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New law extends foreclosure notification period
A new state law provides a 90-day cooling off period for Massachusetts
homeowners facing the prospect of foreclosure.
The law, which took effect last Thursday, requires that lenders give
borrowers 90 days after a notice of delinquency to resolve their debt.
The previous law required only 30 days’ notice.
Gov. Deval Patrick says the new rules are aimed at avoiding unnecessary
foreclosures and allowing more people to stay in their homes. He’s
asking lenders to use the 90-day period to restructure as many loans as
possible.
As of July 1, the new law will also require the licensing of all mortgage loan originators.
A recent report by the Warren Group, a Boston-based publisher of real
estate data, said foreclosure deeds in Massachusetts more than doubled
last month compared with the same month a year ago.
Patrick taps corrections vet to head criminal information board
Gov. Deval Patrick is appointing a veteran corrections official to head
the state’s Criminal History Systems Board.
Curtis Wood of Winthrop had served as the board’s deputy executive
director since 2002 before the governor announced his elevation to
executive director last Thursday.
Wood now oversees a $6.3 million budget and is responsible for Criminal
Offender Record Information services — known as CORI information — as
well as the Criminal Justice Information System and the daily operation
of the agency.
Wood previously was the commanding officer of the Department of
Correction Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Governor’s Warrant Task
Force.
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Public-interest group warns against utility cuts for poor
A moratorium against shutting off utility service during the cold
weather has ended, raising the chances that low-income Massachusetts
residents could lose their electric or natural gas service.
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) — a nonprofit group that
arranges fuel assistance — said last Friday that up to 100,000
households could be affected after the moratorium ended May 1.
State officials aren’t sure of the number, but say they’re working to reduce it.
Homeowners have until May 16 to sign up for ABCD assistance programs.
Meanwhile, the state is examining how to expand discount programs,
reviewing termination regulations and promoting participation in
energy-efficiency programs by low-income residents.
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Embattled speaker DiMasi proposes secure voting system
House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi is proposing a secure voting program
following allegations that one lawmaker made votes while out of the
country.
State Rep. Charles Murphy, a Burlington Democrat, reportedly voted
seven times in April even though he was in the Virgin Islands.
Such “phantom voting” is prohibited by House rules.
DiMasi won approval last Friday on an order calling for a nine-member
committee — consisting of three DiMasi appointees, three by the House
Republican leader, the House clerk, House counsel and chief information
officer — to issue recommendations by July 30.
The state Republican Party has called on the attorney general to
investigate allegations against DiMasi. It says DiMasi should not rely
on the House to reform itself.
(Associated Press)
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