Tarr: Budget Solution There if Negotiators Will Reach for It

Since October, House and Senate negotiators have been unable to agree to a uniform budget bill needed to finalize the Fiscal 2019 budget. There are many important government functions that are contingent on a final bill reaching the Governor. Today, I talked briefly with State House News Service about bridging the impasse.

Tarr: Budget Solution There if Negotiators Will Reach for It

The House and Senate are holding their sessions open Wednesday, apparently to see whether they can salvage a deal on a fiscal 2019 surplus spending bill in time to avoid the comptroller's plan to sweep the surplus into the state savings account.

Sen. Walter Timilty gaveled the Senate in just after 11 a.m. and immediately declared a recess. "Who knows what will happen today," he told the News Service. "It's a very inexact science."

Said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr: "I think this is certainly a situation where there is a solution if we're willing to reach for it. And I'll leave it at that."

Another running thread in recent Senate sessions has been inability to agree on a special election date to fill the vacant Plymouth and Barnstable Senate seat. Senate Republicans object to President Karen Spilka's proposed March 3 date. Tarr said Wednesday it's "a very heartening thing that we're able to have a discussion about what the right date should be."

That discussion might now include a second special election. Sen. Donald Humason has notified Senate leaders of his plans to resign Jan. 6 to become mayor of Westfield, his office told the News Service on Wednesday.

Rep. Paul Donato gaveled the House in at 11 a.m. and that branch is also in recess. - Sam Doran/SHNS

Among the spending being held up in the supplemental budget is a $50 million to accelerate MBTA improvements, $17 million in local scholarships, $2 million for special education , $2.4 million for regional school transit and $2 million for transportation costs for homeless students.

FUNDS TO PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS FROM CONTAMINATED GEAR

A $500,000 grant program to provide critical funds to local fire departments that I secured in the state budget came to fruition today as Governor Charlie Baker announced the awarding of grants from the new program to 174 fire departments across the state.

The Governor made the announcement at a ceremony hosted by the Marlborough Fire Department, at which he also announced grants from a $425,000 program sponsored by Senator Paul Feeney of Attleboro to help departments acquire extractors, which launder the gear firefighters wear to remove contaminants that can pose serious health risks.

Together the two programs represent $925,000 being spent to protect the health and safety of firefighters across the state.

We have become increasingly aware of the threat posed to firefighters not only from the work they perform but also from the gear that is meant to protect them if that equipment has been exposed to hazardous materials.

The Governor was also joined today in Marlborough by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Public Safety and Safety Undersecretary Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Senator Paul Feeney, Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant and Marlborough Fire Chief Kevin Breen.

Essex Fire Department             $2,500.00
Ipswich Fire Department     $2,430.00
Middleton Fire Department     $5,440.00
North Andover Fire Department     $7,181.10
Rockport Fire Department     $7,181.09
Rowley Fire Department     $2,484.00
Gloucester Fire Department     $6,416.72
Groveland Fire Department     $3,476.00 

Santa Skips Sleigh In Rockport Ride

It's not everyday you get an opportunity to have a visit with Santa but each year he makes a special visit to Rockport to make sure everyone is getting ready for his big ride in two weeks. Harbormasters Rosemary Lesch and Scott Story help him make a smooth landing where he was greeted by a great group of people, all, I am told, on the 'Nice' list.

Toy Drive Schedule

This Thursday is my 24th annual Toy Drive with North Shore 104.9​ and the fuel that keeps us moving is YOU! We will visit 9 places, each for an hour, to raise spirits, collect toys, and make people happy. I want to personally welcome you to come out and see the broadcast magic happen live, we will entertain you, thank you for your support, and share in the joy of helping others. Spend some time with us and make a real difference in a local child's life.

Talking About Toys and Joys for Kids With Action Inc.'s Megan Merlin and Jen Orlando

The "Senator Bruce Tarr North Shore 104.9 Toy Drive' continues to partner with Cape Ann Savings Bank and Action Inc. to bring joy to families and children. Our drive is Thursday the 12th.

President Bob Gillis and the friendly staff of Cape Ann Savings Bank will host the grand finale next Thursday at 109 Main Street in #Gloucester. All donations will support Action Inc. and their Project Uplift.

Project Uplift is a pop-up holiday store located at 7 Pleasant St., Gloucester – the former Pleasant St. Tea Company space. You can help by donating toys, hosting a collection box, making a donation or volunteering.

Megan Merlin and Jen Orlando tell us more about it.

Toy Drive Talk With North Shore 104.9 This Morning

I always enjoy visiting my friends at North Shore 104.9 and this morning I joined with Erika Hemingway, Joe Piantedosi, of the Breaking Bread Show, and Salem State University's Vice President for Public Safety Gene Labonte about next weeks Bruce Tarr's North Shore 104.9 annual Toy Drive.

This all-day Toy Drive, broadcast live, kicks off Thursday from 6 AM in Lynn and keeps going strong to Gloucester when we bring it all together for a close at 7:00 PM. I personally invite you to come to any of our 9 locations to say hello. Your contributions of unwrapped toys, checks or gift cards are welcome and can brighten the holidays for a local child in need. Everything that we raise goes to support local non-profit organizations to bring cheer to a child this holiday season.

For more information, including our broadcast locations, for the Thursday Toy Drive visit www.northshore1049.com

Commuter Rail Delays on Newburyport Line / Rockport Line Trains

8:30 AM update-
A crossing gate issue in Chelsea is causing delays. These trains are expected to be 25-35 minutes behind schedule.
Please use caution when near railroad crossings or train stations. Please also be careful when boarding and alighting trains, as well as when accessing platforms via ramps or stairs.

8:00 AM update-
Delay UP TO 10 MINUTES
Rockport Line Train 103 (7:50 am from North Station) is expected to depart North Station 5-10 minutes behind schedule due to a signal issue in the terminal.
Affected direction:
Outbound
Service Change
Due to inclement weather conditions, please use caution when near railroad crossings or train stations. Please also be careful when boarding and alighting trains, as well as when accessing platforms via ramps or stairs.

Delay UP TO 10 MINUTES Rockport Line Train 103 (7:50 am from North Station) is expected to depart North Station 5-10 minutes behind schedule due to a signal issue in the terminal. Affected direction: Outbound

Service Change Due to inclement weather conditions, please use caution when near railroad crossings or train stations. Please also be careful when boarding and alighting trains, as well as when accessing platforms via ramps or stairs.