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State Rep.
Thomas M. Stanley
State House, Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2230
Thomas.Stanley@mahouse.gov
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Media waiting for Gov press event on COVID-19
Market Basket Parking Lot
Rep. Stanley attended a Joint Committee on Ways and Means FY21 budget hearing at Berkshire Community College.
The Committee heard from MassDOT Secretary Pollack and EOEEA Secretary Theoharides on what the Administration's priorities are for transportation and energy/environmental affairs for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rep. Stanley attended an event in honor of International Rare Disease Day at Dyne Therapeutics in Waltham. He discussed current bills under consideration, including legislation that would recognize the last day in February as Rare Disease Day and legislation that would create a rare disease advisory council.
Rep. Stanley speaking at an event in honor of International Rare Disease Day at Dyne Therapeutics.
Rep. Stanley met with members of the Lift Our Kids Coalition to discuss legislation that would set a floor for welfare benefits at half of the deferral poverty level in MA to lift children out of deep poverty. Rep. Stanley is a co-sponsor of the legislation and will be urging the House Committee on Ways and Means to take action on the bill.
The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee invited Rep. Stanley to a screening of the documentary "Suppressed: The Fight to Vote."
Rep. Stanley discussed recent MA laws and pending bills that would enhance equity in the Commonwealth's elections afterwards with attendees in Lincoln.
Rep. Stanley at the screening in Lincoln.
Bemis Hall in Lincoln
Rep. Stanley with members of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means with Roxbury Community College President Dr. Valerie Roberson and State Auditor Suzanne Bump.
Ways and Means FY21 budget hearing at Roxbury Community College in February.
Rep. Stanley prepared questions to ask the Department of Housing and Community Development in regards to the state's rental voucher programs and affordable housing options for extremely low income families.
Rep. Stanley attended the Ways and Means FY21 Budget Hearing (Health and Human Services II) in Duxbury.
Rep. Stanley and the Ways and Means Committee heard from various HHS agencies including the Department of Transitional Assistance, Health Policy Commission, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Commission for the Blind, and Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Chris Dempsey, Director of Transportation for Massachusetts, speaking at a transportation rally.
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State & Local Resources for COVID-19
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is working closely with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide updated information about the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Learn more.
For updates, emergency orders, and guidance associated with the COVID-19 state of emergency, click
here.
At the start of service on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, trains and buses will run with reduced service to support efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Learn more.
Mayor McCarthy & Councillor Brasco issued an important update regarding COVID-19 and Waltham city business/services.
Read here.
The Town of Lincoln is also offering coronavirus updates on its website.
Learn more.
Please follow Rep. Stanley on
Facebook and
Twitter
for the latest information and updates.
Waltham City Council Calendar
To view the Waltham City Council and Committee 2020 calendar, click
here
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Rep. Stanley and Sen. Barrett to File Bill to Postpone Town Election
In response to the evolving public health crisis, the Lincoln Board of Selectmen met last Friday in an emergency meeting and voted to postpone our town election. At the same, the Board voted to submit a request for a Governor's Bill to confirm the Board's authority to postpone to a date certain during the last quarter of fiscal year 2020. Postponing the election will help protect the health and safety of Lincoln residents.
Please send us your hometown photos for inclusion in the Stanley Report!
Love to take photos? We are looking to include your pictures of Waltham and Lincoln in The Stanley Report! Please email
Mark Phillips
in Rep. Stanley's office a picture of your hometown for inclusion in the report. Remember to leave your full name if you'd like to be credited! We look forward to seeing your pictures.
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Massachusetts Legislature Approves a $15 Million Fund in Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak
On March 12, the Senate and House passed a supplemental budget to create a $15 million fund in response to the outbreak of COVID 19 cases in Massachusetts. The funds, held in reserve, will support the Commonwealth's monitoring, treatment, containment, public awareness and prevention efforts against the 2019 novel coronavirus by the Department of Public Health, regional and local boards of health, and other public entities. The bill was sent to Gov. Baker.
Rep. Stanley participates in House and Senate COVID-19 Call with State Agencies
Rep. Stanley participated in a House and Senate COVID-19 Call with state agencies in an effort to share information thoroughly and efficiently. Legislators had the opportunity to ask questions about the crisis.
The agencies provided updates on education, health and human services, public safety, transportation, labor and workforce, housing and economic development, local services and energy and environment.
Rep. Stanley Supports Unemployment Assistance and Local Governance Bills
Rep. Stanley is supporting legislation filed by Gov. Baker "An Act to Address Challenges in Town Governance Resulting from COVID-19." This legislation is designed to provide flexible solutions for communities across the Commonwealth as the challenges of the COVID-19 epidemic disrupt the normal conduct of administering Town government.
The bill creates several options for Towns to address the immediate problem that COVID-19 and the risks of large, public gatherings present to Town Meetings that may be scheduled to occur in the coming weeks. The bill would permit the Moderator of Town meeting to declare a 30-day postponement due to a "public health emergency" after consulting with the Select Board, a provision that parallels existing authority on the grounds of a "public safety emergency." In addition, to accommodate the possibility of longer delays, the bill would permit a Select Board to vote to extend the date of annual Town Meeting beyond the existing statutory cut-off of June 30.
Recognizing that delays and extensions may not provide an optimal solution for every Town and that the continuing health risks associated with COVID-19 work against the normal incentive to encourage full attendance at Town Meeting, the bill would also permit Towns to reduce quorum requirements for Town Meeting as a short-term measure in order to permit communities to conduct their most pressing business with a reduced number of members in attendance.
Gov. Baker also filed a bill entitled "An Act Authorizing Waiver of the One Week Waiting Period for Unemployment Benefits." This legislation provides immediate financial relief to persons who become separated from work as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 or as a consequence of actions taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
The bill directs the Director of the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to waive the normal one-week waiting period and immediately begin paying benefits to any otherwise eligible person who has become separated from work as a result of any circumstance relating to or resulting from the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus or measures taken in response to state of emergency. This means that DUA would be authorized to pay benefits without delay to persons who become unemployed because of lay-offs or business shutdowns taken in response to the virus, because of quarantine orders or directives or illness that prevents them from leaving their homes, or because they must care for a sick or quarantined family member or attend to children who are at home due to school closures.
In order to be certain that unemployment benefits will be available to all persons who may face interruption in work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Director of DUA will immediately be filing emergency regulations to ensure similar flexibility in the application of rules that do not require a statutory adjustment.
Gov. Baker Announces Changes to Expedite Health Care Licensing, Increase Support for Local Boards of Health and Small Businesses
The Baker Administration announced further actions to support residents, health care providers, and small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Administration announced several emergency orders expediting the onboarding process of more licensed health care professionals. The Administration is also distributing an initial $5 million in emergency funding to local boards of health throughout the Commonwealth, with more funding to be distributed soon. The Administration also took additional steps to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak by formally seeking relief from the Small Business Administration.
The Administration announced four new emergency orders to expedite the onboarding of more licensed health care professionals during the COVID-19 emergency. Changes as a result of these orders include:
* Licenses of physicians who have retired within the last year, without complaints at the time of retirement and in good standing, may be reactivated, and licenses that would otherwise be up for renewal may be extended for 90 days after the end of the public health emergency.
* Providers in good standing licensed in other states may obtain emergency licenses to practice in person or through telemedicine.
* The ability of residents to provide services, subject to appropriate supervision, will also be expanded.
* Assures continuity of care for college and university students, licenses for nurses, pharmacists and physician assistants that would otherwise be up for renewal for 90 days after the end of the public health emergency may be extended, and no nurse, social worker, psychologist or medical doctor may be prohibited from providing telehealth services across state lines to college or university students who have returned home.
* Recognizing the crucial need for sufficient EMS capacity during this public health emergency, these orders adjust minimum standards for ambulance staffing to ensure sufficient availability and capacity of EMS services.
* Expands telehealth by facilitating telehealth services across state lines.
The Administration is distributing an initial $5 million emergency funding to address immediate needs of the Commonwealth's community health boards, with more funding to be distributed soon. This additional funding will support COVID-19 public health emergency resources in cities and towns, and the Baker Administration will execute emergency contracts with cities and health districts that have sufficient capacity to receive and utilize funding.
Building on the announcement of a $10 million emergency loan fund for small businesses, Governor Baker today formally requested that the federal Small Business Administration issue a declaration of economic injury for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which would make it possible for impacted business owners to obtain low-interest loans.
Rep. Stanley cosigns bill for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID19 emergency
Rep. Stanley co-sponsored HD.4935, legislation to provide for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID19 emergency. The goal of this bill is to protect those with housing instability, and in turn the public, during the COVID19 emergency. The legislation would place a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures while the Governor's state of emergency is active. This policy has already been enacted in jurisdictions such as San Jose, and is being explored all over the country.
If people are evicted when they are supposed to be self-quarantining, they may have to enter overcrowded homeless shelters or live on the streets, a result which runs directly counter to CDC recommendations. Homeless shelters already have capacity challenges and it is highly likely that COVID-19 will significantly increase shelter populations, which could lead to overcrowding. In addition, homeless people have a higher rate of infectious and chronic diseases, which puts them at higher risk of experiencing severe or even fatal complications associated with COVID-19. Given the closure of workplaces and businesses, it will be hard for tenants to find new housing.
Rep. Stanley cosponsors bill to establish the COVID-19 Quarantine Assistance Fund
Rep. Stanley cosponsored a bill to establish the COVID-19 Quarantine Assistance Fund. This legislation would establish a fund to assist residents of the Commonwealth who are unable to perform wage-earning services due to COVID-19 infection, quarantine, or isolation. In this time of public health emergency, it is vital that we do all we can to assist those in Massachusetts who are negatively impacted by COVID-19. Through measured and appropriate responses, Massachusetts will be able to navigate and see the other side of this public health challenge. This bill would ensure that those who are financially vulnerable are not left behind because of it.
Rep. Stanley Cosponsors Public Employee Sick Leave Legislation
Rep. Stanley cosponsored legislation to ultimately allow a state employee to donate sick time to another employee impacted by the COVID-19 disease, without going through the process of a legislative sick bank. Therefore, this will help medically vulnerable state employees, without going through the usual barriers of acquiring additional sick time.
In light of Governor Baker's declaration of a State of Emergency and COVID-19, state employees are growing more concerned about sick time. It is important to note that many state employees are on the frontlines, providing services to seniors, making home visits, and providing services to those in residential programs. This continuous work greatly increases their chances of contracting COVID-19. Though state employees accrue sick time, new employees and employees who have had recent medical issues face increasing sick leave constraints ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rep. Stanley requests action to close the "SNAP Gap"
Rep. Stanley submitted a letter to Rep. Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and Speaker DeLeo urging the House to take action on legislation closing the "SNAP Gap" and help more low-income residents meet their basic needs and lower their health care costs. House Bill 1173 aims to improve public health through a common application for core food, health and safety net programs.
The "SNAP Gap" refers to the of the nearly 700,000 low-income Massachusetts residents receiving MassHealth who are SNAP eligible, but are not receiving the benefit. While many states implement a single eligibility system, allowing those receiving state based aid to be automatically offered nutritional assistance, the Commonwealth continues to administer our food and health programs separately. As a result, this duplicative process creates more work for the state and burdens low-income households.
H.1173 would allow low-income households to apply for MassHealth and SNAP at the same time via a common application, reducing duplicate data collection, and increasing efficiency of state government. Research shows that providing SNAP to all eligible households in the Commonwealth would not only help more low-income residents meet basic food expenses and reduce food insecurity, but would also lower their health care costs, allowing them to purchase more food with those savings. Additionally, making SNAP more available to low-income children would help them become "directly certified" for free school meals. As an economic incentive, the bill is estimated to generate approximately $1.5 billion in stimulus to the state and local economy.
Rep. Stanley signs onto letter supporting the Community Mediation Grant Program
Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter in support of the Community Mediation Center Grant Program FY21 state budget appropriation.The CMC Grant Program is an evidence-based, statutory program framework established in FY13 to award operational funding to qualified local Community Mediation Centers serving primarily low income and marginalized citizens in all 14 counties of the state. Last year, due to the diligent work of this legislature, legislators were able to secure $1,090,000 for the CMC Grant Program.
This year, legislators are asking for an additional $200,000, allowing for the continuation of a Prisoner Reentry Mediation Program pilot which was recently launched by the Mass Office of Public Collaboration in partnership with the Department of Corrections and six County Sheriffs. Despite the success of the program, the private foundation grants they received for startup funding are sunseting and it is imperative that the state step in to fill the gap. A similar program in Maryland proved to have a 2:1 Return on Investment and the additional funding would give the MOPC the opportunity to mirror that success in Massachusetts.
Rep. Stanley cosigns Prostate Cancer Resolution
Rep. Stanley signed onto a resolution in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. It is estimated that this year alone 191,930 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Early detection is crucial to the survival of those diagnosed; with early detection the 5 year survival rate is 100%. When detected late and the cancer has spread, the 5 year survival rate is only 30%. The resolution will help raise awareness to this public health crisis and to promote the benefits of screening and early detection.
MHS's Housing as History series is now online
The cost of housing and anxiety about affordable housing are issues that impact every community in Middlesex county. A series of programs the Massachusetts Historical Society hosted explored the history of public and affordable housing in Boston. Understanding the history of affordable housing is important as we look to the future. The videos of all four programs in that series are now online as well as the audio from a series of interviews we did with residents, former residents, and architects. You can find them here: http://www.masshist.org/housing-as-history.
Rep. Stanley Lobbies for Assessor Certificates Bill
Rep. Stanley wrote a letter to Speaker DeLeo and Representative Petrolati, Chair of the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, urging them to support his bill, H. 1826, An Act Relative to Assessor Certificates. This bill was reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government and has been placed in the Orders of the Day by the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
This bill expands the recognition of the professional development certifications and designations assessors attain and increases (by local option) the amount of the stipend for assessors that attain certain professional development designations. This is a practice that already exists in current law. Communities now have a local option available to them to offer a stipend to assessor's that attain certain professional designations. This improves the profession, enhances the assessor's skillset, and improves taxpayer efficiency and service to the property owner.
This bill, as a local option, recognizes the additional certificates/professional development designations that assessors can now attain and grant an accompanying stipend as they move up the ladder.
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A message from Council on Aging regarding how you can help seniors during this time
Marybeth Duffy from the COA said they are getting numerous calls from people in the community asking how they can help Waltham seniors in need. She is recommending that everyone check in with their neighbors to see if they have enough food and medication. At this time it will be a grassroots effort because formal systems are being shut down. Just a friendly phone call to the seniors will be reassuring. Messages left on the senior center's voicemail are being checked throughout the day.
If you would like to donate non-perishable food items and paper goods, please contact Ann Callahan at 781-894-3357 ext. 268 or 781-975-6720. She will coordinate donation drop-offs to each of the sites below. Please refrain from direct contact with the seniors. Social distancing of six feet is important with this frail population.
Check out some other great resources from WATCH CDC here: https://watchcdc.org/covid-19-resource-guide-waltham/
Publish your events in The Stanley Report!
We want to hear from you! The Stanley Report is a great way to spread the word about an upcoming event. Please forward any community, civic or nonprofit upcoming events that you would like included in next month's Stanley Report. If interested, please email
Mark Phillips
, Rep. Stanley's legislative assistant, with information about your event.
South Sudanese Enrichment for Families
On May 2, 2020 at 630pm, the South Sudanese Enrichment for Families (SSEF) is hosting an event at Brandeis University to mark the 20th year that the South Sudanese "Lost Boys and Girls" have been in America. Ellen Barry, the journalist who wrote several articles in the Boston Globe 20 years ago about the "lost boys and girls" coming to America, is going to speak along with stories of many of the South Sudanese about their experiences of being in America. SSEF is Honoring Bill Mayor and Diane Currier who are two lawyers and philanthropists in Boston. They have been very helpful to the Sudanese Community over the years. Click
here for tickets and information on how to be a host or how to buy tickets.
Highland Glee Club Recruiting Male Singers
The Highland Glee Club is looking for male singers to volunteer to join the club. All voices and all ages of men are wanted to join and sing. Please contact the club president, Ron Jantzen at 508-613-5450, with any questions. Rehearsals start after Labor Day. Click
here to learn more.
South Lincoln's Revitalization Project
The Town of Lincoln is working to make the area around Lincoln Station a vibrant, walkable and sustainable village center. In order to achieve these goals, the Lincoln Planning Board created the "South Lincoln Planning Implementation Committee" (SLPIC). SLPIC and its project teams are working on a range of planning projects to make these goals a reality.
The public process, which will include in-person workshops and events, will be supported by an interactive project
website, where the Planning and Land Use Department and SLPIC will post updates and respond to comments by community members. Join SLPIC and the teams in creating a vibrant village center for all to enjoy!
Lincoln School Building Committee Website
The Lincoln School Building Committee website is up and running! The website offers a comprehensive, up-to-date resource for all aspects of our school's future development. Learn more.
Do you have a loved one living with a mental health condition?
Family to Family, brought to the community by The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is offering a free program to help understand mental health conditions and medications and learn about supports and services in your community. To find out more and to register for the course, please contact: Nancy at 781-642-7284 or
nestanton1@verizon.net or Suzi at 781-724-2709 or
suzinewman@verizon.net.
Meals on Wheels program
Through Minuteman Senior Services, the Meals on Wheels (MOW) program delivers lunch to homebound seniors who are unable to provide their own meals, and who meet certain guidelines. Special dietary considerations are available for those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. This daily check in by a volunteer driver may be the only social contact an elder has and helps reduce the isolation often experienced by disabled seniors. Drivers are trained to identify and report observations or emergencies that might indicate a medical problem or the need for more intervention.
Learn more.
Learn about Loving Spoonfuls
Lovin' Spoonfuls collects fresh food from dozens of food retail locations including Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joe's, and Hannaford Supermarkets, as well as multiple local farms, wholesalers, and bakeries. This food goes directly to local food assistance entities including Pine Street Inn, Boston Rescue Mission, Haley House, and Community Servings, among many others. Founded in 2010, it has rescued more than 3,500,000 pounds of fresh food in the Greater Boston area.
Learn more.
Kids Cooking Green Hosts Events
Kids Cooking Green is the educational arm of the Lexington, MA Farmers' Market. Classes are designed for kids as young as Pre-K through 8th grade, and there are some classes for adults. Kids Cooking Green also provides programming through its Fund for City Schools, which brings classes to communities that could otherwise not afford it. Click
here to learn more.
Upcoming Events at Stonehurst!
Stonehurst, the Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham, is hosting a variety of events in the upcoming monnts. Learn more about upcoming events at Stonehurst
here.
Learn about The Leland Home
The Leland Home provides a safe and affordable residence for persons age 62 and over who desire or need assistance in their daily living. The group helps to maintain the dignity and independence of our residents by offering a warm friendly and homelike setting. Learn more.
Communities against Abuse in Later Life
Communities against Abuse in Later Life (CAALL) is a partnership of agencies working to end elder abuse. REACH Beyond Domestic Violence is the lead partner joined by the Waltham Police Department, Waltham Council on Aging, Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Springwell, Inc., and the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Please click here to learn more or call the 24-hour CAALL Helpline at 781.790.3966.
Volunteers needed to mentor vulnerable, aspiring Waltham High School students
The John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation's focus is on turning children at-risk into children of promise. The city of Waltham has joined many Waltham companies in supporting the Mazie Mentoring Program at Waltham High School. The Foundation selected Waltham High School as the venue for a second mentoring program in 2010, modeled after their successful program in Framingham High School, now in its 20th year. As the program grows, so does the need for volunteer mentors. To find out more about the Mazie organization please visit www.mazie.org.
About the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra
Now in its 32nd season, the mission of the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra is to provide the community opportunities to perform in and attend orchestral and chamber concerts of the highest quality. It provides a venue for musicians with a range of ages and abilities to enjoy the art and music making. It makes a long lasting impact to society by creating engaging programs that inspire, entertain and nurture the minds and spirits of its audience and members. Click here to learn more and see a calendar of events.
About Thom Charles River Early Intervention
Thom Charles River Early Intervention provides home visits to babies and toddlers who are delayed in their development or who are considered to be at risk of delay. Services include parents as partners in these visits. The dedicated clinicians who work with these families are to be applauded. Learn more about the orgranization. http://www.thomchild.org/charles-river.htm
Learn more about The Waltham Land Trust
The Waltham Land Trust is creating a legacy of land conservation in Waltham by promoting, protecting, restoring, and acquiring open space. To learn more about the non-profit group and their events celebrating Waltham's natural environment, visit walthamlandtrust.org.
Waltham Symphony Orchestra Concerts
For information on concerts and events at the WSO, click here.
Waltham Public Library Offers Events
The Waltham Public Library offers many events for residents of all ages. To view a calendar of events, click here.
Meals on Wheels program
The Waltham Council on Aging's Meals on Wheels (MOW) program delivers lunch to homebound seniors who are unable to provide their own meals, and who meet certain guidelines. Special dietary considerations are available for those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. This daily check in by a volunteer driver may be the only social contact an elder has and helps reduce the isolation often experienced by disabled seniors. Drivers are trained to identify and report observations or emergencies that might indicate a medical problem or the need for more intervention.
Learn more or call 718-314-3300.
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State Representative
City Council
Former City Council President
State Committees:
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
Joint Committee on Financial Services
City Council:
Veterans Committee
License and Franchise Committee
Long Term Debt Committee
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.
Work, Community, Independence - Human Service Advocate of the Year, 2008 COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, 2003 MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, 2007 Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, 2006 Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, 2003 Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center, 2019 Community Health Center Leader Award, The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Personal:
Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss
Children: Ryan, age 25, Parker, age 16
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