Fyi- for those in Tolman’s district, especially the request for your views on gambling in MA From: Steven Tolman [mailto:newsletter@steventolman.com] Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 4:45 PM To: rryals@comcast.net Subject: An Update from the State House <http://secure.sage-systems.com/lyris/tolmanemail/header.jpg> <https://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/660711/451cd9cd2c26961358 d296e4aa5006fe/image/jpeg> The Tolman Report Since the last edition of the Tolman Report the Senate has been busy debating and passing its version of the fiscal year 2011 budget and several other critical pieces of legislation. As many feared, the coming fiscal year’s budget contains further cuts in many core areas of state government, but maintains essential services. The Senate’s FY11 budget does contain some positive news though. I am proud of the Senate’s decision to establish a dedicated substance abuse treatment fund using alcohol tax receipts and of the Senate’s continued commitment to funding education, human services, local aid and social safety net programs. Another highlight of the Senate’s budget is that it was balanced without imposing new taxes on taxpayers and without making any withdrawals from the Commonwealth’s stabilization fund (also known as the rainy day fund). I am also proud of the Senate’s adoption of three amendments, which I sponsored, that would require the City of Boston to keep all 26 of its current branch libraries open in order to continue to receive state library funding. The House and Senate passed amendments effectively force the city to devise a new plan for addressing the City’s library budget shortfall. During the coming weeks the Senate will be busy debating and taking action on numerous pieces of legislation before the Legislature ends formal sessions for the year on July 31, 2010. One of the most hotly contested issues likely to come before the Senate before July 31 is legislation that seeks to expand gaming in Massachusetts. Over the next few weeks I look forward to reviewing the Senate’s final version of its expanded gaming bill and to hearing from my constituents about the introduction of resort style casinos and slots. As always, I urge you to contact me to express your opinion, check on an issue at the State House or if I can ever be of assistance to you. Sincerely, Steven A. Tolman Memorial Day Parades in the District <https://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/660711/bb205a753141ddfddd d53653f0384ef0/image/jpeg> On May 31, 2010 Senator Tolman marched in the Cambridge, Belmont and Watertown Memorial Day parades. At the parades, Senator Tolman personally greeted many of the spectators who came out to remember those who died in service to our country. Senate Passes FY11 Budget The Massachusetts Senate early on the morning of Friday, May 28, 2010 passed a $28.4 billion balanced budget for the fiscal year 2011 that focuses on prudent expenditures, reforms and economic development. In a conscious effort to unburden residents and keep the Commonwealth on solid fiscal footing, the Senate’s budget does not contain any earmarks or rely on any additional taxes or withdrawals from the stabilization fund. The Senate used a combination of spending reductions and legislative reforms to close the $2.85 billion budget gap. The overall budget increases spending by approximately 1.7 percent from fiscal year 2010 estimated spending, the majority of which goes toward healthcare and other non-discretionary spending areas. “The Senate debated a budget that preserves state government’s core functions without relying on new taxes, fee increases or a withdrawal from the ‘rainy day fund’,” said Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Boston). “While the Commonwealth’s economic situation is improving, this will be a painful budget for many across the Commonwealth as significant cuts to some services and state supported programs were made. The need to make cuts is a reflection of Massachusetts’ revenue shortfall, but I am confident that this budget, along with the burgeoning economic recovery, places the Commonwealth on a path toward improved and sustained financial health.” Utilizing the most up- to- date revenue numbers, the Senate was able to provide targeted increases to areas of the budget that help cities and towns, schools and families. These targeted investments include an increase of $13.5 million for the Special Education Circuit Breaker, bringing the total funding to $146.4 million. This increases the amount district are reimbursed to 44 percent, providing some much needed relief to school districts for the cost of educating students with special needs. The Senate also added $5 million to childcare support for low income families, increasing its funding to $233.5 million. There are over 25,000 children on the waiting list for Early Education and Childcare. Last fiscal year, 4,000 children were given access to childcare due to an unexpected surplus of funds. The additional funding in this year’s budget will ensure that those children continue to receive services in fiscal year 2011. The Senate passed budget also prioritizes programs used by the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth. The Senate budget includes an additional $500,000 above what the House budget proposed for the state’s prescription monitoring program. The prescription monitoring program collects prescribing and dispensing information from pharmacies to determine trends, provide information to health care providers on potential abuse cases and assist law enforcement agencies concerning drug distribution and diversion. The Senate budget also expands the state’s opioid jail diversion program. The Senate included an additional $4 million to the line item to set up two additional jail diversion programs around the state. “These programs are critical for the state and for those suffering from an addiction to OxyContin or heroin. Any dollars that the state commits to the jail diversion and prescription monitoring programs today will save Massachusetts taxpayers now and in the future.” said Senator Tolman. “The OxyContin epidemic is a budget buster for the Commonwealth. This Senate budget represents a step forward in addressing many of the root causes of the opiate crisis in Massachusetts.” Finally, the Senate budget proposes the establishment of a dedicated substance abuse treatment and prevention fund, through which all substance abuse funding would flow. Revenue from the tax on alcohol would be directed straight into the new fund for use in supporting substance abuse programs and services. The Senate proposes significant changes to the state’s probation department. The final Senate budget limits the probation commissioner’s term to five years and requires all appointments to the trial court to be approved by the Chief Justice, stripping the exclusive authority from the Commissioner of Probation. The Senate budget also establishes a task force that is charged will making recommendations on placing the department in the executive branch or elsewhere. The Senate budget the now goes into conference committee with the House’s version of its budget. The Conference Committee, made up of three members of the House and Senate, will combine the two budgets into a final single legislative branch FY11 budget. This agreed upon budget will then be sent to the Governor for his approval prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2010. Tolman Library Amendment Included in Senate’s FY11 Budget Included in the Senate’s FY11 budget were three budget amendments sponsored by Senator Tolman which would deny state funding to the Boston Public Library system unless all of its branch libraries remain open. The Boston Public Library Trustees recently voted to close four of Boston’s twenty-six branch libraries, including the Faneuil branch library in Brighton. “Even in difficult economic times, it is unacceptable to close these valuable neighborhood resources,” said Senator Tolman. “The Faneuil branch library is an anchor of Oak Square, and Allston and Brighton communities, and its closure would a devastating loss to countless individuals and families. The passage of the amendment I sponsored, along with similar language included in the House’s budget, effectively forces the city to come up with a better plan to address the library’s budget shortfall.” The amendment passed on a voice vote and is similar to a measure that passed in the House of Representatives in late April. The Senate and House budgets must now be reconciled in a conference committee before the budget is sent back to the Governor for his action. Small Business and Individual Health Care Reform Passes Senate The Senate recently approved legislation to help spur economic growth by providing small businesses the immediate health care cost relief they need to retain and create jobs and start hiring again. The comprehensive bill requires insurers to offer affordable health plans, reduces premium fluctuations and promotes wellness programs for small businesses. The legislation delivers an estimated premium relief of 10-to-15 percent with the possibility of more for small businesses to save and reinvest in themselves and their workforce. It also establishes standardized transparency measures for comparing provider prices and requiring annual public reporting to shine a light on the marketplace and collect important financial information for ongoing policy discussions about long-term system reform. The bill requires insurance carriers to file premium rates with the Division of Insurance (DOI) prior to their effective date for review and gives insurers the option of filing rates under an Efficiency Guarantee. The Guarantee ensures that at least 90 percent of their premium dollars will be spent on actual care and not administrative costs, such as marketing, salaries or profit margins. If carriers choose not to file rates with the Guarantee, they would be subject to a DOI review to determine if premium increases exceed medical inflation, which would not be allowed. The legislation must now be reconciled with the differences from the House of Representatives version. Senate Passes Immigration Budget Amendment Immigration reform is once again a topic of conversation across the country. In recent weeks, since the passage of a new immigration laws in Arizona, other states, including Massachusetts, have moved to revisit their immigration policies. Senator Tolman believes that the decision to alter Massachusetts’ policy concerning immigrant’s access to benefits and services in the fiscal year 2011 Senate budget was wrong. Not only was the amendment rushed, but it also sets a precedent for making major policy changes without an opportunity for a thorough debate. While Senator Tolman agrees with sections of the amendment, he voted against its passage because he lacked sufficient time to review the text of the amendment and consider what effect it would have upon people living in his district. The 22-page amendment was distributed to Senators only moments before it was brought to the Senate floor for action. Had the changes to immigrant’s access to benefits and services been contained within a freestanding piece of legislation Senator Tolman, and his legislative colleagues, would have had more time to consider the proposed alterations and the process would have been far more democratic and transparent. “We have to be sure that illegal immigrants are not sapping state resources, and those changes should be analyzed, debated and passed by the legislature,” said Senator Tolman. “I voted against this amendment because I did not have the time necessary to review the amendment in its entirety and consider what effect it could have on my constituents. Individual states continue to pass laws to deal with this national issue, a real indicator that comprehensive federal immigration reform is long overdue.” Senate to Debate Expanded Gaming Bill On Friday, June 4, 2010 the Massachusetts Senate released a draft expanded gaming proposal. The 141 page draft bill outlines the approach the Senate will likely take when it debates expanded gaming later in June. The draft proposal does not represent the final Senate version of expanded gaming legislation, however. On Tuesday, June 8, 2010, the Senate moved to toward the release of a final expanded gaming proposal when it held a public hearing on expanded gaming at which both gaming opponents and proponents testified as to the merits and drawbacks of the Senate’s draft proposal. A final version of the Senate’s gaming proposal is expected to be released on June 18th and debate is expected to commence on June 23rd. Senator Tolman Rallies Against the Ballot Question to Repeal the Tax on Alcohol <https://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/660711/4f1cce59dc6a9b2255 6c1f0a023ae10a/image/jpeg> Speaking to over 200 individuals in the State House on Tuesday, June 8th, Senator Tolman gave a passionate appeal for programs and individuals who receive services because of the revenues from the tax on alcohol. The group, which was at the State House to lobby against the ballot question to repeal the tax on alcohol, has been canvassing the state in favor of keeping the revenue dedicated to substance abuse treatment. At the event Senator Tolman said, “These revenues are instrumental in keeping the infrastructure in place for substance abuse programs as well as providing family services in the Commonwealth.” The exemption for beer and wine from the sales tax was removed in the FY10 budget and generated nearly $55 million in revenues in the first five months of the fiscal year. The revenues go towards substance abuse programs, including the state’s new pilot jail diversion program, as well as, community and family programs. Congresses Delay on Passing Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Funding Puts FY11 Budget in Danger Less than a week after the Senate passed its version of Massachusetts’ FY11 budget Congress failed to pass legislation which would provide Massachusetts with roughly $680 million in federal health care funding on which both the House and Senate budgets are based. This funding, which seemed all but guaranteed during the week of the Senate budget debate, has been held up in Washington over concerns about its impact on the federal budget deficit. Just before the Memorial Day break the U.S. House of Representatives decided against including the $24 billion in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding that the states are requesting; this funding represents a six month extension of federal healthcare dollars. The Senate has yet to take action on the bill, but is expected to begin debate next week. Tolman to Hold Office Hours Throughout the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex District Senator Tolman recently announced the following office hours through the district: Wednesday, June 16th from 9:00am to 11:00am in Room 2 at the Fenway Community Health Center, located at 1340 Boylston Street, Boston. Wednesday, July 14th from 9:00am to 11:00am at Mandy and Joes, located at 328 Washington Street, Brighton. Wednesday, July 21th from 9:00am to 11:00am at Verna’s Coffee and Donut Shop, located at 2344 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge. Wednesday, August 11th from 9:00am to 11:00am in Room 2 at the Fenway Community Health Center, located at 1340 Boylston Street, Boston. Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Deluxe Town Diner, located at 627Mount Auburn Street, Watertown. Wednesday, August 25th from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Belmont Senior Center, located at 266 Beech Street, Belmont. Senator Tolman Speaks at Wellington School Groundbreaking in Belmont <https://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/660711/03628ffddf6db57195 8f7d049dc7b440/image/jpeg> On Tuesday, June 8th, Senator Tolman spoke at the Wellington School groundbreaking. He spoke of the long history the Wellington School has in the town of Belmont and how since 1892, it has provided superb education to the youth of Belmont. The project is scheduled to take 16 months to complete and will include sustainable features including green materials, and a building façade that maximizes light and air, and will be larger and allow more students to attend the school. Also in attendance were Treasurer Tim Cahill, State Representative Will Brownsberger, Ralph Jones, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Dr. George Entwistle, superintendent of schools, Wellington Principal Amy Wagner, Katherine Craven, the executive director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, Gerry Missal, director of finance and administration for the Belmont school system, architect Jonathan Levi, and Paul Hewins, the executive vice president, area general manager, Skanska USA Building Inc. Municipal Relief and Pension Reform Package Passes Senate The Senate passed a Municipal Relief bill that gives cities and towns the ability to plan budgets, pool resources and save money. Also included in the legislation are new pension reform provisions that will produce millions in savings for local and state retirement systems. The bill gives municipalities the ability to enter into shared-service agreements free from collective bargaining requirements. Several regionalization measures in the bill allow cities and towns to establish mutual aid agreements between fire, police, EMS, public works and other local services; and allow school districts to share superintendents and enter into collaborative bulk-purchasing agreements. Senator Tolman voted in favor of this legislation, which now moves to a conference between the House and Senate to work out differences. Annual Ward 11 Democratic Committee Cookout in Cambridge On June 8, 2010 Senator Tolman attended the Annual Ward 11 Democratic Committee Cookout in Cambridge, at the home of Gerry McDonough and Mary Ann Hart. Senator Tolman joined many of Cambridge’s other elected officials at the event including Representatives Alice Wolf and Will Brownsberger, Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Devaney, and School Committee Members Patricia Nolan and Alice Turkel. At the cookout Senator Tolman spoke briefly about recent actions the Senate has taken, the upcoming Governor’s election and the Commonwealth’s delicate budget situation. Domestic Violence Bill Passes Senate The Senate passed legislation requiring employers with 50 or more employees to allow up to 15 days of leave, with or without pay, to any employee who is a victim of domestic violence or lives with a family member who is a victim of domestic violence. Employers can require workers to provide official record of domestic violence such as restraining orders medical notes, and police reports. Employers must keep all information regarding the employees leave confidential. The bill has support from victim advocate organizations and the business community, Jane Doe Inc. and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts had input on the legislation. Senator Tolman voted in favor of this important legislation and the bill now goes to the House of Representatives. Table of Contents Memorial Day Parades in the District Senate Passes FY11 Budget Tolman Library Amendment Included in Senate’s FY11 Budget Small Business and Individual Health Care Reform Passes Senate Senate Passes Immigration Budget Amendment Senate to Debate Expanded Gaming Bill Senator Tolman Rallies Against the Ballot Question to Repeal the Tax on Alcohol Congresses Delay on Passing Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Funding Puts FY11 Budget in Danger Tolman to Hold Office Hours Throughout the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex District Senator Tolman Speaks at Wellington School Groundbreaking in Belmont Municipal Relief and Pension Reform Package Passes Senate Annual Ward 11 Democratic Committee Cookout in Cambridge Domestic Violence Bill Passes Senate Office of Senator Steven A. Tolman - newsletter@steventolman.com _____ This message was sent from Steven Tolman to rryals@comcast.net. It was sent from: Committee to elect Steven Tolman, 17 Madeline Street, Brighton, MA 02135. 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