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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 the FY19 House Ways and Means budget
On April 5th, Rep. Stanley attended the Northeast Region Green Communities Designation event celebrating Waltham's Green Communities designation.
Celebrating Waltham as a Green Community.
Rep. Stanley attended one of the Town Hall For Our Lives and was blown away by the positive energy of these students! Their advocacy to address gun violence in this state should serve as a model for other young people looking to get more involved in government.
Students at Town Hall for Our Lives
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo addressing the crowd at the Greater Boston Labor Council's annual legislative breakfast.
Jay Ash, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, testified at the Ways & Means Committee budget hearing.
The City of Waltham Building Department Director, Bill Forte, speaking at the Downtown Waltham Partnership annual meeting.
Rep. Sean Garballey invited Rep. Stanley to Arlington's The Children's Room which provides caring support for grieving children, teens and families.
Big congrats goes out to The City of Waltham Fire Department Chief Ciccone on his retirement! Thanks for all your years of public service to Waltham!!
Rep. Stanley attended Chief Ciccone's retirement ceremony.
Rep. Stanley with Waltham High students Ashley Kamal & Ali Mounkary who sang the national anthem at the 71st Annual School Government Day at the State House.
Rep. Stanley with Waltham High students Aramis Melikian & Allissa Masse who were Waltham's designees for Student Government Day at the State House.
Environmental Protection Mass DCR Registry of Motor Vehicles among the invited state agencies providing testimony ay the hearing at
UMASS Amherst.
Rep. Stanley listened to testimony at the budget hearing on Environment, Energy and Transportation.
Surprise birthday party for Mr. John Gardiner with Rep. Jim O'Day and Rep. Stanley.
Spring is in the air!
Flowers in Boston
View from South Station
Boston Common
Blue Sky
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Primary Election will take place Tuesday, September 4th
This year's state primary election will take place on Tuesday, September 4th. The last day to register to vote in the primary will be August 15th. The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 6th.
Learn more.
Waltham Designated as a Green Community
On April 5
th, Rep. Stanley attended a Northeast Region Green Communities Designation event celebrating Waltham, Wellesley and Stoneham on their recent Green Communities designations. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, and DOER Commissioner Judith Judson hosted the event. Waltham is now eligible to receive up to $281,080 in grant funding to complete renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Over half of the Commonwealth's municipalities have earned their Green Communities designation and 68 percent of residents live in a Green Community. 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. Since the program began in 2010, DOER's Green Communities division has awarded over $85 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth's cities and towns through designation and competitive grant rounds.
State grants will benefit Waltham's seniors
Waltham will receive a state-funded Council on Aging Grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs in the amount of $101,161. The Waltham Council on Aging will use the funds for programs that benefit senior citizens.
Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging (MCOA) is a nonprofit, membership association of the 350 municipal councils on aging and senior centers. COAs are the first stop on the continuum of care. It supports the 1.5 million older adults, 60 and over in Massachusetts, lead healthy, purposeful lives.
Rep. Stanley Files Amendments to Support WATCH and Community Day Center
Rep. Stanley filed an amendment to earmark funding for the WATCH Community Development Corporation's Housing Clinic and for a full-time dual-diagnosis clinician at the Waltham Community Day Center to treat homeless individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. The additional funds for WATCH's Housing Clinic will pay for the salary and benefits of a part-time Housing Clinic Coordinator. Having a part-time paid coordinator will help strengthen and streamline the Clinic's support services as well as provide additional time for follow-up on critical cases.
The Waltham Community Day Center (CDCW) serves approximately 700 guests a year (40-50 daily), helping each to get the necessary tools and services to move towards stability. CDCW's dual-diagnosis counselor provides short-term clinical and support services to maximize the potential for successful recovery. Without the additional funding for this position, the Waltham Community Day Center will not be able to retain a qualified professional with the necessary experience to help this vulnerable population.
Rep. Stanley Files Amendment to Ease Traffic in Waltham
Rep. Stanley filed an amendment requesting $156,000 for the installation a wireless coordination system for 39 identified traffic signals in the business district of Waltham. High levels of traffic congestion in the central business district of Waltham have become a significant problem for residents, businesses, and city traffic officials. Outdated traffic signals are unable to coordinate with each other during hours of peak operation, causing motorists to stop and queue at each traffic signal. This gridlock has detrimental impacts to commerce, productivity, and the environment. Updating the traffic signals in the business district is critical in keeping Waltham competitive in the business sector and improving the quality of life of residents and visitors.
Rep. Stanley Requests Additional Funding for Waltham Tourism Council
Rep. Stanley filed an amendment for an additional $75,000 for the Waltham Tourism Council (WTC) in the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism line item. WTC uses these funds to promote and advertise special events in Waltham year-round: the Waltham Riverfest, the Waltham Steam Punk Festival, the Watch City Festival, Concerts on the Common as well as nine 5k Road Races, among others. These events drive people to the City's restaurants and hotels. Without this allocation, Waltham is at a serious disadvantage in promoting the City and encouraging visitors to shop and eat local. Outside of Boston and Cambridge, Waltham has more hotels than any other city/town in the Commonwealth and is home to approximately 115 restaurants. The tourism/travel sector supports Waltham's hotel and restaurant economy which in turn drives employment. Many of the people working in the hospitality sector in Waltham are from the greater Waltham area so the money that is spent on hotels and restaurants in Waltham flows directly into the local and regional economy.
Rep. Stanley Files Amendment to Fund Fully Fund McKinney-Vento Reimbursements
Rep. Stanley filed an amendment to fully fund McKinney-Vento Reimbursements to cities, towns and regional school districts. The federal McKinney-Vento statute requires municipalities and regional schools districts to transport non-resident students to in-district schools.
Rep. Stanley Files Additional Amendments to House Budget
Rep. Stanley filed an amendment to the Department of Public Health's Youth at Risk Grants line item, which help fund over 36 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 filed an amendment to increase funding for the Fragile Beginnings Program and including the Project Newborns Exposed to Substances: Support and Therapy (NEEST). Both of these programs are part of the Jewish Family & Children's Services' (JF&CS) Center for Early Relationship Support (CERS). Fragile Beginnings and Project NEEST meet the pressing needs of parents whose babies are born prematurely, with complex medical problems, or are substance exposed.
Fragile Beginnings provides expert guidance, emotional support, streamlined access to community resources, and connections to other parents who understand the stress of caring for a premature infant. Project NEEST addresses the growing problem of substance exposed newborns by supporting parents in meeting the dual challenges of parenting and recovery. It is the only intervention of its kind in the state that serves young mothers up through three years post-partum to reduce the risk of relapse.
Rep. Stanley Cosponsors Amendments to House Budget
The House Ways and Means Committee released a $40.9 billion state budget proposal for fiscal 2019. Rep. Stanley is cosponsoring the following amendments to the budget thus far:
- An amendment to support the removal of invasive weed species from the Charles River and Mystic River. Removal efforts have been very successful, and invasive weeds are almost completely gone from the Charles River. It is important that we continue funding these efforts to ensure the invasive species do not regrow.
- An additional $3 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Massachusetts Cultural Council makes thousands of grants to nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists through programs that use arts, sciences, and humanities to build strong vibrant communities. Nonprofit cultural organizations support 73,000 jobs, provide $159 million in local and state tax revenue, and generate $2.2 billion in annual economic activity.
- An increase in funding for Adult Basic Education/English for Speakers of Other Languages (ABE/ESOL) from $32.5M to $34.5M. ABE/ESOL programs provide a variety of crucial education services to adult learners throughout the state, ranging from basic literacy support for bi-lingual or non-English speaking learners, to adult diploma programs and workforce training programs.
- Funding increase for The Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Quality grant. In addition to increasing the quality of afterschool and out-of-school time programs, the grant will be used to give money to new programs. This will dramatically increase access to low-income children and youth, including those on the growing Early Education and Care waitlist. This amendment also inserts language earmarking not less than $3M for the creation of summer learning access programs, and earmarking $100K for the operation of a pilot data sharing program.
- Funding increase for The Special Education Circuit Breaker account which helps defray the expense to local school districts for providing legally mandated special education supports and services to children with severe disabilities. Special education is paid for from four major sources - the general funds of the town, federal special education grants (IDEA grants), Chapter 70 funds, and the state circuit-breaker grant. The state's Special Education Circuit Breaker program reimburses local school districts for a portion of their costs above a certain threshold for educating severely high-needs special education students.
- An amendment to lift the family cap on welfare. Massachusetts is only one of 17 states that still have a family cap. The cap unfairly denies TAFDC benefits to 8,700 otherwise eligible children across the state. It was aimed at trying to discourage low income women from having babies. However, we now know well that the family cap is a failed policy that harms, rather than helps.
- An amendment to increase funding for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to $6,200,000. The HIP provides some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable families with access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food and helps to sustain Massachusetts farms by increasing their sales. In doing so, HIP improves health outcomes in low-income communities, supports the local economy, and helps to protect farmland and natural resources. Over 36,000 households and over 200 farms statewide have participated in the first year of the program. HIP works by providing a matching incentive for SNAP recipients' purchases of locally-grown fruits and vegetables, and is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance, in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health.
- An amendment which will provide $275,000 to the Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) to provide educational, technical, promotional and other support to farmers and participants in the Healthy Incentive Program. The CISA folks are essentially the boots on the ground that work to ensure HIP functions at the farmers markets, farm-stands and mobile marts.
- An amendment to increase funding for Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) to $20M. MEFAP was created a little over twenty years ago to ensure that citizens in need in the Commonwealth have access to a supply of quality food in the Commonwealth exclusively from Massachusetts manufacturers, distributors, and farmers. MEFAP ensures a consistent supply of quality nutrient dense foods and locally grown fresh produce to a statewide network of over 800 emergency food providers.
Rep. Stanley cosponsors bills to protect students from sexual violence
Rep. Stanley sent a letter to House leaders in support of two bills he cosponsored that are currently before the
House Committee on Ways and Means. The letter asks leaders to support legislation concerning sexual violence on higher education campuses as well as a resolve creating a task force on sexual misconduct climate surveys for colleges and universities in Massachusetts.
The legislation would require all institutions of higher education in Massachusetts to create and communicate comprehensive policies and procedures on sexual and gender-based violence. It requires awareness and prevention programming, training for students, faculty and staff, and establishes relationships with local rape crisis centers. One of the most important aspects of the bill is the outline of how proceedings shall be conducted when an incident of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking is reported. Both the reporting party and responding party are given equal rights, notices and opportunity for representation throughout the proceeding.
The resolve creates a task force to develop a model sexual assault climate survey, provided free of charge, to all colleges and universities in Massachusetts. The collection of this anonymous data will allow institutions to better understand and address sexual assault on their campuses. The task force will not be an ongoing operation after the model survey is published. Additionally, the twenty-six public and private colleges/universities that already use their own surveys will not be required to use the model if their survey is approved by the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Rep. Stanley cosigns letter protecting home care workers
In a letter to House leadership, Rep. Stanley and his colleagues expressed strong support for increased funding to the 'Enough Pay to Stay' FY 2019 home care workforce budget. The funds will help address a critical shortage of frontline homemakers, home health aides, and soon case managers that serve as the backbone to the commonwealth's home care system. These home care workers need adequate salaries to support their families and stay in the home care system.
The shortage of home care workers is directly impacting the availability of home care services to elders. According to recent data reviewed by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, between FY10 and FY17, the percentage of elders enrolled in the state home care programs who had their home care services suspended due to the fact that home care agencies could not provide services increased by 222% (from 3,685 clients in FY10 to 12,448 clients in FY17).
In addition to serving the state's growing elderly population, the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) system is struggling to meet the needs of people with disabilities and chronic conditions who want to stay in their community. The workforce needed to serve this burgeoning population at home will simply not be available unless immediate investments, such as this workforce budget request, are implemented now.
Rep. Stanley supports Pollinator Health legislation
Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter of support sent to House Ways and Means protecting Massachusetts pollinators. The legislation will support pollinator protection efforts by limiting use of neonicotinoid pesticides, an insecticide identified by many peer-reviewed scientific studies as a risk to pollinator health, to trained and licensed users only. The Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture unanimously favorably reported the bill out of committee.
Declining pollinator health is a critical issue facing our state. One out of every three bites of food we eat depends on the role that bees and other pollinators play, and bees are considered a "keystone species" with a critical ecological role. Many Massachusetts products, including apples, cranberries, and corn, rely on pollination.
Massachusetts NAEP Results Lead Nation for 12th Year
Massachusetts fourth and eighth graders scored on top once again in reading and mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exam, marking the seventh consecutive time the Commonwealth's students scored first or statistically tied for first on the NAEP tests. The NAEP test - commonly referred to as "The Nation's Report Card" - is administered every two years to a sample of fourth and eighth graders.
Massachusetts students have scored first or statistically tied for first place on NAEP tests in fourth and eighth grade reading and math since 2005. According to the 2017 results, Massachusetts tied for first among other states in fourth and eighth grade reading and mathematics while scoring well above the national average on all four tests. Hispanic students and black students in Massachusetts fourth grade classrooms had their highest average scale reading scores ever in 2017.
State Files Legislation to Improve Residents' Access to Home Energy Information
Governor Baker filed legislation to ensure homeowners and prospective homebuyers have access to information about the anticipated energy efficiency characteristics of residences and recommended cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. An Act Relative to Consumer Access to Residential Energy Information would require that a home energy scorecard and energy rating be provided to homeowners as part of free residential energy efficiency assessments, and after January 1, 2021, would require that home energy performance ratings be made available to potential homebuyers when one to four unit family homes are publicly listed for sale.
Under the proposed legislation, homeowners who receive qualifying home energy assessments, including no-cost Mass Save in-home assessments and RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index evaluations, would be provided a home energy scorecard. The information on the scorecard would include an estimate of annual energy consumption as well as associated cost based on the home's physical features, such as lighting, insulation and heating equipment.
Governor Baker, Colonel Gilpin Announce Reforms to Massachusetts State Police
Governor Baker and Massachusetts State Police Colonel Kerry Gilpin announced numerous reforms to State Police policies and procedures to increase oversight and accountability at the department. Reforms include eliminating Troop E, activating GPS technology in cruisers and developing a body camera program. Several changes were outlined by Governor Baker and Colonel Gilpin to reduce overtime shifts, publicly audit payroll, restructure staffing levels at key barracks and dramatically increase oversight and accountability across the Department.
Reforms were also announced to immediately activate the use of the Automated Vehicle Location system (AVL), a GPS locator currently available in all marked police cruisers. It is used by several law enforcement agencies to prioritize officer safety and assist field commanders in their mission to effectively deploy personnel to emergencies. Governor Baker and Colonel Gilpin announced that the department will begin to develop a body camera program, which has already been piloted by the Boston Police Department.
Become a DCR Lifeguard!
Lifeguards are professional rescuers, trained to help prevent injuries and to respond in an emergency to help save a life. As part of a team, lifeguards must work together to calmly and efficiently manage crisis situations. With a commitment to water safety, the Department is in need of certified lifeguards and head lifeguards to work at our many pools as well as at our inland and ocean beaches. If you think you've got what it takes to work as part of our lifeguard team, check out the information in this guide and apply today! 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.
Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra's Continent Project
Since 2014, the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra has collaborated with the Plympton Elementary School to support the school's ongoing "Continent Project." On May 6th at 3pm, the students will participate in "Australian Dreamscape," based on their study of Australia.
Learn more.
Each year the entire school immerses itself in the cultures of one of the six inhabited continents. Music teacher Gina DePaoli involves the children in the musical culture of the year's continent; the children contribute their talents to the concerts given by the WPO by singing at the concert, creating art work displayed in the lobby, and researching information about the pieces on the program to present introductions to the pieces.
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:
Fernald Use Committee
Long Term Debt & Capital Planning Committee
Ordinance & Rules 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 24, Parker, age 15
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