Dear Milton Neighbor,

I am happy to report that the just completed Legislative Session was among the most productive in recent memory. You will find a brief recap of our progress below.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate has fallen to 5.6% – down 1.6% since the summer of 2013. Employers added 2,500 jobs in June and 13,800 in July. The education and health care sectors are booming, adding more than 20,000 jobs over the past year.

While these numbers are encouraging, we still have plenty of work to do. In the last session, we passed an economic development package that will lead to jobs and economic growth through a focus on new industries and workforce training. This bill makes targeted investments in the state’s economic drivers including innovation and Big Data, workforce development, tourism and marketing. The bill will break down barriers to business entry, train our unemployed and underemployed workers, and support the innovation economy.

The Legislature also passed bills to increase the minimum wage, reform unemployment insurance to lessen the burden on employers and protect unemployed residents, protect domestic workers, and increase the availability of job training. With these important steps, we believe that the Massachusetts economy will continue to improve.

The Fiscal Year 2015 budget reflects our commitment to support vulnerable populations without overburdening taxpayers. The balanced budget increases school funding by $100 million, reduces the waitlist for early education services and provides additional funding to cities and towns for public safety and infrastructure improvements. Even in tough economic times, the Commonwealth has continued to invest in education. We lead the nation in math and science, and were recently named the #1 state for child well-being by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

For Milton, this means a total local aid increase to $9.78 million. The FY15 budget also increased Milton’s unrestricted local aid to $2.86 million and Chapter 70 education funding to $5.96 million. In addition, the FY15 budget included a number of local Milton priorities, including: $300,000 to reimburse the town for certain medical expenses, $500,000 to support operations at the Blue Hills Ski Area, $500,000 to support operations at the Trailside Museum, $100,000 for the Blue Hills Observatory, and $250,000 for a geriatric program at Milton Hospital.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, I considered eight separate bond bills totaling some $23 billion. With each, I took steps to reduce the state’s borrowing expense, and the resultant savings to taxpayers should exceed $1 billion. Among the bond bills were spending authorizations for the environment, transportation and information technology.

The Environmental Bond Bill contains smart investments to preserve our recreational and open space. This legislation will invest in tree plantings to promote energy savings and storm water mitigation, reduce energy consumption at state sites to save taxpayer money, support Massachusetts’ Green Bonds Program, and invest in a Water Infrastructure Trust Fund to support a growing economy. The Environmental Bond Bill offers us an opportunity to continue our state’s leadership in energy efficiency, to promote clean and alternative forms of energy and allows us to develop cutting edge clean water technology in partnership with the private sector as well as our world-class universities.

The Environmental Bond Bill also authorized:

• $7.5 million for the creation of a new Neponset River park and canoe launch near Truman Parkway in Milton;
• $10 million for design, signalization, safety improvements, sidewalks and aesthetic improvements on Brush Hill Road and Truman Parkway;
• $2.5 million for improvements and repairs at the Trailside Museum;
• $1.25 million for improvements to the Blue Hills Ski Area;
• $2.5 million for the preservation and restoration of the Blue Hills Observatory;
• At least $1 million for aesthetic, pedestrian and vehicular traffic improvements at the intersection of Neponset Valley Parkway and Brush Hill Road;
• $1 million for landscape and aesthetic improvements along the Neponset River Greenway; and
• Funds to create a signature park at John L. Kelly Field.

The General Government Bond Bill makes targeted, capital investments at state and municipal health and human services, cultural and library facilities. This bill helps the Commonwealth maintain and improve capital facilities across the state that will benefit our cities and towns. It also includes investments in the education and public safety sectors, which are critical for the continued success of our municipalities.

The bill also authorized funding for a number of Milton priorities, including:

• $2.5 million for improvements to John L. Kelly Field on Brook Road;
• $2.5 million to restore the historic Department of Conservation and Recreation stables located on Hillside Road, which could possibly be used as an animal shelter; and
• $2 million for further improvements to parking, lighting, ball fields, and the construction of a well at the Houghton’s Pond recreation complex used by Milton’s youth sports leagues.

Passed earlier in the session, the Transportation Bond Bill outlined potential state spending on road and bridge projects. The Legislature approved $300 million in Chapter 90 funding, $200 million of which has been released by the Governor. Milton’s share of these funds totals $622,457.

Additionally, the bill authorized several capital investments for Milton, including:

• $10 million for completion of road, sidewalk, aesthetic improvements, and pedestrian and bicyclist safety measures to the Blue Hills Parkway;
• $10 million for design, road reconstruction, aesthetic improvements, signalization, sidewalks, and safety improvements on Granite Avenue from Adams Street to the City of Boston line;
• $1.25 million for drainage, roadway improvements, design, road reconstruction, aesthetic improvements, signalization, sidewalks, and safety  improvements for Route 28 from Randolph Avenue to Blue Hills Parkway; and
• $200,000 for the implementation of additional opticon monitors on intersections and fire trucks.

Flower and tree planting has continued along Brook Hill Road, Truman Parkway and Blue Hills Parkway. Landscaping has taken place at the Central Avenue trolley stop. Also, DCR has undertaken resurfacing and road maintenance along Blue Hills Parkway and Unquity Road.

I am also pleased to announce that the Town of Milton has received its first payment under a contract with DCR to redesign the intersection of Blue Hill Avenue, Blue Hills Parkway, Brush Hill Road and Eliot Street to improve traffic, pedestrian and vehicular safety. At my request, the Governor’s FY15 capital investment plan included $1.275 million for the redesign and aesthetic improvement of the Blue Hills Parkway. I look forward to the completion of this important project.

Other major initiatives passed by the Legislature include the VALOR Act II to protect our veterans, a bill to prevent invasions of privacy, a bill to address bullying in our schools, election and campaign financing reform, a bill to address natural gas leaks, legislation to increase access to substance abuse treatment, and the Real Lives bill to increase self-determination for individuals with disabilities.

As always, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve as your advocate in the Massachusetts Senate.   I would like to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and requests. You can reach me at my office (617-722-1643) or via e-mail (Brian.A.Joyce@masenate.gov).

Thank you for allowing me to work for you.

Warmest regards,

Brian