FM #139 - Legislative Forum on School Funding (audio)

This internet radio show or podcast is number 139 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording is of the Legislative Forum on School Funding held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School.

The event featured opening remarks by School Committee Chair Anne Bergen and then a panel discussion facilitated by Vice-Chair Denise Schultz. The panelists were Senator Karen Spilka, Senator Richard Ross, and Representative Jeffrey Roy.

The Forum itself runs just about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Without further ado, here is the recording





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My notes from the Forum can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/live-reporting-legislative-forum-feb-13.html


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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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

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Jennifer Knight of SAFE Coalition tying some comments and points together at the end 

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Live reporting: Legislative Forum - Feb 13, 2018

Notes via Twitter from the Legislative Forum hosted by the Franklin, MA School Committee in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall on Feb 13, 2018. 

Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to view all the posts.

Jennifer Knight of SAFE Coalition tying some comments and points together at the end 

Senator Ross: State House Update - January 2018

Note: this newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full contents follow this link

Monthly update from your State Senator for the constituents of Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District.

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, January 2018 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, It is already February which means it is Black History month and Valentines day. The first month of the year has been a busy one and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to continue improving our great Commonwealth. Tax season is coming up and I will be in the district holding seminars on the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. I have had the pleasure of meeting various constituents from our district at these seminars and at my office hours. I appreciate hearing from you on the things that matter to our district and our Commonwealth. It is an honor to serve as your State Senator. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office directly at 617-722-1555 or email Richard.Ross@masenate.gov. Sincerely,   Attleboro February 12th 2018 9:30am – 10:30am Attleboro Council on Aging 25 S Main Street North Attleboro February 12th, 2018 11:00am – 12:00pm North Attleboro COA 204 Elm Street Wrentham 9:30am – 10:30am February 20th, 2018 Wrentham COA 400 Taunton Street Franklin 11:00am – 12:00pm February 20th, 2018 Franklin COA 10 Daniel McCahill Street Wayland March 12th, 2018 10:30am – 11:30am Wayland COA 41 Cochituate Road Wellesley March 12th, 2018 12:00pm – 1:00pm Wellesley COA 500 Washington Street Needham March 19th, 2018 10:30am – 11:30am Needham Community Center 570 Hillside Drive Natick March 19th, 2018 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Legislative trio joins School Committee for school funding discussion - Feb 13

"Rep. Roy will join the Franklin School Committee and his colleagues Senator Karen Spilka and Senator Richard Ross for a public discussion on current and future education funding issues. The event will take place on Tuesday, February 13 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Franklin High School Lecture Hall. 

The School Committee aims to keep Franklin as a a shining star among both private and public schools across the state. But concerns over per pupil spending, together with rising costs in health insurance, transportation and special education tuition have created pressures on the school budget.

The forum is an opportunity for State officials to provide updates and insights on legislative initiatives directly impacting public schools in general and Franklin in particular. The focus will be on funding and other school issues in the current legislative session."

For more on the February 13 forum
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180102/franklin-2018-brings-budget-trouble

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html

Left to right: Sen Ross, Rep Roy, Sen Spilka and Delegate Ladybug (from the FM archives 2015)

From Representative Roy's recent newsletter

http://mailchi.mp/a42a07f42d43/wods53wesj?e=fe0f7dd5f3

Senator Ross: December 2017 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, December 2017 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, It is my hope that you had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and joyous holiday season. In the legislature we have completed much work but there is so much yet to do in this legislative session. As the new year begins, we reflect on what this past year has brought us and for what we are thankful. We addressed healthcare reform where I co-sponsored bills to address rising costs, negligent caretakers and risky insurance practices. I filed bipartisan legislation to improve access and affordability of cancer clinical trials across the state. We took up the issue of graduate student loan debt that is affecting our children and families and debated telecommunication regulations for the coming year. These are just a few of the many important topics taken up this session. Be sure to read more about my legislation in the Legislative Spotlight section. In the past year, I've worked to bring back significant funding to this district for various programs and projects, including infrastructure improvements, environmental protection grants, public school aid and much more. I've also worked to maintain fiscal discipline in our state budget and only spend within our means – and not waste your hard earned tax dollars. The Spring 2018 session will be a busy one and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to continue improving our great Commonwealth. I have had the pleasure of meeting various constituents from our district at my office hours and at State House visits. I appreciate hearing from you on the things that matter to our district and our Commonwealth. It is an honor to serve as your State Senator. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office directly at 617-722-1555 or email Richard.Ross@masenate.gov. Sincerely,     This newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full set of content  View this email in your browser

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In the News: Hanukkah begins; competition for Sen Ross's seat

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

"With the rain holding off on Tuesday evening, members of Franklin’s Jewish community gathered together at the town common for doughnuts, chocolate coins, and dancing to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. 

Chabad Rabbi Mendy Kivman of the Milford Chabad House performed the ceremonial lighting while those gathered around sang, while others watched quietly with joined hands. 

Children danced in circles with Kivman’s wife, Rochy, and spun their new dreidels wherever they could on the slushy sidewalk."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171212/franklin-celebrates-first-night-of-hanukkah

"Democrats are lining up for the chance to turn a local state Senate seat from red to blue. 

Kris Aleksov of Wayland, Jacqueline Katz of Norfolk, Colin Meiselman of Wayland and Becca Rausch of Needham are vying for the 2018 Democratic nomination for the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex seat. 

Republican state Sen. Richard Ross, a Wrentham funeral home owner, has represented the district since 2010. 

“Sen. Ross is focused on serving the people of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District who have overwhelmingly elected him as their State Senator for four terms,” Ross’ office said in a statement. “Sen. Ross’ experience and leadership are needed now, more than ever, when it comes to addressing the numerous challenges before our commonwealth.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171212/democrats-eye-ross-state-senate-seat

the ceremonial lighting of the candles was held on the Town Common

Senator Ross: Mid - Fall 2017 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, October 2017 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, As the leaves change, I am preparing for a busy fall on Beacon Hill, and I look forward to facing head-on the many important and diverse issues of our commonwealth and my district. This season, we will once again be addressing healthcare reform where I have co-sponsored legislation to address rising costs, negligent caretakers, and risky insurance practices. The fight against opioid addiction continues. As a member of the Joint Committee on Public Health and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security I am working with my colleagues to assist Governor Baker's efforts to increase efforts to combat this problem. Throughout the summer and early fall months, the legislature has taken up various pieces of my legislation concerning higher education, elder affairs and administrative and budgetary transparency. I am pleased with how the fall session is going however there is much more work to be done. Better late than never, as they say. There are still finishing touches to be made on the FY18 budget. The Senate is considering Governor Baker's vetoes very carefully after the House chose to restore all $320 million worth of spending cuts out of $40.2 billion. So far, the Senate has restored $75.8 million and I  have voted to sustain ____ of the governors vetoes. Since tax revenues are down $749 million, it is critical to be fiscally responsible and spend within our means. We hope to be done later in the fall. It is a pleasure to serve as the State Senator for Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. As your Legislator, I send out these updates to keep you informed on the many issues being debated on Beacon Hill, as well as some of the events happening in the district.  As always, I appreciate hearing from you on the things that matter to our district and our Commonwealth. It is an honor to serve as your voice at the State House. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at Richard.Ross@masenate.gov or contact my office at 617-722-1555   Thank you for taking the time to read this update on what I have been working on over the past month. If there is someone you know who would like to receive my State House Update, please share this newsletter and invite them to sign up for our mailing list today! Additionally, feel free to contact my office regarding any questions or concerns you may have. You may also check my website for the most up-to-date information on Beacon Hill. It is my pleasure and honor to continue serving you as State Senator, and I look forward to providing you with the newest updates next month. Copyright © 2017 State Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, All rights reserved. This newsletter is a service to the people of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District and for Informational Purposes only. Our mailing address is: Massachusetts State House 24 Beacon Street, Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email: richard.ross@masenate.gov

State Senator Richard J. Ross · State House · Room 520 · Boston, Ma 02212 · USA This email was shortened for publication here. To review the full contents from Senator Ross View this link in your browser