News from Will Brownsberger Google Group

See increased local aid numbers from House budget vote at www.willbrownsberger.com.

2009-04-28T22:17:54Z

Fwd: Sale tax vote

2009-04-28T15:26:00Z

Hi folks,
Link to [link] to see my comments on last night's sales
tax vote.
From here on out, I am planning on sending a link rather than a full e-mail
post. This system will allow you to comment publicly on the issues that I
raise. Your comments on the website will be publicly visible. People often

Reform before Revenue, Part 2 -- Pension Reform

2009-04-18T12:41:06Z

Some words about pension reform. It's probably the most fundamental and
controversial among the reforms on the agenda this year. Now seated on the
Public Service Committee, I expect to give this area quite a bit of my own
attention.
There are several different kinds of pension reform. Last session we made

Reform before Revenue -- the Legislative Agenda this Spring

2009-04-18T12:23:25Z

Our mantra in the legislature this spring is "Reform before Revenue."
It's a moral principle: You don't ask for more money unless you are
providing fair value. It's a sound budgeting practice: You can't ask for
more money until you know what you really need. It's basic political
wisdom: The voters need to have some confidence in how their money is being

Invitation to Forums on State Budget Issues

2009-04-15T18:16:11Z

Hi Folks,
I'll be holding two open discussion forums on the state budget next week.
Belmont: Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30PM in the Chenery Middle School Community
Room
Cambridge: Monday, April 20, at 8:00PM in the community room of the Fresh
Pond Apartments at 364 Rindge Avenue
The House Ways and Means Committee released its budget on Wednesday, April

Local Aid Numbers from House Ways and Means Committee

2009-04-15T18:08:59Z

Greetings, friends, the local aid numbers from House Ways and Means are now
available. Basically the Governor's education numbers (including stimulus
funds) are preserved, but there are additional cuts in general local aid.
All in, including the stimulus, Arlington sees a cut of 14% from 2009 to
2010; Belmont sees an increase of 6%; Cambridge sees a cut of 24%.

Meeting on Comprehensive Planning, April 15, 7-9, Belmont High School

2009-04-07T23:06:21Z

Hi Folks,
The attached flyer is a notice of a kickoff to an important community
planning process in Belmont.
All best.
/w.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
To: willbrownsber...@gmail.com
Will,
Attached is a flyer for the first public meeting for the Comprehensive
Planning process. It's on April 15th in the HS cafeteria, so time is

House Ethics Reform Bill

2009-03-27T11:43:05Z

Dear Friends,
Last night, the House passed a very strong ethics reform bill. Speaker
Deleo, understanding the deep public anger about the scandals of the recent
past, made this bill his top early priority. Transportation and pension
reform bills will follow over the next few weeks.
The bill adopts most of the recommendations of the Governor's recent ethics

Education stimulus funding proposal -- tentative

2009-03-19T22:04:17Z

Dear Friends,
The Governor's announcement today of an allocation of stimulus funds for
education was good news for Belmont and Arlington (not for Cambridge).
However, it is very important that no one take this money to the bank.
There are already strong concerns being voiced by representatives of many

Fwd: House ways and means priorities list

2009-03-04T13:20:18Z

My budget letter to Ways and Means Chairman Murphy appears below.
Please note that my emphasis on special education aid reflects in part that
this program proportionally benefits Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge more
than other forms of local aid.
/w.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
To: "rep. charlesmurphy" <rep.charlesmur...@hou.state.m a.us>

Notice of Education Forum, Thursday, March 5, 7PM, Belmont High School Auditorium

2009-03-02T20:26:10Z

The notice below describes what should be a very interesting evening.
Hope you can make it.
Will B.
============================== ============================== ==========================
The Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Mitchell Chester, will visit Belmont on Thursday, March 5. From 7 to 9PM,

Fwd: Embracing Change in the Purchase of Health Insurance

2009-02-21T14:52:14Z

This statement appeared in this week's local newspapers.
----------------------------
Dear Friends,
I have decided to co-sponsor a controversial health care cost control bill
authored by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
The bill may need to be amended to share transitional savings with
employees, but it makes two important statements: Health care plan design

Committee Appointments and Leadership Team

2009-02-12T22:17:41Z

Hi Folks,
Committee appointments were announced today by the new speaker.
Mine were:
Vice Chair, Global Warming and Climate Change
Public Service
Bonding and Capital Assets
These assignments will enhance my ability to pursue my ongoing interests in
environmental protection and governmental cost-control. I'm also very

Save the Date: March 5th forum with Commmissioner Chester on cost saving approaches in public schools

2009-02-10T19:58:02Z

The event below should be very interesting. Please feel free to pass this
notice on to other lists of interested persons.
The Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Mitchell Chester, will visit Belmont on Thursday, March 5. From 7 to 9PM,
he will appear in the Belmont High School auditorium to hear input from

Local Aid Numbers-- More Detail

2009-01-29T13:35:15Z

Here is a link to a page with just a little more detail on the local aid
numbers. I will update this page with additional data and links over time.
[link]
/w.