S 59 - An Act protecting against frivolous claims

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 59 | Status of the bill

S 1045 - An Act reorganizing the Municipal Finance Oversight Board

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1045 | Status of the bill

S 1046 - An Act to promote municipal collaboration and regionalization throughout the Commonwealth

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1046 | 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.|

S 1152 - An Act to promote the elimination of waste in certain state facilities

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1152 | Status of the bill

S 1486 - An Act creating the Preservation of Historic Buildings Trust Fund

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1486 | Status of the bill

This legislation seeks to assist municipalities, and indeed the Commonwealth, with what will continue to be a growing dilemma until a long-term financing solution is realized and implemented. We have the great fortune of living in an area steeped in historic beauty; in fact, we’re privileged to be able to conduct business in one. The problem is that historically owned public buildings have been neglected for decades, and it is starting to show. The State House alone is estimated to require over $250 million in immediate maintenance, much of which is not cosmetic in nature. We’re also fortunate to still possess our original State House, and it too is in dire need of repair. There are historic buildings and landmarks all across our Commonwealth that, without proper maintenance and upkeep, may fall into disrepair. This legislation seeks to help resolve that problem. By creating the Preservation of Historic Buildings Trust Fund and allowing for individuals to contribute on their tax returns, we’ll begin the process of setting aside modest contributions aimed at preserving our beloved landmarks. Establishing the Fund also affords us the ability to seek and accept private contributions. Absent a direct appropriation, which is becoming increasingly unlikely, this appears to be the most appropriate way to preserve our Commonwealth’s bountiful historic beauty.

S 1491 - An Act providing for certain senior citizen tax relief

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1491 | Status of the bill

S 1599 - An Act establishing the Commission on Government Accountability, Economy, and Efficiency

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1599 | Status of the bill

While S 1599 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.

S 1600 - An Act establishing the Sunset Review Commission

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1600 | Status of the bill

Following successful models implemented in the States of Florida and Texas, this legislation would create a Massachusetts Sunset Review Commission, entrusted with identifying and eliminating waste and duplication in state government agencies and authorities by “sunsetting” these entities. The Commission will be comprised of not only legislators, but citizens and business leaders alike, and will review every agency in a 6 year cycle based on issue or service area.

The Sunset Commission shall assign sunset dates for agencies it reviews: essentially, a deadline for termination. Upon its recommendations—which will be submitted in a report to the Legislature—the Commission will notify the head of the agency/authority, and follow up by submitting legislation to the Legislature to implement the abolition schedule. Before abolishment of an entity, the Commission will be required to review all annual reports filed by the agency, consult the Legislature’s House and Senate Committees on Post Audit & Oversight, as well as the State Auditor, Inspector General and the State Comptroller.

The criteria for recommended abolitions by the Commission shall fall within consideration of the efficiency and effectiveness of a particular agency; the success of an agency’s mission or goals; the general need of the agency; the extent to which an agency’s jurisdiction may overlap another, thereby indicating the need for consolidation of an agency; the promptness and effectiveness of an agency’s response to any complaints it receives; the agency’s consideration of state and federal laws, and their compliance with lawful operation; and the extent to which an agency complies with ethics, conflict of interests, and requests for public access.

S 1602 - An Act relative to the Inspector General Council

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1602 | Status of the bill

This legislation seeks cooperation between parallel government entities: the Inspector General and the Senate and House Committees on Post Audit & Oversight. In light of recent staff reductions at the State House, particularly with these committees, and the similar charges held by our Inspector General, this legislation offers opportunities for cooperation. The two committees would serve as advisory councils to the Inspector General, and enjoy the ability to engage the office and its staff for legislative audits and investigations. This would assist in mitigating the shortage in staff at the state level and forge cooperative partnerships between the parallel entities.

S 1603 - An Act relative to the receipt of state services

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1603 | Status of the bill

This legislation mirrors immigration provisions adopted by the Senate during the FY11 budget debate, and further includes language barring the use of state funds to purchase alcohol and tobacco products. As you may know, the Senate’s immigration language precludes employers who hire illegal immigrants from obtaining state contracts, and asks that agencies who grant services do so only after confirming that the recipient is a legal, taxpaying resident. Essentially, this legislation allows legal and lawful residents to enjoy state services, and additionally asks that those seeking public assistance use it for its intended purpose.

S 1604 - An Act to eliminate waste and improve public oversight of state agencies

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1604 | Status of the bill

Currently, state agencies and authorities that are required to submit an annual report do so in a hard copy, paper format, that can waste tens of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars. While many of these reports are essential markers of an agencies’ performance and research, hard copies of these documents are rarely seen by the public and are stored away. This legislation addresses this source of waste by requiring any state agency or authorities’ annual report to be filed online. This will not only save money spent in printing, but will enhance access to the reports for the general public.

S 1605 - An Act to promote value and efficiency in the delivery of state services

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1605 | Status of the bill

This legislation creates a board within the Executive Office for Administration & Finance that administers a process for receiving suggestions from state employees and retirees for improving state programs and services. The board is comprised of the Commissioner of A&F, or his/her designee; the Comptroller or his/her designee; the Budget Director or his/her designee; a member appointed by the President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; a member appointed by the Director of the Beacon Hill Institute; a member appointed by the Director of the Pioneer Institute; a member appointed by the Director of the McCormick Institute of the University of Massachusetts at Boston; and a member appointed by the Executive Director of MassExcellence.

The Board shall receive, solicit and review suggestions made by officers and employees of the Commonwealth regarding the improvement and efficiency of state services or programs, and the Board shall select the proposals that they deem as having the greatest impact on improving government efficiency. The proposals will be submitted online, and the general public will be able to review and select which proposal they find the best. The winner shall be eligible for a prize to be determined by the Board. To provide for the prize, a “public service value and efficiency fund” shall be established, which may consist of funds that are appropriated, or donated by individuals, foundations and businesses. This legislation will promote and encourage public participation in enhancing government efficiency.

S 1871 - An Act to provide for the efficient use of leased or rented property and prevent waste in use of leased or rented facilities

Documents & Status: Text of Senate 1871 | Status of the bill

In a report last year from the WBZ-I Team, the state’s lease on an unused parking lot for state employees was highlighted: approximately $30,000,000 has been wasted on the leased lot, which is seldom used. This legislation requires a thorough assessment of any state-leased properties and provides for a clause that would allow the Commonwealth to terminate its lease with a property owner, in the event its function serves no purpose and is taking away from taxpayers’ money.