Senate Passes Drinking Water and Wastewater Reform

The Senate on Thursday passed legislation 37-0 that combines reform with increased commitments to improve existing partnerships with cities and towns, grow municipal options while incentivizing best management practices and responsibly address water and wastewater infrastructure challenges in the Commonwealth.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that the Commonwealth’s future will not be limited by our access to clean drinking water,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “This bill takes the first step in addressing our water and wastewater infrastructure challenges and I am proud of the Senate for taking action on this important issue. The state of our water infrastructure is strongly linked to the health of our economy and a commitment to improving our water infrastructure is a commitment to improving our economic strengths.”

S417 An Act to ensure full compliance with good funds statute.

Senator Brownsberger submitted the following written testimony to the Joint Committee on Financial Services.   TO:          Committee on Financial Services  FROM:    Senator William N. Brownsberger  RE:           S417, An Act to ensure full compliance with good funds statute.  DATE:      February 26, 2014  I am writing in support of S417, An Act to ensure full compliance with …

Support for anti-shackling bill

Senator Brownsberger has received many emails similar to the one below from constituents urging him to support S1171, An Act to prevent shackling and promote safe pregnancies for female inmates.  The Senator is a co-sponsor of this bill and provided written testimony to the recent hearing by the Joint Committee on Public Safety. Senator Brownsberger: …

Transparency and Ethics: How do the Public Records Law and State Ethics Law apply to the MBTA Retirement Board?

On February 25, 2014, the Joint Committee on Public Service will be holding a public oversight hearing on the MBTA Retirement Fund. Below, please find an overview of the applicability of the public records law and state ethics law to the MBTA Retirement Fund and Board. PUBLIC RECORDS LAW APPLICABILITY In May of 2013, Senator …