ADVANCES – WEEK OF AUG. 10, 2014
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, AUG. 8, 2014……As President Obama and his entourage are set to join the 115,000 people who populate Martha’s Vineyard during the summer months, candidates and some lawmakers will be ramping up their campaigns, especially those facing primary contests in four weeks. An early Sept. 9 primary leaves little downtime for the few Beacon Hill incumbents with challengers, or those sparring in the wide open races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and treasurer. Obama’s arrival comes at an opportune time for his friend, Gov. Deval Patrick, who has cleared his desk of the many bills sent his way on July 31, although a few major pieces of legislation are pending. State officials and lawmakers often tout the state’s tourism businesses as a reliable economic driver and the late summer weeks leading up to the start of school represent a key stretch for that sector. Retail sector insiders meanwhile are gearing up for an Aug. 16-17 sales tax holiday weekend that hinges on Gov. Patrick signing a jobs bill. The governor still has also not acted on a landmark gun bill on his desk, as well as legislation addressing domestic violence, environmental investments, and retainage fees in private construction projects.
OBAMA ON THE VINEYARD
President Barack Obama will return to his regular summer vacation spot, Martha’s Vineyard, for a two-week stay, starting Saturday. While the president summers on the island, the United States military is turning more attention to Iraq, the country U.S. forces first invaded in 2003 and which is now enthralled in sectarian strife between the ruling government, the incursion of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and Kurds in the north. On Thursday night Obama announced he has authorized military strikes on ISIL forces to protect the city of Erbil where American diplomats, soldiers and civilians live and work. The president also authorized humanitarian air drops of food and water for Yezidi refugees hiding on a mountain from ISIL. Some of Obama’s activities on the island will be catalogued by travel pool press. The president will attend a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee event on Monday, will voyage back to the capital for meetings between Sunday, Aug. 17 and Tuesday, Aug. 19, and plans to depart from the Vineyard Sunday, Aug. 24.
CONGRESSIONAL RACES
Members of the Bay State’s all-Democrat Congressional delegation are going unchallenged by Massachusetts Republicans on several fronts. While races are more hotly contested on the North Shore and Cape Cod, there is no Republican on the primary ballot in six of the nine congressional districts – though a write-in campaign could change the picture for the general election. Congressmen Richard Neal, James McGovern, Joe Kennedy III, Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch have no major party challengers, while Congresswoman Katherine Clark faces only a Democrat in her bid for a full two-year term in the U.S. House. Congressman John Tierney faces the most challengers for his seat in the Sixth District, vying with Marisa DeFranco, John Patrick Devine, John Gutta and Seth Moulton – whose fundraising is on par with Tierney’s. The winner of the Sixth District primary will face Richard Tisei, the former state Senate minority leader and lieutenant governor nominee who barely lost – 48.3 percent to 47.1 percent – against Tierney in 2012. Congressman William Keating has four Republicans mounting campaigns against him, and the race has gained some national interest. Republicans Mark Alliegro, John Chapman, Vincent Cogliano Jr. and Daniel Shores are all competing for the chance to face Keating. Clark is facing a primary challenge from Lexington Democrat Sheldon Schwartz. Haverhill Republican Roseann Ehrhard Wofford is the lone Republican challenging Congresswoman Nicola Tsongas. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, who won the seat in a June 2013 special election, has an opponent in Republican Brian Herr.
SENATE PRIMARIES
The retirement of Sen. Stephen Brewer, the decision of Sen. Gale Candaras to take a court position, and Sen. Barry Finegold’s mounting of a campaign for treasurer have opened up seats in the 40-member body and led to contested primaries. Sen. Jen Flanagan’s failure to reach the ballot via nomination papers has forced her to mount a write-in campaign in the Democratic primary, as former Rep. Richard Bastien does the same in the Republican primary. Sens. Harriette Chandler, a Worcester Democrat, Sonia Chang-Diaz, a Boston Democrat, and Kathleen O’Connor-Ives, a Newburyport Democrat, are facing challenges from within their own party. Jessica Finocchiaro, of Methuen is challenging O’Connor-Ives; William Feegbeh and Sean Maher, of Worcester, are challenging Chandler; and Roy Owens, of Boston, is challenging Chang-Diaz.
While just over half the Senate – 21 members – are the only candidates listed on the primary ballot, a few senators can look forward to a fall campaign, and a more limited number can watch opponents from the other party duke it out for the chance to appear on the November ballot. Democrats Christopher Hopewell and Patrick Leahy, of Holyoke, are vying to take on Sen. Don Humason, a Westfield Republican. Democrats Dylan Hayre, of Natick, and Sara Lynn Reynolds, of Attleboro, are competing for the chance to face Sen. Richard Ross, a Wrentham Republican. Republicans Ronald Beaty Jr., of Barnstable, and Allen Waters, of Mashpee, are vying to compete against Sen. Dan Wolf, a Harwich Democrat. Senate President Therese Murray’s decision not to run for re-election has resulted in two candidates qualifying for the primary ballot, but no contested primaries. Seeking Candaras’s seat are Democrats Timothy Allen, of Springfield; James Chip Harrington, of Ludlow; Thomas Lachiusa, of Longmeadow; Eric Philip Lesser, of Longmeadow; and Aaron Saunders, of Ludlow; as well as Republican Debra Boronski, of East Longmeadow. Republicans James Ehrhard, of Sturbridge, and Michael Valanzola, of Wales, are competing for Brewer’s seat and the winner will face Rep. Anne Gobi, a Spencer Democrat, in the general. Former Rep. Barbara L’Italien, of Andover, is running for Finegold’s seat in the Democratic primary against Pavel Payano and Doris Rodriguez, of Lawrence.
GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL
Governor’s Councilors Michael Albano, of Longmeadow, Christopher Iannella, of Boston, and Jennie Caissie, of Oxford and the eight-member body’s lone Republican, have no challengers from their own party or on the opposing party’s primary ballot. Councilor Oliver Cipollini, Jr., of Barnstable is facing the most primary opponents with challenges from Alexander Kalife and Walter Moniz, of New Bedford, and Joseph Ferreira, of Somerset. Councilor Robert Jubinville, of Milton, has a primary against Bart Andrew Timilty, of Boston. Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, of Watertown, is facing a primary challenge from Charles Shapiro. Two other councilors who will likely skate through the primary season can look forward to general election campaigns in the fall. Councilor Eileen Duff, of Gloucester, is facing a Republican challenge from Maura Ryan-Ciardiello, of Haverhill. Councilor Terrence Kennedy is facing Republican Vincent Lawrence Dixon, of Winchester. Joe Ureneck, a frequent attendee at council meetings, has announced his plans to challenge Iannella.
HOUSE PRIMARIES
The longest-serving member of the House, Rep. Angelo Scaccia, and the shortest-serving member of the House, Rep. Evandro Carvalho, both have challengers on the Sept. 9 primary ballot. Primary challenges of sitting state representatives are relatively uncommon, and many reps do not have anyone listed as an opponent. Departures from the House and planned retirements have created some empty seats that have tempted candidates from both major parties.
BARNSTABLE HOUSE PRIMARIES
Republican Timothy Whelan, of Barnstable, and Democrats Alexander Morash, of Yarmouth, Ian Ryan, of Dennis, and Elisa Beth Zawadzkas, of Dennis, are competing to replace Dennis Democrat Rep. Cleon Turner.
BRISTOL HOUSE PRIMARIES
Dartmouth Democrat Rep. Christopher Markey has a primary opponent in Alan Garcia, also of Dartmouth. Dartmouth Republican Patrick Curran is running on the Republican side. Republicans Jeffrey Bailey and Bert Buckley, of Attleboro, are vying against each other for the nomination to challenge Rep. Paul Heroux, an Attleboro Democrat.
ESSEX HOUSE PRIMARIES
Rep. Leonard Mirra, a West Newbury Republican is facing a primary challenge from Groveland Republican Edward Watson. Seeking to take the seat left by Newburyport Democrat Rep. Michael Costello, Edward Cameron, of Newburyport, and Robert Lavoie, of Amesbury, are competing in the primary, while only James Kelcourse, of Amesbury, appears on the Republican ballot. Gloucester Democrat Rep. Anne-Margaret Ferrante has two Republicans running for her seat, Michael Boucher of Rockport, and Robert Whynott, of Gloucester. Republicans are fielding no contenders to replace Lynn Democrat Steve Walsh, who resigned his seat earlier this year, while Lynn Democrats Brendan Crighton, Charlie Gallo and Aikaterini Panagiotakis Koudanis face off in the primary. Peabody Republican Rep. Leah Cole has challenges from two Peabody Democrats, Beverley Griffin Dunne and James Moutsoulas. Rep. Diana DiZoglio, a Methuen Democrat, is facing two challengers from her own party, Oscar Camargo and Phil DeCologero, both of North Andover, while Rosemary Connelly Smedile, of North Andover is running on the Republican side.
HAMPDEN HOUSE PRIMARIES
Rep. Joseph Wagner, a Chicopee Democrat, is facing a primary challenge from Chicopee Democrat William Courchesne. Rep. Benjamin Swan, a Springfield Democrat, is facing a primary challenge from Larry Lawson, a Springfield Democrat. Running to fill Springfield Democrat Rep. Sean Curran’s seat are Springfield Democrats Edward Collins, Peter Murphy and Jose Tosado. Aiming to fill Springfield Democrat Rep. Cheryl Rivera’s seat are Springfield Democrats Melvin Edwards, Carlos Gonzalez and Ivette Hernandez.
FRANKLIN HOUSE PRIMARIES
Rep. Denise Andrews, an Orange Democrat, has two Republicans running for her seat, Karen Anderson, of Orange, and Susannah Whipps Lee, of Athol.
MIDDLESEX HOUSE PRIMARIES
Running to fill the seat held by Rep. Tom Conroy, who is running for treasurer, are Democrats Carmine Lawrence Gentile, of Sudbury, and Brian LeFort, of Framingham who is an aide to Rep. Chris Walsh. Running to replace Kevin Murphy, a former House member who was named Lowell city manager, are Lowell Democrats Brian Donovan, James Jim Leary, Randy Mom and David Ouellette. Rep. Marjorie Decker, a Cambridge Democrat, is facing a challenge from Lesley Rebecca Phillips, a Cambridge Democrat. Everett Democrat Rep. Wayne Matewsky is facing a primary challenge from Everett Democrat Joseph McGonagle, Jr. Winchester Democrat Michael Bettencourt and Stoneham Democrat Michael Seamus Day are competing and Stoneham Republican Caroline Colarusso is unopposed in the primary for the seat left vacant by Sen. Jason Lewis, part of a string of upward mobility that began with John Kerry’s appointment as secretary of state. Malden Democrats Neil Kinnon and Steven Ultrino are vying to replace Malden Democrat Rep. Chris Fallon, who is not running for re-election. Democrats Christine Barber, of Somerville, Erin DiBenedetto, of Medford, Sharon Guzik, of Medford, and Craig Rourke, of Somerville, are vying to replace former House member Carl Sciortino, a Medford Democrat.
PLYMOUTH HOUSE PRIMARIES
Two Republicans, David DeCoste of Norwell and Louis Valanzola of Rockland, are vying for the nomination to challenge Rep. Rhonda Nyman, a Hanover Democrat. The retirement of Brockton Rep. Christine Canavan has opened up primaries by both major parties. Colleen Maloney and John Cruz, of West Bridgewater, are running on the Republican side, and Paul Beckner, Peggy Curtis and Michelle DuBois, all Brockton Democrats, are running on the other side.
SUFFOLK HOUSE PRIMARIES
Rep. Evandro Carvalho, a Dorchester Democrat who was the last member elected to the House in a special election this year, will face a primary challenge from former House member Althea Garrison, a Boston Democrat, and Republican Claudette Joseph is also seeking the seat. Rep. Angelo Scaccia, a Readville Democrat and the longest serving member of the House, faces a primary opponent in Anthony Joseph Solimine, a Boston Democrat. Rep. Gloria Fox, a Roxbury Democrat, is facing two primary opponents in Eric Esteves and Rufus Faulk, both of Boston. Rep. Dan Cullinane, a Dorchester Democrat, is facing three primary challengers, Corey Allen, Ruthella Logan-Cruz and Carlotta Williams, all Boston Democrats.
WORCESTER HOUSE PRIMARIES
Republicans Donald Berthiaume, Jr., of Spencer, Stephen Comtois II, of Brookfield, and Jennifer Gaucher, of Spencer, are running to replace Spencer Democrat Rep. Anne Gobi, who is running for Senate, while Democrats Matthew Castriotta, of Hubbardston, and George Yiantsidis, of New Braintree, are vying for the seat from the other side. Grafton Republican Rep. George Peterson’s decision not to run has led to his aide David Muradian, of Grafton, and Shawn Craig, of Upton, competing in the Republican primary, while Martin Green, of Northbridge, is the lone name on the Democratic ballot. Rep. Mary Keefe, a Worcester Democrat, is facing two primary challenges, from Phillip Palmieri and Ralph Perez, both Worcester Democrats. Rep. Dan Donahue, a Worcester Democrat, is facing a primary from Worcester Democrat Joshua Perro. Running to replace Rep. John Binienda, a Worcester Democrat are Democrats Douglas Belanger, of Leicester, Moses Dixon, of Worcester, and Michael Germain, of Worcester, while Republican Kate Campanale, of Leicester, is alone on the primary ballot. Milford Democrat Rep. John Fernandes has two Republicans running for his seat, Christopher Kivior, of Milford, and Mark Reil, Jr., of Mendon. Sutton Republican Rep. Ryan Fattman’s run for Senate has created an open seat, and a contest between Republicans Charles Arakelian, of Webster, Jesse Limanek, of Sutton, and Joseph McKenna, of Webster and Democrats David Cortese, of Douglas, Mark Dowgiewicz, of Webster, and Brenda Ennis, of Oxford.
BILLS ON GOVERNOR’S DESK
As of Friday afternoon, Gov. Patrick had 29 bills on his desk, including several pieces of compromise legislation sent his way in the last days of the formal legislative session.
– S 2271 relative to fair retainage payments in private construction
— S 2334 relative to domestic violence
— H 4376 relative to the reduction of gun violence
— H 4377 promoting economic growth across the Commonwealth
— H 4375 preservation and improvement of land, parks and clean energy in the Commonwealth
— S 1987 clearing titles to foreclosed properties
— H 4386 relative to simulcasting
— H 4378 relative to organ retention
— H 4227 exempting Nantucket from the provisions of Mass. General Laws and the code of Massachusetts regulations regarding funeral directors, embalmers, funeral homes, and crematories
— H 2222 relative to children of correction officers
— H 3789 further regulating regional school district planning committees
— H 4156 providing for a highway buffer zone in Needham
— H 3525 clarifying the term of appointment of non-civil service police officers
— H 4349 authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey a certain parcel of land in Shrewsbury
— H 4344 authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to transfer care, custody and control of a certain parcel of land in Sandwich in exchange for certain parcels of land in Bourne and Sandwich
— H 3891 authorizing DCAMM to convey a certain parcel of land in Marlborough
— H 4370 authorizing the lease, license and conveyance of certain Commonwealth property in Boston
— H 4363 authorizing the transfer of a parcel of land from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the City of Boston
— S 2233 authorizing DCAMM to convey a certain parcel of land in Cambridge
— S 2169 relative to the acceptance of Paper Mill Road as a public way in Westfield
— H 4359 preserving the Historic Speedway Administration Building in Brighton
— H 2859 authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to lease a certain parcel of land in Boston
— H 4232 providing for the preservation of a memorial to landing ship tanks in Hingham
— S 1847 authorizing the MassDOT to acquire certain parcels of land in Fall River
— H 3902 authorizing the change of use of certain conservation land in Duxbury
— H 3801 authorizing the County and Town of Nantucket to convey a certain parcel of land
— H 777 relative to the Town of Chatham Conservation Commission and land within Harwich
— H 768 relative to a boat house land lease in Boston
— S 2139 authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to dispose of certain real property in Boston and to release an easement upon certain real property in Boston
SATURDAY, AUG. 9, 2014
YOUTH ENRICHMENT DAY: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley will deliver the keynote address at the at Youth Enrichment Day ’14. Organizers expect hundreds of youth from across the city to attend. (Saturday, noon, UMass Boston)
DEMS CANVASS IN FRAMINGHAM: Democrats are holding pre-primary canvasses and targeting voters who tend to vote in presidential election years. The efforts are part of a “coordinated campaign” aimed at supporting Democratic One canvass, which Rep. Chris Walsh will kick off in Framingham. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Panache Coffee, 680 Worcester Rd., Framingham)
HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF IN BOSTON: Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson will be in Boston to deliver the keynote address to the American Bar Association’s 2014 annual meeting. The event is open press, and credentialed media must register by visiting the Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D, Level 2, beginning at noon. On the day of event, media must be in place no later than 3:30 p.m. (Saturday, 4 p.m., Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston)
CONVERSATION ABOUT CALIFORNIA’S PROPOSITION 8: The legal team that helped overturn Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage, discusses their case and the argument for marriage equality. The team included Ted Olson, a conservative, and David Boies, a liberal. (Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hynes Convention Center, Boston)
TOP APPEALS COURT JUDGE KEYNOTES LUNCHEON: Robert Katzmann, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, will keynote the luncheon for the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Awards. (Saturday, noon, Hynes Convention Center, Boston)
NYT REPORTER TALKS SUPREME COURT DOCKET: Linda Greenhouse, the Supreme Court analyst for the New York Times, discusses the cases the court took up in its recent term. (Saturday, 2 p.m., Hynes Convention Center, Boston)
BERWICK METROWEST OFFICE: Democratic candidate for governor Donald Berwick opens an office in the Waltham/ Metro West area. (Saturday, 12 p.m., 689 Main Street, Waltham)
JAZZ FEST: Democratic candidate for governor Donald Berwick attends the Jazz Fest in Springfield. (Saturday, 7 p.m., Court St, Springfield)
BUMP AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Auditor Suzanne Bump plans to attend the weeklong National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers Annual Conference. (Saturday, El Dorado Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico)
SUNDAY, AUG. 10, 2014
UNION CHIEF ON WBZ: Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman appears on WBZ’s Keller at Large program, hosted by Jon Keller. During the interview, Keller and Tolman discuss the Market Basket protests, labor’s accomplishments on Beacon HIll and the upcoming elections. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ)
BERWICK ‘ON THE RECORD’: Candidate for governor Donald Berwick appears on WCVB’s On the Record program. Berwick is running for the Democratic nomination for governor against Attorney General Martha Coakley and Treasurer Steven Grossman. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)
NIXON/REAGAN BOOK TALK: To commemorate the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s resignation, author Rick Perlstein will discuss his new book “The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan” with WBUR host Christopher Lydon. (Sunday, 5:30 p.m., JFK Library, Columbia Point, Dorchester)
MORTON STREET BRIDGE: Transportation Secretary Richard Davey and Highway Administrator Frank DePaola visit Mattapan for a photo opportunity at the Morton Street Bridge Replacement Project. (Sunday, 8 a.m., Mattapan)
BERWICK SPEECH: Candidate for governor Donald Berwick gives a speech at Candelero de Dios Church. (Sunday, 10:45 a.m., 216 Lynnfield St, Lynn)
COAKLEY GOES TO CHURCH: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martha Coakley attends services at the Morning Star Baptist Church. (Sunday, 10:30 a.m., 1257 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan)
LATINO FAMILY FEST: According to her campaign schedule, gubernatorial candidate Martha Coakley plan to drop by the El Mundo Latino Family Festival. (Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Fenway Park, State Street Pavilion, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston)
MONDAY, AUG. 11, 2014
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches are scheduled to meet in informal sessions Monday at 11 a.m. Senate Republicans held up the advancement of any bills on Thursday.
BERWICK ON TOUCH FM: Democratic candidate for governor Donald Berwick is interviewed on Touch 106.1 FM. (Monday, 8 a.m., 106.1 FM)
CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS TALKS MAGNA CARTA: John Roberts, the chief justice of the United States, is scheduled to speak to attendees of the American Bar Association’s annual general assembly. He is expected to talk about the history and influence of the Magna Carta, which was signed in 1215 in England and later influenced the writers of the U.S. Constitution. The document turns 800 years next year. (Monday, 11 a.m., Level 3 Ballroom, Hynes Convention Center, Boston)
HEARING ON NATIONAL GRID REQUEST: The Department of Public Utilities hears National Grid’s petition for approval of the company’s infrastructure recovery factor filing for 2013. (Monday, 2 p.m., One South Station, 5th Floor)
FALCHUK AT SPRINGFIELD MEET AND GREET: Independent candidate for governor Evan Falchuk, joined by his running mate Angus Jennings, attends the Springfield City Library’s “Candidates Meet and Greet.” (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Springfield Central Library, 220 State St., Springfield)
LOW NUMBER PLATE DEADLINE: Applications for the Registry of Motor Vehicles’ 2014 Low Number License Plate Lottery must be postmarked by Monday. “The lowest available plate this year has great significance; it is the number 351 and that is the total number of cities and towns in Massachusetts,” Registrar Celia Blue said in a statement when the plates were announced. Blue wants participants from all 351 cities and towns to participate in the drawing.MassDOT receives around 6,000 applications each year. (Monday)
WELFARE RECIPIENTS SHARE GOOD-NEWS STORIES: Welfare recipients with success stories because they furthered their education, completed job training, or got a job in their field will tell their stories at the State House, joined by Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Stacey Monahan. Revelations of fraud and abuse surfaced last year and the former commissioner Daniel Curley was asked to resign. Monahan was brought in to revamp the department. In June, 2014, lawmakers passed a package of welfare reforms intended to prevent benefit fraud and abuse, while also supporting recipients to move them off welfare rolls. The legislation also required DTA to have specialists assigned to help high-risk recipients. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall, State House)
FORUM ON MOSQUITO AND TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES: Public health officials host a community forum on surveillance and response to mosquito and tick-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Lyme disease. Experts will be available to talk about the diseases and how they spread. (Monday, 7 p.m., Marshfield Town Hall, Hearing Rooms 2 and 3, 870 Moraine St., Marshfield)
SWITCH FLIPPED FOR WALTHAM SOLAR CANOPY: Undersecretary for Energy Mark Sylvia is scheduled to speak at a ceremony for “flipping the switch” on a garage mounted solar canopy. The garage is in an office park and owned by Boston Properties. (Monday, 9 a.m., Bay Colony, 950 Winter St., Waltham)
HEALTH CENTER TOUR – DORCHESTER: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz and Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett are set to tour four Community Health Centers in the Boston-area as part of Community Health Center Week. The first stop is in Dorchester’ Codman Square. (Monday, 10 a.m., Codman Square Community Health Center, 637 Washington St., Dorchester)
HEALTH CENTER TOUR – UPHAM’S CORNER: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz and Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett are set to tour four Community Health Centers in the Boston-area as part of Community Health Center Week. The second stop is at the Upham’s Corner Health Center in Dorchester. (Monday, 11:45 a.m., 415 Columbia Road, Dorchester)
HEALTH CENTER TOUR – ROXBURY: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz and Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett are set to tour four Community Health Centers in the Boston-area as part of Community Health Center Week. The third stop is at the Whittier Street Health Center. (Monday, 2 p.m., 1290 Tremont St., Roxbury)
HEALTH CENTER TOUR – FENWAY: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz and Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett are set to tour four Community Health Centers in the Boston-area as part of Community Health Center Week. The fourth stop is at the Fenway Community Health Center. (Monday, 3:30 p.m., 1340 Boylston Street, Ansin Building, Boston)
LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND: Jon Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, highlights the fiftieth anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund has helped create community parks and trails, and preserve Civil War battlefields and clean water sources, according to the Department of the Interior. The department says the fund will expire next year without action from Congress. Undersecretary for Environment Martin Suuberg, Lowell National Historical Park Superintendent Celeste Bernardo and Priscilla Geigis, DCR director of MassParks and National Association of State Park Directors president, will join Jarvis at the event. (Monday, 10:15 a.m., Varney Playground, 45 Adams St., Chelmsford)
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WEEK: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz will tour Codman Square Health Center to kick off national Community Health Center Week. The week recognizes the role community health centers play in providing access to affordable care. There are 49 community health center organizations in Massachusetts at 285 sites across the state. Department of Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett and Codman Square Health Center chief executive Sandra Cotterell and health center president Marva Serotkin plan to attend. (Monday, 10 a.m., Codman Square Health Center, 637 Washington St., Dorchester)
TUESDAY, AUG. 12, 2014
A.I.M. WEBINAR ON LEGISLATIVE SESSION: Associated Industries of Massachusetts hosts a brown bag lunch webinar to discuss the 2013-2014 legislative session, and look at how employers fared. Business analysts will talk about several issues that were before the Legislature including energy deals, research and development tax credits, the use of non-compete agreements, and a mandatory paid sick days proposal, which will appear on the November ballot. (Tuesday, noon to 1 p.m., register for the webinar contact Diane Martinos at dmartinos@aimnet.org or call 617.262.1180, for more information)
GROSSMAN FUNDRAISER: A fundraiser for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Grossman will be held at the Dover Rug company in Natick. The event, hosted by Tahir H. Chaudhry, is aimed at raising money for Grossman to run television ads and cover campaign expenses, according to an invitation. (Tuesday, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Dover Rugs, 549 Worcester St., Natick)
BERWICK ON HAMP RADIO: Democratic candidate for governor Donald Berwick is a guest on the Bill Newman Show on WHMP. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., WHMP)
HEALTH CENTER TOUR – WORCESTER: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz will tour the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in the Worcester as part of Community Health Center Week. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Edward Kennedy Community Health Center, 19 Tacoma Street, Worcester)
FALCHUK ON PRAISE RADIO: Evan Falchuk, an independent candidate for governor, appears on the “Boston Politics” radio show on Praise Radio. (Tuesday, 10 p.m., WRCA 1330-AM)
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13, 2014
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM ON IMMIGRANT ISSUES: Gubernatorial candidates Don Berwick, Martha Coakley, Evan Falchuk, Mark Fisher and Steve Grossman are scheduled to participate in a forum that focuses on issues affecting immigrant communities in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, Health Care for All, the Immigrant Integration Lab at Boston College, Mass Vote, the Massachusetts Alliance for Portuguese Speakers and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute are co-sponsoring the event. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Bunker Hill Community College, 250 New Rutherford Avenue, Boston)
ROCK ‘N REAL ESTATE CRUISE: NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, hosts its 4th annual rock ‘n real estate harbor cruise. The cruise features cocktails, networking and live music by B11. Hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets are included with each ticket. An after party hosted by Synergy Investments will follow the cruise, and take place on the upper floor of Bostonia Public House. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., M/V New Boston Vessel, 60 Rowes Wharf, Boston)
DRECHSLER BEFORE GOV’S COUNCIL FOR SUPERIOR COURT BID: The Governor’s Council continues with its parade of judicial nominees as Gov. Deval Patrick lines up candidates to fill the bench in the waning days of his administration. The council plans to interview attorney Thomas Drechsler. Patrick nominated Drechsler for a seat on the Superior Court to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jane Haggerty. Drechsler is a criminal and civil rights attorney who has tried close to 500 cases. He is partner at Byrne & Drechsler, where he has worked since 1985 and which is the firm previously associated with former House Speaker Thomas Finneran. He launched his legal career in 1978 as a law clerk in the Superior Court, and then served for six years as an assistant district attorney in Middlesex and Essex counties. A Marblehead resident, Drechsler graduated from New York University, and received a master’s degree from Polytechnic Institute of New York, and his law degree from Boston College Law School. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Room 360, Council chamber)
GOV’S COUNCIL ASSEMBLY: Gov. Deval Patrick will chair a meeting of the Governor’s Council, where the eight-member panel is expected to vote on two judicial nominees – Gregg Pasquale and Gregory Massing. Patrick nominated Massing, who is the executive director of the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service at Suffolk University Law School, to become an Appeal Court judge. If confirmed, he will replace Justice Geraldine Hines, who was elevated to the Supreme Judicial Court last month. Massing, 54, worked in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in 1993 before going to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, and then the Boston law firm Laredo & Smith. From 2007 to 2011, he was general counsel at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The council is also expected to vote on attorney Pasquale, who the governor nominated for a seat on the Superior Court. Pasquale, a Rockland resident, is currently a partner at Pasquale & White, where he practices medical malpractice litigation representing patients and their families. (Wednesday, noon, Room 360, Council chamber)
WORCESTER LAWYER BEFORE GOV’S COUNCIL: Worcester Attorney Geoffrey German will appear before the Governor’s Council for an interview for a seat on the Hampden County Probate and Family Court. Gov. Deval Patrick nominated him for the bench last month. German is a sole practitioner concentrating in family law, including divorce, custody, and paternity. He also handles real estate transactions, wills, personal and business litigation. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room 360, Council chamber)
PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: The Public Health Council, which sets regulations and advises the Department of Public Health on major policy decisions, meets. The agenda includes amendments to regulations on hospital licensure, operation and maintenance of birth centers, and nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in vending machines and student stores in public schools. The agenda also includes a transfer of ownership of Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer. Baystate Health Inc. proposes to become the sole corporate member of the Wing Memorial Hospital. Baystate Franklin Medical Center is looking to construct a 54,912-square foot addition to its campus, and a 12,655-square foot renovation of existing hospital space. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 250 Washington St., Boston)
BOSTON FED PRESIDENT IN NY: Boston Federal Reserve President Eric Rosengren will speak at a conference at the NY Fed on the risks of wholesale funding. When a firm relies on short-term wholesale funds to support long-term assets, it becomes vulnerable to runs by its wholesale creditors, according to the Federal Reserve. The risks of wholesale funding were evident during the Great Recession, when firms experienced an outflow of wholesale funds following Lehman Brothers failure. (Wednesday, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 33 Liberty St., New York, NY)
HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: The Health Policy Commission’s Quality Improvement & Patient Protection and Care Delivery & Payment System Transformation committees will meet to discuss their 2014 agendas. Topics include the integration of behavioral health into the primary care setting, certification of accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes, and implementation of the new law relative to nurse staffing ratios. The committees will also hear a presentation from Boston Medical Center regarding its ACO model. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Daley Room, Two Boylston Street, Boston, 5th Floor)
RIBBON-CUTTING FOR REHOBOTH SOLAR ARRAY: Meg Lusardi, the acting commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources, will offer remarks at a ribbon cutting for a community-owned solar array. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., 116 Barney Ave., Rehoboth)
BOMB-SNIFFING DOG TO REUNITE WITH HANDLER: MBTA Transit Police plan to reunite Moxie, a bomb-detection dog, with U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Dylan Bogue, his former military handler. The Wounded Warrior Project will help run the ceremony in front of Transit Police headquarters. According to the MBTA, Moxie and Bogue served together in Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in Afghanistan. Moxie has worked with the MBTA Transit Police for over a year and will now retire to Jacksonville, N.C. with Bogue. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Transit Police headquarters, 240 Southampton Street, Boston)
HEALTH CENTER TOUR – SOUTH COVE: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz will tour the South Cove Community Health Center in Boston to celebrate Community Health Center Week. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., South Cove Community Health Center, 885 Washington St, Boston)
FALCHUK IN ROXBURY: Independent candidate for governor Evan Falchuk tours the Horizons for Homeless Children Center. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 1705 Columbus Ave., Roxbury)
THURSDAY, AUG. 14, 2014
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
CONNECTOR BOARD: The Massachusetts Health Connector Board meets. Officials plan to demonstrate some a revamped website designed to help individuals enroll in health insurance plans. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 21st floor, One Ashburton Place, Boston)
ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD: The Energy Facilities Siting Board meets. The agenda includes consideration of a tentative decision about National Grid’s request to swap out existing equipment for new natural gas pre-treatment systems in Dorchester; a project change request by Colonial Gas Company proposing modifications to the Sagamore line reinforcement project; and New England Power Company’s petition for approval to construct and operate two new underground transmission lines and upgrades to existing Salem Harbor and Canal Street substation in Salem. The agenda also includes UMass Amherst’s request for supplemental advisory ruling for construction of a temporary LNG storage facility. (Thursday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Hearing Room A, Boston)
DCR DOLES OUT VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSISTANCE GRANTS: David Celino, the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s chief fire warden, awards 40 fire departments with volunteer fire assistance grants, which are aimed at helping fire departments purchase equipment for fighting wildfires. According to DCR, the agency has awarded $520,000 in volunteer fire assistance grants over the last years. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Windsor Fire Station, 2025 Route 9, Windsor; 2:30 p.m., Shelburne Fire District, 18 Little Mohawk Rd., Shelburne)
AG CANDIDATES FACE OFF IN TELEVISED DEBATE: The two Democrats running for attorney general, former prosecutor Maura Healey and former Sen. Warren Tolman, tape a debate with Emily Rooney of WGBH’s “Greater Boston” show. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., WGBH Studios, One Guest St., Boston)
FALCHUK ON ‘NIGHT SIDE’: Evan Falchuk, independent candidate for governor, appears on “Night Side with Dan Rea.” (Thursday, 9 p.m., WBZ 1030-AM)
FALCHUK AT CANDIDATES’ FORUM: United Independent Party gubernatorial candidate Evan Falchuk participates in a candidates forum hosted by Rosie’s Place, a women’s shelter. (Thursday, 3 p.m., 889 Harrison Ave., Boston)
FRIDAY, AUG. 15, 2014
MASSDOT HIGHWAY SIGN CONTEST: From Friday to the following Monday, Aug. 18, MassDOT will display messages written by customers on electronic road signs throughout the state’s highway system. Twitter users were asked to use the hashtag #DOTSPEAK to enter submissions. According to the Department, the weekend is one of the top ten most popular travel periods. (Friday)
ASK DON ANYTHING: Democratic candidate for governor Donald Berwick takes part in an ‘Ask me anything’ question and answer session on Reddit. (Friday, 2:30 p.m., http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/)
HEALTH CENTER TOUR – FALL RIVER: Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz will tour the Star Community Health Center in Fall River to celebrate Community Health Center Week. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., Star Community Health Center, 1010 S Main St, Fall River)
SATURDAY, AUG. 16, 2014
PROGRESSIVE FAIR: Progressive advocacy groups, including the #WageAction coalition, SEIU 1199, Jobs with Justice, MassUniting and the NAACP host a community fair to celebrate recent political victories and prepare for events around Labor Day. (Saturday, 12 p.m., Carson Beach, Mother’s Rest Area near Gazebo, Dorchester)