Town of Franklin: Government 101 (video)

We're going to the archives to bring forward a number of key items to share to help folks who are now newly engaged in the budget discussion to help understand the overall process.

While this was recorded in 2019, the basic structure hasn't really changed. Some of the folks involved then are still around, some are new. 

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TpAM973oxI

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, former SchCmte Chair Anne Berger, former School Supt. Sara Ahern

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (audio)

As school returns in earnest, we're going to the archives to bring forward a number of key items to share to help folks who are now newly engaged in the budget discussion to help understand the overall town government process.

This "Town of Franklin Government 101" event was held on Saturday, January 27, 2018.

The program featured

• Dr. Robert Krim, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Framingham State University
• Franklin State Rep. Jeff Roy has previously held positions on the Franklin School Committee and Town Council
• a conversation and question & answer period with Town Council representative Tom Mercer and School Committee member Denise Schultz, moderated by Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters

The recording runs just about 2 hours. I did remove the portion when we took a break for coffee and refreshments. Without further ado, here is the recording link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-138-town-government-101/

Rep Jeff Roy making his presentation before the discussion/Q&A
with Tom Mercer and Denise Schultz that I moderated

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series (audio)

We're going to the archives to bring forward a number of key items to share to help folks who are now newly engaged in the budget discussion to help understand the overall processes of Town of Franklin government in action.

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (audio) (2018)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-audio.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 (video) (2019)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-video.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 - budget cycle (audio) (2022)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-government-101-budget.html

Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio) (August 2021)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-water-system.html

Town of Franklin: All about the sewer system, yes we have capacity for growth (audio) (2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-of-franklin-all-about-sewer-system.html

Franklin For All housing & zoning podcast series (audio) (2022-2023)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html

Town of Franklin: Government 101 series (audio)

Pantherbook: Spotlight Story - Mr. Walsh

Katie Barrow writes this "spotlight story" on Mr. Walsh.  

"Q: How many years have you been teaching at Franklin High?

A: 26 years

Q: Why did you want to become a teacher?

A: Mr. Walsh loves getting to talk about history and politics as his job and became a teacher because he loves teaching about this material"

 

Continue reading the spotlight story online -> 

https://franklinpanthers.us/school-news/2022/10/21/spotlight-story-mr-walsh/

Mr. Walsh teaches US History II and AP Gov.

"local government 'is the least appreciated' level of government, 'but probably should be the most valued.'”

"A new report from the Rappaport Institute at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government highlights the strong partnership between the Baker-Polito administration and the state’s cities and towns, how it came to be, and the positive results it has achieved.

“We set out a few months ago to try to understand what was happening on the ground, what was so different about the way that this administration was working with cities and towns that we kept hearing about,” said Danielle Cerny, a visiting fellow at the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston and the author of the 50-page policy brief, during an unveiling event at Harvard on Sept. 28. “What were the pieces? Did it really work? Could we bottle it, particularly as we start to prepare for transitions here and elsewhere. How could we try to capture this?” 

Continue reading the article at MMA -> 

https://www.mma.org/report-explores-successful-state-local-partnership-under-baker-polito/

Direct link to full report ->

https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Taubman/RIGB/Empowering%20Cities%20and%20Towns%20Paper%20web%20version%20-%2009-2022.pdf

Rappaport Institute at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Franklin TV: Even More YouTube

 We’re Expanding Our YouTube Channels

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/10/2022

In early May we began live-streaming our government meetings, along with some school sports and events on YouTube. The programs were also posted as videos. For those who “do video” (and yes, we do), YouTube is where folks expect us to be. YouTube is a video destination.

What we said in May:

Get with the program. We’ve all been so advised at one point or other. In this case, it’s about getting you to the programs you want – exactly the way you want them.

We’re now posting our programs on YouTube. It’s familiar. It’s what we all know. It’s immediate. You can now watch our key meetings and events LIVE on YouTube. They will also be there for replay. In a world where we all want what we want – when, where and how we want it, YouTube fills the bill.

In these past two months our YouTube videos have been well received, and now we’re going all in. We’re simplifying our website (for your convenience of course). We’ve organized our YouTube streams into Public Access, School and Government channels so it works just like our three local cable channels. This also enables us to livestream multiple events simultaneously. (We’re often busy that way.)

Just click on the appropriate channel logo on our home page. It will take you to our YouTube Live link for that channel’s scheduled livestream event.

Our YouTube Access, School and Government channels also have earlier programs and meetings, all organized as Video on Demand playlists. Watch any time.

Note: When you visit our YouTube channels you can also choose to Subscribe.

Now you can get with the program directly – whenever you want.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin TV All-Access YouTube Channel

Franklin TV - School YouTube Channel 

Franklin TV  - Town Hall YouTube Channel

Franklin.TV: We’re Live! Yes, we are

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/22/2022

A program note:
(Actually, three of ‘em.)

This week on Thursday evening we will be originating LIVE from three venues. It’s a technical challenge in our new normal, but we’re up for it.

There is an extended (double-header) Town Council meeting on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. It’s a continuation of the usual meeting on Wednesday evening. You can watch this meeting on Town Hall TV, Comcast 11, Verizon 29 – as usual.

For those who wish to see the Conservation Commission’s meeting, again Thursday at 7:00 PM, it will be on our All-Access channel, Comcast 8, Verizon 26.

We are also originating Senior Awards Night, live from the FHS Auditorium, also at 7:00 PM on our Franklin Pride EDU channel, Comcast 96, Verizon 28.

So, if you want to take it all in as it happens, you’re gonna need three TV sets.

However, we also stream all of our channels live from our website’s home page.

SO, –

You could watch the FHS Senior Awards Night, live on cable TV – while streaming the Town Council meeting on your laptop or tablet, and then you could also watch the Conservation Commission stream on your phone – all at the same time.

You could.

Of course, replays will be available on demand from our YouTube channel (https://tinyurl.com/FranklinMATV).

We’re doing everything we can on our end to bring you lots of live local TV. The rest is up to you.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

FM #526 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #1 - 04/27/21 (audio)

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this budget hearing on "General government"

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d9c1b417-b587-4cee-a861-c5409f4085cf

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• April 27 Agenda = Central government, Human Services, Culture and Recreation, Debt and Interest, Benefits

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/4.27.21_fin_com_agenda.pdf

• Town budget page for FY 2022

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy-22-budget-materials

• My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/finance-committee-budget-hearing-1-of-4.html

--------------

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 www.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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #526 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #1 - 04/27/21 (audio)

What about a Marshall Plan for today?

From The Washington Post, an article of interest for Franklin:

The writers are the mayors of Pittsburgh; Youngstown, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati; Huntington, W.Va.; Morgantown, W.Va.; and Louisville.

"Every four years, voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky are told how important they are to American industry, but once the election is over, nothing happens. The United States now has a president-elect who comes from our region originally and is more likely to understand what we need to revive it. We, the mayors of eight cities, are banding together to demand real investment in our shared region, which has fueled the U.S. economy for generations yet never gets the attention it deserves.

It’s why we’re asking for an ambitious federal response to save our industries and communities from destruction: a Marshall Plan for Middle America.

In the post-World War II recovery period, the Marshall Plan was a $13 billion ($143 billion today) investment strategy to rebuild Europe and foster economic and democratic institutions. Like postwar Europe, Middle America faces similar issues of decline — a shared crisis of aging infrastructure, obsolescence of business and government institutions, and the need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/22/marshall-plan-middle-america-eight-mayors/

The Marshall Plan  https://www.marshallfoundation.org/marshall/the-marshall-plan/history-marshall-plan/

 

Note: how can we get out of the pandemic and fix some of the major ills across the board? A modern version of the Marshall Plan might just be the thing to do so.

Get into Government Contracting! MEET THE PTACs on 8/6!

Massachusetts District Office - July 2020 The federal government contracts with small businesses to buy products and services.  The SBA works with federal agencies in order to award 23 percent of prime government contract dollars to eligible small businesses. It also offers counseling and help to small business contractors.  >learn more New updates were announced recently for the Woman Owned Small Business and HUBZone certification programs - and we want you to know the Massachusetts District Office and resource partners are available to answer any of your questions and support you in seeking government contracts.   We're inviting you to join us for a series of events to help you find out if government contracting is a viable business development activity for your small business.  Thursday, August 6th at 4 pm   SBA MA Deputy District Director Peter Kontakos and Lead Business Opportunity Specialist Nadine Boone will be joined by representatives from the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers to help you get connected with FREE one-on-one government contracting counseling.  REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-procurement-technical-assistance-centers-ptac-tickets-115343258792? Friday, August 7th at 10 am Join Sandra Ledbetter, Government Sales Advisor at MA Small Business Development Center and Nadine Boone, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist for an overview on how to do business with the federal government. SBA Certifications to be discussed: Women–Owned Small Business Service Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Business 8(a) Business Development Program/Small Disadvantaged Business HUB Zone Program REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-doors-to-federal-government-contracting-tickets-114473934620? SBA Massachusetts District Office 10 Causeway Street, RM265 Boston, MA, 02222  Phone: (617) 565-5590 www.sba.gov/ma

All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance

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"conceived to raise awareness about the appeal of municipal jobs as a career choice for candidates of all ages"

Via the MA Municipal Association (MMA) comes this article and intro to a good resource:

"At its Annual Meeting on Jan. 24, the MMA unveiled its MassTown Careers campaign, an initiative aimed at attracting a new generation of workers to careers in the state’s 351 cities and towns.

Facing a wave of retirements and a highly competitive job market, cities and towns confront a growing challenge in filling a diverse range of jobs, including in the areas of management, finance, information technology, public works and more.

MassTown Careers was conceived to raise awareness about the appeal of municipal jobs as a career choice for candidates of all ages. The heart of the campaign is video testimonials featuring Massachusetts municipal employees highlighting the wide range of available jobs and the many rewards of working for cities and towns.

“I’m passionate about doing work that is truly important to my community, my family, and myself,” says Carolyn Kosnoff, assistant town manager for finance in Lexington, one of the municipal employees interviewed for the project.

Continue reading the MMA article
https://www.mma.org/mma-launches-masstown-careers-campaign-to-promote-municipal-jobs/

Go directly to MassTown Careers to explore the resources available
https://masstowncareers.org/

Video link - https://youtu.be/3-VO2dAR6V4

"conceived to raise awareness about the appeal of municipal jobs as a career choice for candidates of all ages"

“comprehensive, nationwide policy on this would be much more effective than doing it one state at a time”

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

"Massachusetts on Wednesday became the first state in the country to prohibit retail sales of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.

Gov. Charlie Baker also announced that the state’s temporary ban on vaping product sales will now end on Dec. 11, when public health officials are set to adopt a new set of permanent vaping regulations. The sale of flavored tobacco vaping products will still be prohibited on that date under the new law signed by Baker.

Pitched as a way to help protect children from the dangers of nicotine addiction but criticized by adult e-cigarette users, retailers and lawmakers from border communities, the legislation also imposes a 75% excise tax on vaping products.

“We are grateful for this landmark legislation and know it will go a long way forward in addressing this epidemic, specifically in aiding our response to this epidemic for our youth and young people, with the simple goal of not allowing another generation to become addicted to nicotine,” Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said after Baker signed the bill. “As a physician and commissioner of the Department of Public Health, I will continue to recommend that people not use any vaping or e-cigarette products. These products are not safe.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191127/mass-is-first-state-to-ban-flavored-tobacco

Recent post on the Legislative action to ban flavored tobacco products
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/ma-senate-passes-landmark-legislation.html

Governor Baker's press release
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-announces-plan-to-keep-vaping-product-ban-in-place-until-december-11th-signs

Governor Baler's twitter photo on the legislation signing

"Despite Gov Charlie Baker’s announcement Wednesday that a state ban on all vape products will end on Dec. 11, as the state works on additional regulations, at least one vape shop owner says the damage has already been done.

David Bershad, co-owner of Vape Daddy’s, which has stores in Framingham and Newton, said he’s lost $500,000 since the four-month ban started on Sept. 24. Bershad said he’s waiting to see if there’s a class-action lawsuit against Baker by businesses looking to recoup their losses.

If there is, Bershad said he’ll join it.

″(Baker) hasn’t solved any problems. People are still going to die,” Bershad said, referencing the three deaths in Massachusetts that are linked to vaping. “A fourth victim is going to happen.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191127/merchants-early-end-to-vape-ban-doesnt-help

“It is our future, so it has to be a priority”

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

"Massachusetts will invest an additional $1.5 billion in K-12 public education over the next seven years after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a funding reform bill, touted by supporters as a generational change, into law Tuesday.

The legislation directs the bulk of new funding toward districts weighed down by cost drivers, aiming to close opportunity gaps that for years have led to disparate educational outcomes across the state.

“We want all of our children to have the same opportunities to achieve,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in an interview later Tuesday during a visit to the Daily News, noting a “persistent” achievement gap in many school districts. “The talent is the same across the state. The opportunities, unfortunately, have not been the same.”

The law comes four years after a commission warned that Massachusetts was underestimating the actual cost of education by $1 billion annually and more than a year after the last attempt to update the system fell short. Now the focus shifts to a different challenge: following through on the commitment to ramp up funding for schools starting next year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191126/baker-signs-15b-ed-funding-bill

Recent posting on Student Opportunity Act
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-votes-to.html

Governor Baker's press release can be found
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-education-funding-bill-providing-investments-in-public-schools-across-the

The text of the legislation S 2412 can be found
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2412

FM #172 - How Your Town Government Works (audio)

FM #172

This internet radio show or podcast is number 172 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the “How Your Town Government Works” event. This was a non-partisan event sponsored by the Franklin Democratic Town Committee at THE BLACK BOX. It was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

Current members of Franklin’s town government spoke about their areas of expertise:

• Tom Mercer, chair of the Town Council, provided an overview of the town government — its parts, their interrelationships, their purposes and personalities. He also moderated the forum.
• Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator, explained how his office oversees the day-to-day implementation of town government and works together with the School Dept on matters of mutual interest
• Anne Bergen, chair of Franklin’s School Committee, and Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Schools, will discuss education, the largest single part of the town budget.
• Joe Halligan and Tony Padula, sit on the Planning Board. They spoke on the Board's role in the town's development and administering the zoning bylaws.
• Melanie Hamblen, a member of the Town Council, spoke from her point of view completing her first two year term. She shared stories highlighting citizen initiatives that brought changes to Franklin.

Without further ado, here is the audio recording including the Q&A session following the presentations (approx 1hour and 45 minutes).

Note: there was no presentation document used. Several members of the panel did highlight sections of the Town of Franklin web pages which was shown on the large screen and viewed by the audience. Questions were repeated to ensure all could hear. The event was recorded via microphones but the microphones did not serve as PA’s for the session. You shouldn’t have trouble hearing the recording.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-172-how-your-town-government-works/

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

How can you help?

Overall:

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like this, please let me know.

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

The full " How Your Town Government Works" panel being introduced

Post announcing the event 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/reminder-how-your-town-government-works.html

"we are encouraged to think that we will have identified a real interest"

From Wicked Local Franklin, an article of interest:

With a big town election looming, local civically minded residents are gearing up to host a program aimed at giving people an insider’s look at town government.

The “How Your Town Government Works” program is set for Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7-8:30 p.m., at THE BLACK BOX, 15. W. Central St., Franklin.

While sponsored by the Franklin Democratic Town Committee (FDTC), the organizers are quick to point out the program is completely non-partisan and non-political; rather, they describe it as a public service program.

Members of the committee include Chairman Karen Landers, Herb and Paula Gross, and Colin and Sue Cass.

“We were one of several subcommittees set up by the FDTC to plan activities for the year. The idea for this forum came from Paula, who has lived in Franklin for a few years and realized that she knew very little about Franklin’s government,” said committee member Sue Cass. “We agreed that this lack of information was probably shared by many residents and, since this is an election year, we thought an educational forum about the government would be timely.”

Continue reading the article online
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20190911/franklin-forum-to-explore-how-town-government-works


Reservations for the town government forum are recommended.
Sign up at https://FranklinGovt.eventbrite.com

 

“How Your Town Government Works” program is set for Weds, Sep. 25

Franklin Civics Forum: How Your Town Government Works - Sep 25

Join us on Wednesday, September 25, for a free, non-partisan “Franklin Civics Forum: How Your Town Government Works.”

Did you snooze through your Civics course in high school? Did you even get a Civics course in high school? It’s not too late. 

Six current members of Franklin’s town government will speak about their areas of expertise:

• Tom Mercer, chair of the Town Council, will provide an initial overview of the town government—its parts, their interrelationships, their purposes and personalities. He will also moderate the forum.
• Melanie Hamblin, a member of the Town Council, will speak from the point of view of Franklin’s legislature.
• Anne Bergen, chair of Franklin’s School Committee, and Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Schools, will discuss education, the largest single part of the town budget.
• Joe Halligan sits on the Planning Board. He will speak on the Board's role in the town’s development, zoning, land use, and the like.
• Jamie Hellen is the Town Administrator. He will close the forum by explaining how his office oversees the day-to-day implementation of town government.

A question-and-answer period will follow. Refreshments will be served. 

Admission is free and open to all.

This is a non-partisan event sponsored by the Franklin Democratic Town Committee.

Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

For more information, or to reserve a seat
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-civics-forum-tickets-67826513929

Franklin Civics Forum: How Your Town Government Works - Sep 25

Quick survey on when to schedule an informative session on Town Government

Or use this link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyliHhM3zUXctiPRIPP9g2zxZS823230-R16RZ9d6gAIDVkQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Quick survey on when to schedule an informative session on Town Government

“The president doesn’t just walk in"

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

Teaching the government shutdown

"When U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested delaying the State of the Union amid a government shutdown in January, Massachusetts educators jumped at a teaching opportunity. 

“The shutdown highlights separation of powers that people don’t think about until an unusual moment like this occurs,” said Peter Ubertaccio, dean of the school of arts and sciences at Stonehill College in Easton. “Simple questions like, ‘How does this happen?’ suddenly become really relevant.” 

The longest shutdown in U.S. history, which ended on Jan. 25, left thousands of furloughed workers without pay checks for weeks, and put numerous federal programs at risk of losing resources. But it also created new opportunities for Americans to learn more about how government works and what it means when it doesn’t work."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190125/teaching-government-shutdown

"The practice arises from a duty of the President under the State of the Union Clause of the U.S. Constitution:^[5]

He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

— Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution

Though the language of the clause is not specific, since the 1930s, the President has made this report annually in late January or early February. Between 1934 and 2013 the date has been as early as January 3,^[6] and as late as February 12.^[7]

While not required to deliver a speech, every president since Woodrow Wilson, with the notable exception of Herbert Hoover,^[8] has made at least one State of the Union report as a speech delivered before a joint session of Congress. Before that time, most presidents delivered the State of the Union as a written report.^[6]"

For more on the State of the Union
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_the_Union

A full copy of the US Constitution can be found online
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript

Page one of the original copy of the Constitution (via wikipedia)