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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 discusses his budget priorities with Representative Michlewitz, the new Chair of the Ways and Means Committee.
Rep. Stanley with Erica Young, Executive Director of the Waltham Boys and Girls Club at the 17th Annual Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs Legislative Reception.
Rep. Stanley with the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance Executive Director, Liam Lowney (Left), and Essex County District Attorney Jon Blodgett (Right) at the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) event.
Rep. Stanley testified at the Joint Committee on Education public hearing on the Foundation Budget. Rep. Stanley supports implementing the recommendations made by the Foundation Budget Review Commission (2015) to help close the achievement gap for low-income and ELL students and support school districts with rising health care and special education costs.
Rep. Stanley with Michael Duffy of Waltham Firefighters Local 866 at the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) legislators night.
Rep. Stanley speaking with Erin Murphy, the Community Development Manager of the American Cancer Society Northeast Region. Erin is a Waltham native and came in during the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network Lobby Day to discuss youth tobacco prevention efforts.
Rep. Stanley with David Stevens, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Councils on Aging.
At the hearing for the single-use plastic bags ban legislation, of which Rep. Stanley is a sponsor.
Rep. Stanley at the Greater Boston Labor Council's Annual Legislative Breakfast.
Over 200 physician assistants (PAs) came to the State House as part of the Massachusetts Association of PAs Advocacy Day to educate members about the roles PAs play in health care.
Rep. Stanley hears testimony at the final Ways and Means Committee FY20 budget hearing.
Rep. Stanley attended the Waltham Partnership for Youth Annual Linking Education & Business Breakfast this morning. This event fosters initiatives between business, community, & educational institutions in Waltham.
Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, was the key note speaker at the Waltham Partnership for Youth breakfast. He
discussed the importance power of early work-based learning experiences to positively impact youths.
Rep. Stanley attended the Annual Kick Butts Day at the State House. Let's make smoking history!
Kick Butts Day at the State House
Rep. Stanley with advocates from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. They visited the state house to discuss the importance of providing MA students with access to high-quality music education.
Attorney General Maura Healey testifying at Ways and Means hearing.
Rep. Stanley visited More Than Words in Waltham. More Than Words is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Rep. Stanley touring More Than Words
Rep. Stanley with the Waltham delegation at More Than Words
Rep. Stanley with Howard Trachtman and Nancy Stanton, two constituents and long-time NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Massachusetts advocates to discuss mental health budget and legislative priorities.
Rep. Stanley attended the Waltham Education and Beyond Foundation's Annual "Educate Your Palate" event at Stonehurst in Waltham.
Entertainment at the Waltham Education and Beyond Foundation's Annual "Educate Your Palate" event.
Rep. Stanley met with representatives from the Leland Home about legislative priorities. Sen. Barrett, Rep. Lawn and Rep. Stanley filed budget amendment to assist the home with renovations.
Rep. Stanley attended the Ways and Means FY20 Budget Hearing at Bristol Community College to next month's reports when you get the chance. Lt. Gov. Polito and Education Secretary Peyser testified on the Administration's education funding proposal for FY20.
Rep. Stanley in the House Chamber.
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2019 Council and Committee Calendar
To view the Waltham City Council and Committee 2019 calendar, click
here.
Stanley votes to authorize Mayor McCarthy to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with UMass and advance current negotiations
Rep. Stanley voted to protect Waltham's farmland and support the Waltham Fields Community Farm and the Waltham Field Station Community by voting to authorize Mayor McCarthy to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with UMass and advance current negotiations. At the April 8th City Council meeting, Rep. Stanley spoke in favor of his intentions to protect Waltham's farmland and voted in favor of city entering MOA with UMass to hopefully finalize Waltham's purchase of the Waltham Field Station. He strongly supports the purchase with CPA funds to permanently preserve the property for agriculture & open space and continue the City's commitment towards sustainability.
The Waltham Fields Community Farm and the Waltham Field Station Community asked the Council to commit to: define the language within the MOA which expresses the City's interest in acquiring the property for "certain municipal purposes"; publically advocate for the permanent preservation of agriculture at the Waltham Field Station; protect the current tenancy of the vital and sustainable non-profit organizations housed at 240 Beaver Street in the hope of strengthening services offered to Waltham residents and those in our neighboring communities; and continue to amplify and enhance future initiatives to strengthen the City of Waltham as a sustainable community and partner in food security, environmental stewardship, and urban agriculture.
Sen. Barrett, Rep. Lawn and Rep. Stanley filed state budget amendments which will allow UMass to use unspent appropriations on the Field Station building to prepare for sale to the city and use by current nonprofit tenants.
Rep. Stanley to receive Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers Leader Award
The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and its members will recognize Rep. Stanley with the Community Health Center Leader Award during its annual State House Day, scheduled for May 2, 2019. The Leader Award is given to members of the Massachusetts General Court who have advocated on behalf of community health center funding and services, and/or provided support for legislative priorities either as a sponsor or co-sponsor.
The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers stated that Rep. Stanley has been a tremendous leader for the Commonwealth's 52 community health centers, now serving over one million patients, operating out of more than 300 access sites, and drawing patients from 96 percent of Massachusetts cities and towns. Due in part to his support, health centers remain an essential part of our state's health care safety net and continue to play a prominent role in both state and federal health reform efforts to control costs, eliminate health disparities and expand access to quality care for hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents.
Rep. Stanley supports reducing plastic bag pollution
In a letter to the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Rep. Stanley urged favorable action on H.771/S.462, legislation reducing plastic bag pollution. Rep. Stanley is a co-sponsor of this legislation and fully endorses all the environmental benefits a ban on plastic bags would bring to MA.
Currently, the U.S. uses 100 billion plastic shopping bags a year (made from the equivalent of 12 million barrels of oil) at a cost to retailers of $4 billion. Even though consumers have the option of returning these bags back to retailers, only 5% end up being recycled. As a result, many plastic bags are ending up in landfills, on our streets, or in our oceans. Plastic bags are extremely difficult to biodegrade and the UN estimated that 1 billion animals die each year from accidentally consuming them. A recent report from the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that if we continue to dispense of plastic bags at the rate we are, there will be a greater weight of plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. Moreover, discarded plastic bags are clogging up municipal sewer drains, leading to harmful and expensive flooding.
H.771/S.462 would ban single-use plastic carryout bags at all stores on and after August 1, 2019 and imposes a 10 cent fee from the day of enactment until the law goes into effect. After August 1st, stores will have the option to sell recycled paper bags for a fee of 10 cents or sell reusable grocery bags at the point of sale. While this legislation preempts local laws in to maintain uniformity across the Commonwealth, municipalities would still be allowed to implement additional requirements that go beyond state law.
In Massachusetts, over 100 cities and towns have passed some form of legislation regulating the sale of plastic bags with another dozen others considering measure.
Rep. Stanley asks Joint Committee on Revenue to advance the Fair Share Amendment
In a letter to the Joint Committee on Revenue. Rep. Stanley requested favorable action on the "Fair Share Amendment", a proposed legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in excess of one million dollars.
The Fair Share Amendment is a proposal to amend the Massachusetts Constitution, creating an additional tax of four percentage points on the portion of a person's annual income that is above $1 million. The new revenue generated by the tax would be spent on quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation. The state constitution provides two ways for constitutional amendments to be presented to voters: a citizen's constitutional amendment or a legislative constitutional amendment.
Rep. Stanley at the Joint Committee on Revenue public hearing in support the Fair Share Amendment
Rep. Stanley sponsors briefing on legislation he filed to ensure treatment for Genetic Craniofacial Disorders
Rep. Stanley sponsored a briefing on Genetic Craniofacial Disorders on April 9th at the State House. He is the sponsor of H.1116, legislation to ensure treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions that would close the loophole that allows insurers to deny coverage for the treatment of rare, disabling genetic craniofacial conditions and provide coverage for the necessary medical repairs and/or restorations of genetic abnormalities affecting teeth. Treatment costs upwards of $100,000. Without treatment, patients will continue to experience severe pain, difficulty eating, speech problems, infections, bone loss and social sigma (teasing& bullying). Treatment is medically necessary, as genetic craniofacial conditions can prohibit essential functions (i.e. eating and speaking). This matter was brought to Rep. Stanley's attention by a constituent; a mother who recently learned that her daughter has craniofacial issues and will be facing a significant financial burden if this bill is not passed.
Rep. Stanley at the briefing on craniofacial disorders.
Rep. Stanley Congratulates Waltham Hero Awards Winners
Rep. Stanley attended the Waltham Hero Awards ceremony which was presented by the Waltham Lions Club, the Waltham Chamber Commerce and the Waltham Community Access Channel. Award recipients included Sean Maloney - Business Hero, Pat Murphy - Unsung Hero, Marcia MacClary - Community Hero, Marcine Logue - Community Hero, Fred Wilder - Unsung Hero, Waltham Boys & Girls Club Teen Center - Community Appreciation Award and Justice Barrett - Joseph L. Burgoyne III Humanitarian Award.
Winners were recognized for having made Waltham a better place to live, either through business ventures, community work or by being an unsung hero who has worked outside the spotlight to change the lives of their neighbors for the better. Rep. Stanley presented each award winner with a congratulatory citation.
Waltham Fields Community Farm Visits State House
Rep. Stanley met with members from Waltham Fields Community Farm who visited the State House to take part in the Agricultural Day events. Waltham Fields' Executive Director Stacey Daley and staff provided legislators with an update on their programing in addition to their ongoing situation with UMass. Rep. Stanley supports preserving the Waltham Field Station for agricultural use and will work with UMass and stakeholders on finding a resolution with the property's tenants so that they may continue promoting local farming and food access in Waltham.
Waltham Fields Community Farm's mission is to promote local agriculture and food access through our farming operations and educational programs, using practices that are socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable. They encourage healthy relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows. Since 1995, they have stewarded 15 acres of Massachusetts farmland, 8.25 acres of which is located at the UMass Waltham Field Station.
Rep. Stanley attends Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts Legislators night
Rep. Stanley joined Michael Duffy of the Waltham Firefighters Local 866 at the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) annual Legislators night in March. Rep. Stanley filed House Bill 2134, which provides for investigating construction practices and their impact on firefighter deaths, which is supported by PFFM. This bill would create a special commission to investigate and make recommendations to the Legislature in regards to the use of manufactured wood and light-weight wood frame truss assemblies in residential buildings.
Rep. Stanley supports the expansion of Medicare Savings Programs eligibility
In a letter to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Michlewitz, Rep. Stanley and his colleagues requested support for the expansion of Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) eligibility. House Members have an incredible opportunity to bridge the healthcare gap by including Governor Baker's first proposal in the House budget, while also supporting House Bill 1199 to ensure that all 70,000 seniors across the Commonwealth have access to affordable healthcare.
Governor Baker's budget has a promising initial proposal, expanding eligibility from 135% of the federal poverty level to 165%, but this is not enough. The fact remains that adults below the age of 65 have greater access to subsidized health insurance than the seniors who need it most. In Massachusetts, 6 in 10 elders living alone and 4 in 10 elder couples do not have the income to meet basic needs. Nationally, Massachusetts is among the states with the greatest percentage of economically insecure elders, second only to Mississippi.
Supporting the Governor's initial proposal will lower healthcare costs for 40,000 seniors across Massachusetts, and H.1199 would build on that progress, providing critical assistance to 70,000 seniors over the course of three years. Passage of H.1199 will ensure that all seniors with annual income up to $24,980 have access to affordable healthcare. The income eligibility expansion of H.1199 would bring in 7 federal dollars for every state dollar spent, while also increasing federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Rep. Stanley attend MOVA Event
Rep. Stanley attended the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) event at the State House. Attorney General Maura Healey, chair of the Victim Witness Assistance Board, and the Mass. Office for Victim Assistance recognize individuals and organizations at their annual awards ceremony in support of Victim Rights Month. This year is the 35th anniversary of the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights.
Awardees are Stacy Malone of the Victim Rights Law Center, Sen. James Welch of West Springfield, Amy Waldman of the Department of Public Health, Edwin Woo of the Braintree Police Department, Milta Vargas of the Springfield Police Department, and Tamara Dzialo of Project PACK and the Department of Transitional Assistance. Other participants include Lt. Governor Karyn Polito; District Attorneys Jonathan Blodgett, Marian Ryan and Anthony Gulluni; Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders; Survivor Board Members Josh Moulton and Danielle Sicard; and MOVA Executive Director Liam Lowney.
Rep. Stanley lobbies for increased funding for Community Mediation Center Grant Program
Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter supporting increased funding for the Community Mediation Grant Program. This program is administered by the MA Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC) at UMass Boston and funds a statewide network of community mediation centers that provide a wide range of affordable mediation services to citizens, courts and communities in the Commonwealth.
Community mediation is a type of conflict resolution designed to broaden access to justice by making dispute resolution services available to all citizens, irrespective of the ability to pay. The Centers provide free or low-cost mediation services through trained volunteer mediators for disputes referred through courts, public agencies and the wider community. Rep. Stanley and his colleagues are requesting an additional $100,000 to replace state funding eliminated by UMASS Boston that had covered a portion of the CMC Grant Program expenses.
Rep. Stanley cosigns letter urging FDA to update their labeling and packaging practices to ensure opioids are sold and used more appropriately
Rep. Stanley joined Speaker DeLeo,
Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka, Lieutenant Governor Polito and many of his colleagues in the legislature in sending a letter to the US Food & Drug Administration urging them to update their labeling and packaging practices to ensure opioids are sold and used more appropriately.
Despite significant evidence that opioids are only effective for short-term treatment of acute pain, the FDA in 2001 changed the labeling to indicate that these addictive drugs could be prescribed for
extended periods of time to treat chronic pain. Those suffering from chronic pain can and should continue to
have access to pharmaceutical treatments that can help alleviate their suffering, but it is important that patients
and their doctors are informed about the science when making those decisions.
Additionally, the letter urged the FDA to act swiftly to utilize the authority it was granted in the recently passed SUPPORT Act to require unit of dose packaging for opioids.
Rep. Stanley cosigns resolution honoring Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month
Rep. Stanley cosponsored a resolution in honor of Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month.
Parkinson's Disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease affecting more than 1 million people across the United States. In an effort to raise awareness about the disease and the ongoing demand for research and support services, the MA legislature joined the Parkinson's Foundation in recognizing April as Parkinson's Awareness Month.
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.
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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.
Learn about NAMI and Non-violent Communication at Event
NAMI, a non-profit education, support, and advocacy organization for individuals and families working to improve the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families, will host an information event on Monday, April 29th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Sheraton Needham Hotel, Cabot Ballroom in Needham. The Newton Wellesley affiliate services Brookline, Dedham, Dover, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley and Weston.
NAMI will present presenting a program with the Boston chapter of Non-violent Communications focusing on learning non-violent communication skills, using a non-judgmental approach to keep communications going with loved ones during stressful times.
The program starts with networking and finger foods at 5:30, with a special recognition to Sid Gelb, who has spent much of his life devoted to advocating for those with mental Illness. The education part of the program starts at 6:30, beginning with outlining the principals of the NVC program. It will be followed by role-playing, with common situations occurring between family members, where one has an alternate reality. NAMI Newton/Wellesley will also be available with information about its programs, including the Family Support Groups and the 12 week Family to Family course. Please RSVP to 781-269-9807.
Learn more about Highland Glee Club
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 their
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.
Learn about The Leland Home
The Leland Home provides a safe and affordable residence for persons age 62 and over who desire or need assistance in their daily living. The group helps to maintain the dignity and independence of our residents by offering a warm friendly and homelike setting. Learn more.
Communities against Abuse in Later Life
Communities against Abuse in Later Life (CAALL) is a partnership of agencies working to end elder abuse. REACH Beyond Domestic Violence is the lead partner joined by the Waltham Police Department, Waltham Council on Aging, Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Springwell, Inc., and the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Please click here to learn more or call the 24-hour CAALL Helpline at 781.790.3966.
Volunteers needed to mentor vulnerable, aspiring Waltham High School students
The John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation's focus is on turning children at-risk into children of promise. The city of Waltham has joined many Waltham companies in supporting the Mazie Mentoring Program at Waltham High School. The Foundation selected Waltham High School as the venue for a second mentoring program in 2010, modeled after their successful program in Framingham High School, now in its 20th year. As the program grows, so does the need for volunteer mentors. To find out more about the Mazie organization please visit www.mazie.org.
About the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra
Now in its 32nd season, the mission of the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra is to provide the community opportunities to perform in and attend orchestral and chamber concerts of the highest quality. It provides a venue for musicians with a range of ages and abilities to enjoy the art and music making. It makes a long lasting impact to society by creating engaging programs that inspire, entertain and nurture the minds and spirits of its audience and members. Click here to learn more and see a calendar of events.
About Thom Charles River Early Intervention
Thom Charles River Early Intervention provides home visits to babies and toddlers who are delayed in their development or who are considered to be at risk of delay. Services include parents as partners in these visits. The dedicated clinicians who work with these families are to be applauded. Learn more about the orgranization. http://www.thomchild.org/charles-river.htm
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 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
The Waltham Council on Aging's 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 or call 718-314-3300.
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State Representative
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
City Council:
Veterans Committee
License and Franchise Committee
Public Works and Public Safety 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.
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
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