Government Central
Legislative Affairs Update by Terrence F. Smith

Superintendent Addresses GAC
Cambridge Superintendent of Schools Jeff Young led a lively discussion at the March 23, 2010 GAC meeting and luncheon. He discussed his experience as a teacher, administrator and Superintendent in three Massachusetts school districts prior to taking the Superintendent’s position in Cambridge last July.

Young said that Cambridge can become the model urban school district. He acknowledged the challenges of working in a demographically and economically diverse school system but also noted that Cambridge has provided significant resources to the 6,000 student system.

One challenge in the coming year is the need to reduce the School Department budget by $3.7 million. Rather than make cuts across the board and do many things less effectively, his focus is to target cuts and do fewer things, but continue to do them well. The schools also will spend $1 million in new programs to address the achievement gap, which will require reductions in spending in other areas. In total, the next year school budget will require $4.7 million in reductions from the current year.

A major issue facing the Cambridge schools is the wide achievement gap between two groups of students. White and Asian students generally achieve at a high level in Cambridge while African American, Hispanic, low-income and special needs students are clustered together at a much lower level. The consequence is a two-tiered society and the Superintendent is working to focus on what can be done to narrow this gap during the school day and school year.

Young believes that Cambridge should not just address the current achievement gap but should raise expectations at the top level and bring all students to a higher level of achievement. He said that the teaching to the middle of a class is not tolerable and schools must engage and challenge all students. He looks forward to continuing to work with the Cambridge business community on issues important to Cambridge youth. He noted that the resources available to the School district include the support provided by the business community and he is working to better coordinate those efforts.

Capuano Breakfast
Congressman Michael Capuano spoke at the April 26, 2010 GAC Executive Speaker Breakfast at the Sheraton Commander. He was introduced by John Butler, President, Personalized Genetic Health at Genzyme Corporation.

Congressman Capuano discussed the recently passed health care bill and financial regulation legislation that has passed the House and is before the Senate. In both cases he compared the modest actions taken by Congress to existing federal programs. He compared the health care reforms to the Veterans Administration health care programs and Medicare and Medicaid. The financial reform legislation passed by the House would, according to Congressman Capuano, provide the regulatory safeguards similar to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which protects federally regulated banking institutions. Congressman Capuano followed his brief remarks with a question and answer session.

The Congressman was asked several questions related to transportation projects. He was asked about removing a traffic lane from the Longfellow Bridge to provide additional capacity for pedestrians and bicycles. He said that he supports any improvements that make the bridge safer for pedestrians and bicyclists but does not support eliminating traffic lanes, which would add to existing traffic congestion.
Several questions were raised regarding foreign visitors and immigration with specific interest in the economic benefits of both. Capuano supports meaningful reform in immigration laws that allow the United States to continue to benefit, as it has for most of its history, from talented people coming to our country. He was asked about protecting intellectual property and said that this is one of his major concerns when dealing with international trade agreements. He said that some countries do not adhere to the rule of law and that lack of enforcement of intellectual property laws hurts United States companies.

He was asked about issues likely to come up in the current Congress and he said that financial reform is the next big issue. He does not think Congress will act on climate change legislation this term and that action on immigration reform is unlikely.
Thanks to Congressman Capuano, John Butler, Genzyme for sponsoring the GAC this year, the Sheraton Commander Hotel for hosting the event and to all who attended.

Water & Sewer Rates, FY 11 Budget
In late March, the City Manager transmitted water and sewer rates for the period beginning April 1, 2010. The Council approved 1.5% increase in the water rate and a 7.9% increase in the sewer rate for a combined rate increase of 5.8%. The increases are below the projected a 3.8% increase in water rates, 10.0% increase in sewer rates and a combined rate increase of 8.0% included in last year’s transmittal.

The 2010 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme Corporation. For more information on GAC activities or to sign up to receive a weekly GAC e-mail, contact Director of Government Affairs Terrence Smith at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or (617) 876-4213.