Beacon Hill Roll Call

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Beacon
Hill Roll Call

Volume
50 - Report No. 1

December
30, 2024 - January 3, 2025

Copyright
© 2025 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.

By
Bob Katzen

With today's edition, [insert name
of newspaper] begins coverage of the 2025-2026 Massachusetts
legislative session with our weekly Beacon Hill Roll Call report.
This feature is a clear and concise compilation of the voting records
of local state representatives and senators

Beacon Hill Roll Call provides an
unbiased summary of bills and amendments, arguments from floor debate
on both sides of the issue and each legislator's vote or lack of vote
on the matter. This information gives readers an opportunity to
monitor their elected officials' actions on Beacon Hill. Many bills
are reported on in their early stages, giving readers the opportunity
to contact their legislators and express an opinion prior to the
measure being brought up for final action.

The feature “Also Up on Beacon
Hill” informs readers of other important matters at the Statehouse.

Beacon Hill Roll Call is written and
provided by Bob Katzen, a former Boston radio talk show host at WRKO,
WITS and WMRE. Bob has been providing this feature to hundreds of
newspapers across the Bay State since 1975.

Fun fact: Bob invented the “Bagel
Route” when he was 10 years old. It’s like a paper route but Bob
took pre-orders from neighbors and delivered bagels every Sunday
morning.

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HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Last week was
full of activity on Beacon Hill. The Legislature approved and sent to
Gov. Maura Healey several bills passed on voice votes, without roll
calls, prior to the end of the 2023-2024 session on Wednesday,
January 1.

The Legislature also convened the
2025-2026 session that same day. Much of the day’s activities were
ceremonial including the swearing-in of state senators and
representatives. The only roll call votes were on the election of a
speaker of the House and Senate president.

REP.
RON MARIANO RE-ELECTED SPEAKER

The House re-elected Rep. Ron
Mariano (D-Quincy) as speaker of the House and Rep. Brad Jones
(R-North Reading) as Republican minority leader.

Mariano received the votes of all
132 Democrats who voted. Jones fended off a challenge from Rep. Marc
Lombardo (R-Billerica) for the GOP top spot. Jones received 21 votes
to Lombardo’s four votes.

"Just as the Legislature acted
to protect our residents during the first Trump administration, it
will once again be our responsibility to step up when we can in the
face of federal management changes and decreased federal support,"
Mariano said. "It will be imperative that we rise above the
infighting and partisan politics that continue to plague Congress, a
goal that I know Gov. Healey and Senate President Spilka remain
committed to."

“I am truly grateful for the
overwhelming vote of confidence and support I received from my
colleagues this morning,” said Jones. “They were able to see
through the divisive rhetoric and meaningless noise generated by
outside special interests, extremist groups and others leading up to
today’s vote. As we begin a new legislative session, I am honored
to have the opportunity to continue to lead the House Republican
Caucus over the next two years and will continue to work alongside my
colleagues to advocate for responsible policies that are in the best
interests of our cities and towns and the state’s taxpayers.”

"Today wasn't a loss,” said
Lombardo. “Today was the culmination of starting a conversation
within the caucus and with the voters of the commonwealth about how
they want the Republican Party of Massachusetts to operate, how they
want the House caucus to operate. They want transparency, they want a
strong Republican voice, and we haven't had that."

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Voted for Mariano

SEN.
KAREN SPILKA RE-ELECTED SENATE PRESIDENT

The Senate re-elected Sen. Karen
Spilka (D-Ashland) as Senate president and Sen. Bruce Tarr
(R-Gloucester) as Republican Minority Leader.

Spilka received the votes of 34 of
the Senate’s 35 Democrats while all five Republicans voted for
Tarr. Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) voted “present.”

“What an exciting day to kick off
2025,” posted Spilka on Facebook. “Today I had the distinct honor
of being sworn in as the Senator representing Middlesex and Norfolk
and re-elected President of the Massachusetts Senate. The privilege
and responsibility to serve the Senate and our commonwealth is not
one I take lightly. I’m so thankful for my family who was able to
be here today and those supporting me from afar. I’m forever
grateful to my colleagues in the Senate and look forward to all we
will tackle together in this coming year as we fight like hell for
the great people of our commonwealth.”

Sen. Tarr posted on Facebook, “Thank
you [Senate President Spilka] for your partnership and friendship as
we continue to work together to defy the ongoing and disturbing
trends of division and paralysis that are plaguing other legislative
bodies, even as we face challenges, circumstances, and situations
that demand the very best each of us has to offer on behalf of those
we represent.”

"I voted 'present' today in the
roll call for the election of a Senate President because changes are
needed," Keenan posted on X. "We have had significantly
fewer roll calls, routinely missed deadlines, failed to adopt joint
rules, waived rules, passed bills beyond the end of formal sessions
with limited opportunities for members to participate fully, and have
often been at odds with our partners in the House of
Representatives.”

Keenan continued, "We have been
less transparent and less connected with what the residents of the
commonwealth rightly demand and deserve from the Massachusetts State
Senate.

Sen.
Rebecca Rausch Voted for Spilka Sen. Karen
Spilka Voted for Spilka

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

8,391 PAY HIKE FOR EACH OF THE 40
SENATORS AND 160 REPRESENTATIVES – A total of $1.67 million per
year is the annual estimated price tag for the base salary hikes
given last week to each of the state’s 40 senators and 160
representatives.

Gov. Maura Healey announced that the
200 members of the Legislature will receive an 11.39 percent hike in
their base pay for the 2025-2026 legislative session that began
January 1. The hike will increase the base salary of each senator and
representative by $8,391 per year— from the current $73,655 to
$82,046.

Healey is required under the state
constitution to determine the amount of a pay raise or cut that state
legislators would receive for the 2025-2026 session. All
Massachusetts governors are obligated to increase or decrease
legislative salaries biennially under the terms of a constitutional
amendment approved by the voters in 1998. The amendment, approved by
a better than two-to-one margin, requires legislative salaries to be
"increased or decreased at the same rate as increases or
decreases in the median household income for the commonwealth for the
preceding two-year period, as ascertained by the governor.”

Healey said she used the U.S. Census
Bureau's American Community Survey to determine that median household
income for Massachusetts for the 2023-2024 period increased by 11.39
percent.

Supporters of the hike said that
this automatic system was approved by voters by a two-to-one margin
in 1998 and has worked well for 26 years. They noted that there have
been years when this system resulted in a pay cut for legislators.
They said it is also important that this system takes away the power
of the Legislature to raise its own members’ salaries and
eliminates any accusations of conflict of interest.

Critics were quick to respond.
“Statehouse elected officials should not be receiving an automatic
11 percent pay raise,” said Paul Craney, spokesperson for
Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Not many workers in Massachusetts
get that kind of a pay bump automatically. Legislative leaders set
up a system in 2017 so that they don’t have to vote for any future
pay raises. If lawmakers care about transparency, they should vote on
their new pay raise.”

Craney continued, “Before the
Legislature accepts their pay raise, they should accept the results
of the audit the Legislature ballot question. This legislative
session should not start with lawmakers further enriching themselves
and then rejecting the will of the voters. It’s a broken
legislative system at the Statehouse and their actions over the next
week will demonstrate how corrupt it’s becoming.”

AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE DISCOUNTS (H
5133) – Gov. Maura Healey signed onto law legislation waiving, for
six years, until 2030, a law that requires businesses and groups to
have a 35 percent participation rate in order to qualify for group
auto and home insurance discount rates. The measure permits groups
with less than the 35 percent participation to take advantage of
group rates, which supporters said will save members between 5
percent and 8 percent. The law has been waived since 1997. The 35
percent requirement was first included in a 1973 law.

Supporters said if the bill is not
approved, insurance discounts for 322,000 vehicles and 142,000 homes
in the Bay State would disappear on January 1, 2025 and consumers
will pay millions of dollars more for insurance.

"This bill will preserve access
to more affordable home and auto insurance for Massachusetts
residents,” said Gov. Healey.

Reps. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn) and Tom
Walsh (D-Peabody) sponsors of the measure did not respond to repeated
requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on their
bill.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSES (S
3002) – Gov. Healey signed into law a proposal which would prevent
commercial drivers from losing their licenses due to passenger
vehicle offenses they committed prior to September 30, 2005.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles
recently notified hundreds of bus and truck drivers that they were
ineligible for commercial licenses due to at least two past major
offenses, blindsiding many motorists who for years thought their
infractions were behind them.

“Over time, the relevance and
predictive value of these older offenses has diminished, particularly
for those drivers who have remained offense-free since,” said
Healey. "In most circumstances, a commercial driver who meets
the safety requirements of federal law should not be disqualified
from driving due solely to passenger vehicle offenses that occurred
19 or more years ago.” She noted her bill would remove
consideration of pre-September 30, 2005 passenger vehicle offenses
from the disqualification law, except for multiple instances of
operating under the influence.

“Our administration is committed
to ensuring safety on our roads while also supporting the many
hardworking Massachusetts residents who rely on commercial driver’s
licenses (CDLs) for their livelihoods,” continued Healey. “The
RMV will take immediate action to inform eligible drivers that their
CDLs will not be disqualified and will continue updating its
regulations to ensure that drivers who have served disqualifications
for significant periods of time will have a pathway to
reinstatement.”

VENMO, PAYPAL AND CASHAPP (H 4840) –
Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that supporters say would put
consumer protections in place for consumers who use payment apps like
Venmo, PayPal and CashApp, while also leveling the regulatory playing
field for businesses in the banking and finance industry.

Provisions include mandating updated
regulations for domestic money transmission services, including
licensing and compliance requirements; prohibiting an individual from
engaging in domestic money transmission without a license; requiring
licensees engaged in this business to submit regular reports on their
financial condition, including quarterly and annual reports;
requiring all licensees to refund to a sender all money received for
transmission within ten days of receipt of the sender’s written
request for a refund unless certain circumstances apply; and allowing
the commissioner of Banks to suspend or revoke licenses for
non-compliance, fraud or unsafe practices, and to impose civil
penalties for violations.

“With this new law, consumers in
Massachusetts will now have protection when transferring money to
friends and businesses through payment apps,” said Gov. Healey.
“The use of apps like Venmo and PayPal has skyrocketed over the
years, with billions of dollars exchanging hands, so the importance
of this legislation cannot be understated.”

“We are so excited to see the
domestic money transmission bill become law because it will
positively impact both consumers and businesses,” said Secretary of
Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “In addition to offering
protection for those using payment apps here in Massachusetts, the
bill also establishes regulatory consistencies for any business
offering the same services as banking institutions.”

“With the increasing use of mobile
payment applications like Venmo now established as part of the
financial landscape, it’s time for regulatory oversight to ensure
consumers will have the same protections that apply to traditional
sectors of the financial industry,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues
(D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

ROSA PARKS DAY (H 3075) – The
House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill
establishing February 4 as Rosa Parks in recognition of the historic
civil rights leader.

“Rosa Parks' bravery on that
Montgomery bus was not just a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights
Movement—it was a lesson in courage, dignity and the power of
standing up for what is right,” said co-sponsor Rep. Kip Diggs
(D-Barnstable). “By establishing Rosa Parks Day, we honor her
profound impact and inspire the commonwealth to reflect on the
ongoing struggle for equality.”

Co-sponsor Rep. Mike Kushmerek
(D-Fitchburg) said the measure will bring awareness and
representation to the heroic actions of Rosa Parks during the Civil
Rights Movement. “February 4th is the birthday of Rosa Parks, so it
will be a great reminder to all those within the commonwealth to
reflect on the role she played in raising international awareness of
the struggles for civil rights,” said Kushmerek.

PROHIBIT REVOCATION OF PROFESSIONAL
LICENSES (H 4937) – The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov.
Healey legislation that would repeal a current state law which
creates professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults
on their student loan. Under current law, a borrower’s state-issued
professional or occupational certificate, registration or license can
be suspended, revoked or canceled if the borrower is in default on an
education loan.

“I have been working on this
legislation for the last three legislative sessions, because the
current laws are potentially harmful to the more than one million
student loan borrowers in the commonwealth,” said sponsor Rep.
Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster). “With all of the uncertainty around
the federal student loan forgiveness and repayment plans, now more
than ever, we need to protect student loan borrowers and ensure they
can continue their work and have the ability to repay their student
loan debt.”

ID FOR LIQUOR PURCHASES (H 4131) –
The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a measure that
would allow alcohol-serving establishments to accept all out-of-state
motor vehicle licenses and Global Entry cards issued by the United
States Customs and Border Protection.

“This vitally important economic
measure will support our restaurants, bars and other entertainment
venues as they continue to fully recover from losses experienced
during the pandemic and allow our out-of-state visitors to enjoy a
drink, if they choose,” said House sponsor Rep. Paul McMurtry
(d-Dedham).

“A constituent of mine reached out
regarding Global Entry cards, and how she had been refused service in
attempting to use one to purchase alcohol,” said Senate sponsor
Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “These cards require two rounds of
interviews, one with Customs and Border Protection, and another with
a Global Entry Enrollment Center. You must also provide your passport
and one other form of identification. Only after this extensive
process can you receive the Global Entry Card, which includes the
individual’s photo, full name and date of birth. Over 5 million
people have gone through this process, and it feels unnecessary to
bar them from utilizing this form of identification in the
commonwealth for the purchase of alcohol.”

DECLAWING OF CATS (S 2552) – The
House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a proposal that
would ban cat declawing and tendonectomy unless it is done for the
medical need of the feline.

“Declawing is an abhorrent
practice that most veterinarians view as inhumane,” said sponsor
Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “This is another step in my
commitment to protect animals in the commonwealth. As a state we have
done far too little to punish heartless abusers and to push back
against a weak court system that has too often failed to hold them
accountable.”

Montigny continued, “There are too
many people who have committed horrendous abuses to animals that have
been unpunished and are walking free to continue to do harm.”

Supporters said that declawing a cat
involves amputating the last bone of each toe, which if performed on
a human would be equivalent to cutting off each finger at the last
knuckle. They noted that according to the American Veterinary Medical
Association, the physical side effects from declawing include both
acute and chronic pain, improperly healed wounds, sudden loss of
blood, impaired immune response and behavioral side effects include
biting.

“Declawing of cats does not
improve the human-animal bond and often results in serious medical
and behavioral problems,” said Allison Blanck, Director of Advocacy
at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. “Banning this cruel
practice, which is in essence amputation, will prevent animals in
Massachusetts from needless pain and suffering.”

PROTECT CATS AND DOGS (S 2908) –
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation
that would prohibit the sale or transfer of any puppies and kittens
under eight weeks old. Violators would be fined $100 per animal.

When the animal is more than eight
weeks old, the outright ban is lifted and replaced with a section
that would prohibit the sale or transfer of any dogs or cats at
specified outdoor locations, such as flea markets and roadsides. This
prohibition would not apply to the transfer of a dog or cat by, or
to, a shelter, animal control or animal rescue; or to the display of
a dog or cat as part of a state or county fair exhibition, a 4-H
program or similar exhibition or educational program. Violators would
be fined $50 per animal for a first offense, $100 for a second
offense and $300 for a third and subsequent offenses.

"Early separation of puppies
and kittens from their mother, and the unregulated roadside sale of
dogs and cats, are practices that often lead to serious health or
behavioral problems for the animal and no recourse for the new
owner,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield). “I was proud
to file this legislation in the Senate this session and am glad that
it is one step closer to becoming law and establishing new
protections for animals throughout the commonwealth."

“Passing this legislation would
represent an end to the supply-and-demand relationship between
Massachusetts and puppy mills and give these animals a better
opportunity at finding a home,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor
(R-Weymouth), a sponsor of an earlier version of the measure. “I am
a longtime supporter of animal protection issues, even before I ran
for Senate. I have co-sponsored many animal protection bills and I am
focused on protecting animals as some of the most vulnerable members
of our society. All animals deserve to be treated with respect and
dignity and I am proud to be a voice for animal rights on Beacon
Hill.”

RENAME THE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS
(S 3006) – The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a
bill that would change the name of the Executive Office of Elder
Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. The
proposal also replaces outdated language in the state’s lawbooks,
including changing “elderly persons,” to “older adults” and
“handicapped” to “adults with a disability.” The new
legislation also incorporates gender-neutral language into current
law. The original version of the bill was filed by Gov. Healey in
May.

“The Executive Office of Elder
Affairs was established more than 50 years ago and was one of the
nation’s first state agencies dedicated to addressing the needs of
older people,” said Healey. “Today, the agency has evolved to
offer programs and services that support 1.7 million older residents
and nearly 1 million family caregivers. Our administration is
committed to meeting the changing needs of today’s older adults,
and I am thrilled that this name change better reflects those that we
serve.”

“The new name … mirrors the
values and goals of our older adult population and our commitment to
support the vibrancy, independence and dignity of our family members,
friends and neighbors as they age,” said Health and Human Services
Secretary Kate Walsh.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“People must have access to the
vital health care services they need. Hospital closures in recent
years, however, have left patients worried about where they can
access care and resulted in job losses for invaluable nurses and
healthcare workers. Our audit of the Center for Health Information
and Analysis revealed a startling lack of oversight around the
financial conditions of hospitals in the commonwealth.

---State Auditor Diana DiZoglio
urging the administration swiftly implement her recommendations in
the audit.

“If you believe that the
description of your property is inaccurate and over-assessed, an
abatement will be the only remedy available to reduce your tax bill.
Homeowners in some communities, including Boston, have already
received their bills. Now is the time to consider whether to apply
for an abatement.”

---Secretary of State Bill Galvin
noting that as property taxes increase, property owners who are
receiving higher than expected third quarter tax bills last week that
the deadline to file for a property tax abatement is just a few weeks
away.

"Stormwater pollution affects
the water we drink, the rivers we cherish and the health of our
communities. We are tackling this challenge collaboratively,
leveraging expertise to reduce pollution and protect vital natural
resources. This funding empowers local solutions to protect public
health, preserve clean water, and reduce flood risk. It’s a
proactive step toward cleaner water and greater resilience against
climate-driven flooding.”

---Mass Department of Environmental
Protection Commissioner Bonnie Heiple announcing $246,000 in grants
to four regional watershed coalitions and planning collaboratives in
Massachusetts.

“President Carter lived a life
dedicated to peace, human rights, democracy and moral clarity. He set
an enduring example of what it means to serve others, and his legacy
will continue to inspire generations to come. “I'm sending love and
strength to the Carter family as they, and our nation, process this
profound loss. May we all honor his memory by building a more just,
peaceful and caring world.”

---Gov. Maura Healey ordering the
United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
flag to be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings until January
28, 2025 in honor of the life and legacy of former President Jimmy
Carter.

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 Dec. 30, 2024 to
Jan. 3, 2025, the House a met for a total of 18 hours and 33
minutes.while the Senate met for a total of 17 hours and 21 minutes.

Mon
Dec. 30 House 11:01 a.m. to 1:11 a.m. (Tuesday morning)

Senate 11:35 a.m. to
1:25 a.m. (Tuesday morning)

Tues.
Dec. 31 No House session

No Senate session

Wed.
Jan. 1 House 11:07 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.

Senate 11:20 a.m. to
2:17 p.m.

Thurs.
Jan. 2 House 11:04 a.m. to 12:39 p.m.

Senate 11:45 a.m. to
12:19 p.m.

Fri.
Jan. 3 No House session

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.