11-10-2024 4:03am

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

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week's report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at
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Beacon
Hill Roll Call

Volume
49 -Report No. 45

November
4-8, 2024

By
Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill
Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from
budget vetoes by Gov. Maura Healey. There were no roll calls in the
House or Senate last week.

$1.5
MILLION FOR BEST LENDING PRACTICES AND FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS (H 4800)

House 135-23, overrode Gov. Healey’s
veto of the entire $1.5 million for the operation of a grant program
for best lending practices, first-time homeowner counseling for
nontraditional loans and at least ten foreclosure education centers.

The Senate did not act on the veto
so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated.

“I am striking language for an
earmark not consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov.
Healey in her veto message. “The reduction in the item incorporates
the amount of the stricken earmarked funds. This funding level will
continue to support consumer counseling programs.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5
million. A “No” vote is against it.

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

$250,000
FOR FINANCIAL LITERACY (H 4800)

House 154-4, overrode Gov. Healey’s
veto of the entire $250,000 for a competitive grant program to school
districts to support the implementation of financial literacy
standards for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

The Senate did not act on the veto
so the veto stands and the $250,000 was eliminated.

“I am vetoing this item to an
amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov.
Healey in her veto message. “Other sources of funding for financial
literacy appropriated in this budget will mitigate the effects of
this veto.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the
$250,000. A “No” vote is against it.

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

$2
MILLION FOR INCREASING PARTICIPATION IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES (H
4800)

House 154-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s
veto of $2 million (reducing funding from $3.3 million to $1.3
million) for a program to increase student participation and
performance in advanced placement courses, particularly among
underserved populations, to prepare students for college and career
success in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and English

The Senate did not act on the veto
so the veto stands and the $2 million was eliminated.

“I am reducing this item to an
amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov.
Healey in her veto message.

(A “Yes” vote is for the $2
million. A “No” vote is against it.

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

ALSO
UP ON BEACON HILL

Here are the unofficial results on
the five questions on the November ballot

According to the Secretary of
State’s website:

Elections results are often
separated into two categories: unofficial and official.

Unofficial results are announced by
local poll workers shortly after the polls close on Election Night.
These results are typically shared with media organizations and may
even be posted online by local election officials. Unofficial results
are subject to change as additional ballots are counted and tallies
are confirmed. The secretary of state does not publish unofficial
election results on its website.

Official results are final election
results that have been certified by local city and town clerks and
submitted to the secretary of state’s office which reviews them and
then publishes them on its website.

QUESTION #1 (approved 71.6 percent
to 28.4 percent) asked voters if they approved of a proposed law that
would allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We’re
grateful that more than 71 percent of Massachusetts voters stood up
for a more transparent and accountable Legislature focused on making
life better in the commonwealth,” said a spokesperson for Yes on 1.
“Our campaign brought together advocates, community leaders and
everyday people from across the political spectrum who worked
together to pass this important reform. We especially thank Auditor
Diana DiZoglio for championing this issue, and the voters for
overwhelmingly supporting it.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “Consistent with
how the Legislature has moved forward with every voter-approved
ballot question in the past, we will consider next steps regarding
how to best respect the Question 1 election results in a manner that
aligns with the fundamental principles of the Massachusetts
Constitution, including separation of powers,” said Senate
President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano in a joint
statement

In the meantime, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio wasted no time in notifying House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, a mere three days after the election, that she is reviving her audit of the Legislature which met a roadblock in March 2023 when the two legislative leaders refused to provide her office with information for the audit. This refusal led to the ballot question which was championed by DiZoglio.

In a November 8 letter to Mariano and Spilka, DiZoglio said the audit "will cover all of the topics we were unable to fully review in our previous audit, due to your refusal to participate in the audit process." DiZoglio set a deadline of November 11 for the Legislature to provide the materials she requested.

"Our work will start with a review of high-risk areas, such as state contracting and procurement procedures, the use of taxpayer-funded nondisclosure agreements, and a review of your balance forward line item - including a review of all relevant financial receipts and information," DiZoglio wrote. "Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the General Laws of the General Laws requires organizations being audited to provide our audit team with books, documents and other records pertaining to the audit. We may also make inquiries regarding audit issues with the members of your staff responsible for the functions involved in this audit, and request, from management, written confirmation of statements your staff made to us during the audit."

In March 2023, House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) said in a letter to DiZoglio, “That your office has the legal authority to conduct an audit of the General Court is a claim entirely without legal support or precedent, as it runs contrary to multiple, explicit provisions of the Massachusetts Constitution, and is wholly unnecessary as the public currently has full and ready access to the House's financial information.”

“All of the House's accounts are available on the Commonwealth's Financial Records Transparency Platform (“CTHRU”) webpage, which can be viewed at www.macomptroller.org/cthru,” continued the letter. “There are no expenditures of the House that are not posted on CTHRU and available for public inspection. Additionally, the House adopts rules for each legislative session, including a rule that requires all House accounts to be independently audited on an annual basis in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and that the audit report be filed with the House Clerk for public inspection.”

QUESTION #2 (approved 59 percent to
41 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would
eliminate the current requirement that in order to get a high school
diploma, a student must pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive
Assessment System (MCAS) tests in mathematics, science, technology
and English.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “In passing
Question 2, Massachusetts voters have proclaimed that they are ready
to let teachers teach, and students learn, without the onerous
effects of a high-stakes standardized test undermining the mission of
public education: to prepare all students for future success as
citizens, workers and creative, happy adults,” said Massachusetts
Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb
McCarthy in a joint statement. “For years, educators in classrooms
across the commonwealth have been voicing concerns about the harmful
impact of the MCAS graduation requirement. Students who were passing
their courses were being denied diplomas because of this requirement.
Educators were forced to narrow the curriculum in order to teach to
the high-stakes test.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “While we are
disappointed with the result, the discussion about educational equity
and academic standards does not end with this vote,” said John
Schneider, Chair of Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2.
“Eliminating the graduation requirement without a replacement is
reckless. The passage of Question 2 opens the door to greater
inequity. Our coalition intends to ensure that door does not stay
open. We believe all of us, working together, should take a
comprehensive look in a timely fashion at setting statewide
graduation standards to properly prepare our students for college and
workforce expectations. We hope the teacher’s unions will join us
in that effort.”

QUESTION #3 (approved 53.8 percent
to 46.2 percent) asked 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.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We are thrilled
that Massachusetts rideshare drivers have made history by winning the
option to join together in a union,” said Mike Vartabedian and
Roxana Rivera, co-chairs of the Yes on 3 Campaign, in a joint
statement. “These drivers desperately need a voice in the
workplace. Now, we can finally create a path toward ensuring the
rideshare industry creates jobs that are sustainable and that allow
everyone who does this work full-time to live and care for their
families with dignity.”

OPPONENTS REACT: There was no
organized group opposing Question 3.

QUESTION #4 (rejected 42.9 percent
to 57.1 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that
would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess and use
certain natural psychedelic substances for the treatment of PTSD,
anxiety and depression. The substances could be purchased at an
approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed
facilitator.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We spoke to
tens of thousands of Massachusetts voters and heard broad agreement
that natural psychedelics should be more accessible to those who
cannot find relief through traditional medication and therapy,”
said a spokesperson for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. “We
understand there were concerns about the home grow provisions, and
those concerns likely led to tonight’s result. But we have made
hugely important strides on this issue of psychedelic therapy, and we
will keep fighting to find new pathways for all those who struggle
with their mental health. We look forward to working with legislators
in the new session to continue advocating for access, for hope and
for healing.”

OPPONENTS REACT: ”Voters across
Massachusetts came together to reject the passage of Question 4 in
recognition of the negative impacts it would have to our
neighborhoods, roads, hospitals, children, pets and public safety
across the state,” said Caroline Alcock Cunningham, campaign
manager for the Coalition for Safe Communities. “After being
outspent by 80 to 1 from a flood of funding that came primarily from
organizations with a direct financial interest in Question 4's
passage, Massachusetts voters decided to overwhelmingly reject this
poorly written and misguided ballot question.”

QUESTION #5 (rejected 35.6 percent
to 64.4 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that
would gradually increase, over the course of five years, the current
$6.75 per hour minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped
worker, as follows: To 64 percent of the state minimum wage on
January 1, 2025; 73 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1,
2026; 82 precent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027; 91
percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and 100 percent
of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “Our campaign
this year was just another step toward winning what is inevitable: a
future in which all Massachusetts service workers are paid a full,
fair minimum wage with tips on top.” said Saru Jayaraman, President
of One Fair Wage. “We will never stop. Just like in places like
Michigan and Washington D.C. put the issue on the ballot three times
in over ten years before workers finally won the raise they deserve
despite corporate restaurant spending and attacks. We will continue
the fight and ultimately win One Fair Wage plus tips for all
Massachusetts. workers. This year in Massachusetts we fought an
uphill battle against millions of dollars in corporate influence,
false claims and fear tactics, and we came closer than anyone thought
possible. The fight for fair wages is far from over, and we will
continue organizing to ensure that every worker in Massachusetts
receives the dignity and respect they deserve.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “This victory is
because of the tireless work of tipped employees across Massachusetts
who passionately advocated for their profession and asked voters to
listen to the people most impacted by this ballot question,” said
Chris Keohan, spokesperson for “No on 5.” “We thank the voters
of Massachusetts for overwhelmingly rejecting this ill-conceived
ballot question that was pushed by an out-of-state organization
without the support of the very workers they purported to be
representing.”

QUOTABLE
QUOTES

“We are excited to announce over
$4.5 million for eleven cities and towns as part of the first round
of funding of the fiscal year 2025 Complete Streets Funding Program.
These grant awards will assist municipalities with the implementation
of Complete Streets projects, which will greatly improve safety,
connectivity and access for all roadway users. We look forward to
working together with local leaders as they begin planning and
implementing their projects.” 

--- Transportation Secretary and CEO
Monica Tibbits-Nutt announcing the awarding more than $4.5 million to
some cities and towns for the Complete Streets Funding Program to
fund local multimodal infrastructure projects that improve travel for
pedestrians, public transit users, bicyclists and people using other
forms of transportation.

“The SAFE and Senior SAFE grants
are a smart investment in fire protection, fire prevention and fire
safety for the most vulnerable members of our communities.

--- State Fire Marshal Jon Davine on
the awarding of $2 million in grants to support fire and life safety
education for children and older adults, the people most vulnerable
in the event of a fire at home.

“As we confront an unprecedented
fall fire season, I’m asking all our residents to protect
themselves, their neighbors and their communities by refraining from
any outdoor activities that involve open flames, sparks and embers or
other heat sources.

---Gov. Healey asking residents to
refrain from any outdoor activity that could cause or contribute to
brush and wildland fires.

“The Name a Snowplow Contest has
been a major success the last two years, with great submissions from
schools across the commonwealth. This contest is a fun way for kids
to learn about public works and for our snow and ice crews to connect
with their communities. We are excited to receive creative names for
our plows this year.”

---Highway Administrator Jonathan
Gulliver announcing the third annual “Name A Snowplow Contest”
for statewide elementary school students to solicit names for 12
MassDOT snowplows that will be in service for the upcoming 2024-2025
winter season. The entry deadline is December 6 and students can
register at https://www.mass.gov/name-a-snowplow-contest-2024-25
Last year’s winners include Flower Plower, Edward Blizzardhands,
Glacier Gobbler, Polar Pathmaker, Snow B Wan Kenobi, The Snolar
Express, Sleetwood Mac, Snow Place Like Home, Snow-hemian Rhapsody,
The Mayplower, Snow Monstah, Fast and Flurryous.

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, re search, 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 November 4-8, the
House met for a total of four hours and three minutes and the Senate
met for a total of 56 minutes.

Mon
Nov. 4 House 11:01 a.m. to 12:47 p.m.

Senate 11:17 a.m. to
11:31 a.m.

Tues.
Nov. 5 No House session

No Senate session

Wed.
Nov. 6 House 11:02 a.m. to 12:09 p.m.

No Senate session

Thurs.
Nov. 7 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:12 a.m.

Senate 11:11 a.m. to
11:53 a.m.

Fri.
Nov. 8 No House session

No Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at
bob@beaconhillrollcall.com