By Representative Marie St. Fleur

(Feb. 8)-Fifth Suffolk District, thank you for your support and vote of confidence. On November 7th, 2000 you returned me to the State House with over 74 percent of the votes cast. We are well on our way to increasing our voter turnout in the district and we must stay the course.

I extend my thanks to every one who worked with me on the census and voter registration this past year. Your efforts throughout the year made the difference. I would also like to thank the army of close to 100 volunteers who helped me throughout the campaign. Because of your efforts we were able to achieve a number of firsts.

For the First time in Uphams Corner we held an Old Fashion Democratic Rally, despite frigid temperatures, hundreds of people came out and showed Fifth Suffolk pride. A special thanks is extended to Mayor Menino, United States Senator Edward Kennedy, State Senators Wilkerson and Lynch for supporting this event at its inception.

The participation of all the elected officials who shared the afternoon with us was appreciated. The Uphams Corner business community was steadfast in its support. In particular, Yasmeen furniture store must be recognized for its role in the success of this rally. For the first time since its creation, the Fifth Suffolk District has seen a significant increase in voter turnout. Long lines at practically every polling location in the district marked this rise in participation.

We accomplished a great deal last term. We passed a Survivor of Homicide Victims Bill and supported the funding for the four Red Line stations. We are especially glad about the renovations to the Fields Corner station, which sits partially in our district. We worked with the city and obtained funding for the Strand Theatre, refocused attention on the Uphams Corner Library, and we obtained funding for traffic signalization at Dudley and Columbia Road. Most importantly, we kept the focus on education. We had three Speak-out sessions on education. We worked with Project R.I.G.H.T. to support funding at the Burke High School. We were able to obtain additional funding for Roxbury Community College, housing and a number of social services. Moreover, we helped maintain the funding for our Safe Neighborhood Initiatives.

The Dorchester/Roxbury Labor Committee was a great partner in keeping the focus on construction jobs for our community. We were able to hold job information sessions at the Strand Theatre and at Roxbury Community College. In addition, we were able to remind the Convention Center that the Fifth Suffolk District is part of the city. Therefore, we deserve consideration and access to the opportunities that this construction project will bring to the city of Boston. Finally, the Fifth Suffolk District challenged the lead paint industry's refusal to take responsibility for the negative effect of their product.

We are engaged in a difficult effort to improve the quality of life for our residents. You have been wonderful partners in this effort. I am one and you are many, my effectiveness is only as good as the information and the support you give me. Leadership requires that I use my discretion and judgment to make decisions on policy issues in the House of Representatives. We will not always agree, but improving the quality of life for the residents of our district will always motivate my actions.

Today we face new challenges. I want to take this time to share my priorities with you. They are education, jobs and housing. I would like to hear your concerns and suggestions on these issues. During the year I will hold community forums on each of these subjects so we can exchange ideas and potential solutions. This term, I am the lead sponsor on a number of housing initiatives; among them are the Receivership Bill, Lead Paint Expense Recovery Act, and The Individual Development Account Program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Act. I look forward to working with you on these matters

At the beginning of my first term I tried to attend all our community meetings. As you know I have three young children. Unfortunately, last term I had only one staff person to help me with many of the concerns of our diverse District. This term I have two staff persons who will attend many of the community meetings. I am happy to announce office hours in the District, every Thursday from 9:00am 5:00pm at 584 Columbia Road, in Uphams Corner. This will accommodate many residents who cannot bring their concerns to the State House.

I am happy to report that Speaker Thomas M. Finneran has appointed me to a leadership position as Vice Chair of the Committee on Counties, and a member of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development. He has also reappointed me to the Committee on Education Arts and Humanities. I look for your support as we work on legislative priorities, policy issues and the budget in the coming months.

By State Rep. Jack Hart
(Feb. 8)-It certainly has been an honor for me over the past four years to represent the finae people of Dorchester and South Boston in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. I am reminded daily as I enter the State House of how fortunate I am to work on their behalf, but also of the rich tradition and history of the Fourth Suffolk District seat and the great responsibility and expectations that come with it. I take those responsibilities and expectations very seriously.

We are living in an unprecedented period of economic growth and prosperity in our nation's history, yet in our neighborhoods most continue to struggle to pay their rent or mortgage, many elderly incredibly are having to choose prescription drugs over food, auto insurance rates continue to soar, and because of the failure of our schools in the City of Boston, many parents are forced to pay to educate their children privately. My wife, Michele, and I recently were blessed with the birth of our third child and already we are panic-stricken over the future costs of educating them.

That is precisely why I was delighted with President George W. Bush's aggressiveness in pushing for school choice through federally funded school vouchers which has initiated serious discussion not only in the marbled corridors of the Capitol in Washington but in every state legislature across the country.

Last week in a segment on vouchers on the nightly network news, a mother of three from a small town in rural Georgia sternly stated the she would not sacrifice her children's future by accepting their assignment to failing public schools. Her children, she said, could not wait around for the public schools in her town to turn themselves around because she had no confidence that those schools, which had been failing for twenty years, would ever improve. This woman worked hard in a good job but, like most, was struggling to pay the bills. President Bush's discussion about vouchers caused this woman to have hope about finally having the opportunity to give her children what all children deserve, a good, quality, free education.

As I watched her, I was reminded that she was telling our story, the tragic story about the education system in our neighborhoods of Boston.

Let's face it, despite grand efforts by many good teachers and administrators, the majority of the public schools in our city have fared poorly. It is ironic, regrettably, that Boston is heralded as the education capital of the world for its excellence in higher education. But if not for the Catholic Schools, of which I am a product, and the examination schools (Boston Latin and Latin Academy), many generations of students would have gone through life without a proper education and consequently an inability to compete in the regional job market. But Catholic Schools, while affordable, still cost several thousand dollars per child at a minimum and, while many struggle to afford tuition, some cannot afford it at all.

Let's sound the trumpet that change is in the air. Let's sound the trumpet that despite the feeling of many people in Boston, the system can be changed. We can do better. Through the voucher program, which will give students tuition vouchers to attend any school they wish, and the Charter School program which I voted for in the legislature and support wholeheartedly, we will give families hope for their children. Charter Schools in our neighborhoods are already making a difference in kid's lives. Further competition in the education marketplace will stimulate other schools to provide for more accountability and better quality and over time we will see greater improvement even in some of the worst schools.

We need to change our own psychology to mandate that our schools improve because it can be done. Consider the consequences of a failing school in Wellesley, Lexington, or Weston. How long do you think it would take for the parents of children in those towns to take the school building by storm and throw the Headmaster and school superintendent out the door. Minutes, maybe even seconds! We, too, must demand greater accountability in our schools. Why shouldn't we? We pay taxes to educate our kids and we are getting little in return.

Disregard the arguments you might hear in opposition to vouchers. Some may say that the voucher program is not good policy. One need only look at the many federally funded voucher programs in existence today related to Housing (Section 8), Education (Pell Grants), Food (Food stamps), Child Care (Child care vouchers) that everybody supports and takes credit for. The time has come for action.

It has been said, "The most deadly of all sins is the mutilation of a child's spirit." We have mutilated the spirit of many children in the city for far too long. Let us sound the trumpet to change the psychology of the children themselves to understand that educational opportunity is available, that a good education is essential and that "It's cool to be smart." We as leaders are dealers in hope and I will continue to work aggressively towards bringing to Massachusetts and the City of Boston the tools that are needed to create change and therefore, hope and opportunity.

Let us demonstrate that we think our city is great by striving to do things to make it better. Let us take the first step in a long journey towards making our education system world class so that when the journey is complete we can sound the trumpet signaling success in our mission and we can all have the confidence and hope that the future of our children and our city is bright.

By Representative Thomas M. Finneran

(Feb. 1)-Uncertain economic times may be upon us once again. After an extended period of unprecedented growth and expansion, some signs of an economic slowdown are emerging. The softening stock market, sluggish retail sales, declining consumer confidence, layoff announcements from major local employers, and the Federal Reserve's cautious and concerned remarks serve as warnings that the economy may grow only at a nominal rate in the near future.

Just as these warnings require us to be more cautious with our personal finances, so too should they shape our expectations of the Commonwealth's capacity to maintain the spending growth of the past several years.

Over the past five years, the growth of the Massachusetts economy has been the envy of much of the nation. During this time our unemployment rate was lower than the national average, and our per capita state surplus revenues were higher than in many other states, (even after the nearly forty tax cuts passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor since 1991.)

Thousands of new jobs were created, particularly in the financial services and technological industries. Record tax revenues have enabled the Commonwealth to distribute its prosperity in the form of tax cuts and spending increases in education, health care, housing, public safety, environmental protection and social service programs.

Much of the budgetary increases have benefited our own neighborhood in the form of grants to community health centers, expansion of Medicaid health insurance coverage, assistance to seniors struggling with the growing costs of prescription drugs, community policing funding, and increased funding for schools and school-based programs, including meal programs, school nursing and school construction. Cities and towns have also shared in this bounty, receiving record amounts of state aid. In fact, reflecting a very generous disposition, state budget spending grew 21% in the last five years.

However, this rate of spending cannot be sustained indefinitely.

Never far from my memory are the hard lessons we learned in the economic crisis of the 1980's. The record budget spending and surpluses of the mid-80's were soon replaced by record budget deficits in the late-80's and early-90's. Not only do I fear that fiscal history might repeat itself in the Commonwealth, but I am also aware of present dynamics that were not a cause for concern during that last fiscal crisis.

For example, Congressional budgetary belt-tightening now squeezes health care providers and programs and other federally funded initiatives in our state. Escalating energy prices have a direct and highly negative effect on our economy. The financial services and technological industries, whose growth in the 90's resulted in the employment of so many of our citizens, are particularly sensitive to economic fluctuations. The Commonwealth already has a high debt load, which impacts our ability to fix roads and bridges and to construct new schools. In addition, the effects of the recently approved ballot question to cut the income tax rate to 5% will require our own version of fiscal belt-tightening. For all of these reasons, we will need to exercise fiscal sobriety in order to balance the demands of a softening economy and the implementation of an automatic tax cut in order to avoid the dire economic straits of the past.

We may need to quickly adjust to a new economic reality in which we cast a very careful eye toward any suggestions of new spending, while we attempt to maintain our current spending priorities. We must recall the lessons of the late 1980's and espouse fiscal realism. We will need to temper our expectations about the extent to which the Commonwealth can and should commit its limited resources. Planning and prudence are the keys to overcoming the challenges of an uncertain economic environment. We must not let the euphoria of the recent economic boom cloud our judgment and thereby put in jeopardy all the hard won gains of the past decade.

(Rep.Thomas M. Finneran, who represents Dorchester, is Speaker of the House of Representatives)

By State Rep. Shirley Owens-Hicks

(Jan. 25)- This has been an exciting legislative year for my colleagues and me. During the 1999&emdash;2000 session, under the leadership of House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, the House of Representatives' priority issues included: access to affordable health care, expanded educational opportunities, promoting environmentally safe communities, modernizing the infrastructure of our transportation system, supporting initiatives and legislation to improve public safety, economic growth and tax reductions for all citizens. All of these actions positively affect the lives of the people of the Sixth Suffolk District, while improving the quality of life in the Commonwealth.

Additionally, I have been pleased to serve as the Chairwoman of the Federal Financial Assistance Committee overseeing the distribution of more than $500 million in federal funds to assist our communities in such areas as affordable housing, neighborhood services, low income home energy assistance, social services, transitional assistance, health programs of prevention, cure and research, increased resources for crime prevention, youth activities, environmental and educational programs for children.

It is especially gratifying to know that the Committee has approved numerous health related grants including those that address AIDS treatment, diabetes, youth with disabilities, arthritis planning, breast and cervical cancer early detection, and research on childhood asthma.

In September, 2000, the Committee held a public hearing relative to the $44.9 million Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Members of the Congressional Delegation, consumer advocates, and the administrators, the Executive Office of Communities and Development were invited to share information relative to meeting the overwhelming costs of home heating oil. Suggestions were offered to consumers regarding the cost-saving appeal of entering into fixed-price contracts with oil suppliers, as well as the need for conservation measures. Shortly thereafter, the Legislature provided an additional $12 million, in a supplemental budget, to meet home heating needs.

This past December, we filed our legislative proposals for the current 2001&emdash;2002 session. The establishment of mental health courts is one of my priorities for this term. A constituent whose family is personally affected by mental illness proposed this issue. However, I believe that this is an issue that affects the lives of many of our citizens. Basically, the intent of the legislation is to address the neglect, discrimination and criminalization of individuals with severe mental illness by enabling the

Commonwealth to apply for federal funding in order to establish mental health courts, establish training programs for law enforcement personnel and court personnel to identify and address the needs of the mentally ill or mentally retarded offender.

Centuries ago, the mentally ill were commonly jailed. In the mid-20th century, state-run institutions were established in response to inhumane conditions discovered in the jails. Later still, deinstitutionalization became the panacea, and the mentally ill were released to community mental health centers that did not receive adequate funding to meet their needs.

Today, the pendulum has swung full circle to the use of the correction system as a warehouse for the mentally ill. The correction system is costly; does not provide treatment; and does not provide support or adequate supervision upon release, thereby encouraging a "revolving door" through which mentally ill offenders are caught.

The establishment of mental health courts with trained personnel will lead to more effective solutions, while reserving prison space for the violent who endanger society.

Our legislative package also includes a proposal addressing the need for homeownership opportunities. The intent of the bill is to provide a tax incentive for employers to assist their employees to save money for homeownership through payroll deduction. This incentive will help businesses to recruit and retain qualified employees, as well as enable the employees to control shelter costs through homeownership.

During the fiscal year 2001 budget, with the help of my colleagues, I was able to restore $13.2 million to fund Chapter 636, which was then vetoed by the administration. These funds provide for Parent Information Centers, academic programs in reading, math, science, English as a Second Language, professional development for teachers and full day kindergarten. Subsequently, the funds were again restored through a supplemental budget; however, it does not look promising for the next budget.

Consequently, we have filed legislation to address racial disparities in public schools and promote academic achievement and equitable educational opportunity. The proposal addresses preparation of students to become educationally and culturally competent, class size, professional development for teachers, and after school enrichment opportunities, as well as requesting adequate funding for programs such as METCO and Chapter 636.

Community outreach efforts to inform eligible senior citizens and the disabled about the Commonwealth's new prescription drug insurance plan will also receive my personal attention. Many of the people of my district are not aware of this voluntary and affordable program, which is the first of its kind in the nation and is projected to start in April. The Advantage Plan will be available to senior citizens of every income level and to low income people with disabilities. The plan covers prescription medication, which we know can be exorbitant. It offers an unlimited drug benefit. Premiums, deductibles and co-payments are calculated based on income. Furthermore, the Commonwealth will pay premiums, as well as deductibles, for those individuals whose income is below the federal poverty level and co-payments will be computed on a sliding scale based on income.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to the people of the Sixth Suffolk District for the overwhelming support given to my re-election campaign. I look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of our District and our Commonwealth and wholeheartedly encourage those who share this interest to join us in our efforts.

By Senator Brian A. Joyce

(Jan. 18)- I am grateful to have this chance to highlight some of my priorities for the coming year in the Legislature and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Dorchester Reporter for printing this column. I also want thank the rest of the Dorchester legislative delegation who has been so instrumental in the success of the community projects we have tackled in the last year.

My biggest priority this year we will be the renovation and reconstruction of the MBTA Red Line stations. Last year we set aside over $60 million for the design, renovation and reconstruction of four Red Line stations including Ashmont and Shawmut stations.

I am fully committed to making sure that these stations get the repairs they need, and I am very excited about the progress that's been made in the last year. We now have over $80 million available to refurbish and reconstruct these stations, and progress continues at a quick pace. As you know we have a community-wide "kick-off" meeting on February 13th at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland School, which will serve as the beginning of the planning process. Each station has been assigned to a legislator who will attend meetings and work with residents and the MBTA on the design process so the project is truly a reflection of the needs of the community. I have committed to working on the Shawmut Station and I look forward to beginning the design phase of this project but I will also remain keenly interested in the Ashmont Station design process.

The Legislature also approved $900,000 to address safety concerns at the intersections of Corbet, West Seldon, Evans and Norfolk Streets. I hope this will provide some peace of mind for area residents who for years have had to endure an average of 38 accidents per year as well as continued, unregulated traffic that has been a threat to children's safety.

I will continue to monitor the progress of the traffic problem and I hope that these funds have given some peace of mind for residents in the area.

Also of importance is the additional $2.5 million in improvements to the Pope John Paul II Park, including construction of a ranger station with public restrooms, a meeting room, and a fishing pier. Soon, we will also complete the Parks section of the Neponset multi-use bike trail, and link the Neponset River portion to the larger Dorchester Bay area.

I am very pleased that the Park in which weve invested so much time and energy will really become the jewel that was envisioned over 20 years ago.

Making a strong commitment to the preservation of the Neponset, the Legislature approved $14 million for the protection and preservation of two parcels on Granite Avenue along the Neponset River. This money will ensure that both parcels are cleaned of contaminants and permanently preserved as additional Neponset River area green space.

Statewide, I have also filed and co-sponsored a number of bills for the upcoming Legislative session that I hope will help Dorchester residents as well as people across Massachusetts.

I recently filed the Equal Choice Bill which would require Medicaid to give seniors and the disabled the option of receiving health care services in their own homes rather than in a nursing home. While home care expenses can be very high, it is often far less than the cost of institutional or nursing home care for seniors, estimated at over $50,000 a year. Taxpayers will benefit when fewer people receive institutional and nursing home care and in almost all instances, people prefer to receive care in their own homes rather than in an institution.

I am also excited about the Quality Aid Bill which I co sponsored. It will establish a professional development and scholarship program to help child care workers increase their training and progress along the career ladder. I believe this Legislation will help parents, children and teachers across the state by ensuring that our child care workers have the highest quality training standards and will attract high quality individuals into the child care field.

I would also like use to this opportunity to quickly discuss a few of the achievements of the past legislative session.

During the last fiscal year, we increased education spending in the state by $425 million, including an $187 million increase in direct aid to cities and towns, and a $64 million increase to the state's higher education budget. We also set aside $10 million for university endowments which helps us attract high caliber individuals to teach in our public colleges and universities. An additional $20 million was appropriated for MCAS remediation grants and another $18 million was dedicated to reducing class sizes in grades K-3.

To combat rising prescription drug costs for seniors, the Legislature also passed a new prescription drug plan open to all seniors over 65 and to low-income disabled residents. Under the Prescription Advantage Plan, eligible residents will pay prescription drug premiums, deductibles and co-payments based on their gross household income. The Commonwealth will also pay all the premiums and deductibles for seniors and disabled residents whose income is at or below 188 percent of the federal poverty level.

For the first time, seniors and low-income disabled residents will be paying for their prescription drugs based on what they can afford. Through this innovative, first-of-its kind program, seniors will no longer have to choose between buying their groceries or purchasing the prescription drugs that keep them healthy. Please call 1-800-AGE-INFO for more information.

In the area of affordable housing, the Legislature included $100 million for the Affordable Housing Trust to provide crucial funding for the creation of new housing. With strong encouragement from activists and community leaders from St. Mark's Parish and throughout Dorchester, we also appropriated $900,000 to expand the Supportive Housing program, providing supportive services around the clock to seniors in public housing complexes.

Finally, as noted in last week's Dorchester Reporter, I recently launched a web page. This web page is has useful information about each town and neighborhood in my district, as well as copies of some of the legislation I have filed, budget information, a special section devoted to senior issues, and a page devoted entirely to children. I hope people will take a moment to visit www.brianajoyce.com and surf the website. I am also curious to know what other kind of information you think I should add to the site.

I look forward to another year of working hard for the people of Dorchester. I am proud of all our recent accomplishments especially the work on the Red Line renovations and the continuing improvements to the Pope John Paul II Park, and I am equally excited by the work that lies ahead. I promise that I will continue to work as hard as I can to help the wonderful people of Dorchester.

I welcome all your calls and letters. If you have questions about items I discussed in this article or about any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. My telephone number at the State House is (617) 722-1643 or I can be reached at home at (617) 696-0200. My e-mail address is Bjoyce@senate.state. ma.us.

Thank you for allowing me to work for you.

By Representative Martin J. Walsh

(Jan. 18)- What an exciting and interesting year it has been in the House of Representatives. This past November I was re-elected to serve another two-year term. It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the 13th Suffolk District; however our work is not done.

The Community

The Red Line Stations continue to be one of my chief priorities for the New Year. At the end of the legislative session we were fortunate to receive the much needed funding for Ashmont, Fields Corner, Savin Hill and Shawmut Stations. Much credit belongs to the leadership of Speaker Thomas M. Finneran. In addition the lobbying efforts of the Dorchester Allied Neighborhood Association (DANA) helped get the job done. Senator Lynch and myself held a meeting with civic leaders and the MBTA to discuss the process. At the DANA's February 13 meeting, residents will have the opportunity to volunteer to be on one of the four design advisory committees. I am optimistic that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will work hand in hand with the designated committees to produce stations that resemble what the community wants. Anyone who is interested in participating in this design process should feel free to come to the meeting on the 13th at the Grover Cleveland School or contact our office.

I look forward to Pope John Paul Park being open and available to the general public. This park includes four full soccer fields, sun shelters, picnic areas and a tot lot. The Metropolitan District Commission has planted 8,000 shrubs, 550 trees and restored two-and-a-half acres of marshland. This is truly a treasure for Dorchester and its residents and hopefully by the spring we can begin enjoying this asset to our community.

As many of you noticed, the most noticeable work in Dorchester could be the restoration to the Malibu, Savin Hill and Tenean Beaches. This spring we will witness even more work being done. Light posts, showers, benches and tree plantings will be most visible, as well as playgrounds being replaced and landscaping being done. I am excited for this upcoming beach season when Dorchester residents can bathe and relax in their own backyard.

Legislature

In the Legislature, I was fortunate to secure funding for Dorchester District Court to obtain much needed funding to update the technology within the building. This includes computers, photocopiers, workstations and typewriters. Also I, along with my colleagues in the House and the Senate, retained funding for the Tuttle House and alternative schools so that programs like the Dorchester Youth Collaborative can continue their work and give their excellent dedication and support to the kids that need it most.

Also secured was funding for the State Police Staffing for the Neponset River Bicycle path. The construction on the multi-use trail will hopefully begin in April and will stretch from Central Avenue in Milton to Tenean Beach, allowing the young and old alike to ride or walk and appreciate nature's beauty.

Moving on to legislative matters, I have been fortunate to be a co-sponsor onto some noteworthy bills. Providing a living wage to all employees of providers that deliver social services of childcare under contract or subcontract with the Commonwealth has significant importance to Dorchester. I am proud to represent an area that provides such vital services to those who are most vulnerable: the mentally ill, disabled, the elderly and our children. These tireless advocates are often underpaid and overworked, and it is our goal to lift the minimum wage for these workers so that they can afford to remain at the jobs to which they are so dedicated.

Housing

Unfortunately, the housing crisis in Boston continues. More than ever, people are paying more than half of their salary for their housing. Rents keep skyrocketing and many families are moving out of their own neighborhoods. I co-sponsored An Act Relative to the Development and Preservation of Affordable Housing, which would provide $495m in housing bond monies for preservation, development and rehabilitation of affordable housing in the Commonwealth. Monies would also be allocated to support local economic development. Our own Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation has helped finance 13 start-up businesses in the last four years and helped create 50 jobs in the neighborhood since 1992.

Lastly, to help combat the low wages of human services workers and the lack of affordable housing, I co-sponsored An Act to Establish a Self-Sufficiency Standard in Massachusetts. Taking notes from the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, this "standard covers the basic cost of living, working and raising a family." I was shocked to hear that one out of four families do not earn enough to make ends meet, meaning that families are making some tough decisions when it comes to paying the bills. This standard would help legislators to more accurately assess the real cost of living and surviving in Massachusetts

I was the lead sponsor on many bills in the House. From having a monitor on the school bus, to presenting your date of birth at the voting polls, I have to tried incorporate my own ideas and also listen to those who I represent.

Goals

My goals for the upcoming year:

•Begin construction on the four Red Line stations, Ashmont, Fields Corner, Savin Hill and Shawmut.

•The opening of Pope John Paul Park as well as Malibu, Savin Hill and Tenean Beaches.

•Action on Morrissey Boulevard, to address the lack of drainage and the Beades Bridge.

•Funding for the Restoration of McMorrow Playground

•Traffic Study on Gallivan Boulevard to ensure that all local residents, public safety issues are addressed.

We have welcomed many new neighbors, civic associations and crime watches to our community. We have struggled with many developers and businesses to keep our neighborhood a place where people want to live, work and raise their families. It has been an honor to work with all the business owners, health centers, schools, churches, day care centers etc. I enjoy hearing from all my constituents, both young and old I encourage everyone to participate in the rewarding experience of becoming involved with their government, whether on a local, state or federal level.

I thank the Dorchester Reporter for allowing me to write this article. Please know that I am dedicated to making Dorchester a more prosperous place to live and work and am fortunate to represent the 13th Suffolk District.

If there are any issues you would like to discuss or if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at 722-2188 or stop by the State House at room 527A.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your State Representative.

By Senator Stephen F. Lynch

(Jan. 11)- As the State Senator for the First Suffolk District, I have the honor and privilege to serve the Dorchester community here at the State House. In the year 2000 we addressed several significant issues for the Dorchester neighborhood, including-the renovation of the MBTA Red Line Stations, public health issues, affordable housing, and education funding.

MBTA Red Line Stations: Update

The most important victory for the Dorchester neighborhood this past year is the developing plans for the renovation of the Red Line MBTA Stations. As you all know, our local civic associations, elected officials and residents fought hard to make this issue a priority for the MBTA. Due to this diligent effort, the state has committed $66 million to renovate and rebuild the Ashmont, Shawmut, Fields Corner and Savin Hill MBTA Stations.

Just last month, Representative Walsh and I had a very productive meeting with neighborhood leaders and the MBTA to discuss our progress. We learned that plans are moving ahead to select the architectural firms to work on each station. As a direct result of this meeting, DANA will host a community wide forum on the issue on February 13 at 7:00pm at the Grover Cleveland Middle School. At this meeting, residents will have the ability to volunteer for one of the four Design Advisory Committees (DAC's) established around each station.

Each station has unique needs that will be addressed more thoroughly through the DAC's. All four stations will be made handicap accessible and their systems updated. The renovations to these four stations will include a complete over-haul that will include new platforms, roofs, and entrances.

This project is one of the largest transportation related improvements for any single neighborhood in the entire Commonwealth. Thanks to the hard work of Dorchester's elected representatives, especially Speaker Finneran and Representative Walsh, we will have a project worthy of our neighborhood.

The real work in the upcoming months will revolve around the soon to be

established DAC's. The membership of these DAC's will include abutters and interested parties willing to commit themselves to the sometimes-overwhelming task of design. Anyone interested in participating in this process can contact my office at the State House.

Columbia Road/Interstate-93

Making our streets safer and less congested is also a priority in Dorchester. Over $475,000 has been set aside for roadway improvements at the intersection of Columbia Road and Interstate-93 in Dorchester.

This busy intersection, near St. Margaret's Church, is a hazardous area for motorists and pedestrians. Today, temporary barriers divide the intersection and force traffic towards Kosciuszko Circle.

New state funding will allow for a safer and permanent solution. This funding will provide permanent barriers and add "smart lights" in order to help control the enormous daily traffic flow at this intersection. These lights will allow both vehicular and pedestrian traffic to proceed safely through the intersection by sensing the location of cars and timing the light cycles accordingly. Additionally, a timing device will provide regulated traffic patterns for both vehicles and pedestrians. Through the hard work and commitment of residents from the John W. McCormack Civic Association this intersection will be safer for all of us.

Logan Airport

Much of the First Suffolk District, including Dorchester, is directly impacted by Logan Airport. We all remember the crash of a small airplane on Lonsdale Street in 1987. This experience has left the entire Dorchester community with a permanent feeling of unease and concern. As a result, the Dorchester community is especially sensitive to the potential health and safety risks our residents face because of our close proximity to Logan Airport.

As talk of the expansion of Logan Airport continues, my office has written the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to request that they investigate re-routing flight paths over the water. In this way, we can be assured that our residential neighborhoods are protected from the potential effects of an aircraft disaster, air and noise pollution.

The neighborhoods of South Boston, Dorchester and Roxbury all contend with unusually high incidences of upper respiratory ailments, cancer, and other illnesses thought to be linked to air pollution. After learning there was no meaningful attempt underway to examine the impacts of both noise and air pollution of Logan Airport on its neighboring communities, your elected officials initiated a response.

By working together, we have initiated a health study through the Department of Public Health (DPH) to assess the health impacts of the airport on all communities within five miles of the airport. With this information we can better understand Logan Airport's impact on its neighbors and work to mitigate its effects.

Lupus Registry

Many of us know a friend or family member suffering from the terrible effects of Lupus and connective tissue disease. Research shows that with early screening and medical treatment, mortality is not a foregone conclusion.

According to the Department of Environmental Protection there is emerging medical and scientific data that shows possible links between occupational exposures to petroleum distillates and an increased risk of developing Lupus. We have already identified over 180 sites contaminated by petroleum in the Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods. To address this issue, I have filed new legislation along with Representative Gloria Fox to establish a statewide Lupus registry. If passed, during the 2001-2002 session, this new legislation would create a comprehensive lupus registry under the DPH.

Through this registry DPH could perform clinical research and develop screening tools to help combat Lupus. Outreach programs that would target those populations most at risk could be developed as well as screening tools and appropriate health information. In addition, we could begin to take into account the effects of environmental poisons on those most at risk for this terrible disease.

Both my office and Representative Fox's office continue to work on this on-going project. We would welcome any information or input from individuals who would like to participate in this process as we proceed forward.

Affordable Housing

The lack of affordable housing for our neighborhood residents is perhaps the most immediate and urgent issue facing the neighborhood. We all

know how expensive housing in Dorchester is today. Rents have doubled and in some cases tripled in the last three years. On average, families spend about one-third of their income on housing.

In order to address this issue, the State Legislature recently approved $100 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This fund will provide crucial funding to create new housing and retain and maintain the current affordable housing stock.

Homeownership is one way to combat the fluctuations in the rental market. Through the Housing Consumer Centers funded by the State Legislature, prospective buyers can access a variety of programs. These centers will provide information on financing options, landlord responsibilities, as well as other issues to help first-time buyers make intelligent decisions about housing.

Additionally, over $2 million in Community Development Assistance grants and $3.5 million in Community Enterprise Economic Development (CEED) grants were approved for fiscal year 2001 to help municipalities undertake important community development projects. These projects, such as the redevelopment of the Bay Street site in Dorchester are crucial to maintaining the revitalization of our communities. Organizations such as the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation will be able to access these funds to undertake community development projects in our community.

Education

Education is the most important factor in the successful development of a child. As a member of the Committee on Education, I have been personally involved in much of the debate surrounding the MCAS graduation requirement and education funding issues here in the Commonwealth.

As originally conceived, the MCAS examination was meant to test basic ability so that our public school students would be well equipped for jobs and further education. However, the test that has been developed actually demands that students have a very high proficiency in a number of subjects in order to pass the exam. An exam that tests student knowledge on such specialized material is misdirected.

The MCAS should be a graduation requirement but not in its present form.

Rather, the MCAS should prove that our students have the basic requirements in English and Math necessary to graduate from High School. Companies in the Commonwealth should know that when a child graduates from one of our public schools they can read, write and perform basic mathematical equations.

In order to ensure that our students have the tools necessary to succeed, we must continue to appropriately fund our education programs. In Fiscal Year 2001 the State Legislature included a $400 million increase in education spending. The $400 million increase included a $35 million allocation to reduce class sizes in grades kindergarten to grade three. Studies show that students in lower grades benefit most from a more intimate class setting.

An additional $20 million to double currently available funds for summer school, weekend school, after-school and intensive tutoring programs has also been allocated. These extra school sessions will give those students who may be falling behind extra attention beyond school hours.

Office Hours

As many of you know, we continue to have our local office hours at the Savin Hill Apartments, Catherine Clark Apartments, Kit Clark Senior Center, etc. We look forward to seeing many of you again this spring for this yearly tradition. Thank you for the privilege of continuing to represent the interests of Dorchester here in the legislature. Like many of you I have great hopes and aspirations for the coming year. I once again look forward to continuing the good work that Dorchester's elected officials and community groups have begun in recent years. May God bless your families with good health and happiness in this New Year.

(Senator Lynch's office hours are 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday in Room 424 at the State House. He can be reached by phone at 722-1150 or by email at slynch@senate.state.ma.us.)