Brewer Reports to the People - February 2010
February 2010
Brewer Reports to the People
Issue XIV
Hello,
February is here and so is budget season. The Massachusetts Legislature is already preparing for Fiscal Year 2011 by scheduling budget hearings throughout the Commonwealth and meeting with advocates looking for state funding. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, you can be sure that I will continue to advocate to the best of my ability on behalf of my constituents and loyal supporters.
Additionally, I am happy to announce that I am now on Facebook. Visit www.facebook.com to become a fan of “Senator Stephen Brewer”.
Sincerely,
Budget Update
On Wednesday, January 27, 2010, Governor Deval Patrick released his budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11). The Governor’s FY11 $28.2 billion budget increases spending by 3% based on expected revenue growth in the upcoming year. Even with this modest increase, it is difficult to maintain services due to rising costs, such as energy and health care.
The Governor’s budget proposal, also known as House 2, level funds a number of local aid accounts, including the largest Unrestricted Government Aid at $936 million and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) at $27.3 million. Chapter 70 aid, which provides funding for public school districts throughout the Commonwealth, is recommended to be funded at $4.048 billion without reliance on federal stimulus funding. The Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10) Budget utilized $168 million from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), as provided for through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
While this news is widely received and embraced by municipal officials and school districts throughout the Commonwealth, I remain concerned about committing to such funding levels at this time because the Governor’s budget is also based upon Legislative approval of new tax revenues, including the expansion of the sales tax to candy and soda. I have grave reservations about any tax proposal, especially since the Legislature already asked the taxpayers of the Commonwealth to make sacrifices for the FY10 Budget by increasing the sales tax. I do not believe that we can once again ask residents to further tighten their belts for the sake of the state budget.
Furthermore, the FY10 Budget was based on a number of one-time sources that we do not have going into FY11. In FY10, General Fund revenues derived from tax receipts was offset by $1.897 billion in ARRA monies, $249 million from the stabilization – or “rainy day” – fund, and $150 million taken from the School Building Authority off-budget account. For FY11, we have $809 million in remaining ARRA monies, the majority of which must be spent on health care expenses incurred through Medicaid. We do have a small balance left in the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which Governor Patrick maintains sole authority for the expenditure of and which he has recommended be used to maintain the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) spending levels for our institutions of higher education.
The current balance of the rainy day fund is $617 million. Governor Patrick proposes transferring $175 million to balance the FY11 Budget. During the Consensus Revenue Hearings in December, the Legislature and the Administration was warned by Treasurer Cahill that drawing the rainy day fund down below $500 million would attract the attention of the Wall Street bond raters to the potential detriment of the Commonwealth. If our bond rating is downgraded, the cost of borrowing for capital projects, such as new schools, will become much more expensive. It is in our best interest to ensure we maintain our current excellent bond rating.
Finally, the Governor’s budget is balanced using $768 million in funding that has yet to be approved by the federal government. While the Governor is confident these monies will come through, we must build our budgets on what resources are actually available to us. It is clear that the FY11 Budget process will require much debate and thoughtful, creative solutions to produce a fiscally responsible product.
During February and early March, the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means will be holding budget hearings throughout the Commonwealth to hear testimony from state agencies and the general public on the budgetary needs for the upcoming fiscal year. On February 22, 2010, I will be co-chairing a hearing with Representative Steve Kulik on education and local aid at the Lincoln Campus Center Auditorium at UMass Amherst. On March 1, 2010, I will be co-Chairing a hearing with Representative James Welch at Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge on the judiciary, district attorneys, public safety, and sheriffs. Both these hearings will begin at 10 AM and the public is welcome to attend and testify. You may view the entire schedule of hearings here. The Governor’s budget represents the beginning of a lengthy, comprehensive discussion. The House of Representatives will release its budget recommendations in April with the Senate following suit in May. A Conference Committee will convene after the conclusion of the Senate budget debates to reconcile the House and Senate budgets. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, I will serve as one of the six members on this Conference Committee. My highest priorities for FY11 will be local aid and education, while protecting the taxpayer from shouldering additional burdens.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns during the budget process.
Important Amendment to the Wind Siting Bill Adopted
I am pleased to announce that yesterday the Senate adopted an amendment that I filed to the Wind Siting Bill.
S.2245, “An Act Relative to Comprehensive Siting Reform for Land Based Wind Projects” passed in the Senate yesterday. The amendment that I filed preserves flexibility in local communities and provides wind-rich communities with the option of either utilizing the mega-board to permit wind facilities or designate their planning board. The amendment also provides total flexibility to all other communities while providing an option to use the mega-board if they deem it appropriate. S.2245 continues the work started in the state’s landmark Green Communities Act of 2008. Under that law, a commission was charged with reviewing existing policies for locating renewable energy resources.
Acting on the commission’s initial findings, the new Senate bill requires an advisory group to develop clear and predictable siting standards through the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) with input from state departments, regional commissions and environmental groups.
Under this legislation, the EFSB can authorize a streamlined and comprehensive permitting process for wind facilities of 2 mega-watts of power or more that need state permits. The bill also establishes a local-level process for wind facilities of 2 mega-watts or more through a wind energy board comprised of relevant local commissions allowing for appeals to the EFSB.
The new permitting process eliminates the need for multiple permit applications from separate agencies for a single project, instead creating a one-stop review and permit. Projects under 2 mega-watts would follow existing guidelines and procedures.
Municipalities that approve wind projects may also be eligible for certain financial benefits under this legislation.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. View the full text of S.2245 here.
Correctional Officer Protection Bill Advanced
On January 13, 2010, Senate Bill 997, “An Act Punishing Assault and Battery by Means of a Bodily Substance Upon Correctional Facility Employees” protecting correctional officers passed in the Senate.
I am thrilled to see this bill advance through the Legislature in a timely manner. Correctional officers can face tough situations during their shift and it is important to pass a law that further protects them. I look forward to the House taking action on this common sense piece of legislation.
Senate Bill 997 punishes anyone who commits an assault with bodily fluids or an assault and battery with bodily fluids upon an officer or employee of any jail, house of correction or correctional institution by imprisonment in the house of correction for no more than 2 ½ years or 5 to 15 years in a state prison. I filed a similar piece of legislation, Senate Bill 1572, “An Act Protecting Police Officers While Making a Lawful Arrest” that would create a specific penalty for a criminal offender who attempts to take a police officer’s weapon during an arrest. This bill remains in the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and I will continue to advocate for this bill’s enactment.
S.997 is currently in the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling where it awaits further action.
Grant Awards for Local Councils on Aging Announced
On February 4, 2010,the Executive Office of Elder Affairs released the Formula Grant Award notifications for Council’s on Aging (COA) in 348 towns throughout the Commonwealth. Formula grants are calculated at $7.00 per elder based on the municipality’s age 60 and over population using 2000 census data.
One of our most important responsibilities as a society is to take care of our elders, and it is for that reason I am proud the Commonwealth has provided these Councils on Aging with the necessary funding to run the programs that are so important to the quality of life for the seniors in our community.
There are 348 COAs in Massachusetts that provide more than 440,000 elders, their families and caregivers with direct services. Since 1956, the mission of these volunteer, municipally appointed agencies is to link elder needs and resources by developing and/or coordinating services, community education and advocacy. There are more than 300 senior and drop-in centers in the Commonwealth ranging from part-time volunteer staffed room in town halls or meal sites to extensive multipurpose facilities with state-of-the-art amenities for the Commonwealth’s 1.1 million elders. They are a safe place for Massachusetts elders to remain independent, productive and in the community for as long as possible.
Below are listed the COA’s in the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin district that have received funding:
Athol: $16,499 to support a part-time clerical assistant; underwrite fitness and wellness programs; and provide basic office supplies, conference attendance and trainings.
Barre: $5,656 to employ a part-time escort worker and pay for newsletter printing, dues, utilities, postage and volunteer recognition.
Brimfield: $3,500 to underwrite strength training, T’ai Chi and arthritis fitness programs.
Brookfield: $3,906 to underwrite the foot screening and T'ai Chi programs; subsidize the outreach worker positions; and provide for medical transportation, office supplies, postage, dues, printing/copying and conference/meeting attendance or training.
Charlton: $8,435 support yoga and fitness programs and provide for office supplies, newsletter printing and distribution, volunteer recognition and training.
East Brookfield: $3,500 to provide for site utilities.
Hardwick: $3,500 to support the director's position; provide for newsletter printing; and provide for education and training.
Holland: $3,500 to continue the part-time senior center coordinator position.
Hubbardston: $3,500 to employ a part-time director and provide for newsletter printing, facility renovation and volunteer recognition.
Monson: $8,750 to support the part-time positions of cook and outreach coordinator.
New Braintree: $3,500 to support the outreach, social service and aide positions and provide for transportation, printing/copying, newsletter printing and postage, dues and volunteer recognition.
North Brookfield: $5,558 to support the receptionist position; defray newsletter mailing costs; and provide for mileage, dues, volunteer recognition and education or training.
Oakham: $3,500 to provide for staff/volunteer transportation, utilities, supplies, facility maintenance, and printing/copying for the newsletter.
Orange: $9,583 to employ clerical staff and to provide for health screenings, rent, facility/program supplies, postage and conference/in-service education or training.
Palmer: $16,527 to employ part-time volunteer and outreach coordinators and provide for transportation, postage, dues and conference/in-service education or training.
Petersham: $3,500 to print and distribute the COA newsletter, defray health/fitness activity costs; provide for kitchen and office supplies; and provide for volunteer recognition.
Phillipston: $3,500 to support fitness and health programs; provide for client transportation, rent, kitchen equipment, office supplies, postage, newsletter printing and volunteer recognition.
Royalston: $3,500 to conduct health screening and education programs; and provide for mileage, office supplies, postage, equipment/furnishings, volunteer recognition and education or training.
Rutland: $4,662 to support the positions of director and outreach worker; and provide for newsletter printing.
Spencer: $13,342 to support the position of director; defray T'ai Chi, exercise and health screening costs; and provide for rent, utilities, supplies, site maintenance, printing/copying, postage, dues and conference/in-service education or training.
Sturbridge: $9,947 to defray the cost of exercise/fitness instruction and to provide for client transportation, utilities, printing/copying, newsletter postage and volunteer recognition.
Templeton: $8,008 to provide for postage, dues, newsletter printing and distribution, conference/in-service education or training and volunteer recognition.
Wales: $3,500 to underwrite the fitness/wellness program; defray newsletter mailing costs; and provide for volunteer recognition.
Ware: $12,698 to employ part-time office staff and to provide for mileage, office supplies, postage, newsletter printing, and conference/in-service education or training.
Warren: $5,936 to support the senior transportation program and provide for conference/in-service education or training.
Warwick: $3,500 to defray the cost of nutrition, volunteer transportation, health screening/promotion and in-home support programs, and to pay for postage and office supplies.
West Brookfield: $6,734 to provide for utilities, office supplies, dues, newsletter postage, conference/education attendance and volunteer recognition.
Winchendon: $9,464 to pay a portion of the part-time director's salary.
Continue reading below for additional grants announced during the month of January.
8 Ways You Can Stay Healthy During Flu Season
With one of the worst flu seasons upon us, it is important to take extra precautions to protect yourself from getting sick. Flu refers to illnesses caused by a number of different influenza viruses. Flu can cause a range of symptoms and effects, from mild to lethal. Two strains of flu- seasonal flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu- are currently circulating in the United States. Most healthy people recover from the flu without problems, but certain people are at high risk for serious complications. You can protect yourself and others by following these key steps:
1 | Get vaccinated against seasonal flu when vaccine is available in your area. If you are at higher risk for H1N1 flu complications you should receive the H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for flu-related complications include: children younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old; people aged 65 years or older; pregnant women; adults and children who have asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions; chronic lung disease; heart disease; blood disorders; endocrine disorders, such as diabetes; kidney, liver, and metabolic disorders; weakened immune system due to disease or medication; and people younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. |
2 | Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way. |
3 | Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles. |
4 | Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. |
5 | Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, common tables, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc. |
6 | Do not use other people’s phones, desks, offices, or other tools and equipment. If you need to use a friend’s equipment, clean it first. And as a courtesy, also clean after you are finished. |
7 | Don’t spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home. Symptoms of flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and tiredness. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including the H1N1 flu and have respiratory problems without a fever. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that sick people stay home if they are sick with flu-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. |
8 | Maintain a healthy lifestyle throughrest, diet, exercise, and relaxation. A strong immune system and a healthy body is the best way to protect yourself against illness. |
MassDEP Announces Third Round of Grants for Pollution Control Devices
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) recently announced its third round of grants to install pollution control devices (retrofits) on waste and recycling trucks owned by municipalities and private haulers.
Municipalities and private haulers that collect residential waste and recycling at the curb on a regular basis are eligible for the grants through the 2010 MassDEP Diesel Waste Collection Vehicle Retrofit Program Two vendors on state contract are responsible for installing the retrofit devices by September 30, 2010. Municipalities and private haulers will receive the retrofits at no cost to them and payment will take place between the vendors and MassDEP.
Some diesel Waste Collection Vehicles are among the most heavily polluting vehicles on Massachusetts roads. Some of the pollutants these vehicles emit include diesel fine particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The effects of these pollutants are compounded because these vehicles spend a large part of their time idling or moving slowly through urban and suburban neighborhoods resulting in the exposure of residents and workers to toxic pollutants. A diesel retrofit is an enhanced exhaust filtering system that reduces emissions from a diesel vehicle and is installed in place of or alongside a vehicle’s muffler. Retrofit devices have been installed in over 500,000 vehicles worldwide. They only take a few hours to install, but reduce pollution for the life of the vehicle.
Vehicles eligible for this program must:
- Be registered in Massachusetts
- Pick up residential waste and/or recycling at the curbside on a regular basis
- Be powered by diesel fuel
- Operate on a 1985 or newer engine
- Not be equipped with original engine manufacturer (OEM) pollution control equipment (generally 2007 and newer model years although some earlier engine model may also be OEM-equipped)
MassDEP will be holding four workshops on the grants in Lakeville, Wilmington, Gardner and North Adams during February. I would like to encourage municipalities as well as private haulers throughout to district to apply for this program at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/diesel/wcv.htm. The deadline to apply for the grants is Friday, March 12, 2010 at 5 p.m. For more information and assistance with the retrofit program, contact MassDEP’s Diesel Reduction Program Coordinator at 617-556-1101 or visit MassDEP online by clicking here.
Monson Office Hours
Office Hours will be held in the Town of Monson on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room located at 110 Main Street in Monson from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.My staff and I look forward to meeting and talking with constituents about any concerns or requests they may have at this time. No appointment is necessary constituents will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.
Grants
Senator Brewer is pleased to announce the following grant awards from the month of January. Please visit www.SteveBrewer.org to access the complete press releases.
Ashburnham - has been awarded a Small Town Road Assistance Program (STRAP) grant in the amount of $500,000 to assist in the reclamation and resurfacing of Rindge Turnpike.
Charlton - Masonic Health Systems of Massachusetts in Charlton received a $266,000 Commonwealth Wind Community-Scale Initiative grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Charlton – The Charlton Housing Authority received aWater Conservation Sustainability grant totaling $16,127 from the Department of Housing and Community Development
Charlton - Bay Path Regional Technical High School received a $399,000 grant from the Commonwealth Wind Incentive Program.
Monson – Received aDrinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $313,712 from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
North Brookfield - North Brookfield Public Schools was awarded an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Technology Competitive Grant Program totaling $100,000 from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Palmer – Received a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $5,666,924 from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Spencer – Received a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $7,411,500 from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Spencer - Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District (SEBRSD) received a $75,000 grant from the Commonwealth Wind Incentive Program.
Sturbridge – Received a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $16,989,000 from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Warren – Received aMassachusetts Downtown Initiative Technical Assistance (MDI) Site Visit Program grant totaling $10,000 awarded by the Department of Housing and Community.
West Brookfield - Double J Farm received a $16,590 Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) grant from the Department of Agricultural Resources.
West Brookfield - Ragged Hill Orchard received a $30,000 Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) grant from the Department of Agricultural Resources.
Winchendon – Awarded an Economic Development Fund grant of up to $500,000 from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Posted: Wed, Feb 3, 2010
Updated Fri, Feb 5, 2010
