Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts

Sunday, June 14, 2026

What's up with the Audit? State Rep Jeff Roy takes time to explain the issue & what the MA House has done (audio)

FM #1764 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1764 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We had our discussion virtually via Zoom on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

 

We talk about 

  • Background on the audit issue

  • What info is available today including annual audits

  • The Supreme Judicial Court hearing on the Auditor vs. the Attorney General

  • Legislation enhancing the audit process in light of the decision

  • Records request process outlined


The show notes include links to the presentation doc and supporting material. 


The recording runs about 47 minutes, so let’s watch and/or listen in.


Video link - https://youtu.be/EakyZVjB64c 


Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1764-state-rep-jeff-roy-explains-the-audit-issue-06-11-26/



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Presentation document - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TfRPWL7MprCn0AGkEiai7KmH6o_9eLdv/view?usp=drive_link 


Audit types  - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audit  


What is the “GAGAS” or Yellow book ?  https://www.gao.gov/yellowbook  


Details of the legislation discussed H.5469  - https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5469   Note: H.5469 is now before the MA Senate where they will need to review and decide before moving to the Governor.


Representative Roy’s House page - https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/JNR1 


The full Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) video session -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvtF3hgWgOc 


SJC audit ruling (extracted from the full docket)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dnJpSOKv4_edgRaBQT_V77cz7Ta0FKl7/view?usp=drive_link


The link to the Climate bill public website reference: BU Student generate project archive with the info on the development of the major MA climate legislation passed in 2022 by Gov Baker - "Chapter 179, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind" https://sites.bu.edu/masslaw/2023/02/10/chapter-179-an-act-driving-clean-energy-and-offshore-wind/ 



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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

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


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 it!

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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"


Friday, June 12, 2026

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, June 12, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.



11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience


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

Sunday, June 7, 2026

State Rep Jeff Roy provides a Legislative Update - 06/04/26 (video & audio)

FM #1757 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1757 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We had our discussion virtually via Zoom on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

 

We talk about 

  • His legislative work on the budget, timing of the legislative session

  • Prior work on higher education, current work on manufacturing 

  • Earmarks for Medway & Franklin including the World Cup Fan Zone

  • Whole lot happening in Franklin now through the summer


The show notes include links to Jeff's legislative page and campaign page. 


The recording runs about 37 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Video link - 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRLwLOShel8



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


Representative Roy’s House page - https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/JNR1 


Jeff’s campaign page - http://jeffreyroy.com/ 


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


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

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


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 it!

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


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


Saturday, April 25, 2026

Mass Senate: We Must Fight Back Against Book Bans

Note, this was edited for publication here, to view the full set of content follow this link - https://masenate.substack.com/p/we-must-fight-back-against-book-bans?publication_id=5356564&post_id=195347225&triedRedirect=true

We have the opportunity to protect the next generation’s ability to think, question, and become fully themselves. Our values as a Commonwealth demand we take it.
͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­
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We Must Fight Back Against Book Bans

We have the opportunity to protect the next generation’s ability to think, question, and become fully themselves. Our values as a Commonwealth demand we take it.

Apr 24
Guest post
 
READ IN APP
 
State Senator Julian Cyr speaks at a press conference featuring lawmakers, advocates, writers and librarians in support of his Protect Free Expression bill.

Before I ever held elected office—before I understood the mechanics of government or the levers of policy—I was a high school student on Cape Cod trying to make sense of the world around me.

At Nauset Regional High School in Eastham, I first got involved in organizing by speaking up with my classmates to protect the arts programs and teachers who helped shape who we were and who we’d become.

Senator Julian Cyr as a teen.

That experience taught me something I’ve carried ever since: young people deserve to be trusted with complexity, not shielded from it. Books are a fundamental part of that.

The books I read in my teens gave me language for things I didn’t yet fully understand, and perspective on lives that looked different from my own. Books helped me ask questions, challenge assumptions, and, over time, better understand myself.

That’s why I find the current wave of book ban efforts so troubling and so fundamentally at odds with what education—and our democracy—is supposed to be.

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What Happens Next

An Act regarding freedom of expression is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.

If passed by the House, any differences between the House and Senate versions will need to be reconciled—most likely in a conference committee—before the bill heads to Governor Healey’s desk for her review and signature.

For Your Consideration

If preventing politically-motivated book bans is important to you, please:

  • Follow the bill on the Massachusetts Legislature website.

  • Share this update with others!

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A guest post by
Julian Cyr
State Senator for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket.

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