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BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes BROADER BACKGROUND CHECKS (S 16) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment that would require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police, to study the feasibility of conducting a National Crime Information Center background check for each adult or benefi ciary applying for the emergency shelter program. “It should be our goal to verify that individuals with violent criminal backgrounds are not endangering others in our temporary emergency shelter system,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “If adopted, this amendment would help us review each applicant’s history more thoroughly, including off enses from outside of the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes PRIORITY TO BAY STATE RESIDENTS (S 15) Senate 8-30, rejected an amendment that would require that the state prioritize giving long term shelter to legal Massachusetts residents whose initial cause of homelessness and application for shelter occurred while they were residing legally in Massachusetts.” Amendment supporters said it is fair to give Bay State residents priority over people who recently came here from other states. Sen. Peter Durant (R-Spencer), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the defeat of his amendment. Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) said the amendment is extremely broad and applies not only to emergency assistance but to all state-funded housing programs. He noted it could cause confusion and negatively impact residents at state housing. He asked senators to Imagine a single mother with a child fl eeing a domestic violence situation in a neighboring state. This would prohibit them from seeking safe shelter in Massachusetts. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendTHE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 21, 2025 said amendment sponsor Sen. ment giving priority to Massachusetts residents. A ”No” vote is against giving priority.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No 12-MONTH RESIDENCY REQUIRED (S 15) Senate 6-32, rejected an amendment that would require that to be eligible for benefi ts under the emergency assistance shelter program, an applicant must have resided in Massachusetts for twelve consecutive months immediately prior to the date of their application. The applicant must also provide an acceptable form of verifi cation such as tax returns; a MA REAL-ID; a utility bill; a lease or mortgage; or pay stubs showing Massachusetts employment. The residency requirement would not apply to victims of domestic violence or to any person whose living situation has been aff ected by a fi re or other natural disaster that occurred in the Bay State. Amendment supporters said the amendment is fair and reasonable and makes it easy to prove a 12-month residency. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the defeat of his amendment. Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) said the amendment is unconstitutional and immoral. He said that the U.S. Supreme Court and the state’s Supreme Judicial Court have ruled that a state cannot discriminate against people who have not lived in the state very long. (A “Yes” vote is for the 12-month residency requirement. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF SHELTER PROGRAM (S 15) Senate 6-32, rejected an amendment that would have required an independent review of the emergency assistance housing program by the Inspector General, to help identify savings and potential cost recovery. “Two things about the emergency assistance shelter system are clear. First, the costs have skyrocketed well beyond the point of sustainability, and second, we would benefi t from fresh eyes and an independent review of the system to help improve the program’s financial sustainability and eff ectiveness,” Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “We need this review, particularly as additional changes are made to further restrict access to the system, even as we have not seen any cost savings by prior access restriction changes, perhaps because those further imposed rules and restrictions raise administrative costs. The Inspector General and his team are trained experts in this type of work, and it is squarely within their jurisdiction to do the work described in this amendment.” Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) said the Inspector General’s offi ce is an independent body not beholden to the Legislature and already has the power to inspect any state agency. He said that it is not the role of the Legislature to direct the Inspector General on what to inspect. (A “Yes” vote is for requiring the review. A “No” vote is against requiring it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No INVESTIGATE SECURITY LAPSES AND SHORTCOMINGS (S 15) Senate 6-32, rejected an amendment that would require the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight to investigate the emergency housing assistance program’s security lapses and shortcomings which amendment supporters say have compromised public safety, health and security. “There are still so many unanswered questions about the emergency shelter system,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “We still don’t have answers on the process to admit families into shelters, where money is being spent and how public safety issues are addressed. The purpose of the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight is to audit the performance of legislative programs, like the emergency shelter system. This amendment would have provided transparency to both the Legislature and the public and it is unfortunate that it was not passed.” Amendment opponents said it’s not the job of senators to direct a Senate committee on how to do its job. They noted that the bill itself already makes safety reform a priority and includes background checks. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendBEACON | SEE PAGE 18 Sa a Page 17 Sa nr y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Choose and Use a Home Blood Pressure Monitor Dear Savvy Senior, Can you off er me any tips on choosing and using a home blood pressure monitor? I just found out I have high blood pressure and my doctor recommended I get a home monitor so I can keep tabs on it. Just Turned 63 Dear 63, Everyone with high blood pressure (130/80 or higher) should have a home blood pressure monitor. Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure in a comfortable setting. Plus, if you’re taking medication it will make certain it’s working, and alert you to a health problem if it arises. Here are some top-rated blood pressure monitors to consider along with some tips to help ensure you take an accurate reading. Best Monitors The most accurate and easiest to use home blood pressure monitors today are electric/battery powered automatic arm monitors, which are more reliable than wrist or fi ngertip monitors. With an automatic arm monitor, you simply wrap the cuff around your bicep and with the push of one button the cuff infl ates and defl ates automatically giving you your blood pressure reading on the display window in a matter of seconds. Many automatic monitors also come with additional features such as irregular heartbeat detection that checks for arrhythmias and other abnormalities; a risk category indicator that tells you whether your blood pressure is in the high range; a data-averaging function that allows you to take multiple readings and get an overall average; multiple user memory that allows two or more users to save their readings; and downloadable memory that lets you transmit your data to your smartphone or computer. The top fi ve automatic arm monitors as recommended by Consumer Reports for 2025 are the Omron Platinum BP5450 ($90), Omron 10 Series BP7450 ($70), Omron Evolv BP7000 ($70), A&D Medical UA767F ($55), and Omron 3 Series BP7100 ($55). And the top wrist monitors are the Omron 7 Series BP6350 ($55) and the Equate (Walmart) 4500 Series ($40). You can purchase these blood pressure monitors at pharmacies, medical supply stores or online and you don’t need a prescription to buy one. Prices, however, will vary slightly depending on where you buy. How to Measure After you buy your monitor, it’s a good idea to take it to your doctor’s offi ce so they can check its accuracy and make sure you’re using it properly. Here are some additional steps to follow to ensure you get accurate measurements at home. Be still: Don’t exercise, smoke or drink caff einated drinks or alcohol for at least 30 minutes before measuring. Empty your bladder and ensure at least 5 minutes of quiet rest before measurements. Sit correctly: Sit with your back straight and supported (on a dining chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be fl at on the fl oor and your legs should not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a fl at surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level. Make sure the middle of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow. Check your monitor’s instructions for an illustration. Don’t measure over cloths: Put the cuff directly on your bare skin. Putting it over clothes can raise your systolic (upper) number by up to 40 mmHg. Measure at the same time: It’s important to take the readings at the same time each day, such as in the morning before taking medications, or evening before dinner. Take multiple readings: Each time you measure, take at least two readings one minute apart and record the results. For more information on high blood pressure numbers and how to accurately measure it at home, visit Heart.org/HBP. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior

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