Franklin Matters: In the News: Governor more positive about MA budget; heat safety tips

Friday, July 19, 2019

In the News: Governor more positive about MA budget; heat safety tips

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"With the state budget stalemate between Democratic leaders now spilling into the second half of July, Gov. Charlie Baker met privately with House Speaker Robert DeLeo in his office on Thursday morning and said he spoke with other legislators throughout the day, leaving him “more optimistic” that a compromise could be near.

Baker has not yet said whether he’ll heed the House speaker’s call for him to file another spending bill to fund the government through August, and told the News Service on his way to an event in Brighton on Thursday that he’d prefer not to have to file such a bill.

Baker was reluctant to discuss the specifics of his meeting with DeLeo, but said, “I’ve talked to a lot of people in the Legislature today about the budget and I’m feeling a little more optimistic than I was on Monday that this might all get resolved.”

Asked if he planned to file a second interim budget, Baker said, “No, not if I don’t have to.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190718/baker-more-optimistic-about-budget-compromise

"Hot temperatures combined with high humidity levels are expected to create dangerous heat conditions, with the most oppressive conditions expected Saturday. High temperatures Friday-Sunday are forecast to be in the 90s to lower 100s, and dew points in the low to mid 70s. Heat index values are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s Friday, 100 to 110 Saturday, and 97 to 105 Sunday, with the highest values occurring on Saturday in eastern Massachusetts and parts of the Connecticut River valley. The hot temperatures and high heat indices can lead to serious heat related-illnesses.

“MEMA urges residents to take precautions during the upcoming extreme heat. Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle, find an air-conditioned public space, cooling center, or other cool spot for relief, and watch for heat-related illnesses,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Samantha Phillips. “Please check on your family, friends, or neighbors to make sure they are safe during the extreme heat.”