I've changed my format of my newsletter a bit, in the interests of clarity. Finding it sometimes
difficult to separate "state" and "local" perspectives, I'm going with a unified table of contents,
organized by subject matter. Does this approach work better for you?
Contents
1) HOUSE BUDGET
A) HOUSE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS THIS WEEK
On April 10, the House budget for FY 2007 was released. It contained good news and bad.
Having worked so long and hard on the full uncapping of Lottery distribution, I was pleased that
the House budget realizes this goal, making an additional $158 million available for cities and
towns. For Somerville, the additional distribution will amount to almost $2 million.
Altogether, over 1,600 budget amendments were filed, only a handful of these concerned public
education. I have sponsored or co-sponsored a few, and have signed on in support of a number
of others. It has been gratifying to hear from you, about your budget priorities.
I've been trying to respond to all letters, calls, and emails as they come in. If there is a time lag
in getting back to you, please be assured that you will hear from me. In the mean time, go to
www.mass.gov for the most current information on the budget - amazingly, you'll find all the
amendments there.
Once it is passed, I'll report back on the broad contours of the House budget. If you need to
reach me this week, call me at 617-722-2810, or email to: denise.provost@state.ma.us
B) THE BAD NEWS: NO INCREASE IN SCHOOL FUNDING
The unwelcome surprise in the draft budget produced by House Ways and Means was the
complete lack of increase in funding for the public schools ("Chapter 70 aid") for most
municipalities. Level funding amounts to a decrease for any community that has seen fixed costs
rise - including Somerville.
I have been deeply involved in devising strategies for passing budget amendments that will
increase Chapter 70 aid in the budget which the House adopts. You, too, can help show the
support of our community for adequate funding for Somerville's schools.
C) RALLY WEDNESDAY: STAND FOR CHILDREN! FUND OUR SCHOOLS!
Join more than 1,000 people on Boston Common TOMORROW, April 26, 12:30-1:30pm to
show your support for more funding for our public schools! We need to send a message - loud
and strong - that we demand more funding for our schools.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 26th, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Rain or shine!
WHERE: Brewer Fountain, Boston Common (near the Park St. T stop) on Tremont St.
Visit www.stand.org/ma to learn more about tomorrow's rally.
D) BALANCING ACT: A TOWN MEETING FORUM MA FY '07 BUDGET
Thursday, May 4, 2006
7:00-9:00pm
Grace Church Parish Hall, 160 High Street, Medford (parking in rear of church)
Featured speakers: Noah Burger, Mass Budget and Policy Center and Harris Gruman, Neighbor
to Neighbor
This forum, hosted by Senator Pat Jehlen and co-sponsored by myself and other local legislators,
is an opportunity to learn about the budget process and the potential impact of recent health care
reform legislation.
2) OBSERVING EARTH DAY
A) WALK THE "MYSTIC-MINUTEMAN CONNECTION"
Wednesday, April 26, 12pm
WalkBoston Spring Walk: walk the Mystic-Minuteman connection, tracing the planned
connection between the Mystic River and Minuteman Paths
You can register at www.walkboston.org or 617-367-WALK
The walk starts at the Alewife Station exit to bus ramp
Public transportation: take the Red Line to Alewife Station
B) SOMERVILLE CLEANUP REMINDER
Saturday, April 29, 10am-1pm (rain date May 6)
Let's get together and enjoy spring by taking care of our beautiful city. Activities will include
raking leaves, planting flowers, and cleaning up parks and schoolyards. For more information check the
city's website or contact Eileen Costa (617-625-6600 x2607 or
ecosta@ci.somerville.ma.us)
Locations to meet your Ward Captain:
Ward 1: East Somerville Community School (school yard)
Ward 2: Lincoln Park Community School (school yard)
Ward 3: High School Concourse (in front of City Hall)
Ward 4: Healy School (school yard)
Ward 5: Magoun Square (parking lot plaza)
Ward 6: Davis Square (Statue Park)
Ward 7: Teele Square (Fire Station)
C) MYSTIC HERRING RUN - THE CORRECT DATE!
Please note that I included the wrong date for this event in a previous newsletter.
The 10th Annual Mystic Herring Run 5K Race, Walk and Paddle
Date: Sunday, May 14
Times:
5K Race and Walk registration opens at 8am
5K Run starts at 9am
5K Walk starts at 9:15am
Paddle Race registration begins at 9am
Canoe and Kayak race starts at 10:30am
Location: Boys and Girls Clubs of Middlesex County, Blessing of the Bay boathouse, 32 Shore
Drive, Somerville
Transportation: limited parking, free shuttle from Assembly Square (Foley St.)
Registration: $18 before May 6, $20 after May 6
For more information: www.MysticRiver.org
D) DON'T THROW IT AWAY, GIVE IT AWAY
I) BUILDING MATERIALS
Too often building materials take up precious landfill space when doors, windows, cabinets, etc.
could instead be reused by another family for the affordable maintenance of their home. By
donating rather than trashing building materials, you reduce waste, earn a tax deduction,
and make home maintenance more affordable for other MA residents.
You can also help to reduce waste by shopping for reused building materials at discounted
prices. The Building Materials Resource Center is located at 100 Terrace Street in Roxbury and
operates much like a building supply store. Everyone is welcome to shop, and low and moderate
income individuals and families receive a discount on already low prices.
For a list of what you can and cannot donate and information about how to donate (pick up
service available!) visit www.bostonbmrc.org or call 617-442-8917.
II) OTHER UNWANTED STUFF
One person's trash (or at least unwanted items!) really can be another person'streasure! And by
making this connection, we can reduce waste and consumption. Post your unwanted stuff at
Freecycle.org. After you send the Freecycle group an email, you can leave your unwanted goods
on your front porch for pick-up (how easy!). Membership is free.
III) KIDS' STUFF
Spring cleaning plus your kids are growing? Donate new and gently used clothing, toys,
equipment, and children's household items to the Somerville Children's Network for their Yard
Sale (coming up on June 3, 8am-1pm, 16 Conwell Ave). Donations are tax deductible. Contact
Lisa at lisanewton50@comcast.net
or 617-628-9699 to arrange a pick-up or drop-off.
3) IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER "OUTSIDERS"
A) PANEL ON IMMIGRATION - DETAILS
On Thursday, April 27, 2006, at 7 pm, at the Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Road, there will
be a roundtable discussion "on immigration, on a global, local, and personal level."
Invited panelists include Maria Elena Letona, Executive Director of Centro Presente; Pedro
Angel, Vice-Consul of El Salvador in Boston; and Aru Manrique, Director of Multicultural
Commission, Somerville.
For more information, call 617-953-1654 or contact Sebastian Chaskel at Tufts University's
Institute for Global Leadership, 617-627-3314, or sebastian.chaskel@tufts.edu
B) THE "ICE" MEN COMETH: A CHILLING STORY
In the Somerville News on April 2, an article titled "Immigration arrest raises more questions
than answers" reported the disturbing events surrounding the arrest of Somerville resident Jose
Alfredo Alfaro and the entry and search of the home of Hugo Escobar without a warrant.
According to the article, Mr. Alfaro, a Salvadoran immigrant whose work permit had expired,
was arrested by either police or immigration officials who did not identify themselves or give
a reason at the time of the arrest.
The description of this arrest and warrantless search would make a great bar exam question, it
is so riddled with violations of constitutional law. Angel Meza of the Somerville Community
Corporation was quoted in the article suggesting that Mr. Alfaro's arrest was one of sixty arrests
in mid-March by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The implications of this kind
of activity, by agents whose identity cannot even be ascertained, raises serious questions about
the future of civil rights and civil liberties in our nation.
If you missed the article and would like a copy, please email my legislative aide, Liz Monnin at
elizabeth.monnin@state.ma.us or call 617-722-2810.
C) "WE DON'T FEEL WELCOME HERE" - A PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE
A Public Roundtable on the Effects of Systemic Racism in the Metro Boston Area (Includes
Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties)
May 17, 2006 - 5:30 PM
Medford City Hall - Medford, MA
Convened by Mayor Michael McGlynn
"We Don't Feel Welcome Here" looks at perceptions of systemic racism in a number of sectors,
including *education, *housing/real estate, *public safety, *commercial, and *cultural sectors.
The roundtable will feature a panel of city leaders representing the various sectors addressed in
the report. Dr. Josephine Louie, author of the Harvard Civil Rights Project report, will present
a brief summary of her research, after which each of the panelists will present a brief response
to the report, with particular reference to his or her sector. Then we will open the floor for
comments and questions from the public. We look forward to a challenging and fruitful
discussion and encourage you to come with your questions and concerns.
D) WERE YOU A NURSE IN YOUR HOMELAND? WELCOME BACK!
If you were a nurse in your homeland and you are now having trouble getting licensed in
Massachusetts, the Boston Welcome Back Center offers support having your credentials
evaluated or certified, preparing for the NCLEX-RN, and getting your MA nursing license. The
Boston Welcome Back Center offers Educational Case Managers who will provide you with
individualized help through the process, help you to access support services such as ESL
instruction, and provide academic and career counseling. To learn more, call 617-228-4226.
Material from this newsletter may be quoted freely, provided that it is credited to Denise
Provost, www.provost-citywide.org
copyright 2006 Denise Provost
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