Stirring up the pot in 2014

Dear Friends,

The start of 2014 launches the second year of our current legislative session. As you may know, the 188th General Court that began in January 2013 concludes this summer on July 31, 2014.

There is a lot to cover between now and the end of July and many residents have asked me what lies ahead for the Legislature.   

Action on all Remaining Bills  
If there is a specific bill or issue you are following, all remaining bills in committee must have a public hearing and action must be taken on all bills by the 3rd Wednesday in March. Please visit malegislature.gov or contact my office with questions about an upcoming hearing on a bill.

Fiscal year 2015 Budget Process
Deval Patrick is preparing to recommend his last state budget as governor to the Legislature. Public hearings on the 2015 Budget will be held across the state in Feb. and March and the House will file amendments and debate the Budget in April. Please contact my office if you or your organization has questions or recommendations regarding the Budget.

My New Bill
Since I became chair of the Committee on Higher Education, I started to hear a phrase I had never heard before. When talking about higher ed, people would say: "I am the first generation in my family out of poverty." Read about the Career Pathways Trust Fund bill I filed last week in this past Sunday's MetroWest Daily News column here.

Cooking up Solutions for Higher Education
Just before the holidays I stirred up ideas for public higher ed with the Chair of the Board of Higher Education Charlie Desmond at the new cooking facility at WACA - Ashland local access TV. Watch out for our delicious recipe for Chicharron on Ashland local access TV or view the show online by clicking here.

Disability Rights
I believe Massachusetts is poised for a paradigm shift in disability rights with the inclusion of students with developmental disabilities is higher education. Read more about the future of disability rights in Massachusetts in my column in the MetroWest Daily News here.

Wishing you the best in the new year!

Sincerely,
Tom