Bills that Require Further Attention

Although the 2007-2008 formal legislative session was extremely productive, some bills never made it to a full vote, and must remain priorities for the 2009-2010 session. Over the past two years we were able to address many of the pressing concerns of the citizens, families, businesses and municipalities of the Commonwealth, but several other crucial matters still require further attention.

Here are a few highlights:

CORI Reform:

In the beginning of 2008, Governor Deval Patrick introduced legislation relative to reducing recidivism rates by providing better employment opportunities to citizens who have been convicted of criminal offenses. One of the most important parts of this bill would prevent employers from accessing information about fraudulent charges on which a defendant has been found innocent.

Although the bill gained some attention this year, it never made it to the floor of the House for a vote, and it remains a top priority hopefully to be addressed early next session.


Non-Lethal Defense Sprays:

In the interest of helping citizens protect themselves from violent and predatory criminals without needing to buy a firearm, it is essential that Massachusetts increase the availability of non-lethal defense sprays. While on the one hand it is important to work to decrease the number of illegal and unregistered hand guns and automatic weapons on our streets, another often neglected front in the battle against crime is providing people with legal ways that they can protect themselves and their families. Non-lethal defense sprays offer an effective and safe way for people to feel secure both while out walking on city streets and within in their own homes.

I filed a bill that will help increase legal access to such defense sprays, which has been reported favorably by The Committee on Public Safety, but still requires a vote before the House and Senate.


Urban Speed Limits:

In the wake of several tragic deaths on roads in urban districts, it is clear that we must take steps to increase the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks. Vehicles operating at high speeds in highly populated areas cause a significant threat to safety for all pedestrians, and especially children.

Based upon the recommendation of various transportation agencies and safety experts, this bill will decrease roadway speed limits in urban districts to 25 MPH and will considerably increase the safety of the tens of thousands of pedestrians in urban areas every day.

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Read more about the 2007-2008 Formal Legislative Session:

• Local Bills
• Statewide Bills
• Bills that Require Further Attention
• FY 2009 Local Aid for Cambridge and Somerville
• FY 2009 Budget Highlights

FY 2009 Local Aid for Cambridge and Somerville

In the Fiscal Year 2009 State Budget approved by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor, both Cambridge and Somerville saw increases in the amount of aid that they receive from the state. There are three types of assistance that cities and towns receive from the state:

1. Chapter 70 funding. The Chapter 70 program is the major program of state aid to public elementary and secondary schools.
2. Additional Assistance.
3. Lottery Aid funded through Lottery revenues.

All three types of assistance are crucial to municipalities, and I’m very pleased that we were able to oversee increases in the bottom line for both cities that I represent.

Cambridge:

$9,313,701

Chapter 70 Funding:

$17,956,060

Additional Assistance:

$8,781,240

Total Lottery Aid:

$36,054,001

Total:

$800,348

Total Increase over FY 2008:

Somerville:

$20,597,265

Chapter 70 Funding:

$16,219,924

Additional Assistance:

$13,901,505

Total Lottery Aid:

$50,718,694

Total:

$341,626

Total Increase over FY 2008:

Fiscal Year 2009 Budget

Fiscal Year 2008 Budget

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Read more about the 2007-2008 Formal Legislative Session:

• Local Bills
• Statewide Bills
• Bills that Require Further Attention
• FY 2009 Local Aid for Cambridge and Somerville
• FY 2009 Budget Highlights

FY 2009 Budget Highlights

Helping to craft our state budget is one of the most important parts of my job. Every year, the legislators across Massachusetts hear from their constituents about important priorities for funding within the district. Citizens and advocacy groups are encouraged to call, write, or come visit the State House to make sure their Representative knows the importance of funding specific local and state-wide projects. From there, legislators work closely with each other to build broad support, negotiate, and assign the limited funds of the state. It is not aways an easy process, especially during a year when the revenue for the state is significantly down.

I am proud of the combined efforts and cooperation of the Cambridge and Somerville delegations in the House and Senate to ensure that our cities received funding for so many of the important programs we rely on. Whether it was affordable housing, nutritional assistance, youth programs, homelessness prevention, adult basic education, early childhood education, family planning, adoption services, elder protective services, urban park funding, or local health care, our delegations stood together to give Cambridge and Somerville a powerful voice at the state level.

The following are just a few of the highlights from our finalized state budget that directly affect the residents of the 26th Middlesex district. All budget items listed below I sponsored or co-sponsored in the FY 2009 budget requests and budget amendments. They are either state-wide programs with a local impact, or local programs specific to Cambridge and Somerville.

Adult Basic Education/ESOL
For contracts and grants to provide and strengthen adult basic education services, including reading, ESOL, writing, and mathematics, to a diverse network of organizations which have demonstrated commitment and effectiveness in the provision of such services. The state-wide funding effects many organizations within Cambridge and Somerville.

Youthbuild
A youth and community development program that addresses core issues facing low-income communities: housing, education, employment, crime prevention, and leadership development.

Horizons For Homeless Children
For Playspace Programs operated by Horizons for Homeless Children. The Playspace Program provides homeless children in Massachusetts with the nurturing, stimulation and opportunities for early education and play to help them learn and grow in healthy ways.

Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
MRVP is the state's rental assistance program, operated by the Department of Housing and Community Development for low-income families and individuals. The MRVP offers tenant-based vouchers that can be used for any approved apartment, and project-based vouchers that are restricted to certain rental units or developments.

Family Planning
For comprehensive family planning services for low income uninsured, underinsured residents of the Commonwealth, including HIV counseling and testing, HPV immunizations, community-based health education, outreach, and follow-up with at-risk populations.

Citizenship for New Americans Program
Gives low-income immigrants the opportunity to learn English and American civics, as well as receive help with the citizenship application process.

Alternative Dispute Resolution
For the continued funding of seventeen alternative dispute resolution centers in Massachusetts, including the Community Dispute Settlement Center, Inc. of 60 Gore St Suite 202, Cambridge and the Somerville Mediation Program of 337 Somerville Ave, Somerville, whose core missions are to offer a community-based forum for dispute resolution through mediation without involving the Commonwealth’s court system.

Computer Centers and the Work Force Program
For the Cambridge Housing Authority Tenant Services to operate 2 Community Computer Centers and the Work Force program. The Work Force program is an award-winning nationally recognized youth development program for adolescents living in the Cambridge Housing Authority's subsidized housing.

Local Language-Specific Community Assistance
The following programs provide local language-specific assistance, including legal help, adult education, youth programs, and broader advocacy and involvement for immigrant rights.

Concilio Hispano
105 Windsor St, Cambridge
Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS)
92 Union Square, Somerville
1046 Cambridge St., Cambridge
Haitian Coalition
268 Rear Powder House Blvd Apt # 17C, Somerville
Centro Presente
17 Inner Belt Road, Somerville

Support Services to the Children and Families Served by DSS After Adoption
For the Center for Family Connections at 350 Cambridge St, Cambridge, to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative mental health services, targeted research on well-being outcomes and permanency planning for older hard-to-place youth and those aging out of the system.

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Read more about the 2007-2008 Formal Legislative Session:

• Local Bills
• Statewide Bills
• Bills that Require Further Attention
• FY 2009 Local Aid for Cambridge and Somerville
• FY 2009 Budget Highlights

September Calendar

This monthly calendar represents only a small portion of the many interesting things happening in Cambridge and Somerville. If you would like to add another event, or a link to your own calendar of events, please email my office at toomeyblog@gmail.com.

Other Local Calendars:

September in Cambridge
City Calendar

September in Somerville
City Calendar
The Growing Center

Green Line Extension Calendar

Saturday, September 6 @ 2pm-11pm
Sunday, September 7 @ 8:30am - 11pm
Cosmas and Damian Feast
Warren St, Cambridge map
2008 Feast Schedule of Events
Chronicle Article on the feast.
This huge Italian Feast is a two-day celebration with great food, music, and fun! Bring the whole family, and for more information call Sal DiDomenico at 617-661-1164 or visit www.cosmas-and-damian.com.

Sunday, September 7 @ 2-5pm
Swiss Beach Day at the Charles
Weeks Footbridge, Cambridge map
http://www.thinkswiss.org/thinkswim/index.html
Celebrate the unveiling of the exhibit "Think Swim, Think Swiss: Bringing Swiss-Style Swimming to the Charles River" with a Swiss Beach Day at the Charles. Find out about Swiss river swimming culture during an afternoon filled with activities and enjoyments. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, September 10 @ 7-9pm
East Cambridge Planning Team (ECPT) Meeting
East End House, 105 Spring St, Cambridge map
ECPT meets to discuss East Cambridge issues twice every month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 7–9pm.

Thursday, September 11 @ 7pm
Wellington Harrington Neighborhood Association (WHNA) Monthly Meeting
Vin-Fen, 950 Cambridge St, Cambridge map
This month WHNA will be speaking with members of the Cambridge Traffic Department about the traffic on Windsor St, along with an open discussion about the neighborhood.

Friday, September 12 @ 9-10am
Ladies Free Monthly Breakfast
Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge map
60+ Ladies Free Breakfast 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Food served 9:00-9:30 a.m.
Please call 617.349.6060 as a reservation is required.

Tuesday, September 16 @ 7am - 8pm
State Primary Day
Find your local polling station by entering your address here or by contacting me here.
Don't forget to vote!

Wednesday, September 24 @ 7-9pm
East Cambridge Planning Team (ECPT) Meeting
East End House, 105 Spring St, Cambridge map
ECPT meets to discuss East Cambridge issues twice every month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 7–9pm.

Annual Oldtime Baseball Game is a big hit

CAMBRIDGE - St. Peter's Field map

In memory of Todd Schwartz: ForTodd.org

Oldtime Baseball web page

Cambridge Chronicle Article

For the 15th consecutive year, players and hundreds of fans gathered on St. Peter's Field for an oldtime baseball game and to support a great cause. This year all funds went to the Todd Schwartz Memorial Fund, which helps support the Jimmy Fund Clinic. Todd was a young man who lost his battle with cancer in 2002.

It was a beautiful evening and each team had an incredible collection of oldtime uniforms. This year pitted Team John Hancock versus Team Shapiro.


Hundreds of baseball fans settled around the foul lines on both sides.

Team John Hancock watches from the bench.

It was a great night to watch some baseball and catch up with some of my old friends, and even see one of my colleagues in action. My friend Anthony Galluccio, for Cambridge City Councillor and State Senator representing parts of Cambridge, Somerville, and the surrounding cities, suited up for the game in a classic Puerto Rican uniform:

Anthony Galluccio gets ready to take on Cambridge's own Bobby Fournier.

He went to bat against Cambridge pitcher Bobby Fournier and made solid contact, grounding into a putout from former Red Sox player Lou Merloni.

The game brings together college players and baseball stars from Massachusetts, the country, and even abroad. Cambridge and Somerville were well-represented by Danny Nugent, Bobby Fournier, Billy Fitzgerald, James Likis, and Senator Galluccio. Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky was an honorary manager, taking pictures with fans and signing autographs. I even spotted sportswriter Dan Shaughnessy in the crowd, watching his son Sam play outfield for Team Shapiro.

The annual game is a great time for a great cause, and it seems to get bigger and more popular every year!

Poll #1: East Somerville Soccer Stadium

What are your thoughts on the rumors of Robert Kraft building a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution in East Somerville?

56% - Great idea! I can't wait to walk to a Major League Soccer game!
31% - Not sure. I haven't heard enough about it yet.
9% - No thanks.
3% - Depends--can Bob Kraft do for the Revolution what he did for the Patriots?

The Cambridge Innovation Center

CAMBRIDGE: Cambridge Innovation Center, 1 Broadway - map

For anyone who may have missed it, this past Sunday’s Globe has a fantastic article highlighting the Cambridge Innovation Center. The CIC is one of the most important buildings in Cambridge. Tim Rowe has created an atmosphere that allows young start up companies to share ideas, feed off each other's energy, and drives them to success. Cambridge has a history of innovation and the CIC is a reflection of the entrepreneurial attitude that has made Cambridge a hot bed of activity for over a century.

Read the Globe Article: The Idea Factory