What's ahead in state government this week
Distracted drivers, transgender rights and Lobster Day
ARTICLE | POLITICS | OCTOBER 3, 2015 06:00 AM | BY STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
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Hearings on transgender rights legislation and bills to crack down on distracted drivers will spice up the week ahead, which will also feature two days of hearings on cost trends in health care and Senate consideration on Thursday of a $360 million spending bill that cleared the House this week. Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic legislative leaders are also planning to mark the 15-year anniversary of the Community Preservation Act, which supporters say is in needed of a lifeline because so many cities and towns have adopted it and state matching funds are nearing an all-time low. Also next week, voters on the South Shore will narrow the field of candidates who will face off in November to fill the state Senate seat long held by the late Sen. Tom Kennedy of Brockton. And Baker plans to file his own opioid legislation, he said Friday, days after expressing hope that a bill aimed at slowing opioid-related deaths and addiction will reach him by Thanksgiving.
-- HEALTH CARE COST TRENDS: Gov. Baker kicks things off at 9:15 a.m. Monday and most of the state's top public officials and many of the executives who run the largest health care institutions in Massachusetts plan to assemble over two days at Suffolk Law School to talk about industry cost trends. Health care costs in the most recent year studied rose at a 4.8 percent clip, higher than the 3.6 percent benchmark set under a 2012 cost containment law. The hearings in the past have delved into debate over cost drivers. The Health Policy Commission, a state agency created by a 2012 law, hosts the hearings and sets the growth benchmark. For 2013 through 2017, the growth rate is supposed to equal the growth in gross state product. The commission this year plans to lay out a framework for performance improvement plans, a mechanism established under the 2012 law to "identify, assist, and monitor payers and providers whose cost growth may threaten the state benchmark."
SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 2015
CHARTER SCHOOL COALITION IN LAWRENCE: The charter school advocacy coalition Great Schools Massachusetts holds a regional campaign launch for its efforts to increase access to charter schools. Coalition members in August filed a ballot question that would allow the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to authorize up to 12 new public charter schools or expansions of existing schools per year, with priority given to the lowest-performing 25 percent of the state's school districts. Speakers will include public school parents, community leaders and public charter school alumni. (Saturday, 11 a.m, El Taller, 275 Essex St., Lawrence)
NAACP ANNUAL DINNER: The NAACP Annual Dinner is Saturday and Senate President Rosenberg plans to attend. (Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, 606 Congress Street, Boston)
AIDS ACTION ARTCETERA: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg attends AIDS Action ARTcetera, a contemporary art auction to raise money for AIDS Action Committee. (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., The Park Plaza, Castle, 64 Arlington St, Boston)
SELECTMEN'S CONFERENCE: Lt. Governor Polito delivers remarks at the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association Fall Conference. (Saturday, 9:15 a.m., 299 Creek Street, Wrentham)
MAYORS CONFERENCE: More than 30 mayors - including Newton Mayor Setti Warren and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell - gather in Baltimore Oct. 2-4 for the U.S. Conference of Mayors Fall Leadership Meeting. They plan to discuss the issues they feel presidential candidates should prioritize, as well as the economy in metropolitan areas, community policing and homicide spikes. White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jerry Abramson and Ron Davis of the Department of Justice will address the mayors. There will be a photo opportunity for the media from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, when the mayors partake in a service project between 1518 and 1520 W. Lanvale St. in West Baltimore. (Sunday, Baltimore)
SUNDAY, OCT. 4, 2015
MEEHAN ON "THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS"| UMass President Marty Meehan will discuss his goals for year one on NECN. This week the House passed spending bill that Speaker Robert DeLeo described as a "generous" investment, in higher education. Rick Dimino, CEO and president of A Better City, will also join as a guest to talk about transportation reform. Meehan has successfully secured new funding for the university system from Beacon Hill since taking over as president, but it does not appear he will revisit the recent tuition and fee increases imposed upon students. ( Sunday, 12:30 p.m., NECN)
ROSENBERG IN AMHERST: Sen. Rosenberg plans to speak at a Jewish Community of Amherst event. (Sunday, 4:30 p.m., 742 Main Street, Amherst)
CHANG "ON THE RECORD" | Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tommy Chang will appear as a guest on "On The Record" with moderators Ed Harding and State House Reporter Janet Wu. (Sunday, 11 a.m, WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
MONDAY, OCT. 5, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
BAKER AT HEALTH COST TRENDS HEARING: Gov. Baker plans to deliver remarks at the Health Policy Commission's Health Care Cost Trends hearing. (Monday, 9:15 a.m., Suffolk Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Boston)
BAKER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET: Gov. Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, House Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Rosenberg, House Minority Leader Jones and Senate Minority Leader Tarr meet privately. (Monday, 2 p.m., Gov. Baker's office)
ELECTION LAWS COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Election Laws holds a hearing on 33 bills. H 601, sponsored by Rep. Angelo Scaccia, provides regulations for changing the state primary date when a religious holiday falls on the second Tuesday in September. Rep. Colleen Garry has sponsored a bill (H 558) stating that candidates on the current election ballot may not be prohibited from greeting voters within 150 feet of the entrance to a polling place. H 538, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Ayers, establishes the Polling Location Accessibility Fund to increase voter turnout by the physically-challenged and elderly. Three bills provide for recall elections in Bolton, East Bridgewater and Erving. Other bills regulate the use of electronic poll books in place of paper voting lists (H 587), provide a timeframe for a candidate for office to complete a criminal background check (H 546), and let poll workers in local and state elections participate in early or absentee voting (H 563). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2256&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Monday, 2 p.m., A-1)
BOSTON COMMUNITY CAPITAL CELEBRATION: Attorney General Maura Healey, State Auditor Suzanne Bump and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg will attend Boston Community Capital's 30th anniversary celebration. The non-profit community development financial institution has been around since 1985. Healey and Bump are scheduled to make remarks at the event. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston)
BOARD OF EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE: The Board of Early Education and Care Fiscal and Oversight Committee meets. The agenda includes the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Reauthorization and the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan for federal fiscal years 2016 - 2018. (Monday, noon, 51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor, Boston)
GO HIGHER FOR COLLEGE READINESS: Rep. Tom Sannicandro, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, hosts "Go Higher!" programs at Framingham High School and Keefe Regional Technical High School. Student speakers from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, UMass-Boston, UMass-Amherst, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Framingham State University, MassBay Community College and Bridgewater State University will offer advice to more than 1,000 juniors and seniors on how to prepare for academic success in college. (Monday, 8 a.m., Framingham High School, 115 A Street, and 12:30 p.m., Keefe Regional Technical High School, 750 Winter Street, Framingham)
HEALTH CARE COSTS TRENDS, DAY 1: The Health Policy Commission begins its annual Health Care Costs Trends Hearing, a two-day cost examination that features testimony from invited witnesses and discussion with national experts on the challenges and opportunities facing health care in Massachusetts. Gov. Charlie Baker (9:15 a.m), Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and House Speaker Robert DeLeo are scheduled to make remarks, along with expert speaker Amitabh Ch andra (10:45 a.m.), the director of health policy research at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Monday's panels discuss challenges to the health care cost growth benchmark, care delivery transformation and innovation, and value-based payment reform. The event concludes with public testimony at 4 p.m. Register at: http://www.tinyurl.com/hpccth15. Full agenda: http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/oversight-agencies/health-policy-commission/annual-cost-trends-hearing/2015/2015-cost-trends-hearing-agenda-website.pdf (Monday, 9 a.m., Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston)
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT REGULATORY REFORM LISTENING SESSION: The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) holds a listening session for the public to offer feedback on regulations that will be reviewed under Executive Order 562. The executive order, issued by Gov. Charlie Baker in March, requires each agency within the executive department to review every regulation in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations under its jurisdiction. EEA is currently reviewing all regulations to determine if action is required. Feedback can also be provided through an online portal. A second listening session will be held Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. at MassDEP's central office in Worcester. (Monday, 2 p.m., 100 Cambridge St., second-floor conference rooms C and D, Boston)
50 YEARS OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT: South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn will be the keynote speaker at MassVOTE's annual reception, this year marking the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Clyburn was elected president of his NAACP youth chapter when he was 12 years old, helped organize many civil rights marches and demonstrations as a student leader at South Carolina State College, and met his wife Emily in jail during one of his incarcerations, according to his congressional biography. State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Attorney General Maura Healey and Senate President Stan Rosenberg are scheduled to attend. (Monday, 6 p.m., John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way, 2nd floor atrium, Boston)
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Director of Economic Empowerment Alyana Van Tassell will make a presentation on the economic empowerment initiatives in the works at the Treasury. They will also take questions from attendees. (Monday, 11:45 a.m., Lock Lord LLP, McTygue Matthew, 111 Huntington Ave., 20th floor, Boston)
NEWBURYPORT: Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton and Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George Peterson attend a ribbon-cutting for the Cashman Park Recreational Fish Pier and Boat Access. (Monday, 11 a.m., Cashman Park, Newburyport)
AG RESOURCES - REGULATORY HEARING: The Department of Agricultural Resources holds the first of three listening sessions to give the public an opportunity to hear about the department's regulatory reform efforts and offer feedback on regulations that will be reviewed under Executive Order 562. (Monday, 4 p.m., Division of Fish and Wildlife, Richard Cronin Building; 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough)
APPEALS COURT SWEARING-IN: Gov. Charlie Baker holds a ceremonial swearing in ceremony the Judge Scott Kafker as the sixth Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Lt. Gov. Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey plan to attend. Chief Justice Kafker replaced Chief Justice Phillip Rapoza, who began his tenure as chief justice in 2006 and retired earlier this year. Kafker graduated from Amherst College and the University of Chicago Law School. He went on to serve as law clerk to Justice Charles Levin of the Michigan Supreme Court, law clerk to Judge Mark Wolf of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, deputy chief legal counsel to Gov. William Weld, and chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority. He also teaches state constitutional law at Boston College Law School and is a trustee of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Kafker joined the Appeals Court, which reviews decisions made by the Trial Court, in 2001. (Monday, 4 p.m., John Adams Courthouse, Great Hall, Boston)
MEDICAL LICENSING: The Board of Registration in Medicine's licensing committee meets. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., 200 Harvard Mill Square, Suite 330, Wakefield)
TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 2015
HEALTH CARE COSTS TRENDS, DAY 2: On the second day of Health Policy Commission hearings on health care costs trends, panel topics include provider market structure, transparency and purchaser incentives and "Meeting the Benchmark in 2015 and Beyond." Leemore Dafny, a Northwestern University professor and former deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Economics, is scheduled to speak, as are Auditor Suzanne Bump and Attorney General Maura Healey. Assistant Attorney General Courtney Aladro of Healey's Health Care Division will make a presentation. The event concludes with public testimony at 4 p.m. Full agenda: http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/oversight-agencies/health-policy-commission/annual-cost-trends-hearing/2015/2015-cost-trends-hearing-agenda-website.pdf (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on 30 bills on protected classes, privacy, and data collection legislation. Among the bills to be heard is a transgender rights bill (H 1577, S 735) from Reps. Byron Rushing and Denise Provost and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz that expands anti-discrimination laws to include gender identity and allows access to gender-segregated public facilities based on a person's gender identity. Attorney General Maura Healey plans to testify in support. The Massachusetts Family Institute plans to testify against the bill. In 2012, former Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law protections against gender-identity discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit and hate crimes. The new bills, which would extend those protections to public accommodations, have garnered support from over 100 organizations and companies, including Facebook and the Massachusetts Hospital Association. A supporter of the proposed legislation, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg has said lawmakers are "morally bound" to pass it. House Speaker Robert DeLeo has said he and fellow Democrats will likely discuss the bills at a "later caucus." A total of 64 lawmakers have signed on to the Rushing/Provost bill. An opposing bill (H 1320) up for discussion at the hearing, filed by Rep. Colleen Garry with 15 cosponsors, would require access to sex-segregated facilities and programs to be based on a person's anatomical sex regardless of gender identity. Other bills on the agenda repeal laws about punishments for intent to cause miscarriages in women, make discrimination on the basis of height and weight unlawful, and regulate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. H 1575 and S 829 aim to prevent racial profiling, in part by requiring law enforcement officers to record certain data any time they stop, frisk or search an individual. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2254&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)
15 YEARS OF COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT: Marking the 15th anniversary of the Community Preservation Act, Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Rep. Stephen Kulik and others will honor 10 citizens from around the state for their contibutions to the success of the CPA. Signed in 2000 by Gov. Paul Cellucci, the CPA helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities. So far, the CPA has been adopted by 158 of the 351 municipalities in the state and those communities have preserved more than 23,470 acres of open space, according to the Community Preservation Coalition. The Legislature's Revenue Committee has recommended legislation (H 2587), which has 89 House and Senate cosponsors, aimed at providing larger amounts of state funds for the program. The Community Preservation Coalition says that as more communities have adopted the CPA, matching funds are "predicted to be at an all-time low this fall." (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall)
SPECIAL STATE SENATE PRIMARY: The 2nd Plymouth and Bristol State Senate District will hold a special state primary electionTuesday. Rep. Michael Brady (D-Brockton) and Joseph Lynch, an economic development consultant with the Boston-based Economic Innovation International, are seeking the Democratic nomination. Rep. Geoff Diehl(R-Whitman) is unopposed Tuesday. The district includes Brockton, East Bridgewater (Pcts. 1,2,3), Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Plympton, Whitman and Easton (Pcts. 1,2). Following the primary election, Stonehill College in Easton will host a debate October 19 featuring Diehl and the democratic nominee. The special election is scheduled for November 3. (Tuesday)
TREASURER MEETS WITH GUV: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg will have her monthly meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Room 360)
POLITO IN LOWELL: Lt. Governor Polito attends the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub opening. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., 1 University Avenue, Lowell)
CARLISLE COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Governor Polito and Carlisle Board of Selectmen Chair John Gorecki plan to be on hand for the Carlisle Community Compact signing. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Carlisle Town Hall, 66 Westford Street, Carlisle)
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture will travel to the Quabbin Reservoir -- the source of much of the drinking water for the Greater Boston area -- to discuss water quality and agriculture issues. Among the bills before the committee is a Rep. Carolyn Dykema bill (H 656) that would authorize bonding to fund local financial assistance for water infrastructure, similar to the Chapter 90 transportation funding program. Bond would fund annual reimbursements to municipalities for qualifying local water infrastructure investments. The committee will also consider several bills that aim to make known the costs imposed upon municipal and district ratepayers due to public drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems capital upgrades before any such upgrades are granted final approval. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2263&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., DCR Quabbin Bluemeadow Conference Center, 370 Blue Meadow Road, Belchertown)
DeLEO AT MASS HIGH TECH COUNCIL EVENT: The Massachusetts High Tech Council Board of Directors will host an evening reception for council directors and invited senior executives. According to the council, "the evening will feature cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres, remarks from House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Council President Chris Anderson, and a performance of Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Andris Nelsons." According to DeLeo's office, the event is closed press. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Symphony Hall - Boston)
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Transportation holds a hearing on 17 bills related to distracted driving and speed limits. Several bills establish fines for using a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle - unless the phone is hands-free, and with exceptions for emergencies. Committee House Chairman William Straus is a sponsor of one of the distracted driving bills (H 3315). H 3064, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, specifically prohibits anyone from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle within a school zone. Rep. Robert Koczera has sponsored a bill (H 3201) authorizing New Bedford to establish senior citizen safety zones. A Rep. Garballey bill would increase the speed limit on Route 3 from the New Hampshire border to the I-95 interchange in Burlington to 65 miles per hour. Last session, the Transportation Committee heard legislation that would have increased top highway speeds from 65 to 70 miles per hour, but that bill was not filed this session.
Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2250&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True(Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room B-2)
STATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hearing on 38 construction and land bills. S 1616 and H 2770 authorize the Department of Conservation and Recreation, along with the city of Worcester, to create and operate a multi-purpose rectangular field at the Lake Avenue Park in Worcester. Rep. Elizabeth Malia and Sen. Michael Rush have sponsored a bill allowing a parcel of land on the campus of the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital to be leased to the Shattuck Child Care Center Inc. H 2809, sponsored by Rep. Byron Rushing, aims to protect tropical forests by restricting state purchases of certain wood products. Other bills declare March 26 First Responders Day, lay out punishment for lying about bids for public works, and seek the fair participation of minority- and women-owned businesses on public construction projects. Full agenda:https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2259&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 437)
PHARMACY REGISTRATION BOARD: The Board of Registration in Pharmacy meets to receive reports on its licensure and immunizations policies, and to hear from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy about the association's government affairs efforts. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., Room 417 A&B, Boston)
MEEHAN HONORED BY UMASS: The UMass Board of Trustees, UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and the UMass Foundation Board host a breakfast to honor new UMass President Marty Meehan, who in July left UMass Lowell to take over the full five campus system. Trustee chairman Victor Woolridge, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, state Sen. James Welch, Subbaswamy, UMass Amherst Foundation Board member George DiTomassi, Jr. and trustee Henry Thomas will speak. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m., UMass Center at Springfield, 2nd floor, 1500 Main St., Springfield)
UMASS LOWELL INNOVATION HUB: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the university's new Innovation Hub and Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center, which offers 22,000 square feet of co-working and research space for entrepreneurs and startups in the medical device and tech sectors. A lunch reception and networking will follow. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 110 Canal St., Lowell)
HELP FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS: Crittendon Women's Union and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute release the free booklet, "Beyond Financial Aid: 2015 Guide to Extra Help for Low-Income Adult Students." It addresses the misconception that college students are ineligible for subsidized housing or food stamps. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Sen. Michael Moore, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, will speak. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 222)
EDUCATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Education holds a hearing of 25 bills on school finance and school choice. Rep. Garrett Bradley has sponsored a bill (H 314) allowing communities whose commercial tax base is less than 5 percent - and whose students are eligible for free or reduced lunch - to receive an additional $375 per student. S 308, sponsored by Sen. Jason Lewis, provides for an increase in a city or town's foundation budget of $500 for each resident student identified as gifted and talented. Rep. Thomas Stanley has sponsored a bill mandating that any municipality with a 25 percent increase over two consecutive years in students who are English language learners be eligible for any education funding available to a gateway community. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2253&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 10 a.m., B-1)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on 11 bills. H 890, sponsored by Rep. Kay Khan, requires all banks and lenders to disclose to a prospective buyer, in plain language, what is involved in a loan application and subsequent loan. Sen. Brian Joyce has sponsored a bill (S 509) requiring mutual banks, co-operative banks and credit unions to disclose compensation paid to named executive officers. H 899, sponsored by Rep. Robert Koczera, establishes the Massachusetts voluntary retirement accounts program. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2257&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 11 a.m., A-2)
PARTY MATTERS: The Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise and Political Science Department at Clark University and MassPoliProfs will host a panel of esteemed state politicians who will share their experiences within the political process at "Party Matters: The Candidates Speak Out," a free, public conversation. Panel members include: Gerry D'Amico, former state senator and candidate for lt. governor, Reed Hillman, former state representative and candidate for lt. governor, Juliette Kayyem, former candidate for governor and Shannon O'Brien, former state treasurer and candidate for governor. James R. Gomes, director of the Mosakowski Institute, will moderate the discussion. Panelists will share their knowledge, insights, and perspectives on such topics as caucus-convention systems, the 15-percent rule, the September timing of state primaries, ticket formation for governor and lt. governor, campaign financing, and rules pertaining to candidate selection. This event is the second of the "Party Matters" conversation series established by the MassPoliProfs, a group of political science professors with a "passion and curiosity for Massachusetts politics." (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Grace Conference Room at the Higgins University Center, 950 Main St., Worcester)
ELDER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Assistant Secretary of MassHealth Daniel Tsai, U.S. Health and Human Services Regional Director Rachel Kaprielian and others have been invited to testify at an informational hearing of the Committee on Elder Affairs. The committee, whose new House chairwoman is Rep. Denise Garlick, is seeking information on home care and nursing homes. Kaprielian is set to testify with Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner. Tsai is set to testify on his own. Lois Simon and Shona Gibson are scheduled to testify on a Commonwealth Care Alliance panel. Bill Bogdanovich and Tara Gregorio are slotted to testify on a panel on nursing facilities. A Home care panel will include Al Norman, of Mass Home Care; Ruth Beckerman-Rodau, of Springwell; and Pat Kelleher, of Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts. Len Fishman and Nina Silverstein of UMass Boston will discuss academic research. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Room A-1)
WALSH AT STONEHILL: Stonehill College will host Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to "discuss the choices --both political and personal -- he has made in life and how he has addressed adversity." (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Pettit Atrium, Shields Science Center, 320 Washington St, North Easton)
SJC IN NEW BEDFORD: The seven justices of the state's highest court are taking a road-trip. The Supreme Judicial Court plans to gavel in an oral arguments session, promoting the change of venue as an opportunity for students, the media and residents in the area to view the work of the court, which usually meets in the John Adams Courthouse in Boston. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. Bristol County Superior Court, 441 County St., New Bedford)
DEP CHIEF IN LEOMINSTER: Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg is guest speaker at the Worcester County Highway Association business meeting. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Apple Hill Farm and Country Club, Leominster)
NORTHAMPTON FARMERS' MARKET: Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux and Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Jeff McCue plan to tour a farmers' market in Northampton "to highlight the market's nutritious, affordable and locally-grown foods that are accessible to SNAP & WIC clients and seniors participating in the Senior Famers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)." (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m, 85 Hampton Ave., Northampton)
AG RESOURCES - REGULATORY REFORM: The Department of Agricultural Resources holds the second of three listening sessions to give the public an opportunity to hear about the department's regulatory reform efforts and offer feedback on regulations that will be reviewed under Executive Order 562. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02018; 2nd Floor - Conference Rooms A, B & C)
ROSENBERG ON HERALD RADIO: Senate President Rosenberg is scheduled to be interviewed on Boston Herald Radio. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Hynes Convention Center, Boston)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 2015
HOUSE - FORMAL SESSION: The House's lone formal session next week is Wednesday at 11 a.m., with roll calls scheduled to begin after 1 p.m. Members have been advised to be prepared to consider unspecified items on the session calendar, committee reports and bills as they arrive from the Senate. A noon Democratic caucus is scheduled in Room A-1.
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats plan to meet in a closed caucus. A Rosenberg aide indicated Friday that the fiscal 2015 closeout budget, which will likely hit the floor on Thursday, will likely be discussed at the caucus. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Rosenberg's office)
BAKER AT HUBWEEK EVENT: Gov. Charlie Baker delivers remarks at Massachusetts General Hospital as part of HUBweek. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston)
BAKER IN MERRIMACK VALLEY: Gov. Baker plans to deliver remarks at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., DiBurro's, 887 Boston Road, Haverhill)
ECONOMIC CLUB: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg will speak at the Boston Economic Club luncheon (CLOSED PRESS) (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Boston Federal Reserve Building, 600 Atlantic Ave., 4th floor, Boston)
CLEAN WATER TRUST: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg chairs a meeting of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 3 Center Plaza, Suite 430, Boston)
WORCESTER RECOVERY HIGH: Lt. Governor Polito attends the Worcester Recovery High School ribbon-cutting. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 20 Rockdale Street, Worcester)
DPU HEARING ON NORTHEASTERN PETITION: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Northeastern University for an exemption from minimum bridge clearance requirements to allow the construction of a pedestrian walkway over an MBTA rail line in Boston at a vertical clearance of less than twenty-two feet six inches. (Wednesday, noon, DPU, One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor, HR C)
WALDEN POND RESERVATION VISITOR CENTER: Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton plans to join Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Carol Sanchez and others to break ground on the new $7.2 million Visitor Center at DCR's Walden Pond State Reservation. (Wednesday, noon, 915 Walden Street, Concord)
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Higher Education holds a hearing on 27 bills, mostly related to loan forgiveness and scholarship funds. Sen. Eileen Donoghue has sponsored a bill (S 661) requiring colleges and universities to provide accepted applicants the uniform financial aid information shopping sheet developed by the U.S. Department of Education. H 1056, sponsored by Rep. Paul Mark, establishes a student loan repayment program to attract health care professionals to rural communities. Sen. Jason Lewis has sponsored a bill (S 669) establishing scholarships for children and widowed spouses of deceased police officers, firefighters, corrections officers and veterans. Both S 671 and H 1038 create a scholarship fund to increase the number of medical providers who are knowledgeable about autism. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2204&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., A-2)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL MEETING: The Governor's Council meets, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito presiding. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 360, State House)
MUNICIPAL FINANCE OVERSIGHT BOARD: State Auditor Suzanne Bump will chair the Municipal Finance Oversight Board meeting where discussion is expected on Chapter 44A requests for qualified bonds from Springfield, Taunton and Methuen. Springfield is seeking $29.6 million for projects including school hardware, building demolition, planning and construction of the South End Community Center, 50 East St. planning, and a senior center. Taunton is seeking $14.6 million for projects including wastewater system engineering, remodeling of two schools, and planning for the Harris Street pump station and water mains. Methuen is seeking $8.4 million for energy improvements and high school athletic facilities projects. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 230)
CHANGING THE GAME PRESS CONFERENCE: The Institute for Career Transitions Changing the Game Committee, a group of long-term unemployed job seekers looking for policy changes, holds a press conference after meeting with legislators. Job seekers plan to advocate for training dollars to help professionals gain new credentials, investment in a more sophisticated workforce development system, and greater enforcement of fair hiring practices, according to a statement. Of unemployed workers over 55, 45 percent are long-term unemployed, according to Ofer Sharone of the MIT Sloan School of Management. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 428)
MARATHON BOMBING DISCUSSION: The National Law Enforcement Museum hosts a panel discussion on the Boston Marathon bombing as part of its Witness to History series. The panelists are former Special Agent Richard DesLauriers, Sgt. John MacLellan of the Watertown Police Department, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz. The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required by Oct. 5. Since the Museum began Witness to History in 2011, it has presented 11 events on topics such as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the day of Lee Harvey Oswald's death, and the Green River Killer. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Burke Theatre at the U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.)
POLITICAL HAPPY HOUR WITH AG: Joshua Miller, a political reporter at The Boston Globe, hosts a Live Political Happy Hour with Attorney General Maura Healey. Miller plans to discuss the news of the day, Healey's long-term vision as attorney general, and Healey's time on a professional basketball team in Austria. Registration for the event is free. Past Live Political Happy Hours have featured Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Suffolk University, 20 Somerset St., Boston)
CLINICAL LABS ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The Clinical Laboratory Advisory Committee will meet to debate a proposed classification of lead tests as exempt for purposes of licensing physician clinical laboratories and to receive and update on relevant regulations. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., William A. Hinton State Laboratory Institute, Room 202, 305 South St., Jamaica Plain)
MASSDEVELOPMENT: The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency's New Markets Tax Credit Advisory Board holds a meeting where members will hear a report on allocation usage and a program update. Votes are scheduled related to the Alma del Mar Charter School in New Bedford, Artists for Humanity in Boston, the Harbor Health Services PACE Program in Brockton and Holyoke Medical Center. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 99th High St., 11th floor, Boston)
NEW BEDFORD WATERFRONT: The New Bedford Economic Development Council holds a public meeting on waterfront land use planning. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Waypoint Event Center,2nd floor, 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford)
COUNCIL TO SIT WITH LAND COURT NOMINEE: A confirmation hearing for Jennifer Roberts, Gov. Charlie Baker's nominee to the La