Representative Benson’s Monthly Office Update: March 2014

Happy spring, everyone! March was a very busy month both in the district and at the State House. Here is an update on what I have been working on, and events I attended in March.

Around the District

March was a busy month in the 37th Middlesex District.  At the beginning of the month, I joined Undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Aaaron Gornstein and many colleagues at the Forum to End Family Homelessness. I also joined Senator Eldridge, along with Representative Conroy, for a community meeting with restaurant owners and workers to discuss work and human resource management in the U.S. restaurant industry.

Throughout the month, I attended the Town of Acton’s Annual Employee Appreciation Event, spoke at the Women’s Business Network meeting, attended an event hosted by Just Understand My Potential (JUMP), celebrated the Lunenburg Primary School Community Reading Day, and had the opportunity to present Andrew Keir, of Lunenburg, with a citation and pin at his Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony.

My staff and I attended legislative breakfasts hosted by Minuteman Senior Services, North Central Massachusetts Health and Human Services, the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS), Central MA Chiefs of Police Association, the Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC), Worcester District Medical Society, and the Department of Mental Health Central-West Area.

At the State House 

At the State House, I participated in the Mass Boys & Girls Club Legislative Luncheon, and the MA Developmental Disabilities Council and The Arc of Massachusetts 36th annual Legislative Reception. While my staff was able to attend a briefings on Midwifery: The Importance of Creating an Integrated Health Care Model and Election Reform being considered in conference committee. Additionally, I hosted the Community Leadership Institute of the North Central MA Chamber of Commerce, at the State House, to take a tour of the House Chamber, and discuss policy.

I was also thrilled to be asked by Wellesley College to participate in a government panel with Senator Chandler and Representative Dykema. It was an excellent opportunity to speak with students, share our experiences as legislators, and offer advice.

Workforce Investment Board

Since June 2011, I have served as a member of the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board (MWIB). MWIB has four full meetings a year, open to the public, and I was happy to host the most recent board meeting on March 17th, at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC). I want to thank President Asquino and staff of MWCC for opening their campus to the MWIB. As always, our board meeting was a success, as we continue to find ways to ensure that workers have the skills they need to fill the jobs businesses are creating.

Legislative Update

The House met for three full formal sessions, during the month of March, to consider, “An Act Providing for Capital Facility Repairs and Improvements for the Commonwealth” (H.3690), “An Act Encouraging the Improvement, Expansion and Development of Military Installations in the Commonwealth” (H3736), and “An Act Relative to Flood Insurance” (H.3783), among others. There was also a Joint Session of the Two Houses to consider items printed on the Calendar of the Joint Session of the Two Houses.

Throughout the month, my staff and I met with a variety of people to discuss many bills, such as An Act to improve quality in early education (H477), An Act ensuring parity for mental health and substance abuse treatment (H1959), and An Act to permit the Department of Developmental Services provide services to adults with developmental disabilities (H.3715), among others.

I also hosted a meeting with Mass Home Care, Mass Association of Older Americans, Michael Fernandes, his spouse, Susumu Kishihara, and Home Care Directors, to discuss a bill I sponsored, An Act regarding spouses as caregivers (H3716).  It was excellent to hear from a couple who is directly impacted by spouses not being including in the PCA guidelines.

Health Care Financing Committee

In my capacity on the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, I met with the Consulate General of Kazakhstan to discuss health care in Massachusetts, as their country begins to reform their health care system.

The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held one hearing in March to discuss nurse staffing bills. 

Additional Committee Updates

The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy held two hearings during in March to discuss An Act relative to updating the bottle bill (H3848), and PACE, Net Metering and MBI bills.

The Joint Committee on Public Service did not hold any hearings during the month of March.

Budget Season

Over the past few months I have been meeting with many different organizations, local officials, and colleagues to discuss budget priorities, as the House will discuss the budget the last week in April. In the beginning of the month, I attended the Town of Shirley’s Board of Selectmen meeting to discuss the town’s FY15 Budget priorities, and a few house cleaning matters.  In the upcoming weeks, I look forward to discussing budget priorities with the remaining towns in the district.

My staff and I attended briefings on FY15 budget priorities hosted by the Massachusetts Higher Education, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association. We also met with groups to discuss budget priorities and amendments, such as the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), YWCA Jane Doe advocates, and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA).

It has been a great pleasure to be able to meet with so many people, and receive literature on budget priorities. If you wish to bring a priority to my attention, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Other News

My thoughts and prayers are with the Boston Fire Department and their families during this difficult time. Although just a small token of appreciation, I want to thank all of the first responders of the Commonwealth, for putting their own lives at risk, every day, to ensure the safety of our citizens.  

I want to thank all of you for communicating your concerns and priorities over the course of the month. As always, I encourage each of you to keep in touch by contacting my office at 617.722.2430 or sending me an email at Jennifer.Benson@mahouse.gov

Sincerely,

Jen