2-09-2025 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
50 - Report No. 6

February
3-7, 2025

By
Bob Katzen

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THE
HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local
representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of Feb. 3-7,
2025. There were no roll Calls in the Senate last week.

$425
MILLION FOR SHELTER SYSTEM (H 57)

House
126-26, approved and sent to the Senate a fiscal 2025 supplemental
budget that includes $425 million to fund the state’s family
shelter system and make some changes to tighten eligibility. The vote
was almost strictly along party lines with all Repubicans voting
against it and all but two Democrats voting for it. The Democrats say
the measure makes major reforms while the GOP says the bill does not
go far enough.

“From
the beginning of the shelter system crisis, the House has worked to
reform the emergency assistance program to ensure that it remains
financially viable,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).
“That’s why the House led the effort to cap the maximum length of
stay, and to require job training programs for folks in the shelter
system, reforms that this supplemental budget builds on. By creating
stricter eligibility requirements, along with increased security
measures, this supplemental budget is the latest iteration of the
House’s continued commitment to protecting vulnerable children and
families in Massachusetts in a fiscally sustainable manner.”

“Over
the past several years, as the population of the emergency shelter
system has grown, the House has attempted to uphold the
commonwealth’s right to shelter law while also being mindful of the
long-term fiscal sustainability of the program,” said Rep. Aaron
Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and
Means. “The reforms contained in this bill will ensure that right
to shelter is maintained by further capping the length of stay and
verifying eligibility, while also enacting stricter background checks
on those who enter the shelter system to better protect the families
who need these services the most.”

“I
voted against [the bill] because Massachusetts cannot continue
pouring taxpayer money into the emergency shelter system without
implementing real, lasting reforms,” said Rep. Steven Xiarhos
(R-Barnstable). “As a former police officer with 40 years of
experience, I know firsthand how proper criminal background checks
should be conducted, and the simple CORI check outlined in this bill
doesn’t even come close. Without comprehensive background
screenings at the state, federal and international levels, we risk
compromising public safety and failing to protect the communities we
serve.”

"Though
there were some small reforms to the shelter system, they were only
temporary and fell far short of what was necessary to address the
problems associated with the program,” said Rep. Joseph McKenna
(R-Sutton). “Without substantial and permanent reforms, many of
which were proposed by Republican amendments that were unfortunately
rejected out of hand without even cursory consideration, this was not
a bill that will adequately address the long-term financial stability
of the EA shelter program, so was not a bill I could support.”

(A
“Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Ye

BROADER
BACKGROUND CHECKS (H 57)

House
26-125, rejected an amendment that would expand the background checks
that the state must conduct on emergency assistance shelter
applicants by mandating universal criminal background checks that
include criminal records at the state, federal and international
levels; immigration or residency status; and presence on
international or domestic criminal watch lists.

“While
the underlying bill requires individuals applying for emergency
assistance housing benefits to disclose prior criminal convictions
and calls for CORI checks to be conducted prior to placement, these
checks are limited to crimes committed in Massachusetts,” said
amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “If we are
serious about keeping dangerous criminals out of the shelter system,
then we need to strengthen the background check requirement and
mandate more comprehensive universal background checks that will
disclose criminal records not only at the state level, but also at
the federal and international levels.”

Rep.
Michael Day (D-Stoneham) said that the amendment was an attempted
Republican "backdoor" to "strangle our emergency
shelter law altogether and kill it from within." He said the
background checks the amendment would require would also check the
education backgrounds of applicants, credit scores and financial
information.

"Now
we want to find out the credit-worthiness of a young family applying
for emergency shelter,” said Day. He sarcastically asked if this
credit check was going to make the shelters and residents safer --
finding out what Kohl's thinks about their ability to get a credit
card.

(A
“Yes” vote is for the broader background checks. A “No” vote
is against them.)

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy No

REDUCE
FUNDING FROM $425 MILLION TO $200 MILLION

House
26-126 rejected an amendment that would reduce funding for the
emergency assistance shelter program from $425 million to $200
million.

“The
emergency assistance shelter program continues to cost the state’s
taxpayers approximately $1 billion annually, which is not sustainable
without implementing substantive reforms to help reduce costs and
promote greater transparency,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad
Jones (R-North Reading). “The State Auditor is currently conducting
a comprehensive audit of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable
Communities, including the emergency shelter system, which should
help to identify ways to improve efficiency, while recent changes in
immigration laws at the federal level should help to lower costs by
reducing the number of people coming to Massachusetts seeking
shelter. By reducing the shelter program’s funding allocation to
$200 million, the state can continue to provide core services to
Massachusetts residents in need while allowing additional time to see
how the recent changes will impact enrollment.”

Rep.
Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston) said he is under no illusion that if the
House approves this reduction, the Republicans will actually vote for
the bill itself. He noted that reforms we're implementing in the bill
are major and the House needs to give the Healey administration time
to see these through. He argued that the bill allows the state to get
through the remainder of the fiscal year, and during the upcoming
fiscal 2026 budget debate in April we can see how the reforms are
going and if we have to make changes.

(A
“Yes” vote is for the reduction to $200 million. A “No” vote
is against the reduction.)

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy No

12-MONTH
RESIDENCY REQUIRED (H 57)

House
26-126, rejected an amendment that would require that in order to be
eligible for benefits under the emergency assistance shelter program,
an applicant must have resided in Massachusetts for twelve
consecutive months immediately prior to the date of application. The
applicant must also provide an acceptable form of verification such
as tax returns; a MA REAL-ID; a utility bill, lease or mortgage; or
pay stubs showing Massachusetts employment. The residency requirement
would not apply to victims of domestic violence or to any person
whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural
disaster that occurred in the Bay State.

“The
original Right to Shelter law was implemented more than 40 years ago
to help provide housing assistance for Massachusetts residents in
need, particularly pregnant women and children,” said amendment
sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Over the last two
years, the scope of the program has expanded to the point that people
are coming to Massachusetts from other states seeking assistance,
which is not in keeping with the original intent of the law. This
amendment will restore the focus of the law to prioritize
Massachusetts residents in need of housing services.”

Rep.
Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) said that we are talking about families
with children and to place further restrictions on this program
during the cold winter months is cruel. She noted that the bill
already places more significant verification requirements regarding
residency.”

(A
“Yes” vote is for the 12-month residency requirement. A “No”
vote is against it.)

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy No

REQUIRE
REPORTS (H 57)

House
152-0, approved an amendment that would require the Healey
administration to report the number of families exiting the emergency
assistance housing program each week because of a durational limit.

“This
data will reveal whether families are leaving because they've secured
stable housing or due to the system's time constraints,” said
amendment sponsor Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfield) It will
determine if current resources are effectively helping families
regain stability in a quick and efficient manner, or if future
adjustments to the system are needed.”

(A
“Yes” vote is for the amendment.

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

RULING
OF THE CHAIR ON ICE DETAINER AMENDMENT(H 57)

House
128-24, supported the ruling of the chair that a proposed amendment
that would have required the Executive Office of Housing and Livable
Communities to collaborate with ICE regarding detainers issued for
dangerous criminal aliens, was beyond the scope of the shelter bill
and should not be allowed on the House floor for debate.

Rep.
Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), the sponsor of the amendment said that
the amendment would make it clear that we want these monsters off the
streets and will take proactive actions to protect Massachusetts
residents.

He
urged members to oppose the ruling of the chair so that his amendment
can be debated and voted upon. “It is simply outrageous that this
amendment was ruled out of scope as it pertained to the operations of
the shelter system which was the exact scope of the underlying bill,”
said Lombardo. “The reality is that the majority party realized it
would be a terrible amendment for them to vote against so instead,
they ruled it out of scope to prevent political embarrassment.”

Rep.
Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) supported the ruling of the chair
that this amendment is beyond the scope of this narrowly tailored
funding bill. She added that there are several pieces of legislation
that have been filed this session that will deal with this issue and
the House can debate the issue at that time.

(A
“Yes” vote supports the ruling of the chair that prohibits the
amendment from being debated and voted upon on by the House. A “No”
vote is against the ruling and favord the amendment being debated and
voted upon.)

Rep.
Jeffrey Roy Yes

ALSO
UP ON BEACON HILL

GOV.
MAURA HEALEY ANNOUNCES SHE WILL RUN FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2026 – In a
radio interview on WGBH Radio (89.7 FM) with talk show hosts Jim
Braude and Margery Eagan, Gov. Healey said she plans to run for
reelection in 2026.

"There's
a heck of a lot more to do, she said. “And so I plan to run for
re-election. I’m really proud of the record so far."

The
Massachusetts Republican Party released a statement saying they were
"confident that voters will reject another four years of the
Healey-Driscoll Administration and elect a common-sense Republican."

"We
are actively engaging with several Republicans who would all make
strong candidates, and we are confident we will have a formidable
challenger ready to take on Healey and restore prosperity to the
commonwealth," Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy
Carnevale said.

$850,000
TO HELP YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES – Gov. Healey announced more
than $850,000 in grants to fund several organizations that provide
job training, employment placement and post placement services for
119 young adults with disabilities.

“We
are building a strong workforce in Massachusetts, and this includes
providing opportunities and training for individuals who face
barriers to employment,” said Gov. Healey. “These grants will
help develop and fulfill the immense potential of this segment of our
workforce as we create an economy for today and tomorrow.”

“The
Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to working with partners
to increase access, break down barriers and create pathways to
meaningful employment including for individuals with disabilities,”
said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “We
appreciate the partnership with awarded organizations as we work
together to strengthen employment outcomes, foster inclusivity and
advance economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities in
Massachusetts’ workforce.”

ATTORNEY
GENERAL CAMPBELL ON PROTECTING ACCESS TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE -
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and a coalition of
twelve other attorneys general issued a statement reaffirming their
commitment to protecting access to gender-affirming care following a
recent executive order by the Trump Administration.

“As
state attorneys general, we stand firmly in support of healthcare
policies that respect the dignity and rights of all people,” read
the statement. “Health care decisions should be made by patients,
families and doctors, not by a politician trying to use his power to
restrict your freedoms. Gender-affirming care is essential,
life-saving medical treatment that supports individuals in living as
their authentic selves.”

The
statement continued, “The Trump Administration’s recent executive
order is wrong on the science and the law. Despite what the Trump
Administration has suggested, there is no connection between “female
genital mutilation” and gender-affirming care, and no federal law
makes gender-affirming care unlawful. President Trump cannot change
that by executive order.”

DON’T
MISS THIS EVENT - Join Massachusetts energy leaders in government,
industry and advocacy at the MCLE in Boston on March 26 for an
important discussion about the state's energy policy and its goals
for a net-zero future, hosted by the State House News Service. With
the return of a new Trump administration and policies hindering wind
power development, the state's plan to expand its offshore wind
portfolio faces uncertainty.

While
solar power offers potential, its scalability is limited by grid
capacity issues and requires substantial investment. Other promising
technologies like fusion and low-carbon hydrogen have yet to be
implemented in the commonwealth.

Tickets/more
info:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/power-interruption-tickets-1219762716119?a…

QUOTABLE
QUOTES

“The
loss of these three workers is not just a statistic. It is a
devastating reminder of the human cost of inadequate safety
practices.”

---
Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH)
Executive Director Tatiana Sofia Begault on recent reports that three
Massachusetts workers died in less than two weeks.

“The
history of Black Americans is deeply woven into the patchwork fabric
and rich legacy of our country. A people who survived the torment of
enslavement and consistently seek to lead this nation forward. A
people who are the conscience of America and stand as a beacon of the
great possibility of our democracy. To know the history of Black
people in America is to understand our history is a testament to the
enduring pursuit of America’s ideals.”

---
Tanisha Sullivan, Chair of the Governor’s Black Empowerment
Advisory Council at a celebration of Black History Month at the
Statehouse.

“This
bill is vital because it addresses the pressing issue of allowing
male athletes to compete in girls’ school sports when there is no
equivalent boys’ team or when a boy identifies as a girl. [The
bill] would give athletes and coaches the legal right to opt out of
competitions against the opposite sex without fear of discipline.”

---
Statement by the Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI).

“It
sickens me to see that any legislator in Massachusetts would partner
with this organization to incite fearmongering and disinformation at
the expense of children.”

---
Tanya Neslusan, Executive Director of Mass Equality on what it calls
MFI’s activities to promote discriminatory bills impacting
transgender youth and anti-LGBTQ policies at the state and local
level by engaging in disinformation campaigns and encouraging hateful
propaganda against the LGBTQ communities across the state.

“I
think after witnessing last year's coin toss, and to my knowledge --
and please correct me if I'm wrong -- there was no problem with
betting integrity that took place. I looked in all the jurisdictions
and I Googled as many news articles as I could to see if any betting
integrity [issues] took place. There are other prop bets, like the
Gatorade color over the coach, the national anthem length, and we, of
course, decided we didn't want to go that far. But I think the coin
toss is something we should be revisiting.”

---
Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Brad Hill on the commission’s 3-2
vote to allow sports betting companies in the Bay State to offer
wagers on the Super Bowl opening coin toss.

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 Feb. 3-7, the House met for a total of six hours and 13
minutes while the Senate met for a total of 11 minutes.

Mon
Feb. 3 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.

Senate
11:20 a.m. to 11:26 a.m.

Tues.
Feb. 4 No House session

No
Senate session

Wed.
Feb. 5 No House session

No
Senate session

Thurs.
Feb. 6 House 11:01 a.m. to 5:06 p.m.

Senate
11:28 a.m. to 11:33 a.m.

Fri.
Feb. 7 No House session

No
Senate session

Bob
Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com