FY17 Budget Priorities Letter to Senate Ways and Means

Today, Senator Brownsberger submitted this letter to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means outlining his budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2017 (beginning on July 1, 2016). Education, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and addressing excessive fees on people on probation and parole are among his top priorities.

Planning for more flooding

Climate change is creating more rainfall and higher sea levels, both of which will contribute to more flooding in our neighborhoods. We have a couple of decades before the problems really come home, but the lead times are long for major projects. Understanding the risks and building regional momentum to respond will remain a continuing priority of mine over the years to come.

Patient Experience Survey Results Released

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016, Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) announces the results of the only independent statewide patient experience survey at www.healthcarecompassma.org. The survey encompassed nearly 65,000 patients from more than 500 primary care practices representing approximately 4,000 physicians across the state, who responded to the question of whether they would recommend their primary …

Public Records Reform

The Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday released the Senate’s Public Records reform bill. It is a big step forward that has pleased advocates for reform. I will be supporting the bill — transparency has been an important theme in my work. One issue that I am interested in feedback on is attorneys fees. I would also really appreciate hearing any personal experiences you have had with this issue generally.