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RIBBON CUTTING FOR NEW I-95 CANTON SLIP-RAMP
SENATOR JOYCE ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION GRANT FOR CANTON
PUBLIC LIBRARY
COMMUNITY CHOICE PILOT PROGRAM LAUNCHED
SENATOR JOYCE ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF EDUCATION FUNDING
REFORM Would increase Canton Funding by $395,767
School districts in Massachusetts would gain valuable additional education
assistance under a plan passed this week by the Senate.
The legislation seeks to address current inequities in the states
education funding formula and will mean thousands of extra dollars for
communities across the state.
Many towns have suffered for some time under a formula that has
shortchanged their school districts, said Senator Brian A. Joyce.
This plan seeks to iron out these inequities and deliver additional
assistance to school district across the Commonwealth who are in dire
need of added financial resources.
Specifically, the proposed formula change will mean an additional $395,767
for Canton in FY06, with further increases each year for the following
six years totaling millions of dollars.
Under the bill, Chapter 70 education aid will increase by $150 to $175
million a year, while helping reduce disparities in aid to and local contributions
required of similar communities and encouraging professional growth among
teachers and administrators.
To cope with the rising costs of health care, special education, and other
expenses while attracting and retaining good teachers, maintaining small
class sizes and expanding opportunities for students, all districts would
see aid grow by at least $50 per pupil.
The legislation has been sent to the House of Representatives for action.
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EDUCATION REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY FOR SENATOR JOYCE
LEGISLATURE PLANS LEVEL FUNDING FOR LOCAL AID, FUNDING INCREASES FOR TRANSPORTATION
AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
With this budget we are preserving our investment in our students
and schools, said Senator Brian A. Joyce this week, announcing that
a Senate and House budget resolution for the next fiscal year will be
boosted by $75 million for local aid, to more than $3.1 billion.
The Legislatures plan also commits to an $80 million increase in
Special Education Circuit Breaker funding reimbursing communities
approximately 65 percent compared to last years 35 percent reimbursement
rate, and the plan increases Regional School Transportation by $11.6 million
over last years funding level.
We are at risk of having our economic downturn back the progress
weve made in our schools but the Legislature has made the choice
to preserve and reinforce our commitment to classrooms, said Senator
Joyce.
Senator Joyce noted that the proposed figures for education will preserve
funding for Canton at $2,512,730 in FY05.
Senator Joyce expects that education will continue to be a top priority
in the FY05 budget and reiterated his commitment to investing in
our schools so that the progress we have made in improving public education
can be maintained and ensure our students of a bright future while at
the same time continue our efforts to keep pressure off local property
taxpayers.
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For Immediate Release: December 6, 2002
Further Information: Marie Blanchard (617) 722-1643
RIBBON CUTTING FOR NEW I-95 CANTON SLIP-RAMP
Transportation Secretary James Scanlan, MassHighway Commissioner John
Cogliano and Senator Brian A. Joyce recently took part in a ribbon cutting
ceremony for the opening of the new slip-ramp from Dedham Street in Canton
to I-95 South.
The $1.3 million includes widening a section of Dedham Street for creation
of a deceleration lane, and widening a section of I-95 south for an acceleration
lane. The length of the new ramp is approximately 2000-feet. The ramp
will help alleviate traffic congestion in Canton, Westwood and Norwood
in the area of the University Ave. commuter rail/AMTRAK station by providing
easier access to I-95 south.
Motorists heading eastbound on Dedham Streets can turn right from Dedham
Street to the new ramp, but because of the geometry of the intersection,
motorists heading westbound on Dedham Street cannot turn left to the new
ramp. Left- turning vehicles would have backed up traffic. A "No
Left Turn Sign" has been installed at the top of the ramp facing
westbound traffic on Dedham Street.
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For Immediate Release: November 13, 2002
Further Information: Marie Blanchard (617) 722-1643
SENATOR JOYCE ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION GRANT FOR CANTON
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Senator Brian A. Joyce has announced that public libraries throughout
the Commonwealth will receive almost $37 million this year for construction
and renovation as a result of a library bond bill passed by the Legislature.
The bond authorization includes a $2,585,569 grant for construction of
a new wing of the Canton Public Library. The construction grant will greatly
improve library facilities and help modernize library resources so they
can continue to be a valuable institution of information into the next
century.
Public libraries help educate the community from our children to
our seniors, and I believe that the construction grant will allow the
Canton Public Library to better serve the needs of the community,
said Senator Joyce.
The grant will be administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners,
and more information is available at their website, www.mlin.org.
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For Immediate Release: October 31, 2002
Further Information: Marie Blanchard (617) 722-1643
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COMMUNITY CHOICE PILOT PROGRAM LAUNCHED
Enhanced home care option now available to seniors
Senator Brian A. Joyce is pleased to announce that the state has launched
a $3.9 million pilot program which will allow seniors to choose community
based services over institutionalized care.
The Community Choices pilot program, modeled after Senator Joyces
Equal Choice bill, was secured by the senator in the state budget and
is designed to remedy the gross disparity in Medicaid aid between individuals
who choose to receive care at home, and those who seek care in an institution.
The current structure of Medicaid reimbursement leaves many seniors
with no real choice other than institutionalization. It is small wonder,
then, that more than 80 percent of our long-term care spending goes towards
institutionalized care.
The reality is that this pilot program is not only the fiscally
responsible thing to do, but it also provides a fair and compassionate
solution to those who find themselves no longer able to care for themselves,
said Senator Joyce.
Under the program, integrated health care services are provided at home
to persons whose health care costs would be at least 50 percent below
the cost of care they would otherwise receive in an institution under
the states Medicaid long-term care waiver. Institutional care is
far more costly than care provided at home. Medicaid currently pays $51,516
per person for nursing home care.
This program will guarantee that seniors will receive care in the
least restrictive setting. It ends discrimination against persons with
disabilities by providing home care as an alternative to institutional
care, said Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care.
The program will be available to eligible seniors beginning November 1,
2002. For more information, please call your local Aging Service Access
Point who can review your case for eligibility and provide you with the
services that best meet your needs. In Canton and Sharon, please call
Health and Social Services Consortium (HESSCO) at 781-784-4944.
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