In the News: competition for Senator Ross' seat; PMC rides through Franklin; A resident against bag ban in Natick

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

"The Sept. 4 primary for the state Senate race is fast approaching, and three Democrats are vying for the chance to challenge incumbent Republican Richard Ross of Wrentham for the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District Senate seat. 

The district covers parts of Wellesley and Needham, as well as sections of Franklin, Millis, Norfolk, Plainville, Wrentham, Attleboro, North Attleborough, Natick, Sherborn and Wayland."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180805/three-democrats-aim-to-unseat-senator-richard-ross

"Before hundreds of cyclists rolled into the Jefferson Elementary School, Kevin Lydon held back tears. 

Lydon was a volunteer at Saturday’s water stop for cyclists participating in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer treatment and research. 

Lydon, a Mansfield resident, choked up when he said his cancer returned last month. He had been in remission before a surgical oncologist told him his lymphoma is back. The diagnosis has not been confirmed, although test results are expected this week."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180805/pmc-ride-makes-stop-in-franklin-outpouring-of-love-for-those-lost-to-cancer

"A resident is on a crusade to repeal the town’s plastic bag regulation, and he’s meeting with town officials to state his case. 

Brent Longtin called it “a disaster,” and he wants officials to encourage residents to focus on re-usable bags. 

Natick’s policy allows plastic bags with a minimum thickness of 2 millimeters. Retailers can also provide bags made of recycled paper or reusable bags made of cloth or other washable fabric."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180805/resident-calls-naticks-plastic-bag-regulation-disaster

Senator Richard Ross: July 2018 Newsletter

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, July 2018 View this email in your browser 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, July has been a busy month here at the State House as we have been closing out our legislative session. My fellow Senators and I have been working on many pieces of legislation regarding veterans affairs, municipal police training,  economic development, and many other issues as well. The FY19 Budget has been signed by Governor Baker, and I suggest you review my FY19 Budget Round-Up, which includes information on funding for improvements across my district to help our towns and lessen the burden on you, the taxpayers. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office directly at (617) 722-1555 or email Richard.Ross@masenate.gov. Sincerely, ON THE HILL FY19 Budget Round-Up I am pleased that the budget signed by Governor Baker includes funding for many important programs and projects throughout my district. This funding will go a long way in improving the quality of education at our schools, providing transportation to our citizens, especially seniors, improving streets and dams, and fighting the opioid epidemic. There is more I wish we had done, as far as cost saving measures and letting taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars, but our work continues. FY19 Earmarks 1. Attleboro Fire Safety – Provides $50,000 for a fire safety grant in Attleboro 2. Franklin Veterans War Memorial - Provides $50,000 for Franklin to construct a veterans memorial parkway on the town common 3.Franklin –King Street Park Improvements - Provides $200,000 for improvements to the King Street Memorial Park 4. Franklin downtown Partnership - Provides $25,000 for the Franklin Downtown Partnership 5. Millis Senior Transportation - Provides $50,000 for Millis to purchase a new senior van 6. Millis High School Auditorium - Provides $60,000 for Millis to renovate the High School auditorium 7. Natick Veterans Oral History Project - Provides $30,000 to the Veterans Oral History Project at Morse Library in Natick 8. Natick Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities - Provides $75,000 to Natick to support Camp Arrowhead which provides recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities statewide 9. Natick Opioid Task Force - Provides $60,000 for the Opioid Task Force in Natick 10. Natick Service Council for Veterans -Provides $25,000 for the Natick Service Council for Veterans substance abuse prevention efforts 11. Needham handicap Accessible Transport Van for Seniors - Provides $90,000 for Needham to purchase a handicap van for senior transportation 12. Needham Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Provides $200,000 for Needham to make certain public safety improvements 13. Needham Cutler Park Improvements - Provides $100,000 for maintenance and improvements to Cutler Park in Needham 14. Norfolk City Mills Dam Improvements - Provides $50,000 for Norfolk for improvements to the portion of Main Street traversing the City Mills Dam 15. North Attleboro Child Safety Grant - Provides $50,000 for the WWII Veteran Memorial Pool in North Attleboro 16. Wellesley Pedestrian Crossing Study - Provides $30,000 for Wayland to conduct a feasibility study on improving the crossing at Route 9/Worcester Street in Wellesley 17. Wellesley Protective Gear - Provides $24,000 for Wellesley to purchase personal protective gear and medical supplies for law enforcement 18. Wrentham Developmental Center Mitigations - Provides $100,000 to cities and towns hosting developmental centers or state schools 19. Tri-County Voc-Tech High School Handicap Activity Van for Disabled Students - Provides $50,000 for Tri-County to purchase a new handicap activity van 20. King Phillip Regional School Safety - Provides $100,000 to the towns of King Philip (through Wrentham) for school safety improvements The Newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of contents https://mailchi.mp/4d4d5cad3a11/please-read-my-july-2018-newsletter?e=c5417034e9

"empowers individual senators to help steer the policy direction of the legislative body"

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

"Less than two weeks from today, the Massachusetts Senate will have its third president in the span of eight months, capping off a tumultuous session for the chamber during which senators grappled with instability in the top ranks of its leadership. 

Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka, an Ashland Democrat currently enmeshed in protracted negotiations with the House over a late fiscal 2019 budget, is expected to be elected Senate president by her colleagues on July 26. 

According to people familiar with the transition planning, the vote will take place at 1 p.m. when the Senate will pause what is normally a busy period of lawmaking in the waning days of the two-year session to inaugurate a new president."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180715/spilka-poised-to-become-senate-president

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

While Senator Spilka takes on the Senate leadership role, change may also be found among the other Franklin legislative team. Both Senator Ross and Representative Roy have challengers for this year's election cycle.  Stay tuned to the election news as the primary rolls around in September and then the election is held in November.

Senator Ross: Read my June 2018 Newsletter!

View this email in your browser 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, Summer has officially begun and we are busy wrapping up our legislative session at the State House. There is still so much to do, and my I am looking forward to continuing my work and representing the people of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex district. The FY19 Senate Budget is currently being reviewed by the Conference Committee, and we are awaiting its release and forward movement towards Governor Baker's desk. Please review my Budget Round-Up which describes many things my constituents need to know. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office directly at 617-722-1555 or email Richard.Ross@masenate.gov. Sincerely, ON THE HILL

This newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full set of contents visit  View this link in your browser

In the News: MA House releases health care bill; 3 Democrats running for Ross' seat

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

"A House-controlled committee on Tuesday advanced a 127-page health care bill that includes $450 million in assessments on hospitals and insurers, a fee on urgent care clinics, creates consumer protections against out-of-network billing, adds new reporting requirements for MassHealth and urges an acceleration of digital health initiatives. 

The 11 House members of the Health Care Financing Committee voted in a poll Tuesday to recommend the bill coming out of committee, while the seven Senate members of the joint committee either reserved their rights or did not respond to the poll, according to the committee. 

The bill has been in development for months and serves as an initial counterproposal from House leaders to the health care bill approved by the Senate in November. 

“This legislation has been carefully crafted to consider the variety of stakeholders who have shared their priorities with this committee. However, this bill is ultimately shaped around improving the experience for consumers and working towards addressing the growing cost burden of healthcare on the Commonwealth,” Rep. Jeffrey Roy, the committee’s vice chairman, said in a statement. “Because at its heart, the Massachusetts approach to health reform is not about squeezing out efficiencies and cutting cost, it is transforming how we seek to pay for care to promote cost-effective, value driven services in a way that makes the healthcare system more accessible and effective for all of us.”

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180612/rep-roy-bill-addresses-healthcares-growing-cost

"The three Democrats vying to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Ross touched on a number matters at a forum Tuesday, including climate change, education and the opioid crisis. 

Kris Aleksov, Jackie Katz and Becca Rausch are seeking the Democratic nomination for the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex state Senate seat. The district includes part or all of Natick, Franklin, Wayland, Millis, Wellesley, Attleboro, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn and Wrentham."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180612/democrats-vying-for-ross-senate-seat-agree-on-education-immigration

Senator Richard Ross: May 2018 State House Update

Please read and share my May 2018 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, May 2018 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website 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 has been a busy spring with budget debate, committee work, and lots going on in the district. I am looking forward to continuing our work in this legislative session and representing the people the of Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex district. As the FY19 Senate Budget proposal is reviewed and consolidated in committee, please review my Budget Round Up that includes many things my constituents need to know. 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 review the full set of contents, follow this link:  https://mailchi.mp/16f8c770914f/may-2018-state-house-update?e=c5417034e9

Senator Ross: April 2018 State House Update

Please read and share my April 2018 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, April 2018 View this email in your browser 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, This spring has been busy especially with committee work and preparation of the FY19 budget. However, there is still more work to be done. As the budget comes closer, I am looking forward to fighting for the tax payers best interest by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, while returning as much aid to our towns and schools. 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 review the full text, follow this link View this email in your browser