Beacon Hill News

Healey Awards State Farm Food Grants to Haverhill Agency, Others; Draws Comparison to Trump Cuts

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Gov. Maura T. Healey’s administration said Monday it awarded state farm food grants to a Haverhill-based agency and others following cuts in a similar federal program by the Trump administration. The competitive Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health—or FRESH—grants went to 26 school districts and 11 early education and care programs, including $28,053 to Community Action and $20,785 to the Merrimack Valley Young YMCA. “While the Trump administration continues to take away food from children and families, and hurt local businesses and farmers, Massachusetts is continuing to prioritize programs like these,” said Healey in a statement. “We know that our students succeed when they have access to healthy food, and we can create partnerships that support local businesses and farms in the process.”

As WHAV reported March 10, the feds cancelled nationwide this year’s allocation from the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. Healey said the state money supports the National School Lunch Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsors to start or expand their capacity to grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system.

Beacon Hill News

Inspector General Says Regulators Failed to Collect Cannabis License Fees Owed to State

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Haverhill isn’t the only one wrestling with fees related to cannabis retailers. State Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro Wednesday called on the Cannabis Control Commission to conduct an audit to confirm stores are paying all state fees following an investigation that found that the agency did not collect about $550,000 in prorated license fees and up to $1.2 million in potential provisional licensing fees from for the two years ending August 2024. Writing to Commission Executive Director Travis Ahern and Acting Chair Bruce Stebbins, Shapiro said it originally got involved after receiving a complaint. “Our investigation did not find any suggestion of fraud, but it did reveal an egregious operational breakdown that underscores the need for statutory reform. We are pleased to learn that the CCC has recently worked to update the agency’s payment systems and has begun to recoup previously uncollected fees.

Beacon Hill News

Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Elects Haverhill’s Rep. Vargas Chair

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Haverhill state Rep. Andy X. Vargas is assuming the chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus during the 194th two-year legislative session. Members of the Caucus elected Vargas last week and he will be joined by Vice-Chair Liz Miranda, Treasurer Adam Gomez, Secretary Kip Diggs and newly appointed Executive Director Tomás O’Brien. “This is both a challenging and exciting time for this Caucus. Challenging due to the headwinds of a federal administration that promises to cut vital programs and initiatives that disproportionately affect our communities. Exciting, in part, thanks to the historic size this caucus has reached and the leadership appointments gained this session,” said Vargas.

Beacon Hill News

Finegold, Payano, Vargas Keep or Assume New Leadership Roles Following Session Reorg

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During the biennial session reorganization Wednesday of Massachusetts House and Senate committees, a number of area legislators either held their committee leadership seats or took on new roles. Among joint committees of both houses of the legislature, Sen. Barry R. Finegold returns as the Senate chair of Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, serving alongside Rep. Carole A. Fiola. Finegold helped shepherd a $4 billion economic development bill through the legislature last fall. Rep. Andy X. Vargas becomes the House chairperson of Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses and will serve with Senate Chairperson Adam Gomez. Sen. Pavel M. Payano formally held the Senate chair, but now moves on as chairperson of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Beacon Hill News

Tarr and Jones Push State Migrant Shelter Changes in Filing and Letter to Healey

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Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr, of Gloucester, and House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr., of North Reading, said Tuesday they are following through on two promises made last month to address safety and sustainability of the state’s migrant shelter system. They sent a letter to Gov. Maura T. Healey and filed legislation on behalf of the House and Senate Republican Caucus. “House and Senate Republicans are advocating for a multi-faceted approach to address the many problems plaguing the state’s emergency shelter system,” said Jones. “The reforms we are calling for are long overdue, and will help to enhance transparency, accountability, public safety and fiscal responsibility within the program.”

An Act relative to public safety, fiscal responsibility and emergency assistance was filed Jan. 17 in the Senate.

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Sen. Payano Leads Trade Mission to Dominican Republic Tuesday; Could Attract Physicians

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State Senators, led by area Sen. Pavel M. Payano and Sen. President Karen E. Spilka, plan to visit the Dominican Republic Tuesday as part of a four-day trade mission. The delegation, which also includes of other senators, “will focus on strengthening economic relationships, with planned meetings with industry and government leaders across various sectors to explore trade, investment, and workforce development opportunities,” Spilka’s office said in a release. Specifically, her office said, among areas of focus is the new licensure pathway for internationally trained doctors to practice in Massachusetts, which became law as part of last year’s economic development package. “The visit will also celebrate the deep cultural ties between the Commonwealth and its Dominican community, one of the largest and most vibrant immigrant groups in the state. The Senate’s visit will build on cultural connections and explore ways to deepen the partnership between Massachusetts and the Dominican Republic,” the release added.

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Sen. Finegold to Address Business Trade Group on $4 Billion Mass Leads Act

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Sen. Barry R. Finegold is taking part in a discussion today on the recent $4 billion economic development law he helped shepherd through the legislature. Finegold, chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, and Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao address members of NAIOP Massachusetts, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. The forum will be moderated by NAIOP CEO Tamara Small about what has become known as the Mass Leads Act. The legislation, signed into law Nov. 20, is focused on job creation, supporting business growth, expanding workforce development programs and supporting regional economic development initiatives.

Beacon Hill News

Auditor DiZoglio Says Senate Democrats are Breaking the Law with Audit Response

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By Alison Kuznitz

The group of Senate Democrats tasked with handling Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s quest to probe the legislature agreed Monday to meet with her office. While senators said they are looking for “prompt and constructive engagement,” DiZoglio said the response to her audit launch is the latest example of lawmakers “breaking the law.”

In a five-page letter responding to DiZoglio’s repeated outreach, subcommittee chair Sen. Cindy Friedman and Sens. Will Brownsberger, Jo Comerford and Paul Feeney proposed three possible times to meet on either Jan. 29 or Jan. 30.