Beacon Hill Roll Call

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Beacon Hill Roll Call

Volume 47 - Report No. 29

July 18-22, 2022

Copyright © 2022 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE:
Beacon Hill Roll Call records representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of July 18-22.

$52.7 BILLION FISCAL 2023 STATE BUDGET (H 5050)

House 152-0, Senate 40-0, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a $52.7 billion fiscal 2023 state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, including $1.23 billion in unrestricted general government aid to cities and towns, an increase of $63.1 million over last year.

Other provisions include $187 million to fund the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA); $226.2 million for a safety and workforce reserve to address ongoing safety concerns identified by the Federal Transit Administration’s Safety Management Inspection; $441 million for the Special Education Circuit Breaker, reimbursing school districts for the high cost of educating students with disabilities at the mandated 75 percent reimbursement rate; $23 million for homeless student transportation; $1.5 million to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide; and $75.3 million for sexual assault and domestic violence prevention services.

Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said the budget reflects the Senate’s priorities by upholding fiscal responsibility, supporting the everyday needs of our residents and ensuring the state’s economic foundation remains strong. “It builds long-term economic security for the commonwealth by leveraging the state’s strong revenue growth to make significant investments in areas like early education and care, K-12 schools, mental health, workforce development, housing stability and much more," said Rodrigues.

“It provides for a significant increase in local aid for our cities and towns while investing in many critical programs to support our schools, seniors and veterans,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “We find ourselves in the enviable position of having more revenues available than initially anticipated, but that makes it even more important to set spending priorities that are hopefully prudent in the near-term and sustainable moving forward.”

“As Massachusetts residents and businesses continue to face discouraging economic uncertainty, the [budget] responds to the financial challenges facing the commonwealth by balancing a focus on immediate needs such as workforce development, with a focus on long-term investments that are designed to grow our economy in a sustainable way,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).

“Massachusetts is resilient, and this budget helps us create the conditions to continue being resilient into the future,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This budget incorporates the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to save money for a rainy day, invest in support for the most vulnerable among us, and chart a course to ensure that Massachusetts remains a competitive place to innovate for generations to come.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the budget.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

SUSPEND RULES TO ALLOW IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF CLEAN ENERGY BILL (H 5060)

House 126-27, Senate 36-3, approved a motion to suspend the rules so that the House-Senate conference committee version of a clean energy bill can be considered immediately. Under the Legislature’s rules, all conference committee bills must be filed by 8 p.m. the day before they are up for debate and a vote so that legislators have ample time to read the measure. This bill was not filed until 12:11 a.m. on Thursday morning so without suspending the rules, the bill could not be considered until Friday morning.

Supporters of suspending the rules said that it is very important for the environment and to help solve the problem of climate change that this vital bill be up for debate immediately so that it can be sent to Gov. Baker.

“My vote against suspending the rules was simply to ensure that my colleagues were given adequate time to review a lengthy and complex piece of legislation before voting on it, which is why the 8 p.m. rule is in place,” said GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

(A “Yes” vote is for suspension of the rules. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka President rarely votes

CLEAN ENERGY AND REDUCED EMISSIONS (H 5060)

House 143-9, Senate 38-2, approved and sent to Gov. Baker legislation that would expand the clean energy industry and reduce emissions from the transportation and building sectors across the state with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Massachusetts has an opportunity to meet the urgency of the climate crisis through our nation-leading innovation, workforce and energy resources,” said Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin), House chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “This timely and comprehensive piece of legislation is carefully calibrated to provide a portfolio of robust clean energy, including offshore wind and decarbonize our largest-emitting industries, all while attracting a world-class supply chain, intensive workforce training initiatives and the investment necessary to prepare our electric distribution system for the energy needs of the future.”

“The bill dramatically increases the cost of energy in Massachusetts at a time when energy costs already hover at record highs, and the price of all other goods are increasing due to record inflation,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “People won’t be able to afford this legislation, especially the drastic changes that will be needed in older homes. Everyone laments how expensive housing is, yet the Legislature just made housing more expensive by passing this bill.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

CHANGES TO GUN LAWS (H 5046)

House 120-33, approved an amendment that makes changes to the Bay State’s gun laws. The amendment was attached to a separate bond bill. The changes were proposed in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling in in New York Pistol and Riffle vs Bruen, that a state licensing authority could not ask applicants applying for a license to carry firearms to demonstrate they have a special need or proper cause to carry a firearm. The court also ruled that the licensing authority could not have unfettered discretion to decide whether that proper cause existed.

The amendment reflects the court decision and eliminates the requirement that applicants demonstrate a “good reason” to apply for a license to carry and replaces existing, discretionary “may-issue” language with specific objective standards by removing language that gives local police chiefs discretion to decide who is unsuitable for a license. The amendment replaces it with more codified specific standards that require “reliable, articulable and credible information that the applicant has exhibited or engaged in behavior suggesting that, if issued a license, they may create a risk to public safety or a risk of danger to their self or others.”

Other provisions reduce the amount of time a gun license is valid from six to three years; codify a requirement for an in-person interview with a licensing authority before someone can obtain a gun license; and prohibit giving a license to persons currently subject to a temporary or permanent harassment prevention order and persons who pose a risk of danger to themselves or others by having a firearm.

“Today’s action provides our licensing authorities with the clarity they need in the wake of the Bruen decision, and tells them that we continue to believe in them and to rely upon them to ensure that, while responsible gun owners will continue to receive the license to own firearms, those who cannot be entrusted with a deadly weapon will not be legally permitted to possess one,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham).

“The Massachusetts House voted on a judicial technology bond bill that included some drastic changes to the commonwealth’s gun licensing scheme,” was the response posted on the website of the Gun Owner’s Action League (GOAL). “In a surprise move that surprised no one, with no warning the Democratic leadership proposed the amendment, which had nothing to do with the bill, in the morning and by the afternoon rammed it through. Although Republican leadership attempted to block the amendment, in the end it was included and the bill unfortunately passed with, disappointingly, some bipartisan support.”

(A Yes" vote is for the amendment. A "No" vote is against it).

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TAX RELIEF (S 3018)

Senate 40-0, approved a $4.57 billion economic development and tax relief package.

The bill provides $500 million one-time tax rebates to an estimated 2 million eligible people. A $250 rebate would go, by September 30, to individual taxpayers and a $500 rebate to married taxpayers. Eligibility will be determined by annual income reported in 2021, with the minimum income required to be $38,000, and the maximum $100,000 for individual filers and $150,000 for joint filers.

Beginning in 2023, several permanent tax reductions would take effect including increasing the Child and Dependent Care Credit from $180 per child to $310 per child, as well as eliminating the current cap of $360 for two or more children; increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit from 30 percent to 40 percent of the federal credit; increasing the senior circuit breaker tax credit cap from $1,170 to $2,340; increasing the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000; and increasing the estate tax threshold from $1 million to $2 million.

Other provisions include $195 million for nursing facilities and rest homes; $80 million for Community Health Centers; $22.5 million to reduce gun violence; $17.5 million for reproductive and family planning services; $150 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust; $100 million to promote and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles; $150 million to support the production of workforce housing; and $150 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The package also would allow restaurants to offer “happy hour” discounts on alcoholic beverages if a town approves this policy via local option; allow state candidates for public office to use campaign funds for expenses related to child care services; allow some tenants who have been evicted to seal the records of their eviction case; ensure students can obtain academic transcripts for the courses they have completed and paid for, rather than having their entire transcript withheld for outstanding fees; and expand the ability of homeowners to add accessory dwelling units to their property.

“Massachusetts has so much to offer as an innovation hub and education leader in our country, but it’s getting harder and harder to live and work here,” said Sen. Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow), Senate Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “Housing prices are skyrocketing, childcare costs are out of control, inflation is climbing, businesses everywhere are coping with supply-chain issues, and families know that their dollar is not going as far as it did only a few months ago. Today, we passed our economic development bonding bill and tax relief package to bring much-needed financial relief to residents here in Massachusetts. This legislation prioritizes housing, climate resiliency, childcare access, workforce development, downtown revitalization, and the worker of the future. As policymakers, we must be prepared to meet the moment ahead of us and ensure that our commonwealth continues to be a great place to work and live.”

“These crucial changes to our tax code will create much needed targeted relief to families across the commonwealth grappling with how to make ends meet,” said Sen. Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield), Senate chair of the Committee on Revenue. “As prices rise, we need to continue to invest in the people who need it most, including those who make our economy run.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

MORE TAX RELIEF (S 3018)

Senate 7-31, rejected an amendment that would reduce the short-term capital gains tax from 12 percent to 5 percent; increase the no-income tax status threshold from $8,000 to $12,500; and increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000, instead of just to $4,000 which the original bill provides.

Supporters said that the state is sitting on a surplus of more than $3 billion and should return more of that money to taxpayers. They argued the state can easily afford these additional tax cuts that would help taxpayers during this horrible economic time of rising prices of gas, food and just about everything else. They noted that raising the no income tax threshold would align the state with the federal government and provide direct relief to more than 234,000 low-income Massachusetts filers that would no longer have to pay any state income taxes.

Opponents said the state cannot afford the loss of millions of dollars in revenue from this additional tax relief. They listed the many tax cuts that are already in the bill and said the amendment is not necessary.

(A “Yes” vote is for the additional tax relief. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch No Sen. Karen Spilka President rarely votes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A PERSON WITH A NATURAL HAIRSTYLE (H 5028) –The Senate gave final approval to and sent to Gov. Baker a bill that would prohibit any person or entity including educational institutions workplaces and public spaces from implementing any policy that would explicitly target someone who wears their natural hairstyle. The measure defines natural hairstyle as hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists and other formations.

Supporters said this racial discrimination occurs far too often and argued it is time to put a stop to it. They are hopeful the governor will sign the bill which has been worked on for years and has finally made it to the governor’s desk.

Sponsor Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham) said the measure would ensure that students and workers won’t be forced to cut their hair in order to participate in activities or go to work.

GOLD STAR FAMILIES – The Senate approved an amendment filed by Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee chair Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) that would repeal a current law that restricts Gold Star spouses from receiving their annuity if they remarry. The amendment would also increase from $2,000 to $3,000 the annual annuity payment that Gold Star parents and spouses receive annually from the state.

“Not only has the annuity payment level not increased in 16 years, but our commonwealth still has laws on the books that cruelly prohibit spouses from receiving the annuity if they remarry,” said Velis. “Think about how archaic and unfair that is, that we would penalize husband and wives, who have lost their loved ones and sacrificed so much themselves, from trying to continue on with their lives.”

MORATORIUM ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION – The fate of the amendment that imposes a five-year moratorium on any prison or jail construction in Massachusetts is in Gov. Baker’s hands. The ban is part of a $5.2 billion bond bill to repair, modernize and upgrade state buildings.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK'S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature's job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozen s of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of July 18-22, the House met for a total of 15 hours and four minutes and the Senate met for a total of 16 hours and 49 minutes.

Mon. July 18 House 11:03 a.m.to 3:57 p.m.

Senate 1:05 p.m. to 4:42 p.m.

Tues. July 19 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:04 a.m.

No Senate session.

Wed. July 20 House 11:01 a.m. to 12:37 p.m

No Senate session

Thurs. July 21 House 11:02 a.m. to 7:32 p.m.

Senate 10:17 a.m. to 11:29 p.m.

Fri. July 22 No House session

No Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.

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