What's ahead in state government this week
2/20 is New England Cheese Day
ARTICLE | POLITICS | FEBRUARY 13, 2016 06:00 AM | BY STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
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The Legislature appears to be sticking with its annual approach to school vacation week, which is to stay away from Beacon Hill. The House and Senate have pushed four major bills into conference committees and await resolutions on all of those issues. Supporters of a solar energy bill say the industry is suffering due to the impasse over that legislation, which on Thursday will mark its third month in closed conference talks. Set back by a snowstorm this week, legislators will also restart their formal review of Gov. Charlie Baker's $39.55 billion fiscal 2017 budget proposal, with a hearing on health and human services issues and spending on Tuesday in Springfield. The House and Senate plan informal sessions only and few hearings, which will clear the way for "in the district" time for lawmakers. It also affords time for politics and campaigning. The March 1 Bay State presidential primaries are less than three weeks away, but candidates are focused on Nevada and South Carolina presently. When they shift their attention to Super Tuesday, Massachusetts may not be the first state on their travel plans. The other states holding presidential primary voting that day are Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia. Governors will flock to Washington, D.C. next weekend where presidential politics are sure to make for good bar chatter. The winter meetings of the National Governors Association coincides with separate gatherings of the Republican and Democratic Governors Associations. Baker staff couldn't immediately say whether the governor planned to attend.
SATURDAY, FEB. 13, 2016
NINTH GOP PREZ DEBATE: Republicans presidential candidates jockeying for their party's nomination will gather for their ninth debate in the state that will hold the third contest on the road to the GOP convention. The debate, hosted by CBS News, is the first to follow the New Hampshire Primary. CBS News "Face the Nation" anchor John Dickerson will moderate the debate and will be joined by CBS News White House Correspondent Major Garrett and The Wall Street Journal's Kimberly Strassel as panelists. (Saturday, 9 p.m., Peace Center, Greenville, South Carolina)
MOULTON IN IPSWICH: Congressman Seth Moulton will hold a "Congress on Your Corner" district event at Ipswich Town Hall. Moulton and his staff will talk with constituents. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Meeting Room C, 25 Green St., Ipswich)
MOULTON IN NEWBURYPORT: Seth Moulton continues his district tour with a "Congress on Your Corner" event at Caffe Di Siena in Newburyport. The freshman congressman and his staff will take constituent questions. (Saturday, 11:30 a.m., 33 Pleasant St., Newburyport)
MOULTON IN NORTH ANDOVER: Congressman Seth Moulton rounds out his Saturday "Congress on Your Corner" tour with a stop at the North Andover Senior Center. Constituents will have the opportunity to talk with Moulton and his staff about issues with federal agencies. (Saturday, 1 p.m., 120 Main St., North Andover)
SUNDAY, FEB. 14, 2016
ANALYZING THE N.H. PRIMARY ON "KELLER": WBZ's Jon Keller welcomes back Charley Manning and Joanna Weiss on his program "Keller at Large" to discuss the results of the New Hampshire primary and it's impact on the state of the race. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
PALEOLOGOS GOES "ON THE RECORD": WCVB's Ed Harding and State House Reporter Janet Wu welcome David Paleologos, director of political research at Suffolk University, on "On the Record." Paleologos will analyze the New Hampshire primary results and explain what it means for the candidates in the weeks ahead, including when Massachusetts goes to vote on Super Tuesday on March 1. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
MONDAY, FEB. 15, 2016
PRESIDENTS DAY: School vacation week kicks off with the joint celebration of George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. Technically Washington's Birthday, Congress enacted it as a federal holiday in 1879. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved observances from Feb. 22 to the third Monday of the month. Massachusetts state law calls the day Washington's Day and provides separately for a Lincoln Day proclamation on Feb. 12. Under the Mass. General Laws, "Presidents Day" is May 29 -- John F. Kennedy's birthday -- and is set aside to the memory of the four Bay State presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, and JFK. (Monday)
DEMS DAY OF ACTION: The Massachusetts Democratic Party is seeking to drum up support for two Democratic candidates for state representative facing Republican challengers on March 1. The party, in an email to supporters, said it needs to activate its grassroots network "if we are going to fight back against Gov. (Charlie) Baker and outside spending from his Republican allies." The party is asking supporters to volunteer to either knock on doors or make phone calls Mondayfor candidates Tom Walsh (running for the 12th Essex District seat vacated by former Rep. Leah Cole) and Stephen Hay (running for the 3rd Worcester District seat vacated by now-Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale). More information is available at www.MassDems.Org. (Monday)
PRESIDENTS DAY AT THE JFK LIBRARY: The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum hosts a Presidents Day festival with actors portraying Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and John and Abigail Adams. The event will close out with a performance by the Harvard Din & Tonics, featuring Kennedy campaign songs. (Monday, 10 a.m., John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Columbia Point, Boston)
BUMP ON THE RADIO: Auditor Suzanne Bump is a scheduled guest on "Monday Night Talk" with Kevin Tocci and Joe Rossi. (Monday, 6:20 p.m., WATD 95.9 FM)
TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 2016
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
POLITO RALLIES FOR GOP STATE COMMITTEE CANDIDATES: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and other elected officials will participate in a pre-election rally for Republican State Committee candidates Reed Hillman and Lindsay Valanzola. Hillman, a former candidate for lieutenant governor, and Valanzola, a founding member of the Wales Republican Town Committee, are among the candidates Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito have endorsed for state committee. Hillman and Valanzola are running for state committee seats in the Worcester Hampden, Hampshire Middlesex Senate district. Stephanie Fattman, Jennie Caissie, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, Rep. Susannah Whipps-Lee, Rep. Todd Smola, Rep. Donnie Berthiaume, Rep. Paul Frost, Rep. Kim Ferguson, and Rep. Sheila Harrington are also scheduled to participate. State committee elections will take place March 1 and coincide with the Massachusetts presidential primary. (Tuesday, 4:30, Oliver Wight Tavern, Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge)
NATIONAL GRID PRESIDENT ON THE RADIO: National Grid President Marcy Reed is scheduled to talk with Dan Rea on "NightSide." (Tuesday, 9 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
WAYS AND MEANS BUDGET HEARING: The Department of Children and Families, a focus of recent budgets including Gov. Charlie Baker's House 2, will be among the agencies under review by the House and Senate Ways and Means committees. Impeded by last week's snow, the budget-writing committees will hold their first hearing on the annual spending bill outside the State House when they visit Springfield Technical Community College. Other agencies scheduled to testify are the Office of Refugees, the Commission for the Blind, the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Rehabilitation Commission, the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Department of Youth Services. House Ways and Means Assistant Vice Chairman Benjamin Swan, of Springfield, and Sen. Benjamin Downing will chair the hearing - one of five scheduled for outside the State House. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Springfield Technical Community College, Scibelli Hall, seventh floor, Springfield)
DISPENSARY RIBBON CUTTING: Patriot Care opens its Lowell medical marijuana dispensary, the fifth to open in Massachusetts, with a ribbon cutting. The same company plans to open dispensaries in Greenfield and Boston later this year. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 70 Industrial Ave. East, Lowell)
EXPANDED RECYCLING BRIEFING: Sen. Michael Moore and Rep. Mark Cusack will host a seminar on a bill (H 646) they filed which seeks to expand recycling in Massachusetts by making money available to cities and towns to upgrade their recycling infrastructure, and by creating a private sector-subsidized recycling fund. Mike Parkowski from the Delaware Solid Waste Authority will present results from Delaware's implementation of a similar law. Kevin Dietly from Northbridge Environmental Management Consultants will also address attendees. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House Members Lounge)
RESPIRATORY CARE BOARD: The Board of Respiratory Care meets with an agenda that includes discussion of draft policies on unlicensed practice and its probation practices. The board will also meet in an executive session to "evaluate the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of licensee(s)" who are requesting a change in license status. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 239 Causeway St., 4th floor, Room 417, Boston)
WESTBOROUGH DEMOCRATS HOLD "CONVERSATION ON THE MUSLIM ISSUE": The Westborough Democratic Committee will host a meeting where they will discuss the effect of recent "anti-Muslim, anti-immigration, and anti-minority" discourse. The discussion titled "Conversation on the Muslim Issue," will be led by Nazda Alam, Chair of the Muslim Voter Registration Project. Alam was Congresswoman Katherine Clark's guest at President Barack Obama's State of the Union address in January. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Tatnuck Bookseller, 18 Lyman Street, Westborough)
CONGRESSMAN MOULTON RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF: Congressman Seth Moulton kicks off his 2016 reelection campaign with an event at Finz Seafood in Salem. According to the invitation, the event will feature special guests, giveaways as well as appetizers and refreshments. The event is free. | RSVP and Event Information | For questions contact Jake Grader: jake@sethmoulton.com or at 781-910-4010 (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Finz Seafood and Grill, 76 Wharf Street, Salem)
HEALEY PARTICIPATES IN WINTER BASKETBALL CLINIC: Attorney General Maura Healey will play basketball with elementary and middle school students at an annual winter basketball clinic hosted by Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. (Tuesday, 9:30 p.m., Stoughton High School Gymnasium, 232 Pearl St., Stoughton)
HEALEY GOES TO COURT IN SOMERVILLE: Attorney General Maura Healey will play basketball with female students in fourth through seventh grade at a clinic sponsored by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and the Somerville Recreation Department. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Somerville High School gymnasium, 81 Highland St., Somerville)
GREEN COMMUNITIES GRANTS: Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson and Green Communities Director Dan Knapik will join Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito to award Green Communities designation grants to central Massachusetts cities and towns. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Holliston Town Hall, 703 Washington St., Holliston)
ROSENBERG ON MERRIMACK VALLEY AIRWAVES: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg will call in to WCAP Radio 980 AM in Lowell for an interview. (Tuesday, 7:45 a.m., 980 AM)
SENATE PRESIDENT ON HERALD RADIO: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg sits down in studio with Hillary Chabot and Jaclyn Cashman for a live interview on Boston Herald Radio. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 70 Fargo St., Boston)
BAKER AT POZEN PRIZE CHARTER EVENT: Gov. Charlie Baker joins Secretary of Education Jim Peyser to attend the announcement of the Boston Foundation's Pozen Prize for Charter Schools finalists - Match Charter School in Boston and the Community Charter of Cambridge. The Pozen Prize, named for philanthropist Robert Pozen, is an annual award to recognize a Boston-area charter school "for sustained academic excellence," according to the Boston Foundation. The $80,000 prize will be awarded in June. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Grand Staircase)
AUBURN COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with local officials in Auburn and signs a community compact with the town. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Auburn City Hall, 104 Central St., Auburn)
FRAMINGHAM AND HOLLISTON COMMUNITY COMPACTS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with local officials and signs community compacts with Framingham and Holliston. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., City Hall, 475 Union Ave., Framingham)
MEDFIELD COMMUNITY COMPACT SIGNING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito meets with local officials and signs a community compact with Medfield. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Town House, 459 Main St., Medfield)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17, 2016
HEARING FOR OUIMET-ROOKE: The Governor's Council meets to consider the confirmation of Michele Ouimet-Rooke, Gov. Charlie Baker's nominee for a judgeship at Springfield District Court. Ouimet-Rooke, who works as a litigation attorney at the Springfield law firm Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, began her legal career in 1989 as a victim/witness advocate in the Hampden County district attorney's office, a job she held for 10 years, according to her resume. She later was promoted to assistant district attorney working at Springfield District Court and then as chief prosecutor in Chicopee District Court. The eight-person elected Governor's Council will likely vote on Ouimet-Rooke's confirmation the following week. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 360)
DYSLEXIA LEGISLATION BRIEFING: Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts will hold a briefing on dyslexia legislation during its lobbying day at the State House. Rep. Alice Peisch, co-chair of the Education Committee, and Sen. Barbara L'Italien will speak. Peisch last year filed a bill (H 463) "to ensure that each student enrolled in a school district is screened for potential indicators of dyslexia or other reading disabilities." L'Italien is the sponsor of another bill (S 312) regarding children with dyslexia. Both bills have remained in the Education Committee since a hearing last June. Other speakers will include Dr. Nadine Gaab, associate professor of pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital and the Harvard Medical School and a faculty member at the Harvard Education School; and Dr. Roberto Olivardia, instructor in psychology at McLean Hospital. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Members' Lounge)
ROLE OF RELIGION IN POLITICS: Host Dan Rea poses the question, "What is the role of religion in politics?" on NightSide. (Wednesday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
IS GOVERNING POSSIBLE?: Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker leads a talk titled "Is Governing Possible?" Parker, who served three terms, will discuss the interplay between governing and politics and her theory that governing is "the oldest profession." Parker will also discuss her own career arc from "lesbian activist" to a power broker. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Littauer Center, Kennedy School, Cambridge)
VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP: The New England Veterans Business Outreach Center will host a pilot workshop for veterans and military spouses interested in starting their own business. Registration (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Roxbury Innovation Center, Venture Cafe, 2300 Washington St. - 2nd floor, Roxbury)
DRAPER LABS GROUNDBREAKING: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the Draper Laboratory atrium. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Draper Laboratory, 555 Technology Sq., Cambridge)
GLOBAL BUSINESS ALLIANCE: Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nam Pham provides opening remarks at the Global Business Alliance of New England's 22nd annual International Networking Evening and Business Forum. The event will also feature a panel of 10 consuls general discussing international business trends and opportunities, and Michael Goodman, chair of UMass Dartmouth's Department of Public Policy, will give an economic outlook. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., 1 Federal St., Boston)
POLITO AT LGBT EVENT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito offers remarks at a LGBT Business Builder Program event hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. (Wednesday, 8:15 a.m., U.S. Small Business Administration district office, 10 Causeway St., Boston)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito chairs a meeting of the Governor's Council. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 360)
PUBLIC EDUCATION RALLY: As part of a national day of action, students, parents and teachers organized by the Boston Education Justice Alliance will rally in front of City Hall and march to the State House to protest cuts to public education funding. The group plans to present city officials with a petition urging them to stop budget cuts in the Boston Public Schools. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Boston City Hall)
WYNN-SUFFOLK TRADE PARTNER INFO SESSION: Wynn Everett and Suffolk Construction will hold a mandatory information event for potential project bidders on the casino-resort project. Interested trade partners will be able to ask questions of Wynn and Suffolk representatives and learn how to get pre-qualified.Registration required by end of Monday (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Everett High School, 100 Elm St., Everett)
BUMP ON 'MORNING MEETING'| Auditor Suzanne Bump talks with Hillary Chabot and Jaclyn Cashman on Boston Herald Radio's "Morning Meeting." (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 70 Fargo St., Boston)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL: Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson chairs the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 100 Cambridge St., 2nd floor, Rooms B & C, Boston)
BERKSHIRE GAS HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities will hold a public hearing on the petition of The Berkshire Gas Company for approval of four-year agreement for firm liquefied natural gas service with GDF Suez Gas NA LLC. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., One South Station, 5th floor, HR C, Boston)
THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2016
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
HEALEY VISITS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER: Attorney General Maura Healey will tour Lynn Community Health Center and speak with staff about the opiate epidemic. (Thursday, 3 p.m., Lynn Community Health Center, 269 Union St., Lynn)
HEALEY KEYNOTES LGBT EVENT: Attorney General Maura Healey will deliver the keynote address at the annual North Shore Pride LGBT Professional Networking event. Healey is expected to focus her remarks on LGBT owned businesses, according to the state Democratic party. | RSVP | More Information | (Thursday, 5:45 p.m., Davensport Yacht Club Ballroom, 161 Elliot St., Danvers)
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL SEMINAR ON CHAPTER 93A: Michael Gilleran, author of "The Law of Chapter 93A," will present at a "93A University" in-house counsel seminar hosted by Burns & Levinson. The program will cover drafting of contracts to limit 93A risks. According to event organizers, Gilleran's book is "frequently cited and followed by Massachusetts courts." Registration (Thursday, 7 a.m., 125 Summer St. - 8th floor, Boston)
CONGRESSMAN LYNCH ON GREATER BOSTON: Congressman Stephen Lynch is a scheduled guest on Greater Boston with host Jim Braude. (Thursday, 7 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch. 2)
BAKER HITS THE AIRWAVES: Gov. Charlie Baker will join Boston Public Radio co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan as a guest for their "Ask the Governor" series. (Thursday, 12 p.m., WGBH-TV Ch. 2)
MEDWAY POWER GENERATION FACILITY HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities will hold a hearing on the petition of Exelon West Medway LLC and Exelon West Medway II LLC to construct and operate a 200-megawatt generating facility on Summer Street in Medway. (Thursday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th floor, HR A, Boston)
POLITO DEDHAM & NEWTON COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend a community compact signing for the town of Dedham and city of Newton. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, City Hall, Newton Centre)
POLITO COMMUNITY COMPACT SIGNING IN BRAINTREE: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend a community compact signing for the city of Braintree. (Thursday, 10:15 a.m., 1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree)
POLITO AT COMMUNITY COMPACT SIGNING IN FOXBOROUGH AND EASTON: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attends a community compact signing for the towns of Foxborough and Easton. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., 40 South Street #1, Town Hall, Foxborough)
POLITO AT COMMUNITY COMPACT SIGNING IN ROCHESTER: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will attend a community compact signing event in the town of Rochester. (Thursday, 2:45 p.m., Constitution Way, Town Hall, Rochester)
FRIDAY, FEB. 19, 2016
IWO JIMA COMMEMORATION: Those who survived the carnage of the Battle of Iwo Jima more than 70 years ago will be honored at a State House ceremony. The event is being hosted by the Marine Corps League Metrowest Detachment 1037. After fighting across the Pacific Ocean, the United States military wrenched the island away from Japanese forces over 36 days of a battle that killed 6,800 American and 19,000 Japanese fighters, according to the U.S. Marine Corps History Division. Iwo Jima provided the U.S. airstrips to launch attacks against Japan. A collation with lunch and refreshments in the Great Hall will follow the ceremony. (Friday, 11 a.m., Memorial Hall)
SCHOOL GARDENS CONFERENCE: The Mass. Horticultural Society will hold a "Cultivating Community in School Gardens" conference at its Elm Bank headquarters. Workshops will cover best practices for planning a school garden in the region to "endure seasons and administration changes." Other emphasized benefits will include educational value and subsequent healthy produce for schoolchildren. Schedule | Registration (Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington St., Wellesley)
ROSENBERG ON W. MASS. TV: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg joins host Chris Collins for an interview on Frontier Community Access. (Friday, 2 p.m., 8 COnway St., South Deerfield)
ROSENBERG 'FROM THE STATE HOUSE': Senate President Stanley Rosenberg tapes an episode of "From the State House" on Greenfield Community Television. The episode is expected to air on GCTV on Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. and again on Feb. 26 at 4 p.m., according to Rosenberg's office. (Friday, 3:30 p.m., 393 Main St., Greenfield)
TRANSMISSION LINE HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities will hold a hearing on the petition for approval to construct and operate two new underground 115-kV transmission lines and new substations in the cities of Boston, Everett and Chelsea. (Friday, 10 a.m., One South Station, 5th floor, HR A, Boston)
SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 2016
GOP SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY: Republican presidential candidates will see if their impact following New Hampshire's contest and their ability to woo primary voters in South Carolina pays off Saturday. Businessman Donald Trump, the winner of the New Hampshire primary, still commands a lead in the polls and has so-called establishment candidates jockeying hard for second or third place win to help carry them into subsequent contests. The field of candidates has significantly trimmed down since the Iowa and New Hampshire contests, with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina as the latest to suspend their campaigns. Polls in South Carolina are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m, according to the state's election commission. (Saturday Feb. 20th, South Carolina)
NEW ENGLAND CHEESE DAY: Local cheesemakers will gather at Russell's Garden Center for New England Cheese Day to sell their wares and offer samples. (Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m., 397 Boston Post Rd., Wayland)
DEMOCRATIC NEVADA CAUCUS: While Republican presidential candidates await results in the South Carolina Primary, Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will be awaiting a critical vote count of their own in the Nevada caucuses. Sen. Sanders is hoping for turnout levels like that in New Hampshire,
which helped catapult him to victory. Coming off an overwhelming loss in New Hampshire, Clinton is aiming to fend off another defeat in a state where she narrowly won the popular vote in 2008 against then Sen. Barack Obama. (Saturday Feb. 20, Nevada)
TALKING FISHING AT THE BIG E: Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George Peterson will participate in a panel discussion about the department's programs and outdoor recreational opportunities at the Springfield Sportsmen's Show at the Big E. (Saturday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m., 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield)
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