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Legislature kept busy
By Patricia Walrath
Tue Sep 04, 2007, 01:33 PM EDT
Maynard/Stow -As the summer draws to a close, I hope that you enjoyed Labor Day getaways, barbecues and school shopping — though students might not be enjoying that as much! The Legislature will also be gearing back up for formal sessions. During the month of August, the House and Senate have each been holding two informal sessions per week. Many local bills and other non-controversial matters have come up during these sessions. Here are some current State House happenings and legislation.
Current Legislation: A bill that would increase access to adoption records is being considered; an amendment to the bill has been proposed. The proposed amendment would allow the child of an adopted parent to have access to the parent’s birth certificate after the parent is deceased. Another bill would deal with the placement of children in foster homes and the licensing responsibilities of the Office of Child Care Services.
Drug Prevention Initiative: The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and the Massachusetts National Guard have teamed up to create an innovative program that focuses on drug prevention for fifth- through eighth-grade schoolchildren. The program is called “Drug commonwealth. Their motto is “Drug-free starts with me,” which emphasizes the students’ responsibility to prevent drug use. For more information, visit http://stayontrack-online.com.
Beaver and coyote conflict prevention: Massachusetts is the third most densely populated state in the United States with about 809 people per square mile. Every day, about 40 acres of land is developed in Massachusetts and, as a result, people and wildlife come into contact with each other with increasing frequency. Beavers and coyotes are two species common in the region and can sometimes cause problems. Beavers are known as “nature’s engineers,” helping to build and maintain wetlands in the areas they occupy. Though beavers’ activities can cause flooding, there are inexpensive, no-kill solutions such as diversion dams, fence and pipe devices and culvert protective fences, which all have a 96 percent to 98 percent success rate. For more information about these devices, check out http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw.
Coyotes, which are a member of the same animal family as dogs, foxes, and wolves, are very adaptable animals and live in every U.S. state except Hawaii. Coyotes are typically shy and avoid contact with humans. As omnivores, coyotes’ diets include berries, garbage, rodents, rabbits, and deer. Cats and small dogs are seen as a food source as well, so remember to keep them indoors or supervise them while they are outside. Be sure not to leave birdseed, garbage, or pet food out in the open because it may attract rodents, which in turn attract coyotes. For more information about beavers, coyotes, and other wild animals, visit www.livingwithwildlife.org.
Retirement benefits from Social Security: Did you know that about 96 percent of American workers are covered under the federally run Social Security system? During the time you are working and paying Social Security taxes, you are earning “credits” toward your retirement benefits. Your career earnings and the age at which you retire affect your benefit payment. To apply for Social Security benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. Be sure to have the following information available — Social Security number; birth certificate; W-2 forms or self-employment tax return for last year; military discharge papers if you had military service; spouse’s birth certificate and Social Security number if he or she is applying for benefits; children’s birth certificate and Social Security numbers if you are applying for children’s benefits; proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you (or your spouse or your children applying for benefits) were not born in the United States; and the name of your bank and your account number.
State Library information: Will you be walking the Freedom Trail, touring Boston, or visiting the State House soon? If so, consider checking out the State Library. It is a publicly accessible library on two floors of the State House filled with government documents, statute books, maps, legal resources, newspapers, periodicals and much more. The State Library’s main reading room and periodicals on the third and fourth floors are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special collections, which include architectural plans, audio and video materials, manuscript collections, scrapbooks, and souvenirs, are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These collections are located in the basement of the building. Visit www.mass.gov/libfor more information.
As always, please feel free to share your questions, comments or opinions with me by calling 617-722-2430; writing to Room 236 State House, Boston 02133; or sending e-mail to Rep.PatriciaWalrath@hou.state.ma.us.
Rep. Walrath serves the Third Middlesex District of Bolton, Hudson, Maynard, and Stow.
