What's happening in state government in the coming week of September 13
Wolf, Whelan making waves
ARTICLE | POLITICS | SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 06:00 AM | BY STATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
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Members of the Massachusetts Senate return to Beacon Hill next week for the second and shortest of three stretches of formal sessions during the 2015-2016 General Court. The House doesn't have a formal session planned next week but representatives will be back on the Hill for a slew of public hearings on issues such as regulation of ride-sharing services, access to early education, expungement of criminal records of juveniles, free community college, trafficking of fentanyl, and a mandate for police to file reports on use of force.
Gov. Charlie Baker and legislative leaders focused nearly exclusively over the first seven months of formals on state budget issues, a perennial concern, and efforts to improve operations at the MBTA. The rest of the legislative agenda awaits, and the coming stretch of formal sessions - the branches have kept to a schedule of one per week - will run until Nov. 18 before lawmakers take another breather that will run into January. Legislative leaders keep specific agenda items relatively secret, but action is expected soon on a budget bill to wrap up fiscal 2015, which could have an impact on how much UMass students pay in tuition. Lawmakers are actively considering changes to energy policies, a title-clearing bill for foreclosed properties, public records access issues, and policies to address growing rates of addiction to opioids and heroin. Senators this week outlined an opioid bill that they've been working on for months and which could emerge for a floor vote in the next few weeks. It would also not be surprising to see movement soon on a transgender rights bill given growing levels of support and lobbying on behalf of that legislation. Here's a look at storylines that will drive next week and a detailed breakdown of government events and meetings in the days ahead:
-- Democratic Party leaders including many from within the ranks of the party that has long controlled the Legislature are gearing up for a trip to Springfield late next week. The party plans to hold its non-election year convention on Saturday, Sept. 19.
-- Companies like Uber and Lyft are gobbling up an increasing share of the ride industry, using innovation to cut into a business long dominated by taxis. The trend has spurred calls for regulation of the new companies, which customers say are more convenient than cabs. The Financial Services Committee on Tuesday holds a hearing on ride industry bills, including one filed by Gov. Charlie Baker.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12, 2015
TSONGAS RIVER DAY TO FEATURE U.S. INTERIOR SECRETARY: Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas will be joined by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell for the 9th annual River Day, a celebration of the rivers that connect Tsongas's district. The daylong event will begin with Tsongas and Jewell paddling on the Concord River before meeting with a group of 4th grade students from Lawrence. Each child will receive a pass granting them free year-long access to all public land and water across the country as part of the Obama administration's "Every Kid in a Park" initiative. Tsongas and Jewell will then head to Lowell National Historic Park for a boat tour of the Mill City's river and canal system. Tsongas is the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee, which oversees national parks and forests. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord, 12:30 p.m., Lower Locks outside Middlesex Community College's Cowan Center, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell)
PRESSLEY DOUBLE DUTCH EVENT: Keying off a popular jump rope game, At-Large Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley will join a large range of community organizations and law enforcement for her second annual Jump Into Peace Double Dutch Community Event. "Why double dutch? Our children are forced to grow up so quickly today. I thought back to a time when as a girl I felt free and safe, and it was when I could jump double Dutch on my block without any fear, laughing and moving rhythmically with my girlfriends," Pressley said in a statement. "I want the girls of 2015 to know the same peace and sisterhood - they deserve it." Aimed at encouraging girls to help foster peace in city neighborhoods, the free event will include food, music and double Dutch lessons. (Saturday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Malcolm X Park Tennis Courts, Roxbury)
ROSENBERG MARCHES IN ROYALSTON: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Royalston by marching in the Royalston 250th Celebration Parade. (Saturday, 11:45 a.m., North Fitzwilliam Road, Royalston)
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS OPENING: Suffolk University marks the official opening of its new athletic facility at East Boston Memorial Park, established in a partnership with the city of Boston. Suffolk baseball, softball and soccer teams will train and play home games at the park, sharing the facilities with East Boston High School and the East Boston community. Attendees include Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, East Boston High School Headmaster Phillip Brangiforte, and Suffolk President Margaret McKenna, Senior Vice President John Nucci and Athletic Director Cary McConnell. A Suffolk Rams soccer doubleheader will follow the opening ceremony. The women's team takes on Lasell College at 1:45 p.m., and the men play Mount Ida College at 4:30 p.m. (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., 143 Porter St., East Boston)
CONAN AT JFK LIBRARY: The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's New Frontier Network hosts its inaugural fundraiser, featuring honorary chairman Conan O'Brien. The late-night host and Brookline native will hold a discussion with MSNBC political correspondent Kasie Hunt, ABC News political director Rick Klein and Alexis Wilkinson, a staff writer for the HBO show "Veep" and former president of the Harvard Lampoon. The event will include a reception, dinner with musical entrtainment provided by Berklee College of Music graduates, a program on "presidential wit and humor" and a VIP post-reception for eligible ticket buyers. Tickets are $100 to $200 for members, $150 to $250 for non-members and $2,500 for a table of eight. New Foundation Network funds support the programs at the JFK Library. (Saturday, 6 p.m., JFK Library, Columbia Point, Boston)
WEST ROXBURY FIELD UPGRADE: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh will announce improvements made to the West Roxbury Education Complex, Raiders Field. The project, which cost $18.2 million, covers 14 acres in addition to the existing recreational amenities located at Millennium Park. Expected in attendance are Chief of Streets Chris Osgood, Chief of Civic Engagement Jerome Smith, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space Austin Blackmon, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang, Public Works Commissioner Michael Dennehy and Boston Parks Commissioner Christopher Cook. (Saturday, 11 a.m., West Roxbury Education Complex, 1205 Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway, West Roxbury)
MERRIMACK VALLEY PREVENTION FORUM: The Merrimack Valley Prevention & Substance Abuse Project hosts a community forum to raise awareness of the growing heroin and opioid abuse and overdose crisis and promote recovery efforts. Panelists include Rep. Diana DiZoglio, Danielle Murray of the Lawrence Drug Court, Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon, Jim Kane of Serenity at Summit New England in Haverhill, Jennifer Burns of Peer Recovery Center and Eagle Tribune managing editor Tracey Rauh. (Saturday, 11 a.m., 77 Lowell St., Methuen)
OPIATES AND SCHOOLS: Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, a Leominster Democrat who has pushed legislation to divert youth from drugs and ease access to overdose-reversal medication, will attend a opiate workshop with Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. "Are your Students at Risk?" asks an advisory for the discussion. The event will be moderated by Ellen Holmes, who is chair for the central Massachusetts division of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Easton Public Schools Nursing Team will also be in attendance. A committee chaired by Flanagan on Thursday recommended screening middle and high school students for drug use and other dangerous behavior, among a slew of proposals included in proposed legislation. (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Worcester Technical High School)
SIGNATURE DRIVE FOR MILLIONAIRE'S TAX: Raise Up Massachusetts plans to launch a signature drive Saturday with the goal of advancing a constitutional amendment placing an additional 4 percent tax on incomes above $1 million to pay for public transportation and education investments. The organization plans signature-gathering efforts in Worcester, Lynn, Fall River, New Bedford, Brockton and Brookline. Supporters hope to place the amendment on the 2018 ballot but first need to collect signatures and secure two favorable legislative votes, one this session and one in the 2017-2018 session. Those votes would occur at a Constitutional Convention where the presiding officer, new Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, has been a longtime supporter of a graduated income tax. The next convention is scheduled for Oct. 21. Citizen-sponsored constitutional amendments need only 50 or more votes during conventions to be advanced.
DUTCHMEN VS. COLONIALS: When the Union College Dutchmen line up against the Western Connecticut State University Colonials, Gov. Charlie Baker will be in the audience cheering on the team from New York. The governor's youngest son A.J. is a senior wide receiver and co-captain of the Union football team. At 6 feet tall, 192 pounds, A.J. led the Dutchmen with eight catches and 81 receiving yards in Union's season opening loss last weekend to Ithaca. (Saturday, 6 p.m. Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, Conn.)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 13, 2015
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY ON OTR: Janet Wu and Ed Harding welcome Congressman Joe Kennedy III as an On The Record guest. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CANNABIS CONVENTION - DAY TWO: The New England Cannabis Network (NECANN) will hold its second day of the Boston Medical Marijuana Industry Convention. The weekend-long event will feature opportunities to network with vendors, talk with doctors and health care providers as well as wholesale and retail suppliers of lighting, soil and growing equipment, according to NECANN. Medical marijuana panels, workshops, and lectures are also apart of the event's program. No smoking or vaping is allowed at event. Must be 18+ to enter. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Castle at Park Plaza, Boston)
MONDAY, SEPT. 14, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches start the week with informal sessions Monday at 11 a.m.
Barnstable gets easement relief
SENATE BONDING COMMITTEE: The Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets holds a public hearing on two land bills - S 1631 designating certain lands in the town of Adams for conservation and public recreational purposes, and S 1990 authorizing the Commonwealth to grant an easement to the town of Barnstable and the town of Barnstable to grant or assign several conservation restrictions to the Commonwealth. Full agenda:https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2230&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Room 222)
KENNEDY TOURS CPS: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III will tour the Norton-based CPS Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of advanced materials, according to the congressman's office. (Monday, 11 a.m., CPS Technologies, Inc., 111 South Worcester St., Norton)
KENNEDY VISITS SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITY: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III will visit North Cottage Program, a residential facility for substance abuse treatment, to discuss drug and alcohol abuse treatment. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 69 East Main St., Norton)
ADAMS PARK ANNOUNCEMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito make a "capital announcement" about Adams Park. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Adams Green, Hancock and Washington Streets, Quincy)
ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III will host a discussion and workshop with specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant for fire chiefs and fire service professionals. (Monday, 10 a.m., Stonehill College, Ames Sports Complex, Room 120, 320 Washington St., North Easton)
MILITARY ACADEMY INFO SESSION: Rep. Seth Moulton invites students to attend a military academy informational session at North Shore Community College. Interested students can meet with representatives from the Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Air Force Academy, and West Point. There will also be a question and answer session with the representatives and other students. All of the academies except for the Coast Guard Academy require a congressional nomination. (Monday, 7 p.m., Lecture Hall DM 119, Math & Science Building, North Shore Community College)
MBTA CONTROL BOARD: The MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board will review aspects of the 60-day report due to the Legislature and the administration by Sept. 22, meet in executive session on security and real estate, and then re-emerge from the closed-door session to vote on an amendment to the lease between the T and Equity Office Partners for management of the South Station Concourse. (Monday, 11 a.m., MassDOT Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830, Boston)
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2015
PRESCHOOL EXPANSION GRANT: Gov. Charlie Baker visits an elementary school in Holyoke to make an announcement about a preschool expansion grant. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Sullivan Elementary School, 400 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke)
GUV'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker will make an announcement about affordable housing. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 4 Hampden St., Holyoke)
DESIGNER SELECTION PANEL: The Massachusetts School Building Authority's Designer Selection Panel meets to interview architect finalists for the James F. Peebles Elementary School in Bourne and to discuss a consultant for the Sylvester Elementary School in Hanover. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 40 Broad St., 2nd floor, Boston)
CONGRESSMAN MOULTON ON GREATER BOSTON: Congressman Seth Moulton is scheduled to appear on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch.2)
COMMUNITY HARVEST: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visit Community Harvest, a volunteer-based farming non-profit that grows fruits and vegetables in an effort to address hunger in the state. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 27 Wheeler Road, North Grafton)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a hearing on 27 bills related to lotteries, secondary metals, flea markets, and alcohol licenses. A Sen. Jennifer Flanagan's bill (S 151) seeks to establish and regulate an online lottery. Other acts would prohibit the sale of lottery tickets by credit card (S 160) and require encouragement of recycling lottery tickets (H 129). Rep. Colleen Garry's bill (H 191) would prohibit the sale of food for children under two, drugs and cosmetics, and any product with an expiration date at flea markets. Also under consideration are four bills related to alcohol licenses and regulations in Northampton, Somerville, Norwood and Milton. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2197&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1)
BOARD OF RESPIRATORY CARE: The Board of Respiratory Care's agenda includes discussion on a memo about license status codes and a debate on a draft probation policy and a draft Valor Act policy. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 239 Causeway St., Room 417, Boston)
FIRE SERVICE COMMISSION: The Massachusetts Fire Service Commission is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Department of Fire Services, State Road, Stow)
WORKFORCE TRAINING BOARD: Richard Lord of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts will host a meeting of the Workforce Training Fund Advisory Board. Lord is a member of the board. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., One Beacon St., 16th floor, Boston)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: As more travelers choose between taxi cabs and new ride-share services, the Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing regarding Transportation Network Companies (TNC's), such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar. Gov. Baker's bill (H 3351) empowers the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to provide comprehensive regulation of TNC's. It would require background checks and adequate insurance for drivers, along with the creation of an advisory counsel to the DPU. Rep. Michael Moran and Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry's bill (H 3702), an act relative to passenger safety, provides regulations on permitting, background checks, drug testing, fines, and passenger nondiscrimination. The hearing will also include Sen. James Timilty's act relative to TNC insurance (S 559) and Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli's act relative to TNC services (H 931). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2218&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)
BOSTON'S PROPOSED ALCOHOL TAX: Boston City Council President Bill Linehan, City Councilor Frank Baker and Hope House President and CEO Fred Newton hold a news conference to discuss an addiction crisis facing the city and a proposed 2 percent tax on alcohol, which the councilors believe would help mitigate the problem. Money raised by the tax would go directly towards prevention, intervention, and recovery services for residents in the City of Boston, according to Linehan's office. The event will feature a screening of the video "20 Cents Makes Sense," which supports the tax. Boston voted overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the state alcohol tax in 2010, when a repeal ballot question passed with about 49 percent of the vote. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Hope House, 8 Farnham St., Dorchester)
GATEWAY CITIES CAUCUS DISCUSSES WAGES, TAXES: A $15 minimum wage and the "fair share amendment" -- which would increase the income tax rate for people earning over a million dollars by 4 percent on their income over one million dollars -- will be discussed by the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus. The meeting will feature speakers from the Raise Up Massachusetts Coalition, SEIU Executive Director Harris Gruman and MassBudget President Noah Berger. The guests will speak with legislators about effects the $15 minimum wage and millionaire's tax would have on working families in the state's so-called Gateway Cities. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 350)
Wolf's sustainable communities bill has more than 50 cosponsors
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses holds a legislative hearing for four zoning bills. The bills are an act to safeguard municipal permitting (S 118), establishing senior citizen safety zones (S 120), Sen. Pacheco's bill to promote livable communities and zoning reform act (S 116) and promoting the planning and development of sustainable communities (S 122). The sustainable communities bill has more than 50 cosponsors and is sponsored by Sen. Dan Wolf and Rep. Stephen Kulik. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2183&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Room B-1)
ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture holds a hearing with 16 bills on the agenda. Rep. Paul Schmid III has sponsored four bills, on protecting the viability of farms (H 748), buffer zones on land under the agricultural restriction program (H 749), loans for failed septic systems (H 750), and nitrogen sensitive areas (H 751). Rep. Stephen Kulik has 25 cosponsors for his act to strengthen the Massachusetts agricultural infrastructure relative to meat and poultry production and processing (H 711). Other bills call for a task force to preserve and strengthen the state's cranberry industry (H 764) and encourage SNAP purchases at local farmers markets (H 3419). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2220&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Westport Grange, 931 Main Road, Westport)
ASK THE AG: Attorney General Maura Healey is scheduled to be on Boston Public Radio for the monthly "Ask the AG" segment with co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. (Tuesday, 12:30, WGBH-FM, 89.7)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies holds a hearing on bills affecting "gateway cities" and regional development. According to the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth, gateway cities are "midsize urban centers that anchor regional economies around the state" but have struggled because of the disappearance of manufacturing jobs. Five of the 11 bills seek to change the definition of a Gateway Municipality. Other bills seek to establish an Office of Rural Policy within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (H 295) and an underutilized building repair fund (H 300). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2226&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, 110 Canal St., Lowell)
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Service holds a hearing on bills related to group classification. Rep. Tackey Chan has sponsored eight bills regarding classifications in the retirement system and one about attorneys at the Department of Children and Families. Other bills concern the retirement rights and classifications of criminal prosecutors, nuclear reactor operators, nurses, police dispatchers, Massachusetts Housing Authority electricians, and employees of the Department of Youth Services, Department of Correction, and Parole Board. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2227&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1)
FRESH AIR FOR PATIENTS REGS: Concerned that the Department of Mental Health is set to scale back the rights of patients confined in facilities to access fresh air, mental health advocates plan to "blast" proposed regulations, according to the Disability Policy Consortium. The consortium said the regulations are "much less protective of the right to go outside than their own policy," which states fresh air is beneficial, and said the department "goes out of its way to suggest many ways for hospitals to deny their patients access to fresh air, access to which convicted felons in prisons are entitled." Backed by Somerville Democrats Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Rep. Denise Provost the 2014 fresh air law requires "reasonable daily access to the outdoors, as weather conditions reasonably permit, at inpatient facilities in a manner consistent with the person's clinical condition and safety as determined by the treating clinician and with the ability of the facility to safely provide access." Sen. Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican, sponsored amendments to the legislation allowing weather to be taken into consideration and charging the department with developing regulations that "ensure the safety of staff members charged with accompanying patients outdoors." The proposed rule changes would allow "across the board denials of fresh air" to a swath of patients, permit hospitals to deny fresh air to patients deemed "security risks," allow facilities to blame structural limitations to deny outdoor access completely and allow for denial of outdoor time when programming is ongoing, according to the consortium. The group credits Jonathan Dosick with championing fresh air legislation for a decade before it passed. "The Department of Mental Health strongly believes all patients have the right to fresh air," the department said in a statement. "However, the law requires other factors, including the patients clinical condition and safety concern, be taken into consideration. The proposed regulations were developed in consultation with stakeholders representing consumer advocates as well as providers. DMH welcomes public comment into its proposed regulations at the public hearing." (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Department of Mental Health Legal Office, 25 Staniford Street, Plaza West, Boston)
PRELIMINARY ELECTIONS IN EVERETT: The city of Everett will hold a preliminary election. (Tuesday)
CLEAN ENERGY CENTER: The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Board of Directors meets. Full agenda: http://www.masscec.com/events/masscec-board-directors-meeting-9 .... (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 63 Franklin St., Third Floor, Boston)
RAYTHEON CEO AT BIZ ROUNDTABLE: Raytheon Chairman & CEO Thomas Kennedy is the featured guest at a Massachusetts Business Roundtable breakfast. The event is for roundtable members and representatives of member companies. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m., Four Seasons Boston)
EVENING RECEPTION HONORING POLITO: The Massachusetts Republican Party will host an evening reception honoring Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at the Worcester Country Club. Gov. Charlie Baker will attend, according to the state party website. According to the invitation, an attendee must contribute or raise $5,000 to attend the co-chair reception. Tickets for the main reception range from $100 to $1,000. Donations will go to the Polito Committee. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Worcester Country Club, 2 Rice Street, Worcester)
CARVER COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Carver Board of Selectmen Chair Ronald Clarke sign a community compact. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 108 Main St., Carver)
HALIFAX COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Halifax Board of Selectmen Chair John DeLano sign a community compact. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Halifax Town Hall, 499 Plymouth St., Halifax)
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16, 2015
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL MEETING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a meeting of the Governor's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 360, State House)
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS VISIT WORCESTER: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will join Congressional Medal of Honor recipients for a visit to Worcester Technical High School. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Worcester Technical High School, 1 Skyline Dr., Worcester)
Timothy Whelan would criminalize the trafficking of fentanyl
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on 93 bills related to criminal procedure. Sen. Karen Spilka and Rep. Kay Khan have each filed bills (S 900, H 1433) that would allow the expungement of criminal records of juveniles. Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Claire Cronin (S 810, H 1248) have similar bills which would also expunge the records of those who have been falsely accused. Bills from Rep. John Fernandes and Attorney General Maura Healey (H 3755) and Reps. Timothy Whelan and Paul Tucker (H 3756) would criminalize the trafficking of fentanyl. A Rep. Mary Keefe and Sen. Patricia Jehlen bill (H 1428) would require police departments to file annual use-of-force reports with the state, for analysis and public posting and give the attorney general "control and responsibility" over all proceedings concerning officer-involved deaths. The bill also mandates an inquest into all officer-involved deaths and spells out additional requirements for a medical examiner and district attorney. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2232&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2)
NEW HAVEN-QUEBEC RAIL: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Vermont Agency of Transportation will release a study on the potential to expand passenger rail service to serve large and small communities along a 470-mile corridor across New England, Quebec, and New York. "After examining needs in the region and possible service options, the study team developed a cost-effective plan for increasing services along the corridor to meet passenger demand over the next 20 years," MassDOT said in announcing three meetings in Massachusetts and Vermont. The service improvement could include one round-trip train between Montreal and New Haven, one round-trip train between Boston and New Haven via Springfield, running local service with "speed improvements" up to 79 miles per hour. The state recently reopened a train station in Holyoke, and New Haven is located on Amtrak's busy corridor between Boston and Washington D.C. The first meeting is in Boston. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Massachusetts Department of Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Conference Room 1, second floor, Boston)
UMASS BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Members of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees will meet. Scheduled public speakers at the meeting include Marlene Kim, Faculty Staff Union President, and Professor, Department of Economics, UMass Boston; Tom Goodkind, President, Professional Staff Union, UMass Boston; and Allen Davis, UMASS Alumni Divestment Committee. The agenda also includes authorization to submit the university's fiscal 2017 budget request, amendments to the capital plan, and a matter described as "Department of Defense, Exclusion from Personnel Clearance Requirements." Full agenda: https://www.umassp.edu/sites/umassp.edu/files/content/9-16-15%20BoT%20notice%20and%20agenda9.4.15.pdf (Wednesday, 9 a.m., UMass Boston, Ballroom C,Campus Center, 3rd Floor, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston)
PRE-K RALLY: Parents and advocates belonging to the Pre-K for MA Coalition will rally in support of legislation to expand access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, before a hearing of the Joint Committee on Education. Bills from Education Committee Chair Rep. Alice Peisch (H 462) and Sen. Sal DiDomenico (S 267) would establish an early education grant program that the coalition says would ensure 3- and 4-year old children in underperforming school districts would receive high quality pre-K programs. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Gardner Auditorium, State House)
TECH LEADERS RECOGNIZED: The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council will present its Distinguished Leadership Award to Shawn Szturma and Charlie LaFauci at its annual Technology Leadership Awards Gala. Szturma is a Somerville parent who connected with LaFauci, Somerville Public Schools' media services head, to give the city's students tech skills. They helped bring the national Hour of Code to Somerville, involving more than 150 volunteers and 4,600 students. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Seaport World Trade Center)
ROSENBERG AT AIM CELEBRATION: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will address the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Centennial Regional Celebration, held to mark 100 years of AIM's work in the Bay State. The event will feature a cocktail reception, networking and regionally-focused awards. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester)
WOMEN IN VENTURE CAPITAL: The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts a Women's Network panel focused on women in venture capital. Jodi Goldstein of the Harvard Innovation Lab will talk with panelists Payal Agrawal Divakaran of .406 Ventures, Maia Heymann of CommonAngels Ventures and Rudina Seseri of Fairhaven Capital. (Wednesday, 8:10 a.m., InterContinental Boston)
EARLY EDUCATION DISCUSSION: Tom Weber, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, will join The Alliance for Business Leadership for a bring-your-own-lunch discussion on early education in the Commonwealth. Soft drinks and dessert will be provided. Register: http://www.allianceforbusinessleadership.org/?page_id=2071#!event/2015/9/16/abl-think-tank-brown-bag-lunch-early-education (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 3 Post Office Square, 8th floor, Boston)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE - WORCESTER: The Worcester Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance is scheduled to meet to discuss the fiscal 2016 state budget and to hear from an unnamed guest speaker. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Department of Revenue - Child Support Office, 67 Millbrook St., Worcester)
BAKER, WALSH AT BREAKFAST: Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh attend the first Massachusetts POLITICO Playbook Breakfast. Playbook founder and POLITICO's chief White House Correspondent Mike Allen and Massachusetts Playbook author Lauren Dezenski will moderate the conversation. Food and drink will be provided. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 100 Federal Street Auditorium, Boston)
POLLACK AT HARVARD: Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack will talk about her efforts to improve the MBTA, which have so far included efforts to more accurately gauge system needs, winterizing the system to improve performance, testing the water on privatizing some bus routes, scaling down late-night service, committing to spending $3 billion in a year on capital needs, and seeking to cut costs at the Green Line Extension. The talk is being held by Harvard Kennedy School's Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston whose executive director, Steve Poftak, is also a member of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board. The talk is cosponsored by the Taubman Center for State and Local Government. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Weil Town Hall, 1st floor Belfer Building, Corner of JFK and Eliot Streets, Cambridge)
BAKER, WALSH ON RADIO TOGETHER: Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh join Dan Rea for NightSide on WBZ Radio. Mayor Walsh is on NightSide for an hour every month, and Gov. Baker joined Rea and Walsh once before, in February. (Wednesday, 8 p.m.)
MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY: Gov. Charlie Baker will attend the Congressional Medal of Honor Society President's welcome breakfast. The Medal of Honor Society will be holding its 2015 Annual Convention in Boston from September 15-19. The Medal of Honor Society consists of the living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The society exists to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal of Honor, to maintain a bond of brotherhood among living recipients, and to promote patriotism and the principles on which our nation was founded. Approximately 54 recipients will be attending the convention including the three living recipients from Massachusetts. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Seaport Hotel, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston)
BAKER WELCOMES MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY CONVENTION: Gov. Baker, Lt. Gov. Polito, and Secretary of Veterans Services Francisco Ureña host the Medal of Honor Society for the "Official Massachusetts Welcome." The Medal of Honor Society will be holding its 2015 Annual Convention in Boston from September 15-19. The Medal of Honor Society consists of the living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The society exists to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal of Honor, to maintain a bond of brotherhood among living recipients, and to promote patriotism and the principles on which our nation was founded. Approximately 54 recipients will be attending the convention including the three living recipients from Massachusetts: Thomas Hudner, Thomas Kelley and Ryan Pitts. The event will feature remarks by Gov. Baker, Speaker DeLeo, and Senate President Rosenberg, and will be followed by an informal reception in the Great Hall. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Memorial Hall, State House)
AUTOMOBILE REINSURERS - LOTS OF COMMITTEES: The Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers Governing Committee will meet to hear a report from the president, outside counsel, the audit committee, the ad hoc relocation subcommittee, the loss reserving committee, the ad hoc contracting and recusal procedures committee, the actuarial committee, the operations committee and the budget committee. The governing committee, which is chaired by John Olivieri Jr., of J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency, is also set to go into executive session. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 225 Franklin St., Boston)
ROSENBERG WITH WORCESTER CHAMBER: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will be the featured speaker at a meeting of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce's President's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Worcester Chamber of Commerce conference room, 446 Main St. #10, Worcester)
MASS. LIFE SCIENCES BOARD: The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, which is without a permanent chief executive, wil