MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY OPPOSES NURSE STAFFING BALLOT QUESTION

MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY OPPOSES NURSE STAFFING BALLOT QUESTION

The organization includes more than 25,000 physicians and medical students

BOSTON, MA – July 11, 2018 – The Coalition to Protect Patient Safety today announced that the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) has joined the Coalition in opposing the nurse staffing ballot question, slated to be Question 1 on the ballot this November. It joins a growing contingent of healthcare leaders to oppose the proposed law.

The ballot question would require that hospitals across the state, no matter their size or specific needs of their patients, adhere to the same rigid nurse staffing ratios within all patient care areas. The petition does not make allowances for rural or small community hospitals, holding them to the same staffing ratios as major Boston teaching hospitals.

“Massachusetts’ world-class healthcare has everything to do with the team approach to patient care,” said Alain Chaoui, MD, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society. “As a family physician, I know the value of team-based care that is focused on the needs of the patient. This law would fundamentally erode that team dynamic and replace it with a rigid system that relies on arbitrary numbers, which would put patient care at risk.” 

An independent cost analysis found that the proposed ballot question would cost the state more than a billion dollars each year, and those costs will be felt across the healthcare system. The initiative would override the judgment of healthcare professionals and prevent hospitals from admitting patients if the number of nurses on duty does not comply with the rigid government mandate.

“There are no scientific studies or reports that demonstrate the effectiveness of government mandated, one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratio for improving quality of care, patient outcomes or professional nursing practice.” said Donna Glynn, President of the American Nurses Association and a Nurse Scientist for the VA Boston Healthcare System. “In fact, no studies evaluating nurse staffing ratios reported a magic number as the single factor to affect patient outcomes or job satisfaction. This ballot question is ignoring scientific fact around what is best for nursing practice, decision making and quality patient care.”

The MMS, which is the statewide organization for more than 25,000 physicians and medical students in the Commonwealth, is the latest leading healthcare organization to oppose the ballot measure. It joins the American Nurses Association Massachusetts, the Organization of Nurse Leaders, the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Infusion Nurse Society’s New England Chapter, Home Care Alliance, and VNA Care in protecting the state’s healthcare system and its patients from the consequences of this rigid, costly mandate that will be placed before voters in the November 2018 election. 

Learn more about the Coalition to Protect Patient Safety at www.ProtectPatientSafety.com,www.Facebook.com/ProtectPatientSafety and www.Twitter.com/MAPatientSafety.

Governor Baker Ceremonially Swears In Five Associate Justices to Newly Created Seats on the Massachusetts Housing Court

 Governor Baker Ceremonially Swears In Five Associate Justices to Newly Created Seats on the Massachusetts Housing Court

For more, high-resolution photos, click here.

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker ceremonially swore in five new Associate Justices to the Massachusetts Housing Court as part of the Administration’s expansion of the Court:

·       Gustavo A. del Puerto of Salem nominated to the Northeastern Division;

·       Donna T. Salvidio of Worcester nominated as a Circuit Justice;

·       Neil K. Sherring of Westwood nominated as a Circuit Justice;

·       Joseph L. Michaud of Dartmouth nominated to the Metro South Division;

·       Irene Bagdoian of Westborough nominated to the Metro South Division.

“Our administration was proud to expand the Housing Court’s services to the entire Commonwealth with the addition of these five highly qualified and experienced Justices,” said Governor Charlie Baker.“These justices have each spent upwards of twenty years practicing law in Massachusetts and their experience will be instrumental during this phase of the Court’s evolution.”

“These five Justices will continue to play a vital role in shaping their respective communities ,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Each of these remarkable individuals has demonstrated a commitment to service in Massachusetts, and it is this selfless energy and legal prowess that will make a difference to the Commonwealth’s citizens in our state’s housing sector. Governor Baker and I are thrilled to welcome these justices to their new positions.”

In the 2018 Fiscal Year budget, the Baker-Polito Administration proposed this expansion and created five new positions to establish statewide jurisdiction for the court. While parts of Eastern, Central and Western Massachusetts are currently served by the Court, this expansion brings another two million people under the Court’s jurisdiction in southern Middlesex County, Norfolk County and the Cape and Islands.  The Housing Court oversees civil and criminal actions that involve the health, safety, or welfare of homeowners or those who live in residential housing and has the resources and expertise to resolve the complicated issues affecting both landlords and tenants.

  

The Housing Court oversees civil and criminal actions that involve the health, safety, or welfare of homeowners or those who live in residential housing. The courts hear eviction cases, small claims cases, civil action suits, and other cases related to residential housing. Led by Chief Justice Timothy F. Sullivan, the Housing Court now has 15 confirmed judges. It has 5 divisions: Central, Eastern, Northeast, Southeast, and Western.

For more information about the Housing Court, please visit their homepage.

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

About Gustavo del Puerto

Attorney del Puerto has nearly 25 years practicing law in Massachusetts. He currently serves as Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Housing Court Department of the Northeast Division of the Commonwealth’s Trial Court. Prior to that appointment, he practiced as a Senior Associate at Sassoon & Cymrot in Boston where he focused on commercial litigation, including the resolution of contract, business, and construction disputes, tort matters and the protection of creditors’ rights. He also served as an Associate at Gargill, Sassoon & Rudolph, where he concentrated on commercial litigation, business, corporate and immigration matters. Attorney del Puerto served as Counsel for the Chelsea Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Inc., where he also provided pro-bono work for immigration law. He is also a member of the North Shore Rugby Football Club. Attorney del Puerto earned his Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross, and his Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University’s School of Law. He currently resides in Salem, MA.

About Donna Salvidio

Attorney Salvidio currently leads the Condominium Law Practice Group within the Real Estate department at Fletcher Tilton PC.  Her work covers a full spectrum of real estate related matters, with particular emphasis on residential housing law, condominium law, property management, commercial leasing and transactional work. She has over 27 years of experience in residential housing law including landlord-tenant law and the development of affordable housing. Attorney Salvidio also routinely counsels condominium associations and their managers on a wide range of matters affecting condominium communities. She also specializes in commercial and residential leasing where she negotiates, drafts and advises on residential, retail, office and industrial lease transactions and related landlord-tenant disputes. Attorney Salvidio served as Board President of Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc., a non-profit which creates and preserves affordable housing opportunities for low to moderate income households, and is currently a member of its Property Development and Management Committee. She also served on the Housing Court Committee of the Worcester County Bar Association and was a Commissioner of the Worcester Civic Center Commission for 10 years. Attorney Salvidio received her Bachelor’s Degree cum laude in Psychology from the University of Vermont and her Juris Doctor cum laude from Suffolk University Law School where she served as an editor of the Suffolk University Law Review. She currently resides in Worcester, Massachusetts.

About Neil Sherring

Attorney Sherring has 25 years of experience practicing law. Since 2001, he has been a partner in his own law firm Dakoyannis & Sherring, LLC, where he concentrates on landlord tenant and real estate related cases, personal injury claims, insurance disputes, and employment discrimination claims. Previously, he was a trial attorney at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo. Attorney Sherring also has a wealth of experience representing the Commonwealth as an Assistant Attorney General, Assistant District Attorney for  the Northwestern District of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Superior Court Law Clerk and Hearing Officer for the Division of Insurance. In addition to his legal experience, he has been the Chair of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Program, “Trying Your First (or next) Civil Case in the Superior Court,” and Co-Chair of the “Deposition Skills Workshop.” He serves as an ex-officio for the Massachusetts Bar Association and was formerly the Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Committee. Attorney Sherring is also an Advisory Board Member of the South Asian Bar Association. He has served as the Deputy Commissioner of the State Athletic Commission and has been a frequent lecturer at Suffolk University and Curry College. Within his community, he is a current Board Member of the Westwood Community Chest, where he has also served as President and Vice President. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Curry College and his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. He resides in Westwood with his family.

About Joseph Michaud

Attorney Michaud has been practicing law for 25 years. He is currently an attorney partner at his own practice, the Law Offices of Joseph L. Michaud, where he specializes in residential and commercial real estate transactions and landlord-tenant matters. Previously, he practiced at Sykes & Michaud, Saunders & Michaud and Ponichtera & DeNardis, where he gained exposure to both civil and criminal litigation. Attorney Michaud is also a decorated member of the United States Army, having served on active duty intermittently for the last 30 years as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocates General Corps. He first enlisted as a Tanker in 1986, and went on to serve in both Desert Storm and Operation Noble Eagle. Attorney Michaud has earned 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 6 Army Commendations, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, a National Defense Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Medal, and an Outstanding Volunteer Medal. He also taught at various institutions over the last 20 years including Sam Houston State University, the United States Military Academy, Bristol Community College and, most recently, the Defense Institute of International Studies. Attorney Michaud continues to serve his local community as Chair of the South Coast Chamber of Commerce in New Bedford and as a Board Member of the Veterans' Transition House. He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Massachusetts in Amherst and received a Master’s of Arts from Sam Houston State University. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Franklin Pierce Law Center at the University of New Hampshire. Attorney Michaud is a lifelong resident of Dartmouth, MA. In his spare time, you can find him playing bass guitar in a local band.

About Irene Bagdoian

Attorney Bagdoian has practiced law in the Commonwealth for nearly thirty years. During the last decade, she has been a solo legal practitioner at her own law firm in Brockton, representing individuals and businesses in civil litigation matters related to housing, foreclosure, real estate, and consumer protection. She was one of the founders of the Brockton Housing Court Lawyer for the Day Program, which provides advice to unrepresented landlords and tenants, and has organized educational programming for volunteer lawyer programs in collaboration with the Southeastern Housing Court for the past nine years. Attorney Bagdoian is a member of the Steering Committee for the Tenancy Preservation Program and a Board Member of the Justice Center of Southeast MA. She frequently lectures on landlord and tenant matters for Pro-Home in Taunton. Attorney Bagdoian is a panelist for several MCLE programs in Boston about Housing Court practice and a panelist for Housing Court training for the BBA. Prior to Attorney Bagdoian’s current self-employment she was a litigator at Richardson and Tyler, an Assistant Attorney General in the Trial Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, an Associate Attorney with Ardiff & Morse in Danvers, an Associate Attorney with Choate, Hall & Stewart in Boston and a solo practitioner in Middleton. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree from Wheaton College in Norton, MA and received her Juris Doctorate from Boston University School of Law. She resides in Westborough with her husband, Paul Sangree.

CITY OF BOSTON TO HOST CITY HALL PLAZA SUMMER KICK OFF, FREE SUMMER LUNCHES FOR STUDENTS

CITY OF BOSTON TO HOST CITY HALL PLAZA SUMMER KICK OFF, FREE SUMMER LUNCHES FOR STUDENTS "Plaza Palooza" to celebrate summer at City Hall

BOSTON - Wednesday, July 11, 2018 - On Friday, Mayor Martin J. Walsh will host Boston's second annual summer kick off on the City Hall Plaza front lawn. Plaza Palooza will welcome summer to City Hall, and include lawn games, music provided by 103.3 AMP Radio, food for purchase, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission water truck, the Boston Police Department "Operation Hoodsie" ice cream truck and the Boston's mobile City Hall To Go truck. In addition to welcoming residents and visitors to City Hall Plaza to enjoy summer, the City's Summer Eats  program will provide free lunches to students in Boston. Interim Boston Public Schools Superintendent Laura Perille will be on hand at 12:45 p.m. to distribute lunches to students. The program, which has over 100 locations throughout Boston, provides nutritious lunches to young people under the age of 18. More information is available here. Friday's celebration, hosted in coordination with the city's Property Management Department, will welcome Boston residents and visitors to City Hall Plaza for the remainder of the outdoor season. The event is free and open to all. WHEN:           Friday, July 13, 2018                        12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m WHERE:        Boston City Hall plaza   1 City Hall Square For attendees, City Hall Plaza is accessible by MBTA via Haymarket (Orange and Green), State Street (Orange and Blue) or Government Center (Blue and Green).

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES INITIATIVE TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT LABOR TRAFFICKING

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES INITIATIVE TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT LABOR TRAFFICKING AG’s Office Invites Municipal Leaders to Share Information and Help Identify Signs of Labor Trafficking in Their Communities

BOSTON – As part of her ongoing effort to combat human trafficking in Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey announced an initiative this week to raise awareness among local officials about forced labor in communities across the state.    

AG Healey’s Fair Labor and Human Trafficking Divisions coordinated a mailing from the AG’s Office to all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns asking that municipal government leaders share information about forced labor with their employees who may come into contact with victims. Municipal employees, such as code inspectors, compliance officers, law enforcement and school personnel, may be uniquely positioned to observe a forced labor situation as they go about their daily responsibilities serving their communities. The AG’s Office asks these potential first-line observers to learn the signs of labor trafficking and how they can report the crime.

 “This initiative will bring more local resources to our efforts to identify and stop labor trafficking in Massachusetts,” said AG Healey. “With more eyes and ears, we can shed light on this exploitation and hold perpetrators accountable.”

            AG Healey’s initiative builds on recommendations in a report from the Massachusetts Interagency Human Trafficking Policy Task Force’s Subcommittee on Labor Trafficking, which recommended increasing labor trafficking awareness and response training for professionals who may interact with victims. Labor trafficking can be difficult to recognize, and local officials are key to identifying victims. The AG’s letter provides some suggestions for how municipalities can actively engage on the issue:

• Learn the signs of labor trafficking. The AG’s Office has compiled a reference sheet that provides some of the potential indicators of labor trafficking, such as workers who live with employers or appear to lack control of their own finances or their identification documents.

• Train employees about labor trafficking. The AG’s Office’s labor trafficking website has important information about what government, businesses, and consumers can do to recognize the warning signs, reduce demand, and use their buying power to thwart human trafficking. The AG’s Office will also host a webinar on July 25 to help municipal officials identify and combat labor trafficking.

• Ensure vendors are not a part of a labor trafficking supply chain. The AG’s Office suggests that municipalities can require vendors to certify their compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations related to sex trafficking and forced labor. In 2016, the AG’s Office made this commitment along with a zero-tolerance policy for all personnel. The labor trafficking website provides sample language that municipalities can use—the same standard contract term the AG’s Office uses in its own vendor contracts.

AG Healey’s Fair Labor Division is responsible for enforcing state laws regulating the payment of wages, including prevailing wage, minimum wage, earned sick time and overtime laws. The Human Trafficking Division is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to prosecuting and preventing human trafficking through law enforcement efforts and policy development. Staff members also conduct outreach and training for law enforcement and other community members statewide. Investigators in both divisions have received specialized labor trafficking training.    

Anyone who is a victim of forced services or has observed potential signs of trafficking should report a tip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733. Reports can also be emailed tohelp@humantraffickinghotline.org and submitted online at https://humatraffickinghotline.org/report-trafficking. Non-payment of wage complaints can be filed at www.mass./gov/ago/wagetheft. The AG’s Fair Labor Division staffs a hotline for questions related to the Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws, including questions about labor trafficking, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 617-727-3465. 

MASSACHUSETTS OFFICIALS LAUNCH PROGRAMS TO PROTECT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCENTIVIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

MASSACHUSETTS OFFICIALS LAUNCH PROGRAMS TO PROTECT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCENTIVIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Trust) have released the annual solicitation for projects to be financed by the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for 2019. The SRF offers subsidized loans to cities, towns and regional agencies to help protect their water resources and drinking water.

The Trust also announces three new programs that are part of the 2019 solicitation: an Incentivized Lead Service Line Replacement Program; an Asset Management Planning Grant Program; and a Housing Choice Loan Program.

“This year the Trust committed over $600 million to fund projects designed to improve water quality and upgrade its infrastructure,” said Treasurer Goldberg, Chair of the Clean Water Trust. “The new programs will save our local communities money and protect the health of citizens and the environment.”

“The SRF has long been a critical program to help communities and regional entities with wastewater and drinking water infrastructure,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “The addition of these three new programs provides additional assistance targeted to the important areas of ensuring that lead service lines are completely removed, providing additional funds for long-term infrastructure planning, and further incentivizing affordable housing.”

“The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to partner with Treasurer Goldberg and the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to support municipalities in financing important water infrastructure projects,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. We are pleased to have committed significant resources to continue the essential work made possible by the Trust through the State Revolving Fund.”

To be eligible for Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF loans, municipalities, wastewater districts, and water suppliers must file applications with MassDEP demonstrating that proposed projects offer significant public health or water quality benefit, have local funding authorization and that there is a commitment on the borrower’s part to file a timely loan application. The solicitation will be open for projects starting July 09, 2018 and applications are due by August 24, 2018.

The 2019 solicitation contains three new programs created by the Trust;

1. Incentivized Lead Service Line Replacement Program allows projects funded by the Commonwealth’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to convert loan interest, that would have been paid to the Trust, into additional funds that can be used to replace private lead service lines (LSL). These converted funds will make private LSL replacement cost neutral for cities and towns, and free for homeowners. Additional information is found here.

2. Asset Management Planning Grants is a new $2 million grant program aimed at the creation of water infrastructure Asset Management Plans (AMPs). These plans are essential for water utilities in tracking the useful life of their existing water infrastructure. Additional information is found here.

3. Housing Choice Loan Program for communities that have achieved the “Housing Choice” designation under the Commonwealth’s Housing Choice Initiative, will be eligible for an interest rate reduction up to .5% from the standard below market rate of 2% offered for most Trust loans. Additional information is found here.

The 2018 solicitation resulted in $610.5 million in water infrastructure projects - $126.5 million in Drinking Water and $484 million in Clean Water projects, funding 61 new construction projects and continued funding for 10 multi-year projects. In addition to project funding, the Trust pledged $21.1 million in principal forgiveness for eligible communities. Please visit MassDEP’s State Revolving Fund Loan Program website for additional information.

https://www.mass.gov/state-revolving-fund-srf-loan-program

For more information about these programs please visit the Special Programs page of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust webpage.

Governor Baker Signs Bond Bill Authorizing $3.9 Billion to Maintain and Modernize Capital Assets

Governor Baker Signs Bond Bill Authorizing $3.9 Billion to Maintain and Modernize Capital Assets

Bill will pave way for major investments in public college and university campuses, address statewide capital needs across state agencies

WESTFIELD – Gov. Charlie Baker today participated in a ceremonial bill-signing for An Act providing for capital facility repairs and improvements for the Commonwealth, which authorizes approximately $3.9 billion to address the Commonwealth’s statewide capital needs, including higher education campuses, health and human services facilities, state office buildings, public safety facilities, and courts.

Governor Baker signed the bill on the campus of Westfield State University, which is planning a renovation of Parenzo Hall into a state-of-the-art facility that will house technology-rich classrooms and two new academic centers. The project is part of the Administration’s new strategic framework for long-term capital investments in public higher education campuses, which prioritizes projects system-wide to address the deferred maintenance backlog and to support workforce skills needs.

“Westfield State University is one of many examples of how these capital dollars will be put to good use to renovate the campus and provide state-of-the art classrooms and learning spaces for students,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “We thank the Legislature for their collaboration to authorize nearly $4 billion in spending to refurbish and improve our schools, hospitals and courthouses across the state.”

“This bond authorization will help support our approach to make the most productive use of taxpayer dollars while addressing the deferred maintenance backlog,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “A modernized Parenzo Hall will help prepare a new generation of Westfield students to join the workforce and is an important investment in the region and in the Commonwealth’s future overall.”

Parenzo Hall opened in 1956 as the first building on the current Westfield State campus and has not undergone major renovations since. The renovation project is consistent with the Administration’s approach to capital investment that emphasizes repairing and modernizing existing assets, while ensuring that spending is always maintained at an affordable level. 

“The Baker-Polito administration’s consistent approach to capital investing balances the need to maintain and upgrade the Commonwealth’s infrastructure with a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility,” Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan said. “We thank the Legislature for approving the authorization that will get many important projects off the ground and see others through to completion.”

“This plan marks a critical turning point in the Commonwealth’s approach to capital funding for public higher education. Our goal is to maximize the use and functionality of existing spaces; align programs to meet regional and statewide workforce needs; strengthen partnerships between higher education and private sector employers; and encourage more creative and efficient use of existing spaces,” Education Secretary James Peyser said. “We recognize our public colleges and universities face some daunting challenges when it comes to their capital assets. Our annual investment in deferred maintenance projects will be at least three times greater than in the recent past.”

The bond bill authorizes $950 million overall for public higher education investments. The Administration’s five-year Capital Investment Plan has budgeted $190 million for capital repairs, renovations and improvements at state universities and community colleges and the University of Massachusetts system in Fiscal Year 2019, including $37.3 million in FY19 for critical repairs at all 29 campuses in the state system and $50 million for significant infrastructure projects to address potential operational and life safety issues.

In addition to Westfield State, the Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Investment Plan funds major new projects at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Berkshire Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Cape Cod Community College, and Massachusetts Bay Community College, and engages in a planning and project readiness process with additional projects at  Massasoit Community College, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Salem State University, Springfield Technical Community College, and Worcester State University. The capital plan also commits $88 million to other ongoing campus projects, including addressing the substructure at University of Massachusetts – Boston and projects at Holyoke Community College, Roxbury Community College, Northern Essex Community College, and Quinsigamond Community College.

“We are committed to funding critical repairs and capital improvements for all 29 campuses in the state’s public higher education system,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago. “This strategic investment is not only fiscally responsible and necessary, but also aligns well with the public higher education system’s goals of supporting college access, affordability and success for today’s students, and in turn the Commonwealth’s workforce and economy for decades to come.”

“This bond authorization will enable important infrastructure investments across the Commonwealth,” said Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “DCAMM was pleased to collaborate with our partners across state government to identify priority investments, and is particularly glad to see the strategic plan for higher education investments being implemented.”

In addition to the $950 million for higher education projects, authorizations in the bond bill signed today include:

·       $760.5 million for court facilities statewide;

·       $680 million for construction, renovations, and accessibility improvements at state office buildings;

·       $401 million for health and human services facilities (Governor Baker previously signed legislation authorizing $199 million for a new long-term care facility at the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea, in November 2017);

·       $500 million for public safety facilities, and an additional $20 million for public safety equipment; and

·       $235 million for energy efficiency and climate change resiliency projects at state facilities.

“This bill demonstrates the Legislature’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s assets,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “The investments authorized in this legislation will help ensure that our college campuses, health care facilities, public safety offices and other state buildings can continue to ably serve the residents of Massachusetts.”

“We sent this bill to the Governor’s desk to ensure that our constituents are provided the best services and amenities that our state has to offer,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “This legislation demonstrates the Legislature’s commitment to the maintenance and improvement of the Commonwealth’s capital projects and facilities.”

Reforms included in the bill will reduce red tape and expedite repairs by increasing the deferred maintenance delegation limit for the UMass system to $10 million and streamlining procedures for smaller structural mechanical and repair projects at other state agencies. These provisions will reduce project costs and time while providing greater flexibility and efficiency for agencies and campuses.

“These bond authorizations will ensure our state facilities are well-maintained and well-equipped to best serve our residents and communities,” said Sen. Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “In particular, the investment in MassBay’s allied health facility in Framingham is an important first step in our continued work to bolster health and life sciences education in MetroWest.”

“As a graduate of Westfield State, I know how valuable the University is to students from the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district and throughout the Commonwealth alike,” said Sen. Donald F. Humason, Jr. (R-Westfield). “I am pleased that this bond authorization will make important improvements to the infrastructure of the campus, ensuring this important resource will be available for  students for years to come.”

“I am thrilled that Westfield State University and other state colleges are receiving these funds,” said Rep. John Velis (D-Westfield). “Investing in the facilities at these schools shows the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to improving public higher education. Keeping the buildings up-to-date is essential to ensuring that our public colleges and universities remain at the forefront of technology, innovation, and creativity. These funds will have a real and substantial impact on the success of students, faculty, and the institutions as a whole.”

“People all across the Commonwealth every day visit our colleges, courthouses, and many other buildings and facilities. As a state we have an obligation to ensure that these buildings and facilities are safe, well-maintained and meeting the needs of our citizens, and that they are replaced when necessary,” said Sen. John F. Keenan (D-Quincy). “This bond bill, a collaborative effort between the Legislature and the Governor, reflects our commitment to fulfilling this obligation."

“UMass Dartmouth is committed to making strategic investments in its facilities to best serve and prepare its students for the workforce demands of today - the Legislature included the necessary bond authorizations for such projects in the bill being signed this afternoon,” said Rep. Antonio F. D. Cabral (D-New Bedford), Chair of the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “One of the university’s main priorities, a state-of-the-art science and engineering building, is now well on its way towards becoming a reality. New lab equipment and improved working spaces will enhance learning and attract young, passionate talent.”

“Westfield State University is greatly appreciative of this vital state investment to renovate Parenzo Hall into a fully functional, state-of-the-art educational facility,” saidRamon S. Torrecilha, Ph.D., president of Westfield State University. “Parenzo Hall serves as Westfield State’s hub of learning and activity. The enhancements and new programs made possible with this significant investment will enable us to further enhance accessibility to a quality public higher education in Western Massachusetts. The educational and community collaborations that will grow in this newly renovated facility will have immeasurable impact on our students, local high school students, and members of the surrounding communities and businesses far beyond our Westfield campus.”