Senate will come to order.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Madam President, I'm sensing victory in the wind.
I also do not think we need an exclamation mark,
and so I'm anticipating that we may
have a very unanimous expression of support anyway.
So I request unanimous consent to withdraw my request
for a roll call on the pending amendment.
The senator asked by unanimous consent
to withdraw his amendment.
Is there anybody--
The roll call.
The roll call-- request for a roll call.
Is there any opposition?
Thank you.
So the question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment
is definitely adopted.
Number 90.
The same senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, moves--
has filed an amendment, Amendment number 90, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 90 by Mr. Tarr, Pension Benefits Review.
You're getting lucky twice?
Madam President-- luck is in the eyes of the beholder, Madam
President.
The instant amendment deals with a situation
that, from time to time, we see salaries
of those that are in institutions
of higher learning published.
And folks oftentimes question whether those salaries
and those compensation levels are appropriate.
And so in order to determine whether or not that's the case,
and to do it in a comprehensive and a reasonable way,
rather than in a reactionary way,
the instant amendment tasks the auditor
working with the Secretary of Education
and the Board of Higher Education
to look at the compensation of those that
are in administrative positions and staff
positions at our institutions of higher learning,
so that we can ensure that that compensation is appropriate
and it's appropriately being used as a resource,
rather than diverting resources from actual education
of students in other ways.
So Madam President, I hope that the amendment is adopted.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Senator Pacheco has some guests that he
would like to introduce.
Thank you very much, Madam President.
And it's my honor at this time to introduce Professor Wing-Kai
To from Bridgewater State University, who
has with him today, visiting us here
in Massachusetts at the Senate chamber,
a group of foreign exchange students
that are studying at Bridgewater State University.
And they're here from Shanghai Normal University in Shanghai.
We welcome you.
[APPLAUSE]
Session is in order.
The next amendment is--
oh.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 91 by Mr. Tarr, Special Education Services
Delivery.
Yes.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you to the members.
I move that this amendment be held so that it
can be further contemplated.
The amendment will be held.
Amendment 92 is on hold.
Amendment 93 has been withdrawn.
Amendment 94 has been withdrawn.
Amendment 95 is on hold.
Amendment 96 is on hold.
Amendment 97 has been withdrawn.
And Amendment-- yes?
I will speak louder.
So Amendment number 97 is withdrawn.
Amendment number 98 is withdrawn.
Amendment 99 is on hold.
Amendment 100 is withdrawn.
Amendment 91, the senator--
101.
I'm sorry.
The senator from Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire,
and Middlesex--
it's on hold.
Amendment number 102.
The senator from Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire,
and Middlesex has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 102 by Ms. Gobi, Regional School
Transportation Reimbursements.
The question comes on adoption--
oh, I'm sorry, yes.
Senator from Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, and Middlesex,
Ms. Gobi.
Thank you, Madam President.
And this just adds a little bit of money
to the regional school transportation line item.
As you know, this is an initiative
that I speak on year after year after year.
When regional schools were adopted in Massachusetts,
it was sort of a carrot and stick.
They were promised 100% reimbursement.
That has never happened since that
was allowed back in the 1970s.
This would get it up to a very modest 73% of reimbursement
and would mean a lot to the numerous real school districts
throughout the Commonwealth.
And I would ask that it pass favorably.
Thank you.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say--
I would ask that the when the vote
be taken, it be taken by call of the yeas and nays.
The senator asks when a vote be taken, that it be taken
by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her, please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number of members have risen.
The yeas and nays will be ordered,
and the clerk will call the roll.
Barrett.
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DeDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yes.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Jennifer L Flanagan.
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Leser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter.
F. Timilty.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
34.
Have all members been recorded?
[CHATTER]
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
[CHATTER]
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Thirty-eight in the affirmative.
None in the negative.
The amendment has been adopted.
No.
103, the senator from Suffolk, Senator Chang-Diaz
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment No.
103 by Ms. Chang-Diaz [INAUDIBLE]..
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 104-- the senator from First Essex
and Middlesex has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 104 by Mr. Tarr--
loan forgiveness task force.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The no's have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 105-- the senator from Worcester,
Hampden, Hampshire, and Middlesex, Miss Gobi,
has filed an amendment, the title of which the clerk will
be read.
Amendment number 105 by Miss Gobi--
non-member vote transportation reimbursement.
The question comes in adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The no's have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 106-- the senator
from Cape and the Islands, Senator Cyr,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 106 by Mr. Cyr-- affordable child
care for Barnstable County.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The no's have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 107-- the senator
from Worcester and Middlesex, Miss Flanagan,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 107 by Miss Flanagan--
[INAUDIBLE] rate increase.
Yes.
The senator from Second Hampden and Hampshire, Senate Humason--
Thank you, Madame President.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
It's nice to be with you for another year of budget debate.
I was hoping that the sponsor of the pending amendment
would rise and explain it to us.
Thank you.
Senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Miss Flanagan--
Did she say something?
Thank you, Madame President.
And through you to the members, this amendment
would allow for the modest 1.51% cost inflation factor
rate increase on tuition rates.
The private specialized schools already
operate in a deficit in most cases.
And not increasing the cost inflation factor rate
creates challenges in retaining talented teachers and increases
disparities between the public and private teacher pay.
Allowing the chapter 766 schools to increase tuition rates
will provide private special ed schools
with the ability to make critical programs
reconstruction adjustments.
This also supports the special circumstance
for salary upgrades, out-of-state rate letters,
and extraordinary relief requests.
The amendment would help provide the chapter
766 schools with the tools needed
to meet the continually evolving needs of the commonwealth's
most vulnerable students.
I hope that this amendment is adopted.
[INAUDIBLE] she's saying.
Plymouth-- the senator from Norfolk and Plymouth,
Senator Keenan.
[INAUDIBLE] we have a similar amendment,
which, at the appropriate time, I will ask to be withdrawn.
And just to follow up on the comments that were made,
I think we sometimes forget that the students who
attend these schools are public school
students, at least in my mind.
And oftentimes, when we talk about committing resources
to what I would call our traditional public schools,
we do not or fail or forget sometimes
to make sure that these schools get the resources that they
need.
These schools educate a great many
of our public school students.
And in fact, over the last several years,
we've seen about a 41,000--
and that's the total numbers-- increase
in those who've been diagnosed with some conditions that
would result in them going to these schools.
Those conditions are autism, health, neurological,
communication, developmental, and emotional disabilities.
And that's since 2003.
So the number of students in need
of the types of services that these schools are providing
is increasing dramatically.
And so how do we get them the resources that they need?
How do we get them, more than anything else,
the educators that they need?
We get them, at least in part, what
they need as a result of this amendment and similar efforts.
There is about a $24,000 wage gap
between a teacher in a public school
or traditional public school and a teacher in one of our [?
MAP ?] schools.
That is a significant difference.
And it results in a great many teachers
coming into these schools and then leaving
once they get a job offer at a public school--
a traditional public school.
So this, while it doesn't solve all those problems,
is a step in the right direction--
providing the resources that are needed,
resources that these students desperately need,
resources that go to our public school students
across the board.
So I urge favorable action on this amendment.
Thank you, Madame President.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 899-- no, no, 108.
Amendment number 108-- the senator
from Worcester and Middlesex, Senator Flanagan,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will call.
Amendment number 108 by Miss Flanagan--
Mount Wachusett Community College Brewer Center
for Civic Learning and Community Engagement.
The senator from Second Hampden and Hampshire--
My ears perked up when I heard the name Brewer.
I remember that name from somewhere.
I'm hoping that the gentle-lady will explain her amendment, why
that name is so familiar to us.
Do it during the budget.
The senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Senator Flanagan.
Thank you, Madame President.
Through you to the members, I will tell my colleague
that the reason why the name is so familiar to you
is that in my district, we have the Senator Stephen M. Brewer
Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement at Mount
Wachusett Community College.
And this amendment allows for an increase
of $100,000 in funding for the center
at Mount Wachusett, because it will increase the service
learning and volunteerism in North Central Mass
by supporting the development of a food pantry
and other emergency services for students
at risk of dropping out, due to financial circumstances.
I hope this amendment is adopted.
Thank you.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 109, the same senator
from Worcester, Flanagan.
Miss Flanagan has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 109 by Miss Flanagan--
Mount Wachusett Community College Automotive Technology
Center.
The senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Miss Flanagan--
Thank you, Madame President--
[AUDIO OUT] --in funding, which would allow Mount Wachusett
Community College to relocate their tech
program to the Fitchburg area.
The space where the program currently is housed
is lacking in both sufficient square footage
and modern equipment.
The relocation of this program would
address both of these needs to be situated closer
to a more diverse student population
in North Central Massachusetts.
I ask that the amendment be adopted.
--comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 110-- the senator
from Worcester and Middlesex, Miss Flanagan,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 110 by Miss Flanagan--
quality grading improvement system,
QRIS technical assistance.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The no's have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 111-- the senator
from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 111 by Mr. Rush-- auto tech training
program.
Yes.
The senator from Second Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
I'm hoping that the sponsor of this amendment
will explain to the members what it does for our benefit.
Thank you.
Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush--
--through to the members.
This amendment seeks an appropriation
of roughly $75,000 in the higher ed line item
to provide initial seed money to a program
that the legislature created within the economic development
law signed by the governor last August--
section 94 of chapter 129 of the Acts of 2016.
That law created a new section to establish a grant program
for recruiting, training, and hiring qualified auto
tech-trained students by repair, employers
through high school and post-secondary ed institutions
so that they have better auto tech training programs.
We know there's a huge gap in the commonwealth in this area.
And I know Secretary Ash has been talking
about this gap that exists.
And we need to get this training money into place
and get these programs into place
so that we are better able to meet
the needs of the automotive world.
I know in my district, we have what's called the Auto Mile.
It's key critical for those businesses
to survive that we have programs that train individuals who
are ready, able, qualified, and willing
to work in this field, which is critical to our economic
development in Massachusetts.
The House and the Senate supported the concept
of a comprehensive cooperative effort between schools
and employees to help address youth employment
issues while filling these jobs with qualified applicants.
This amendment would do just that.
It would provide the funds to help jumpstart that effort
where the current gap exists today
in dealing with our economic development
for the greater good moving forward.
Thank you, Madame President.
I hope the amendment is adopted.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those who in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 113-- number 112 has been withdrawn.
Amendment number 113, filed by the senator from Suffolk,
Senator Chang-Diaz, has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 113 by Miss Chang-Diaz--
school to career connecting activities.
The senator from Second Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Madame President.
I was looking around the chamber to see if the sponsor is here
and able to talk about the amendment.
OK.
[INAUDIBLE] brief recess.
It's a modest amendment-- a redraft--
to add $350,000 to the school to [INAUDIBLE] connecting
activities line item.
This is a line item, the funds from which
go for staff and local work for investment and boards
to work, to recruit local employers who,
through their private dollar, fund paid internship
placements for young people to get some work
experience under their belts, better
prepare them for the future.
This is a great investment for the state to make,
because we're using our state dollar to leverage
so much private investment in the worthy cause of youth
development and work force development for the future.
I hope the amendment passes.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 114-- the senator
from Suffolk, Senator Chang-Diaz,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 114 by Miss Chang-Diaz--
Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center retain revenue.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The no's have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 115-- the senator
from Essex, Senator McGee, has filed
an amendment, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 115 by Mr. McGee--
educational services for students
with limited or interrupted formal education.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The no's have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment 116-- senator from Essex, Senator McGee,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 116 by Mr. McGee-- pay
raises for early educators.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The no's have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 118 is withdrawn.
Amendment 119-- the senator from Worcester and Middlesex,
Miss Flanagan, has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 119 by Miss Flanagan--
[INAUDIBLE] Yes, We Care Teach Training Program for Teens.
The senator from [INAUDIBLE] and Middlesex, Miss Flanagan--
Thank you, Madame President.
[AUDIO OUT] --will go towards the cost of food supplies,
purchasing materials, and the administrative costs
related to the program, as well as for additional workshops
throughout the year.
This organization is a volunteer, grassroot,
not-for-profit charity designed to help improve
the quality of life for our veterans, children, and those
with cancer and life-threatening ailments, the homeless,
and the forgotten.
It fills the need for information, emergency
assistance, rides, health and wellness information,
and resource lists, food pantries, and mental health
aid.
I ask this amendment be adopted.
[INAUDIBLE] the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 120-- the senator from Middlesex,
Miss Donahue, has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 120 by Miss Donoghue, Westford school
technology upgrade.
The senator from Middlesex, Miss Donoghue--
Thank you, Madame President.
And through you to the members, I
rise in favor of this amendment, which
would provide $100,000 to the town of Westford's
public schools for a technology upgrade.
Westford has been working to better integrate technology
into the classrooms.
But of course, with budgets being tight,
it's been difficult to find the money
for those necessary upgrades.
The funding would pay for those upgrades
so that Westford can provide new and innovative learning
opportunities to its students.
I hope the amendment passes.
[INAUDIBLE] all in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 121-- the same senator from Middlesex has
filed an amendment-- that's Senator Donoghue--
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 121 by Miss Donoghue--
Youth Build grants.
Thank you.
And thank you, Madame President.
And through you to the members, I
rise in favor of this amendment.
This would fund the Massachusetts Youth Build
Coalition at the amount of $2.25 million.
The Massachusetts Youth Build Coalition
provides essential services to at-risk youth
in a loving community across the commonwealth,
primarily serving gateway cities,
including my own hometown city of Lowell.
Youth Build offers a combination of course work, workforce
development training, and empowers disconnected youth
that previously have been out of school
to become involved and employed.
Its programs have a tremendous record of success
in breaking the cycle of poverty and particularly reducing
repeat offenders.
Youth Build has placed 83% of Massachusetts participants
in post-secondary institutions or employment
and has assisted 58.3% of participants
in earning a high school equivalency degree
and reduced recidivism rate among participants
to an astonishing 5.2%.
Over the last decade alone, state investment
in Youth Build programming has remained largely unchanged,
hovering around $2 million.
In the same time span, Youth Build
has served more and more young people
who have much more complicated needs.
Increasing the funding would enable it to reach additional
at-risk youth, provide them with a more comprehensive set
of services and supports, which is incredibly important since
it affords so many a second chance--
thousands of young people in our commonwealth, especially those
in the most marginalized areas.
I hope the amendment passes.
[INAUDIBLE] on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, "aye;" opposed, "no."
The aye's have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 122 is on hold.
Amendment number 123, the senator
from Worcester, Middlesex, Ms. Flanagan
has filed an amendment the title of which the clerk will call.
Amendment number 123 by Ms. Flanagan, Center for Public
Policy at LaSell College.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
And the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 124, the senator
from Suffolk in Middlesex, Mr. Boncore
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 124 by Mr. Boncore, Keverian School
flooring.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The same senator from Suffolk in Middlesex, Mr. Boncore,
has filed an amendment number 125, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 125 Mr. Boncore,
Kennedy Center facility.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye.
All opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
And again, the same senator from Suffolk
in Middlesex, Mr. Boncore, has filed an amendment number
126, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 126 by Mr. Boncore, Reach Out and Read.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment--
all those in-- oh.
The senator from Suffolk in Middlesex, Mr. Boncore.
Thank you, Madam President.
And thanks for the opportunity to allow
me to join in this robust debate we've
been having all morning and afternoon.
I rise in support of this amendment for Reach
out and Read, which creates a line item for the Reach Out
and Read program, which provides underserved children
with literacy skills.
The program works between pediatricians and parents,
so the children are reading at a younger age.
We know that acquiring literary skills at an earlier age
has proven to strengthen vocabulary, language skills,
as well as ensure future academic success
for kindergarten students.
We know that is a cost-saving measure
by bringing children to the table
and teaching them to read sooner.
It eliminates, later, very expensive school-based
reading intervention programs.
Reach Out and Read is a program that currently serves
93% of our commonwealth's lowest income students,
and your support of this amendment
will ensure that every dollar the commonwealth spends
will be matched by a matching donor.
I'd ask that this amendment be adopted.
Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye-- opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendments 128, 129, 131.
Amendments number 128, 129, 130, and 131 are on hold.
Item number [INAUDIBLE],, the senator
from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 132 by Mr. Tarr--
LIFT Fund.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President and [INAUDIBLE] members.
Madam President, we continue to talk about the Foundation
Budget Review Commission and the importance of it,
and in fact, this budget actually
makes some initial strides to begin
to fund some of the recommendations
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
But we know, Madam President, that since that report was
issued in 2015, not much has happened
to be able to advance this.
And so that need has been not only unmet for the two
years following the issuance of the report,
but it hasn't been met since the time
that the problem began to develop after the Education
Reform Act was initially passed, and the Foundation Budget
started to diverge from the actual cost of educating
students.
And so we all know it's a problem.
There's a number of amendments that have been filed.
There have been a series of endless discussions
about how important it is that we address this.
And yet, Madam President, there is more that we can do.
And so this amendment, which is one
that we have offered in the past in other contexts,
actually creates the LIFT Fund, Madam President,
known as the Learning Innovation For Tomorrow.
And Madam President, this particular amendment
and this particular find draws on existing sources
of revenue--
let me say that again-- existing sources of revenue.
How much revenue?
Well, Madam President, somewhere between $180 and $200 million
that could be used for the Foundation Budget Review
Commission recommendations.
Where does that money come from?
Well one, it comes from the excess amounts
of money available from not building
the expansion of the Boston Convention Center--
something that has been put on hold because
of its inadvisability already, and something
that is likely to change because of a study that's currently
being done to look at other alternatives
for the land on which that expansion
was going to be built.
Where else does it find the money?
Well, Madam President, it finds the money
in the gaming legislation that we passed a number of years
ago that specifically earmarked some of the revenue
from gaming in the commonwealth for education,
but did not specifically appropriate that money
for a particular purpose.
Our amendment appropriates it to this fund
so that we can begin to seriously address
the issue of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
Lastly, Madam President, the amendment
also looks that taking some of the revenue that
may be leftover if there is an excess
from the net consolidated surplus,
and putting that into the fund, as well.
Putting those things together, Madam President,
uses existing revenue for identified
needs that we could all agree address every one of the school
districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
So it's commendable, Madam President, that we actually
have made some strides toward funding
some of the recommendations in the FBRC--
in its report.
But we have to ask ourselves a question,
as we come to this chamber once again
to lament the inadequacy of the resources being
put into those recommendations.
Is there more that we could do?
And the answer is yes.
The answer is this amendment.
The answer is, we could bolster our commitment
to the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review
Commission, and begin to do some things that actually address
every school district in the commonwealth,
and build a better foundation for them to continue to thrive.
So Madam President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
Those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment 133 is on hold.
Amendment number 133 is hold.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
[INAUDIBLE]
The Senate will come to order.
Amendment number 134.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 134 by Mr. Tarr, Innovation Schools.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
And I see that the sponsor is standing up.
Madam President, how wonderful it
is to see you upon the roster.
It is.
Good afternoon.
And it's so good to see you with your purple tie.
Why, thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, after that exchange,
this will seem anticlimactic.
But I wish to move the amendment be held.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex
has asked that amendment number 134 be held.
Is there any objection?
Seeing none--
It is laid aside temporarily.
--it will be laid aside temporarily, and taken up
a little later.
Amendment number 135 from the same senator
from Essex and Middlesex.
He has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 135 by Mr. Tarr, literacy program funding.
Madam President, I move the Senate be in a brief recess.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
OK.
Amendment 135-- and I believe that the senator
from Essex and Middlesex, its sponsor, has something to say.
[INAUDIBLE] would supplement the funding
that's already in the Senate Ways and Means budget
proposal for a program called the Bay State Reading
Institute.
And Madam President, this is a transformational program
that works with school systems to change the way that students
are educated by using small group
instruction, by empowering instructors and teachers to be
able to maximize their efforts in the classroom,
by the way that interactions occur in the classroom,
and, Madam President, by focusing particularly
on early literacy skills that are
so important in the trajectory of a student
throughout their career.
So Madam President, I hope that the amendment is adopted.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
136 is on hold.
136 has been held.
We now turn to 137, offered by the senator
from Middlesex and Worcester Mr. Eldridge,
who's filed an amendment, the title of which the clerk will
read.
Amendment number 137 by Mr. Eldridge,
adult basic education.
Settle, settle.
The senator from Middlesex and Worcester rises.
Thank you, Madam President.
The amendment, redrafted, that I have filed
would increase funding for adult basic education by $500,000.
Madam President, adult basic education
makes a dramatic difference in the lives of thousands
of people across Massachusetts.
Just two weeks ago, I had the opportunity
to speak at the Massachusetts Adult Basic Ed
Conference, which happened in my district,
and I got a chance to speak to teachers from all
over Massachusetts, who, in the Q&A,
got a chance to talk about the difference
that they were making in their students' lives.
And what I took from that is not only
the help that obviously was providing them with literacy,
but also, the sense of community that
was created in those classrooms.
Many of the individuals who benefit
from adult basic education are immigrants.
And one of the hallmarks of the Senate Ways and Means
budget, thanks to the chairwoman and the vice chairman,
is increasing funding in key areas to support immigrants.
The funding for adult basic education
in the Senate Ways and Means budget is $30,250,000.
With this redraft, it would be $30,750,000.
And of course, what adult basic education does,
Madam President, is teach basic skills of reading, writing,
and math to adult learners, preparing them, in many cases,
to take GED and transition to a job, college,
or university, or training program,
and makes them more employable.
I think this is a key investment.
I'm very proud that the Senate has
led the way over the past few years
to increasing funding for adult basic education.
And therefore, I ask, when we vote on this amendment,
we vote by a call of the yeas and nays.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex--
Middlesex and Worcester--
I'm sorry, Middlesex [INAUDIBLE] has filed--
Has asked.
--has asked that when a vote is taken
on this redrafted amendment, it be taken
by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with him, please rise and be counted.
Sufficient number--
Seeing a sufficient number having risen--
One vote will be taken.
The yeas and nays will be ordered.
[INAUDIBLE] Nope.
We're all set.
Nope.
Anybody else?
OK.
So the clerk will call the roll.
Michael J. Barrett?
Yes.
Michael J. Barrett votes yes.
Joseph A. Boncore?
Yes.
Michael D. Brady?
Yes.
William M. Brownsberger?
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler?
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem?
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo?
Yes.
Sal N. DiDimenico?
Sal?
Senator DiDimenico?
Sal.
Yes.
Eilieen M. Donoghue?
Yes.
James B. Eldridge?
Yes.
Yes Ryan C. Fattman?
Yes.
Jennifer L. Flanagan?
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi?
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds?
Yes.
Donald of Humason Jr.?
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
Yes.
John F. Keenan?
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser?
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis?
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien?
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely?
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee?
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny?
Yeah.
Yes Michael O. Moore?
Yes.
Yes Patrick M. O'Connor?
Yes.
Yes Kathleen O'Connor Ives?
Yes.
Mark R. Pacheco?
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues?
Yes.
Richard J. Ross?
Yes.
Michael F. Rush?
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka?
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr?
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty?
Yes.
James T. Welch?
Yes.
Have all members [INAUDIBLE]
Cynthia Stone Creem votes yes.
37 in the affirmative, none in the negative.
The amendment is adopted.
We turn now to number 138, filed by the senator from Middlesex
and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge, who has
filed an amendment, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 138 by Mr. Aldridge--
municipal libraries local aid.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
Mr. Eldridge of Middlesex and Worcester.
Amendment number 138 would increase
funding for municipal libraries by $377,000.
I know that we're all very proud of the libraries in our cities
and towns.
And libraries continue to be a source for people
from young to old.
And even those who are looking to access information online.
are still going to libraries to access that information.
Libraries are a source, not only for general enjoyment,
but also for connecting people to job searches,
to improving their educational skills,
and also, I find, a meeting place for people
to come together to discuss different issues going on
at the local level.
So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, which
would increase funding for local aid for municipal libraries
by $377,000.
Thank you.
Comes in adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, oppose no.
The nays have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
We turn now to 139 from the senator from Essex
and Middlesex Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 139, by Mr. Tarr,
Career Pathway Pilot Program.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President.
The amendment relates to an operation in Gloucester known
as Wellspring House, which has been very, very effective,
not only in meeting the housing needs of families that
are homeless, but also in trying to develop educational programs
that help folks be able to increase their employability,
increase their levels of education,
and overall, Madam President, be able to improve their lives.
This particular amendment would fund a partnership
between Wellspring House and North Shore Community College
to look at ways that the recipients
of the educational programs at Wellspring
now could be able to move forward and actually
be able to get credits and degrees for the work that's
being done, and be able to assimilate into the college
programs that North Shore Community College operate.
So Madam President, this is a very worthy cause,
and I hope the amendment is adopted.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, oppose no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We now go to amendment number 140
by the same senator from Essex and Middlesex,
Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 140 by Mr. Tarr, Three Year College
Degrees and Joint Degree Programs.
Mr. Tarr from Essex and Middlesex.
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, this amendment does need some redrafting,
and so I move that it be held.
So 140 will be held.
141 is on hold.
141 is also on hold.
142 by the senator from Norfolk and Plymouth,
Mr. Keenan is the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 142 by Mr. Keenan, Curriculum Development
in Abington Public School District.
Yes.
Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Madam President.
Good afternoon.
I was hoping that the sponsor of this question
could explain to the members a little bit about what it does.
Thank you very much.
The senator from--
Norfolk and Plymouth.
Norfolk and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan.
Thank you, Madam President, through you
to the gentleman from Westfield.
This is an appropriation to aid with the curriculum
in the town of Abington.
Abington is in the process of building
a co-located middle school, high school.
And it is on time--
ahead of schedule actually-- and on budget.
It's a great facility.
And what they're doing in the course of that construction
is that they're realigning their grade structures
so that they can accommodate the students in that new facility.
As a result, they need to modify their curriculum.
So we have a situation where their curriculum
is somewhat outdated, needs modification for that reason.
It also needs modification to meet the demands associated
with the new school.
That's the purpose of the amendment,
and I would move favorable action-- request
favorable action on the amendment.
Thank you, Madam President.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, oppose no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We turn now to an amendment number 143,
offered by the senator from Essex and Middlesex,
Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 143 by Mr. Tarr, Foundation Budget Review
Commission.
Oh my god.
Brief recess.
Yes.
Take a brief recess, please.
Thank you.
Brief rec--
The Senate is now in order.
Mr. Tarr from Essex and Middlesex.
Madam President, we have discovered
that we can even further improve the wonderful nature
of this amendment, and so that I move
that it be temporarily held.
So amendment 143 will be held.
We turn now to 144, offered by the Senator Keenan
from Norfolk and Plymouth, the title of which
the clerk will read.
Amendment number 144 by Mr. Keenan,
Professional Development in Rockland Public Schools
District.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nays have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
We go now to amendment 145 by Mr. Brownsberger,
a senator from Suffolk and Middlesex,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 145 by Mr. Brownsberger,
Extraordinary Special Education Costs.
Mr. Humason from Second Hampden and Hampshire.
Come to speak on his amendment.
It looks like he's prepared to do that.
Thank you.
Mr. Brownsberger from Suffolk and Middlesex.
Thank you, Madam President.
This amendment would provide the reserve
for additional special education funding for communities
that are affected by institutions that
draw a large number of special needs children
into their school systems.
I hope the amendment is--
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Next is amendment number 146, sponsored by the Senator Tarr
from Essex and Middlesex, the title of which
the clerk will read.
Amendment number 146 by Mr. Tarr, State Reciprocity
Agreements.
The question comes on Mr. Tarr.
Hi, Madam President.
Hi there.
Madam President, I request unanimous consent
to withdraw the pending amendment.
Mr. Tarr from Essex and Middlesex
asks unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.
What do I have to do?
Madam, what's wrong?
What?
You don't have to--
147 offered by the senator from Suffolk--
senator from Forry has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 147 by Miss Forry, Boston Scholar Athletes.
Madam President.
Yes, Mr. Humason from Second Hampden and Hampshire.
Thank you, Madam President.
It would be a pleasure to hear from the gentlelady from Boston
about this amendment, so that she could
tell the members what it does.
Thank you, Madam President.
This is a redrafted amendment.
Senator from Suffolk--
Thank you Madam President, and through you to the members.
I am proud to sponsor this important amendment that
provides funding for the Scholar Athletes Program.
This program helps support the educational achievement
of young people through athletics.
The impact of the Scholar Athletes
has grown beyond the borders of Boston.
The dedicated staff of this program
serves nearly 5,000 public high school students, 4,000 of them
in 19 Boston schools and 1,000 located in two Springfield
high schools.
And the program is growing, soon to provide services
in Everett next year.
This program has a proven track record of success since 2009,
very important--
since 2009, 96% of the students who participated in the program
graduated from high school with plans
to gain a post-secondary education.
Students earn higher SAT scores and were
awarded more than 120 college scholarships,
totaling to $4.2 million.
So I ask that you join me in supporting our students
with this important program.
Thank you.
Comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The next amendment is 150, offered by the senator
from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge.
What about 148, 149, Madam President.
I'm sorry, forgive me.
We've skipped over a couple here.
The next amendment is 148, offered by the senator
from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Sorry, Mr. Tarr.
Amendment number 148 by Mr. Tarr,
OSD Group Purchasing of Textbooks and Educational
Materials.
I am so sorry after you resurrected my amendment
that I'm going to move unanimous consent to withdraw it,
but I do appreciate the effort.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex ask for unanimous consent
to withdraw amendment number 148.
We then go to 149, authored by the senator from Suffolk, Miss
Forry.
Miss Forry.
Amendment number 149 by Miss Forry, JFK Library Civics
Education.
This is on hold.
Excuse me, 149 is on hold, so we will
go to 150, offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge, the title of which the clerk will
read.
Amendment number 150 by Mr. Eldridge, Mount Wachusett
Community College Manufacturing and Technology Training
Program.
The senator for Middlesex and Worcester.
Thank you, Madam President.
This is for $150,000, amendment 150,
for the Mount Wachusett Community College Manufacturing
and Technology Training Program.
Madam President, the district that I represent,
there is still manufacturing and actually growing manufacturing
in the planned community of Devens, run, of course,
by Mass Development.
And a terrific partnership that has happened over the past six
years has been a partnership between Mount Wachusett
Community College and industries both at Devens,
but also throughout North Central Massachusetts
to provide free and low cost advanced manufacturing
training to people who would not otherwise afford this training.
This is an important program for North Central Massachusetts
that benefits many of my constituents,
but also people throughout Metro West--
excuse me, throughout North Central Massachusetts,
and has actually partnered with the North Central Mass
Chamber of Commerce.
According to that Chamber of Commerce,
25% of the jobs in the region are
in the manufacturing sector.
And therefore, we need a community college
setting to train residents in the area to fill these jobs.
Over the past four years, Mount Wachusett Community College
has been able to train 350 people in accelerated two
and six week sessions, with a 92% completion
rate and a nearly 75% employment rate.
Continued economic growth in the region
requires a steady influx of trained workers.
And that's why I'm hoping you will join me
in supporting this amendment for $150,000 for Mount Wachusett
Community College Manufacturing and Technology Training
Programs.
Thank you.
On adoption of the amendment, all those in favor say aye,
all those opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We go next to 151, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Barrett, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 151 by Mr. Barrett, More Than Words.
Is he even hear?
Yes.
OK.
Senator from--
Senator from Hampden and Hampshire--
Madam President, I confess that in trying to come up with a way
to ask the next speaker, the gentleman
to explain his amendment using more than words,
but I can't, so if he could, that would be wonderful.
Thank you.
The senator from Middlesex, Mr. Barrett.
Thank you very much, Madam President.
I appreciate the opening to talk about More Than Words,
which is a program originated in Waltham, Massachusetts.
This particular amendment would give the program
$50,000 in funds.
More Than Words is focused on helping court
involved or homeless young people with employment
opportunities, but it takes a very and interestingly
concrete approach.
More Than Words operates a bookstore
in Waltham, Mass-- a secondhand bookstore, in which all
the business decisions are made by the young men and women whom
it seeks to train for later employment opportunities.
More Than Words has just expanded
to the South End of Boston.
It's procured a second site where it will have
a similar kind of operation.
It's a terrific program that teaches the basics of business
decision making, financial decision making, and retail
to kids who really feel empowered,
sometimes they say, for the first times in their lives.
I hope there's this particular amendment is adopted.
This is a wonderful initiative on the part
of the organization.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Brief recess.
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent
to make a brief statement.
Senator asks unanimous consent to make a brief statement.
Is there any--
Is there any objection?
Hearing none, the senator has the floor.
Thank you, Madam President.
I rise at this particular moment because I
would have had an amendment that would have been called next.
I have withdrawn that amendment, but I
wanted to take the opportunity to just make
a brief comment about a topic related to the amendment
that I withdrew, and call attention to something that I
know that Ways and Means Chair outlined in her opening remarks
today, but that I want to underscore and call
a special attention to.
And that is an incredibly positive investment
that the Senate Ways and Means budget
makes in preschool expansion in this budget.
For years now, many in this chamber
have been engaging in the hard work
of expanding high quality preschool options
in the Commonwealth.
And from our Senate president to the newest members
of this body, I think we all agree
that that kind of expansion work is not the kind of thing that
happens overnight.
It requires diligence, it requires focus,
it requires planning.
And there are few members of this chamber who
know that better than our distinguished Vice
Chair of Ways and Means and his staff,
who have been working extremely hard over the past months
to produce an incredible roadmap for success
for our youngest residents through the Kids First report.
But if you rewind the clock a couple of years, in FY16,
the Senate showed a great deal of foresight,
even before we had the complete roadmap of Kids First,
in establishing a new grant program, the Commonwealth
Preschool Partnership, to provide municipalities
and providers the funds that they need
to come together and begin to do the unglamorous, but very
important work of planning that would be necessary to later
expand their preschool offerings,
and how that program has borne fruit.
In the end, over the past couple of years,
13 towns received grants and have spent the better part
of two years getting themselves shovel ready for this day
when we would put forth the implementation
dollars to start bringing those plans into fruition.
I want to just call out the communities
because this has been sleepy, behind the scenes work,
but really important work that we all should be proud of.
The communities that have undertaken this planning work
over the past couple of years--
Athol, Brockton, Cape Cod, which is
of course more than one municipality,
but as the region--
Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford,
North Adams, Pittsfield, Somerville, Springfield,
Worcester all have been recipients of this planning
money since the FY16 budget, in which we showed that foresight.
And now our Ways and Means chair has
placed a stake in the ground, investing $15 million
in preschool expansion grants to start making plans into reality
and to actually expand high school quality--
I'm sorry, not high school-- preschool offerings
to 1,000 more children in the Commonwealth.
This is a tremendous step forward,
and we should be very, very proud
of the work of this body, and in particular,
our Ways and Means Chair and Vice Chair.
So thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity.
I just couldn't resist the opportunity
to highlight this work.
It's something that we should all be proud of.
Thank you.
[AUDIO OUT]
--is withdrawn.
Number 153 is withdrawn.
Amendment number 154, the senator from Worcester, Senator
Chandler, has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 154 by Miss Chandler, Regional School
District Foundation Budget Commission.
The senator from first Essex and Middlesex.
Did you-- [AUDIO OUT]
Far be it from me.
But Madam President, it's so interesting
to see how you and the gentlelady from Worcester
are interchanging roles so frequently.
It's hard for us to keep up, but we know that you're keeping up.
And we would be delighted to hear
an explanation of the pending amendment from the gentlelady
from Worcester.
Senator from Worcester.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you, [INAUDIBLE]..
This amendment [INAUDIBLE] commission
on regional school district foundation [AUDIO OUT]
problem for all of us who happen to have regional school
systems because regional school systems were founded
at a time when the people who wrote this foundation
budget really didn't know very much about regional schools.
And for those of us who have regional schools,
the problem of the foundation budget
has been an ongoing problem.
We passed this in the budget last year.
Unfortunately, we lost it somewhere along the way
in the conference committee.
No, we didn't lose it in the conference committee.
The governor vetoed it because he said
it was something that was done.
It wasn't done in the regular foundation budget.
It is something that needs to be done.
There is a sense that regional school districts,
and in some cases the towns that make up these districts,
aren't given a fair share of the funding.
That is a real problem.
I believe that all of us who happen
to have a regional school district
want to ensure that every town has access to the education
funds they need, including regional school districts
like the one that I represent.
I have three regional school districts.
So for these reasons, I encourage the Senate
to adopt amendment 154.
Thank you.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say--
Madam President?
Yes.
Senator Tarr, senator from [INAUDIBLE]..
Thank you.
Madam President, I appreciate the explanation.
I think this is a critically important amendment.
It addresses an area that has not been fully considered
and one that continues to be problematic
as realities play out in ways that
might have been unanticipated.
So Madam President, I move that when a vote is taken then
this matter be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
The senator from Essex has moved that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with him, please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number of members have risen.
The yeas and nays will be ordered
and the clerk will call the roll.
[AUDIO OUT]
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yes.
Yes James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Jennifer L. Flanagan.
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
Have all members been recorded?
[AUDIO OUT]
Julian Cyr votes yes.
[AUDIO OUT]
That's the best job of all.
It is.
38 in the affirmative.
None in the negative.
38 in the affirmative.
None in the negative.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 155.
The senator from Worcester, Senator Chandler,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 155 by Miss Chandler, Recreation Worcester.
Question comes on--
Ques-- Miss Chandler.
[AUDIO OUT]
This is the top priority of the city of Worcester.
It provides $200,000 in funding for Recreation Worcester.
It's a free summer and after-school program for youth
to promote healthy and productive lifestyles
for students.
It is open to all students in grades 3 to 12
who attend any public, private, or parochial or charter school
in Worcester.
It provides snacks, homework, tutoring, art classes,
drug abuse prevention programs, and sports activities.
I happen to have seen it in action last summer.
It's a very impressive program.
Keeps kids off the streets, keeps them busy,
provides the tutoring that so many of them need,
provides a healthy and a hot lunch and a breakfast, as well.
And it makes a huge difference in young children's ideas
and their lives.
And frankly, it goes a long way toward Kids First,
which is another of the Senate's priorities.
So I hope that you will adopt Amendment 155.
Thank you.
I can't hear.
Or I'm hearing too much.
So please take your--
please-- would the members please
speak outside of the room?
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.
Brief recess.
[AUDIO OUT]
--156, senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex,
Mr. Ross, has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 156 by Mr. Ross, [INAUDIBLE] School
Mitigation.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye.
Those opposed say no.
And the nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Number 157, offered by the senator from Suffolk,
Ms. Chan-Diaz, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 157 by Ms. Chang-Diaz, [?
Summit ?] Learning Grants.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, oppose, no.
The nays have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 158 is on hold.
159, offered by the senator from Essex,
Ms. Lovely, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 159 by Ms. Lovely, Homeless Student
Transportation Commission.
The senator from Essex.
Thank you, Madam President.
This amendment amends section 190 of chapter--
Chair asks all members and guests
to please hold your conversations
and allow the senator from Essex to explain
what her amendment is.
Thank you, Madam President.
This amendment amends section 190
of chapter 133 of the Acts of 2016,
which created a special commission to study and make
recommendations to improve efficiencies
relative to transportation for homeless students.
The commission is responsible for reviewing
the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance
Act and methods that districts use
to transport homeless students, including current costs
and recommendations for improvements and efficiencies.
This amendment clarifies that the commission will
be chaired by the Secretary of Education or a designee
and shall file this report and recommendations no later
than December 31, 2018.
I hope that the amendment is adopted.
Thank you.
Adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The next amendment is 160, that is in a hold.
After that is 161, offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 161 by Ms. Creem, Steps to Success.
Mr. Humason from-- I have to keep looking--
2nd Hampden and Hampshire.
Thank you, Madam President.
I was hoping that the sponsor of the next amendment
would explain to us what her amendment does
in as few steps as possible.
Come on up.
Senator-- excuse me.
Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk.
Thank you, Madam President.
steps to Success is a wide-ranging after-school
and out-of-school program which provides
individualized attention to students in grades 4
through 12, both within housing authority buildings
and at the high school in Brookline.
Teachers and aides provide after-school and out-of-school
tutoring and activities and assist with college selection
and application.
Dedicated staff support students by encouraging and facilitating
participation in other extracurricular activities,
including sports and theater.
The Brookline school committee highlights the Steps
to Success program as a successful tutoring program,
which has moved at-risk students onto the college track.
These funds will help the Steps to Success program
provide more resources for students who may be at risk
or need extra assistance to reach their goal.
And I hope this item is passed.
Thank you, Madam.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment 162 is on hold.
Amendment 163 is on hold.
And we now turn to 164, which is a redrafted amendment offered
by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex,
Mr. Ross, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 164 by Mr. Ross, Updating Jackson
Elementary School's Playground.
Thanks for reading [INAUDIBLE].
They might not have gotten that.
164 actually-- will you stop?
This supports the town of Plainville.
The elementary school system has not
had a playground update in a long, long time.
This makes the outdoor experience for the students
there a little bit more enjoyable and a lot safer,
so consequently I'm hoping for this $25,000
from the town of Plainville and I urge your support.
Thank you.
On adoption of the amendment, all those in favor
say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 165, offered by the senator from Worcester,
Mr. Moore, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 165 by Mr. Moore,
Above Foundation Spending Percentage.
Senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
[INAUDIBLE] this item to be held.
The senator asks that item number 165 be held.
The next amendment is 166, offered by the same senator
from Worcester, Mr. Moore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 166 by Mr. Moore, Bottom Line.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor--
Mr. Humason, you sent--
I'm just curious to know more about the bottom line.
If the sponsor would please explain it, that'd be great.
Thank you.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
Thank you, Madam President.
This amendment provides $150,000 for the Bottom Line program,
which is a program that helps low-income students
from the application process through their tenure
during college.
The data and the results have shown a higher completion rate
and success rate for the students
who have been participating in this mentoring program.
So this is a very wise investment into our students
and their success in their higher education experiences,
and I ask for your support in this amendment.
Thank you.
Adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nays have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment is by--
Brief recess.
Moore asks, unanimous consent, that no action
be taken on number 166.
Questions.
Is there any objection?
Chair hears none.
Question comes from the amendment.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
Yes.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Same senator, Mr. Moore for Worcester,
offers Amendment 167, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 167 by Mr. Moore, Central Mass Skill
Worker Partnership.
Question comes on adoption--
No?
I guess not.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
Excuse me.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
The question comes on the next amendment, 168,
by Mr. Moore of Worcester.
Amendment number 168 by Mr. Moore, Cummings School
of Veterinary Medicine.
[AUDIO OUT]
Adoption of the amendment number 168
by Senator Moore of Worcester, the Cummings
School of Veterinary Medicine.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Number 169, offered by the same Senator Moore from Worcester,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 169 by Mr. Moore, Duel Enrollment.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Brief recess, please.
Brief recess.
Amendment number 170 is on hold.
Amendment number 171, the senator from Worcester,
Mr. Moore.
Has filed an amendment.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
Brief recess.
Amendment number 171.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 171 by Mr. Moore, Early Education
and Care Workforce Study.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
Nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 172.
Brief recess.
Amendment number 172 is on hold.
Amendment number 173.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 173 by Mr. Moore, Higher Education
Collaboration and Efficiency.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 174.
The senator from Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Brady,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 174 by Mr. Brady, Education Reimbursement.
Senator from Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Brady.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And through you to the members, this
was filed in regards to any city hosting
a charter school that opened in the years 2016-2017 school
year.
In a temporary location outside of the said city,
the increased tuition in said school year
should be treated as a first-year increase
for purposes of the reimbursement.
This came about with--
And before I go on, I want to thank the leadership
in the Senate and all the work that all of us
has done to do our best to fund education.
I know how important it is to this body and our colleagues
in the House, especially to the chairwoman of Ways and Means
and the Senate president.
That being said, unfortunately, some cities
have been penalized with the foundation formula budget
changes from the administration and the Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education.
So some communities with lower-income students
and families have suffered because of this.
I know we did a lot to put a lot of money
back into the budget to help alleviate this,
but on top of that, the charter schools that were proposed
in the Commonwealth--
and I want to thank all the residents that
fought hard to alleviate lifting the charter school cap,
and I think the residents did a great job, as well
as a lot of members here.
But that being said, there was a charter school
proposed in the city of Brockton amongst much opposition.
I didn't see one elected official or many parents who
spoke against it, but our test scores in the city of Brockton
were above the state average plateau
that we didn't have to accept the charter school.
They're doing the right thing.
But because of this, they included two other communities
that test scores are below, so they
were able to sneak in the back door
and get our charter school approved.
And on top of that, they weren't even prepared
to find a proper location.
They went to one location in Brockton.
That wasn't adequate.
Went to another location.
They didn't even pull a building permit.
They ended up bussing students up to another community
up in Norwood, which delayed everything in the school
system of Brockton.
Didn't know whether the charter school was
going to open on time or not, so we
had to hold back a lot of whether we are going
to have proper teachers and staffing, et cetera,
and it cost us a financial hardship in the community.
And other communities have suffered like this.
So this was basically filed to protect communities
that these charter schools try to end around and get
into communities when they're not even prepared to do so.
And I think we need to take a hard look moving forward
to protect our communities with the funding mechanisms.
Again, if a community wants that charter school, God bless them.
But when you take in $4 to $5 million dollars out
of the community that's working--
and these aren't a community that want free handouts.
These are working-class people that are just barely making
above minimum wage that are working to do the best they can
to provide for their families, and unfortunately, they're
penalized because of it, and that's
why this amendment was filed.
Thank you.
Question of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment is amendment number 175.
The senator from Essex, Ms. O'Connor Ives
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 175 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, New England
Board of Higher Education.
The senator from Essex, Mr. O'Connor Ives.
--and through you to the members,
I ask for unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.
Senator asks unanimous--
The senator asks unanimous consent
to withdraw the amendment.
Is there an objection?
Hearing none, the amendment is withdrawn, amendment number
175.
Amendment number 176 has been withdrawn.
Amendment number 177.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 177 by Mr. Moore, Mass Grant Safe Pilot
Program.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment, amendment number 178.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 178 by Mr. Moore, Nursing
in Allied Health Initiative.
Question comes an adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 179 is on hold.
Amendment number 180 has been withdrawn.
Amendment number 181.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 181 from Mr. Moore, State Scholarship
Program.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment, amendment number 182.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 182 by Mr. Moore, UMass Manufacturing
Program.
Mr. Clerk, [INAUDIBLE].
[AUDIO OUT]
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Next amendment is amendment number 183.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 183 by Mr. Moore, Tuition Retention Task
Force.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The next amendment is amendment number 184.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 184 by Mr. Moore, State Reciprocity
Agreements.
Senator from--
Who's standing?
Oh.
Plymouth and Norfolk.
Senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I was just wondering if the sponsor of this amendment
would mind giving us a brief summary.
Senator from Worcester--
Mr. Moore.
Mr. President, this amendment provides the board
of higher education with the authority
to enter into interstate agreements,
granting institutions of higher education located
in Massachusetts to voluntarily participate in reciprocity
agreements as well as to provide distance education programs
to students in other states.
The state authorization of reciprocity agreements,
known as SARA, is a national initiative
to establish uniform policies and standards
for colleges and universities offering online programs.
By joining SARA, qualifying Massachusetts institutions
of higher education can voluntarily
participate and provide online programs to students
and other states in accordance with the terms
of this agreement.
SARA does not change the current structure
of our state's approval or oversight
of campuses located here.
In fact, SARA policies were recently clarified,
ensuring that joining SARA does not limit a state's ability
to apply its consumer protection laws against higher education
institutions in other states.
This means that the attorney general's office would still
be able to use our consumer protection
laws against any schools that engage in unfair and deceptive
business practices.
Our higher education institutions have
been advocating for this for many years
to actually make themselves more competitive with other colleges
and universities out of state and also
to help with the student loan debt and the access to college
programs and the skills that are necessary to,
right now, make them disadvantaged in Massachusetts
through other students.
So I ask for your support.
When a vote is taken, I ask for a roll call to be counted.
Senator from Worcester.
Senator from Worcester has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by the call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with him, please rise and be counted.
Sufficient number of members have risen.
The yeas and nays will be ordered.
Pacheco, Pacheco.
Senator from the 1st Bristol and Plymouth district, Mr. Pacheco.
Thank you very much, [INAUDIBLE]..
I rise in support of this particular amendment.
Having the opportunity to sit on [AUDIO OUT] representative
on the New England Board of Higher Education,
I just want to say that this particular SARA program is
a tremendous advantage, as the chairman has
said, to our students in Massachusetts.
Students actually save a lot of money
at a time when we are talking about the cost of college
and higher education.
Some 48 states now have reciprocity agreements.
The New England Board of Higher Education
has actually worked on developing those relationships
and making sure the legal standing is there so,
as the chairman just said, the attorney general's office
can protect our students and families
relative to consumer protection activities, as well.
So I just wanted to rise and say I
am in full support of this particular amendment.
It's something that we've done before.
I believe the House has this in their budget,
so this is something we can walk away from this budget
with at the end of the day knowing that we are,
in fact, a part of the SARA agreement
and join those 48 other states.
Senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[INAUDIBLE] an honor to stand with the gentleman
from Worcester County and the gentlemen from Bristol County
to support this amendment.
This is something that we've worked
on over a period of time.
We were able to get a commission together
to really vet this out to understand to make sure that we
were doing the right thing.
As the gentleman from Taunton said, 48 other states do this,
and yet we have been slow to make sure
that we check all the checkboxes on this
that we don't do anything that harms our colleges.
And the colleges are in support of this.
And the reality is, this enables many
of the students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
to be able to get an online education
for different or specific classes
at a much more affordable rate.
We all know how expensive college has become for so many
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
and obviously throughout the country.
This will enable them to access education
in a more fiscally responsible way, which
helps everyone, their families, and certainly puts them
in a position where they may not be in debt.
So it enables individuals who may not otherwise
be able to afford an education to access that education.
And so this is such a wonderful tool.
Not only does it help the students.
It helps the colleges.
It brings us into the 21st century
with all the other states in the country.
And so I'm very proud to stand with the gentleman
from Worcester County and the gentleman
from Bristol County in supporting
this wonderful amendment.
Thank you Mr. President.
Clerk will call the roll.
[AUDIO OUT]
--Barrett.
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yes.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Jennifer L. Flanagan.
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Rodrigues?
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
And James T. Welch.
Yes.
Have all members been recorded?
Yes.
[AUDIO OUT]
37 in the affirmative.
None in the negative.
The matter is adopted.
There you go.
Is that right?
Yeah.
That's [INAUDIBLE].
The next amendment is amendment number 185.
The senator from Bristol and Plymouth, Mr. Rodrigues,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 185 by Mr. Rodrigues, School and Student
Assessment.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 186.
The senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex,
Mr. Ross, has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 186 by Mr. Ross, Opiate Addiction
Education in Wrentham.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say--
Senator Ross.
Senator from-- you can just say, recognize the senator
from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex.
Senator Ross.
Thank you very much.
As for this amendment for the Wrentham Public School system,
which is an important step in spreading substance abuse
and addiction awareness to young people across the Commonwealth.
Provide $25,000 to the Wrentham Public Schools
to advance education awareness of opiate addiction
to its students, who've taken a number of crucial steps
towards eliminating the epidemic here in the Commonwealth.
They've expanded treatment options, enhanced prevention
and education efforts in a number of ways.
Young people are an important group
of targets for these efforts.
If we can educate mass youth to the dangers of substance abuse
and addiction, give them the tools
that they need to protect themselves
and make wise decisions.
Substance use and addiction touch families
in every community throughout the Commonwealth.
This fund would allow the town of Wrentham
to spread this education and awareness to its students
and increase prevention efforts in that community.
I hope this amendment passes.
Thank you.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
The next amendment, number 187, is on hold.
The next amendment, number 188, is on hold.
The next amendment, number 189--
[AUDIO OUT] 189.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 189 by Mr. Tarr, Educational Unfunded
Mandate Task Force.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment, number 190.
The senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 190 by Mr. O'Connor, Cohasset and Hull
School Resources Officer.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment, number 191, is on hold.
The next amendment, number 192.
The senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 192 by Mr. O'Connor, Hingham High School
Security.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
And nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Next amendment, number 193.
The senator from Hampton, Mr. Welch,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 193 by Mr. Welch, At-Risk Students.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The next amendment, amendment number 194, has been withdrawn.
The next amendment, number 195.
The senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 195 by Mr. Moore, Blackstone Valley
Manufacturing Pilot.
Senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor.
--gentlemen from Worcester County for a brief explanation
on this amendment.
Senator--
--provides 35,000--
Senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
Thank you, Mr. President.
This amendment provides $35,000 to develop
a formal partnership between seven manufacturers
and 11 high schools in the Blackstone Valley
to educate students and staff about STEM career opportunities
with a focus on advanced manufacturing.
Activities will include workplace experience
for students, on-site manufacturing conducted
by professional development for STEM teachers and staff
on-site at the businesses and STEM interactive classroom
presentations conducted by employees from the partner
manufacturers.
This is something that myself and my colleague from further
down the Blackstone Valley, Senator Fattman,
have been working on with the Blackstone Valley Education
Collaborative, and we think it's a great program that is really
going to help the students.
And we know that it's going to help
fill a need in the Blackstone Valley
with our advanced manufacturers.
And I ask for your support in passage of this.
Senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.
--members, and thank you to my friend from the 2nd Worcester
district, Mr. Moore, from the town of Millbury.
I really am excited about this opportunity
to help work with Senator Moore to support this program.
Eight communities within my district will benefit.
We have this great tradition of vocational school
known as Blackstone Valley Technical School.
In fact, when the governor was inaugurated back in 2015,
it was the very first stop he came to to tour the facility
and see of all the wonderful accomplishments this school has
achieved.
Lots of kids attempt, in our area,
to get into this school and have an opportunity to, but a lot
of them don't.
And in order to earn and learn these technical skills,
they don't get that opportunity at BVT,
so this is an opportunity for them
to get the skills that their original high school,
their original school district and partner
with other businesses.
I appreciate the work that Senator Moore has done on it.
Thank you for having me involved with it.
And I hope it's adopted.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
The next amendment is amendment number 196,
filed by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title of which
the clerk will read.
Amendment number 196 by Mr. Ross, Center School Lot
in Wrentham.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment, number 197, has been withdrawn.
The next amendment, number 198, filed
by the senator from Essex and Middlesex,
Ms. L'Italien, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 198 by Ms. L'Italien,
Higher Education Opportunities for Students
with Disabilities 2.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien.
Thank you, Mr. President, and through you to the members,
I wanted to take this opportunity
to speak on behalf of the Massachusetts Inclusive
Concurrent Enrollment Program, something
that we undertook to put into statute last session,
and I'm hoping that will be a successful endeavor
with our House partners this session.
This program is a cost-effective program
that takes students with intellectual disabilities
and autism and gives them the opportunity
to participate in college courses
with supports and services they need
to be successful instead of being forced
into segregated programs in their high school
after already completing four years of high school.
Since its inception, demand for the program has skyrocketed.
More than half of our state colleges, universities,
and community colleges are participating
by partnering with 73 school districts across the state,
including UMass Amherst, Framingham State, UMass Boston,
Bridgewater State, Westfield, Salem State, Holyoke Community
College, Northern Essex, and Cape Cod.
More than 200 students with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and autism have participated,
and that number grows each year.
By eliminating barriers, these students
can reap the benefits of higher ed
and gain the academic, independent, living, social,
and employment skills necessary to succeed.
National data indicate that students
with intellectual disabilities attending college
obtain paid employment at much higher rates--
40% compared to 16% for folks who do not attend college.
So I want to speak on behalf of the Inclusive Concurrent
Enrollment Program, which I had hoped to fund a little higher.
I suspect we're not going to do that,
but I still think it's worth a mention
for this wonderful program.
Thank you.
Adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment, number 199, is on hold.
The next amendment, number 200, filed by the senator
from Plymouth and Bristol.
Mr. Pacheco has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 200 by Mr. Pacheco, Washington Center.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
The next amendment, amendment number 201,
has been filed by the senator from Essex, Ms. O'Connor
Ives, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 201 by Ms. O'Connor Ives,
Innovation Schools.
Senator from Essex.
Thank you [AUDIO OUT].
The Innovation Schools Initiative
is an opportunity to create innovation schools, which
are in district schools, that operate with greater autonomy
and flexibility with regard to curriculum, staffing, budget,
scheduling, professional development, and district
policies.
These public schools are able to implement innovative strategies
to improve student achievement while keeping school
funding within their districts.
Mr. President?
For what purpose does the gentlelady rise?
I'm having difficulty hearing the senator speak.
The gentlelady is having difficulty
hearing the gentlelady speak.
Please take your conversations outside
if they can't be subdued.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you
to the senator from Boston.
The goal is to establish the school conditions that
lead to successful learning.
This funding will assist the Pentucket Regional School
District in sustaining and supporting
their successful Innovation Schools Program.
Thank you, Mr. President.
It's all on you, buddy.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Next amendment, number 201, filed by the--
202.
The next amendment, number 202, is on hold.
The next amendment, number 203, filed
by the senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Lesser, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 203 by Mr. Lesser, Gateway City
Opportunity Zones.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire.
Mr. President, I ask that this amendment be withdrawn.
Senator asks that the amendment be withdrawn.
Is there an objection?
Hearing none, amendment number 203 is withdrawn.
Amendment number 204, filed by--
brief recess.
--haven't been taken on item number 194
and it will be placed on hold.
The next amendment is number 202, and it is on hold.
The next amendment is number 203--
brief recess.
[INAUDIBLE] the senator from Hampden and Hampshire
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 205 by Mr. Humason, Safety Patrol.
Senator Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[AUDIO OUT] to rise tonight to speak on an amendment that I
filed, so I'd like to say thank you to the gentlelady--
the chairwoman of Ways and Means, for her
and the staff of Ways and Means for their hard
work with this process that they go through every year.
And I want to thank each and every one of you,
my colleagues for the next couple of days, that will spend
working on this Senate budget.
So the amendment that I filed is number 205.
It's simply an earmark for the city--
or rather, the town of Southwick.
It's a small town in Western Massachusetts that I represent.
It's an appropriation or earmark for money for the town's
schools, the public schools, which are actually
a regional school district, the Southwick-Granville-Tolland
Regional School District, and this money
can be used in the area of public safety
improvements for the schools.
So whether it's new locking technology,
new cameras, whatever the principal and superintendent
decided upon would be helpful for them
to be able to use in the area of keeping our children safe.
I know that all of us agree that that's a very important area,
and I know that my colleague in the House
was able to get this through in the House budget,
so I'm hopeful that it will pass here in the Senate budget,
and then we can move on to conference.
So thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
I appreciate your support.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 206 is on hold.
Amendment number 207 has been filed
by the senator from Essex and Middlesex,
Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 207 by Mr. Tarr, Foundation Budget Review
Commission Funding by Consolidated Net Surplus.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President, and how delightful
it is on the historic occasion of you being on the rostrum
to witness that in place, and you're
doing an outstanding job, Mr. President.
Mr. President, this very straightforward amendment
proposes that if there is a consolidated net surplus
at the end of the fiscal year in 2018,
let it be divided accordingly--
1/3 for the Foundation Budget Review Commission
recommendations, 1/3 for support of the Community Preservation
Act Matching Fund, and 1/3 third to the Life Sciences Fund.
A very straightforward proposition.
And Mr. President, again, we are trying
to find ways to fund this clearly identified need that
affects every local school district in the Commonwealth.
Now, Mr. President, unlike--
excuse me-- the earlier amendment
that we offered, where we actually
identified sources of existing funding,
this one is more speculative.
That is clearly the case.
But like this entire budget, Mr. President,
this is an aspirational statement to say that,
if we have amounts available in the consolidated net surplus,
that 1/3 of them, or $10 million,
will go to funding the recommendations
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
And Mr. President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted, and we'll surely be back to you
if there's a surplus.
The senator from Essex and Middleboro--
Middlesex.
Mr. President, I tremendously appreciate that expansion
of my district.
Mr. President, I hope it comes with commensurate staff.
Mr. President, I know-- first of all, Mr. President,
I want to put the members on notice
that I am going to seek a roll call on this matter.
I know that the gentlelady from Somerville
may wish to speak to it.
So before I ask for the roll call,
I want to allow other members the opportunity
to speak and not preclude them by asking for a roll call.
Is this 207?
Correct.
[AUDIO OUT] through you to the clerk,
I am going to doubt the vote and ask that a vote be taken
by a call of the yeas and nays.
[AUDIO OUT]
Mr. President, I request unanimous consent
that the Senate consider having taken no action on amendment
number 207.
Senator requests that no action have been
taken on amendment number 207.
Is there an objection?
Hearing none, no action has been taken.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
Senator Jehlen.
[AUDIO OUT] Foundation Budget Review Commission,
funding by consolidating a net surplus.
Mr. President, I submit that this is a foundation built
on sand, and I think we know how we
are supposed to expect the results of building on sand.
This amendment actually doesn't commit
the entire consolidated net surplus
to the foundation budget.
As the gentleman from Gloucester pointed out,
it actually directs it to three things.
One is the Community Preservation Trust.
One is the life sciences fund, and the last one
is the foundation budget.
The reason it's built on sand is first of all the likelihood
of a consolidated surplus in this time of deficits
is vanishingly small.
But the second is that the money, if it comes,
will come at the end of the year, which is of little value
to a district that has been trying to run its schools.
So it's not actually a benefit to the foundation budget,
but then the maximum that could come to each of these funds
is $10 million.
So suppose you take $10 million and put it
into the foundation budget.
Many districts will get nothing.
In some districts, the average across the state is about $10
per pupil, and this amendment requires
the Department of Education to report
on benchmarks and results of spending
an average of $10 per pupil at the end of the year.
This is intrusive, it is unnecessary,
and it is speculative, as the gentleman pointed out.
We need a firm foundation for our schools.
We need a firm, committed revenue source.
We need to make real commitments to the foundation budget, not
something that comes at the end of the year
with other commitments and a maximum of $10 per student.
Mr. President, I hope this amendment--
first of all, I was wrong.
I meant to begin by saying I appreciate
the gentleman's creativity and his commitment to education
funding.
I just think that this amendment tries too hard
and doesn't get where we need to go,
and so I hope this amendment is not adopted.
I hope that members will vote no.
[INAUDIBLE] Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And let me respond in kind by saying the gentlelady that just
took your seat has been a passionate and tireless
advocate for public education in this chamber
and in the Commonwealth, and I appreciate that passion.
And, Mr. President, there are occasions
where people who have similar goals can disagree on methods.
And, Mr. President, the gentlelady
who just took her seat indicated that we
need a firm foundation and not something that's speculative.
Well, I would refer to the sections of the budget that
were released for our consideration that are entirely
speculative, that direct a panel of people
to come up with a way to fund the recommendations
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
I don't know anything more speculative than that.
Earlier in this debate, Mr. President,
we offered three identified funding sources to be able
to fund the recommendation of the Foundation Budget Review
Commission that were clearly available, that clearly exist,
, that would establish that foundation,
and those were rejected.
So you have on the one hand firmly established funding
rejected.
You have on the other hand completely speculative ideas
of how it might be funded.
That is already in the budget.
What we're actually trying to do is the middle ground here
and say if there is money in this fund
it will go to the recommendations
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
That's all.
So I agree, Mr. President, that we
need to be on firmer footing with this.
You have heard me say it throughout this debate.
I will likely continue to say it,
so I'm putting everyone on notice--
that we need to continue to work to address this, not because
of the fault of this body, but because this Review
Commission did not meet year after year
after year after year.
And when it did, it produced some very valuable
recommendations, and two of those recommendations
involve special education and the cost of health insurance.
Those two, in particular, cut across every school district
in the Commonwealth.
And in fact, in many ways, the Foundation Budget Review
Commission confirmed what many of us
already thought to be the case and what
we were told by many of our school districts
was already the case.
And so, Mr. President, I do respectfully
disagree with the gentlelady from Somerville
not in her assertion that we ought to have a firmer funding
source, but in her opposition to a way to try to get there.
So, Mr. President, I do appreciate her passion,
and I suspect that we will likely
continue to work together on this matter.
But, Mr. President, in order to bring greater attention
to this matter, I do move that when
a vote is taken on this matter, it
be taken by a call of yeas and nays.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex
has asked that when a vote is taken on Amendment number 207
that it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with them, please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number of members have arisen.
The yeas and nays will be ordered.
Senator Spilka.
I want to make it clear, as the gentlelady from Somerville
has stated, this amendment makes three separate transfers.
The heading is just one for the Foundation Budget Review
Commission.
It makes three separate transfers
from the consolidated net surplus-- $10 million
for CPA, $10 million for life sciences, which there are
other amendments that do the same thing for CPA and life
sciences, I just want to mention, that are still on hold
and then $10 million to implement the Foundation Budget
Review Commission's recommendations.
The last time we were able to pull
from the consolidated net surplus
was 2015, just for people to be aware.
So as the gentlelady from Somerville stated,
we're not certain that there will
be a consolidated net surplus, so we
don't want to put money into something that we
think is going to be there.
It may.
We hope the economy rebounds.
It may not.
And I have to say for CPA, we have always
been on record supporting that.
More than 50% of the state's population
actually lives in CPA communities.
Pittsfield to Waltham and my own hometown and more than half
of my own communities, the Life Sciences Center
is a vital, vital resource for a state's life science center,
promoting innovation and creating jobs
to sustain our Commonwealth's economic development.
As Chair of the Biotech Caucus, it's also something
that I firmly support, and we will take this up in due time.
Concerning the Foundation Budget Review Commission's
recommendations, we have already started
implementing those recommendations via chapter 70
in our budget.
We did some last year.
We've made much more headway this year,
and we fully funded what we did with real money.
This year, we included $128.8 million
of an increase over 2017 for chapter 70,
providing additional dollars to support some of the health care
implementation costs--
10% of that-- and special education
costs for school districts throughout the Commonwealth.
This includes full implementation
of the in-district costs for the in-district special education
and 15% of the commission's recommendations
for out-of-district special education costs.
So we have already put millions of dollars in the budget
to implement pieces of the Foundation Budget Review
Commission, because the senate takes this very seriously.
While we have long valued the CPA and Life Sciences Center
and clearly we have valued the implementation
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission's recommendations,
and we support the funding of all of these,
we believe that it would be best to continue the implementation
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission's recommendations
through careful consideration and deliberation of the chapter
70 funding formula.
And I'm just putting some possible amount
into some fund which doesn't exist yet
and then going back and distributing it
to cities and towns at the end of the year.
Having a robust discussion on the merits
of different education funding policies,
as we do during this budget, would
allow us to have a more thorough and consistent approach.
So I also ask that you vote no on this amendment.
Senator, thank you.
I'd like to offer just a couple of historical fine points
to give some context to this debate.
The gentleman from Cape Ann mentioned that currently we're
operating with the extreme-most speculative plan in how we're
going to fund the Foundation Budget Review Commission,
because there's no dedicated revenue stream.
I want to just remind my colleagues that 24 years ago,
when we first embarked upon this mission of education reform,
when the foundation budget was first established,
when we first committed ourselves
to the radical but sensible goal of funding education
adequately for all students regardless of where they live,
there was no dedicated revenue stream.
To this day, we have no dedicated revenue stream
for chapter 70.
Our only dedicated revenue stream
is our political will to do it and the taxpayers'
political will and commitment to the importance of our schools,
to our children, to our families, and to our economy.
And where there is a will, there is a way.
And that is why we see, as the chairwoman aptly said,
real money--
not if we get to it, if we can afford it later,
if there's a little leftover money between the couch
cushions at the end of the year.
But there's real money in this budget
for beginning the work of implementation of FDRC.
Similarly, in 1993, when we embarked upon this mission,
it was not done as an afterthought.
The legislature and the taxpayers for seven years
straight did it up front, in the budget,
not from a consolidated net surplus
transfer at the end of the year, if they got to it.
They did the discipline of making the decision upfront
and following through on the funding levels for seven years
straight until we hit the full funding mark in 2000.
If we're going to do this for real,
if we are going to follow through
on the recommendations of the commission,
as I know the gentleman believes we should,
we have to commit ourselves to doing it upfront
and having the discipline to doing it for real each year
until we get there.
It can't just be done as an afterthought.
It's going to take discipline.
And we also should not be stealing from future years.
We need that stabilization fund.
We need to be making disciplined deposits into the stabilization
fund when we are in years of economic growth.
Because almost all of my colleagues who've
been here for a few years will remember
that when we went through the great recession
just a few years ago, were it not for the federal stimulus
and our stabilization fund, our school budgets
would have been decimated.
And if we don't rebuild that stabilization fund,
we know we're going to hit a recession again some day,
and there will be no cushion to fall back upon to fund
what we have today, let alone the recommendations
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
I hope the amendment is not adopted.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex.
Mr. President, where do I start?
Number one, Mr. President.
I'm not suggesting in any way, nor is
anyone that's a sponsor or co-sponsor of this amendment,
that it is to replace what is being done in the Ways
and Means budget recommendation to begin funding
the recommendations or continue to fund the recommendations
of the Foundation budget.
This is not an either/or or.
This is an addition to.
Number two, with regard to the stabilization fund,
if we are concerned about that, then we in fact
should revisit this entire budget, because, Mr. President,
it runs contrary to what we know about state revenue right now.
And if that's the case, if we're concerned
about the stabilization fund, then right now we need to stop
and we need to revisit some of the many things that
have been overlooked and not included with regard
to being able to capture tens of millions
of dollars of savings in things like Medicaid.
Because if we don't, one of two things is going to result.
Number one, we're going to have to call in the stabilization
fund, or number two, we're going to have to see--
and it won't be by our hand, but it
will have to happen, 9C cuts.
So if we want to get on the path about talking
about how important the stabilization fund is,
let's talk about it, and let's talk
about what we need to do in this budget
right now before it leaves this chamber so it's not
jeopardized.
Number three, when it comes to the idea of something
being speculative, the gentlelady
who's done such an outstanding job working on the Foundation
Budget Review Commission made an important point,
that when we started in 1993 there
was no identifiable revenue source--
none.
That's why we need to learn from that.
That's exactly what this amendment is about.
She indicated, Mr. President, that we
ought to have political will, and that's
what will guarantee that we will be
able to make good on our collective aspiration
toward funding the recommendations
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
And that, Mr. President, is exactly what
this amendment does.
It says we have the political will to put a marker down
to say if we're fortunate enough to have
a consolidated net surplus, part of it
is going to go to advance the goal that we all share
of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
Let's continue on, Mr. President.
We talked about the fact that we need to have
an identifiable revenue source.
We all agree part of the budget does that right now.
And no one in this chamber or outside of it
should minimize the fact that the distinguished Chairlady
of the Committee on Ways and Means
and the Committee on Ways and Means
did identify funding to partly address
the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review
Commission.
That is critical.
It was done, and we should all be supportive of that
and proud of it.
What we are talking about, Mr. President,
is the fact that we have gotten over the years
at least $2 billion off track, and we got there
because we let the situation tend to itself for too long.
And we didn't say, this is serious
and we've got to focus on it.
Now we have.
Great work done by the Foundation Budget Review
Commission--
no doubt about it.
So if we want to express that political will,
there are a number of ways to do it.
One of them is in section 19 of the budget,
as presented to us, which says precisely
that we will try to find a way to fund
the recommendation of the Foundation Budget Review
Commission.
It does not say that we will do it because we've
identified a revenue source.
What it does say is we'll get together
and we'll try to figure out.
What this amendment says is let's
put some resources on the table, so that when
that exercise happens there might be something
to actually figure out other than we have not
identified that revenue source.
We are all talking about the same thing
right now in this chamber, and we all agreed to it.
And that point of agreement should not
be lost in this debate or any other.
What we're talking about is one way
that's been used in the past.
The reference has been made already to the fact
that in some other years, certainly not the past year
but in some other years, we have put a marker down
and said, if we are fortunate enough
to have a consolidated net surplus,
here's the way that we should do it.
If we want to have a debate about the stabilization fund
and how to protect it and what to do to make sure
that it's available on a going-forward basis,
then we sure should do that.
And I would recommend that, and, Mr. President,
I would recommend that we either recommit the budget
or take some time out to have that discussion right now.
Because it's a very serious situation.
But right now, Mr. President, the budget
is not direct money in any way to
the consolidated net surplus.
That's a fair topic of discussion.
We should have more of it.
If we wish to do that, I would encourage us to do so.
I appreciate the comments that have been made by people.
Again, if nothing else comes from this debate, what
should come out and clear from it for everyone who is watching
and listening, who is witness to it is that we are serious
and we do want to fund these recommendations.
And we cannot let more time go by.
Because I would offer a proposition, Mr. President,
and it's only one that comes from opinion
and not empirical evidence.
So I qualify it as that.
But because we let this situation linger too long
in the first place, we had a divergence of $2 billion.
And for every year that we don't address this more aggressively,
that gap is probably going to continue to grow.
And so what is a $2 billion problem
is likely to be a much larger problem as time goes by
and we have various things that change
and various costs that grow and a foundation budget that
does not accurately reflect the changes in those costs.
So if you feel that somehow you need
to vote against this amendment, that's fine,
and reasonable people can disagree.
But let's not disagree on this.
This is a matter of urgency, and it may require
some difficult decisions.
And it may require some things to be
dialed back so that other things can move forward.
But that process needs to happen.
This Senate is committed, and has been,
to the foundation budget and defunding chapter 70.
And no matter what happens with this amendment,
we cannot retreat from that commitment,
and I hope that we will not.
Senator from Taunton, Mr. Pacheco.
Thank you very much, Mr. President,
through you to the members.
I also rise in opposition to this amendment.
I stand with the Chair of Ways and Means on this.
I stand with the Chair of the Education Committee
on this issue and the vice chair,
people that have worked long and hard
on ensuring that we have good quality
education in the Commonwealth.
And I stand here as one of the few members
in the Senate chamber today who was actually
here in 1993 to vote for the Educational Reform Bill.
And when we did so, we made a public commitment
to the citizens of the Commonwealth
that we would fight fund the foundation budget every year
going forward, and, just as the minority leader
said just before he took his seat, we have done that.
We have fully funded the foundation budget
every single year as it was structured.
Now, of course, over the years there
have been a few things that have changed.
The minority leader is correct.
Health care costs have changed.
Special education costs have changed.
Cities and towns and school districts
all across the Commonwealth are seeing
those changes take place, and they're
coming forth in real time.
And they're coming to us, asking us to resolve
this issue going forward.
There was something else that changed during that period
of time as well.
We had the reduction of over $3.5 billion in tax cuts
during that period of time as well--
something that didn't show up on that
chart we saw a bit earlier in our deliberations.
That changed as well.
And at the time, I was here for that as well,
and I was proud to stand up and vote for the largest tax
cut in Massachusetts history.
It was great.
I loved doing it.
And at the time, we could afford to do that--
at that time.
We are in a different situation.
And as the gentlelady, the Chair of Ways and Means,
has asked us tonight, let us continue with the direction
that we have been headed on, making that commitment
to public education as we go forward,
in doing this in a deliberative way, a thoughtful way going
forward.
I appreciate the minority leader's gesture,
but I fear the unintended consequences.
As the gentlelady from Somerville referenced,
the proposal at its base, depending on surplus revenue,
is built on sand.
I daresay quicksand.
Let us ensure that we will work together
to make that commitment as we are doing in this budget--
new revenues for public education
K through 12 in this budget, new revenues for higher education
in this budget.
And let us move forward so that when
the citizens of the Commonwealth, who
have a stake in this debate--
the citizens, the taxpayers, the voters,
who may have an opportunity to weigh in themselves
during the 2018 election--
can decide whether or not they want
to commit the necessary resources not only to K
through 12 and higher education, but also to funding
public transportation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and having those in our society that can well afford
to pay a little bit more pay their fair share,
so that the middle class, the working class
in the Commonwealth can be guaranteed decent roads
and bridges and guarantee that when they send their child out
to school they're going to have the best possible future
that they could possibly have.
Let me conclude with this.
The process in 1993--
we did not have the outcomes we have today.
We're number one in the United States of America
in public education, number one in terms
of educational outcomes because of the commitment
that this body has made and the house has made
and previous governors have made and this governor
has made to funding K through 12 education.
We've got the recipe.
We've moved forward with it, and we have an outcome of success.
We did so deliberately.
We did so thinking about what we need
to do every step of the way.
Let us not just roll the dice here.
Let us continue to move forward deliberately
with the leadership of the chairs that spoke here.
These are the leaders looking at the educational funding that
have been sitting down dealing with this Reform Commission,
spending countless hours talking with superintendents
of schools, talking with school board members,
talking with everyone that deals with public education,
looking at the finance.
Let's have some trust and faith in our Chair of Ways and Means,
and let's have some faith in our educational leaders.
We can have faith in ourselves because we've
delivered every single year that we've sat here since 1993.
I urge that we have a no vote on this amendment
and move forward with the budget as it has been submitted.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I just want to make a couple of quick points.
Number one, the gentleman referred to the chart
that we showed earlier.
It did, in fact, reflect total revenue collections, which
by extension reflects the reduced revenue collection
as the result of a tax cut.
Number two, the gentleman made reference to this amendment
as being rolling the dice.
Well, I suspect, then, that he would
have voted against all of the other times in budgets
that he's participated in when we've
done exactly this for other things
that he's cared about, like the Community Preservation Act
and like the Life Sciences Center.
Those were also addressed in amendments such as this one,
and no one called them a roll of the dice at the time.
Number three, I continue to hear arguments
being made that somehow this amendment is
trying to replace what's being done already in the budget.
That is not the case.
This is trying to supplement what
is being done in the budget, and that very much is something
that needs to be addressed.
Number four, we talked about, or it
has been discussed, that somehow we
have fully funded every year of chapter 70, and that is true.
And that is a remarkable commitment, again,
something that should not be lost in this debate.
But along the way, we know that the formula that we
were funding was not accurate.
Now we have to try to change that and try
to play catch-up before the situation gets even worse.
This is not an attempt to negate what's already
been done in the budget or to switch somehow
what is done in the budget.
This is not an attempt to do something so speculative
that it's never been done before,
because I don't know that it's not
been done with other subjects in a budget over the last five
years.
And number three, yes, it is aspirational,
but, Mr. President--
or number five, I'm sorry, number five, this
is not any more aspirational than this entire budget.
And reference was made just a few moments ago to the fact
that the voters will have a chance,
perhaps, to be able to make a commitment to funding
education.
Well, Mr. President, that certainly will not
be the case as the question is currently written,
because it's subject to appropriation.
And if you want to see the consequences of subject
to appropriation, you can look at a lot
of things that have not been funded the way that many of us
think they should have been because of those three
magic words.
So if you're under the illusion that somehow we
can make this go away with that particular ballot question,
I hope that folks will not continue
to suffer from that illusion.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator from the second Middlesex district,
Mrs. Jehlen.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I want to make clear.
People may be confused that you may
think you are voting to spend money to move forward
on the foundation budget.
This amendment is actually about three things.
We've only talked about one.
If there is money left at the end of the year--
one-third would go to the CPA, one-third would go to life
sciences, and one-third--
not more than $10 million, not more than $10 million--
would go towards the foundation budget at the end of the year
when it is not of value to the communities.
It is frustrating to me that we do--
the most solid foundation we have for our budget every year
are broad-based taxes--
the income tax and the sales tax.
Now, they are not totally reliable,
but they are far more reliable than a speculative
end-of-the-year infusion.
But the gentleman from Gloucester,
the minority leader, offered two amendments
to undermine that firm foundation
for continuing forward, which we had during the 1990s
that I, like the gentleman from Taunton, was here in 1993.
And I think the gentleman from Gloucester
was here also at the same time.
And we did keep that commitment for seven years.
But after 2002, during times when the income tax was cut
and other tax breaks were put into effect,
we have not kept up with inflation on chapter 70.
So I think it's important that we
maintain a firm foundation of real broad-based taxes
and not try to do tax cuts that undermine our ability
to move forward on the commitments that we share.
So, Mr. President, I hope that this amendment does not prevail
and that people do understand you are not voting
against the foundation budget.
You are voting for something else.
No.
Joseph A. Boncore?
No.
Michael D. Brady?
No.
William N. Brownsberger?
No.
Harriet L. Chandler?
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
No.
Cynthia Stone Creem?
No.
Julian Cyr?
No.
Viriato M. deMacedo?
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico?
No.
Eileen M. Donahue?
No.
James B. Eldridge?
No.
Ryan C. Fattman?
Yes.
Jennifer L. Flanagan?
No.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
Anne M. Gobi?
No.
Adam G. Hinds?
No.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.?
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
No.
John F. Keenan?
No.
Eric B. Lesser?
No.
Jason M. Lewis?
No.
Barbara A. L'Italien?
No.
Joan B. Lovely?
No.
Thomas M. McGee?
No.
Mark C. Montigny?
No.
Michael O. Moore?
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor?
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives?
No.
Mark R. Pacheco?
No.
Michael J. Rodrigues?
No.
Richard J. Ross?
Yes.
Michael F. Rush?
No.
Karen E. Spilka?
No.
Bruce E. Tarr?
Yes.
Walter F. Timothy?
No.
James T. Welch?
No.
Send a channel.
Harriet L. Chandler?
No.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
No.
On this amendment seven, the affirmative 30
in the negative, the amendment is not adopted.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Mr. President, I request unanimous consent
to make a brief statement.
The senator has requested unanimous consent
to make a brief statement.
Are there any objections?
Hearing none.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Mr. President, through the members--
Mr. President, I just want to take a minute
to thank all of the participants in the debate that
just ensued about this subject.
And while we may not agree on the result
and I certainly am disappointed in the result of the vote,
I am heartened by the passion and the commitment
that the people have evidence to continue to look at this issue.
Mr. President, it is clearly something
we need to stay focused on.
Mr. President, I have faith in the Chairwoman of the Ways
and Means Committee and also the Chairwoman of the Education
Committee.
And if it were not for their efforts,
we would not be able to even be in the position of having
the debate that just ensued.
I hope that we'll continue to have that focus,
and, Mr. President, I know that I am committed to this.
We in Minority Crescent are committed to it,
and I think we've just proven to anyone
who had a doubt that everyone in this chamber
is committed to this issue.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Is amendment number 208 filed by the gentlelady from Essex, Ms.
O'Connor Ives?
Title of which the clerk will read.
Amednment number 208 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, North Andover
Kindergarten.
Ms. O'Connor Ives.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And for you, the members, this amendment
would support funding in the amount
of $25,000 toward North Andover's kindergarten grant
program.
And the reason why this funding is so important
is because this is an example of a community that
relied upon and succeeded through the kindergarten
expansion grant program.
All districts in the Commonwealth
require that kindergarten-age students provide
part-time kindergarten schooling for a total of 425
hours per school year, about 2.5 hours daily,
but not all are required to offer full-day kindergarten.
These expansion grants were required
and doubles kindergarten learning time over the school
year through a five-hour daily program.
It's notable that these grants were
part of a larger effort that tripled the percentage of kids
statewide who had access to free full-day kindergarten
between 1999 and 2014.
The transition grants were offered on a competitive basis
to districts moving part-time kindergarten classrooms
to full day.
As we have now currently a robust discussion on family
medical leave and early education for all,
we can't neglect the need and progress
we've made in providing municipalities
with an opportunity to apply for full-day kindergarten grants.
This very often makes the difference
between mothers and fathers considering
to go back into the workforce or not
in terms of their ability to access free or affordable
full-day kindergarten.
I'll continue to advocate strongly
for kindergarten expansion grant opportunities,
but in the instant moment, I fully support the investment
in supporting North Andover's kindergarten program.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 209, filed by the senator from Norfolk,
Bristol, and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 209 by Mr. Ross, H. Olive Day School
in Norfolk.
Senator Ross.
This is rather lackluster after what we've just been through,
but we have to get back to routine,
which is so much of what this budget is really about.
Amendment 209 is actually $100,000
for the town of Norfolk.
They have an over 25-year-old school
which has had very little infrastructure
support over the years.
It's time to replace a leaking roof,
so that's really what this is all about.
Time is taking its toll.
The roof does need significant repairs,
and the students, in order to attend school and be kept dry,
need a new roof.
So I would appreciate your support.
Thank you all.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it and the amendment is adopted.
The next amendment, amendment number 210,
the senator from Hampton, Mr. Welch,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 210 by Mr. Welch, Essential Child Care
and Family Services provider.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
The next amendment is amendment number 211,
and that amendment is on hold.
The next amendment is number 212.
Senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman,
has filed an amendment the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 212 by Mr. Fattman, College Affordability
Study.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it and the amendment is not adopted.
The next amendment is amendment number 213.
The senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor,
has filed an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 213 by Mr. O'Connor, Charter School
Reimbursement.
Mr. O'Connor.
In support of amendment 213, which
would fully fund all of our public school systems, charter
school reimbursements.
In my opinion, the level funding of $80.5 million
for the current formula that we have severely
underfunds our public school systems.
The current level of funding only funds 59%
of what is needed to fully fund the affected school
districts as the funds that they were promised in a formula
created by the legislature.
The state has been underfunding reimbursement
to local school districts for the past three years
for a total combined $142 million deficit.
The FY17 funding is currently $54.6 million dollars
below what is necessary to fund the reimbursement formula.
And if this budget passes, that shortfall
will grow to $76.4 million, which will arguably
lead to siphoning of chapter 70 monies away
from our public school districts.
This amendment hopes to restore that $56.4 million.
The ultimate place where the great strain
of this entire unfunded liability
comes right now as the 96% of the children
that we represent that are children
in public school systems.
Over this past school year, school districts
lost $400 million to charter schools, which educate
4% of the students statewide.
In my hometown of Weymouth, for an example,
we just had a budget presentation last night.
Local aid went up $452,000 in Weymouth.
Charter school reimbursement assessments
went up $749,000 for a total net loss of $296,000
in my hometown.
Being still the city council president
and knowing the troubles that we went through since 2008
to try and rebuild our school district in Weymouth,
we have been on the threshold of net school spending
the entire time.
The little increases that we've been
able to make by scraping together nickel and dimes,
instituting meals taxes, making sure the capital projects
were funded through community preservation committee
projects--
all of that smart budgeting has led us to grow our education
budget slightly.
And just as we're on the precipice of making strides
to rebuild our school budget from the devastation that
happened during the recession, here
we are faced with a $296,000 net loss in state aid
because we're not fully funding charter school reimbursements.
I respect the mission of charter schools,
and I appreciate any child or any parent
of the Commonwealth for the options
that they have to go to charter schools.
But this amendment is not about charter schools.
This amendment is keeping the promise to our public schools.
Charter school reimbursements for public schools
was set up for specific payments over specific years.
It was 100% reimbursement for the first year.
Then over the next five years, it was 25% reimbursement
for each of those years.
Right now, it's just 69% reimbursement
for the first year and nothing over the next five years.
Last year, in the town of Weymouth,
160 kids jumped to charter schools.
This year, 251 kids jumped to charter schools.
This is decimating the Weymouth public school system.
We cannot try to add that burden by refusing them the funding
that's owed to them.
Essentially, at the end of the day,
this is money that we promised in order
to create a different structure of education
here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
It wasn't to the detriment of the public education systems
that we're the number one in the world--
or number one in the nation.
This is what Massachusetts is about.
It's about keeping our promises, making
sure we continue to be the model for the rest of the nation.
And how can we be that model if we're not fully
funding the essential services like public education
to the amount of money that they need to do?
And it's $74 million, but it means
a heck of a lot to the 404 school
districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
that are struggling to make ends meet.
And the bigger ones are struggling more so
than the small ones because there are more parents that
see newspaper articles and parents and concerned citizens
speak out against some quality public school education
that we all represent.
But unfortunately, they see that they
ought to go to charter school and to the tune of $400 million
this year and to the tune of $142 million
over the past three years--
and if this budget passes as is, another $76.4 million
under that.
Mr. President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
Senator from Taunton, Mr. Pacheco.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
And I absolutely respect the passion of my colleague
who sits as a member of the city council in Weymouth
and understand the concerns that he expresses
to all of us, relative to what happens
in some of the districts that are trying to make it out
there.
But I want to make sure we clarify.
As I said before, I was here in 1993
when we voted on this bill.
And under the original bill, we only had 25 charter schools.
That's what the vision was with education reform--
not to have $400 million in the future being diverted
from existing public schools across the Commonwealth,
but rather only have the expenses of the 25 schools.
Over the years, we've increased those 25 schools to the extent
that the voters had an opportunity to say this year--
this past year-- whether or not they wanted to see the cap
lifted some more.
And they said resoundingly no, because they
saw what was happening in Massachusetts,
where we are creating a two-tiered school system.
And that has to stop.
And yes, we are funding our schools under the foundation
budget, and unfortunately under that foundation budget,
one of the things that has hurt public schools
all across the state is the number
of charters that got added.
That's part of the problem.
And so hopefully, as we go forward in straightening out
the foundation budget, as we move forward
with the Foundation Commission's recommendation
a little at a time, we will begin to do that.
But to look to try to fully fund charters
that are over and above what anybody ever talked
about in terms of financing--
that will be financially impossible to do.
We are just not going to be able to afford a two-tiered school
system in the Commonwealth--
because that's what's happening--
particularly if we see more and more schools are created.
Thankfully, the voters of the Commonwealth
decided to take a position on this and say,
we shall not lift the cap.
So I have to vote against that.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
[INAUDIBLE] moves that senate rule 38A
be suspended so that the Senate may
meet beyond the hour of 8:00 PM and the motion
be made without the requirement of a roll call.
Is there an objection?
Chair hears none.
Question comes on suspension of Senate rule 38A.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the Senate can proceed with its business
beyond the hour of 8:00 PM.
Brief recess.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
What a delightful job you have been doing this afternoon,
maybe with a few exceptions.
But what a wonderful job, Mr. President, you have been doing.
Ha, ha, ha.
Mr. President, pursuant to Rule 16B--
13B-- I move that there be a Republican caucus
until the hour of 7:00 PM.
Given the rules, I'll remind the gentleman that under rule 13B
there will be a caucus, a Republican caucus
until the hour of 7:00 PM.
We will take a number of amendments
out of order, but in succession.
The first is amendment number 25 offered by the senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 25 by Mr. Tarr, Title V Income Tax Credit
Reform.
Question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 58 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 58 by Mr. Tarr, Billerica Friends of Music.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 59 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 59 by Mr. Tarr, Billerica Friends of the COA.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 60 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 60 by Mr. Tarr, Billerica High School Athletic
Association.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 61 offered by the senator from the Cape
and the Islands, Mr. Cyr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 61 by Mr. Cyr, Provincetown Nursing Home
Reimbursement Rate.
The senate will be in a very brief recess.
That amendment will be temporarily set aside.
Amendment number 86 offered by the senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 86 by Mr. Tarr, Regional School Transportation.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
I'm sorry.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 131 offered by the senator
from the Berkshires, Mr. Hinds, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 131 by Mr. Hinds, Adams Cheshire Regional
School District.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 133 offered by the senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 133 by Mr. Tarr,
Reducing the Cost of College Textbooks.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 134 offered by the same senator, the title
OF which the clerk will read.
Amendment 134, by Mr. Tarr, innovation schools.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 140, authored by the same Senator,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment 140, by Mr. Tarr, three year college degrees
and joint degree programs.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment 141 authored by the same Senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 141 by Mr. Tarr, marine trades education.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 149, authored by the Senator from Suffolk,
Ms. Forry, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 149, by Ms. Forry, JFK Library,
civics education.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next is number 158, authored by the Senator
from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, the title of which
the clerk will read.
Amendment number 158 by Ms. Creem, Aspire Teacher Support
program.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
Amendment is not adopted.
The next by the Senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
Amendment number 170, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 170, by Mr. Moore, early college.
The question comes on the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 172, authored by the same Senator,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 172 by Mr. Moore, early education salary
rate reserve.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
Nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 179, authored by the Senator from Essex,
Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 179, Mr. Tarr, UMass marine research
facilities.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
It is not adopted.
Amendment number 188, authored by the Senator
from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 188, by Mr. deMacedo, school and teacher
leadership development.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
Nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next number, 220, authored by the Senator
from Norfolk and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment 220 by Mr. Ross, Vogel school in Wrentham.
The question comes in the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 221, authored by the Senator
from Hamden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 221 by Mr. Humason, homework house.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next is authored by the Senator
from Middlesex, Ms. Flanagan.
Number 222, the title of which the clerk will read.
Number 222 by Ms. Flanagan, early childhood mental health
consultation.
The questions comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 224, authored by the Senator from Essex,
Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 224 by Mr. Tarr, Foundation Budget Review
Commission.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next is number 227 authored by the Senator
from Worcester in Middlesex, Ms. Flanagan, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 227 by Ms. Flanagan, center for the book.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next is 228, the Senator from Essex,
Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 228 by Mr. Tarr,
certified public purchasing, retained revenue.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 230, authored by the Senator
from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 230, Mr. Rush, library for the Commonwealth.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 236, is authored by the Senator
from Essex, Mr. McGee, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 236 by Mr. McGee, quarter point amendment.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 237, is authored by the Senator
from Middlesex, Ms. Flanagan, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 237 by Ms. Flanagan, donations
for municipal events.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next is authored by the same Senator, Amendment number 243.
The Chair is in error.
The Senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Ms. Flanagan,
offers number 242, the title of which the clerk will read.
242 by Miss Flanagan, 401(k) core program.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The same Senator offers number 243, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment 243 by Ms. Flanagan, Chapter 30B procurement.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
Nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 245, is authored by the Senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, the title which the clerk will read.
Number 245 by Mr. Tarr, power purchase agreement.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The same Senator offers Amendment number 246, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 246 by Mr. Tarr, DCAMM CoFFEE.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next is authored by the Senator
from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge.
Amendment number 247, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 247 by Mr. Eldridge, district
local technical assistance.
The Chair recognizes the senator from Middlesex and Worcester,
Mr. Eldridge.
Thank you, Mr. President.
This amendment, number 247, would
create a set aside of $2.8 million
for district local technical assistance.
I think we're all very familiar with the assistance with DLTA
through our regional planning agencies
that help keep projects in each of our communities.
This is extremely helpful, whether people
are looking at health care costs, environmental planning,
education, transportation, zoning, housing production,
and planning.
The district that I represent, I've
seen direct local technical assistance used by MAPC,
to help with energy projects, crossing town borders to work
on increasing energy efficiency, to work with towns
and cities looking at improving shuttle service in the metro
west area, and as well as many of my communities
looking at how to comply with federal storm water rules.
So the direct local technical assistance
has been a real critical source of funding
to help regional planning agencies in cities and towns
across Massachusetts comply with state and federal laws
and help to level planning that actually
saves money in the long term.
So, Mr. President, I urge my colleagues
to vote for this amendment that would increase the line
item by $2.8 million, setting aside that money for district
local technical assistance, to better support
our regional planning agencies, which more and more are doing
great work with our towns and cities.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The question comes on adoption of Amendment number 247.
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
I was in support of this amendment.
This is something that's critically important.
To be able to provide the kind of assistance
that our communities need, to navigate
their many challenges, and importantly,
Mr. President, many times this funding,
and this form of technical assistance
is used to facilitate regional collaboration, which
in the long run, is able, Mr. President,
to facilitate savings for many cities and towns
and for the Commonwealth.
So Mr. President, it's a little bit disappointing
that this wasn't included in the budget to begin with.
But Mr. President, I would hope as well,
that this amendment is adopted.
For the amendment, all those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 248 is authored by the same Senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 248 by Mr. Eldridge, George FIngold
Library.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The same Senator offers Amendment number 249, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 249 by Mr. Eldridge, volunteer income tax
assistance.
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Middlesex and Worcester,
Mr. Eldridge.
Thank you, Mr. President.
This amendment, number 249, volunteer income tax
assistance, would increase by $800,000 money for the 80
volunteer income tax assistance sites located
throughout the Commonwealth.
It's an issue I've worked with the gentleman from Winchester
on.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, VITA, program,
is an IRS program designed to help low and moderate income
taxpayers complete their annual tax returns at no cost.
I would add that an earlier effort that I filed
an amendment on, the EITC, would greatly benefit through better
funding these VITA sites.
Given the immense complexity of our tax codes,
these programs are of crucial tools
to help low income individuals and families understand
and comply with current tax requirements.
What this funding would do, is it
will provide $10,000 each for the 80 VITA sites located
through Massachusetts.
While volunteer tax procreation is the core activity at a VITA
site, other expenses are necessary to effectively
administer the program.
Each year, VITA serves more low income taxpayers.
This year they served over 17,000 taxpayers,
bringing in over $30 million from EITC and other tax
credits.
Given the cost of operating a VITA site,
the return on investment is impressive, between $35
to $50 to $1.
I urge my colleagues to support this new line
item for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
to better support tax preparers providing this free service
across Massachusetts.
Thank you.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
the nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 232 has been withdrawn.
Number 253, authored by the Senator
from Norfolk and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 253 by Mr. Kennan,
increasing the membership of the PRIM board.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The Senate will be in a brief recess.
One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage,
and under the Constitution there's
a requirement of the call of the yeas
and nays, an act authorizing the trustees of the bathing beach
in the town of Bingham to enter into a lease for the operation
of the bath house facility and surrounding grounds.
Senate Bill number 22.
The clerk will call the roll.
Yes.
Joseph A. Barncore?
Yes.
Michael D. Brady?
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger?
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler?
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
Cynthia Stone-Creem?
Yes.
Julian Cyr?
Viriato M. DeMacedo?
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico?
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue?
Yes.
James B. Eldridge?
Yes.
Brian C. Fattman?
Yes.
Jennifer L. Flanagan?
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
Yes.
Ann M. Gobi?
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds?
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.?
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
Yes.
John F. Keenan?
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser?
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis?
Yes.
Barbara L'Italien?
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely?
Yes.
Thomas N. McGee?
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny?
Yes.
Michael O. Moore?
Yes.
Patrick O'Connor?
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor-Ives?
Yes.
Marc Pacheco?
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues?
Yes.
Richard J. Ross?
Yes.
Michael F. Rush?
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka?
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr?
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty?
Yes.
James T. Welch?
Yes.
Have all members been recorded?
Sonia Chang-Diaz votes yes.
Julian Cyr?
Votes Yes.
On this matter, 37 having voted in the affirmative, none
in the negative, will be signed by the President, laid
before the Governor for his approbation.
For the edification of the members,
we are now about to vote on the yes bundle.
We're about to vote on the yes bundle, if there
is no objection of course.
Several amendments will be considered as one.
Is there an objection?
The Chair hears none.
And the question will come on adoption of the amendments.
Under the rules, a call of the yeas and nays is required.
The clerk will call the roll.
Yes.
Joseph A. Boncore?
Yes.
Michael D. Brady?
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger?
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler?
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz?
Yes.
Cynthia Stone-Creem?
Yes.
Julian Cyr?
Yes.
Virato M. DeMacedo?
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico?
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue?
Yes.
James B. Eldridge?
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman?
Yes.
Jennifer L. Flanagan?
Yes.
Linda Dorcena Forry?
Yes.
Ann M. Gobi?
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds?
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.?
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
Yes.
John F. Kennan?
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser?
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis?
Yes.
Barbara L'Italien?
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely?
Yes.
Thomas M. McGee?
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny?
Yes.
Michael O. Moore?
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor?
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor-Ives?
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco?
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues?
Yes.
Richard J. Ross?
Yes.
Michael F. Rush?
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka?
Yes.
Bruce C. Tarr?
Yes.
Walter F Timilty?
Yes.
James T. Welch?
Yes.
Have all members been recorded?
This matter, 37, having voted in the affirmative, none
in the negative, the amendments are adopted.
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Hamden,
New Hampshire, Mr. Lesser--
the gentleman rise?
Mr. President, unanimous consent to make a brief statement.
The Chair hears none to a very brief statement.
Thank you, Mr. President, and through you to the members.
I rise in support of Amendment 33,
which was just voted on in the affirmative.
I wanted to explain this amendment,
because it's a very important examination of our Chapter 70
funding formulas.
While we've had a very robust discussion of Chapter 70
funding formulas, this is another item
that requires important consideration, which
is our local aid, our unrestricted local aid funding
formulas, which have become woefully out of date,
and I would argue, highly unfair to many of our gateway
cities, in particular.
What this amendment does is it sets up
a commission that would consist of the Secretary
of Administration and Finance, the Department of Revenue,
the Treasurer, two members of the Senate,
two members of the House, one member of the Massachusetts
Municipal Association, a representative from the Federal
Bank of Boston, who has done a lot of important research
on the local aid formula, one representative from the Mass
Budget and Policy Center, one representative from the Mass
Taxpayers Foundation, and one representative from the Edward
J. Collins Center for Public Management.
This commission will be tasked with reviewing
cities and towns revenue streams and determining whether or not
a more equitable formula for dispersing state aid
to these communities is needed.
Indicators would include, for example, a change in a town's
population, or changes to a town's tax
base that creates a funding gap for that city or that town.
Given the funding gaps in many of our cities and towns,
especially our gateway cities, I would believe--
I believe it's possible to find a more equitable formula
for dispersing state aid to these communities that
is actually tied to the need in those communities.
This formula needs to reflect a municipality's needs
in proportion to the other needs,
and the other expectations of our community.
And it needs to address the growing disparities that
exist between the local aid allocation
to municipalities across the Commonwealth.
And I'd argue we discuss a lot in this chamber about income
inequality.
We talk a lot about the need to lift all votes,
help all families, help all communities.
A very important element of that is growing regional inequality
in our Commonwealth.
Certain communities are growing--
The Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr--
But I actually am interested in what he has to say,
and I'm having a great difficulty
in trying to hear him.
And so I hope, Mr. President, the Senate
will be brought to order.
The Chair would most respectfully ask
the members to please subdue their conversations so
that a very brief statement of the gentleman
may soon conclude with everyone hearing
the remainder of his words.
Here The Chair recognizes--
In conclusion, I will say that the goal of this commission
is to examine from top to bottom the local aid formula
and to develop potential recommendations for how
to make that formula more equitable
with the goal of making sure that aid
is tied to needs in communities, and in particular, unmet needs.
It's vitally important and we need
some thoughtful scholarship and research
done on what that formula should be
and how it should be reflected in policy.
Thank you.
We are now returning to the order of amendments, in order,
beginning with Amendment number 256, authored by the Senator
from Suffolk and Middlesex, Mr. Boncore.
It's withdrawn.
Which was withdrawn.
And now we're going to 257, authored by the Senator
from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge, which is on hold.
And now a redrafted amendment by the Senator from Essex,
Ms. Lovely, number 258, the title
to which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 258 by Ms. Lovely,
procurement requirements.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
The Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Mr. President, this is an important amendment.
And I congratulate and thank the gentle lady from Salem
for offering it.
And Mr. President, I'm very pleased to be
a co-sponsor of it, but rather than explain it myself,
I'm hoping that she will, Mr. President.
But I do, also in addition to, seeking an explanation,
also rise in support of this amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Ms. Lovely, and as she begins to speak,
the Chair would once again respectfully ask
all members and staff to please subdue their conversations so
that the debate may be heard.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Chapter 237, Section 22 of the Acts of 2014
enabled a new state of the arts sports
complex to be constructed on the North Shore Technical High
School in Middleton.
The sports complex, which has been since constructed
includes two ice rinks, indoor turf field,
an otherwise unused land owned by the Commonwealth.
With many local ice rinks and turfed fields scheduled
to capacity around the facility, it's
been a much needed addition for youth sports in the region.
This amendment clarifies and makes
certain that any future leases or agreements at this facility
will need to comply with public bidding and procurement laws.
I hope the amendment is adopted.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
We'll return to amendment number 257, a redrafted amendment,
which was filed by the Senator from Middlesex and Worcester,
Mr. Eldridge, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 257 by Mr. Eldridge, service employee
compensation.
The Senator from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge.
Thank you, Mr. President.
This is a redrafted amendment, number 257, service employee
compensation, that would require private human service
organizations receiving state funding to apply at least 75%
of those funds they receive towards paying workers
in direct care roles a minimum of $15 per hour.
I am very proud of the monies that the legislature
provides each and every year to our nonprofit human service
providers.
But we also know that many of the direct care workers that
do the most difficult work at these human services agencies
all over the Commonwealth are not paid enough.
We need to make sure that the taxpayer dollars they
we're voting for, and the Massachusetts residents
are paying for, their taxes, are backing up a living wage.
And what this amendment would do would require that at least 75%
of the funds that we are dispersing,
in part through state budgets like this week,
go to workers in direct care roles
so they're receiving a minimum of $15 per hour.
What we know, Mr. President, is right now,
many of those direct care workers,
there is a high turnover rate.
There is a dearth of applicants because of the low pay.
And yet, arguably, they're doing among the most important work
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
taking care of those who are disabled, sick, and elderly.
So this is a step to make sure that when we are setting aside
money, when we are dedicating money to human service
nonprofits, lets make sure an overwhelming majority
of that money is going to pay our direct care workers.
I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment
to take a stand for a living wage for workers that
are earning their pay through funding we set aside
in the legislature's budget.
Thank you.
The redrafted amendment, all those in favor say aye,
opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
The next is authored, number 259,
by the Senator from Norfolk, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 259 by Mr. Ross, executive employee
compensation.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
The next is authored by the Senator of Plymouth
and Bristol, Mr. Brady, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 269, by Mr. Brady,
to restore department of DOR funding at H-1 level.
Is that Amendment 260?
260, yes.
260, all those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Amendment number 261 authored by the Senator
from Essex, Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment 261 by Mr. Tarr, fiscal responsibility.
The question comes on adoption the amendment.
The Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President.
At the outset of this debate, Mr. President,
I called attention to the fact that there
are a number of things that do not appear to be fully funded
in this budget.
And so while the budget pursues a series of expansions,
it neglects to fully fund a number of key things,
like CPCS, indigent court costs, the GIC, settlements
and judgments, court appoint, which
was discussed just a few moments ago,
Sheriff's accounts, emergency assistance, home base,
DOC facilities, and snow and ice costs.
So Mr. President, one of the great concerns
that we have, and I can share this list with anyone
who wishes to see it, is that while we're
pursuing a host of new things, we're
setting the stage for either the requirement
of supplemental budgets--
The Senator from Hamden, New Hampshire, Mr. Humason,
for what purposes does the gentleman rise?
President, I apologize, I'm sitting two seats
to the left of the gentleman speaking and I can't hear him.
You can call the senate to order.
I'd appreciate that.
Again, colleagues, with all due respect,
we really need to take the conversations
outside of the chamber.
It's becoming increasingly difficult.
And this is about the fifth time I've
been asked in about 10 minutes to call the body to order.
I can't do it alone.
It requires your cooperation.
The senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
--President, an thank you to the gentleman from Westfield.
Mr. President, I know the members
are very excited about this particular amendment.
And hence, there's a lot of buzz in the chamber,
but I hope that that will at least
be contained until I can finish the explanation of what it is.
So Mr. President, this amendment would restore funding
for all of the things that are currently not fully funded
in the budget, so that it will have logical completeness
and integrity.
Failure to adopt this kind of an amendment, Mr. President,
in the absence of any further change,
will mean that we are setting the stage
for either the requirement of supplemental budgets,
for which there may or may not be funding
in the future, or reductions in other things
that are in the budget, either through supplemental cuts
or through the use by the governor of his 9C authority.
And to explain this, Mr. President,
from the minority innovation chamber,
we have a handy tool that we call
the balance beam of imbalance.
And Mr. President, like most balances,
as you can see, that when we depress on underfunded core
programs, like CPCS, for almost $60 million,
the sheriffs for $22 million, the GIC for 23 million,
snow and ice control for $30 million,
shelters for $16.2 million, home base for $6.2 million,
DOC facilities for $9.4 million, and judgments and settlements
for $8 million, and the court appoint collective bargaining
obligation, then you depress the actual amount of the budget
by approximately $181 million.
Now, like most balance beams, when
you push up on the other end, and have a net increase
in spending of $287 million, because of an additional series
of things like, GIC provider caps not being included,
TA FTC counting Social Security income, or not counting it,
CPCS reforms, other expansions in education and shelter
and home base, and other things, then you create an imbalance.
And that imbalance, while it may not seem important tonight,
as we bask in the exuberance of adding money for new programs
to the budget, causes us to lose focus
on the X, which is where the budget is balanced.
And so, Mr. President, we are deeply concerned
about the balance beam of imbalance, and the fact
that we are moving further away from the target, which
would have both of these things balancing out, funding
existing programs and requirements properly,
and depressing increased spending on new programs,
so that we truly produce something that is sustainable.
And as I pointed out at the outset of this debate, Mr.
President, all of this takes place
before we consider what's happening
with regard to the underperformance of revenue
collection.
And I know right now, you are busily punching away
on the calculator, Mr. President,
and zeros are being added frequently
to just how much that might be, in terms of a problem
for all of us.
So Mr. President, I am under no illusion that this amendment is
going to pass, because if it did,
it would add $181 million dollars.
I can bring it up, Mr. President, if you'd
like to call a brief recess.
Copies will be available after tonight's debate.
And certainly, online if you'd like
to reach out to us, for those who are watching on television.
But Mr. President, we are deeply concerned
that this should be our focus, that X,
which is where we have a balance between funding core programs
and funding new initiatives.
And because the balance beam of imbalance
has been moved out of proportion,
that X has become even more elusive.
And we would be remiss if tonight we didn't point this
out, because in the future, if we
allow this condition to remain, and we
don't try to adjust the balance beam of imbalance--
and here comes others who'd like to see this.
Step right up.
We're happy to have you look at it.
I have glasses now.
It's OK, please, if others would like to come up.
I'll continue talking.
Because you will see this chart again.
But if you'd like to see it tonight
before you have to live with its consequences,
we'd be happy to show it to you.
We may even make this available to the clerk.
I don't know if it's able to be reproduced in the journal,
but we certainly would allow that to happen
if that were the case.
So Mr. President, the long and short of it
is, we harbor a deep fear that without further change,
the current document that we may well
send from this chamber in the next few days
will create the serious possibility of the requirement
of supplemental budgets that may not materialize because funding
may not be there for them, or drastic reductions
in the priorities that this budget has
worked so hard to identify.
Because the things that are on the left side of the balance
beam of imbalance must be funded.
And if they cannot be, there would be serious consequences
for the people that we represent.
So Mr. President, again, I'm under no illusion
that this particular amendment will pass.
But I am under every conception of reality
that it has real consequences and real impacts
and we hope that we'll stay focused on it.
Thank you, Mr. President.
It comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it, the amendment is not adopted.
Number 262, authored by the Senator from Essex, Ms.
O'Connor-Ives, the title of which, the clerk will read.
Amendment number 262 by Ms. O'Connor-Ives, municipal impact
statement.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those-- the Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
[INAUDIBLE]
The Senate will be in a very brief recess.
The Senator from Essex, Ms. O'Connor-Ives.
Mr. President, and through you to the members,
this proposal would grant the Division of Local Mandates
the authority to provide information
to the legislature on the fiscal impact of proposed legislation
on cities and towns.
Currently, the Division of Local Mandates
does not have the statutory authority
to review proposed legislation for significant fiscal impact.
They only have the authority to review whether or not
the proposed legislation generally
imposes an unfunded mandate as defined by the local mandate
law.
Through this amendment, DLM hopes
to assist the legislature in recommending alternatives
to proposed legislation with negative fiscal impact
on municipalities.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Numbered 263, authored by the Senator
from Norfolk, Middlesex, Mr. Ross,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 263 by Mr. Ross, government consultant
transparency.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 264 is on hold.
265 is authored by the Senator of Plymouth and Barnstable,
Mr. deMacedo.
The title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 265, by Mr. deMacedo,
DCAMM lease authorization.
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Plymouth and Barnstable,
Mr. deMacedo.
This amendment is offered by me, but is brought it
brought to my attention DCAMM.
And what this simply asks for is an extension in leases.
Right now we have leases around the Commonwealth,
and they're limited to this 10-year lease.
And so it's very difficult to get the long term
investment involved in some of these properties.
This would enable them, if they were allowed
to do this to negotiate longer term leases that
would enable to more investment in the property.
So leases negotiated by DCAMM on behalf of state agencies
are not aligned with industry standards,
putting DCAMM at a competitive disadvantage.
Shorter lease periods reduce the times
available to amortize build outs and other costs associated
with initialising leases, including staff time.
By law, DCAMM may not seek leases
more than 10 years with one option to renew,
and it must be--
they must get concession for a second renewal.
DCAMM supports an outside section granting the authority
to enter into leases on behalf of state agencies
or initial terms of no more than 10 years,
with two five year renewals for a maximum of 20 years.
Lease procurements remain subject
to competitive prostheses.
This was included in House One, but it
was, I'm sure, accidentally not included in the Senate version.
So it is my hope that this amendment is adopted.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The nos have it.
Amendment is not adopted.
The senator from Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Brady authors amendment number 266,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 266 by Mr. Brady, GIC composition.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Did he want to speak?
Did you want to speak?
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Brady.
For what purpose does the gentleman rise?
Thank you, Mr. President.
I just want to ask, with all consent for a quick recess.
Gentlemen asks for a brief recess.