What's ahead in state government this week
Holiday tree lighting, ballot wishes and "hard hats for Hillary"
ARTICLE | POLITICS | NOVEMBER 28, 2015 06:00 AM | BY STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
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Citizen activists and special interest groups frustrated that the Legislature hasn't passed certain laws plan to bring boxes of certified voter signatures to Boston by Wednesday as they forge ahead with plans to secure 2016 ballot access for their initiative petitions. Meanwhile, as solar industry activists clamor for a new law to break a logjam of stalled energy projects, 10 state senators, including the lead negotiator on a House-Senate solar compromise, are set next week to leave for an extended trip to Israel. Senate President Stan Rosenberg, who this week suggested a solar bill breakthrough could occur during the Legislature's informal session period that runs through December, is leading the trip, scheduled to run from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13 and featuring meetings with government officials and visits to cultural and historic sites. Lawmakers next week will also convene hearings on Gov. Charlie Baker's five-year capital plan for transportation, his proposal to comply with the federal REAL ID Act, and a slate of legislative proposals pertaining to sex offenders. Holiday tree lighting ceremonies are set to usher in the season and the arrival of December Tuesday serves as another reminder, especially to users and operators of public transit systems, that winter is nearly upon us.
-- Next week brings the first Wednesday in December, a critical deadline for initiative petition sponsors hoping to secure ballot access in 2016. Proponents of measures expanding access to charter schools, legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, forcing price-based hospital contracting changes, and banning farming practices deemed cruel to animals have expressed confidence that they've cleared the big initial signature-gathering hurdle. Secretary of State William Galvin, who as elections overseer has jurisdiction over the initiative petition process, is pushing his own public records reform proposal and has expressed hope that he'll have the 64,750 signatures required.
-- November tax collection figures are expected to arrive Thursday, coloring in another piece of the state budget picture as Gov. Charlie Baker weighs mid-year budget corrections. Baker has said he'll wait until December to decide whether to pull the trigger on fixes, which could include unilateral budget cuts known as 9Cs. As Baker mulls changes to the fiscal 2016 budget, planners are gearing up for the launch of fiscal 2017 deliberations which officially get underway on Wednesday, Dec. 16 when legislators and administration officials will hear from economic experts about likely revenue scenarios for fiscal 2017.
SATURDAY, NOV. 28, 2015
ROSENBERG AT FLORENCE PARADE: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg attends the Annual Florence Civic and Business Association Holiday Parade. (Saturday, 9:45 a.m., Trinity Row Park/ Florence Civic Center 90 Park Street, Florence)
SUNDAY, NOV. 29, 2015
WALSH, CLINTON AT "HARD HATS FOR HILLARY": Boston Mayor Martin Walsh will join Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for a rally titled "Hard Hats for Hillary" at Faneuil Hall. According to the campaign, Walsh will discuss Clinton's record on labor issues. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Public Registration: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/events/view/?id=1009733 PRESS REGISTRATION: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CmRGlA8H674udvOCC6ILr8js5sKLsWRTbeuk-i9NvM4/viewform (Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Faneuil Hall, Boston)
ROSENBERG ON KELLER: Senate President Stan Rosenberg will be stopping by "Keller at Large" to talk with moderator Jon Keller about the first half of the 2015-2016 session, discussing the charter school cap debate and UMass funding. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m, WBZ-TV Ch.4)
ROSENBERG ON THE RECORD: Co-moderators Channel 5 Anchor Ed Harding and State House Reporter Janet Wu welcome Senate President Stan Rosenberg as a guest. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch.5)
BLUE HILLS DEER HUNT: For the first time in about 100 years, hunting will be permitted at the Blue Hills Reservation. The Department of Conservation and Recreation has awarded hunting permits to nearly 200 hunters who will have the opportunity to hunt the Blue Hills for a total of four days this year in an effort to bring the deer population under control in and around the nearly 7,000-acre reservation. Hunting will be permitted only in certain zones of the reservation, according to DCR. Every hunter awarded a permit to take part in the controlled hunt must also attend a pre-hunt orientation with DCR officials and will be permitted to use only shotguns with slugs while hunting. Though state officials say the hunt will help bring the deer population under control -- to control the spread of Lyme disease, reduce the occurrence of deer-involved car crashes and maintain a balanced ecosystem -- a group called Friends of the Blue Hills Deer has organized to oppose the hunt. Arguing that DCR's estimate of the deer population is off and saying that the state did not listen to opposing voices during an abbreviated public comment period, the group has urged Gov. Charlie Baker to prevent the hunt from getting underway, and suggested that state officials control the deer population by using dart guns to inject contraceptives into the deer, rather than killing some. The first two-day wave of the controlled hunt runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Nov. 30. The second segment will occur Sunday, Dec. 6 through Monday, Dec. 7. (Sunday through Monday, Blue Hills Reservation)
CHEVERUS AWARDS: Cardinal Sean O'Malley will present the Archdiocese of Boston's Cheverus Award Medal to 129 recipients, including laypersons and deacons, who have served their parish in a "quiet, unassuming and, perhaps, unrecognized fashion." The medal is named for Boston's first bishop, Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus. Recipients come from Boston, Bedford, Peabody, Hingham, Methuen, Readville, Haverhill, Marlborough, East Boston, Andover, Monponsett, Somerville, Cambridge, Roxbury, South Boston, North Reading, Avon, Weston, Natick, Dorchester, Merrimac/West Newbury, Mattapan, Stoneham, Bridgewater, Foxborough, Braintree, Waltham, Hanson, Norwood, Lynn, Lynnfield, Quincy, Lowell, Duxbury, Winthrop, Lawrence, Chelsea, Sudbury, Danvers, Tewksbury, Medford, Belmont, Wayland, Ayer, Wellesley, Natick, Brighton, Townsend, Melrose, Gloucester, Milton, Billerica, Needham, Arlington, Cohasset, Malden, Shirley, Wilmington, Revere, Brookline, Franklin, Dover, Brockton, Hanover and Reading. (Sunday, 3 p.m., Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston)
MONDAY, NOV. 30, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
COMMISSIONER EVANS ON ON GREATER BOSTON: Boston Police Commissioner William Evans is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston. (Monday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch 2)
LGBTQ YOUTH OF COLOR: Our Health Matters, a collaboration between the Fenway Institute, the Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Youth, and Boston GLASS, will release findings and policy recommendations from its survey on health disparities and resilience in LGBTQ youth of color. Nearly 300 surveys were collected last year from youth in the Boston area. (Monday, 5 p.m., Fenway Health 10th floor auditorium, 1340 Boylston St., Boston)
BLUE HILLS DEER HUNT: For the first time in about 100 years, hunting will be permitted at the Blue Hills Reservation. The Department of Conservation and Recreation has awarded hunting permits to nearly 200 hunters who will have the opportunity to hunt the Blue Hills for a total of four days this year in an effort to bring the deer population under control in and around the nearly 7,000-acre reservation. Hunting will be permitted only in certain zones of the reservation, according to DCR. Every hunter awarded a permit to take part in the controlled hunt must also attend a pre-hunt orientation with DCR officials and will be permitted to use only shotguns with slugs while hunting. Though state officials say the hunt will help bring the deer population under control -- to control the spread of Lyme disease, reduce the occurrence of deer-involved car crashes and maintain a balanced ecosystem -- a group called Friends of the Blue Hills Deer has organized to oppose the hunt. Arguing that DCR's estimate of the deer population is off and saying that the state did not listen to opposing voices during an abbreviated public comment period, the group has urged Gov. Charlie Baker to prevent the hunt from getting underway, and suggested that state officials control the deer population by using dart guns to inject contraceptives into the deer, rather than killing some. The first two-day wave of the controlled hunt runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Nov. 30. The second segment will occur Sunday, Dec. 6 through Monday, Dec. 7. (Sunday through Monday, Blue Hills Reservation)
BUMP ON THE RADIO: Auditor Suzanne Bump will be a guest on the Jordan Levy Show on WTAG-580 AM/94.9 FM-Worcester. (Monday, 4:30 p.m., WTAG, 95 Stereo Lane, Paxton)
BUMP IN FITCHBURG: Auditor Suzanne Bump meets with students at Fitchburg State University. Closed press. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Fitchburg State University, Antonucci Science Complex, Room 314, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg)
WATERTOWN-CAMBRIDGE GREENWAY: The Department of Conservation and Recreation and the City of Cambridge hold a public meeting to present an update on the design of a multi-use path and greenway along former B&M Railroad line, which help complete the link between the Charles River path system and the Minuteman Bikeway. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., 69 Grove St., Watertown)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PLAN HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the 2016 through 2018 energy efficiency plan filings for each of the nine program administrators. (Monday, 2 p.m, One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room A, Boston)
BUMP AT GREATER GARDNER CHAMBER: Auditor Suzanne Bump speaks at the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Luncheon, co-sponsored by the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, the Gardner Rotary Club and the Athol-Orange Rotary Club. (Monday, 12 p.m., Williams Restaurant, 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner)
NEWTON MAYOR IN D.C.: Newton Mayor Setti Warren will participate as a speaker at the International Symposium on Housing Inclusion and Social Equity. In a panel discussion, Warren will talk about the role of government in promoting social inclusion and economic opportunity. Joining him on the panel will be co-director of Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institution Richard Reeves, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, and Vice President of the Ford Foundation Xavier de Souza Briggs. Hosted by the Center on Children and Families at Brookings, Washington University in St. Louis, Duke University, and the National University of Singapore, the event will feature a keynote address by the Deputy Prime minister of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The event will be available via live stream at http://connect.brookings.edu/register-to-watch-housing-inclusion-social-equity (Monday, 11 a.m., Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington D.C.)
GOLDBERG, BAKER MEET: Treasurer Deb Goldberg has her monthly meeting with Gov. Charlie Baker. (Monday, 4 p.m., Room 360)
ROSENBERG ON THE RADIO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg is interviewed by Mara Dolan, WCAP Radio. (Monday, 10:10 a.m.)
BAKER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and House Speaker Robert DeLeo meet with Gov. Baker. Closed press. (Monday, 2 p.m., Senate President's Office)
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE: President Barack Obama and 146 other heads of state are scheduled to attend the United Nations Conference on Climate Change. List of speakers | http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/leaders_event_speakers_list_cop21_cmp11.pdf Event Information |http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-arrival-of-the-heads-of-state-on-30-november/(Monday, 10 a.m. (GMT +1), Paris, France)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission Executive Director David Seltz will join executives from Heywood Healthcare and offer remarks to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the HPC's Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation Investment Program. (Monday, 1 p.m., Heywood Hospital, 242 Green Street, Gardner)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission staff will join executives from Harrington Hospital to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation Investment Program. (Monday, 2 p.m., 100 South St., Southbridge)
MBTA CONTROL BOARD: The MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board plans to discuss operating budget principles for fiscal 2017. The board is seeking to "reduce costs, increase own-source revenue, and improve the customer experience." The meeting will be held in the conference rooms on the Transportation Building's second floor, which are more conducive to large crowds. The cost of repairing all MBTA equipment is about $7 billion and the transit authority also faces a $242 million operating budget gap in fiscal 2017, according to MBTA chief administrator Brian Shortsleeve. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., 10 Park Plaza, Boston)
CONVENTION CENTER SEARCH: The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority will hold a meeting of its Selection Committee. The committee will meet in executive session to consider or interview applicants for executive director. (Monday, 12 p.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boardroom 202)
CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY: The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Executive Committee will meet for a presentation about Lawn on D and other matters. (Monday, 10 a.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boardroom 201)
NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY: The New England Conservatory of Music will appear before MassDevelopment for approval of development of a 135,000-square-foot, 10-story student life and performance center at 255 St. Botolph St. and $3.5 million in financing. (Monday, 11 a.m., 99 High St., eleventh floor, Boston)
TUESDAY, DEC. 1, 2015
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Automobile insurance is the subject of a Financial Services Committee hearing with 21 bills on the docket. Sen. Mark Montigny and Rep. Bradley Jones are sponsoring bills (S 525/H 877) that would prohibit driving with an expired inspection sticker from being a surchargeable incident. A Rep. Ted Speliotis bill (H 957) would similarly prohibit violations of the vehicle inspection law from impacting insurance rates. Sen. Will Brownsberger filed a lengthy piece of legislation (S 479) that lists Michael Dukakis as a co-sponsor, which is titled "An Act to establish consumer choice in automobile insurance." Massachusetts in recent years has transitioned from a regulated, "fixed and established" rate-setting system to one introduced by former Gov. Deval Patrick featuring less regulation and more competition among insurers for policyholders. Agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventDetail?eventId=2334&eventDataSource=Hearings (Tuesday, 11 a.m., TBD)
SPRINGFIELD FIRE ACADEMY: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg speaks at ribbon cutting at Springfield Fire Academy. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 100 Grochmal Avenue, Springfield)
EMPOWERING GIRLS - HIGH SCHOOL: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosts the Empowering Girls Conference for Middlesex County high school students. The annual conference introduces young women to powerful voices, positive role models and new opportunities. Ryan will deliver opening remarks. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Broad Institute, Cambridge)
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on 69 bills addressing sex offenses and related laws. Several bills deal with child sexual abuse and with the registration or classification of sex offenders. Other bills include one that would see anyone convicted of three or more sex offenses sentenced to life in prison (S 908); one seeking to establish a "Bill of Rights for victims of sexual assault" (S 836); one that would allow prosecutions of sex offenses after the statute of limitation expires if DNA later identifies the offender (S 879). Proposed legislation would also set criminal penalties for inducing a minor into prostitution (H 1558) and distributing without consent any photos or videos of another person nude, partially nude or engaged in a sexual act (1513). (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-2)
FISHERY MANAGEMENT: The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting in Portland, Maine starting Tuesday. Tuesday's agenda includes a report on spiny dogfish, discussion of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's strategic plan, and a report from the Science and Statistical Committee, which will make recommendations on overfishing limits and acceptable biological catch of Atlantic sea scallops, red hake and most of the groundfish stocks in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. There will be an open period for public comments at 1:30 p.m. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, Maine)
PERFUSIONIST REGISTRATION BOARD: The Board of Registration of Perfusionists meets to discuss an advisory ruling related to the Ex Vivo lung perfusion practice sometimes used during organ transplant procedures. The board will also receive a report about the number of license applications since its March meeting. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th Floor, Room 418, Boston)
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY: The Organics Subcommittee of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meets at MassDEP's central regional office. The agenda includes discussion of best management practices for food donation and financial incentives for anaerobic digestion in Massachusetts. The meeting is also available via webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2748705772773088257. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 8 New Bond St., Worcester)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: Bills on the topic of ticket resale will be among those considered during a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Sen. James Eldridge has filed a bill (S 142) that would prohibit entertainment venues from employing a paperless ticketing system unless customers have the option of purchasing the same tickets in a different form for no additional charge at the time of initial sale. A Sen. Michael Rush bill (S 187) would forbid ticket issuers like sports teams or concert venues from pre-selling any tickets to ticket resellers like StubHub or Ace Tickets for the purpose of selling the tickets on the secondary market. Ticket resellers would also be banned from using "any software or other technology" that would restrict the sale of tickets to the general public within 24 hours of the tickets going on sale. The committee will also hear testimony on a bill to create a board of registration in phlebotomists (H 163), a bill to allow massage therapy services on Sundays and holidays (H 169) and to allow certain licensed hair dressers to become barbers (H 276). Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2208&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 437)
CONGRESSMAN LYNCH ON THE RADIO: Congressman Stephen Lynch is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-hosts Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
LOTTERY COMMISSION: The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission meets, with Treasurer Deb Goldberg as chair. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 12th floor, West Conference Room, Boston)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Bay State Gas Company d/b/a Columbia Gas of Massachusetts for approval by the Department of Public Utilities of a 15-Year Firm Transportation Agreement with Portland Natural Gas Transmission System. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room B, Boston)
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito welcome guests to the State House for an open house and State House Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. Energy and Environmental Affairs Sec. Matthew Beaton and Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux will attend.Working with the theme ""Make it a Massachusetts Holiday!," the event will feature Massachusetts farmers, food producers, agricultural partners and tourism venues. The Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund will also be on site encouraging guests to create holiday greeting cards for service men and women stationed abroad. Guests will be able to join in singing of Christmas carols before the State House Christmas Tree is lit for the season. Santa Claus is expected to make a special guest appearance. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Grand Staircase)
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION: The Board of Higher Education holds a series of meetings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Academic Affairs Committee will meet at 10 a.m., followed by a full board special meeting at 12 p.m. and a Fiscal Affairs and Administrative Policy Committee meeting at 1 p.m. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston)
ASH CARTER AT KENNEDY SCHOOL: Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will visit Harvard's Institute of Politics for a discussion with Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Director Graham Allison. The world's militaries are engaged in overlapping missions in and around Syria where Turkey recently shot down a Russian fighter jet, claiming it had violated Turkish airspace. When Vice President Joe Biden visited the Kennedy School last year he ruffled feathers by saying, "Our allies in the region were our largest problem in Syria," and he later went on an international apology tour for his remarks. Carter has Boston ties, as a former Kennedy School professor who served on the boards of the MITRE Corporation and Lincoln Laboratories. A Philadelphia native, Carter is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, based in Cambridge. The event is ticketed. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Kennedy School)
WORLD AIDS DAY: UMass Boston commemorates World AIDS Day 2015 with a reception featuring Chancellor J. Keith Motley and Carl Sciortino, a former state representative who now serves as executive director of the AIDS Action Committee. Sciortino will discuss the future of the AIDS epidemic and the importance of its history. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., UMass Boston Campus Center, Second Floor Terrace)
PINTS OF ORDER - PART TWO: The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate and WGBH News will collaborate again to host the "Second Ever Pints of Order MApoli Trivia Night." Veteran trivia emcee and WGBH State House Reporter Mike Deehan will return as moderator to ask questions on a range of topics including as Senate history, current Massachusetts public affairs, fictional presidencies, and favorite political dynasties. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Kinsale Irish Pub & Restaurant, 2 Center Plaza, Boston)
FOCUS ON THE UK: The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism hosts a seminar titled "Focus on the United Kingdom," featuring information on UK travel trends, airline service and marketing tactics for the Massachusetts travel industry. Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nam Pham will participate. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4510, Boston)
PALMER COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with local officials to sign a community compact. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 4147 Main Street #10, Palmer)
SPRINGFIELD, WESTFIELD AND HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COMPACTS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with local officials from Springfield, Westfield, and Holyoke to sign community compacts. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Springfield City Council Chambers, 36 Court Street, Springfield)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2, 2015
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: The Governor's Council will meet and could take a vote on Eric Neyman, who has been nominated to the Appeals Court. Neyman appears poised for a unanimous vote on his confirmation. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Governor's Council Chamber)
APPEALS COURT INTERVIEW: The Governor's Council interviews Appeals Court nominee Vickie Henry, the leader of the Youth Initiative at the Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders who previously spent 15 years working at the firm Foley Hoag. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Governor's Council Chamber)
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Transportation holds an oversight hearing on the MassDOT five-year capital budget; repairs on roads, tunnels and non-Massport airports; the Project Selection Advisory Council recommendations; and the Chapter 90 program. The hearing is open to the public but testimony is by invite only. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., A-1)
TRANSMISSION LINE HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds an evidentiary hearing on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for approval of a new 345-kV overhead transmission line along an existing transmission right-of-way in the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut; and on the petition of New England Power Company d/b/a National Grid for an exemption to the zoning bylaws of the towns of Tewksbury, Andover, and Dracut, Massachusetts, for the construction and operation of a new 345-kV electric transmission within 6.5 miles of an existing right-of-of-way. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room C, Boston)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION COMMITTEE: The Health Policy Commission's Cost Trends and Market Performance Committee meets to discuss preliminary findings on pharmaceutical drugs from the upcoming 2015 Health Care Cost Trends Report and to receive an update on the Material Change Notice process relating to provider-to-provider discount arrangements. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 50 Milk Street, 8th Floor, Boston)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION COMMITTEE: The Health Policy Commission's Community Health Care Investment and Consumer Involvement Committee meets to discuss program design for the Health Care Innovation Investment Program as well as the commission's fiscal 2016 funded telemedicine pilot program. The committee will also hear a presentation from Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth Hospital on their CHART Phase 2 project. HPC staff will update the committee on the Community Hospital Study. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 50 Milk Street, 8th Floor, Boston)
FORUM ON LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES: The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation hosts a forum to examine new data, models and opportunities to improve delivery and coordination of long-term services and supports (LTSS). According to organizers, such services account for 12 percent of the state budget, largely through the MassHealth program, and are expected to increase in frequency as Baby Boomers age. The program will include a presentation by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, and consulting firm Manatt Health Solutions. Participants include Audrey Shelto, President, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation; Carol Raphael, Senior Advisor, Manatt Health Solutions; Alice Bonner, Secretary, Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs; Daniel Tsai, Assistant Secretary, MassHealth; and Matt Salo, Executive Director, National Association of Medical Directors. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston)
BALLOT QUESTION SIGNATURE DEADLINE: It will be clear on Wednesday which petitions for 2016 and 2018 ballot initiatives have enough certified signatures to move forward and which don't. It's the deadline for voter signatures to be filed with the Elections Division of the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, following certification by local election officials. Petitions require 64,750 certified signatures each to proceed. Certification requires the signature to be legible and from a registered voter in Massachusetts, and the address where the voter is registered must be provided. No more than one-quarter of the signatures may come from any one county. If a petition has 64,750 certified signatures, it will be sent to the Legislature in January. If the Legislature doesn't enact the measure by May 4, proponents are required to gather 10,792 more signatures by early July. (Wednesday)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING: Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson will chair the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council's Executive Committee meeting. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Cambridge Street, Boston)
FOOD ESTABLISHMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The Food Establishment Advisory Committee meets. It's a 12-member panel that promotes food safety and advises the director of the Food Protection Program within the Department of Public Health. Allergen awareness training and discussion of retail food code changes are on the agenda. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Massachusetts Restaurant Association, 333 Turnpike Rd., Suite 102, Southborough)
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security holds a hearing on 24 bills, including measures establishing a task force to study the use of the Internet by sex offenders (H 2142), a forensic services drug laboratory oversight board (S 1302) and a commission to assess State House and state courthouse safety procedures (H 2166). A Rep. Evandro Carvalho bill (H 3276) requires no less than $100,000 to be expended to provide protection services for victims and witnesses of domestic abuse. Rep. Todd Smola has filed a bill (H 2174)that prohibits law enforcement agencies from refusing to accept a missing persons report and provides guidelines for what information agencies should attempt to gather. S 1286, sponsored by Sen. Michael Moore, establishes a corrections advisory board to identify best practices in areas such as care and custody of inmates, health management and human resources. Full agenda: https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventCurrentDetail?eventId=2335&eventDataSource=Hearings&isCurrent=True (Wednesday, 1 p.m., A-1)
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION LISTENING SESSION: The Executive Office of Education will hold a listening session to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on its regulations, part of a regulatory reform initiative at all state agencies ordered by Gov. Charlie Baker. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., One Ashburton Place, Room 1403)
LGBTQ YOUTH COMMISSION: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth holds a meeting of its executive committee. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St., Lobby 2, Boston)
ENERGY METRIC REPORT HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds an evidentiary hearing on the Massachusetts Electric Company and Nantucket Electric Company d/b/a National Grid's 2014 Timeline Enforcement Metric Report. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th Floor, Hearing Room B, Boston)
WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION TRUST: The Massachusetts Water Supply Protection Trust meets. Agenda items include an end-of-season fishing report, financial and progress reports and discussion of Green Certification for forestry. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant, 84 D'Angelo Drive, Marlborough)
UMASS ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE: The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees's Committee on Administration and Finance will meet to discuss an update of the university's Fiscal Year 2015 report, the transfer of land from the federal government to UMass-Dartmouth and a quarterly update on various UMass capital projects. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Boston/Amherst Room, 32nd Floor, One Beacon Street, Boston)
ROSENBERG ON BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO: Senate President Stan Rosenberg is a scheduled guest on Boston Public Radio with co-hosts Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7)
MARITIME INNOVATION CONFERENCE: The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UMass Dartmouth holds its first maritime innovations conference to showcase the state's marine technology industry. The event will focus on startups and opportunities for funding marine technology companies. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will discuss trends in the industry, and UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology Dean Steven Lohrenz provides opening remarks. Dr. James Bellingham, founding director of the Center for Marine Robotics at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, will also be present. Agenda and registration: http://www.umassd.edu/innovate/events/maritimeinnovation/ (Wednesday, 2 p.m., UMass Dartmouth Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, 151 Martine St., Fall River)
BUMP AT NEWBURYPORT CHAMBER: Auditor Suzanne Bump is the featured speaker at the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce Breakfast and Business event. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., The Phoenix Room, 19 Inn St., Newburyport)
HEALEY AT BOSTON FOUNDATION EVENT: Attorney General Maura Healey will attend The Boston Foundation's Centennial Gala Dinner. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave, Boston)
INSURANCE LISTENING SESSION: The Division of Insurance holds a listening session on home insurance. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., New Bedford City Hall, room 314, 51 Elm St., New Bedford)
METROWEST OPIOID FORUM: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosts a public policy discussion on using qualitative interviews with people in recovery to inform decisions. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., Nevins Hall, 150 Concord St., Framingham)
MIDDLESEX DA ON SENIOR SCAMS: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan speaks to seniors to offer guidance on how to identify "red flags" for scams in emails, calls and solicitation, and how to respond or avoid scams. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Weston Council on Aging, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston)
FISHERY MANAGEMENT: The New England Fishery Management Council plans to meet on Framework Adjustment 55 following a report from the Groundfish Committee. As federal studies have shown a drastic drop in cod, the region's groundfish industry has been hard-hit by catch limits. Earlier in the morning, the council will hear the Skate Committee Report and receive an update on thorny skate. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, Maine)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission staff will join executives from Lowell General Hospital to launch the hospital's Phase 2 initiative for the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation Investment Program. (Wednesday, Lowell General Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive, Lowell)
MBTA POLICE CHIEF SWEARING-IN: Gov. Charlie Baker attends the swearing-in ceremony for MBTA Police Chief Kenneth Green. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Roxbury Community College, Media Arts Center, 1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury)
MARINE TECH: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito offers remarks at a marine technology event. (Wednesday, 1:45 p.m., UMass Dartmouth Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 151 Martine St., Fall River)
THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 2015
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