Showing posts with label Gov Baker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gov Baker. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Governor Baker says Goodbye (video)

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER, who often called the “block and tackling” of state government the centerpiece of his approach in office, on Tuesday began a two-day process of saying a public goodbye with a brief address that leaned into the prosaic details of his eight-year tenure while dispensing with the sort of sweeping oratory that was never his style. 

From behind the desk of his formal State House office, Baker delivered a six-minute, livestreamed address thanking Massachusetts residents. The speech was an unemotional, straightforward goodbye touting his administration’s accomplishments. "

Continue reading the article online at Commonwealth Magazine -> 
 

watch the video goodbye -> https://youtu.be/Y8dQhGUsyDg

Governor Baker says Goodbye (video)
Governor Baker says Goodbye (video)


Friday, November 11, 2022

Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Open Spaces

The Massachusetts Legislature on Thursday passed legislation that protects open and public spaces throughout the Commonwealth and ensures their conservation for future generations. This legislation, known as the Public Land Preservation Act, permanently preserves and protects the amount of land designated as open spaces and prevents it from being used for other purposes. 

 

“As we work to mitigate the effects of climate change we see and feel every day, it’s important that we do not allow the quality and acreage of open lands in Massachusetts to decrease,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Open lands protect against floods, reduce heat from man-made roads and cities, increase carbon capture from plants and soils, protect our clean drinking water, and provide residents with wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities. I want to thank all the conferees, especially Senator DiDomenico for his leadership and Senator Eldridge for his years of attention and perseverance in seeing this legislation passed, as well as Senator Rodrigues for his review and support.” 

  

“I am thrilled that we have reached an agreement on this bill which will protect our public land so our communities can have parks, green spaces, and clean water to enjoy throughout the Commonwealth,” said Senator Sal N. DiDomenico (D-Everett), Chair of the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. “Protecting our public lands is so critically important in our state because they also help protect our residents from the effects of climate change; our forests keep our air clean, our trees cool down our streets and communities, and our wetlands mitigate the effects of flooding and storms. I am grateful for Senate President Spilka’s dedication to getting this important bill passed, Senator Eldridge and Representative Balser for their years of work on this issue, and all the conference committee members for their help getting this bill over the finish line.” 

 

“I am extremely proud that an agreement has been reached between the House and Senate on the landmark Public Land Preservation Act (PLPA), which will strengthen the state’s commitment to ensuring that there is no net loss of open space in the Commonwealth," said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and the bill’s original sponsor. "I'm grateful to Senate President Spilka's commitment to passing this environmental legislation, the work of the conferees, and the persistent advocacy by conservation groups. I also want to acknowledge the godfather of PLPA, Phil Saunders, who dedicated his professional life to passing this bill.” 

 

“With the passage of the Public Lands Preservation Act today, our public lands and open spaces will be preserved and protected for current and future generations to come,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her leadership and thank you to Senator Eldridge, Senator DiDomenico, and others for their leadership on this vital issue as well. Ensuring the preservation of our most important public lands, farms, recreational areas, drinking water supply lands, sensitive wildlife habitats, forests, and other conservation and open space lands is critical in our collective efforts to adapt to and confront climate change, while protecting the public health of our communities, and passage of this legislation is a testament to the Senate’s steadfast commitment to protecting our environment at all costs.” 

  

Since its passage as a ballot initiative in 1972, Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution has recognized the importance of public lands. Lands acquired for conservation purposes under Article 97 have protected status, and such lands’ sale or conversion to other use must be approved by a two-thirds vote of each branch of the Legislature. Recognizing the importance of maintaining public lands, the Legislature, working with the Administration, has for many years ensured ‘no net loss’ of open spaces by requiring equivalent replacement land into open space when disposing of Article 97 land.  

 

The conference report passed by the Legislature today codifies a ‘no net loss’ policy into law, making it legally binding. It ensures a public process takes place when a public entity considers disposing of Article 97 land and that replacement land is located nearby and of comparable acreage, fair market value, and natural resource value. The legislation includes a provision that allows for a cash payment in lieu of replacement land, provided that the payment amount is no less than 110 per cent of the value of the land and the money is used to purchase replacement land within three years.  

 

Having passed the Senate and the House of Representatives, the bill now goes before the Governor for his consideration.



Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Open Spaces
Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Open Spaces

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker again clashes with lawmakers on abortion-related law"

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Thursday signed a $3.76 billion economic development bill. But Baker, a Republican, once again entered into a controversy with the Democratic-led Legislature over reproductive rights by vetoing an education campaign about crisis pregnancy centers.  

Crisis pregnancy centers are organizations, often faith-based, that provide resources to pregnant women and counsel them about their options in a way that discourages them from getting an abortion. In some cases, these centers have run deceptive advertising, implying that they offer abortion services when they do not. Particularly since Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion rights organizations have worried that women seeking abortions will be drawn to crisis pregnancy centers without realizing what the organizations do. 

The Legislature, as part of its economic development bill, appropriated $17.5 million for organizations that provide reproductive health care, including abortion care, to spend on hiring, security, and education. That money included a $1 million education campaign regarding crisis pregnancy centers.  

Baker left the $16.5 million earmarked for reproductive health organizations but vetoed the $1 million public awareness campaign as well as language requiring the state to publish a list of providers that offer “legitimate” family planning services. The state already maintains such a list. 
Continue reading the article online ->

Gov. Charlie Baker addresses the media during a press conference at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center vaccine clinic at La Colaborativa in Chelsea, MA on April 1, 2021. (Pool photo by Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe)
Gov. Charlie Baker addresses the media during a press conference at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center vaccine clinic at La Colaborativa in Chelsea, MA on April 1, 2021. (Pool photo by Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe)

Friday, November 4, 2022

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker signs bill curbing step therapy"

"A PATIENT who is stable on a medication then switches insurance plans can no longer be kicked off that medication by their insurer, under a new law Gov. Charlie Baker signed Tuesday that limits the insurance practice of “step therapy.” 

Patient advocacy groups have been trying for years to restrict when insurers can use step therapy, or fail-first therapy, in which the insurance company requires a patient to try a less expensive drug before switching to a more expensive one. After years of negotiations between patient advocates and insurance companies over language, a bill was finally passed during informal legislative sessions last month. Baker signed it Tuesday evening over the objections of some in the insurance industry who worried that it would raise costs. 

“This law puts treatment decisions back in the hands of doctors and patients where it belongs,” said Marc Hymovitz, government relations director in Massachusetts for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, who led the coalition pushing for the bill. “It ensures patients will get the necessary medicine in a timely manner.” 

While earlier versions of the bill would have effectively banned step therapy, this bill allows it but creates a number of exemptions, circumstances under which insurers cannot require step therapy. It also requires timely rulings on appeals when patients believe they were incorrectly denied coverage for a drug. "
Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->
 
Direct link to the signed legislation -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4929

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker signs bill curbing step therapy"
CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker signs bill curbing step therapy"

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Boston Globe: "Billions in state tax refunds to start flowing to taxpayers on Tuesday, officials say"

"THE FIRST CHECKS and direct deposits from a nearly $3 billion pot of excess tax revenue will head back to taxpayers starting on Tuesday when the calendar flips to November, the Baker administration announced Friday.

A spokesperson for the Executive Office of Administration and Finance said money will head out the door under the voter-approved tax cap law known as Chapter 62F, which taxpayers triggered for the first time since 1987 by delivering massive amounts of taxes.

About 3 million taxpayers will receive a refund in the form of a mailed check or a direct deposit worth about 14 percent of what they owed in state personal income tax in 2021, the spokesperson said. The administration plans to distribute the refunds on a rolling basis through December 15. The administration had previously estimated refunds of about 13 percent of income tax liabilities."

Continue reading the article online -> 

Boston Globe coverage ->  (subscription maybe required)
 
Eligible taxpayers will receive their refunds on a rolling basis, Governor Charlie Baker’s office said. LUKE SHARRETT/BLOOMBERG
Eligible taxpayers will receive their refunds on a rolling basis, Governor Charlie Baker’s office said. LUKE SHARRETT/BLOOMBERG

Friday, October 28, 2022

Franklin gains $3.2M grant for the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project

"The Baker-Polito administration today announced more than $143 million in grant awards for economic development projects made through the Community One Stop for Growth portal.

The grants, which will support 337 local projects in 169 communities statewide, were announced at an event in Pittsfield by Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba, and MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera, who were joined by local officials. "

Continue reading the article at MMA -> 

Among the awards is one for Franklin:


$3.2M This grant will be used to support the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project, a development that will increase affordable housing along Veterans Memorial Drive. Construction includes improvements to roadways, sidewalks, streetlights, utility connections, and the addition of a new water booster pumping station.

Governor Baker's press release ->

For the full listing of awards:

Franklin gains $3.2M grant for the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project
Franklin gains $3.2M grant for the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Governor Baker Visits Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School

Governor Baker visited Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, MA to see the interdisciplinary collaboration happening during STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Week. Baker attended a special presentation earlier in the month at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where Graphic Communications students from Tri-County were being recognized for their submissions to the smART creative science art Contest. Their artwork was prominently displayed at the company’s new manufacturing facility. 

After seeing their impressive work, Governor Baker reached out to Tri-County to see what other innovative projects the students were working on. Students and staff toured Governor Baker through several of the school's classrooms and programs to showcase the vital work our students are conducting. "The Governor made me feel proud to be pursuing a non-traditional career path of HVAC&R and gave me great motivational advice," said Emmaline Lafleur, Grade 12 HVAC&R student from Seekonk.

A few of the Career Programs Governor Baker requested to visit during his tour were Metal Fabrication, Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing, and HVAC&R to witness the updates and modifications that the Skills Capital Grant have awarded these career programs. "The Governor was surprisingly funny and made us feel comfortable. He shared fascinating stories and showed a great interest in Tri-County and its students," said Michel Emile, Grade 12 Engineering student from North Attleboro. 

The Skills Gap Grant was launched in 2015 with the goal of replacing outdated equipment and technology, mainly at vocational technical high schools and community colleges. Since its inception, the program has evolved into a crucial component of local workforce training by expanding the number of young people and adults that are trained and experienced with the newest technology used by local employers. "The governor's visit was eye-opening for the both of us, we were excited and impressed to have him interested in what we do, and he seemed impressed to see what we do every day," said Lorcan Bergeron, Grade 12 Engineering student from Medway.
Governor Baker grabs a selfie with students as he visits Tri-County
Governor Baker grabs a selfie with students and faculty as he visits Tri-County


"Due to Governor Baker's leadership, the State of Massachusetts allocated over 160 million dollars for program improvements in vocational schools. Tri-County has been fortunate to be the recipient of a portion of these funds, which were used to upgrade equipment and add new programs- such as medical assisting," said Dr. Karen Maguire, Superintendent-Director of Tri-County RVTHS. Tri-County has been awarded over $1 million since 2016 from the Skills Gap Grant. These funds allow Tri-County to modernize labs to continue providing students with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced knowledge to support high school and adult education classes as well as provide training and placement for underemployed individuals.

Governor Baker was presented with an official citation commemorating October 20 as Governor Charles Baker Day at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School from Dr. Maguire and the Tri-County School Committee.  "We hope that the next Governor, along with our legislature, will pick up where Governor Baker left off and allocate funds to assist our communities with new building projects. This is a concern across the commonwealth as many communities are trying to find ways to rebuild some of our 50-year-old vocational school facilities," said Dr. Maguire. Tri-County, built in 1977, is moving to the next steps in a proposed building project.

Saturday, September 17, 2022

Gov Baker announces tax rebate coming some time

Via Governor Baker:
"Stronger-than expected state tax revenues have led to a major surplus for Fiscal Year 2022, and we are pleased to be able to return nearly $3 billion in excess revenue to the taxpayers. Read more bit.ly/3RX14ni Estimate your refund mass.gov/62frefunds"

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Governor Baker Signs Legislature’s Expansive Mental Health Bill

Law will further equitable access to mental health care for residents

Today (08/16/2022), legislative leaders and advocates joined Governor Baker for the ceremonial bill signing of the Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care, comprehensive legislation to continue the process of reforming the way mental health care is delivered in Massachusetts, with the goal of ensuring that people get the mental health care they need when they need it.  The Governor officially signed this legislation into law on August 10, 2022.

The Mental Health ABC Act is driven by the recognition that mental health is as important as physical health for every resident of the Commonwealth and should be treated as such. The legislation includes a wide variety of reforms to ensure equitable access to mental health care and remove barriers to care by supporting the behavioral health workforce.  

"One moment, many years ago, I made the split-second decision to share the story of my family's struggle with mental illness—a moment of vulnerability and honesty that has become a movement, as more and more people stand up and speak up for accessible, high quality mental health care," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "We all deserve to have access to the mental health care we need, when we need it, and I am thrilled to see comprehensive mental and behavioral health care reform signed into law. I'd like to thank my colleagues in the Senate—especially Senators Cyr and Friedman—Speaker Mariano and our partners in the House, and Governor Baker, as well as the countless individuals, families, advocates, providers and others who have stood up for the idea that mental health is just as important as physical health, and to everyone who has fought for mental health care reform in Massachusetts and never gave up."

"Simply put, this legislation will move us closer to treating mental and physical health equally, as it builds upon our long-standing efforts to improve our behavioral health care delivery system," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I'm incredibly proud of the fact that this legislation will help to address the behavioral health crisis that so many of our residents are currently experiencing, especially young people. I want to thank my colleagues in the House, Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, and Governor Baker for prioritizing increased support for the Commonwealth's mental health infrastructure."

"Today's ceremonial bill signing signifies a vital stride toward transforming mental health care in Massachusetts," said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), Senate of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. "By signing the Mental Health ABC Act into law, we codify and affirm that mental health is just as essential as physical health and take a leap forward to ensure that all people in Massachusetts can access the mental health care they need and deserve. I am deeply grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka for her leadership and example, to Senators Friedman, Rodrigues, and Tarr for their efforts in this most urgent endeavor, and to Representative Madaro for his partnership."

"Too many people in communities across the Commonwealth struggle to get the mental, emotional and behavioral health care they deserve," said Representative Adrian C. Madaro (D-Boston), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. "This legislation helps reduce barriers to resources, support, and treatment residents need for their overall wellbeing. It enables enforcement of existing parity laws, enhances emergency response services and acute psychiatric care, develops programs to strengthen the workforce, and invests in mental health. Importantly, our legislation also creates initiatives to address the unique mental health needs of young people. This legislation is the first step in addressing the structural deficits in our mental health care delivery system by prioritizing the people it serves and the people who make it work."

"The health care system in Massachusetts is only as strong as its weakest link, and for far too long, mental health care has been overlooked and underfunded," stated Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. "This law confronts this reality with the most comprehensive mental health care action the Commonwealth has seen in recent years, and it builds off of the historic investments we made in this care system over this past two-year legislative session. Of particular importance to me, this bill will finally provide the state the tools it needs to enforce existing mental health parity laws and it will address the emergency department boarding crisis that is impacting too many of our children and their families. I have long believed that Massachusetts should deliver affordable, high quality, and accessible care to its residents, and this includes mental health care."

"With this legislation, the House and Senate make an important investment in mental health care—and in the mental and behavioral health workforce," said Representative Denise C. Garlick (D-Needham), Chair of the House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. "Every aspect of this bill is rooted in the fact that we support and strengthen health care workers through a focus on health equity, equitable reimbursement, and supporting those who support providers. Every resident will benefit from a stronger workforce providing care."

"This bill takes major and necessary steps to advance and strengthen the delivery of mental health care in our Commonwealth, by securing parity with physical health care, moving pediatric mental health patients expeditiously from emergency departments to more appropriate treatment settings. I am pleased that amendments that I offered to address mental health needs of police, firefighters, EMTs, and other first-responders are included as well as the requirement that online portals with updated information and resource will be available in real-time," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester), a member of the conference committee. "These and other components of the bill make the identification and treatment of mental health in our Commonwealth stronger, better, and more effective so that people in need of care can better access essential resources in the right place and provided by the right people."

"This legislation is a sea-change, greatly improving access to mental and behavioral health services and addressing some of the most challenging aspects of delivering this critical health care to all," stated Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). "Far too many families have seen loved ones suffering and unable to access the short and long term care they need to get well and be well, my family included. I am grateful for the work of the conferees and the leadership of the Legislature." 

The following are features of The Mental Health ABC Act:

  • Guaranteeing Annual Mental Health Wellness Exams. This law mandates insurance coverage for an annual mental health wellness exam, comparable to an annual physical. 
  • Enforcing Mental Health Parity Laws. This law provides the state with better tools to implement and enforce parity laws by creating a clear structure for state agencies to receive and investigate parity complaints and ensure their timely resolution.
  • Initiatives to Address Emergency Department Boarding. This law creates online portals that provide access to real-time data on youth and adults seeking mental health and substance use services and includes a search function that allows health care providers to easily search and find open beds using several criteria; requires the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to prepare and publish a report every three years on the status of pediatric behavioral health as the youth boarding crisis is particularly acute; requires the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to report on behavioral health needs; updates the expedited psychiatric inpatient admissions (EPIA) protocol and creates an expedited evaluation and stabilization process for patients under 18.
  • 988 Implementation and 911 Expansion. This law increases access to on-demand behavioral health care through the implementation of the nationwide 988 hotline that will provide 24/7 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis services and expands 911 to bridge the gap until 988 is implemented.
  • Red Flag Laws and Extreme Risk Protection Orders. This law initiates a public awareness campaign on red flag laws and extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) that limit access to guns for people at risk of hurting themselves or others. 
  • Reimbursing Mental Health Providers Equitably. The law requires an equitable rate floor for evaluation and management services that is consistent with primary care. 
  • Reforming Medical Necessity and Prior Authorization Requirements. This law mandates coverage and eliminates prior authorization for mental health acute treatment and stabilization services for adults and children and ensures that if a health insurance company intends to change its medical necessity guidelines, the new guidelines must be easily accessible by consumers on the health insurance company's website. 
  • Creating a Standard Release Form. This law directs the development of a standard release form for exchanging confidential mental health and substance use disorder information to facilitate access to treatment by patients with multiple health care providers. 
  • Increasing Access to Emergency Service Programs. The law requires health insurance companies to cover Emergency Service Programs (ESPs), community-based and recovery-oriented programs that provide behavioral health crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization services for people with behavioral health needs. 
  • Expanding Access to the Evidence-Based Collaborative Care Model. The law expands access to psychiatric care by requiring the state-contracted and commercial health plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder benefits offered through the psychiatric collaborative care model. 
  • Reviewing the Role of Behavioral Health Managers. The law directs the Health Policy Commission (HPC), in consultation with the Division of Insurance (DOI), to study and provide updated data on the use of contracted behavioral health benefit managers by insurance carriers, often referred to as 'carve-outs.'
  • Tracking and Analyzing Behavioral Health Expenditures. The law directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to define and collect data on the delivery of behavioral health services to establish a baseline of current spending and directs the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to begin tracking behavioral health care expenditures as part of its annual cost trends hearings. 
  • Establishing an Office of Behavioral Health Promotion. The law establishes an Office of Behavioral Health Promotion within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to coordinate all state initiatives that promote mental, emotional, and behavioral health and wellness for residents. 
  • Increasing Access to Care in Geographically Isolated Areas. This law directs the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to consider factors that may present barriers to care—such as travel distance and access to transportation—when contracting for services in geographically isolated and rural communities. 
  • Enhancing School-based Behavioral Health Services and Programming. This law enhances school-based behavioral health supports, increases access points for effective behavioral health treatment by limiting the use of suspension and expulsion in all licensed early education and care programs and public schools, and creates a statewide technical assistance program to help schools implement school-based behavioral health services.
  • Increasing Access Points for Youth for Effective Behavioral Health Treatment. The law requires behavioral health assessments and referrals for children entering the foster care system and establishes an interagency review team to ensure young people with complex behavioral health needs are assisted quickly and with cross-agency support and coordination.
  • Expanding Insurance Coverage for Vulnerable Populations. This law ensures individuals over 26 years old who live with disabilities can remain on their parents' health insurance.
  • Creating a Roadmap on Access to Culturally Competent Care. Under this provision, an interagency health equity team under the Office of Health Equity, working with an advisory council, will make annual recommendations for the next three years to improve access to, and the quality of, culturally competent mental health services. Paired with the Legislature's ARPA investment of $122 million in the behavioral health workforce through loan repayment assistance programs, this roadmap will make great strides toward building a robust workforce reflective of communities' needs. 
  • Allows for an Interim Licensure for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. The law creates an interim licensure level for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) so that they can be reimbursed by insurance for their services while obtaining supervised practice hours towards full licensure and be eligible for state and federal grant and loan forgiveness programs.
  • Expanding Mental Health Billing. This law allows clinicians practicing under the supervision of a licensed professional and working towards independent licensure to practice in a clinic setting.
  • Updating the Board of Registration of Social Workers. The law updates the membership of the Board of Registration of Social Workers to clarify that designees from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Department of Public Health (DPH) be licensed social workers. 

"During a national mental health emergency, Massachusetts leaders in the Legislature, Administration, and healthcare community joined to craft, pass, and sign landmark legislation to address equitable access to behavioral health care in the Commonwealth," said Danna Mauch, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH). "MAMH applauds the pacesetting institution of universal payor participation in and coverage for annual mental wellness exams, 24/7 telephonic behavioral health help line, comprehensive crisis services, behavioral health urgent care, and collaborative care as part of roadmap for reform."

"The passage of An Act addressing barriers to care for mental health signals the Commonwealth's ongoing commitment to improving mental health care access and quality for Massachusetts residents," said Lydia Conley, President/CEO of the Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH). "This landmark law will help individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, reduce emergency eepartment boarding, and ensure that parity laws are followed and enforced. ABH is grateful for the continued leadership of the Senate, House, and Governor in driving forward important reforms with the urgency these issues demand." 

"The collaboration between the Administration and the Legislature to pass the 2022 Mental Health law has been extraordinary," said Mary McGeown, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC). "This landmark law creates vital tools and strategies to help families, schools and communities respond to the current child mental health crisis and to address long standing gaps in access to care. As part of the leadership team of the Children's Mental Health Campaign, we are thrilled to see these meaningful reforms signed into law today." 

"On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers - MA Chapter, we are thrilled this landmark mental health legislation has been signed into law," said Rebekah Gewirtz, Executive Director of NASW-MA. "We are especially encouraged that the new interagency health equity team will work to support a more diverse behavioral health workforce that represents communities served and that will better ensure culturally competent care. Passage of this law will go a long way to improving the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents at a time of such acute and pressing need for critical behavioral healthcare services." 

"This is a groundbreaking day for mental healthcare in the Commonwealth," said Steve Walsh, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association. "Our hospitals and health systems applaud leaders in the Senate, House, and Baker Administration for making it possible. This law is grounded in systemic changes to guarantee long-promised parity, bolster the behavioral health workforce and—perhaps most critically—better address the mental health needs of children. Behavioral health has been a top priority of every healthcare organization in Massachusetts since before the pandemic began, and they remain deeply committed to ensuring that every community member has access to the resources and care they need." 

"Access to quality mental health care has never been more important," said Dr. Sandhya Roa, Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. "This legislation is the culmination of years of work by policymakers and stakeholders to reform the mental health delivery system across the Commonwealth. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts applauds this thoughtful, evidence-based approach to increasing capacity, improving integration with physical care, and making targeted investments to better serve our residents." 

"MAHP applauds the House and Senate for their collaboration and leadership in seeking to improve access to behavioral health care services and treatment. We thank bill sponsor Senate President Spilka for her dedication and leadership," said a statement from the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP). "MAHP and our member health plans are pleased to see that the mental health ABC legislation includes important policy solutions to reduce emergency department boarding of patients seeking mental health and substance use disorder services, including codifying the expedited psychiatric inpatient admission process, and ensuring patients have timely access to the behavioral health care they need in the emergency department while in crisis. Our health plans are committed to providing high quality and comprehensive behavioral health benefits, in compliance with state and federal mental health parity laws. We look forward to working with the legislature next session to ensure that the entire health care system treats physical and behavioral health the same." 

"On behalf of our patients, the physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society extend our gratitude to Governor Baker, and we thank Senator Cyr and our legislators for their leadership in recognizing the importance and urgency surrounding this bill," said Dr. Theodore Calianos, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society. "The COVID-19 public health crisis amplified myriad challenges our patients face in accessing timely, high-quality, comprehensive mental health care, challenges that can be especially insurmountable for the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth. Provisions in this bill will empower patients and physicians to make decisions that will more often lead to optimal outcomes for those who need and seek mental health care." 

"With the passage of the Mental Health ABC Act, we are at the dawn of a new day for mental health treatment in the Commonwealth," said Dr. Grace Chang, President of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society. "We are now leading the nation in parity for mental health care just when it is most needed.  MPS congratulates the Massachusetts legislature on its visionary measure and looks forward to assisting in its implementation." 

Having been officially signed by the Governor on August 10, 2022 the Mental Health ABC Act is now law. 

Friday, August 12, 2022

Boston Globe: "Baker signs major climate bill into law"

"Gov. Charlie Baker signed a major climate bill into law on Thursday that will accelerate the development of clean energy in the state, boosting offshore wind and solar, and—in a first for Massachusetts—allowing some cities and towns to ban the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and major renovations.

Baker’s approval comes after weeks of speculation that he might veto the bill, and just days after he said he particularly disapproved of the fossil fuel ban because of his concern it could make it harder to construct affordable housing.

Ultimately, though, he said the bill’s changes to the offshore wind procurement process and its advances in clean energy were important enough to secure his signature.

“I continue to want us to be a pretty big player in that space,” Baker said in an interview with the Globe, “because it’s a sustainable way to create a lot of jobs, for a very long time.”
Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription maybe required)

All the Legislation signed by Gov Baker on Thursday, August 11, 2022


Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and State Rep Jeff Roy. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-835-making-sense-of-climate-14-08-04-22

The climate legislation discussed as amended and returned to the Governor for action https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/massachusetts-legislature-passes-major.html


State Rep Jeff Roy’s remarks on the MA House of Representatives floor in favor of the legislation and quoting Governor Baker on compromise (from the Governor’s recent book).

https://youtu.be/PB-CRp7ooCg


Governor Baker’s book -> https://www.amazon.com/Results-Getting-Beyond-Politics-Important/dp/1647821800


See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker during a morning press-conference.JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker during a morning press-conference. JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF


"the 1986 law does spell out the two-year process for returning the money"

"THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION  is preparing to change the rules for returning roughly $3 billion in excess tax collections so the governor can send out checks to Massachusetts taxpayers before he leaves office in January.

But a legal expert, citing a 1987 Supreme Judicial Court decision, says the changes being proposed by Gov. Charlie Baker appear to violate the voter-approved law governing excess tax collections as well as the constitutional prohibition on appropriations in ballot questions.

The governor’s move to change the rules suggests he is eager to return the money to taxpayers as quickly as possible, perhaps to claim credit for returning the money or to return it before the Legislature can take any action to tinker with the law or prevent all of the funds from going out. "
Continue reading the CommonWealth Magazine article online ->
 
Gov. Charlie Baker at a State House press conference. (Pool file photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe)
Gov. Charlie Baker at a State House press conference. (Pool file photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe)


Thursday, August 11, 2022

CommonWealth Magazine: "Here’s what Baker signed, amended, and vetoed"

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday took a slew of legislative actions, clearing his desk of many of the major bills that were sent to him in the final days of the legislative session. 

Baker signed an $11.37 billion transportation infrastructure bond bill, with some vetoes, and signed a $164 million bond bill to modernize technology at the judiciary. He signed a bill improving mental health care by ensuring parity in insurance coverage, addressing long emergency room waits, and shoring up mental health services in schools. He agreed to tighten the state’s gun licensing laws in response to a US Supreme Court ruling."
 
Continue reading the article online ->


For the full listing of the Governor's actions on Wednesday

CommonWealth Magazine: "Here’s what Baker signed, amended, and vetoed"
CommonWealth Magazine: "Here’s what Baker signed, amended, and vetoed"

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Why you need to call Governor Baker! Making Sense of Climate with State Rep Jeff Roy (audio)

FM #835 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 835 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, August 4, 2022.  

We talked with our special guest, MA State Representative Jeff Roy. Jeff represents Franklin and Medway and chairs the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy which marshaled the recent climate legislation through the MA House & Senate, the Conference Committee, back through both the MA House & Senate and sits on Governor Baker’s desk.

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 50 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and State Rep Jeff Roy. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-835-making-sense-of-climate-14-08-04-22


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The climate legislation discussed as amended and returned to the Governor for action https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/massachusetts-legislature-passes-major.html


State Rep Jeff Roy’s remarks on the MA House of Representatives floor in favor of the legislation and quoting Governor Baker on compromise (from the Governor’s recent book).

https://youtu.be/PB-CRp7ooCg


Governor Baker’s book -> https://www.amazon.com/Results-Getting-Beyond-Politics-Important/dp/1647821800


See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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MA State Representative Jeff Roy
MA State Representative Jeff Roy