August 2023 | The Stanley Report 

Dear Friend,

August's issue of The Stanley Report includes important information about the recently-passed FY24 state budget as well as legislation I am supporting this session.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you need assistance.

Sincerely,

Tom Stanley

Summer snack

 Dog days of summer

Beach time

Joint Committee on Elder Affairs FY24 Budget Highlights

The FY24 final state budget has emerged as a beacon of hope for the Commonwealth's most vulnerable aging residents, shining light on the essential Elder Affairs programs that provide unwavering support to them and their dedicated caregivers. Representative Stanley extends heartfelt gratitude to Vice Chair State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Senate Chair Senator Pat Jehlen, whose steadfast leadership and tireless advocacy have been instrumental in championing the cause of our seniors, particularly those within the expansive scope of the Commonwealth's Continuum of Care.

Of notable significance are the appropriations earmarked for the SHINE program, an invaluable initiative that empowers older residents to decipher their health insurance options and achieve savings on prescription medications. For further insights into the SHINE program, click here.

It's a striking revelation that 7 out of 10 individuals will require long-term care (LTC) at some juncture in their lives, while merely 8% of Massachusetts residents possess LTC insurance. The FY24 final budget takes a proactive step by allocating funds for an actuarial study aimed at exploring accessible payment alternatives for LTC. This comprehensive study will also lend robust support to the Special Commission set forth in Representative Stanley’s H.652 bill. If enacted, this Commission will be entrusted with the vital task of evaluating a range of LTC financing policies, contributing to the holistic welfare of our aging population.

Legislature Passes FY2024 Budget

Rep. Stanley and his colleagues passed the FY24 budget which includes critical funding for public education, community colleges, health care, workforce development, affordable housing, and more. Rep. Stanley is grateful to Speaker Ron Mariano and Chair Aaron Michlewitz for their fiscal leadership in the House and for putting forth a budget that makes so many meaningful investments. See the highlights above. Gov. Healy signed the bill on August 9, 2023.

Waltham Earmarks Included in FY2024 Budget

Rep. Stanley is excited to announce that the Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Boston, Waltham Chamber of Commerce, Waltham Tourism, and More Than Words received budget funding in the recently passed FY2024 budget.

Also included in the budget is Rep. Stanley's $100,000 amendment funding the Charles River Hardy Pond pilot design project  With the recent flooding across New England, this funding is needed now more than ever to make Waltham climate resilient.

Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Transportation Funding Bill

Rep. Stanley and his colleagues in the House and Senate sent the governor a local transportation funding bill (H.4013) to address transportation needs across the state. Waltham estimated Chapter 90 allocation for FY24 is $1,571,525.

Interested in seeing Chapter 90 reimbursements to Waltham over the years? Click here.

MBTA Fiscal 2024 Budget Highlights

The FY24 budget directs $200 million in additional funding to the MBTA to help with station improvements and bridge repairs, address workforce safety issues flagged by the FTA, and implement a long-awaited study of a means-tested fare program for low-income riders. This funding - on top of the $1.463 billion sales tax transfer to support MBTA operations and the $187m annual operating transfer, demonstrates the Legislature's commitment to supporting public transit throughout the Commonwealth.

Rep. Stanley Serves as House Designee at Alzheimer's Advisory Council Meeting

Rep. Stanley participated his first meeting of the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Disease and All Other Dementias as the House of Representatives designee. The meeting included presentations highlighting challenges around dementia in the Black community and innovative dementia care models.

Rep. Stanley Supports Bill to Improve Communication for Children with Disabilities

Rep. Stanley submitted written testimony to the Joint Committee on Education of behalf of legislation he cosponsored to improve augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) opportunities for children with disabilities. The bill would require ACC training for all educators, not just educators of students with moderate to severe disabilities. This will ensure that all teachers know how to use the technology in the case they would have to communicate with a student who is nonverbal or has limited speech.

Rep. Stanley Testifies on Behalf of Records Access Bill

Rep. Stanley testified before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight in support of legislation he cosponsored relative to accessing public records. The bill amends current law to create access to public records, currently under the custody of the state secretary, that were created more than 75 years ago for historical and genealogical purposes. These records contain some of the only information ever obtained about the hundreds of residents of the Fernald State School and other state hospitals and schools.

Students from Gann Academy recently initiated a project to determine the names of the individuals buried at Metfern and provide a proper burial for these individuals. Their work is instrumental in ending the stigma of disability which perpetuates and violates the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With passage of this bill, Gann Academy and others will be able to uncover the hidden lives of those individuals who were institutionalized in state facilities. Moreover, the importance of public access to these records becomes especially important to family members who have a deep desire to know the stories of their relatives and family members – uncles, aunts, cousins, parents or grandparents – whose memory has been lost.

Rep. Stanley Supports Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Bills

Rep. Stanley submitted written testimony on behalf of three bills championed by the Arc of Massachusetts and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

The first bill aims to improve health care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism, and advance the Commonwealth’s medical prowess, produce more qualified providers, and ensure that individuals with IDD and autism have the proper care available to them. The second bill would update Nicky’s Law to protect individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs and shield an even larger population of disabled persons from abuse and further strengthen the registry’s implementation. The third bill would ensure equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism by requiring MassHealth to provide coverage for treatments deemed medically necessary for individuals aged 21 and older.

Rep. Stanley Supports Fair Housing Framework Bill



Rep. Stanley submitted written testimony to the Joint Committee on Public Housing on behalf of a bill he cosponsored to establish a statewide affirmatively furthering fair housing framework (AFFH). The Commonwealth is in a housing crisis, one made worse by the pandemic. Single-family homes are out of reach for many low and middle-class families.

The legislation would establish a statewide AFFH framework, requiring developers of new apartment buildings or condominium complexes larger than 35 units to analyze the impact of their projects on fair housing and submit plans to both the municipality and DHCD demonstrating that their developments advance housing accessibility. A 2020 Globe Editorial recommended for the Legislature to consider adopting a statewide approach to support Boston's AFFH rule.

Rep. Stanley Supports Bill to Protect Animals in Traveling Exhibits and Shows

Rep. Stanley submitted testimony to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development in favor of legislation he cosponsored relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows. Currently, many kinds of animals are participants in circuses, fairs, and other traveling shows where they are unfairly treated and even harmed

The bill ensures that the Commonwealth will no longer play a role in endangering the safety of captive elephants, big cats, primates, and bears to inhumane traveling show conditions. The bill would specifically prohibit the use of these animals in traveling shows in the state, allowing them to move and live natural lives. Banning these animals from these types of venues would also improve public health and safety as hundreds of people, including scores of children, are injured by elephants, big cats, primates, and bears used in circuses and traveling shows every year.

Photo courtesy of State House News

Governor Healey Declares State of Emergency, Calls for Support for Newly Arriving Migrant Families

Governor Healey declared that a state of emergency exists in Massachusetts due to rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts in need of shelter and services and a severe lack of shelter availability in the state. The declaration serves as a notice to the federal government and the Commonwealth that the state’s shelter system is rapidly expanding capacity in an unsustainable manner, and that further assistance is urgently needed. There are currently nearly 5,600 families or more than 20,000 individuals in state shelter, including children and pregnant women. 

In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Gov. Healey pointed to work authorizations as a primary driver of the crisis. She called on the federal government to take urgent action to streamline and expedite work authorizations and increase funding to states to assist in providing shelter and services to families. She called on bipartisan leaders in Congress to address outdated and punitive immigration laws. She also called on the cities and towns, charities, advocates, faith organizations and providers to continue to partner with the administration to meet the need for shelter and work. Information about how the public can help is available here. Anyone who can offer assistance should contact the state at shelterhelp@mass.gov or by dialing 211, which will be monitored by MEMA. 

MOVEit global data security incident

More than 134,000 Massachusetts residents who are currently enrolled in certain state programs and services (or were enrolled in the last few years) had their personal information involved in a recent global third-party data security incident. Impacted individuals were sent notice by mail starting Aug. 14, 2023, and will also be contacted by phone, text, and email where possible. 

This was part of a large, global data security incident involving a file-transfer software program called MOVEit that has impacted state and federal government agencies, financial services firms, pension funds, and many other types of companies and not-for-profit organizations. No UMass Chan or state systems were compromised in this incident. Learn more.

Rep. Stanley attended the Charles River Community Health's National Health Center Week Health Fair. Rep. Stanley has been a champion for Community Health Centers on Beacon Hill, helping to secure funding last session for workforce initiatives and capital improvements.

Pictured above, from left to right are Charles River Community Health CEO Elizabeth Browne, Abelino Chicas, Consul General of El Salvador, Rep. Stanley and his Legislative Aide James Zanghi.

National Health Center Week (August 6 – 12) is held annually to celebrate and increase awareness of America’s 1,400 Community Health Centers (CHCs). National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 30 million patients across 14,500 communities annually. 

Regan's Corner

Meet Regan! Rep. Stanley and his family rescued a pup and named her Regan. Regan loves long walks, playing games in the yard, making friends and lounging with Rep. Stanley!

Help an animal find a home! Learn more about The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and ways you can help.

The Animal Rescue League continues to support legislation that enhances and improves protections for animals, and to oppose reforms that endanger the welfare of animals in Massachusetts. Learn more about ARL's current legislative agenda here.

About Rep. Stanley

State Representative

City Council

Former City Council President

State Committee:

Co-Chairperson, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs

Member of:

Massachusetts Elder Nutrition Commission

Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias

City Council:

Veterans Committee

Economic Development Committee

Committee of the Whole

Education: Suffolk University (MPA), Bentley University (BS - Management), Mass Bay Community College (AS - Business Administration)

Community Involvement (Past & Present):

Waltham Boys & Girls Club, Waltham Youth Basketball Association, Basketball Plus Program, Central Middle School Basketball, Little Nippers Baseball, Warrendale Little League, Waltham Youth Soccer, Waltham Police Athletic League, CCD Teacher, St. Jude Church, Waltham Lions Club, Waltham Rotary Club, Reagle Players Board of Directors, Warrendale Little League Board of Directors, Waltham Partnership for Youth Board of Directors, Waltham Day Center (Homeless) Advisors Board, Waltham Family School Advisory Board, Waltham Safe & Healthy Schools YRBS Steering Committee, Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Advisory Board, Waltham Public Library Planning Committee, Waltham Sons of Italy, Middlesex Area Enough Abuse Campaign

Awards: 

Work, Community, Independence - Human Service Advocate of the Year, COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center, Community Health Center Leader Award, The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Dignity Award Certificate of Appreciation

Personal:

Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss

Children: Ryan, age 29, Parker, age 20 & puppy Regan