July 2023 | The Stanley Report 

Dear Friend,

July's issue of The Stanley Report includes important information about legislation I am supporting this session as well as local and state news.

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

Sincerely,

Tom Stanley

Rep. Stanley is sworn into the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease.

 Rep. Stanley met with Charles River Community Health CEO Elizabeth Browne and Chief Clinical Officer Mimi Gardner to discuss legislative priorities for community health centers.

Rep. Stanley and Cong. Katherine Clark attended

the Waltham Boys and Girls Club's Juneteenth Event.

Rep. Stanley attended the Waltham Citizens Input Meeting on the Housing Rights Notification. Residents shared their input on the proposed ordinance.

Rep. Stanley met with constituents at an Eversource meeting in Waltham.

The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs Holds Hearing on Assisted Living, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Home Care, and Community-Based Services

The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, chaired by Rep. Stanley and Senator Patricia Jehlen, held a hearing on a variety of proposals that would improve long-term services and supports (LTSS) for seniors along the continuum of care. The committee heard proposals to improve LTSS for seniors along the continuum of care, including legislation creating personal care homes, infection control training in home care, and services for early-onset Alzheimer’s. Read the full press release here.

Learn More About Summer Eats!

Summer is a critical time for kids and teens to continue receiving the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. Summer Eats MA is here to fill the hunger gap! With no ID or sign-up required, simply visit Project Bread’s map to find a site near you.

Rep. Stanley to Serve on Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease

Rep. Stanley was recently sworn into the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease to begin the vital work of ensuring that those diagnosed receive the best care and support. Rep. Stanley extends his sincere thanks to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health staff for the orientation.

Rep. Stanley Testifies in Support of the Future of Heat Act

In a letter to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, Rep. Stanley expressed support for the Future of Heat Act. H.3202 would allow gas companies to deliver renewable thermal energy to our homes and replace leaky gas pipes with modern renewable thermal energy. The bill, cosponsored by Rep. Stanley, would also require gas companies to add more renewable thermal energy each year and prohibit them from charging ratepayers for new fossil fuel infrastructure beyond 2050. The Future of Heat Act also authorizes pipeline replacement funds to be used for non-emitting renewable energy infrastructure and securitized financing for geothermal technology.

On the consumer side, H.3202 assists residents with replacing appliances and upgrading buildings and prohibits property owners from passing on to tenants any costs for which they have been reimbursed. Workers who construct gas pipelines would be guaranteed their jobs to support the transition to thermal pipes or other aspects of a non-emitting renewable thermal infrastructure projects, under the bill. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center would be tasked with overseeing a retraining program and allocating funds to a training facility or a gas company for retraining of existing employees.

Rep. Stanley Testifies to Expand Equitable Perinatal Mental Health Services

In a letter to the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Rep. Stanley expressed support of legislation he cosponsored (H.1984/S.1261) to expand equitable perinatal mental health services. The legislation would establish two grant programs to aid in a more comprehensive expansion of equitable perinatal-- the period of time from pregnancy through one year following birth-- healthcare in Massachusetts. The first grant would focus on the creation and augmentation of schools and programs educating diverse students looking to specialize in perinatal mental care and substance use disorders. The second grant would bolster a variety of community programs and available services to improve the well-being of perinatal individuals.

Perinatal care in the Commonwealth faces significant racial and socio-economic inequities. The bill’s focus on educating qualified PMH providers and programs for Black and Brown families most impacted by the current disparities looks to reverse this trend. Moreover, the grant-mandated training for PMH providers targeting implicit bias, discrimination, and racism under the bill would further address perinatal inequalities. To produce more qualified PMH providers in medically underserved communities, the bill includes scholarships and other grant-funded assistance.

Juliet Najjumba of Africano Waltham and Rep. Stanley attend Women's 2023 Commonwealth Heroines Celebration

Juliet Najjumba, CEO and Founder of Africano Waltham and Rep. Stanley attended the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women's 2023 Commonwealth Heroines Celebration. Rep. Stanley nominated Juliet to MCSW's Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023. 

Each year the Commission partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Each legislator is encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency as a means of recognizing their invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service, who are making a big difference in their communities.

Rep. Stanley Supports Educator Diversity Legislation

Rep. Stanley testified in support of legislation he cosponsored relative to educator diversity. The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing for the bill on 6/26/23. To attract and retain diverse educators in our public schools, H.549/S.311 aims to bring much needed reforms to the public educator career pipeline and workforce in the Commonwealth. The bill would establish guidelines for diversity plans in school districts to identify, promote, recruit and retain educators who are members of under-represented groups, and assist districts in compliance with federal and state laws. Under the bill, DESE would make available a grant program for local districts to establish programs for educator diversity.

Increasing educator diversity will provide a bridge for students and parents to connect with educators in school communities from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, when students see someone like themselves as an educator in the classroom, it can further inspire confidence to believe in themselves to pursue their career and educational goals.

Rep. Stanley Supports the Green Future Act

Rep. Stanley submitted written testimony to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy in support of H.3693, legislation he cosponsored to advance a green future with infrastructure and workforce investments. The bill would place a fee on fossil fuel imports once they enter the Commonwealth, seeking to eliminate a loophole that allows current importers of fossil fuel to not pay any taxes. Such a fee is estimated to generate $700M per year and $9.6B by 2030. This revenue would then be used to support a $500M per year green bonding program as part of the state’s capital budget and establish a Green Infrastructure Fund (GIF) to invest in projects that electrify transportation, increase renewable energy, and create consumer heating efficiency rebates. GIF would also direct significant aid to all municipalities, funding local green infrastructure projects that lower emissions and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The Green Future Act prioritizes low-income and working-class families by providing direct cash payments (“Green Household Dividends”) to protect them from any short-term increases in utility costs as the economy shifts away from fossil fuels. Moreover, the bill establishes the Green Workforce Commission to support the training and development of a green energy workforce and sets aside $40m to support displaced fossil fuel workers and their families.

Rep. Stanley Testifies on Behalf of 100% Clean Act

Rep. Stanley cosponsored and submitted testimony on behalf of H.3689, legislation transitioning Massachusetts to clean electricity, heating, and transportation. The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing for the bill on 7/12/23. H.3689 would set a goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035, and 100 percent renewable energy economy-wide, including heat and transportation, by 2045. The bill would also set interim renewable energy targets along with regulations to meet those targets. To support workers displaced in the transition away from fossil fuels, the 100% Energy Act establishes a Just Transition Office tasked with offering training and job placement assistance. The bill also creates a Clean Energy Equity Office to ensure that clean energy incentive programs benefit environmental justice communities.

The Commonwealth is a national leader in climate resiliency and renewable energy. Passage of the 2050 Next Generation Climate Roadmap (now Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021) sets a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the more recent Offshore Wind and Clean Energy Act (Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022) moves the Commonwealth towards meeting that net-zero goal. However, our transition away from fossil fuels and towards clean, renewable energy must occur in a quicker and more equitable manner.

Work and Family Mobility Act is now Effective

Starting July 2023, eligible residents in Massachusetts can obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver's license, regardless of immigration status, under the Work and Family Mobility Act. The Work and Family Mobility Act removes the requirement that customers provide proof of lawful presence for a Standard driver’s license. Click here to learn more.

MassDOT Announces New Vehicle Census Dashboard

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) launched a new online dashboard, the Massachusetts Vehicle Census (MVC), the first public dataset that joins information about how much vehicles are being driven with information about the vehicles themselves, including vehicle type, vehicle use, fuel classification, and the municipality the vehicle is garaged in. The data now available to the public will support conversations regarding how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The dashboard is available here, and the data is available for download. 

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 hugging 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 Home Care Licensing Commission

Massachusetts LGBT Aging Commission

Massachusetts Elder Nutrition Commission

Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease

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