Senate Passes FY 2014 Supplemental Budget

The Senate on Thursday voted 37-0 to pass a $200.8 million supplemental budget to cover time sensitive deficiencies and unexpected cost increases in FY 2014. This supplemental budget includes funds to address critical needs in the state’s emergency shelter programs, as well as provide additional funds for snow and ice removal.

“This supplemental budget is an important bill-paying exercise which addresses several spending deficiencies and time sensitive policy issues,” said Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I am very pleased that the Senate has passed a bill that makes necessary, mid-year investments while maintaining our disciplined fiscal approach that has served us so well in recent years.”

Senate Passes Unemployment Insurance Reform Bill

The Senate on Thursday voted 33-4 to pass legislation that will lower costs for businesses and support the growing economy in the Commonwealth. The bill introduces an updated rating table, puts in place a multi-year rate freeze and expands the seasonal employer exemption.

“This bill will provide financial predictability, reward positive employment histories with lower costs and foster a healthy economy that supports the business community,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “These reforms strike a careful balance between providing businesses with a helping hand without taking that same hand away from the unemployed.

Senate Passes Election Reform Bill

The Senate on Thursday voted 37-1 to pass legislation reforming the election laws in the Commonwealth by authorizing early voting for state and federal elections and primaries, allowing residents to register to vote on Election Day and creating an online voter registration system. The bill also allows 16 and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote.

“This bill will modernize the state’s election system and bring us in line with many other states that have already successfully implemented early voting,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “Supporting the right to vote should be our top priority and these changes are necessary to help us reach that goal.”

Apply now for the Citizens’ Legislative Seminar in March

Senator Brownsberger is pleased to announce that the 72nd Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS) will be held this spring on Tuesday, March 4th and Wednesday, March 5th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State House. Each senator may nominate one constituent to participate. “I encourage my constituents to apply to this two-day seminar,” said …

Deadline for Health Connector members to select a plan & pay premium is December 31, 2013

Our office  received this information from the Health Connector announcing that the deadline for picking a plan and making a premium payment for coverage starting in January 2014 is now Tuesday, December 31, 2013. _______________________________________________________________ We are writing to update you to adjusted deadlines for Health Connector members to select a plan and pay their …

Deadline for Health Connector members to select a plan & pay premium is December 31, 2013

Our office received this information that the Health Connector has extended the deadline for picking a plan and making a premium payment for coverage starting in January 2014 to Tuesday, December 31, 2013.  _______________________________________________________________ We are writing to update you to adjusted deadlines for Health Connector members to select a plan and pay their premiums, for coverage …