10-20-2024 4:48am

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

Beacon
Hill Roll Call

Volume
49 - Report No. 42

October
14-18, 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 looks at Question 3, one
of the five questions on the ballot that will be decided directly by
the voters in November.

The
question asks voters if they approve of a proposed law that
would allow drivers for Lyft and Uber, and any other companies that
use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged
transportation, to collectively bargain to create negotiated
recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions
of work. Drivers would not be required to engage in any union
activities.

Companies
would be allowed to form multi-company associations to represent them
when negotiating with the union. The state would supervise the labor
activities permitted by the proposed law and would have
responsibility for approving or disapproving the negotiated
recommendations.

WHAT
SUPPORTERS SAY: “Voting
‘Yes’ on Question 3 is about giving these Massachusetts rideshare
drivers what nearly every other worker in the state has: the option
to join a union,” Roxana Rivera, co-chair on the Yes on 3 Coalition
told Beacon Hill Roll Call “We know this is what our state’s
rideshare drivers want. A recent driver survey showed 95 percent
support for the option to join a union and Question 3 won’t force
any rideshare drivers to join the union if they don’t want to.
Seventy percent of voters support Question 3, according to a
just-concluded
poll of likely 2024
voters.
Nationally, unions are more popular than they’ve been in
generations.”

On
its website, the “Vote ‘Yes’ on 3 Committee” says,
“The
option to join a union is guaranteed for most workers but rideshare
drivers don't have that choice. Drivers are struggling to
support their families despite working in a billion-dollar industry.
After expenses, they take home less than $15 an hour, the minimum
wage, with no protections against arbitrary deactivations that make
it impossible to support their families. Vote ‘Yes’ on Question 3
to ensure drivers can challenge these unfair practices.”

WHAT
OPPONENTS SAY: Paul Craney, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts
Fiscal Alliance, told Beacon Hill Roll Call that although the
alliance is not a ballot questions committee, “[we] authored the
voter guide (red book) summary because we are ideologically opposed
to the ballot question and wanted to make sure the voters had both
sides of the story available to them before making a decision.”

Craney
continued, “No group from the affected industries has stepped
forward to oppose this ballot question. The way this ballot question
is currently written potentially violates state and federal labor law
and if passed by the voters, would most likely result in a prolonged
legal battle before this potential law is changed.”

On
its website, the alliance says, “The
passage of this question will allow state government to set the wages
for these private companies, and ultimately force drivers to pay dues
into a union they don’t want and that they have little control
over. This is possible because this question artificially lowers the
threshold required to call a unionization vote from the normal 30
percent of employees to just 2.5 percent. Not only is this unfair to
drivers, but this is also a violation of long-established federal
labor laws and will likely open the state up to lawsuits and
litigation in the future, if passed.”

OFFICIAL
ARGUMENTS: Here are the official arguments, gathered by the secretary
of state, for each side of the question.

IN
FAVOR: Written by Roxana Rivera, United for Justice,
www.DriversNeedUnion.org

“A
‘Yes’ vote will give Massachusetts rideshare drivers, who work
for companies like Uber and Lyft, the option to join a union while
also maintaining driver flexibility and independence. The option to
join a union is guaranteed for most workers but rideshare drivers
currently don’t have that choice. Vote ‘Yes’ to allow rideshare
drivers the option to choose a union.”

AGAINST:
Written by Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, www.massfiscal.org

“Drivers
and riders urge ‘No’ on Question 3 which would raise the prices
for all riders, funding union pockets, not drivers’ pockets. This
law gives politicians the right to set rules with no accountability
and creates a new radical labor category that is inconsistent with
federal labor law.

Drivers
in Massachusetts already receive
base
[pay] of $32.50 per hour with yearly increases; paid sick leave; paid
family medical leave; healthcare stipend; on-the-job injury
insurance; anti-discrimination protections; domestic violence leave;
anti-retaliation protections; and an appeals process.

Question
3 does not really create bargaining for workers. Drivers will have no
control over leadership of the union and will pay significant dues
without real representation. This proposal is not fair to drivers and
allows just 2.5 percent of drivers to force unionization and leaves
many drivers without a voice.”

ALSO
UP ON BEACON HILL

DON’T
MISS THIS HEALTH CARE EVENT - The Steward Health Care bankruptcy has
shocked Massachusetts' healthcare system, creating challenges and
raising questions about the future of primary care, urgent care and
behavioral health.

On
Oct. 30, join top executives, legislative leaders, regulators and
advocates for a discussion on the system's vulnerabilities and
potential policy solutions at the Massachusetts Continuing Legal
Education (MCLE) Conference Center in Boston. This event is hosted by
the State House News Service and MASSterList.

For
More information and/or to register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urgent-treatment-mass-health-care-after-steward-tickets-1038286622237?aff=oddtdtcreator

CLIMATE
AND ENERGY BILL – Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin) and Sen. Mike Barrett
(D-Lexington), co-chairs of the Committee
on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy,
announced that their conference committee is finalizing details of a
compromise version of different versions of House and Senate bills
that make changes in the comprehensive climate and clean energy
siting and permitting practices.

“We
are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement in principle
that resolves the differences between the House and Senate versions
of the comprehensive climate and clean energy siting and permitting
legislation,” said Roy and Barrett in a joint statement.
“Massachusetts must continue to be a national leader in the effort
to combat climate change, a prerequisite for which will be
transitioning to a clean energy economy and creating high-quality
jobs in the process. That’s why our respective teams are working
diligently to file the conference report in the coming days, with the
goal of sending these critical reforms to the governor's desk for her
signature as soon as possible.”

"Gov.
Healey is excited that the Legislature has reached an agreement on
this critical climate bill that will strengthen Massachusetts' global
leadership in creating clean energy jobs and reducing costs," a
spokesperson for Healey said. "She looks forward to receiving
it."

“For
Massachusetts to truly be a leader on climate change, equitable
siting reform and curbing the expansion and overspending in our gas
system must be priorities for lawmakers,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan,
Vice President of the
Conservation Law Foundation Massachusetts.
“We’re eager to see what is included in this bill and will
continue to advocate for the necessary changes to slash
climate-damaging pollution, meet our climate targets and ensure new
clean energy infrastructure avoids burdening those of low to
moderate-income and communities of color.”

$19.2
MILLION FOR PREPAREDNESS AGAINST TERRORIST ACTS – The Healey
administration announced
that
state agencies and Regional Homeland Security Advisory Councils
representing all areas of Massachusetts will receive $19.2 million to
strengthen the state’s resilience and preparedness against
terrorist acts.

“This
grant program allows our administration to identify evolving threats
to our state and invest in measures to be better prepared to prevent
and respond to threats and critical incidents,” said Gov. Maura
Healey. “We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for
prioritizing the safety of our communities through these
investments.”

“Preparedness
is our greatest protection against threats,” said Public Safety and
Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “Collaboration across all
levels of government combined with the necessary funding ensure that
our cities and towns are prepared to respond and equipped to prevent
potential emergencies. This grant is critical to safeguarding our
communities and ensuring a coordinated, effective response in times
of need.”

$1.75
MILLION IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION GRANTS – Gov. Healey
announced the awarding of $1.75 million in Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grants to 45 municipalities across Massachusetts
to fund 29 clean energy initiatives that help municipalities meet
their own climate goals and share the benefits of climate action
equitably.

“Massachusetts’
cities and towns are on the front lines fighting climate change, and
we are committed to supporting their efforts through funding like
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and more broadly
through our Green Communities Program,” said Executive Office
of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These
grants will help municipalities reduce their use of harmful fossil
fuels, protect local governments from energy price volatility and
help build more resilient communities.”

“Energy
efficiency and building decarbonization is core to our strategy to
combat climate change and lower energy costs,” said Department
of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “With this
funding, 45 communities will get another chance to reduce their
energy needs and municipal budgets. The energy manager seed funds
will help many communities who want to act but lack the resources to
plan expansive energy projects leverage additional funding.”

ATTORNEY
GENERAL’S OFFICE SEEKS INPUT ON DRAFTING OF ASSISTED LIVING
RESIDENCES REGULATIONS - Attorney
General Andrea Campbell’s office announced it is seeking public
feedback on the drafting of consumer protection regulations for
assisted living residences in Massachusetts. Members of the public
can provide comments to the office through an online form, available
here.

“We
know the best way to serve our constituents is by listening to
them,” said Campbell. “Every resident
of an assisted living facility has the right to live
in a safe and habitable environment, free from abuse, neglect and
exploitation. Our older adults deserve to age safely with
dignity and respect, which is why creating consumer protection
regulations for assisted living facilities is so important and
responsive to their advocacy.”

Assisted
living residences are designed for older adults who can live
independently in a home-like environment, but may need help with
daily activities like housekeeping, bathing or medication assistance.
According to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, more than 17,000
people currently live in these residences in Massachusetts and have
various options available to them.

QUOTABLE
QUOTES

“We
shouldn’t pollute our air and endanger our health just by doing
everyday yard work. We have better options. It’s good to see more
cities and states across the country take action to improve our
health and quality of life by switching away from dirty gas lawn
mowers and leaf blowers.”

---
Janet Domenitz, MASSPIRG Education Fund Director, unveiling a study
showing nationwide progress on transitioning away from gas-powered
lawn equipment.

“The
significant decline in recidivism rates reflects the Department’s
focus on evidence-based practices and strategic interventions
designed to support successful reentry into society. Reducing
recidivism not only benefits those who are reintegrating but also
enhances public safety across Massachusetts.”

---Public
Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy on the release of the
Department of Corrections’ Annual Recidivism Report showing that
the recidivism rate
decreased from 29 percent to 26 percent.

"Our
noses are to the grindstone, we're trying to identify the right
people through the [request for proposals] process to plan, address
and get it online. Because once we go online, we want it to be
perfect.”

---State
Treasurer Deb Goldberg on the expected launch of the state’s
Lottery online in April 2026. The original launch date was supposed
to be in late 2025.

“I’m
excited to announce the launch of Uplift Salem, our guaranteed income
pilot program to help directly address poverty in our community and
contribute to the growing evidence from across the nation about the
efficacy of these types of initiatives… Hopefully, the outcome of
this year-long effort will be to add to the momentum for greater
state and federal support for these programs, and most importantly,
to lift up some of our most vulnerable neighbors here in Salem.”

---Salem
Mayor Dominick Pangallo on the launch of Uplift Salem, a guaranteed
income pilot that will invest $500 a month in 100 Salem residents for
one year. Participants will be able to spend the cash however they
want. The total cost of the pilot, which is funded through American
Rescue Plan Act dollars and a private contribution through
UpTogether, is $685,000.

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 October 14-18, the House met for a total of one hour and
32 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 29 minutes.

Mon.
Oct. 14 No House session

No
Senate session

Tues.
Oct. 15 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:11 a.m.

Senate
11:19 a.m. to 11:33 a.m.

Wed.
Oct. 16 No House session

No
Senate session

Thurs.
Oct. 17 House 11:04 a.m. to 12:26 p.m.

Senate
11:06 a.m. to 11:21 a.m.

Fri.
Oct. 18 No House session

No
Senate session

Bob
Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com