IT WAS APPARENT TO ME FROM THE VERY START: WHEN EVERSOURCE WAS PERMITTED TO TAKE OVER OUR UTILITY, I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN MY ELECTRIC BILL. BUT WHEN MY RECENT BILL ARRIVED IT EXCEEDED ALL OF MY PREDICTIONS. THE UTILITY INDUSTRY IS GOBBLING UP ALL PRODUCTION, AND BORROWING LOTS OF MONEY TO DO SO.
Budget
budget and local aid updates, community preservation act, financial outlook, local aid policy, priorities/requests, resources, revenue, taxes
Sales Tax Holiday?
Since 2004 (except in the 2009 recession year), the legislature has voted a sales tax holiday weekend in August. I’ve historically voted in favor of these holidays. However, I’m giving it a second thought this year. They just don’t work the way we think they should, as I explain in this post. What are your thoughts?
Human Trafficking
Senator Brownsberger: as a Massachusetts resident, I am very concerned about people in our Commonwealth who are young, vulnerable, desperate and in danger of being exploited. I support Senate Bill 872, and I urge you to consider it favorably. It will strengthen the anti-human trafficking law by codifying safe houses, john schools, training and data dissemination and public outreach. Thank you.
MA Legislature passes FY16 state budget
We share this press release from the Senate President’s office on the passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget as enacted by H3650. You may also view Conference Committee Highlights and Conference Summary budget graphics.
Neighborhood Solar and Green Cambridge Informational Meeting
An informational meeting will be held at the Cambridge Senior Center at 806 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge on July 7,2015 at 7:00 PM. This meeting will be hosted by State Representative Marjorie Decker and is open to all.
Senate Press Release on the Budget
The Senate completed its budget process last night. The next step is conference with the House to reconcile differences with their budget. It was a good process under the new leadership of Senate President Stan Rosenberg and Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka — a lot of collegiality and openness in the process. I was most pleased by our successful efforts to reach consensus on a big part of the Governor’s MBTA reform package.