What's ahead in state government this week
Visit to YMCA in West Barnstable ; MASC/MASS joint conference in Hyannis
ARTICLE | POLITICS | OCTOBER 31, 2015 06:00 AM | BY STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
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In addition to producing a senator-elect, the week ahead may lead to a potential new wave of special legislative elections and will bring recommendations for K-12 public education financing and a major new effort to get residents signed up for health insurance. Meantime, the Legislature limps into November, with just over two weeks before their next extended recess, without much to show as far as accomplishments this fall. Lawmakers have talked about the need to address opioid addiction, transgender rights, energy solutions, transportation services regulation, and public records reform but made little progress, and it appears completed laws on some if not all of those topics may have to wait until 2016. Aside from work on those major issues, House members have also been reluctant to take up many of the bills, including those concerning local affairs, that have won committee approvals and made it onto the session calendar. While the Senate regularly takes up each bill on its calendar, the House routinely skips past scores of bills that are ready for consideration by that body.
The major bills that have made it through the chambers and won Gov. Charlie Baker's signature this session have primarily dealt with transportation reform and the state budget, including a budget rebalancing bill and a bill spending surplus funds and shoring up fiscal 2015 accounts that were underfunded. The House and Senate have until Nov. 18 to see if they can rally momentum behind any other major proposals, mindful that bills carry over in their current position from the first to second year of the session, which starts in January and features formal sessions through July. The Senate has approved a bill aimed at preventing opioid abuse and attached a solar power bill to climate change adaptation legislation. The House this week floated ideas for its own solar energy bill, which differs significantly from the Senate-approved proposal.
Other storylines for the week ahead:
-- SENATE SPECIAL - MUNI ELECTION DOMINOES? | Voters will choose a successor to the late Sen. Thomas Kennedy of Brockton on Tuesday, a special election featuring a pair of state representatives, Democrat Michael Brady of Brockton and Republican Geoff Diehl of Whitman. Municipal elections, largely races for mayor and city council, are also scheduled in 53 communities. Several lawmakers seeking to become mayors appear poised to punch their ticket off Beacon Hill, which in turn would launch another wave of special elections in 2016.
-- K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS | The Legislature since 1993 has largely taken a hands-off approach to the K-12 education funding formula. While many lawmakers have problems with the status quo, few are able to explain the formula and efforts to address problems within it have fallen flat over the years. On Monday, a commission formed last year to evaluate the adequacy of school funding in Massachusetts plans to make recommendations. The real question here is whether Baker and legislative leaders will choose to become forceful advocates for any of the proposed solutions.
-- SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET DEADLINE | Comptroller Thomas Shack has warned that unless a final fiscal 2015 supplemental budget is signed by Monday, the funds lawmakers plan to spend in that bill will instead be swept into the state's rainy day fund. Hoping to avert that, the House and Senate on Wednesday whisked a bill to Gov. Baker. "We are still reviewing the supplemental budget. We expect to take final action early next week," Administration and Finance spokesman Dominick Ianno said in a statement. The bill allocates $328 million for a variety of programs and departments, the largest portion of which - $203 million - will go to MassHealth to account for increased caseloads connected with the technology failures that required thousands of residents to be temporarily enrolled in Medicaid coverage. The budget bill (H 3829) also socks away $120 million into the state's "rainy day" savings account and puts $113 million toward paying down debt in the current year, sums House and Senate leaders did not count toward the bottom line. Both items push the overall value of the bill, before federal reimbursements, to $561 million. According to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, more than 95 percent ($314.7 million) of the new spending in the supplemental budget was proposed in the original version of the bill filed by Gov. Baker in July. "The fiscal restraint regarding new discretionary spending is important for two reasons," the taxpayers foundation wrote in a bulletin on Friday. "First, it enables lawmakers to replenish state reserves. Just as importantly, it does not add to the existing budget deficit by including new discretionary spending with future budget implications."
-- HEALTH INSURANCE - LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN | Computer problems in recent years mucked up the annual health insurance open enrollment process, frustrating customers and costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. On Sunday, the Health Connector opens up a three-month open enrollment period designed to help pull the uninsured onto plans and give those with insurance a change to make changes. It's the first open enrollment effort under Gov. Charlie Baker's administration. While officials have touted preparations they believe will have them ready to deal with issues, Baker on Friday said the Connector had been a "total crackup" in recent years. While the Connector is well prepared, according to Baker, he's also knocked on his wooden desk when fielding questions about open enrollment.
-- MEEHAN, UMASS CHANCELLORS MULL CUTS | UMass President Martin Meehan plans to meet with university system chancellors on Monday to go over potential spending cuts. Believing funds would be delivered by the Legislature, UMass went ahead and funded contracts bargained with workers. The university learned this week that lawmakers did not agree to the contract funding, prompting a disappointed Meehan to say he's getting together with chancellors to come up with a plan.
-- LAWMAKERS FOR MAYOR | Four members of the Legislature will appear on municipal ballots Tuesday, as they seek the mayoralities in their cities and towns, which would potentially set up special elections for their replacements. Rep. Tom Stanley is running against Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, who has held the office since 2004. In West Springfield, Rep. Michael Finn is facing off against Will Reichelt, the town attorney, in an open race for mayor. In Fitchburg, Mayor Lisa Wong decided to move to Holyoke where her husband Anthony Soto ran for mayor and lost in the preliminary. Rep. Stephen DiNatale has far outspent the other candidate seeking the now open office in Fitchburg City Hall, Andrew Couture, an attorney. Sen. Robert Hedlund is hoping to topple Weymouth Mayor Sue Kay who was first elected in 2007. Wins by any of these lawmakers will instantly spur debate and speculation over the next wave of special election entrants.
-- WESTERN MASS. MAYORAL RACES | In Holyoke where the school system was recently taken over by the state, Mayor Alex Morse, who was elected in 2012 at the age of 22, is facing a challenge from Fran O'Connell, who owns the elder care business O'Connell Care at Home. In Chicopee, former Mayor Michael Bissonnette is seeking to reclaim the office from Mayor Richard Kos - and along the way Bissonnette was charged with assault on a police officer, according to the Springfield Republican, for an incident that occurred at a preliminary polling station. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who has ushered in a planned casino and a Chinese railcar manufacturer to the city, will face off against Salvatore Circosta, whom the Springfield Republican described as a 29-year-old "former seminarian, military chaplain and business manager of a Catholic church." In Pittsfield, Mayor Daniel Bianchi is attempting to fend off a challenge from City Clerk Linda Tyer, who bested Bianchi 55 - 38.6 in the preliminary election, according to the Berkshire Eagle. The newspaper said Bianchi blamed "anemic" turnout and said there would be more interest in Tuesday's general.
-- SOUTHEAST MASS. MAYORAL RACES: In Fall River, former District Attorney Sam Sutter in 2014 defeated former Mayor William Flanagan in a recall after an outcry over trash collection fees and after City Councilor Jasiel Correia accused Flanagan of threatening him with a gun. On Tuesday Sutter will have to defend his office against an electoral challenge from Correia after less than a year as mayor. In Brockton, a city where a slim majority of citizens supported a casino, Mayor Bill Carpenter is facing a challenge to a second term in the form of Chris MacMillan, a former city councilor who ran for mayor in 2013. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is attempting to hold on for a third term against a challenge from Maria Giesta, a former top aide to Congressman Barney Frank.
-- METRO BOSTON MAYORAL RACES: As the Patriot Ledger reported, Tuesday is the third contest between incumbent Mayor Tom Koch and former Mayor William Phelan. In Medford the retirement of Michael McGlynn, the mayor of the city since 1988, has opened up a contest between Stephanie Muccini Burke, a former city councilor, and City Councilor Robert Penta. In Revere, Mayor Dan Rizzo, who tried and failed to bring a casino to Suffolk Downs, will face a challenge from Brian Arrigo, a member of the City Council. The Boston Globe reported that Charles Lightbody, the convicted felon whose alleged involvement in Everett land complicated Wynn Resorts casino plans, has switched allegiance from Rizzo to Arrigo.
-- OTHER MAYORAL CONTESTS: Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, a two-term mayor and nine-term city councilor, is facing a challenge from two candidates, and according to the Telegram & Gazette he has been touting the city's economic development. William Coleman III, a Worcester activist who moved to the city in 1973 to study for priesthood, said at a recent debate that he had worked for the late U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke. Michael Gaffney, a captain in the Army National Guard of the 1058th Transportation Company and a lawyer, was elected to Worcester's City Council in 2013 and at a recent debate he questioned whether others would have the "personal courage" to stand up to special interest groups. Sefatia Romeo Theken was elevated from the Gloucester City Council to the mayor's office when Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash appointed former Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk to an administration post. On Tuesday a former journalist at the Gloucester Daily Times and later the Boston Globe, Paul McGeary will challenge Theken for the post. In Gardner, Mayor Mark Hawke, who has held the office since 2008, is facing a challenge from City Councilor Jeffrey Palmieri.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2015 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN
KENNEDY FOR BRADY: Congressman Joseph Kennedy III plans to attend a canvas kick-off for Brockton state Rep. Mike Brady, who is running against Republican Geoff Diehl in a special election for the 2nd Plymouth and Bristol Senate seat. (Saturday, 9:45 a.m., 623 Centre St., Brockton)
SUNDAY, NOV. 1, 2015
WALSH ON THE RECORD: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will be this week's "On the Record" guest with Ed Harding and Janet Wu. Walsh plans to discuss the new age of business in Boston including ridesharing services and DraftKings. Additional topics include school taxes and the ongoing debate between implementation of PARCC or MCAS exams. Plus, Walsh shares his favorite Halloween candy. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch.5)
INCLUSION SUMMIT: The Ruderman Family Foundation, a Jewish organization that supports the disabled community, holds it first-ever Inclusion Summit. It marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and will honor former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, the bill's chief sponsor. The program, which more than 500 activists are expected to attend, will focus on advocacy, networking and best practices. Speakers include Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne, radio journalist John Hockenberry, author Ron Suskind, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein and White House disability liaison Maria Town. (Sunday-Monday, Seaport World Trade Center)
POLITO BRIDGE DEDICATION: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends Burns Bridge Dedication and Lighting Ceremony. (Sunday, 5 p.m., Burns Bridge, Worcester)
BAKER CAMPAIGNS FOR DIEHL: Gov. Charlie Baker will help Republican Rep. Geoff Diehl make a final push before Tuesday's special election for state Senate, joining Diehl to meet with voters at Venus Cafe in Whitman and Damien's Pub in Hanson. Baker will be in Whitman from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and in Hanson from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., according to Diehl's campaign. (Sunday)
MONDAY, NOV. 2, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m. Monday.
BAKER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET: Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Minority Leader Bradley Jones and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr meet for their weekly leadership meeting. (CLOSED PRESS) (Monday, 2 p.m., Office of the Governor, Room 360)
DRIVING CHANGE CONFERENCE: Attorney General Maura Healey will discuss her office's work to combat domestic violence and sexual assault at the 2nd annual Driving Change Conference hosted by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center. (Monday, 7:45 a.m., Boston Marriott Copley Place, 101 Huntington Ave., Boston)
DPU - FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil for an increase in base distribution rates for gas service and approval to changes in its schedules of rates for gas service to become effective July 1, 2015. (Monday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, HR A.)
BOARD OF EARLY ED COMMITTEE: The Board of Early Education and Care Fiscal/Oversight Committee will meet to discuss the child care financial assistance system, fiscal year 2016 caseloads, early education and care and out-of-school time capital fund grants, and the department's fiscal 2017 budget. (Monday, noon, 51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor, Boston)
FOUNDATION BUDGET REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT: State education leaders release the Foundation Budget Review Commission's report. The panel was created under a 2014 law and charged with evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the state's education funding formula. According to the office of Education Committee Co-chair Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, the report recommends "significant updates to the way the state calculated the per pupil cost of delivering a quality education in Massachusetts, including investments necessary to close the achievement gap." Attendees will include Chang-Diaz and commission co-chair Rep. Alice Peisch, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester, former Education Secretary Paul Reville, Sen. Patricia Jehlen, Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Kim Ferguson and representatives from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, American Federation of Teachers and Massachusetts Teachers Association. (Monday, 10:15 a.m., Senate Reading Room)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPO: The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, Harm Reduction and Drug Law Reform Caucus, House and Senate Progressive Caucus and Justice Involved Women task force of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators hold a criminal justice expo. Legislators, staff and advocacy groups plan to share information about criminal justice bills. Speakers include Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, former Department of Corrections commissioner Kathleen Dennehy, Rahsaan Hall of the American Civil Liberties Union and Andrea Goode James of Families for Justice as Healing. (Monday, 2 p.m., Great Hall)
SUBSTANCE ABUSE HEARING: The Joint Committees on Mental Health & Substance Abuse and Public Health hold an informational hearing on substance abuse. It will be chaired by Rep. Elizabeth Malia, Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, Rep. Kate Hogan and Sen. Jason Lewis. Testimony will be provided by invite only. The agenda includes Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello, and representatives from AdCare Hospital, Community HealthLink, Gosnold on Cape Cod, Tapestry Health and AIDS Action Committee, High Point Treatment Center, Hudson Public & Community Health Services and Northampton Public Schools. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-1)
AUTHOR EVAN THOMAS AT JFK LIBRARY: Journalist and author Evan Thomas will sit down with historian Tim Naftali as part of a Kennedy Library Forum event to discuss his new book, "Being Nixon: A Man Divided." Forums are free and open to the public, and registration is available at jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Forums.aspx. (Monday, 6 p.m., John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Columbia Point, Boston)
LOTTERY COMMISSION MEETING: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will chair a meeting of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, West Conference Room, Boston)
MBTA FMCB: The MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board will hold a meeting where Department of Public Utilities Chairwoman Angela O'Connor will be introduced to the board. The DPU has some transportation regulatory responsibilities, including safety oversight at the MBTA and oversight of 250 motor coach companies. The board will also discuss "internal cost control and efficiency opportunities" as regards "bus maintenance." (Monday, 1 p.m., MassDOT Boardroom, 10 Park Plaza, Boston)
OPEN ENROLLMENT CAMPAIGN: Health Care For All, a nonprofit advocacy organization working to bring affordable health care to everyone in Massachusetts, launches an ethnic media campaign to drive open enrollment in the Health Connector. The two-week multimedia/multilingual campaign will target residents of Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Lowell, Lynn and Revere. Expected attendees include Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Sen. Salvatore DiDomenico, Rep. Joseph McGonagle, Rep. Steven Ultrino, Health Connector executive director Louis Gutierrez and HCFA communications director Maria Gonzalez Albuixech. (Monday, 12 p.m., Super Burritos II Mexican Grill, 366 Broadway St., Everett)
TRANSPORTATION CONVERSATIONS: MassDOT and MBTA are hosting "capital conversations" to hear input on transportation needs, as the organizations prepare their five-year capital plans for 2017-2021. Those who cannot attend a meeting can email comments to masscip@state.ma.us. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Mansfield Town Hall)
FALLS PREVENTION: The Massachusetts Commission on Falls Prevention meets. The agenda includes a presentation on strategies to reduce injuries in elders and discussion of future work plans. (Monday, 11 a.m., 250 Washington St., lobby 1 conference room, Boston)
SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear the following cases: George Goe v. Commission of the Probation Service of the Massachusetts Trial Court; Commonwealth v. Danny Vargas; Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania v. Great Northern Insurance Company; Commonwealth v. Kristen Labrie; the Matter of Malgorzata B. Nabialczyk-Chaluposwski; and Robert Monteiro v. Commonwealth. Case information: http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc (Monday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 2015
ELECTION DAY 2015: It's election day in 53 communities across Massachusetts. Unlike in state elections, Secretary of State William Galvin said polling hours can differ slightly from town to town. While most voters will be going to the polls to elect city councilors, aldermen and mayors, Westminter has a Proposition 2 1/2 override on the ballot to finance a sewer expansion. Voters in the 2nd Plymouth and Bristol District will also choose between Democratic state Rep. Michael Brady, Republican Rep. Geoff Diehl and independent Anna Grace Raduc in a special election for state Senate to replace the late Thomas Kennedy. The district includes Brockton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Plympton, Whitman and parts of East Bridgewater and Easton. (Tuesday)
GOLDBERG MEETS WITH BAKER: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will have her monthly meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Treasurer Office, Room 227, State House)
BOARD OF PHARMACY REGISTRATION: The Board of Registration in Pharmacy will meet. Agenda items include application and file reviews, nomination of board officers, discussion of pharmacy signage requirements and discussion of proposed new regulations. Full agenda: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/quality/boards/pharmacy/pharmacy-board-agenda.pdf (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., room 417, Boston)
DPU - FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil for an increase in base distribution rates for gas service and approval to changes in its schedules of rates for gas service to become effective July 1, 2015. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, HR A.)
GOLDBERG REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE: Treasurer Deb Goldberg will host the South Coast Regional Roundtable on Wage Equality in Boston. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., University of Massachusetts - Boston, Campus Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston)
TALKING NON-RECYCLED WASTE: The American Chemistry Council, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the New England Council, and the Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance host a discussion about converting more of non-recycled waste into energy, fuels and other commodities. The event will explore policy solutions and new technologies that could help advance energy recovery in Massachusetts to build a more sustainable future, organizers said. The panel will feature Rep. Paul Mark and Bob Rio from AIM, as well as keynote remarks from a U.S. EPA official. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Omni Parker House, 60 School St., Boston)
SJC CASES: The Supreme Judicial Court will hear the following cases: Bernard Bulwer v. Mount Auburn Hospital and others; Eventmonitor Inc. and another v. Anthony Leness; Federal National Mortgage Association v. Edward M. Rego and another; Commonwealth v. John C. DePiero; and Marie Esler v. Mary Sylvia-Reardon. Case information: http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/display_calendar.php?dtp=fc (Tuesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Courtroom One, Second Floor, Pemberton Square, Boston)
MEDICAL/LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS: Attorney General Maura Healey will be the keynote speaker at the 6th annual Medical-Legal Partnership Conference, where she will talk about affordable health care and the work her office's Community Engagement Division. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Ave., Suite #100, Boston)
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REGIONAL SERIES: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Regional Series. The traveling series, which kicked off in Lawrence on Oct. 27, will stop in Worcester where purchasing representatives from surrounding communities are invited to meet with state, municipal, private buyers and Statewide Contract Vendors. The gathering aims at discussing business growth through potential partnership opportunities. (Tuesday, 8:45 a.m., 1 College Street, Worcester)
LANCASTER MASSWORKS ANNOUNCEMENT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announces a MassWorks grant award to the Town of Lancaster. (Tuesday, 10:15 a.m., Location TBA)
LANCASTER COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Lancaster town officials sign community compact. (Tuesday, 11:45 a.m., 695 Main St #2, Lancaster)
POLITO COMMUNITY COMPACT SIGNING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Shrewsbury and Westborough officials attend a Community Compact signing. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury)
OPIOID PANEL: Public Health Committee Chair Rep. Kate Hogan hosts a panel on identifying community and statewide solutions to the opioid crisis. Panelists include Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey, Maynard Police Chief Mark Dubois, Learn to Cope regional manager Marcy Julian and Richard Ellberg, the director of emergency services and ICU at the Nashoba Valley Medical Center. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Maynard High School auditorium, 1 Tiger Dr., Maynard)
FAMILY CAREGIVERS RECOGNITION: The Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition hold an event in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. Two out of every five adults are family caregivers, and more 39 percent of adult Americans are caring for a loved one who is sick, disabled or frail because of aging, according to the elder affairs office. The event will highlight the need for caregivers to receive support and respite. Speakers will include Amy Nazaire of the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition, Department of Developmental Services Commissioner Elin Howe, Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner, Veterans' Services Secretary Francisco Urena, and AARP Massachusetts director Michael Festa. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Nurses Hall)
BRAIN BUILDING IN PROGRESS CAMPAIGN | Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber joins officials from United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and PricewaterhouseCoopers to announce a partnership that will provide training support and resources to Horizons for Homeless Children's Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs) and homeless shelter liaisons. According to organizers, it's part of the state's Brain Building in Progress campaign, which "promotes the importance of enriching environments in fostering healthy brain development in children." (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Horizons for Homeless Children, 1705 Columbus Ave, Roxbury)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on 98 bills. Sen. Sal DiDomenico has sponsored a bill (S 801) stating that no person who administers overdose prevention drugs in good faith shall be liable in a civil suit for damages. H 1541, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, regulates physicians' acquisition of written consent before performing abortions. Rep. Paul McMurtry has sponsored a bill (H 1492) allowing restaurants to donate their edible leftover cooked food to local pantries and assistance shelters. H 1163, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Ayers, establishes a fine of up to $500 for selling a tattooing, branding or body piercing kit or device to an unlicensed art practitioner or minor. Other bills lay out fines for non-emergency 911 calls (H 154), provide credit for Massachusetts law school graduates providing public interest law (S 816), and aim to reduce smoking and the use of nicotine products by minors (H 1582 and H 2434). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2302&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2)
DESIGNER SELECTION PANEL: The Massachusetts School Building Authority holds a meeting of its designer selection panel.agenda includes an application review for the Clyde F. Brown Elementary School in Millis and informational interviews with Mikyoung Kim Designs and William Starck Architects. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 40 Broad St., suite 500, Boston)
DINING WITH THE STARS: The Massachusetts Health Council holds its 2015 awards gala, Dining with the Stars. The honorees are Ice Bucket Challenge founder Pete Frates and the Frates family, Massachusetts Hospital Association president and CEO Lynn Nicholas, Learn to Cope founder and executive director Joanne Peterson, Home for Little Wanderers president and CEO Joan Wallace-Benjamin, and Raytheon. Jody Adams - owner of the Boston area restaurants Rialto and Trade - will design and oversee the preparation of a three-course dinner. Tickets are $200 each and are available at mahealthcouncil.org. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St., Boston)
MARIA SACCHETTI AT HARVARD: Boston Globe immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti speaks at the Harvard Kennedy School on the international refugee crisis and U.S. immigration policy. Sacchetti recently traveled from the Greek Island of Lesbos through Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria and Germany to report on refugees. (Tuesday, 12 p.m, Harvard Kennedy School Taubman 275)
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4, 2015
SENATE CAUCUS: Senators plan to meet in a closed caucus Wednesday in the Senate president's office to discuss S 75 relative to the re-homing of children at 11 a.m. Part of the caucus will be bipartisan and part of it will be limited to Democrats.
HOUSE FULL FORMAL: House members gather for a full formal session to consider items on the calendar. Roll calls begin at 1 p.m.(Wednesday, 1 p.m., House Chamber)
HOUSE DEMS CAUCUS: House Democrats caucus ahead of full formal session. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room A-1)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a meeting of the Governor's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Governor's Office, Room 360)
NEWBURYPORT MASSWORKS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito makes a MassWorks grant announcement in Newburyport. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 1 Boston Way, Newburyport)
APPEALS COURT INTERVIEW: The Governor's Council will interview Appeals Court nominee Judge Jeffrey Kinder, a Superior Court judge since 2006 and the regional administrative justice for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Governor's Council Chambers)
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency hosts its 2015 conference, titled "Effective Leadership During Crisis." Attendees will hear about the experiences of local, state and federal leaders who managed response and recovery during the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and the July 2015 shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Featured speakers include former Boston Police superintendent-in-chief Daniel Linskey; Oren Segal of the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremists; retired Rear Admiral Mary Landry, the director of incident management and preparedness for the Coast Guard; Tennessee Emergency Management Agency deputy commissioner and homeland security advisor David Purkey; and Harvard Kennedy School professor Dutch Leonard. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., DCU Center, Worcester)
DeLEO ON THE RADIO: House Speaker Robert DeLeo is the scheduled guest with Dan Rea on Nightside. (Wednesday, 8 p.m., WBZ radio AM 1030)
GETTING THE T ON TRACK: As part of the 2015 Planes, Trains and Automobiles (and Bikes) series at the Harvard Kennedy School, MBTA Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve will speak on the topic of a fina