Beacon Hill Roll Call

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Beacon
Hill Roll Call

Volume
49 - Report No. 47

November
18-22, 2024

Copyright
© 2024 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.

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.

$2.4
MILLION FOR SCHOOLS PLANNING EXPANDED SCHOOL DAYS OR SCHOOL YEARS (H
4800)

House 133-24, overrode Gov. Healey’s
veto of the entire $2.4 million for grants to cities, towns and
regional school districts for planning and implementing expanded
learning time by making school days and/or school years longer.

The Senate did not act on the veto
so the veto stands and the $2.4 million was eliminated.

“I am vetoing this item because
funding is intended for 2024 summer month programming, which cannot
be implemented at this point in the fiscal year due to the need for a
spring application window,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message.

(A “Yes” vote is for the $2.4
million. A “No” vote is against it.

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

$1.1
MILLION FOR STEM STARTER ACADEMY (H 4800)

House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s
veto of $1.1 million (reducing funding from $4.7 million to $3.6
million) for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) Starter Academy programs to be implemented at Massachusetts
community colleges to benefit student populations identified by the
department as having expressed a high level of interest in STEM
majors and STEM careers but are underperforming on STEM academic
assessments.

The Senate did not act on the veto
so the veto stands and the $1.1 million was eliminated.

“I am reducing this item to an
amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov.
Healey in her veto message. “This budget sustains and adds
substantial new funding across community colleges to support the
goals of this program.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $1.1
million. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

$500,000
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CENTER (H 4800)

House 134-24, overrode Gov.
Healey’s veto of $500,000 for the Massachusetts Information
Technology Center, a secure state office building in Chelsea that
houses multiple state agencies, including IT-centric operations for
the Department of Revenue, the Department of Criminal Justice
Information Systems and the Firearm Records Bureau.

The Senate did not act on the veto
so the veto stands and the $500,000 was eliminated.

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

Supporters of the governor’s veto
said the state signed an impact fee agreement in 1993 to pay the city
of Chelsea $500,000 per year for 30 years, to cover the costs to the
city of the new infrastructure that had to be built in to accommodate
the new development. They noted the 30 years were up in 2023 and
argued the $500,000 is no longer needed.

(A “Yes” vote is for the
$500,000. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

ALSO
UP ON BEACON HILL

DON’T MISS THIS EVENT:
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE TRUMP ERA - Following the presidential election,
questions abound on many levels in Massachusetts about many federal
policy priorities in healthcare, energy and immigration, bringing
challenges on the state level. Will these priorities shift? Join
MASSterList / State House News Service for a timely conversation on
the potential impacts of the new administration on Wednesday,
December 4 at the MCLE Conference Center (Downtown Crossing), 10
Winter Place, Boston. Networking 8 a.m., Program 9 a.m. to - 10:30
a.m.

More information at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/massachusetts-in-the-new-trump-era-tickets…

CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE (S 2967) -
Gov. Healey signed into law climate/energy legislation that
supporters say will make systemic changes to the state’s clean
energy infrastructure which will help the state achieve its net zero
emissions by 2050 goals, and also expand electric vehicle use and
infrastructure, and protect residents and ratepayers.

“Accelerating clean energy
development will create good jobs, lower costs, attract more
businesses to Massachusetts and grow our climatetech economy,” said
Healey. “This legislation includes important provisions to lower
energy costs for families and businesses, including expanding bill
discounts to middle-class households and increasing access to clean
energy measures that reduce customer expenses such as solar, heat
pumps and electric vehicles. These reforms will also end the
years-long delays for solar, wind and other critical electric
infrastructure, which play a critical role in our ability to be a
global leader in clean energy and climatetech.”

“This legislation advances
critical updates for the siting and permitting of clean energy
infrastructure, ensuring a supportive and reliable electric grid and
building out electric vehicle charging infrastructure, among so many
other things,” said Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the
Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “By
overhauling outdated state permitting and siting processes, the
commonwealth aims to secure an equitable, accelerated buildout of
clean energy generation and infrastructure that we need to reach our
climate goals and power our electrified clean energy future.”

“This comprehensive law is a
reminder of the power Massachusetts has to advance groundbreaking
climate solutions—no matter who is in power in D.C.,” said Sen.
Cindy Creem (D-Newton), chair of the Senate Committee on Global
Warming and Climate Change. “The law includes a wide range of
policies that move us closer to net-zero emissions, including
essential reforms to our gas system. By preventing gas investments
that are both imprudent and contrary to our climate mandates, the
bill will keep costs down and prevent wasteful spending of
ratepayers’ hard-earned money.”

$3.9 BILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PACKAGE (H 5100) - Gov. Healey signed into law a $3.9 billion
economic development package that supporters say would make bold
investments in life sciences, climate tech, AI and small businesses,
“building on Massachusetts’ national leadership and creating an
environment where businesses and workers thrive.”

The package increases the annual tax
credit authorization for the life sciences industry from $30 million
to $40 million. Other provisions include $400 million for the
MassWorks Infrastructure Program to support public infrastructure
projects and create jobs; $150 million for library construction
projects; $103 million for AI in systems across the state; $100
million for infrastructure improvements in rural communities; $21
million for resilience in agriculture and fishing; and $40 million
for food science innovations.

“Massachusetts is the best state
in the nation to live, work, go to school, raise a family and build a
future, said Healey. “That’s in large part due to our commitment
to investing in cutting-edge industries that produce transformative
innovations and make life better for people. The [bill] builds on
this leadership, positioning us to the global hub for climate
innovation and applied AI, while also growing our already
world-renowned life sciences industry, culture and tourism sectors.”

"From day one, we have set out
to make Massachusetts the best place for individuals to pursue
rewarding careers and for companies to start, scale and succeed,”
said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The [bill] will
help us achieve that vision. With this bill, we are positioning
Massachusetts to lead for future generations.”

“[We] celebrate the signing of the
… economic-development bill, which provides vital support to key
industries through the infusion of close to $4 billion into the state
economy to ensure that the commonwealth remains competitive,” said
Brooke Thomson, President and CEO of Associated Industries of
Massachusetts which represents 3,400 member businesses. “[We]
believe the bill enhances Massachusetts’ ability to lead in sectors
like life sciences, climate technology, advanced manufacturing and
applied AI.”

$3.2 MILLION FOR APPRENTICESHIP
GRANTS – Gov. Healey announced $3.2 million in Grants for
Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce to 29
organizations to train and place 514 apprentices across the state.
The grants, which include contract renewals and new awards, leverage
more than $2 million in state funding complemented by remaining
support from federal funds to train apprentices in high growth
industries like health care, manufacturing, clean energy and early
childhood education.

“Registered Apprenticeship creates
more rewarding and equitable career pathways for all of our
residents, while addressing our greatest workforce challenges,”
said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “The newly announced grants will
support local, regional and statewide efforts to grow and diversify
apprenticeship opportunities as well as help create new programs in
multiple sectors.”

“Registered Apprenticeship
increases access and opportunity for untapped, diverse talent to
pursue a career supported by technical training combined with
on-the-job training,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce
Development Lauren Jones. “This proven model empowers individuals,
especially underrepresented workers in fields like construction and
high-tech industries to advance in a career with meaningful wages,
benefits, and the skills employers need.”

QUOTABLE
QUOTES

"I think it's absolutely
appropriate that there be enforcement and deportation of individuals
who commit crime, including violent crime. That's very, very
important. We recognize it would be devastating if there were mass
raids, here and across the country, that took out people who've been
working in this country for a long time, who have families and kids
here."

---Gov. Healey on President-elect
Donald Trump's plan to deport hundreds of thousands of illegal
immigrants/undocumented immigrants by declaring a national emergency.

“I am joining with Sen. Peter
Durant in asking Gov. Healey to make public safety a priority by
allowing ICE to do their jobs. It is outrageous that an illegal
immigrant was arrested for forcible rape of a child and then released
back on to our streets. I cannot believe that she is turning a blind
eye to protect migrants who have attacked children.”

--- Senator-Elect Kelly Dooner
(R-Taunton) urging Gov. Healey to cooperate with the Trump
administration in deporting criminal illegal immigrants/undocumented
immigrants.

“Your voice matters, and this is
your opportunity to help us build on our successes and strengthen our
movement for the future. Together, we can ensure the Massachusetts
Democratic Party continues to represent and advocate for the values
that matter most to our communities.”

--- Steve Kerrigan, Chair,
Massachusetts Democratic Party announcing the launch of a Virtual
Listening Tour to be held on Zoom, to engage with people across the
state.

“Our Lottery customers are
passionate sports fans and super proud of our teams. By partnering
with the Celtics on this exciting instant ticket, we are a state of
winning for players both on and off the court."

--- State Treasurer Deb Goldberg,
Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, commemorating
the team’s latest title run with the launch of the Celtics Banner
18 instant ticket game, a $10 ticket that is on sale now at Lottery
retailers across the state.

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 November 18-22,
the House met for a total of one hour and nine minutes and the Senate
met for a total of one hour and five minutes.

.

Mon
Nov. 18 House 11:04 a.m. to 11:26 a.m.

Senate 11:08 a.m. to
11:59 a.m.

Tues.
Nov. 19 No House session

No Senate session

Wed.
Nov. 20 No House session

No Senate session

Thurs.
Nov. 21 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:46 a.m.

Senate 11:06 a.m. to
11:20 a.m.

Fri.
Nov. 22 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:01 a.m.

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.