Thursday, February 20, 2020

MassBudget: Governor's FY 2021 budget $74M short for low-income students; one-time revenue gains largely offset by planned phase-outs; and assumptions that MassHealth will remain stable


New MassBudget analysis finds delay or underinvestment for some essential benefits and programs

Governor's FY 2021 budget for K-12 funding falls short by $74 million for low-income kids

While the Governor's Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget proposes funding levels that mostly keep pace with the state's seven-year plan to overhaul funding for K-12 schools, it falls short in keeping one key area on track: support for students in low-income families.

In this critical area of the new school funding law - the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) - the Governor's FY 2021 budget only delivers on four percent of the necessary increase, leaving low-income students $74 million short. Under this budget proposal, state lawmakers would have to make up the remaining 96 percent of what's needed for low-income students over the next six years, according to a new MassBudget report, Opportunity Delayed: FY 2021 Governor's budget for K-12 funding falls short by $74M for low-income kidshttp://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=FY2021%20Governor%27s%20Budget%20SOA%20Highlights.html

"The goal of the Student Opportunity Act is to update our state funding for public schools so every child can get an excellent education, regardless of their background. Slower progress on any part of this new law means state lawmakers will have to play catch-up later," said Colin Jones, senior policy analyst and author of the report. "Meanwhile, schools would not be able to consistently phase in enhancements to their programs on schedule."

Other MassBudget briefs analyzing the Governor's FY 2021 budget found that:

In revenue, the Governor's budget proposes one-time revenues that will largely be offset by scheduled losses.

The Governor balances his budget by adding about $498 million in mostly one-time tax and non-tax revenues. These one-time sources will not be available to help fund the budget in future years.

Meanwhile, $420 million in recurring revenue will be disappearing from the state's revenue stream because of recent and pending changes in law. The Governor's FY 2021 budget already accounts for these losses, but the losses will leave the state with that much less each year to invest in communities.

Details on the revenue picture in the budget can be found in FY 2021 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET: Revenue - Governor proposes one-time revenues, which will largely be offset by scheduled loss of recurring revenues.  http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=FY2021%20Governor%27s%20Budget%20Revenue%20Highlights.html

On MassHealth, the Governor proposes to hold steady.

The Governor's FY 2021 budget proposal does not include major health reform initiatives and assumes the MassHealth caseload will remain stable during the fiscal year. The proposal includes about $17.94 billion for a range of MassHealth programs and related spending. More than half of the MassHealth program spending is reimbursed by the federal government.

The Governor has proposed separate legislation to re-align overall health care spending to emphasize behavioral health and primary care.

For details on MassHealth funding in the budget, see FY 2021 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET: MassHealth and Health Reform - Governor proposes to hold steady.  https://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=FY2021%20Governor%27s%20Budget%20MassHealth%20Highlights.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.

http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=FY2021%20Governor%27s%20Budget%20SOA%20Highlights.html

MassBudget: Governor's FY 2021 budget $74M short for low-income students
MassBudget: Governor's FY 2021 budget $74M short for low-income students

Franklin to Elect State Convention Delegates - Mar 19

Registered Democrats in Franklin will hold a caucus to elect Delegates and Alternates to the 2020 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention. The Caucus will be held at the Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond Street, Franklin, MA on March 19 at 6:30 PM. Doors will open at 6:00 PM for registration. The caucus will begin at 6:45 PM. 

Democratic State Convention - Mar 19
Franklin Democratic Caucus - Mar 19
This year’s state convention will be held May 30th at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, where thousands of Democrats from across the state will come together to discuss Party business and celebrate our successes as we prepare for upcoming elections.

The caucus is open to all registered and pre-registered Democrats in Franklin. Pre-registered Democrats who will be 16 by February 15, 2020 will be allowed to participate and run as a delegate or alternate. Franklin can elect 14 delegates and 4 alternates to the convention.

Youth, minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ individuals who are not elected as a delegate or alternate may apply to be an Add-on Delegate at the caucus or at www.massdems.org.

Those interested in getting involved with the Franklin Democratic Town Committee should contact Chair@FranklinDemocrats.com.

In the News: ISO rating improved for Franklin; Bellingham cinema exploring alcohol license

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Some homeowners will see their insurance rates decrease this spring when the Franklin Fire Department’s new ISO rating takes effect next month.

Previously holding a Class 3 rating since 2018, Chief James McLaughlin recently announced that the department has improved its ISO rating - also referred to as a “fire score,” or Public Protection Classification (PPC) - to Class 2. Determined by the Insurance Services Office Inc. (ISO), the rating indicates how prepared a department is in the case of fire and how quickly it would be able to put it out, he said.

Ratings are issued on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. Jersey City, New Jersey-based ISO provides statistical and claims-related information to serve insurers, regulators and other risk managers in the property-casualty insurance market.

Though the audit process to review a department’s ranking takes place every five years, McLaughlin called the ISO to question why the department’s rating was a 3 when he joined the department last July. A few months later, he was informed that its rating was improved upon further review, he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200219/franklin-fire-dept-secures-improved-safety-rating

Franklin’s water supply was a factor in improving the Fire Department’s rating
"Franklin’s water supply was a factor in improving the Fire Department’s rating"


"The serving of alcohol and a $6 million renovation could be coming to Bellingham’s Regal Cinema.

The news comes from recently released Bellingham selectmen minutes from the board’s Jan. 21 meeting. Regal Bellingham General Manager Josh Ferriera and attorney Andrew Upton discussed “the possibility of obtaining an All Alcohol Restaurant license,” according to the minutes.

Management at Regal Bellingham, in the Charles River Center shopping plaza near Interstate 495, directed comment to the company’s media inquiries line. Messages left at that number and at Upton’s Boston office and email address were not returned by the Daily News’ deadline.

“Regal in Bellingham is in the process of a $6M update to the cinema and would like to offer the option of purchasing an alcoholic beverage,” the minutes read."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200219/bellinghams-regal-theater-considers-6m-update-serving-alcohol

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Franklin celebrates 242nd birthday at the Historical Museum - Mar 2

The Franklin Historical Museum will celebrate the town’s 242nd March 2 birthday with cake and a prize drawing. All residents of the town of Franklin who share the same birthday have been invited to join us on Sunday March 1st at 1:00 PM for the festivities. 

Franklin was incorporated during the early years of our country’s war for Independence. Less than two years after our young country declared independence from the Crown, the West Precinct of Wrentham declared independence and became the town of Franklin, March 2nd, 1778. 

Franklin celebrates 242nd birthday
Franklin celebrates 242nd birthday
As many people know, the town was originally to be known as Exeter, named after a town in England, possibly where many Wrentham residents originated from. But before the petition could be presented to the Dedham Court, our founding fathers changed the name to Franklin, to honor the great statesman Benjamin Franklin who had just secured support from France in our battle for independence from England.

The town has flourished and grown, first as a farming community, then a manufacturing town, and today is home to nearly 32,000 people. All residents are invited to stop by and share a piece of birthday cake, Sunday March 1st between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street. We are ADA compliant, admission is always free and donations are gratefully accepted. 


Franklin celebrate 242nd birthday at the Historical Museum - Mar 2
Franklin celebrates 242nd birthday at the Historical Museum - Mar 2

Franklin Downtown Partnership Invites New Members

The Franklin Downtown Partnership would like to invite businesses, community groups and residents to join the Partnership to help revitalize downtown Franklin and support local businesses.

The Partnership is well known for its popular community events including the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival but the non-profit group is involved in many more endeavors. The Partnership has assisted with design and infrastructure improvements, beautification efforts, and economic development and marketing initiatives.

“We’ve grown tremendously in the last few years,” said Partnership Executive Di-rector Lisa Piana. “We now have more than 280 members and we invite more people to join and get involved with the Partnership.”
Downtown Partnership
Downtown Partnership

Membership costs as little as $100 for Franklin businesses and $25 for residents. Benefits for members include networking opportunities, informational meetings, vendor opportunities at the Partnership’s large community events, and monthly newsletters filled with news about Franklin. Additionally, members can take advantage of thousands of dollars in member discounts offered by other Partnership members, including discounts for restaurants, services, and even car purchases!

Learn more about the Franklin Downtown Partnership by visiting
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html


Or download the membership form directly from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0IfqIi2mi8tYkJpY1gtNFZXb2M/view

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. 

For more information, email Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

FYHA creates Coach Leo McGee Memorial Scholarship

"FYHA is pleased to announce the creation of the Coach Leo McGee Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a graduating Franklin High School senior who is part of either the boys or girls hockey program.

The recipient will embody what Coach Leo was to FYHA: an unsung hero with a selfless attitude; a committed leader on and off the ice; and someone willing to help anyone, at any time

It is our hope that this award will keep Coach Leo's legacy a constant source of inspiration within the youth hockey community.

We are working with Coach Sarno and Coach Burke to identify the candidates for consideration this year. He/she can be a rostered player or someone who is involved in another capacity (e.g. a team manager or student assistant).

The recipient will be announced at FHS’ Awards Night in May. 

If you are interested in contributing to the scholarship fund, tax deductible donations can be made via check and mailed to FYHA (see address below). 

Please put “Coach Leo Scholarship” in the memo line.
Mailing Address:
FYHA
P.O. Box 71
Franklin, MA 02038"



This was shared from the Twitter thread:

https://twitter.com/FYHockey/status/1229929644209713154?s=20
https://twitter.com/FYHockey/status/1229930248579538944?s=20
https://twitter.com/FYHockey/status/1229930397976403969?s=20
https://twitter.com/FYHockey/status/1229930724356214785?s=20
https://twitter.com/FYHockey/status/1229931195225473025?s=20
https://twitter.com/FYHockey/status/1229931392999608321?s=20

FHS' Woelfel, Rudolph, and Lupien at State Individual meet - Feb 17

Catching up to share the performance info for FHS gymnasts who performed at the State Individual meet on Monday, Feb 17. Video clips from the @fhs_gymnastics are displayed here via Twitter:


L-R  @CarolineWoelfel @katerudolph17_  @lexilupien
L-R  @CarolineWoelfel @katerudolph17_  @lexilupien

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1229436016198668288?s=20

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1229436016198668288?s=20













The Twitter links:

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1229436016198668288?s=20

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1229590881595985921?s=20

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1229590821663576066?s=20

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1229592288571133952?s=20

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1229593875850973184?s=20

https://twitter.com/KatCornetta/status/1229498856867581952?s=20

https://twitter.com/KatCornetta/status/1229519180313120769?s=20