10-12-2025 4:19am

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. 41

October 6-10, 2025

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from several budget vetoes made by Gov. Maura Healey to the $60.9 billion fiscal 2026 state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2025. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.

The House override more than $70 million of Healey's $130 million worth of budget vetoes. The vetoes now go to the Senate which is expected to follow the House and override the vetoes.

“The House shares the governor's commitment to fiscal prudence amid the Trump Administration’s devastating budget cuts,” said House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston). But he noted that he continues to believe that the fiscal year 2026 budget vetoes can be overridden in a financially responsible manner.

Michlewitz continued, "This belief is supported by the hundreds of millions of dollars in expected revenue that we set aside during conference committee negotiations, providing the commonwealth with the necessary flexibility to manage our finances through this ongoing period of economic uncertainty."

“Beacon Hill politicians spent the better part of a year warning about fiscal uncertainty from Washington, and now that those cuts have arrived, they’re ignoring their own warnings,” said Paul Craney, Executive Director for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Instead of learning to live within our means, the Legislature is proving once again that its only solution to a budget problem is more spending.”

Craney added, “The governor’s vetoes were an extremely small step toward restraint, but the Legislature can’t even handle that. When state spending increases by billions year after year, even small, reasonable cuts become politically impossible. That’s why Massachusetts keeps lurching from one budget crisis to the next racking up one of the highest debts-per capita in the country.”

$1.5 MILLION FOR SEWER RATE RELIEF (H 4240)

House 143-11, override Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services in the Bay State.

Override supporters said this fund has helped, and continues to help, thousands of people pay for expensive sewer costs.

In her veto message, Gov. Healy said, “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation.”

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

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

$300,000 FOR PROGRAMS FOR THE BLIND (H 4240)

House 155-0, overrode Gov. Healey’s $300,000 veto reduction (from 8,864,721 to 8,564,721) in programs for the blind.

Override supporters said this funding is important to help the thousands of blind people in the state live better lives, whether they are experiencing current vision loss or have been blind since their youth.

In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary. This reduction is not expected to impact planned programming.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $300,000. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

$2.5 MILLION FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE (H 4240)

House 147-8, overrode Gov. Healey’s $2.5 million veto reduction (from 8,864,721 to $6,364,721) in programs for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.

Override supporters said the cut will hurt the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services which oversees the statewide system of prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support services for individuals, families and communities affected by substance addiction.

In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary to support continued programming. This operating funding overlaps with significant alternative funding sources to support expansions in low-threshold housing units and related supports.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $2.5 million. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

$1.5 MILLION FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES (H 4240)

House 139-16, override Gov. Healey’s $1,530,735 veto reduction (from $39,250,384 to 37,719,649) in early intervention services.

Override supporters said the $1,530,735 cut will hurt this program which helps infants and toddlers (from birth to 3 years old) who have developmental delays or are at risk of a developmental delay.

In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to align with current utilization trends.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $1,530,735. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

$700,000 FOR CUMMINGS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY (H 4240)

House 148-7, overrode Gov. Healey's $700,000 veto reduction (from $6,200,000 million to $5,500,000 million) in funding for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton.

Override supporters said that the funding is important to Cummings and its four-year academic programs which offer a degree in veterinary medicine. They noted that the school conducts groundbreaking research that benefits animals and people and also has hospitals that treat an estimated 28,000 animals annually ranging from cats and dogs to pet rabbits, parrots, iguanas and fish.

In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation.” Some supporters of the veto questioned whether the state should be providing millions of dollars to a private university.

(A "Yes" vote is for spending the $700,000. A "No" vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

SUNSCREEN LOTION (H 600) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would allow any person, including students, parents and school personnel, to possess and use a topical sunscreen product without a physician’s note or prescription while on school property or at a school-related event or activity, to avoid overexposure to the sun.

“Exposure to sun during childhood and adolescence is a significant risk factor for skin cancer later in life,” said sponsor Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “Regular use of sunscreen substantially reduces the risk associated with the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Outdated policies treat sunscreen as an over-the-counter medication requiring medical authorization. This antiquated policy creates barriers to a basic, preventative health practice.”

Hogan continued, “[My bill] ensures that sunscreen is not to be treated as medication for the purposes of school policy and that sunscreen can be used, without imposing on school staff. The bill also gives school districts the opportunity to incorporate sun safety education into their wellness efforts, which will foster lifelong healthy habits. This legislation is particularly important as outdoor school activities such as recess, athletics, field days and field trips expose students to the sun. Enabling access to sunscreen is a common sense and evidence-based step that supports student health.”

EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION FOR ABUSE VICTIMS (H 2143/S 1294) – The House gave initial approval to a proposal that would prohibit discrimination against an employee based on their status as a victim of abusive behavior. The measure requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure employees are able to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and address the situation, while remaining productive in the workplace.

"I filed this legislation because Massachusetts needs stronger employment protections for individuals in the commonwealth who are either experiencing abusive behavior or have a family member experiencing abuse," said Senate Majority Leader Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton), the Senate sponsor of the bill. "The reforms included in this bill will help ensure victims of abuse and their family members are not unfairly penalized in the workplace for requesting reasonable accommodations to protect themselves or a loved one from a dangerous situation."

Rep. Jay Livingstone (D-Boston), the House sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll asking him why he filed the measure and how he feels about its approval.

BAN MASK USE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT (HD 4886) – Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro) has filed a bill that would prohibit police and other law enforcement officers from wearing masks or personal disguises while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties. The measure was referred to the Judiciary Committee and the date for a public hearing on the proposal has not yet been set.

“Reports are on the rise and becoming increasingly alarming of masked, non-identifying individuals and groups approaching and disappearing people throughout the country,” said Hawkins. “This behavior erodes public trust, which ultimately puts everyone, including law enforcement officers, at risk. It's unscrupulous, unethical and leads to further threats to democracy, deeply harming our communities. The traumatic experience of unwarranted and aggressive approaches by masked strangers, especially for women and girls, has proven terrifying. Often, they are in unmarked vehicles, stalking our neighborhoods and failing to produce a valid judicial warrant or explanation.”

Hawkins continued, “Spokespersons for ICE and the current administration have tried to frame our bill as an attempt to grant sanctuary to dangerous criminals and intentionally put law enforcement personnel in harm's way. The truth is contrary. This bill is a step toward mending the divide and fostering trust between law enforcement officers and the public. With transparency, identification and reason, there should be no need for disguises while performing their duties to the communities they serve.”

RENAME COLUMBUS DAY (S 2113) – A bill filed by Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) would designate the second Monday in October, now known as Columbus Day, as Indigenous Peoples Day and recommend appropriate exercises in schools to acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination against Indigenous people.

The State Administration Committee held a hearing on the proposal on June 4 but has not yet taken action on the measure. This year, Columbus Day is on October 13 so any name change, if approved, would have to wait until 2026 to take effect.

“Christopher Columbus did not discover the Americas,” says Comerford. “That long-perpetuated myth — rooted in racism and violence — has allowed generations to credit a European man with discovering a land already teeming with societies. Indigenous communities and tribal nations in the commonwealth and across the United States call us to act. It is thanks to their courageous truth-telling that we recognize Columbus’ legacy of colonization as one not worthy of memorialization or celebration.”

She continued, “Massachusetts remains one of only 15 states that still singularly observes the second Monday in October as Columbus Day. Currently, 35 U.S. states and territories have chosen a different path — recognizing Native American or Indigenous Peoples Day solely or in conjunction with Columbus Day, or by moving away from the holiday altogether. In 2021, Former President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s time for Massachusetts to do the same. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day is an act of respect, recognition, and reconciliation. It honors the first stewards of this land — past, present, and future.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“The Trump Administration’s portrayal of Portland as ‘war ravaged’ and ‘under attack’ is inaccurate and inflammatory. By sending in the National Guard, the President is provoking disorder where it otherwise does not exist. These actions attempt to instill fear in our communities and silence dissent. I stand firmly with Oregon in resisting this egregious abuse of power.”

---Attorney General Andrea Campbell joining a coalition of 24 attorneys general and governors in submitting a brief in support of Oregon’s challenge to the Trump Administration’s attempt to use the military for civil law enforcement.

“Today’s event showed just how prevalent PFAS is in many products we use in our daily lives, from cookware to kid’s car seats. But we also showed that there are alternatives. Thankfully, more information on the harmful impacts of these chemicals, combined with the passage of state laws banning or restricting them, means that PFAS-free versions of many products are now available.”

---Deirdre Cummings, Legislative Director for MASSPIRG, at a Statehouse rally against dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The event included a “show and tell” of common products containing PFAS, such as cookware and child car seats, make-up and personal care products, fabric sprays, paint, outdoor gear and clothing; and similar products that do not.

“Boston Logan Airport is often the first and last impression that millions of travelers have of Massachusetts, and now, thanks to this new program, it’s also one of the most welcoming. We want everyone who travels through Logan to know that we prioritize mental health here in Massachusetts.”

---Gov. Healey announcing that passengers at Logan can look forward to meeting some furry friends, thanks to a new program called “BOS PAWS.” In partnership with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Massport is introducing trained therapy dogs to the airport to help reduce stress and enhance the overall travel experience.

“Beyond acknowledging the world-class education UMass Lowell provides, these rankings speak to the university’s impressive return on investment, which reflects academics as well a commitment to giving students opportunities for meaningful career-connected experiences that serve as a launchpad for their professional lives.”

---UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen on the Wall Street Journal rating UMass Lowell the best public higher-ed institution in Massachusetts, the state’s number 1 best value school and Number 1 among all colleges and universities in Massachusetts in fostering social mobility among students.

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 October 6-10, the House met for a total of four hours and 36 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 31 minutes.

Mon. Oct. 6 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Senate 11:04 a.m. to 11:28 a.m.

Tues. Oct. 7 No House session

No Senate session

Wed. Oct. 8 House 11:02 a.m. to 2:51 p.m.

No Senate session

Thurs. Oct. 9 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:33 a.m.

Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

Fri. Oct. 10 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com