Most polls around the state will open at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. this evening.
To find out where to vote, or who will be appearing on your ballot, click here.
Be sure to do your civic duty today - get out and vote!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Get Out and Vote!
Most polls around the state will open at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. this evening.
To find out where to vote, or who will be appearing on your ballot, click here.
Be sure to do your civic duty today - get out and vote!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
House Republicans Vote Against Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) was joined by the entire House Republican Caucus in voting against the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The spending plan, which relies heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, was adopted on a party-line vote – 127 to 29.
“While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle,” said Representative Jones. “By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government.”
To combat the continued reliance on increasing taxes, House Republicans offered proposals which, had they been adopted, would have saved the taxpayers of Massachusetts a considerable amount of money. Referred to as the “5 and 5 in 5 Plan,” a Republican-led proposal to lower both the sales and income tax to 5% over 5 years, beginning in 2015, was resoundingly defeated. The Democratic majority did, however, embrace the ongoing narrative of the Republican Caucus surrounding the need to reform the Pacheco Law. By agreeing to a modest increase to the threshold in which private contractors are able to bid on state projects, House Democrats recognized the necessity to modernize antiquated government practices which cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Advocating for the taxpayers of the Commonwealth and their desire for openness and accountability within the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, the Republican Caucus presented the members of the House with two comprehensive reform proposals relative to eligibility and the administering of benefits. The Democratic Caucus balked at both opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to eradicating waste, fraud and abuse within taxpayer subsidized assistance programs, and instead sent both proposals to study. In doing so, the Democrats eliminated most of their limited changes to EBT originally contained in the budget.
Finally, the House of Representatives’ continued reliance on non-recurring revenues to balance the budget – over $600 million in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget - further illustrates the Commonwealth’s structural deficiencies. Throughout the budget process House Republicans demonstrated, to no avail, their strong opposition to this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Having passed the House, the budget is now before the Senate for consideration.
“While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle,” said Representative Jones. “By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government.”
To combat the continued reliance on increasing taxes, House Republicans offered proposals which, had they been adopted, would have saved the taxpayers of Massachusetts a considerable amount of money. Referred to as the “5 and 5 in 5 Plan,” a Republican-led proposal to lower both the sales and income tax to 5% over 5 years, beginning in 2015, was resoundingly defeated. The Democratic majority did, however, embrace the ongoing narrative of the Republican Caucus surrounding the need to reform the Pacheco Law. By agreeing to a modest increase to the threshold in which private contractors are able to bid on state projects, House Democrats recognized the necessity to modernize antiquated government practices which cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Advocating for the taxpayers of the Commonwealth and their desire for openness and accountability within the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, the Republican Caucus presented the members of the House with two comprehensive reform proposals relative to eligibility and the administering of benefits. The Democratic Caucus balked at both opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to eradicating waste, fraud and abuse within taxpayer subsidized assistance programs, and instead sent both proposals to study. In doing so, the Democrats eliminated most of their limited changes to EBT originally contained in the budget.
Finally, the House of Representatives’ continued reliance on non-recurring revenues to balance the budget – over $600 million in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget - further illustrates the Commonwealth’s structural deficiencies. Throughout the budget process House Republicans demonstrated, to no avail, their strong opposition to this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Having passed the House, the budget is now before the Senate for consideration.
House Minority Leader’s Statement on Passage of Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
"I appreciate the work done by Speaker DeLeo, Chairman Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means on the Fiscal Year 2014 budget.
Unfortunately, as adopted, the budget demonstrates the House Democrats’ continued willingness to rely on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill. While the taxpayers of Massachusetts have avoided the enormity of Governor Patrick’s $1.9 billion dollar tax hike, our state’s residents should find no comfort in the $500 million dollar tax increase approved by my colleagues across the aisle.
By opposing the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Republicans continue to demonstrate our strong opposition to fiscal irresponsibility and our ongoing advocacy for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in state government. While many initiatives offered by the Republican Caucus fell victim to the ongoing reliance on procedural gamesmanship, the minority party in the House will continue to advocate for Massachusetts’ taxpayers.
I look forward to my Republican colleagues in the State Senate making every attempt to restore fiscal responsibility and governmental integrity to the state budget before it is ultimately sent to the Governor for his review.”
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Mental Health and Disability Services
In case you missed it, today marks the third day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This evening's debate began with amendments relative to mental health and disability services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Mental Health and Disability Services
Amendment 658 - Relative to Taunton State Hospital (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the inside language of the Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Inpatient Facilities and Community Based Mental Health Services’ account (5095-0015) to require DMH to maintain 705 continuing care inpatient beds in FY14, rather than the 626 specified in the HWM FY14 budget, 45 of which shall be in the Cain building of the Taunton State Hospital. Requires an additional 79 beds to remain open at Taunton and further prescribes the beds use. Requires DMH to keep these beds open until at least June 30, 2014 and requires future funding decision to be based on report provided by the advisory committee established in the FY13 GAA.
Amendment 719 - Head Injury Services (Beaton, Matthew) Increases the total appropriation for the Head Injured Services account (4120-6000) by $1.18M.
Amendment 739 - Comprehensive DDS Study (Beaton, Matthew) Earmarks $100K within the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) State Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled account (5930-1000) to fund a study of the intellectually disabled services provided by all public and private facilities overseen by DDS. ADDS a new outside section establishing a 21-member advisory committee to undertake this study with the assistance of an independent consultant. Requires the committee to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2014.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This evening's debate began with amendments relative to mental health and disability services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Mental Health and Disability Services
Amendment 658 - Relative to Taunton State Hospital (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the inside language of the Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Inpatient Facilities and Community Based Mental Health Services’ account (5095-0015) to require DMH to maintain 705 continuing care inpatient beds in FY14, rather than the 626 specified in the HWM FY14 budget, 45 of which shall be in the Cain building of the Taunton State Hospital. Requires an additional 79 beds to remain open at Taunton and further prescribes the beds use. Requires DMH to keep these beds open until at least June 30, 2014 and requires future funding decision to be based on report provided by the advisory committee established in the FY13 GAA.
Amendment 719 - Head Injury Services (Beaton, Matthew) Increases the total appropriation for the Head Injured Services account (4120-6000) by $1.18M.
Amendment 739 - Comprehensive DDS Study (Beaton, Matthew) Earmarks $100K within the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) State Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled account (5930-1000) to fund a study of the intellectually disabled services provided by all public and private facilities overseen by DDS. ADDS a new outside section establishing a 21-member advisory committee to undertake this study with the assistance of an independent consultant. Requires the committee to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2014.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Public Health
In case you missed it, today marks the third day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This afternoon’s debate will begin with amendments relative to public health. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Public Health
Amendment 316 - Level Funding for Western Massachusetts Hospital (Humason, Donald) Increases the DPH account for Western Massachusetts Hospital services account (4590-0912) by $124K.
Amendment 687 - Public Health Funding (Lyons, James) Subtracts $4.5M from the Family Health Services account (4513-1000). The total appropriation is reduced to $0.
Amendment 710 - An Amendment to reform the Department of Public Health (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section creating an independent commission to study and report on compensation paid to officers, directors, trustees and the like, by nonprofit organizations that receive grants or contract with the Department of Public Health.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
This afternoon’s debate will begin with amendments relative to public health. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Public Health
Amendment 316 - Level Funding for Western Massachusetts Hospital (Humason, Donald) Increases the DPH account for Western Massachusetts Hospital services account (4590-0912) by $124K.
Amendment 687 - Public Health Funding (Lyons, James) Subtracts $4.5M from the Family Health Services account (4513-1000). The total appropriation is reduced to $0.
Amendment 710 - An Amendment to reform the Department of Public Health (Lyons, James) Adds a new outside section creating an independent commission to study and report on compensation paid to officers, directors, trustees and the like, by nonprofit organizations that receive grants or contract with the Department of Public Health.
House Minority Leader’s Statement in Response to Tamerlan Tsarnaev Receiving Public Assistance
“I have been in contact with officials at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a result of the recent Boston Herald article in which it was reported that Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his family received public assistance benefits from Massachusetts.
In my conversation with representatives at HHS I asked that they please look into the type of benefits received by Mr. Tsarnaev and his family, as well as the amount of benefits received by those individuals. Furthermore, I requested that the Department of Transitional Assistance verify that all family members met eligibility requirements when applying for public benefits.
The findings of the investigation are vitally important in assuring that taxpayer subsidized benefits are being acquired and used in an appropriate manner.”
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Transportation
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Amendments relative to transportation will be the focus of tonight’s debate. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Transportation
Amendment 77 - Transportation Safety (Howitt, Steven) Earmarks $125K in the MassDOT operating transfer account (1595-6368) for the design and installation of opticon traffic lights in Seekonk. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 519 - Ensuring Turnpike Tolls Come Down (Frost, Paul) Adds a new outside section ensuring that the Western Turnpike tolls are removed once the debt is paid off or by December 31, 2017, whichever occurs first.
Amendment 737 - Land Audit (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the Inspector General to conduct an audit of all land and assets owned by MassDOT that were formerly owned by the Turnpike by December 31, 2013. Any land deemed to be surplus must then be transferred to the host municipality or sold by competitive bid.
Amendment 835 - Transparency in the MBTA pension system (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the MBTA, in conjunction with the open checkbook program, to publish online all pension payment information for its employees.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Amendments relative to transportation will be the focus of tonight’s debate. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Transportation
Amendment 77 - Transportation Safety (Howitt, Steven) Earmarks $125K in the MassDOT operating transfer account (1595-6368) for the design and installation of opticon traffic lights in Seekonk. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 519 - Ensuring Turnpike Tolls Come Down (Frost, Paul) Adds a new outside section ensuring that the Western Turnpike tolls are removed once the debt is paid off or by December 31, 2017, whichever occurs first.
Amendment 737 - Land Audit (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the Inspector General to conduct an audit of all land and assets owned by MassDOT that were formerly owned by the Turnpike by December 31, 2013. Any land deemed to be surplus must then be transferred to the host municipality or sold by competitive bid.
Amendment 835 - Transparency in the MBTA pension system (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section requiring the MBTA, in conjunction with the open checkbook program, to publish online all pension payment information for its employees.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Veteran's Services & Soldiers' Homes
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Tonight’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to veteran’s services and soldiers' homes. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Veteran's Services and Soldiers' Homes
Amendment 12 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $50K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for war memorials. Increases the overall appropriation by $50K.
Amendment 13 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials in Wenham (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $10K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for the construction of the Wenham War Memorial. Increases the overall appropriation by $10K.
Amendment 459 - An Amendment to the Worcester Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial Upkeep (Fattman, Ryan) Assumed intent is to CHANGE the inside language of the Department of Veterans Services’ (DVS) Agawam and Winchendon Veterans Cemeteries account (1410-0630) to authorize DVS to expend funds in this account for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Worcester, which is historically funded by DVS Administration and Operations account (1410-0010).
Amendment 474 - NEADS Assistance Dogs (Ferguson, Kimberly) Earmarks $85K in the Department of Veterans Services' Administration account (1410-0010) to train 3 assistance dogs for veterans. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 730 - Veteran Service Organization Grant (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K to the total budget appropriations by creating a new Veterans Service Organization Grants account (1410-xxxx) within the Department of Veterans’ Services for matching grants to the local American legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or similar organization for capital improvements provided that each organization commit to matching funds received as a grant.
Amendment 771 – To Create a Partnership Between the Department of Veterans Services and the Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the Administration of the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (Winslow, Daniel) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to delegate administrative oversight of the veterans’ workforce investment program to the Department of Veterans’ Services.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Tonight’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to veteran’s services and soldiers' homes. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Veteran's Services and Soldiers' Homes
Amendment 12 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $50K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for war memorials. Increases the overall appropriation by $50K.
Amendment 13 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials in Wenham (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $10K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for the construction of the Wenham War Memorial. Increases the overall appropriation by $10K.
Amendment 459 - An Amendment to the Worcester Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial Upkeep (Fattman, Ryan) Assumed intent is to CHANGE the inside language of the Department of Veterans Services’ (DVS) Agawam and Winchendon Veterans Cemeteries account (1410-0630) to authorize DVS to expend funds in this account for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Worcester, which is historically funded by DVS Administration and Operations account (1410-0010).
Amendment 474 - NEADS Assistance Dogs (Ferguson, Kimberly) Earmarks $85K in the Department of Veterans Services' Administration account (1410-0010) to train 3 assistance dogs for veterans. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 730 - Veteran Service Organization Grant (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K to the total budget appropriations by creating a new Veterans Service Organization Grants account (1410-xxxx) within the Department of Veterans’ Services for matching grants to the local American legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or similar organization for capital improvements provided that each organization commit to matching funds received as a grant.
Amendment 771 – To Create a Partnership Between the Department of Veterans Services and the Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the Administration of the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (Winslow, Daniel) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to delegate administrative oversight of the veterans’ workforce investment program to the Department of Veterans’ Services.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Energy & Environment
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
The focus of this afternoon's debate will shift from transportation to amendments relative to energy and environment. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Energy and Environment
Amendment 108 - An Act Relative to the Department of Environmental Protection Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Environmental Protection Administration account (2200-0100) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 110 - An Act Relative to the Department of Fish and Game Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Fish and Game Riverways Protection Restoration and Public Access account (2300-0101) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 388 - Establishing a Standard for Cost Effectiveness Calculations for EOEEA Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) to conduct and consider a Program Administrator Cost Test (PACT) for the purposes of evaluating the extent to which programs under the authority of DOER and the EEAC are encouraging and leveraging additional participant investments. Currently DOER and the EEAC rely on an often biased Total Resource Cost (TRC) test that includes all costs, but not all benefits, many of which are intangible and the value of which can only be determined by each individual program participant.
Amendment 389 - Executive Office of Energy and Environment Report on MA Energy Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Executive Office of Energy and Environment to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2013, and annually thereafter, using third party experts in consultation with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), with an audit and analysis of all energy efficiency, demand response, and renewable energy programs in the commonwealth, including itemized details of the public and private funding sources, as well as qualitative and quantitative benefits.
Amendment 450 - An Act Relative to Transparency in Water Management (Peterson, George) Adds a new outside section to delay the adoption of the final regulations to implement the Sustainable Water Management Initiative framework until the Legislature has had 6 months to review the Department of Environmental Protection’s comprehensive report detailing the cost of implementation to municipalities, water districts, water companies, water commissions and their ratepayers.
Amendment 456 - Bristol & Plymouth County Mosquito Control Projects (D'Emilia, Angelo) Changes the inside language of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Administration account (2000-0100) to provide for a reserve to meet the cost of proactive eradication and control of mosquitos to prevent eastern equine encephalitis. Increases the total appropriation to this account by $400K to $6.1M.
Amendment 568 - Massasoit State Parks – Taunton (Orrall, Keiko) Earmarks $50K from the Division of State Parks and Recreation Administration account (2810-0100) for seasonal day use of Massasoit State Park in Taunton. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 668 - Falmouth Turbine Dismantling Study (Vieira, David) Earmarks $100K from the Office of Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs account (2000-0100) for evaluating proposals to dismantle Wind I and Wind II turbines in Falmouth. Increases the overall appropriation by $100K.
Amendment 685 - Lake Webster Invasive Species Mitigation (Fattman, Ryan) Adds $100K by creating a new line item for the town of Webster lake.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
The focus of this afternoon's debate will shift from transportation to amendments relative to energy and environment. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Energy and Environment
Amendment 108 - An Act Relative to the Department of Environmental Protection Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Environmental Protection Administration account (2200-0100) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 110 - An Act Relative to the Department of Fish and Game Culvert Program (Hill, Bradford) Changes the language of the Department of Fish and Game Riverways Protection Restoration and Public Access account (2300-0101) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environment to create a grant program for the cost of construction and reconstruction of culverts under or adjacent to town ways, including expenses related to the relocation of utility lines. Increases the overall appropriation by $1M.
Amendment 388 - Establishing a Standard for Cost Effectiveness Calculations for EOEEA Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) to conduct and consider a Program Administrator Cost Test (PACT) for the purposes of evaluating the extent to which programs under the authority of DOER and the EEAC are encouraging and leveraging additional participant investments. Currently DOER and the EEAC rely on an often biased Total Resource Cost (TRC) test that includes all costs, but not all benefits, many of which are intangible and the value of which can only be determined by each individual program participant.
Amendment 389 - Executive Office of Energy and Environment Report on MA Energy Programs (Jones, Bradley) Adds a new outside section requiring the Executive Office of Energy and Environment to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2013, and annually thereafter, using third party experts in consultation with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), with an audit and analysis of all energy efficiency, demand response, and renewable energy programs in the commonwealth, including itemized details of the public and private funding sources, as well as qualitative and quantitative benefits.
Amendment 450 - An Act Relative to Transparency in Water Management (Peterson, George) Adds a new outside section to delay the adoption of the final regulations to implement the Sustainable Water Management Initiative framework until the Legislature has had 6 months to review the Department of Environmental Protection’s comprehensive report detailing the cost of implementation to municipalities, water districts, water companies, water commissions and their ratepayers.
Amendment 456 - Bristol & Plymouth County Mosquito Control Projects (D'Emilia, Angelo) Changes the inside language of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Administration account (2000-0100) to provide for a reserve to meet the cost of proactive eradication and control of mosquitos to prevent eastern equine encephalitis. Increases the total appropriation to this account by $400K to $6.1M.
Amendment 568 - Massasoit State Parks – Taunton (Orrall, Keiko) Earmarks $50K from the Division of State Parks and Recreation Administration account (2810-0100) for seasonal day use of Massasoit State Park in Taunton. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 668 - Falmouth Turbine Dismantling Study (Vieira, David) Earmarks $100K from the Office of Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs account (2000-0100) for evaluating proposals to dismantle Wind I and Wind II turbines in Falmouth. Increases the overall appropriation by $100K.
Amendment 685 - Lake Webster Invasive Species Mitigation (Fattman, Ryan) Adds $100K by creating a new line item for the town of Webster lake.
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Housing & Social Services
In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Today’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to housing and social services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Housing and Social Services
Amendment 745 - Housing Authority Handicap Conversion Grants (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (7004-xxxx) for grants to local or regional housing authorities to renovate housing units for handicap accessibility, with a maximum grant amount of $50K to each authority.
Amendment 753 - Eligibility Requirements for State Housing (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the language for the Department of Housing and Community Development account (7004-0099) to change from optional to mandatory: verification of benefit recipient income; provision of benefit recipient's social security number; denial or termination of benefits without the provision of a valid social security number; consultation with DOR and DTA for income verification. Does not increase the total appropriation.
Amendment 322 - EBT Fraud Investigations (Vieira, David) Changes the inside language of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s (DTA) Administration and Operations account (4400-1000) to authorize DTA to keep up to $2M that DTA recovers through investigations of public benefit programs administered by DTA, for the purpose of hiring additional investigators and expenses related to investigations to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse of benefits.
Amendment 385 - EBT Cash Assistance Benefit Abuse Prevention (Jones, Bradley) Amends section 15 and adds new outside sections to: (1) outline a phase-in of photo IDs on EBT cards for cardholders over the age of 18; (2) require cash assistance be used solely for goods and services necessary and essential for the recipient; (3) require the phase-in of UPC sorting technology to sort out prohibited items at point-of-sale (POS); (4) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (5) increase recipient and retailer education; (6) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (7) prohibit out of state EBT card use except in states contiguous to MA; (8) prohibits the use of self-declarations as sole verification of applicant eligibility; (9) requires all self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; and (10) establishes an online payment system for rent and utilities and outlines gradual implementation.
Amendment 387 - Public Assistance Eligibility Reform (Jones, Bradley) Amends sections 5, 86, 89, and 91 of the HWM FY14 Budget to: (1) mandate that EOHHS’s Integrated Eligibility System (IES) cross-check social security numbers of applicants/recipients with information from 9 specific state and federal databases and with 20 additional databases, to the extent that they are available; (2) mandate that the IES use an automated fingerprinting comparison system; (3) prohibit self-declarations from being used as the sole verification of eligibility; (4) require any self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; (5) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for periods in excess of 3 months; (6) require that assets and income of immigration sponsors be considered when determining an applicant’s eligibility for assistance; (7) require the discovery of undisclosed business assets and income or assets of responsible relatives or immigration sponsors to be potentially disqualifying; (8) require the task-force established in section 89 to work with the bureau of program integrity and director of program integrity; (9) require EOHHS to annually file the report outlined in section 91 and include specifics regarding the number of people disqualified from public assistance following a discrepancy identified by the IES; (10) require the termination of benefits when mail communications are returned to DTA as undeliverable and social security numbers are not provided within 3 months of application for assistance; and (11) expedite the establishment of the IES.
Amendment 660 - Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County (Poirier, Elizabeth) Earmarks $200K from the Services for Children and Families account (4800- 0038) for the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 697 - An Amendment to Modernize the Re-Certification of EBT Benefits (Fattman, Ryan) Adds a new outside section to require the Department of Transitional Assistance to determine a process for standardized semi-annual re-certification of EBT benefits that verifies the eligibility of a beneficiary, no later than the end of the calendar year.
Amendment 779 - To Create a Task Force to Study Ways to Reduce the Costs and Delays Associated with the Adoption Process in Massachusetts (Winslow, Daniel) Changes the inside language of the Department of Children and Families’ Services for Children and Families account (4800-0038) to establish a task force to convene by September 1, 2013 to study the ways to reduce the costs and delays associated with the adoption process in Massachusetts and report to the Legislature with recommendations by March 1, 2014.
Amendment 790 - Relative to DTA Reporting (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes Section 16, which provides a technical clarification regarding the Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s annual reporting requirement to the Legislature and replaces it with language requiring the Commissioner to redundantly report to both the General Court and HWM/SWM.
Amendment 814 - Eliminating Self Declarations for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section to prohibit the use of self-declarations as a means of verifying eligibility information for any form of public assistance.
Amendment 820 - School Participation Verification (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the school attendance requirement for DTA benefits, established in Section 88, by specifically requiring that the grantee's benefits be suspended for 6 months or until the grantee can provide proof of a child's school attendance.
Amendment 828 - Relative to Photos on EBT Cards (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 15 by requiring DTA to implement photo IDs on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards by January 1, 2014.
Amendment 838 - Eligibility Requirement for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section prohibiting any form of public assistance from being granted to an individual who has not presented a valid and verified social security number.
Amendment 840 - Relative to EBT Violations (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section directing the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to enforce all penalties and fines, as prescribed by the MGLs and DTA, for benefit recipients and retailers without any waivers or exemptions. Requires violation hearings to be open to the public and requires DTA to provide descriptions of all discovered violations and actions taken to be available on the DTA website.
Amendment 871 - Fraud Bureau (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 6 to outline additional responsibilities of the new Bureau of Program Integrity, highlights include: (1) reviewing current eligibility intake and determination procedures, (2) assisting in the development of new intake procedures, (3) monitoring whether eligibility regulations are being followed, (4) assisting with the coordination of their state agencies in sharing data, (5) coordinating with the Program Integrity Division in the Department of Transitional Assistance.
Amendment 878 - Eliminating Fraud in Public Assistance (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes out and replaces Section 5 of the HWM FY14 Budget, which mandates the establishment of an Integrated Eligibility System (IES), requiring the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a computerized income, asset, and identity eligibility verification system to check public assistance applicants’ and recipients’ social security numbers with: 19 optional federal and state databases and 6 mandatory databases. Additionally: (1) outlines the procedures following the finding of a discrepancy between social security number and the verification system; (2) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for any period of time; (3) establishes an additional reporting requirement that duplicates the one established in Section 91.
Amendment 880 - Reforms to Reduce EBT Cash Access (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds new outside sections to (1) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (2) increase recipient and retailer education; (3) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (4) prohibit out of state EBT card use; (5) prohibit self-declarations; and (6) establish an online payment system.
As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.
Today’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to housing and social services. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.
Housing and Social Services
Amendment 745 - Housing Authority Handicap Conversion Grants (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K by creating a new line item (7004-xxxx) for grants to local or regional housing authorities to renovate housing units for handicap accessibility, with a maximum grant amount of $50K to each authority.
Amendment 753 - Eligibility Requirements for State Housing (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the language for the Department of Housing and Community Development account (7004-0099) to change from optional to mandatory: verification of benefit recipient income; provision of benefit recipient's social security number; denial or termination of benefits without the provision of a valid social security number; consultation with DOR and DTA for income verification. Does not increase the total appropriation.
Amendment 322 - EBT Fraud Investigations (Vieira, David) Changes the inside language of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s (DTA) Administration and Operations account (4400-1000) to authorize DTA to keep up to $2M that DTA recovers through investigations of public benefit programs administered by DTA, for the purpose of hiring additional investigators and expenses related to investigations to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse of benefits.
Amendment 385 - EBT Cash Assistance Benefit Abuse Prevention (Jones, Bradley) Amends section 15 and adds new outside sections to: (1) outline a phase-in of photo IDs on EBT cards for cardholders over the age of 18; (2) require cash assistance be used solely for goods and services necessary and essential for the recipient; (3) require the phase-in of UPC sorting technology to sort out prohibited items at point-of-sale (POS); (4) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (5) increase recipient and retailer education; (6) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (7) prohibit out of state EBT card use except in states contiguous to MA; (8) prohibits the use of self-declarations as sole verification of applicant eligibility; (9) requires all self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; and (10) establishes an online payment system for rent and utilities and outlines gradual implementation.
Amendment 387 - Public Assistance Eligibility Reform (Jones, Bradley) Amends sections 5, 86, 89, and 91 of the HWM FY14 Budget to: (1) mandate that EOHHS’s Integrated Eligibility System (IES) cross-check social security numbers of applicants/recipients with information from 9 specific state and federal databases and with 20 additional databases, to the extent that they are available; (2) mandate that the IES use an automated fingerprinting comparison system; (3) prohibit self-declarations from being used as the sole verification of eligibility; (4) require any self-declarations to be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury; (5) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for periods in excess of 3 months; (6) require that assets and income of immigration sponsors be considered when determining an applicant’s eligibility for assistance; (7) require the discovery of undisclosed business assets and income or assets of responsible relatives or immigration sponsors to be potentially disqualifying; (8) require the task-force established in section 89 to work with the bureau of program integrity and director of program integrity; (9) require EOHHS to annually file the report outlined in section 91 and include specifics regarding the number of people disqualified from public assistance following a discrepancy identified by the IES; (10) require the termination of benefits when mail communications are returned to DTA as undeliverable and social security numbers are not provided within 3 months of application for assistance; and (11) expedite the establishment of the IES.
Amendment 660 - Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County (Poirier, Elizabeth) Earmarks $200K from the Services for Children and Families account (4800- 0038) for the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County. Does not increase the overall appropriation.
Amendment 697 - An Amendment to Modernize the Re-Certification of EBT Benefits (Fattman, Ryan) Adds a new outside section to require the Department of Transitional Assistance to determine a process for standardized semi-annual re-certification of EBT benefits that verifies the eligibility of a beneficiary, no later than the end of the calendar year.
Amendment 779 - To Create a Task Force to Study Ways to Reduce the Costs and Delays Associated with the Adoption Process in Massachusetts (Winslow, Daniel) Changes the inside language of the Department of Children and Families’ Services for Children and Families account (4800-0038) to establish a task force to convene by September 1, 2013 to study the ways to reduce the costs and delays associated with the adoption process in Massachusetts and report to the Legislature with recommendations by March 1, 2014.
Amendment 790 - Relative to DTA Reporting (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes Section 16, which provides a technical clarification regarding the Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance’s annual reporting requirement to the Legislature and replaces it with language requiring the Commissioner to redundantly report to both the General Court and HWM/SWM.
Amendment 814 - Eliminating Self Declarations for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section to prohibit the use of self-declarations as a means of verifying eligibility information for any form of public assistance.
Amendment 820 - School Participation Verification (O'Connell, Shaunna) Changes the school attendance requirement for DTA benefits, established in Section 88, by specifically requiring that the grantee's benefits be suspended for 6 months or until the grantee can provide proof of a child's school attendance.
Amendment 828 - Relative to Photos on EBT Cards (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 15 by requiring DTA to implement photo IDs on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards by January 1, 2014.
Amendment 838 - Eligibility Requirement for Public Assistance Programs (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section prohibiting any form of public assistance from being granted to an individual who has not presented a valid and verified social security number.
Amendment 840 - Relative to EBT Violations (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds a new outside section directing the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to enforce all penalties and fines, as prescribed by the MGLs and DTA, for benefit recipients and retailers without any waivers or exemptions. Requires violation hearings to be open to the public and requires DTA to provide descriptions of all discovered violations and actions taken to be available on the DTA website.
Amendment 871 - Fraud Bureau (O'Connell, Shaunna) Amends Section 6 to outline additional responsibilities of the new Bureau of Program Integrity, highlights include: (1) reviewing current eligibility intake and determination procedures, (2) assisting in the development of new intake procedures, (3) monitoring whether eligibility regulations are being followed, (4) assisting with the coordination of their state agencies in sharing data, (5) coordinating with the Program Integrity Division in the Department of Transitional Assistance.
Amendment 878 - Eliminating Fraud in Public Assistance (O'Connell, Shaunna) Strikes out and replaces Section 5 of the HWM FY14 Budget, which mandates the establishment of an Integrated Eligibility System (IES), requiring the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a computerized income, asset, and identity eligibility verification system to check public assistance applicants’ and recipients’ social security numbers with: 19 optional federal and state databases and 6 mandatory databases. Additionally: (1) outlines the procedures following the finding of a discrepancy between social security number and the verification system; (2) prohibits numerical identifiers from being used as placeholders for social security numbers for any period of time; (3) establishes an additional reporting requirement that duplicates the one established in Section 91.
Amendment 880 - Reforms to Reduce EBT Cash Access (O'Connell, Shaunna) Adds new outside sections to (1) increase the potential fines on retailers who violate EBT prohibitions; (2) increase recipient and retailer education; (3) require businesses to apply online to accept EBT cards; (4) prohibit out of state EBT card use; (5) prohibit self-declarations; and (6) establish an online payment system.
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