Governor Signs Joyce Legislation Licensing Behavior Analysts; Protecting Patients

The bill provides new protections for treatment of children with autism and other disabilities.

The following is from the office of State Senator Brian A. Joyce: Governor Deval Patrick has signed legislation sponsored by Senator Brian A. Joyce that will require licensure for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. The new license requirement will increase the likelihood that the patients behavior analysts typically serve, mainly children living with disabilities, will receive qualified and effective treatment. “Behavior analysts play an important role fostering and encouraging the development of children with autism and others disabilities,” said Joyce. “By implementing licensure, we can be assured that our children will receive qualified care and that behavior analysts will be able to market themselves more effectively as…

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Senator Joyce Receives “Beacon of Justice” Award

Senator Brian A. Joyce was honored for his leadership and advocacy for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation.

The following is a press release from the office of Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton): Senator Brian A. Joyce has been presented the “Beacon of Justice” award by the Equal Justice Coalition for his advocacy and leadership on behalf of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation. The MLAC provides representation to low-income residents including domestic violence victims, families on the verge of homelessness, and elder victims of consumer fraud.  “The MLAC provides our neediest residents with critical legal assistance and protects some of our most vulnerable citizens from abuse,” said Senator Joyce. “The MLAC keeps families in their homes, protects our seniors and offers justice to residents who cannot otherwise afford to have their …

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Question of the Day

POLL: Overturn Citizens United Decision?

One of Easton's State Senators is calling for it to be overturned. Do you agree?

State Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) announced yesterday that he voted for a resolution calling for the United States Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. “We now starting to see the influence unlimited and unchecked corporate donations can have on elections as the cost of running for office skyrockets,” said Joyce. “We cannot allow our Democracy to become an auction house where publicly trusted positions are heavily influenced by the highest bidder. Overturning Citizens United will begin to restore accountability to the process and help ensure our elections are not being influenced by donors who may not even live in the …

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Easton Selectmen Support Legislation To Keep Parking Funds at Borderland

A bill before the Massachusetts House of Representatives proposes the park's $2 parking fee stays with the park

The Easton Board of Selectmen voted to support a bill Monday that calls for parking fees at Borderland State Park to be used for the park itself. Currently, the $2 fee to enter Borderland State Park is put towards the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Fund. Last year, fees totaled $300,000 - an amount that could dramatically affect the upkeep of the Easton-based State Park, proponents said. "The park is falling apart and the money isn’t coming back to the park," Historical Commission Chair Melanie Deware told Selectmen Monday. The proposed bill, drafted by State Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) creates the "Borderland Retention Trust Fund." It is supported by the Historical Commission and Borderland Advisory Council. The money would …

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Joyce Visits Children's Museum in Easton

It was Self Help Inc's Literacy Month

On Monday, Nov. 21, Senator Brian A. Joyce read to children as part of Self Help Inc.’s Literacy Month event held at the Easton Children’s Museum.  This event celebrated the important role that families play in their child’s literacy development, which begins far before elementary school. 

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New Political Maps Propose Shift in Easton's Districts

The town of Easton will likely be represented by two State Reps as opposed to three in new outline.

A joint committee in the state legislature released the first draft of redrawn district maps Tuesday that propose a shift in Easton's representation on Beacon Hill. Rather than three state representatives and two state senators, Easton would be represented by two state reps along with the two senators. While Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Corona said she is happy with Easton's current state reps (Geraldine Creedon D-Brockton, Christine Canavan D-Brockton and Angelo D'Emilia R-Bridgewater), she felt more consolidation would have given the town a louder voice in the state legislature. Last July, selectmen drafted a letter to the committee asking for more consolidated representation where Easton would have its own representatives in the …

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Easton Receives $1 Million Grant For Downtown Revitalization

Officials say improvements to Main Street will tie into other area projects like Shovelshop development and a new sewer system.

The town of Easton will benefit from legislation passed last week that included $37.95 million in infrastructure funds for shovel-ready projects - $1 million of which would be dedicated to Easton's downtown. “This kind of investment in our towns and our infrastructure is how we can responsibly move Massachusetts forward economically,” State Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) said in a statement. “Today is a good day for the residents of Easton.” Town Administrator David Colton said the money would be used for improvements to main street, such as the burrial of wires, improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks, planting trees, and parking improvements. Colton said $75,000 of the town's capital budget, which was approved at Town Meeting last …

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Casinos Have Slot On Today's State Senate Agenda

Casino gambling bill debate resumes on Beacon Hill.

The Massachusetts Senate is back at the table today debating a casino gambling bill. "The bill would license three resort-style casinos and one slots parlor in the state," according to an Associated Press report in the Boston Globe today. The House has passed a version of the legislation, the AP reports. Sharon's state senators are Thomas P. Kennedy (D-Brockton) and Brian Joyce (D-Milton).

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Question of the Day

Question of the Day: Nutrition Education

Should students receive nutrition education in schools?

We'll be asking Easton Patch readers a different question every weekday. Questions could range from local decisions made by officials, to state issues, to national politics and entertainment. Whatever it is, we want to know what EASTON thinks! To answer, use our comments section below. Senator Brian A. Joyce (D -Milton), who represents the Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth District of the state senate re-filed legislation to a joint committee on education yesterday that would mandate nutrition education programs in public schools.  The bill, titled An Act to Establish School Nutrition Education Classes, would develop effective health decision-making skills and improve eating habits among students, while simultaneously keeping long-term obesity…

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Joyce: Health Care 'Biggest Issue Facing State Government'

State senator speaks in Sharon on Tuesday.

Paying for health care is "probably the biggest issue facing us in state government," state Sen. Brian Joyce said in Sharon Tuesday. The Senate vice chairman of the Health Care Financing Committee, Joyce (D-Milton) spoke to the Sharon Adult Center and Council on Aging's Over 60 Men's Club, at the Sharon Community Center. Joyce said health care costs represented 21 percent of state spending wheb he joined the Legislature in 1998. The figure will reach 40 percent for the state budget cycle starting July 1, he said. "If we don't make some dramatic changes by fiscal year 2020, it will be half," said Joyce, who represents Avon, Braintree, Canton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Milton, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton and West Bridgewater. The upcoming …

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