Dear Friend,

As we enter the final days of summer, the 113^th United States Congress has adjourned for a five-week recess, but not before passing a few crucial pieces of legislation and showing constituents that bipartisan solutions can be reached for certain policy priorities. Although some lawmakers have departed Washington, D.C. for the recess, many members of Congress and electoral hopefuls are focused on midterm elections as the campaign trail heats up. Many states have already completed their primary elections and have turned their attention to November, but a handful of states, including Massachusetts, are still in the midst of some of the most competitive primary races.

This past week, the Massachusetts State Legislature also began its summer recess and marked an end to formal legislative activity for the Commonwealth's 188^th Legislative Session. The past 18 months were filled with many legislative landmarks for the state, again positioning Massachusetts as a national leader for issues such as minimum wage, Super PAC disclosures, and gun control reform. With ballot initiatives and crucial elections on the horizon for statewide offices such as Governor and Attorney General, the November ballot will undoubtedly shape Massachusetts' political landscape going forward, especially as we enter into the next two-year session.

Best,

Tom O'Neill

Chief Executive Officer

Twitter: @tponeill3

July 2014 OA Online: In This Issue

Congress Passes Crucial Legislation

MA's 188th Legislative Session Comes to a Close

Urban Edge Revitalizes Jackson Square

OA Summer Interns Support Our Troops

Upcoming Client Events

Current Events and Expertise

Before Adjourning for Summer, Congress Passes Crucial Legislation

By Vice Chairman John Cahill

The 113^th United States Congress has officially begun its five-week recess and many have departed Washington, D.C. for the campaign trail. However, before adjourning, Congress was able to come together to pass crucial pieces of legislation, illustrating that a balance of bipartisanship can be struck on certain initiatives and that constituents' concerns are being heard.

Most notably, Congress approved a $16.3 billion overhaul of the Department of Veterans Affairs last week, which included $10 billion in emergency funds to pay private doctors to treat veterans facing extended wait times or those living over 40 miles away from a VA facility. Congress allotted the remaining portion of the funds for the expansion of the healthcare system's clinical staff and for leases for new clinics across the country. Congress prioritized the Department of Veterans Affairs overhaul after the discovery this past spring that Veterans Affairs employees allegedly falsified records to cover up long wait times for patients. In order to increase transparency of the Department's operations, the legislation also establishes an independent committee to review VA operations and to act as an advisor to Congress. The bill now awaits President Obama's signature and he is expected to sign it into law this week.

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), passed in June, was the first water resources development legislation since 2007, a reauthorization intended for every two years, stands out as one of the true economic achievements for Congress in 2014. United States ports and our country's international trade creates over 30 million jobs and garners $200 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue each year; WRRDA recognizes and protects the value of the nation's maritime transportation industry and its employees by promoting fiscal responsibility, supporting economic growth, and strengthening our water transportation networks. We will even see WRRDA at work here in Boston thanks to the hard work of our congressional delegation and members of our federal practice who worked with Massport to secure needed funding to help deepen the Boston Harbor to allow for larger container ships like those that will take advantage of the expanded Panama Canal. The $311 million project will deepen the Harbor's Main Ship Channel to 45 feet and widen the same waterway, connecting to Massport Marine Terminal by 600 feet. The project will also deepen the Mystic River Channel at Medford Street Terminal as well as the Chelsea River Channel.

This past week, Congress also was able to avoid a shutdown of highway construction projects by approving the Highway Trust Fund bailout. The legislation keeps the $40 billion fund solvent through May and safeguards more than 660,000 jobs and at least 6,000 Department of Transportation construction projects. Upon Congress' return in September, lawmakers will need to craft a bipartisan approach to create - and approve - a long-term solution for highway and transit funding, so that the DOT programs can continue without a potential crisis or shutdown.

As lawmakers and the rest of the nation turn their attention to the campaign trail, we must also keep in mind the legislative priorities that have not yet been addressed by Congress. Lawmakers will hopefully find new ways to reach across the aisle and craft bipartisan solutions for some of the country's most pressing national and foreign policy concerns.

For more information about O'Neill and Associates' federal relations services, click here.

MA Lawmakers Approve Landmark Legislation Before End of Session

Last week, Massachusetts lawmakers worked diligently to address many of the state's policy challenges as the end of formal session for the state's two-year legislative session quickly approached. State lawmakers negotiated and approved a number of legislative landmarks before the August 1 deadline, including substance abuse treatment and protection for victims of domestic violence, two of the state's most urgent public health and safety concerns.

Among the legislation currently awaiting Governor Deval Patrick's signature is an act that reforms the state's gun laws. After extensive negotiations, the legislation, which nearly passed with a unanimous vote, garnered the support of gun control activists and the Gun Owners Action League. The bill includes the creation of a web-based portal within the Executive Office of Public Safety for real-time background checks in private gun sales as well as the creation of a firearms trafficking unit within the state police department. Under the provisions outlined in the bill, police chiefs now have the ability to bring to court any person seeking a firearms identification card that, due to prior incidents, may present a public safety concern.

Massachusetts lawmakers also passed the most significant welfare reform legislation since 1995, which attempts to strike a balance between examining and eliminating welfare fraud and providing assistance to recipients working to improve their socioeconomic status. The revision offers additional incentives - including health care benefits and certain tax exemptions - to employers who hire welfare recipients.

In an effort to restrict outside influence in political campaigns, the State Legislature enacted legislation tightening the reporting requirements for independent political expenditures, specifically targeting those made by political action committees known as Super PACs. The legislation, which impacts spending by corporations, labor unions, and political committees, also doubles an individual's maximum contribution - from $500 to $1,000 - allowed in a calendar year.

With a specific focus on job creation, Massachusetts lawmakers compiled an economic development package, which includes funding for job training programs, brownfield redevelopment projects, and international tourism marketing. In addition, the Legislature approved $1.1 billion in bonds for the expansion of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, so that Boston can attract larger conventions and events that the city cannot currently accommodate.

Massachusetts state legislators also approved two bills permitting the state to borrow money for major infrastructure and information technology initiatives. The capital bond bill, totaling $1.3 billion, will address the structural issues of the Senate and House chambers as well as the modernization of local public libraries. The second bill allots $1 billion for information technology expansion across the state, including $38 million for a broadband program for public school districts.

For more information about O'Neill and Associates' government relations practice, click here.

Client Spotlight

Urban Edge Revitalizes Jackson Square

CDC enhances neighborhood with affordable housing and recreation center

Renderings of the Urban Edge Jackson Square Recreation Center

When community development corporation Urban Edge began to redevelop the area around Jackson Square, on the border of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, the organization knew that it could help make the vision of a new, vibrant neighborhood a reality through the production of quality affordable housing and commercial space.Now, almost a decade later, Urban Edge has become an integral part of the revitalization of Jackson Square.

Urban Edge works within the communities of Roxbury and Jamaica Plain to prevent the displacement of low income families and provide economic opportunities to its residents.Over its 40 year history, the organization has developed 1,250 units of affordable housing, making it one of the city's largest nonprofit developers of affordable units. Its mission does not end with housing; Urban Edge goes a step further and assists residents with buying their first home, financial planning, foreclosure prevention and applying for Section-8 housing. Its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Center helps low income residents prepare and file their tax returns - making them eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit. In 2013, Urban Edge helped stabilize over 700 families through its community programs.

Renderings of the ice rink at the

Jackson Square Recreation Center

In addition, Urban Edge is looking to address the need for a community space within Jackson Square where kids can play and be active after school in a safe environment. Many children living in urban neighborhoods have limited access to parks and outdoor recreation space to keep them active outside of school. The nonprofit is planning to build a year-round recreation center with a 35,000 square foot regulation-size ice-rink during the winter, and a turf field during the spring, summer and fall. Youth from neighborhoods near Jackson Square can play ice hockey, soccer and other sports throughout the year.

Because of its successful track record, Urban Edge is also pleased to be participating in the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program to fund these initiatives for Jackson Square. CITC encourages individuals and corporations to donate to qualified community development corporations and, in turn, donors receive a 50 percent tax credit for every dollar donated to these agencies that provide necessary services to low income residents in communities across Massachusetts. When this new state tax credit is paired with a donor's typical federal tax deduction for such a gift, the total tax savings may be more than 65 percent. Urban Edge has access to $110,000 in tax credits through this program and both individuals and corporations can be a part of reinvesting in Boston's neighborhoods by participating.

As a community development corporation, Urban Edge works with the community to foster strong, stable families and strengthen the dynamic of Jackson Square. O'Neill and Associates is proud to support Urban Edge in their important work creating stronger neighborhoods.

To learn more about O'Neill and Associates' public relations services, click here.

This Month at OA

Summer Interns Support Our Troops for Fourth Consecutive Year

For the fourth consecutive summer, O'Neill and Associates' enthusiastic team of summer interns, guided by Vice President of Operations Nairi Aprahamian, has come together again in support of the U.S. servicemen and women currently serving overseas. Throughout the month of July, O'Neill and Associates' interns spearheaded the company-wide care package drive, encouraging the collection of shampoos, soaps, candies, tissues, and a large assortment of other items to send to members of our troops currently serving abroad.

As the most successful project in the last four years, the donation boxes were overflowing at the end of the month and O'Neill and Associates employees brought enough items to put together ten care packages with letters detailing our immense appreciation for their bravery and character. After packaging them, the interns sent them off with the hopes of brightening these soldiers' days overseas. The care packages serve as a small gesture of our appreciation and gave the soldiers a few comforts of home to which they simply do not have access on an overseas base. Nairi and the interns thank everyone at the office for participating and for helping us show our appreciation for those U.S. servicemen and women who protect our country!

For more information about O'Neill and Associates' internship program, click here.

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

O'Neill and Associates' clients to host inspiring events

8/8 - 8/10 Boston Comic Con
8/10 Faneuil Hall Marketplace's Hoedown at the Hall
9/20 HomeStart's Annual Gala

O'Neill and Associates, New England's leading public relations and government affairs consulting firm, is led by former Lt. Governor Thomas P. O'Neill III. With offices in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C., the agency employs senior level professionals to help clients define the right messages and get those messages to target audiences, including government officials, the media, community leaders and consumers. We serve clients in diverse industries, including financial services, transportation, healthcare, nonprofit, energy, and real estate development. Contact us toll-free at 1-866-989-4321. Follow us on Twitter at @ONeillandAssoc.