November 2022 | The Stanley Report 

Dear Friend,

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this email finds you healthy and well.

November's issue of The Stanley Report includes important information about legislation I am supporting this session as well as local and state news.

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

Sincerely,

Tom Stanley

Rep. Stanley attended a Veterans Day celebration at Kennedy Middle School. 

Minuteman Senior Services recently honored Rep. Stanley with a “The Friend of the Minuteman Senior Services Award” for his advocacy and leadership. Read the story below!

Rep. Stanley addressed Home Care CEOs at College of the Holy Cross.

Rep. Stanley attended a ceremony celebrating the new Lincoln Middle School.

Rep. Stanley speaking to home care professionals at Holy Cross.

Rep. Stanley, Lead House Sponsor of the SPEED Act, Joins Gov. Baker, Military Families and Legislators to Celebrate Signing

Rep. Stanley, the lead sponsor of the SPEED Act in the House, joined members of the Baker administration, military family members and legislators for a ceremonial signing of the SPEED Act, a comprehensive law that makes Massachusetts a more welcoming place for military families and strengthens efforts to support and honor the Commonwealth’s veterans. The bill signing took place at Hanscom Air Force Base with Secretary of Veterans’ Services Cheryl Lussier Poppe, Massachusetts National Guard Adjunct General Major General Gary W. Keefe, and leaders from the military family community.

The SPEED Act streamlines the processes for occupational licensure and school enrollment for military families transferring to Massachusetts, so families can continue their careers and education when a servicemember is newly stationed in the Commonwealth. The SPEED Act also includes language first proposed by Governor Baker creating a new Medal of Fidelity to honor veterans who lost their lives due to service-related injuries or illnesses. 

Rep. Stanley Celebrates Veterans Day at Middle School

Rep. Stanley attended a reception and all school assembly at Kennedy Middle School to pay tribute to those who have served in the military, especially Waltham, Lincoln and Greater Boston veterans who have fought for our freedom and defended our country. Special thanks to the Kennedy Middle School’s student government for organizing this special event to recognize those who have served in our community.

Are you eligible for SNAP — a.k.a. funds for food shopping?

SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is a federal nutrition program (formerly known as Food Stamps) that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase food and other benefits that help you save. SNAP works to boost your food budget and the local economy! Find out if you are eligible for SNAP today by visiting GettingSNAP.org or chat with Project Bread’s counselors at 1.800.645.8333 to learn more.

Baker Administration Announces $143 Million for Economic Development Projects Through Community One Stop for Growth

Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba and MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera were joined by state and local officials in Pittsfield to announce more than $143 million in grant awards to support 337 local economic development projects in 169 communities. The grant awards were made through Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal that provides a streamlined, collaborative review process of 12 state grant programs that fund economic development projects related to community capacity building, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction and infrastructure. MassWorks is the largest program in the One Stop portfolio and is awarding $100 million in grant awards this year.

Through this round of the One Stop, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development received 523 applications from 207 communities representing every region of the Commonwealth. Of the 337 applications awarded, 31% are located in a rural or small town; 32% are located in a Gateway City; and 43% are located in a Housing Choice Community. This investment is expected to directly support the creation of 6,950 new housing units across the Commonwealth, including 5,068 new market-rate units and 1,882 new affordable units.

Rep. Stanley Motions to Approve Brian Bower as Waltham Chief Building Inspector

Rep. Stanley expressed his support for the Waltham City Council’s confirmation of Mayor McCarthy’s appointment of Brian Bower to the position of Chief Building Inspector for the city of Waltham. Bower’s extensive experience and expertise reflect his twenty years of exemplary work and professional development while serving our city as Senior Building Inspector. Beyond his comprehensive understanding of the International and Massachusetts Building Codes, the State Accessibility Codes for all our city’s commercial and residential buildings and Waltham’s Zoning Ordinances, Brian also brings established collaborative relationships with community boards, professionals, businesses, homeowners, the Council and the general public. 

Rep. Stanley Receives Friend of the Minuteman Senior Services Award

Rep. Stanley recently attended the Minuteman Senior Services 2022 Annual Meeting after a 2.5 year in-person hiatus due to the pandemic. At the meeting, Executive Director Kelly Magee Wright and the Board awarded Rep. Stanley with a “The Friend of the Minuteman Senior Services Award” for his tireless advocacy and leadership on behalf of older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.

Governor Baker Signs $3.76 Billion Economic Development Bill

Governor Baker signed a $3.76 billion spending plan that promotes economic development, strengthens health and human services, advances clean energy and resiliency, expands affordable housing production and invests in Massachusetts communities, businesses and workers. The legislation includes funding for several proposals introduced by the Administration in the FORWARD economic development bill filed in April and in multiple supplemental budget proposals, including the most recent proposal from August to close out Fiscal Year 2022.

The bill is funded by a combination of state resources, including FY22 surplus revenue, and federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-FRF). Notably, the Governor vetoed an outside section that would cap the use of ARPA-FRF funding to $510 million (of the $2.3 billion that remains available in ARPA-FRF funds). Federal law requires that the entirety of these federal funds be committed by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Vetoing this section will allow the Commonwealth to prioritize the use of the time-limited federal dollars.

Commonwealth Celebrates the 5th Annual Massachusetts STEM Week at Northeastern University

State leaders joined Education Secretary James Peyser and Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun to kick off the 5th annual statewide Massachusetts STEM Week, an effort launched in 2018 to inspire students in all grades, from elementary school to college, to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The kickoff event was held at Northeastern University, with the Governor signing a proclamation officially declaring October 17 through 21 as Massachusetts STEM Week.

Schools, colleges and universities, museums and businesses held STEM-focused events for young people. During the kickoff event, Northeastern University students, who are part of a team invited to design and build a Mars Rover that can compete at the Mars Desert Research Society in Utah, demonstrated their work. Several businesses will host tours and job shadow opportunities to give students a glimpse of STEM occupations as part of Industry Day, a new STEM Week effort this year aimed at making more connections between students and employers. Throughout the week, approximately 25,000 students in more than 1,000 classrooms participated in one of six Design Challenges, which gave students more exposure and experience in STEM subjects in an engaging and hands-on manner.

Regan's Corner

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

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) recently announced a new partnership with the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV), in an effort to further serve Veterans who may be facing housing instability or other challenges. Learn more here.

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 Home Care Licensing Commission

Massachusetts LGBT Aging Commission

Massachusetts Elder Nutrition Commission

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

Personal:

Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss

Children: Ryan, age 28, Parker, age 19 & puppy Regan