EMILY’s List Puts Katherine Clark “On the List” - WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, put Katherine Clark, candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’ Fifth District “On the List.” Clark will be running for the seat in the event that Representative Ed Markey, who currently represents the Fifth District, wins a special election for the United States Senate in June. The EMILY’s List community now stands more than two million members strong. “On the List” is a new way to make sure EMILY’s List members can engage with and support promising candidates all across the country even earlier in the election cycle. By putting Clark “On the List,” EMILY’s List is ensuring that she has access to this powerful network of supporters.
“Katherine Clark is a progressive champion who has fought tirelessly to improve the lives of women and families in Massachusetts, said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “From her work advocating for victims of domestic violence and protecting seniors to her efforts to provide relief for small businesses, Katherine knows exactly how to tackle the issues that working families in Massachusetts face every day. The EMILY’s List community is excited to get involved early in her campaign for the United States House of Representatives. She’s the right choice for Massachusetts women and families.”  
State Senator Katherine Clark has dedicated her career to serving women and families. Clark is an attorney and public servant who was elected to the Massachusetts state legislature in 2008. She currently serves as chair of three committees – the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Steering and Policy, and the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse – and is Vice Chair of the Committee on Post Audit and Oversight. During her tenure in the legislature, she has fought for child safety legislation, worked to combat intimate partner violence for adults and teens, increased investment in early education, provided relief for small businesses, and fought for legislation to protect seniors. Clark is a graduate of St. Lawrence University, Cornell University School of Law, and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She and her husband Rod live in Melrose with their sons Addison, Jared, and Nathaniel.
During the 2011- 2012 election cycle, EMILY’s List helped elect an historic number of candidates – the only pro-choice Democratic woman governor in the country, 19 new women to the House, six Senate incumbents, and three new Senators – all the first women to represent their states in the Senate. And this cycle, women we’ve helped elect include the first Hindu and first female combat veterans to serve in the House, the first openly gay Senator, and the first Asian American woman to serve in the Senate. With a community that has quintupled since 2010 – now more than two million members strong – EMILY's List is one of the largest political action committees in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY's List has worked to elect 101 pro-choice Democratic women to the House, 19 to the Senate, 10 governors, and over five hundred women to state and local office. In the 2011-2012 cycle, EMILY's List had the largest number of members and donors in our 28 year history, and raised a record-breaking $52 million dollars.
For more information on EMILY’s List, please visit www.emilyslist.org

Mental Health Awareness - By Senator Katherine Clark - Millions of children and adults in this country are living with a mental health disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in any given year roughly one quarter of American adults, and about 13 percent of children ages 8 to 15, have a diagnosable mental disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and eating disorders. Of those with these conditions, NIMH estimates that only about 36% are receiving treatment, and often that treatment is inadequate. We need to do better.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to rededicate ourselves to supporting those with mental health disorders and their families. Doing so demands that we look across the entire system of care: prevention, diagnosis, access to treatment, adequacy of services, parity and continuity of healthcare coverage for mental health, and research into the causes, prevalence, treatments and support services. At the same time, we all must challenge our own views and misconceptions about those living with these disorders.

I serve as Vice Chairman to the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and I am interested in focusing on the link between mental health and suicide. Up to 90 percent of people who die by suicide have depression and other mental disorders, a substance-abuse problem or both. In addition, two thirds of the deaths from gun violence in United States are suicides, making our response to suicide a critical component of reducing gun violence.

During budget discussions, I will be looking at the particular needs of our veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse. I support two programs in our area that serve veterans. North Shore Veterans Counseling Services helps veterans and their families with mental health counseling, housing and benefits advice. Train Vets to Treat Vets trains returning veterans in mental health counseling so they can provide services to others. This program has made great strides in its first 18 months of operation, training returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan and providing mental health counseling and workforce development services to dozens of veterans with over 2,400 hours of direct service in the last year.

Reducing the stigma of mental illness is a priority, and if you or someone you know is in need of services now, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357), a confidential, free, 24/7 information service for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues. Together we can support each other and our families in recognizing and treating mental health challenges.

Giving Students the Info They Need to Stay Healthy - By Senator Katherine Clark & Dr. Claire McCarthy - Our children rely on us to keep them safe and healthy—that is our job as parents, educators and community members. When they are young, we make healthy decisions for them - but as they grow, we need to guide them to make healthy decisions for themselves. Along with making healthy decisions about things like diet, exercise, drugs, alcohol and car safety, our young people need to learn to make healthy decisions about sex. We may want to think that our kids wait until adulthood to become sexually active, but according to state data, 46 percent of high school students have had sexual intercourse. Even more worrisome, 42 percent did not use a condom and 74 percent did not use birth control.

Parents should be and always will be the first and best educators about sexuality and sex, especially about the values, feelings, risks and responsibilities that come with sex. But not all parents feel comfortable having these conversations. Also, to truly stay safe, youth need clear, up-to-date, accurate medical information about sex and sexuality. By providing sexuality education, many school districts partner with parents, supporting them in educating their children. That is why we support legislation that will come before the Joint Committee on Education this week.  An Act Relative to Healthy Youth says that if a school district decides to teach sexuality education, it must provide students with comprehensive, age-appropriate and medically accurate information.

Teaching youth this information does not encourage sex, as some worry. In fact, comprehensive sexuality education programs have been shown to delay the initiation of sex. They also reduce the frequency of sex and the number of partners, and increase the use of condoms and contraception. That is why comprehensive sexuality education is supported by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Federation of Teachers.  Current law in Massachusetts does not ensure that youth in sexuality education programs receive comprehensive and accurate information. Current law has no standards whatsoever, and this puts our kids at risk.  We support the Healthy Youth bill because it requires districts that choose to offer sexuality education to provide students with full information about abstinence, delaying sexual activity, healthy relationships, effective contraceptive use and sexually transmitted infections. It will provide school districts with guidance and a set of annually updated standards available on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s web site. This bill does not require schools to provide sexuality education, nor does it dictate an age or grade level when such classes should begin. It does not interfere with parents’ right to opt their children out. The role of parents is central and crucial, and nothing should interfere with it. Simply put, this bill will ensure that the sexuality education we do provide in Massachusetts gives our youth the information they need to make the safest and healthiest choices as they grow. That, we believe, is what all kids deserve.

Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a pediatrician and Medical Communications Editor at Boston Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.  Senator Katherine Clark represents the 5th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts State Senate, which includes the communities of Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and portions of Winchester.

Senator Clark Chairs Hearing on Bill to Strengthen our Laws and Protect our Communities - Today the Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing, chaired by Senator Katherine Clark (D-Melrose), to consider a series of important public safety bills.  The Committee took up legislation to strengthen our system of oversight of convicted sex offenders and ensure that citizens, local law enforcement and relevant state agencies have the information they need to protect our children and communities.  
An Act to protect our communities, sponsored by Senator Clark (S.656) and Representative Paul Brodeur (H.1232), has the bipartisan co-sponsorship of 27 members of the legislature and the strong support of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.  
Families, advocates and law enforcement officials testified in support of the bill, including Wakefield Chief of Police Rick Smith, whose own community was stunned when John Burbine, of Wakefield, was charged with 100 counts of child abuse and sexual assault involving very young children.  The deeply disturbing case highlighted the need to strengthen the Commonwealth’s laws and regulations to help prevent these horrific crimes in the future.  This legislation does so fairly and judiciously. “Tragically, we know that no law can absolutely protect our families and our communities from crime.  But when changes are clearly needed to improve public safety, we must act without delay.  That is the case here,” said Senator Clark. “This legislation will strengthen our laws, provide more information to parents and caregivers, and require information sharing among law enforcement and the agencies we depend on to keep our kids safe.”
“The Burbine case made it abundantly clear that SORB needs to be reevaluated. This bill, the product of intensive cooperation between the legislature, the district attorney’s office, and local police, provides the means for that reevaluation,” said Representative Brodeur. “It will improve existing laws, improve agency practices and keep our children safe.”
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan stated, “I am committed to doing all that I can to protect children, engage in prevention efforts, and punish those who abuse or exploit children. This legislation does several very important things to clarify and strengthen the sex offender registry laws resulting in better information to the public and enhancement of child protection and public safety. I look forward to working with Senator Clark and the legislature on moving this important bill forward.”
“It was an honor to have the opportunity to present in front of the Committee with the hope that the bill will move quickly through the legislature,” said Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith. “I thank Senator Clark for the opportunity and for her hard work and for moving this bill forward.”
Specifically, An Act to protect our communities would:
•    Allow limited public access to Level 1 offender information, currently unavailable to the public. This change would enable police departments to share information when presented with a specific request by a parent or caregiver.
•    Create a rebuttable presumption that an offender convicted of a crime involving a child should be classified as at least a Level 2 offender.
•    Provide for direct access to Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) information by agencies responsible for ensuring child safety.
•    Grant SORB the authority to reclassify offenders on its own initiative or upon written request by a District Attorney or police department.  
•    Require the creation of a structured system of communication among the District Attorneys, police, SORB, and other state agencies to facilitate the sharing of all information that may have bearing on the reclassification of a sex offender.
• Establish a commission to determine the best methods of classifying sex offenders.
•    Clarify registration requirements and information to be reported.
•    Require the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to publish licensing information on its website.
Today’s hearing brings the bill one step closer to passage.  As it moves forward through the legislative process, the focus will remain on protecting our children and our communities.  The full text of the bill is available at: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S656.

"Women for Katherine" Support State Senator Katherine Clark's Campaign for Congress - After outraising the en tire field in the potential race to replace Congressman Ed Markey, State Senator Katherine Clark today unveiled Women for Katherine which includes community leaders, elected officials and activists who have pledged their support to Katherine's campaign. Katherine is ready to take her lifetime of service to Congress to work for progressive, common sense solutions for the families of the 5th District. Below is the email that was sent out today by Barbara Lee, a national leader in advancing women's equality in American politics, who has endorsed Katherine’s campaign for Congress.

Transportation: Improvements Now, Investments for the Long-termBy Senator Katherine Clark - In April, the Massachusetts Senate passed a comprehensive transportation finance bill that will address the structural budget gap in our state’s transportation system and support investment in future projects.  The plan dedicates more than $800 million in new revenues for transportation and provides approximately $100 million or more annually in new tax revenue for other critical investments such as education, housing, and human service programs. The legislation also guarantees funding benchmarks will continue to be met in future years.

The final Senate bill includes a successful amendment that I offered to cap fare increases at the MBTA to no more than 5% every two years.  This important provision will ensure that the MBTA will not disproportionately rely on fare increases to meet its benchmarks without first exploring every opportunity for savings and operational efficiency. While the legislation rightly demands ongoing reform and revenue targets from the MBTA, we must not achieve them by unduly burdening our seniors, low income families, and all those who rely on the T as a lifeline to their jobs and communities. This measure will help to ensure that fare increases, if they must occur, are reasonable and adequately spaced.  I also co-sponsored a similar amendment to protect toll payers. Overall, the Senate bill provides a level of revenue that allows for meaningful investments in a fiscally-sound, 21st century transportation system and strengthens the legislature’s commitment to reliability and affordability. This is achieved through a combination of revenue, reform, and accountability provisions.

Specifically, the bill includes measures to:

• End the practice of paying for operating costs out of the capital budget, saving millions in interest costs.
• Forward-fund our Regional Transit Authorities.
• Require the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to enter into leases and right-of-way agreements with telecommunications and utility companies, generating an additional $40 million.
• Redirect an additional $80 million from an existing surcharge on gas from the General Fund to transportation. 
• Allow the MBTA to raise revenues for capital expansion projects through selling or leasing naming rights to stations throughout the transit system.
• Require “own-source” solutions, by calling on MassDOT and the MBTA to maintain their share of the budget they generate through revenues and savings. 
• Increase the gas tax by 3 cents, indexed for inflation beginning in FY2015.
• Generate $165 million through a $1 per pack increase on the cigarette excise tax.
• Make changes to the tax status of utility companies.
• Join 21 other states in updating market-based sourcing rules across all industries. 
• Generate $161 million by modernizing the tax code on computer system design services and standardized software while not taxing “the cloud.”
• Dedicate all motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation.

Additional revenue in the bill is paired with increased accountability, such as establishing goals for the Highway Division to reduce fatalities, accident rates and commuting times and for the Mass Transit Division to reduce the age of bus fleets.  The Senate also called for increased transparency by making MBTA financial information publically available on Massachusetts Open Checkbook.

My aim in this process is to address our transportation needs comprehensively and get our system on sustainable financial ground so that we can modernize our infrastructure and improve and expand service. The legislation passed by the Senate moves the Commonwealth significantly forward. 

Preventing Gun Violence in Our Communities - Senator Katherine Clark - Every day in this country we lose eight children to gun violence, and it is clear that no community is immune. Last week, I convened a panel of experts to discuss how we can stem the tide of gun violence in our communities.  The event, co-sponsored with Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, focused on what we can do at the local, state and federal level to keep our communities secure and our children safe. The panel featured Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis, Representative David Linsky (D, Natick), Professor David Hemenway of Harvard School of Public Health, John Rosenthal, real estate developer and founder of Stop Handgun Violence, and Dawn Tringas and Molly Malloy of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Audience members, including a group of students from Malden High School, had the opportunity to provide questions and comments to the panel, and the forum covered a wide range of specific topics. The starting point of our discussion was understanding the issue of gun violence.  There are over 30,000 gun deaths in this country every year.  That’s more than 85 people killed per day.  Of those deaths, nearly two-thirds are suicides, an important fact that is often overlooked in the discussion of gun violence. There are more than 11,000 are gun homicides in this country every year. In addition, we know that domestic violence homicides make up 40–50 percent of all murders of women in the United States. Research has shown that access to firearms increases the risk of intimate partner homicide more than five times more than in instances where there are no weapons.  At the event, we discussed our gun laws here in Massachusetts.  The Commonwealth has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, including among other things, mandatory firearms safety training, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeders, and requirements for the safe storage of guns. Massachusetts also has among the lowest rates of gun deaths per capita.  But we must do better in the Commonwealth, as our families and communities have suffered over 1,000 gun homicides over the past 10 years. The panelists discussed additional statutory changes that would improve gun safety and help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and individuals with severe mental illness. Among the proposal discussed were implementing one standard for the issuance of all gun licenses and bringing Massachusetts into compliance with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), as many states have done. We also heard about specific steps underway right here in our district. Chief Molis and Mayor Christenson discussed a plan to improve safety in schools, with a focus on community policing and better technological communication between our schools and our police departments. One clear theme that emerged from the event is that changing our gun laws is simply not enough.  We must change our attitudes and perceptions about violence, and work collaboratively to prevent it.  We also must ensure that our young people have options and real opportunity, including afterschool programs, teen centers, access to college and job training programs, and high-quality jobs. When it comes to gun safety policy in this country, there are strongly held views on all sides of this complex and emotional debate. But there is common ground as well. Whatever our individual views, backgrounds and experiences, we owe it to our children to work together for common sense actions that keep them safe. 

Giving Foster Children a Fair Chance - Currently there are about 10,000 children in foster care in Massachusetts.  Many of these children thrive in nurturing, safe and stable homes for years with dedicated, loving parents and guardians.  But others face challenges no child should have to endure: inconsistent access to education, medical care and housing, uncertainty and frequent changes in placement, and sometimes even abuse and neglect.

Though improvements have been made in recent years, the foster system remains complex, cases can take years to resolve, and court proceedings can be derailed by last minute claims made by distant relatives.  When we consider that there are thousands of hearings taking place each year, the costs – emotional and economic – are too high.  Perhaps worst of all, sometimes the foster child’s own voice is not heard in the process.

To help address these deficiencies, I have introduced An Act relative to foster child engagement.  This bill does three things:

1. Amplifies voices of foster children.  This bill would ensure judges hear testimony from foster children who are aged 10 and up, in an age-appropriate way, at all stages of the process. 
2. One judge, one case. Too often cases are bounced around from judge to judge, wasting time and effort and adding confusion and uncertainty for the child.  This provision would require that each foster care proceeding be assigned to and followed by one judge, ensuring more trust, consistency and familiarity in the process. The judge who presides over the initial hearing would preside over all future hearings, and may receive testimony via video communication like Skype, until that child’s case is resolved or dismissed. A change in the judge could be made in the interests of justice. This model has been implemented in 22 other states, including New Hampshire and New York, with considerable success and cost savings. 
3. Keeping cases on track. Foster care and protection proceedings are often long, and with good reason: extreme care must be taken in any consideration of moving a child from his birth parents, placing a child with a foster family and, in some cases, moving that case to adoption.  However, too many cases are continued indefinitely when distant relatives, with no true relationship with the child, enter (or are drawn into) the proceedings and delay placement.  This bill would define in statute what a distant relative is and when and how those relatives could be considered in the process. 

On April 9, foster care families and advocates will gather at the State House for an event, “Fostering Care,” to meet with legislators and staff and express their views on how to improve the system.  I will be participating in that event.  If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about it, please contact my office at 617 722-1206.

Foster children deserve to have their voices heard, and they and their families deserve a timely judicial process.   The straightforward statutory changes I have proposed have the potential to introduce more consistency, fairness and common sense into a very complicated system, all while improving efficiency and cost effectiveness. Most importantly, these changes will improve outcomes for children in the foster care system.

Time for some common sense budgeting - By Senator Katherine Clark - As Massachusetts begins its annual budget process, automatic, across-the-board federal budget cuts (so-called sequestration) are starting to hit funding for programs our families depend on, including college financial aid, work-study jobs, Head Start, services for the poor, public health efforts, law enforcement, and programs for our seniors. The gridlock and fiscal uncertainty in Washington puts even more pressure on state and local governments to fund and provide vital services, and to do so efficiently and effectively with limited resources. To do just that, we are moving forward with a common sense funding plan for the Commonwealth. With this budget process underway, I strongly encourage you to tune in and let your voice be heard. I have been discussing current and anticipated needs with small businesses, local officials and families throughout our district, and will advocate our shared priorities throughout the debate.

They include: Local aid and schools. My top priority is increased aid for cities and towns in our district and equitable funding for our public schools, including by moving every school district toward its target state aid level and supporting special education funding for students whose needs cannot be met within the public school system. This support is more important than ever, as our municipalities and school districts continue to provide vital services, our economy continues to recover, and federal funding remains uncertain. Investing in early education and care. Investing in early education is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase future academic achievement, support innovation and job creation, and decrease reliance on government services. We must ensure that early childhood programs are safe, high-quality and affordable to all families. Governor Patrick recently visited our district, meeting with young learners and their educators at the Franklin Early Childhood Center in Melrose.

I will continue to work with the Governor and my colleagues to support new investments in early education as well as income-eligible childcare subsidies for the thousands of families who are on waiting lists for these programs. Supporting our seniors. Economic uncertainty hits our seniors particularly hard, and many in our district need assistance for transportation, home care, heating their homes, and food. Senior Centers in our district provide meals, as well as valuable health, educational and recreational opportunities for many seniors who may be otherwise isolated. Mystic Valley Elder Services in Malden, that serves many communities, administers a program that serves 2,000 meals per day. Among my budget priorities are support for Elder Nutrition Services, including Meals on Wheels and meals served at Senior Centers, as well as home care programs that allow seniors to remain at home and receive care in the most effective way. Standing with our veterans.

Too many of our veterans are struggling with unemployment, homelessness and mental health issues. As we welcome home more veterans, we owe it to them to consider the quality and level of the services they deserve. This year I will advocate funding for two programs that serve veterans with education and job training, mental health, and benefits counseling services in our district: North Shore Veterans Counseling Services and the Train Vets to Treat Vets program. Transportation. It is time for our state to address its transportation challenges head-on, and to do so in a sustainable way. Throughout this budget debate and our current legislative session, transportation must remain a top priority. We must invest in a comprehensive, modern transportation network that includes all areas of the state and breaks our reliance on debt and emergency funding. Preserving a lifeline. It is critical that we maintain support for our most vulnerable citizens, including those with disabilities, homeless children and families, and those who are fleeing violence and abuse. During this budget cycle I will do all I can to provide funding for services, safe shelter and legal assistance for those who have nowhere else to turn. I have heard from people throughout our district that they see a clear link between continued economic growth and job creation and making the necessary investments in education, accessible and cost-effective health care, and human services. We must develop a budget that reflects our values and effectively and accountably invests our resources. 

Early Education and Care: A common sense investment By Senator Katherine Clark - When it comes to investing in early childhood education and care, we are at a crossroads. On the one hand, a broad consensus across the political, economic and academic spectrum has emerged in support of investment in our youngest learners.  At the same time, budget uncertainty and political gridlock impede our forward progress on this issue. We must move in the direction of investment, and doing so will be one of my top priorities as we debate the Commonwealth’s FY 2014 budget in the coming months.

In his State of the Union address last month, President Obama called for universal, high-quality pre-Kindergarten programs for all four year-olds.  This move is supported by many in the business community who link early education to our nation’s future economic competitiveness.  Ready Nation, a coalition of business leaders, supports early childhood policies and programs to strengthen our economy and workforce, arguing that “the foundation of many skills needed for 21st-century jobs is established in the earliest years.” Our nation’s military leaders recognize this as well.  The group Mission: Readiness, a nonpartisan national security organization of senior retired military leaders, has called for policymakers to ensure that we have a secure future, by “expanding high-quality early childhood education programs.”

The case is clear: the years between birth and age 5 are critical to brain development, and early education and child care programs provide opportunities not just for academic preparedness, but for social and emotional development as well. These programs benefit us all.  A growing body of research shows that children in high-quality preschool programs are much more likely to graduate from high school, get jobs, and pay taxes.  Just as importantly, they are 50 percent less likely to commit a crime.  And economists have quantified high rates of return for public investment in services for children under the age of five. 

These child care programs do something else as well: they allow parents to work, to provide for their families, and to contribute to the Commonwealth’s economic development.  But the truth is, far too many families can’t afford them.  We live in a state with some of the highest child care costs in the nation. Massachusetts is a national leader in early education and provides subsidies for child care to allow low-income parents to work or receive job training.  However, we have not increased funding for this vital program in two years, and we have not increased the amount of the subsidy provided in six years.  Consequently, tens of thousands of working families are on waiting lists to access care for their children.

Families in our communities depend on this program. Every month, on average, nearly 800 childcare subsidies are used in early education programs in our district.  Many more families qualify and could benefit but are waiting in line. This is not a tenable situation, and is compounded by the uncertain federal budget picture.  We must increase the funding for this program and also increase access to high-quality programs.  This means not only investing in child care vouchers, but also across our entire early education system, including our public schools.  This will be one of my top priorities as we move forward with budget discussions on Beacon Hill this spring. Investment in early education makes sense: as a state, we should put our money where it matters most. 

Looking Out for Our Seniors - By Senator Katherine Clark - Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that “the years teach much which the days never knew.” When we, as policymakers and taxpayers, make decisions affecting our seniors, we would do well to keep that sentiment in mind. As we start our budget discussions on Beacon Hill this month, the needs of our seniors will be front and center.  I will continue to advocate funding for local aid, transportation, elder nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels, home care services, and fuel assistance, all of which serve seniors in our communities. Like our funding decisions, our elder policies and regulations at all levels of government should be designed to honor a lifetime of hard work and contribution, and to help those who really need it, not to punish seniors who have always followed the rules. How we determine eligibility for public assistance (through MassHealth) for nursing home care is one such issue. Currently, when MassHealth determines an elderly individual’s eligibility for support for nursing home care, the agency is required to look back over the last five years of the person’s financial history to ensure that no assets were transferred for less than fair market value.  In other words, the agency must search for evidence that a person transferred assets to others – family members, churches, etc. – in the hopes of reducing his or her own net worth and therefore qualifying for public assistance at some point in the future. There is, of course, nothing wrong with this practice in theory.  MassHealth and all government agencies can and should be wary of any intentional schemes to defraud the taxpayers. However, in the case of the MassHealth “look-back” period, this often goes too far. Many people innocently make gifts to grandchildren or others without full knowledge of these rules, and without ever contemplating how those gifts may be interpreted should they suffer a catastrophic illness or emergency that requires immediate nursing home care.  Once that crisis strikes, they may find themselves ineligible. One problem with the current system is that there are no criteria in place for determining a person’s intent in making a transfer of assets. To remedy this situation, I have introduced legislation that would protect innocent seniors from ineligibility for MassHealth nursing home care. The bill would establish specific criteria that would be used to determine intent.  For example, a regular pattern of small gifts (to a grandchild, for example), donations to a religious institution, or a transfer of funds for an unexpected illness or financial crisis of a family member during the look-back period would not necessarily disqualify a person from eligibility. Instead, these types of transactions would shift the burden of proof to MassHealth to show that the transfer was made purely to qualify for benefits. This minor change can have a profound impact on a family.  A family facing a health crisis for an aging parent or grandparent should not have to contend with arcane rules that do not reflect the intent of the financial decisions that their loved one made years earlier.  And it should not take expensive legal representative to sort it all out.  This is a common sense solution for families and seniors; it is one of many policy changes that we need to allow our seniors to continue to live their lives with dignity. 

Online Voter Registration: Accuracy, Efficiency, Fairness - By Senator Katherine Clark - This session I have introduced legislation to bring online voter registration to the Commonwealth. This bill would allow citizens to complete an affidavit of registration online to register to vote or update their voter information.  At present, registration forms are available at City or Town Clerk’s Offices, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or other registration site, and online (as a PDF) per the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The online forms must be filled out, printed, signed and mailed to a local election official. Under an online system, every citizen with a Massachusetts ID Card or Driver’s License, who is eligible to vote, could register online.  The online affidavit will use the citizen’s signature from the records of the Registry of Motor Vehicles. 

If a citizen does not have a Massachusetts ID or Driver’s License, that individual would be required to print out and mail the form after signing it.  This bill would not alter any registration deadline or qualification of voting. Nor would it prohibit in-person registration.  Also included in the bill is a provision to expand the voter registration “look-up” tool, currently available to some Massachusetts residents, including in the City of Boston. This would help voters to verify their address, voting status (active/inactive), party affiliation and polling location.

Other states have successfully implemented online voter registration systems over the past decade, starting with Arizona in 2002.  Since then, 12 other states – including California, Oregon, South Carolina, and Maryland – have done the same, and three more have passed legislation that they are in the process of implementing. These states have realized the many benefits of an online system, including cost savings and more accurate and timely voter information.  In 2010, the Pew Center on the States commissioned researchers to evaluate the implementation and usage of online voter registration in Arizona and Washington, two early adopters. The studies found that online voter registration: saves money compared to traditional paper processes, could increase the accuracy of voter lists, streamlines the registration process for election officials, and has popular public support. For example, the researchers found that in Arizona’s most populous county, Maricopa County, it costs an average of three cents to process an online application compared to an average of 83 cents per paper application. Online registration also may encourage voter participation, particularly among young people.  A recent study from the University of California Davis found that after online voter registration became available in California, approximately half of all voter registrations came via this method, with voters ages 18-24 taking greatest advantage of the online system. There are now two million young registrants in California, an increase of about 14 percent since 2008. Online voting registration makes good sense – from a fiscal perspective as well as a good government one.  But most importantly, it will effectively and securely facilitate the process of voting in the Commonwealth.   

Clark to Chair Judiciary Committee - Posted by Joe Cassia 2/5/2013 - Senator Katherine Clark has been named the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary for the new legislative session. Senate President Therese Murray made the announcement on Jan 31st. Senator Clark also was named Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.  Senator Clark previously served as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue and led a comprehensive review of the Commonwealth’s tax expenditure system. The Judiciary Committee is charged with considering all legislation relating to crimes, penalties and sentencing, as well as to the courts and probation system.  Senator Clark has extensive experience as a prosecutor and in the office of the Attorney General, and as a legislator she has worked to strengthen the state’s domestic violence laws, support local law enforcement and protect our communities. “I am honored to receive this appointment,” Senator Clark said. “The Judiciary Committee will tackle a number of important issues during this session, including sex offender registry reform, civil rights, gun trafficking, and our juvenile justice system.  These issues directly affect our communities and improve our public safety, and we are moving forward to address them.” Senate President Murray said, “Senator Clark did an outstanding job as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue and successfully took on the complicated task of studying the state’s tax expenditures as a core member of the Tax Expenditure Commission. She is committed and hard-working, and has extensive experience as an attorney. Senator Clark has taken on many of our toughest issues since she joined the Senate and I’m confident that she will continue to work with the same level of dedication in her new role as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.”

Safe and Supportive Schools for All Students - By Senator Katherine Clark - It seems like a simple enough idea: if all children are to learn and achieve to their full potential, they need a safe and supportive school environment. But ensuring such an environment for all students is no easy feat. Indeed, school districts often struggle with how to implement, in a comprehensive and consistent way, a whole range of important behavioral health initiatives, including drop-out and truancy prevention programs, anti-bullying training, trauma sensitivity programs, and support for social and emotional development. This is a lot to ask of our teachers but they embrace it, as they do with every aspect of learning. They do so because they know better than anyone that educating a child means helping him or her to grow and thrive academically, physically, socially and emotionally. Our teachers and administrators also know that today too many children face far too much exposure to stress at home, trauma and violence. As the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has concluded, “Too many students with behavioral health challenges are doing poorly in school. Some are missing school, failing tests, falling behind, and eventually dropping out. Others experience punitive responses and are suspended or expelled in record numbers. Research tells us that behavioral health is intricately connected to academic, social, and emotional success at school.” We know that children cannot effectively learn if they are feeling threatened or scared or if underlying behavioral or emotional challenges go unacknowledged or unaddressed. Our schools deserve our help in addressing this challenge. To assist districts in developing and implementing a more effective, inclusive approach to safe and supportive school environments, I have introduced legislation to help schools integrate services and align all the programs that promote students’ behavioral health and improve education outcomes. An Act relative to safe and supportive schools would require all schools, by 2016, to develop action plans for creating positive learning environments using the Safe and Supportive Schools Framework and Self-Assessment Tool, provided by the Massachusetts DESE. This behavioral health framework already exists, and in fact is being utilized successfully in some areas, including in the Reading Public School District. These tools are designed to help school districts organize, integrate and sustain efforts to create safe and supportive environments, while also giving them the ability to assess their current strengths and unique challenges. In addition, the bill provides support for school districts to implement this framework, including trainings and technical assistance, on-going recommendations from a commission of experts, and a grant program for schools that serve as models for implementation. This bill has received wide-spread endorsement from teachers, parents, school psychologists, school nurses, physicians, children’s health advocates, and experts in the field of child development. The bottom line is this: more supportive school environments will help all students learn and achieve. That’s something we all can support. 

Clark, Leone, Brodeur, Wong Announce Legislative Action to Protect Our Communities - Posted by Joe Cassia 1/23/2013 - Senator Katherine Clark, working closely with Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, Representative Paul Brodeur, Representative Donald Wong and Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith, today announced legislative action to strengthen the Commonwealth's sex offender registry system, make more information available to the public, and promote communication among the state agencies with a shared responsibility to protect children and ensure the safety of childcare facilities. In December, a Wakefield man was charged with 100 counts of child abuse and sexual assault involving very young children.  The case highlighted the need to strengthen the Commonwealth's laws and regulations to help prevent these horrific crimes in the future. Senator Clark filed a comprehensive bill, An Act to protect our communities (SD1613), in the Massachusetts State Senate on January 18, 2013.  Representatives Brodeur and Wong filed corresponding legislation (HD3309) in the House of Representatives. "We must strengthen our system of oversight of convicted sex offenders and ensure that citizens, local law enforcement and relevant state agencies have better access to the information they need to keep our kids safe," said Senator Clark. "This bill is thoughtful, thorough and fair, and we have worked closely with District Attorney Leone and local police departments to ensure that it will make a real difference in our communities." Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone praised the bipartisan legislation, saying, "We are grateful that Senator Clark and the Legislature see child protection as the priority that the Middlesex District Attorney's Office does, and have acted quickly on this as a bipartisan effort to serve and protect our communities and the most vulnerable amongst us.  This legislation will clarify and strengthen laws regarding the Sex Offender Registry Board and the classification of sex offenders.  It allows for inter-agency coordination of efforts, by lending clarity to the ability to share information, as well as to the rules and procedures for sex offender classification, while strengthening the public notification element of the classification process." "We remain committed to doing all that we can to protect children, and will continue to do all within our power to prevent and punish those who engage in the abuse and exploitation of children," said Leone. Representative Paul Brodeur said, "In light of recent events, it is clear we need to reexamine our Sex Offender Registry system. I am pleased to be working with Senator Clark and District Attorney Leone on this important piece of legislation which will provide better oversight of offenders and will allow the public to have better access to more useful information. This bill ensures that families are able to make informed decisions about who they are entrusting the care of their loved ones to." Wakefield Chief of Police Rick Smith added, "The Burbine case has brought to light many things, including enabling us to look at the statutes surrounding sex offenders and their classification.  Our goal is that by working cooperatively, we will be able to change the current legislation calling for better oversight of convicted sex offenders thus ensuring our children and other potential victims are protected."

An Act to Protect Our Communities will:

• Empower the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) to reclassify offenders on its own initiative or upon written request by a District Attorney or police department. 
• Ensure that the Board has access to all relevant information necessary to determine an offender's level of risk and clarify what types of incidents are to be reported. 
• Make Level 1 sex offender information publicly available via an in-person request at local police departments.
• Strengthen interagency communication by providing direct access to registry information for agencies responsible for ensuring child safety, and develop a formal, interagency process for sharing information that may have bearing on the reclassification of a sex offender.
• Change the definition of sex offense involving a child to include the crime of possession of child pornography.
• Create a rebuttable presumption that a sex offender convicted of a sex offense involving a child will be designated a Level 2 offender.
• Make information about licensing history of childcare facilities publically available online. 

For more information and/or media requests, please contact Jessica Leitz, Chief of Staff to Senator Katherine Clark at 617 722-1206. 

Supporting Kids who Have Nowhere to Turn - By Katherine Clark - Posted by Joe Cassia 1/14/2013 - “Unaccompanied homeless youth” is a term too clinical for what it actually describes. Technically, it refers to a homeless person under the age of 22 living without adult supervision.  In practical terms, we are talking about our kids, homeless, on the streets, with no adults to care for them or protect them. These young people face daunting challenges related to housing, education, violence, substance abuse and medical care. According to the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, which studies issues of homelessness, these teens are at higher risk for violence, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, disease, and sexual victimization. Some turn to crime, and many struggle with drug and alcohol dependency.  
For many reasons, it is difficult to obtain accurate data about the extent of this challenge, but the Appleseed Center reports that the number of unaccompanied homeless youth could be higher than 1.6 million nationally.  In Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education estimates that nearly 6,000 high school students are homeless with no guardian.  And those numbers are much higher when we consider the thousands of teens who have dropped out of school completely. Compounding this problem is a legal, regulatory and shelter system that does not adequately meet the needs of these children and young adults.  
As a first step to understanding and addressing youth homelessness, the legislature passed a bill last summer to establish the Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Commission. I was recently appointed to this Commission, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this effort to develop common sense recommendations to better serve these young people.  
One of the programs I will be looking to as a model is Rediscovery’s YouthHarbors that began as a pilot program at Malden High School in 2009.  YouthHarbors serves homeless Malden High School students and helps find them local housing quickly. It supports the students with academic help, employment assistance, and mental health counseling, and matches them with adults who are committed to the students and act as mentors.  Within the first year, 96% of YouthHarbors’ students were stably housed and graduated or were on track to graduate high school.
The Commission will make recommendations to the legislature later this year, and I will work to ensure that these recommendations address the many facets of this challenge, including shelter, schooling, physical health and safety, and mental health services.  We can make a difference in the lives of these young people and provide them with opportunities and a brighter future, and that is a great benefit to us all.

Clark Announces 70th Citizens' Legislative Seminar in March - Invites Constituents to Come Learn the Legislative Process - posted by Joe Cassia 1/14/2013 - Senator Katherine Clark announced today that the 70th Citizens' Legislative Seminar (CLS) will be held this spring on Tuesday, March 12th and Wednesday, March 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State House. “Several constituents have taken advantage of this seminar in the past and found it tremendously informative,” said Clark. “I encourage anyone who is interested in the legislative process to consider attending.” “The Citizens’ Legislative Seminar is a hands-on experience that allows residents from across the Commonwealth to learn about the legislative process, how bills are heard, debated and passed, and to gain a unique perspective of state government,” said Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth). “I always look forward to the Seminar and I hope everyone can take advantage of this great opportunity.” CLS is a citizen seminar that aims to better educate the public on the Commonwealth’s legislative process. Established in 1976 through a collaborative effort of the Massachusetts Senate and the University of Massachusetts, this two-day seminar features presentations by Senators and staff on aspects of the day-to-day experience of legislators in the Commonwealth. Topics will include the history and process of the Legislature, the parliamentary role of the Clerk of the Senate and the future of the Legislature. The CLS culminates with a simulated legislative hearing and Senate session where participants are invited to use what they have learned and participate as “Senators” in the Senate Chamber in order to have a first-hand experience of the legislative process. All residents in the 5th Middlesex district are invited to contact Senator Clark’s office at 617-722-1206 by Monday, February 4th in order to be nominated by Senator Clark. Participation is on a first come, first serve basis.

A Season for Community by Katherine Clark - Posted by Joe Cassia 12/18/2012 - How do we celebrate in times like these? - This is a question many of us are asking ourselves and our loved ones. Last Friday’s horror in Newtown, Connecticut stands in sharp contrast to the warm scenes of holiday joy and togetherness that permeate our communities and our homes at this time of year. The fact that this act of shocking violence occurred during the holidays, a time of such joy for so many children, adds to the heartbreak. At times of such devastating, national grief, it can be difficult to come together and enjoy the holidays without guilt or aching sadness. But that is what we must do. While we process our own confusion and anxiety and help our children do the same, we have another challenge as well: to be present to what is truly important – our families and loved ones, our communities, and the welfare of all the children in our community. The magic of the holidays transcends our religious beliefs, politics, and differences and draws our focus to one simple question: how do we treat each other?  As President Obama said, we owe it to the memory of these children and their courageous teachers to build a world worthy of their lives. We honor all those lost when we reach out to those in need.  Whether it is a veteran, an isolated senior, a child, an unemployed neighbor, or anyone who is suffering, sick or alone; there are many who need our help and support. We honor our communities when we approach our politics with mutual respect and compassion. We must change the caustic tone of our public debate to solve our nation’s most intractable problems, including those tragically illuminated in Newtown such as gun control, our mental health system, and school security. The greatest gift we can give this holiday season is to renew our commitment to each other, our shared values and civil dialogue. All children deserve our best efforts to look past our own fence posts, drop our rigid ideology and move to common, and therefore higher, ground. We will move forward together; it is the hallmark of our community.  As we do, I wish you and your families much joy, good health and peace in your hearts and your homes. 

Protecting our Children by Katherine Clark - Posted by Joe Cassia 12/10/2012 - Last week, a Wakefield man was charged with 100 counts of child abuse and sexual assault involving very young children. These hideous allegations are deeply disturbing.  Our primary concern is for the children and their families and providing them with the support and help they will need. At the same time, we also must examine how we can strengthen our system to prevent the exploitation and abuse of children and other vulnerable populations. To assess the need for changes in our laws, I have been working with Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, local law enforcement, and the Wakefield legislative delegation to examine our system of classifying sexual offenders and notifying the public about offenders in our communities.  Categorizing Sex Offenders:  Currently, sex offenders are categorized into three levels: Level 1 is considered the least dangerous and Level 3 the most likely to reoffend.  Public information is only available for offenders classified as Level 2 or 3.  Although the defendant in the Wakefield case had prior convictions of indecent assault and battery on a child, he was classified as a Level 1 sex offender, thus shielding his information from the public. We are closely reviewing the current categories to determine if the classification criteria should be adjusted to improve public safety. In addition, we are researching whether the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) should be allowed to consider a substantiated report of abuse – even if it does not result in a conviction – in reclassifying an offender to a higher level of threat. Increasing Licensing Agency’s Access to Sex Offender Registry Information:  We have a robust system of licensing child care providers in Massachusetts that includes extensive background checks.  Currently, however, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) cannot obtain registry information on sex offenders. While no system of background checks will screen out all potential criminals, allowing EEC access to this sex offender registry information would provide an important additional safeguard. Look for the License:  A great start to finding an educational, high quality and safe child care environment is to make sure that your child care provider is properly licensed. The Massachusetts EEC maintains a searchable web site to locate licensed child care providers in your area at www.mass.gov/eec. In addition, EEC will provide the licensing history of a child care provider over the phone to help parents gain a better understanding of the program and staff.  Many other states have child care licensing histories available online for parents to access easily, and Massachusetts also should provide this information on its website. In addition, parents should always ask for references and be wary of any program or person that tries to restrict access to your child during any time of the day.  As we consider these changes to our laws and regulations, we must do so thoughtfully and carefully.  This horrible case raises far more questions than answers, but we must continue to vigorously enforce our regulations, examine the system overall, and make changes that better protect our children, vulnerable adults and our communities.   

Join the Conversation: Building a Modern, Sustainable Transportation System - by Katherine Clark - Posted by Joe Cassia 12/3/2012 - Massachusetts needs a public transportation system that is sustainable for the long-term with sufficient capital to keep fares reasonable, expand routes, modernize our infrastructure, and improve services.  Unfortunately, our current system comes up short. In 2007, the Mass Transportation Finance Commission outlined the problems and untenable funding models that our system relied on. While reforms have been made, we still must look at the entire system – from highways and bridges to buses and subways – and consider how we can efficiently operate and pay for a transportation network that truly meets the Commonwealth’s needs now and into the future. A recent report from Northeastern University’s Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy underscores the continued need for change.  It found that our system is “neither well maintained nor sustainably funded,” and that while travel patterns reflect relatively lower amounts of driving and greater amounts of public transit use than in many areas of the country, access is not distributed evenly across communities.  Equity is a challenge, along with affordability and environmental sustainability.  As the group Public Transit-Public Good has pointed out, in addition to connecting workers to their jobs and customers to businesses, public transit reduces air pollution and related illnesses, connects families to vital health services, and can increase civic engagement and community cohesion. MassINC, a non-partisan research organization, has concluded that Massachusetts is at a “crossroads” in how we operate and finance our transportation network and that the “rationale for investing in public transit as a regional economic development strategy is exceptionally strong.” Recognizing that a comprehensive and sustainable solution is imperative, the legislature has required the board of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to develop a long-term transportation financing plan. That planning is well underway, and I strongly encourage you to be a part of it.  Our transportation system is just that: ours.  Whether we are commuters, business owners, students or seniors who rely on public transit, we all share in the benefits of an efficient, effective network, and we all need to be part of the long-term solution. To ensure an open and transparent planning process, MassDOT is gathering information from residents across the state, and held a series of 17 Public Information Meetings this fall.  You can learn more at: www.massdot.state.ma.us.    MassDOT’s goal is “to determine what we can we afford – both now and in the future – and how we pay for the roads, bridges, transit, bikeways, and more that residents of the Commonwealth want.”  Among the revenue proposals that have been suggested are open highway tolling, more efficient fare collection, distance based fares, regionally based revenues, gas tax increases, increased fares and service cuts, and selling naming rights for some MBTA stations.  You are encouraged to submit comments via email at: yourvisionourfuture@dot.state.ma.us. I am very interested in your views on this issue.  In addition to submitting your comments directly to MassDOT, I encourage you to email me as well at: katherine.clark@masenate.gov.  Getting our transportation system on solid ground for a vibrant future is in our district’s best interest.  There are significant challenges before us, but we must move forward with planning the public transportation system of the future. 

Health Policy Commission: Better Health Care, Lower Costs - by Katherine Clark - Posted by Joe Cassia 11/26/2012 - When it comes to health care reform, the greatest challenge we face is reducing the growth in costs while improving health care quality and patient care. In many ways, Massachusetts leads the nation in tackling this challenge.  The Commonwealth enacted the first universal health care coverage law in 2006.  As a result, 98 percent of Massachusetts residents are now insured, with nearly 100 percent of children and seniors covered. Following that landmark 2006 law, the legislature enacted additional reforms in 2008 to enhance primary care access and e-health initiatives and in 2010 to help individuals and small businesses reduce the costs of health insurance plans. But with health spending projected to double by 2020, we can and must do more to control rising costs. Last summer, the legislature took another major step forward, completing work on a comprehensive health care financing bill that for the first time establishes a statewide health care cost growth goal pegged to the growth in the state’s overall economy. Meeting this goal will result in an estimated $200 billion in savings in the health care industry over the next 15 years, that will be passed on to businesses, municipalities and Massachusetts families who are struggling with rising premiums and other costs. The new law also increases access to essential care services, encourages new payment models, demands more transparency and accountability, and makes historic investments in prevention and wellness efforts, including through a tax credit for businesses that implement recognized workplace wellness programs. An important component of the law is the establishment of the Health Policy Commission, an independent agency to monitor the reform of the health care delivery and payment systems and develop new policies.  The Commission met for the first time on November 16 at the State House and is comprised of physicians, leaders in the health care industry, health policy economists and public health experts, including the Chairman Dr. Stuart Altman, a leading health economist at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. 

This Holiday Season, Shop Local - by Katherine Clark - As we begin the holiday season, we all have much to look forward to: festive community events, beautiful religious observances, and time to gather with family and friends.  And, the start of the season also brings the inevitable slew of catalogs, emails and ads to entice our holiday shopping dollars.  As you plan your holiday shopping this year, I hope you will consider our local small businesses. November 24 is “Small Business Saturday,” a day dedicated to highlighting the millions of local, small businesses across the country.  According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses in Massachusetts account for nearly 48 percent of our private sector jobs in a wide range of sectors like retail, restaurants, construction, information technology, real estate and professional services. As importantly, our local small businesses demonstrate that outstanding customer service, superior product and industry knowledge, and a strong commitment to community are the best recipe for success.  They offer very competitive pricing and most give back directly to our communities by hiring our friends and neighbors and donating to our schools, our sports leagues and our charitable organizations. You can learn more by visiting the web sites of our local Chambers of Commerce, some of which offer holiday shopping events and also sell gift certificates that can be used at many local businesses. These make great gifts for teachers and other important people in our lives. It is also true that our smaller retailers are facing direct competition from national chain stores and virtual outlets like Amazon.  We want all businesses to succeed, whether they are online or brick-and-mortar.  But we also should think about what our spending decisions might mean for the retailers in our communities. As Vice Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Community Development, I will continue to work on state programs and policies that best support our local businesses.  I hope you will join me in considering the great value of shopping locally on November 24 and throughout the year. 

Malden's Callahan recognized with STEM grant - Commonwealth Covenant Fund Provides Funding to Offset Higher Ed Loans - Posted by Joe Cassia Oct 24, 2012 - Treasurer Steven Grossman honored 17 recent Massachusetts graduates who were awarded $5,000 grants through the state’s Commonwealth Covenant Fund (CCF) recently.  Malden resident William Callahan was one of those honored at a State House ceremony last week. The CCF helps students who attended Massachusetts public colleges and universities pay down their education loans if they pursue careers in the science, technology, education, or math – or STEM – fields. Senator Katherine Clark (D-Middlesex & Essex) attended the event. “The Commonwealth Covenant Fund is an innovative and effective means to help ensure that our top-notch talent educated in Massachusetts stays in Massachusetts,” said Clark.  “Bill Callahan sets a wonderful example for our students planning to commit themselves to careers in dynamic fields that will not only support, but also enhance the state’s innovation economy.” The CCF was established in 2007 to make college loan repayment grants targeted at individuals in the STEM fields.  To be considered for a grant, an individual must have graduated from a Massachusetts public institution of higher education, have graduated after December 1, 2007, and have worked in a STEM profession in Massachusetts for at least one year.  A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 is also required of applicants. A 2009 graduate of Worcester State College, Callahan studied biology and now works as an analytical chemist associate at Metabolix, Inc. “STEM careers drive our innovation and competitiveness in Massachusetts and it’s important that we continue to support initiatives like the Commonwealth Covenant Fund that support our students who are interested in STEM fields and want to work in Massachusetts,” said Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth), who kicked off the event. Callahan was one of 17 recipients able to attend the ceremony. In all, 37 recent graduates received the $5,000 grants, totalling $185,000.  The grants were awarded by the CCF Board, which includes community-oriented individuals, many with backgrounds in education. 

Preventing Domestic Violence in our Communities - by Katherine Clark - Posted by Joe Cassia 10/19/2012 - October is domestic violence awareness month, a time to reflect on the lives of those lost to violence and recommit ourselves to working together on prevention and to support survivors and their families. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (2011), more than one-third of women (35.6%) and more than one-quarter of men (28.5%) in the United States report experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Research has also shown that as the severity of violence increases, women are disproportionately affected. Women are victimized in 85% of nonfatal intimate partner violence crimes, and women make up 70% of domestic violence-related homicides, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. It is clear that relationship violence affects all communities and people of all backgrounds and income levels. As Dr. Rachel Latta, a psychologist at the U.S. Veterans Administration who lives in our district, has described in her research, military families and veterans also confront domestic violence, which can be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and substance abuse. No community is immune. The severity of the challenge requires a multifaceted response to prevent violence, effectively prosecute and treat offenders, and lower the barriers that victims face when trying to leave dangerous environments. This includes continually examining our laws to ensure that we are doing all we can to prevent violence and support victims. This summer Governor Patrick signed into law important measures to allow pets to be included in protective orders in cases of domestic violence, helping to remove another barrier that victims face when trying to leave an abusive environment. Local students Rebecca Davis (of Stoneham) and Emily Marget worked hard to get this bill passed, and I thank them for their efforts. In addition, we know that in some domestic violence cases, offenders strangle their partners as a form of control and power. I am continuing to work with District Attorneys and my fellow legislators on a bill that would establish an independent offense of strangulation and suffocation punishable by up to 5 years in prison and allow for greater punishment (up to 10 years in prison) for aggravating factors, including if serious bodily injury is caused, if the victim is pregnant, or if restraining orders are active at the time of the assault. Even as we strengthen our laws, we know that prevention and training are two of the best tools we have to break the cycle of violence. Many organizations and individuals in our district are actively working to raise awareness and prevent violence. Our local Alliances Against Violence are such organizations, and I'm proud to support their ongoing efforts to reduce relationship violence in our communities. I will be participating in the 17th Annual Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) Walk & Candlelight Vigil on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 4:00 pm, starting and ending at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School. The event raises awareness about domestic violence and funds to support outreach and prevention programs. This year, First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick will be honored for her work to prevent and end domestic violence. Please join us for this family-friendly, two-mile walk as we "Step Up. Speak Out. Stand Together." The walk is MAAV's biggest fundraiser, and the goal is to involve 50 teams and 500 participants and raise $30,000. You can learn more at MAAV.org, or make a donation online at FirstGiving.com/MAAV. In October and throughout the year, I hope we continue to take action to prevent and speak up about violence in our communities, assist and support survivors, and strengthen our laws to effectively prosecute these crimes and keep families safe. 

Too Many Go Hungry - by Katherine Clark - Posted by Joe Cassia 9/10//2012 - “In the last 12 months, did any of the children ever skip a meal because there wasn’t enough money for food?” This is just one in a series of questions that are used by USDA researchers to determine how many American families are facing hunger. And too often, the answer to this type of question is yes. According to the most recent USDA report, released this month, nearly 15% of American families are confronting food insecurity, meaning they have had inconsistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. In Massachusetts the number is about 11.9%.  
Those facing hunger are our neighbors, our friends, our seniors, and our co-workers: and far too many are children. September is National Hunger Action Month, a time to highlight their struggle and do our part to help. 
The Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, distributing nearly 35 million pounds of food last year and serving eastern Massachusetts, including our district.  The GBFB continues to see an increase in the number of families seeking assistance. The state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) has seen an increasing caseload as well. 
And many more households in Massachusetts who earn too much to qualify for assistance are still facing food insecurity.  In the fiscal year 2013 budget, I was pleased to support an increase for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), providing a total of $13,000,000.  You can learn more about state food assistance programs at: www.mass.gov/snap. 
Those in need truly depend on religious and community organizations, and we are fortunate to have many in our district. In Malden, Bread of Life is a volunteer organization that serves thousands, in collaboration with a network of religious and community partners.  In 2011, Bread of Life provided 891,000 meals through grocery delivery to senior citizens, food delivery to homeless families sheltered in local motels, evening meals four nights per week, and food pantries for residents of Malden, Melrose, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester and Reading.
You can learn more about their efforts at www.thebreadoflifeonline.org.  While you are there, you can register for the 20th Annual Bread of Life Walk for Bread, a 5K fun run and walk being held on September 30, 2012 at beautiful Pine Banks Park.
Many other organizations in our district actively serve those who are hungry. Hundreds of families in Melrose and surrounding communities are served by Melrose’s two food pantries:  Pantry of Hope, which is run by the First Baptist Church; and A Servant’s Heart, based at the Faith Evangelical Church with support from St. Mary’s Church and many community members.  The Stoneham Food Pantry at the First Congregational Church provides emergency food supplies to residents of Stoneham and surrounding towns.  The Reading Food Pantry operates in collaboration with the Reading Clergy Association and is located at Old South United Methodist Church. EMARC, also in Reading, operates a food pantry for low income people with developmental disabilities.  And the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry, a volunteer organization, is located in the Americal Civic Center.  In addition, Gathering Change, a Lynnfield-based organization supports local food pantries and social programs in our communities and beyond.
Please consider reaching out to one of these service organizations to see how you can help, during Hunger Action Month and throughout the year.  These organizations – and the thousands of families they serve – deserve our support.
 

The Legacy of September 11th: Stronger Communities - Each year at this time we commemorate a day seared on our collective memory: September 11, 2001.  Our memories of that tragic day bring up many emotions. On the one hand, we remember the fear, anguish and overwhelming sadness. We remember the grief we felt for the thousands of men, women and children killed or injured.  And for those in our community who lost family members and dear friends, the horror remains even more personal.  Their lives were irreparably changed in a moment and will never be the same. But we also recall the heroism of that time: the first responders and everyday citizens who, without hesitating, risked injury – and even gave their lives – to save others.  We remember them too.  And we remember the sense of community, charity and patriotism that swept across our cities and towns, our state and our nation. Sometimes, in the intervening eleven years of war and economic difficulty, it has seemed difficult to hold on to that side of our memories. But I believe that doing so is the most enduring legacy of September 11th.   In many ways it continues to be our greatest challenge: embracing that spirit and truly dedicating ourselves to policies and actions that build a stronger, safer, more compassionate, more just and more equal American community. To be sure, this is no easy task in the face of continued war, economic hardship and fiscal constraint.  Nor is it assuaged by the sometimes caustic level of our political discourse.  But we cannot become discouraged.  Based on what I see everyday in our district, I do not believe we are. Our remembrance is not only demonstrated by commemorative events, but also by the improvement and expansion of veteran services we have seen throughout our district to support all those who served and their families. This weekend and next, our community spirit will also be celebrated in a series of annual events and festivals.  This Saturday, September 8, hundreds of walkers will gather on the Wakefield Common for the 11th annual Walk of Hope for ALS around Lake Quannapowitt.  On Sunday, September 9, EMARC will host its 17th annual 5K walk/run to support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. On the same day, Melrose will hold its annual Victorian Fair and Reading residents will come together for the Fall Street Faire.  The following weekend, September 15, brings Stoneham Town Day and Malden’s Harvest Moon Festival. These wonderful community events, juxtaposed with our commemorations of September 11, are two reflections of the same, powerful American spirit: we honor those we lost, and we will never forget; and at the same time, we move forward – together.   

Support for Premature Infants and their Families - Each year in the United States, about 500,000 babies are born preterm, meaning they are born before the 37th week of pregnancy.  In Massachusetts, about 160 babies are born prematurely every week, accounting for nearly 11 percent of all live births. Last week Governor Patrick signed a bill that I sponsored to provide cost effective solutions to improve the care of these premature infants and support their families. Thankfully, most babies born prematurely receive the care they need to grow and thrive.  But many can face serious health consequences – not only in the days and weeks after birth, but throughout their lives.  Children born prematurely face an increased risk of developmental challenges, infection, respiratory problems, as well as long-term complications associated with growth, nutrition and learning.  We know that many premature infants spend weeks and even months in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) receiving very specialized services.  But unfortunately, when a child is ready to be discharged, parents do not always receive the instructions and information they require.  In many cases, the discharge instructions and follow-up care they do receive is not standardized. The result is that follow-up care and standard-of-care practices of health care providers may vary across the state, especially for what are referred to as late-preterm infants (those children born between 34-36 weeks gestational age).  Without organized discharge plans, premature babies are more likely to experience gaps in health care and medical complications that can require hospitalization.  To help address this challenge, I sponsored An Act Relative to Premature Infant Hospital Discharge and Quality Improvement that was signed into law by the Governor last week.  This new law aims to standardize the care that premature infants receive after they leave a hospital setting and empower their parents with more information. This legislation requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop standardized procedures for hospital discharge and follow-up care for premature infants born less than 37 weeks gestational age and ensure coordinated processes are followed as these babies leave the hospital.  It also will require DPH to submit an annual report to the legislature that uses existing perinatal databases to analyze the rehospitalizations of premature infants and to make recommendations to improve health outcomes.  This is not only good for the health of the children, but will also reduce costly hospital readmissions. This new law received the strong support of leading advocates and health experts across the state, including the Massachusetts Hospital Association, Jewish Family & Children’s Service, and the March of Dimes.  It represents a positive step forward, as we work together to improve the delivery of health care and ensure that premature infants have a healthy start. 

Back to School - by Katherine Clark - Many of our students will be heading back to school this week or next. Whether your child is off to pre-K or to high school – or anywhere in between – the first day of school is always full of excitement and hope for a year of achievement, growth and fun! As our children go back to school, we all must come together with one goal in mind: to operate and support a school system that allows every child to reach his or her true potential. This is a daunting challenge in times of fiscal restraint, but important progress has been made.  During the 187th legislative session that came to a close on July 31, the state legislature took several key steps to put in place the policy and budget support we need to realize this goal.

Budget Prioritizes Education Funding - The $32.5 billion state operating budget for fiscal year 2013 boosts investments in the three largest sources of direct state aid to municipalities and school districts: local aid, Chapter 70 education funding, and the Special Education Circuit Breaker. Specifically, the plan directs $5.7 billion in state revenues back to cities and towns for spending at the local level, a $288.9 million increase over FY 2012 projected spending. It increases Chapter 70 education funding to $4.17 billion, an increase of $180.3 million, ensuring that all school districts receive at least an additional $40 per pupil in aid. Most notably, this budget also includes $16.8 million to be targeted toward dozens of communities, including Stoneham and Wakefield, facing inequities based on the Chapter 70 funding formula.

Important Reforms: Education Collaboratives - This year the legislature enacted reforms to increase the oversight and accountability of the Commonwealth’s education collaboratives that help teach children with special needs. The action came after investigations by the state auditor and inspector general uncovered a serious misuse of funding at the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative. Among other provisions, the bill creates clear requirements for board members and staff and prohibits board members from receiving a salary and from serving in any official capacity at a related nonprofit organization.

Strengthening Early Literacy - Third grade reading proficiency is a major indicator of future educational success, including high school graduation. But Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) reading scores show that nearly 40 percent of third graders in the Commonwealth are reading at a level below proficiency.  To address this challenge, I introduced legislation, along with Representative Marty Walz, aimed at strengthening third grade reading proficiency through the Massachusetts Early Reading Council.  This important legislation comes as Massachusetts was selected, earlier this year, to receive a $50 million grant to expand pre-Kindergarten education.  As part of the federal Race to the Top: Early Learning Challenge program, Massachusetts was one of nine states awarded grants to develop new approaches to early learning and close the school readiness gap.

After School Council - The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time determined that, to ensure that after school programming remains a priority for policy makers in Massachusetts, the creation of an After School and Out of School Time (ASOST) council was a core component for success.  The goal of the council is to bring together leaders within state government, local government, and community based organization to create and advocate for a state-wide after-school and out of school time agenda.  The members of the council would include representatives of public education, public safety, parents, and youth.  By creating a permanent high-level forum for all relevant stake-holders to contribute to policy making and program oversight we can ensure that high quality after school and out of school time programming is accessible and affordable throughout the Commonwealth. 

Emergency Response - During a sudden cardiac arrest (or SCA), the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.  A SCA is different from a heart attack and can strike without warning. The American Heart Association reports an estimated 295,000 occurrences of SCA (outside of hospitals) every year. We know from tragic stories of young athletes experiencing sudden cardiac arrest that the availability of portable AEDs – automated external defibrillators – is a matter of life and death.  These devices need to be where the students, spectators and players are – not only in nurses’ offices and locked in school buildings.  An Act Relative to Emergency Response Plans for Schools, signed into law in April, will help to make sure this occurs.  Among other provisions, the bill will require every school in the state to have a written medical emergency response plan to reduce the incidence of these life-threatening emergencies and promote efficient responses if they do occur.  Ensuring that all students have access to the highest quality education is an opportunity we all share.  And I look forward to continuing to work with you to advance this most important priority. 

Massachusetts Leads Again in Health Care with First-In-Nation Payment Reform Bill - The Legislature has completed work on a framework of nation-leading health care reforms, sending to the Governor a comprehensive, landmark cost-control bill estimated to save the Commonwealth $200 billion over the next 15 years while improving the quality of care. The bill comes at a crucial time as health spending is projected to double from 2009 to 2020, outpacing both inflation and growth in the overall economy, while Massachusetts residents and businesses continue to struggle with increasing premiums and other health care costs. "Massachusetts is a national leader in healthcare coverage, and this bill will save an estimated $200 billion in health care costs over the next 15 years which is critical to the Commonwealth's long-term economic competitiveness and to the health and wellness of our families," said Senator Katherine Clark (D-Melrose).  "This comprehensive bill will reduce the growth in healthcare costs while also improving health care quality and patient care.  It increases access to essential care services, encourages new payment models, demands more transparency and accountability, and makes historic investments in prevention and wellness efforts." The legislation establishes a statewide health care cost growth benchmark for the health care industry equal to the potential growth of the state's gross state product (GSP) from years 2013 to 2017, then dropping it 0.5 percent below potential GSP from 2018 to 2022 and back to potential GSP for 2023 and beyond. Under the bill, the state's existing Health Care Quality and Cost Council is reorganized into the Health Policy Commission which will establish and review the health care cost growth benchmarks and oversee the development and implementation of alternative payment methodologies. The Commission will also conduct annual cost trend hearings and administer funding sources that will help distressed hospitals, promote wellness programs and complete implementation of a statewide electronic medical records system. The Commission's cost trend hearings will be supported by a new independent state agency, which will provide critical, independent analysis of the how the state's policies are affecting cost trends. The bill requires the state to lead by example.  The state's Medicaid program, the state's employee health care program and all other state-funded health care programs will transition to new health care payment methodologies that incentivize the delivery of high-quality, coordinated, efficient and effective health care over quantity of services to reduce waste, fraud and abuse. To support the development of "best practices" for care delivery and payment reform models, the legislation establishes a certification process for accountable care organizations (or "ACOs"), which are health care provider systems dedicated to cost growth reduction, quality improvement and patient protection through coordinated care. These "Model ACOs" would receive a contracting preference in state health programs over other ACOs. The bill addresses the market power of certain providers by authorizing the Commission to review and determine if a provider's market concentration exceeds certain parameters and to decide if a provider is engaged in unfair market practices or methods of competition. Any such findings or other violations of law would be referred to the Attorney General for further action. To reduce the costs of unnecessary litigation and malpractice claims, the bill creates a 182-day cooling off period while both sides try to negotiate a settlement, and it allows for providers to offer an apology to the patient. The bill also requires enhanced transparency and accountability of the health care marketplace.  Among other provisions, it will require all health care provider systems to register with the state and report regularly on financial performance, market share, cost trends and quality measures.  And it requires the development of standard prior-authorization forms and streamlines data reporting requirements to promote administrative efficiencies throughout the system. Since passing the omnibus Health Care Reform Act of 2006, used as the model for national health care reform, the Legislature has passed reforms in 2008 enhancing primary care access and e-health initiatives and in 2010 helping individuals and small businesses reduce the costs of health insurance plans. 

Senate Bill Invests in Economic Development and Job Creation - by Senator Katherine Clark - Last week the State Senate acted to encourage investment, economic development, job creation and small business growth across the Commonwealth.  The bill, which includes a sales tax holiday on August 11-12, contains a series of targeted measures to support sustained, stable economic growth. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts stands at 6 percent according to the most recent data (for June 2012), the lowest level in more than three years and considerably better than the national average.  But that same jobs report showed that the Commonwealth actually lost 2,600 jobs in June, and that certain sectors – like manufacturing and construction – are still feeling the crippling effects of the recession.  As our economy continues to recover, it is clear that more work remains.  We know that too many families are still facing long-term unemployment or underemployment, and many are struggling to overcome the aftermath of the housing crisis.  All the while, our cities and towns face a constrained fiscal environment as they work to provide vital services. The point is: we must continue to push forward innovative policies and programs that encourage sustainable economic growth and strong job creation throughout the private sector.  The economic development bill passed by the Senate does just that.  It will encourage investment in energy efficiency, construction, and advanced manufacturing, support our local businesses, and invest in workforce development programs that empower those seeking work with the right skills to succeed.   To support innovation in cutting-edge fields, the bill includes $50 million for the Scientific and Technology Research and Development Matching Grant Fund for Research & Development projects at our world-class universities and research institutions. All eligible projects must secure $3 for every $1 of state money committed.   With the establishment of the Energy Conservation Loan Program, the bill supports energy efficiency projects throughout the state by providing up to $1 billion in triple-A rated bonds for low-cost loans for commercial, industrial, retail and mixed-use property owners to make energy efficiency improvements. Creating jobs means empowering our small businesses to succeed.  In Massachusetts, small businesses account for nearly half of our private sector jobs.  This bill contains several important provisions to support our local businesses, most notably the sales tax holiday on August 11-12.  In addition, it encourages increased financing for small businesses, supports programs to prevent business closure and employee displacement at manufacturing companies, provides grants for technical assistance for small and mid-sized manufacturers, and requires the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to create a website to provide information on public and private resources available to small businesses.   To get people back to work in high-demand fields, this legislation supports training programs for “middle skills” occupations, jobs that require more than a high school diploma, but not necessarily a four-year degree.  It includes $5 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund and allows the Fund to spend some of its money on grants that address the gap between skills held by workers and the skills needed by employers. The bill also extends the Brownfields Tax Credit and increases the cap on the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit.  It also contains some common sense corporate tax reforms, such as equalizing quarterly tax payments for corporations and establishing a tax credit equal to the minimum corporate excise tax of $456 for the corporation’s first three tax years.  In January, the legislature reduced the corporate excise tax to 8 percent from 8.25 percent.   This comprehensive legislation is one more step in an ongoing effort to encourage job creation, grow the Massachusetts economy and build stronger, more sustainable communities.  It now heads to a conference committee with the House of Representatives. 

Clark Announces Approval of Crime Bill - The Massachusetts Legislature passed a tough and balanced sentencing bill this week that cracks down on habitual offenders and establishes new requirements to improve the functions of the state parole board. "This balanced approach represents a solid step forward in our effort to keep the most violent, habitual criminals out of our communities and behind bars,” said Senator Katherine Clark (D-Middlesex and Essex). “At the same time, it makes common sense reforms to our parole system and takes steps to allow the opportunity for meaningful rehabilitation for nonviolent drug offenders." The bill requires the habitual offender tag to be placed on anyone convicted of two crimes from a list of the most serious offenses, including murder, rape and kidnapping. Named Melissa’s bill for 1999 murder victim Melissa Gosule, it mandates that any habitual offender found guilty of a third offense from the list of most serious crimes would be ineligible for parole. A loophole that currently prevents federal sentences from counting toward habitual offender status was also closed. Several crucial parole board improvements are included in the final bill, as well as policy changes. It raises the parole eligibility threshold to a two-thirds vote of the parole board from the current majority vote for anyone serving a life sentence and allows judges to set an imprisonment term between 15-25 years before an initial parole eligibility date. Inmates with life sentences arising from separate and distinct incidents would not be eligible for parole. The legislation also makes the following parole board improvements:
·         Gives the governor the ability to remove parole board members
·         Diversifies members on the discretionary parole appointment panel
·         Requires the parole board complete a risk/needs assessment before granting a parole permit
·         Requires certification that parole board members have reviewed criminal records
·         Requires tally of voting record of board decisions
·         Increases notification requirements when violent felons have a parole hearing; and
·         Requires eight hours of annual training for parole board members.   

To help alleviate prison overcrowding and save taxpayers money, the legislature reduced mandatory minimum sentences for certain non-violent drug offenses under the Controlled Substances Act. Those serving a prison sentence under the Controlled Substances Act will now be allowed to participate in authorized vocational and educational programs. School zone areas were also condensed from 1,000 feet to 300 feet, which triggers enhanced mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses, and reforms DNA collection practices, alleviating a backlog in the crime labs and DNA database and assisting law enforcement and prosecutors. Additionally, the bill includes two Good Samaritan provisions. One allows doctors to prescribe and dispense a potentially life-saving drug normally administered for heroin and other opioid overdoses to abusers and family members for preventative purposes. The second allows a person to come forward in good faith to a medical professional or member of law enforcement on behalf of someone experiencing an overdose without fear of being prosecuted. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.  

Senate Passes State Government and Finance Reform Bill Promotes efficiency and performance management in state agencies - The Senate unanimously passed a conference committee report on bipartisan legislation that makes fundamental changes in the operations of state government, updating antiquated finance laws and implementing performance measurement requirements for all government agencies and programs to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability. “This legislation fundamentally reforms how state government works and is consistent with our ongoing efforts to increase government accountability and transparency to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Clark.  “The bill will improve the performance of our budgeted agencies through data-driven evaluations.  Furthermore, I believe cities and towns will welcome the opportunity to receive local aid payments on a monthly basis rather than a quarterly basis.” The bill modernizes state government by pushing agencies toward more efficient electronic accounting and reporting systems with the elimination of outdated paper-based methods, and it also makes the following updates: Requires quarterly cash flow reports to compare actual results with prior estimates on spending and revenue and analyze the reasons for any discrepancies to improve future budget forecasts; Sets the state’s debt limit at $17.07 billion starting the first day of fiscal year 2012 and changes the arbitrary index rate to make it more responsive to true economic conditions, helping to control the state’s debt limit and further improve the state’s bond rating; Requires an independent debt affordability study to be performed before the Governor sets a bond cap and issues bonds for a particular fiscal year, and requires that report to be publicly available online; Requires improved reporting of spending on capital projects; and Requires monthly distribution of unrestricted local aid instead of quarterly distribution beginning in fiscal year 2014 to help cities and towns better identify their available cash flow and reduce the state’s reliance on short-term borrowing to support cash flow. The government and finance reform legislation received high praise from business groups, including the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which called the plan “a significant and constructive contribution toward reshaping state government to meet the challenges of our times.” The Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, which applauded the Senate President for bringing “this level of accountability” said the legislation “will help make our Commonwealth much more effective and efficient in the future.” For the first time, each agency will be required to have a performance management system in place and develop a strategic plan for measuring performance that can be evaluated publicly and by the Legislature and Governor. Additionally, the bill establishes a commission to make recommendations on the feasibility of moving the Commonwealth from traditional “maintenance”-based budgeting to a modern “zero”-based budgeting process for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016. This budgeting method is finding great success in some states, including Utah and Virginia. The conference report must now be taken up by the House of Representatives. Final action to send the bill to the Governor is expected next week.

Transportation Fix - by Senator Katherine Clark - When it comes to adequately funding our transportation system, short-term fixes are unfortunately necessary, but certainly not sufficient.   It is now time to take a hard look at our entire system – from highways and bridges to buses and subways – and consider how we efficiently operate and pay for a system that truly meets the Commonwealth's needs. On July 1 a series of MBTA service changes and fare and parking increases went into effect to close the T's fiscal year 2013 budget gap.   In addition, in June the State Senate passed an emergency funding package that will help the T close its budget deficit for this year. The bill requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to transfer $51 million in vehicle inspection fees to the Massachusetts Transportation Fund and distribute $2 million to the RTAs and $49 million to the MBTA. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) must transfer $1.5 million in surplus from its snow and ice budget to the Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs). The legislation also increases fare evasion penalties and authorizes the MBTA and RTAs to share information with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services so that the RIDE program might be eligible for MassHealth federal reimbursement. Finally, the legislation requires the board of MassDOT to develop a long-term transportation financing plan for the state by December 31, 2012. This last point is crucial.  Because it is clear that our current system of funding and operating our public transportation network is inadequate and untenable.  We can no longer afford annual emergencies and patchwork solutions.  Nor, as has been recently pointed out by top transportation officials, can we afford to finance operating costs with debt.  Instead, we need a long-term, comprehensive plan that supports a transportation system with sufficient capital to keep fares reasonable, expand routes, modernize our infrastructure, and improve services. A necessary first step is acknowledging that our transportation system is a community wide issue that impacts not only our district and the Greater Boston area, but the entire Commonwealth.  Whether we are talking about roads and bridges or buses and trains, the entire transportation system is critical to our economic development, to job creation, and to our collective effort to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. While there is no easy solution, we need to start with a comprehensive plan that reflects true costs and contains common sense assumptions about what we need and how we should pay for it.   A thorough planning process and an open conversation will force us to look at the tough decisions that must be made to bring the MBTA and our highway system to an efficient operational model that serves the needs of the whole state. Among the proposals that have been suggested are open highway tolling, more efficient fare collection, distance based fares, regionally based revenues, gas tax increases, increased fares and service cuts, and selling naming rights for 11 MBTA stations.  There are other options as well, and I am very interested in your thoughts on this issue. I encourage you to contact me with your suggestions as we move forward; my website is www.KatherineClark.org.  Working together in a constructive and open manner, we can develop a true long term solution.

Legislature Passes Balanced FY13 Budget - by Sen Clark - Last week,  the Legislature enacted a $32.5 billion state budget for fiscal year 2013 (FY13). The spending plan prioritizes funding for education, cities and towns, essential services for our most vulnerable citizens, workforce development and public safety. In our district, state aid to our cities and towns, particularly for education, is more important than ever.  Increased local aid and education funding (Chapter 70 funding) were my top priorities during this budget debate.  The budget represents the Legislature's continuing commitment to all cities and towns, boosting investments in local aid, Chapter 70, and the Special Education Circuit Breaker – the three largest sources of direct state aid to municipalities and school districts.  Specifically, the plan directs $5.7 billion in state revenues back to cities and towns for spending at the local level, a $288.9 million increase over FY12 projected spending I am pleased that this budget increases Chapter 70 education funding to $4.17 billion, an increase of $180.3 million over FY12, ensuring that all school districts receive at least an additional $40 per pupil in aid.  Most notably, this plan also includes $16.8 million more to be targeted toward dozens of communities facing inequities based on the Chapter 70 funding formula. The FY13 budget also fully funds the state's obligation for the Special Education Circuit Breaker at $242 million for first time since FY08.  And, for the first time, provides $11.3 million to fund school transportation for homeless students. If we are to meet the Commonwealth's workforce development needs, we must support public higher education and connect those resources to workforce needs across the state.  This budget funds new programs to help community colleges create workforce training programs targeted to specific requests from employers, as well as a system to more easily track credits and make it simpler for students to transfer from community colleges to state universities. The budget also continues to prioritize essential services for our most vulnerable citizens. It increases funding for emergency food assistance, elder nutrition programs, substance abuse programs, domestic violence support services, independent living centers, the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, and the Department of Veterans' Services.  It maintains mental health services, ensuring all regions of the state have access to care and funds the veterans' program Train Vets to Treat Vets. Through both sponsored amendments and collaborative efforts with my colleagues, I was also able to: Lead the effort to close a drunk-driving loophole that was exposed by a Supreme Judicial Court ruling in May.  The language will enhance penalties for repeat drunk drivers. Secure the expansion of Drunk Driving Trust Funds eligibility access to public agencies to ensure a more effective continuum of services for victims among the various systems they intersect with after a crash.

• Increase funding for elder protective services by over $600,000 dollars to help investigate and resolve elder abuse and neglect.
• Increase salaries of direct care workers who help the most vulnerable in our state.  This increase will help retain those workers, who have not seen a salary increase in five years.
• Increase funding for the METCO program that is critical to education in many of our communities.
• Increase funding for DDS Transportation to enable people with disabilities to travel to and from work and for family support services to help families care for a disabled family member at home.
• Increase funding for children with complex care needs, youth aging out of the foster care system, youth mentoring programs, and the MA Down Syndrome Congress.
• Fund the ALS Registry to assist critical research on this debilitating disease.
• Establish a new special commission focused on improving services for unaccompanied homeless youth ages 22 years and younger.

Senate passes MBTA Reform Bill - On Tuesday, the senate passed an emergency funding package on a 26-9 vote that will help the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) close its budget deficit for the 2012 fiscal year. “Quality, affordable public transportation is critical to our district and the state’s economy,” said Katherine Clark.  “These measures however will only get us through the end of the fiscal year and now we have to work with MassDOT to develop a comprehensive plan for the Commonwealth’s transportation needs.” The bill requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to transfer $51 million in vehicle inspection fees to the Massachusetts Transportation Fund and distribute $2 million to the RTAs and $49 million to the MBTA. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) must also transfer $1.5 million in surplus from its snow and ice budget to the Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs). The legislation also increases fare evasion penalties to $75 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $350 for each subsequent offense. According to the bill, if a fine is not paid within 21 days, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended until it is paid. Additionally, the bill authorizes the MBTA and RTAs to share information with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services so that the RIDE program might be eligible for MassHealth federal reimbursement. Finally, the legislation requires the board of MassDOT to develop a long-term transportation financing plan for the state by December 31, 2012. And it requires MassDOT to issue a report on the estimated cost of restoring weekend service on the Old Colony commuter rail line.

Senate Passes Bill to Prevent Mortgage Foreclosures - Posted by Joe Cassia 6/11/2012 - The Senate, in its latest effort to establish greater protections for homeowners, passed legislation preventing unnecessary and unlawful foreclosures, reducing the number of abandoned properties across the Commonwealth and helping to remove one of the biggest remaining barriers to our economic recovery. The bill requires banks and other lenders to offer loan modifications to borrowers in certain circumstances to avoid foreclosures. Lenders must conduct a complete financial analysis of the borrower and determine if it would be more beneficial to receive lower monthly mortgage payments or the anticipated recovery from a foreclosure. "The Senate passed legislation that will provide tools to assist struggling homeowners in Massachusetts," said Senator Clark. "With the leadership of the Attorney General and my Senate colleagues, the Commonwealth can take a critical step forward with this common sense approach to help stabilize the housing market." Loan modifications would be available for owner-occupied homes and apply to loans that are considered risky, such as adjustable rate mortgages and interest-only loans. The bill complements the work of loan modification specialists in the Attorney General's Office who assist borrowers in their negotiations with lenders. Under this bill, there is a 150-day timeframe for deciding whether or not to offer the loan modification that may come in the form of a reduced interest rate or principal, or an extension of the loan repayment period. The modified loans would allow borrowers to stay in their homes, lenders to avoid foreclosure costs and potential market losses, and neighborhoods to avoid the problem of abandoned properties and vacant lots. The legislation also includes a provision that gives borrowers the right to go into mediation with lenders prior to foreclosure proceedings to work out renegotiated loan terms through a neutral third-party. Under the bill, the mediation program will be run by the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The legislation also: " Incorporates a recent Supreme Judicial Court decision requiring lenders to prove they are the current legal holder of a mortgage before commencing a foreclosure; " Prohibits lenders from passing on to third parties the costs of correcting prior improper foreclosures; " Prohibits lenders from imposing a fee upon a borrower for goods or services not provided in connection with a foreclosure; and " Requires the Division of Banks, in consultation with the Attorney General's Office, to track the resolution of certain mortgage loans and report to the Joint Committee on Financial Services within 90 days of the end of each calendar year through December 31, 2017. 

Strengthening our Drunk Driving Laws - By Senator Katherine Clark - Responsive government demands accountable, informed action.  This is particularly true when the safety and well-being of Massachusetts residents is at stake. On July 25, 2003, Melanie Powell, a 13 year old girl who had just earned a key position on her cheerleading team, was killed crossing the street with friends by a repeat drunk driver. Spurred by the tireless of advocacy of Melanie’s grandfather Ron Bersani, the legislature passed Melanie’s Law in 2005 and increased the penalties and sentences for repeat drunk drivers.  In May, a Supreme Judicial Court decision – Souza v. RMV (2012) – made clear that a dangerous loophole exists within the Commonwealth’s drunk driving laws.  The SJC decision allows drunk drivers who admit their guilt and whose cases end in what is known as a CWOF — continued without a finding — to avoid long license suspensions if they are arrested again and refuse to take the breathalyzer test. In Souza the defendant had received a CWOF in a prior drunk driving case. When he was arrested again Souza refused to take a breathalyzer and the RMV suspended his license for 3 years as a repeat offender. The SJC held that Souza had to be treated as a first time offender because his CWOF was not the equivalent of a conviction and therefore his license should have been suspended for only 180 days. As a result of the Souza decision, hundreds of repeat drunk drivers could be back on the road this summer. I believe this was an oversight in how the original legislation was written and that the legislature meant to increase penalties for all repeat drunk drivers.  During the budget process I filed an amendment in response to the Souza decision to close this loophole and protect public safety. I worked closely with Attorney General Martha Coakley and my colleagues in the state senate to get the necessary change in Melanie’s Law in the budget. The senate adopted the change unanimously. The amendments now must be considered by the conference committee who will rectify the House and Senate versions of the budget.  Repeat drunk drivers should not be allowed to share the road with our families and friends, and I look forward to closing this dangerous loophole in the final budget this month.

Senate Approves First-In-Nation Payment Reform Bill - The Senate on Thursday capped a framework of nation-leading health care reforms with landmark cost-control legislation that will save the Commonwealth $150 billion in the next 15 years while improving the quality of care and increasing the transparency and accountability of the state’s entire health care system. The bill passed 35-2. According to Senator Katherine Clark (Middlesex & Essex), health spending is projected to double from 2009 to 2020, outpacing both inflation and growth in the overall economy. Massachusetts residents, businesses, and state and local government continue to struggle with increasing premiums and other health care cost sharing. “Every conversation that I have with business owners in my district includes their concerns about mounting health care costs,” said Clark. “We will slow that growth considerably, allowing individuals, families and small businesses to keep dollars in their pockets at this critical time in our economy while still ensuring access and quality. Our main goal is to preserve the innovation economy in the state while saving millions in health care costs.” The approved bill, for the first time in the nation, establishes a statewide health care cost growth goal for the health care industry equal to the projected growth of the state’s gross state product (GSP) plus .5 percent from 2012 to 2015 and equal to the state’s GSP beginning in 2016. This change will result in an estimated $150 billion in savings over the next 15 years which will be passed on to businesses, municipalities and residents of the Commonwealth who are struggling with increasing premiums and other health care costs. In an effort to carefully balance the need to transform the health care industry without harming the number one employment sector in Massachusetts, the bill supports health care professionals in developing innovative payment and care delivery models and establishes tools to help providers meet the targets in the bill through market-based solutions.

The Economic Case for Early Education - by Katherine Clark - Last week I co-hosted a legislative briefing on the importance of early childhood education with Arthur Rolnick of the University of Minnesota’s Human Capital Research Collaborative and a former economist at the Federal Reserve.  Professor Rolnick’s research makes the economic case for early childhood education through new data and a comprehensive 40-year study.  
Professor Rolnick and his colleagues have quantified the returns on investment in early education: boosting labor productivity, increasing tax revenue, and reducing by up to 50% costs associated with special education services and crime.  Their essential argument is that if children show up to Kindergarten ready-to-learn they will do better in school and, eventually, be better prepared for the workforce and less reliant on social programs.  This benefits our society and our economy. This research has shown high rates of return for public investment in services for children under the age of five.  Indeed, the annual rate of return of up to 16% is higher than for many traditional economic development efforts, and significantly higher than the average post-WWII annual stock market yield of 5.8%.  The best programs, according to the research, are those that start early, focus on at-risk children, effectively engage and support parents, and include access to high-quality programs staffed by educators with advanced degrees.
These savings are significant. The children in these programs are much more likely to graduate from high school, get jobs, and pay taxes. Just as importantly, they are 50% less likely to commit a crime. Earlier this year, as part of the federal “Race to the Top: Early Learning Challenge” program, Massachusetts was one of nine states selected to receive a $50 million grant to expand pre-Kindergarten education, develop new approaches to early learning, and close the school readiness gap.
A critical part of improving educational outcomes and closing the achievement gap is investing in early literacy. MCAS reading scores show that nearly 40 percent of third graders are reading at a level below proficiency; this trend persists across the state, with the most alarming statistics coming from our lowest income school districts.  
To address this challenge, I have introduced legislation that would establish the Massachusetts Early Reading Council to advise state education officials on early age language and literacy strategies and ensure that our curriculum is language rich, and rigorous, and that our assessment strategies are comprehensive, developmentally appropriate and used to inform practice.  This bill passed the Joint Committee on Education in March, and I look forward to its eventual passage into law. We are fortunate to live in a district that values early childhood education and is home to many high-quality programs.   Several of our communities will offer universal, free, full-day Kindergarten this fall to ensure that all students have access to a level playing field and a strong start.  This is a very positive step.  By ensuring that every student receives an education that unlocks a child’s full potential, we invest in our own strong future economy.