Most polls around the state will open at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. this evening.
To find out where to vote, or who will be appearing on your ballot, click here.
Be sure to do your civic duty today - get out and vote!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Get Out and Vote!
Most polls around the state will open at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. this evening.
To find out where to vote, or who will be appearing on your ballot, click here.
Be sure to do your civic duty today - get out and vote!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
House Republicans Vote Against Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) was joined by the entire House Republican Caucus in voting against the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The spending plan, which relies heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, was adopted on a party-line vote – 127 to 29.
“While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle,” said Representative Jones. “By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government.”
To combat the continued reliance on increasing taxes, House Republicans offered proposals which, had they been adopted, would have saved the taxpayers of Massachusetts a considerable amount of money. Referred to as the “5 and 5 in 5 Plan,” a Republican-led proposal to lower both the sales and income tax to 5% over 5 years, beginning in 2015, was resoundingly defeated. The Democratic majority did, however, embrace the ongoing narrative of the Republican Caucus surrounding the need to reform the Pacheco Law. By agreeing to a modest increase to the threshold in which private contractors are able to bid on state projects, House Democrats recognized the necessity to modernize antiquated government practices which cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Advocating for the taxpayers of the Commonwealth and their desire for openness and accountability within the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, the Republican Caucus presented the members of the House with two comprehensive reform proposals relative to eligibility and the administering of benefits. The Democratic Caucus balked at both opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to eradicating waste, fraud and abuse within taxpayer subsidized assistance programs, and instead sent both proposals to study. In doing so, the Democrats eliminated most of their limited changes to EBT originally contained in the budget.
Finally, the House of Representatives’ continued reliance on non-recurring revenues to balance the budget – over $600 million in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget - further illustrates the Commonwealth’s structural deficiencies. Throughout the budget process House Republicans demonstrated, to no avail, their strong opposition to this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Having passed the House, the budget is now before the Senate for consideration.
“While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle,” said Representative Jones. “By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government.”
To combat the continued reliance on increasing taxes, House Republicans offered proposals which, had they been adopted, would have saved the taxpayers of Massachusetts a considerable amount of money. Referred to as the “5 and 5 in 5 Plan,” a Republican-led proposal to lower both the sales and income tax to 5% over 5 years, beginning in 2015, was resoundingly defeated. The Democratic majority did, however, embrace the ongoing narrative of the Republican Caucus surrounding the need to reform the Pacheco Law. By agreeing to a modest increase to the threshold in which private contractors are able to bid on state projects, House Democrats recognized the necessity to modernize antiquated government practices which cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Advocating for the taxpayers of the Commonwealth and their desire for openness and accountability within the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, the Republican Caucus presented the members of the House with two comprehensive reform proposals relative to eligibility and the administering of benefits. The Democratic Caucus balked at both opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to eradicating waste, fraud and abuse within taxpayer subsidized assistance programs, and instead sent both proposals to study. In doing so, the Democrats eliminated most of their limited changes to EBT originally contained in the budget.
Finally, the House of Representatives’ continued reliance on non-recurring revenues to balance the budget – over $600 million in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget - further illustrates the Commonwealth’s structural deficiencies. Throughout the budget process House Republicans demonstrated, to no avail, their strong opposition to this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Having passed the House, the budget is now before the Senate for consideration.
House Minority Leader’s Statement on Passage of Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
"I appreciate the work done by Speaker DeLeo, Chairman Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means on the Fiscal Year 2014 budget.
Unfortunately, as adopted, the budget demonstrates the House Democrats’ continued willingness to rely on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill. While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle.
By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government. While many initiatives offered by the Republican Caucus fell victim to the ongoing reliance on procedural gamesmanship, the minority party in the House will continue to advocate for Massachusetts’ taxpayers.
I look forward to my Republican colleagues in the State Senate making every attempt to restore fiscal responsibility and governmental integrity to the state budget before it is ultimately sent to the Governor for his review.”
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Mental Health and Disability Services
In case you missed it, today marks the third day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This evening's debate began with amendments relative to mental health and disability services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Mental Health and Disability Services
Amendment 658 - Relative to Taunton State Hospital (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the inside language of the Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Inpatient Facilities and Community Based Mental Health Services’ account (5095-0015) to require DMH to maintain 705 continuing care inpatient beds in FY14, rather than the 626 specified in the HWM FY14 budget, 45 of which shall be in the Cain building of the Taunton State Hospital. Requires an additional 79 beds to remain open at Taunton and further prescribes the beds use. Requires DMH to keep these beds open until at least June 30, 2014 and requires future funding decision to be based on report provided by the advisory committee established in the FY13 GAA.
Amendment 719 - Head Injury Services (Beaton, Matthew) Increases the total appropriation for the Head Injured Services account (4120-6000) by $1.18M.
Amendment 739 - Comprehensive DDS Study (Beaton, Matthew) Earmarks $100K within the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) State Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled account (5930-1000) to fund a study of the intellectually disabled services provided by all public and private facilities overseen by DDS. ADDS a new outside section establishing a 21-member advisory committee to undertake this study with the assistance of an independent consultant. Requires the committee to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2014.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This evening's debate began with amendments relative to mental health and disability services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Mental Health and Disability Services
Amendment 658 - Relative to Taunton State Hospital (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the inside language of the Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Inpatient Facilities and Community Based Mental Health Services’ account (5095-0015) to require DMH to maintain 705 continuing care inpatient beds in FY14, rather than the 626 specified in the HWM FY14 budget, 45 of which shall be in the Cain building of the Taunton State Hospital. Requires an additional 79 beds to remain open at Taunton and further prescribes the beds use. Requires DMH to keep these beds open until at least June 30, 2014 and requires future funding decision to be based on report provided by the advisory committee established in the FY13 GAA.
Amendment 719 - Head Injury Services (Beaton, Matthew) Increases the total appropriation for the Head Injured Services account (4120-6000) by $1.18M.
Amendment 739 - Comprehensive DDS Study (Beaton, Matthew) Earmarks $100K within the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) State Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled account (5930-1000) to fund a study of the intellectually disabled services provided by all public and private facilities overseen by DDS. ADDS a new outside section establishing a 21-member advisory committee to undertake this study with the assistance of an independent consultant. Requires the committee to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2014.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Public Health
In case you missed it, today marks the third day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This afternoon’s debate will begin with amendments relative to public health. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Public Health
Amendment 316 - Level Funding for Western Massachusetts Hospital (Humason, Donald) Increases the DPH account for Western Massachusetts Hospital services account (4590-0912) by $124K.
Amendment 687 - Public Health Funding (Lyons, James) Subtracts $4.5M from the Family Health Services account (4513-1000). The total appropriation is reduced to $0.
Amendment 710 - An Amendment to reform the Department of Public Health (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section creating an independent commission to study and report on compensation paid to officers, directors, trustees and the like, by nonprofit organizations that receive grants or contract with the Department of Public Health.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This afternoon’s debate will begin with amendments relative to public health. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Public Health
Amendment 316 - Level Funding for Western Massachusetts Hospital (Humason, Donald) Increases the DPH account for Western Massachusetts Hospital services account (4590-0912) by $124K.
Amendment 687 - Public Health Funding (Lyons, James) Subtracts $4.5M from the Family Health Services account (4513-1000). The total appropriation is reduced to $0.
Amendment 710 - An Amendment to reform the Department of Public Health (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section creating an independent commission to study and report on compensation paid to officers, directors, trustees and the like, by nonprofit organizations that receive grants or contract with the Department of Public Health.
House Minority Leader’s Statement in Response to Tamerlan Tsarnaev Receiving Public Assistance
“I have been in contact with officials at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a result of the recent Boston Herald article in which it was reported that Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his family received public assistance benefits from Massachusetts.
In my conversation with representatives at HHS I asked that they please look into the type of benefits received by Mr. Tsarnaev and his family, as well as the amount of benefits received by those individuals. Furthermore, I requested that the Department of Transitional Assistance verify that all family members met eligibility requirements when applying for public benefits.
The findings of the investigation are vitally important in assuring that taxpayer subsidized benefits are being acquired and used in an appropriate manner.”
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Transportation
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Amendments relative to transportation will be the focus of tonight’s debate. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Transportation
Amendment 77 - Transportation Safety (Howitt, Steven) Earmarks $125K in the MassDOT operating transfer account (1595-6368) for the design and installation of opticon traffic lights in Seekonk. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 519 - Ensuring Turnpike Tolls Come Down (Frost, Paul) Adds a new outside section ensuring that the Western Turnpike tolls are removed once the debt is paid off or by December 31, 2017, whichever occurs first.
Amendment 737 - Land Audit (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the Inspector General to conduct an audit of all land and assets owned by MassDOT that were formerly owned by the Turnpike by December 31, 2013. Any land deemed to be surplus must then be transferred to the host municipality or sold by competitive bid.
Amendment 835 - Transparency in the MBTA pension system (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the MBTA, in conjunction with the open checkbook program, to publish online all pension payment information for its employees.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Amendments relative to transportation will be the focus of tonight’s debate. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Transportation
Amendment 77 - Transportation Safety (Howitt, Steven) Earmarks $125K in the MassDOT operating transfer account (1595-6368) for the design and installation of opticon traffic lights in Seekonk. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 519 - Ensuring Turnpike Tolls Come Down (Frost, Paul) Adds a new outside section ensuring that the Western Turnpike tolls are removed once the debt is paid off or by December 31, 2017, whichever occurs first.
Amendment 737 - Land Audit (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the Inspector General to conduct an audit of all land and assets owned by MassDOT that were formerly owned by the Turnpike by December 31, 2013. Any land deemed to be surplus must then be transferred to the host municipality or sold by competitive bid.
Amendment 835 - Transparency in the MBTA pension system (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the MBTA, in conjunction with the open checkbook program, to publish online all pension payment information for its employees.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Veteran's Services & Soldiers' Homes
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Tonight’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to veteran’s services and soldiers' homes. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Veteran's Services and Soldiers' Homes
Amendment 12 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $50K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for war memorials. Increases the overall appropriation by $50K.
Amendment 13 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials in Wenham (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $10K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for the construction of the Wenham War Memorial. Increases the overall appropriation by $10K.
Amendment 459 - An Amendment to the Worcester Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial Upkeep (Fattman, Ryan) Assumed intent is to CHANGE the inside language of the Department of Veterans Services’ (DVS) Agawam and Winchendon Veterans Cemeteries account (1410-0630) to authorize DVS to expend funds in this account for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Worcester, which is historically funded by DVS Administration and Operations account (1410-0010).
Amendment 474 - NEADS Assistance Dogs (Ferguson, Kimberly) Earmarks $85K in the Department of Veterans Services' Administration account (1410-0010) to train 3 assistance dogs for veterans. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 730 - Veteran Service Organization Grant (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K to the total budget appropriations by creating a new Veterans Service Organization Grants account (1410-xxxx) within the Department of Veterans’ Services for matching grants to the local American legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or similar organization for capital improvements provided that each organization commit to matching funds received as a grant.
Amendment 771 – To Create a Partnership Between the Department of Veterans Services and the Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the Administration of the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (Winslow, Daniel) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to delegate administrative oversight of the veterans’ workforce investment program to the Department of Veterans’ Services.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Tonight’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to veteran’s services and soldiers' homes. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Veteran's Services and Soldiers' Homes
Amendment 12 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $50K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for war memorials. Increases the overall appropriation by $50K.
Amendment 13 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials in Wenham (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $10K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for the construction of the Wenham War Memorial. Increases the overall appropriation by $10K.
Amendment 459 - An Amendment to the Worcester Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial Upkeep (Fattman, Ryan) Assumed intent is to CHANGE the inside language of the Department of Veterans Services’ (DVS) Agawam and Winchendon Veterans Cemeteries account (1410-0630) to authorize DVS to expend funds in this account for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Worcester, which is historically funded by DVS Administration and Operations account (1410-0010).
Amendment 474 - NEADS Assistance Dogs (Ferguson, Kimberly) Earmarks $85K in the Department of Veterans Services' Administration account (1410-0010) to train 3 assistance dogs for veterans. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 730 - Veteran Service Organization Grant (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K to the total budget appropriations by creating a new Veterans Service Organization Grants account (1410-xxxx) within the Department of Veterans’ Services for matching grants to the local American legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or similar organization for capital improvements provided that each organization commit to matching funds received as a grant.
Amendment 771 – To Create a Partnership Between the Department of Veterans Services and the Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the Administration of the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (Winslow, Daniel) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to delegate administrative oversight of the veterans’ workforce investment program to the Department of Veterans’ Services.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Energy & Environment
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
The focus of this afternoon's debate will shift from transportation to amendments relative to energy and environment. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Energy and Environment
Amendment 108 - An Act Relative to the Department of Environmental Protection Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Environmental Protection Administration account (2200-0100) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 110 - An Act Relative to the Department of Fish and Game Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Fish and Game Riverways Protection Restoration and Public Access account (2300-0101) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 388 - Establishing a Standard for Cost Effectiveness Calculations for EOEEA Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) to conduct and consider a Program Administrator Cost Test (PACT) for the purposes of evaluating the extent to which programs under the authority of DOER and the EEAC are encouraging and leveraging additional participant investments. Currently DOER and the EEAC rely on an often biased Total Resource Cost (TRC) test that includes all costs, but not all benefits, many of which are intangible and the value of which can only be determined by each individual program participant.
Amendment 389 - Executive Office of Energy and Environment Report on MA Energy Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Executive Office of Energy and Environment to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2013, and annually thereafter, using third party experts in consultation with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), with an audit and analysis of all energy efficiency, demand response, and renewable energy programs in the commonwealth, including itemized details of the public and private funding sources, as well as qualitative and quantitative benefits.
Amendment 450 - An Act Relative to Transparency in Water Management (Peterson, George) Adds a new outside section to delay the adoption of the final regulations to implement the Sustainable Water Management Initiative framework until the Legislature has had 6 months to review the Department of Environmental Protection’s comprehensive report detailing the cost of implementation to municipalities, water districts, water companies, water commissions and their ratepayers.
Amendment 456 - Bristol & Plymouth County Mosquito Control Projects (D'Emilia, Angelo) Changes the inside language of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Administration account (2000-0100) to provide for a reserve to meet the cost of proactive eradication and control of mosquitos to prevent eastern equine encephalitis. Increases the total appropriation to this account by $400K to $6.1M.
Amendment 568 - Massasoit State Parks – Taunton (Orrall, Keiko) Earmarks $50K from the Division of State Parks and Recreation Administration account (2810-0100) for seasonal day use of Massasoit State Park in Taunton. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 668 - Falmouth Turbine Dismantling Study (Vieira, David) Earmarks $100K from the Office of Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs account (2000-0100) for evaluating proposals to dismantle Wind I and Wind II turbines in Falmouth. Increases the overall appropriation by $100K.
Amendment 685 - Lake Webster Invasive Species Mitigation (Fattman, Ryan) Adds $100K by creating a new line item for the town of Webster lake.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
The focus of this afternoon's debate will shift from transportation to amendments relative to energy and environment. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Energy and Environment
Amendment 108 - An Act Relative to the Department of Environmental Protection Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Environmental Protection Administration account (2200-0100) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 110 - An Act Relative to the Department of Fish and Game Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Fish and Game Riverways Protection Restoration and Public Access account (2300-0101) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 388 - Establishing a Standard for Cost Effectiveness Calculations for EOEEA Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) to conduct and consider a Program Administrator Cost Test (PACT) for the purposes of evaluating the extent to which programs under the authority of DOER and the EEAC are encouraging and leveraging additional participant investments. Currently DOER and the EEAC rely on an often biased Total Resource Cost (TRC) test that includes all costs, but not all benefits, many of which are intangible and the value of which can only be determined by each individual program participant.
Amendment 389 - Executive Office of Energy and Environment Report on MA Energy Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Executive Office of Energy and Environment to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2013, and annually thereafter, using third party experts in consultation with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), with an audit and analysis of all energy efficiency, demand response, and renewable energy programs in the commonwealth, including itemized details of the public and private funding sources, as well as qualitative and quantitative benefits.
Amendment 450 - An Act Relative to Transparency in Water Management (Peterson, George) Adds a new outside section to delay the adoption of the final regulations to implement the Sustainable Water Management Initiative framework until the Legislature has had 6 months to review the Department of Environmental Protection’s comprehensive report detailing the cost of implementation to municipalities, water districts, water companies, water commissions and their ratepayers.
Amendment 456 - Bristol & Plymouth County Mosquito Control Projects (D'Emilia, Angelo) Changes the inside language of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Administration account (2000-0100) to provide for a reserve to meet the cost of proactive eradication and control of mosquitos to prevent eastern equine encephalitis. Increases the total appropriation to this account by $400K to $6.1M.
Amendment 568 - Massasoit State Parks – Taunton (Orrall, Keiko) Earmarks $50K from the Division of State Parks and Recreation Administration account (2810-0100) for seasonal day use of Massasoit State Park in Taunton. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 668 - Falmouth Turbine Dismantling Study (Vieira, David) Earmarks $100K from the Office of Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs account (2000-0100) for evaluating proposals to dismantle Wind I and Wind II turbines in Falmouth. Increases the overall appropriation by $100K.
Amendment 685 - Lake Webster Invasive Species Mitigation (Fattman, Ryan) Adds $100K by creating a new line item for the town of Webster lake.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Housing & Social Services
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Today’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to housing and social services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Housing and Social Services
Amendment 745 - Housing Authority Handicap Conversion Grants (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (7004-xxxx) for grants to local or regional housing authorities to renovate housing units for handicap accessibility, with a maximum grant amount of $50K to each authority.
Amendment 753 - Eligibility Requirements for State Housing (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the language for the Department of Housing and Community Development account (7004-0099) to change from optional to mandatory: verification of benefit recipient income; provision of benefit recipient's social security number; denial or termination of benefits without the provision of a valid social security number; consultation with DOR and DTA for income verification. Does not increase the total appropriation.
Amendment 322 - EBT Fraud Investigations (Vieira, David) Changes the inside language of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s (DTA) Administration and Operations account (4400-1000) to authorize DTA to keep up to $2M that DTA recovers through investigations of public benefit programs administered by DTA, for the purpose of hiring additional investigators and expenses related to investigations to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse of benefits.
Amendment 385 - EBT Cash Assistance Benefit Abuse Prevention (Jones, Bradley) Amends section 15 and adds new outside sections to: (1) outline a phase-in of photo IDs on EBT cards for cardholders over the age of 18; (2) require cash assistance be used solely for goods and services necessary and essential for the recipient; (3) require the phase-in of UPC sorting technology to sort out prohibited items at point-of-sale (POS); (4) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (5) increase recipient and retailer education; (6) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (7) prohibit out of state EBT card use except in states contiguous to MA; (8) prohibits the use of self-declarations as sole verification of applicant eligibility; (9) requires all self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; and (10) establishes an online payment system for rent and utilities and outlines gradual implementation.
Amendment 387 - Public Assistance Eligibility Reform (Jones, Bradley) Amends sections 5, 86, 89, and 91 of the HWM FY14 Budget to: (1) mandate that EOHHS’s Integrated Eligibility System (IES) cross-check social security numbers of applicants/recipients with information from 9 specific state and federal databases and with 20 additional databases, to the extent that they are available; (2) mandate that the IES use an automated fingerprinting comparison system; (3) prohibit self-declarations from being used as the sole verification of eligibility; (4) require any self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; (5) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for periods in excess of 3 months; (6) require that assets and income of immigration sponsors be considered when determining an applicant’s eligibility for assistance; (7) require the discovery of undisclosed business assets and income or assets of responsible relatives or immigration sponsors to be potentially disqualifying; (8) require the task-force established in section 89 to work with the bureau of program integrity and director of program integrity; (9) require EOHHS to annually file the report outlined in section 91 and include specifics regarding the number of people disqualified from public assistance following a discrepancy identified by the IES; (10) require the termination of benefits when mail communications are returned to DTA as undeliverable and social security numbers are not provided within 3 months of application for assistance; and (11) expedite the establishment of the IES.
Amendment 660 - Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County (Poirier, Elizabeth) Earmarks $200K from the Services for Children and Families account (4800- 0038) for the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 697 - An Amendment to Modernize the Re-Certification of EBT Benefits (Fattman, Ryan) Adds a new outside section to require the Department of Transitional Assistance to determine a process for standardized semi-annual re-certification of EBT benefits that verifies the eligibility of a beneficiary, no later than the end of the calendar year.
Amendment 779 - To Create a Task Force to Study Ways to Reduce the Costs and Delays Associated with the Adoption Process in Massachusetts (Winslow, Daniel) Changes the inside language of the Department of Children and Families’ Services for Children and Families account (4800-0038) to establish a task force to convene by September 1, 2013 to study the ways to reduce the costs and delays associated with the adoption process in Massachusetts and report to the Legislature with recommendations by March 1, 2014.
Amendment 790 - Relative to DTA Reporting (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes Section 16, which provides a technical clarification regarding the Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s annual reporting requirement to the Legislature and replaces it with language requiring the Commissioner to redundantly report to both the General Court and HWM/SWM.
Amendment 814 - Eliminating Self Declarations for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section to prohibit the use of self-declarations as a means of verifying eligibility information for any form of public assistance.
Amendment 820 - School Participation Verification (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the school attendance requirement for DTA benefits, established in Section 88, by specifically requiring that the grantee's benefits be suspended for 6 months or until the grantee can provide proof of a child's school attendance.
Amendment 828 - Relative to Photos on EBT Cards (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 15 by requiring DTA to implement photo IDs on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards by January 1, 2014.
Amendment 838 - Eligibility Requirement for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section prohibiting any form of public assistance from being granted to an individual who has not presented a valid and verified social security number.
Amendment 840 - Relative to EBT Violations (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section directing the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to enforce all penalties and fines, as prescribed by the MGLs and DTA, for benefit recipients and retailers without any waivers or exemptions. Requires violation hearings to be open to the public and requires DTA to provide descriptions of all discovered violations and actions taken to be available on the DTA website.
Amendment 871 - Fraud Bureau (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 6 to outline additional responsibilities of the new Bureau of Program Integrity, highlights include: (1) reviewing current eligibility intake and determination procedures, (2) assisting in the development of new intake procedures, (3) monitoring whether eligibility regulations are being followed, (4) assisting with the coordination of their state agencies in sharing data, (5) coordinating with the Program Integrity Division in the Department of Transitional Assistance.
Amendment 878 - Eliminating Fraud in Public Assistance (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes out and replaces Section 5 of the HWM FY14 Budget, which mandates the establishment of an Integrated Eligibility System (IES), requiring the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a computerized income, asset, and identity eligibility verification system to check public assistance applicants’ and recipients’ social security numbers with: 19 optional federal and state databases and 6 mandatory databases. Additionally: (1) outlines the procedures following the finding of a discrepancy between social security number and the verification system; (2) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for any period of time; (3) establishes an additional reporting requirement that duplicates the one established in Section 91.
Amendment 880 - Reforms to Reduce EBT Cash Access (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds new outside sections to (1) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (2) increase recipient and retailer education; (3) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (4) prohibit out of state EBT card use; (5) prohibit self-declarations; and (6) establish an online payment system.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Today’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to housing and social services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Housing and Social Services
Amendment 745 - Housing Authority Handicap Conversion Grants (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (7004-xxxx) for grants to local or regional housing authorities to renovate housing units for handicap accessibility, with a maximum grant amount of $50K to each authority.
Amendment 753 - Eligibility Requirements for State Housing (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the language for the Department of Housing and Community Development account (7004-0099) to change from optional to mandatory: verification of benefit recipient income; provision of benefit recipient's social security number; denial or termination of benefits without the provision of a valid social security number; consultation with DOR and DTA for income verification. Does not increase the total appropriation.
Amendment 322 - EBT Fraud Investigations (Vieira, David) Changes the inside language of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s (DTA) Administration and Operations account (4400-1000) to authorize DTA to keep up to $2M that DTA recovers through investigations of public benefit programs administered by DTA, for the purpose of hiring additional investigators and expenses related to investigations to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse of benefits.
Amendment 385 - EBT Cash Assistance Benefit Abuse Prevention (Jones, Bradley) Amends section 15 and adds new outside sections to: (1) outline a phase-in of photo IDs on EBT cards for cardholders over the age of 18; (2) require cash assistance be used solely for goods and services necessary and essential for the recipient; (3) require the phase-in of UPC sorting technology to sort out prohibited items at point-of-sale (POS); (4) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (5) increase recipient and retailer education; (6) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (7) prohibit out of state EBT card use except in states contiguous to MA; (8) prohibits the use of self-declarations as sole verification of applicant eligibility; (9) requires all self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; and (10) establishes an online payment system for rent and utilities and outlines gradual implementation.
Amendment 387 - Public Assistance Eligibility Reform (Jones, Bradley) Amends sections 5, 86, 89, and 91 of the HWM FY14 Budget to: (1) mandate that EOHHS’s Integrated Eligibility System (IES) cross-check social security numbers of applicants/recipients with information from 9 specific state and federal databases and with 20 additional databases, to the extent that they are available; (2) mandate that the IES use an automated fingerprinting comparison system; (3) prohibit self-declarations from being used as the sole verification of eligibility; (4) require any self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; (5) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for periods in excess of 3 months; (6) require that assets and income of immigration sponsors be considered when determining an applicant’s eligibility for assistance; (7) require the discovery of undisclosed business assets and income or assets of responsible relatives or immigration sponsors to be potentially disqualifying; (8) require the task-force established in section 89 to work with the bureau of program integrity and director of program integrity; (9) require EOHHS to annually file the report outlined in section 91 and include specifics regarding the number of people disqualified from public assistance following a discrepancy identified by the IES; (10) require the termination of benefits when mail communications are returned to DTA as undeliverable and social security numbers are not provided within 3 months of application for assistance; and (11) expedite the establishment of the IES.
Amendment 660 - Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County (Poirier, Elizabeth) Earmarks $200K from the Services for Children and Families account (4800- 0038) for the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 697 - An Amendment to Modernize the Re-Certification of EBT Benefits (Fattman, Ryan) Adds a new outside section to require the Department of Transitional Assistance to determine a process for standardized semi-annual re-certification of EBT benefits that verifies the eligibility of a beneficiary, no later than the end of the calendar year.
Amendment 779 - To Create a Task Force to Study Ways to Reduce the Costs and Delays Associated with the Adoption Process in Massachusetts (Winslow, Daniel) Changes the inside language of the Department of Children and Families’ Services for Children and Families account (4800-0038) to establish a task force to convene by September 1, 2013 to study the ways to reduce the costs and delays associated with the adoption process in Massachusetts and report to the Legislature with recommendations by March 1, 2014.
Amendment 790 - Relative to DTA Reporting (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes Section 16, which provides a technical clarification regarding the Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s annual reporting requirement to the Legislature and replaces it with language requiring the Commissioner to redundantly report to both the General Court and HWM/SWM.
Amendment 814 - Eliminating Self Declarations for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section to prohibit the use of self-declarations as a means of verifying eligibility information for any form of public assistance.
Amendment 820 - School Participation Verification (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the school attendance requirement for DTA benefits, established in Section 88, by specifically requiring that the grantee's benefits be suspended for 6 months or until the grantee can provide proof of a child's school attendance.
Amendment 828 - Relative to Photos on EBT Cards (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 15 by requiring DTA to implement photo IDs on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards by January 1, 2014.
Amendment 838 - Eligibility Requirement for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section prohibiting any form of public assistance from being granted to an individual who has not presented a valid and verified social security number.
Amendment 840 - Relative to EBT Violations (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section directing the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to enforce all penalties and fines, as prescribed by the MGLs and DTA, for benefit recipients and retailers without any waivers or exemptions. Requires violation hearings to be open to the public and requires DTA to provide descriptions of all discovered violations and actions taken to be available on the DTA website.
Amendment 871 - Fraud Bureau (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 6 to outline additional responsibilities of the new Bureau of Program Integrity, highlights include: (1) reviewing current eligibility intake and determination procedures, (2) assisting in the development of new intake procedures, (3) monitoring whether eligibility regulations are being followed, (4) assisting with the coordination of their state agencies in sharing data, (5) coordinating with the Program Integrity Division in the Department of Transitional Assistance.
Amendment 878 - Eliminating Fraud in Public Assistance (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes out and replaces Section 5 of the HWM FY14 Budget, which mandates the establishment of an Integrated Eligibility System (IES), requiring the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a computerized income, asset, and identity eligibility verification system to check public assistance applicants’ and recipients’ social security numbers with: 19 optional federal and state databases and 6 mandatory databases. Additionally: (1) outlines the procedures following the finding of a discrepancy between social security number and the verification system; (2) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for any period of time; (3) establishes an additional reporting requirement that duplicates the one established in Section 91.
Amendment 880 - Reforms to Reduce EBT Cash Access (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds new outside sections to (1) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (2) increase recipient and retailer education; (3) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (4) prohibit out of state EBT card use; (5) prohibit self-declarations; and (6) establish an online payment system.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Constitutional Officers & State Administration
In case you missed it, yesterday marked the first day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Late last night, debate shifted its focus from education and local aid to amendments relative to constitutional officers and state administration. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Constitutional Officers & State Administration
Amendment 272 - Voter ID (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section requiring voters to present valid identification in order to cast a ballot.
Amendment 308 - Consolidation of Registrars (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section creating a commission to study the feasibility of consolidating the RMV, the Registries of Probate, and the Registries of Deeds. The commission must report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2014.
Amendment 368 - Audit of Agency Credit Cards (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the State Auditor to conduct an annual audit of credit cards issued on behalf of state agencies, with the report due by December 31, 2013.
Amendment 379 - Electronic Paperwork (Jones, Bradley) Adds several new outside sections requiring ANF to increase government efficiency by requiring the use of electronic paperwork whenever possible to decrease duplicative paperwork requirements and increase the availability of online transactions.
Amendment 380 - Pacheco Exemption for PPPs (Jones, Bradley) Adds two new outside sections which exempt any public-private partnerships for highway projects from the so-called Pacheco Law.
Amendment 381 - PPP Commission Minority Leader Appointment (Jones, Bradley) Adds appointments made by the Minority Leaders in the House and Senate to SECTION 96, which creates a new public-private partnership commission.
Amendment 383 - State Employee Compensation Study (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section creating a commission to study state employee compensation, including: an accounting of the number of employees that earn more than $100K and the change in the number of such employees over a 10 year period; a comparison of employee salaries across other department and agencies with similar titles or job classifications; and the change in staffing levels at various departments over time.
Amendment 384 - State Employees and Consultants (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section prohibiting a former state employee from being hired as a consultant by the Commonwealth within 1 year of leaving state employment.
Amendment 522 - Non-Profit Audit Unit (Kuros, Kevin) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (0710-xxxx) for a non-profit audit unit to be administered by the State Auditor for the auditing of all non-profit companies contracting with the Department of Public Health. Inserted after line-item 0710- 0300.
Amendment 534 - Lottery Ticket Litter Reduction (Kuros, Kevin) Earmarks $1M from the State Lottery Program Advertisement account (0640- 0010) for the creation, implementation, and marketing of a program to recycle lottery tickets to reduce waste and litter.
Amendment 555 - Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund (Ferguson, Kimberly) Adds two new outside sections that dedicate 100% of the $50 surcharge collected from speeding violations and 100% of the $250 surcharge for operating under the influence or operating negligently to the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund.
Amendment 728 - Audit of State Funded Credit Cards (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the State Auditor to account for every credit card funded by the Commonwealth and distributed by all state agencies and quasi-independent agencies.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Late last night, debate shifted its focus from education and local aid to amendments relative to constitutional officers and state administration. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Constitutional Officers & State Administration
Amendment 272 - Voter ID (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section requiring voters to present valid identification in order to cast a ballot.
Amendment 308 - Consolidation of Registrars (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section creating a commission to study the feasibility of consolidating the RMV, the Registries of Probate, and the Registries of Deeds. The commission must report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2014.
Amendment 368 - Audit of Agency Credit Cards (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the State Auditor to conduct an annual audit of credit cards issued on behalf of state agencies, with the report due by December 31, 2013.
Amendment 379 - Electronic Paperwork (Jones, Bradley) Adds several new outside sections requiring ANF to increase government efficiency by requiring the use of electronic paperwork whenever possible to decrease duplicative paperwork requirements and increase the availability of online transactions.
Amendment 380 - Pacheco Exemption for PPPs (Jones, Bradley) Adds two new outside sections which exempt any public-private partnerships for highway projects from the so-called Pacheco Law.
Amendment 381 - PPP Commission Minority Leader Appointment (Jones, Bradley) Adds appointments made by the Minority Leaders in the House and Senate to SECTION 96, which creates a new public-private partnership commission.
Amendment 383 - State Employee Compensation Study (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section creating a commission to study state employee compensation, including: an accounting of the number of employees that earn more than $100K and the change in the number of such employees over a 10 year period; a comparison of employee salaries across other department and agencies with similar titles or job classifications; and the change in staffing levels at various departments over time.
Amendment 384 - State Employees and Consultants (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section prohibiting a former state employee from being hired as a consultant by the Commonwealth within 1 year of leaving state employment.
Amendment 522 - Non-Profit Audit Unit (Kuros, Kevin) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (0710-xxxx) for a non-profit audit unit to be administered by the State Auditor for the auditing of all non-profit companies contracting with the Department of Public Health. Inserted after line-item 0710- 0300.
Amendment 534 - Lottery Ticket Litter Reduction (Kuros, Kevin) Earmarks $1M from the State Lottery Program Advertisement account (0640- 0010) for the creation, implementation, and marketing of a program to recycle lottery tickets to reduce waste and litter.
Amendment 555 - Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund (Ferguson, Kimberly) Adds two new outside sections that dedicate 100% of the $50 surcharge collected from speeding violations and 100% of the $250 surcharge for operating under the influence or operating negligently to the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund.
Amendment 728 - Audit of State Funded Credit Cards (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the State Auditor to account for every credit card funded by the Commonwealth and distributed by all state agencies and quasi-independent agencies.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Education and Local Aid
In case you missed it, today marks the first day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Tonight’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to education and local aid. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Education and Local Aid
Amendment 4 - An Act Relative to the Special Education Circuit Breaker (Hill, Bradford) Increases the total appropriation for the Circuit Breaker - Reimbursement for Special Education Resident account (7061-0012) by approximately $20M.
Amendment 181 - State Aid to Public Libraries (Humason, Donald) Increases the total appropriation for the State Aid to Public Libraries account (7000-9501) by $3.1M, the high-mark level from FY09.
Amendment 235 - Reimbursements to Certain Cities and Towns for Additional Educational Costs (Orrall, Keiko) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (1233-xxxx) for Local Aid for reimbursements for smart growth school costs.
Amendment 254 - Minimum Student Population for School Districts (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section establishing a commission to study the feasibility of requiring school districts to consist of a minimum of 2,500 students. The commission includes Minority appointments from both the Senate and the House.
Amendment 261 - Amendment to Educator Fingerprinting Act of 2012 (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section requiring that criminal fingerprinting checks for educators (as mandated by Chapter 459 of the Acts of 2012) be completed by municipal police departments; removes all requirements that fees for the fingerprint background check be paid by the applicant; and eliminates the Fingerprint-Based Background Check Trust Fund.
Amendment 271 - An Act Relative to Sanctuary Cities and Towns (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section prohibiting the disbursement of unrestricted general government aid to sanctuary cities and towns.
Amendment 273 - An Act Relative to Tuition for US Veterans (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section that authorizes separating service member to receive in-state tuition at MA public institutions of higher education; provided that they complete the necessary steps to establish residency within one year of matriculation in Massachusetts. The post 9/11 GI Bill only pays in-state tuition and eligible fees and upon separating from service, veterans who settle in states other than their state of residence are initially charged “out-of-state” tuition, which means they must pay the difference between the resident and non-resident charges. This is Issue #8 on 2013 DoD list of top 10 issues impacting military families.
Amendment 281 - Educational Mandate Relief for Performing School Districts (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary to offer waivers for new mandates to districts that are performing above the required minimum standard for the mandate.
Amendment 336 - Public School Military Mitigation (Vieira, David) Adds $1.3M to the total appropriations by creating a new line item in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (7061-0033) for a reserve to assist towns negatively impacted by shortfalls in federal impact aid for the education of children in families employed on military reservations within a town’s limits.
Amendment 366 - Early Education Commission Minority Leader Appointment (Jones, Bradley) Adds the ranking minority members on the Joint Committee on Higher Education and the ranking minority members on the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities to SECTION 95, which creates a new early education commission. Amendment 371 - Higher Education Commission Minority Leader Appointment (Jones, Bradley) Adds the ranking minority members on the Joint Committee on Higher Education to SECTION 94, which creates a new higher education efficiency commission.
Amendment 401 - Tuition and Fee Waivers for Massachusetts Veterans (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section that provides tuition and fee waivers for veterans and active duty servicepersons of Massachusetts who are permanent and legal residents of the Commonwealth, who are attending any public institution of higher education, and whose education costs are not entirely covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Under current law Massachusetts National Guard members receive both tuition and fee waivers while Massachusetts veterans are only eligible for a categorical tuition waiver (and not necessarily a full tuition waiver). The Commonwealth would bear the cost of this bill.
Amendment 412 - In-State Tuition for Separating Service Members (D'Emilia, Angelo) Adds a new outside section that authorizes separating service member to receive in-state tuition at MA public institutions of higher education; provided that they complete the necessary steps to establish residency within one year of matriculation in Massachusetts. The post 9/11 GI Bill only pays in-state tuition and eligible fees and upon separating from service, veterans who settle in states other than their state of residence are initially charged “out-of-state” tuition, which means they must pay the difference between the resident and non-resident charges. This is Issue #8 on 2013 DoD list of top 10 issues impacting military families.
Amendment 442 - An Act Relative to Fully Fund Target Share (Hill, Bradford) Increases the total appropriation for the Chapter 70 account (7061-0008) by $46M. Further, raises the effort reduction percentage in SECTION 3 from 15% to 100% to allow cities and towns greater state funding to fill funding gaps and meet their target local share.
Amendment 444 - An Act Relative to Target Share (Hill, Bradford) Increases the total appropriation for the Chapter 70 account (7061-0008) by $23M. Further, raises the effort reduction percentage in SECTION 3 from 15% to 50% to allow cities and towns greater state funding to fill funding gaps and meet their target local share.
Amendment 449 - PILOT Funding (D'Emilia, Angelo) Increases the Department of Revenue's Reimbursement to Cities in Lieu of Taxes on State Owned Land account (1233-2400) by $4M.
Amendment 455 - Cummings School for Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (Peterson, George) Increases the total appropriation for Tufts Veterinary School (7077-0023) by $2M.
Amendment 606 - Education Pothole Account (Ferguson, Kimberly) Adds $5M by creating a new line item (7061-0011) in the Executive Office of Education for the Pothole account.
Amendment 682 - An Amendment Relative to In-State Tuition Fairness (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section requiring that in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education be extended only to citizens or permanent lawful residents of the United States.
Amendment 693 - An Amendment Relative to Target Share Funding (Lyons, James) Changes the language to the Chapter 70 account (7061-0008) to codify the requirement that each city and town receive a minimum of 17.5% of its foundation budget in the form of Chapter 70 state aid. Increases the total appropriation by $88M.
Amendment 698- Providing Reimbursements to Families of Foster and Adopted Children (Fattman, Ryan) Adds $3M to the total budget appropriations by creating a new line item (7066- xxxx) within the Department of Higher Education for the provision of reimbursements to families who were eligible during the fall of 2012 or spring of 2013 due to an “Estimated Financial Contribution” of $10K or more.
Amendment 734 - Special Education Circuit Breaker (Beaton, Matthew) Increases the total appropriation for the Special Education Reimbursement - Circuit Breaker (7061-0012) by $20M.
Amendment 885 - Educational Equipment Grant (Frost, Paul) Adds $20M by creating a new line item (7009-xxxx) in the Executive Office of Education for grants for educational equipment, text books, lab equipment, computers, etc.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Tonight’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to education and local aid. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Education and Local Aid
Amendment 4 - An Act Relative to the Special Education Circuit Breaker (Hill, Bradford) Increases the total appropriation for the Circuit Breaker - Reimbursement for Special Education Resident account (7061-0012) by approximately $20M.
Amendment 181 - State Aid to Public Libraries (Humason, Donald) Increases the total appropriation for the State Aid to Public Libraries account (7000-9501) by $3.1M, the high-mark level from FY09.
Amendment 235 - Reimbursements to Certain Cities and Towns for Additional Educational Costs (Orrall, Keiko) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (1233-xxxx) for Local Aid for reimbursements for smart growth school costs.
Amendment 254 - Minimum Student Population for School Districts (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section establishing a commission to study the feasibility of requiring school districts to consist of a minimum of 2,500 students. The commission includes Minority appointments from both the Senate and the House.
Amendment 261 - Amendment to Educator Fingerprinting Act of 2012 (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section requiring that criminal fingerprinting checks for educators (as mandated by Chapter 459 of the Acts of 2012) be completed by municipal police departments; removes all requirements that fees for the fingerprint background check be paid by the applicant; and eliminates the Fingerprint-Based Background Check Trust Fund.
Amendment 271 - An Act Relative to Sanctuary Cities and Towns (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section prohibiting the disbursement of unrestricted general government aid to sanctuary cities and towns.
Amendment 273 - An Act Relative to Tuition for US Veterans (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section that authorizes separating service member to receive in-state tuition at MA public institutions of higher education; provided that they complete the necessary steps to establish residency within one year of matriculation in Massachusetts. The post 9/11 GI Bill only pays in-state tuition and eligible fees and upon separating from service, veterans who settle in states other than their state of residence are initially charged “out-of-state” tuition, which means they must pay the difference between the resident and non-resident charges. This is Issue #8 on 2013 DoD list of top 10 issues impacting military families.
Amendment 281 - Educational Mandate Relief for Performing School Districts (Diehl, Geoff) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary to offer waivers for new mandates to districts that are performing above the required minimum standard for the mandate.
Amendment 336 - Public School Military Mitigation (Vieira, David) Adds $1.3M to the total appropriations by creating a new line item in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (7061-0033) for a reserve to assist towns negatively impacted by shortfalls in federal impact aid for the education of children in families employed on military reservations within a town’s limits.
Amendment 366 - Early Education Commission Minority Leader Appointment (Jones, Bradley) Adds the ranking minority members on the Joint Committee on Higher Education and the ranking minority members on the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities to SECTION 95, which creates a new early education commission. Amendment 371 - Higher Education Commission Minority Leader Appointment (Jones, Bradley) Adds the ranking minority members on the Joint Committee on Higher Education to SECTION 94, which creates a new higher education efficiency commission.
Amendment 401 - Tuition and Fee Waivers for Massachusetts Veterans (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section that provides tuition and fee waivers for veterans and active duty servicepersons of Massachusetts who are permanent and legal residents of the Commonwealth, who are attending any public institution of higher education, and whose education costs are not entirely covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Under current law Massachusetts National Guard members receive both tuition and fee waivers while Massachusetts veterans are only eligible for a categorical tuition waiver (and not necessarily a full tuition waiver). The Commonwealth would bear the cost of this bill.
Amendment 412 - In-State Tuition for Separating Service Members (D'Emilia, Angelo) Adds a new outside section that authorizes separating service member to receive in-state tuition at MA public institutions of higher education; provided that they complete the necessary steps to establish residency within one year of matriculation in Massachusetts. The post 9/11 GI Bill only pays in-state tuition and eligible fees and upon separating from service, veterans who settle in states other than their state of residence are initially charged “out-of-state” tuition, which means they must pay the difference between the resident and non-resident charges. This is Issue #8 on 2013 DoD list of top 10 issues impacting military families.
Amendment 442 - An Act Relative to Fully Fund Target Share (Hill, Bradford) Increases the total appropriation for the Chapter 70 account (7061-0008) by $46M. Further, raises the effort reduction percentage in SECTION 3 from 15% to 100% to allow cities and towns greater state funding to fill funding gaps and meet their target local share.
Amendment 444 - An Act Relative to Target Share (Hill, Bradford) Increases the total appropriation for the Chapter 70 account (7061-0008) by $23M. Further, raises the effort reduction percentage in SECTION 3 from 15% to 50% to allow cities and towns greater state funding to fill funding gaps and meet their target local share.
Amendment 449 - PILOT Funding (D'Emilia, Angelo) Increases the Department of Revenue's Reimbursement to Cities in Lieu of Taxes on State Owned Land account (1233-2400) by $4M.
Amendment 455 - Cummings School for Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (Peterson, George) Increases the total appropriation for Tufts Veterinary School (7077-0023) by $2M.
Amendment 606 - Education Pothole Account (Ferguson, Kimberly) Adds $5M by creating a new line item (7061-0011) in the Executive Office of Education for the Pothole account.
Amendment 682 - An Amendment Relative to In-State Tuition Fairness (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section requiring that in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education be extended only to citizens or permanent lawful residents of the United States.
Amendment 693 - An Amendment Relative to Target Share Funding (Lyons, James) Changes the language to the Chapter 70 account (7061-0008) to codify the requirement that each city and town receive a minimum of 17.5% of its foundation budget in the form of Chapter 70 state aid. Increases the total appropriation by $88M.
Amendment 698- Providing Reimbursements to Families of Foster and Adopted Children (Fattman, Ryan) Adds $3M to the total budget appropriations by creating a new line item (7066- xxxx) within the Department of Higher Education for the provision of reimbursements to families who were eligible during the fall of 2012 or spring of 2013 due to an “Estimated Financial Contribution” of $10K or more.
Amendment 734 - Special Education Circuit Breaker (Beaton, Matthew) Increases the total appropriation for the Special Education Reimbursement - Circuit Breaker (7061-0012) by $20M.
Amendment 885 - Educational Equipment Grant (Frost, Paul) Adds $20M by creating a new line item (7009-xxxx) in the Executive Office of Education for grants for educational equipment, text books, lab equipment, computers, etc.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Revenue
In case you missed it, today marks the first day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Today’s debate will begin with the consideration of amendments dealing with revenue. Below, you will find the revenue amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Revenue
Amendment 61 - Title 5 Income Tax Credit Reform (Howitt, Steven) Adds a new outside section increasing the maximum income tax credit allowed for the repair or replacement of a septic system from $15K to $25K; increasing the annual tax credit allowances from $1.5K to $4K, and the aggregate from $6K to$10K.
Amendment 198 - An Act Relative to Expanding the Septic System Tax Credit (Barrows, Jay) Adds a new outside section to broaden the septic system tax credit to include expenses for the repair or replacement of all septic systems, not just failed ones, and also increases the time period to allow the aggregate tax credit to be applied from 5 tax years to 10.
Amendment 199 - An Act Relative to Bundled Cell Phone Taxation (Barrows, Jay) Adds a new outside section requiring that sales tax be paid only on the sale price of a cell phone, instead of the current practice of charging sales tax on the amount of the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).
Amendment 269 - Reducing the Income Tax to 5% (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section lowering the income tax to 5%, effective beginning in TY2014.
Amendment 270 - Reducing the Sales Tax to 5% (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section lowering the state sales tax from 6.25% to 5%.
Amendment 274 - Exempting Municipalities from Gas Tax (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section exempting municipalities from paying the gas tax.
Amendment 364 - 5% and 5% in 5 Years (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section to lower both the sales tax and the income tax to 5% over the course of 5 years, beginning in TY2015.
Amendment 376 - Disabled Veteran License Plate Excise and Sales Tax Exemption (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section that would exempt disabled veterans who qualify for the disabled veteran license plate from the excise and sales taxes imposed on vehicles, even if they do not have physical possession of a special disabled veterans' plate. Current law allows exemption from the excise and sales tax only for those disabled veterans with physical possession of such a plate.
Amendment 386 - Striking Delay of FAS 109 Deduction (Jones, Bradley) Strikes Section 55, which delays the implementation of the so-call FAS 109 deduction for business corporations.
Amendment 404 - Sales Tax Holiday (D'Emilia, Angelo) Adds a new outside section creating a sales tax holiday during the weekend of August 10 and 11, 2013.
Amendment 680 - Tax Amnesty (Diehl, Geoff) Adds several new outside sections creating a tax amnesty program for personal income, sales, corporate, cigarette taxes, etc. due to the Commonwealth. One-third of the revenue received from the program, up to $10M, will be dedicated to pay for municipal police training, which has been historically underfunded and has been considered an unfunded mandate of municipalities. Another one-third, capped at $10M, will be dedicated to a fund designed for the purchase of new technology and capital expenses necessary to enforce eligibility and purchase restriction for public benefit programs. Remaining funds will be transferred to the General Fund.
Amendment 688 - An Amendment Relative to Rolling Back the Income Tax (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section lowering the income tax from 5.25% to 5%.
Amendment 690 - Sales Tax Rollback (Lyons, James) Adds several new outside sections decreasing the sales tax from 6.25% to 5%.
Amendment 762 - Meals Tax Holiday (Orrall, Keiko) Adds a new outside section providing for a meals tax holiday for the days of August 11, 2013 through August 15, 2013, inclusive.
Amendment 782 - To More Fairly Determine the Excise Tax for Antique Motor Vehicles (Winslow, Daniel) Adds a new outside section amending the way in which excise tax is calculated for antique motor vehicles to allow for consideration of the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale.
Amendment 831 - An Amendment to Create 56,400 New Jobs for only a $262 Investment Per Job (Hunt, Randy) Adds a new outside section exempting inventory from the personal property tax.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Today’s debate will begin with the consideration of amendments dealing with revenue. Below, you will find the revenue amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Revenue
Amendment 61 - Title 5 Income Tax Credit Reform (Howitt, Steven) Adds a new outside section increasing the maximum income tax credit allowed for the repair or replacement of a septic system from $15K to $25K; increasing the annual tax credit allowances from $1.5K to $4K, and the aggregate from $6K to$10K.
Amendment 198 - An Act Relative to Expanding the Septic System Tax Credit (Barrows, Jay) Adds a new outside section to broaden the septic system tax credit to include expenses for the repair or replacement of all septic systems, not just failed ones, and also increases the time period to allow the aggregate tax credit to be applied from 5 tax years to 10.
Amendment 199 - An Act Relative to Bundled Cell Phone Taxation (Barrows, Jay) Adds a new outside section requiring that sales tax be paid only on the sale price of a cell phone, instead of the current practice of charging sales tax on the amount of the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).
Amendment 269 - Reducing the Income Tax to 5% (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section lowering the income tax to 5%, effective beginning in TY2014.
Amendment 270 - Reducing the Sales Tax to 5% (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section lowering the state sales tax from 6.25% to 5%.
Amendment 274 - Exempting Municipalities from Gas Tax (Lombardo, Marc) Adds a new outside section exempting municipalities from paying the gas tax.
Amendment 364 - 5% and 5% in 5 Years (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section to lower both the sales tax and the income tax to 5% over the course of 5 years, beginning in TY2015.
Amendment 376 - Disabled Veteran License Plate Excise and Sales Tax Exemption (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section that would exempt disabled veterans who qualify for the disabled veteran license plate from the excise and sales taxes imposed on vehicles, even if they do not have physical possession of a special disabled veterans' plate. Current law allows exemption from the excise and sales tax only for those disabled veterans with physical possession of such a plate.
Amendment 386 - Striking Delay of FAS 109 Deduction (Jones, Bradley) Strikes Section 55, which delays the implementation of the so-call FAS 109 deduction for business corporations.
Amendment 404 - Sales Tax Holiday (D'Emilia, Angelo) Adds a new outside section creating a sales tax holiday during the weekend of August 10 and 11, 2013.
Amendment 680 - Tax Amnesty (Diehl, Geoff) Adds several new outside sections creating a tax amnesty program for personal income, sales, corporate, cigarette taxes, etc. due to the Commonwealth. One-third of the revenue received from the program, up to $10M, will be dedicated to pay for municipal police training, which has been historically underfunded and has been considered an unfunded mandate of municipalities. Another one-third, capped at $10M, will be dedicated to a fund designed for the purchase of new technology and capital expenses necessary to enforce eligibility and purchase restriction for public benefit programs. Remaining funds will be transferred to the General Fund.
Amendment 688 - An Amendment Relative to Rolling Back the Income Tax (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section lowering the income tax from 5.25% to 5%.
Amendment 690 - Sales Tax Rollback (Lyons, James) Adds several new outside sections decreasing the sales tax from 6.25% to 5%.
Amendment 762 - Meals Tax Holiday (Orrall, Keiko) Adds a new outside section providing for a meals tax holiday for the days of August 11, 2013 through August 15, 2013, inclusive.
Amendment 782 - To More Fairly Determine the Excise Tax for Antique Motor Vehicles (Winslow, Daniel) Adds a new outside section amending the way in which excise tax is calculated for antique motor vehicles to allow for consideration of the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale.
Amendment 831 - An Amendment to Create 56,400 New Jobs for only a $262 Investment Per Job (Hunt, Randy) Adds a new outside section exempting inventory from the personal property tax.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Boston Strong - How To Help
In the wake of the horrific attacks at finish line of the Boston Marathon, there has been an influx of fundraising campaigns seeking to raise money for the victims of this tragedy. Provided below is a partial list of the numerous groups and organizations accepting donations to deliver funding directly to the affected individuals and their families.
The One Fund Boston, Inc. - Established by Governor Deval Patrick and Mayor Tom Menino, The One Fund Boston seeks to raise money to help the families most affected by the tragic events from Monday’s Boston Marathon.
American Red Cross - By making a donation to your local Red Cross Chapter, the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts will help support the Red Cross response efforts in Boston.
The Salvation Army - The Massachusetts Division of The Salvation Army opened the Boston Emergency Services Fund following the incidents at the Boston Marathon. By making an online donation, the Salvation Army will use the funds to assist those impacted by not only this tragedy, but future emergency situations in Boston.
Boston First Responders Fund - Administered through the Boston Fire Fighters Credit Union, all donations collected through the Boston First Responders Fund will go to the victims of the attack.
Technology Underwriting Greater Good (TUGG) - Validated by the Boston Globe, the fundraising campaign organized by Boston’s technology, investing, and entrepreneurial sectors have organized a campaign on Fundraise.com. The first $100,000 of the funds raised was donated to the One Fund Boston. All future proceeds will continue to be donated completely to programs working with victims of the attacks.
Friday, April 12, 2013
House Republican Caucus Offers Amendments to Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
Led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R- North Reading), the House Republican Caucus has offered comprehensive and targeted amendments to the House Fiscal Year 2014 budget.
Aimed at improving efficiency and accountability in state government, eradicating waste, fraud and abuse within taxpayer-funded programs, and improving public safety, the amendments offered by House Republicans seek to have an immediate and lasting impact within Massachusetts.
“The amendments we have offered represent a very targeted, yet aggressive approach toward this year’s House Fiscal Year 2014 budget,” said Representative Jones. “The Republican Caucus looks forward to engaging our Democratic colleagues in a lively, fact-based debate on ways to improve the manner in which the Commonwealth delivers services while being judicious and prudent in the way that the taxpayers’ hard-earned money is being spent.”
Highlights of the House Republicans’ budget amendments include:
• Lowering of Sales Tax and Income Tax to 5%: Lowers the sales tax from 6.25% to 5% and the income tax from 5.25% to 5% over a five-year period, beginning in tax year 2015;
• Audit of Agency Credit Cards: Mandates an audit of all state agencies that issue credit cards to employees and policies that govern their use;
• Elimination of Paid Counsel for Sex Offenders: Eliminates the statutory right to counsel for sex offender classification hearings, saving the Commonwealth over $1.2 million;
• Comprehensive Electronic Benefits Transfer Abuse Prevention: Seeks to, in part, (1) define appropriate use of cash assistance; (2) establish an online application process for businesses who wish to accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT); (3) prohibits out of state EBT card use – except in states contiguous to Massachusetts; (4) establishes an online payment system for rent and utilities and outlines gradual implementation; (5) requires immediate termination of benefits when recipient’s mail is returned to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) as “undeliverable”; (6) phases in use of UPC-level control for EBT eligible items;
• Study of Highly Paid State Employees: Requires a study to be performed to identify the number of public employees with salaries above $100,000 and a comparison of the job titles or classifications of public employees with salaries about $100,000 and the disparities, if any, between such employees and employees with similar titles or classifications across all branches, offices, departments, agencies and authorities of the Commonwealth;
• Expansive Sex Offender Reform: Makes numerous changes to current sex offender laws by, in part, making Level 1 sex offender information available through request and amending current guidelines to assess the risk of re-offense and degree of dangerousness. The comprehensive amendment would also require that certain enumerated offenses, which indicate a moderate to high risk of re-offense and degree of dangerousness, ensure at least a Level 2 classification;
• Education of Massachusetts Veterans: Provides tuition and fee waivers for veterans and active duty servicepersons who are permanent and legal residents of the Commonwealth, who attend any public institution of higher education, and whose education costs are not entirely covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
The House of Representatives is expected to begin debate of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget on Monday, April 22, 2013.
Aimed at improving efficiency and accountability in state government, eradicating waste, fraud and abuse within taxpayer-funded programs, and improving public safety, the amendments offered by House Republicans seek to have an immediate and lasting impact within Massachusetts.
“The amendments we have offered represent a very targeted, yet aggressive approach toward this year’s House Fiscal Year 2014 budget,” said Representative Jones. “The Republican Caucus looks forward to engaging our Democratic colleagues in a lively, fact-based debate on ways to improve the manner in which the Commonwealth delivers services while being judicious and prudent in the way that the taxpayers’ hard-earned money is being spent.”
Highlights of the House Republicans’ budget amendments include:
• Lowering of Sales Tax and Income Tax to 5%: Lowers the sales tax from 6.25% to 5% and the income tax from 5.25% to 5% over a five-year period, beginning in tax year 2015;
• Audit of Agency Credit Cards: Mandates an audit of all state agencies that issue credit cards to employees and policies that govern their use;
• Elimination of Paid Counsel for Sex Offenders: Eliminates the statutory right to counsel for sex offender classification hearings, saving the Commonwealth over $1.2 million;
• Comprehensive Electronic Benefits Transfer Abuse Prevention: Seeks to, in part, (1) define appropriate use of cash assistance; (2) establish an online application process for businesses who wish to accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT); (3) prohibits out of state EBT card use – except in states contiguous to Massachusetts; (4) establishes an online payment system for rent and utilities and outlines gradual implementation; (5) requires immediate termination of benefits when recipient’s mail is returned to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) as “undeliverable”; (6) phases in use of UPC-level control for EBT eligible items;
• Study of Highly Paid State Employees: Requires a study to be performed to identify the number of public employees with salaries above $100,000 and a comparison of the job titles or classifications of public employees with salaries about $100,000 and the disparities, if any, between such employees and employees with similar titles or classifications across all branches, offices, departments, agencies and authorities of the Commonwealth;
• Expansive Sex Offender Reform: Makes numerous changes to current sex offender laws by, in part, making Level 1 sex offender information available through request and amending current guidelines to assess the risk of re-offense and degree of dangerousness. The comprehensive amendment would also require that certain enumerated offenses, which indicate a moderate to high risk of re-offense and degree of dangerousness, ensure at least a Level 2 classification;
• Education of Massachusetts Veterans: Provides tuition and fee waivers for veterans and active duty servicepersons who are permanent and legal residents of the Commonwealth, who attend any public institution of higher education, and whose education costs are not entirely covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
The House of Representatives is expected to begin debate of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget on Monday, April 22, 2013.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
House Minority Leader Brad Jones: Recently Proposed EBT Reforms Lack Teeth
“I commend the Patrick Administration and Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives for finally heeding the House Republican Caucus’ call for desperately needed reforms of the eligibility process for the Commonwealth’s public assistance programs, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). Unfortunately, the proposals by Beacon Hill Democrats only scratch the surface - lacking teeth and duplicating responsibilities by further increasing state bureaucracy.
In contrast, the House Republican Caucus intends to offer amendments to the Fiscal Year 2014 budget that achieve significant reforms in three key areas: (1) verifying eligibility at the point of application by matching with specific federal and state databases; (2) increasing oversight over the 90-95% of EBT benefits taken out by recipients in cash via an online payment system; and (3) strengthening and increasing the enforcement of existing laws and regulations governing DTA, benefit recipients, and retailers.
By joining the Republican Caucus in our commitment to eradicate waste, fraud, and abuse within state programs, the Legislature and the Patrick Administration can begin to ensure that taxpayer funded welfare benefits are only granted to those who truly need them.”
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
House Minority Leader’s Statement on Senate Republicans’ Transportation Finance Bill
“I commend Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and the Senate Republican Caucus for proposing innovative and creative solutions aimed at addressing the Commonwealth’s transportation finance dilemma – without raising any taxes, fees, or fares.
In their comprehensive proposal, the Senate Republicans delineated a number of targeted proposals that deserve serious dialogue and discussion. By approaching increased revenue without burdening the taxpayers, Senator Tarr and his caucus have illustrated that broad-based tax increases don’t have to be a forgone conclusion.
I look forward to the Senate conducting a lively, fact-based debate on the Senate Republican Caucus’ alternative plan.”
House Minority Leader’s Statement on Release of House Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
“I appreciate the work done by Chairman Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means on the House Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The proposed budget contains some positive aspects - as it attempts to tackle issues of waste, fraud and abuse in state government.
The budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal and takes a targeted approach at reforming aspects of the current paradigm of state government. However, the plan offered today relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
As the budget process begins, the Republican Caucus looks forward to the opportunity to offer targeted amendments which seek to protect Massachusetts’ taxpayers during these unpredictable economic times.”
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
House Republicans Vote Against $500 Million in Tax Increases
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R- North Reading), Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk), ranking Republican on the Joint Committee on Transportation, and Representative Peter Durant (R-Spencer) were joined by the House Republican Caucus in voting against a Democratic-led transportation finance proposal which contained $500 million in tax increases.
“By electing to raise taxes in the Commonwealth, Democrats on Beacon Hill have indicated their willingness to help fund Governor Patrick’s legacy project,” said Representative Jones. “Unfortunately, despite the House Republican Caucus’ proposal of an alternative transportation finance plan – free from any statewide tax increases – the residents of Massachusetts are on the verge of having to pay for the third major tax increase since Governor Patrick was sworn into office.”
House Bill 3382, An Act Relative to Transportation Finance, endorsed by both House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray, contains tax increases which will affect the everyday lives of Massachusetts’ hardworking taxpayers. House Democrats were successful in their plan to increase the state’s gasoline tax and tobacco tax, thereby ignoring the Commonwealth’s residents, many of whom continue to struggle to make ends meet.
The Commonwealth’s small business community will not be immune to the wide-reaching tax proposal passed by Democratic majority. Higher taxes on certain software services and increased tax rate for utility companies will not only stifle our state’s entrepreneurs, but will have a trickle-down effect on residents and ratepayers alike.
“It was disappointing that when the Legislature was presented with the Republican Caucus’ tax-neutral plan, it was arbitrarily discarded in favor of raising taxes,” said Representative Howitt. “By choosing to utilize a tax and spend approach, the plan endorsed by House Democrats will lead to further economic hardships for our state’s individuals and families.”
Continuing their advocacy for Massachusetts’ taxpayers and small businesses, the House Republican Caucus offered a transportation finance proposal which raises the necessary revenue to solve the state’s transportation finance dilemma while refraining from raising any additional revenue.
In addition to offering an alternative plan, the Republican Caucus offered amendments which would, in part, repeal both the Pacheco Law and eliminate pricey Project Labor Agreements. Had they been adopted by the Democratic majority, the Commonwealth stood to save millions of dollars each year – money which would be directed to fund transportation and infrastructure projects around Massachusetts.
“Our constituents truly believe in the ‘reform before revenue’ mantra that focused the last transportation debate. They believe it is more than a meaningful slogan, but a call to fundamentally change the way we operate to ensure that all tax dollars are spent effectively and efficiently,” said Representative Durant. “Unfortunately, several Republican sponsored reforms, intended to build-on and improve the reforms from 2009, were not adopted by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle.”
Having passed the House, the transportation finance package goes before the State Senate for consideration.
“By electing to raise taxes in the Commonwealth, Democrats on Beacon Hill have indicated their willingness to help fund Governor Patrick’s legacy project,” said Representative Jones. “Unfortunately, despite the House Republican Caucus’ proposal of an alternative transportation finance plan – free from any statewide tax increases – the residents of Massachusetts are on the verge of having to pay for the third major tax increase since Governor Patrick was sworn into office.”
House Bill 3382, An Act Relative to Transportation Finance, endorsed by both House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray, contains tax increases which will affect the everyday lives of Massachusetts’ hardworking taxpayers. House Democrats were successful in their plan to increase the state’s gasoline tax and tobacco tax, thereby ignoring the Commonwealth’s residents, many of whom continue to struggle to make ends meet.
The Commonwealth’s small business community will not be immune to the wide-reaching tax proposal passed by Democratic majority. Higher taxes on certain software services and increased tax rate for utility companies will not only stifle our state’s entrepreneurs, but will have a trickle-down effect on residents and ratepayers alike.
“It was disappointing that when the Legislature was presented with the Republican Caucus’ tax-neutral plan, it was arbitrarily discarded in favor of raising taxes,” said Representative Howitt. “By choosing to utilize a tax and spend approach, the plan endorsed by House Democrats will lead to further economic hardships for our state’s individuals and families.”
Continuing their advocacy for Massachusetts’ taxpayers and small businesses, the House Republican Caucus offered a transportation finance proposal which raises the necessary revenue to solve the state’s transportation finance dilemma while refraining from raising any additional revenue.
In addition to offering an alternative plan, the Republican Caucus offered amendments which would, in part, repeal both the Pacheco Law and eliminate pricey Project Labor Agreements. Had they been adopted by the Democratic majority, the Commonwealth stood to save millions of dollars each year – money which would be directed to fund transportation and infrastructure projects around Massachusetts.
“Our constituents truly believe in the ‘reform before revenue’ mantra that focused the last transportation debate. They believe it is more than a meaningful slogan, but a call to fundamentally change the way we operate to ensure that all tax dollars are spent effectively and efficiently,” said Representative Durant. “Unfortunately, several Republican sponsored reforms, intended to build-on and improve the reforms from 2009, were not adopted by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle.”
Having passed the House, the transportation finance package goes before the State Senate for consideration.
House Minority Leader’s Statement on House of Representatives’ Adoption of $500 Million in Tax Increases
“Tonight’s vote to increase taxes in Massachusetts represents an unfortunate turning point for our state’s hardworking taxpayers. By electing to raise taxes in the Commonwealth by $500 million, Democrats on Beacon Hill have indicated their willingness to help fund Governor Patrick’s legacy project.
Unfortunately, despite the House Republican Caucus’ proposal of an alternative transportation finance plan – free from any statewide tax increases – the residents of Massachusetts are on the verge of having to pay for the third major tax increase since Governor Patrick was sworn into office.
While the plan adopted by the House of Representatives might not be as costly as the Governor’s $1.9 billion proposal, neither piece of legislation is fiscally responsible, and both will have detrimental impacts on the Commonwealth’s taxpayers.”
Friday, April 5, 2013
Representative Peter Durant Appears on the FOX-25 Morning News
Yesterday, House Republicans unveiled an alternative transportation finance plan – free from any statewide tax increases. Unlike proposals offered by the Governor and Democratic leadership which rely heavily on tax revenue, the Republican Caucus’ plan will dedicate a portion of new tax revenue growth to be allocated to transportation needs. Additionally, the comprehensive transportation finance package will, in part, repeal both the Pacheco Law and eliminate pricey Project Labor Agreements. In doing so, the Commonwealth is poised to save millions of dollars each year – money which stands to fund transportation and infrastructure projects around Massachusetts.
To view the segment in its entirety, play the video posted below.
http://www.myfoxboston.com" title="Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston">Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston
Thursday, April 4, 2013
House Republicans Propose Transportation Finance Bill
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R- North Reading), Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk), ranking Republican on the Joint Committee on Transportation, and Representative Peter Durant (R-Spencer) are joined by their House Republican colleagues in proposing an alternative transportation finance bill – free from any statewide tax increases.
“The House Republican Caucus has repeatedly stated that transportation is a core government function, and agrees that there is a daunting problem looming before our transportation agencies,” said Representative Jones. “However, through the targeted use of surplus revenue and meaningful cost-saving reforms, the Commonwealth will be able to provide a transportation system that its citizens have come to expect – and deserve.”
The plan, offered by the House Republican Caucus, comes on the heels of transportation finance proposals submitted by Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray as well as Governor Deval Patrick’s plan of close to $2 billion in additional revenue. However, unlike previous proposals which rely heavily on tax revenue, the legislation offered by House Republicans forgoes any attempt to raise taxes on Massachusetts’ residents.
To solve the Commonwealth’s transportation finance dilemma, the House Republicans’ plan will dedicate a portion of new tax revenue growth to be allocated to transportation needs. Additionally, the Republican Caucus’ proposal will create a new budgetary benchmark to maintain the revenue stream.
“This is a well thought out approach which will strike a balance between Massachusetts’ budgetary needs and the needs of the state’s transportation system,” said Representative Howitt. “The House Republicans’ plan provides the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority the necessary financial support without placing a revenue strain on the state’s hardworking taxpayers.”
While the House Republicans appreciate the value of budgetary growth, the Caucus also understands that reforms within the current paradigm of state government are necessary. As such, the comprehensive transportation finance package will, in part, both repeal the Pacheco Law and eliminate pricey Project Labor Agreements. In doing so, the Commonwealth is poised to save millions of dollars each year – money which stands to fund transportation and infrastructure projects around Massachusetts.
“State government desperately needs to take a ‘reform before revenue’ approach when it comes to solving Massachusetts’ transportation deficiencies,” said Representative Durant. “By eliminating archaic government practices, the Commonwealth stands to save millions of dollars, which can in turn be used to improve the state’s transportation system.”
“The House Republican Caucus has repeatedly stated that transportation is a core government function, and agrees that there is a daunting problem looming before our transportation agencies,” said Representative Jones. “However, through the targeted use of surplus revenue and meaningful cost-saving reforms, the Commonwealth will be able to provide a transportation system that its citizens have come to expect – and deserve.”
The plan, offered by the House Republican Caucus, comes on the heels of transportation finance proposals submitted by Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray as well as Governor Deval Patrick’s plan of close to $2 billion in additional revenue. However, unlike previous proposals which rely heavily on tax revenue, the legislation offered by House Republicans forgoes any attempt to raise taxes on Massachusetts’ residents.
To solve the Commonwealth’s transportation finance dilemma, the House Republicans’ plan will dedicate a portion of new tax revenue growth to be allocated to transportation needs. Additionally, the Republican Caucus’ proposal will create a new budgetary benchmark to maintain the revenue stream.
“This is a well thought out approach which will strike a balance between Massachusetts’ budgetary needs and the needs of the state’s transportation system,” said Representative Howitt. “The House Republicans’ plan provides the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority the necessary financial support without placing a revenue strain on the state’s hardworking taxpayers.”
While the House Republicans appreciate the value of budgetary growth, the Caucus also understands that reforms within the current paradigm of state government are necessary. As such, the comprehensive transportation finance package will, in part, both repeal the Pacheco Law and eliminate pricey Project Labor Agreements. In doing so, the Commonwealth is poised to save millions of dollars each year – money which stands to fund transportation and infrastructure projects around Massachusetts.
“State government desperately needs to take a ‘reform before revenue’ approach when it comes to solving Massachusetts’ transportation deficiencies,” said Representative Durant. “By eliminating archaic government practices, the Commonwealth stands to save millions of dollars, which can in turn be used to improve the state’s transportation system.”
House Republicans to Offer Alternative Transportation Finance Plan
House Republican lawmakers, led by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones (R–North Reading), Representative Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk), ranking Republican on the Joint Committee on Transportation, and Representative Peter Durant (R-Spencer) will hold a press conference this afternoon to unveil the House Republican Caucus’ transportation finance plan.
The plan, offered by House Republicans, comes on the heels of transportation finance proposals submitted by Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray as well as Governor Patrick’s plan of close to $2 billion in additional revenue. However, unlike previous proposals which rely heavily on tax revenue, the legislation offered by the Republican Caucus forgoes any attempt to raise taxes on Massachusetts’ residents.
Representatives Jones, Howitt, and Durant will be joined by members of the House Republican Caucus.
The press conference will be held this afternoon (Thursday) at 1:30 p.m. outside of Room 124 in the State House.
The plan, offered by House Republicans, comes on the heels of transportation finance proposals submitted by Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray as well as Governor Patrick’s plan of close to $2 billion in additional revenue. However, unlike previous proposals which rely heavily on tax revenue, the legislation offered by the Republican Caucus forgoes any attempt to raise taxes on Massachusetts’ residents.
Representatives Jones, Howitt, and Durant will be joined by members of the House Republican Caucus.
The press conference will be held this afternoon (Thursday) at 1:30 p.m. outside of Room 124 in the State House.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
House Republicans: Tax Increases Represent Wrong Track
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R- North Reading), Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk), ranking Republican on the Joint Committee on Transportation, and Representative Peter Durant (R-Spencer) issued the following statement in response to the transportation finance proposal offered by Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray:
“While the Speaker and Senate President’s proposal is dramatically smaller than the plan advanced by Governor Patrick, we join our House Republican colleagues in taking issue with the fact that broad-based tax increases are still being proposed as a means to solving the Commonwealth’s transportation financing needs.
By seeking to raise five separate taxes, the Speaker and Senate President have sent a clear indication that they believe they have exhausted all options when it comes to reforming our state’s transportation system. House Republicans don’t believe this to be true – in fact we believe numerous other areas of savings still exist.
Furthermore, with the white smoke having risen from the transportation financing conclave, we reiterate our call for Speaker DeLeo to conduct a public hearing on his proposal. Any piece of legislation that seeks to raise $500 million in new revenue must be put through the rigors of public review.”
“While the Speaker and Senate President’s proposal is dramatically smaller than the plan advanced by Governor Patrick, we join our House Republican colleagues in taking issue with the fact that broad-based tax increases are still being proposed as a means to solving the Commonwealth’s transportation financing needs.
By seeking to raise five separate taxes, the Speaker and Senate President have sent a clear indication that they believe they have exhausted all options when it comes to reforming our state’s transportation system. House Republicans don’t believe this to be true – in fact we believe numerous other areas of savings still exist.
Furthermore, with the white smoke having risen from the transportation financing conclave, we reiterate our call for Speaker DeLeo to conduct a public hearing on his proposal. Any piece of legislation that seeks to raise $500 million in new revenue must be put through the rigors of public review.”
Special Elections – 12th Essex and 28th Middlesex Districts
In the race for the 12th Essex District, Republican Leah Cole is facing off against Democrat Beverley Griffin Dunne and Independent Dave Gravel for the seat left vacant when Representative Joyce Spelliotis passed away late last year.
The other special election contest being held today is in the 28th Middlesex District for the seat vacated by Stephen “Stat” Smith. The race for this seat finds Democrat Wayne Matewsky facing off against Independent candidates Dennis Gianatassio and Rosa DiFlorio. Rounding out the field is write-in candidate John Hanlon.
To find out where you vote, please click here.
Monday, April 1, 2013
What They’re Saying: “Call For More Hearings On Transportation Is A Move In Right Direction”
In case you missed it, last week House Minority Leader Brad Jones was joined by his colleagues on the Joint Committee on Transportation, Representative Steven Howitt and Peter Durant, in calling on Speaker Robert A. DeLeo to conduct a public hearing on his soon-to-be-released transportation financing bill.
Unfortunately House Democrats nixed the idea of a public hearing on their plan saying, in part, “As these matters continue though the legislative process, they will continue to benefit from open discussion and debate in both the House and Senate."
However, this past weekend various media outlets around the state weighed in on this topic. The resounding consensus – a public hearing on the Speaker’s transportation plan should be held.
Boston Herald: “But the fact that Democratic leaders in the House are dismissing calls for a public airing of their tax-and-transportation plan — the one they’ll draft behind closed doors — is another sad statement about the way business is conducted on Beacon Hill.” (Boston Herald Editorial - “Hearing On Tax Hikes,” The Boston Herald, March 31, 2013)
Taunton Daily Gazette: “Partisan political polling is not a proper substitute for legislative hearings.” (Taunton Daily Gazette Editorial – “Our View: Hunting For Answers From Beacon Hill,” Taunton Daily Gazette, March 30, 2013)
Commonwealth Magazine: “One man’s transparency fantasy land is another man’s daymare. Holding public hearings on the Speaker’s transportation finance plan is politically dangerous for Beacon Hill leaders.” (Commonwealth Magazine – “Transportation Transparency Fantasy Land,” Commonwealth Magazine, March 29, 2013)
Unfortunately House Democrats nixed the idea of a public hearing on their plan saying, in part, “As these matters continue though the legislative process, they will continue to benefit from open discussion and debate in both the House and Senate."
However, this past weekend various media outlets around the state weighed in on this topic. The resounding consensus – a public hearing on the Speaker’s transportation plan should be held.
Boston Herald: “But the fact that Democratic leaders in the House are dismissing calls for a public airing of their tax-and-transportation plan — the one they’ll draft behind closed doors — is another sad statement about the way business is conducted on Beacon Hill.” (Boston Herald Editorial - “Hearing On Tax Hikes,” The Boston Herald, March 31, 2013)
Taunton Daily Gazette: “Partisan political polling is not a proper substitute for legislative hearings.” (Taunton Daily Gazette Editorial – “Our View: Hunting For Answers From Beacon Hill,” Taunton Daily Gazette, March 30, 2013)
Commonwealth Magazine: “One man’s transparency fantasy land is another man’s daymare. Holding public hearings on the Speaker’s transportation finance plan is politically dangerous for Beacon Hill leaders.” (Commonwealth Magazine – “Transportation Transparency Fantasy Land,” Commonwealth Magazine, March 29, 2013)
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