Marijuana Convictions Demand Legislative Action
In Massachusetts, where voters in 2016 legalized marijuana, past offenders for simple possession of marijuana still have a criminal record. It is now time for the Legislature, not the Governor through the pardon process as some have proposed, to remedy the situation.
Despite the change in the law, past marijuana convictions can shadow former defendants by appearing on background checks, thereby blocking access to certain employment opportunities; leasing apartments with federal subsidies; complicating child custody matters in the Probate Court; or even acceptance to a college.
Governor Baker signed legislation in 2018 that permits citizens convicted under Massachusetts law for cannabis-related offenses (not distribution) but requires a formal application to have the charges expunged from their records.
The Legislature should make the process automatic by directing the Commissioner of Probation to expunge the conviction from the record without a formal application.
As was the crime of public drunkenness eliminated in 1973, the same action should be taken regarding possession of marijuana without a former defendant being required to apply for expungement in the Trial Court, which needs approval from a Judge; or to seek a pardon from the Governor, which requires a favorable recommendation from the Advisory Board of Pardons and approval from the Governors Council, thereby making the process costly and potentially highly political.
This legislation, if approved, would prevent discrimination against our citizens for a past criminal conviction, which is no longer the law in Massachusetts.
(Michael Albano is a former Probation Officer, a Member of the Advisory Board of Pardons, and a Governors Councillor)
In Massachusetts, where voters in 2016 legalized marijuana, past offenders for simple possession of marijuana still have a criminal record. It is now time for the Legislature, not the Governor through the pardon process as some have proposed, to remedy the situation.
Despite the change in the law, past marijuana convictions can shadow former defendants by appearing on background checks, thereby blocking access to certain employment opportunities; leasing apartments with federal subsidies; complicating child custody matters in the Probate Court; or even acceptance to a college.
Governor Baker signed legislation in 2018 that permits citizens convicted under Massachusetts law for cannabis-related offenses (not distribution) but requires a formal application to have the charges expunged from their records.
The Legislature should make the process automatic by directing the Commissioner of Probation to expunge the conviction from the record without a formal application.
As was the crime of public drunkenness eliminated in 1973, the same action should be taken regarding possession of marijuana without a former defendant being required to apply for expungement in the Trial Court, which needs approval from a Judge; or to seek a pardon from the Governor, which requires a favorable recommendation from the Advisory Board of Pardons and approval from the Governors Council, thereby making the process costly and potentially highly political.
This legislation, if approved, would prevent discrimination against our citizens for a past criminal conviction, which is no longer the law in Massachusetts.
(Michael Albano is a former Probation Officer, a Member of the Advisory Board of Pardons, and a Governors Councillor)
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MY TURN
by Michael J. Albano MASSACHUSETTS SOLAR INDUSTRY NEEDS A LITTLE SUNLIGHT Massachusetts has been the national leader in the solar industry creating thousands of jobs and lowering electrical costs for residential consumers and businesses. The solar success story in the Commonwealth is due in large part to the net metering policy which gives customers fair credit on their utility bills for the valuable clean power they deliver to the local power grid. This crediting arrangement is a crucial element to the State policy encouraging customers to go solar and save money. Current State law places a permanent cap on net metering participation based on a certain percentage of solar energy use in the service area of a utility company. Once the cap is reached, utilities are no longer required to offer the incentive to new, nonresidential solar energy customers. This limit has put the brakes on public and private solar projects across the Commonwealth. Recently, I have been approached by a number of solar businesses in western Massachusetts regarding the lifting of the net metering cap. Without the lifting of the cap, there will be an exodus of the solar industry from Massachusetts costing hundreds of jobs and penalizing consumers. And, without action from the Legislature and Governor, solar will soon be out of reach for Massachusetts consumers and businesses. This is particularly damaging for western Massachusetts where the economy is still extremely fragile. Without immediate legislative relief, many solar companies will be forced out of business causing major job loss and not allowing access to energy savings for consumers. The net metering cap makes no economic or energy policy sense. I am perplexed as to why the Baker Administration considers the lifting of the cap as a tax increase, as suggested by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton at a recent legislative hearing. Nothing could be further from the truth as to the economic benefits to the consumer; or, the jobs created by the solar industry. Last year, the Legislature formed a Net Metering and Solar Task Force bringing the solar industry, utilities, ratepayer advocates and municipal leaders together to chart the future of solar policy in the Commonwealth. The Task Force concluded that a scenario without net metering caps would be the most cost-effective way to keep solar working for Massachusetts. The Task Force recommended the Legislature act immediately to lift the net metering cap, allowing solar development to continue unimpeded. As a former Mayor of Springfield, I can say unequivocally for local governments looking to lower energy costs and keep dollars going to critical services, the stakes are especially high. We have led the nation on solar policy. I urge the Governor and Legislature to lead once again on net metering legislation and allow the solar industry to continue to thrive in Massachusetts. __________________________________________________________________ Michael Albano represents western Massachusetts as a Member of the Governor's Council. He is a former Mayor of Springfield. |
Selectmen hire Albano’s firm to consult on impact study
Date: 11/7/2013
By Chris Maza
EAST LONGMEADOW – The Board of Selectmen recently agreed to hire former Springfield Mayor and current member of the Governor’s Council Michael Albano’s firm as the consultant to perform a study on the economic impact MGM’s proposed Springfield casino would have on the town.
“This is an exciting challenge because of the newness of the legislation and the surrounding community aspect of it,” Albano said. “It’s exciting to be a part of it and I’m looking forward to it.”
Albano, a Longmeadow resident, is the CEO of East Longmeadow-based Albano & Associates Inc., which according to his proposal to the town, specializes in “representation of clients in governmental affairs on the local, state and federal levels.”
Albano’s firm, which will team with local law firm Dunn and Phillips, P.C., on the project, was selected unanimously by the Board of Selectmen from a pool of four candidates who responded to a request for qualifications (RFQ).
At the Special Town Meeting in October, residents approved the allocation of up to $30,000 for the study, which will be reimbursed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and MGM.
Albano’s bid of $10,000 was significantly lower than his competitors. Urban Analytics Inc. of Alexandria, Va., proposed a price of $17,000, while bids from GZA GEO Environmental of Springfield and Center for Government Research in Rochester, N.Y., came in at $21,500 and $29,500, respectively.
Board of Selectmen Chair Paul Federici said Albano’s experience, coupled with his low price point and partnership with Dunn and Phillips factored into the decision.
“There were a number of things we took into consideration. The qualifications were good for all of the companies. Beyond that, you don’t want to waste the taxpayers’ money and through the competitive bidding process, he came in so much lower,” he said. “You want to know that they have enough people behind them to actually do the job.”
The study, which will encompass all aspects of a Springfield gaming facility, excluding traffic, which is being studied by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, must be completed by Nov. 26 with recommendations on what the town should ask for in impact mitigation negotiations.
“The request for qualifications speaks to the issues of public safety, social services, housing, schools and the business community at large,” Albano said. “There’s also public works and the impact it will have on roads, water lines, sewer lines and water usage. There’s a whole gambit of things that will impact East Longmeadow.”
He added that he offered to help the town with its negotiations with MGM for no additional cost, but “we haven’t reached that point yet.”
Albano said he was the best candidate for the job primarily because he has the most experience with municipal government.
“If you look at the competitors, those who made proposals, I’ll match my credentials against anyone,” he said. “I don’t believe anybody has more municipal experience. I served on the [Springfield] School Committee, I served on the City Council, I was mayor for eight years.”
Albano touted his involvement in school building and road projects, as well as his formation of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission as a separate agency, as well as his experience with the development of large economic engines in Springfield such as the MassMutual Center, the Basketball Hall of Fame and the entertainment district.
“You package all that together and, quite frankly, I’m very comfortable providing advice to East Longmeadow,” he said.
Albano said he planned to devote the majority of his time to the study.
“I said in my proposal that I put everything else on hold and I’m going to go to work essentially full time for the town – 30 hours a week for the next three-plus weeks,” he said. “Basically, I’m going to be a full time employee for the town.”
Addressing his low price, he said the fact that he was centrally located and would not have to be compensated for travel and he was not an attorney with set hourly rates were major factors.
He also said his position on the Governor’s Council did not create any conflicts of interests because members are given exemptions and he would not be dealing directly with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
“I’m dealing with the Board of Selectmen and potentially MGM, but right now just the Board of Selectmen,” he said.
He added timing would also not be a factor as the council is meeting every two weeks as opposed to every week because of the lack of a lieutenant governor.
Former Springfield Mayor Michael Albano takes the oath for Governor's CouncilBOSTON - Former Springfield Mayor Michael J. Albano on Thursday took the oath to join the Governor's Council, becoming the first Hampden county member of the panel in 34 years.
After a swearing-in ceremony led by Senate President Therese Murray in the chambers of the state House of Representatives, Albano lunched on a Caesar salad at the 21st Amendment restaurant.
"I feel great," Albano said. "It's a wonderful opportunity. I plan to take advantage of it and work hard."
Albano, 62, dined with a son, Christopher J. Albano, 21; John A. Lysak, the only Republican on the Springfield City Council and Alexander Freedman of Longmeadow, who was Albano's campaign manager and is a junior at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
"He did an excellent job as mayor," Lysak said. "I figure someone should come up and represent the city, watching the former mayor sworn into a constitutional office."
Albano, a Longmeadow resident, is the first councilor from Hampden County since 1978 when the position was held by Peter H. Lappin, a former Democratic House member from Springfield. A former member of the state Parole Board, Albano was Springfield mayor from 1995 to 2003.
The major job of the eight-member Governor's Council is to vote whether to confirm judicial appointments of the governor.
Albano will represent the eighth district, which includes 96 cities and towns.
In an interview, Albano reiterated that he will only vote for judicial nominees who support affirmative action, gay rights, a woman's right to choose an abortion, and rights for unions and working families. Albano said support for those issues will be his "litmus test" for candidates, in addition to opposition to the death penalty.
Albano was sworn in with other councilors including Robert J. Jubinville, a lawyer from Milton and second district councilor who grew up in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke High School in 1965 and has a legal office in Holyoke.
"Protect the citizens from bad judges," Jubinville said, summing up the work of the council. "That's the whole point."
Albano was elected on Nov. 6, easily defeating Republican Michael Franco of Holyoke.