House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Andover

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Andover will receive:

• $75,000 to increase the existing water supply capabilities of the Harold Parker Water Cistern;
• $500,000 for Arsenic Remediation at the Ledge Road Landfill

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Boxford

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Boxford will receive:

• $120,000 for the development of comprehensive watershed hydrological studies and resulting watershed management plans for the Fish Brook, Pye Brook and Parker River

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Georgetown

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Georgetown will receive:

• $125,000 for the implementation of a downtown sewer study

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Haverhill

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Haverhill will receive:

• $300,000 for the purchase of rail corridor east of the Basiliere Bridge and the redevelopment of a boat park on the Merrimack River by the public boat ramps
• $500,000 for improvements to the Winnekenni Castle Park

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Methuen

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Haverhill will receive:

• $300,000 for the rehabilitation, improvement and enhancement of city parks;
• $100,000 for drainage for a culvert on Old Ferry Road to mitigate years of flooding on Frye road;
• $400,000 for a infiltration elimination program;
• $200,000 for the design and construction of a walking path connecting the upper part of the city of Methuen to the Lower portion near Searle’s Estate;
• $500,000 for drainage improvements on Frye Road

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – North Andover

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Haverhill will receive:

• $100,000 for improvements to McEvoy Park
• $190,000 for the design and development of a riverfront park and boat ramp along the Merrimack River on Riverview Street
• $100,000 for improvements to Thomson Field
• $150,000 for renovations to Hayes Stadium
• $9,000 for the installation of drainage on the pathway leading from the Franklin School to the Berkeley Road neighborhood

House Overwhelmingly Approves Summer Sales Tax Holiday

Bipartisan effort will provide shoppers with two-day sales tax break

BOSTON – For the fifth consecutive year, the House overwhelmingly voted today to give consumers a two-day sales tax break and provide a shot-in-the-arm to retailers and the economy.

The bill designates August 16th and 17th as the summer sales tax holiday weekend, exempting single item purchases of $2,500 or less from the state’s 5 percent sales tax. The Department of Revenue estimates, over the last two years sales tax holidays have increased overall economic activity by $3.2 million.

“Creating an incentive for consumers to shop during a traditionally slow sales period is good for business and our economy. This legislation is a win-win for buyers and sellers alike. A summer sales tax reprieve will boost sales for retailers and deliver discounts to consumers,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“Over the last four years, the economic stimulus generated by the sales tax holiday has delivered a much-needed revenue boost to Massachusetts’ businesses during the dog days of summer. When businesses experience a growth in sales, the overall economic impact on the Commonwealth is great and I am pleased to see this bill pass with overwhelming support again this year,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).

“By offering a weekend long sales tax holiday, we are giving taxpayers a much needed break. It’s as much a psychological thing as it is economic. We remind people that we are looking out for them and are sympathetic to the tough times our constituents are facing. I am proud that we were able to accomplish such a beneficial piece of legislation in a bipartisan manner,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).

“The sales tax holiday is important to Massachusetts consumers as well as businesses. We have seen over the last four years the sales tax holiday’s repeated success. With prices rising across the Commonwealth, the tax-free weekend is something we can do to help consumers as well as boost the economy,” said Representative John Binienda (D-Worcester), Chairman of the House Committee on Revenue.

The exemption does not apply to automobile, motor boat, meals and tobacco product sales as well as telecommunication services and gas, steam and electricity. The bill now proceeds to the Senate. It has the public support of both Senate President Murray and Governor Deval Patrick.

House Unanimously Passes Health Care Cost Control Bill

Legislation encourages the use of electronic health record systems, rewards doctors who provide patient-centered care

BOSTON – The House of Representatives unanimously voted to move the Commonwealth into the next phase of health reform with legislation aimed at curbing health care costs and improving the overall quality of our health care system.

“With this bill, Massachusetts will once again be a national leader in health care reform. Our efforts to curtail costs and promote a higher standard of care will raise the quality of life in the Commonwealth and raise the bar even higher for states that seek to emulate the success Massachusetts has had with comprehensive health care reform,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“The success of our landmark healthcare law presented the Commonwealth with a new challenge: to keep health care costs manageable, and also maintain our commitment to quality care with an ever-growing pool of insured residents. Today, the House has taken a meaningful step to address those challenges by unanimously passing legislation that will help rein in costs and deliver high-quality care to the people of Massachusetts,” said House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi (D-Boston).

“Massachusetts has taken meaningful steps to achieve universal health coverage but we will not fully realize that goal until we find a way to control costs and increase access to providers,” said Representative Patricia Walrath (D-Stow), Chairwoman on the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This bill lays the foundation for serious cost-containment and contains targeted methods of increasing the health care workforce and enhancing the overall quality of care.”

To increase quality in the current health care system, the bill requires uniform coding of medical claims to simplify and make the billing process consistent and also creates a special commission on health payment reform to bring together public and private payers and providers to make recommendations to reform the way payments are made.

The bill also would require MassHealth to establish a Medical Home program that rewards primary care physicians for providing patient-centered, coordinated care with a focus on patients with chronic illnesses.

The legislation creates a streamlined structure to oversee implementation of a statewide electronic health record system by 2015 and creates a grant program to help physicians obtain and implement e-health systems. Doctors who receive grants would be required to report on quality measures they undertake in order to ensure they reduce duplication and enhance quality of care.

The bill also establishes new licensure requirements for hospitals and physicians contingent upon adoption of e-health records and computerized prescriptions order entry.

The legislation mandates that pharmaceutical companies establish and disclose a marketing code of conduct that responsibly informs the prescribing practices of physicians.

It also requires that the Department of Public Health post information on its website concerning each company’s compliance with the requirement.

Under the bill, pharmaceutical companies would be banned from purchasing confidential prescription drug information for marketing purposes and also directs the Department of Public Health to implement an outreach and education program to provide objective education to physicians to encourage evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing practices.

The bill also:

• Creates a Health Care Workforce Center within the DPH to examine critical access needs to make systemic changes that will expand the health care workforce, especially in underserved areas of the Commonwealth.

• Requires the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy to hold annual public hearings concerning factors that contribute to cost growth among insurers and hospitals and the relationship between provider costs and health plan premiums.

• Creates a loan repayment program for medical school graduates who commit to practicing primary care medicine in underserved areas of the Commonwealth.

• Requires hospitals to report data on hospital-acquired infections and serious reportable events as a condition of licensure and encourages hospitals to establish patient and family advisory councils to improve communications.

House Unanimously Passes Bold Biofuels Bill

Legislation introduces first-in-the-nation gas tax exemption for cellulosic biofuel, calls for biodiesel blending of home heating oil sold in Massachusetts

BOSTON – In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of fossil fuels state-wide, the House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation to encourage the development of advanced biofuels in the Commonwealth. The legislation, unveiled by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, Governor Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray last November, aims to promote the use of advanced biofuels through a first-in-the-nation state gas tax exemption on cellulosic biofuel, based on the percentage of renewable fuel used, and mandated blending of advanced biofuels with traditional diesel and heating fuel.

“The evidence is clear that the burning of fossil fuels continues to take a dramatic toll on our environment, and pain at the pump will only worsen as the price of gasoline exceeds fours dollars a gallon. These environmental and consumer costs demand solutions. Today the House voted to make Massachusetts a part of the clean energy solution,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“As the price of crude oil approaches $200 dollars a barrel and the environment continues to be a casualty of our fossil fuel consumption, it is imperative that we change the way we produce, consume, and deliver energy in the Commonwealth. Today the House has taken another meaningful step toward comprehensive energy reform that will preserve our environment, ultimately drive down consumer energy costs and bolster Massachusetts growing clean energy sector,” said Speaker DiMasi (D-Boston).

“It addresses climate change by encouraging the use of less carbon intensive fuels as substitutes for gasoline, home heating oil and diesel fuel. Emissions from the transportation sector make up more than 30 percent of our total greenhouse gas emissions, so this is an important step,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), House Chair of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture and member of the Advanced Biofuels Task Force.

“This bill will allow for the Commonwealth to develop the framework to advance the biofuels sector while seizing the economic, energy and environmental benefits of this emerging technology,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill), House Chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “Biofuels will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while offering significant opportunities for economic development and job creation.”

“Oil dependence exacts a huge toll on the Massachusetts economy. Consumers spend more on petroleum every year than natural gas and electricity combined, and 80 cents of every dollar spent on gasoline exits the local economy,” said Brooke Coleman, Executive Director of the New Fuels Alliance. “This bill puts Massachusetts on the map as a national leader in the effort to commercialize advanced biofuels, and is good news for those interested in seeing something other than oil at the pump.”

The bill calls for a reduction in the state’s gasoline sales tax, currently 21 cents per gallon, in proportion to the amount of biofuel in each gallon of gasoline. According to the Advanced Biofuels Task Force Report, issued in April, this incentive will encourage fuel purchasers to buy advanced biofuels once they are on the market and reduce the risk associated with investing in biofuels production.

In addition to the tax incentive, the bill sets a mandate, which escalates by a full percentage point every year, on the amount of biofuel content that must be present in all home heating oil and diesel used in Massachusetts – achieving 5 percent utilization by 2013. Advocates of advanced biofuels say that this type of mandate will help to develop the infrastructure needed to break the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and encourage the development of a biofuels industry.

Under the legislation, all qualifying fuels must achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.

The environment and economy will benefit from this legislation, advocates said. According to the Advanced Biofuels Task Force Report, Massachusetts could stand to gain 1,000 to 4,000 permanent “green collar” jobs by encouraging the development of a biofuels industry in Massachusetts. In addition, the industry could contribute up to $1 billion in revenue to the state’s economy.

The bill now heads to the Senate for deliberation.

House Passes Bill Reforming Child Protection

Bill will require all mandated reporters to receive training on how to recognize and respond to abuse and neglect

BOSTON – The House of Representatives yesterday gave final approval to a bill that will toughen the laws meant to protect our most vulnerable children from abuse and neglect and ensure the protection of children is at the top of the state’s agenda with a new child advocate dedicated solely to child welfare.

“There is no greater task before us than protecting the most vulnerable children in Massachusetts and, with this legislation, we will help set up the framework to better handle the most troubling and disturbing cases,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“Today we stand up for the children of the Commonwealth with this bold initiative that will forever change how the most egregious cases are handled and more importantly how we can prevent them from even happening in the first place,” said Speaker DiMasi, the lead author of the legislation. “This legislation help the government entrusted with protecting the most vulnerable in our society will do a better job and that is something we should all be proud of.”

“Thanks to Speaker DiMasi, the Legislature is providing a blueprint as to how the Commonwealth will go forward in protecting children who have been part of a fragmented system for far too long,” said House Majority Leader John Rogers, Chairman of the House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.

The legislation establishes minimum educational requirements for social workers and their supervisors, mandates training for mandatory reporters and increased criminal penalties. The bill also creates an independent office of the Child Advocate, who will receive notice of any serious injury to a child in the care of the Commonwealth and will have the power to conduct independent investigations.

The bill requires a comprehensive five-year plan to take on the tough issues in child welfare as identified by Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi’s House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect last year – from racial disparities and mandated reporting to family engagement models and Department of Social Service caseloads.

The legislation will also changes the name of the Department of Social Services to the Department of Children and Families to reflect the mission of the agency.

The bill, which received final approval from the House and Senate yesterday, is the result of nearly two years of detailed research, extensive public hearings and debate that was prompted by the horrific details of the abuse allegedly endured by 11-year-old Haleigh Poutre of Westfield.

As that case unfolded, Speaker DiMasi called on the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight to conduct an investigation. The Post Audit Report, shared with DSS and key stakeholders, prompted the formation of the special House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, chaired by Leader Rogers, which was tasked to find legislative solutions.

That committee conducted a series of public hearings and, in March 2007, released a groundbreaking report, “First, Do No Harm,” which detailed many of the recommendations codified in the bill passed by the House today.

The bill now awaits Governor Patrick’s signature.