Education Priorities For The State Budget

As the Senate Fiscal Year 2019 state budget debate draws near, I have filed a number of amendments to enhance educational opportunities for students, fund essential programs, and put in place enhancements to increase school safety and wellness systems.

Public education is vital and I have prepared a comprehensive set of proposals that I am also sharing with my colleagues in the Senate. In particular, I have used every available opportunity to secure a true full state commitment to funding the Special Education ‘Circuit Breaker’ – this budget delivers. I am also proposing full reimbursement for regional school transportation, modernizing the Foundation Budget formula to accurately reflect the needs of school districts, literacy and dyslexia programs and more.

In addition, I am offering the only plan to fully fund the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. I call it the Learning Innovation for Tomorrow fund or LIFT plan.

You can review, and read all of these amendments by following this link to the Senate Budget webpage: Senate Budget Amendments For Debate

Free Training to Earn Your CDL License

If you or someone you know is interested in a life-changing opportunity to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) there is a free training program that you should know about.

This is a life-changing opportunity for Cape Ann residents to gain a Class B license with A, S, and P endorsements for free! The mandatory information sessions are next week so if you know anyone interested, please have them contact Penny Hasseli 978-282-1000 ext. 117 or phasseli@actioninc.org ASAP.

It’s a 12 week program that covers 28 hours of classroom training for the general knowledge permit test, and 32 hours of hands-on driving time for the road test. Program dates are June 12th through August 30th. Classes are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 10 AM-2 PM. Classroom instruction will be at Action, and driving instruction will be at O'Maley Middle School.

There is a must attend information sessions on Monday May 21st at 10 AM and Wednesday May 23rd at 9 AM, located in the Riley Education and Training Center. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking for career change in a high-demand industry. Basic eligibility requirements are:
· Cape Ann resident
· Valid driver’s license with at least three consecutive years of driving · Clean driving record
· High School Diploma or equivalent
· Motivation to gain a CDL and commitment to the program

Three Cheers for Gloucester High School…

…and 13 state championships too. The Gloucester High School Cheerleaders were my distinguished guests in the Senate chamber where they were recognized by the State Senate for their outstanding accomplishments.

They were recognized for winning the Northeastern Conference Championship Title, the Massachusetts State Championship Title, the New England Championship Title and the 2018 AmeriCheer InterNational Cheerleading Championship, a two-day competition, held at Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Among the group were Captains Jillian Jean Gross, Vanessa Rosemary Rodolosi and Talia Rose Sanfilippo and team members Tara Nicole Aquipel, Auorora Grace Vincenza Billante, Zariah Denise Billante, Carlie Jordyn Goulart, Julia Marie Harrison, Anthony Michael Petrilli, Emma Catherine Powers, Alli Jeanne Smith, Avery Laura Smith, Kyriah Alie Smithson and Macy MariaThorton.

The team was led by Head Coach Erica Mitchell, Choreographer Eric Bichao and was accompanied by Gloucester Schools Athletic Director Julie Smith.

Addison Gilbert Hospital Urgent Care Center

Congratulations to Lahey Health on the very successful Urgent Care Center in Gloucester. A great addition to Addison Gilbert Hospital. Thanks to the Barker family for the generous support.

Whittier Bridge Project

Overnight Ramp and Route 110 Lane Closures, May 15th to May 17th

MassDOT will close the following ramps and lanes for nighttime structure adjustment operations:
Ramp closures (see detour routes, below):

• (1) I-95 Northbound Exit 58A Ramp to Route 110 Eastbound – Tuesday, May 15, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning
• (2) I-95 Northbound Exit 58A Ramp to Route 110 Eastbound – Wednesday, May 16, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning
• (3) Route 110 Westbound Ramp to I-95 Southbound – Wednesday, May 16, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning
• (4) I-95 Northbound Exit 58A Ramp to Route 110 Eastbound – Thursday, May 17, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning
• (5) Route 110 Westbound to Ramp I-95 Southbound – Thursday, May 17, from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning
Overnight lane closures are from 8:00 PM each night to 5:00 AM the following morning (unless otherwise noted) Detour Routes
(1) Detour for I-95 Northbound Exit 58A Ramp to Route 110 Eastbound: • Take I-95 Northbound to Exit 60. Turn right onto Main Street. Continue onto Rabbit Road. Continue to Route 110.


(2) Detour for I-95 Northbound Exit 58A Ramp to Route 110 Eastbound: • Take I-95 Northbound to Exit 60. Turn right onto Main Street. Continue onto Rabbit Road. Continue to Route 110.

(3) Detour for Route 110 Westbound Ramp to I-95 Southbound: • Take Route 110 Westbound turn right onto Elm Street. Turn right onto Monroe Street. Take left onto on-ramp to I-95 Southbound.

(4) Detour for I-95 Northbound Exit 58A Ramp to Route 110 Eastbound: • Take I-95 Northbound to Exit 60. Turn right onto Main Street. Continue onto Rabbit Road. Continue to Route 110.

(5) Detour Route 110 Westbound to Ramp I-95 Southbound: • Take Route 110 Westbound turn right onto Elm Street. Turn right onto Monroe Street. Take left onto on-ramp to I-95 Southbound.

MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays. Those traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.

For more information about the project, visit the website at www.mass.gov/massdot/whittierbridge. View progress photos on MassDOT’s Whittier Bridge Flickr Album.

Senate Budget Proposal Released

Today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2019 which begins July 1st. The proposal would bring the overall level of spending to $41.42 Billion in spending, a 3% increase more than Fiscal Year 2018.

In January, following the Consensus Revenue process, which included economists, members of the Legislature and members of the Baker-Polito administration, an estimate of revenue available for next fiscal year was determined. The FY 2019 state budget will rely on a projected $933 Million increase in tax revenue for FY 2019. This represents a 3.5% increase over last year. To read the bill, click this link: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2019/SenateWaysMeansBudget/Ways_Means_Final_Budget

Special Education Funding Achievement

After months of filing amendments to satisfy our commitment to fully funding the Special Education Circuit Breaker at the 75% level, I am pleased that our collective advocacy on behalf of school children, their families, and communities has resulted in the full support of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The newly released Fiscal Year Budget proposal for 2019 includes $318.9 million for the education of students who require special education services. I appreciate the support of more than 50 lawmakers who joined me in requesting this funding; this funding represents an achievement for critically needed school district resources.

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