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4-20-2025 4:25am

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.

Volume 50 - Report No. 16

April 14-18, 2025

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on roll calls from recent House sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

CONSOLIDATED EDUCATION AMENDMENT (H 4005)

House 151-4, approved a consolidated amendment adding $46.2 in education funding to the $1.3 billion supplemental budget. Much of the funding was for education projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts.

“This consolidated amendment provides critical funding for a variety of education-related programs and projects at both the state and municipal levels, including $15 million to assist communities with regional school transportation costs," said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “These initiatives are funded with excess … surtax revenues, which is in keeping with the will of the voters to use this money to supplement spending for education and transportation-related initiatives.”

Amendment opponents said that the amendment was full of pork barrel spending proposed by representatives for projects in their own district. They noted that the money should be used for education projects for all cities and towns, including fully funding special education costs for all the cities and towns in the state.

(A "Yes" vote is for the $46.2 million. A "No" vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION AMENDMENT (H 4005)

House 134-20, approved a consolidated amendment adding $28.8 million in transportation funding to the $1.3 billion supplemental budget. Much of the funding was for transportation projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts.

“This consolidated amendment includes funding for multiple transportation-related initiatives across the state, providing cities and towns with the funding needed to carry out essential transportation infrastructure repairs and maintenance," said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). "When the voters approved the [surtax] amendment in 2022, they were clear that these revenues should be spent only on transportation and education, and this consolidated amendment upholds the will of the voters.”

“We are seeing the necessity for overrides pop up all across the commonwealth and in multiple towns of the 6th Plymouth District, dominated mostly by school operational budgets,” said Rep. Ken Sweezey (R-Hanson). “I believe that the … funds would have been best used on education in the dire situation we find ourselves in rather than the disproportionate amount we funneled to transportation and the MBTA.”

(A "Yes" vote is for the $28.8 million. A "No" vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAM (S 765) – The Financial Services Committee held a hearing on a bill that would create a Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Program to assist homeowners in avoiding foreclosure through supervised pre-foreclosure conferences between creditors and borrowers regarding foreclosure alternatives.

Conferences would result in a report, and foreclosures can only proceed with a Certificate of Compliance, contingent on a creditor’s good-faith efforts to negotiate. Judicial enforcement provisions allow sanctions against non-compliant creditors, including interest tolling, penalties or dismissal of foreclosure actions. The program would be funded by the Foreclosure Prevention Fund, supported by creditor fees to cover administrative costs such as conference monitors and outreach initiatives.

"With Massachusetts foreclosures on the rise, updated state laws that better protect homeowners are long overdue," said sponsor Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield). "In the Pioneer Valley, more than half of all renters are 'cost burdened,' spending 30 percent or more of their income on housing. This trend is even worse for communities of color in the region, such as Springfield where we continue to face serious housing stability challenges."

DIVEST STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS FROM FIREARMS COMPANIES (H 49) - A bill heard by the Public Service Committee would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with companies that derive more than 15 percent of revenues from the sale or manufacture of ammunition, firearms or firearm accessories used for civilian purposes.

"It is crucial that we take a stand against gun violence, which is now the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to nineteen," said State Treasurer Deb Goldberg. "This bill takes a fiscally responsible approach in divesting from an industry that has repeatedly refused to work toward protecting our communities."

She noted that while this represents only a minuscule fraction of the state's investment portfolio, divestment from ammunition and firearms sends a clear message to the victims and survivors of gun violence everywhere that Massachusetts stands with them.

SENIORS' FINANCIAL STABLITY (S 471) - The Elder Affairs Committee’s hearing included legislation that would require the state treasurer to develop and periodically review and update model curriculum to support seniors’ financial literacy and stability, in consultation with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Massachusetts Councils on Aging and AARP Massachusetts.

"Massachusetts is among the three states where older people are most likely to be financially insecure," said sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). "Older people are the fastest group of unhoused people, and among the most likely victims of scams."

LIQUOR LICENSE SUSPENSION (H 390) – Current law suspends the liquor license of and closes down for a period of time, any package store that is found guilty of selling to a minor or an intoxicated individual. However, in big box stores, supermarkets, gas stations and other places in which liquor sales are not their primary business, a violation results only in the closing of the liquor department. A bill, sponsored by Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) and heard by the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, would amend current law so that the entire establishment is closed down.

Supporters said current law creates an unfair disadvantage to the liquor stores and argued the bill levels the playing field.

“As licenses to sell alcohol have expanded into big box stores and supermarkets, the small, in most cases, family owned 'packies' have suffered,” said Howitt. “If any liquor store is caught selling to a minor, they may face closure for a few days, not the case for liquor-selling big box stores, gas stations and supermarkets. Should this occur in one of these retailers, only the alcohol department is shut down for a suspension period.”

Howitt continued, "This bill would shut down the whole business, just as a liquor store. It would also ensure that these big stores would be mindful, as small liquor stores are, that this is serious business, not just a small additional merchandise department in their stores."

“HERSTORY” PHOTO EXHIBIT HONORING TRAILBLAZING WOMEN - Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced the opening of HERstory, a photo exhibit honoring 91 trailblazing women who have shaped the history of Massachusetts and the nation. The exhibit will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, in Spilka’s ceremonial office on the third floor of the Massachusetts Statehouse, directly outside the Senate Chamber.

Photos include Phillis Wheatley, the first African American author of a published book of poetry and a strong supporter of America's fight for independence; Frances Perkins, workers' rights advocate and the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet; Elberta Futrelle Copeland, the first woman publisher of the State House News Service and first woman to step foot on the floor of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; Margaret Marshall, anti-apartheid activist and the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court; Kitty Dukakis, longest-serving First Lady of Massachusetts and advocate for mental health and Holocaust awareness; and Therese Murray the first woman to be elected Senate president.

These photos replace the current hanging photos of past Senate presidents going back to 1780. The most recent presidents still have their portraits hanging in the Senate Reading Room including former Senate Presidents Therese Murray, Bill Bulger, Tom Birmingham, Kevin Harrington and Bob Travaglini.

“Massachusetts residents have always been dynamic and diverse, but our Statehouse art has failed to fully represent them,” said Spilka. “It is our responsibility to make sure every resident can see themselves in the halls of power, regardless of their background. I hope that when women walk into this office, they know that they have a place in this building—and in shaping Massachusetts’ future. I’m so excited to be able to share this with residents, visitors and staff who come to the Statehouse.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“This project underscores Massport’s strong commitment to sustainability and reinforces our responsibility to minimize our environmental footprint across all of our facilities as we work toward achieving our Net Zero goal. Transforming this underutilized land at Worcester Regional Airport into one of the largest solar fields in the state is a win for the environment, a win for the community and a smart step toward a more resilient future.”

--- Massport CEO Rich Davey announcing a new partnership with Kearsarge Solar to construct and operate a 20-megawatt solar field at Worcester Regional Airport.

“By creating more opportunities for equitable access to high demand fields, we can grow the health care workforce at a rate that meets the needs of Massachusetts residents. Our strategy for improving access to higher education is intimately linked with our goal meeting workforce needs and I am grateful to our community colleges for continuing to partner with us on expanding pathways to success through higher education and training for our learners.”

---Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler announcing that $9.7 million has been awarded through the Community College Nursing Grant to expand workforce training in critical health care professions across Massachusetts. This funding will support noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant training programs at each of the state’s 15 public community colleges, serving approximately 1,125 students in the state.

“At its core, this bill is about investing in and strengthening our public higher education system by bringing educator salaries in line with the national average. It ensures that every student—regardless of background—learns in a classroom supported by educators and staff who are respected and fairly compensated.”

--- Senator Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence) on his bill to provide fair compensation for faculty and staff at the state’s public colleges and universities.

“No child should ever experience abuse or neglect. Today's event serves as an important reminder to look beyond the statistics. Behind every number is a story of a child that is experiencing harm and it's on us to ensure that we’re speaking up against abuse of all kinds, but especially when it’s against our most vulnerable.”

---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll at an event, sponsored by Children’s Trust, which is dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect in Massachusetts. The event called attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month and emphasized the urgent need to invest in the family support workforce. The annual Step Up for Kids event featured a display of 70 children’s shoes on the steps of the Grand Staircase at the Statehouse, each pair representing the average number of children confirmed as abused or neglected every day in Massachusetts.

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 April 14-18, the House met for a total of ten minutes while the Senate met for a total of 16 minutes.

Mon. April 14 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:03 a.m.

Senate 11:09 a.m. to 11:18 a.m.

Tues. April 15 No House session

No Senate session

Wed. April 16 No House session.

No Senate session

Thurs. April 17 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:07 a.m.

Senate 11:05 a.m. to 11:12 a.m.

Fri. April 18 No House session

No Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com