MassBudget: HWM Committee's modest budget proposal lacks needed investments in FY 2020

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. April 18, 2019 House Ways and Means Committee's modest budget proposal lacks needed investments in FY 2020 The House Ways and Means (HWM) Committee kicked off the legislative budget process with its Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 proposal. Overall the Committee's budget proposes modest increases in some areas, and reduces funding in others, according to a new analysis by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget). Because the budget lacks any significant new revenue, our Commonwealth will go another year without making needed investments in important areas, including education, transportation, and affordable housing. Here are some key takeaways: While the Committee proposes slightly more funding for public elementary and secondary schools in FY 2020 than the Governor, the amount is still significantly less than a more comprehensive fix to the outdated education funding formula. Further, the proposal does not lay out a long-term plan to overhaul the formula so schools can better serve all their students. The Committee proposes modest increases in some areas such as early education, programs to help low-income people afford rent, and services to help expand supports for youth with autism spectrum disorders. The proposal also includes some notable initiatives such as funding for community outreach to support a complete and accurate count in the upcoming 2020 Census, a pilot program to help reduce pregnancy-related deaths, and expansion of eligibility for the Medicare Savings Plan that would benefit low-income elders. (This last initiative was also included in the Governor's proposal.) The Committee proposal, however, decreases funding in several areas below the current FY 2019 budget. For example, it includes less funding for the Regional Transit Authorities that serve Massachusetts residents, including those in Gateway Cities, who live outside the MBTA service area. Most notable is what is not in the HWM Committee proposal. The Committee budget does not include any substantial, new revenue sources. The additional tax revenues in the proposal come either from pre-existing sources that only recently have begun generating revenue (like taxes on recreational marijuana sales) or from proposed technical changes that would improve collections of existing taxes (like sales taxes due on online purchases). Meanwhile, several already-scheduled tax cuts and other revenue losses will take a significant bite out of revenue totals in FY 2020 and beyond - completely eliminating any gains from the additional revenue sources on which the HWM budget relies. Also notable is that most additional revenue in the proposed budget comes from a variety of consumption taxes, which hit low-income earners the hardest, and will make the state's tax system more upside-down than it already is. Members of House leadership have indicated that they would like to take a thoughtful approach toward raising new revenue - an effort they have said will take place separate from the budget process. Our state has many underfunded and unfunded short and long-term priorities and, without substantial new revenue, it will be challenging for lawmakers to make progress on these priorities. Even in a time of economic expansion and strong tax revenue growth, Massachusetts still has not moved the needle on reforming education funding, updating transportation infrastructure, and supporting people who can't afford housing. While revenue growth for the current fiscal year (FY 2019) may yet meet earlier expectations of continued strong growth, official projections are for growth to slow markedly in FY 2020 without policy changes to increase revenue. New, substantial sources of revenue will allow the Commonwealth to invest in core priorities when times are good, so we can ensure everyone has access to good quality of life - even when times are tight. Read the full report here http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Analyzing-the-House-Ways-and-Means-Budget-for-FY-2020.html 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 Sent by mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

MassBudget: HWM Committee's modest budget proposal lacks needed investments in FY 2020

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Apr 19 to THU - Apr 25

Friday, April 19

10:00am

 Knitting Group

10:00am

 SNETT Trail Walk

12:00pm

 Good Friday ‘Cross Walk’

3:30pm

 Catch your Breath (FoFL)

Saturday, April 20

9:30am

 Family Yoga Adventure

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

Sunday, April 21

 Easter Sunday

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, April 22

 Easter Monday

10:30am

 Move Along

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

3:00pm

 Monday Crafternoons

3:30pm

 Dungeons & Dragons for Kids ( Teen Room)

4:00pm

 Hiring Event at Starbucks

7:00pm

 OSKEY Rehearsal

7:00pm

 Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, April 23

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

10:30am

 Get Ready for Kindergarten

3:30pm

 Play S.t.e.a.m.

7:00pm

 School Committee

7:00pm

 Franklin Public Library Book Club

Wednesday, April 24

8:00am

 Franklin Municipal Building - Closed for Training

10:30am

 Terrific Toddlers

11:00am

 Toddler Playgroup

4:00pm

 Construction Junction

6:30pm

 Bump and Beyond Expecting Parents Group (FOFL)

6:30pm

 Kevin Harris Project Trio

7:00pm

 OSKEY Rehearsal

7:00pm

 Town Council Meeting

7:10pm

 Old South Meeting Church - Discussion

Thursday, April 25

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

10:30am

 Story & Craft

4:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

5:00pm

 AP/Portfolio Show

6:00pm

 Volunteens

6:30pm

 Genealogy Club Meeting

7:00pm

 FHS Chamber Concert

For the interactive version, please visit

http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://goo.gl/forms/7Pr1iBuAiIna7cUo2

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Apr 19 to THU - Apr 25

Ed Hurley: Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention

Once again, our Y, along with YMCAs throughout Massachusetts and across the country will be sponsoring Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention. From April 22nd to April 26th the Hockomock Area YMCA will share information and resources on how to prevent, recognize and respond to situations that adults may encounter.

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that 1 in 10 children in the United States are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Sadly, in over 90% of the cases reported, this abuse happens by someone the child knows and trusts.

While we are placing a special emphasis on this topic during the month of April, child safety and child protection are our Y’s number one priority every single day of the year.

Think of how many children each one of us sees in a day, and contrast that with the knowledge that 1 in 10 of these young people are being robbed of their innocence. Children are supposed to be the hope for a brighter future. As a society we are all faced with the long-term consequences. Child abuse is happening regardless of age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic class. I ask all of you to join with our YMCA in spreading important awareness around this devastating epidemic.

The national theme for this year’s Five Days of Action is Know. See. Respond. As adults we need to Know more, See better and Respond appropriately to protect kids from sexual abuse.

For the past five years our YMCA is proud to have partnered and collaborated with school systems, municipalities and other human service organizations throughout our service area to help bring awareness, education and training regarding this issue to the forefront. We remain committed to this collaborative cause and our effort to be part of a community based prevention movement. Please join us.

For more information, please contact me at the Hockomock Area YMCA or visit our website www.hockymca.org/child-protection for resources, training and how you can be involved. I encourage you to watch a brief video featuring community leaders and advocates for Know. See. Respond., an initiative adopted at our YMCA.

As responsible adults, we all have the opportunity to create a different path for children and to protect their only childhood. We are on this path together, let’s take a step to clear the way for a child.

Ed Hurley
President and CEO
Hockomock Area YMCA

FHS baseball and softball teams top Stoughton on Thursday

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Thursday, Apr 18, 2019

Softball = Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 13 – Final (5 inn.)
– Franklin got off to a strong start, scoring five runs in the first inning and four more in the second to beat Stoughton. Junior Sarah Jackson launched a two-run home run to highlight the Panthers’ big first inning. Ally Shea went 4-for-4 (courtesy runner Molly Collins scored three runs), Gabby Colace had three hits and two RBI, and Maddy White added two hits and two RBI. Jackie Cherry allowed just one run on two hits, walking two and striking out three in four innings of work to get the win. Nikki Coppola had a solo home run in the second inning for the Black Knights.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 9 vs. St. John’s Prep, 10 – Final (2 OT)
– Franklin had a lead and possession with under a minute to go but St. John’s Prep got the ball back after a save and scored with 16 seconds left and went on to win in double overtime. Owen Palmieri had three goals, Jake Davis added two goals and an assist, and Matt Lazzaro scored once and had two helpers. Will Davis made 17 saves in net for the Panthers while senior Jacob Alexander won 15-of-23 faceoffs.

Baseball = Franklin, 5 @ Stoughton, 3 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"Stoughton’s offense came knocking multiple times throughout the game, but in the biggest situations, Franklin’s defense slammed the door shut. 

The Black Knights loaded the bases in three separate innings and threatened with the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but three separate Panther pitchers came through to limit the damage, helping the Panthers secure a 5-3 win on the road. 

After two quick strikeouts to start the game from Stoughton starter Zak Paquette, the Panthers cashed in. Senior Alex Haba had an infield single and quickly moved into scoring position by stealing second. Haba came in to score on a two-out RBI from senior Jake Macchi to put the visitors up 1-0 after a half inning."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-baseball-prevail-battle-black-knights/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-18-19/

Baseball photo gallery
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/Stoughton-Franklin-Baseball-04-18-19/

Softball photo gallery
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/Franklin-Stoughton-Softball-04-18-19/

Franklin’s Will Pacheco earned the save, getting the final three outs while stranding
the tying run at first. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

“I think it’s important that we learn to coexist with wildlife”

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

"Stacey Cobb doesn’t need a calendar, or blooming flowers and emerging buds, to tell her when spring has arrived. That’s because it’s the time of year when her household swells with new arrivals - many of them newborns - in need of some compassion and tender loving care. 

They aren’t of the human kind, but rather are babies of the forest: Squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, foxes. When they are orphaned and too young to care for themselves, or they need some non-veterinary care for a while, Cobb is there with open heart to help. 

A wildlife rehabilitator, Cobb is finding herself quite busy lately with the first babies of the season. A litter of five squirrel kits - so young they are still blind and hairless - came into her care just days ago, joining two other baby squirrels she’d already been caring for, in addition to other critters making a temporary home with her until they are ready to be returned to the wild."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190418/natures-nurse-franklin-wildlife-rehabilitator-opens-heart-home-to-animals-in-need

You can help by buying items off Stacy's Amazon Wish List
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7LISNHDHE84P

You can help by buying items off Stacy's Amazon Wish List

In the News: Keller-Sullivan sprinkler work underway; Gender "X" bill moving in MA Senate

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

Keller-Sullivan sprinkler problem fixed again

"It is often iterated at this time of year that April showers bring May flowers. But at the Helen Keller-Annie Sullivan school complex, the experience has been given new meaning this month: “Showers” coming from a burst sprinkler head on April 3 are bringing new rugs, cabinetry and paint jobs to several elementary classrooms. 

Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern recently told the School Committee that repairs to the classrooms would be undertaken this week during spring break, and students will be returning to mostly fixed-up classrooms. 

On April 3, nine Helen Keller School classrooms were damaged by water after a sprinkler head on the second floor burst late in the afternoon, Ahern reported at the School Committee’s April 9 meeting. Classes were temporarily displaced as the rooms were sealed off for the remainder of that week. 

“Water damaged materials including carpets, drywalls and cabinets were removed,” Ahern said, noting that over the weekend of April 6 and April 7, Servicemaster worked late hours “in order to ensure that all rooms had been properly mitigated.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190418/fixes-under-way-after-water-damage-at-franklin-school

This is the third sprinkler incident at the Keller-Sullivan complex 
2017 = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/they-did-remarkable-job.html
2014 = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/asms-keller-status-update.html

Keller - Sullivan Schools

"Spilka’s ‘Gender X’ bill moving in Senate"

"The Senate plans next week to take up legislation that has become a signature priority for Senate President Karen Spilka, a bill that would allow an adult to change state identification records to reflect a gender of “X.” 

The so-called “Gender X” bill would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to make a third, gender-neutral option available to applicants for a license or learner’s permit and would allow anyone over 18, an emancipated minor or the parents of a minor to request a change in the sex listed on someone’s birth certificate to male, female or X. 

“This bill is very special to me,” said Spilka, D-Ashland, earlier this month during an interview on WGBH radio. 

The Senate president got involved after receiving a letter from a constituent from Natick who was feeling stress as they prepared to decide which box to check on their driving learner’s permit. Spilka has since grown close to the family while working on this bill, and almost pushed it across the finish line last year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190418/spilkas-gender-x-bill-moving-in-senate

Veterans Coffee Social - May 1

Veterans Coffee Social

Join us! Wednesday, May 1, 2019 = 10:00 AM

at the Franklin Senior Center

Veterans Coffee Social - May 1

SNETT Group Walk - Friday, April 19 - 10 AM

Please join us for our monthly group walk on the SNETT! 

This month we will be walking on Friday, April 19 at 10 AM. 

Meet at the Lake St. parking lot. It is a spring break for many, so bring your kids and of course your four-legged companions on a leash are always welcome.

yes, I was part of the group last month and look to join the walk again this Friday

Follow the event on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/events/323621265020605/

FHS girls lacrosse drop match to Notre Dame Academy 15-10

Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday, Apr 17, 2019


Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 10 @ Notre Dame Academy, 15 – Final

[Girls Sprg Varsity Lacrosse] Notre Dame Acad (Hingham) defeats Franklin HS, 15 to 10.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) April 18, 2019

Final: Franklin 10 NDA 15 - Hard fought game against a top opponent. Only place to go is ⬆️

— FHS Girls Lacrosse (@Fhsglax) April 18, 2019

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-17-19/

FHS Panthers

Hiring Event at Franklin Starbucks - Apr 22

Hiring Event
at the

Franklin Starbucks

648 Old West Central Street

Monday, April 22

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

download the flyer as a reminder

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczWlhfcWptNFY2emxnaXBkTmxKRWR4WkVjU1I0/view?usp=sharing

Note: The last time they did this, 11 people showed up and 9 were hired.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/starbucks-says-thanks.html

Starbucks has scheduled a hiring event for Apr 22

Notice of Aerial Larval Control Application - spraying for mosquitoes

In accordance with 333 CMR 13.04 (7) (a & b), please consider this as notification of the pending aerial application targeting mosquito larvae in the wetlands in the District.

The Norfolk County Mosquito Control District will be conducting helicopter applications of the biorational larvicide Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to control mosquito larvae. These applications will be conducted over specific large wetlands in the Towns of: Avon/ Bellingham/ Braintree/ Canton/ Dedham/ Dover/ Foxboro/ Franklin/ Holbrook Medfield/ Medway/ Millis/ Milton/ Needham/ Norfolk/ Norwood/ Plainville/ Quincy/ Randolph/ Sharon/ Stoughton/ Walpole/ Westwood/ Weymouth/ Wrentham

These applications will be conducted for 2 to 4 days, anytime between April 16, 2019, and April 26, 2019. As always, the weather in the spring is unpredictable. For this reason the District cannot pin down actual application dates with any more accuracy at this time.

The trade name of the granular formulations of Bti to be used is VectoBac GR (EPA Reg. #73049-486). For further information contact David A. Lawson, Director at (781) 762-3681 or the Boards of Health in the towns listed above. Information is also available on line at www.norfolkcountymosquito.org

Respectfully submitted


Read online at
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/notification_of_aerial_application_board_of_health_april_2019_0.pdf

or
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1luLgS5CBo8yVR9CRsTfCJilmtpwSkGx5/view?usp=sharing

Norfolk County Mosquito Control District - Arial application begins April 16