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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 with Michael Jaff, President of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, at their 2017 Legislative Breakfast Meeting to discuss the impacts changes to the ACA and NIH funding, among other issues, will have on Commonwealth residents.
Rep. Stanley met with local advocates from REACH, Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) and Jewish Family & Children Services (JF&CS) to discuss lifting the Cap on Kids.
Excited to be returning to the Waltham City Council!
WPS Superintendent reached out to all new and returning members to provide us with an update on the new WHS location and other education issues facing the school system.
Rep. Stanley speaking at the The PromotePrevent Commission's public hearing.
Rep. Stanley listening to testimony at the The PromotePrevent Commission's hearing.
Rep. Stanley addresses attendees at the The PromotePrevent Commission hearing.
Rep. Stanley attended a Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee holding a public hearing on a wide-range of public safety bills including police training & 911 service.
Rep. Stanley at the Financial Services Committee before a public hearing on auto insurance legislation.
Rep. Stanley discussing auto insurance legislation at a Financial Services public hearing.
Rep. Stanley catches up with colleagues before a Financial Services hearing.
Mayflower Beach = frozen tundra
Setting Sun
Throwing ice chucks
Gull Pond, Wellfleet, MA
Snow Day
Winter in Maine
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Rep. Stanley speaks at PromotePrevent Commission hearing
Rep. Stanley recently addressed attendees at the PromotePrevent Commission public hearing in Waltham to hear from experts and stakeholders on the opiate addiction, mental illness, and violence that deeply affect our communities. The group, a special commission on behavioral health promotion and upstream prevention, is tasked with identifying policies, practices, and programs to strengthen evidence-based prevention and social, emotional, and behavioral health in the Commonwealth.
Waltham Designated as a Green Community; Eligible for $281,080 Grant
Rep. Stanley is pleased to announce that Waltham is included in a list of 25 Massachusetts cities and towns designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as Green Communities, and is set to receive a $281,080 grant. The 25 new Green Communities are now eligible for grants totaling $4,316,955 to complete renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in their communities.
The 210 Green Communities range from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and are home to 70 percent of Massachusetts' population in municipalities as large as Boston and as small as Rowe. All Green Communities commit to reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent each, and this new group of twenty-five cities and towns have committed to reduce their energy consumption amounting to savings of 296,968 MMBtus in five years, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 2,302 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 23,630 tons, equivalent to taking 4,975 cars off the road.
Under the Green Communities Act, DOER's Green Communities Designation and Grant Program can provide up to $20 million annually to qualified cities and towns. The goal of the Designation Grant Program is to support communities' investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the clean energy goals determined by the designated communities. Initial Designation Grants are based on a $125,000 base for each designated Green Community, plus additional amounts tied to per capita income and population, and for municipalities that provide as-of-right siting for renewable energy generation.
Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP) paid by retail electric suppliers that do not meet their Renewable Portfolio Standard compliance obligations through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates.
Rep. Stanley Supports Special Needs Pooled Trusts for Disabled Seniors
Rep. Stanley and his colleagues signed onto a letter of support for H.2074, legislation to preserve special needs trusts for disabled seniors. The bill affirms that a transfer of resources to a special needs trust that conforms to federal statutory requirements and is established solely for the benefit of a disabled individual of any age is not considered a disposal of resources for less than fair market value thus preserving the exemption for special needs trusts. Rep. Stanley is also a sponsor of the legislation.
Per Massachusetts Medicaid regulations, disabled seniors may place money into a special needs pooled trust - a fund for needs not covered by their insurers or MassHealth, such as dental benefits, clothing, hearing aids, books and transportation. Regulations recently proposed by Governor Baker's administration seek to eliminate the exemption for special needs pooled trusts when determining eligibility for MassHealth, therefore penalizing disabled seniors who use them. Currently, the trusts are exempted from determining eligibility for MassHealth. Without the freedom to set aside funds in a pooled trust, low-income disabled seniors will be put at risk. Some will no longer be able to pay for assisted living; others will not be able to remain living in their community. Still others will suffer loss of dignity and independence during the final years of their lives.
Rep. Stanley meets with local advocates to discuss lifting the Cap on Kids
Rep. Stanley met with local advocates from REACH, Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) and Jewish Family & Children Services (JF&CS) to discuss lifting the Cap on Kids. The Cap on Kids, also known as the Family Cap, denies welfare benefits to children conceived while (or soon after) the family received the benefits. Rep. Stanley is also a co-sponsor of the legislation (H.85) and has supported similar measures in the budget last year. Additionally, he will also be sending a letter to Speaker DeLeo advocating for lifting the cap. To learn more about this legislation, click
here.
Waltham's African Cultural Services Receives Grant
Rep. Stanley is pleased to announce that Waltham's African Cultural Services, Inc. is receiving a $10,000 grant from Mass Humanities to hold a monthly series of humanities discussions and cultural programs aimed toward (and developed with) the City's African immigrant community. African Cultural Services, based in Waltham, is an educational tribute and community program.
Learn more.
Grants Totaling $2.7 Million will Help Combat Violence against Women
Governor Baker and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett announced that 37 grants totaling $2.7 million have been awarded to community-based organizations, police departments, and state agencies to develop and strengthen law enforcement response, prosecution strategies, and victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women. These grants were made possible through the Violence Against Women Act's (VAWA) Services Training Officers Prosecutors (VAWA STOP) Grant Program. The VAWA STOP Program is administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research. The administration also announced the 2018 Action Plan for the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
In April 2015, Governor Baker signed Executive Order 563, re-launching the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. Last fall, the Council announced the launch of work groups in five priority areas identified by the Council and the administration: Response and Assessment, Housing Stability and Self Sufficiency, Human Trafficking: Children, Prevention Education Early Ed through Campus and Veteran/Military Families. The Council and the administration announced the 2018 Action Plan for each work group, detailing year-end deliverables.
Eversource Agrees To Use Savings from Federal Tax Bill to Lower Rates for Customers
Eversource has agreed to use the corporate savings it will receive under the new federal tax law to lower rates for its 1.4 million Massachusetts customers. In a Dec. 20 filing, AG Healey's Office urged the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to recalculate Eversource's recently approved rate hike to reflect the reduction of the federal corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent.
When the DPU determines a company's total revenue requirement, it allows the company to include the amount the company will pay in federal income taxes as an expense in the cost of service. The AG's Office argued in its filing that because the DPU approved new rates based on Eversource paying the higher federal tax rate, the company's rates should be reduced to reflect the lower corporate tax rate, ensuring that customers see the savings. In its filing Wednesday, Eversource agrees that its rates must be changed to reflect the lower tax rate. The new rates will go into effect on February 1.
In its filing, Eversource proposes to lower its existing rates for NStar Electric customers by approximately $35 million and reduce the rate hike for its Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) customers to $16 million, instead of the $25 million approved by the DPU. The AG's Office is reviewing Eversource's filing including the company's calculations of the rate reduction and proposed implementation dates.
In late November, the DPU issued an order allowing Eversource to increase its electric rates by $37 million in the first year and an additional 3.5 percent per year over the following four years. This equated to a $12 million increase in the first year for NStar customers and $25 million for WMECO customers. The AG's Office also filed a petition with the DPU last month requesting that the Department recalculate the rates for all major electricity, gas, and water companies to reflect the lower corporate tax rate. Doing so, would lower all Massachusetts utility customers' rates.
Commonwealth's Search for Lease Space in Waltham & Lexington
The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking to lease 4,100 square feet of usable office space in Waltham and Lexington. The space will be used by the Middlesex Sheriff's Office.
The deadline for submission of proposals is January 31, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. The RFP can be viewed at www.commbuys.com under "Contract & Bid Search." Please see the attached instructions to locate the RFP. You may also email leasing.dcamm@state.ma.us or call 857-204-1355 to request a copy of the RFP, referencing the agency name and project number in your request.
Advanced Manufacturing Education Program for Adult Students Launched at Vocational High Schools
A new program for Massachusetts residents interested in careers in advanced manufacturing will help adult students take classes at local vocational high schools and be eligible for state and federal financial aid to pay for their training. Adults who complete the manufacturing training at one of ten participating vocational high schools will then be eligible for college credit when enrolling at partnering colleges and universities. The certificate they earn during evening classes at the high schools will be worth a specific number of college credits that can be applied toward an associates' degree.
In developing the new program, the Administration partnered with 10 vocational high schools as well as several local community colleges to develop the vocational certificate that will be eligible for college credit, and to build a pre-apprenticeship strategy in advanced manufacturing. This list of schools includes Minuteman Regional Technical Vocational High School in Lexington.
The Administration developed the Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program as a way to give adults who want to learn new skills in advanced manufacturing an opportunity to enroll in a program with a flexible timetable that would be eligible for financial aid. Adult students will be eligible for federal Pell grants, state MassGrants, and other scholarships. A planning team, made up of vocational school, public and private higher education officials and workforce and industry partners, will work on curriculum, align credential agreements, and develop internships and hiring opportunities.
Students will earn a certificate in advanced manufacturing once they complete three different modules, each consisting of 300 hours of class time. The program is designed to be flexible so adult learners, who are most likely working full-time jobs and raising families, can complete the three course modules at their own pace. The goal is to provide students with a "stackable" credential and an affordable path to continue their education, while also helping to meet the growing workforce needs of the manufacturing industry in Massachusetts.
Healthcare Alert! It's open-enrollment season
Open enrollment ends January 23rd. If you need to enroll or make changes to your health insurance plan, Massachusetts Health Connector can help you find the right coverage.
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.
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
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: 2001 - Present
City Council: 1998 - 2004, 2006 - 2016, 2018
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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