The MetroWest Daily News
“It’s a discussion worth having. Climate change won’t wait for Congress to show leadership. Where better than Massachusetts, birthplace of innovation, to launch an aggressive response to the threat of climate change?”
Barrett backs “right to dry”
State Senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, is supporting a new “right to dry” for Massachusetts residents. His bill would extend the right to hang laundry on clotheslines to all state residents.
Barrett introduced the legislation at the initiative of environmental activist Peggy Brace, a constituent from Concord. He recently testified in favor of the idea at a public hearing at the State House.
Read moreSentencing reform gains steam
Advocates packed the State House recently to back legislation to reduce the length of prison sentences for a host of drug-related offenses. State Senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, supports the reforms, calling excessive prison terms a “huge drain of taxpayer dollars” with “no added deterrent effect” on those eventually released.
Massachusetts spends more than $46,000 per year to imprison each non-violent offender, many of whom have mental health and substance abuse problems. Oftentimes, Barrett says, they should instead be in treatment clinics where they can get help, an alternative that is not only more effective but costs less money.
Mass. home health workers win wage hike to $15 an hour
The Boston Globe
This is important, since it promotes an elusive idea: If you work hard, 40-50 hours a week, you should make enough to get by.
Chelmsford, Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail pay tribute to Carol Cleven
My friend Carol Cleven submitted the original legislation to create the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Carol passed away recently, and the Chelmsford legislative delegation made a donation in her name to help maintain the rail trail. Read more
Disabilities Caucus Launches
Senators Seek Quick Action on “Disconcerting” DCF Report
State House News
After an independent group called for reforms to the way the Department of Children and Families handles appeals, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg on Wednesday called the report “very disconcerting” and committed to working with the administration to resolve the highlighted issues. Lawmakers last year ordered the state’s Child Advocate to hire an outside consultant to review DCF’s “fair hearing” process. The report released Monday from the Ripples Group found a growing backlog of cases waiting to be decided, a lack of access for families to easily-understood case materials and a system that lends itself to a perception that hearing officers are not independent from department administrators.
Read moreWorking families get tax break in Sen. budget
Barrett backs program for low-income parents
Thanks to the efforts of state Senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, the Massachusetts Senate’s recently passed state budget includes additional funding for the Secure Jobs Initiative, a statewide program geared towards assisting low-income parents.
Barrett’s amendment increased funding for the initiative by 25%. The program helps parents in temporary living situations get connected with job training services and find employment.
“When you’re in very tough financial shape, you and your kids likely need both a roof over your heads and help finding work,” Barrett said. “But the state seldom brings together housing and job training for the same person. Secure jobs is that rare coordinated approach.” Read more
Obama bans some military-style gear given to police
The Boston Globe
Nationwide, we’re seeing a trend towards the militarization of community police forces. The President’s action takes a wise step back towards balance. Here in Mass., Rep. Mary Keefe and I have filed a bill to require local debate before military equipment transfers are allowed.
