The Massachusetts Senate passed a budget last week that acknowledges the economic atmosphere in Massachusetts and across the nation while taking into account the needs of the Commonwealth. The approximately $28.085 billion budget makes targeted investments in core initiatives that focus on health care, education, and public safety.

This is a thoughtful, cautious budget which focuses on the priorities important to the people of the Plymouth and Barnstable District. The Senate remained mindful of the state of Massachusetts' economy, while ensuring that we continue to address local aid, health care, education and public safety.

Specifically, for the Plymouth and Barnstable District, the Senate-passed budget provided $3.7 million for local initiatives including:

·           $150,00 for the Nathan Hale Foundation to provide transportation to local veteran in need of assistance;

·           $100,000 for the Jones River Watershed Association to aid in maintaining and restoring the Jones River and its related ecosystems in Cape Cod Bay;

·           $200,000 for the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation to leverage an additional $1 million in federal program dollars for small loans that support microenterprises and emerging businesses;

·           $50,000 for the Massachusetts Cultural Coast to promote the unique historic and cultural attractions of southeastern Massachusetts;

·           $50,000 to continue education efforts at the Jenny Grist Mill in Plymouth;

·           $500,000 for the operation and maintenance at the UMass Cranberry Experiment Station;

·           $200,000 for the Community Health Center of Cape Cod to help provide health service to people of need throughout the Cape;

·           $150,000 for the Buzzards Bay Water Quality and Natural Resources Monitoring Program to  monitor coastal water quality;

·           $150,000 for the Cape Cod Bay Sanctuary for their continued monitoring of Cape Cod Bay water quality and their education of the public on conservation and the long-term threats affecting the Bay;

·           $90,000 for the aquaculture program on Cape Cod to promote shell fish propagation;

·           $10,000 for the Audible Local Ledger in Falmouth to continue to provide reading services for the blind;

·           $100,000 for Lyme Disease research and prevention activities to be done in conjunction with Barnstable County Department of Health;

·           $130,000 for Children's Cove to aid in their efforts to provide multidisciplinary service for child victims of sexual abuse and or severe physical abuse;

·           $125,000 for the Fairwinds Clubhouse to provide adult mental health services and support services;

·           $15,000 for We Can of Cape Cod to continue career assessment and guidance, mentoring programs, legal and financial workshops, and support groups for women on Cape Cod develop personally and professionally;

·           $15,000 for the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association for the development of a Cranberry Harvest Map;

·           $100,000 for the Cape Cod Economic Development Council to support loan programs and provide technical assistance and education forums for small businesses;

·           $25,000 for the Sandwich Glass Museum to teach the history of glassblowing;

·           $70,000 for Heritage Museum and Gardens to enhance their winter Spectacle of Lights Program;

·           $150,000 for UMass to continue efforts to control and eliminate the advance of the winter moth.

·           $150,000 for the Greater Food Warehouse of Plymouth Emergency Food Assistance Program to continue their efforts to provide area  Councils on Aging, HeadStart, and food pantries with emergency food supplies;

·           $20,000 for the Samaritans of Cape Cod to help provide services for increased volume of  people contacting their crisis centers;

·           $150,000 for 1199 SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund to continue career ladder programs for acute care, long-term care, and community-based health care institution employees;

·           $300,000 for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Entre Center to aid in business support services for both start-up and expanding businesses.

·           $50,000 for the Cape Cod Junior Technology Council to provide students with additional training and education in technology.

With an economic outlook that continues to decline, the Senate worked to focus on areas that will have the most impact on the lives of Massachusetts residents. These investments include: 

·           $33 million to implement health care cost saving measures, such as electronic medical records and access to primary care;

·           $6.5 million investment to focus on the treatment and prevention of substance abuse.

·           $21.3 million for Community Policing Grants, and $4 million in Municipal Police Grants to put more police on the street;

·           $3.5 million for youth violence prevention grants-a Senate initiative first included in the FY08 budget; 

·           $13 million for the Shannon anti-gang violence grants - the first time the Shannon grants have been included in the operating budget;

·           An 8.1 percent increase in housing programs, to help low-income families afford to stay in their communities, and  includes $10 million to work toward ending homelessness in the Commonwealth;

·           $20 million for the community first initiative, which will to allow seniors to choose to receive care without leaving their communities,

·           $57.5 million for the funding for the prescription advantage program;

·           $12 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program to help cover the growing need for food assistance.

·           $5 million  to expand universal pre-kindergarten;

·           $17.5 million for Extended Learning Time allowing for an additional 3,000 students to expand their school day or year in FY 2009;

·           $5 million for the early education rate reserve to provide salary to child care professionals;

·           $21.6 million for the METCO program;

·           $5.5 million for the education reserve account that allows communities who have extraordinary education circumstances, such as educating children of active duty military, to apply for additional funding to defray the added expense.

The Senate has also continued its commitment to Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns, making an early agreement with the House of Representatives to provide a 4.43 percent increase in local aid. This increase includes $223 million more in Chapter 70 education funding, fulfilling year three of the 5-year reform plan. The Legislature also committed to level funding the full $935 million municipalities receive from lottery sales despite a $124 million shortfall.

During the debate, the Senate voted to further study the options and impacts of expanded gaming.  The Senate also agreed to an amendment that would change the name of the Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Developmental Services.

The Senate and House of Representatives will now negotiate a compromise budget. The 2009 fiscal year begins July 1st.

On Wednesday, May 28th, Governor Deval Patrick signed the landmark oceans management bill into law. The new law will allow Massachusetts to establish a management plan for its territorial waters and ensure a public voice in future ocean development projects. 

Just as we have well-established laws for the use of our land, it's about time that we have a framework and process in place to protect one of the Commonwealth's greatest assets.

This is a significant piece of legislation for the Commonwealth that provides safeguards for the health and oversight of our oceans and specific guidelines for development projects.

The highlights of the law include:

·           The use of an ocean management plan incorporating the best available scientific understandings of marine and ocean resources, mapping, monitoring, and other data.

·           Under the authority of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the management plan would be developed by a 16-member commission, which will include state agency representatives, legislators, municipal officials, and environmental, fishing and industry stakeholders.

·           The final plan will guide how state environmental agencies interpret, monitor and enforce the environmental laws of the Commonwealth and set a standard framework to judge future ocean development proposals for state-owned waters which encompass approximately three nautical miles from the coastline.

·           The legislation permits the development of appropriately-scaled renewable energy sources in areas identified in, and in a manner consistent with, the ocean management plan.

The legislation also provides safeguards for the treatment of fisheries, recognizing the central role that commercial and recreational fishing plays in our economy.

The law sets up an ocean science advisory council of marine scientists, non-profits, government agencies and fishing interests to assist the Executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in analyzing Massachusetts' ocean resources.

The Senate first approved the legislation in November of 2007.

The time has come for seniors to hone their artistic skills and enter the 12th Annual Senior Citizens Artistic Interpretation of the State House Holiday Card Contest.  The contest, sponsored by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, is open to all citizens age 62 and over.

The theme for the 2008 contest is "December Holiday at the State House." Entries will be accepted from both amateur and professional artists, and all entrants will have their work displayed at the Commonwealth Museum beginning in mid-August. 

Professional artists will judge the entries, and the winning design to be reproduced on cards to be sold at the State House Gift Cart with the artist's name printed on the card. An Affirmation of Award will be presented to the winning artist on a date to be announced in late autumn.

All medium of visual art is acceptable. Size requirements are a minimum of 5 x 7 inches, and a maximum of 18 x 24 inches. If an artist is unable to mat and frame his or her entry, the Secretary's office will provide matting using basic materials. All entries should be mailed or delivered to the Attention of Dolores McCray, Commonwealth Museum at Columbia Point, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125. Please print name, address, and telephone number and medium on the back of the artwork. The deadline for entries is July 1, 2008.

For more information on the contest, call the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office at (617) 727-3676, or visit the Massachusetts State House Tours website at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/trs, and click on State House Holiday Card Art Contest.

Congratulations to the women of the Plymouth and Barnstable District who have been recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) as unsung heroines for 2008. 

·           Carolyn P. Nelson of Barnstable

·           Rachel Christian of Bourne

·           Jill Gillick & Deborah Maguire of Falmouth

·           Pricilla Palumbo of Kingston

·           Kathleen Fanning of Pembroke

·           Connie Melahoures of Plymouth

·           Shirley G. Cross of Sandwich

Everyday women are working behind the scenes to make our communities better. These women are often not in the spotlight. As a result, we do not realize the amount of work they do, but it makes a significant difference in all of our lives.

Each year, MSCW recognizes women from each of the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns who perform unheralded acts on a daily basis for their community as an Unsung Heroine.

"We applaud your vote and the actions of President Murray, Chairman Panagiotakos, also all members of the Senate for embracing the full $223 million Chapter 70 increase, protecting the full $935 million Lottery distribution and $380 million Additional Assistance Account, and taking this action so early in the process."

 - Geoff Beckwith, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association on the early commitment by the Senate for local aid.