May 2024 | The Stanley Report 

Dear Friend,

May's issue of The Stanley Report includes the latest news from Waltham and Beacon Hill.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you need assistance.

Sincerely,

Tom Stanley

Rep. Stanley, Sen. Jehlen and members of the Elder Affairs Committee hosted Dr. Robert Goldstein, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, for a conversation on health policy and the agency's role

in long-term care.  

Rep. Stanley congratulates the Waltham Democratic City Committee for its successful and inspiring 15th Annual Heroes Award Celebration. Hats off to the selected Heroes of 2023 who deserve our praise and appreciation for their good work!

Rep. Stanley welcomed students from Africano Waltham to the State House.

Rep. Stanley attended WATCH CDC's 35th Anniversary Celebration at Gore Place.

Rep. Stanley and James Zanghi, legislative aide, met with Erica Young and Victoria Fils-Aime with the Waltham Boys & Girls Club during the Annual Advocacy Day for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. The group discussed youth empowerment initiatives and after-school programming for Waltham Youth.

Rep. Stanley visited 8th grade civics students at McDevitt Middle School to discuss vocational education and affordable housing with students.

Rep. Stanley Highlights Elder Affairs Priorities During Budget Debate 

Elder Affairs Committee Co-Chair Tom Stanley addressed members of the House during the fiscal year 2025 budget, highlighting investments in elder affairs programs. Chair Stanley delivered remarks in support of the Health and Human Services/Elder Affairs Consolidated Amendment, emphasizing critical investments in programs and services for older residents and their caregivers. He expressed gratitude to House leadership, committee members, and staff for their efforts in crafting a thoughtful budget. 

Highlighting key provisions, Stanley underscored the importance of addressing workforce shortages in nursing homes, expanding services at Councils on Aging, and funding essential programs like SHINE and the Geriatric Mental Health Program. Additionally, he outlined allocations for Elder Supportive Housing, Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, and Meals on Wheels, emphasizing the amendment's overall $47 million increase to the Elder Affairs Budget. Stanley urged full House support for the amendment, recognizing its significance in supporting Massachusetts' older population. 

Rep. Stanley Helps Pass FY25 Budget That Invests in Programs

Supporting Families Across Massachusetts

Rep. Stanley and the House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget. Funded at $58 billion, $62 million below Governor Maura Healey’s budget proposal, the House’s FY25 budget responds to the needs of residents, provides strong support for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, and among many critical investments, includes significant funding for education, transportation, health care, housing, and workforce development.

Due to responsible fiscal management, the House’s FY25 budget is balanced, and makes significant investments across a number of issue areas, without needing to draw from the Stabilization Fund, which is set to reach a record high of $9.053 billion. The budget passed includes $1.3 billion in investments for transportation and education initiatives made possible because funding generated by the Fair Share ballot initiative that voters approved in November 2022, which established a surtax of 4 percent on annual income above $1 million. Learn more. 

Rep. Stanley Secures Funding for Waltham Nonprofits in House Budget

In the House fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget, Rep. Stanley secured critical funding for several nonprofit organizations serving Waltham residents. Budget wins include:

• $100,000 for programs under Jewish Family & Children's Service’s (JF&CS) Center for early relationship support, including Fragile Beginnings and Project NESST (Newborns Exposed to Substances: Support and Therapy). Fragile Beginnings and Project NESST help address the pressing needs of parents whose babies are born prematurely, with complex medical problems, or are substance exposed. The funding will provide additional services for new mothers in early recovery from substance use disorder, including increased technical assistance training for community partners, mental health support services for caregivers of medically complex infants, and intensive, trauma-centered clinical and case management services to address traumatic stress and build resilience in children ages birth to five and their families.  

• $100,00 for More Than Word, Inc. (MTW) Young Parents program which ensures that all young parents have stable housing and access to childcare. MTW empowers youth who are the in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. MTW recently revamped its services to better support young parents to participate in programming and find success for themselves and their families. Under the MTW young parents program, clients utilize adapted scheduling to work around childcare commitments along with individualized support and advocacy from the MTW Advocacy and Community Engagement team. The funds will directly support the MTW staff who work with these parents and provide job training, case management, and individualized advocacy.

• $75,000 for the Waltham Tourism Council (WTC) which seeks to improve the quality of life by maximizing the economic impact and tax revenues generated by visitors to Waltham and the surrounding region. This funding helps the organization with multiple projects including improved directional signage throughout the city, printing promotional materials such as a restaurant guide, Facebook and Twitter management, advertising videos produced by our local cable channel (Waltham Community Access Corp.), and marketing for many of the spring and summer events the city hosts such as Waltham Riverfest and the Waltham Steampunk Festival. 

• $50,000 for the Waltham Chamber of Commerce which provides a multitude of events and services to Waltham each year, ensuring that our small business community remains vibrant, economically healthy while also maintaining a strong sense of partnership across different sectors of industry. With over 600 business members invested within the Chamber, this in turn creates a “voice for business” in the city, organizing a wide range of community growth initiatives such as economic/community development and business/educational programs. This funding supports the salary of the Chamber’s efforts to increase membership and support economic development for Waltham. 

• $350,000 for Hope & Comfort, Inc., one of the only nonprofits in Massachusetts whose one focus is on addressing hygiene security. This funding will help the organization to deliver a year's supply of essential hygiene products to more youth and adults in need. The organization acquires basic hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, and menstrual products and distribute these products free of charge to those that cannot afford them in Massachusetts. In 2023, Hope & Comfort helped approximately 500,000 people struggling with hygiene security across 324 Massachusetts cities and towns. 

Rep. Stanley also helped secure an additional $1.6 million for Community Health Centers (CHCs) under budget line item 4510-0110. This grant program provides flexible resources to CHCs, enabling them to meet the increasing demand for services and care. CHCs have partnered with the Department of Public Health to use these funds to create innovative, urgently needed workforce solutions, including the training and certifying of 115 medical assistants that are expected to serve in CHCs by the end of FY24. This funding would help our CHCs continue the progress they’ve made recruiting and retaining a high-quality workforce.

Participate in Rep. Tom Stanley's 2024 Annual Survey! Share Your Voice Today!

Join Rep. Tom Stanley's community survey for 2024! Have your say on the pressing matters impacting our town and state. The results will be shared with the public. Haven't received yours yet? Click here to participate now.

Rep. Stanley Speaks at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Legislative Breakfast

Rep. Stanley participated in the Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) First Annual Legislative Breakfast alongside Elder Affairs Co-Chair Senator Jehlen. During the event, he provided an update on the Committee's priorities for the legislative session and engaged in a lively discussion on the advantages of aging in place. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to hear from a panel of older adults who shared their positive experiences with SCES services, as well as representatives from Mass Home Care and other Elder Affairs stakeholders.

Waltham Public Schools Receive DESE Grant

Waltham Public Schools has been awarded an FY24 Appleseeds Materials and Professional Development Grant for $91,466. This state-funded grant supports local education agencies to gain access to Appleseeds: Evidence-Based Foundational Skills for Massachusetts, an openly available curricular resource from DESE that is aligned with the standards for Reading Foundational Skills and reflects the evidence-based practices outlined in the state’s vision for excellent early literacy instruction, and in the Mass Literacy Guide.

The grant will support districts to seamlessly implement the program in grades K-2. This grant will fund professional printing of all printed materials, purchase of the decodable texts, and/or professional development to support teachers, principals, and literacy coaches from a DESE-approved Appleseeds PD provider. Professional development includes onsite implementation support responsive to district and school strengths, needs, challenges, and opportunities. 

Funding Opportunity: Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research announced the availability of funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. This program offers nonprofit organizations at heightened risk of terror attacks the opportunity to apply for up to $150,000 to enhance their site’s physical security. Eligibility requirements, including criteria for identifying eligible applicants and key dates, are detailed below.

Eligibility criteria include, but are not limited to, the identification and substantiation of prior threats or attacks by terrorist organizations, the symbolic value of the site(s) as nationally recognized institutions, the applicant's role in responding to or recovering from terrorist attacks, and findings from previously conducted risk assessments. The application deadline is June 3, 2024. Learn more.

Africano Waltham Student Group Visits State House

Rep. Stanley warmly welcomed the "Leaders of Tomorrow," a group of students from Africano Waltham, during their visit to the State House. The students enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the building and were acknowledged during the informal session. Juliet Najjumba, the founder of Africano Waltham, noted that Rep. Stanley had previously met many of the students during his visit to an open house in 2018. 

DCR Recreational Advisory: The Charles River Greenway in Waltham

Starting from Monday, April 29, 2024 until October 2024, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close the Charles River Greenway from Moody Street to Prospect Street in Waltham for reconstruction and improvement work. The project includes removing invasive species, stabilizing the riverbank, restoring benches, and reconstructing paths. The closure aims to facilitate these enhancements for the community's benefit. 

Rep. Stanley’s Home Care Licensure Legislation Receives Favorable Recommendation

Legislation Rep. Stanley filed on home care licensure (H.649) received favorable recommendations from the Joint Committee on Health Financing and the Joint Committee on Rules and is now before the House Committee on Ways and Means. This legislation establishes a licensure process for home care agencies with the goal of improving standards and preventing the abusive treatment of home care workers, personal care attendants, and consumers.

Specifically, the bill would establish definitions of “home care agency worker” and “home care agency”; create penalties for noncompliance; require disclosure of services and rates, and reporting of suitability standards to protect consumers; create transparency requirements for all home care businesses, including financial disclosures, background checks, standard services plans; guarantee appropriate levels of training and competency and well as liability insurance; and provide worker and anti-discrimination protections for home care workforce, including personal care attendants (PCAs).

Rep. Stanley’s The Military CHILD Act Advances in Committee

Rep. Stanley's legislation, The Military CHILD Act (H.3540), received a favorable recommendation from the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.

This bill is designed to honor our veterans, retain our dedicated service members, and provide support for their families. Its key components include commemorating the founding of the U.S. Space Force, expanding recognition for military members during active duty, defining military-connected students, expanding school supports for them, and establishing a military spouse liaison for outreach and advocacy.

Introducing the Better Bus Project!

As part of a $9.6 billion, five-year capital investment plan, the MBTA is working to improve bus service with the Better Bus Project. In partnership with more than 50 municipalities and MassDOT, the MBTA keeps 1,000 buses operating, carrying about 400,000 riders each day.  To learn more about the Better Bus Project Update, a resource for keeping up to date on the latest information on improvements, projects, and events related to the MBTA’s bus network, click here.  

Legal Assistance Available!

MassLegalHelp.org, a collaborative effort of the Massachusetts civil legal aid community, offers over 800 pieces of content in article, e-book, and video format. This comprehensive legal information website serves as a valuable resource for residents facing various legal challenges. Whether individuals are dealing with landlord-tenant disputes, appealing denied SNAP benefits, seeking domestic violence restraining orders, understanding their rights in ICE detention situations, or navigating CORI sealing processes, MassLegalHelp.org provides accessible and empowering self-help materials. Learn more. 

Attention Commuters: MBTA Implements Service Improvements Effective 5/20

The MBTA is implementing a series of service enhancements across all modes this spring season, including the Fitchburg Line serving Waltham. These improvements are designed to provide riders with more frequent, reliable, and convenient transportation options across the MBTA’s service areas. Spring service changes go into effect on Commuter Rail lines on May 20 with schedules available here.

Rep. Stanley attends West End Traffic Study Meeting

Rep. Stanley participated in the West End Traffic Study Meeting, organized by Ward 7 City Councilor Paul Katz on May 8. The meeting aimed to gather input from residents of Ward 7 regarding the ongoing West End Traffic Study conducted by BSC Group, hired by the City of Waltham. Attendees included residents from various streets in the West End area, such as Andrea, Auburn, Bedford, Boynton, Cabot, Elmwood, Fairmont, Fiske, Pearl, Rockridge, Summit, Vernon, Villa, and Winthrop, as well as interested residents from nearby streets.

RMV Cautions Public to Beware of Deceptive and Mimic Websites

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding customers to use only Mass.Gov/RMV for information and to perform transactions, including when renewing a license or a registration. There has been no sharp increase in reports of deceptive and mimic websites to the RMV. As a busy time of year for customer transactions, the RMV is issuing this reminder to the public about sites which have been created to mislead customers into thinking they have reached the official RMV website. Learn more. 

Governor To Hold Latino Empowerment Advisory Council Listening Session in Waltham

The Latino Empowerment Council invites residents to a listening session on May 20, 2024 at 617 Lexington Street in Waltham from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Last year, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order establishing the Governor’s Council on Latino Empowerment, comprising over 40 influential Latino leaders from across the state. With approximately 850,000 Latinos in Massachusetts, constituting 12 percent of the state population, your input is crucial! Learn more. 

Regan's Corner

Meet Regan! Rep. Stanley and his family rescued a pup and named her Regan. Regan loves long walks, playing games in the yard, making friends and lounging with Rep. Stanley!

Help an animal find a home! Learn more about The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and ways you can help.

The Animal Rescue League continues to support legislation that enhances and improves protections for animals, and to oppose reforms that endanger the welfare of animals in Massachusetts. Learn more about ARL's current legislative agenda here.

About Rep. Stanley

State Representative

City Council

Former City Council President

State Committee:

Co-Chairperson, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs

Member of:

Massachusetts Elder Nutrition Commission

Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias

City Council:

Veterans Committee

Economic Development Committee

Committee of the Whole

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, COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center, Community Health Center Leader Award, The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Dignity Award Certificate of Appreciation,

Home Care Ally Award, Home Care Aid Council

Personal:

Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss

Children: Ryan, age 30, Parker, age 21 & puppy Regan