legislation. Baker's bill (H 4720), filed on April 21, authorizes $3.523 billion in spending, including $2.267 billion in authorizations to spend federal money. (Monday, 10 a.m., Room A-2, Agenda and Livestream)

STROKE AWARENESS: Senate President Karen Spilka, who had what she said was "a mild stroke" in mid-November, will share her story during a policy forum on stroke awareness hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans. The event also features a panel discussion among four local doctors. Contact Lynda Jackson at 774-212-0286 or jackson@mahp.com for information or to register. (Monday, 10 a.m., Virtual)

HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches start the week with informal, livestreamed sessions. (Monday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers)

IMPROVING THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM: Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Rep. Madaro host a virtual legislative briefing to discuss an MLRI report featuring suggestions from families for improving the state's child welfare system. (Monday, 3 p.m. | Zoom Link)

SCHOOL INNOVATION PRIZE AWARDED: Boston Foundation hosts a webinar to announce the winner and runner-up of the 2022 Pozen Prize for Innovative Schools. Finalists are the Carlton Innovation School in Salem and the Patrick Lyndon Pilot School in Boston, and the competition's focus this year is on Greater Boston elementary and middle schools that have an "autonomous status." Media RSVP to ted.mcenroe@tbf.org. (Monday, 4 p.m.)

DOUGHTY ON THE CAPE: Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Doughty speaks at a Chatham Republican Town Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m., then addresses the Barnstable Republican Town Committee at 7 p.m. at Original Gourmet Brunch in Hyannis. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Chatham Knots Landing Barr, 1077 Main St., Chatham)

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

SEAL & MOTTO COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE: History and Usages Subcommittee of the State Seal and Motto Commission meets virtually as the broader commission continues its review of possible changes to the state's emblem. The subcommittee's agenda calls for a discussion of "intent vs. perception," including a review over the seal's development over time in historical context and conversation about harmful interpretations of its imagery. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

AID IN DYING LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING: Lawmakers join Compassion & Choices Action Network and Death with Dignity National Center for a virtual legislative briefing to discuss legislation that would allow some terminally ill patients to request and be prescribed a lethal dose of medication to end their lives (S 1384). The Public Health Committee favorably reported the bill in March, and the Health Care Financing Committee gave itself until June 1 to decide whether to advance the controversial proposal dealing with a topic voters rejected in 2012. While proponents and opponents have argued the topic for years, legislators have shown little interest in getting involved. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | Register)

SENATE BUDGET RELEASE: Senate Committee on Ways and Means releases its recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget during a hybrid executive session. The House passed a $49.7 billion fiscal 2023 budget on April 27 after adding nearly $130 million in spending through seven mega-amendments over the course of three days. The action is now on the Senate, where President Karen Spilka has already hinted at targeted investments in housing, child care and higher education, and told POLITICO that the Senate budget will include $2 million for abortion access. The Senate, like the House, has agreed to base its budget on the consensus revenue accord that calls for $36.915 billion in fiscal year 2023 collections. Through April of this budget year, fiscal 2022, the state had collected $34.487 billion. Senators will have until Friday, May 13 to file their budget amendments and debate is scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 24. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Room 428)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION: Local Government Advisory Commission meets virtually. The Executive Office for Administration and Finance plans a presentation on the state's fiscal and budget condition, and LGAC members will outline municipal priorities for the fiscal 2023 state budget. The Baker administration will also present its $3.5 billion economic development bill. Other agenda topics include a presentation on the Homeowner Assistance Fund, a discussion on federal ARPA funds, and a presentation on the Baker administration's $20 million Municipal Workforce Recruitment and Training Proposal. Lt. Gov. Polito attends. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet for a private caucus in a hybrid virtual and in-person format. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Senate Reading Room)

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FORUM: Norfolk County Republican committee holds a candidate forum and straw poll, featuring statewide candidates Geoff Diehl and Chris Doughty for governor, Leah Allen and Kate Campanale for lieutenant governor, Rayla Campbell for secretary of state, Jay McMahon for attorney general and Anthony Amore for auditor. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., VFW Post 2017, 84 Eastern Ave., Dedham)

CONGRESSIONAL, STATEWIDE CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE: Party candidates running for Congress or for statewide offices face the deadline to submit signed nomination papers to local voting officials for certification. The number of signatures and residency requirements vary based on office sought. Candidates for U.S. representative need to collect at least 2,000 signatures from registered voters; those running for state auditor, treasurer and receiver general, and secretary of state must collect at least 5,000 signatures; and governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general hopefuls must collect at least 10,000 signatures. Local Registrars of Voters will have until May 31 to certify signatures for party candidates for federal and statewide offices, who must then submit their certified nomination papers with Secretary of State William Galvin's office by June 7. (Tuesday)

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION COMMITTEES: Health Policy Commission's Market Oversight and Transparency, and Care Delivery Transformation committees hold back-to-back virtual meetings. The MOAT meeting will feature a preview of findings from two upcoming publications: one on urgent care utilization in Massachusetts and another on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ambulatory care. There will also be an update on hospital compliance with price transparency in the RPO program. Dr. Brady Post, assistant professor at Northeastern University, will present on hospital-physician integration and risk-coding intensity at 10:30 a.m. The CDT meeting will feature discussion of investment programs and the utilization of HPC's "health equity lens" through its Health Care Innovation and Transformation department. Agenda (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | YouTube)

MASSDOT FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE: Department of Transportation Board of Directors Finance and Audit Committee meets virtually. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

BOSTON CEO AMBASSADORSHIP HEARING: U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations holds a hearing to consider a number of President Biden's nominations including Massachusetts' Alan Leventhal to serve as U.S. ambassador to Denmark. Leventhal currently serves as the chairman and CEO of Beacon Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm based in Boston. He served from 1995 to 2015 as chair of Boston University's Board of Trustees. He was described by The Boston Globe as a "major Boston-area donor" for Biden's presidential campaign. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

STATE 911 FINANCES HEARING: Department of Telecommunications and Cable hosts a virtual public and evidentiary hearing in Docket Number DTC 22-1, which deals with petitions by the State 911 Department for approval of its fiscal year 2022 expenditures and FY23 grants. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

MASSDOT CAPITAL PROGRAMS COMMITTEE: Department of Transportation Board of Directors Capital Programs Committee meets virtually. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION PUSH: Voting reform advocates plan to visit lawmakers' offices to ask the Legislature to allow prospective voters to both register and cast a ballot on Election Day. The House sought to study the registration change when it approved a voting reform bill, while the Senate backed the policy in its version of a bill. A conference committee has not yet produced a final compromise, and advocates with MassVOTE are hoping to convince the panel to back registration reform. The length of conference talks, which were authorized in February, could affect the timeline for implementing reforms. The conference committee waited until April to hold its first meeting. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., email info@massvote.org for more info)

PALLESCHI VISITS DONAHUE ASSOCIATES: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Undersecretary Edward Palleschi visits M. Donahue Associates in Brockton to present a certificate recognizing licensees' good standing. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 457 Belmont St., Brockton)

MUNICIPAL FINANCE BOARD: Auditor Bump chairs meeting of the Municipal Finance Oversight Board to hear a Chapter 44A request from the City of Lawrence for $50 million in state qualified bonds for construction of a new Leahy Elementary School. Agenda also includes discussion of long-range municipal fiscal stability and time limitations on local authorization for use of the Qualified Bond Program. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - CONFIRMATION VOTES: Governor's Council is scheduled to meet and could vote on whether to confirm three Gov. Baker nominees: criminal defense attorney Joseph Griffin Jr. to the Boston Municipal Court bench; Barbara Yolette Burton, currently acting clerk magistrate pro tempore of Chicopee District Court, as permanent clerk magistrate in that courthouse; and Springfield/Hartford sole practitioner Brandon Freeman as a District Court judge, filling the vacancy left by Judge John Payne Jr.'s retirement last year from Springfield District Court. Council has no hearings scheduled for Wednesday. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)

E-BIKE LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING: MassBike hosts a virtual legislative briefing to discuss legislation dealing with electric bicycles, or e-bikes (H 4676) as well as rebates for e-bikes (H 3262). Reps. Fernandes and Blais and Sen. DiDomenico plan to attend. At 4 p.m., MassBike plans an e-bike "demo session" outside the State House to familiarize lawmakers and staff. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

Thursday, May 12, 2022

MBTA FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Audit and Finance Subcommittee meets virtually. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

MBTA PLANNING AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Planning, Workforce, Development and Compensation Subcommittee meets virtually. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

SBA SUBCOMMITTEE: Treasurer Goldberg attends a meeting of the Massachusetts School Building Authority's Administration, Operations, and Finance Subcommittee. Contact Maria.Puopolo@MassSchoolBuildings.org for access information. (Thursday, 10 a.m.)

GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission is expected to meet. The agenda is likely to include a legislative update that could touch upon the Senate's recent passage of a sports betting bill. The commission, which would be put in charge of the new gambling opportunity under both the House and Senate betting bills, has been monitoring the sports betting issue for years and officials there have pledged the agency will be ready if or when they assume the responsibility of regulating the activity. Commission officials have expressed support for the idea of a whistle-to-whistle ban on betting advertisements during live games and concern about the House bill's provision that would expand the availability of slot machines to veterans organizations around the state. (Thursday, 10 a.m., More Info TBA)

CANNABIS COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission meets for its first-ever meeting without Steven Hoffman as its chair. Hoffman resigned from the job effective April 25, but the CCC did not disclose his early departure until a week later when the Boston Globe got ahold of an email announcing the resignation to the Cannabis Advisory Board. The CCC did not answer questions this week about its contingency plans for the period that it is without a chairperson. (Thursday, 10 a.m., More Info TBA)

HOUSE INFORMAL: House plans to meet in an informal session. The next formal House session, according to a tentative schedule shared by the speaker's office, is planned for Wednesday, May 18. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

SENATE INFORMAL: Senate plans to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

BAKER ON RADIO: Gov. Baker is a guest on "Radio Boston." The radio program moved to a new timeslot Monday and now airs at 11 a.m. (Thursday, 11 a.m., WBUR-FM 90.9)

MBTA SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee meets virtually. The agenda will be posted online ahead of the meeting. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

MILFORD, NATICK GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: Charles River Watershed Association holds virtual event on green infrastructure in Milford and Natick aimed at mitigating stormwater runoff, reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality, and other goals. Organizers plan to "reveal exciting developments about the construction of two rain gardens and an infiltration chamber in Milford Town Park" along with plans for projects in Natick. (Thursday, 7 p.m. | Registration)

DOUGHTY, CAMPANALE IN WELLESLEY: Republican candidates Chris Doughty for governor and Kate Campanale for lieutenant governor address the Wellesley Republican Town Committee. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Italo Club, 75 Pleasant St., Wellesley)

AMORELLO FOR SENATE KICKOFF: Senate candidate James Amorello, a Holden Republican who is challenging Spencer Democrat Sen. Anne Gobi, holds a campaign kickoff celebration. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Val's Restaurant, 75 Reservoir St., Holden)

Friday, May 13, 2022

ENERGY COMMITTEE - WRITTEN TESTIMONY: Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy accepts written testimony on two late-filed bills that cover topics relevant to the Senate's ongoing spat with the Baker administration over how far the state's developing stretch energy code should go: H 4705 authorizing the city of Cambridge to establish a net zero emissions standard for newly constructed buildings and S 2840 authorizing the town of Lincoln to adopt and enforce local regulations restricting new fossil fuel infrastructure in certain construction. (Friday, 4 p.m. | More Info)

SENATE BUDGET AMENDMENT DEADLINE: Amendments to the Senate's fiscal 2023 budget bill are due by 5 p.m on Friday, under an order adopted on Thursday, May 5.

I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive