5-17-2026 4:04am

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 51 - Report No. 20

May 11-15, 2026

By Bob Katzen

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

All three roll calls are on amendments to the Senate version of the PROTECT Act that supporters said would establish statewide standards governing interactions between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. Opponents of the bill said they voted against the measure for a number of reasons including because of a provision that prohibits local and state law enforcement from working with federal law enforcement to apprehend dangerous felons accused of committing violent crimes.

The House has already approved its own version of the measure and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually hammer out a compromise version.

GIVE FEDERAL MONEY TO SHERIFFS AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT (S 3072)

Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would strike a section of the bill that provides that any payments made by the federal government to reimburse the Department of Correction for costs associated with executing its responsibilities, must be transferred to and then distributed by the Office for Refugees and Immigrants to designated non-profit organizations which would use the funds to increase access to legal representation for immigrants and refugees in the state.

Amendment supporters said that the amendment would ensure that this money stays with the sheriffs and the Department of Corrections which performed their duties and generated the federal funds rather than being unfairly diverted to nonprofits for a wholly different purpose.

“I voted ‘No’ because taxpayer reimbursement funds should remain focused on core state priorities rather than being automatically redirected to outside nonprofit organizations,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “This amendment improves accountability and gives lawmakers greater flexibility in allocating public funds.”

Amendment opponents said the money would be put to good use by nonprofits to increase access to legal representation for immigrants and refugees who cannot become legal immigrants because they don’t have the money necessary to go through the lengthy and expensive process to do so.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he filed it.

Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), the chief opponent of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she opposed it.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment which would require the federal funds to be used by sheriffs and the Department of Corrections. A “No” vote is against the amendment and supports the funds being used to help legal representation for immigrants and refugees.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch No Sen. Karen Spilka President rarely votes

INCLUDE ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSES (S 3072)

Senate 7-32, rejected an amendment to a section of the bill that allows a law enforcement official to request information about a person’s citizenship or immigration status when the officer has an articulable, case-specific reason to believe the person’s citizenship or immigration status is directly material to a list of specific criminal offenses the person has committed. The amendment would allow more criminal offenses to be considered.

Amendment supporters said the amendment is a fair one that would broaden the provision and make it apply to all criminal offenses.

Amendment opponents said the bill applies to all felonies and said the amendment is not necessary.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he filed it.

Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), the chief opponent of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she opposed it.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment that would broaden the provision and make it apply to all criminal offenses. A “No” vote is against the amendment.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch No Sen. Karen Spilka President rarely votes

VERIFY THAT AID RECIPIENTS ARE IN THE COUNTRY LEGALLY (S 3072)

Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would require any agency, organization or other entity receiving public funds for the purpose of providing legal representation in matters involving federal immigration law, to develop and implement mechanisms to ensure that no funds are provided to help an individual not lawfully present in the United States.

“I voted ‘Yes’ because state-funded legal aid programs should prioritize assistance for individuals who are legally present in the United States,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). ”This amendment adds an important verification safeguard to ensure public resources are used as intended and with transparency.”

Amendment opponents said this would unfairly take away the ability for nonprofits to represent people who are lawfully here in the country but can't afford to pay a private lawyer to help them.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he filed it.

Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), the chief opponent of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she opposed it.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment that would require recipients to prove that they are here legally. A “No” vote is against the amendment.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch No Sen. Karen Spilka President rarely votes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES (S 2694) – The Revenue Committee held a hearing on legislation that supporters say would encourage the purchase of heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (classes 3 through 8) - if purchased before January 1, 2035.

The measure directs that in calculating the motor vehicle excise tax and the state sales tax, the taxable value of the zero-emission vehicles be based on the lesser of the vehicle’s actual list or sales price, or the median list or sales price of comparable internal combustion engine vehicles of the same class and year.

Supporters say that the proposal would encourage the purchase of zero-emission vehicles and ensure that they are not subject to disproportionately higher taxes due to higher upfront costs. They note the bill would guarantee that the state’s fiscal policy aligns its clean transportation goals.

Sens. Paul Mark (D-Becket), Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Joan Lovely (D- Salem), the co-sponsors of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they filed the measure.

STUDY THE DISTRIBUTION OF LOTTERY REVENUE (H 5160) – Another proposal before the Revenue Committee would create a special commission to examine and study the distribution of Lottery revenues to cities and towns. The commission would examine the current distribution of Lottery revenues and provide recommendations to improve distributional equity of those revenues.

Supporters say that the current system does not work well and is unfair to many cities and towns. They argued that the study would also examine whether the revenue should be distributed to municipalities in proportion to the municipality’s residents’ spending on the Lottery.

Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he sponsored the legislation.

ENSURE SENIORS QUALIFY FOR SENIOR CIRCUIT BREAKER DISCOUNT (H 5298) – Yet another bill that was heard by the Revenue Committee was one that supporters say would ensure that seniors are allowed to take the Seniors Circuit Breaker Discount even if they take advantage of a senior property tax deferral.

The Seniors Circuit Breaker Discount can be taken by seniors with homes valued at less than $1,298,000 and who earn $75,000 or less for a single individual who is not the head of a household; 94,000 for a head of household; and $112,000 for married couples filing a joint return. To qualify as a homeowner, your property tax payments, together with half of your water and sewer expense, must exceed 10 percent of your total Massachusetts income for the tax year. If you are a renter, 25 percent of your annual Massachusetts rent must exceed 10 percent of your total Massachusetts income for the tax year.

“Seniors on a fixed income are struggling to pay for food, electricity, gas and property taxes,” said sponsor Rep. Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton). "After passing home rule petitions in two of our towns to expand access to senior property tax deferral, we learned that if seniors take the deferral, they no longer qualify for the Senior Circuit Breaker discount on their state taxes. This bill would allow income-qualifying seniors to defer property taxes (with the taxes paid in full with interest upon the sale of their home) and still qualify for the Senior Circuit Breaker.

AG CAMPBELL ANNOUNCES $7.8 MILLION SETTLEMENT - Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced a $7.8 million settlement with American First Finance (AFF) resolving allegations that the company used unfair and deceptive business practices to mislead consumers with expensive lease-to-own contracts. The settlement requires AFF to pay $2 million to the state which will then distribute it to impacted customers as restitution. The settlement also includes nearly $5.8 million in credits to existing consumer accounts.

“Consumers making significant purchases deserve to be presented with clear, straightforward payment options,” said Campbell. “When companies mislead buyers and profit off the confusion they create, that violates our consumer protection laws and unfairly puts our residents at risk. My office will continue to hold companies that take advantage of consumers accountable, especially when they target our most vulnerable communities.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“Through the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF), we are proud to invest in the places that make arts and culture accessible across Massachusetts. These projects strengthen local economies, preserve our shared heritage and ensure that residents and visitors alike can experience the full richness of our cultural sector for years to come.”

---David Slatery, Acting Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, announcing that 97 nonprofit and municipal cultural facilities will receive a total of $8.6 million through the most recent CFF grants.

"An order from the U.S. Supreme Court has extended providers' ability to mail mifepristone while this case continues. This decision is a relief for patients, who can continue to access the medication abortion method of their choice, and for providers to continue offering the highest standards of care.”

--- Dominique Lee, CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, on the U.S. Supreme Court extending a stay of the 5th Circuit’s ruling in Louisiana et al. v. Food and Drug Administration allowing health care providers to continue mailing mifepristone, one of two common medications used for abortion and miscarriage management, while the case continues.

“As we mark this important milestone for the Office of Problem Gambling Services, we continue to lean into our commitment to working with our state and community partners to expand access to prevention, referral and treatment for those impacted by harm caused by gambling. Amid this great expansion of gambling access and advertising, our work is guided by a belief that racial equity is foundational to these mitigation efforts and that centering community voices in addressing this public health issue is key.”

--- Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, on the 10th anniversary of the state’s efforts to address gambling harm.

“Massachusetts may invest heavily in [college students’ talent], but it is not capturing the returns. People will stay only if the private sector is growing jobs and new businesses—that is the core challenge for policymakers interested in attracting and retaining young talent.”

---Jim Stergios, Executive Director of Pioneer Institute, on its study, which tracked the interstate movement of over 1,000 college graduates, and found that Massachusetts colleges lose 35 percent of its graduates after commencement while only attracting 20 percent back from other states.

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 May 11-15, the House met for a total of 18 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 25 minutes.

Mon. May 11 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:08 a.m.

Senate 12:04 p.m. to 12:08 p.m.

Tues. May 12 No House session.

No Senate session.

Wed. May 13 No House session.

No Senate session.

Thurs. May 14 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:11 a.m.

Senate 11:04 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.

Fri. May 15 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com