9-22-2024 4:50am

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. 38

September
16-20, 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 representatives
voted with their party’s leadership in the 2024 session through
September 20.

Beacon Hill Roll Call uses 101 votes
from the 2024 House session as the basis for this report. This
includes all roll calls that were not quorum calls or votes on local
issues. Quorum calls are used to gather a majority of members onto
the House floor to conduct business and members simply vote "present"
in order to indicate their presence in the chamber.

The votes of the 2024 membership of
24 Republicans were compared with those of GOP House Minority Leader
Brad Jones (R-North Reading). The votes of the 2024 membership of 132
Democrats were compared to House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).

THE DEMOCRATS: A total of 112 (84.8
percent) of the 132 Democrats voted with Mariano 100 percent of the
time. There were only 20 Democratic representatives who voted
differently than Mariano on any roll calls.

The two Democratic representative
who voted the most times against Mariano were Reps. Colleen Garry
(D-Dracut) who voted with Mariano only 78 times (82.1 percent of the
time) and David Robertson (D-Tewksbury) who voted with Mariano only
85 times (84.1 percent). All other representatives voted with Mariano
at least 92 percent of the time.

THE REPUBLICANS: A total of five
(20.8 percent) of the 24 GOP members voted with Jones 100 percent of
the time. The two Republican representatives who voted the most
times against Jones were Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) who voted
with Jones only 69 times (74.1 percent of the time) and Nick Boldyga
(R-Southwick) who voted with Jones only 71 times (74.7 percent pf the
time). All other representatives voted with Jones at least 94.9
percent of the time.

THE UNENROLLED: Rep. Susannah Whipps
(U-Athol) is the only unenrolled House member and is not affiliated
with either the Republican or Democratic party. We based her voting
record on how many times she voted with Democratic House Speaker Ron
Mariano.

REPRESENTATIVES’
SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY’S LEADERSHIP IN 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20

The percentage next to the
representative’s name represents the percentage of times the
representative supported his or her party’s leadership so far in
2024 through September 20. The number in parentheses represents the
number of times the senator opposed his or her party’s leadership.

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

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy 100 percent (0)

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

USE INTEREST FROM STATE’S “RAIN
DAY FUND” TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDS (S 2954) - The House and Senate
approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey legislation that would
leverage the interest from the state's Rainy Day Fund to better
compete for federal dollars, to ensure the state receives the maximum
possible share of federal funds and to pay down the state’s long
term debt liabilities. The Rainy Day Fund currently has a historic
balance of $8.2 billion.

Supporters said the bill would
require the state comptroller to transfer interest from the Rainy Day
Fund to the Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund on
a quarterly basis if the Rainy Day balance contains a healthy amount
of money. The Secretary of Administration and Finance would then
pursue federal funds for infrastructure, resiliency and economic
development.

“This final legislation …
increases our commonwealth’s ability to compete for federal funds
while also paying down our debt obligations,” said Rep. Jack Lewis
(D-Framingham), Chair of the House Committee on Federal Stimulus and
Census Oversight.

“The needs of the public are
ever-changing when it comes to the infrastructure of the state, and
to be able to keep up with the needs of our residents is imperative
when it comes to accomplishing important public purposes,” said
Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “Public safety and
convenience will ensure that the roles that we all have continue to
operate smoothly and keep Massachusetts on the national stage as a
competitive economy.”

“Remaining competitive, equitable
and affordable as a commonwealth means thinking creatively about our
state’s finances and seizing opportunities,” said Senate
President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “We have been fiscally prudent
in building up the largest rainy day funds in Massachusetts’
history, which allows us to leverage our robust interest earnings to
compete for federal dollars that will help us strengthen our
infrastructure.”

“Ensuring that the commonwealth is
able to aggressively compete for the federal funding being made
available to states is critical,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano
(D-Quincy). “The projects and investments that will be funded
across the United States because of the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act
will transform this country and create a significant number of jobs
in the process. It’s vital that Massachusetts does everything that
it can to share in that prosperity."

$362 MILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H
5050) – Gov. Healey signed into law a $362 million budget to help
close out fiscal year 2024 that ended on July 31. 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 before a deadline that would require
Massachusetts to return the money to Washington, D.C.

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.

ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPBELL’S YOUTH
COUNCIL - Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced the creation of
the first-ever Youth Council to advise her office about critical
issues facing youth and help the council members build skills as
leaders and advocates. The council would be comprised of 18 members
between the ages of 14-18 from regions across the state.

Supporters say the council will
offer their perspective to help inform and advise the Attorney
General’s Office on issues that affect them, including bias and
discrimination, mental health, social media use, anti-bullying,
school safety, environmental justice, gun violence prevention and
government accountability.

“Our young people are our next
generation of leaders,” said Campbell. “Far too often, they are
left out of conversations about issues that directly impact them. As
a mother of two boys, I am fully committed to addressing the
challenges facing our youth, and as your Attorney General, I’m
proud to seek out young voices to inform our work in these spaces.”

"I’m excited to be part of
the … Youth Council because it provides me with a unique
opportunity to learn how the Attorney General and state government
address matters that are important to young people,” said Youth
Council Member Victoria Mukiibi. “Through my past community
involvement, I have come to appreciate the importance of youth
engagement. I’m eager to collaborate with my peers to add our
voices to the conversations that shape decisions that impact our
communities.”

TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM - The
Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) announced it will
administer a tax amnesty program that will run from November 1
through December 30, 2024. The program was part of the fiscal 2025
budget approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Healey
on July 29.

“I urge individuals and businesses
to take this opportunity to voluntarily pay their back taxes and
interest beginning November 1,” said Geoffrey Snyder, Commissioner
of Revenue. “The program is a significant step to help taxpayers
come into compliance, including non-filers.”

According to the DOR, the amnesty
program will allow non-filers and taxpayers with outstanding tax
liabilities to catch up on back taxes and save on penalties. The
program aims to bring into compliance those taxpayers who have failed
to file returns or have unpaid assessments. Taxpayers who meet
certain criteria must request amnesty, file returns and pay
outstanding tax and interest liabilities to have eligible penalties
waived. Additionally, non-filers or individuals who failed to file
required returns with DOR, may benefit from a three-year limited
look-back period.

For more information and details, go
to
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-tax-amnesty-2024?auHash…

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Gov. Maura Healey and Attorney
General Andrea Campbell released updated guidance to K-12 schools on
how to address hate and bias-motivated incidents consistent with
their legal obligations.

According to the report, “The
guidance comes amid a rise in antisemitism, racism, anti-LGBTQ+ hate,
Islamophobia and hate across the globe, the country and Massachusetts
– including a rise in hate-fueled assaults, incidents of white
supremacist propaganda, discriminatory bullying and harassment in
Massachusetts K-12 schools.”

The report continued, “The
guidance has been specifically updated to help school districts
distinguish between protected student speech and unprotected bullying
and harassment. It reminds school districts of their legal
obligations to allow for discourse and expression of different
viewpoints while also promptly investigating and responding to any
and all incidents of alleged harassment or bullying. It also calls on
school districts to take affirmative steps to create school
environments that are safe and inclusive for all students and prevent
hate and bias incidents from occurring.”

To report a school-based incident of
hate or bias, individuals may contact the Attorney General’s Civil
Rights Division online at
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-civil-rights-complaint or at
617-963-2817.

Here are some of the comments by
various government officials on the report:

“It pains me to see the rise in
antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ+ hate, racism, Islamophobia and hate
happening across our state, our country and the world. I’m
particularly concerned about the prevalence of hate and violence in
our schools. I know that our communities are hurting, and they are
frightened. Attorney General Campbell and I are issuing this guidance
to send a clear message that hate has no place in Massachusetts –
especially not in our schools. This guidance and these grants are
giving our schools the tools they need to better prevent and respond
to hate. Together, we can ensure that our schools are safe,
welcoming, inclusive environments for all students.

---Gov. Maura Healey.

“Our administration strongly
condemns hate of all kinds. But with hate crimes on the rise across
our state, it’s essential that we act. This guidance empowers
schools to better prevent hate, support the mental health and
wellbeing of their students and celebrate our amazing, diverse and
inclusive communities.”

---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

“It’s crucial that our schools
take a firm stand against hate, discrimination and bullying while
also protecting students’ rights to free speech and expression,
particularly in the context of ongoing violence both here and
abroad.”

---Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

“Schools should be places where
all students, staff and families are welcomed, and diversity is
championed. Here in Massachusetts, we stand firmly against hate –
and we are backing up that commitment by delivering this guidance and
these investments, so schools are equipped with the tools and
knowledge they need to foster safe and inclusive environments that
allow every student to feel supported and thrive.”

---Education Secretary Dr. Patrick
Tutwiler.

“These grants are important
investments in building safe and respectful school communities where
all students are known and valued. Both the hate crimes prevention
and genocide education grants are built on avoiding the mistakes of
the past and recognizing the dignity in everyone.”

--- Acting Commissioner of
Elementary and Secondary Education Russell D. Johnston.

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.16-20, the
House met for a total of two hours and 23 minutes and the Senate met
for a total of two hours and 23 minutes.

Mon.
Sept. 16 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:07 a.m.

Senate 11:08 a.m. to
11:14 a.m.

Tues.
Sept. 17 No House session

No Senate session

Wed.
Sept. 18 No House session

No Senate session

Thurs.
Sept .19 House 11:01 a.m. to 1:17 p.m.

Senate 11:08 a.m. to
1:25 p.m.

Fri.
Sept. 20 No House session

No Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at
bob@beaconhillrollcall.com