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.
Mass. home health workers win wage hike to $15 an hour
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.
Budget season in full swing
Barrett bill pushes back against cycle of poverty
Press Release
On the heels of a new report backing the idea, State Senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, has refiled his bill to prevent employers from running credit checks on job applicants. Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU), which authored the year-long study, named Barrett’s legislation as a top way to stop the cycle of poverty associated with severe debt.
CWU — a group that advocates for low-income women — said in its report that the practice of employers checking credit scores of job applicants “is not a proven indicator for future job success” and one that “places undue hardship on low-income job seekers.”
“This idea is gaining serious momentum,” Barrett said. “Ten other states have passed bills restricting this practice. Massachusetts should be next.” He directed praise at U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is leading the charge on the federal level.
Read moreFighting Back Against Health Disparities
WBUR
“Get off at Dudley Square, the diabetes rate is 11 percent; get off at Arlington, it’s just 3 percent.”
A bill I’ve filed would establish an Office of Health Equity to focus on reducing these types of health disparities along the lines of race, ethnicity or disability.
