This just in...
June 16, 2009
Representative Mark Falzone Annouces House Passage of Legislation Ensuring Stimulus Dollars for Massachusetts
Representative Mark Falzone announced passage by the Massachusetts House of Representatives of legislation that paves the way for Massachusetts to receive up to $8.7 billion in federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This federal act provides states such as Massachusetts with funding for numerous programs and projects, including infrastructure projects designed to create jobs and spur economic growth. The enactment of the complementary state legislation will help Massachusetts streamline this federal funding, so that it is more efficiently available on a timely basis to create jobs and meet the urgent needs of the municipalities of the Commonwealth.
Representative Mark Falzone stated, “I am encouraged by the detail and scope of this legislation. It not only guarantees that the cities and towns of Massachusetts will receive stimulus money from ARRA, but it also will create a significant number of jobs so important to our citizens at this time of economic crisis. These two interwoven aspects of our Massachusetts Legislation will ensure that our Commonwealth takes full advantage of the timely boost from federal stimulus money to the jobs, local assistance and economic growth that we need for our community.”
Specific provisions in the legislation include the following:
* Authorize the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust to charge less than the current statutory 2% interest rate for loans or other financial assistance that it provides from the state’s revolving fund. This change is required to make the state eligible for $186 million in ARRA-funded clean water and drinking water grants.
* Extend from 18 weeks to 26 weeks the permissible time period to receive unemployment benefits while participating in a training program. This change is required to make the state eligible for approximately $108 million in ARRA unemployment insurance funds.
* Amend the provisions of our procurement laws for projects which receive any federal stimulus funds and establishes further accounting procedures to distribute and track stimulus dollars. These changes will only apply to ARRA-funded projects.
* Update and expedite certain state procurement procedures to maximize the state’s ability to comply with ARRA’s deadlines and capture all available funding.
* Establish accounting and reporting processes for ARRA funds and projects to clarify procedures, promote administrative efficiencies and ensure transparency.
* Clarify that any state positions created in connection with ARRA-funded programs or projects shall be paid only out of ARRA funds and shall be eliminated once federal funding ends.
* Create technical assistance and bond guarantee programs to ensure that all businesses can participate in and benefit from ARRA-funded opportunities, including small businesses and minority and women-owned businesses.
The legislation was the product of a partnership between leaders in industry, labor and government; members of these groups worked together to develop a set of legislative recommendations to meet federal deadlines and requirements.
“People in our state are hurting right now. I am proud that House members acted with both haste and consideration on behalf of our constituents, ” Speaker DeLeo said. “Most importantly, these stimulus funds mean jobs for our residents. ”
June 15, 2009
Representative Mark Falzone Annouces the Senate, House Pass Landmark Pension Reform Legislation
Representatives Mark Falzone announced that, continuing the Legislature’s ambitious reform agenda, the Senate and House approved landmark legislation last week that will eliminate the worst offenses in the state pension system. The final bill, which now goes to the Governor for his expected signature, shuts down loopholes in current law, saves taxpayer money, and helps restore public trust in the state oversight of public pensions.
“The Legislature has taken a monumental step forward with this piece of legislation,” Representative Mark Falzone affirmed. “When signed by the Governor these responsible reforms in the pension system will go a long way toward eliminating the loopholes that have led to countless abuses and the public’s distrust in its government. Now we can restore the Commonwealth’s faith and confidence in its elected officials and take pride in the Legislature’s actions.”
“This is a major step forward,” Senate President Therese Murray said. “The Legislature’s actions put an end, once and for all, to the most serious abuses and answered the public outcry for significant changes in our pension system. This was a bi-partisan effort to fix a system that allowed too many to take unfair advantages. Not only have we ended these abuses, we will also continue to look at more complex issues within the system for more comprehensive reforms and savings for the Commonwealth.”
“When I became Speaker, I vowed that pension reform would be one of the first items that the House would address,” House Speaker Robert DeLeo said. “I have said repeatedly that for the public to have trust and confidence in public officials we have to bring government pension standards in line with everyone else – and now we have. I am proud of the House’s vote. With this pension bill, we are doing what so many doubted we could do – bringing real reform to Beacon Hill.”
The state’s pension system is an important benefit for state workers who chose generally low-paying careers in public service over the private sector. The average pension for Massachusetts public employees is approximately $24,000 a year. There are examples, however, of individuals who exploit loopholes to increase pension payments at a high cost to the state.
The new legislation contains common-sense reforms that would apply to all current and future employees who retire after July 1, 2009:
1. Removes the “one day, one year” provision that allows elected officials to claim an entire year of credible service for working one day in a calendar year.
2. Removes a provision that allows elected officials to claim a “termination allowance” based on the failure to be nominated or re-elected.
3. Reforms the current accidental disability retirement benefit so that it is tied to the 12-month average of compensation received prior to the date of injury.
4. Redefines “regular compensation” to specifically exclude certain monetary benefits like housing, lodging, travel, automobile usage or annuities for the purposes of a pension benefit calculation.
5. Strikes current provisions that allow certain officials to establish pension credit for service in positions that have no compensation. Officials and employees currently serving in a position earning $5,000 or less in compensation will be ineligible for credible service after their current term expires, or by July 1, 2012, whichever occurs first.
6. Reforms dual-service pensions so that an individual cannot combine the compensation from two positions to artificially increase one’s pension. An individual who is a member of two or more systems will receive benefits as if retiring separately from each system, unless they are vested in both systems before January 1, 2010.
7. Extends the “vesting” requirement of elected officials from 6 years to 10 years.
8. Eliminates a loophole that allows individuals receiving pension benefits to return to work and receive a full salary in addition to pension benefits if the individuals are classified as “consultant” or “independent contractor.”
9. Allows for other reforms to increase efficiency in the retirement system, such as the direct deposit of retirement benefits.
The legislation is just the beginning of important fixes to state pension laws. The bill also directs the currently-established Blue Ribbon Commission on Pension Reform to examine broader issues within the system and consider changes, such as capping large annual pension payments, eliminating termination allowances for all state employees, imposing criminal penalties for pension fraud, and restructuring qualifications for creditable service.
The Commission will make its comprehensive reform recommendations to the Legislature by September 1, 2009.
June 5, 2009
Representative Mark Falzone Annouces Standard Show Times for His TV Show, “The Beacon”
Representative Mark Falzone announced today the standard timeslots for his local access cable television show, “The Beacon.” The schedule varies depending on the area viewers live in and networks that viewers subscribe to. This official timetable is listed below:
Wakefield Community Access Television on Sundays at 6:30 PM
* Channel 16 for Comcast
* Channel 13 for RCN
* Channel 42 for Verizon
Saugus Community Television on Thursdays at 11AM
* Channel 8
Lynn Community and Media Television on Thursdays at 5:30 PM (tentative)
* Channels 3 and 16 for Comcast
* Channels 36 and 38 for Verizon
Lynnfield Public Access Television on Thursdays at 7 PM
* Channel 8 for Comcast
* Channel 29 for Verizon
Representative Falzone noted, “I look forward to reaching out to my constituents through this new medium. By watching this television show, viewers will find answers to many of their questions regarding current issues. Episodes will also feature guest speakers who can offer first-hand knowledge of our district’s programs. This television program is a valuable resource for constituents who seek information regarding our government and its effect on our community.”
For further information on upcoming shows, check your local listings. “The Beacon” is seen monthly throughout the 9th Essex District.June 2, 2009
Representative Falzone Announces An Important Live Webcast for Veterans' Benefits
Representative Mark Falzone announced that an important live webcast for veterans and their families will take place on Tuesday, June 16th at 7:00pm. This webcast is intended to educate veterans, especially those recently returning from overseas, about the programs, resources and benefits that are available to them. Topics covered will include financial assistance, public assistance, bonuses, tax exemptions, outreach centers, housing assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
This unprecedented initiative will allow those involved to instant message their questions in real time to panelists from organizations and agencies including the Department of Veterans Services, The Veterans Administration, the Women Veterans Network, The Department of Workforce Development, and other state and federal departments. In addition, participants will be able to record their questions beforehand and post them to www.youtube.com/massdvs.
Representative Falzone said, “We all have the duty to take care of those who have made such great sacrifices for our country. The reality is, however, that often the people who need the most assistance are those that have the least access to the services available to them. Because of this I strongly encourage veterans and their friends and families to participate in this important webcast.”
A webcast is a live video file that is broadcast over the internet and is viewed in a similar fashion to the way one would watch a TV program. For more information concerning the webcast and to register, visit www.WeOweU.org. For general information on services available to veterans in Massachusetts, visit www.mass.gov/veterans.
May 26, 2009
Wakefield Brownie Troop Lobbies Successfully for Charleston Chew Legislation to Receive a Hearing
On April 21st the girls of the Wakefield 3rd Grade Brownie Troop 7391 and their families were hosted at the Massachusetts State House by Representative Mark Falzone, Representative Katherine Clark, and Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei. They enjoyed a tour of the State House and a pizza party sponsored by the Wakefield delegation, but the primary reason for their visit was political: the troop came to lobby for legislation filed at their request by Representative Falzone to make the Charleston Chew the Official Candy Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Back in September of 2008, the members of Troop 7391 were pursuing their “I Promised a Girl Scout I’d Vote” Badge when they realized that there was a way that they could contribute to and influence their state’s laws. “We were learning about all the official items of the Commonwealth, such as the Corn Muffin and the Boston Crème Donut, and decided that there should be an official candy bar as well,” said Stacey Constas, the Troop’s Adult Volunteer. “The girls voted and chose the Charleston Chew because it was produced for so long in nearby Everett, so we wrote to the Wakefield delegation.”
“It is so important for young people to understand their government and be involved in the process,” commented Representative Falzone. “I was pleased to honor this request when I received it, and will continue to support their efforts in any way I can.” At the beginning of the 2008-2009 legislative session Representative Falzone filed this legislation, with the rest of the Wakefield delegation, Representative Clark and Minority Leader Tisei, also as sponsors.
“This is a great opportunity for the girls of Troop 7391 to learn about the legislative process and how to see a bill through from the filing stage to its final passage,” said Senator Tisei. “Hopefully, the girls will come away from this experience with a better understanding of how government works, and will continue to remain active in the political process once they’re old enough to vote.”
Upon learning that their bill was assigned to the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, the troop arranged to come and visit the State House to advocate for this legislation to receive an official hearing, the next necessary step in the legislative process. They met with Chairman Steven Walsh, where they presented a Charleston Chew, argued the merits of the candy, and performed the popular dance for which the candy is named: the Charleston. The Chairman was persuaded, and moved the legislation to an official hearing, to be held on June 4th, 2009.
“The troop did a great job testifying before the Committee, including a performance of the Charleston dance,» said Representative Clark. “I fully support their civic engagement and learning about the legislative process first hand.”
The girls were not finished, however. Once the hearing was scheduled, they immediately turned their attention to preparing testimony to submit through Representative Falzone to convince the committee to report favorably on the bill. “I think the Charleston Chew should be the official state candy bar for Massachusetts because it is named after a dance,” wrote Montana Tryder. Others, such as Catherine Constas and Emma Fleet, argued that the candy bar should be accepted “because it became popular in our state.” “That candy bar has lasted a long time,” added Nina DiCarlo, “and it is still a big thing.” Julie Finan, Gina Palermo, Carline Sweeney, Emily Roberts, Erika O’Brien, Meghan Burnett, Elizabeth Purdy, and Emma Hodzig also submitted testimony for the Committee’s review.
“The members of Troop 7391 have made some compelling arguments in favor of this Candy. I will ensure that the Committee receives their testimony at the June 4th hearing,” said Representative Falzone.
May 20, 2009
Representative Mark Falzone Annouces New Information on Confirmed Massachusetts Cases of H1N1
Representatives Mark Falzone and Kathi-Anne Reinstein and Senators Thomas McGee and Anthony Gallucio announced that state health officials are taking steps to increase surveillance of influenza-like illness in Massachusetts, working in close partnership with health care providers, hospital emergency departments, and other partners at the local, state and federal level. As confirmed and probable cases have been identified in schools, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has also been working to help administrators determine the best course of action to protect the health of other students in their facilities.
There are 26 new cases of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus confirmed in Massachusetts as of May 18th, bringing the total to 167. As more centers have opened for testing of the H1N1 strand in the past weeks, more suspected cases have been confirmed. Each of the new cases is expected to fully recover and none of the new cases have been hospitalized.
Representative Falzone said, “We all need to do everything that we can to help contain the spread of this virus. Though the vast majority of the cases have been non-life threatening, it is important that everyone follow some basic steps to prevent further spread of this virus - proper hand washing with soap and warm water, covering your cough, sneezing into a tissue, and staying home when sick - will all help to protect yourself and those around you.”
H1N1 is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses and it most commonly occurs in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but those with common contact with pigs can contract the disease and spread it to others. Swine flu is not transmitted by food, and you cannot get swine flu by eating pork products.
For general information on swine flu and the status of the nationwide outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu. For more information on the Massachusetts response, and how to care for someone at home who has the flu, please visit www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu.
May 13, 2009
Advocates, Legislators to Manufacturers: Take Back the Trash!
Contact:
Elizabeth Saunders, Clean Water Action
617-338-8131 x203 (o); 617-869-3937 (c)
Boston-Thinking about tossing a burnt out light bulb, dead iPod or an old vinyl shower curtain into the trash? Once an item is thrown away it is “out of sight and out of mind,” but is it really gone? Unfortunately, these products have a way of making their way back into our lives in the form of dioxin, mercury, lead and other hazardous chemicals in our air, water, soil and food. On Thursday, the Massachusetts’ legislature’s Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture will hold a hearing on several bills designed to address this problem.
Among those being heard are a proposed moratorium on increased capacity of trash incinerators and three bills that would reduce the toxicity of the waste stream by requiring manufacturers to take back electronics, mercury-containing thermostats, and mercury-containing light bulbs at the end of their useful lives. The hearing will be at 11:00 in room A-2 of the State House.
“Products loaded with heavy metals and other toxins do not belong in the trash, but citizens do not have any easy way to dispose of them,” said Elizabeth Saunders, Environmental Health Legislative Director for Clean Water Action. “The Legislature has to take actionmany cash-strapped cities and towns simply can’t be expending resources on collecting these products at this point in time,” said Elizabeth Saunders, Environmental Health Legislative Director for Clean Water Action.
Making manufacturers responsible for taking back their products will help boost the state’s recycling rate and reduce the amount of trash that must be disposed of. Massachusetts incinerates more of its solid waste than any other state in the nation except Connecticut and Maine. Legislation to prevent the construction of new incinerator capacity in Massachusetts was filed by Representative Mark Falzone (D-Saugus) who said, “Massachusetts already incinerates 34% of its municipal solid waste, a huge amount when compared to other states. All my bill would do is prevent us from building more incinerators and increasing the exposure our residents are already subjected to.”
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that is linked to learning disabilities, brain damage, heart problems, kidney problems and many more health effects. The primary way that people are exposed to mercury is through eating contaminated fish, and it is particularly a concern for young children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age. A significant amount of the mercury pollution in our lakes, rivers and oceans comes from the incineration of mercury containing products. A 2004 estimate from EPA showed 59 tons of mercury in lamps across the country and 209 tons in thermostats – most of which will eventually land in the trash, and thus in our air and water, if effective recycling and collection programs are not established.
“When haphazardly disposed of, “green” light bulbs and thermostats can create an environmental health problem, since the health effects of mercury poisoning have been well known for over a century,” said Michael Bender, Executive Director of the Mercury Policy Project. “Yet towns and cities can’t afford the costs of toxic discards. Therefore, it’s high time that manufacturers develop a take back plan for their products and make it work.”
Dioxin is not intentionally manufactured; it is a by-product of combustion of products that contain chlorine, such as PVC, which many computer casings are made of. Dioxin is a known human carcinogen and at low levels has been linked to abnormal development of the nervous system, malfunctioning of the immune and endocrine systems, birth defects, reproductive problems. Because of pollution from incineration and other sources meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and dairy products are all contaminated with this toxic substance.
Said Senator Jaime Eldridge (D-Acton), lead Senate sponsor of the E-waste takeback bill, “’E-waste’ – such as computers and televisions – makes up the fastest growing portion of trash collected by cities and towns in the Commonwealth – over 8 million pounds in 2006. These products contain significant amounts of toxic substances which can cause untold health problems. We need to make sure these products are recycled responsibly and prevent dangerous chemicals from leaching into our soil and drinking water.”
Falzone, who is also the sponsor of the light bulb collection bill added, “We need to provide Massachusetts residents with the tools they need to properly dispose of these products and make healthy choices for their families and communities. Many people don’t know that fluorescent lights contain mercury and should not go into the trash, and wouldn’t have an easily accessible way to recycle them even if they did. Requiring the manufactures to take responsibility for these lights will solve this problem and keep the costs from falling onto our already overburdened cities and towns.&rdquo
In 2006 the Massachusetts Mercury Products Act was passed which banned the sale of thermostats and other mercury-containing products (but did not ban the sale of mercury containing light bulbs because there is not a viable mercury-free energy efficient alternative). The bill also banned the disposal of all mercury-containing products including thermostats and fluorescent lights in the trash. However, without convenient and accessible recycling options, particularly for households, many of these products continue to be thrown into the waste stream and burned in incinerators.
The four bills referred to in this release are:
* H-833 – An Act to Require Producer Responsibility for Collection and Recycling of Discarded Electronic Products - Sponsored by Senator Jaime Eldridge (D-Acton) & Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline)
* H-831 - An Act relating to the collection and disposal of mercury-added thermostats - Sponsored by Representative Frank Smizik
* H-726 - An act relative to producer responsibility for mercury-added lamps - Sponsored by Representative Mark Falzone (D-Saugus)
* H-725 - An act to Prohibit the incineration of solid waste - Sponsored Representative Mark Falzone
| "We need to keep Representative Mark Falzone in the legislature. He successfully fights for real reform, he delivers for our district, and most importantly, his promises made are promises kept." - Jack Curry, Noted Author and President Emeritus of Northeastern University |
"Mark Falzone is one of the truly great leaders we have on Beacon Hill. Because what the State Legislature does is central to every single person living in the Commonwealth, it is ever more important that we have outstanding Representatives in the State House like Mark." - Senator John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) |
| "Mark Falzone is a Representative who has produced the results that move our Commonwealth forward. Mark has been a leader in the Legislature from his seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee where he fights successfully for better education, accessible healthcare and against the outrageous costs of prescription drugs with programs such as Prescription Advantage. Over and over again he has fought for state funds that relieve the pressures on property taxes and fees. He is a solid friend to working men and women and their families. Mark is also a great friend for senior citizens with his hard work for Senior Centers, for Councils on Aging, for having viable choices available in addition to nursing homes, for access to affordable pharmaceuticals and against property tax pressures." - Georgia Hollister Isman, director of Mass Alliance |
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