Ehrlich lauds passage of energy reform package (Marblehead and Swampscott Reporters)

(excerpt) State Rep. Lori A. Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, recently joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve unanimously a comprehensive, best-in-the-nation energy reform bill.

The bill will reduce the state’s use of foreign oil, increase use and production of cleaner, more renewable energy sources, and help save costs at a critical time for consumers, according to Ehrlich.

The Green Communities Act, also unanimously approved by the Senate, became law Wednesday, July 2 when signed by Gov. Deval Patrick during an event at the Museum of Science.

Ehrlich, a longtime advocate for clean energy, lauded the new law.

“Energy policy is one of the most vexing policy areas we now face as a nation, and we must invest in more renewable forms of energy,” said Ehrlich. “As someone who has spent the past 10 years working on energy policy, I am proud to have had the chance to vote on and forward the vitally important energy vision of so many in this state.”

Popular vote is popular among local reps (Matthew K. Roy, Salem News)

The change isn't driven by party politics, said Rep. Lori Ehrlich, a Democrat from Marblehead.

"It's not about electing a Democratic president," Ehrlich said. "It's about electing a president democratically."

Supporters, including Ehrlich and Keenan, argue that candidates devote a disproportionate amount of time to swing states under the current system.

"All the focus and money is going to swing states," Ehrlich said. "Smaller states or states that are presumed to go one way or another (including Massachusetts) are ignored."

In the 2004 presidential election, 75 percent of the campaign money spent was directed toward two states, Ohio and Florida, Ehrlich said. Ninety-nine percent of the money was spent in 12 states, she said.

Federation obtain state funding for 'local retirement community' (Swampscott Reporter)

In this case, the “naturally occurring retirement community” is deemed to stretch from the “Diamond District” along Lynn Shore Drive in Lynn to the Vinnin Square area of Swampscott, Marblehead and Salem.

State Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn, was the lead sponsor in the Senate and state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, was the lead sponsor in the House.

“The NORC program provides vital services for many seniors in our community,” said McGee. “I am very pleased that by working together we were able to secure this important funding and continue bringing this quality program directly to the homes of many seniors who rely on it.”

"The Front Porch program is so much more than just providing in-home health and safety services for seniors," said Ehrlich. "As program participants and coordinators enthusiastically engage in joint activities like tending to a vegetable garden, cooking regional specialties and learning computer skills, it's easy to see the bonds of community take hold."

The neighborhoods covered house a predominantly elderly population, but JFS of the North Shore saw a lack of services to that population. The “Front Porch”NORC program fills the void by addressing primary causes of preventable institutionalization without duplicating existing senior services. By connecting isolated seniors with community resources, “Front Porch” fosters an environment in which residents can support one another and remain comfortably in their homes.

Energy bill could bail out Salem (Tom Dalton, Salem News)

SALEM — A bill moving through the Legislature would use money from a renewable energy trust fund to aid Salem in the likely event future payments drop from the city's largest taxpayer, the coal-and-oil-fired Salem Harbor Station power plant. (...)

The energy bill, including the aid to Salem, appears to have broad support. For example, state Rep. Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead, one of the founders of the North Shore environmental group HealthLink, is on board.

"I think it's appropriate to have the state help the host communities to help protect their tax base," she said.

Ehrlich addresses Kennedy School students (Marblehead and Swampscott Reporter)

Marblehead - Massachusetts state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, of the 8th Essex District was the keynote speaker at the May 8 graduation ceremony for the Women and Public Policy Program yearlong, non-partisan training program, From Harvard Square to Oval Office. Ehrlich was an active member of the 2005 Oval Office cohort, while she earned her master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

(...)

Ehrlich noted, “Right now, women represent just under 25 percent of the Massachusetts Legislature, an improvement over years past but still not nearly a representative sample of the population. These female trailblazers come from both sides of the political aisle and work on issues across the policy spectrum. In the legislature and elsewhere, whether in the spotlight or not, there are so many courageous women who illuminate a better path for everyone — for my daughters, for all of our sons and daughters, for everyone.”

Ehrlich: Let public voice say on casinos (The Lynn Item)

LYNN - Lori Ehrlich's future constituents were split over the question of bringing casino gambling to Massachusetts when she started campaigning last winter for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. But by the time she won the election in March, they were heavily opposed to the idea.

Ehrlich isn't sure what caused the public opinion shift, but she knows the issue was on the mind of almost every voter she met in Lynn, Marblehead and Swampscott.

"People talked about it at every campaign stop I made," she said by way of explaining Friday why she likes House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi's suggestion to place the casino question before the voters.

"My overall impression is that it would be interesting to see what people think," she said.

An up or down vote for gambling would not carry the weight of law; rather DiMasi views it as a way to gauge public opinion on an issue that divided the speaker and Gov. Deval Patrick during the winter. Ehrlich agrees.

Swampscott hoping for state money for Humphrey Street Improvements by Debra Glidden

SWAMPSCOTT - The town could receive $150,000 from the state to make improvements to Humphrey Street.

State Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), who was elected March 3 to fill Douglas Petersen's unexpired term, had initially earmarked $350,000 for improvements to Humphrey Street.

"I worked very closely with Town Administrator Andrew Maylor on assessing the needs of the town," she said. "He flagged this as something that is long overdue."

State rep's 'late-inning heroics' deliver Village reimbursement  (Marblehead Reporter by Kris Olson)

 Marblehead - Article 2 held a surprise for Town Meeting attendees Monday. The annual article, entitled “Reports of Town Officers and Committees,” generally offers important but not exactly earth-shattering updates from heads of town boards or departments.

This year was different, however. School Committee Chairwoman Amy Drinker invoked the name of no less than local sports icon David Ortiz to describe state Rep. Lori Ehrlich’s efforts on behalf of the town in securing a commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority to reimburse at least 40 percent of the cost of repairs at the Village School.

“In her short time on Beacon Hill, [Ehrlich] has matched any of Big Papi’s clutch Red Sox performances,” Drinker said.

Tax hikes approved for school projects OK'd (Boston Globe by Jonathan Laidler)

The $395,000 approved by Town Meeting would pay for a feasibility study to assess potential solutions to the Glover School's needs, including the district's proposal for a new school. That study is necessary to seek state reimbursement for the project.
The district did not anticipate receiving state reimbursement for the Village Street project, which calls for the replacement of the building's deteriorating mechanical systems and roof, and the installation of sprinklers.

But as a result of discussions involving School Building Authority and Marblehead officials and state Representative Lori A. Ehrlich, the authority agreed to reimburse the town at least 40 percent for project costs, said Blackmer. The authority will not require a feasibility study because of the work the town has already done.

School projects get overwhelming Town Meeting support  by Kris Olson

Marblehead - Seldom was heard a discouraging word about two school construction projects at Tuesday night’s session of Town Meeting.

Needing a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting to advance to a town-wide election, both the Glover School feasibility study and the Village School rehabilitation project got that support and then some. Though the results were hardly in doubt, Moderator Gary Spiess went through the formality of having tellers count the yeas and nays and announced margins of “over 500 in favor” of the Glover School project and only 15 opposed, and a count of 505-3 for the Village School project.

A new feature of The Marblehead Reporter: "Coffee with your State Rep: An Eventful First Month" by Linda Weltner

“The typical incoming class is much larger, so orientation is usually more formal,” said Lori Ehrlich, who has been the state representative from Marblehead, Swampscott and part of Lynn for all of one month. “I love the pace, though, and instead of big group presentations, I was able to enjoy quite a bit of one-on-one time with Speaker DiMasi, Governor Patrick, and various committee chairs and colleagues.”

Council on Aging gets new handicapped passenger van (Marblehead Reporter)

The vehicle is equipped to transport people in wheelchairs and others needing assistance and can accommodate eight to 10 persons. The total cost of the vehicle is $40,070.

“This is an exciting example of how all levels of government and the not-for-profit sector can work together to insure that mobility is available for all citizens no matter what their circumstances,” said state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead.

Added North Shore Elder Services Executive Director Paul J. Lanzikos, “In the annual needs survey of North Shore older adults, transportation always is at the top of list. We are very pleased to be part of the effort to add the fleet of safe and reliable vehicles available for older adults and disabled persons in Marblehead, Peabody and Salem.”

COA Director Pat Roberts indicated that the new van would allow the COA to continue run the transportation program when one of the other vehicles currently used by the COA requires maintenance or repairs.

“We have always had to cancel rides for seniors when a van needed work, which created difficulty for those needing the transportation,” she explained. “Now we can continue to operate without canceling rides.”