Franklin Matters

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

"Baker delivers ‘very different’ State of the Commonwealth" (video)

"A RESTAURANT OWNER feeding needy families, prompting his competitor to do the same. Aid groups feeding the growing number of economically insecure families. Grocery store workers, who checked people out even at the height of the pandemic.

Those were some of the many Bay Staters Gov. Charlie Baker thanked during his annual State of the Commonwealth address. The pandemic loomed large as his theme, even before the first words were uttered.

Instead of his usual address in a crowded House chamber flanked by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, the House speaker, Senate president, and other constitutional officers, Baker was alone in his office, bookended by the Massachusetts and American flags. The moment, he said, was not unlike the solitude people have come to experience in their own homes — far from their family and colleagues while striving to remain safe.

Baker’s speech had no big news or policy proposals as in past years. It offered no indication of whether the governor will seek reelection next year and, aside from a lament at the divisiveness of social media, there was no mention of former president Donald Trump or the insurrection in Washington. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-delivers-very-different-state-of-the-commonwealth/

Direct link to the YouTube video of the State of the Commonwealth by Gov Baker (~ 25 minutes) https://youtu.be/Owhh6C80l5E

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Update

Senator Rausch State House Briefing
Part 2, Chapter 1 (January 26, 2020)

Dear friends,

I hope 2021 is off to a good and healthy start for you and your loved ones. I am proud and honored to continue serving as your Senator in this new term.

It’s fitting that my first newsletter to you in 2021 focuses on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Massachusetts. The good news is that we are moving into Phase Two of vaccine eligibility. Tomorrow morning, residents who are 75+ can start scheduling appointments to receive vaccinations. Please see key information in the section below.

Unfortunately, Massachusetts continues to rank near the bottom of all 50 states for vaccine administration, droves of doses remain on freezer shelves, and some doses are even ending up in the garbage because of the implementation failures to date, despite a solid plan from the Vaccine Advisory Board. The devil is always in the details, and the details have been a deadly disappointment. I share your deep frustrations about how poorly the vaccine rollout process has been so far, I continue to press the administration for improvements, and I worry that vaccination rollout and COVID management in Massachusetts may continue to be embarrassingly substandard going forward. In particular, I am concerned about access to appointment sign-ups, physical ability to get to a vaccination site, inequitable vaccination and testing site locations, insufficient collaboration with local health experts and grassroots health advocacy organizations, language barriers, inadequate communication from the Baker administration, a failure to address vaccine hesitancy, poor judgment calls resulting in changing vaccine prioritization, and public health experts continuing to be outnumbered by big business representatives on the reopening board.

Because the vaccination distribution will take several more months, it is absolutely imperative that everyone continue to take precautions to mitigate/prevent the spread of COVID19. That means masks, hand-washing, and physical distance from others. It’s hard and we’re tired. I get it. Please do not relent in your diligence. Also, try to get 20-30 minutes of physical activity daily, stay hydrated, eat well, and take time to take care of your mental health.

Questions and comments about the COVID vaccine distribution plan and implementation can be emailed directly to the Baker administration at COVID-19-Vaccine-Plan-MA@mass.gov. I welcome constituents to copy me on those emails as well.

I promise to continue advocating for personal and public health.

As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office via phone (617-722-1555) or email (becca.rausch@masenate.gov). We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full content follow this link: https://mailchi.mp/1a84a07d935c/maearlyvoting2020-13232068?e=0c2c9810fe

FHS girls basketball continue streak with win over Mansfield

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:

Girls Basketball = Mansfield, 43 @ Franklin, 62 – Final

– Franklin broke the game open in the second half to stay perfect on the season. Behind a strong second quarter, Mansfield had cut the lead to just 25-21 at the half, but the Panthers extended the lead to seven after three and exploded for 25 points in the fourth to put the game out of reach. Olivia Quinn scored a game-high 16 points in the win, while Brigid Earley chipped in with 12. The Hornets were led by Ashley Santos’ eight points. Sarah Dooling and Anna Darlington each scored seven for the visitors.

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 50 @ Mansfield, 60 – Final

"For nearly three quarters, the Franklin boys basketball was following its gameplay to near perfection.

The Panthers were sharing the ball on offense, cutting to the basket, and hitting open looks from outside. And the defense was on point too, keeping the Hockomock League’s leading scorer Matt Boen in check for over 20 minutes.

But as the visitors learned the hard way, anything short of a full 32-minute performance isn’t enough to beat the Hornets.

Franklin’s double-digit second half lead evaporated, shrinking over the final minutes of the third quarter and disappearing by the midway point of the fourth. Instead, it was Mansfield who walked away with a double-digit victory, 60-50, behind a big second half turnaround. "

Continue reading the game recap by Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com: https://hockomocksports.com/mansfield-boys-basketball-rides-second-half-rally-franklin/

For a Photo Gallery from this game: https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Winter-2020-2021/Mansfield-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-01-26-21

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-26-21/

Mansfield senior Jack Colby is defended by Franklin’s Jake O’Brien in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

CommonWealth Magazine: "Teachers complain about bump down in vaccination line"

"TEACHERS UNIONS ARE criticizing changes Gov. Charlie Baker made to the vaccine schedule that elevate those over 65 but push educators and others lower on the priority list, a shift teachers say will delay a return to in-person learning in some districts.

On Monday, Baker said residents aged 65 to 74 are being moved up from the end of Phase 2 of the vaccination schedule to the second spot, joining those with two or more comorbidities just behind the first priority group – those 75 and older.

Teachers, who previously had been behind those over 75 and those with two or more comorbidities, now fall back along with other groups, including transit operators, grocery store employees, and public health workers. Those groups will now wait longer for vaccinations.

“It’s like the Hunger Games,” said Merrie Najimy, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, in a statement. “They are forcing communities to compete with one another for a scarce resource rather than establishing a fair system with clear rules. We had not opposed the original prioritization list because it had a rational basis and promised to deliver vaccines to educators in February. Now, those hopes may be dashed.”

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/teachers-complain-about-bump-down-in-vaccination-line/

Statements from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on climate legislation and Commonwealth address

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano

"Today, the Temporary Senate Committee on Ways and Means is advancing the bipartisan climate bill that passed last session. The Senate and House have scheduled formal sessions for Thursday and will vote once again to take bold action to combat climate change, protect environmental justice communities, and ensure environmentally responsible economic growth."

Senate President Karen E. Spilka on State of the Commonwealth Address

“Governor Baker reminded us of the true strength of our Commonwealth – our people. Like the Governor, I am so grateful to the people of Massachusetts for their perseverance during this most difficult year. It is for them that the Massachusetts State Senate has kept working hard throughout this pandemic, and they are the reason we are getting right back to work. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Governor Baker and the House of Representatives on behalf of the people of this great state.”