Caucus of Women Legislators Seeking Diverse Applicants to Serve as Commissioners on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

Spencer (September 28, 2021) - State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) is announcing that the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is seeking individuals to serve as commissioners. There are currently two vacancies.

To apply, a letter of intent and resume should be sent to the Commission's executive director, Nora Bent (Nora.Bent@MAlegislature.gov). To learn more about the application process, please visit www.mawomenscaucus.com. For more information on the MA Commission on the Status of Women please visit www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-on-the-status-of-women.

Gobi Announces Office Hours for October

Spencer (September 29, 2021) - State Senator Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) is announcing office hours for the month of October. She invites community members to meet with her Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Lucas McDiarmid, at locations across the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex District.

Office hours will last for a period of one hour at each location and are scheduled by region. All residents are invited to attend at any location. If you have questions or wish to make a special appointment with the Senator or her staff, outside of scheduled hours, please call 413-324-3082. You may also email Lucas.McDiarmid@MAsenate.gov.

Week 1- North Central & North Quabbin
Week 2- Worcester County 1
Week 3- Worcester County 2
Week 4- Hampden, Hampshire, and Western Worcester Counties

Monday, October 4, 2021
Office Hours Ashby Mon 10/4/2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Ashby Town Hall
Office Hours- Ashburnham Mon 10/4/2021 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Location: Ashburnham Town Hall

Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Office Hours Templeton Tue 10/5/2021 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Templeton Town Hall

Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Office Hours Athol Wed 10/6/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Athol Senior Center
Office Hours Phillipston Wed 10/6/2021 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: Phillipston Town Hall

Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Office Hours Hardwick Tue 10/12/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Hardwick Town Hall
Office Hours New Braintree Tue 10/12/2021 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: New Braintree Town Hall

Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Office Hours Oakham Wed 10/13/2021 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Oakham Senior Center
Office Hours Paxton Wed 10/13/2021 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Paxton Senior Center
Office Hours Rutland Wed 10/13/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Rutland Community Center

Thursday, October 14, 2021
Office Hours Barre Thu 10/14/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Barre Senior Center
Office Hours Hubbardston Thu 10/14/2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Hubbardston Town Offices

Monday, October 18, 2021
Office Hours Spencer Mon 10/18/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Howe Village
Office Hours East Brookfield Mon 10/18/2021 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: East Brookfield Municipal Offices

Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Office Hours Sturbridge Tue 10/19/2021 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Sturbridge Senior Center
Office Hours Charlton Tue 10/19/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Charlton Senior Center

Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Office Hours West Brookfield Wed 10/20/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: West Brookfield Senior Center
Office Hours North Brookfield Wed 10/20/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: North Brookfield Senior Center
Office Hours Brookfield Wed 10/20/2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Brookfield Town Hall

Monday, October 25, 2021
Office hours Monson Mon 10/25/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Monson Town Hall
Office Hours Holland Mon 10/25/2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Holland Town Hall

Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Office Hours Warren Tue 10/26/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Warren Senior Center
Office Hours Brimfield Tue 10/26/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Brimfield Senior Center

Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Office Hours Ware Wed 10/27/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Ware Senior Center
Office Hours Palmer Wed 10/27/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Palmer Public Library

Thursday, October 28, 2021
Office Hours Wales Thu 10/28/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Wales Senior Center

Senate Set to Consider Landmark Voting Reform Bill

Legislation makes vote-by-mail permanent, expands early voting options, implements same-day voter registration, and ushers in other groundbreaking election reforms

(BOSTON - 9/30/2021) Today, the Massachusetts State Senate unveiled S.2545, An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security (the VOTES Act). This comprehensive voting reform bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), would permanently codify the popular mail-in and early voting options used in Massachusetts in 2020. The bill would also enact same-day voter registration and make a series of other improvements to the Commonwealth’s election administration process.

The VOTES Act takes crucial steps to expand the right to vote in Massachusetts at a time when states across the country are rolling back voting rights: since the start of this year, 18 states have passed 30 laws limiting voter access. The Senate bill would also take steps to align the Commonwealth with potential changes to national voting laws by including multiple provisions, such as same-day voter registration and no-excuse voting by mail, which were included in the For the People Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year.

The Legislature previously enacted legislation to temporarily extend vote-by-mail and early voting options through December 15, 2021.

"True representative democracy is a perpetual work in progress, requiring vigilance on the part of citizens and constant attention from lawmakers," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "One of the few silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic is that we had the chance to prove that the voting reforms that so many have advocated for can and do work. As too many states across our nation seek to limit voting rights, I’m proud that the Massachusetts Senate can show the power of not only protecting but expanding voters' access to the ballot box. I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Senate Majority Leader Creem, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, Election Laws Committee Chair Finegold for their tireless efforts on the VOTES Act, as well as the voting rights advocates who never gave up the fight."

Senator Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) provided the following statement, "Voting is a core tenet of our democracy. In our electoral process, too many voices are often left out. Barriers to voting exist in many forms, ranging from transportation, working hours, childcare, to aging and illness. This is a step forward for those voices who deserve a place at the table. Massachusetts has always been a leader in our country, and with this legislation, we can continue to lead."

In the 2020 general election, more people voted than ever before in Massachusetts. Approximately 3.66 million residents cast ballots, totaling 76% of all registered voters. Voters took advantage of new voting options: 42% of voters voted by mail and another 23% voted in person during early voting windows. Similarly, over 1.7 million people voted in last year’s state primary, the highest number of voters ever in a state primary. Close to half of all voters voted by mail during the primary.

Responding to trends in voting and building off previous actions taken by the Legislature, the VOTES Act contains the following key provisions:

Same-Day Voter Registration
Individuals would be able to register to vote during early voting periods or on the day of a primary or election.
Twenty other states and the District of Columbia already use same-day registration.

Early Voting In-Person
The bill would require two weeks (including two weekends) of early voting in-person for biennial state elections and any municipal elections held on the same day.
The bill would require one week (including one weekend) of early voting in-person for a presidential or state primary and any municipal elections held on the same day.
The bill would allow municipalities to opt-in to early voting in-person for any municipal election not held concurrently with another election.

Permanent No-Excuse Mail-In Voting
The bill would require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to send out mail-in ballot applications to all registered voters on July 15 of every even-numbered year; the Secretary of the Commonwealth would have the option to include these applications as part of mailings already required to be sent by the Secretary.
As in 2020, postage would be guaranteed for mail-in ballot applications and ballots.
As in 2020, mail-in ballots would be accepted for a biennial state election if mailed on or by election day and received by 5PM on the third day after the election.

Additional Flexibility For Local Officials
The bill would give municipalities the option to set up secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots.
The bill would allow election officials to pre-process mail-in and early voting ballots in advance of Election Day.
The bill would give municipalities discretion as to the use of a check-out list at a polling location.

Accommodations For People With Disabilities
The bill would allow a voter with disabilities to request accommodations from the Secretary of the Commonwealth to vote by mail for state elections.
Accommodations would include: electronic and accessible instructions, ballot application, ballot, and a voter affidavit that can be submitted electronically.

Jail-Based Voting Reform
The bill would help ensure that individuals who are incarcerated who are currently eligible to vote are provided with voting information and materials to exercise their right to vote in every state primary and election.
The bill would require correctional facilities to display and distribute information about voting rights and procedures, as prepared by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The bill would require facilities to assist individuals who are incarcerated in registering, applying for and returning mail ballots.

Joining the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)
The bill would require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to enter into an agreement with ERIC no later than July 1, 2022.
Thirty other states have already joined ERIC, which helps states keep more accurate voting rolls.

The Senate will debate and vote on the VOTES Act during a formal session on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

Audit of Mass. Gaming Commission Highlights Need for Improved Collaboration around Issues Facing State's Horse Racing Industry

BOSTON (September 30, 2021) - Today, the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump (OSA) released an audit of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) that examined its monitoring of problem gamblers and individuals listed on gaming exclusion lists. MGC administers both self-voluntary and non-voluntary gambling exclusion lists which prohibit individuals from gaming activities in the state. At the end of the audit period, which examined July 1, 2018 through March 31, 2020, there were 648 individuals on the voluntary list and 31 on the non-voluntary list. Although the audit found no deficiencies in these areas, it highlighted the need for MGC to improve collaboration with other entities around issues facing the state's horse racing industry, including its administration of the Race Horse Development Fund (RHDF) which the Commission administers to help pay for benefits for those who work in the industry.

Through recent expansions of casino gambling and the closure of Suffolk Downs race track in 2019, the Commonwealth's gaming and horse racing industries have changed. Currently, all thoroughbred races are held out of state and RHDF's spending on race purses (winnings and prizes from a race) has declined while revenue into the fund from casinos has increased. In fiscal year 2020, RHDF's spending decreased to $8.7 million, down from $17 million the year prior. Additionally, the 80 percent of the RHDF that is earmarked to fund purses cannot be distributed because, under state regulations, it can only be used to fund races held in Massachusetts. As a result, the RHDF is not being used as intended, and as of March 31, 2020 it had an unspent balance of $16,851,650, of which $16,836,045 was allocated for the thoroughbred racing purse accounts.

The audit urges MGC to consult with the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association (MTBA) and the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) on significant challenges facing the horse racing industry, including how the RHDF can be better utilized. Under state law, MGC is required to consult with the MTBA and DAR on RHDF matters related to race purse bonuses.

"While MGC has done a noteworthy job managing the state's emerging gaming industry, our audit makes clear the Commission should bring all relevant stakeholders to the table to consider the Race Horse Development Fund's most effective use," Bump said. "This consultation and collaborative effort would enhance oversight of the fund, and would benefit breeders, owners, and the industry as a whole."

In recent years, state legislation has been filed to reform the RHDF. During the 2019–2020 legislative session, 10 such bills were filed, including House Bill 13, which was intended to grant MGC greater control and flexibility in determining the use of the RHDF; House Bill 387, filed during the 2020–2021 legislative session, would reallocate $10,000,000 annually from the RHDF to the Community Preservation Trust Fund.

RHDF receives money from gaming licensees with funds being distributed to thoroughbred and standardbred associations as approved by MGC. Money from the RHDF is specifically structured under state law, with 80% allotted for race purse awards, 16% to support breeding associations, and 4% for health and pension benefits for the members of the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Harness Horsemen's Association of New England Inc.

MGC is responsible for overseeing the licensing activities related to expanded gaming and the regulation and oversight of the gaming and horse racing industries in the Commonwealth. The Commission is made up of five full-time commissioners who are responsible for overseeing and implementing the licensing and regulation process for two casinos--MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor (EBH)--and the sole statewide slots parlor, Plainridge Park Casino (PPC). During the audit, MGC had 94 full-time employees and its operating costs are funded through the Massachusetts gaming industry.

The full audit is available here.