April 2023 | The Stanley Report | | |
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Dear Friend,
April's issue of The Stanley Report includes important information about legislation I am supporting this session as well as local and state news.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you need assistance.
Sincerely,
Tom Stanley
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Legislators and activists rally at the State House after a federal judge in Texas suspended FDA approval of abortion pill mifepristone. | |
Rep. Stanley attended The Council of State Governments National Long-Term Care Workforce Policy Kickoff meeting. Council members highlighted the importance of revitalizing the direct care workforce and explained how states can work together to improve long-term care across the country. | |
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Rep. Stanley and the Massachusetts House Pass $1.1 Billion Tax Relief Plan
To provide financial relief to families across the Commonwealth, and to make Massachusetts more competitive with other states, Rep. Stanley and his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a tax relief proposal targeted at residents across all income levels. The House approved the bill 150-3 and the legislation now goes to the Senate.
The bill includes changes to the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, doubling the credit from $1,200 to $2,400. This change is expected to impact over 100,000 taxpayers who own or rent residential property in Massachusetts as their principal residence. Read the full release here.
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Rep. Stanley Chairs First 2023 Elder Affairs Hearing
Rep. Stanley chaired this session’s first Elder Affairs hearing. Special thanks to Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell for her testimony on preventing abuse and providing Elder Justice. Rep. Stanley and the committee heard testimony on every stage of the continuum of care directly from workers and families.
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Rep. Stanley Attends Ways and Means Budget Hearing
Rep. Stanley recently attended the Joint Ways & Means Committee budget hearing in Arlington, Mass. The meeting focused on Health & Human Services, and as Chair of the Elder Affairs Committee, Rep. Stanley knows the importance of maintaining funding for programs that strengthen our continuum of care services for the elderly. His top priorities include securing funding for the many services provided to our elders across the State.
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Rep. Stanley Outlines Elders Affairs Budget Priorities
In a letter to Ways and Means Chairman Michlewitz, Rep. Stanley outlined requests the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs received for the FY24 budget. Rep. Stanley requested that special attention to be given to measures to address the unprecedented workforce crisis currently impacting long-term care services for our older adults. Unfilled vacancies across the continuum are not only significantly impacting the quality of care but preventing seniors from accessing services altogether. Priorities include funding for the Nursing Facility Workforce investments and Enough Pay to Stay line items which support direct care workers, as well as tuition reimbursement and free community college that would help recruit and retain workers for the entire continuum of care. Read the letter here.
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Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $78 Million for New Grant Programs to Support Massachusetts Small Businesses
Two new grant programs totaling $78 million in funding are available to support Massachusetts small businesses. The Inclusive Recovery Grant Program will provide up to $75 million in funding through grants of up to $75,000 for businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, or those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community; businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups; and other underserved markets.
The Independent Movie Theater Grant Program will provide a total of $3 million in funding to support movie theaters in MA. Eligible applicants can receive $15,000 for each of the first two screens they add at a particular location and $10,000 for each additional screen at a particular location. These funds will be administered by MGCC and were appropriated through the FY2023 Economic Development Bill.
Applications are now being accepted for both programs and are available here. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 28, 2023.
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Rep. Stanley Leads Hearing on Strengthening the Continuum of Care for Older Adults
The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, chaired by Rep. Stanley and Senator Patricia Jehlen held a hearing on proposals to strengthen the continuum of care for older adults. The Committee received testimony on three bills to improve quality and oversight of long-term care; improve Massachusetts home care; and authorize commonsense health services in assisted living.
H648/S379, An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care addresses the remaining needs highlighted in the 2020 Nursing Facility Task Force report, including establishing career ladder grants and student loan forgiveness programs; strengthening and enhancing the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) suitability standards; and providing DPH with additional tools to monitor and take punitive action on facilities.
H649/S380, An Act to improve Massachusetts home care establishes a licensure process for home care agencies with the goal of improving standards and preventing the abusive treatment of home care workers, personal care attendants, and consumers. New standards for home care agencies found in the bill include a 5% ownership financial disclosure, fines and punishment, appropriate levels of training and competency for staff, and liability insurance.
H650/S374, An Act authorizing common sense health services in assisted living would give assisted living facilities the option to provide basic health services by a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse with written approval from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Basic health services authorized in the bill would include administering injections such as insulin, managing oxygen, applying drops or ointments, and handling wound care. Assisted living facilities are currently allowed to offer basic health services under an emergency order – and extended via legislation – that is set to expire on March 31st, 2024.
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Rep. Stanley attends LeadingAge 15th Annual Senior Living Symposium
Rep. Stanley attended LeadingAge’s 15th Annual Senior Living Symposium in Norwood on March 23rd. Now in its 15th year, the Annual Senior Living Symposium is the must-attend event for leaders of not-for-profit aging services providers. The symposium features national and local experts sharing key strategic and operational information including national and state trends that not-for-profit leaders need to make informed decisions.
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Rep. Stanley Hosts Charles River Watershed Association Briefing
Rep. Stanley hosted a climate adaption legislative briefing at the State House on behalf of the Charles River Watershed Association. Participants discussed ways to prevent and reduce flooding at Hardy Pond with three nature-based solutions. Learn more about these efforts here. Hardy Pond is a scenic forty-five-acre pond buffered by wetlands in Waltham. Originally almost twice the size, water levels were lowered in a prior effort to reduce flooding. Today, the pond suffers the effects of stormwater pollution–impaired water quality, cyanobacteria blooms, and invasive species.
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Waltham Organizations Receive MCC Festivals & Projects Grants
Eight Waltham organizations received $2,500 awards from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s (MCC) festivals and projects grants programs. The grants fund activities incorporating the arts, humanities, or sciences that provide community and/or public benefit.
Congratulations to these Waltham recipients: AfroGrill, Boston Uyghur Association, Brandeis Office of the Arts, Downtown Waltham Partnership, The AM Music Group, Waltham Boys & Girls Club, Waltham Fields Community Farm and Watch City Arts.
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Staff Attend Health Care Workforce Event
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) held an event on the Health Care Work Force which featured the findings, challenges and opportunities in building a robust health care workforce. Rep. Stanley's staff participated in the event virtually and heard from health care leaders and panelists including Jake Krilovich, Home Care Alliance, Tara Gregorio, Mass Senior Care, and Filaine Deronnette and Tim Foley with 1199 SEIU. Topics of discussion included higher wages, increased opportunities for “upskilling” existing workers (CNAs and LPNs in particular), and rate increases in general. Rep. Stanley recently filed legislation with Rep. Lipper-Garabedian and Sen. Jehlen which address these topics and improve quality and oversight of long-term care.
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Attention Waltham High School students seeking internships
The Bentley Career Success Institute is back! Summer Internship applications open in a few weeks, and students will need an updated resume and cover letter to apply. Students can sign up for a free one-on-one session with mentors from Bentley to help them create or update their resumes and cover letter.
Learn more and sign up here.
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Waltham Council on Aging Presents Aging Well Series
Save the date and join the Waltham Council on Aging for an informative three-part evening series on Aging Well in Waltham. Learn from local experts about available resources to help you and your loved ones age well. (Part 1 - Legal Resources -Wednesday, April 26 - 6-8 pm, Part 2 - Community Resources - Wednesday May 3 - 6-8 pm, Part 3 - Senior Housing Options, Wednesday, May 10 - 6-8 pm). Learn more.
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Are you eligible for SNAP — a.k.a. funds for food shopping?
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is a federal nutrition program (formerly known as Food Stamps) that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase food and other benefits that help you save. SNAP works to boost your food budget and the local economy! Find out if you are eligible for SNAP today by visiting GettingSNAP.org or chat with Project Bread’s counselors at 1.800.645.8333 to learn more.
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DHS Extends REAL ID Deadline
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the REAL ID enforcement date from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025. Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities. TSA publishes a list of its acceptable identification documents on its website. All documentation that lists this date is in the process of being revised. Please continue to encourage customers to obtain REAL IDs. Customers who already have a full-term REAL ID are eligible to renew online up to a year in advance of their expiration date.
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Regan's Corner
Meet Regan! Rep. Stanley and his family rescued a pup and named her Regan. Regan loves long walks, playing games in the yard and making friends!
Help an animal find a home! Learn more about The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and ways you can help.
The Animal Rescue League continues to support legislation that enhances and improves protections for animals, and to oppose reforms that endanger the welfare of animals in Massachusetts. Learn more about ARL's current legislative agenda here.
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About Rep. Stanley
State Representative
City Council
Former City Council President
State Committee:
Co-Chairperson, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs
Member of:
Massachusetts Home Care Licensing Commission
Massachusetts LGBT Aging Commission
Massachusetts Elder Nutrition Commission
City Council:
Veterans Committee
Economic Development Committee
Committee of the Whole
Education: Suffolk University (MPA), Bentley University (BS - Management), Mass Bay Community College (AS - Business Administration)
Community Involvement (Past & Present):
Waltham Boys & Girls Club, Waltham Youth Basketball Association, Basketball Plus Program, Central Middle School Basketball, Little Nippers Baseball, Warrendale Little League, Waltham Youth Soccer, Waltham Police Athletic League, CCD Teacher, St. Jude Church, Waltham Lions Club, Waltham Rotary Club, Reagle Players Board of Directors, Warrendale Little League Board of Directors, Waltham Partnership for Youth Board of Directors, Waltham Day Center (Homeless) Advisors Board, Waltham Family School Advisory Board, Waltham Safe & Healthy Schools YRBS Steering Committee, Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Advisory Board, Waltham Public Library Planning Committee, Waltham Sons of Italy, Middlesex Area Enough Abuse Campaign.
Awards:
Work, Community, Independence - Human Service Advocate of the Year, COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center, Community Health Center Leader Award, The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Dignity Award Certificate of Appreciation
Personal:
Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss
Children: Ryan, age 29, Parker, age 20 & puppy Regan
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