The Senate will be in order.
And the question before the body is amendment number 655.
And the question comes on the amendment.
And the chair recognizes the senator
from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President.
We appreciate the opportunity to say a few words.
I was hoping that the gentle lady
in her beautiful purple outfit from Worcester
might be able to share with us a little bit about this long term
care insurance deadline adjustment amendment
and what it does for--
From Worcester, Miss Chandler.
I thank you for asking the question because to me,
this is a very important amendment.
This amendment provides a much needed fix
to the wording of the MassHealth Asset Recovery Exemption,
assuring that it will remain a robust incentive for residents
to buy private long term care insurance,
which I am a big champion of.
This was also filed as Bill Senate
607, which has been heard by the health care finance committee.
But I am convinced it has to be fixed as soon as possible.
And I hope that you'll agree when you hear why.
This is a very simple change.
It adds just four words to an existing statute,
but with an important purpose.
The statute it modifies allows homeowners
to keep their primary residence even if they spend money
on their own care until they would otherwise
be eligible for MassHealth.
This benefit is an incentive, and a big incentive,
for them to buy and retain an adequate level of long term
care insurance.
The formula under the current statute
looks to the level of long term care insurance
at the time of purchase, which is a change we as a legislature
made several years ago.
Previously, if you remember, the formula
looked to the level of insurance at the time
the patient entered a long term care facility, which
meant that if you use long term care insurance for at home
care, you might not have enough by the time you actually
needed it to enter a long term care facility.
So some of our constituents had relied
on their policies appreciating by the time they
entered a facility and were harmed when the law changed
because they no longer could protect their homes.
To rectify this issue, this amendment
changes the formula so that the formula will now
look to whether insurance was either
purchased at an appropriate level when it was purchased
or has appreciated to the appropriate level.
So it's either what you paid for it at the time
or appreciate it to the level that it then clicks in.
This will ensure that all long term care
policy holders who had planned for this exemption
are able to take advantage of it.
I believe this is the right thing
to do for our seniors and the right way
to keep our long term care costs down.
We have been encouraged to do this by seniors, by long term
care elder attorneys.
And it seems that it is the right thing to do.
And for these reasons, I encourage the Senate
to adopt Amendment 655.
On adoption of the amendment, all those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 656 has been withdrawn.
657 is offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 657 by Mr. Ross--
Franklin Downtown Partnership.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 658 is offered by the senator for Plymouth
and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 658 by Mr. deMacedo--
[?
Borne ?] Financial Development Corporation.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
659 is offered by the senator for Plymouth and Norfolk,
Mr. O'Connor, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 659 by Mr. O'Connor--
Homelessness Status.
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 660 offered by the Senator
from Middlesex and Norfolk, Miss Creem, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 660 by Miss Creem--
From The Top.
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 661 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 661 by Miss Creem--
Independent Film Society of Boston.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
664 is offered by the senator from Bristol and Plymouth,
Mr. Rodrigues, the title of which the clerk will remember.
Amendment number 664 by Mr. Rodrigues--
Swansea's 350th Anniversary Celebration.
The senator from Bristol and Plymouth,
Mr. Rodrigues [AUDIO OUT] asks for unanimous consent
to withdraw the amendment.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
It is so ordered.
Amendment number 665 offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Norfolk, Miss Creem, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 665 by Miss Creem--
Newton As Home.
The senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.
Mr. President, through you to the members,
minority [INAUDIBLE] is very interested in hearing
a little bit about Newton At Home,
if the gentle lady would be so kind as to explain to us.
Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Miss Creem.
Thank you, Mr. President, and through you.
Newton At Home is a program that helps residents of Newton age
in place.
It was founded almost a decade ago by residents
who realized that often it is a social network similar to that
found in a small village or town that can assist seniors
to stay in their homes with some volunteer assistance.
It provides many practical and social services
including transportation to medical appointments,
help with home repairs, and technology assistance.
95% of the services provided are by volunteers, often,
other more active seniors in the same community,
in my community.
The program also benefits family members
by reducing the stress of knowing
a loved one has the needs that are difficult to meet
at a distance.
It organizes field trips, outings, cultural outings.
And this also gives scholarship to those in need who cannot
afford to pay for any of the services provided by Newton At
Home.
This modest request of $15,000 will be quite meaningful
enhancing the quality of life for those seniors and many
of whom cannot afford to enjoy what others can.
So I hope this amendment passes.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
Number 667 is offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo, title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 667 by Mr. deMacedo--
Home Base.
Mr. DeMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. president, and appreciate that.
I am rising to support this home base amendment.
This simply changes the word 24 to 12.
This particular program in the past
was a much more robust program in regards
to assisting people with rental subsidies for a 24 month
period.
However, over a period of time, that
became so cumbersome and expensive that they
modified it to assist people for a 12 months period.
However, if they did not comply, they
would be out of the program for 24 months.
However, since this program is now a shorter period of time,
this brings it back to the original intent to 12 months.
So it was 24.
Otherwise, these individuals would not be able
re-enter for another 24 months.
So I hope the amendment is adopted.
Question on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
The next amendment by the same gentleman,
number 668, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 668 by Mr. deMacedo [AUDIO OUT]
Services Grants.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
Amendment is not adopted.
The same senator offers number 669, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 669 by Mr. deMacedo--
Micro-lending.
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 670 offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 670 by Mr. Ross--
Franklin Historical Commission.
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 671 offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 671 by Mr. Timilty--
Avon Economic Development.
Question comes on the adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
672 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 672 by Mr. Timilty--
Avon Intersection Improvement.
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 Amendment number 673 has been withdrawn.
674 is offered by the senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Lesser, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 674 by Mr. Lesser--
Spirit of Springfield.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I was hoping that the gentleman from Hampden
and Hampshire might explain to us
what the Spirit of Springfield, since he hails from that area.
Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
Mr. President, through you to the members,
I rise in support of Amendment 674, the Spirit of Springfield.
The Spirit of Springfield is a Springfield-based organization
that's responsible for several community-wide celebrations
throughout the year.
From Bright Nights at Forest Park, consistently ranked
among the nation's top winter light events
to the world's largest pancake breakfast
to the parade of big balloons to the Star-Spangled Springfield
4th of July celebration, the Spirit of Springfield
gives our Springfield and greater Springfield community
a sense of community.
And frankly, in a time of increasing cynicism
where it's easy to believe that good fences make
good neighbors, the Spirit of Springfield's role
in bringing people together in our community is immeasurable.
This amendment specifically will provide this organization
with $100,000 to continue to deliver high quality
family-oriented programming with a strong economic impact.
Bright Nights, for instance, is our annual holiday light
display, has been held at Forest Park in Springfield
for 22 years.
This past winter, nearly 40,000 cars and 230 buses
passed through the display, creating $15 million
in overall economic impact.
Throughout the year, the Spirit of Springfield
attracts a total of 400,000 people to all of its events.
I would include there are a lot of events ranging from veterans
appreciation events to community-wide celebrations
like the pancake breakfast, which are specifically
aimed towards young people, in particular, young elementary
school age children and their families.
These projects are a massive undertaking.
And this state funding will help them continue their work
and improve and expand their offerings
and provide our entire community with a greater
sense of community.
I'm pleased to give the Spirit of Springfield my full support.
And I ask that you vote yes.
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.
Number 675 is offered by the senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 675 by Mr. Tarr--
Economic Forecasts.
Question comes on the amendment.
The senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
One of the most vexing things that we
faced as we started to consider this budget in the weeks
preceding the initiation of this debate
was the situation where we have a robust economic recovery,
but underperforming tax collections.
And so, Mr. President, we know that there
is a widely-celebrated annual exercise each year
when an economic forecast is produced.
And the result of that forecast is a joint revenue estimate
upon which we base the budget.
And Mr. President, it seems that it
would be appropriate to have the folks that
are responsible for the office of forecasting
such things, which exists in the budget,
to not do that on an annual basis,
but to do it on a quarterly basis
so that we can understand what's happening in a timely way
and understand if we need to make adjustments
rather than being locked in to an assumption about economics
and about revenue that simply is inaccurate.
And Mr. President, I would daresay
say that the absence of that practice
is going to have consequences for the budget
that we are debating right now.
And so Mr. President, since we already
have folks that are charged with this responsibility,
it makes sense to have them do it
in a timely way on a quarterly basis
so that we can stay on track and have a sustainable budget.
Mr. President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
Question comes an adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
This is number 677 offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 677 by Mr. Lesser--
New England Public Radio.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
678 is offered by the senator from Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Brady, a redrafted amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 678 by Mr. Brady-- [?
Crosby ?] Central Administration Building.
Question comes on the amendment.
The senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex,
Mr. Ross.
If the good gentleman from Brockton
could give us a little information
on this particular amendment please.
The senator from Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Brady.
Thank you, Mr. President, through you to the members.
And I thank our good friend for asking me
some questions on the building that we are
trying to do some repairs to.
This was once an old post office building.
And it was a beautiful historic building.
In the early 1970s, we were able to get some funding
through the federal government to build a new post
office, which is-- the new post office is named
after our only undefeated heavyweight champion
in the history of heavyweight boxer, Rocky Marciano.
So in the due diligence of the school department,
they were able to utilize this former post office
building as a main building for the school department.
And it's been utilized for the past 30 years, which has saved
the taxpayers many dollars.
But being an old building, it's in need of some minor repairs.
So this is a small portion of the budget
to do some much needed repairs to the building.
Thank you.
[INAUDIBLE]
[AUDIO OUT] comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 680 is offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 680 by Mr. Timilty--
Randolph Amvets Post Repair.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
681, a redrafted amendment offered
by the same senator, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 681 by Mr. Timilty--
Randolph Financial Opportunity Center.
The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you [AUDIO OUT] I appreciate--
I appreciate the opportunity to stand here and get a little bit
more information and enlightenment
from the gentleman from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth
in regards to what the Randolph Financial Opportunity
Center does and how it's going to benefit the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
Thank you.
The senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth,
Mr. Timilty.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[AUDIO OUT] --friend and classmate
and maybe soon to be former friend
from the town of Plymouth.
The Randolph Financial Opportunity Center
will cause-- this will allocate $25,000 for the residents
of the town who are desperately in need
of coordinated local services and resources
to help augment and build financial assets.
The new Randolph Financial Opportunity Center
will be based on a model of integrated services established
in the early 2000s.
By co-locating these services together, establishing
client case managers, relationships,
and tracking progress of decisions via database,
these [INAUDIBLE] have been effective increasing
financial stability for families and increasing
long term economic prospects.
But with that, I thank you, and I
hope the amendment is adopted.
Question comes on adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
Number 682 offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Bristol, Mr. Brady, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 682 by Mr. Brady--
Senator Thomas P. Kennedy Main Branch Library.
The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable [AUDIO OUT]..
Thank you, Mr. President.
I was hoping to ask the gentleman from Plymouth
and Bristol if he might be able to share with us
what this Senator Thomas P. Kennedy Main Library
amendment does.
[AUDIO OUT] from Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Brady.
Thank you, Mr. President, and through you to the members,
and to our good friend from the town of Plymouth.
This was a historic building in our downtown
that was built with a Carnegie grant at the turn of the 1900s.
Mr. Carnegie wanted to be a philanthropist
and give a lot of funding back to a lot of communities.
So this was built with funding from the Carnegie grant.
But it was never handicap accessible.
So several years later, with some
of the members who served with the body,
they were able to make the building handicap accessible.
And Tom Kennedy was very supportive of libraries.
So our good friend Representative Cassidy
came up with an idea as Representative Cassidy
was [INAUDIBLE] to Tommy Kennedy for many, many years
and-- bless you.
And our Senator Tom Kennedy was a good friend and advocate
on behalf of libraries.
So he came up with an idea to name our downtown library
after Senator Tom Kennedy.
And this was to name the library after Tom Kennedy.
So I hope the amendment passes.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
Number 683 offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 683 by Mr. Lesser--
Wilbraham Nature and Cultural Council.
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 684 offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 684 by Mr. Timilty--
Sharon Commuter Rail Station Parking Lot Study.
The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And again, I was hoping that the gentleman from Norfolk,
Bristol, and Plymouth might be Amendment
684 does for the edification of the membership.
Senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty.
[AUDIO OUT]
--from the town of Plymouth.
This amendment will advocate $50,000 for a feasibility study
for the expansion of the commuter rail lot
in Sharon, which of course is a regional transportation asset.
The lot currently is at capacity.
And this will enable the region in a small sense
to move forward economically and develop local businesses
and enable the citizens of the region
to make the passage to and from work, creating
further economic opportunity.
With that, I hope the amendment is adopted.
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.
Amendment 685 offered by the senator
from Worcester, Mr. Moore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Number 685, right?
Five.
--by Mr. Moore-- South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Corp.
The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Again, I thank you for this opportunity
to ask my good friend from Worcester county
if he might be able to share with the membership what
his Amendment 685 does.
Senator from Worcester, Mr. Moore.
President, this amendment provides $40,000
to the South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement
Corporation.
The center has been in operation for 36 years
and provides needed service to the community,
such as parent building skills, leadership development, job
creation, planning and youth programs, many of which
have received state-wide recognition since 2002.
They've expanded their efforts to include the construction
of affordable housing and increase
their economic development program
to address physical and human development
needs in the community.
Thank you.
[AUDIO OUT] --say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
686 is withdrawn.
Amendment 687 offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Number 687 by Mr. Timilty--
Restoration of the State Theater in Stoughton.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
And the chair recognizes the senator
from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I was hoping that the gentleman from Norfolk,
Bristol, and Plymouth, because he
has been so successful for the past few amendments
might be able to share with us the secret of his success,
and also share with us about the restoration of the State
Theater in Stoughton.
[AUDIO OUT]
--Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty.
Thank you very much, Mr. President, and through
you to the members.
And I would be more than happy to bring my friends
from the minority crescent to this theater
and bring a little culture into their lives.
This amendment will advocate $50,000
for the restoration of the State Theater in Stoughton.
Specifically, this will contribute
to the revitalization of Stoughton Center, which
is a town center on the rise of which we are all very proud of.
Moreover, this project will enable that future generations
will be able to enhance their cultural experience
in the region.
With that, I hope the amendment is adopted.
Thank you very much.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 688 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Number 688 by Timilty--
Blue Hills Observatory Science Center.
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 689 offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 689 by Mr. Lesser--
Springfield Dr. Seuss Museum.
The senator from Plymouth and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you
again for this opportunity that I
might be able to ask the gentleman from Hampden
and Hampshire, who as well has been up quite a few times today
and has clearly shown his success
in this legislative process, and I
was hoping that he might be able to share
with us about the Springfield Dr. Seuss Museum.
[AUDIO OUT]
--would love to recognize the gentleman from Hampden
and Hampshire who is so enthusiastically ready to talk
about the Dr. Seuss Museum.
And so the gentlemen may now proceed.
[AUDIO OUT] --Mr. President.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you Mr. President, through you to the members.
I rise in support of Amendment 689,
the Springfield Dr. Seuss Museum,
which is opening in two weeks.
The Springfield museums and Dr. Seuss
are two iconic pieces of Springfield's identity.
In particular, the country's first museum
devoted to Dr. Seuss is going to be opening next month
in early June in Springfield, which also happens
to be Dr. Seuss's birthplace.
Last year, this Senate appropriated state funding
for an interactive, bilingual exhibit.
This exhibit is going to be interactive
and focusing on activities that promote literacy, teamwork,
and creative thinking.
The museum will also explore Dr. Seuss's deep connection
to Springfield.
In fact, Seuss's first book, To Think I Saw It
on Mulberry Street is based on the actual Mulberry
Street in Springfield, Massachusetts
just around the corner from where the museum will be.
It's that detail that will actually be in the new museum
and be highlighted on the museum floor.
This is, frankly, the only museum like it in the world.
And the deep ties that Dr. Seuss and Springfield share
are important from an economic standpoint, but also
a cultural standpoint.
We also know that this museum is expected
to be a major tourist attraction for the city
and a source of pride for all of our residents.
And I point out it's very important that this museum be
inclusive of our entire community, which
is why this specific funding will go to bilingual exhibits
so that all members of the Springfield community,
and frankly tourists and visitors from all
over the world, will be able to experience this museum
in multiple languages.
I hope this amendment is adopted.
And I could quote some Dr. Seuss books.
But we'll leave it at that.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment-- yeah,
don't press your luck.
The question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 690 offered by the senator
from Worcester, Mr. Moore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 690 by Mr. Moore--
Worcester Latino Elders 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.
691 is offered by the senator from Worcester and Middlesex,
Ms. Flanagan, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 691 by Ms. Flanagan--
[INAUDIBLE]
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 692 offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 692 by Mr. Lesser--
Local Consortiums To End Family Homelessness.
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 693 authored by the same senator,
a redrafted amendment, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 693 by Mr. Lesser--
Valley Venture Mentors Collegiate Accelerator Program.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
The senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
[AUDIO OUT]
--western Massachusetts has operated
the redraft-a-tron a little bit here this evening.
And we're very eager to hear what it produced, particularly
given the combination of understanding Dr. Seuss very
well and having access to the redraft-a-tron.
You can imagine a question about what might
be in this redrafted amendment.
I hope you can provide us with some insight.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
Thank you, Mr. President, and through you to the members.
One fish, two fish, red fish--
I rise today in support of Amendment 693--
the Valley Venture Mentors Collegiate Accelerator Program.
Valley Venture Mentors is a Springfield-based accelerator
program modeled after Mass Challenge, which
of course, we're familiar with in the Boston area.
Valley Venture Mentors is working
to grow an entrepreneurial renaissance in the pioneer
valley.
This amendment will fund the collegiate accelerator program,
which is a new program launching next month
at the Springfield campus for Valley Venture Mentors.
This program will take place in Springfield's new innovation
district, which this body has spent a lot of time and energy
helping to create.
It's a project funded by Mass Development's
transformative development initiative.
Through this specific program, VVM, as it's called,
will provide eight weeks of hands
on intensive mentoring, education,
and support for college-age entrepreneurs in the pioneer
valley.
A critical element of this programming
is that each student who successfully completes
the program will earn a modest stipend,
allowing those students to spend the summer working
on their startup, rather than working a traditional summer
job.
This program is very important for our area
for several reasons.
First, participants in the accelerator
will grow strong roots in the pioneer valley.
And we're hopeful that they will stay in the valley
or return to the Springfield area
after their college graduation to launch their business
in western Massachusetts.
We have significant talent retention challenges
in the western part of the state.
This program is very specifically
tailored to get young entrepreneurs interested
and engaged in western Massachusetts,
in downtown Springfield, and to start and grow their businesses
in downtown Springfield.
Second, we know this model is successful
because students who have participated in other VVM
programs have generated $1.2 million in revenue
already, the companies that have started from this accelerator
model.
And these investments have already created 23 full time
positions with several companies maintaining their headquarters
in the pioneer valley.
Again, these are incubations that started through the VVM
program.
Finally, Valley Venture Mentors is
hoping to build on the success of this summer's programming
by utilizing this state support, which I'm asking this body
to support, will provide 75 additional students
with stipends for the summer.
Another large focus of this nonprofit
is to increase the diversity in a sector,
frankly, that disproportionately is
occupied by white men, the startup technology space.
The 36 startups in Valley Ventures
current regular accelerator cohort, 65%
are women-led companies.
And 50 are led by people of color.
This is way ahead of pure incubator programs
both in Massachusetts and in the rest of the country.
This is the type of ecosystem we're
trying to develop that already exists
in the eastern part of this state in Kendall Square
through Mass Challenge.
We're trying to pull that innovation
west through the Valley Venture Mentors accelerator program.
Valley Venture Mentors, again, is
designed to position Springfield as a center
for entrepreneurship, for ideas, for investment.
And I would point out it's perfectly situated
to do that in between the insurance capital of Hartford
and the academic center just to its north in North Hampton
and Amherst.
This amendment will take an underutilized resource, which
is our college students, and give them
a chance to build a business in Springfield.
I'll quote one of the leaders of the Valley Venture Mentors
program who said to me this.
He said, we used to hear from our entrepreneurs,
why Springfield?
Why would I go to Springfield?
Now we hear from our entrepreneurs,
why not Springfield?
Why wouldn't I go to Springfield?
And I frankly couldn't agree with that sentiment more.
This is a very important program, narrowly tailored
to a key economic development goal of this chamber,
and frankly all of state government,
which is to promote our entrepreneur and innovation
economy.
And I hope the amendment is adopted.
Thank you.
Question comes on adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 694 is on hold.
Number 695 offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 695 by Mr. Welch-- it's West Springfield.
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 696 offered by the senator
from Hampden Hampshire, Mr. Lesser,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 696 by Mr. Lesser--
Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
697 is on hold.
698 offered by the senator from Hampden, Mr. Welch, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 698 by Mr. Welch--
New England Farm Workers Council.
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 699 offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 699 by Mr. Ross--
Preventing Fraud in Massachusetts Public Housing.
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 700 offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 700 by Mr. Welch--
Revitalize CDC.
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 701 is offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, the redrafted amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 701 by Mr. Welch--
Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services.
Senator from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
[AUDIO OUT]
--the last hour, we've been on a tour of western Massachusetts.
And we seem to have landed in Springfield.
And certainly, we want to hear from the gentleman who
represents at least west Springfield
about the Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services
program.
I look forward to his explanation.
I thank you, Mr. President.
[INAUDIBLE] Hampden, Mr. Welch.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[AUDIO OUT] --give information about Springfield Neighborhood
Housing Services.
And this amendment would provide $75,000 in funding
for the Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services.
This is an organization that provides many services related
to housing in the city of Springfield,
including homeownership, development,
and blighted property recycling.
Notably, Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services
provide support through the full cycle of the home buying
process from credit counseling, financial guidance,
and post-purchase services that include
foreclosure intervention.
Given the importance of encouraging and supporting
stable homeownership as we continue
to recover from this past recession and a housing crisis,
I ask that you all support this amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
Number 702 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 702 by Mr. Welch--
Springfield Performing Arts Development Corporation.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Just read a couple more pages.
Number 705 is offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, a redrafted amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 705 by Mr. Welch--
Western Massachusetts Sports Commission.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the redrafted amendment is adopted.
Number 704 offered by the same senator, a redrafted amendment,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Going back to 704, Mr. President.
We're on 704.
We did 703?
No, 705.
OK.
So the Senate will be in a brief recess.
If there's no objection, we'll consider no action
as having been taken on Amendment number 705.
And it will be held for just a couple of minutes.
And we will now go to amendment number 703,
a redrafted amendment offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 703 by Mr. Welch--
Stone Soul Community Festival.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I'd love to hear from my friend from western Mass
about the Stone Soul Community Festival.
The senator from Hampden, Mr. Welch.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you
to the gentleman from Westfield for his question.
And I certainly would encourage all of my colleagues
to come to the Stone Soul Community Festival
in Springfield this year or any year.
Actually, this amendment would allocate $25,000
to the Stone Soul Incorporated in Springfield
to fund their annual Stone Soul Community Festival.
Stone Soul is a nonprofit organization
that was founded to promote a community gathering
in the Mason Square community.
Over the years, this organization and the gathering
has grown into a three-day festival for the entire greater
Springfield community known as the Stone Soul Community
Festival.
Not only does the festival celebrate
the history and community and spirit of Springfield,
but it also hosts job fairs, social service agencies,
health care providers, and other community service groups.
Thank you, Mr. President for your consideration.
And I ask the fellow members to join me
in supporting this amendment.
Thank you.
The question comes on adoption of 703, a redrafted amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 704, another redrafted amendment
offered by the same gentleman, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 704 by Mr. Welch--
Talk, Read, Succeed.
Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
The gentleman did such a phenomenal job
that I'm going to ask if he will stand up and tell us
about 704--
Talk, Read, and Succeed.
Thank you.
The senator from Hampden, Mr. Welch.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Again, thank you to the gentleman from Westfield
for asking this question so I can highlight
this wonderful program--
Talk, Read, Succeed.
This amendment would provide $100,000--
actually $105,000-- in funding for the Talk, Read,
Succeed program in Springfield, an innovative program run
by the Springfield Housing Authority involving
collaboration between city housing developments and city
elementary schools.
Talk, Read, Succeed is designed to boost early literacy
in children residing in public housing,
focusing on students from kindergarten to grade three.
It does so by engaging not only the child,
but the entire family in the process,
emphasizing the important role parents play in encouraging
literacy for their children.
Talk, Read, Succeed also provides family support,
recognizing that a stable home environment is
integral to a child's achievement in the classroom.
Talk, Read, Succeed has seen outstanding results,
and its model has gained attention
throughout the region and the commonwealth.
Again, thank you, Mr. President.
And I ask my fellow members here to join me
in supporting this amendment.
Thank you.
Question comes on adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
And now we're at number 705 offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, the title of which the clerk will
read.
Amendment number 705 by Mr. Welch--
Western Massachusetts Sports Commission.
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 706 is offered by the senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 706 by Mr. Tarr--
Energy Conservation.
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 707 offered by the senator
from the Berkshires, Mr. Hinds, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 707 by Mr. Hinds--
Working Cities Transportation 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.
Number 708 offered by the senator
from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 708 by Mr. Lewis--
Zoo New England.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
[AUDIO OUT] --the senator from Zoo New England.
I love to hear you speak about this amendment.
But I will tell you that even as a western Mass guy,
I have been to the zoo.
And I loved it.
So I can't wait to hear more about the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[AUDIO OUT] Mr. Lewis.
[INAUDIBLE] Senate stand at a brief recess?
Yes, the Senate may stand in a brief recess.
--be in order.
And the chair recognizes the senator
from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
[AUDIO OUT]
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
And thank you to the gentleman for the question.
I rise in support of this amendment, which
will increase the funding by $1 million for Zoo New England.
Zoo New England operates both the Franklin Park
Zoo in the city of Boston and the Stone Zoo
in the town of Stoneham.
They are a wonderful, recreational, cultural,
scientific, and economic development
asset in the entire region and, in fact,
draw visitors from the entire New England
region, not to mention even foreign tourists as well.
They're a significant employer in the area.
They also have wonderful programming for students.
Students from across the Commonwealth
can attend Zoo New England and the many programs
they offer free of charge.
They have a fantastic summer employment program
for at-risk teens.
They also do a lot of research and conservation work
all around the world, which is actually
a big part of the mission for zoos and aquariums these days.
As most of you know, zoos and aquariums
today are very different from what they were in years past.
They are all about teaching children, appreciating
biodiversity, and also supporting the conservation
of species around the world.
Zoo New England has been working very hard
over the last number of years to improve their self-sufficiency,
to generate more of their own revenues
through memberships, through ticket sales,
through special programming, and increasingly
through fundraising.
And they've been doing a great job of moving more and more
in that direction.
But this is a public/private partnership.
That is how virtually every major accredited zoo
and aquarium in the country operates.
They are public/private partnerships,
and so it continues to be essential that we
provide strong public support.
Remember that the land that these zoos are built on
is state land.
It's DCR property.
So Zoo New England is different from any other zoo
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
There is a strong state responsibility
for the operation and success of Zoo New England,
both the Franklin Park Zoo and the Stone Zoo.
Their attendance continues to increase.
The number of memberships continues to increase.
If you have visited one or both of the zoos
recently, as I know some of my colleagues have,
you've seen some of the terrific new capital investments that
have been made, including a really wonderful new children's
zoo at Franklin Park, which those of you who have children
or grandchildren or nieces or nephews who haven't visited
yet, I urge you to do so.
You will both have a wonderful time there,
both adults and children.
And then at the Stone Zoo, there's also some-- a lot
of building going on.
There's a new education center being built,
a new entrance, and some other investments as well.
A lot of that money is from private sources
where they've leveraged public dollars to increase,
again, their private investments.
So, Mr. President, I think this is an excellent investment
of our resources, and I thank the body
for their longstanding support for Zoo New England,
and I hope the amendment is adopted.
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 709 offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 709 by Mr. Welch, Irish Culture Center
of Western New England, Inc.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I had the opportunity to go by the Irish Cultural Center,
but never inside.
So I'm hoping the gentleman might invite me to attend.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes the senator from Hampden, Mr. Welch.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And for the-- yes, you're absolutely
welcome to join us at the Irish Cultural Center
anytime you wish.
The Irish Cultural Center is a wonderful organization
that recently moved to West Springfield
from its former home in Chicopee at Elms College,
and what this funding will do-- this
is $75,000 to fund the Irish Cultural Center of Western New
England, which recently entered into a lease
with the town of West Springfield
for a vacant property to expand its cultural education
on social offerings.
So this organization has actually
taken a vacant property right in almost the center of West
Springfield and turned it into a great place
to go and visit and explore your Irish culture,
and people, of course, of all nationalities and backgrounds
are invited anytime.
But the renovations at this new space are well underway,
and this funding will help to support the ICC's efforts.
The ICC has many exciting plans for the near future
and will eventually be a regional hub
for the preservation and celebration of Irish culture.
And Mr. President, I thank you and I
thank the fellow members in the chamber for this consideration
for this amendment.
Thank you.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 710 is offered by the senator
from Norfolk, Bristol & Plymouth,
a redrafted amendment, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 710 by Mr. Timilty over Ames High School
turf field.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator, my friend from the House of Representatives
and now a friend I get to share this ark of the chamber
with, if he could tell us a little bit
about this amendment, it'd be very, very gratefully
appreciated.
Thank you.
Democratic state committee--
--who's on the amendment, the chair
recognizes the senator from Norfolk, Bristol & Plymouth,
Mr. Timilty.
--through you to the membership and to my great friend
from Westfield, thank you very much for the question.
Quite simply, this amendment will provide
for a state-of-the-art turf field for the men and women
of the Oliver Ames High School athletic program,
which is incredibly successful and of which we are very proud.
So with that, I hope the amendment is adopted,
and I thank you.
--adoption of the redrafted amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 711 offered by the senator
from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 711 by Mr. Lewis, Learn to Earn.
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 712 is on hold.
Number 713 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 713 by Mr. Lewis,
executive office of labor and workforce development.
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 714 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 714 by Mr. Lewis,
Department of Labor Standards.
Question comes on-- 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.
Number 715 offered by the senator
from Plymouth & Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 715 by Mr. O'Connor, Hull tourism.
The senator from Plymouth & Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor.
This amendment would provide $20,000 in money
for a marketing promotion of tourism in the town of Hull.
Hull, which is home to the Nantasket Beach,
has a vibrant economy during the summer months.
But unfortunately, some of the restaurants and other business
and industry there is not able to strive through the winter
and spring months.
So what we're hoping to do is to create a marketing campaign
to get people to see the wonderful beauty of Hull
during the winter months and into the spring
and hopefully attract more people
to go there in order to continue to increase
the commerce and local economy.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 716 is offered by the senator
from Middlesex Mr. Lewis, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 716 by Mr. Lewis, office
of Massachusetts Main Streets.
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-- 17, the title of which the clerk will read.
717 by Mr. Lewis, housing safety grants.
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 718 offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment-- by Mr. Lesser, Greentown Learn Advanced
Manufacturing Initiative.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
719 is offered by the senator from Essex, Mr.
McGee, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 719 by Mr. McGee, Urban Agenda Grant
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.
720 is on hold.
A redrafted amendment, Number 721, offered by the senator
from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 721 by Mr. Lewis, Melrose Cemetery.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
This is a redrafted amendment.
I was hoping that the gentleman might
be able to speak about Number 721,
and then I've been able to peer into my crystal ball
and think he'll have great success with a number
of amendments tonight.
Perhaps he could get up and tell us
about those when the time comes, as well.
Thank you.
The senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I again thank the gentleman for his question.
This is Amendment 721, which will provide
some badly needed funding, $75,000 for repairs
to an old historic cemetery in the city of Melrose,
which I'm proud to represent.
Wyoming Cemetery was officially dedicated
in 1857, and since then has served
as the municipal cemetery for residents
of the city of Melrose.
The cemetery comprises 26,000 burial sites
and has long been an important site for veterans observances
in Melrose.
In 1863, the Melrose Board of Selectmen
voted to waive the poll tax for all Melrose residents serving
in the Civil War and to set aside
a portion of the cemetery for them.
Veterans of wars all the way from the Revolutionary War
through to the present time are buried
in Wyoming Cemetery, which is also
the site of Melrose's annual Memorial Day ceremonies,
including a solemn Memorial Day civic exercise.
The rustic stone wall surrounding Wyoming Cemetery
was built in 1937 and is an essential part
of the design of the cemetery.
Unfortunately, through decades of tough
New England weather, which we're all very familiar with,
the rock--
The chair recognizes the senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
I can hear you again.
The gentleman from Weymouth just rising
was sufficient to bring down the level of noise in the chamber.
So thank you.
And I'm about to wrap up.
This part of the cemetery, the old wall is in disrepair.
This funding would go toward repairing that and returning
this historic cemetery to the state
that it deserves to be in.
I hope the membership will support this amendment.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 724 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 724 by Mr. Lewis,
Wakefield economic development.
The chair recognizes the senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
Thank you again, Mr. President.
And I now rise in support of Amendment Number 724, which
provides funding in the amount of $100,000
to support the local Main Streets
organization, a local nonprofit that was recently formed
in the town of Wakefield.
As many of you know, there is a national Main Streets
organization, and there are a number
of local affiliates in several of our cities and towns.
And they do terrific work, often in partnership
with our municipal governments, with our chambers of commerce,
our local small businesses, and residents and community groups
in pursuing strategies to revitalize our downtowns,
bring new businesses into the downtowns,
pursue efforts to beautify.
And that's exactly what the Wakefield Main
Streets is seeking to do.
So this funding will be an enormous boost to their efforts
in terms of improving downtown signage,
downtown beautification efforts, and other local economic
development to the benefit of the town of Wakefield,
its residents, and in fact, I would argue the entire region.
I hope the amendment is adopted.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of Amendment Number 724.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and 724 is approved.
The chair needs to go back and state that 722 was withdrawn,
and we missed 723.
So the next amendment we're taking up
is Amendment Number 723 offered by the senator
from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis, the title of which the clerk will
read.
Amendment Number 723 by Mr. Lewis, Housing Families, Inc.
Chair recognizes the senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
Appreciate this further opportunity
to speak in support of another amendment,
723, which would allocate funding of $100,000
to support an after-school program for homeless children.
This is through an organization called Housing Families, which
is located in the city of Malden,
but serves families from the entire region.
Housing Families provides emergency shelter,
eviction prevention, stabilization,
permanent housing, and child services,
including their so-called Great Program.
Housing Families is one of the only shelters providing
in-house academic, social, emotional,
and behavioral services for some of the most challenged children
who are trying to thrive while struggling with issues
like homelessness, poverty, parents in some cases suffering
from addiction and other such challenges.
This program has a proven track record.
In 2015, 95% of the children served saw improvements
in their emotional and academic performance
and other improvements as well.
Their Great Program is set to double its services
as the program moves from 48 shelters to 100
based on the usage of local--
reduction in use of local motels in the area.
This program will support several hundred children
in this really important after-school program.
Mr. President, I hope this amendment is adopted.
Thank you.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We are now on Amendment Number 725,
offered yet again by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Lewis, the title of which--
Number 725 by Mr. Lewis, Stoneham Wayfinding Signage.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
The senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
Members will be happy to know I think
this is the last amendment I have in this sequence,
so then I will be able to sit down.
This amendment, similar to the amendment that I previously
spoke about, which was to benefit
the downtown revitalization efforts in Wakefield,
this amendment, Number 725, would
provide funding in the amount of $25,000
to support similar revitalization efforts
in downtown Stoneham, and specifically wayfinding signage
that the community has determined
after doing an extensive master planning process would
be important to improve their local economic development
efforts.
Mr. President, I hope this amendment will similarly
be 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 is offered by the senator
from Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex,
Mr. Ross, Number 727.
All those in favor, say aye--
The title of which--
Ah, excuse me.
The title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 727 by Mr. Ross Franklin, affordable housing
Little Free Library.
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, 728 is offered by senator
from Essex Ms. O'Connor Ives, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 728 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, celebration
of Amesbury 350th anniversary.
Question comes on adoption to the amendment.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
--explain what her amendment does and also
let her know that my own community
Westfield is celebrating its 350th this year as well.
So happy birthday to Amesbury.
I can't wait to hear more.
Ms. O'Connor Ives.
--members, perhaps we can coordinate our festivities.
This would be to support the efforts
of the city of Amesbury's 350th anniversary,
and that municipality is making a concerted effort
to grow its tourism base by highlighting
its unique cultural heritage, making
it the birth of carriages in the state of Massachusetts.
It's known as the carriage town of Massachusetts
and the carriage town of the United States.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We're now on 729, offered by the senator
from Plymouth & Bristol, Mr. Pacheco,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 7--
Pacheco, Raynham Housing Authority.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
--tell us about Amendment 729, Raynham Housing authority.
Thank you.
The senator from Plymouth & Bristol, Mr. Pacheco.
Thank my good friend, distinguished gentleman
from way out there in the woods, a wonderful, wonderful part
of the state, for asking the question,
the Raynham Housing Authority is the housing authority
in which the physical plant is very much in need
of some improvements, some public safety improvements,
and this authorization will allow
them to move forward and take care
of some very crucial public safety items that need repair.
Thank you.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 730 is offered by the senator
from Essex, Ms. O'Connor Ives, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 7--
--Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
--rises and I appreciate hearing about these amendments
from her.
Thank you.
The senator from--
--college is an educational partnership between Northern
Essex Community College and three local high schools
in my district--
Amesbury, Haverhill, and Methuen.
It's designed to raise college readiness skills and college
completion rates while in high school.
This funding will allow Northern Essex Community College
to continue and expand their early college
program to these public schools and to grow the programs.
Importantly, the early college program
also reduces future college costs
for students and their parents.
A student who takes full advantage of this program
could potentially graduate high school
with up to 48 college credits.
That translates to a year and a half of college coursework,
or about $45,000 at UMass in savings
and even more when you consider the cost of private colleges
and universities.
I thank you for the consideration
of this amendment, 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, and the amendment is adopted.
731 offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 731 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, Crow Lane.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
OK, Number 732 offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol
& Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 732 by Mr. Timilty, trial improvements
for safer pedestrian crossing in the Blue Hills Reservation.
The senator from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[INAUDIBLE] as well gave such a compelling speech
for his maiden that we've missed hearing from him,
so we'd like to hear about this trail that he has offered
and what it means for his district.
Timilty.
Thank you, Mr. President and through you to the members
and to my friend from Sutton, I believe.
Close.
Worcester County.
Thank you very much, appreciate it.
Amendment 732, trail improvements
for safe pedestrian crossing in the Blue Hills.
As many of us are aware, the Blue Hills Reservation
is an ecological treasure given its proximity
to a major metropolitan area in the city of Boston.
With this, the Skyline Trail is a great way
for people, tourists, residents of the commonwealth to enjoy
the wonders of the Blue Hills.
This simply would create a study to figure out
a safer way for the pedestrians on the Skyline Trail
to traverse the Blue Hills.
And with that, I simply hope for its adoption.
Thank you very much.
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 senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Lesser offers 733, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 733 by Mr. Lesser, Entrepreneur
in Residence 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.
Number 734, offered by the senator
from Worcester and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman.
Amendment Number 734 by Mr. Fattman, emergency relocation
of Millville Town Hall.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Mr. President, I understand that there are some emergency
relocations necessary for the Millville Town Hall,
and I hope the gentleman to my far right
can certainly tell us what this amendment would do to assist.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Just how far right?
The chair recognizes the senator from Worcester and Norfolk,
Mr. Fattman.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you
to my good friend from Westfield for asking the question.
The Millville Town Hall has stood proud
since the Civil War.
And in August the Army Corps of Engineers
actually came in and determined it was not safe to be used,
and so the town hall was shut down
and they moved it down the street to the American Legion
Post.
We're looking for some money to be able to evaluate next steps,
and so I hope that this $25,000 is adopted.
I would also mention, because I have two other amendments that
are coming up that the gentleman may be curious about,
in fiscal year 2015 there was a program for Hispanic seniors
in the town of Southbridge, which was allotted $100,000.
At December that year about $50,000 for that program
was cut.
So we're looking to restore that program.
And the town of Mendon is turning
350 years old in September, and it is known as Mother Mendon.
It birthed eight other towns, all of which
are in my district, and we're looking forward
to the festivities come September.
Question comes on adoption of Amendment Number 735.
Excuse me, 734.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The next is offered by the same gentleman,
Number 735, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 735 by Mr. Fattman,
Southbridge Hispanic seniors.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 736, offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 736 by Mr. Fattman,
Mendon 350th anniversary parade.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 737 is offered by the senator
from Plymouth & Bristol, Mr. Pacheco, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 737 by Mr. Pacheco, Microlending.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 738 is offered by the senator from Humason--
[LAUGHTER] the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 738 by Mr. Humason, Eureka.
The chair would request the gentleman
to speak on the matter.
I am the envoy from Humason.
I am happy to speak.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to speak in support of Amendment Number
738, the Eureka program, which will serve
three communities in the Commonwealth,
Holyoke in my own district, Lynn,
and Worcester, all the three chapters of Girls,
Incorporated.
Eureka provides a five-year program,
which helps middle school aged and high school aged girls
with STEM program, science, technology, engineering,
and math, and includes a four-week summer program
at UMass Amherst where they take part
in college-level courses in that STEM program.
And the amount is $60,000 appropriation
so that we can split it evenly between the three cities.
I hope the amendment passes, Mr. President.
Thank you.
--comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 739 is offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 739 by Mr. Humason, Night at the Museum 3.
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 740 offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 740 by Mr. Lesser, Leadership Pioneer
Valley.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I'm always appreciative of my colleagues
in Western Massachusetts and their advocacy
for the programs in their districts,
and I'd be happy to hear from the gentleman speaking
about Senate Amendment Number 740.
Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
Thank you, Mr. President, through you to the members.
I rise in support of Amendment 740, Leadership Pioneer Valley.
Mr. President, as you know as a resident of the Pioneer Valley,
we are a diverse and eclectic region,
and Leadership Pioneer Valley works to identify, develop,
and connect diverse leaders to strengthen that region
and invest in the next generation of innovators,
community leaders, and--
Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
--community leaders and civic entrepreneurs.
The core of this program Leadership Pioneer Valley
is a 10-month leadership development program
that helps to identify and retain top talent in the three
counties of the Pioneer Valley, Hampden, Hampshire,
and Franklin Counties, and to prepare
those young people for leadership roles
in their careers and in their communities.
In June Leadership Pioneer Valley
will have more than 200 graduates
that are receiving promotions, joining boards of directors,
and getting locally involved in charitable work.
The strength of the program is bringing together people
from all different backgrounds, from all three counties,
from the nonprofit sector, from the corporate world,
from the public sector, women and men of all races
and communities in the region.
Last year, Leadership Pioneer Valley
was able to provide more substantial tuition assistance,
both to ensure a diverse class and to double
the number of public sector and nonprofit leaders
participating.
Our cities and towns in our region
do not have the resources to invest
in professional development for their staff.
This is something that has been recognized
by this body in the past.
That's translated into a brain drain for our local communities
and too often the fleeing of talent
from Western Massachusetts.
Leadership Pioneer Valley is committed
to retaining these young people, keeping their talents local
and nurturing their development in Western Massachusetts.
This amendment will help them to continue to offer scholarships
to these participants and in particular to develop
leadership in the nonprofit and in the public sector world.
I hope this amendment passes.
--comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and 740 is adopted.
We're now on 741.
It's been withdrawn.
742 offered by the senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Humason, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 742 by Mr. Humason,
Westfield's sesquicentennial.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Mr. President, I hate to correct the clerk,
but I believe the word is sesquarcentennial.
We looked it up.
It means 350th, sesquarcentennial, Mr. Clerk.
We'll write that down.
Mr. President, this amendment is one
that I had sponsored in last year's Senate budget.
The colleagues were very kind and--
as was Ways and Means in allowing the amendment
to go through.
We provided an appropriation to the city of Westfield
as it begins the plans--
or as it continues the plans for our 350th anniversary in 2019.
Obviously the event will be a large and year-long event
in the city of Westfield.
We invite people from all across the Commonwealth
and the region to come to Westfield,
and we hope it will be a large economic generator.
I'm hopeful that this amendment will pass
and it will become part of this year's budget.
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.
The same senator offers Number 744, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 744 by Mr. Humason, Galloping Thunder.
The chair recognizes the senator from Hampden and Hampshire.
We can't wait to hear this one.
Mr. President, in our office we like
to keep the titles interesting because we recognize
that the clerk and his staff have so much to do that we like
to put a smile on their face when they get a chance to read
the titles of our amendments.
The Galloping Thunder amendment is another amendment
that was approved last year, in last year's budget.
Unfortunately, it ended up being 9C cut.
We hope that's not the case this year.
The Thunderbolt Council is the--
technically the friends of Westfield-Barnes and 104th
Fighter Wing.
We have an air show coming up at the end of August--
or actually in the middle of August in the city of Westfield
where we will have hundreds of thousands
of people come to our airport over a two-day weekend
and watch the Thunderbirds and all the warbirds
and other aircraft put on a phenomenal show.
This is guaranteed to raise a great deal of money
for the region and to bring a lot of people
into the Pioneer Valley, into Westfield, and up
to the airport.
And hopefully this appropriation will
pass to help the Thunderbolt Council in their preparations
for this air show.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 745 is offered by the senator
from Norfolk, Bristol & Plymouth,
Mr. Timilty, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 745 by Mr. Timilty, Milton Public Safety
Improvements.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
If I could ask my friend from Milton
to explain this amendment and also remind him
that my mother-in-law is from Milton,
so we're very interested in keeping
it a very safe community.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator from Norfolk, Bristol & Plymouth, Mr. Timilty.
Thank you very much, Mr. President,
through you to the members.
Tragically in recent months we've
experienced on two specific roads in Milton--
Truman Highway and Randolph Avenue--
a number of traffic accidents that sadly
have resulted in fatalities.
As a direct result of these tragedies,
the Department of Public Works in the town of Milton
has recommended several infrastructure improvements
in terms of public safety, including solar powered radar
signs, flashing signal lights, and reflective lane markings.
Investing in these recommendations
will protect all users of our roads.
We are confident, and the goal, of course,
is to prevent additional tragedies.
So with that, I hope this amendment
is adopted, and thank you.
--on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Now Amendment Number 746 is offered by the senator
from Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex, Mr. Ross,
and there is a pending further.
The clerk will read the title.
Amendment Number 746 by Mr. Ross,
Whalen Housing water main emergency tie-in,
746.1 by Mr. Tarr, economic development study.
Question comes on the further amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the further is adopted.
We now return to the underlying Amendment Number
746, as amended.
Question comes on adoption.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment as amended
is adopted.
We're now on Amendment Number 748,
offered by the senator from Bristol & Plymouth,
Mr. Montigny, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 748 by Mr. Montigny, New Bedford
Historical Society.
The question come-- amendment.
All those-- ah, the senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Humason.
Mr. President, I fear if I didn't rise to ask,
I would deprive the chamber and the members
from getting a chance to hear from the gentleman
about this amendment.
So if you could certainly tell us more about the New Bedford
Historical Society.
The senator from Bristol & Plymouth, Mr. Montigny.
Mr. President, if the gentleman wants to give me the air time,
I will speak.
Any witness noticed I was hiding behind the chair.
I was not jumping forward.
I feel I've had enough air time on this fine evening,
but I will say this, Amendment Number 748--
I'm proud to talk about it because I think
it's a reflection of what we've been trying to do
and we're finally succeeding in my beautiful hometown
of New Bedford.
If you look at the title of the New Bedford Historical Society,
although it's more expansive than that
because I've combined several programs
for this simple reason, one of the things--
one of the reasons why the city has begun to thrive again--
it's had its ups and downs like most gateway cities throughout
history, at one time--
many may not realize--
it was the wealthiest city per capita
now in the world during whaling and textiles.
And why is that relevant to today?
Many of the historical structures, particularly
the arts and beautiful architecture
were left by very, very wealthy patrons that could afford
to commission the structures.
So what we're trying to do now as art and culture at times
is responsible in a sense for almost
a cultural gentrification, we're trying to say,
well, it's wonderful to have this artsy, cultural downtown,
but let's make sure that disadvantaged young people have
access to it.
So everything here is written, whether it's access to the New
Bedford Historical Society that celebrates the time that
Frederick Douglass spent in New Bedford,
the Zeiterion theater which is a 1,200-seat beautiful theater
that brings in amazing acts, or the arts,
history and architectural program downtown.
All of it we feel should be accessible by those
who can least afford it, and this amendment
will ensure the continuation of that arts
and cultural Renaissance in downtime, Mr. President.
So I hope the amendment is adopted.
--on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 749 offered by the senator
from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, a redrafted amendment,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 749 by Mr. Lesser, Springfield Tech
Foundry.
Question comes on--
Senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I appreciate your patience as the hour grows late.
I look forward to asking for the gentleman from Western
Massachusetts to speak about this amendment to benefit
the Springfield Tech Foundry.
Thank you.
Oh, so we-- --comes on the amendment.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Leeds--
[LAUGHTER]
Will you repeat that?
I missed it.
I can't even hear what's going on.
Mr. President, I can assure you he heard that.
We're not going to hear the end of it.
Mr. President, through you and to the members,
I rise today in support of Amendment Number
794, Tech Foundry.
One of the most challenging issues facing our commonwealth
and something we grapple with quite a lot in this chamber
and in state government more broadly
is the challenge of our modern economy, which
is that we have thousands of vacant positions
in manufacturing, advanced manufacturing,
and in particular in IT and in tech support,
and thousands of people looking for work
and a mismatch between getting those people looking
for work connected to the employers who
need those jobs filled.
We've tried so many different strategies,
so many different programs to get this right,
to improve this fundamental mismatch, this skills
gap in our economy.
And we actually have a great, successful example
to point to in Western Massachusetts in Tech Foundry,
which is why I filed this amendment
and why I hope my colleagues will join me
in supporting this effort.
Tech Foundry is an IT tech training program
that works closely with employer partners
to understand the specific IT skills
that local employers require for entry-level employment.
Tech Foundry doesn't teach generic IT skills,
rather they teach the specific skills that the employer needs,
both technology skills and soft skills that will most
expeditiously result in a filled job by one of their students.
It actually is a very innovative merit badge system
where an employer can quite literally
go to Tech Foundry, this training program,
and order up the specific badges or certifications that they
require.
Tech Foundry then goes and directly trains the participant
in each of those certifications so the employer
knows exactly what they're getting
from the potential employee, and very importantly, the student
is motivated because they know there's a job on the other end,
and they know exactly what they're
being taught in the training program is required
by their future employers.
The students learn these skills in a 10-week boot camp style
classroom setting, and then they apply those skills
in a four-week internship with an area employer.
The internship provides students with
a resume-building experience, while also allowing an employer
to gauge whether that particular student might be
a good fit for that workplace.
It's certainly the first step towards securing a sustainable
career in IT, and it becomes a life-changing opportunity
for the vast majority of Tech Foundry students.
I've personally met with many of these Tech Foundry students,
and I can attest to the life-changing nature
of the work.
In 2016, Tech Foundry trained its 100th student.
In 2017, Tech Foundry is achieving its goal
to scale up pretty dramatically to train 100 students per year
in the greater Springfield area and to continue to diversify
their student population, both through gender
and racial diversity, and I might add economic diversity
as well.
With the increase in students and the inherent challenges
of teaching to larger class sizes,
Tech Foundry is spending the next year continuing
to train at the same high level that they currently have
but while adding more capacity and improving
the quality of their program.
This project to expand the number
of employer partners, which is another goal as they grow,
the total number of participants will increase the--
This is the last amendment and the last four pages
of the speech on the amendment.
[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]
This amendment is going to enable
Tech Foundry to make a larger impact
and continue to build a strong information-based workforce
in Springfield and the broader region.
And I'd finally conclude by saying
this grant is in part designed to expand the centers to more
locations, to not just Springfield
but to eastern Massachusetts as well.
Thank you.
The amendment, all those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
I would ask all of the members to approach the rostrum,
please.
--and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment Number 750, the Urban League.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
I hate to leave a page unfinished.
Yes.
We finished that page.
Senate will be in order.
The senator from Worcester, Ms. Chandler
moves that the Senate stand in recess until tomorrow at 10 AM.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the Senate stands
in recess in memory of Ross Alameddine of Saugus
and the Manchester victims until tomorrow at 11 AM--
10 AM.