THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023 Page 15 ment that has been completely ignored. Historically, the Legislature has been a closed-door operation, where committee votes have been hidden from the general public and legislation has been voted on in the dark of night.” “Taxpayers deserve more— they deserve the opportunity to weigh in on legislative, budgetary and regulatory matters that are important to them,” continued DiZoglio. “Everyone should have equitable and transparent access to and information about all state-funded agencies, including the Legislature. Unfortunately, the Legislature has not been audited [by the state auditor] since 1922, while Massachusetts ranks as one of the least transparent and least accessible state governments in the nation. It is my hope that the Legislature welcomes the opportunity for an audit to uncover where we can, and must, do better as a state government. Our offi ce looks forward to working with them.” “Under the Massachusetts Constitution, and as the separation of powers clause dictates, the Senate is required to manage its own business and set its own rules,” said a spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka. “Those rules require that the Senate undergoes an audit every fi scal year by a certifi ed public accounting fi rm experienced in auditing governmental entities and provides that audit to the public. Further, Senate business is made public through journals, calendars and recordings of each session, while payroll and other fi nancial information is publicly available on the comptroller’s website. If anyone wishes to view this information, it is available to the public.” “Massachusetts is the only state in the country in which all three branches of our state government—the executive, the judiciary and the Legislature—exempt themselves from public records laws,” said Paul Craney, a spokesman for the Mass Fiscal Alliance. “By most accounts we have possibly the least transparent state government in the country and it’s a commonly held belief that the Legislature is where transparency and good governance principles go to die. If Auditor DiZoglio is actually able to make good on her promise to audit the Legislature, it will be a welcome check on the power of the most opaque state government in the country and a victory for the people of the commonwealth.” Despite repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call, the following Democratic and Republican legislative leaders did not respond to a question asking them whether they support an audit of the Legislature by DiZoglio: House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy), House GOP Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and GOP Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). AND THERE’S MORE — Here are some more of the bills fi led for consideration in the 20232024 Legislature: CHARGING ELECTRIC VEHICLE (SD 1165) — Would direct the Department of Public Utilities to off er a rebate for consumers who choose to charge electric vehicles at off -peak hours when fewer people are likely to do so. “We need to do more than just provide people the option of switching to more environmentally[-friendly] energy alternatives,” said sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “We need to make sure those alternatives have a direct, positive impact on people’s lives. This rebate program will make sure we’re not just helping the planet. We’re also helping the consumer while relieving undue stresses on our electrical infrastructure.” AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (SD 2057) — Would require that American Sign Language (ASL) is taught in all Bay State public elementary and secondary schools to increase interactions between hearing persons and deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, as well as children with autism. Current law allows but does not require schools to teach ASL. “I sponsored the legislation to promote greater equity and inclusion in our public school systems,” said Sen. Jake Oilveira (D-Ludlow). “In recent years, it has become apparent that instruction in American Sign Language provides children with autism with increased opportunities for education and development. It is visually based, unaided and provides a mode of quick communication. American Sign Language is a language our students should get the opportunity to learn in our public school system, and it supports inclusion and involvement for all students.” GRANTS TO SCHOOLS FOR ZERO-EMISSION SCHOOL BUSES (SD 2269) — Would set up a program for the Education Department to provide grants to schools to encourage and incentivize the schools to purchase zero-emission school buses. The program would pay for the diff erence between the cost of a zero-emissions vehicle and a diesel-powered one. “If we’re serious about environmental justice and achieving our state’s climate action goals in 2030 and 2050, then K-6 Paraprofessional Job Opportunities Starting Salary: 35,000 About MVRCS: Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden, MA was founded in 1998. The School serves over 1,400 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. and traditional pedagogy are the keys to student success at Mystic Valley. Our students have attained the highest levels of success at the post-secondary level, Mystic Valley students in Grades K-12 report to school in dress code and are in attendance Job Summary: a teacher and non-instructional tasks under the general supervision of their assigned Assistant Director. Responsibilities: • Support and adhere to School Policies and rules • Assist with Group Work while the teacher is presenting and Independent Work • Reinforce learning posture (students are on task, attending, tracking, on the right page, etc. Requirements: • A high school degree laws, and MVRCS policies. kwhite@mvrcs.org we must pursue every possible avenue to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution in our communities,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “Switching to zero-emission buses would cut those emissions by up to 35 percent annually, improving not only our environmental health but human health as well. Diesel fumes inhaled by our children are associated with asthma, heart dis~ Help Wanted ~ ease and lung disease. This is a public health issue as much as it is a climate issue.” REQUIRE ARMCHAIRS IN RESTAURANTS (SD 2037) — Would require all restaurants to have at least 5 percent of their seating options be armchairs. Or have armchairs on-site and available upon request. “We must continue to make areas where members of the public frequent handicap accessible,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) who fi led the bill at the request of a constituent. “Individuals with disabilities that hinder their mobility, muscle strength or coordination run the risk of slipping or falling off some types of chairs. Armchairs not only provide support for those who need assistance rising or sitting down, they also BHRC | SEE PAGE 17 ~ Help Wanted ~
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