MassBudget: The Governor's FY 2015 Budget Proposal for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Health Reform Programs

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Governor's FY 2015 Budget Proposal for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Health Reform Programs A new budget brief, The Governor's FY 2015 Budget Proposal for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Health Reform Programs describes the Governor's budget proposals in these areas. The Governor's budget totals approximately $39.4 billion in spending, $14.6 billion of which is designated for the state's Medicaid program (MassHealth) and other publicly subsidized and related health care programs. Of the $14.6 billion total for health care spending, the Governor's budget includes $13.6 billion for MassHealth coverage and subsidized coverage provide through the Health Connector (ConnectorCare). Taking into account expanded federal Medicaid reimbursements implemented as part of the ACA, the net cost to the state is $6.9 billion, or a 5.9 percent increase over the net cost in FY 2014 of these programs. Federal revenues to be generated in FY 2015 by the enhanced federal reimbursement rate under the ACA will bring in an additional $138.7 million beyond what normally would have been generated. This brief is the first in a series of FY 2015 budget briefs produced by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. We will be publishing budget fact sheets at several stages in the FY 2015 budget process, as proposals move through the state legislature. Click here to read the brief. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Global Market & Cafe - March 29

New England Chapel, located in Franklin, is hosting its annual community event, the Global Market and Cafe to support a number of missions around the world. The Global Market and Cafe will take place on March 29th from 6-9 PM at 140 Kenwood Circle, Franklin, MA. 

The Global Market and Cafe began as a way for individuals going on missions trips to raise funds from the community to help pay for their trip. The individuals would take a small amount of money and attempt to “multiply their talents” by baking or crafting and selling their wares in reference to the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25 in the Bible. 

In recent years New

Global Market and Cafe

England Chapel has opened up the event to the wider community, welcoming everyone to come see how the members of their community are working to help restore the world. This year’s Global Market and Cafe will support trips for ongoing development work Haiti, Hurricane Sandy rebuilding in New Jersey, a medical trip to the Dominican Republic, and an ongoing partnership with Ajulu,Uganda.

The Global Market and Cafe will have food from the different countries, live music, games for kids, crafts and other items for sale, a silent auction and more! So come check out a great community event at New England Chapel and help support causes around the globe.

For more about New England Chapel and the Global Market and Cafe
http://www.newenglandchapel.org/events-wedge-details/235033/1396134000

Electronics recycling - March 22

If you have some older electronics that you need to get rid of, this weekend would be a good time to do some spring cleaning. Saturday, March 22 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

electronics recycling - Mar 22

Is there a charge?

All electronics $5 each
All appliances $10 each
TVs $10-20 each

Where is this?
The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School parking lot

Franklin Library: LEGO Mania

LEGO time! Thursday at 4:00 PM for kids ages 6 to 12.

LEGO mania

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/03/lego-mania_2091.html

MassBudget: How Do MA Business Taxes Compare to Other States?

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. How Do Massachusetts Business Taxes Compare to Other States When businesses are deciding where to locate or expand, they look at a range of factors: proximity to materials and customers, infrastructure, quality of the local workforce, energy costs, etc. A state's tax policy also may play a role in some cases, though rarely a primary one - after all, state and local business taxes average less than 2 percent of total business costs nationwide. Nevertheless, business tax levels are a topic that receives a substantial amount of attention, both in the press and among policy makers. Notably, Massachusetts has relatively low business tax levels compared to other states. Our updated fact sheet, How Do Massachusetts Business Taxes Compare to Other States, reviews the evidence on statewide business taxes and finds that: According to one prominent study -- produced by the Council on State Taxation (COST) -- overall state and local business taxes as a share of the local economy are lower in Massachusetts than in 39 other states. A separate analysis by the Anderson Economic Group finds that Massachusetts business taxes are a relatively small share of business profits -- smaller than in most other states and smaller than the national average. Read HOW TO MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TAXES COMPARE TO OTHER STATES See ALL OF OUR WORK ON THE STATE TAX SYSTEM The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Need your help finding scholarship candidates! Deadline is 3/31/14

Hello my Friends,

Franklin - based Women's Success Network (WSN) is looking for qualified candidates for our scholarship program.

Please see the attached for more information, or here's a link to forward: https://www.wsninc.org/scholarship-app
We're hoping to make a difference for women who can benefit from this!

Thanks & Kind Regards,
-L

Linda Waters

Founder

Confidence Beads and Beads for a Cause

www.confidencebeads.com

beads for a cause

   

Attention Senior Citizens - seminar Wed 3/19/14

State Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, and Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, D-Franklin, will host an informational seminar on the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit at the Franklin Senior Center on Wednesday, March 19 at 1:30 p.m. They will be joined by Brian Lynch of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Read the full article here (caution subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140317/NEWS/140316831/1994/NEWS

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace now open for business

A new specialty market is now in operation here in Franklin. They are located next to the Dunkin Donuts in the Silver Maple Commons on King St at i495 Exit 16.

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace

What is their story?

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace is a dream realized by owners David and Donna Lanni. "Throughout the years wherever we traveled, we were always in search of small neighborhood grocers with a focus on unique, high quality foods delivered by knowlegeable, customer friendly staff. Finding that this vision was difficult for retailers to achieve, we decided to do it ourselves. 

We love good food and we love sharing that food with friends and family. Tastebuds was created for customers who share our vision of quality and who depend on a staff that will assure that they receive exactly the foods that will best serve their needs. 

We believe in delivering the best. Because of this, we pride ourselves on having brought together great foods with market fresh ingredients produced locally or in unique destinations across the world. Foods that you will be proud to serve to your family and delight your dearest friends. 

That's why we called it Tastebuds; delivering flavor beyond description. Every day is a quest, a quest to develop and deliver new and unique foods to our customers. Come on the journey... it will be a great trip. We promise!"

Open Monday - Friday, 10am - 7pm
Open Saturday - 9am - 4pm
Closed Sundays

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace

You can visit Tastebuds on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/tastebudsfreshmarketplace/timeline

You can find Tastebuds at 470 King St, Franklin, MA 02038
Their phone number is -> 508 528 4100

All Night party

The hearty bunch of students and parent volunteers collected mounds of cans and bottles on Saturday. The funds from their effort will go towards the All Night Party for this year's graduating seniors.

Part of the collection:

bottles collected and bagged for pickup

The team that was there towards the end of the collection period when I managed to make my drop off and get to take this photo (names to be added later)

All Night Party - bottle/can collection team

If you missed dropping off on Saturday, you can continue to collect and schedule for May 10th. The group will be back in the parking lot at Franklin High School from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.


Additional info on the all night party can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/bottle-and-can-drive-franklin-high.html

why trust is worth it (video)

Thought provoking...  amazing athletic movements ...

Just a bit over 3 minutes... you'll want to see it more than once!





'trust is something we build but it is also about letting go"

"such a tragedy when it is broken"

"trust is your relationship to the unknown"

"it is worth it to keep trying and it is not easy"

"so who do you trust and how can you grow it?"

"the ones who have their developmental needs met, they do much better"

The article on kindergarten development has raised the issue of common core and standardized testing. The Boston Globe Ideas section has an article on another aspect of the current education situation.

“What the study underscored is the tremendous amount of potential here—they’re a national resource,” Lubinski says. “But it’s hard to separate the findings of this study from what we know about gifted kids in general. The genuine concern is, we know we’re not identifying all of this population. We’re not getting nearly enough, and we’re losing them.” 

To people more worried about kids who are falling through the cracks altogether, doing slightly less than we could for the most gifted might not seem like a pressing problem. But if the study is right that exceptional youthful ability really does correlate directly with exceptional adult achievement, then these talented young kids aren’t just a challenge for schools and parents: they’re also demonstrably important to America’s future. And it means that if, in education, we focus on steering all extra money and attention toward kids who are struggling academically, or even just to the average student, we risk shortchanging the country in a different way. 

“We are in a talent war, and we’re living in a global economy now,” Lubinski says. “These are the people who are going to figure out all the riddles. Schizophrenia, cancer—they’re going to fight terrorism, they’re going to create patents and the scientific innovations that drive our economy. But they are not given a lot of opportunities in schools that are designed for typically developing kids.”

 Read the full article in the Boston Globe
http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/03/15/the-poor-neglected-gifted-child/rJpv8G4oeawWBBvXVtZyFM/story.html   (subscription maybe required)

This topic has come up during prior budget sessions and school committee meetings. With the focus on no child left behind and the legal requirements for those with special needs, the students at the high end and in the middle are getting squeezed.

What do we want for our children's education?

Horace Mann Middle School, Oak St Elementary School 

Disclosure - yes, my wife happens to be a kindergarten teacher here in Franklin. 

Walking Saturday

Saturday gave us a teaser of spring with the temps getting into the 50's in the afternoon. I went for my walk in the morning and caught the following photos to share.

point of view

When you frame a photo, you are setting up a point of view. We all have a point of view. Some times we act and think like we don't but how we frame things definitely affects what we think and do.

Emeritus at 656 King St opening in May 2014

 A new senior living center is opening on King St in May. The Emeritus website is full of information on the approach they take for this time of life and the special needs associated with it.

Emeritus entrance on King St

The Emeritus blog has good articles. Recent articles include one on how to live to be 100
http://www.theseniorcareblog.com/post/how-live-be-100

and one on how to make exercise fun
http://www.theseniorcareblog.com/post/how-make-exercise-fun

King St Memorial Park sign

 I need to do some research on this person. Can anyone help provide me some insight on who William A Somerby Jr. was? He is recognized with this sign and a memorial in the park.Other than that he was a Colonel in the US Air Force the signs don't provide additional detail.

ready for March madness?

 The basketball court looks too wet to play today but give it another day or two of this good spring weather and there'll be some folks gathering to play hoops

Community gardens in their snow blanket

stream flows under King St

lucky to catch a melting drop of water

Sometimes the right amount of being there and patience brings a reward. I was able to catch this drop of melting snow! Did you get to take a walk on Saturday? Where did you go? What did you see?

Would you be interested in joining me for a walk some Saturday morning? If so, please leave a comment or send me an email. If there is interest, I'll schedule some time for a group walk and talk.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 19, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
– Hillside Nurseries

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
»Historical Commission - Caitlin Coyne
»Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Eric Buliung

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
»Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director – Presentation: Roads, Water, Trash, & Lincoln Street

»Wine & Malt Package Store License

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-14: Purchase of land at 92 Wachusett Street – Authorization and Appropriation – Requires 2/3 Vote

2. Bylaw Amendment 14-731:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/03192014.pdf

Franklin Art Association - Scholarship

The Franklin Art Association will award a $1000 scholarship to a qualifying high school senior residing in Franklin or attending a school in Franklin, or a senior whose parent, grandparent or legal guardian is a current member of the association.  

 

Applicants must submit an application, student portfolio, teacher's letter of recommendation and a transcript of high school grades to Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA between 2:00 and 3:30 pm in room G140 on Friday , April 4.

An application may be obtained by contacting: tinaguarinoart@gmail.com

FEF Trivia Bee - Mar 19th

Franklin Education Foundation

The Franklin Education Foundation Trivia Bee is Wednesday, March 19th @7 in the Horace Mann Middle School Mercer auditorium. The theme is MUSIC and will be a good time for folks of all ages! 

Come for a fun time and you can pick up some great stuff at the raffle. Come cheer on your respective school or business to be the one to win the iconic FEF Trivia Bee Cup! 

All proceeds go to Franklin Public Schools to support innovative educational programs.

For more about the Franklin Education Foundation, visit their website  http://www.franklined.org/

Emmons St building discussion scheduled for Apr 2

From the home page of the Franklin, MA website comes this announcement:

Town Council Chairman Robert Vallee has postponed the discussion on the Old Municipal Building at 150 Emmons Street which was expected take place at the March 19 Council meeting. It will be discussed at the April 2 Town Council meeting. 

This will allow all interested parties additional time to consider potential future uses of the property. Chairman Vallee encourages all interested citizens to attend the meeting.

Emmons St building - view from West Central St

The notes recorded live during the public meeting on March 4
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/live-reporting-emmons-st-public-meeting.html

The handouts from the meeting were posted here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/emmons-st-building-discussion-documents.html

Girls Youth Lacrosse Clinic - Mar 18th

Franklin High School girls lacrosse coach Kristin Igoe assisted by members of the team will hold a lacrosse clinic on Tuesday, Mar 18th. Details in the flyer shown below.

Franklin High School, home of the Panthers

Registration is available through the Franklin Recreation Dept webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/online

"warnings went unheeded"

On the education front, the growth of the common core and standardized testing should be discussed. 

A new University of Virginia study found that kindergarten changed in disturbing ways from 1999-2006. There was a marked decline in exposure to social studies, science, music, art and physical education and an increased emphasis on reading instruction. Teachers reported spending as much time on reading as all other subjects combined. 

The time spent in child-selected activity dropped by more than one-third. Direct instruction and testing increased. Moreover, more teachers reported holding all children to the same standard. 

Is this drastic shift in kindergarten the result of a transformation in the way children learn? 

No. A 2011 nationwide study by the Gesell Institute for Child Development found that the ages at which children reach developmental milestones have not changed in 100 years.

What I find interesting is that the Univ of Virginia study covered the period 1999-2006. The trend they noticed has only increased since 2006. If one follows that logic, then we are worse off because of this.

You should continue to read the full article quoted here  http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Lecker-The-disturbing-transformation-of-5256686.php

Oak St/Horace Mann school complex

Disclosure - yes, my wife happens to be a kindergarten teacher here in Franklin.