An Act Relative to the Observation of Veterans Day

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1874 | Status of the bill

Simply, this bill would grant every veteran the option of taking Veteran’s Day off from work.  Current statute grants this benefit only to those veterans participating in a Veteran’s Day parade or other commemoration.

An Act Relative to State Government Accountability, Economy, and Efficiency

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1435 | Status of the bill

While S. 1435 would not generate new revenue, it would work to make sure the Commonwealth is spending its money wisely. It would establish a commission composed of members of the legislature, executive, business community, and voters-at-large to immediately look for ways to reduce duplication and streamline state programs and services. Among other things, the commission would consider: adopting methods and procedures for reducing expenditures to the lowest amount consistent with the efficient performance of essential services, activities and functions; eliminating duplication and overlapping services, activities, and functions, and time-consuming or wasteful practices; defining or redefining duties and responsibilities of state officers; establishing means for performance measurement and methods of reporting such measurement; and analyzing and evaluating all state contracts with private vendors for the purpose of confirming that all contracted approaches to the delivery of goods and services are accountable, economical, and efficient. The goal of the Commission would be to look for ways to cut costs, eliminate waste and duplication, and make state services more efficient.

An Act Limiting the Implementation of REAL ID

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 963 | Status of the bill

This legislation limits the ability of the Commonwealth to comply with the REAL ID Act of 2005 until the Department of Homeland Security can guarantee that implementation will not compromise the economic privacy or biometric data of any resident of Massachusetts.  Additionally, implementation is contingent upon the costs of necessary upgrades being met with federal funding.

AN ACT TO improve public contracting with Massachusetts farmers

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1437 | Status of the bill

This law would accomplish two objectives: 1.) Create an incentive for large urban school districts to use products from Massachusetts farmers by increasing the maximum no-bid contract amount from $25,000 to $50,000, and 2.) Create an incentive for state colleges and universities to use products from Massachusetts farmers by adding colleges and universities to the local agricultural preference statute.

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 22 | 

When Massachusetts ratified its constitution in 1780, it became a pioneer in the promotion of Democracy in the United States and throughout the world. The passage of S. 22 would continue this proud tradition. The bill would create an independent redistricting commission to distance the process from politics and create a system better able to offer its citizens an equal voice in choosing their government.

The commission would be composed of seven members - 3 directly appointed by the Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Governor and 4 appointed from 4 groups of 3 nominees submitted to the commission by the Speaker, Senator President, and both minority leaders. These commissioners would then re-draw the Commonwealth’s state house district lines to meet federal and state law and that are equal in population, contiguous, and respect town and city boarders, communities of interest, and smaller political districts. The commission would also be required to conduct its business in open meetings, and submit its plan to the legislature and public for comments. The legislature would have to approve the final redistricting plan with an up or down vote, and would not be able to amend it.

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 653 | Status of the bill
Texts of Relevant Bills to 40B Reform: Text of Senate 651 | Text of Senate 652

The goal of this legislation is to promote the development of truly affordable housing while closing some of the loopholes in the current law developers use to exploit many area towns. This bill would increase the required amount of affordable unites in a 40B development from 25 to 33%. This would help 40 B developments positively impact a town’s affordable housing stock. It would also limit the type of variances granted under a comprehensive permit to density and require a direct financial subsidy from a government or semi-government agency. These steps would restore some accountability to the process while requiring that 40B projects fit in with a community’s existing development plans. Finally, this bill would work to more accurately limit the profits of 40B developments to the 20% they are allowed under the current statute. 

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 962 | Status of the bill

This bill would would help small business owners and municipalities recover from a natural disaster or other unforeseen emergencies. 

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 779 | Status of the bill

Given the grim fiscal outlook faced by the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, it is now more important than ever to leverage existing resources to contain costs while maintaining and improving the quality of local services for residents of the Commonwealth. Regional collaboration is one way to enhance revenue and contain expenses at the local level, while allowing for improved municipal services. This bill promotes existing regional opportunities while creating new regional solutions to help make government more efficient at time when many communities are strained financially.|

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1145 | Status of the bill

Currently, municipalities that enter the GIC are only able to obtain health care benefits through the state program. This legislative proposal will extend eligibility for the full slate of health care benefits to municipal employees in those cities and towns that are members of the GIC. Currently, all state employees have access to vision, dental, and health insurance benefits, among others, while municipal employees are only eligible to participate in the health insurance plans. Expanding these benefits options makes administrative sense. Moreover, additional benefits offered to municipal employees through the GIC will help to entice communities to join the GIC, giving municipal officials a powerful bargaining tool to use in negotiations with union leaders.