Saturday, June 14, 2014

MassBudget: Comparison of the FY 2015 House and Senate Budget Proposals for MassHealth and Health Reform Programs



MassBudget   Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.


Comparison of the FY 2015 House and Senate Budget Proposals for MassHealth and Health Reform Programs
On May 22, the Massachusetts Senate completed its version of the budget after two days of debate; the House of Representatives completed debate on its budget three weeks earlier. This budget brief, Comparison of the FY 2015 House and Senate Budget Proposals for MassHealth and Health Reform Programs, describes the major differences.

Both proposals include more than $14.6 billion in funding for the state's Medicaid program (MassHealth) and other publicly subsidized and related health care programs, which is more than was recommended by the Governor in January. A legislative conference committee is meeting to reconcile differences between the two proposals and send a consensus budget to the Governor, who then has ten days to review and sign the budget.
  
This brief is the third in a series of budget briefs focused on MassHealth and Health Reform Programs produced by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute in partnership with the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.

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

By popular demand ... an evening session of "Ready to Run" is being added!

By popular demand ...
an evening session of "Ready to Run" is being added!

SIGN UP TODAY!
READY TO RUN PROGRAM!

IT’S BACK with Jenn Goebel

MONDAYS
6:30-7:30 PM
STARTS: JUNE 16, 2014


Team Fitness Franklin
Team Fitness Franklin
Whether you are new to running or are interested in taking it to the next level, NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and running enthusiast Jenn Champion Goebel will help improve your endurance, speed, strength and overall fitness.
Look what participants are saying about “Ready to Run” 
“This experience was AWESOME and I am so happy that I decided to try as I had never ran before. I loved that Jenn gave me different challenges every week and I realized that I was stronger than I thought I was!!” - Laura M. 
“In 8 weeks I increased my pace by more than 1:00/mile and I increased my endurance enough to run 3 miles without stopping. Best of all, I’m really enjoying running and am already thinking about my next race!!” - Michelle D. 
“For the past few years, I had struggled to get back into running. When trying to complete a three mile loop near my home, I always became too winded on the hills, and had to walk. I decided to get serious, and started training with Jenn. In just a few months, I more than doubled my distance, and I now sail up those hills that once knocked me down. I even completed my first half-marathon in November. With Jenn's help, I know I can do anything!” - Leigh B. 
COST: $80 (only $10/session) you will receive: 
  • An 8-week progressive program that will include both indoor and outdoor workouts
  • Customized training and feedback to help you achieve your specific goals
  • Advice on everything from diet and hydration to race day strategy and recovery tactics 
The group is limited to 7-15 participants and is open to both members and non-members of any age and fitness level. No previous running experience required. Questions, requests for different days/times, and registration inquiries can be sent to jenn@teamfitnessfranklin.com.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/13/14 - THU 6/19/14

FRI 6/13   12-6pm   Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 6/13 - SAT 6/14   6pm-10am   Relay for Life of Franklin, Bellingham and Wrentham, Tri-County Vocational Technical HS in Franklin
FRI 6/13   6:30pm-8:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 6/13   7:30-9:30pm   Electric Youth's Bon Voyage Concert at Showcase Live in Foxboro. Purchase tickets HERE.

SAT 6/14   10am   Closing Ceremony of Relay for Life (see above)
SAT 6/14   7-9pm   Art Show - Orfeo Fabbri at Franklin Art Center

SUN 6/15   8am-12pm   PMC Kids Ride at Jefferson Elementary School in Franklin

MON 6/16   11am   Annual Golf Tournament - United Regional Chamber of Commerce at Franklin Country Club

WED 6/18   6-8pm   YPO’s Summer Social at Twenty8 - Patriot Place

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Give us a crack seal, we'll make a mosaic

I loved the mosaic made when the crack seal was done on Blueberry Lane last week. I had to go out to take some of my own photos to share here. You have heard the expression "when given lemons, you make lemonade". Franklin has now come up with its own version "give us a crack seal, we'll make a mosaic."

Thanks for the creativity!

crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 1
crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 1


crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 2
crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 2

crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 3
crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 3

crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 4
crack seal on Blueberry Lane - 4

The crack seal is one step on the road maintenance process that Franklin uses. More information on the process and total cost of maintaining our 200 miles of roads can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/Town_Council_Presentations/June_4_TownCouncilmeeting.pdf

Crack seal would still be needed even if the dedicated override is passed to fund our needed road repairs with additional money. The ballot question will appear in the November election.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/resolution-14-45-dedicated-override-to.html

In case you are wondering what roads will be seeing construction this year, the list is a fairly extensive.

Lincoln Street
Culvert Repairs and Road Reconstruction
Daniels Street
Drainage Work and Road Reconstruction
Harborwood Drive
Water Line Replacement (Paving 2015)
Betten Court
Water Line Replacement (Paving 2015)
Corrine Road
Water Line Replacement (Paving 2015)
Anthony Road
Water Line Replacement and Drainage Improvements (Paving 2015)
Carmine Drive
Water Line Replacement and Drainage Improvements (Paving 2015)
Conlyn Avenue
Water Line Replacement and Drainage Improvements (Paving 2015)
Crocker Avenue
Water Line Replacement (Paving 2015)
Hill Avenue
Water Line Replacement (Paving 2015)
Lewis Street
Water Line Replacement (Paving 2015)
Uncas Avenue
Water Line Replacement (Paving 2015)
Summer Street (King St to Rt 140)
Waterline Replacement and Drainage Improvements
(Paving in 2015)
Panther Way
Sidewalk Construction
DelCarte Recreation Area
Playground Parking Lot and Walking Path Construction
Kathleen Drive
Drainage Improvements and Road Reconstruction
Fannie Way
Drainage Improvements and Road Reconstruction
Brielle Way
Sidewalk Construction and Roadway Paving
Baron Road (Coronation Dr to Parliment Dr)
Water Line Replacement


Helen Owens Fitness: Dance for a great cause - Jun 22

Less than 2 weeks away!!!

Sunday, June 22nd, 10:00 - 11:30am!

Zumbathon - Jun 22
Zumbathon - Jun 22

Dance for a great cause! All proceeds will go to The Jimmy Fund - Dana Farber Cancer Institute! 
Space is limited, so save your spot SOON by making a $15 donation.

Either drop off your donation during class hours at Helen Owens Fitness studio located at 835 W. Central St. Franklin (behind 99 Restaurant). 
OR via PayPal/credit card on http://www.helenowensfitness.com/news--events.html 
Be sure to indicate the person attending the event on the note/message line so I have their name on the Reserved Guest List! Then, just message me to make sure that I received your transaction.

Have FUN while you help make a difference!"

MassBudget: Jobs & Workforce Programs in the State Budget - two new resources



MassBudget   Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.


Jobs and Workforce Programs in the State Budget: Two new resources
One of the most important things we do together through government is to support the development of people's skills to enable more of us to find good jobs, provide for our families, and contribute to the Massachusetts economy. With support from SkillWorks, MassBudget has created a new resource, our online Jobs and Workforce Budget, which provides easily accessible funding information and clear descriptions of the workforce development programs funded by our state budget.

In connection with the launch of this on-line resource, we are releasing a new brief, "Investing in People: Jobs and Workforce Training in the Massachusetts State Budget," that builds on resources in the Jobs and Workforce Budget. This brief analyzes state support over the past decade, finding that these programs have been cut by about a third since FY 2001 (adjusted for inflation). 

Jobs and Workforce support via budget
Jobs and Workforce support via budget

Using the Jobs and Workforce Budget you can:

  • Learn about all the programs in a particular area: Workforce Development, Education, Workers with Disabilities, and Youth Development.

  • Within those areas, you can look at individual programs, like the Workforce Training Fund. For each program, you will find a full description, state funding history, proposals for future funding, and links to other online resources.
If you want to understand how we support workforce development through our state budget, please visit the Jobs and Workforce Budget and read "Investing in People: Jobs and Workforce Training in the Massachusetts State Budget."
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
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Community Garden continues to grow

On my Saturday walk I went by the Community Gardens to see the raised beds and how they were growing. The beds were in various states of growth. I met and talked with a couple who with their young daughter had just gotten a bed this week. They were setting out their plants while their daughter was having a good deal of fun with the dirt.

Photos from a random sample of the beds and their growth.

growing in Franklin -1
growing in Franklin -1

growing in Franklin -2
growing in Franklin -2

growing in Franklin -3
growing in Franklin -3

growing in Franklin -4
growing in Franklin -4

growing in Franklin -5
growing in Franklin -5

Related posts on the Community Gardens

Annual Report 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/annual-report-2013-community-garden.html

Growing - July 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/community-gardens-photo-essay.html

Getting ready for 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/heralding-in-new-gardening-year.html

Build day - 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/05/community-gardens-build-day.html

More about build day in 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/05/and-then-there-were-gardens.html