OFFICE HOURS IN BOXFORD

State Representative Barbara L’Italien announces that she will be holding constituent office hours in Boxford on the second floor of the Boxford Town Hall.  Office hours will be held on Monday, October 19^th from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.  L’Italien represents the 18^th Essex District which includes Precinct 2 in Boxford.  All are welcome to attend.

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

REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION – BOXFORD

Boston, MA – State Representative Barbara A. L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today that the Transportation Bond Bill will include $444,000 in funding for projects in the Town of Boxford.

The transportation bond bill provides capital funding for the design, construction, and repair of roadway projects in the Commonwealth that do not receive federal funding. The legislation, engrossed by the House today, provides $144,000 for the repair of the Parker River culvert on Route 133 and $300,000 to resurface Route 97.

“The approval of these projects will mean a great deal to the people of Boxford,” said Representative L’Italien. “Each of these undertakings will improve transportation and address the concerns voiced by residents.”

In addition to these crucial initiatives, the House version of the transportation bond bill also includes funding for regional transit authorities, Chapter 90 highway projects, and assistance for the protection of rail freight properties across the state. The bond bill now moves to the Senate and upon approval will go to the Governor’s desk for signature.

APPROPRIATION INCREASE FOR DIVISION ON AUTISM AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION

BOSTON, MA – Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) today announced that a $2,400,000 increase was appropriated to the Division on Autism and a $2,000,000 appropriation was allocated to Special Education Out of District Transportation. Both were voted on favorably by the House.

The Division on Autism funding, now totaling $5,321,753, includes:

• $4M for the Autism Medicaid Waiver in order to support children with autism at risk of institutionalization in their home and communities ($2M of this will be reimbursed by Medicaid);
• $921,753 in funding to enable the division to provide much-needed services to autistic children;
• $200,000 for Melmark New England to provide training and support to families, educational collaboratives and public school districts on methods for coping with behavioral challenges associated with children who have autism
• $100,000 for New England Center for Children, Inc. to provide training and support to public school districts and families for the establishment of in district partner classrooms to serve children with autism
• $100,000 for Asperger’s Association of New England to provide support services to individuals with high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.

The $2,000,000 for Special Education Out of District Transportation is a first time spending initiative in the state budget and will help alleviate some of the burden on cities and towns who are struggling to make ends meet.

“This additional funding for special education transportation and autism will be extremely helpful for both the communities and the autism community,” said Representative L’Italien. “Special education transportation is a very costly but needed service and I am glad we were able to assist in covering some of the costs. Autism is a growing epidemic effecting 1 in 122 births in Massachusetts and we need to continue to provide essential services for families in need.”

The budget will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration. Any differences between the House and Senate budgets will be resolved in a Conference Committee before being sent to the Governor for his signature.

HOUSE PASSES EARLY LOCAL AID RESOLUTION (BOXFORD)

$5.26 Billion Budgeted; Cities and Towns Held Harmless Despite Revenue Shortfall

BOSTON—State Representative Barbara L’Italien joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass an early local aid resolution that will increase state aid to cities and towns in the FY09 budget by $223 million. The resolution was agreed to by House and Senate budget writers and is expected to be debated in the Senate soon.

The resolution provides an increase in local aid representing a 4.43 percent hike over last year and includes the three major categories of local aid – Chapter 70 funding for public schools, lottery aid and additional assistance. Passage of a local aid resolution nearly four months before the start of the fiscal year will help Boxford craft its municipal budget with greater confidence and accuracy. It guarantees that Boxford will receive $1,653,884 in Chapter 70 educational aid, $36,411 in Additional Assistance funding and $568,608 in Lottery Distribution for a total of $2,258,903 in Fiscal Year 2009.

“Passage of this resolution nearly two months before we even debate the budget is a clear sign that the House has put addressing the needs of cities and towns high on the agenda,” stated Rep. L’Italien. “Despite a tough fiscal climate our support for local aid remains and we have provided a sustainable increase at a time when many other parts of the budget may see reductions.”

“Cities and towns need our help and, once again, the Legislature is increasing the two most critical needs of municipalities – schools and local aid,” Speaker DiMasi said. “While this difficult budget year demands cuts, efficiencies and wise spending throughout state government, I am pleased that this agreement ensures every community in the Commonwealth will see an increase in local aid based on dependable forms of revenue.”

“Rep. L’Italien has joined with us today in ensuring the Bay State’s cities and towns are protected even in these times of fiscal difficulty and uncertainty. Our resolve to help cities and towns has never been stronger and we demonstrate that local aid is a top priority year after year by giving municipalities billions of state dollars to help pay for basic local services,” said Representative Robert A. DeLeo, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The resolution guarantees cities and towns will receive $935 million in unrestricted local aid, $811 million of which is generated by the Massachusetts Lottery and $124 million of which is allocated from the Commonwealth’s General Fund. Since the Lottery was “uncapped” by the Legislature in Fiscal Year 2007, all revenue other than prize money and a small amount for administration goes to municipalities.

In FY09, however, only $811 million is projected to be generated—$124 million less than was allocated last year. The Legislature’s budget will ensure the additional $124 million is distributed and that cities and towns are held harmless to last year’s allotment.

The local aid resolution also maintains a commitment made by the Legislature three years ago by increasing Chapter 70 allocations by $223 million to $3.95 billion. The increase comes as part of a five year plan to move individual school districts toward their target-aid contribution level. Under the Legislature’s plan, each school district would see an increase in Chapter 70 funding over last year.

Representative Holds November Office Hours

State Representative Barbara L’Italien announces that she will be holding constituent office hours on the following dates:

Andover – Friday, November 2nd from 10:00-11:00 at the Senior Center.
Boxford – Monday, November 5th from 10:00-11:00 at Town Hall in the Glass Room.
Georgetown – Monday, November 5th from 11:30-12:30 at Town Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room.
Haverhill – Friday, November 9th from 10:00-11:00 at City Hall in Room 4.
Methuen – Friday, November 9th from 11:30-12:30 at Nevins Library in the Trustees Room.
North Andover – Friday, November 2nd from 11:30-12:30 at the Senior Center.

Office hours may also be made by appointment by calling (617) 722-2080. L’Italien represents the 18th Essex District which includes precincts 1, 7 & 8 in Andover, precinct 2 in Boxford, precinct 2 in Georgetown, ward 2, precincts 1 & 2; ward 5, precinct 2; and ward 7 precinct 2 in Haverhill, precinct 7 in Methuen and precincts 7 & 8 in North Andover. All are welcome to attend.

HOUSE AND SENATE REACH BUDGET ACCORD

BOSTON – Members of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives appointed to resolve differences between the branch’s blueprints for the $26.8 billion Fiscal Year 2008 general operating budget have reached an agreement. The accord, known as a Conference Committee Report, was signed by all Democratic and Republican committee members and will travel to the Governor’s desk for his consideration after being accepted in both the House and Senate. The plan calls for an overall increase in appropriations of 4.2% over last year.

“This budget directs resources to proven initiatives that improve quality of life, stimulate and protect regional economic growth and ensure that the most vulnerable citizens receive the care they deserve. The Legislature has continued its commitment to supporting municipalities and strengthening the partnership between state and local government by focusing on core services such as education and public safety. Finally, the course this budget sets for the Commonwealth places it on solid fiscal ground by calling for appropriate savings and judicious spending on the most effective programs,” said Representative Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos (D-Lowell), who chair the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, respectively, and who were their branch’s chief budget negotiators.

In addition to Chairman DeLeo and Chairman Panagiotakos, the conference committee appointed by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston) and Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) also included House Ways and Means Vice-Chair Marie P. St. Fleur (D-Boston); Senate Ways and Means Vice-Chair Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton); ranking Republican House Ways and Means member Viriato M. deMacedo (R-Plymouth); and ranking Republican Senate Ways and Means member Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield).

Selected highlights of the budget agreement include:

Local Aid

Provided $935 million, a $15 million increase, in Lottery aid to cities and towns which is due to the Legislature’s recent “uncapping” of Lottery Distribution funds allowing for the return of 100% of Lottery revenue to cities and towns;

Provided over $3.72 billion for Chapter 70 education funding, which is a $220 million increase over last year’s allocation. This amount is $93.4 million above the amount required under current statute to keep each school district at “foundation” levels and provides all 351 cities and towns with an increase in funding;

Provided $23 million for the Sewer Rate Relief fund to help control the water and sewer bills of ratepayers throughout the Commonwealth;

Provided $21.35 million in community policing grants to cities and towns;

Level funded the Additional Assistance line item;

Increased to $28.3 million Payment in Lieu of Taxes (“PILOT”) payments which represents a $3 million increase over last year; and,

Provided an increase of $2.8 million for regional school transportation reimbursements.

Education

With respect to Early Education and Care: Provided $166.9 million for child care vouchers for those being served by the Department of Transitional Assistance; $209.8 million for low income child care vouchers; and an additional $12.6 million for supportive child care to ensure that no children with active abuse or neglect cases will be without child care services;

With respect to the Department of Education: Provided $33.8 million for kindergarten expansion grants which represents a $6.8 million increase over Fiscal Year 2007; $58.3 million for regional school transportation; an increase for the special education ‘circuit breaker’ program of $12.3 million which represents a 9.49% increase over last year; and provide $13 million, up from $6.5 million last year, for Expanded Learning Time Grants; and,

With respect to Higher Education: Provided an increase for the scholarships of $4 million to allow a greater number of students to receive additional aid as the cost of higher education continues to rise; established the Commonwealth Covenant Fund, a new $3.75 million loan repayment program to encourage students to pursue degrees in math, science, engineering, technology and health care and to work in Massachusetts; provided an increase of $23.5 million for state and community colleges; and provided an increase of $25.2 million for the University of Massachusetts system.

Public Safety

Provided $4 million in funding for municipal police training grants;

Provided $500,000 for the witness protection board to protect those testifying in criminal prosecutions;

Provided over $160 million for services at the Department of Youth Services (DYS);

Provided $3.3 million for teachers’ salaries to improve teacher retention at DYS;

Provided $15.2 million for the State Police Crime Lab;

Provided $1.2 million to reduce recidivism rates at the Department of Corrections;

Provided $2 million for the youth anti-violence initiative, a multi-faceted approach to confronting teen violence; and

Provided $250,000 for an emergency text messaging notification system to be set up on all public college and university campuses.

Health and Human Services

Provided the Department of Mental Retardation with $1.3 billion representing a $51 million increase over the last fiscal year;

Provided the Department of Mental Health $667 million representing an increase of $19 million over last year;

Provided $799 million for the Department of Social Services;

Provided $3.3 million for expansion of single occupancy units for homeless individuals with mental illnesses;

Provided $9 million for adult mental health services;

Provided $23 million for salary adjustments for human service providers;

Provided an increase of $12 million for the Universal Immunization program to target Rotavirus, Meningococcal conjugate 4 (MCV4) and other existing immunizations;

Provided an increase of $8.5 million for tobacco control; and,

Doubled the appropriation to $1.2 million, from $600,000, for the Housing First pilot project.

Economic Development

Continued funding for the Commonwealth’s One-Stop Career Centers and increased funding for the Youth-at-Risk program by $2 million;

Increased the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment by $500,000 over last year; and,

Provided $1.5 million for the Office of Business Development.

Housing and Homelessness

Provided $15 million in additional funding for Local Housing Subsidies to provide safe and affordable housing for low income and homeless families;

Provided $2.5 million in additional funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher program (MRVP) to continue to pay for existing vouchers to eligible families and individuals; and,

Provided an additional $100,000 for the funding for the Individual Development Account (IDA) program which pools state, federal and private funds to match earned income deposited into the savings accounts of qualified participants.

Veterans

Provided $18.1 million for annuity payments to certain veterans and their families; and

Provided $15.1 million for veterans benefits payments to indigent veterans.

House Again Brings Municipal Relief for Property Taxes

Boston – State Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) today announced that the House of Representatives approved by a wide margin a bill granting significant financial relief to cities and towns across the Commonwealth by allowing the consolidation of underperforming local and county pension boards into the state Public Retirement Investment Trust board (PRIT).

The savings for cities and towns could be more than $100 million per year and, combined with the measure approved last week allowing communities to opt into the state’s health care system, the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the House action could bring more than $250 million in savings to help communities reduce the reliance on property taxes.

“The House has continually put cities and towns first and this is just another example of our commitment to do all we can for the communities we represent,” said Representative L’Italien. “We have provided a roadmap for millions of dollars in savings in local budgets and I’m proud to have supported this important bill.”

“This is yet another significant reform measure that sends a strong message to cities and towns that we are serious about relieving pressure on the property tax,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. “Now we need to see communities join the GIC, improve their pension investments and more aggressively find efficiencies in their own budgets.”

In the bill, underperformance is defined by a two part test: Not having a funded ration over 65 percent and not being within 2 percent of the PRIT rate of return over the last 10 years. The administration of benefits will remain the responsibility of the local board that currently manages the pension system. Twenty-five systems will currently be incorporated into the state system.

“Taxpayers should not be left holding the bag for investment underperformance and the funds impacted by this legislation would be over $700 million healthier if they had been invested with PRIT,” said Public Service Committee Chairman Jay R. Kaufman (D-Lexington), whose committee primarily worked on the bill. “It would be irresponsible to allow this kind of underperformance and stress on local property taxes to continue.”

The legislation now proceeds to the Senate for its consideration.

House Brings Municipal Relief for Property Taxes Through Significant Health Care Savings

BOSTON – State Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) today announced that the House of Representatives approved by a near-unanimous margin a bill granting significant financial relief to cities and towns across the Commonwealth by allowing municipalities to enroll workers in the state health insurance system.

The savings for communities, estimated at between $120 million and $180 million per year, will significantly help communities reduce their reliance on the property tax. The bill, approved by the House in a vote of 149 to 1, proposed and developed by House members over the last two years, will be followed by further relief for communities with proposed changes to the investment of local pension funds.

“Our cities and towns need help and this is a bold reform that gives communities the tools to, in some cases, literally save millions of dollars each year – money that can be used to relieve the burden on property owners,” said Representative L’Italien. “I am hopeful that our communities will quickly adopt this important reform.”

Municipal health insurance costs have been rising at unsustainable rates, and many communities have been hard-pressed to meet the yearly escalating costs which now represent a disproportionate share of the overall bottom line.

The bill, “An Act to reduce the reliance on property taxes through municipal health care,” seeks to offset escalating municipal health insurance costs by allowing communities to enroll in the state Group Insurance Commission (GIC). By creating a new local option for municipalities to purchase their health insurance through the GIC, employees will now be able to subscribe to a potentially better plan than they now have and enjoy substantial savings on the superior coverage for them and their families. The legislation now proceeds to the Senate for its consideration.

A community-by-community breakdown for municipal costs and increases dating back to 2001 compared to state increases in that period is available online at http://www.mass.gov/Ador/docs/dls/mdmstuf/MunicipalActualExpenditures/insurancegic0106.xls.

“The members of the House should be proud of their important contribution to cities and towns and, hopefully, local officials will now provide much-needed tax relief with these savings,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. “Cities and towns need to first look at efficiencies and cost savings before we turn to the taxpayers.”

“This is one of the most meaningful, efficient and progressive things we in the House will ever do for municipal finance,” said Representative Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown), the lead author of the proposal. “The GIC is one of the best-designed, most comprehensive plans of its kind and, as an added bonus, its cost increases average about half of those in municipalities. The savings will be significant for many communities.”

Representative Holds May Office Hours

State Representative Barbara L’Italien announces that she will be holding constituent office hours on the following dates:

• Andover – Friday, May 4th from 10:00-11:00 at the Senior Center.
• Boxford – Monday, May 7th from 10:00-11:00 at Town Hall in the Glass Room.
• Georgetown – Monday, May 7th from 11:30-12:30 at Town Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room.
• Haverhill – Friday, May 11th from 9:30-10:30 at City Hall in Conference Room 4
• Methuen – Friday, May 11th from 11:00-12:00 at City Hall in the City Council Conference Room.
• North Andover – Friday, May 4th from 11:30-12:30 at the Senior Center.

Office hours may also be made by appointment by calling (617) 722-2080. L’Italien represents the 18th Essex District which includes precincts 1, 7 & 8 in Andover, precinct 2 in Boxford, precinct 2 in Georgetown, ward 2, precincts 1 & 2; ward 5, precinct 2; and ward 7 precinct 2 in Haverhill, precinct 7 in Methuen and precincts 7 & 8 in North Andover. All are welcome to attend.