Out of Formal Session, but Not on Vacation
| The Legislature went out of formal session on November 18th. However, we continue to be in informal session and to work on constituent issues and legislation.
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Expiring Use Signed into Law
| After passing both branches unanimously, a bill I filed to preserve "expiring use" affordable housing was signed into law by Governor Patrick on November 23. I have worked on this legislation, with many others, since I entered the Legislature. Final passage required the collaboration of many people on many issues.
I am so pleased that as a result of this bill, we will have a better shot at maintaining affordable homes for tenants in buildings where rent levels are no longer protected. Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2009 addresses expiring use challenges in three ways: 1) tenants will be notified prior to a change in the rent's affordability, 2) a housing authority, local nonprofit or developer will have a right of first refusal to match the building's purchase price, and 3) tenants who do not qualify for enhanced Section 8 vouchers would have potential rent increases capped for 3 years.
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Education Reform
| Before we went out of formal session on November 18, there was a push to rush an ed reform bill through the Legislature in a matter of hours. Fortunately, my initial push with regard to the bill came true-that we defer action and take time to consider the ramifications of this bill.
Though the Senate passed an ed reform bill, we in the House will not take it up until January. That will give us more time to improve the bill. I strongly believe that this issue needs a great deal of discussion and melding of ideas to be successful.
I drafted quite a few amendments when I thought we might be taking the bill up immediately and intend to follow through on the concepts behind them.
I am concerned that this bill tackles the achievement gap very much from a top down approach. In the schools the bill targets, my experience tells me that there needs to be buy in of teachers, parents, and community to make a difference. Furthermore, this bill does not address early education and care, another area that we have to expand and strengthen in order to close the achievement gap. Nor does it have specific other programmatic options to help schools become successful.
With regard to collective bargaining issues that the bill touches upon, I have always supported maintaining workers' collective bargaining rights from unilateral outside action, particularly because I am very clear that the contracts have been bargained by two sides and teachers have gotten an unfair rap on this. However, I have to say that, with regard to the handful of truly failing schools targeted in this bill, there needs to be some compromises. We should not have to put schools into receivers in order to make change. I will be following the language around collective bargaining agreements carefully and trying to assure that we maintain our responsibility to teachers as well as to the kids.
With regard to charter schools, I would like to see a high level commission recommend a fix for funding issues, clear requirements for the charters to help other schools replicate successes, and the members of the approving Board required to attend hearings.
What all of us need to recognize is that the number of students across the Commonwealth who are at risk and failing is not acceptable, and it is about time that we develop appropriate responses. I will continue trying to make this bill be that response, as it is changed through amendment. If you have any further suggestions in that regard, please let me know!
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Cuts to Programs for the Most Vulnerable
| On October 29th, the Governor announced over $350 million in so-called 9C cuts, including many that would hurt our most vulnerable citizens, as part of a plan to close a projected $600 million FY 2010 budget deficit. Fortunately, the Governor has been able to reverse many of these cuts for this year. However, at this writing, a $22.1 million reduction in Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children has not yet been reversed. If the original proposal had been implemented, an estimated 9,100 families with a head of household unable to work because of a disability would lose assistance for their children beginning in January.
Several of my colleagues and I worked with the Legislature and the Patrick administration first to delay these cuts and now to find alternatives. This is a work in progress.
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St. James Episcopal Church Facilitation
| At the request of the Rector and the neighbors, I have agreed to facilitate discussions between St. James's Episcopal Church, Oaktree Design Development, and neighborhood folks about the Oaktree/St. James condominium development at Mass Ave and Beech St. In my role I hope to assist the parties to "get to yes" at least on some details of the project--to the satisfaction of all parties. This will supplement the processes already moving forward in the Planning Board and Historic Commission.
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NCSL - Human Services Policy Committee
| | I am leaving today for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Fall Forum in San Diego, CA. I have been nominated by Speaker DeLeo to serve on the Human Services and Welfare Policy Committee. It is one of 12 standing committees that are vital to NCSL's successful representation of state interests in Washington, D.C. and the discussion of policy innovation among state legislatures. In my role as a member of the Human Services and Welfare Committee, I will vote on policies related to state and federal work in four major categories: social services, income security, food and nutrition, and immigration. Don't be jealous of my going to San Diego-it is supposed to rain the whole time I'm there! |
The Holiday Season
| As you move through the holiday season, I wish you and your family the best. We should all be mindful that many of the residents in the Commonwealth are going through tough times. I hope that those things that can get better will get better.
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| | WELCOME |  | Dear Friends,
Welcome to my newsletter!
From time to time, I use these e-mail newsletters to keep in touch with you and keep you abreast of what is going on at the State House.
If you would like additional information on any of the issues mentioned in this newsletter, or if I can help in you in any way, please contact me! If you call, you might find my staff on the line.
Thanks for reading, and please keep in touch!
State House Office:
Tel: (617) 722-2810
Fax: (617) 722-2197
rep.alicewolf@hou.state.ma.us
State House, Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
District Office:
Tel: (617) 868-WOLF
Fax: (617) 497-7284
alicewolf@alicewolf.org
www.alicewolf.org |
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