Legislation would expand and preserve affordable Housing in Massachusetts

BOSTON— The Joint Committee on Housing yesterday advanced a $1.4 billion housing bond bill that would provide additional authorization for essential housing production and programs for low-income and moderate-income residents in all regions of the Commonwealth.

“I am pleased to work with the Patrick-Murray Administration to continue sustaining bond-funded housing programs for Massachusetts families for generations to come,” said Senator Eldridge (D-Acton). “Continuing to invest in the preservation and expansion of affordable housing in the state has been a top priority for the Housing Committee this session and I am pleased to help advance this bill in the legislature to ensure that we continue to invest in a pipeline of housing initiatives and programs that address the most pressing housing needs of the Commonwealth.”

“The bond bill is an important piece of legislation that will re-authorize funds for the modernization, preservation, and production of affordable housing throughout the entire Commonwealth,” said Rep. Kevin Honan (D-Brighton). “Yesterday’s favorable committee recommendation is a big step toward ensuring that necessary capital improvements will be made to maintain the state’s public and affordable housing stock, and that important programs promoting community revitalization and economic development will continue to be funded.”

An Act Financing the Production and Preservation of Housing for Low and Moderate Income Residents would authorize a $1.4 billion five year capital plan, expand the Commercial Area Transit Node Housing Program to include commercial space in mixed-use buildings and establish the Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund, a dedicated source of capital financing for early childhood education and out-of-school time facilities that serve high needs children. $500 million will be directed to public housing modernization that would bring public housing units online.

The bill would extend the low income housing tax credit at $20 million annually for five additional years. $80 million in grants or loans will be dedicated to the Housing Innovations Trust Fund that provides supportive housing for the homeless, domestic violence victims, seniors, veterans and individuals in substance abuse recovery. $55 million will continue to make investments in the Home Modification Program for blind and severely disabled homeowners to avoid placement into more costly institutional settings such as nursing homes.

An Act Financing the Production and Preservation of Housing for Low and Moderate Income Residents was originally filed as two separate bond bills sponsored by Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Kevin Honan (H 1127) and Governor Deval Patrick (H 3333). The two versions of the bill merged yesterday in executive session after a public hearing on both bills was held last month.

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BOSTON—Senator Jamie Eldridge yesterday was awarded the ‘Clean Energy Champion’ Award by the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC) for consistently taking the lead in advancing clean energy throughout the Commonwealth. The award recognized lawmakers for their efforts to drive the clean energy revolution in Massachusetts at the Second Annual Massachusetts Clean Energy Day hosted at the State House.

“I am extremely proud to receive this award and to have the opportunity to promote environmentally sensible policies that accelerate the growth of clean energy and power every region of the Commonwealth,” said Senator Eldridge. “The clean energy movement has undeniably taken root in Massachusetts through the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies, companies and projects that will create first-rate job opportunities and lasting economic growth for families in Massachusetts.”

Following the ceremony, numerous NECEC member companies representing every sector of the clean energy industry met with legislators, including Senator Eldridge, to express support for clean energy legislation and to accelerate the clean energy industry.

“Senator Eldridge, in his time in the House and Senate, has been a strong leader for clean energy and environmental policies,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “His role as Vice Chair on the Global Warming and Climate Change Committee and Co-chair of the Green Economy Caucus has allowed him to take the lead on new legislation to help grow the industry and a clean economy for the Commonwealth.”

“Senator Eldridge and I have worked on many clean energy issues over the years and he is always a tireless and passionate partner in these endeavors,” said Representative Frank Smizik, also a recipient of a Clean Energy Champion award yesterday. “By working across both chambers, the legislature has made lasting progress in building a clean energy economy and bringing innovative businesses to Massachusetts.”

Last session, S 2395 An Act Relative to Competitively Priced Electricity was signed into law last August, which will strengthen Massachusetts’ commitment to clean, renewable energy sources and programs.  It will lower the cost of electricity and promote investment in clean energy, ultimately benefiting the consumer, economy and the environment.

The new law includes an important provision to help expand net-metering programs in Massachusetts and double the net-metering cap, enabling more Massachusetts residents to invest in solar power and ultimately bolstering the clean energy industry.  This provision is based on An Act Improving Neighborhood Solar and Net-Metering in the Commonwealth, filed last session by Senator Eldridge.

This session, Senator Eldridge filed the following bills to accelerate the growth of clean energy in Massachusetts:

S 1479 An Act Promoting the Use of Total Energy Impact Analysis would require that new construction or major renovation projects in state buildings measure the energy implications of all resources used.

S1584 An Act Creating a Grant Program for Municipal and Regional Energy Efficiency Managers would authorize the green communities grant program to finance all or a portion of the salaries of municipal or regional green community officers, who could be hired by municipalities or through regional planning agencies to develop, coordinate, and monitor comprehensive energy use reduction plans and provide assistance to municipal staff, elected officials, the public, businesses, schools, and community.

S 1585 An Act Relative to Energy Efficiency Funds Generated by Municipal Lighting Plants ensure that all monies funneled into Forward Capacity Market, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and NOx Programs from municipal lighting plants be returned to such municipal lighting plants to be used in their own energy efficiency programs.

The New England Clean Energy Council is the lead voice for hundreds of clean energy companies across New England, influencing the energy policy agenda and growing the clean energy economy. The NECEC mission is to accelerate New England’s clean energy economy to global leadership by building an active community of stakeholders and a world-class cluster of clean energy companies.

NECEC is the only organization in New England that covers all of the clean energy market segments, representing the business perspectives of investors and clean energy companies across every stage of development. Council members span the broad spectrum of the clean energy industry, including energy efficiency, demand response, renewable energy, combined heat and power, energy storage, fuel cells and advanced and “smart” technologies.  Our ranks also include venture investors, major financial institutions, universities, industry associations, utilities, labor and large commercial end-users.

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LITTLETON—Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Representative James Arciero (D-Westford) recently attended a reception at the Littleton VFW Post 6556 Hall to honor the achievements of Staff Sergeant Thomas G. Nelson.

Staff Sergeant Nelson was awarded a Bronze Star for his distinguished service during World War II. The Bronze Star is awarded to service members who have committed acts of merit in a combat zone.

“I was extremely proud to honor Thomas for his courageous service during World War II,” said Senator Eldridge. “Thomas risked everything to protect our country on the front lines and I am extremely proud to count him as a constituent.”

“It was an honor to attend the reception on behalf of Thomas for his impressive service and achievement,” said Representative Arciero. “I am incredibly pleased and humbled to recognize Thomas’ act of bravery and service to our country.”

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Committee hearings, community clean-ups, updated Bottle Bill Q&A focus of  week

BOSTON—Senator Eldridge (D-Acton) participated in a series of committee hearings and community-based service projects this week to celebrate Earth Day, joining millions of citizens across the country answering the call to safeguard the environment for future generations.

Preserving the environment is an issue I care strongly about, not just on Earth Day, but every day,” said Senator Eldridge. “In order to strive for continuous progress, awareness and, most importantly, action, I am recognizing Earth Day with a week of environmentally-friendly events to encourage citizens to answer the call to help lead a change in preserving our environment.”

The Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Committee on Earth Day ruled favorably on S.359 An Act Relative to Plastic Bag Reduction, legislation filed by Senator Eldridge that would prohibit the use of plastic carryout bags in large retail stores. Communities such as Brookline and Manchester by the Sea both approved a plastic bag ban underscoring the dangers of plastic bags that litter coastlines, consume billions of gallons of petroleum to produce, contaminate the soil with toxic chemicals and kill millions of animals each year that swallow or choke on discarded plastic bags.

The Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, on which Senator Eldridge serves as Vice-chair, held an oversight hearing in honor of Earth Day on the progress that Massachusetts has made in tackling climate change, including a review of the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act, the Green Communities Act, and the issue of carbon pricing.  Working with Senator Michael Barrett (D-Lexington), Senator Eldridge was successful in passing an amendment to the transportation finance bill that requires the Department of Revenue (DOR) to study how to implement a carbon tax in Massachusetts.

On Wednesday, April 24^th, Senator Eldridge addressed the 5^th Annual Green Difference Awards reception at the State House organized by Green Schools on environmental and energy policy, and was proud to recognize Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School for receiving a Green Schools award for their environmental stewardship.

Senator Eldridge will carry forward the spirit of Earth Day today by leading a Q&A session on the updated Bottle Bill with Acton-Boxborough Regional High School students and will participate in Acton Cleanup Day on Saturday to pick up litter from the streets, streams, and neighborhoods of Acton, an event he founded in 1995.

To learn more about Senator Eldridge’s environmental legislation for the 2013-2014 session, please visit www.SenatorEldridge.com, or contact his legislative aide and environmental liaison Kelsey Smithwood at Kelsey.Smithwood@masenate.gov or (617)-722-1120.

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Brendan Berger, 617-722-1572;

Brendan.Berger@masenate.gov

In a week of heroes, State Sen. Mike Barrett and State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) welcomed another: Jacob Landis, age 24. On “Jacob’s Ride,” Landis is biking across America, hitting every Major League ballpark — from Fenway to Dodger Stadium — to raise $1 million for cochlear implant access and affordability.

“Because Medicaid and private insurance pay so little for surgery and post-op treatment,” Barrett says, “families can end up owing tens of thousands of dollars.” Barrett, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, adds, “Kids do better when they receive implants early on, but when parents have to pay out-of-pocket, surgeries can be prohibitively expensive.”

The cochlear implant has revolutionized treatment for the hard of hearing: it’s the first medical device engineered to replace one of the five human senses. Unlike hearing aids which amplify sound, implants bypass damaged parts of the ear and send substitute signals to the brain. Eldridge has re-filed a bill to ensure that surgery and subsequent therapies for children are covered by all insurance plans.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/13/2013

“Through both the work of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the amendment process, the transportation finance bill passed by the Senate today reaches a level of revenue that allows for meaningful investments in a fiscally-sound, 21st century transportation system. It is for this reason that we vote yes on this bill today.

We look forward to the bill continuing to the joint House-Senate conference committee. Should the bill be reported out of the conference committee having lost the revenue gains we made, it will also lose our support. We are grateful to all of our partners in the legislature, the Governor, advocates, and constituents across the state for their tireless work in crafting solutions to one of the most pressing issues in our Commonwealth.”

Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz

Senator Katherine Clark

Senator Ken Donnelly

Senator Jamie Eldridge

Senator Mark Montigny

Senator Dan Wolf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/12/2013

Annual Senior Conference “one stop information shop” for seniors, families and caregivers

MARLBOROUGH—To help ensure that seniors have access to the benefits and services they deserve to lead healthy and active lives, state Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) today announced details for the 33^rdannual Senior Conference in Marlborough.

Senator Eldridge will be joined by guest speakers, including Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs Ann Hartstein, Attorney General Martha Coakley, State Treasurer Steven Grossman, state Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow) and Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant. The conference will feature a variety of interactive workshops that cover a wide scope of topics such as health care, financial planning, memoir writing, nutrition, safe driving and more.

“I always look forward to the annual conference to present residents with a broad array of informational and entertaining programs,” said Senator Eldridge. “I am proud to carry forward this annual tradition fueled by the interest and response from conference-goers over the years that demonstrates their commitment to staying active, both mentally and physically, which research shows plays a critical role in the state of our wellbeing in our older years.”

The annual conference has become a staple in the Middlesex and Worcester District since 1980 and has been hosted by predecessors such as U.S. Rep. Chet Atkins, former Gov. Paul Cellucci and Robert Durand, former Secretary of Environmental Affairs.

The event features free coffee and donuts during breakfast, a hot catered lunch, health screenings, entertainment by the Senior Strutters, a local dance group, and door prizes. The conference will be held on Thursday, April 18 at the Assabet Valley High School in Marlborough from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

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Legislation would expand and preserve affordable Housing in Massachusetts

BOSTON– The Joint Committee on Housing held its first public hearing of the session on two major housing bond bills that would provide additional authorization for essential housing production and affordable housing programs.

An Act Financing the Production and Preservation of Housing for Low and Moderate Income Residents (H.3333) filed by Governor Patrick would authorize a $567 million four-year capital plan and carry over $504.5 million in uncommitted funds from the 2008 bond bill for a total of $1,071,500,000.

An Act Financing the Production and Preservation of Housing for Low and Moderate Income Residents (H.1127) filed by Representative Kevin Honan and Senator Jamie Eldridge would authorize a $1.4 million five-year capital plan and extend the Low Income Housing Tax Credit at $20 million, expand the Commercial Area Transit Node Housing Program to include commercial space in mixed-use buildings and establish the Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund, a dedicated source of capital financing for early childhood education and out-of-school time facilities that serve high needs children.

Both bills would allow the state to continue its investment in affordable housing production and preservation and would provide necessary commitments to public housing, affordable housing for low-income and moderate-income residents, and community development for all regions of the Commonwealth.

Joint Committee on Housing Co-Chairs Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Representative Kevin Honan (D-Brighton) took testimony from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Undersecretary Aaron Gorenstein, affordable housing advocates and non-profit developers, early education advocates, disability advocates, as well as public housing tenants.

“This hearing provided an opportunity to hear various perspectives on the need to continue investing in the preservation and expansion of affordable housing in the state,” said Senator Eldridge.” The high turnout of stakeholders who came to show their support at the hearing underscores the importance of preserving bond-funded housing programs for Massachusetts families for generations to come.”

“I was very pleased by the large turnout and enthusiastic support for the affordable housing bond bill,” said Representative Honan. “It certainly was a great way to begin this legislative session for our committee. The bills that were discussed today are so important to ensuring that Massachusetts has the capacity to build and maintain affordable housing for our residents.”

The housing bond bills will now be reviewed by the Joint Committee on Housing with the plan of reporting out a unified bill later in the year.

Legislation Calls for Greater Openness in State Government, Accessibility of Information

BOSTON—The Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan, non-profit group, has given Massachusetts a failing mark on their Open States: Transparency Report Card, making the Bay State one of the lowest scorers nationwide in legislative transparency. This grade underscores the mission of Sunshine Week (March 10-16) as national and local press organizations seek to shine a light into every corner and crevice of government.

“The report released by the Sunlight Foundation appropriately coincides with the goal of Sunshine Week to highlight the importance of open government and freedom of information – basic principles that make government better,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). This grade serves a sobering reminder that we as a state legislature have a lot of work to do to improve public integrity, promote civic participation and update online public services. Citizens deserve accountability and the opportunity to have a fair place at the table when it comes to government participation – issues I have been steadfastly committed to since I was first elected to serve Worcester and Middlesex County.”

The Sunlight Foundation assigned grades based on completeness, timeliness, machine readability, use of commonly owned standards and permanence. The eight most transparent states include: Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas and Washington. Massachusetts joined Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Nebraska and Rhode Island as the least transparent of all the fifty states.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law has not been substantially updated since 1973. Since then, it’s become more difficult for the public to obtain public records: the costs can be high, and responses to requests are often untimely.

Senator Eldridge has sponsored three bills this session that will bring about necessary 21st century public records reform:

· S1481 “An Act Improving Access to Public Records” would establish a records access officer at state agencies to facilitate responses to record requests.
· S1480 “An Act to Enhance Access to Electronic Public Records” would make it mandatory for public records to be provided to requestors in electronic form, and for information of significant interest to the public to be posted online.
· S727 “An Act Defining Court Administrative Records as Public Records” would define records within administrative offices of the courts – including Probation and the Office of the Chief Justice for Administration and Management – as public records subject to freedom of information requests; however, not apply the public records law to confidential criminal justice records or other court records.

Senator Eldridge is the first and only “Clean Elections” candidate elected to public office in Massachusetts history and has fought to limit the influence of money in politics as a strong opponent of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

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