Baker-Polito Administration Releases FY16 Capital Budget Plan Investing Over $2.125B in Communities, Infrastructure, Economic Development

Baker-Polito Administration Releases FY16 Capital Budget Plan Investing Over $2.125B in Communities, Infrastructure, Economic Development

Plan stabilizes long-range spending, protects taxpayers from future debt

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito administration today released the Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) capital budget, including a $2.125 billion bond cap on General Obligation Bonds, the same level as Fiscal Year 2015, and an accompanying spending plan that invests in communities by budgeting for Chapter 90 transportation funding, extends the Accelerated Bridge Program, makes critical investments in economic development and devotes significant funds toward fixing and maintaining state assets.

The collaborative plan addresses the needs of communities and public sector agencies across state government and invests the taxpayers’ money prudently across several essential areas while responsibly managing the Commonwealth’s debt.

“Communities in every region can count on over $30 million in assistance through grants for vocational schools, cultural facilities, and mutually agreed upon capital projects to build better places to live and work,” said Governor Baker.  “This plan directs more than $200 million in grants for manufacturing job training, MassWorks Infrastructure, Life Sciences Center programs, and funds to grow the innovation hub and dredge Boston Harbor, keeping the Commonwealth ahead of the competition for tomorrow’s jobs.  We are also investing in our transportation infrastructure while prudently managing the people’s money to tackle the Commonwealth’s debt.”

“This plan addresses the balance of meeting our long-term capital needs without crowding out future discretionary spending in our budgets,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore. “We inherited a high demand of capital requests and the added pressure of nearly $29 billion in existing debt authorizations, and we were still able to responsibly invest in several priority areas while ensuring that state government lives within its means in our capital investment strategy.”

Click here to find FY ’16 executive summary.

Click here to find the FY ’16 capital budget.

CAPITAL PLAN HIGHLIGHTS:

·       Fixing and Maintaining Our Assets: The FY16 Capital Investment Plan demonstrates the administration’s commitment to fixing and maintaining the assets we already own by investing in deferred maintenance and infrastructure across multiple agency bond cap allocations.  

·       Economic Development: An emphasis for this year’s plan is on capital projects across the Commonwealth that correlates directly to economic activity. Investments are made in the innovation economy, local infrastructure projects, and training equipment to vocational programs address the skills gap, generate economic activity and create jobs.

·       Strengthening Our Communities: The administration devotes a significant portion of this year’s plan to Massachusetts cities and towns. Through Chapter 90 funds, Community Compact grants and other programs that municipalities can rely on the state as a partner for important local projects.

DISCRETIONARY SPENDING:

Approximately ten percent or $200 million in capital plan spending was truly discretionary for the Baker-Polito Administration, with the majority of the budget being pre-committed. Some of the new investments from this list include:

·       $35 million for dredging Boston Harbor, providing a match to federal and MassPort funding that will enable larger “Panamax” ships to reach our port and enhance our trade capacity, growing the regional economy and jobs

·       $25 million for road and related infrastructure work around UMass Boston’s campus, serving the entirety of Columbia Point

·       $15 million for manufacturing innovation grants, to spur innovation in our manufacturing sector and promote partnerships between small business, tech and higher education sectors

·       $10 million increase (to $75 million) for the existing MassWorks program, which provides grants for municipalities and other eligible public entities seeking public infrastructure funding to support economic development, housing, city and town revitalization, projects, mill redevelopment and rural transportation improvements

·       $6 million for inland dams and seawalls to shore up critical infrastructure that protects our communities from flooding and severe weather events

·       $5 million increase to the existing Seaport Advisory Council, which provides statewide coordination of all coastal community planning and investment activities

AGENCY PRIORITIES:

Fixing and Maintaining Assets:

·       Over $500M:  Roads and bridges, highways, and local roadwork statewide

·       $405.9M:[1]      Accelerated Bridge Program – structurally deficient and / or

obsolete bridges                      

·       $251M:           MBTA Green Line extension

·       $117.6M:        Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) maintenance of state assets

·       $90M:             Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) public housing maintenance

·       $79.2M:          Red and Orange Line cars for the MBTA

·       $58.8M:          Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) deferred maintenance

·       $45M:[2]           Lottery terminal upgrades

·       $16.5M:[3]        Accelerated Energy Program – energy efficiency upgrades to

replace existing systems with cheaper, greener systems

·       $4.7M:[4]          Upgrades to the Department of Children and Families social worker tablets

Economic Development:

·       $75M:              MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Awards

·       $65M:              Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grant program

·       $35M:              Dredging of Boston Harbor to increase port traffic

·       $16.5M:           Seaport Advisory Council

·       $15M:              National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Grants

·       $12.7M:           Equipment grants for vocational schools

                       
Building Stronger Communities:

·       $200M:            Chapter 90 transportation funds

·       $20M:              Library construction grants

·       $19M:              Broadband Last Mile – high speed internet access for rural communities

·       $10M:              Cultural facilities grants

·       $2M:                Community Compact grants for local capital projects

·       $2M:                Greening the Gateway Cities

RESPONSIBLE PLANNING TO CONTROL DEBT:

Given long term budgetary pressures including increasing pension and healthcare costs and the Administration’s commitment to continue to adequately fund education, local aid and state services, the Administration responsibly manages our debt service for long-term results.

With this is mind, the Administration will closely monitor debt service and continue to stress test projections through a variety of credit ratios especially as a percentage of operating budget.

The statutory debt limit constrains growth of direct debt to 5% per annum. In FY15, the direct debt limit was $19.8 billion, with an increase to $20.7 billion in FY16.

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Registrar Announces 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery

Registrar Announces 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery

Large Pool of Plate Classics Up For Grabs

BOSTON - Friday, June 19, 2015 – Today, MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin C. Deveney announced that applications for the 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery are now available at the Registry’s website and at branch locations throughout the state.

“It’s the favorite time of year again for Massachusetts plate aficionados,” said Registrar Deveney. “There is a large pool of classic plates, including Z9, up for grabs this year and we encourage everyone to visit our website www.massrmv.com to download an application. Good luck to our entrants!”

In addition to the availability of plate Z9, there are 155 other plates that are part of this year’s lottery including: 650, 7X and L91. Annually, approximately 6,000 applications are received.

Low number plates must be renewed every two years.

Applications are available for download online or at Registry branches across the Commonwealth. By law, applications must be postmarked by August 21, 2015.  Applications can be found at http://www.massrmv.com/Portals/30/docs/21843.pdf

Details of the drawing, date, time and location will be announced later this summer. By law, winners must be announced by September 15, 2015 and will be posted on the Registry website.

Governor Baker Announces Medical Marijuana To Move Ahead To Sale

Governor Baker Announces Medical Marijuana To Move Ahead To Sale

One-time waiver granted for limited amounts to be sold, while labs secure more rigorous testing

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today approved the issuance of a one-time, temporary waiver that will allow the first medical marijuana dispensary to begin selling its product after meeting final inspection protocols.

One of the Commonwealth's first medical marijuana dispensaries, Alternative Therapy Group (ATG) of Salem, MA had requested the waiver because labs in Massachusetts are not yet able to complete the array of quality testing required by Department of Public Health protocols.

“Patients have waited to access marijuana for medical purposes for far too long,” said Governor Baker. “This waiver will allow industry laboratories a little more time to reach full operation while providing safe amounts of medical marijuana for qualifying patients who need it.”

In line with several other leading states, Massachusetts has adopted an aggressive approach when it comes to testing, requiring medical marijuana be examined for cannabinoids, solvents, mycotoxins and other microbiological contaminants along with heavy metals and pesticides.

On the first batch of marijuana submitted for testing by Salem's ATG, the lab was unable to test for 7 of the 18 mandated pesticides, which would make it unable to be sold under state regulations. Under the waiver granted today, marijuana for medical use can be distributed with a label that discloses to the consumer the chemicals that were not tested.

“We are not lowering our standards for the testing of marijuana for medical purposes. Safety is job one,” said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “The waiver allows for small amounts of marijuana to be dispensed for medical use while testing facilities ramp up.”

Under the 3-month waiver, ATG may only dispense a maximum of 4.23 ounces of marijuana to any qualifying patient for their sixty-day supply and must provide patients with instructions to consume no more than 2 grams per day. During that time DPH will review the standards for naturally occurring minerals to ensure they are attainable for future dispensaries.

“We carefully considered the initial testing results and we will review the standards going forward,” said Dr. Monica Bharel, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. “We believe these levels provide for patient health protections while allowing the first dispensary to distribute marijuana for medical use as voted on in 2012.”

華人前進會辦敬老日 籲成立“正當理由驅逐法”

華人前進會6月14日在信義大廈舉辦敬老日，安排遊戲，備置美食，廣邀耆英歡聚，感謝他們默默奉獻，堅定支持，保護社區，也呼籲推動“正當理由驅逐法案”。

華人前進會共同主任陳玉珍在會中致詞，說明華人前進會過去這幾年的主要工作是從推動建可負擔房屋，爭取優良工作機會，呼籲建圖書館等三方面著手，追求穩定華埠。這次舉辦敬老日活動，主要是感謝社區耆英在協助前述工作上的努力與貢獻。

她強調，爭取到永久性雙語選票是另一項成就，將容許華人發揮更大的政治影響力。

華人前進會員工鄺寶蓮和余翠鳳接著進一步說明前進會目前的主要工作。鄺寶蓮表示，華埠面對的住宅豪華化和逼遷問題越來越嚴重，要爭取穩定華埠，除了爭取可負擔房屋，還得爭取政策修訂。

他們在社區會議裏和民眾晤談，和盟友討論時認為，比較可行的第一步是推動《正當理由驅逐》法案。

過去兩星期以來，華人前進會已收集到數百個支持簽名，將力促《正當理由驅逐》成為波士頓市議會今年討論的主要法案。

余翠鳳表示，新移民及英文能力有限的人，實在沒有太多選擇，能夠爭取到的工作機會，大都屬於酒店服務，超級市場，家居護理業，但華埠一帶的豪華化發展。她感謝耆英們支持家居護理工人的爭取調漲薪資。

華人前進會共同主席湯建華，工人代表當天都在會上發言。湯建華敘述了她父母與護理工人的故事，指老人家是否能獲得良好照顧，家居護理工人的品質非常重要，但這些人工作辛苦，工資低，一週得工作50多小時，才勉強維持生活。如果工人們能夠成立工會，就可以有多些保證，並集中力量向政府爭取更多家居護理資金。

            在敬老會上，耆英和家居護理工人們猜謎語，夾波珠，拆紙，玩各種遊戲。華人前進會還播放一段幻燈片，展示耆英們為爭取權益，參加遊行示威，聆聽會，社區會等各種活動的照片，顯現耆英在穩定社區上所扮演的重要角色。

            會末，耆英們都表示將繼續支持家居護理工人的爭取加薪，組工會權利。

圖片說明：

老人支持者在寫感謝卡給長期照顧他們的護理工人。(圖由華人前進會提供)

前進會主席湯建華講關於她父母與護理工人的故事。(圖由華人前進會提供)

會場放映幻燈片。(圖由華人前進會提供)

Nighttime Subway Service between Wellington and Oak Grove to be Suspended for Winter Resiliency Work

Nighttime Subway Service between Wellington and Oak Grove to be Suspended for Winter Resiliency Work

BOSTON - Thursday, June 18, 2015 - Beginning on Monday, June 22nd, and continuing on selected nights through next month, Orange Line service between Oak Grove and Wellington Stations will be temporarily suspended to allow workers to make the subway more resilient to harsh winter weather conditions.

On the nights when workers will be replacing third rail and switch heaters, Orange Line service between Oak Grove and Wellington will be suspended in both directions from 8:45 p.m. to the end of regular service hours.  Shuttle bus service will be provided, serving Wellington, Malden Center, and Oak Grove Stations.  Regularly scheduled Orange Line service will resume at 5:00 AM each day.  None of the work will take place on Friday or Saturday nights. Service will be impacted on the following dates:

JUNE	JULY
- Monday, June 22 - Tuesday, June 23 - Wednesday, June 24 - Thursday, June 25 - Sunday, June 28 - Monday, June 29 - Tuesday, June 30	- Wednesday, July 1 - Thursday, July 2 - Sunday, July 5 - Monday July 6 - Tuesday, July 7 - Wednesday, July 8 -Thursday, July 9 - Monday, July 13 - Tuesday, July 14 - Wednesday, July 15 - Thursday, July16

The $83.7 million Winter Resiliency Plan is designed to address critically needed improvements to the MBTA’s infrastructure, equipment, and operations.  Information regarding the Plan can be found athttp://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=6442454500&month=&year=.

The work beginning next week is part of a $12.7 million project to replace third rail and switch heaters on targeted vulnerable outdoor sections of the Red and Orange Lines.  Aged third rail resulted in poor power transmission in severe weather and existing heaters were unable to keep up with the snow and ice accumulations. 

All shuttle bus stops are accessible for persons with disabilities.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog:www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

FORTY EIGHT COLUMBIA POINT DAWGS CHARGED IN FEDERAL SWEEP

FORTY EIGHT COLUMBIA POINT DAWGS

CHARGED IN FEDERAL SWEEP

 

BOSTON – Over 500 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers carried out arrests and executed more than 30 federal search warrants early this morning as a result of a two-year federal, state, and local wiretap investigation dubbed, “Operation Rising Tide.”  Six federal indictments charging 48 leaders, members, and associates of the Columbia Point Dawgs (CPD) with drug trafficking and firearm charges were unsealed today in connection with the sweep. 

 

According to documents filed in court, the CPD, also known on the street as “the Point,” is Boston’s largest and most influential city-wide gang.  The criminal organization started in the 1980s in the former Columbia Point Housing Development (now Harbor Point) and, over the years, gang members established drug trafficking crews throughout Boston.  Over time, the group also trafficked drugs from Boston to Maine.  It is alleged that, during the course of the investigation, the CPD was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilogram quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone throughout Boston and Maine. 

 

Court documents allege that the CPD established its dominance in the Boston gang drug distribution business through a pattern of violence and intimidation, and that members of CPD have been responsible for numerous shootings of rival gang members over the years.  In particular, in the past year and a half, the CPD has been engaged in a violent gang war with the Greenwood Street Posse, and other gangs aligned with Greenwood, which has resulted in numerous shootings.  Law enforcement officers seized 14 firearms during the course of the investigation.  On several occasions, guns were seized after investigators heard through court-authorized cellphone wiretaps that an individual was about to engage in a shooting. 

 

Of the 48 persons charged in the indictments, 41 are in custody.  The investigation has resulted in the seizure of, among other things: 31 firearms; multiple boxes of ammunition; heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana, as well as drug trafficking paraphernalia; 15 vehicles, including a Maserati, a Mercedes Benz, and an Audi; and $1.5 million in cash. 

 

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner Evans; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal of the U.S. Marshals Service, District of Massachusetts; Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; and Commissioner Carol Higgins O’Brien of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, made the announcement today. 

 

        The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

 

BRA awards $400,000 in grants to twelve South Boston organizations through new community benefits process

BRA awards $400,000 in grants to twelve South Boston organizations through new community benefits process

After successful pilot program, standardized application will be used to allocate similar funding going forward

BOSTON – Twelve non-profit organizations operating in South Boston will receive grants, ranging from $20,000 to $80,000, to support their programs. The awards mark the successful completion of a Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) pilot program launched in February to test a new process for allocating discretionary funding from community benefits agreements associated with development projects. The twelve South Boston grant recipients will share a total of $400,000 in funding that stems from the D Street Hotel project, which is currently under construction across from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

The BRA received nearly 40 applications from non-profit organizations seeking funding. BRA staff reviewed the submissions in conjunction with the Office of Workforce Development, an affiliate of the BRA with a strong track record in grant management, to determine the awardees. The grants will support an array of initiatives, from youth empowerment programs to substance abuse prevention work.

The following organizations received grants.

Community Organization	Grant Amount
Boys and Girls Club of South Boston	$80,000
Harry McDonough Sailing Center	$50,000
Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund	$50,000
Catholic Charities Laboure Center	$50,000
Gavin Foundation, Inc.	$30,000
South Boston Neighborhood House	$20,000
Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center	$20,000
Medicine Wheel Productions	$20,000
Notre Dame Education Center	$20,000
South Boston en Accion	$20,000
South Boston Collaborative Center	$20,000
Paraclete, Inc.	$20,000

“We want to level the playing field when it comes to allocating funds from community benefits agreements, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said BRA Director Brian Golden. “In the past, there wasn’t a predictable process for awarding this funding. I’m proud that we’re able to support so many impactful organizations with an approach that lends itself to transparency and accountability.”

“I am pleased that the pilot was successful and that this strategy is being adopted as standard practice," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “This application process gives the South Boston community equal access and opportunity to receive grant money resulting from new development in and around their neighborhood. This continues our commitment to transparency, accessibility, and streamlining city government by modernizing the way we do business. I commend the Convention Center Authority, the BRA, elected officials, and the community for working with the development team to secure this important funding for South Boston.”

Given the success of the pilot, the BRA will now release the remaining $230,000 in community benefits associated with the D Street Hotel project. Non-profit organizations operating in South Boston that applied for but didn’t receive funding in the first round are eligible to reapply in round two. Applicants can request up to $25,000 in funding for this round. The second round D Street Hotel Community Benefits application is available on the BRA’s website. Submissions are due Monday, July 20.

The D Street Hotel project is being developed by CV Properties on land owned by the Massachusetts Convention Authority (MCCA). The grants are part of the community benefits package negotiated by the MCCA and CV Properties. State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, Representative Nick Collins, and City Councilors Bill Linehan and Michael Flaherty were instrumental in working with the community, the Mayor’s administration, the MCCA, and the BRA to negotiate the agreement.

“We are pleased to have played a role in facilitating the community benefit funding thanks to the generosity of CV Properties, and we are excited about the BRA’s new program that allowed local nonprofits to propose the best uses for that funding,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. “We will continue to work closely with the BRA to drive urban development on D Street and around the Convention Center for the benefit of the community we are proud to be a part of.”

“On behalf of CV Properties and our partner Ares Management, we are thrilled with the selection of so many deserving local non-profits to receive these funds,” said Richard Galvin, Founder and President of CV Properties. “I know how difficult it is to raise even a thousand dollars, so the fact that the D Street Hotel project can help fill the funding gaps so many of these groups have every year, is a great example of how significant new developments can act as a platform to do good things in the neighborhoods we work in.”

“To see so many critical non-profits receive funding from the community benefits package from the D Street Hotels project is exciting," said Senator Forry. "Supporting the work of these compassionate organizations is critical to the amazing community of South Boston. I want to thank CV Properties, Ares Management and the MCCA for their dedication to supporting these groups and the BRA for an improved, transparent community benefits process.”

"I am encouraged by the new transparent community benefits process and glad that many important service providers in South Boston will benefit from this funding," said City Council President Bill Linehan.

“South Boston’s non-profit organizations do a tremendous job serving our community and caring for some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Councilor Flaherty. “The community benefits attained through the grants provided by the D Street Hotel project will set an example for other developers who look to invest in our thriving neighborhood.”

“I was proud to be the house sponsor of the bill authorizing the D Street hotel expansion in South Boston,” said Representative Collins. “I worked hard with my colleagues in the legislature to ensure passage of the bill because it will bring many benefits to the South Boston community in the form of construction jobs, permanent jobs and funding for our local nonprofit organizations.”

Later this year, the BRA will release applications for community benefits funding associated with development projects in other neighborhoods of Boston.