On January 10th, 2021, I, Officer James Torres, was in full uniform, while assigned to marked unit East 4, during the day shift. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories: Robert RICHARDS (Receive Stolen Property) (BPD Warrants
Daily Archives: January 11, 2021
LAMENT FOR “OLD” SOMERVILLE, IS THE PRICE WE ARE PAYING WORTH THE NEW SOMERVILLE THAT MANY WILL NEVER SEE:
By Eugene C. Brune
In Somerville, we place a premium on historic preservation, as we all recognize the importance of understanding our past and where we came from. But, in my view, historic preservation is not just about preserving buildings but is also about preserving culture, values and the ideas of community that we hold dear. Continue reading LAMENT FOR “OLD” SOMERVILLE, IS THE PRICE WE ARE PAYING WORTH THE NEW SOMERVILLE THAT MANY WILL NEVER SEE:
POLICING CHANGES
By Bob Katzen
Governor Baker signed into law legislation making major changes in the state’s policing system. A key provision creates an independent, civilian-led commission with the power to investigate police misconduct and to certify, restrict, revoke or suspend certification for police officers and maintain a publicly available database of decertified officers. Continue reading POLICING CHANGES
$150,000 FOR AFL-CIO
By Bob Katzen
The House 131-26, Senate 38-1, overrode the governor’s veto of the entire $150,000 for the operation of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Workforce Development Programs to provide dislocated worker assistance, layoff aversion and job training with a focus on pathways to quality careers through traditional and non-traditional apprentice and pre-apprenticeship training. Continue reading $150,000 FOR AFL-CIO
$300,000 FOR PACE (H 5164)
By Bob Katzen
The House 126-27, Senate 37-2, overrode the governor’s veto of the entire $300,000 for the Partnership to Advance Collaboration and Efficiencies (PACE) initiative. Continue reading $300,000 FOR PACE (H 5164)
52.9 MILLION FOR SCHOOLS DURING COVID
By Bob Katzen
The House 157-0, Senate 39-0, overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of the entire $52.9 million in funding for one-time grants to school districts, Continue reading 52.9 MILLION FOR SCHOOLS DURING COVID
626.5 MILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
By Bob Katzen
The House 143-4, Senate 40-0, approved and sent to Gov. Baker a $626.5 million economic development package which did not include a House-backed plan to have Massachusetts join other New England states in legalizing sports betting. Continue reading 626.5 MILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CLIMATE CHANGE BILL (S 2296)
By Bob Katzen
The House 145-9, Senate 38-2, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a 57-page climate change bill. A key section makes the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal net zero by 2050. Continue reading CLIMATE CHANGE BILL (S 2296)
LAURA’S LAW: EMERGENCY ROOM ENTRANCES AND SIGNS LEADING TO THE ER DEPARTMENT MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED
By Bob Katzen
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Baker a bill that would require all hospitals to meet minimum criteria and standards that ensure safe, timely and accessible patient access to hospital emergency departments and rooms. Continue reading LAURA’S LAW: EMERGENCY ROOM ENTRANCES AND SIGNS LEADING TO THE ER DEPARTMENT MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
By Bob Katzen
The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill that would require public and private institutions of higher education in the state to conduct high-quality campus sexual misconduct climate surveys at least once every four years and annually report survey results on its website. Continue reading SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
NEW STATE SEAL AND MOTTO
By Bob Katzen
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Baker a bill that would create a special commission to examine the state seal and motto including those parts of it which have been controversial or misunderstood. Continue reading NEW STATE SEAL AND MOTTO
RACIAL DISPARITIES IN MATERNAL MORTALITY
By Bob Katzen
The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill that would create a special commission to examine and make recommendations to reduce or eliminate racial disparities in the death of mothers before, during and after childbirth. Continue reading RACIAL DISPARITIES IN MATERNAL MORTALITY
NOTIFY ABOUT SEWAGE
By Bob Katzen
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Baker a bill that would institute a statewide notification system so that Massachusetts residents know within two hours of the start of any combined sewer overflows (CSO) discharge if their rivers are unsafe for recreation or public use. Continue reading NOTIFY ABOUT SEWAGE
State Legislature Passes Legislation Ensuring Safe Access to Emergency Care
BOSTON – The Massachusetts legislature passed S.2931, An Act to ensure safe patient access to emergency care, also known as “Laura’s Law,” which would require every hospital emergency department in the state to have entrances that are properly monitored by security, clearly marked, and easily accessible, particularly to patients in acute distress. Continue reading State Legislature Passes Legislation Ensuring Safe Access to Emergency Care
Somerville Beating a Dead Horse
By Arthur Moore
It just gets worse here. This city needs to be working with small business and helping them find ways to keep going. Each place is unique and needs to find what can be safely done in their place of business. Continue reading Somerville Beating a Dead Horse
Somerville to Remain in Modified Phase 2, Step 2 of Reopenings
With high numbers of new COVID-19 cases, Somerville will remain in a modified Phase 2, Step 2 of business reopenings until further notice. Continue reading Somerville to Remain in Modified Phase 2, Step 2 of Reopenings
MassNAELA Honors State Representatives Natalie Higgins and Christine Barber at Annual Meeting
Awards Legislative and Chapter Leaders For Their Advocacy For Seniors; Presents Representative Higgins with the Legislator of the Year Award
BOSTON – January 6, 2021 – At its annual meeting held virtually on December 2, 2020, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) honored several individuals for their advocacy of elder services and their commitment to raising awareness of legal issues affecting seniors. Continue reading MassNAELA Honors State Representatives Natalie Higgins and Christine Barber at Annual Meeting
Audit Shows Only Three Percent of Newly Retired State Employees Received Initial Benefit Payments on Time
Boston, MA – In an audit released today, State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump found that only three percent of newly retired state employees received their first payments from the Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB) within required timeframes. Continue reading Audit Shows Only Three Percent of Newly Retired State Employees Received Initial Benefit Payments on Time
Somerville/Medford Speakup Line: Homeowners get off your asses and vote in this years local election
Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,
It starts at the top. The city is in the worse condition ever. This Mayor has checked out, the three previous Mayors did a great job maintaining the city and responding to the constituant’s needs. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Speakup Line: Homeowners get off your asses and vote in this years local election