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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 and members of the House Ways and Means Commitee announcing that FY18 budget recommendations boost Local Aid (Unrestricted + Ch.70 Education Aid) by $164 million over FY17 levels! Waltham is set to receive over $21.6 million.
Rep. Stanley at the Financial Services Committee informational hearing at the State House.
Rep. Stanley
attended the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Annual Legislators Reception. He is pictured here with
Michael Duffy, Vice-President of Waltham Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 866 and Governor Baker.
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Annual Legislators Reception.
Rep. Stanley with Erica Young, Executive Director of the Waltham Boys and Girls Club, at the 15th Annual Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs Legislative Luncheon.
Rep. Stanley atteneded the Mothers Out Front presentation on gas leaks in Waltham and Greater Boston.
Rep. Stanley and members of the House Way and Means Committee hear FY18 budget discussions from officials from Health and Human Services (Office of Medicaid, DPH, DMH, DDS along with representatives from HPC, CHIA, Elder Affairs and Veterans Affairs).
Rep. Stanley at the Health and Human Services hearing.
Rep. Stanley and Ways and Means members at the Health and Human Services hearing.
Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Secretary Marylou Sudders
testifying at the hearing.
Rep. Stanley visited Johnson Compounding and Wellness of Waltham. He visited with owners Steve and Diane Bernardi.
Rep. Stanley at the Joint Ways and Means Committee FY18 Budget Hearing on Economic Development.
As a member of Joint Ways and Means, Rep. Stanley heard testimony at
the
Joint Ways and Means Committee FY18 Budget Hearing on Economic Development.
Waltham Youth Basketball Team
Congrats on a great season, Waltham Youth Basketball!
Rep. Stanley and panelists at Waltham League of Women Voters Event.
A packed house for Waltham Idol Competion in Waltham.
Spring Flowers
Go Celtics!
Go Bruins!
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Note: The Stanley Report will be on hiatus and will return on a monthly basis in September 2017. For news and updates, please check out Rep. Stanley's Facebook page or follow him on Twitter. As always, please do not hesitate to contact him in his office at (617) 722-2230.
Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter Supporting Workplace Violence Prevention Bill
Rep. Stanley cosigned a letter to Chairman Brodeur, Chairman Lewis, and Members of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development in support of House Bill 1007, legislation requiring employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence.
The bill requires health care employers to conduct an annual risk assessment, in cooperation with employees, considering all factors which may put any employees at risk of workplace violence. It also require health care employers to develop and implement a program to minimize the danger of workplace violence to employees, including appropriate employee training and a system for the ongoing reporting and monitoring of incidents involving violence or the risk of violence. It prohibits an employee from being penalized for filing a complaint regarding any unaddressed occupational health and safety hazards contributing to workplace violence risk factors.
Rep. Stanley files amendment to increase funding for DPH Youth at Risk Grants
Rep. Stanley filed an amendment to increase the DPH Youth at Risk Grants line item (4590-1507) by $1.85 million over the FY18 House Ways and Means Committee recommendations ($2.1 million). These grants help fund over 38 community-based violence prevention providers who effectively engage with young people throughout Massachusetts. These multi-year grants are critical to building long-term, intentional relations with those hard to reach youth who are at risk of violence. Rep. Stanley's amendment would bring the funding back up to FY16 levels, allowing community-based violence prevention providers to maintain these vital violence prevention services statewide.
Rep. Stanley Supports Community Mediation Center Grant Program
Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in cosigning a letter to House and Senate Ways and Means requesting an appropriation of $990,000 for the Massachusetts Community Mediation Center (CMC) Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC) as the state dispute resolution agency at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
This performance-based CMC Grant Program was established five years ago as a framework for providing operational funding to qualified mediation centers across the Commonwealth providing free or low-cost mediation services through trained volunteer mediators for disputes referred through courts, schools, public agencies and the wider community. Data reported in MOPC's annual program evaluations demonstrates that community mediation is a cost effective public service with substantial return on investment. For every $1 invested by the State in community mediation through this grant program, on average $10 has been returned to the State in cost-savings and leveraged resources. This return is projected to increase to $14 with the requested increase in grant program funding for FY18.
Community mediation is a type of mediation designed to broaden access to justice by making dispute resolution services available to all citizens, irrespective of the ability to pay. The community mediation infrastructure funded through this budget appropriation is being deployed throughout the Commonwealth by the Massachusetts Trial Court for court-connected mediation, the Attorney General's Office for consumer mediation, the Department of Revenue for child access and visitation mediation, and the Department of Correction for prisoner re-entry mediation, among other state agencies, as well as by local police departments, county sheriffs, housing authorities, public schools and community colleges.
The $240,000 increase would fund more staff hours at local centers to conduct outreach and fundraising that would increase access to dispute resolution services for primarily low-income citizens, strengthen center operations, and further leverage the Commonwealth's investment. Importantly, an increased appropriation in FY18 would fund the launch of a new pilot statewide program by MOPC and the centers focused on youth conflict resolution and violence prevention training and capacity building in schools, families and neighborhoods.
Rep. Stanley Signs onto Parkinson's Disease Awareness Resolution
Rep. Stanley signed onto a resolution to raise awareness of Parkinson's Disease, a chronic, progressive neurological disease that ranks as the 14th leading cause of death in the United States. This resolution encourages communities across the Commonwealth to raise awareness about the disease, which is diagnosed in about 60,000 Americans nationwide each year.
Parkinson's Disease Awareness Day, alongside the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, will take place on Tuesday, April 25th at the State House.
Gov. Baker Files "Fine Time" Legislation
Governor Baker proposed legislation that will create an opportunity for individuals to complete community service rather than paying a fine or serving jail time for failure to pay the fine. "Fine time" is the informal name for the process by which criminal defendants who fail to pay fines, fees and assessments may be incarcerated until their debt is satisfied - at a rate of $30 per day. Providing the option to complete community service, rather than pay a fine, will create a fairer system where punishments ultimately better align with their crimes.
The legislation filed today allows defendants who cannot afford to pay a fine to fulfill their debt to the court and community by performing community service. Should certain extenuating circumstances prevent a defendant from either paying a fine or completing community service, the law sensibly empowers judges to grant waivers and establishes a thoughtful procedural process for determining whether someone has the ability to satisfy their obligations.
Trial Court releases draft master capital plan
The Massachusetts Trial Court and the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance (DCAMM) released their Draft Master Plan to help address the wide disparity of courthouse conditions across the Commonwealths. Please submit your comments to MP.Public.Comments@jud.state.ma.us by Friday, May 26th.
Baker-Polito Administration Announces $20 Million for Supportive Affordable Housing
The Baker-Polito Administration announced a total of $20 million in awards to seven affordable housing projects in Massachusetts, to support the creation and preservation of 177 supportive housing units for homeless families and individuals, veterans, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The awarded projects will provide affordable rental housing to extremely low-income families and individuals, and provide wraparound services to residents.
Funding for these developments includes $3.1 million from the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF), a newly-authorized federal program that supports the development of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families that include supportive services. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is supporting the awarded projects through $14.9 million in state affordable housing subsidies, and 100 project-based Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) vouchers. DHCD also allocated approximately $2 million in state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to the awarded projects.
Governor Baker Makes District Court, Superior Court Nominations
Governor Baker nominated Mark A. Goldstein to the Worcester District Court, and Mark C. Gildea to the Superior Court. Goldstein and Gildea both have decades of experience working directly for Massachusetts cities and towns as counsel, as well as in private practice.
The Superior Court is a statewide court of general jurisdiction - handling both criminal and civil actions. The court's 82 justices sit in 20 courthouses in all 14 counties of the Commonwealth. The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $25,000, and in matters where equitable relief is sought. It also has original jurisdiction in actions including labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought, has exclusive authority to convene medical malpractice tribunals, has appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative proceedings, and may hold sittings for naturalization in any city or town. The court has exclusive original jurisdiction of first degree murder cases and original jurisdiction of all other crimes.
Help the Massachusetts National Guard identify families eligible for the Medal of Liberty
Help the Massachusetts National Guard identify families eligible for the Medal of Liberty, a state military decoration awarded to the next of kin of service men and women from the Commonwealth! Federal Veterans Administration and the state Department of Veterans Services estimate that over 10,000 Massachusetts citizens have made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Their next of kin are all qualified to receive the Medal of Liberty and honor the memory of their loved ones. To learn more about the Medal of Liberty, the criteria for receiving it, and the process for applying for consideration for the medal, click here.
State Provides Gateway Cities Additional Support to Combat Heroin and Opioid Abuse
The Baker-Polito Administration announced seven awards for local law enforcement departments from Massachusetts Gateway Cities to fund additional support for their efforts in combatting the heroin and opioid epidemic. The awards will assist law enforcement investigations, local drug prevention programs, and provide mental health and treatment wraparound services for those struggling with addiction.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) will distribute over $250,000 in federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds to local law enforcement departments of Gateway Cities who submitted a competitive proposal for financial assistance. In the past 24-months, Pubic Safety Secretary, Daniel Bennett has made available over $7M in JAG funding awarded to EOPSS by the Department of Justice to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in the fight against substance abuse and violence.
Administration Announces Rate Increases For Early Education and Care Programs
The Baker-Polito Administration announced a 6 percent rate increase for all early education programs that provide care for low-income families, worth $28.6 million, which represents the largest rate hike for subsidized early education and care programs in 10 years. The Administration also plans to reinvest an additional $9.3 million on an annual basis to provide further rate hikes to some infant and toddler care providers to ensure they are paid the median reimbursement rate.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) will also increase access to child care - serving approximately 1,100 more children during FY'18 - by reissuing vouchers from families that no longer need subsidized care during the year, which would have gone unused otherwise.
The significant investment in rate increases will support early educator salaries and benefits at early education and care programs in order to improve hiring and retention issues faced by programs that serve families receiving state subsidies. Along with the rate increases, EEC plans to ensure income-eligible children receive access to at least 12 months of continuous care, regardless of changes in family status.
New State Public Service Award To Honor Former Governor Paul Cellucci
The Baker Administration announced the opening of the 33rd annual Performance Recognition Program application period, which will include a new award created for the 2017 program titled the "Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government." The Cellucci Award will be open to any Executive Branch or Higher Education employee who has been in state service for 2 years and are leaders in the area of mentoring in the workplace and the fostering of a supportive and learning environment amongst colleagues.
Argeo Paul Cellucci of Hudson served as Governor of the Commonwealth from 1997 - 2001, when he was appointed Ambassador to Canada by President George W. Bush. Cellucci had previously served the Commonwealth as Lieutenant Governor (1991 - 1997), a State Senator (1985-1991), and a State Representative (1977-1985). Governor Cellucci spent his career engaging others to embrace public service and instilling a philosophy of "paying it forward." He was known for his commitment to keeping taxes low, maintaining fiscal discipline, supporting higher education standards, and combatting domestic and sexual violence.
The Commonwealth will honor all Performance Recognition Program award winners at a State House ceremony in the Fall, date to be determined. Other awards to be given out will include Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service, the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr. Public Service Award, and the Commonwealth Equity in Governance Award.
Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program
Massachusetts Office of Disability (MOD) now accepting applications for their Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program through June 30th. Cities, towns and regional government organizations are all encouraged to apply. Grants will support capital improvements designed to improve access and/or remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Learn more.
DCAMM Seeking Lease Space in Waltham
They are seeking to lease space for a client/administrative office for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) in either Cambridge, Somerville or WALTHAM! Deadline for submission is May 3rd. E-mail leasing.dcamm@state.ma.us or call 857-204-1355 to request a copy of the RFP. Learn more.
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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.
US Navy SEAL Brian J. Ouellette Dedication Event May 20th
Please join the City of Waltham and the Ouellette Family in honoring a hometown American Hero US Navy SEAL Brian J. Ouellette. Brian along with three other brave warriors gave their lives on May 29th, 2004. The Ceremony and Square Dedication at the Waltham Common (at the corner of Carter and Elm) will take place on Saturday, May 20th from 11am - 1 pm rain or shine. It is time we give honor and respect to Brian and his family for the sacrifices they've given for our Freedom.
Save the Date! Spring for GWArc!
The Waltham Channel's spring 2017 AUCTION will benefit Greater Waltham Arc programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The live TV auction will take place on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 6-9pm. Bid on great items while supporting GWArc! View on your TV, online at wcac.org or Facebook Live. For more information and how to watch, visit www.gwarc.org or email gwarc@gwarc.org.
Waltham Lions Club to Host Carnival at the Fernald School
The Waltham Lions Club will host a fundraising carnival event at the Waltham Fernald School (off Trapelo Road) on May 17th through May 21st, 2017. Proceeds from the carnival will benefit state and local charities.
The carnival will include amusement rides for children and adults, games and prizes, local food and merchandise vendors, a children's petting zoo, thrill rides and acts and ample free parking. There will also be fireworks on Friday night at sundown. Carnival hours are May 17-19, 6 pm to 11pm, May 20, 12 pm - 11 pm and May 21, 12 pm to 10 pm.
Fiesta Shows, New England's largest mobile amusement park, will sponsor the event. Learn more about the sponsor at www.fiestashows.com. Local sponsors include Stanton Insurance, Boston Properties, Dunkin' Donuts, Nelson Companies, Rockland Bank, Watertown Savings Bank and Waltham's 1265 Main Street shopping plaza.
For more information on the carnival, contact John Sergi at 617-840-4683, Angelo Tortola at 781-718-4385 or email the Lions Club at lionswaltham@gmail.com.
Learn more about The Waltham Land Trust
The Waltham Land Trust is creating a legacy of land conservation in Waltham by promoting, protecting, restoring, and acquiring open space. To learn more about the non-profit group and their events celebrating Waltham's natural environment, visit walthamlandtrust.org.
Waltham Y Environmental Entrepreneurship Program
A new Waltham Y Environmental Entrepreneurship Program for teens, age 15-17, began on March 16. Through this program, teens have the opportunity to learn real-world business skills along with knowledge of ecosystems gardening while earning a stipend. Teens use their training to set up a gardening service where they sell and install beautiful, low-maintenance native flowers shrubs, and grasses on properties throughout Waltham. dtudents develop 21st century career-readiness skills that prepare them for jobs and academic pursuits. 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. The program starts Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 6:30-9 pm in Wellesley. 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
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Waltham Symphony Orchestra Concerts
For information on concerts and events at the WSO, click here.
Waltham Public Library Offers Events
The Waltham Public Library offers many events for residents of all ages. To view a calendar of events, click here.
Meals on Wheels program
Through Springwell, 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.
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State Representative: 2001 - Present
City Council: 1998 - 2004, 2006 - 2016
Council President: 2003
State Committees:
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
Education:
Suffolk University (MPA), Bentley University (BS - Management), Mass Bay Community College (AS - Business Administration)
Board Member: Waltham Family School Advisory Board, Waltham Safe and Healthy Schools YRBS Steering Committee, Waltham Community Day Center (Honorary), Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Advisory Board, Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative, Waltham Community, Enough Abuse Campaign
Awards
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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 23, Parker, age 14
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