The House will meet in two informal sessions this week, the first taking place on Monday, July 18th at 11:00AM, and the second on Thursday, July 21st at 11:00AM. There will be a Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, July 19th at 11:30AM to discuss SB 665, An Act to Reform and Improve Alimony. The House will meet in a full formal session on Wednesday, July 20th at 11:00AM to consider potential overrides for the budget, as a

• Health Care Financing Committee: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing will hold a hearing on bills concerning MassHealth on Tuesday, July 19th at 11:00AM in Room B-2.
• Environment Committee: The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture will hold a hearing on bills related to land policy, agriculture, mosquitoes, and campgrounds on Thursday, July 21st at 10:00AM in Gardner Auditorium.

Other Events:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will be holding a Design Public Hearing to discuss the proposed rehabilitiation of the Riverside Pedestrian Park Bridge in Weston and Newton. The hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 20th at 7:00pm in the Newton Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls.

For more information, visit MassDOT's website by clicking here.

The House will in an informal session on Monday, June 27th at 11:00AM, and a possible formal session on Wednesday, June 29th at 1:00PM following the release of the conference committee report. If there is no formal, the House will meet in an informal session on Thursday, June 30th at 11:00AM.

The House will in an informal session on Monday, June 27th at 11:00AM, and a possible formal session on Wednesday, June 29th at 1:00PM following the release of the conference committee report. If there is no formal, the House will meet in an informal session on Thursday, June 30th at 11:00AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing on bills related to health in the schools, including legislation that covers CPR training for teachers, coaches, and other school personnel on Tuesday, June 28th at 10:00AM in Room A-2.
• Consumer Protection Committee: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure will hold a hearing on the "Right to Repair" bill on Tuesday, June 28th at 1:00PM in Room A-2.
• Municipalities Committee: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government will hold a hearing on bills related to municipal relief, regionalization, and abandoned and surplus property on Wednesday, June 29th at 11:00AM in Room A-1.

Other Events:

REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE: The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting will hold a hearing on Monday, June 27th at 6:00PM in Cape Cod to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, state legislature, and Governor's Council districts. The hearing will be held at Cape Cod Community College, the Tilden Arts Center, 2240 Lyannough Road, Barnstable.

The House met in an informal session on Monday, June 20th at 11:00AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing on bills related to personnel, including legislation regarding nursing services and teacher certification requirements on Tuesday, June 21st at 10:00AM in Gardner Auditorium, the State House.
• Public Health Committee: The Joint Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on bills related to health care costs, consumer protection and medical debt on Tuesday, June 21st at 10:00AM in Room A-1.
• Higher Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Higher Education will hold a hearing on six bills, inclduing one requiring that by 2017 at least seventy-five percent of all undergraduate classes offered at public colleges and universities be taught by tenured or tenure-track faculty on Wednesday, June 22nd at 10:00AM in Room A-2.

Other Events:

REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE: The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting met on Monday, June 20th in Lynn at Lynn City Hall to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, state legislature, and Governor's Council districts. The final public hearing will be on Monday, June 27th at 6:00PM at Cape Cod Community College, the Tilden Arts Center, 2240 Lyannough Road, Barnstable, MA 02668.

The House will meet in informal sessions on Monday, June 13th at 11:00AM and in an informal session on Wednesday, June 15th at 1:00PM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing on bills related to curriculum issues, including financial literacy education, on Tuesday, June 14th at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.
• Public Health Committee: The Joint Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on bills related to patient safety, quality of care, and other important issues on Tuesday, June 14th at 10:00AM in State House Room A-1.
• Municipalities Committee: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government will hold a hearing on bills related to municipal finance and other local issues on Wednesday, June 15th at 11:00AM in State House Room
A-1.

Other Events:

REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE: The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting will meet in Framingham to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, state legislature, and Governor's Council districts on Saturday, June 18th at 10:00AM at Framingham State University, 100 State Street, Framingham, MA 01701 in the Forum Room of the McCarthy Center.

The House will meet in informal sessions on Monday, June 6th at 11:00AM and Thursday, June 9th at 11:00AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing on bills related to school finance on Tuesday, June 7th at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.
• Redistricting Committee: The Special Joint Committe on Redistricting will meet in Quincy to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, state legislature, and Governor's Council districts on Monday, June 6th at 6:00PM at Quincy High School, 52 Coddington Street, Quincy in the Adams Lecture Hall.
• Judiciary Committee: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will hold hearing on bills to insert "gender identity" into the state's nodiscrimination statute on Wednesday, June 8th at 1:00PM, Gardner Auditorium, the State House.
• Revenue Committee: The Joint Committee on Revenue will hold a hearing on bills perstaining to a mix of tax policies on Thursday, June 9th at 10:30AM in State House Room A-2.

The House will meet in informal sessions on Tuesday, May 31st and Thursday, June 2nd at 11:00AM, and in a formal session on Wednesday, June 1st at 1:00PM. There will be a Democratic Caucus preceding the formal session at 12:00PM in State House Room A-1.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing on bills related to early education on Tuesday, June 31st at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.
• Redistricting Committee: The Special Joint Committe on Redistricting will meet in Greenfield to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, state legislature, and Governor's Council districts on Tuesday, May 31st at 6:00PM at the Sloan Theatre, Greenfield Community College.
• Higher Education: The Joint Committee on Higher Education will hold its final oversight hearing with the chancellors of the University of Massachusetts system on Thursday, June 2nd at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.

The House will meet in an informal session on Monday, May 23rd at 11:00AM, and in a formal session on Wednesday, May 25th at 1:00PM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Consumer Protection Committee: The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee will hold a hearing to discuss legislation dealing with identity theft, credit cards and banks on Tuesday, May 24th at 1:00PM in State House Room A-2.
• Bonding Committee: The Senate Bonding Committee will hold a hearing to discuss legislation to facilitate a major development on the "North Point" property in Cambridge, as well as government accountability legisltion on Tuesday, May 24th at 11:00AM in State House Room 222.

The House will meet in an informal session on Monday, May 16th at 11:00AM, and an informal session on Thursday, May 19th at 11:00AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Redistricting Committee: The Special Joint Committe on Redistricting will meet in New Bedford to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, state legislature, and Governor's Council districts on Monday, May 16th at 6:00PM at the New Bedford Public Library, 613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford.
• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing to discuss bills related to reducing the eligibility thresholds for special education and increasing state aid to school distrcits struggling with rising special education costs on Tuesday, May 17th at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.
• Judiciary Committee: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on legislation dealing with alimony, shared parenting, and probate and family issues on Wednesday, May 18th at 1:00PM in Gardner Auditorium, the State House.

The House will meet in an informal session on Monday, May 9th at 11:00AM, and in a formal session on Wednesday, May 11th at 1:00PM. There will be a Democratic Caucus prior to the formal session on Wednesday, May 11th.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Redistricting Committee: The Special Joint Committe on Redistricting will meet in Dorchester to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, legislative, and Governor's Council districts on Saturday, May 14th at 10:00AM at the Lee School, Perkins Community Center..
• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing to discuss bills related to MCAS testing and accountability on Tuesday, May 10th at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.
• Election Laws Committee: The Joint Committee on Election Laws will hold a hearing on more than thirty bills dealing with the administration of elections, including legislation to require post-election audits of a portion of voting districts on Wednesday, May 11th at 2:00PM in State House Room A-2.

OTHER EVENTS

The Massachusetts Medical Society will be sending members to meet with legislators at the State House on Monday, May 9th. Rep. Peisch will be meeting with doctors from the district to talk about a variety of issues related to health care.

The House will meet in an informal session on Monday, May 2nd at 10:00AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Redistricting Committee: The Special Joint Committe on Redistricting will meet in Brockton to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, legislative, and Governor's Council districts on Monday, May 2nd at 6:00PM at the Massasoit Conference Center, 770 Crescent Street, Brockton.
• Education Committee: The Joint Committee on Education will hold a hearing to discuss bills related to regionalization and collaboration on Tuesday, May 3rd at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.
• Economic Development Committee: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies will hold a hearing on expanded gaming proposals on Wednesday, May 4th at 8:30AM in Gardner Auditorium, the State House.

OTHER EVENTS

U.S. Senator John Kerry will hold a town hall meeting to discuss developments in Congress and hear from constituents on Saturday, May 7th at 12:00PM at Faneuil Hall, Boston.

The House will begin the week-long budget debate with a full formal session on Monday, April 25th at 12:00PM, following a Democratic Caucus meeting at 11:00AM in State House Room A-1. The House of Representatives will be in full formal sessions all week.

OTHER EVENTS:

• No House Committee Hearings Scheduled

MBCR "Meet the Managers": The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) Company will be holding three open forums providing customers the chance to meet with members of the management team. They will be held on Wednesday, April 27th from 4:00-6:00PM at Back Bay Station, Tuesday May 3rd from 7:00-9:00AM at South Station, and Thursday, May 5th from 4:00-6:00PM at North Station. For more information, please visit www.mbcr.net.

The House will meet in an informal session on Tuesday, April 19th at 11:00AM.

OTHER EVENTS:

The House will meet in a formal session on Wednesday, April 13th at 2:00PM in the House Chamber, and an informal session on Thursday, April 14th..

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Redistricting Committee: The Special Joint Committe on Redistricting will meet in Worcester to hear from area residents about changes to Congressional, legislative, and Governor's Council districts on Monday, April 11th at 6:00PM at Clark University in Worcester, MA.
• Economic Development Committee: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies holds a hearing regarding legislation that includes clean technology, plastics manufacturing, and electronic health records on Tuesday, April 12th at 1:00PM in State House Room B-2.
• Transportation Committee: The Joint Committee on Transportation hold a hearing in the wake of poor commuter rail service over the winter, and includes testimony from top state transportation officials on Tuesday, April 12th at 2:00PM in State House Room A-1.

The House will hold a possible formal session on Thursday, April 7th and an informal session on Monday, April 4th at 11:00AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Public Health Committee: The Joint Committe on Public Heatlh will hold a hearing on eighteen bills dealing with infectious disease testing and treatment on Tuesday, April 5 at 10:00AM in State House Room A-1.
• Nuclear Oversight Hearing: A group of lawmakers will convene an oversight hearing to discuss the safety of nuclear power plants close to the Commonwealth, bringing together members of four joint legislative committees on Wednesday, April 6 at 2:15PM in Gardner Auditorium, the State House.<.li>
• Revenue Committee: The Joint Committee on Revenue holds a hearing regarding a slew of proposals, from a graduated income tax to new applications of the sales tax on Thursday, April 7 at 10:30AM in State House Room A-2.

OTHER EVENTS

Rep. Peisch will be speaking at "The Journey to Literacy Begins at Birth" symposium on Friday, April 8th at 10:00AM at the U-Mass Medical Center in Worcester. This event is being sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and Reach Out and Read.

The House will hold a possible formal session on Wednesday, March 30th and informal sessions on Monday, March 28th at 11AM and Thursday, March 31st at 11AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities- The Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities holds a hearing on two bills revamping services for children in need of services on Tuesday, March 29th at 10:30AM in State House Room B-2.
• Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government will hold hearings on 14 bills dealing with a variety of matters on Tuesday, March 29th at 11:00AM in State House Room B-1.

OTHER EVENTS

Rep. Peisch will be speaking at the Massachusetts Association of School Committees Day-on-the-Hill on Tuesday, March 29th at 11:00AM in the State House.

The House will hold traditional informal sessions at the beginning of this week.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture- The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture holds a hearing on nine bills on Tuesday, March 22 at 11:00AM in State House Room B-1.
• Joint Committee on Higher Education- The Joint Committee on Education continues oversight hearings that will include information from leaders of the state's public universities on Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00AM in State House Room A-2.

The House will hold an informal session on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11:00am.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Housing Committee- The Housing Committee holds an informational hearing on Tuesday, March 15 at 11:00AM in State House Room A-2.
• Judiciary Committee- The Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on bills designed to overhaul the states parole system on Wednesday, March 16 at 1:00PM in State House Room A-2.

The House will hold a formal session on Wednesday, March 9th at 11AM and informal sessions on Monday, March 7th at 11AM and Thursday, March 10th at 11AM. House Democrats will hold a caucus on Tuesday, March 8th at 11AM

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Joint Committee on Higher Education- The Joint Committee on Higher Education holds an oversight hearing on Wednesday, March 9th at 10:00AM in State House Room A-1.
• Joint Committee on Transportation- The Joint Committee on Transportation holds a public hearing on Wednesday, March 9th at 3:00PM in State House Room A-1 to discuss H1854, a Chapter 90 transportation bond bill.

The House will hold a formal session on Wednesday, March 2nd at 1PM and informal sessions on Monday, February 28th at 11AM and Thursday, March 3rd at 11AM. House Democrats will hold a caucus at 1PM on Tuesday, March 1st at 1PM

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Children and Families Committee- The Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities holds an organizational meeting on Wednesday, March 2nd at 1:00PM in State House Room 348.
• House Ways and Means Committee- The House House Ways and Meeting Committee will hold three hearings on Monday, February 28th at 10AM, at Holy Family Hospital, 70 East St., Methuen. On Tuesday, March 1st at 10:00AM at the Robert Bowland Theatre, Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA and Friday, March 4th at 10AM at Gardner Auditorium, State House. The hearings will feature testimony regarding the economy and the environment.

The House will hold an informal session on Tuesday, February 22nd at 11AM and Thursday, February 24th at 11AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Tourism Committee- The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development holds an executive session on Thursday, February 24th at 12:30PM in State House Room A-2. The session will be held to adopt committee rules.
• House Ways and Means Committee- The House House Ways and Meeting Committee will hold three hearings on Tuesday, February 22nd at 10AM, at the UMass Amherst Lincoln Campus Center Auditorium, Wednesday, February 23rd at 10:00AM at the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School 1050 Westminster St., Fitchburg, MA and Friday, February 25th at 10AM at the Massasoit Conference Center, 770 Crescent St., Rte. 27, Brockton, MA. The hearings will feature testimony regarding education, health and human services spending plans, and public safety.

The House will hold a full formal session this week on Wednesday, February 16th at 11AM. The House will be consider Senate Bill 8, dealing with unemployment insurance. The House will also hold an informal session on Monday, February 14th at 11AM and Thursday, February 17th at 11AM.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

• Education Committee- The Joint Committee on Education holds an executive session on Thursday, February 17th at 3:30PM in State House Room A-2. The session will be held to adopt committee rules.
• House Ways and Means Committee- The House House Ways and Meeting Committee will hold two hearings on Wednesday, February 16th at 10:00AM in State House Gardner Auditorium and Friday, February 18th at 10AM at the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston, MA. The hearings will feature testimony from the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, the OCPF, constitutional officers, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the state Office of Medicaid, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs and soldier homes.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, February 7th at 11a.m. and Thursday, February 10th at 11a.m.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, January 31st at 11a.m. and Thursday, February 3rd at 11a.m.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, January 24th at 11a.m. and Wednesday, January 26th at 11a.m. The House will hold a possible formal session on Thursday, January, 27th at 11a.m.

On Wednesday, January 26th, Governor Deval Patrick plans to release his fiscal 2012 budget.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Tuesday, January 18th at 11a.m. and will hold a formal session on Thursday, January, 20th at 11a.m. to debate proposed changes to internal rules.

The House will hold informal sessions this week on Monday, January 10th at 11a.m. and Thursday, January, 13th at 11a.m.

The House will hold a Special Commemoration of John F. Kennedy's "City on a Hill" Speech on Tuesday, January 11th at 1p.m. in the House Chamber. Members of the Kennedy family will be in attendance at the Commemoration.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, January 3rd at 11a.m. and will meet in a joint session on Thursday, January 6th at 11a.m. for the swearing in of Governor Deval Patrick.

The House will hold a formal session this week on Wednesday, January 5th at 11a.m. to swear in the 2011-2012 members of the Massachusetts Legislature.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Tuesday, December 28th at 11a.m. and Thursday, December 30th at 11a.m.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, December 20th at 11a.m. and Thursday, December 23rd at 11a.m.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, December 13th at 11a.m. and Thursday, December 16th at 11a.m.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, December 6th at 11a.m. and Thursday, December 9th at 11a.m.

State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee-The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a hearing on Monday, December 6th at 12:30p.m. in State House room A-1. The hearing will be on multiple local bills.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, November 29th at 11a.m. and Thursday, December 2nd at 11a.m.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, November 22nd at 11AM and Wednesday, November 24th at 11AM.

Telecommunications Committee-The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy holds a hearing on Wednesday, November 24th at 12:00p.m. in State House room A-1. The hearing will be on S 2613, An Act Clarifying the Application of Chapter 156B.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, November 15th at 11a.m. and Thursday, November 18th at 11a.m.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, November 8th at 11a.m. and Wednesday, November 10th at 11a.m.

The State House will have a Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, November 11th, starting at 10a.m. at the Memorial Hall of Flags. The keynote speaker will be Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray.

Tuesday, November 2nd is Election Day. Click here to find more information regarding this year's election and where to vote.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, November 1st at 11AM and Thursday, November 4th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, October 25th at 11AM and Thursday, October 28th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, October 18th at 11AM and Thursday, October 21st at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Tuesday, October 12th at 11AM and Thursday, October 14th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, October 4th at 10AM and Tuesday, October 5th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, September 27th at 11AM, Tuesday, September 28th at 11AM and Thursday, September 30th at 11AM.

Municipalities Committee-The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on Tuesday, September 28th at 10:30am in State House room A-2. The hearing will be on local bills.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, September 20th at 11AM and Thursday, September 23rd at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, September 13th at 11AM and Thursday, September 16th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Tuesday, September 7th at 11AM and Thursday, September 9th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, August 30th at 11AM and Thursday, September 2nd at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, August 23th at 11AM and Thurday, August 26th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Monday, August 16th at 11AM and Thurday, August 19th at 11AM.

The House will hold an informal session this week on Wednesday, August 11AM.

The House will hold a full formal sessions this week on Tuesday, July 27th, Wednesday, July 28th, Thursday, July 29th and Friday July 30th at 11AM.

Crime Bill Conference Committee- The Conference Committee working on the CORI Reform bill will hold a hearing on Monday, July 26th at 3:00 P.M., in Room 312.

Municipalities Committee- T he Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on Tuesday, July 27th at 10:30am in State House room A-2. The hearing will be three home rule petitions.

Click here to read an editorial by the MetroWest Daily News regarding Representative Peisch's legislation aimed at reducing drug related fatalities.

The House will hold a full formal sessions this week on Tuesday, July 20th, Wednesday, July 21st, Thursday, July 22nd and Friday July 23rd at 11AM. The House will hold a Democratic Caucus on Wednesday, July 21st at 11AM.

Higher Education Committee- The Joint Committee on Higher Education will hold a hearing on H. 4843, An Act Creating A Special Commission on College Scholarships, filed by Rep. Peisch. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 20 at 11:00 A.M., in Room B-1.

Municipalities Committee- T he Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on Tuesday, July 20th at 10:30am in State House room A-2. The hearing will be on bills relating to enterprise funds in Abington and Stoughton, tax titles in East Bridgewater and reserve funds in North Adams.

On Wednesday, July 14th, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to pass Wind Siting Reform Legislation. Click here to find more information on the bill.

The Joint Committee on Higher Education will hold a hearing on H. 4843, An Act Creating A Special Commission on College Scholarships, filed by Rep. Peisch. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at 11:00 A.M., in Room B-1.

The House will hold two full formal sessions this week on Tuesday, July 13th at 11AM and Wednesday, July 14th at 11AM. The House will be considering Senate Bill 2260, "An Act Relative to Comprehensive Siting Reform for Land Based Wind Projects." There will be a Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, July 13th at 11AM.

The House will hold two full formal sessions this week on Wednesday, July 7th at 11AM and Thursday, July 8th at 11AM. The House will be considering House Bill 4820, "An Act Relative to Business and Job Growth in the Commonwealth." There will be a Democratic Caucus on Wednesday, July 7th at 11AM.

Global Warming and Climate Change Committee- The House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change holds a hearing on Wednesday, July 7th at 10:00am in State House room B-1. The hearing will be on transportation emissions.

On Wednesday, July 7th , the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved an amendment that would allow a state sales tax holiday August 14th and August 15th.

I am pleased to report that the Route 9/16 bridge project is finally complete. The roads are paved and lined, the lanes are open for traffic and the signs and light signals are up and working.

Hopefully, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has learned from this project and future projects will be done in a more timely and more efficient manner.

The Highland Street Foundation, an organization that fund's organizations that help children and families in Massachusetts who face challenges in the areas of education, housing, mentoring, health care, environment and the arts, is celebrating its 20th anniversary by kicking off its Free Fun Fridays 2010. Free Fun Fridays 2010 will kick off on Friday, June 25th with free admission to the Boston Childrens Museum.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 7:00 PM

The House will hold a full formal session this week on Wednesday, June 23rd at 11AM. The House will be considering items on the House Calendar.

Municipalities and Regional Government Committee- The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on Tuesday, June 22nd at 10:00am in State House room B-1. The hearing will be on two home rule bills.

Environment Committee- T he Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture holds an informational hearing on Tuesday, June 22nd at 11:00am in State House room B-2. The hearing will be on the Gulf oil spill.

The House will hold a full formal session this week on Tuesday, June 15th at 11AM. The House will be considering items on the House Calendar.

Transportation Committee- The Joint Committee on Transportation holds a hearing on Tuesday, June 15th at 11:00am in State House room B-1. The hearing will be on a bill related to the improvement of Rte. 2 in Lincoln and Concord and a bill related to establishing a vehicle for hire law.

Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee- T he Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy holds a hearing on Wednesday, June 16th at 11:30am in State House room A-2. The hearing will be on miscellaneous bills relating to regulations for natural gas leaks and automatic dialing-announcing devices or robo-calls.

The House will hold a full formal session this week on Wednesday, June 9th at 11AM. The House will be consider Senate Bill 2257, Bill to Regulate the use of Highway and Recreation Vehicles. There will be a Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, June 8th at 12PM.

Senate Ways and Means Committee-The Senate Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on Tuesday, June 8th at 1:00pm in State House Gardner Auditorium. The hearing will be on the topic of casino gambling.

Municipalities and Regional Government Committee-The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on Tuesday, June 8th at 10:30am in State House room A-2. The committee will hear 7 bills, including authorizing various town contracts and programs.

The House will hold a full formal session this week on Wednesday, June 2nd at 11AM. The House will be consider House Bill 4156, Relative to the agreement among the states to elect the President by national popular vote There will be a Democratic Caucus on Wednesday, June 2nd at 10AM.

The House will hold a full formal session this week on Wednesday, May 26th. The House will be consider Senate Bill 2220, Reforming the administrive procedures relative to criminal offender record information and pre and post trial supervised release. There will be a Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, May 25 at 11AM.

The House will hold a full formal session this week on Wednesday, May 19th. There will be a Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, May 18 at 11AM.

The House will hold two informal sessions this week on Tuesday, May 4th and Thursday, May 6th.

Housing Committee-The Committee on Housing holds a hearing on Monday, May 3rd at 10:30am in State House Gardner Auditorium. The hearing will be on a citizen-driven initiative petition on this years ballot to repeal the states comprehensive permit law, Chapter 40B.

Community Development and Small Business Committee-The Committee on Community Development and Small Business holds a hearing on Tuesday, May 4th at 10:30am in State House room A-1. The hearing will be on House Bill 4589, which would create low-profit limited liability companies that significantly furthers the accomplishment of one or more charitable or educational purposes.

REPRESENTATIVE PEISCH TO SPEAK AT THE AICUM ANNUAL MEETING

Representative Alice Peisch will be a featured speaker at the AICUM annual meeting on Tuesday, May 4th.

Click here to read a statement from Representative Alice Peisch which details her reasoning and final vote on the Expanded Gambling legislation.

The House will meet in a full formal session every day this week. The House will be considering House, No. 4617, An Act Relative to Debt Restructuring; House, No. 4618, An Act Relative to Municipal Relief; and the House Budget, No. 4600.

The House will meet in a full formal session this Tuesday, April 13th and Wednesday, April 14th with the possibility of a formal session on Thursday, April 15th. The House will be considering House Bill 4591, An Act to Establish Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth. There will be a Joint Caucus on Wednesday, April 14th at 11AM.

The Winter/Spring edition of the Peisch Post is available online. The Newsletter can be found by clicking on the link below or by visiting the Press page on this website.

The House will meet in a full formal session this Wednesday, April 7th. There will be a Joint Caucus on Thursday, April 8th at 2PM.

Below you will find links to the complete language of the Expanded Gaming bill as well as a Section by Section summary:

The House will meet in a full formal session this Wednesday, March 24th. The House will be considering H.B.4444, An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2010 to Provide for Supplementing Certain Existing Appropriations and for Certain Other Activities and Projects." There will be a Democratic Caucus on Wednesday, March 24th at 12PM.

State Health Care Law- A panel, led by Mary Jane England, president of Regis College, discusses the states 2006 health care law and the national healthcare debate on Wednesday, March 24th at 6:30pm at the Upper Student Union Lounge at Regis College, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, MA.

Western Rail Plan Public Meeting-The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will host four stakeholder meetings across the commonwealth to introduce Gov. Patricks plan to improve the State Freight and Rail Plan on Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:00pm at the Kittredge Center, Room KC 303, located at Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue. The public is invited to come and give feedback on the plan.

The House will hold a full formal session this week Thursday, March 18th, at 1:00PM. The House will consider SB 2323, An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools and HB 4541, An Act Reorganizing Certain Agencies of the Executive Branch. There will be a Democratic Caucus on Thursday, March 18th prior to the formal session.

Telecommunications Committee-The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy will hold a hearing and executive session on Wednesday, March 17th at 10:30am in State House room A-2. The hearing will be on Senate Bill 2320, An Act Relative to Water Company Infrastructure Projects.

Consumer Protection Committee-The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee holds a hearing on Tuesday, March 16th at 1:00pm in State House room A-1. The hearing will be on, a liquor license package for locations in Seekonk (H4518).

The House will hold two informal sessions this week on Tuesday, March 9th and Thursday, March 11th. There will be a Democratic Caucus on Wednesday, March 10th.

Health Care Financing and Community Development Committee-The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business hold a hearing on Wednesday, March 10th at 1:00pm in State House room A-2. The hearing will be on portions of Gov. Deval Patricks jobs creation bill (sections 52-62 of H. 4490) and the Committee will also hold an oversight hearing on how the Division of Unemployment Assistance is handling the health care policy changes.

Financial Services Committee-The Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on Tuesday, March 9th at 11:00am in State House room A-1. The hearing will be on bills covering rheumatologic patients; requiring insurers to report malpractice claims or actions for optometrists; and establishing a state childhood vaccines program and an immunization registry.

The House will hold a formal session this week on Wednesday, March 3rd and will be considering H.B. 4421, An Act Providing for the Financial Stability of the City of Lawrence and H.B. 344, An Act Prohibiting Devocalization of Dogs and Cats.

Revenue Committee-The Committee on Revenue holds a hearing on Wednesday, March 3rd at 10:30am in State House room B-2. The hearing will be on bills relating to establishing and/or eliminating various tax credits.

Higher Education Committee-The Committee on Higher Education holds a hearing on Thursday, March 4th at 10:30am in State House room A-2. The hearing will be on House Bill 1171, filed by Representative Peisch, which restricts the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium from charging a fee for providing bidders with electronic bid information.

The House will hold a formal session this week on Wednesday, February 24th.

Ways and Means Committee- The House and Senate Committee on Ways and Means holds the 4th of 8 joint fiscal 2011 budget hearings on Tuesday, February 23rd at 10:00am at Sudbury Town Hall, 322 Concord Rd., Sudbury, MA. The hearing will be the 2nd on the health and human services portion of the budget. Expected to testify at the hearing are representatives of the Department of Children and Families, Department of Youth Services, Department of Transitional Assistance, the Office of Refugees, Department of Developmental Disabilities, Massachusetts Office of Disability, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

Ways and Means Committee- The House and Senate Committee on Ways and Means holds the 5th of 8 joint fiscal 2011 budget hearings on Friday, February 26th at 10:00am at the Mass. College of Pharmacy Auditorium, 9th floor, 19 Foster St., Boston. The hearing will focus on spending for the states energy and environmental affairs and transportation secretariats. Expected to testify at the hearing are officials from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Public Utilities. Secretary of Transportation Jeffrey Mullan is also expected to testify.

The House will hold a informal sessions this week on Tuesday, February 16th and Thursday, February 18th at 11:00am.

Ways and Means Committee- The House and Senate Committee on Ways and Means holds the 1st of 8 joint fiscal 2011 budget hearings on Tuesday, February 16th at 10:00am in State House Gardner Auditorium. Expected to testify at the hearing are Treasurer Tim Cahill, Inspector General Gregory Sullivan, Secretary of State William Galvin, State Auditor Joe DeNucci and Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Ways and Means Committee- The House and Senate Committee on Ways and Means holds the 2nd of 8 joint fiscal 2011 budget hearings on Friday, February 19th at 10:00am at Waltham High School, Cannon Lecture Hall, 617 Lexington St, Waltham. Expected to testify at the hearing are Health and Human Services Secretary Judyann Bigby, officials from the Office of Medicaid, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Mental Health, the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy.

The House will hold a full formal session this Wednesday, February 10th. The House will be considering House Bill 4421, An Act Providing for the Financial Stability of the City of Lawrence, and House Bill 997, An Act Punishing Assault and Battery by Means of a Bodily Substance Upon Correctional Facility Employees. The Senate will also hold a full formal session Thursday, February 11th.

Ways and Means Committee- The House and Senate Committee on Ways and Means hold a joint hearing on Tuesday, February 9th at 11:00am in State House Gardner Auditorium. The hearing topic will be on the finances of the City of Lawrence.

Education Committee- The Committee on Education holds an executive session on Wednesday, February 10th at 11:00am in State House room B-1. The session will be on miscellaneous bills dealing with the creation of a commission to study child suicide to help school districts dealing with children at risk, requiring Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to assist in implementing programs to teach financial literacy, and the creation of a coordinating council for after-school and out of school time.

The House will hold a full formal session this Thursday, February 4th. The House will be considering legislation banning texting while driving, which is currently before the House Ways and Means Committee. The Senate will also hold a full formal session Thursday, February 4th. The Senate will consider a wind energy siting proposal.

On Wednesday, January 27, Governor Deval Patrick filed his 2011 budget.

Financial Services Committee- The Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on Thursday, February 4th at 1:00pm in State House Room A-1. The hearing topic will be on miscellaneous bills regarding insurance and banking.

Federal Stimulus Oversight Committee- The Joint Committee on Federal Stimulus Oversight holds a hearing on Tuesday, February 2nd at 1:00pm in State House room A-1. The hearing topic will be held to investigate how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is creating and sustaining jobs in Massachusetts.