ADVANCES – WEEK OF SEPT. 28, 2014
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, SEPT. 26, 2014…..Nearly three weeks after the primary elections, the candidates for governor finally meet for their first debate Monday evening in Springfield. It will follow an early afternoon forum on technology issues in Cambridge. The debate will mark the first opportunity for the candidates to directly engage one another since the major parties chose Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Charlie Baker to join three independents on the Nov. 4 ballot. National Democrats are trying to puff wind into the sails and stuff cash into the campaign kitty of Martha Coakley, who has already been on the trail with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and this week is set to get a fundraising lift First Lady Michelle Obama. Vice President Joseph Biden also plans to visit Boston Thursday for a foreign policy event. Coakley also has an important matter to deal with Monday at her day job, as attorney general. A Superior Court judge plans to hear from parties with a stake in her proposed amended consent judgement with Partners HealthCare, a towering figure on the health care landscape whose expansion plans have stirred worries about negative consequences for health care cost growth.
Other storylines developing for the week ahead:
– With Suffolk Downs scheduled to close on Saturday, Oct. 4, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has urged anyone interested to operating a thoroughbred horse racing track to apply by the Wednesday, Oct. 1 deadline.
– A new commission charged with examining the compensation of public officials and making recommendations in December has gotten off to a quick start and plans to sit down again on Friday.
– As the new federal fiscal year begins on Thursday, Massachusetts lawmakers and Gov. Deval Patrick have yet to tie up loose ends on their last fiscal year, which ended on June 30. The governor and lawmakers typically wait until the fiscal dust settles to take up a final supplemental spending bill to address accounts where spending exceeded estimates. Senate President Therese Murray predicted a spending bill would emerge in September but q rewrite of Gov. Patrick’s proposal has not yet emerged from House Ways and Means.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 2014
JOBS NOT JAILS: Jobs Not Jails, a statewide coalition focused on redirecting prison spending towards jobs, training and support for Massachusetts’ lowest income communities, will hold a meeting to continue the vision process for its long-term campaign. (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Freedom House, 5 Crawford Street, Dorchester)
KEATING BRUNCH: U.S. Rep. William Keating hosts a volunteer appreciation brunch with Reps. Rhonda Nyman, Josh Cutler and James Cantwell. Keating faces Republican nominee John Chapman in November for his Southeastern and Cape Cod seat. (Saturday, 11 a.m., Pembroke Campaign Office, 243 Church Street Pembroke)
WARREN ENDORSES MOULTON: Sen. Elizabeth Warren plans to endorse Democrat Seth Moulton, who beat Rep. John Tierney of Salem in the primary and faces Republican Richard Tisei on Nov. 4. Sen. Thomas McGee of Lynn will be there. (Saturday, 1 p.m., Tatianna’s Restaurant, 70 Market St., Lynn)
MCCORMICK AT HR DERBY: Independent candidate for governor Jeffrey McCormick attends the Chelmsford Home Run Derby contest. (Saturday, 11:15 a.m., Chelmsford Route 110 baseball complex, located at 73 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford)
MCCORMICK AT OKTOBERFEST: Independent candidate for governor Jeffrey McCormick attends the Newburyport Oktoberfest celebration. (Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Cashman Park, Merrimack Street and Sally Snyder Way, Newburyport)
FLUFF FEST: Independent candidate for governor Jeffrey McCormick attends the ninth annual What the Fluff? tribute to Union Square. (Saturday, 4 p.m., Union Square, Somerville)
MCCORMICK IN MALDEN: Independent candidate for governor Jeffrey McCormick attends the Fall Fest in Malden. (Saturday, 3 p.m., Rte 60/Fellsway East/Savin Street, Malden)
SICK TIME CAMPAIGN RALLIES: The coalition behind the ballot question to mandate earned sick time for workers holds rallies and canvas events. Activists will hold canvasses in Brockton, Dorchester, New Bedford, Jamaica Plain, Fall River, Worcester, Salem, Franklin, Framingham, Brookline, Leominster, Cambridge, Salem, Newton, Marblehead and Amherst. California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who authored California’s paid sick days law, is scheduled to join volunteers in Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, Brookline, Cambridge, Lynn, and Newton. U.S. Sen. Edward Markey is set to appear in New Bedford, while Attorney General and Democratic nominee for governor Martha Coakley is scheduled to take part in the Fall River event. (Saturday and Sunday)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 28, 2014
TISEI ‘ON THE RECORD': Former Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, the Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional District seat, is scheduled to appear on WCVB’s political talk show. A recent poll from WBUR by MassINC shows Tisei trailing Democratic nominee Seth Moulton by 8 point. Moulton beat U.S. Rep. John Tierney in the Democratic primary. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)
KENNEDY ON KELLER: On this week’s edition of Keller at Large, host Jon Keller sits down with U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy to discuss his vote against authorizing U.S. aid to Syrian rebels, the political backlash against President Barack Obama and his own push for more bipartisanship in Congress. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)
MONDAY, SEPT. 29, 2014
WESTERN MASS. GOVERNOR’S DEBATE: A Western Massachusetts Media Consortium hosts a Springfield debate among the candidates for governor, with Jim Madigan serving as moderator. (Monday, 7 p.m., CityStage, Springfield)
CLEAN ENERGY SECTOR JOB GROWTH: Gov. Patrick plans a Monday morning announcement about job growth in the clean energy sector, an industry Patrick has tried to stimulate with state funding and policy directives. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Boston Green Academy, Brighton)
NEW BROCKTON JUDGE: At an event that Patrick aides describe as “photo only,” Gov. Patrick administers the ceremonial oath of office to Edmund Mathers as an associate justice of the Brockton District Court. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., Room 360, State House)
DISTRICT COURT JUDGE HERNON: At a photo-only event, Gov. Patrick administers a ceremonial oath of office to the Judge Julieann Hernon as a Circuit Justice of the District Court. (Monday, 12:45 p.m., Room 360, State House)
PATRICK CELEBRATES DUKAKIS CENTER: Gov. Patrick celebrates the 15th Anniversary of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy. (Monday, 7:15 p.m., Westin Copley, America Ballroom, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston)
BOSTON CARBON RISK FORUM: According to The Better Future Project, the Boston Carbon Risk Forum will offer seminars and roundtable discussions about divestment and carbon risk led by government officials, religious and non-profit leaders, and experts from the institutional financial sector. In recent years, Massachusetts has passed more resolutions calling for divestment in fossil fuels than any other state. State officials, including Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), and Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge) plan to participate along with local government officials including former Seattle Mayor Michael McGinn, Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Michelle Wu, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Cambridge City Councilor Leland Cheung, and Providence City Council Majority Leader Seth Yurdin. Community leaders including The Reverend Doctor Jim Antal and The Reverend Doctor Robert Massie and financial experts from Kepler Cheuvreux, MSCI, and Bloomberg LP also plan to attend. (Monday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Harvard Law School, Wasserstein Hall, 2036 Milstein East B, 1585 Massachusetts Ave,Cambridge)
RETURN OF MARTY WALSH: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh will return from a 10-day trip to Ireland, where he revisited his roots in County Galway and reportedly fielded questions from schoolchildren about whether he harbors presidential ambitions. “I don’t know,” Walsh responded, according to the Boston Globe, one of the news organizations that accompanied him on the trip. “It’s a tough job.” (Monday)
TAX CREDIT IMPACTS ON HEALTH: An innovation forum Monday will feature the release of the Health Impact Assessment of the Community Investment Tax Credit. Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein plans to offer remarks. The assessment was written by the Metro Area Planning Council, Health Resources in Action and the state Department of Public Health. (Monday, 9 a.m., Bank of America, 225 Franklin St.,, Boston)
DOI SESSION ON UTILIZATION REVIEW RECORDS: The Division of Insurance hosts an information session focused on “Standardization of Carrier and Provider Utilization Review Records.” (Monday, 10 a.m., Division of Insurance, Room 1-E, 1000 Washington St., Boston)
PARTNERS, AG BACK IN COURT: Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office and Partners HealthCare will go before Superior Court Judge Janet Saunders seeking approval of a deal struck between the two sides that resolves the attorney general’s anti-trust investigation into he state’s largest health provider network and allows Partners to acquire Hallmark Health Centers and South Shore Hospital. Coakley on Thursday filed an amendment to the controversial deal that would specifically cap Hallmark prices for six and a half years at general inflation or medical inflation, whichever is lower. Partners has also agreed to maintain the current level of psychiatric and behavioral health services at its Hallmark and North Shore facilities for five years. Coakley’s office on Thursday also filed an 80-page response to the voluminous public comments submitted with regard to the settlement. Saunders could render a decision immediately, seek additional information from the parties involved, or set a future date for her to consider the material in front of the court and make a ruling. While the attorney general has argued that the deal will keep Partners’ negotiating power in check over the next 10 years and save costs, the Health Policy Commission and a coalition that includes competitors of Partners have raised concerns that the agreement would lead to increased health care costs through a further consolidation of Partners market control. (Monday, 2 p.m. Suffolk Superior Court)
NEU POLICY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY: Senate President Therese Murray co-hosts the 15th Anniversary Celebration of Northeastern University’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. (Monday, 6 p.m., Westin Copley Hotel, Boston)
MANUFACTURING WEEK KICKOFF: Next week is manufacturing week in Massachusetts and Patrick administration officials plan a kickoff event Monday to recoggnize graduates of the Mount Wachusetts Community College Advanced Manufacturing Industrial Readinesss Program. Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki and Labor Secretary Rachel Kaprielian plan to attend. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., Mount Wachusett Community College, 27 Jackson Road, Devens)
MASSWORKS PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: An announcement concerning the MassWorks Infrastructure Program and New England Peptide is scheduled for Monday morning. Mayor Mark Hawke of Gardner and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki will attend. (Monday, 11 a.m., New England Peptide, 65 Zub Lane, Gardner)
HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION FORUM: A report set for release on Monday examines how to leverage community development to achieve better health outcomes for people and communities, according to the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. The report, a Health Impact Assessment of the Community Investment Tax Credit Program, was written by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Health Resources in Action and the Mass Department of Public Health. A presentation of the report’s findings and recommendations, followed by a discussion panel of practitioners and policy makers are also on the agenda for the forum. (Monday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Bank of America, 5th Floor, 225 Franklin Street, Boston)
HEALEY MNF FUNDRAISER: The MassEquality PAC, Human Rights Campaign and The Victory Fund are hosting a Monday Night Football fundraiser as the Patriots face off against the Chiefs in Kansas City. (Monday, 7 p.m., Cathedral Station, 1222 Washington St., Boston)
AUDIT CONDUCTED OF STATE’S OBESITY PREVENTION PROGRAMS: State efforts to address childhood obesity have undergone a comprehensive audit and Auditor Suzanne Bump plans a public event on Monday to release the results. Bump plans to join Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and state Department of Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett to announce the audit results. Aligning with National Childhood Obesity Prevention Month, the report will provide a review of the efforts from the Departments of Public Health (DPH), Agricultural Resources, and Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to implement new laws, regulations, and federal programs. A tour of East Somerville Community School is also planned. (Monday, 9 a.m., East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross Street, Somerville)
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions at 11 a.m.
BLUESTONE HONORED AT DUKAKIS CENTER GALA: Barry Bluestone will be honored at a Dukakis Center Gala that Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki plans to attend. (Monday, 6 p.m., Westin Copley Hotel, 10 Huntington Ave., Boston)
GUV CANDIDATES TO APPEAR AT TECH FORUM: Candidates for governor Charlie Baker, Martha Coakley, Evan Falchuk and Jeff McCormick plan to meet at Microsoft NERD in Cambridge Monday for a discussion of their strategies to grow companies in the tech and so-called innovation industries. The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council is hosting the event, with support from Microsoft, the New England Venture Capital Association and the Mass Business Roundtable. In a statement, council president and CEO Tom Hopcroft called the tech sector “the economic engine that is driving growth and opportunity across the entire Commonwealth” and said the sector’s 13,500 companies employ 209,000 people and support nearly 620,000 jobs, or 19 percent of the state’s workforce. Massachusetts lawmakers over the years have carved out special policies to attract film and life sciences industry investments, spurring calls from other industries for tax and policy changes with more widespread impacts for employers. Two years ago Gov. Deval Patrick and the Legislature approved a new technology tax and then quickly repealed it in the face of an industry uproar. (Monday, 1 p.m.,Policy & Innovation Center at Microsoft NERD, One Memorial Drive, Cambridge)
TUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 2014
WOMEN IN WORKFORCE FELLOWS: Gov. Patrick announces the first class of the Women in the Workforce Leadership Fellows. (Tuesday, 10:15 a.m., Nurses Hall, State House)
EAST BOSTON REP DEBATE: Rep. Carlo Basile (D-East Boston) and independent Celeste Ribeiro Myers hold their first one-on-one debate. According to Myers’ campaign, questions will cover the issues concerning East Boston’s communities of color, low-income residents, and immigrants and the audience will be invited to question the candidates. The debate in the First Suffolk House race is co-sponsored by Neighbors United for a Better East Boston, Mass Vote!, Right to the City Boston, East Boston Ecumenical Community Council and the Maverick Association of Residents. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Maverick Landing Community Room, 31 Liverpool Street, East Boston)
GREENWAY PARCELS: MassDOT and the Boston Redevelopment Authority host a meeting on a study of the parcels of the Rose Kennedy Greenway near Central Artery ramps. The study will attempt to find potential cover alternatives for exposed ramps along parcels 6, 12 and 18 along the Greenway. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Boston City Hall, 9th Floor, BRA Board Room)
JUDGE MASSING: Gov. Patrick administers the ceremonial oath of office to Gregory Massing as an Associate Justice of Massachusetts Appeals Court. (PHOTO ONLY). (Tuesday, 1 p.m., John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston)
CONGRESSMAN LEWIS RECEIVES MEDAL FROM PATRICK: Gov. Patrick presents Congressman John Lewis the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal during the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research honors ceremony. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Sanders Theater, Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge)
PATRICK RECEIVES MARSHALL AWARD: Gov. Patrick will be honored by the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy with the Chief Justice Margaret Marshall Award for “his efforts in promoting individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, access to justice, democracy and the rule of law.” (Tuesday, 7 p.m., John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston
CLIMATOLOGIST REPORT DUE: A report from the new state climatologist is due Tuesday, detailing what will be undertaken over the remainder of the fiscal year. The Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which is the appointing authority, is finalizing the job description for the new position. “There will be some form of communication to meet that deadline,” said Krista Selmi, a spokeswoman for the office. Lawmakers required the report in funding the $200,000 office, which Gov. Deval Patrick proposed in January. (Tuesday)
DELTA VOLUNTEERS AT DORCHESTER ACADEMY: Volunteers from Delta Dental of Massachusetts will take part in the company’s third annual Mission Month by volunteering at Dorchester’s Lee Academy. The volunteers will provide every student with an oral health kit, build furniture, paint, lead interacting learning activities and provide other services. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Lee Academy, 155 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester)
PIPER KERMAN TALK: Piper Kerman, whose prison memoir “Orange is the New Black” was adapted for a popular Netflix series, will give a 45-minute talk at UMass Lowell followed by an audience Q&A and a book signing. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Moloney Hall, Room 260)
NOAA FISHERIES INFORMATION SESSION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, in collaboration with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, plans to hold an information session on exempted fishing permits (EFP), which allow commercial fishing vessels to conduct fisheries-related research, including gear testing, seafood product development, and market research. The open discussion will include the basics of what an EFP is, how to obtain an EFP, and a question and answer session. NOAA Fisheries staff and industry members and organizations with experience using EFPs will be available to answer questions and will provide an update on two current EFPs being used. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Cape Codder Resort, Nantucket Boardroom, 1225 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis)
FRAUNHOFER CENTER PANEL ON COMPETITIVENESS: Mass. Life Sciences Center President and CEO Susan Windham-Bannister participates in a panel about economic competitiveness, technology innovation and collaboration. (Tuesday, 3:15 p.m., Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, 5 Channel Center St., Boston)
CULTURAL COUNCIL: Massachusetts Cultural Council holds an event celebrating National Arts and Humanities month. House Speaker Robert DeLeo is scheduled to give remarks at the event on the council’s grant program. According to the council, other attendees will include Sen. DiDomenico, and Reps. Atkins, Jones, and Dan Hunt. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. Boston Ballet, 19 Clarendon St., Boston)
PARADIGM PROPERTIES NETWORKING EVENT: Real estate investment and management firm Paradigm Properties will host an informal networking event and breakfast open to all commercial real estate industry professionals and free for NAIOP members. Kevin McCall, President & CEO will make welcome remarks. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Paradigm Properties, 101 Tremont Street, 5th Floor, Boston)
WOMEN’S NETWORK BREAKFAST: Phyllis Yale, advisory partner of Bain & Company Inc., plans to speak at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Breakfast. Media representatives are welcome for no charge with advanced registration. (Tuesday, 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., Omni Parker House, 60 School St, Boston)
OFFSHORE WIND CONFERENCE: Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett will participate in the Environmental Business Council of New England’s Annual Offshore Wind Conference. Office of Coastal Zone Management Director Bruce Carlisle and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Senior Director for Offshore Wind Bill White will also participate. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Foley Hoag LLP, 155 Seaport Boulevard, Boston)
QUINCY RIVERWALK: Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jack Murray will join Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and members of the Neponset River Watershed Association for the grand opening of the two-mile Quincy RiverWalk, which will become part of DCR’s Neponset River Reservation. (Tuesday, noon, Neponset Landing Apartments, 2 Hancock St., Quincy)
GERMANY – U.S. COLLABORATION | Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett will help celebrate the 20-year collaboration between Germany and the United States through Fraunhofer. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, 5 Channel Center Street, Boston)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 2014
THOROUGHBRED RACING APPLICATION DEADLINE: The deadline for those interested in the soon-to-be-vacated thoroughbred racing industry in Massachusetts is Wednesday, and the Gaming Commission is urging anyone interested to file a placeholder application. The selection of Wynn Resorts over Mohegan Sun for the lone Metro Boston casino license left Suffolk Downs without the lucrative next-door tenant that officials there had hoped would sustain the state’s only thoroughbred racing track. Suffolk Downs plans to hold its final day of racing on Saturday, Oct. 4. The commission could delay a $125,000 surety bond requirement and be “flexible” while comporting with state law requiring submissions by Oct. 1. Suffolk Downs Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle has said the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association inquired about leasing the facility for racing, and Suffolk Downs is keeping an “open mind.” George Carney, who owns the old Raynham dog track, has previously discussed the potential of opening a horse track at the Brockton fair grounds. Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby has mentioned Brockton as a potential site, as well as Northampton Fair, and said, “There’s fairgrounds all over the place, where there are tracks that can accommodate a thoroughbred race. So that’s one of the issues. And plus, you can create a new thoroughbred track.” (Wednesday)
METRO SOUTH CHAMBER LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION: The Metro South Chamber of Commerce holds its 25th annual legislative reception. Organizers say more than 45 elected officials plan to attend, including Sens. Joyce and Kennedy and Reps. Calter, Cronin, Cutler, Kafka, and Ayers. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Donahue Hall, Stonehill College, 320 Washington St., Easton)
WOMEN LEGISLATORS FORUM: The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators plans to host a special forum featuring female legislators who worked in the State House before successfully running for office, including Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge), Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Rep. Liz Malia (D-Jamaica Plain). According to organizers, the forum will be a chance for any interested State House staff to hear about their experiences, decisions and journeys to office. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., State House, Room 350)
HEARING ON LOWELL DISTRICT COURT NOMINEE: Essex County Assistant District Attorney Michael Patten, who Gov. Deval Patrick nominated to become a judge at the Lowell District Court, will appear before the Governor’s Council for his confirmation hearing. During his time in the Essex County DA’s office, Patten, of Gloucester, has served as chief of the drug task force and deputy chief of the motor vehicle homicide unit. He previously worked in private practice in Peabody for three years focusing on criminal defense and civil litigation. If confirmed by the council, Patten will fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Neil Walker. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. Governor’s Council Chamber, State House)
KENNEDY SCHEDULED TO SPEAK AT WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY: Joseph Kennedy II, founder of Citizens Energy Corporation, is scheduled to deliver the Worcester State University Presidential Lecture. The Presidential Lecture Series, which is free and open to the public, was established by President Barry Maloney to bring thought leaders to campus that inspire and promote change. Kennedy’s lecture, about overcoming challenges to bring low cost oil to thousands of Americans, aligns with this year’s academic theme of “Borders, Boundaries and Edges.” (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Worcester State University, Sullivan Auditorium, 486 Chandler St., Worcester)
HOMELESSNESS – SOUTH COAST: Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein plans to meet with the South Coast Regional Network to End Homelessness. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 387 Quarry St., Fall River)
PATRICK MEETS IRISH TRADE MINISTER: Gov. Deval Patrick meets with Irish Minister of Foreign Trade Charles Flanagan. (PHOTO ONLY) (Wednesday, 2:15 p.m., Governor’s Office, Room 360, State House)
HISPANIC HERITAGE: Gov. Deval Patrick celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at an event honoring Latino civic and community organizations. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Grand Staircase, State House)
NORTH SHORE CANDIDATE FORUM: Independent candidates for governor Jeffrey McCormick and Evan Falchuk attend the North Shore Business Leaders Candidates Forum. Wednesday’s session of the forum series hosts independent and third party candidates. Tracy Post and Shelly Saunders, candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state candidate Danny Factor, treasurer candidate Ian Jackson and auditor candidate MK Merelice are also listed on the group’s website. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square W, Salem)
WINDHAM-BANNISTER AT ISPE EVENT: Mass. Life Sciences Center President and CEO Susan Windham-Bannister delivers a keynote speech at the ISPE Product Showcase sponsored by the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)
LGBT AGING COMMISSION: The LGBT Aging Commission is set to meet. The commission is chaired by Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Rep. James O’Day, who are co-chairs of the Elder Affairs Committee in the Legislature. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 38 Chauncy Street, 5th floor, Boston)
ELDER ECONOMIC SECURITY: The Elder Economic Security Commission is set to meet. A 2013 law created the commission and tasked it with investigating, analyzing and studying examining strategies to increase elder economic security. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., John W. McCormick Building, 1 Ashburton Place, Manning conference room, 5th Floor, Boston)
DOI SESSION ON GENDER DYSPHORIA: The Division of Insurance hosts an information session on health insurance issues, with Thursday’s focus on treatment for gender dysphoria. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Division of Insurance, Room 1-E, 1000 Washington St., Boston)
DOI SESSION ON PAYMENTS FORM: The Division of Insurance is hosting information sessions on health insurance issues, with a focus Wednesday afternoon on summary of payments form. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Division of Insurance, Room 1-E, 1000 Washington St., Bosto)
HOMELESSNESS ON CAPE AND ISLANDS: Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein meets with the Cape and Islands Regional Network to End Homelessness. (Wednesday, noon, Hyannis Transportation Center, Hyannis)
MURRAY MEETS WITH IRISH MINISTER: Senate President Therese Murray meets with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charles Flanagan T.D. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Senate President’s Office (Closed Press))
THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 2014
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches meet in informal sessions Thursday at 11 a.m.
PIKETTY TO DELIVER GAMBLE MEMORIAL LECTURE: Thomas Piketty, French economist and bestselling author of the book Capital in the 21st Century, will visit UMass Amherst to deliver the annual Philip Gamble Memorial Lecture as part of the yearlong series “Social Science Matters: Perspectives on Inequality,” presented by the UMass Amherst College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. As the director of studies at France’s School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences and professor at the Paris School of Economics, Piketty documented the 20th-century fall and subsequent continuous rise of “the one percent.” His book focuses on wealth concentrations and distribution over the past 250 years and argues that return on capital in developed countries is persistently greater than the rate of economic growth, and that this will cause wealth inequality to increase in the future. Piketty proposes redistribution through a global tax on wealth. The event is free and open to the public. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Student Union Ballroom, UMass Amherst, 280 Hicks Way, Amherst)
MCCORMICK ON WGBH: Independent candidate for governor Jeffrey McCormick appears on WGBH Radio with Margery Eagan and Jim Braude. (Thursday, 1:40 p.m., 1 Guest Street Brighton)
MCCORMICK ON WTAG: Independent candidate for governor Jeffrey McCormick calls in to WTAG with host Jordan Levy. (Thursday, 4 p.m., WTAG)
HISPANIC HERITAGE: Independent candidate for governor Jeffrey McCormick attends the El Mundo Hispanic heritage breakfast. (Thursday, 7 a.m., Revere Hotel Boston Common, 200 Stuart Street, Boston)
METRONORTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki makes an announcement relative to MetroNorth. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., Wyndham Hotel, 201 Everett Ave., Chelsea)
TELECOM COMMISSIONER TALKS DEREGULATION: Department of Telecommunications and Cable Commissioner Karen Charles Peterson gives the opening remarks at a conference hosted by the Federal Communications Bar Association’s New England Chapter and the Boston University College of Communications. The conference will include two panels, “Market Participants in a De-Regulated World” and “The Economic and Investment Perspective,” for a discussion of the state of utility regulation and deregulation in New England and nationally; the effects of those initiatives on carriers, consumers, and the public interest; and predictions for the future. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Boston University Photonics Center, 9th Floor, 8 Saint Mary’s St., Boston)
BIDEN FOREIGN POLICY SPEECH: Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks on foreign policy. The United States has recently partnered with Arab countries bombing Islamic State and Khorasan targets in Syria, amid criticisms the Obama administration allowed the situation to worsen in Iraq. The new Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, reportedly disclosed his government uncovered an Islamic State plot to bomb subway systems in the US and France. Biden was the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and during his 2008 run for president recommended creating autonomous governments within Iraq similar to the approach undertaken in Bosnia. There is a lottery for tickets to the event, with the winners notified by email on Monday. (Thursday, 6 p.m., John F. Kennedy, Jr., Forum)
BIDEN FUNDRAISER: Vice President Joe Biden plans to attend a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at Mistral, according to a DNC official. (Thursday, Mistral, 223 Columbus Ave, Boston)
PLYMOUTH GROUNDBREAKING: Senate President Therese Murray speaks at the Route 44/Samoset Street announcement and groundbreaking ceremony. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Plymouth)
MURRAY VISITS PILGRIM HALL: Senate President Therese Murray visits Pilgrim Hall Museum. (Thursday, 3 p.m., 75 Court Street, Plymouth)
MURRAY IN DISTRICT: Senate President Therese Murray visits the Spire Center for the Performing Arts. (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., 25 1/2 Court Street, Plymouth)
CLERKS CONFERENCE: Auditor Suzanne Bump plans to deliver the keynote address at the Massachusetts Town and City Clerks Association Conference. (Thursday, noon, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, One Monarch Place, Springfield)
BROCKTON HEALTH CENTER DINNER: Auditor Suzanne Bump plans to attend the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center Dinner and Auction. Dr. Elsie Varughese and Sen. Thomas Kennedy will be honored at the event. (Thursday, 6 p.m., The Shaw’s Center, 1 Feinberg Way, Brockton)
FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 2014
MICHELLE OBAMA FEATURED AT COAKLEY RALLY: First Lady Michelle Obama plans to join Democratic nominee for governor Martha Coakley at a ticketed campaign rally in Dorchester. According to the Coakley campaign, all press who plan to attend must RSVP and while the event will be open to the public, tickets will be required and are available through the campaign. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Strand Theatre, Uphams Corner, Dorchester)
CABINET MEETING: Gov. Deval Patrick hosts a Cabinet meeting. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 10:30 a.m., Governor’s Council Chambers, Room 360, State House)
WALL BACK BEFORE GOV’S COUNCIL: Parole Board Chairman Joshua Wall will be back before the Governor’s Council to answer questions in his bid to become a Superior Court judge. As Wall’s confirmation hearing heads into its third day, he will get the chance to defend himself. On Wednesday, he made only a brief statement about his background and why he agreed to take over the Parole Board when Gov. Deval Patrick asked him in 2011. An unusually large number of people testified during the hearing, both in support and against of his bid for the bench. Patrick nominated Wall to become a judge in July, sparking a firestorm of criticism about his prosecutorial work, his temperament and his tenure at the Parole Board. Before taking over the Parole Board, Wall, 54, was the first assistant district attorney in Suffolk County. (Friday, 10 a.m., Room 157, State House)
TRIBUTE GROUNDBREAKING: House Speaker Robert DeLeo is scheduled to give remarks at the groundbreaking for the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, a new permanent tribute to the state’s residents who have died serving in the armed forces. According to the project’s website, the memorial will feature a 50-foot obelisk in a new public space in the growing Seaport district. Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz is also scheduled to attend. (Friday, 1 p.m. Seaport Square Park, Boston)
ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION: The Special Advisory Commission on Public Officials’ Compensation will hold its third meeting. The commission is tasked with studying the compensation of the state’s six constitutional officers and its 200 state legislators, including direct and indirect forms of compensation like base salaries, stipends, general expenses, and per-diem allowances. (Friday, 2 p.m., University of Massachusetts President’s Office, 12th Floor, 225 Franklin Street, Boston)
SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2014
END OF LIVE RACING FOR SUFFOLK DOWNS: The 2014 live racing season at Suffolk Downs will conclude in what will likely mark the final racing day of the 79 year-old track’s history. The 2014 live racing meet, originally scheduled for Monday, was postponed until a Saturday by Suffolk Downs’ officials to accommodate public interest in attending and provide an extra week of work to seasonal employees. In April, Suffolk Downs announced that this would be its final season of racing if the gaming license for the eastern region of the state was not awarded to its tenant, Mohegan Sun. Last week after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission decided to award the Region A casino license to Wynn Resorts, Suffolk Downs formally notified employees, horsemen and vendors of its plans to conclude operations by the end of the year. The track plans to continue simulcasting until December. (Saturday, 12:45 p.m., 525 William F McClellan Highway, Boston)