Dedham to Host Joint Committee on Ways and Means Hearing Feb. 28

The Massachusetts Legislature's Ways and Means Committee is planning to hold a statewide hearing in Dedham this month. 

House Ways and Means Chair Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill) recently announced that the hearing for Fiscal Year 2015 will be held for the first time in town, taking place at Dedham Middle School on Friday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m.

The hearing is part of an annual budget process in which the Committee on Ways and Means considers all legislation affecting finances of the Commonwealth, and will be chaired by State Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and co-chaired by State Sen. Mike Rush, who also serves as a member of the committee in the Senate.

"I am honored to be hosting a historic first in my hometown, which will give residents and students an opportunity to witness firsthand the legislative process as the State House comes to Dedham," McMurtry said in a statement. "This is truly civic engagement in action."

McMurtry, now in his fourth term, was appointed by Speaker DeLeo as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading and also serves on the committee on Community Development and Small Business. 

Among the topics to be heard include the Executive Office of Health & Human Services, Elder Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Soldier Homes, Center for Health Information and Analysis, Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health and the Office of Medicaid.  

Hearings are held across the Commonwealth in order for members of the Committee to receive testimony from members of Governor Patrick’s administration, this being his final proposal to the Legislature. For a complete list of statewide hearings, click here.  

The public is invited and welcomed to attend to observe the proceedings, but no public comments will be allowed. Citizens will be allowed to submit written testimony to the committee or testify at the public hearing on the budget on Friday, March 7 at 10 a.m. at the Gardner Auditorium at the State House.

“We are lucky as a Committee to have experienced members who are able to host our yearly budget hearings across the Commonwealth,” said Dempsey said in a statement. “As a co-chair of this hearing, Representative McMurtry is able to harness his years as a small business owner and as an elected official to provide excellent perspective on both the needs of his community and the responsibilities of the Commonwealth as a whole.”