As the House wrapped up its first day of budget debate, Framingham received an additional $937,110 in school funding as Framingham representatives Chris Walsh, Tom Sannicandro, and Tom Conroy joined colleagues in passing an amendment boosting aid for local schools. The additional funding means Framingham would receive $30,436,960 in school funding in fiscal year 2014, up from $28,083,629 last year. “While working together as a Framingham delegation we were able to give a much needed increase in education funding to the district.” Rep. Walsh said in a press release. “The increase in funding …

The following is a press release from Rep. Tom Sannicandro's office: Rep. Tom Sannicandro (D-Ashland), one of Framingham's three state representatives, filed a bill that would prohibit the use of public funds to purchase bottled water, a bill that would reduce waste, energy use, and costs. “There is no reason we should spend taxpayers’ money on a product that is unnecessary, expensive and harmful to the environment when there are clean and cheap alternatives,” Rep. Sannicandro said in a press release. “It is important that we lead by example and do our part to reduce bottle waste and save the…

PRESS RELEASE FROM REP. TOM SANNICANDRO'S OFFICE: Rep. Tom Sannicandro (D-Ashland) hosted an Early Literacy Night for parents of Ashland and Framingham at the Pittaway Elementary School last week.Sannicandro and principal Pat White, welcomed parents to the school where they heard from a panel of experts about how early education is moving forward in Massachusetts and what steps they can take with their young child to develop their literacy skills.The panel included Dr. Sherri Killins, Massachusetts Commissioner of Early Education and Care, White, Betsy Salomone, Early Education Coordinator …

The MetroWest legislative delegation met with Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and Transportation Secretary Richard Davey yesterday (Aug. 20) regarding efforts to mitigate congestion caused by the rail crossing in downtown Framingham. Murray and Davey rode the 7:45 a.m. train from Worcester into Framingham to meet with Reps. Tom Sannicandro (D-Ashland) and Chris Walsh (D-Framingham) and Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). Within minutes, the group walked to the intersection at 126 and 135, and a train came by that stopped traffic to demonstrate the effect it has. “The at-grade train crossing in …

State Representative Tom Sannicandro, who is one of three representatives for Framingham, and the Disabled Persons Protection Commission hosted a legislative briefing last Wednesday aimed at educating people with disabilities and their loved ones on how to recognize, respond to and report abuse.“This is really an important issue for the people being abused, but it’s also important for family and friends to hear about as well,” Sannicandro said in a press release. “People with disabilities are more likely to endure threats and intimidation, so they are uniquely vulnerable to abuse, and we need…

Framingham State Representatives Tom Sannicandro and Chris Walsh joinedtheir colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives this week in passing legislation that addresses the unsustainable cost of health care while allowing the health care industry to continue to provide world-class quality care.This legislation seeks to reduce health care costs while allowing our world renowned health care system to thrive. It provides for several areas: Division of Health Care Cost and Equality, transparency, Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH), Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), alternative…

State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, one of Framingham's representatives, spoke on the House floor Wednesday to urge his colleagues to create an Innovation Investment Fund that would leverage $50 million in research and development grants. The Innovation Investment Fund is a key component of the omnibus jobs and economic development bill that passed the House on Wednesday. “Investment in research and development leads to economic development and job growth,” Sannicandro said in a press release. “It creates new technologies, licensing agreements, and spin-off companies. This bill will lead to …

Framingham's three state representatives (Tom Sannicandro, Chris Walsh and Tom Conroy) along with Framingham's state senator Karen Spilka are inviting residents to a budget priorities event Monday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Ablondi Room in the Memorial Building. The meeting will open with a presentation by Noah Berger from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center about how the state's budget is built.  Residents are encouraged to come with their budget priorities for delegation to hear. The forum comes in advance of the release of the Massachusetts House of Representatives budget on April 11…

Framingham State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, of Ashland, blacked out his website tomworksforus.com Wednesday in solidarity with protests around the internet opposing the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). “I have serious reservations about SOPA and what it could mean in terms of Internet censorship,” Sannicandro said in a press release. “It’s important we stay true to the principles of the Internet and keep information as free, open, and available as possible.” Sannicandro has previously voiced support for technology as a driver of innovation and has used the Internet to provide access to his work in …

As my colleague Cory Atkins has said: Iowa has corn, Texas has oil, and Massachusetts has brainpower. Strengthening our public higher education system is one of the most critical things we can do in Massachusetts to ensure immediate as well as long-term economic prosperity. Tonight, Nov. 16 at 7, I’ll be hosting an event called “A Time to INSPIRE” at Framingham State in the McCarthy College Center. I’ll be joined by Rep. Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), chair of the House Higher Education caucus, as well as PHENOM board member Kim Selwitz and Framingham State student president Hannah Bruce. We’…

Framingham residents are invited to join state reps Tom Sannicandro and Chris  Walsh for an open-ended discussion in Framingham Friday, Oct. 7. Constituents are invited to discuss, debate and deliberate pertinent issues affecting the town as well as discuss any questions or concerns they might have for the state reps, whether regarding legislation or matters of a personal nature.  Open discussion, as well as one-on-one time will be available.  Drop ins are welcome any time from 9 and 10 a.m. at 9 Vernon St. Following office hours in Framingham, Representative Tom Sannicandro will be hosting …

Release from State Rep. Chris Walsh: "There are now (3 p.m.) about 5 trucks working this area, a new assessment was done this afternoon, tree work happened around 12 p.m. and there is a high level of "awareness" that this is a top priority area.  "Prior to today I had been told that crews were working on the circuits - but I wasn't able to verify that by any visual means. Both my aide and I have been in contact with NSTAR nearly constantly tobreak an apparent divergence of promises vs reality and I know that the Police, administration and DPW have also been aware of these issues. "I spent the…

From Framingham State Rep. Chris Walsh: "We have had several constituent calls concerning the ongoing loss ofpower in their neighborhoods and have been speaking with NSTAR about their schedule to have all the neighborhoods re-powered.  As you can imagine there are many communities in the same boat or worse and since there was no loss of life or instances of major  property damage here in Framingham we might be somewhat relieved.  Having said that, I believe that the electric distribution system that we currently have is increasing inadequate given the critical importance and our dependence of…

Please join staff from State Rep. Tom Sannicandro's and Chris Walsh's offices for an open ended discussion in Framingham Friday, Aug. 5 from 9-10 a.m. at 9 Vernon St. Discuss, debate, and deliberate pertinent issues affecting the district. Please feel free to come with any questions or concerns that you might have for the Representatives’ staff. Whether these issues concern current legislation or personal issues, all areas of discussion are welcome to the table. Do not hesitate to join the discussion at any point during the office hour. Constituents also may schedule a meeting with the staff …

Framingham's two state representatives will host a joint office hour Friday, July 1 from 9 to 10 a.m. at 9 Vernon St. Residents can meet with Tom Sannicandro and Chris Walsh for an open-ended discussion, and debate and deliberate pertinent issues affecting Framingham over a cup of coffee. If a resident has an issue they wish to not discuss at the office hour, they can schedule a meeting with the staff beforehand. To reach Walsh call 617-722-2014 or email at chris.walsh@mahouse.gov. To reach Sannicandro call 617-722-2013 or email at tom.sannicandro@mahouse.gov.

State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, who represents a portion of Framingham, joined young people with all types of disabilities as well as parents, educators, and advocates from around the state in supporting legislation that promotes employment opportunities and independent living for individuals with disabilities. “This is a workforce development bill.  Not only will this bill address chronic unemployment among the disability community and improve outcomes for the state’s youth with disabilities, but it will help to ensure that existing special education dollars are spent in a more effective manner…

BOSTON– State Rep. Chris Walsh testified on Thursday June 9, for a bill he filed that would address the loss of property taxes and reimbursement for municipal services to local municipalities by non-profit entities. The bill would allow the Secretary of Human Services and the Massachusetts Municipal Association to reimburse municipalities through a mechanism to fund PILOT programs.“Not having a mechanism for PILOT payments puts a great deal of stress of municipalities and that in turn creates an unnecessary friction between towns and their non profit sectors," said Walsh.  

LYNN – State Rep. Chris Walsh testified before the Joint Committee on Veteran and Federal Affairs hearing in Lynn on June 9 for a bill he filed that would simplify the eligibility requirements for veterans during the Persian Gulf War to be eligible for a bonus. Currently, only Army National Guard, Air National Guard, or reserve soldiers would get a bonus. This bill will add regular army to the list of soldiers eligible for the Persian Gulf War Bonus.Walsh characterized this as a matter of equity.   “The oversight of not giving bonuses to certain soldiers in the Persian Gulf War should be …

BOSTON – State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, who represents part of Framingham, Wednesday joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in unanimously passing legislation aimed at fighting human trafficking in the Commonwealth. The bill creates crimes for human trafficking offenses such as trafficking persons for sexual servitude and trafficking persons for forced services.  “Our primary job as elected officials is to secure the safety of folks across the Commonwealth,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “No one should have to experience the horrors of being sold into a life of…

Rep. Tom Sannicandro, who represents a part of South Framingham, will be biking to work this week, as part of the Mass Commuter Challenge.  Sannicandro has created a team, Mass Legislature Bikes to Save the Planet, to encourage others to join him. “Our natural environment is a resource that we must protect,” said Sannicandro.  “When I heard about the challenge, I thought it would be the perfect way to bring attention to global warming and conservation efforts.  Together, as a team, we can make a difference.” Those interested in participating can sign up for Team Mass Legislature Bikes to Save…