The Stanley Report
A monthly update from Beacon Hill
Tom Stanley - Representing the 9th Middlesex District of Massachusetts
March 2019, Lincoln and Lexington, In This Issue
State Rep.  Thomas M. Stanley
State House, Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2230
Thomas.Stanley@mahouse.gov
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Rep. Stanley speaking at a Community Health Center briefing. Reps. Stanley and Honan sponsored a bill to establish a community health center transformation fund.



Rep. Stanley listens to testimony at the House Ways and Means budget hearing on health and human services. 



Department of Veterans' Affairs Secretary Francisco Urena speaking at  the health and human services budget hearing.



Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders speaking at the budget hearing.



Rep. Stanley and members of the House Ways and Means Committee health and human services hear testimony at the briefing. 



Rep. Stanley participated in 
Massachusetts: A Hub for Francophone Employers event at the State House. 



Celebrated our French-speaking residents and trade partners during a panel discussion at the State House. 



Rep. Stanley with Mark Johnson and John Gollinger from the Waltham Housing Authority at MassNAHRO's 37th Annual Legislative Information Day.



Secretary Mike Heffernan of the Executive Office of Administration and Finance testifying at the Joint Ways and Means Committee's 
FY20 budget hearing.



Rep. Stanley with constituents at Massachusetts Library Day 
at the State House. 



 Rep. Stanley attended the Citizens for Public Schools Legislative Breakfast.



  At the Citizens for Public Schools Legislative Breakfast.


Jay Peak in Vermont



Jay Peak



 Franconia Notch 



March storm

Winter3

Sledding

Winter1

Spring come soon!



Rep. Stanley in the House Chamber.

NEWS FROM BEACON HILL
Rep. Stanley sponsors  Community Health Center new members briefing
 
The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and Rep. Stanley, Rep. Kevin Honan and Senator Julian Cyr sponsored a Community Health Center (CHC) briefing for new members at the State House. Rep. Stanley and Rep. Honan are chief sponsors of a bill to establish a community health center transformation fund.

As the legislature considers health reform this session, supporting CHCs must be a priority. They are a critical component of our health care system, providing a wide-range of high quality services at reduced costs. 



Rep. Stanley scores 100% in MASSPIRG's Legislative Scorecard

With the conclusion of the 2017-18 legislative session last month, MASSPIRG released their legislative scorecard for the session. Topping the list were 41 Beacon Hill lawmakers with perfect scores, including Rep. Stanley.  

MASSPIRG's scorecard graded state lawmakers on a selection of votes and co-sponsorships of public interest bills that would: protect consumers, improve voter access to the ballot, invest in public transportation, promote government transparency, increase renewable energy, protect bees, and reduce solid waste among others.  Click to view the scorecard.

Rep. Stanley lobbies for additional funding for Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
 
Rep. Stanley and more than 60 of his House colleagues cosigned a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz asking him to include $8.5 million in funding for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) in the FY20 budget. Since its inception in April 2017, HIP has provided vulnerable families and individuals with vital access to otherwise unaffordable fresh, healthy and local fruits and vegetables and spurred significant increases in sales for local farms across Massachusetts. To date, HIP has yielded $8.3 million in sales of fresh fruits and vegetables for over 200 farms in Massachusetts, providing 54,000 families in our Commonwealth with HIP incentives.
 
HIP demonstrates the exceptional results that occur when state agencies work together toward a common goal that connects their missions. The Department of Transitional Assistance, in their role as lead agency for HIP, is providing more and healthier foods for SNAP households. The Department of Agricultural Resources has helped farmers sustain their operations through increased sales. And the Department of Public Health has helped vulnerable communities move toward better health outcomes by healthier eating.
 
Given the strong public health benefit and increased economic opportunity for local farmers, Rep. Stanley and his colleagues requested that HIP be funded at $8.5 million in FY20 to allow for year-round operation of the program. The provision of $8.5 million would also support moderate continued growth, as the program is estimating 15% growth in participation. Lastly, this funding allocation would result in accommodation of additional points of sale.
 
Rep. Stanley participates in Library Legislative Day
 
Representatives visited Rep. Stanley on March 5 th at the State House as part of Library Legislative Day. Advocates for the library talked to Rep. Stanley and other elected officials about how public libraries benefit our communities as well as share some of the problem facing public libraries. Funding public libraries and other vital social services is essential in maintaining a healthy and vibrant community.


 
Rep. Stanley Attends Ways and Means Budget Hearing on Health and Human Services
 
Rep. Stanley attend the Joint Committee on Ways and Means FY20 Budget Hearing (Health and Human Services) in Needham. The hearing was hosted by Representative Denise Garlick and Senator Michael Rush. Budget discussions including veterans' services, mental health, public health, disability services and youth services.


 
Massachusetts Medal of Liberty
 
The Massachusetts Medal of Liberty is awarded in the name of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth to any Massachusetts serviceman or woman killed in action or who died as a result of wounds received in action.  While the Medal of Liberty has been presented to hundreds of families since its creation, there are still many Massachusetts families who are eligible to receive the award but have not.  
 
In anticipation of the upcoming Memorial Day observance, this April the Medal of Liberty Commission will convene a meeting in addition to its regularly scheduled meetings to review applications for the Medal of Liberty so that those families that meet the criteria will be able to receive it.
 
If you'd like to nominate someone to receive the award, click here to view the award brochure and award criteria.
 
AG Healey Opens Grant Application for Summer Jobs Funding
 
Attorney General Maura Healey today opened the fifth annual application period for grant funding for summer jobs for youth across Massachusetts. The Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program will use health-care related settlement funds from the AG's Office to fund jobs aimed at providing young people with opportunities for employment that will impact public health and wellness this summer.
 
Through this program, young people will have a direct impact in their communities by working in jobs focused on promoting nutrition, physical fitness and overall healthy lifestyles. Examples of healthy summer youth jobs that could receive funding may include, but are not limited to: working as a coach, team leader, or mentor for a sports or physical fitness program designed for youth; collaborating on a public health project that focused on food justice; fostering a green environment by planting trees, building and maintaining community gardens, and installing art murals; and activities that directly address access to health care and/or the management/ prevention of chronic diseases among youth including diabetes, asthma, and obesity.
 
The AG's Office will issue grants to municipalities, other government offices, and nonprofits within the state. Since AG Healey launched the program in 2015, it has funded more than 750 summer jobs for youth across the state. Last year, the office awarded nearly $327,000 in grant funding to 90 organizations across the state.
 
Grant awards will fund youth employment from July 8, 2019 and through Aug. 30, 2019. Interested applicants can visit the AG's website for more information and for application instructions. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2019.  Learn more.

Baker Administration Files New Housing Legislation to Increase Housing Production in Massachusetts
 
Governor Baker filed legislation to further the administration's Housing Choice Initiative, a bold plan to support the production of 135,000 new housing units by 2025. The Baker Administration developed the Housing Choice Initiative to offer a combination of incentives, technical assistance and new capital grant funding to facilitate community-led housing production across the Commonwealth.

The bill filed by the Governor mirrors legislation filed by the Governor in the 2017 legislative session and includes changes made by the legislature in House Bill 4290 An Act to Promote Housing Choices. This proposal will enable cities and towns to adopt certain zoning best practices related to housing development by a simple majority vote, rather than the current two-thirds supermajority. This legislation will not mandate cities and towns to make any of these zoning changes; but will allow municipalities that want to rezone for denser, transit or downtown oriented, and new housing development to do so more easily.

Baker Administration Announces Health Connector Completes Successful Open Enrollment with Highest-Ever Membership, Covering 282,000 People with Health Insurance
 
Governor Baker announced that the Massachusetts Health Connector completed Open Enrollment with the highest membership in the 13-year history of the state's health insurance exchange, covering 282,000 people with health insurance.

The Health Connector held Open Enrollment from Nov. 1-Jan. 23, twice as long as the federal government's Nov. 1-Dec. 15 open period, to ensure Massachusetts residents had as much time as possible to shop for affordable coverage. Throughout Open Enrollment, Massachusetts residents were encouraged to get covered or stay covered, to provide security for their health and financial well-being, and comply with the state's individual mandate. Assistance was available through community based health Navigators around the state.

As of March 1, 282,114 people were enrolled in health insurance, including 209,973 people in the ConnectorCare program. Through the state's innovative affordability program, ConnectorCare, state subsidies are made available on top of federal tax credits, resulting in lower premium costs for members - including $0 premiums for the lowest-income enrollees - while also offering zero dollar or low co-pays and no deductibles. Overall, Health Connector membership rose 13 percent, compared to a 4 percent enrollment decrease through the federal Healthcare.gov platform. In addition, 18,000 individuals receive dental insurance through the Connector.

Gov. Baker, AAA Northeast & MADD Highlight Importance of Proposed Legislation to Improve Road Safety
 
Gov. Baker, Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin Deveney and Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver today were joined by AAA Northeast President and CEO John Galvin and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Program Director Mary Kate Depamphilis to highlight the importance of the Baker Administration's recently filed proposed road safety legislation, An Act Relative to Improving Safety on the Roads of the Commonwealth.

The bill includes proposals on the following topics: hands-free, primary seatbelt, work zone safety, side guards and additional mirrors, ignition interlock, hardship licenses, ignition interlock, penalties for violating terms of interlock program and new technology. The proposal corrects inconsistencies in the law for those convicted of Operating under the Influence (OUI) by requiring first-time offenders who apply for hardship licenses to be placed into the ignition interlock program and clarifying the ability of the Registry of Motor Vehicles to penalize those who attempt to drive after consuming alcohol, even with an ignition interlock device.

Emerging micro mobility technologies like electric scooters and increased use of electric bicycles present both opportunities as a compliment to current means of transportation and challenges as an industry without any existing statutory framework. As a first step, the administration proposes treating electric scooters and pedal assist electric bicycles the same way bicycles are treated under state law and establishing a multi-party advisory group to recommend more permanent policies.

Learn about winter home heating safety
 
Heating is a leading cause of home fires in Massachusetts. Use your home heating system and space heating appliances responsibly to keep warm and keep safe. Learn how to keep your family warm and safe this heating season. Click here for info.

Please send us your hometown photos for inclusion in the Stanley Report!

Love to take photos? We are looking to include your pictures of Waltham in The Stanley Report! Please email Mark Phillips in Rep. Stanley's office a picture of your hometown for inclusion in the report. Remember to leave your full name if you'd like to be credited! We look forward to seeing your pictures. 

NEWS FROM LINCOLN & LEXINGTON
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Publish your events in The Stanley Report!
 
We want to hear from you!  The Stanley Report is a great way to spread the word about an upcoming event.  Please forward any community, civic or nonprofit upcoming events that you would like included in next month's Stanley Report.  If interested, please email Mark Phillips, Rep. Stanley's legislative assistant, with information about your event.  

Highland Glee Club Information
 
The Club's spring concert will be Sunday, April 28 at the War Memorial Auditorium, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave. in Newton. The concert will feature a selection of pieces performed by our scholarship winner.
 
Each year the Highland Glee Club holds a competition for its Music Scholarship. Winners in recent years have included incredibly talented vocalists and instrumentalists from the Metrowest area. This competition is open to all male and female graduating secondary school students, who have shown evidence of exceptional interest and ability in music (vocal or instrumental) and who plan to continue the study of music in college or music school. Please visit our website for additional information.
 
The HGC is a men's chorus with 27 members from the Greater Boston area. The group is directed by David Tiedman, Music Director at the Pilgrim Church in Sherborn, and accompanied by Maxim Lubarsky, a jazz pianist with classical training.

South Lincoln's Revitalization Project
 
The Town of Lincoln is working to make the area around Lincoln Station a vibrant, walkable and sustainable village center. In order to achieve these goals, the Lincoln Planning Board created the "South Lincoln Planning Implementation Committee" (SLPIC). SLPIC and its project teams are working on a range of planning projects to make these goals a reality.
 
The public process, which will include in-person workshops and events, will be supported by an interactive project website, where the Planning and Land Use Department and SLPIC will post updates and respond to comments by community members. Join SLPIC and the teams in creating a vibrant village center for all to enjoy!  
 
Lincoln School Building Committee Website
 
The Lincoln School Building Committee website is up and running!  The website offers a comprehensive, up-to-date resource for all aspects of our school's future development.  Learn more.  

Do you have a loved one living with a mental health condition?
 
Family to Family, brought to the community by The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is offering a free program to help understand mental health conditions and medications and learn about supports and services in your community. To find out more and to register for the course, please contact: Nancy at 781-642-7284 or nestanton1@verizon.net or Suzi at 781-724-2709 or suzinewman@verizon.net

Meals on Wheels program
 
Through Minuteman Senior Services, the Meals on Wheels (MOW) program delivers lunch to homebound seniors who are unable to provide their own meals, and who meet certain guidelines. Special dietary considerations are available for those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. This daily check in by a volunteer driver may be the only social contact an elder has and helps reduce the isolation often experienced by disabled seniors. Drivers are trained to identify and report observations or emergencies that might indicate a medical problem or the need for more intervention.  Learn more

Learn about Loving Spoonfuls
 
Lovin' Spoonfuls collects fresh food from dozens of food retail locations including Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joe's, and Hannaford Supermarkets, as well as multiple local farms, wholesalers, and bakeries. This food goes directly to local food assistance entities including Pine Street Inn, Boston Rescue Mission, Haley House, and Community Servings, among many others.  Founded in 2010, it has rescued more than 3,500,000 pounds of fresh food in the Greater Boston area.  Learn more

Kids Cooking Green Hosts Events 
 
Kids Cooking Green is the educational arm of the Lexington, MA Farmers' Market. Classes are designed for kids as young as Pre-K through 8th grade, and there are some classes for adults. Kids Cooking Green also provides programming through its Fund for City Schools, which brings classes to communities that could otherwise not afford it.  Click here to learn more.
ABOUT REP. STANLEY
State Representative
Waltham City Council
Former City Council President
 
State Committees:
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Waltham City Council Committees:
Fernald Use Committee
Long Term Debt & Capital Planning Committee
Ordinance & Rules Committee

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, 2008 COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, 2003 MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, 2007 Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, 2006 Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, 2003 Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center  
 
Personal:
Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss
Children: Ryan, age 25, Parker, age 16