Statehouse Program: Spring 2006

Spring 2006 Headlines

Massachusetts Special Olympics
Local Athletes Go for the Gold

Standing on the podium with a gold medal draped over his neck, Braintree's Daniel Federico had achieved his goal. (By Matt Lynch, 05/22/06)

In-car breath test for repeat offenders due;
In 3 weeks, device to be required for hardship license

Less than a week after a Weymouth woman was killed, allegedly by a repeat drunken driver, the state announced that a key aspect of the new drunk driving laws will soon be finalized. (By Matt Lynch, 05/13/06)

Trash provides stuff for a better robot;
Milton Academy team hits Dumpster for its contest entry

Some creative Dumpster-diving, along with a lot of technical prowess, paid off nicely this weekend for a group of Milton Academy students. (By Matt Lynch, 05/8/06)

Leading the league:
Red Sox outsell other teams at Registry

Red Sox fans wear their hearts on their bumpers as well as their sleeves. (By Matt Lynch, 05/01/06)

An occasional clash of symbols as Mass. takes them seriously
Red Sox outsell other teams at Registry

Each state has its symbols and emblems. New York is known as the Empire State, Vermont has maple syrup and California is recognizable by the bear on its state seal. (By Annie Mostue, 05/01/06)

Protesters want tougher access to criminal records

Yakov Kronrod, 25, graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in three years with a 4.0 undergraduate GPA. The clean-cut math wiz was a teaching assistant working toward his master's degree when he made a mistake. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/21/06)

UMass Lowell students heard at research event

Scott Jobling, a senior at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, thought liquid crystals used in computer monitor displays were awfully slow. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/28/06)

Local students present research

Shauna Harding remembers feeling peer pressure when she entered high school. Later, as a sophomore at Berkshire Community College, she developed a hypothesis: Those who enter high school in ninth grade face more peer pressure than ninth-graders experience in a seventh- through 12th-grade school. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/28/06)

Clearing the way for funeral processions

It shouldn't happen, but it does: Impatient and distracted drivers cutting off grieving family members driving in funeral processions. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/23/06)

Rally participants show support for Chapter 70

Sixteen-year-old Joseph Petmezis can play the guitar and the piano, as well as sing. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/27/06)

'Are we going to have enough money for this class next year?'

When it comes to registering for classes these days, Littleton High School sophomore Dana Mulone knows there's more to consider than just her interests. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/27/06)

Students ask for funding

Public college students and faculty from across the state traveled to Beacon Hill yesterday and urged legislators to grant their schools more money than is included in the House of Representatives fiscal 2007 budget. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/13/06)

Rooney named newest judge

A Concord attorney known for prosecuting priests convicted of sexual molestation will be the next judge to sit at Dedham District Court. (By Jessica Scarpati, 04/13/06)

College students urge lawmakers to restore higher-education funding

Public college students and faculty from across the state were on Beacon Hill yesterday urging legislators to grant their schools more money than is included in the House of Representatives fiscal 2007 budget. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/13/06)

Home care advocates rally today

Hampshire County home-care advocates will be among those at a Statehouse rally today in support of a bill that would make it easier for the elderly and the handicapped to remain in their homes. (By Jim Bildner, 04/12/06)

Official: OSHA lacking resources to be effective

Reacting to a scaffolding collapse that killed three in Boston last week, a legislative committee Tuesday heard concerns from construction safety groups that federal safety inspectors are stretched too thin across the state. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/12/06)

Westwood chorus performs at State House

The Westwood High School chorus sang the blues yesterday at the State House in one of its last performances of the year before being axed from next year's curriculum. (By Jessica Scarpati Pelayo, 04/07/06)

DA named to Dedham judgeship

A Concord attorney well-known for successful prosecutions of pedophile priests will be the next associate justice at Dedham District Court. (By Jessica Scarpati, 04/06/06)

Legislature: Health insurance for all

Health care in Massachusetts was reinvented yesterday, as the Legislature overwhelmingly approved a compromise bill calling for near-universal coverage. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/06/06)

Legislature ponders new funeral procession law

Impatient, distracted and insensitive drivers often cut off grieving family members driving in funeral processions, according to Don Dufault, director of Fitchburg's Bosk Funeral Home. (By Natalia Pelayo, 04/03/06)

More Bay State residents relying on food pantries

Local food pantries are doing well even as a statewide study says more Bay State residents are relying on food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens. (By Jessica Scarpati, 04/03/06)

|March|

State honors 13 who chose to leave families

At 67, she has cancer: it started in a lung and spread to her liver, a bad back, a bad arm and the after-effects of a stroke. (By Matt Lynch, 03/31/06)

HOW OLD IS OLD ENOUGH?

Parents, teens differ on need to raise driving age

Stephanie Fernandes, a 15-year-old sophomore at Quincy High School, turns 16 next month and her mother is already scared. (By Matt Lynch, 03/30/06)

Business opinion on wage bill mixed

As the Legislature debates an increase in the state's minimum wage, businesses also are expressing different opinions about the issue. (By Matt Lynch, 03/27/06)

Prosecutor up for Dedham judgeship

A prosecutor who helped put away two priests found guilty of sexual molestation is being considered for associate justice in Dedham District Court. (By Jesica Scarpati, 03/30/06)

Proposal could boost funding for libraries

New legislation could increase state funding for public libraries by partly matching private donations with some public funds. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/27/06)

Couple likely to get liquor license

A bill passed yesterday on Beacon Hill means Milford may soon get a seventh retail outlet for beer and wine. (By David Undercoffler, 03/24/06)

After-school lobbyists rally at State House

Over a hundred educators and youth advocates flooded Beacon Hill yesterday to urge lawmakers to include $13 million in state funding in their budget for after-school programs. (By Jessica Scarpati, 03/24/06)

Bill would have state match library donations

New legislation could increase state money for public libraries by partly matching private donations with some public money. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/23/06)

Teen moms rally for basics of life

Kayla Phillips of Pittsfield got pregnant when she was 15. Now, at 16, she breast feeds her 2-month-old daughter between GED classes at the Teen Parent Program and sleeps on her sister's couch. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/22/06)

Driving, dialing law nears

Lawmakers yesterday brought Massachusetts one step closer to banning drivers from using hand-held cell phones. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/16/06)

Milford schools already address bullying

Local administrators and teachers say a bill moving through the state Legislature addressing the issue of bullying in schools isn’t necessary. (By David Undercoffler, 03/17/06)

State looks to expedite permit process

Commercial developers may speed through the permitting process with fewer delays and costs under a bill being considered at the State House. (By Jessica Scarpati, 03/16/06)

Teen drivers face possible cell phone ban

Lawmakers on Wednesday brought Massachusetts one step closer to banning teen drivers from talking on cell phones, and putting lesser phone restrictions on their parents. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/16/06)

Bill targets motorists with cell phones; Lawmakers considering prohibition proposal

Massachusetts motorists who use cell phones while driving might have to start paying more than roaming charges. (By Matt Lynch, 03/16/06)

Ending time limits on child sex cases is goal of new bill

A Weymouth lawyer and a Quincy legislator are leading the charge in the effort to do away with time limits on bringing sexual abuse charges. (By Matt Lynch, 03/15/06)

Hearing today on sex-abuse case statute

A Statehouse hearing was scheduled this afternoon on a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual-abuse crimes against minors.(By Jim Bildner, 03/14/06)

Ex-senator trades Fla. sun for classroom

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and his wife bucked the trend and moved from Florida to Massachusetts after he retired. (By Matt Lynch, 03/08/06)

Dams may face more scrutiny

The 10 dams in the Milford area -- along with all other dams across Massachusetts -- may face tough new safety regulations thanks to a bill making its way through the Legislature. (By David Undercoffler, 03/06/06)

Senate OKs parental access bill: State was violating federal law allowing noncustodial mom, dad to see child’s school records

After months of political wrangling, the efforts of a Milford father paid off last week when the state Senate unanimously passed a bill granting noncustodial parents access to their child’s school records. (By David Undercoffler, 03/03/06)

House unanimous in privacy vote: Members OK bill limiting insurers’ access to car data recorders

Consumer privacy advocates have scored a victory with a unanimous vote in the House for a bill limiting insurance companies’ access to so-called black-box data recorders found in many new cars. (By David Undercoffler, 03/03/06)

Cub Scouts' flag makes Statehouse debut

The Cub Scouts of Cheshire Pack 31 had little idea what impact they would have when they designed a town flag for the Statehouse. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/03/06)

Women rally for more sex-assault funds

More than 50 women gathered at the Statehouse yesterday to rally for an increase of over $7 million in this year's state budget for rape crisis centers and services. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/03/06)

Christy Mihos faces an uphill battle as he bolts the Republican Party and strikes out on his own

Christy Mihos faces a challenge no other candidate for governor in the past century has overcome: winning the office as an independent. (By Matt Lynch, 03/02/06)

Pol pushes for eating disorder legislation

Mary walks into a room and all eyes turn to her. Until five years ago, people used to see a tall and thin blonde with a contagious smile. (By Jessica Scarpati, 03/02/06)

Animal activists rally against dog racing, slots

More than 100 animal activists met at the Statehouse yesterday to make it clear they oppose greyhound racing and attempts to bolster the racing industry by allowing slot machines at the state's dog and horse racetracks.(By Natalia Pelayo, 03/01/06)

Local legislator to lead group on Pakistan trip

A South Shore legislator will be packing his bags later this month for a most unlikely destination: Pakistan. (By Matt Lynch, 03/01/06)

Bill proposes exempt from prosecution for school employees

School bus drivers and monitors would not be liable for the death or injury to a child they aid in a medical emergency under a bill being considered at the State House. (By Jessica Scarpati, 03/01/06)

|February|

Slots no sure bet at Statehouse

Candidates in this year's race for governor remain tight-lipped about a bill that would allow slot machines at the state's four racetracks with most saying the controversial bill needs more study. (By Anne Mostue, 02/26/06)

Youth challenges Pignatelli for seat

Patrick Long is not your typical college student. Yes, he lives in a dorm and takes classes. But in his free time he's running for state office. (By Natalia Pelayo, 02/24/06)

Lunenburg Water District joins lawsuit

The Lunenburg Water District has joined a number of other communities in a lawsuit against major oil and gasoline companies, alleging that the companies' gas stations contaminated local water with the gasoline additive MTBE. (By Natalia Pelayo, 02/23/06)

Scibak, Easthampton resident push for ban on latex gloves

A bill aimed at protecting consumers and workers allergic to latex would ban the use of latex gloves by food workers in all aspects of food production in the state. (By Jim Bildner, 02/23/06)

Area vies for funds, Lawmakers cite Valley's needs

Local legislators warn that Hampshire County's reliance on education, health and social services jobs make its economy vulnerable, as the Legislature begins work on the governor's $25.2 billion budget. (By Jim Bildner, 02/17/06)

Area vies for funds, Lawmakers cite Valley's needs

Bill would improve parental access to school records

Sam Kopper of Hingham wanted to take a look at his daughter's school records. (By Matt Lynch, 02/17/06)

Area moms getting good prenatal care

A state report says expectant moms in the Milford area receive better care and give birth to babies healthier than the state and national averages. (By David Undercoffler, 02/20/06)

Bill concerns immigrant advocates

U.S. citizens could be punished for assisting immigrants who enter the country illegally, if a bill on Capitol Hill becomes law. (By Natalia Pelayo, 02/16/06)

Pols delay vending machine vote

Lawmakers decided to delay a vote on restrictions on school vending machines, but Waltham schools said they have already trimmed their fat and wouldn't be affected by the proposed law. (By Jessica Scarpati, 02/16/06)

Local firms OK with tax audit

While officials at some biotechnology companies across the state wring their hands over a sales tax audit that could cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars, local companies say they are in the clear. (By Jessica Scarpati, 02/10/06)

$400M sought Panel calls for more funding for higher ed

Saying higher education in Massachusetts is at a crossroads, a joint committee of the House and Senate unanimously endorsed legislation Wednesday that would significantly increase funding to higher education, while capping student charges and fees. (By Jim Bildner, 02/09/06)

Tax break could assist seniors

Camille Jasmin is wearing heavier sweaters than usual, but not because it's any colder this year. (By Jessica Scarpati, 02/06/06)

Reilly sputtering in early campaign

Democratic activists and political experts reacted skeptically yesterday after Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly said that politics were "not my strong suit" amid the fallout of his running mate dropping out of the race. (By Erik Arvidson and Natalia Pelayo, 02/03/06)

Soda vending ban doesn't strike schools as sweet idea

A plan to ban soda from school vending machines faces opposition, and not just from the soft-drink industry. (By Matt Lynch, 02/03/06)

New senior drug program irons out problems

After a month of confusion for seniors dealing with new state and federal regulations regarding Prescription Advantage and Medicare Part D, Milford health care officials say the system covering prescription drugs now is working well. (By David Undercoffler, 02/03/06)

Many see hard road ahead for Reilly

Tom Reilly's announcement of state Rep. Marie St. Fleur as his running mate in the race for governor Tuesday surprised even his closest supporters. (By Erik Arvidson and Natalia Pelayo, 02/03/06)

Sex-ed fireworks: Angry debate ahead

More heated, often angry debate on the issue of sex education seems likely on Beacon Hill, and it may not subside for months. (By Matt Lynch, 02/01/06)

Local town officials worry about reduction in road repair funds

An Audubon Society ranking of what it sees as environment-friendly legislators separates South Shore legislators along strict party lines. (By David Undercoffler, 02/01/06)

Audubon ratings of legislators split along party lines

An Audubon Society ranking of what it sees as environment-friendly legislators separates South Shore legislators along strict party lines. (By Matt Lynch, 02/01/06)

| January |

Health ed bill may spur controversy

As the Legislature prepares for debate next week on a bill mandating a health education course for the state's public schools, supporters, including a South Shore representative, say the issue of sex education is overshadowing other aspects of the proposed curriculum. (By Matt Lynch, 01/28/06)

Some religious leaders still decry finance reforms

Although some local legislators remain in favor of a defeated bill that would have required religious organizations to file their finances with the state, community religious leaders say they are relieved the bill is now dead. (By Jessica Scarpati, 01/26/06)

Pols closer to banning Alcohol Without Liquid

A controversial device that offers a new way to get drunk came one step closer to being banned yesterday after lawmakers advanced making it illegal for any restaurant or bar to own or operate a so-called AWOL machine. (By David Undercoffler, 01/26/06)

Bill would open churches' books

Senators, representatives and members of Voice of the Faithful rallied at the Statehouse yesterday morning for passage of a bill that would require places of worship and religious charities to annually disclose their financial statements. (By Natalia Pelayo, 01/25/06)

Support eroding as debate begins on religious disclosure

Citing concerns over its constitutionality, state Rep. John Scibak, D-South Hadley, says he is now opposed to a bill that would require religious organizations to file annual financial statements with the state attorney general’s office. (By Jim Blidner, 01/25/06)