Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 5, 2019 Senate 34-0, approved a bill Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE. Beacon Hill Roll Call records local legislators’ votes on roll calls from the week March 25-29. $8 MILLION FOR FAMILY PLANNING PROVIDERS (H3638) House 140-14, Senate 33-5, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a bill to provide up to $8 million for family planning providers. The Trump administration recently announced it would no longer direct federal funds which support family planning services for low-income residents, toward any clinic that provides, refers or off ers counseling on abortions. The $8 million would be used to replace whatever funding Massachusetts clinics lose under the new Trump rule which also faces a legal challenge from 21 states, including Massachusetts, but will go into eff ect in May if it is not blocked in court. “Once again, where Washington falls short, we in the commonwealth are ready and willing to step up and fi ll the needed gap,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston). “We cannot allow people’s health care to be put at LEGAL NOTICE risk because of the narrow-minded politics of the Trump administration. Today, we are taking the fi rst step to put a stop to this.” Michlewitz noted that an estimated 75,000 Massachusetts residents, most of whom earn less than $30,000 a year, would be impacted by the cut in federal funding. “This action by the House is nothing but a giveaway of our tax dollars to the abortion business,” said Chanel Prunier, executive director of the Renew Massachusetts Coalition which opposes the funding. “The CEO of Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts makes over $250,000 annually, and they spend millions each year on political advocacy and campaign eff orts. So why are our taxes making up for their funding shortfall?” (A “Yes” vote is for the $8 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Sen. Jason Lewis Yes Yes Yes BAN CONVERSION THERAPY FOR ANYONE UNDER 18 (S 2187) that would prohibit psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care providers from attempting to change the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of anyone under 18. Conversion therapy exposes the person to a stimulus while simultaneously subjecting him or her to some form of discomfort. The therapy is primarily used to try to convert gays and lesbians to be straight. The House has approved its own version of the bill and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. Both branches approved a similar bill last year but it never made it to Gov. Baker’s desk. “If a conversion therapy bill gets to my desk and we don’t see any other issues with it, it’s something we’d be inclined to support,” Baker said recently. Mental health experts and LGBTQ groups charge that the practice is scientifi cally unproven and unsound and can trigger depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts in these youngsters subjected to it. “We have a responsibility to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all young people,” said Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), the Senate sponsor of the bill. “Seeking to force a child to change one’s identity or orientation at such a vulnerable point in their young lives infl icts signifi cant harm and is no less than child abuse.” Shortly after the vote, the Human Rights Campaign tweeted, “Victory: the Massachusetts Senate just voted to protect #LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and debunked practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy.’” LEGAL NOTICE THE MALDEN HOUSING AUTHORITY 630 Salem Street Malden, MA 02148 PH: 781-322-3150 FAX: 781-322-3543 TDD: (800) 545-1833 x 103 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Housing Authority (MHA) will conduct a public hearing to discuss and obtain input relative to the submission of the MHA’s Proposed FFY 2020 Annual and Five-Year Public Housing Agency Plan (PHA PLAN) as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Proposed revisions to the MHA’s Section 8 Administrative Plan, Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy, Public Housing Lease and/or House Rules, and planned HUD Capital Fund Grant Program construction projects will be presented for discussion during this hearing. MHA Resident Advisory Board Members, Public Housing Residents and Section 8 representatives of social service agencies and advocacy groups, community leaders, concerned citizens and all other parties having interest in these hearings are invited to This meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the 630 Salem Street Community Room. Please note that 630 Salem Street is a handicapped accessible building. For questions, please contact the MHA’s Executive Director, Stephen G. Finn, at (781) 322-3150. By: Frank M. Molis, Chairperson MHA Board of Commissioners The MHA is an Equal Opportunity Housing Provider and a Drug-Free Workplace April 5, 2019 1. On April 6, 1528, what German artist/printmaker died? (Hint: initials AD.) 2. What is Boston named after? 3. What is Texas’s state flower? (Hint: a butter substitute.) 4. On April 6, 1930, Jimmy Dewar invented what Hostess product after realizing he could use strawberry shortcake pans year-round? 5. Who composed “Appalachian Spring”? 6. What mythological animal is celebrated on April 9? 7. On April 7, 1906, what Italian volcano’s eruption reached a climax? 8. What silent film actor was known as “The Man of a Thousand Faces”? 9. What does a bibliophile collect? 10. On April 8, 1766, an English patent was granted for a wicker basket with a pulley and chain; what was it used for? 11. During what holiday is pineapple the cheapest? 12. What is a male witch called? 13. Does asparagus have leaves? 14. What U.S. state did Ponce de Leon name to honor Easter? 15. On April 9, 1865, who surrendered at Appomattox Court House? 16. What sport uses the term “hot corner”? 17. From what plant does saffron come? 18. On April 10, 1955, who successfully tested polio vaccine? 19. On which album is the Beatles song “Good Day Sunshine”? 20. On April 11, 1814, at Fontainebleau, France, who abdicated the throne? Answers on page 20 “This [is] an appalling assault on parental rights in the commonwealth,” said the president of the Massachusetts Family Institute Andrew Beckwith who opposes the ban. “[Some] legislators apparently believe that parents should not be able to get genderconfused children any treatment, even counseling, that might help them avoid cross-sex hormone injections, sterility or ‘transition’ surgery.” Five senators voted “present” rather than for or against the bill. “We want to be clear that we do not support conversion therapy or any other type of coercive therapy that purports to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity,” said Sen. Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth). “If there were evidence of these practices taking place in Massachusetts, we would wholeheartedly support banning them. However, we have serious concerns about the way this legislation infringes on the constitutional rights of licensed professionals to provide mental health counseling and talk therapy using the knowledge, judgment and expertise that they have acquired through years of study and practice. The vague wording of the legislation provides too much room for interpretation in an area that requires caution and precision from government intervention. By voting ‘present’ we hoped to register our concerns while making it clear that these types of coercive therapies have no place in the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the ban). Sen. Jason Lewis Yes CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THERAPY BAN (S 2187) Senate 6-32, rejected a proposal asking the Supreme Judicial Court to advise the Senate on whether the therapy ban is constitutional. The court would be Advocate asked if the bill violates the provisions of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by violating the right of free speech of professional counselors; the constitutional rights of parents; or the constitutional or statutory rights of privacy or patient confi dentiality. Supporters of asking the court about the constitutionality of the therapy ban said they support the conversion therapy ban but are concerned that the ban is likely to be challenged. They believe the Senate should get an opinion before the challenge in order to ensure the bill doesn’t get delayed. “We are confident that the pending bill is constitutional,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) who opposed getting the court’s opinion. “It relies on well-established authority of the state to regulate professional conduct.” (A “Yes” vote is for getting a court opinion. A “No” vote is against getting it). Sen. Jason Lewis No REMOVE CAP ON WELFARE BENEFITS FOR KIDS (S 2186) Senate 37-1, approved a bill that repeals the current law that denies an additional $100 per month in welfare benefi ts to children conceived while—or soon after—the family began receiving welfare benefi ts or, if they had received family welfare benefi ts in the past. The law was adopted in 1995 as part of a welfare reform package that was aimed at discouraging families already receiving public support from having more children. The House has approved its own version of the bill and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. Supporters of the repeal said that there are some 8,700 children who currently fall under the BEACON | SEE PAGE 19
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