Government

OP-ED: School Funding Formula Not Fair to Communities Like Watertown

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Submitted by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, whose district includes Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston. Overall, state aid to schools is inadequate and, although the current distribution formula works out well for Belmont and Boston, it is unfair to many communities, including Watertown. I hope we can pass the “millionaire’s tax” this November and use the proceeds to increase school aid under a simpler, more rational formula. The state distributes approximately $5 billion annually in unrestricted aid for local schools, known as “Chapter 70” aid, covering on average roughly 1/3 of total local school costs. Aside from MassHealth, unrestricted local school aid is the single largest item in the state budget — roughly 20% of state tax revenue.

Government

State Sen. Brownsberger Hosting Series of Town Halls, Including in Watertown

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State Senator Will Brownsberger – whose district includes Watertown – will host a series of town halls throughout his district in February, his office announced. These events are free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend to share their thoughts on current events and legislative priorities.Allston/Brighton: Thursday, February 8 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Presentation School, New Balance Community Room | 640 Washington Street, Brighton

Watertown: Saturday, February 10 from 12 – 2 p.m.
Watertown Free Public Library, Savings Bank Room | 123 Main Street, Watertown

Belmont: Saturday, February 10 from 3 – 5 p.m.
Beech Street Center | 266 Beech Street, Belmont

Fenway: Sunday, February 11 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fenway Community Center | 1282 Boylston Street, Boston

West Fens/Northeastern: Sunday, February 11 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Emerald Necklace Conservancy | 125 Fenway, Boston

Back Bay: Monday, February 12 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
First Church Boston | 66 Marlborough Street, Boston

Allston/Brighton: Tuesday, February 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
All-Bright Community Center | 1285-B Commonwealth Avenue, Boston

Environment

OP-ED: Sen. Brownsberger Looks at Local Flooding Risks From Climate Change

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As a legislator, I’ve been concerned to reduce our contributions to climate change.  Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to better understand the local flooding risks caused by the climate changes we seem unable to prevent. It’s hard to know how much the seas are going to rise. First, no one knows how much the people of the world will be able to reduce carbon emissions. Second, even within a given emissions scenario, the uncertainties are considerable.  For example, if we just assume continually growing emissions, the estimates of probable local sea level rise vary by a factor of two from 3.2 feet to 7.4 feet by 2100. Much of Boston lies quite low, so these uncertainties matter.

Transportation

Seniors Invited to Apply for MBTA CharlieCards at Local Event

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced he will sponsor a Senior CharlieCard Day on Monday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Beech Street Center, located at 266 Beech Street in Belmont. Seniors age 65 or older can save a trip to the MBTA offices in Downtown Boston and apply for a Senior CharlieCard at this event. Staff from the Office of Senator Brownsberger will be on hand to take photos and process applications, which will be provided. Seniors will just need to bring a valid, state-issued photo ID that includes date of birth. No advance sign-up required.

Government

Find Out About the Proposed State Budget from State Sen. Brownsberger

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On Wednesday, May 10, Senator Will Brownsberger will host a discussion on the Fiscal Year 2018 state budget, in advance of the Senate’s consideration of the budget, which is scheduled to begin on May 22. The meeting will begin with an overview of the budget before providing community members the opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and express priorities. WHEN: Wednesday, May 10 from 6:30-8 p.m.
WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library | 123 Main Street, Watertown

This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to join Senator Brownsberger in Watertown next week, please feel free to submit your thoughts on the FY’18 budget directly, by emailing william.brownsberger@masenate.gov or contributing to the conversation online at willbrownsberger.com! For more information, please contact Quinn Diaz at 617-722-1280.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Hecht Hosting Meeting on Criminal Justice Reform

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Later this month, Senator Will Brownsberger will cohost two discussions on the push for criminal justice reform in Massachusetts. The events will feature an overview of the broad agenda for criminal justice reform in the 2017-2018 legislative session, followed by a general discussion, as Senator Brownsberger and his colleagues in the Legislature seek community feedback on the agenda and other criminal justice reform priorities. Allston/Brighton | Cohosted by State Representatives Kevin Hogan & Mike Moran
WHEN: Monday, March 27 from 6:30-8 p.m.
WHERE: Jackson Mann Community Center | 500 Cambridge St., Allston

Watertown | Cohosted by State Representative Jon Hecht
WHEN: Tuesday, March 28 from 6:30-8 p.m.
WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library | 123 Main St., Watertown

These events are free and open to the public. If you are unable to join Senator Brownsberger in Allston/Brighton or Watertown, please feel free to submit your thoughts directly by emailing William.Brownsberger@masenate.gov, or contribute to the conversation online at willbrownsberger.com! And stay tuned for more information as we finalize the details surrounding our community discussion on criminal justice reform in Boston, which will take place later this Spring!

Government

State Sen. Brownsberger Hosting Discussion on Criminal Justice Reform

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On Saturday, March 11, Senator Will Brownsberger will cohost a discussion on criminal justice reform in Massachusetts with State Representative Dave Rogers and Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin. The discussion will feature an overview of the broad agenda for criminal justice reform in the 2017-2018 legislative session, as legislators seek community feedback on the agenda and other criminal justice reform priorities. WHEN: Saturday, March 11 from 1-2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Belmont Town Hall Auditorium, 455 Concord Avenue, Belmont

Environment

State Sen. Brownsberger Hosting Discussion on Energy, Climate Legislation

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State Senator Will Brownsberger announced he will host a community discussion on energy and climate legislation filed in the 2017-2018 legislative session. The discussion will be from 2-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 18 in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room at the Watertown Public Library, located at 123 Main Street. This event is free and open to the public.