Source: State House News Service Author: Colin A. Young
The governor on Wednesday will file a supplemental budget to close the books on fiscal year 2022, make another $200 million available to the MBTA and still leave the Legislature with $1.5 billion of the year’s surplus to potentially put towards tax relief efforts.
In the announcement of the supp budget, Gov. Charlie Baker’s office also said that the Department of Revenue on Wednesday had informed Auditor Suzanne Bump that it believes that $2.941 billion is required to be returned to taxpayers under Chapter 62F, the 1986 voter law that requires excess state tax collections be refunded. If the auditor certifies that amount by her Sept. 20 deadline, Baker’s office said the state will still have a fiscal year 2022 surplus of $2.3 billion — up from the administration estimate of $1.9 billion earlier this month.
“With tax revenues coming in far above budgeted amounts this year, the Commonwealth is well-positioned to deliver relief to taxpayers, while still making investments in key areas, like transportation, as we close the fiscal year,” Baker said. “Our administration is confident that with these high surplus revenues, there remains more than enough funding to support the tax relief, economic development and climate infrastructure proposals that are under consideration in the Legislature.”
The governor’s office said that the closeout supp budget would not spend down the entire fiscal 2022 surplus but leaves $1.5 billion “which in combination with $2.2 billion remaining in American Rescue Plan Act Funds, is sufficient to support the tax relief measures and other critical investments in the FORWARD/economic development bill pending with the Legislature.”
The supp budget that Baker plans to file will include $1.622 billion in spending (at a net cost to the state of $840 million) and will include $200 million to help the T address the Federal Transit Administration’s safety directives and $10 million for the agency to establish a training academy. The almost $40 million school safety plan that Baker announced last week will also be included, as will $108 million for a COVID-19 cost reserve account and an outside section mandating the appointment of a guardian ad litem in every Juvenile Court proceeding in which a child is alleged to have been abused or neglected.
The Legislature will need to act on Baker’s budget bill during informal sessions, when opposition from any single member can slow a bill down or stop its progress entirely.
Source: State House News Service Author: Chris Lisinski
Federal officials on Wednesday ordered the MBTA to craft a series of plans in the next six weeks to fix major deficiencies in staffing, internal communications, safety management, and other problems.
Capping off a months-long investigation into high-profile safety failures at the T that in some cases have caused injuries or deaths, the Federal Transit Administration published an extensive, withering report with 53 findings about the agency and the Department of Public Utilities, which is the designated state oversight agency.
The FTA’s 90-page report outlines four more directives the MBTA must follow and one more the DPU must follow, adding to a series of directives issued in June before the investigation’s conclusion. The agency risks losing federal funds if it fails to address the orders.
While the FTA will remain involved to ensure changes are made, it has not opted to take over safety oversight at the T as it did with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority the only other time it conducted a similar safety management inspection.
“This is the end of our safety management inspection, but it is not the end of FTA’s involvement,” said FTA Associate Administrator for Communications and Congressional Affairs Paul Kincaid.
Investigators found the MBTA, controlled by Gov. Charlie Baker and his deputies, has overemphasized work on major capital projects at the expense of operating maintenance and day-to-day service.
At its current staffing levels, the T does not have enough workers available to simultaneously run its desired level of subway service, keep the system in sufficient shape, and fulfill the goals outlined in its multi-year capital plan, the FTA said.
MBTA officials said Wednesday morning that they would stand up a new Quality, Compliance and Oversight Office to lead the response to the FTA’s findings. That office, which will be helmed by MBTA Chief of Capital Delivery Katie Choe, will exist outside the agency’s current hierarchy and report directly to General Manager Steve Poftak.
Baker also filed a supplemental budget bill Wednesday that would make another $200 million available for the MBTA to use on safety fixes, in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars lawmakers already appropriated for that purpose.
Funding will be utilized to support marketing efforts, and increased inventory and capital to grow the business surrounding the company’s newest product, the Wonder Plunger.
Founded in 2016 by Michelle Salas out of her desire to keep her home, and especially her bathroom, clean, Salas invented the Wonder Plunger. Wonder Plunger is a unique toilet plunger designed to shrink down for storage or expand for use with its patented one hand design and a ventilated base to prevent water build up following use.
“With the support of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, we will be able to expand our product reach through creative marketing efforts while also increasing our inventory and capital to bring consumers a unique plunger that provides a collapsible concept, aesthetically pleasing colors and a one-handed operational format to make our bathrooms cleaner.”
While the business has grown via word of mouth, the Wonder Plunger is sold at www.wonderplunger.com and via various online retail outlets. Small Business Development Center at Clark University assisted Michelle with her business plan and projections.
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
Grant supports the Façade Improvement Program to revitalize the city’s downtown area
North Central Mass.—The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, today announced it has provided $25,000 in funding to help support the City of Leominster’s Façade Improvement Program. The program, which provides an opportunity for downtown property owners and businesses to upgrade their building’s exterior, aims to help the city retain and attract businesses, strengthen the downtown area, increase utilization of existing busineses, and enhance property values.
Managed by the city’s Façade Grant Design Committee under the direction of the Mayor’s Office and the Economic Development Coordinator, the program offers funding for exterior improvements on building facades intended to improve the building’s aesthetic appearance. Six businesses are currently approved for the façade program, including Tavern 13 and Medical Arts Hearing Instruments.
“We are making significant investments in the downtown area, from Monoosnock Brook to supporting the façade project for our property and business owners,” said Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella, City of Leominster. “With just about every square foot of commercial space filled in our downtown area, this program will help enhance the unique buildings that make up our downtown while maintaining the small town feel people have come to experience in Leominster.”
“Our recent Regional Economic Development Plan identified one of the critical factors for our region’s growth is focusing on our downtown areas,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “With this grant, downtown Leominster-based businesses have the opportunity to enhance the city’s image and ability to attract new residents and investment in the community.”
The funding came from a competitive regional economic development grant secured by the NCMDC from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
Property or business owners interested in applying for improvement grants should contact the City of Leominster Economic Development Office to discuss the potential project prior to submitting an application.
Established in 1974, The Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts (ASNCM) has paved new opportunities for the older adult community through passion, heart, and a collective hive mind to provide new and improved support services to older adults.
In 2021, the agency changed its name from Montachusett Home Care (MHCC) to better reflect its mission. ASNCM is a private non-profit with a volunteer Board of Directors that is made up of representatives from the local Councils on Aging and people aged sixty and older who live in the communities they serve.
ASNCM is one of 24 Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs) across the Commonwealth and are regulated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
The overall mission of ASNCM is to provide comprehensive information and quality services so older people and their families are empowered to make personalized choices to ensure a life of dignity, safety, and respect.
“Part of who we are is that we try to empower people to stay safely at home for as long as possible,” said Lori Richardson, CEO of ASNCM. “I entered the field of aging services because I was a caregiver for my mother-in-law, Joyce, who had Alzheimer’s. My husband Jeff and I walked the walk of caregiving for seven years; we were overwhelmed, we felt alone, and we did not know where to find the answers, because we were unsure of what were the right questions to ask. Joyce died at ‘home.’ She remains an inspiration to me of that human spirit, dignity, and respect.”
Before we realize it, in a blink of an eye, you may have noticed your mother, your father, or a beloved relative, friend, or neighbor in need of additional support. This is where ASNCM provides a plethora of services, resources, and support to families throughout Central Massachusetts.
This support could include basic tasks that could be taken for granted such as cooking, cleaning, driving, laundry, or managing finances. Sometimes the needs for support for a loved one can include eating, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, taking a bath or shower.
The heart of ASNCM’s mission is one family member at a time, including their caregiver support program. This program provides you the support and services you need to make life easier for yourself and the individual you’re caring for.
The staff dedicated exclusively at ASNCM provides comprehensive information and options counseling. Additionally, the case managers and nurses assess the individual needs of older adults and develop a personalized comprehensive service plan to meet the needs.
“Needs change. We are partners in supporting the changing needs,” Richardson stated.
ASNCM has a provider network of direct care professionals who deliver the services into the home. Each provider must meet established policies, insurance coverage, training, background checks and quality metrics.
“Because of COVID, we needed to pause as a community and think about, ‘where were we?’ So, we embraced technology throughout the change,” said Richardson.
A case worker could be in the car or a lobby, and see the consumer’s face, apartment/home, and have that interaction if there was any concern for abuse or neglect. This kept everyone safe, healthy, and protected.
The inclusion of technology into adult protective services has made its impact in Los Angeles County, CA and throughout the Commonwealth of MA. The L.A. County will now be implementing ASNCM’s plan for this technology. ASNCM is working together to help them with the technology for protective services in California.
“We are all connected, and we can all learn from each other. I could have the best cell phone, the best gadgets in the world, but if I don’t have the heart, I’m nowhere. Add the technology, add the heart, and we can make a positive difference in the world,” she said.
She also discussed the economic work force challenges. “We continue to recruit for case managers and nurses. Our provider agencies that deliver services in the homes are challenged by vacancies as well. This is not just in North Central Massachusetts, but across the Commonwealth and entire nation. Prior to the pandemic, ASNCM averaged thirty consumers waiting for services; now the numbers are in the hundreds. We are relentless in our work to meet the needs of every single consumer, while being honest and transparent as to the challenges.”
ASNCM continues to change the stigma about aging through their Age Well Expo on Sept. 29th, 2022, at the Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, Ma.
The Age Well Expo is for older adults and family members to discover what their further interests are. Vendors at this expo will be from the local community and covering a variety of interests, whether it is yoga, meditation, health screenings, money management, caregiving, and more.
“Everyone that walks through the expo will absolutely leave with something to think or gain some knowledge about,” she said. “This is our first expo after [the pandemic], so we are excited to show everyone that getting older doesn’t mean that you’re stuck.”
Richardson is grateful to the North Central Chamber of Commerce for facilitating avenues for increased partnerships and development.
“ASNCM recently had two employees participate in and graduate from the Chamber’s Leadership Training Institute. The positive impact LTI had on our employees was incredible; relationships built and fostered is a win-win for our employees and our mission.”
ASNCM is partnering with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce by sponsoring its Young Professionals group next year.
“On a daily basis we strive to make a positive difference for older adults through our people, programs, providers and our community partnerships. It is worthwhile and honorable to do so,” stated Richardson.
You can learn more about the Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts by visiting www.agingservicesma.org.
Founded in 2004, Lucy’s Furniture and Upholstery is owned by Wilson and Patricia Arrua. Services provided include furniture repair, upholstery and the manufacture of custom furniture.
“I learned the craft of furniture repair while living in Uruguay from an Italian upholsterer before I immigrated to the United States as a young adult,” said Wilson Arrua. “With this funding and support from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, I am able to purchase quality fabrics for my customers and establish my business for future growth as the local leader in furniture repair and upholstery.”
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
Funding to support purchase of equipment, renovations to facility
North Central Mass.—The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved a $50,000 loan to VP Auto Repair and Mechanical, located at 39 Pleasant Street in Leominster. The loan will fund the purchase of two vehicle lifts, a hydraulic bender station, a truck diagnostic kit, and the installation of an epoxy floor.
Owned and operated by Victor Perez since 2018, VP Auto Repair and Mechanical provides various repairs for vehicles, including auto mechanic repair, brakes, oil changes, and auto body repair and paint.
“As a small business owner in Leominster looking to grow my business, the funding from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation will go a long way toward achieving my goals,” said Victor Perez.
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.
More than $22 million in Skills Capital grants awarded to educational institutions to modernize equipment and $10 million awarded to high schools to expand Career Technical Initiative
The Baker-Polito Administration awarded more than $32 million in grants to modernize equipment at career technical programs and expand training opportunities for young people and adults as part of the administration’s multi-year effort to address skills gaps so more residents can pursue careers in growing industries and employers can hire qualified workers to grow their businesses.
Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, along with Secretary of Education James Peyser, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta, and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy, visited Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington to meet with middle school students who are exploring different career technical programs this summer.
The Governor announced $22 million in Skills Capital grants awarded to 70 educational institutions, and an additional $10 million awarded to 23 vocational schools to expand programs for both young people and adults as part of the Career Technical Initiative (CTI). This round of CTI grants will help train more than 1,600 people for new careers in construction, manufacturing and other trades with growing workforce demands.
“Since our administration launched these critically important programs, high schools, colleges and other educational institutions throughout the Commonwealth have created and expanded numerous training programs with Skills Capital Grants and developed new training opportunities for young people and adults with the Career Technical Initiative,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are very proud of the lasting impact these grants will have on the Massachusetts workforce and the future of the Commonwealth as they prepare the next generation of innovative leaders in cutting-edge industries.”
“Skills Capital grants and the Career Technical Initiative have enabled more young people and adults to pursue rewarding careers they may not have had opportunities to pursue and have helped break down barriers to entry and success,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Importantly, these significant investments have changed the career trajectory for many adults seeking employment or credentials by providing training and skills in industries that may not have existed when they were in school.”
Skills Capital grants and Career Technical Initiative grants are awarded by Governor Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, which was created in 2015 to bring together the Secretariats of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development to align education, economic development and workforce policies to strategize around how to meet employers’ demand for skilled workers in every region of the Commonwealth.
“Skills Capital grants fund technology and equipment that reflect what students will see in the workplace, giving them hands-on applied learning experiences that are valuable to them and employers,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Students gain knowledge and confidence in growing industries and employers are able to hire employees ready to be productive from the day they start.”
More recently, Skills Capital grants have focused on the launch and expansion of the Career Technical Initiative, which enables vocational-technical schools to expand their impact by operating programs in the afternoons for local high school students and in the evenings for workers and adult learners.
“The goal of CTI is to meet the needs of both jobseekers and employers, by training young students and adults for careers in high-demand and high-growth sectors,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “CTI helps create career pathways for people from underserved and underrepresented populations, which is critical in our efforts to address and help close equity gaps.”
“Employers across the Commonwealth are looking for skilled workers in order to grow their business, and career technical programs have proven key to positioning our students to pursue jobs in in-demand industries and hit the ground running on day one,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “Today’s grants will expand these important programs to both grow our workforce and create economic opportunity for young people and residents of all backgrounds.”
“Minuteman is tremendously grateful for the $2.6 million of support we have received from Governor Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet since 2020,” said Dr. Kathleen A. Dawson, Superintendent-Director of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District. “This funding is invaluable if we are to be leaders in the fourth industrial revolution. Our students are gaining highly technical skills necessary to meet the demands of the labor market and setting them and their families on a trajectory for economic mobility.”
Skills Capital Grants
As part of today’s announcement, 70 educational institutions received $22 million in Skills Capital grants to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education.
The Skills Capital grant program was originally launched in 2015 with the goal of replacing outdated equipment and technology, mainly at vocational technical high schools and community colleges. Since then, the program has evolved into a crucial component of local workforce training efforts by expanding the number of young people and adults trained and experienced with the newest technologies used by local employers.
Since 2015, 477 grants totaling approximately $129 million have been awarded to 194 different schools and educational institutions across the Commonwealth, with many organizations receiving multiple grants over the years. Approximately 50,000 students across the Commonwealth have directly benefitted from Skills Capital grants. The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, as well as align curriculum and credentials with industry demand to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state.
In 2020, the Administration began awarding larger multi-year grants, allowing educational institutions to apply for either one or two years of funding. In the awards announced today,Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) in Boston received $1,286,348 to launch a new healthcare and life sciences career institute at the site of the former Boston Center for Adult Education.
Click here to see full list of Skills Capital grant awards.
Career Technical Initiative
Initially launched in 2020, the Career Technical Initiative aims to train an additional 20,000 skilled workers over the next four years to help close skills gaps and meet the needs of businesses across the Commonwealth. The program provides more Massachusetts residents access to career technical training by using the state’s existing resources at vocational high schools, while simultaneously helping businesses grow by increasing the population of skilled workers able to be employed in trade and construction jobs.
The $10 million in grants announced today will fund new CTI programs or expand existing programs at vocational high schools in partnership with MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards. Each school awarded funds was required to include at least three Massachusetts-based employers that would potentially employ graduates. The grant funds were included in the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
Click here to see the full list of Career Technical Initiative awards.
Top House and Senate Democrats early Sunday evening filed a compromise $52.7 billion annual budget that is expected to win approvals in both branches on Monday.
The six-member conference committee’s accord (H 5050) arrived in the House clerk’s office at 6:50 p.m., 17 days into the new fiscal year, and with state government operating on an interim budget for July to prevent any disruption in government services.
The deal was signed off on by all of the negotiators – four Democrats, led by Reps. Aaron Michlewitz of Boston and Sen. Michael Rodrigues of Westport, and two Republicans. Ahead of Monday’s vote, lawmakers and special interest groups will pore over the bill to gauge how it meets their district needs and whether spending and policy priorities survived the panel’s private talks.
With a significant fiscal 2022 budget surplus, budget negotiators marked up their estimate of available tax revenue for fiscal 2023 by $2.66 billion and then spread the additional revenue through their bill, which is based on the House budget approved in April and the Senate budget that passed in May.
The House budget proposed a $31.5 million or 2.7 percent increase in the unrestricted general government aid to cities and towns, while the Senate doubled that increase to $63.1 million, for a total $1.23 billion. Budget negotiators agreed to the Senate’s approach.
The biggest pot of local aid – Chapter 70 school aid – would rise to nearly $6 billion under the budget agreement, with regional school aid accounting for $819 million of that total.
Negotiators also settled on the much larger $115 million House plan for school meals, and embraced the Senate’s more generous plan to infuse the early education and care system with $250 million in sector stabilization grants.
The budget deal arrives as Gov. Charlie Baker plans to spend the early part of this week in Colorado at meetings to talk politics with Republican governors as they look to hold on to seats and gain new ones in the 2022 elections.
Once he receives the bill, Baker, who plans to return to Massachusetts on Wednesday night, will get up to ten days to review it before signing it and returning any amendments and vetoes. With formal sessions set to end for the year on July 31, the late budget means House and Senate Democrats are leaving themselves with a short window to field any budget measures returned by the governor.
The bottom line spending total that lawmakers assigned to the bill is up substantially from the nearly $50 billion proposals that cleared each branch, and also does not reflect off-budget funds transfers for state employee pensions and to the MBTA, for example. The bill lists the “grand total” of funds available for the budget at $54.87 billion.
The conference committee’s budget is based on a fiscal 2023 tax revenue estimate of $39.575 billion, and the bill factors in about $14 billion in federal reimbursements.
A summary of the conference agreement was not available Sunday night and the conferees were not available to comment.
After launching the Gift Local Community Gift Card Program back in 2016, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber is proud to announce the introduction of a new Gift Local E-Gift Card – a very user-friendly and more robust platform making it even easier for merchants and card holders to help drive business in the region.
“The Chamber is always looking for innovative ways to help grow our members’ businesses and build community,” said Chamber President Roy Nascimento. “Participating members honored the card to help drive the local economy and keep spending local. We are now ready to take this gift card program to the next level.”
Using Yiftee as its new gift card technology partner, the Chamber will transition to the new gift card platform over the next 6 months with the original program remaining valid through December 31, 2022. Existing old Gift Local Gift Card holders (that operated on the prior system) can convert their unused card to the new format by coming to the Chamber office. The Chamber will absorb the processing fees for exchanging and activating the cards and, as a courtesy, will add a $5 bonus to the balance on any old gift cards exchanged for a new Gift Local E-Gift Card.
Chamber members will be hearing much more about the new Gift Local E-Gift Card in the weeks and months ahead. Consumers can purchase the Card as gifts or for self-use, and companies can use it for employee rewards, anniversary gifts, customer appreciation, survey incentives, contests and anything they might have used a gift card for.
“Most importantly, the dollars stay local and benefit our shops and restaurants and our community,” added Nascimento.
The new Gift Local E-Gift Card is much more convenient for both participating merchants to process and for gift card holders to redeem. People can purchase the E-Cards online and email, text or print them for use in shops, restaurants and other local services. To accept the Cards participating merchants just need to accept Mastercard and process it via a key-entry (like a phone order). There will no longer be any need for a separate web terminal for processing, dual entries into the terminal and POS system, and any costly POS integration.
There is no additional cost for Chamber merchants to participate in the program. To opt-in, they simply run a 10- cent charge (or whatever is their minimum) on a prepaid Mastercard that Yiftee will send by email (the “Activation Card”). This serves as the authorization to participate and businesses agree to Yiftee’s Merchant Agreement found here: yifteeutil.com/merchant_agreement.pdf. Participating merchants will be paid through their credit card bank in their normal settlement, with their normal Mastercard CNP processing fee. The Cards only work at participating merchants who opt-in to the program.
Businesses interested in accepting these Cards should contact the Chamber office as soon as possible. The Chamber is planning to launch the new card to the public by September 1, 2022 with a marketing campaign and merchants who are signed up will be featured.
“We hope participating businesses will continue to honor the card and encourage fellow business owners to join in accepting the gift card,” said Nascimento. “We also encourage new businesses to sign up to help drive more local dollars spent in the region. We’re very excited about this new E-card and developing new business for our members.”
To sign up to accept the new Gift Local e-Gift Card or for more information, call Lauren Goulet, Chamber Operations Manager, at 978.353.7600 or email lgoulet@northcentralmass.com.
