2015-2016 Legislative Session Accomplishments
Rep. Stanley completed a productive 2015-2016 session which included the passage of multiple landmark bills. Over the past two years, the Legislature passed major bills related to substance addition, energy, economic development, civil rights and regulatory reform including rules governing the "ride-for-hire" industry. This session the House again bolstered its reputation as the champion of municipalities though record levels of local aid and multiple bills to support cities and towns.
The Legislature took up various pieces of legislation in response to rapid shifts in economic, environmental and regulatory landscapes, including a landmark energy bill. The recently-signed law will diversify Massachusetts' energy portfolio and ensure a reliable electric grid by replacing older power sources that are due to retire. These measures will protect the Commonwealth's ratepayers while enhancing clean energy and securing a more sustainable future. The law supports 2,800 megawatts (MWs) of clean energy - the largest amount the Legislature has included in any single bill - and requires distribution companies to conduct solicitations for 1,600 MWs of offshore wind.
To spur the timely infusion of reliable clean energy projects in Massachusetts, the bill will also require distribution companies to conduct solicitations for up to 9,450,000 MWhs of energy from hydropower, Class I renewable resources or a combination of both.
Recognizing the ongoing modernization of transportation methods, the Legislature created statewide regulations for "ride-for-hire" companies like Uber and Lyft that will improve public safety requirements and consumer protection standards. At the same time, these updates will allow these companies to continue to provide an innovative and valuable mode of transportation. The law creates a new division overseen by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), responsible for regulating 'ride-for-hire' companies. Companies applying for licensure must meet insurance, background check, pricing, and nondiscrimination standards.
In yet another effort to maintain Massachusetts' national economic leadership, the House bolstered its reputation of balancing fiscal responsibility with a commitment to supporting the Commonwealth's emerging industries. Through the FY16 and FY17 budgets, and the 2016 economic development law, the House provided opportunities for individuals of all skillsets, including young innovators, as well as residents in every region of the Commonwealth. These initiatives include programs to support the big data and data analytics industries, computer science education programs, and financial support for small businesses and local manufactures.
The economic development bill also establishes an education tax-incentive program (529 plan) which will allow single filers to take a $1,000 tax deduction on contributions to college savings accounts.
Although the Commonwealth was faced with an unforeseeable decrease in tax revenue, the Legislature was able to maintain its record-high investments in local aid. The FY17 final budget increases both local education funding and Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), boosting UGGA by 4.3 percent. It provides $55 in per-pupil-aid, more than doubling the FY16 expenditure, and fully funds the Special Education Circuit Breaker.
In addition to record levels of local aid over the past two years, the House took steps to update regulations governing municipalities and create efficiencies on the local level through the municipal modernization bill. Representatives worked hand-in-hand with the Baker Administration to identify challenges facing their districts and to subsequently develop solutions.
Building off its commitment to local education funding, the House continues to emphasize the impact that high-quality Early Education and Care (EEC) has on the lives of our residents - both children and adults - by making targeted investments to support the EEC workforce while expanding access to high-quality programming. In FY17 EEC investments include a $12.5 million rate reserve, $4M to ensure access to quality EEC programming, including continued support for pre-kindergarten expansion opportunities.
For numerous years the House has led the way on combatting the substance addiction epidemic. This session the House enhanced its efforts which are showing early signs of success. Since FY12, the Legislature has increased funding for substance addiction services by more than 65 percent and passed two landmark bills.
The 2014 and 2016 substance addiction laws are designed to complement each other, providing both proactive and responsive approaches. For the first time in Massachusetts' history, the 2014 law made it mandatory for insurers to cover detox and stabilization. The 2016 law enhances intervention, prevention and education efforts, and includes a new framework to evaluate and treat patients presenting with an apparent overdoes. This practice, which reflects research that voluntary treatment is more effective than involuntary, must be covered by insurance.
This year, the Legislature also criminalized the trafficking of fentanyl. Drug traffickers frequently combine fentanyl, the most potent opioid available for medical use, with heroin. Fentanyl is 30 to 50 percent more potent than heroin. Under previous law, drug traffickers could only be charged with manufacturing, dispensing, or possessing fentanyl.
For the first time in more than 40 years, the Legislature updated the Commonwealth's public records law. This House-led initiative enhances accountability measures and creates a standardized timeframe and process in which requested documents must be produced. It also ensures that judicial remedies can be sought. In another effort to increase transparency, the Legislature passed three bills related to campaign finance and disclosure regulations which will update and strengthen existing laws.
This session the House also took measures to build upon Massachusetts' legacy as a leader in civil rights and social equality. The Commonwealth's nationally-lauded pay equity law provides tools to help ensure that men and women receive equitable compensation for comparable work. This law represents a consensus-based effort to ensure that the legislation would be practical, effective and sustainable.
The House also led the way in fostering collaboration to pass a landmark law that provides legal protections against discrimination related to gender identity or expression in public accommodations. This law will prohibit gender-identity discrimination in like restaurants, retail stores, taxis and trains, bathrooms, and entertainment venues.
This session the Legislature also:
* Enhanced its longstanding history of enacting effective programs to combat homelessness. As of March 31, 2016, Massachusetts' shelter population fell below 4,000 for the first time since August of 2013; and the number of families in hotels and motels has dropped by more than 1,500.
* Enacted multiple bills to support military personnel, veterans and their families. Massachusetts remains the number one state in the nation when it comes to providing programs for those who have served their country.
* As the Legislature and Governor await a comprehensive independent report on criminal justice reform, the Legislature repealed a law subjecting individuals convicted of a non-violent drug offense to an automatic license suspension for up to five years and a license reinstatement fee of $500, even if the offense does not involve motor vehicles in any way. The law does not apply to license suspension penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
* Raised the solar net-metering cap and created a long-term roadmap for the continued growth of solar power in the Commonwealth. These updates will provide a stable framework that will better protect the Commonwealth's ratepayers while supporting the growth of the solar industry in a cost-effective manner.
* Increased the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) without implementing new taxes or fees. For low-to-moderate households, EITC rose to 23 percent in January, 2016. Increasing this credit is an effective way to fight stagnant wages and lift working families out of poverty.
* Took multiple steps to address systemic management problems at the MBTA through a series of reform tools including 3-year suspension of the statute governing the procurement of private services at the MBTA. The Legislature also created the MBTA fiscal management and control board within MassDOT that will have the power to implement measures to ensure financial, operational and managerial stability at the MBTA while operating within a unified state transportation network.
* Increased the Councils on Aging formula grant in both 2015 and 2016. The most recent update will provide $10 per individual to support of vital programming that addresses the diverse health and wellness needs of our older adults.
Baker Administration Announces First Statewide Safe Medication Disposal Program with Walgreens to Fight Substance Misuse
Governor Baker, joined by state and local officials, announced that Walgreens is the first pharmacy in MA to launch a new safe and convenient medication disposal program to reduce prescription drug misuse while visiting a new kiosk at the Walgreens Quincy Avenue store in Quincy. Walgreens installed 13 drug take-back kiosks in pharmacies throughout Massachusetts for easy disposal of unwanted, unused or expired medications at no cost and no questions asked.
Installation of the statewide kiosks is another step forward in the Commonwealth's commitment to battling the opioid and heroin epidemic that has impacted communities from Cape Cod to Western Massachusetts. Take-back kiosks are located at Walgreens stores in East Boston, Fall River, Framingham, Gloucester, Lowell, Malden, Quincy, Randolph, Roxbury, Stoneham, Stoughton, Springfield and Worcester.
In addition, Walgreens, as well as several other pharmacies statewide, have made naloxone available without requiring a prescription from a physician. Naloxone is a life-saving drug which is administered in the event of an overdose and immediately reverses the effects of heroin or other opioids.
The kiosks are heavy metal containers with a top, one-way opening drop slot and lock that will be mounted to the ground or wall with direct or video surveillance while the pharmacy is open. Individuals can dispose of all prescriptions including controlled substances and over-the-counter medications. The kiosks at Walgreens pharmacies will be available for use during regular pharmacy hours.
To date, Walgreens has installed take-back kiosks in more than 500 of its stores in 35 states.
Massachusetts Launches Drought Emergency Loan Fund
Gov. Baker announced the launch of the Massachusetts Drought Emergency Loan Fund, which has the capacity to provide up to $1 million in micro-loans to family farms and other small businesses affected by widespread drought conditions in Massachusetts. The Drought Emergency Loan Fund is part of the Baker-Polito Administration's coordinated response to five consecutive months of abnormally dry weather across the Commonwealth. For more information about the loan fund, and to access an online application, visit www.massgcc.com.
Governor Baker Nominates Three to the Massachusetts Superior Court
Governor Charlie Baker nominated Michael K. Callan, Karen F. Green and James Gavin Reardon to the Massachusetts Superior Court. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the statewide Judicial Nominating Commission and recommended to the Governor. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor's Council.
The Superior Court is comprised of 82 justices in 20 courthouses across all 14 counties and is a statewide court of general jurisdictions that handles a broad variety of civil litigation in matters of contract, injury, civil rights, and others with amounts in controversy exceeding $25,000. In addition, the Court oversees criminal matters including homicide, sex offenses, robbery, and financial fraud. Approximately 65% of the cases are civil lawsuits and the remaining 35% are criminal proceedings.
Commonwealth Awards $5 Million to UMass Amherst to Support New Data Science Collaborative
The state announced a $5 million grant to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to establish the UMass Amherst Data Science/Cybersecurity Research and Education Collaborative, a public-private partnership designed to accelerate data science innovation in the Pioneer Valley region of Western Massachusetts. The Commonwealth's investment will help drive the commercialization of new products and ideas, train a leading data science workforce and support collaborative regional economic development activities. The grant follows the MassMutual Foundation's 10-year, $15 million contribution to UMass Amherst to further the university's world-class data science and cybersecurity research and education programs in Western Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is awarding the four-year grant on behalf of the Commonwealth through its Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant Program, a program supporting large-scale, long-term research projects that have high potential to spur innovation, cluster development, and job growth in the Commonwealth.
The state capital funding will support new, advanced computing equipment to be installed at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC) in Holyoke. Faculty and students will be able to access the specialized equipment via computer nodes distributed at UMass Amherst, Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, the UMass Center in Springfield, and the UMass Center in Boston.
The Data Science/Cybersecurity Research and Education Collaborative will encourage and facilitate engagement of the Pioneer Valley innovation ecosystem with its unique positioning to connect leading academic institutions, extensive computer capacity at the MGHPCC, global sector leaders, such as MassMutual, and investment and incubation efforts that can fully exploit the region's assets and help UMass Amherst secure highly competitive federal research grants. The regional collaboration will also yield a high-level talent and skills pipeline in data analytics and cybersecurity that has the potential to further distinguish the region's attractiveness for established and growing businesses.
Rep. Stanley Co-sponsors Abbey D'Agostino Resolution
Rep. Stanley cosponsored a resolution commemorating Abbey D'Agostino's exemplary sportsmanship at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The resolution honors her embodiment of the three essential values of an Olympian: excellence, friendship and respect.
During the women's 5000 meter qualifying heat at the Rio Olympics, D'Agostino of Topsfield demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship when, after colliding with a fellow racer, she stopped to help her competitor to her feet and encouraged her to finish the race. Despite suffering severe injuries herself, Abbey finished the race and embraced her competitor before being escorted off the track in a wheelchair. The International Fair Play Committee, with the support of the International Olympic Committee, presented Abbey with a Fair Play Award for her act of selflessness and exemplary sportsmanship.
