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District Office Hours

Please join me on Monday, November 3rd for District Office hours, which will be held at two separate locations:

My two Legislative Aides, Caitlin Kenerson and Kate Miller, and I will be available to meet with
any constituents at this time. Please accept my invitation to all who would like to stop in and
express any of their ideas or concerns as well as anyone who just like to pop in and say ‘hello”. I realize that these are hard times for many people and I am more than happy to be available for any of my constituents who wish to see me during this time.

Appointments are not required unless a private meeting is desired. Constituents in the district may contact Caitlin Kenerson at her State House office at 617-722-2006 with any questions or concerns. Hope to see everyone there!

 

Gateway Cities Caucus Comes to Brockton

$225K grant to fund local after-school programs
Funding Critical to Success of Schools and Community-based Organizations

Announces over $68K for Local Cultural Organizations
Brockton’s Gilmore Academy, local cultural councils recipients of this year’s funding

October 3, 2008 – Today I was pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has awarded a total of $68,250 to local cultural programs and organizations in grant funding for FY’09. 

This state funding has become vital to maintaining vibrant cultural programs in Brockton, Easton and West Bridgewater.  I’m pleased that my colleagues and I in legislature are able to maintain our commitment each year to the Massachusetts Cultural Council so that soul-nourishing programming in our schools and through local cultural councils will continue.

One of the highlights of this year’s grant program was $3,750 being awarded to Brockton’s Gilmore Academy to take part in the Creative Schools Program.  This program seeks to integrate the arts, sciences, and the humanities into the school’s ongoing curriculum; establish new classes in these areas; and/or provide students with greater opportunities to visit local arts and cultural organizations. 

In addition to the funding awarded to Gilmore Academy, local cultural councils in Brockton, Easton and West Bridgewater once again received funding to support the respective councils in providing a variety of community-based projects and programs that explore local arts and history; expand education and accessibility; and celebrate diversity.  This year, the Brockton Cultural Council received $53,500 in grant funding from MCC, the Easton Cultural Council received $6,700, and the West Bridgewater Cultural Council $4,300. 

 

There must be something in the name!
Announcing two new staff members, Caitlin and Kate

September 26, 2008 – I am pleased to announce the hiring of two new Legislative Aides: Caitlin Kenerson and Kate Miller. Along with their name, they share the dedication and spirit—and of course, a good sense of humor—that is essential for any successful working relationship in state politics.

I’m very excited about having these two bright, young women join my staff. Although I might confuse their names, each has brought her own individual personality and strengths to the job.

Caitlin, an unrepentant bookworm from East Bridgewater, graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth earlier this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Social Sciences. As a sister of Delta Pi Omega, she was involved in a sorority that focused on women leadership that had ideals which promoted trust, honesty, and personal growth. It was her years teaching the incoming freshmen those same ideals and values of being a woman leader, along with her involvement in community service in the South Shore, that most impressed the Representative.

Kate, a bona fide nerd from New Bedford, is a Boston University graduate. Her B.A. in International Relations has led her on an academic journey around the world which included a semester at St. Anne’s College – Oxford University, and an internship in a British non-profit in London. However, all roads lead home, and in fall of last year, she enrolled in a legal assistant certificate program at Bristol Community College. Through the support of dedicated professors at BCC and the Massachusetts Community College Council, she had the opportunity to intern in the office of Rep. Stephen Canessa (D-New Bedford) this past summer.

I’ve always believed that in order to be successful at my job, I need a great team. With the addition of Kate and Caitlin to my staff, the energy level of the office has just increased two-fold, so along with Michael Mullen, my chief-of-staff, we are ready to tackle anything that comes our way.

 

Earns an ‘A’ for environmental support
Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters rates state legislators
on their commitment to environmental legislation

September 24, 2008 – I am proud to announce that I earned a “94” on the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters’ (MLEV) 2008 Environmental Scorecard.

In a ground-breaking year for environmental legislation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the MLEV, working with conservation and natural resource protection groups, tracked a series of priority environmental bills in order to rate each state legislator on green issues. The voting system was based on the number of pro-environmental votes cast out of the total number followed in the project. Every legislator in the government received a ‘grade’ from 0 to 100%.

The combined average for both branches of the legislature was 84%, but with my support of environmental friendly legislation – like the Green Jobs Act and the Global Warming Solutions Act – I’ve moved toward the head of the class!

For me, the most important objective of environmental protection is simple: making sure that my grandkids, and yours, and all the children being quizzed about global warming and greenhouse gases in school, can inherit a healthier environment. All of us are still learning about the impact of these environmental issues. The trick is to take what we have learned and turn it into positive change. I’m proud of my ‘94.’ I must be doing something right.    

 

Public Input Sought for Creation of Statewide
Strategic Transportation Plan
Upcoming regional workshops being held to spur
public feedback and civic engagement

September 18, 2008 – In collaboration with the Patrick Administration, I’m pleased to announce the kick-off of youMove Massachusetts, an effort led by the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) to encourage public input in the initial phase of a process to create a Strategic Transportation Plan within the Commonwealth. 

Over the next month, the EOT will hold 10 workshops as part of youMove Massachusetts throughout the state to hear what area residents have to say about their experiences every day as they move around Massachusetts.  These workshops will consist of forums and small group discussions facilitated by EOT staff to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to be heard.  Locally, these workshops will be held in:

• Taunton on Monday, October 6^th at 6:00pm, at the Taunton Public Library; and in
• Braintree on Tuesday, October 7^th at 6:00pm, at the Thayer Public Library. 

Those unable to attend the public workshops but want to participate are encouraged to visit the project’s website at www.youMoveMassachusetts.org which features an interactive mapping tool that will enable users to identify specific mobility concerns on a map.  The website also includes a feature that allows comments to be posted for other users to see. 

Whether you’re able to make the workshops or not, I encourage everyone to participate in creating this much-needed Strategic Plan, and help to improve our transportation system for all of us.

For more information about this project, or questions and concerns about any transportation-related issue in Brockton, Easton and West Bridgewater, please contact my State House office at (617) 722-2006. 

 

Canavan touts numerous legislative accomplishments
as House wraps up formal business
Nation-leading Energy Reform Package, improved access to health-care
coverage, and funding for various district projects highlight session. . .
read more

 

Museum of Science Offers Discount to Brockton Public Schools

August 28, 2008 – Today, State Representatives Tom Kennedy, Geri Creedon and I announced that the Boston Museum of Science will be offering admission at a steeply discounted rate to Brockton Public Schools to encourage teachers to schedule field trips to the Museum.  Student groups and their chaperones will be admitted for two dollars each during the months of September, October and January in place of the normal fee of $7.50 per person.

In an effort to continue their mission of serving as a source of knowledge in the fields of science, engineering, technology and mathematics, the Museum of Science enables educators to customize their trips to meet curriculum standards and to coincide with lessons being taught in the classroom.  Also, teachers have access to special exhibits, materials and professional development opportunities.

Among the current presentations are the Butterfly Garden, the Bees exhibit, and a look at emerging medical technology with Beyond the X-ray. Upcoming shows include Mythic Creatures and The Greatest Places, which discusses the geographical locations and cultures all across the globe.

The Museum, which was recently rated third among the top ten science centers nationwide by “Parents Magazine”, offers numerous exhibits that allow visitors to take a hands-on approach to learning.  Other school systems that are able to take advantage of this opportunity are Taunton, Quincy, and Randolph.

Museums are a great source of education for all of us, but especially for our students.  Given today’s strong emphasis on math and the sciences, I can think of no better way to complement the lessons being taught in Brockton’s classrooms, and I’m so grateful for the partnership between the Museum of Science and the BPS.

For more information about this program, please contact my State House office at (617) 722-2006. 

 

Legislature approves $28.2 billion budget for FY ‘09
House, Senate budget accord maintains commitment to cities and towns,
workforce development and comprehensive healthcare reform

July 7, 2008 – I am pleased to announce that the legislature gave final approval to a $28.2 billion Fiscal Year 2009 (FY’09) state operating budget late last week that includes funding critical to the residents of Brockton, Easton and West Bridgewater.

Capping off months of budget talks between local officials, stakeholders, legislators, and top budget writers in both the House and Senate, the recently approved plan calls for modest increases in local aid and Chapter 70 funding for each of the Commonwealth’s 351 communities.  It also provides increased funding for higher education, public safety initiatives – such as municipal police training grant funding, S.A.F.E and Shannon grants – as well as targeted economic development programs. 

Among the programs funded in this year’s budget were four of my long-time priorities.  YouthBuild, a program critical to out-of-school youth in the City of Brockton, received an increase of $500,000.  This increase offsets the amount of funding that the organization must raise to replace the expected loss of about $4 million in federal funds.  $84,076 was included in the budget for universal newborn hearings exams.  As in previous years, $100,000 will continue to allocated for renal disease prevention and management.  Of particular importance to me was $75,000 in funding approved for NECPAD, a support organization which provides patient education and support for people diagnosed with PKU or related disorders and their families. 

Other budget highlights include:

	$935 million in unrestricted lottery aide to cities and towns.  Despite the fact that only $811 million was available from the Lottery Fund, this budget allocates an additional $124 million to hold cities and towns harmless;
	Over $3.95 billion for Chapter 70 education funding – a $233 million increase over last year’s appropriation.  As mentioned, Brockton, West Bridgewater and Easton will all receive modest increases in Chapter 70 funding this year as part of a five-year plan to move school districts toward their target-aid contribution levels;
	A $2 million increase for the Senator Charles E. Shannon Community Safety Initiative (Shannon Grants).  This program will now receive $13 million in funding for FY’09;
	Provided $21.25 million in community policing grants to cities and towns;
	An increase of $1.1 million increase for adult basic education services;
	Provided an increase of $500,000 for the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship to provide additional community development grants; and
	$8.25 million to support the implementation of the recommendations of the special commission to end homelessness in the Commonwealth.

The budget currently sits before Governor Deval Patrick where it awaits his approval before it can be signed into law. 

 

Canavan, Kennedy and Creedon announce
Project Bread grants for Brockton
Over $10k awarded to city organizations to feed Brockton youth this summer

July 3, 2008 – The Brockton Legislative Delegation today announced that Project Bread – The Walk for Hunger has awarded a total of $10,300 to three Brockton organizations to help feed increasing numbers of children this summer, and to prepare them for the upcoming school year. 

“There is a symbiotic link between our kids’ nutrition and their academic success,” I said in the announcement.  “I am grateful for the partnership that exists between Project Bread, the legislature and the City of Brockton – a partnership that seeks to end hunger in our city and ensures a strong foundation of healthy lifestyles for our youth.”

The Brockton Public Schools will be receiving $2,300 and the Brockton Housing Authority and Lincoln Congregational Church will each be receiving $4,000 from Project Bread’s Massachusetts Child Hunger Initiative incentive grant program.  These grants aim to increase participation in federally reimbursed food programs, ensure that kids eat healthy meals, and seek to eliminate the stigma of such programs. 

“With the high costs of food and gas this summer, we want parents to take advantage of these free summer food and fun programs,” said Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread.  “Some programs provide a breakfast and lunch, some a lunch and snack – each is a little different – but whatever the structure is, it definitely saves the family the cost of that meal or snack.  This can really add up over the course of the summer.  Parents can then apply that savings to a nutritious evening meal for the entire family.  We don’t want children sitting at home hungry and bored, so we’ve made an investment in bringing good food and fun together in neighborhood programs that are truly supportive of families.”

Just last November, Project Bread released a sobering status report on hunger in Massachusetts.  The report indicated an increase in hunger and food insecurity in Massachusetts, particularly in cities like Brockton where the prevalence of hunger is six times greater than the statewide average.  Research compiled by the organization shows that the most effective way to protect children from hunger is to ensure that healthy meals are available where children live, learn and play.  Since 2004, Project Bread has pledged nearly $146,000 to the City of Brockton while working with city leaders towards these goals. 

“Project Bread's goal to provide our students with healthy choices is a worthy cause and should be a priority that will not only help children academically but also instill in them good eating habits for the rest of their lives,” Representative Kennedy said. “No child should ever go hungry.”

Added Representative Creedon: “Summertime means school lunches are not served to children.  We need to provide nutritious food to our children and elderly citizens.”