Brockton to receive $360,000 Urban Self-Help Grant

October 26, 2007 – Representatives Tom Kennedy, Geri Creedon and I, along with Senator Bob Creedon and Mayor Jim Harrington joined Governor Deval Patrick to announce that the City of Brockton has been awarded a total of $363,888 from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs’ (EOEA) Urban Self-Help Program.  This program was designed to help communities across the Commonwealth create or improve municipal parks. 

With this funding, the City of Brockton will be able to spend $245,000 to construct a new soccer field at Snow Park, as well as an additional $118,888 for the renovation of GAR Park plaza, located beside City Hall, which will restore landscaping, add new benches and lighting, and help create a pedestrian-friendly area. 

“Open spaces help define the character and improve the livability of our cities and towns, and investing into our system of parks across the entire Commonwealth will allow residents to enjoy nature and engage in recreational activities within their communities,” said Governor Patrick.

Today’s grant announcement comes on the 30-year anniversary of the establishment of Urban Self-Help, a program that helps cities and towns acquire and develop parkland and renovate existing parks.  Grants are offered on a competitive basis and pay at least half or up to 70 percent of a project’s total cost depending upon the income level and other demographics of municipalities. 

The grants are issued over a two-year period, with funding typically split between planning and design costs the first year and construction the second year. Selected projects must include general public access. Additional consideration is given for projects that feature model stormwater practices, water conservation, re-use of brownfield sites and other environmentally beneficial aspects of projects.  Funding projects in urban neighborhoods that lack adequate access to parks is a program priority, as is development of parks near public transit.

“In keeping with Governor Patrick’s desire to provide recreational opportunities for urban populations, we gave special consideration this year to projects that will stabilize city neighborhoods and help revitalize urban centers,” EOEA Secretary Ian Bowles said. “Funding for municipal parks is a key component of the Governor’s plan to invest at least $50 million annually in land conservation over the next five years.”

 “It’s always a celebration to hear of additional funding for our parks, libraries, the arts, and similar programs that enrich our souls – priorities that are often left out of budget discussions,” I said.  “I appreciate the efforts of Governor Patrick and Secretary Bowles and look forward to continue working with them on projects that will benefit the residents of Brockton, West Bridgewater, and Easton.”

"It is always refreshing to see our great city receive grants in any capacity.  These awards will really help keep Brockton vibrant and build upon the cultural dynamic that already thrives here”, noted Representative Kennedy.

"Parks and recreational space are so important to children and all residents in a city landscape”, added Representative Geraldine Creedon.

“I am proud of the partnership that currently exists between our state delegation and my administration”, said Mayor James Harrington.  “These grants will allow us to renovate our beautiful City Hall Plaza and build a much needed soccer field for our soccer community.”
 

Urges colleagues to renew commitment to
patient safety, nursing profession

 
October 24, 2007 – Citing the frequency of hospital acquired infections, the shortage of bedside nurses due to unsafe working conditions, and the need for increased patient care, I testified today alongside members of The Coalition to Protect Massachusetts Patients – an umbrella organization of over 120 health care associations, nursing groups, labor unions, and advocacy groups from across the Commonwealth – before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health in support of H.2059, An Act Relative to Patient Safety.

After a series of intense negotiations between myself, House Majority Leader John Rogers, other House leaders, hospital associations, and nurse unions last year, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a compromise version of this legislation, also known as The Patient Safety Act.  Unfortunately, the Senate failed to take action on the bill before the legislature adjourned. 

Introduced by Senator Mark Pacheco and I, this year’s Patient Safety Act reflects the compromise language that was overwhelmingly approved last session by the House in a vote of 133-20 and has been co-sponsored by more than 80 members of both the House and Senate.  During the gubernatorial campaign last year, now-Governor Deval Patrick also indicated his support for the bill.

Specifically, this legislation includes: 

• A provision requiring the Department of Public Health (DPH), using well respected scientific data and testimony, to create nurse standards that ensure a safe nurse to patient ratio.  These standards would be designed to provide hospitals with appropriate flexibility that is based on the unit a nurse may work in (i.e Emergency Room, ICU, Surgical, etc) and the needs of the individual patients.
• Language prohibiting hospitals from forcing nurses into mandatory overtime.
• Funding for refresher programs to attract current nurses back to bedside nursing.
• Incentives for education and nurse recruitment, including a mentoring program for new Registered Nurses, the creation of a scholarship and student-loan repayment program to make nursing education more affordable. 
• Language that specifically prevents the reduction of support services, including LPN’s, aides, and technicians, as well as other hospital ancillary staff.
• Flexible phase-in times for hospitals to comply with regulations set forward by this bill.  Would require teaching hospitals to meet regulations by 2009, community hospitals by 2011.
• A waiver process for hospitals in financial distress to comply with law.

Additionally, this measure is similar to legislation recently signed into law in California establishing nurse/patient ratios.  Despite claims by the hospital industry there that such a law would be detrimental to financial health of California hospitals, evidence has proved otherwise.  According to data from the California Health and Human Services Agency and reported by the Los Angeles Times, the law has had “no negative impact on the health care system”.  There also have not been any hospitals to date which have closed as a result of the law being enacted.  

“We know the facts – a significant percentage of preventable deaths occur because of errors or oversights made by overworked and understaffed nurses,” said John McCormack of Pembroke, co-chairman of The Coalition to Protect Massachusetts Patients who lost his 13-month old daughter, Taylor, in 2000 while she awaited surgery at Children’s Hospital in Boston.  He continued: “I am here today to keep a promise I made to my baby girl.  After she died, I told her that I would do all I can to not let this happen to anyone else.”

“The underlying goal of this legislation is not to increase the membership of nurses unions or any other misguided attempt that would divert attention from the real issue at hand: improving patient safety and providing nurses with suitable working conditions, plain and simple,” I said.  “For the past 8 years, I have been the lead sponsor of this bill because as a nurse myself I can attest to the symbiotic relationship between working conditions and the quality of patient care.  This legislation would save lives, bring more nurses back to the bedside, and save hospitals hundreds of millions of dollars annually in health care costs.”

"In just the past year and a half, five new studies have come out demonstrating the link between safe nurse staffing levels and better patient outcomes.  It is time to act, and we are confident that during this session, the legislature will pass this important patient safety bill", added Beth Piknick, President of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. 
 

DO YOU NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?

As of July 1, 2007, all Massachusetts residents must have health insurance.  If you have not enrolled yet, there is still time to sign up.

Under the Health Care Reform Act – which was signed into law last year – all Massachusetts residents have to be covered.  Prior to this law being passed there were approximately 130,000 uninsured residents who were without basic health coverage.  Today, most employers are now required to expand the opportunities for health insurance to their employees.  For those who still do not have access to health insurance, the state offers low or no-cost health insurance to those who qualify. 

This new law has the potential to be a tremendous resource for many of my constituents.  As a legislator and health care professional, I have heard countless personal stories about how not having health coverage has affected the lives of my constituents and their families.  Last year, my colleagues and I, with the input of fellow health care professionals throughout state, were able to address these issues, and hope these efforts will make the days brighter for the residents of Brockton, West Bridgewater, and Easton, as well as those in similar situations throughout the state.

According to the Health Care Reform law, Massachusetts adults must show that they are enrolled in a health insurance plan by December 31, 2007 or will risk losing their personal income tax deduction on their 2007 state taxes.

For assistance in choosing health insurance, contact the Commonwealth Connector at 1-877-623-6756 or visit their website.  If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact my office.  My staff and I are more than happy to help!

October 18, 2007 – Taking steps to address the growing foreclosure crisis within the Greater Brockton area, I voted today for H.4306, An Act Protecting and Preserving Home Ownership, legislation that would further regulate the mortgage industry and provide more resources to those residents facing foreclosure. 

The passage of H.4306 complements recent legislation passed by the State Senate and comes amid announcements this week from the Governor and Attorney General that also seek to curb the skyrocketing number of foreclosures in the state.  The U.S House of Representatives also passed legislation last week that would address this issue at the Federal level.  Last month, the Associated Press reported that the number of foreclosure filings rose 36% nationwide from July to August this year – more than double the number of foreclosures during the same period last year. 

Over the past two years and especially during the past few months, I have heard many personal and heartbreaking stories about how this problem has affected the communities I represent. I am pleased to join Governor Patrick, Attorney General Coakley, Congressman Lynch, and my colleagues in the legislature to combat this devastating problem plaguing our Commonwealth – the City of Brockton in particular – and to prevent its continued occurrence in the future.

The provisions of this legislation include: 

• An increase in the current lender fee from ½% to 1% of an outstanding loan balance which encourages lenders to revise adjustable or variable rate home loans to fixed terms.
• The requirement that first-time homeowners purchasing a variable rate sub-prime loan receive in-person counseling from an approved non-profit counseling agency. 
• A 90 day right to cure for borrowers of owner occupied family homes having a monetary default of a mortgage payment which stops certain fees from accumulating during the cure period.
• The requirement that loan originators be licensed in the Commonwealth.
• An appropriation of $1 million for the Division of Banks (DOB) to fund staff and implement and enforce mortgage loan originator licensure; an additional $2 million provided to the DOB for the creation of a community foreclosure and mortgage counseling pilot program to fund at least 10 foreclosure education counseling centers in impacted communities. 

This legislation – if it is officially signed into law by Governor Patrick – will be very helpful to the residents of West Bridgewater, Easton, and especially Brockton.  According to combined data from the U.S Census Bureau and The Warren Group, the City of Brockton has experienced the Commonwealth’s second highest rate of foreclosures.  From December 2005 to June 30, 2007, there were 252 foreclosure sales, 325 foreclosure auctions, and 787 foreclosure notices reported in Brockton. 

The residents of Brockton know all too well of the sub-prime lending crisis in the city.  We have all seen our hardworking friends and neighbors strive to do everything to buy or keep their home, but often they have no choice but to agree to a sub-prime mortgage.  The legislation we passed today gives more resources to these individuals and future homebuyers in hopes of protecting them from the deceptive and misleading tactics of sub-prime mortgage lenders.

October 16, 2007 – Today I announced that I have co-sponsored legislation that would assist the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in locating and notifying veterans who qualify for benefits under the Welcome Home Act. 

At recent hearings of the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, my colleagues and I learned that fewer than 50% of qualifying veterans who served in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom have applied for and received benefits available to them under the Welcome Home Act.  One of the main reasons cited for this was the Commonwealth’s difficulty in maintaining communication with veterans upon their return home.  The contact information provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) quickly becomes obsolete because veterans change residences, take new jobs, or are continuing their education elsewhere.

This legislation proposes that a check off box be added to State Resident/Part Time Resident Tax forms which would ask all veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan to identify themselves. 

Upon receipt of all tax forms, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will share the information with the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) in order to initiate the outreach process.  With the updated addresses, DVS will be able to contact those veterans who qualify but have not taken advantage of this valuable benefit. 

There are no new costs associated with this legislation – in fact it would likely save money in future mailing costs. 

The Welcome Home Act provides benefits of $1000 to veterans who have served active duty in Afghanistan or Iraq, and $500 to veterans who have provided six months or more of active service, state side, or service outside the continental limits of the United States, excluding Afghanistan and Iraq.  These benefits are administered by the Office of the State Treasurer.  Eligibility requirements can be found at http://www.mass.gov/treasury/veteransbonus/welcomehomebonus.htm. 

I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation and join my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to recognize the tremendous services and the unselfish sacrifices of our constituents, friends, and family members serving in the Armed Services.  This is another opportunity that we have at the state level allowing us to continue our commitment to all veterans.

For more information about this bill, please contact my staff and I at my State House office.  We can be reached at 617-722-2006.  For additional information about the Welcome Home Act and to find out if you qualify, I encourage my constituents to contact the Veteran’s Agent in their community.