Seth Moulton opened his home, heart to a refugee
The Boston Globe
Congressman Moulton injects some much-needed perspective into the conversation about refugees: As Americans, we don't turn our backs on those in need. We lend a helping hand.
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Making a fair deal on carbon
The Boston Globe
Steven Chu, Nobel laureate in physics and former U.S. Secretary of Energy, calls for a revenue-neutral price on carbon to fight climate change. He says carbon pricing "maximizes transparency, minimizes market manipulation and regulatory complexity, and provides investment certainty."
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State House Office
State House, Room 416
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-722-1572
Fax:
617-626-0898
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Dear Friend,
On January 1
st of this still-youthful year, the Massachusetts minimum wage bumped up to $10 per hour and the state's "earned income tax credit" grew by 50%.
Moving up the minimum from $9 to $10 adds $2,000 to the annual earnings of full-time minimum wage employees. 450,000 Massachusetts residents will benefit.
Equally cheering, the law my colleagues and I enacted pops the minimum wage up again, to $11, at the start of 2017.
Meanwhile, an expanded "earned income tax credit" will give a tax break, worth up to $500, to people who make little money despite working steadily to support their families. Something like 420,000 residents will qualify.
Both these provisions serve a simple goal: People who work full time should be able to make a living for themselves and their kids. They can't, not yet, even with these improvements. Still, we're advancing on the problem.
Appreciatively,
Sen. Mike Barrett
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Boomers find new ways to support each other in older age
Many baby boomers want to age on their own terms, among friends and as part of a larger community. Lexington at Home is a creative exercise in mutual assistance, a growing network of people committed to helping one another as the years go by.
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New Fitchburg Line schedule proposal
The Commuter Rail system has scrapped a proposed schedule change that would have brought harsh cuts for commuters who use train stops in Lincoln and Concord. This, after riders and legislators voiced strong objections. Now we're presented with a new draft schedule that restores service and avoids cutting stops.
The new plan isn't final until after a comment period -- something we were denied the first time around -- in which commuters get their say. To that end, there will be a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 28th, 6-8 p.m., at Concord Town Hall. If you can't make it, there are three other ways to make your voice heard: submit comments to the T on its website, email [email protected] or call 617-222-3200.
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Checking in with the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen
Packed room at a recent Chelmsford Board of Selectmen meeting. I joined the town's House delegation to report on the successful passage of local bills, troubling shortfalls in state "non-tax revenue" once expected from the operation of a new casino in Southeastern Mass. and pending legislation to help homeowners and businesses deal with gas leaks.
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New Year's Day hike in Waltham
Taking the long view, Nancy and I joined Bill Durkee and Alexi Joannidis (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay) for a New Year's Day climb up Prospect Hill in Waltham.
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