9-15-2024 5:20am

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

If you have any questions about this
week's report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at
(617) 720-1562.

Beacon
Hill Roll Call

Volume
49 - Report No. 37

September
9-13, 2024

By
Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no
roll calls in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill
Roll Call reports on the percentage of times local senators voted
with their party’s leadership in the 2024 session through September
13.

Beacon Hill Roll Call uses 124 votes
from the 2024 Senate session as the basis for this report. This
includes all roll calls that were not on local issues.

The votes of the 34 Democrats were
compared to Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton),
second-in-command in the Senate. We could not compare the Democrats’
votes to those of Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) because,
by tradition, the Senate president rarely votes.

Fourteen (41.1 percent) of the 34
Democrats voted with Creem 100 percent of the time. Seventeen (50
percent) Democrats voted with Creem at least 90 percent of the time.
Only three Democrats voted with Creem less than 90 percent of the
time

The senator who voted with Creem the
least percentage of times is Sen. Walter Timilty (D-Milton) who voted
with her only 104 times (83.8 percent). Rounding out the top five who
voted with Creem the least percentage of times are Sens. Marc
Pacheco (D-Taunton) 107 times (86.2 percent); Nick Collins
(D-Boston) 110 times (88.7 percent); and Mark Montigny (D-New
Bedford) and Michael Moore (D-Millbury) who each voted with Creem 114
times (91.9 percent)

The votes of the three Republican
senators were compared with those of GOP Senate Minority Leader Bruce
Tarr (R-Gloucester). None of the three voted with Tarr 100 percent of
the time.

Sens. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) voted
with Tarr 113 times (91.1 percent); Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth)
voted with Tarr 117 times (94.3 percent) of the time; and Peter
Durant (R-Spencer) 116 times with Tarr (93.5 percent)

SENATORS’
SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY’S LEADERSHIP IN 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13

The percentage next to the senator’s
name represents the percentage of times the senator supported his or
her party’s leadership so far in 2024 through September 13. The
number in parentheses represents the number of times the senator
opposed his or her party’s leadership

Some senators voted on all 124 roll
call votes. Others missed one or more roll calls. The percentage for
each senator is calculated based on the number of roll calls on which
he or she voted

Sen.
Rebecca Rausch 100 percent (0) Sen. Karen
Spilka President rarely vote

ALSO
UP ON BEACON HILL

DOG KENNEL SAFETY – OLLIE’S LAW
(S 2929) – The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Maura
Healey a bill that would allow the Massachusetts Department of
Agricultural Resources to establish rules and regulations for dog
kennels in the Bay State, to ensure animal welfare, protect consumers
and keep kennel staff safe. A person who violates the regulations
would be fined $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second or
subsequent offense.

Required regulations would include
obtaining a license from the municipality, an annual inspection, dog
to staff ratio specifications, injury reporting, indoor and outdoor
physical facility requirements, insurance and minimal housing and
care requirements.

Supporters said that currently, the
state has no oversight of dog daycare or boarding kennels. They
argued it is estimated that a dog is injured or killed every 9 to 10
days in Massachusetts at these kennels. They noted that many families
have suffered the loss or injury of an animal at a dog daycare or
kennel that could have been prevented by commonsense regulations over
these facilities.

The bill was filed by Sen. Mark
Montigny (D-New Bedford) in memory of “Ollie,” a 7-month-old
labradoodle who was attacked by other dogs at a boarding kennel in
East Longmeadow. Ollie needed round-the-clock care and surgery and
was in the hospital for two months before succumbing to his injuries.
While the facility was shut down by town officials, Ollie’s owner
Ann Baxter was stunned to learn that there were no state regulations
regarding boarding facilities, and soon took up the fight to help
ensure tragedies like this never happen again

"Pets are family who provide
boundless love and affection that we are lucky to receive," said
Montigny. "For this reason, it is critical that we ensure all
businesses entrusted with the care of our family adhere to proper
health and safety protocols no matter what town they operate in
across the commonwealth. Too often, we have heard devastating
stories of pets like Ollie who have been injured or killed due to
negligent care. These people have no place caring for such precious
creatures and it's time that we implement consistent standards across
Massachusetts.

RENAME THE MASSACHUSETTS
REHABILITATION COMMISSION (S 2941) – Gov. Healey signed into law
legislation that would rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation
Commission to MassAbility, a change that supporters say will better
define the agency’s role in supporting residents with disabilities
to live independently. They said the legislation also removes
outdated and offensive terminology in the Massachusetts General Laws
like changing “handicap” to “barrier;” “handicapped” to
“person with a disability;” and “retarded,” to “person with
an intellectual disability.”

Supporters said the name change
reflects the intention to empower individuals living with
disabilities and move away from outdated terminology as the office
undergoes broad changes toward a more expansive model for disability
employment services and independent living.

“Words matter,” said Gov.
Healey. “This legislation ensures that the names and terms we use
accurately reflect the strength and capabilities of the disability
community, supports our goal of helping the people we serve achieve
autonomy and independence and breaks down stigma.”

“The new name MassAbility and
language changes reflect both the state and agency’s commitment to
inclusivity, because we know that words matter,” said Health and
Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “MassAbility represents pride
and self-determination. It’s about rights and equal access. It’s
about building a future and being fully present and counted in the
world.”

“This historic legislation
represents the state’s commitment to propelling the disability
movement forward,” said MassAbility Commissioner Toni Wolf.
“Language has the power to shape people and culture, tackle
stigmas, biases and stereotypes. For too long, the words we’ve used
have not reflected the strengths, resilience and determination of the
disability community. This legislation changes that. We are changing
life in Massachusetts for the better, making it more equitable,
accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.”

ADD 225 LIQUOR LICENSES (H 5039) –
Gov. Healey signed into law a bill adding 225 new alcohol licenses
for the City of Boston over the next three years.

Supporters said the licenses would
be distributed across 13 Boston zip codes, expanding equity for
restaurant owners in historically underrepresented parts of the city
and boosting economic opportunity in communities of color that have
been systemically excluded for decades

They noted that sit-down restaurants
in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, East Boston, Roslindale, West
Roxbury, Hyde Park, Charlestown, Jamaica Plain and the South End now
stand to benefit from the restricted licenses. They said that the
high price tag of up to $600,000 for existing licenses has been a
major obstacle for businesses looking to turn a profit, including in
underserved neighborhoods

“Neighborhood restaurants play
such an essential role in our communities and our economy,"
Healey said. "This bill will lower barriers for Boston
restaurants to provide the services that their customers are looking
for and help them succeed, while also supporting local nonprofits,
theaters and outdoor spaces.

$362 MILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H
5050) – The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a
$362 million to help close out fiscal year 2024. Key provisions
ratify and fund some 38 collective bargaining agreements and direct
$228 million in funding for the American Rescue Plan Act Home and
Community Based Services

Other provisions include $20 million
to replace lost federal funding for victims of violent crimes; $29.7
million in early education and care subsidies to ensure providers can
maintain access for all income-eligible families in need of
childcare; $5.6 million for tax abatements for veterans, widows,
blind persons and the elderly; $5.1 million to support increased
demand for the Healthy Incentives Program which provides fresh
healthy food options and supports local growers; and $2.1 million for
Women, Infants and Children nutrition services to fully support the
current caseload of recipients

“The funding included in this
supplemental budget is critical, as it addresses a number of
important issues affecting residents, invests in workforce
development and ratifies dozens of collective bargaining agreements,”
said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy)

“Today’s funding will ensure
that our workers get the raises they deserve, and that vital support
systems across our state have the resources they need to close out
the fiscal year,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland)

“The essential funding contained
in this supplemental budget will help fund important programs and
approve numerous collective bargaining agreements that will help
essential employees our commonwealth relies on,” said Rep. Aaron
Michlewitz (D-Boston), the chair of the House Committee on Ways and
Means

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"[She] committed gross
misconduct and demonstrated she is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of a Cannabis Control Commission commissioner. I do so with
deep regret because she has a long history of public service, and
when appointed I anticipated she would lead the commission capably
and in an appropriate manner. I expect my appointee’s actions to be
reflective of the important mission of the Cannabis Control
Commission and performed in a manner that incorporates the standards
of professionalism required in today’s work environment."

---State Treasurer Deb Goldberg on
firing Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O'Brien.

"[The firing of O'Brien]
whitewashes the unequivocal evidence that would lead any reasonable
and fair fact finder to conclude that there are no grounds for
removal and would immediately reinstate her to steer the rudderless
shipwreck."

--- Max Stern, the lawyer who
represents O'Brien responding to the firing and indicating O’Brien
will appeal Goldberg's decision to the Supreme Judicial Court.

“Our cities and towns stand
shoulder to shoulder with us in the fight against climate change.
When we partner with them and provide tools and resources, we’re
unstoppable. This news re-affirms that dynamic and is yet another
reason to be proud of Massachusetts.”

---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll commenting
on a report from researchers at the University of Texas and the
University of California-San Diego which cites Massachusetts as a
nationwide leader in food waste reduction.

“Too many kids breathe harmful
pollution every day just to get to and from school. Electric school
buses eliminate this threat to their health.”

--- Deirdre Cummings, Consumer
Program Director of the MASSPIRG Education Fund on MASSPIRG’s
report that 434 clean electric school buses are committed, on their
way or operating in Massachusetts.”

"Greyhound must hit the brakes
on excessive idling. Illegal and excessive idling not only harms our
environment but also harms our health, especially children whose
lungs are still developing. And urban communities suffer
disproportionately from toxic, polluted air."

--- Clare Soria, attorney for the
Conservation Law Foundation, on filing a lawsuit against Greyhound
Lines, Inc. for violating the Clean Air Act by unlawfully idling at
the South Station bus terminal and at its bus lot in South Boston,
releasing toxic emissions into the neighborhood.

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 dozens of bills in the days immediately
preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of Sept. 9-13. the
House met for a total of two hours and 40 minutes and the Senate met
for a total of two hours and 44 minutes.

Mon.
Sept. 9 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:11 a.m.

Senate 11:07 a.m. to
11:14 a.m.

Tues.
Sept. 10 No House session

No Senate session

Wed.
Sept. 11 No House session

No Senate session

Thurs.
Sept .12 House 11:01 a.m. to 1:31 p.m.

Senate 11:07 a.m. to
1:44 p.m.

Fri.
Sept. 13 No House session

No Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at
bob@beaconhillrollcall.com