Dear Folks, With the Legislature and district slowing down and in a summer recess, I am taking a hiatus in writing these weekly State House Updates for the month of August -- I will resume again in September. During August, however, you can still reach me or Haven at the State House and always feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns (617-722-2460). Have a wonderful month of August! Warm regards, Karen
THE WEEK BEHIND: MUNICIPAL RELIEF BILL SIGNED -- TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY: Within two hours of the Legislature's passing the Municipal Relief bill on Thursday with a version of Gov. Mitt Romney's amendment for the section on district improvement financing he sent it back for, Acting Gov. Kerry Healey signed the bill, putting it immediately into effect . Many of it's provisions are optional, so selectmen can decide which options to act on and implement. UPDATE ON TURNPIKE SOUND BARRIERS: Through the collective efforts of many, Westgate Road in Framingham should have its sound barrier construction started in October and "substantially completed," according to Turnpike officials, by mid-December. I am told by Turnpike officials that the project went out to bid July 19th -- so it is well on its way and on track . I am hoping that the Legislature will still take up some other vetoes in the fall, and will continue to request those concerning the needed sound barrier feasibility study for other areas in Framingham and the one for Highway illumination limits along the Mass Turnpike. It is clear that many other areas along the Turnpike need sound barriers, and work will continue on this issue! '04 BUDGET REVIEW BY MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER: The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center has completed a review of the FY 2004 Vetoes and Overrides. As initially approved by the Legislature, the FY04 budget totaled roughly $23 billion, nearly $2 billion below the amount necessary to maintain current services. The vetoes issued by Governor Romney, when taken together, reduced spending by an additional $201 million. The MBPC's latest report details the Legislature's disposition, to date, of those vetoes, as well as the impact of such vetoes, and subsequent overrides, on spending by program area. You may download the complete report via the following link: http://www.massbudget.org/04overrides.pdf JULY TAX RECEIPTS RISE 3.5 PERCENT:� Officials released earlier today that state tax collections in July 2003 increased by $35 million, or 3.5 percent from July 2002.� This is good news because for fiscal 2004 budget planning purposes, the benchmark used for estimated July 2003 revenues was $15 million less. CHAPTER 90 ROAD AND BRIDGE FUNDS: Municipal officials and lawmakers are working to get the Romney administration to release for '04 about $100 million in local road and bridge repair funds, called Chapter 90 funds. The funds are even more critical than usual because most municipalities across the state are dealing with cuts throughout their budgets. These funds are the municipalities' share of the gas tax and allow cities and towns to perform their repairing and repaving jobs during the warmer construction seasons, before it starts getting cold again. Chapter 90 funds would also help keep some workers employed while they made our roads and bridges safer. MassINC's NEW EDITION OF COMMONWEALTH MAGAZINE: MassInc. has released its newest edition of its magazine, Commonwealth Magazine: http://www.massinc.org/commonwealth/current_issue/index.htm CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH MARS! Never again in your (or my) lifetime will the Red Planet be so spectacular This month and next Earth is catching up with Mars, an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years but it may be as long as 60,000 years. The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification Mars will look as large as the full moon to he naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August Mars will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m. But by the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m. That's pretty convenient when it comes to seeing something that no human has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month. Share this -- No one alive today will ever see this again! THE WEEK AHEAD: SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2003: NATIONAL KIDS DAY CELEBRATION! Come to the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest to celebrate National Kids Day - face painting, arts & crafts, dunk tank, animal friends, carnival games, live DJ and music, a BBQ Picnic and more! Rain or Shine! Sponsored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest, Framingham Coalition, MetroWest Latin American Center, Community Connections, and Our House Recreation Center. (Sunday, 11:00 am to 2:00 PM, Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest, Framingham Clubhouse, 160 Hollis Street, Framingham) MONDAY, AUG. 4, 2003 HOUSE & SENATE INFORMAL SESSIONS:� Both branches will meet in informal sessions .� (Monday, 11 AM, House and Senate Chambers) TUESDAY, AUG. 5, 2003 ROMNEY MEETS WITH STATE WORKERS: Last week Gov Romney announced plans to grant state managers pay increases. This week he travels to Worcester (Tuesday) and Springfield (Thursday) to meet with state officials there. ASHLAND SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT STONE PARK: The Ashland summer concert's series 14th season, sponsored by the Ashland Business Association, Ashland Day Committee, Middlesex Savings Bank and other private sponsors, continues every Tuesday evening. Come Tuesday nights to the Gazebo at Stone Park for some relaxation, great folks, and a wide variety of music! Free! Businesses bring free raffle items to the concerts! Weather permitting. The following concerts remain: Aug. 5 John Barrows & The Coca Banana Band; Aug. 12 - two shows - Project Concerned Youth Dance Co. and Kickstand; Aug. 19 - two concerts: --- 1st concert: Ashland Summer Band, David Gresky, Director 5:30 PM --- 2nd concert: Claflin Hill Summer Winds 6:30 PM; and Aug. 26 The Big Blue Daddys. (Tuesday, 6:30 - to 8:30 PM, Stone Park, Ashland): WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6, 2003 UMASS BUDGET CUTS, FEE HIKES AND MORE ON BOARD AGENDA: The full UMASS Board of Trustees will meet to discuss how to deal with the large funding cuts -- $21 million of UMASS' $80 million budget was cut -- by looking at layoffs, spending cuts and fee increases. A subcommittee has recommended a $750 fee increase to the Board. (Wednesday, 11 AM, Cumnock Hall, One University Ave., N Campus, UMASS Lowell) COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE HOLDS EXECUTIVE SESSION: To be voted on are bills dealing with issues such as assault and battery, forced entry, bank robberies, and marijuana possession. (Wednesday, 10 AM, Room 222) THURSDAY, AUG. 7, 2003: HOUSE & SENATE INFORMAL SESSIONS:� Both branches will meet in informal sessions .� (Thursday, 11 AM, House and Senate Chambers) FARMERS' MARKET AT KEN'S STEAKHOUSE: Through the end of October there is a Farmers' Market at Ken's Steakhouse Parking Lot, next to Walpole Woodworkers, Route 9, Framingham (Thursday, 1:00 - 5:30 PM, Ken's Steakhouse Parking Lot, Route 9) DOWNTOWN SOLUTIONS PRESENTS FREE EARLY EVENING THURSDAY CONCERTS: On the Newly Revitalized Framingham Downtown Common - Beginning July 10, 2003 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 pm. Local eateries will be selling their specialties on site. THURSDAY EVENING MUSIC ON THE DOWNTOWN COMMON: * AUGUST 7th Jumpin Juba - Blues and Jazz Music AUGUST 14th Sol Quest - Soul Music AUGUST 12th - TUESDAY - Kadima (rescheduled from July) AUGUST 21st Tara's Music - South Indian Classical Music Sponsored by: The Downtown Solutions, the Framingham Rotary, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. *These dates-MIX 98.5 LIVE with FREE Turkey Hill Ice Cream and Frappuccino! FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2003: FARMERS� MARKET FRIDAY AT WESTON NURSERIES: Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton has announced MetroWest's newest farmers' market on the grounds of Weston Nurseries on Friday afternoons through the fall. 1-6 PM, rain or shine. For more information, call (508) 435 � 3414 or go to: www.WestonNurseries.com (Fridays, 1 � 6 PM, Weston Nurseries, 93 East Main Street, Route 135, Hopkinton) FRAMINGHAM CONCERT ON THE COMMONS: Refreshments - Raffles - Family Fun! Free Performances: Friday��August 1, 2003� Roy Nutile Band (Big Band Swing) Friday��August 8, 2003 HELP (Beatles Oldies at Their Best) Friday��August 15, 2003 Neal Perry Orchestra (Classic Rock & Swing) ** Saturday, August 16 - Framingham Blues Festival, Bowditch Field http://www.musicfestproductions.com/page3.html Friday��August 22, 2003�Pick Three (Blue Grass Fun) Friday��August 29, 2003�Worcester Men of Song (Barbershop Chorus & Quartets) For more information, please call (508)620-4815 or go to: http://www.framingham.com/rec/concert3.htm (Concerts at the Framingham Centre Common, a.k.a. Village Green, Edgell Rd., June - August - Fridays 6:30 - 8:30 PM) SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2003: FARMERS' MARKET: A Farmers' Marker is held at St. Tarcisius Church parking lot. (Saturdays, 9 AM - 12 Noon, St. Tarcisius Church parking lot, Waverly Street (Rt. 135)) To unsubscribe, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body "unsubscribe frambors" (the subject is ignored).
