THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 16, 2026 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 House caucus.” Scotia Hille, Executive Director of Act on Mass: “2025’s voting record proves that leadership’s consolidation of power in the Statehouse is near-absolute and our representative democracy is broken. The 6 million Bay Staters represented by Democrats on Beacon Hill are left to hope that their needs and opinions are shared by the 15,000 people in Quincy and Randolph who elect Speaker Mariano to his House seat. For a healthy democracy and a Statehouse that works for all Massachusetts residents, rank-and-file Democrats must be able to publicly break from leadership without fear of retribution. This year, we challenge tools of power like the corrupt stipend system in hopes of securing such a Statehouse in 2027.” REPRESENTATIVES’ SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY’S LEADERSHIP IN 2025 The percentage next to the representative’s name represents the percentage of times the representative supported his or her party’s leadership in 2025. The number in parentheses represents the number of times the representative opposed his or her party’s leadership. Some representatives voted on all 113 roll call votes. Others missed one or more roll calls. The percentage for each representative is calculated based on the number of roll calls on which he or she voted. Rep. Joseph McGonagle 100 percent (0) ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL TWO MORE POSSIBLE BALLOT QUESTIONS FOR NOVEMBER 2026 ARE CERTIFIED – Two additional proposals were certified by Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office indicating that they contain the required 74,754 certified signatures needed to advance another step toward going on the November 2026 ballot for voters to decide. That brings the final total of possible 2026 ballot questions to 11. One would place sales tax revenue from sporting goods like golf clubs, RVs and camping gear into a new “Nature for All Fund” that sponsors say could generate $100 million annually for water and nature conservation and restoration efforts. A second one is designed to make it easier for residents to purchase a home by updating zoning rules including allowing single-family homes to be built in a residentially zoned area as long as the land on which it is to be constructed is at least 5,000 square feet, has at least 50 feet of land bordering the street, road or public way that it faces and has access to public sewer and water services. The 11 proposals were sent by Galvin to the Legislature and if not approved by the Legislature by May 6, 2026, proponents must gather another 12,429 signatures by July 1, 2026, in order for the question to appear on the November 2026 ballot. LOBULAR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY (H 4625) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would designate October 15 as Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Massachusetts -- recognizing the day to promote public awareness of lobular breast cancer, encourage education and support related research efforts. “While knocking doors during my campaign in Pinehills, I had a conversation at one home with Plymouth resident Laurie Hutcheson, Executive Director of the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance, that introduced me to lobular breast cancer—a disease I had never heard of, despite the CITY OF EVERETT - LEGAL NOTICE - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY, ROOM 24 EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday January 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Everett City Hall, 3rd Floor George Keverian Hearing Room. All interested parties may attend and opinions will be heard regarding the following petition. Whereas a petition has been presented by: Property Address: Map/Parcel: Zoning District: Permit Number: Person Requesting: Proposal: The applicant seeks to convert the existing 1 (one) family residence built approximately in 1890 into a 3 (three) family residence. Violations: • Pursuant to Section 4.B.2.c of the Zoning Ordinance, the maximum allowable floor area ratio (FAR) is .50. The proposed FAR is .88. A variance is required. • Section 17.O.5 requires a minimum driveway width of 18’. The existing structure is 17.5’ from the side lot line, and the proposed driveway appears to be less than eighteen feet wide. A variance is required. REBECCA EDMONDSON KOROM - Chairman ROBERTA SUPPA - Clerk of Board of Appeals Janaury 9, 16, 2026 14 Pleasant Street C0-05-000061 Dwelling B-25-615 Tinh Le 22 Mellen St Dorchester, MA 02124 fact that it accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancer cases and is the second most common form of the disease,” said sponsor Rep. Michelle Badger (D-Plymouth). “Through continued conversations, Laurie shared critical information about how lobular breast cancer is difficult to detect on mammograms because it does not form distinct lumps but instead appears as striations, often described as spider-web-like patterns, lacks its own targeted treatment and frequently goes undiagnosed for years. I am proud to have filed this bill ... to raise awareness, promote earlier detection and help prevent further unnecessary loss of life.” FOREVER CHEMICALS (H 4870) – The Public Health Committee gave a favorable report to and recommended passage by the full House and Senate of a bill to protect public health from toxic “forever chemicals” which are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The measure would phase out PFAS in many products; cut industrial discharges of PFAS; and set up a fund to help communities test and treat PFAS in drinking water, soil and groundwater. Supporters said that in Massachusetts, 172 public water systems in 96 cities and towns, and many private wells, have exceeded the state’s legal limit for PFAS which are toxic even at very low level exposure and do not break down easily, meaning they will persist for thousands of years in the environment. They argued that PFAS can increase the risk of developing cancers, immunosuppression, liver disease and developmental and reproductive illnesses. They said that 28 states have passed laws to ban PFAS in at least one product, and most states in New BEACON | SEE PAGE 18
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