[Speaker DiMasi recently addressed the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Executive Forum, a group of more than 300 executives from key industries around the state. Reports from that speech tended to focus on casinos, which he addressed only in passing and in the media Q&A afterward. Since then, we have had several requests for his remarks and his views about growing our economy, creating jobs and increasing revenue – with or without casinos. Here are his prepared remarks … David Guarino, Communications Director, Speaker’s Office]
SPEAKER SALVATORE F. DIMASI
ADDRESS TO THE AIM EXECUTIVE FORUM
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2007
** REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY. THE SPEAKER MADE MANY EXTEMPORANEOUS REMARKS THAT ARE NOT REFLECTED HERE SO CHECK AGAINST TAPE FOR EXACT QUOTES **
* THANK YOU. THANK YOU CHARLIE BAKER, A LONGTIME FRIEND IN GOVERNMENT AND THE ALWAYS-IMPRESSIVE CEO OF HARVARD PILGRIM HEALTH CARE ? ONE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES
* ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF MASSACHUSETTS IS AN IMPRESSIVE AND IMPORTANT GROUP. YOU CONTINUE TO BE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER ASSOCIATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH – REPRESENTING MORE THAN 7,000 BUSINESSES IN NEARLY EVERY SEGMENT AND SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY
* YOU AND YOUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN A TREMENDOUS RESOURCE ON THE MANY AND VARIED BUSINESS ISSUES WE ADDRESS EVERY YEAR.
* AND ON ISSUES AS VAST AND COMPLEX AS THE HEALTH CARE REFORM LAW WE PASSED LAST YEAR, YOU HAVE BEEN TRUE PARTNERS IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH
* WHENEVER I ADDRESS A FORUM LIKE THIS, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND THANK YOU FOR DOING IT IN MASSACHUSETTS.
* A THRIVING ECONOMY AND STRONG JOB MARKET ALLOW THE STATE TO SUPPORT THE SERVICES THAT MAKE MASSACHUSETTS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.
* WE GATHER HERE TODAY AT A BUSY AND IMPORTANT TIME IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
* ALREADY THIS SESSION, WE HAVE:
* PASSED MEANINGFUL TAX CREDITS TO THE GROWING FILM INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS – A LAW THAT IS ALREADY BEARING FRUIT.
* TWO DAYS AFTER THE LEGISLATION WAS SIGNED INTO LAW, “THE PINK PANTHER 2,” STARRING STEVE MARTIN AND ANDY GARCIA, MOVED THEIR ENTIRE SHOOT FROM PARIS AND RHODE ISLAND TO BOSTON.
* THIS FILM ALONE WILL SPEND NEARLY $50 MILLION IN A THREE-MONTH PERIOD IN THE BOSTON AREA. BY THE END OF 2007, WE WILL HAVE HAD SEVEN MAJOR MOTION PICTURES FILMED HERE – PICTURES THAT WERE ALL SLATED TO GO ELSEWHERE PRIOR TO THE NEW TAX CREDIT LAW.
* TO ME, THIS REPRESENTS THE TYPE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WE SHOULD SEEK MORE OF – POLICIES THAT WILL YIELD IMMEDIATE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN INDUSTRIES THAT HOLD PROMISE FOR YEARS TO COME.
* THIS SESSION WE ALSO PASSED BROAD NEW PROTECTIONS AGAINST THE GROWING PROBLEM OF IDENTITY THEFT.
* WE PASSED SIGNIFICANT AND BOLD REFORM TO THE WAY MUNICIPAL HEALTH CARE AND PENSIONS ARE MANAGED.
o THIS NEW LAW OPENS THE STATE GROUP INSURANCE COMMISSION PROGRAM TO ALL MUNICIPALTIES AND PULLS POORLY-PERFORMING PENSION SYSTEMS INTO THE COMMONWEALTH’S PENSION FUND – WHICH WILL SAVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR CITIES AND TOWNS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.
o THOSE SAVINGS CAN AND SHOULD BE USED BY MUNICIPALITIES TO HELP FUND A MUCH-NEEDED REDUCTION IN ESCALATING PROPERTY TAXES.
o WHILE WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE NUMBER OF CITIES INTERESTED IN SECURING THESE SAVINGS, WE HAVE NOT YET SEEN THE ENROLLMENT WE WANT.
o THE CURRENT DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 1. WE ARE TOLD BY GIC THAT SEVERAL COMMUNITIES NEED A FEW MORE WEEKS TO REACH FINAL AGREEMENTS WITH LABOR UNIONS. SO, NEXT WEEK, THE HOUSE AS PART OF A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET, WILL EXTEND THAT DEADLINE TO OCTOBER 29.
o BUT LET ME SAY HERE, IF I SEE IN THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE LABOR UNIONS DON’T AGREE AND ARE CONTINUING TO BLOCK THIS REFORM, THEN WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THEM OUT OF THE EQUATION.
* THAT REFORM COMES AS WE MADE CONTINUED GAINS IN INVESTING IN OUR CITIES AND TOWNS. THE LOCAL AID RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE AT THE START OF OUR BUDGET PROCESS SENT $5 BILLION TO LOCAL CITIES AND TOWNS, A $235 MILLION INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR. IN IMPORTANT SCHOOL AID, EVERY DISTRICT IN THE COMMONWEALTH SAW AN INCREASE IN AID OVER LAST YEAR – EVERY SINGLE ONE.
* WE SAW THE RESULTS OF THAT EVEN THIS WEEK AS TEST RESULTS SHOW MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS WERE FIRST IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY ON READING AND MATH SCORES. FIRST IN THE COUNTRY. THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF INVESTMENTS THAT WILL PAY OFF IN THE FUTURE.
* THE $26.8 BILLION BUDGET SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR PATRICK PROVIDED FOR A 4.2 PERCENT INCREASE IN SPENDING OVER LAST YEAR WITH IMPORTANT INCREASES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND WATER AND SEWER RELIEF.
* INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET WERE SEVERAL ITEMS SUPPORTED BY AIM AND ITS MEMBERS, INCLUDING
o FUNDING FOR THE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AND THE WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND, WHICH HELP BUSINESSES STAY COMPETITIVE
o STEM FUND FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH RELATED GRANT PROGRAMS
o AND ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL COMMISSION TO REVIEW AN ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SYSTEM FOR THE COMMONWEALTH’S STATE-ADMINISTERED INSURANCE AND CARE PROGRAMS.
* AND, THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WE DID ALL THAT WITHOUT RELYING ON NEW TAXES, FEES OR FINES.
* THE HOUSE HELD THE LINE ON PROPOSALS TO INCREASE BUSINESS TAXES IN THE STATE BUDGET AND WE HAVE RESISTED PROPOSALS TO INCREASE THE MEALS, HOTEL, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS TAXES.
* A TASK FORCE JOINTLY CREATED BY MYSELF, THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO MEET AND WEIGH THE FUTURE OF CORPORATE TAXATION.
* I WANT THAT REPORT, WHEN IT EMERGES, TO BE A MEANINGFUL AND BALANCED REPORT. WHATEVER CHANGES WE MAKE TO THE TAX CODE MUST BE DESIGNED TO MAKE THE CODE SIMPLIER, FAIRER AND MORE PREDICTABLE FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS.
* AND NOT JUST FOR THIS YEAR. BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO THIS WELL YEAR AFTER YEAR. THEY NEED DEPENDABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY MORE THAN ANYTHING.
* BUT ALL OF THESE DECISIONS CANNOT BE MADE IN A VACUUM. ALL OF OUR MAJOR DELIBERATIONS WILL REVOLVE AROUND THE CURRENT AND FUTURE FISCAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMONWEALTH.
* RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC AND OUR REALISTIC FINANCIAL OUTLOOK IS FOGGY AT BEST.
* THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT YET OFFICIALLY CLOSED OUT FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUT WILL LIKELY DO SO WITHIN A WEEK. ANY DISCUSSION OF THE FISCAL 2007 SURPLUS MUST WAIT UNTIL DECISIONS ARE MADE ON SPENDING REQUIRED TO CLOSE OUT THE FISCAL YEAR – COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, AGENCY DEFICIENCIES, AND THE NEW BAY STATE COMPETITIVENESS FUND, TO NAME A FEW.
* TAX REVENUES DID EXCEED ESTIMATES BY ABOUT $436 MILLION BUT MOST OF THIS, IF NOT ALL, WILL GO TOWARD THOSE ISSUES.
* AND THE STABILIZATION FUND, THE CRITICAL FUND FOR RAINY DAYS, WILL ONLY BE USEFUL TO US IF WE CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE FISCAL DISCIPLINE.
* THE COMMONWEALTH USED OVER $2.5 BILLION FROM STABILIZATION TO SUPPORT EXPENDITURES FROM 2002 THROUGH 2005. THE BALANCE AT THE END OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR WILL BE ABOUT $2.1 BILLION. WE NEED TO DO MORE TO GUARD AGAINST ANOTHER DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY.
* SO FAR IN FISCAL 2008, TAX REVENUES ARE ABOVE BENCHMARKS BY ABOUT $50 MILLION. BUT DESPITE THESE PREDICTIONS, IT IS TOO EARLY TO BE OVERLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TAX COLLECTIONS.
* THE STATE LOTTERY HAS A SIGNIFICANT SHORTFALL, RIGHT NOW ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $120 MILLION.
* WE NEED TO FIND OUT FROM TREASURER CAHILL WHY THAT SHORTFALL IS THERE AND WHAT IT IS HE SUGGESTS WE DO ABOUT IT SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO CUT DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE LOTTERY PROCEEDS TO CITIES AND TOWNS.
* WE ALSO HAVE OTHER DEFICITS – $116 MILLION IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE; NEW FUNDING FOR CPCS, CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND THE COMING DAYS OF SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL.
* SO WHILE IT IS PREMATURE TO MAKE J
UDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES REGARDING NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET, THE HOUSE IS PREPARING BECAUSE THE WARNING CLOUDS ARE GATHERING THERE AND THE PRESSURES AND CHALLENGES OF THIS YEAR WILL LIKELY PERSIST WELL INTO 2009.
* WE ALSO CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HISTORIC HEALTH CARE REFORM WE PASSED TOGETHER LAST YEAR.
* WE MOVE NOW TOWARD FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE HEALTH REFORM LAW, NEARING THE HALFWAY MARK, AND WE EMBRACE THOSE CHALLENGES TOGETHER.
* AS OUR PARTNERSHIP GOES FORWARD, OUR CHARGE IS CLEAR. CHAPTER 58 PUT IN MOTION MANY POLICIES FOR MAJOR CHANGE. AS YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS CONTINUE TO OUTPACE WAGES AND INFLATION, THE PROMISE OF FURTHER REFORMS TO ENSURE THE BEST VALUE FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE INVESTMENTS HAS TO BE REALIZED.
* OUR WORK IS NOT DONE. AND WE SEE THE HORIZON OF THE NEXT STAGE OF REFORM. WE MUST BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION THAT WE HAVE CREATED TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF CARE AND CONTAIN COSTS. IF ANY STATE CAN DO IT, WE CAN.
* BUT IT WILL REQUIRE ANOTHER ROUND OF ALIGNED POLITICAL WILL AND MORE COMPROMISES ON THE PART OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS. I WILL CALL ON YOU AGAIN TO JOIN ME IN THAT IMPORTANT EFFORT.
* BEYOND THAT, MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE THIS SESSION.
* MY FIRST PRIORITY WILL BE THE ENERGY BILL – THE GREEN COMMUNITIES ACT THAT I FILED EARLY THIS YEAR.
* WE WILL SOON UNVEIL A NEW COMPROMISE LEGISLATION WHICH, I BELIEVE, WILL HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE PATRICK ADMINISTRATION, THE SENATE AND THE INDUSTRY WHILE CHARTING A BOLD NEW COURSE FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
* I WILL TELL YOU HERE FIRST, WE WILL PASS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR SIGNIFICANT ENERGY REFORM LEGISLATION TO HELP BUSINESSES SAVE MONEY, TO HELP CUSTOMERS SAVE MONEY AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HELP CREATE A NEW ENERGY MARKET IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT IS CLEANER, MORE RENEWABLE AND INDEPENDENT FROM THE DEMANDS AND PRESSURES OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
* IN AUGUST, AIM BEGAN A SURVEY OF ITS MEMBERS ON ENERGY ISSUES. EVEN AS THE SURVEY CONTINUES, AIM IS CONFIRMING WHAT THOSE OF US INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE HAVE LONG FEARED
o 95 PERCENT OF RESPONDERS SAY ELECTRICITY COSTS ARE A BIG CONCERN
o HALF THE BUSINESSES SAY CONSERVATION HAS REDUCED USE BUT COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE
o AND A QUARTER OF EMPLOYERS SAY ELECTRICITY COSTS WILL DRIVE FUTURE INVESTMENT DECISIONS.
* I EAGERLY AWAIT THE RESULTS OF THAT SURVEY BUT I AM CONFIDENT IT WILL SHOW WHAT MOST OF US IN THIS ROOM ALREADY KNOW – IT IS TIME TO ACT.
* WITHOUT ENERGY REFORM, WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO KEEP JOBS AND ATTRACT NEW JOBS. THE GREEN COMMUNITIES ACT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD AND I ASK FOR YOUR HELP, AND YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP IT BECOME LAW.
* IN ADDITION TO BUSINESS INHIBITORS LIKE ENERGY AND HEALTH CARE COSTS, I KNOW EMPLOYERS HAVE GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT THE COSTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
* MASSACHUSETTS HAS THE FOURTH HIGHEST COST FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN THE NATION. BUT THE TRUST FUND BALANCE NOW STANDS AT A ROBUST $1.1 BILLION.
* TODAY, I AM ANNOUNCING MY SUPPORT FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO FREEZE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE RATES FOR 2008.
* IF SUCCESSFUL, THAT ALONE WILL SAVE BUSINESSES AN ESTIMATED $154 MILLION. AND EVEN IF WE FREEZE THE RATE, THE TRUST FUND WILL CLOSE 2008 AT $1.4 BILLION.
* IN ADDITION TO FREEZING THE RATE, WE BELIEVE IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO DO MORE TO CRACK DOWN ON UMEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FRAUD.
* THIS YEAR, WE HOPE TO PASS A BILL THAT INVESTS IN CRACKING DOWN ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FRAUD. THIS MEAGER INVESTMENT, ABOUT $3.6 MILLION, WILL BRING US AN ESTIMATED RETURN OF $54 MILLION EACH YEAR.
* WE ARE ALSO COGNIZANT OF THE MANY TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN THE COMMONWEALTH. THE REPORT FROM THE TRANSPORTATION FINANCE COMMISSION IS SOBERING AND THE NEEDS ARE GREAT.
* GOOD, DEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD COMMERCE. DIFFICULT DECISIONS MAY HAVE TO BE MADE TO ENSURE WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED ROADS, BRIDGES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
* LIKE SO MANY ISSUES, THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS HERE.
* THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION IS THAT OUR ECONOMY MUST GROW, WE HAVE TO CREATE NEW JOBS. THEY MUST BE PERMANENT JOBS WITH GOOD WAGES AND BENEFITS.
* WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES ALREADY. THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL AND PERMITTING REFORM WE PASSED LAST YEAR ARE PAYING OFF THIS YEAR.
* WE HAVE A DIVERSE ECONOMY SO WHILE WE MUST MAKE INVESTMENTS, THEY CANNOT BE IN ONE SECTOR OR SEGMENT ALONE.
* YES, WE MUST INVEST IN THE LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY AND WE WILL, SIGNIFICANTLY.
* BUT WE CANNOT FORGET ABOUT MEDICAL DEVICES, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, FINANCIAL SERVICES, SOFTWARE AND, YES, EVEN MANUFACTURING.
* WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO MORE TO INVEST IN WORKFORCE TRAINING TO ENSURE THE WORKERS YOU NEED ARE THERE, PROPERLY EDUCATED, WHEN YOU NEED THEM.
* WE NEED TO LOOK BEYOND OUR SHORES AT EMERGING MARKETS ABROAD AND BEEF UP OUR EXPORT TRADING OFFICE.
* WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE THINGS THE HOUSE HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED AND WE KNOW WORKS – THE STEM INITIATIVE, WORKFORCE TRAINING, AND BOOSTING TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS.
* WE HAVE THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS. IT IS IN OUR INNOVATION ECONOMY. WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE THINGS WE KNOW WE DO WELL AND THE JOBS, THE WAGES AND THE REVENUES WILL COME.
* BUT IT IS NOT OVERNIGHT, IT WILL NOT BE EASILY ACHIEVED, THAT MUCH WE KNOW.
* I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR INVITING ME TO ADDRESS THE AIM EXECUTIVE FORUM. I THANK YOU AGAIN FOR INVESTING IN MASSACHUSETTS, FOR STAYING AND GROWING IN MASSACHUSETTS AND FOR MAKING MASSACHUSETTS YOUR HOME.
* THIS STATE IS A BETTER STATE FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK.
First, I appreciate having the Speaker’s prepared remarks here, and the chance to comment.
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What I AM wondering, though, is why, although Speaker DiMasi is the “prime sponsor” of H4191 [structural overhaul of DSS], he sent a staffer to testify.
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I consider that passage of the amendments to G.L. c. 119, adding a Section 38A, which would require that before the Department of Social Services [DSS] seeks to end life support or otherwise seek a DNR order, DSS must first get a positive recommendation for DNR from the treating physician, the hospital ethics committee, and a physician from another hospital are quite literally,a matter of life and death – that these requirements must be in place before DSS seeks judicial permission to end a young life is critica. A further addition would be that such a hearing before a judge REQUIRE that the judge find that such a DNR order is in the child’s best interest “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Such moral certainty must be required before ending a young life.
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Similarly, I do support amending G.L. c. 119 Sec. 38 so that when DSS seeks a DNR order, the hearing is open to the press and public.
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By the way, closed hearings in G.L. c. 119 and G.L. c.210 cases do not protect children – and much of the same material is “open” in Probate and Family Court. Better that impoundment require a Motion to Impound, as light and air protect children in ways secrecy cannot.
AmberPaw, thanks for the comments and question. I’ll certainly forward your thoughts. To your question, though, the Speaker is the lead sponsor of H 4191, an Act Relative to Child Abuse and Neglect. He wanted to testify and was, in fact, scheduled to be the first witness. An unavoidable conflict came up that prevented him from attending. He sent his chief of staff to present the written testimony.
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But it should be clear to everyone who has followed this important issue that this is a top priority for the Speaker and will continue to be a top priority. This legislation is the culmination of more than a year of work from various House committees and members. Much of the process and our efforts are addressed in his written testimony, so I’ll post that below.
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All the best,
dave
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Testimony of Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi
Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
September 26, 2007
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Good morning Chairwoman Coakley-Rivera and Chairwoman Spilka, and members of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. Thank you for allowing me to testify on H. 4191, An Act Relative to Child Abuse and Neglect.
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Now it is time to act. We have done our research. We have done our homework. We have listened through hours and hours of testimony. We have discussed for days and days. We have worked hand-in-hand with those who know best what is needed, those in the field – experts, social workers, case workers, parents, and children.
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We now know what needs to be done and, for the children of the Commonwealth, now is the time to act.
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And the bill before this committee, An Act Relative to Child Abuse and Neglect, is a bold and significant step forward to protect our children from the horrific cases of abuse and neglect that, for far too long, have become commonplace in our neighborhoods and on the front pages of our newspapers.
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It has been a busy and productive road to this point.
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Early last year, I asked Chairman Hall and the Post Audit and Oversight Committee to investigate allegations in yet another horrific case, this one involving 11-year-old Haleigh Poutre. Their case study, released in the spring of 2006 disturbed so many of us – not just about that case of alleged abuse but about the significant flaws in the system designed to protect our most vulnerable children.
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In January, I asked House Majority Leader John Rogers to spearhead a comprehensive investigation of the care and protection provided to the children of the Commonwealth with the House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.
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At the first committee hearing on January 25 this year, I shocked some by reading the names of some of the children who have suffered unspeakable tragedies at the hands of adults and noting that, according to the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Fund, of the 108,825 cases of abuse and neglect reported in 2005, the confirmed cases alone – 35,214 – could fill Fenway Park.
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Well, sadly, those numbers are out of date again and 2006 saw yet more cases reported, 110,126, and confirmed, 36,214. Those children could still fill Fenway, and then some.
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I asked the House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect to take a bold step for reforming how government handles the protection of children – to find out where improvements in the prevention and prosecution of child abuse can be made and how families can nurture their children and better cope with the stresses of day-to-day family life. I asked the committee to be thorough but be quick because we want action, not merely more review.
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After four lengthy, intensive public hearings with dozens of witnesses, extended written testimony and much discussion, the committee in March released its report, “First, do no harm,” which included the recommendations at the core of this legislation.
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It is important to note, this process was never intended to be an appropriations act or to simply boost the pay of case workers. That may be important and is always under review. But no problem was ever solved by simply throwing money – good or bad – at it. And this process was always much bigger than that. We intended to, in no uncertain terms, ignite the long-term reform of the agencies entrusted with the protection of our children.
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The purpose of our bill is to ensure that child protection is a constant focus at the highest levels of state government. Our goals, by creating a Secretary of Child Welfare, a board on child abuse and neglect and an ongoing, comprehensive 5-year plan, is to create a reasonable and straightforward approach to fixing the complex problems within the system.
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Creating a cabinet-level position would ensure someone at the top is solely focused on coordinating the range of state child welfare efforts – from prevention to reporting and prosecution. We create a 19-member advisory board made up of key state officials and others who specialize in prevention, detection and prosecution of child abuse and neglect.
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Perhaps most importantly, we mandate a full, complete and ongoing 5-year-plan to investigate key issues in child welfare – including racial disparities, mandated reporting, screening of reports, hospital-based protection teams, caseloads, law enforcement involvement, social worker qualifications and more.
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We improve reporting, codify minimum educational requirements, mandate training for mandatory reporters, improve end-of-life procedures and increase criminal penalties.
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We also, in an important but symbolic move, rename the Department of Social Services to the Department of Children and Families to better reflect their true mission.
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I urge the committee to give this bill a favorable report so it can be debated and voted upon by the full House as soon as possible. I have discussed this issue with Senate President Murray and am hopeful it will quickly pass the Senate and make its way to Governor Patrick’s desk.
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I want to thank all who came before the House Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect to testify, all who submitted testimony and worked with the committee members and staff in preparing these recommendations and this legislation. I want to thank the committee members for their hard work, particularly the chairman, Majority Leader John Rogers.
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I want to thank this committee as well for taking the time today to hear this important bill. It is important work and difficult work and you should all be commended.
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We have done much together and made significant progress to get to this point. But now we must finish the job, vote on this legislation and act. The children of the Commonwealth deserve nothing less.
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Thank you.
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I was there, and did hear this testimony read. I think it is worthwhile to have it posted here, too. This issue is important enough to be fast-tracked, and I am glad the Speaker is “on this one” with so much at stake for these kids.
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After the Haleigh Poutre case broke, the “black hole” in G.L. c. 119 relative to “do not resuscitate” cases and state wards became glaringly obvious. I have read the House Post Audit Report, attended 3 of the 4 days of HCCAN hearings, and testified. I truly appreciate that there is a move afoot to fix this critical omission.
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However, neither in the current statute, nor in H4191 is the “burden of proof” spelled out. I respectfully ask that before a DNR order issue regarding a defenseless, vulnerable ward such as Haleigh Poutre, the burden of proof MUST be the moral certainty standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt” – after all, a DNR order IS akin to a death sentence.
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Thanks for your response! I did testify on h4191 and provide written testimony on this issue, as well.
I should preview my response posts. But, anyway, I am following this issue closely and appreciate having the written testimony that was read by the Speaker’s Chief of Staff publicly available this way.