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Global Petroleum Stopped in its Tracks
Ethanol Amendment sponsored by Senators Petruccelli, DiDomenico, and Jehlen
Included in Senate Budget
BOSTON- Last week, the Massachusetts State Senate passed its Fiscal Year 2014 budget. Included in the final budget was an amendment sponsored by Senators Anthony Petruccelli, Sal DiDomenico, and Patricia Jehlen to prevent the transport of ethanol by rail through our communities.
This amendment comes in response to a proposed plan by Global Petroleum (Global) to transport increased quantities of ethanol via MBTA commuter rail tracks, which run through a number of urban communities, like Boston, Everett, Cambridge, Somerville, and Chelsea, to their facility in Revere. To begin this project, however, Global must first obtain a Chapter 91 Waterway License from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental protection (DEP). This amendment would prohibit the DEP from issuing such a license to Global.
“Senators DiDomenico, Jehlen and I drafted the ethanol amendment with the belief that public safety is among our top priorities. We worked tirelessly on this amendment in order to protect the residents of our communities from the dangers of such a volatile substance. I am enthusiastic at the adoption of our amendment and the prospect of working with the Senate and House leadership and the bill’s conference committee to ensure its final passage,” said Senator Anthony Petruccelli.
“I am pleased our ethanol amendment was included in the Senate budget,” said Senator DiDomenico. “The plan to bring increased quantities of ethanol via train through our districts raises serious public safety concerns and potential negative environmental impacts for residents of my district. Ethanol is an extremely dangerous substance and the safety our residents should not be compromised for the sake of expediency and profit.”
Senate Passes Fiscal Year 2014 Spending Plan
Boosts spending to cities and towns
(Boston) – The Massachusetts Senate voted to pass a $33.989 billion budget for fiscal year 2014 (FY14). Debate ended after the Senate passed 195 amendments, increasing spending by $67 million during formal session. Additional spending was allocated to local aid, public safety, education and human service initiatives.
The Senate’s spending plan closes a $1.2 billion budget gap while investing in some of the most essential elements of government. The FY14 budget utilizes new revenues generated as a result of the joint transportation finance framework agreed on by the House and Senate last month and continues the Senate’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while meeting the needs of citizens through restoring vital funding to core services and increasing support for economic and workforce development.
“This budget moves away from some of the painful cuts of the past and begins to make targeted investments in areas that will support and sustain our economy,” said Senator Stephen M. Brewer, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I am proud of the funding we have been able to dedicate to building innovation and efficiency while maintaining a partnership with our municipalities and providing essential increases to residents most in need.”
“I am very proud of the work done by Senate Ways and Means Chairman Senator Brewer and the contributions of all members to produce a final budget,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “The Senate budget makes important and thoughtful investments that will help strengthen our services and programs while maintaining the fiscal health of the Commonwealth. As we continue to recover, we must always remain cautious in our spending but look to where we can, and should, invest and rebuild. This final budget is thoughtful, responsible and reflects the priorities of the Commonwealth.”
“It has been an absolute pleasure working beside Chairman Brewer to craft this budget. It’s responsible, it’s balanced and most importantly it addresses the many needs of the Commonwealth. In particular, the funding we were able to provide in the area of mental health is unprecedented; I’m very proud of that,” said Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“This budget makes many essential investments that will have far reaching benefits for many residents of Massachusetts,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico, Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Chairman Brewer and Vice Chair Flanagan throughout this process and I am proud of the budget we have produced.”
From the Boston Globe 5/16/2013: Upgrade child-care facilities
From the Boston Globe:
THE PODIUM
Upgrade child-care facilities
By Sal DiDomenico and Jeffrey Sánchez | MAY 16, 2013
It is time for Massachusetts to invest more in the infrastructure of child care.
As parents of young children, we spend hours agonizing over finding the best teachers and programs for our children but we seldom consider the influence of inadequate classroom facilities on their capacity to learn. Throughout children are going to child-care centers that are too cramped, have poor air quality, and lack space for pre-schoolers to run around either indoors or out. These inadequacies will not only have an impact on our children’s education and opportunities for success, but will also influence the Commonwealth’s ability to maintain a competitive economic edge.
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