August 2022 | The Stanley Report 

Rep. Stanley at the Charles River Community Health 

Fair.

Rep. Stanley participated in Vice President Kamala Harris’ Boston roundtable discussion on protecting every person's right to reproductive health, privacy and personal choice.

Dog days of summer

News from the Elder Affairs Committee

As co-chair of the Elder Affairs Committee, one of Rep. Stanley’s most important roles this session was co-chairing the Massachusetts LGBT Aging Commission, the first statewide commission of its kind in the nation tasked with identifying and addressing the needs of LGBT older adults. This year, for the first time, the fiscal year 2023 state budget provides $50,000 in funds to support the Commission's work.

Rep. Stanley is also proud that the budget included $2.5 million for geriatric mental health which supports Elder Mental Health Outreach Teams (EMHOTs). EMHOTS work with older adults in their homes to connect them with vital community services and resources addressing the broad range of needs associated with behavioral health issues, including housing insecurity, chronic diseases, loss of social connectedness, and financial challenges.

The budget also includes $10 million for rest homes, which play a vital role along the Commonwealth's continuum of care, providing housing and health care options for some of our most vulnerable seniors in a community setting that is less restrictive than a nursing facility. The $10M secured in the budget will help rest homes maintain a high level of care for their residents, while also allowing the industry to pursue more long-term reforms regarding inadequate reimbursement rates.

The budget includes $1 million for the Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) program.

SHINE provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to all residents with Medicare and their caregivers. Individuals who have Medicare or who are about to become eligible for Medicare may meet with a counselor to learn more about what health insurance benefits and options are available to them. Counselors will also review programs that help people with limited income to pay health care costs. To find a local SHINE counselor and schedule an appointment, call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636.

Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Major Clean Energy Legislation

The Massachusetts Legislature passed a sweeping clean energy bill, an Act driving clean energy and offshore wind. The legislation bolsters green transportation, green buildings, and clean power production, including offshore wind, solar, storage and networked geothermal, while creating thousands of new jobs and economic benefits in the process. This bill builds upon the Next Generation Climate Roadmap bill, which was passed earlier this legislative session and overhauled the state’s climate laws by putting Massachusetts on a path to reach net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

"I am thrilled that the Legislature is addressing the urgency of the climate crisis by passing this historic legislation which will make Massachusetts a national leader in energy generated from offshore wind, while creating thousands of new jobs in the process," said Representative Stanley. "Reaching the Commonwealth's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require us to take critical steps outlined in this legislation to expand our clean energy capacity, encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, reduce emissions from buildings, and create high-paying, green jobs for our workforce."

Massachusetts House Passes $4.2 Billion Economic Development Bill

The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed an economic development bill, which utilizes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) surplus funds, and bonds to make significant investments across several vital sectors of the economy, and to give back to low and middle-income residents in Massachusetts by providing one-time rebates and significant tax relief beginning in 2023. Funded at $4.2 billion, the legislation addresses disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic through one-time investments in health and human services, the environment and climate mitigation, economic development, housing, and food insecurity.

“I am excited by the action taken by the House to address severe inflation and economic uncertainty,” said Representative Thomas M. Stanley (D-Waltham). “This bill includes several significant tax relief proposals, over $2.5 billion worth of one-time industry targeted investments, economic relief rebates for qualifying taxpayers, and a newly established source of revenue to fund the state’s early education and care system. Its passage will ensure Massachusetts continues its strong economic growth and puts us in solid footing to rebound from the pandemic.” Learn more. 

FY23 Budget Includes Record Amount of Local Aid & Chapter 70 Funding for Waltham and Lincoln

Rep. Stanley and his colleagues in the Legislature unanimously passed a $52.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). This budget upholds fiscal responsibility and makes targeted investments to strengthen the state’s economic foundation, protect the most vulnerable residents and support the everyday needs of communities and families in the Commonwealth. The budget includes more than $6 billion for public education and $1.2 billion in local aid to our cities and towns! The City of Waltham will receive over $30 million and Lincoln will receive $2 million.

The Legislature provides significant funds in the FY23 budget to invest in the Commonwealth’s long-term future obligations. Prioritizing funding for education, this budget includes $175 million in a newly created High-Quality Early Education and Care Affordability Trust Fund to be utilized in the coming years to support the implementation of the recommendations made by the Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission. Additionally, a supplemental payment of $150 million is included to the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Investment fund, bringing its balance up to $500 million, ensuring resources will be utilized in the future to support equitable funding for our most vulnerable students.

Rep. Stanley Attends National Health Center Week Health Fair

Rep. Stanley saw Charles River Community Health (CCRH) staff in action yesterday at their National Health Center Week Health Fair! National Health Center Week is held every year to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of our health centers. CRCH has been an important part of the Waltham community, providing high-quality, accessible care to some of our most vulnerable populations. Rep. Stanley thanks all health center frontline staff who have not only provided critical preventive and primary care to patients during these challenging times, but are now finding innovative ways to address deferred care during the pandemic and continue to be a focal point for the Commonwealth's COVID response (vaccination, testing, treatment, etc.).

Rep. Stanley Applauds Passage of Mental Health ABC Act

Rep. Stanley is thrilled that the Massachusetts House and Senate enacted comprehensive mental health reform dubbed the Mental Health ABC Act (S.3097). This legislation incorporates a bill sponsored by Rep. Stanley and Rep. Ruth B. Balser mandating insurance coverage for Emergency Service Programs (ESPs). ESPs provide behavioral health crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization services at all hours of the day to people with mental health and substance use disorders who are experiencing behavioral health crises. They provide direct access to behavioral health specialists who are trained in de-escalation techniques, and many teams have trained psychiatric clinicians that are mobile and will travel to the crisis.

Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter to Federal Delegation on Veterans’ PACT Act

Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter urging the MA federal delegation to lobby on behalf of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, otherwise known as the PACT Act, in hopes of sending the bill to President Biden’s desk. The PACT Act would ensure that Veterans exposed to burn pits are finally able to get the disability benefits and medical care from the VA that they need. The bill is currently stalled in the US Senate, but another vote is anticipated.

The SPEED Act, which passed this weekend in Massachusetts, includes our own supports for Massachusetts service-members who have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins. Rep. Stanley and his colleagues continue to work with Governor Baker to get this legislation signed into law.

Rep. Stanley's SPEED bill becomes law, supports veterans’ services, military families

On August 5, Gov. Baker signed the SPEED Act into law. Rep. Stanley filed the SPEED Act on behalf of the Department of Defense. His bill was later combined with other pieces of legislation which passed together. 

The comprehensive legislation addresses the Commonwealth’s most immediate needs in the veteran community and making necessary updates to service member quality-of-life issues and acknowledgements of our military branches and individual service, including supporting military families who relocate to the Commonwealth with expedited licensure and school enrollment, creating education awareness programs and establishing the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity.

“The House of Representatives remains committed to improving the quality of life for our veterans, service members and their families,” said Representative Thomas M. Stanley (D-Waltham), lead sponsor of the Military SPEED Act. “Many of the policies in this comprehensive legislation are critical towards retaining high-quality and dedicated service members in the Commonwealth and supporting our veterans.” Learn more. 

Lincoln Receives Complete Streets Funding Program Award

Lincoln recently received $268,865 for an extension of a shared use path to a community farm along Codman Road as part of the fiscal year 2023 Round 1 of grants for the Complete Streets Funding

Program. These awards will be used by recipient municipalities to fund local multimodal infrastructure projects that improve travel for bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit users, and people using other forms of transportation.

A “Complete Street” is one that enables safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. Administered by MassDOT, the

Complete Streets Funding Program aims to teach communities about Complete Streets and encourage the integration of Complete Streets into regular local planning practices. 

Hannan Agro Farms Receives $10,000 State Grant

Hannan Agro Farms in Lincoln will receive $10,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) Program, which seeks to assist beginning farmers expand and improve their farm operations. This year, seven farms located in Lincoln, Falmouth, Hadley, Oxford, Sterling, Stow, and West Brookfield were nominated to receive grant assistance. As part of the MEGA Program, participating farmers will receive individual business planning and financial assistance to help guide the growth of their farm business, and if the plan identifies a need for funds, they may receive a matching grant of up to $10,000.

Since the MEGA Program began in 2010, it has provided a total of $834,327 in grants to 98 diverse farms throughout the state, averaging approximately $8,500 per farm, and an additional $397,117 in business and technical assistance.

Rep. Stanley supports language access and inclusion legislation

In a letter to House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Rep. Stanley urged action on House Bill 4872 relative to language access and inclusion. H.4872 will increase accessibility and availability of government services to thousands of more residents, helping our limited English proficient residents connect with resources such as education, public health, and housing

H.4872 seeks to standardize and enforce language access at all public-facing state agencies in the Commonwealth. Specifically, the bill mandates for state agencies to develop a Language Access Plan that details the languages of the populations they serve as well as the resources available to meet the needs of limited English proficient individuals and what protocols are in place to ensure that these residents are receiving equal access to agency services in their primary language. State agencies would also be required to designate a language Access Coordinator whose sole responsibility would be to focus on improving language access issues and their agency’s compliance with this act. H.4872 also establishes a Language Access Advisory Board to help state agencies comply with these mandates.

Gov. Baker Signs Legislation Further Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services

Gov. Baker signed legislation to further protect access to reproductive health care services in Massachusetts following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The legislation codifies several measures that were first included in an Executive Order issued by Governor Baker in the hours following the Supreme Court’s decision last month. The law also adopts several new or expanded measures to protect access to reproductive health services in the Commonwealth. All the protections in the bill apply equally to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services provided or accessed in the Commonwealth.

The new law protects patients and providers from legal interference when they are engaged in accessing or providing reproductive and gender affirming health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts. The law also codifies several protections that Governor Baker put in place by Executive Order last month to prohibit the Commonwealth from assisting with other states’ investigations or legal proceedings regarding health care services that may be restricted in other states. The law also includes requirements for insurers to cover reproductive health care services, provisions addressing abortions performed at 24 weeks or later and measures that expand access to contraception across the Commonwealth.

Baker Administration Awards More Than $32 Million to Expand Training Opportunities for High School Students and Adults Through Skills Capital and Career Technical Initiative Grant Funding

The Baker Administration awarded more than $32 million in grants to modernize equipment at career technical programs and expand training opportunities for young people and adults as part of the administration’s multi-year effort to address skills gaps so more residents can pursue careers in growing industries and employers can hire qualified workers to grow their businesses. 

The Governor announced $22 million in Skills Capital grants awarded to 70 educational institutions, and an additional $10 million awarded to 23 vocational schools to expand programs for both young people and adults as part of the Career Technical Initiative (CTI). This round of CTI grants will help train more than 1,600 people for new careers in construction, manufacturing and other trades with growing workforce demands.  

Waltham Receives DESE Perkins Program Improvement & Equipment Grant

The City of Waltham recently received a $15,000 Perkins Program Improvement and Equipment Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The funds provide resources for Perkins program improvement to school districts. Expenditures, including equipment, must align with Perkins allowable cost requirements and drive program improvement. Additionally, districts participating in the pilot of the new Quality Support System are eligible for up to an additional $10,000 for work related to planning or implementing program improvements aligned with participation.

DCR Welcomes Public Comment on 10-Year Review of Landscape Designations and Management Guidelines

Over the next few weeks, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will hold a series of public meetings to discuss the DCR Landscape Designations and Management Guideline 10-year review. At each meeting, staff will describe the impact these landscape designations and will be seeking feedback on evolving climate concerns. For more info and a list of the meetings, click here. To view the current 2012 DCR Landscape Designations and Management Guidelines, click here. You may also submit feedback (deadline is 9/28) here. 

US launches 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline

 Recently launched in Massachusetts and across the US, the new 988 suicide and crisis line will offer 24/7/365 non-clinical, compassionate, emotional support for callers and referrals to additional resources, as needed. Support will be available in multiple languages. Learn more here.