March 20,2003
Dear Colleagues:
Several important legislative hearings are coming up in the near term. Plans are not yet finalized and indeed, some of the information below could change over the next 48 hours. All hearings are open to the public, regardless of whether or not public testimony will be allowed. Please contact my office if you need directions to any of the locations below.
1) House Education Task Force Hearing on Higher Education
Date: Tuesday March 25 Time: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Place: Roxbury Community College, Reggie Lewis Center, Boston
The hearing is sponsored / led by 3 key legislators: Rep. Peter Larkin (Ass't Vice Chair, House Ways & Means), Rep. Lida Harkins (Assistant Majority Leader), and Rep. Marie St. Fleur (Education Committee Chair).
The theme and focus of this hearing is financing for higher education. Reorganization, per se, will not be a topic. Invited speakers, including college presidents and union officials, will testify first and then members of the public who sign in will be heard. I will represent the MSCA at these hearings.
2) House Task Force on Workforce Development
Date: Tuesday March 25 Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Place: Advanced Technology Center, 151 Martine Street, Fall River
The Workforce Development portion would be led by the Chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Labor, Rep. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport). The Revenue portion would be led by Chair of the House Taxation Committee, Rep. Paul Casey (D-Winchester). They do not intend to focus on higher ed reorganization plans, but rather will focus on questions like 'How to Reinvigorate the Economy'.
This hearing will include a labor panel which will address, among other topics, Romney's proposals to eviscerate the collective bargaining laws, civil service, etc. MTA has requested a seat on that panel.
There will also be a panel addressing "Administrative Budget Analysis". It will include Mike Widmer from the Mass Taxpayers Foundation, John Brouder (a specialist in health insurance policies and prices, from Boston Benefits Inc) and the Massachusets Budget and Policy Center (formerly known as TEAM). At the moment, they are intending to address higher education issues as they pertain to "Emerging Technology" at the end of the hearing. They hope to invite representatives from Mass Biotech and Mass Insight on that panel.
I have invited MSCA Vice President Frank Minasian and other members of the MSCA Board to represent the MSCA at these hearings.
3) Ways & Means Committee Hearing on the Budget
Date: Friday 3/28 Place: State House, Gardner Auditorium, Boston
This hearing is planned as a joint hearing of both the Senate and House Ways & Means Committees. It is a public hearing in which they will accept testimony from anyone who signs up to testify. It is currently configured to cover the entire state budget and will therefore include lengthy testimony on non-education related issues. The MSCA will be represented at this hearing.
4) House Task Force Hearing on Revenues
Date: April 7 Place: Boston
At the moment, the House intends to focus in this hearing exclusively on the issue of revenues and taxes. More information will be provided as it is available. The MSCA will be represented at this hearing.
Sincerely,
Pat Markunas MSCA President
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