12/11/23, 11:00 AM - Committee Hearing: State Administration & Regulatory Oversight, A-2 and Virtual
| Status: | Normal |
| Date/Time: | 12/11/23 11:00 AM |
| Location: | A-2 and Virtual |
| Committee: | Joint Committee on State Administration & Regulatory Oversight (JSA) |
The committee will accept testimony on matters concerning state agency and land bills
- Please be advised that the schedule and agenda are subject to change at the discretion of the chairs. Further, the Chairs may schedule an executive session to coincide with this hearing. Per Committee Rules, Joint Committee members will be given any advance notice and materials to review.
- ORAL TESTIMONY REGISTRATION: Legislators, public officials, and the public must register to provide oral testimony. To register to testify virtually or in-person, please provide the contact information requested in this form by 5:00 PM on Thursday, December 7th. Once registered, you will receive further instruction on how to participate virtually.
- WRITTEN TESTIMONY: Written testimony can be submitted via email to Jordan Latham at jamie.howell-walton@mahouse.gov or Haley Dillon haley.dillon@masenate.gov. The deadline to submit written testimony is Monday, December 11th at 5:00 PM.
- A livestream of this hearing will be available on the legislature’s website.
- You may contact us by emailing jamie.howell-walton@mahouse.gov or haley.dillon@masenate.gov.
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Speaker List:
-
Peter Lafayette
Concerned Citizen -
Paul Lafayette
Concerned Citizen -
Rep Cabral
Committee Member -
Sen Miranda
Committee Member
Bill List:
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HB 4174 (related to the return of land to St. Joseph's Cemetery)
-
H 4161 (related to renaming the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission)
Synopsis:
The legislative committee hearing primarily focused on two distinct topics, brought forth through testimonies from concerned citizens and discussions among committee members regarding proposed bills.
The first topic was introduced by Peter Lafayette, who presented a historical overview of land acquisition by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in the 1960s, which involved a parcel from St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield. Initially acquired for a highway bypass that was never built, this acquisition left a significant portion of the cemetery landlocked. Peter outlined the prolonged economic challenges Pittsfield faced, partly due to industrial closures, which contributed to the bypass's cancellation. This cancellation enabled renewed discussions for the land's return to the cemetery. Peter expressed optimism about the land's impending return in 2024, highlighting its future use, including planning for green burials, facilitated by Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
Paul Lafayette built upon Peter's testimony, detailing the cemetery's operational history and the imperative need for expansion to accommodate future burials. Paul provided statistics on the current burial counts and underscored the continuous service the cemetery offers to the Catholic community in Pittsfield. He emphasized the critical need for repurchasing the land at fair market value and presented a comprehensive plan for infrastructure development. Paul extended gratitude to Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier for her support and guidance in this process.
The second topic discussed involved Bill H 4161, addressing a proposal to rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Representative Cabral introduced the bill, appreciating the Governor's office's intent to submit written testimony in support of the name change. Cabral mentioned a historical perspective on the commission's name and expressed anticipation for more detailed testimony from the Governor's office before further discussions. Senator Miranda offered support for the renaming, emphasizing the importance of language that reflects the capabilities of individuals with disabilities, both visible and hidden. She advocated for more empowering terminology to better represent their potential.
The hearing, through these discussions, highlighted local community concerns regarding historical land disputes and considered the evolution of state agency nomenclature to reflect more inclusive values. These topics, brought together by personal testimony and legislative proposals, illustrated the dynamic between local community issues and broader state governance policies.
