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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 1, 2022 Page 19 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: www.massterlist. com/subscribe THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of March 21-25. There were no roll calls in the House last week. SUSPEND THE 24-CENTSPER GALLON GAS TAX UNTIL LABOR DAY (S 2776) Senate 11-29, rejected an amendment that would immediately suspend the state’s 24-cents-per gallon gas tax until September 5. The measure also requires that the total amount of revenue lost as a result of the suspension be taken out of the General Fund and transferred to the Transportation Fund, where the gas tax currently goes. All three Republicans voted for the suspension. Eight of the Senate’s 37 Democrats joined the Republicans and voted for the suspension. “I sponsored this amendment to provide for relief to motorists across the commonwealth,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), the sponsor of the amendment. “Hardworking families in Massachusetts need to see relief at the pumps, and it is our legislative responsibility to provide immediate assistance wherever we can. When you amortize 24 cents over the course of 16 gallons of gas per tank, several fill ups per week, over the course of six months to a year, it turns out to be between $600 to $1,200 worth of savings. For many, that’s a mortgage payment, rent, car payments or essential supplies for the family.” “There is a reason Gov. Baker, the House speaker and Senate president have been focused on other ways to provide relief to residents who are crunched under the impact of inflation,” said Sen. Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield), the chair of the Revenue Committee. “I am not convinced this step would result in lower prices at the pump given the behavior of oil companies. This is a source of revenue we need for our transportation investments [and the suspension] could negatively impact the state’s bond rating and more.” “Residents have shown great patience, hard work and determination to carry Massachusetts through the pandemic, and now is the time to reward all Bay Staters for not only keeping our economy afloat, but thriving during these challenging times,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “Other states in the nation have suspended their gas tax or have plans to, including some of our New England neighbors. Massachusetts is in a strong financial position to offer this relief at the gas pump and it’s time we act with the urgency needed to get this done.” “The proposed suspension of the gas tax is a political gimmick that is more likely to benefit oil companies than consumers,” said Senate Ways and Means chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport). “Further, the proposal would negatively impact our bond rating and hinder our ability to finance necessary transportation projects.” “The Senate is committed to providing real, targeted relief to Massachusetts taxpayers,” continued Rodrigues. “We approved $500 checks for 500,000 essential workers that are in the mail right now. We created child and dependent tax credits that provide $16 million per year to over 85,000 families. And we ensured that COVID relief funds, including $10,200 in unemployment assistance for low-income families, is not subject to income tax. We will continue to provide meaningful support to families across the commonwealth. However, a gas tax suspension is the wrong approach.” “With the Senate Democrats’ lopsided defeat of a reasonable suspension of the state gas tax, following its secret defeat by the Democrat House supermajority, it’s clear that the multi-billions in revenue surplus—at least in the eyes of most Democrat legislators—belongs to them and them alone,” said Chip Ford, executive director of Citizens for Limited Taxation. “Obviously now, they have no intention of returning or sharing any part of the rev~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ CITY OF EVERETT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY, ROOM 24 EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 617-394-2498 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday April 19, 2022 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: 41 Oakes Street Map/Lot: E0-04-000057 Person Requesting: Mr. Francis J. LaRovere, Mr. Matthew J. LaRovere Mr. Timothy J. LaRovere, Mr. Daniel J. LaRovere & Mr. David LaRovere 492 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 PROPOSAL: The applicant/owner seeks a reduce the size of the lot area from 8,428 square feet down to 5,154 square feet to create a new lot of 3,278 square feet that will be added to the lot at 33 Oakes Street. Reason for Denial: The building on this lot is a two (2) family dwelling which per the City of Everett Zoning Ordinance requires 7,000 square feet of land, the new lot if created will be 5,154 square feet in area. Zoning: Section 3 General Requirements paragraph 14 which states the following: No lot shall hereafter be subdivided so as to reduce the area of any yard, court or open space to less than is required by this Ordinance for the lot involved, but such yard or court may include one-half of the width of an alley, railroad right of way, body of water, or another permanently open space along which it extends. (Ord. of 4-29-91) Mary Gerace - Chairman Roberta Suppa - Clerk Board of Appeals April 1 & April 8, 2022 enue bonanza with the taxpayers who provided every cent of the historic surplus, despite the increasing hardships their constituents must endure from record-setting inflation and over-taxation. Voters will remember come November, and surely will be reminded along the way, just who crushed them.” “When Massachusetts motorists suffer with higher gas prices, they can blame Washington politicians and 29 of their Democratic Massachusetts state senators,” said Paul Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “It’s really calloused of these 29 Democratic state senators, who all get paid extra to drive to work, to vote against providing immediate relief for their struggling constituents and small businesses.” (A “Yes” vote is for the suspension of the gas tax. A “No” vote is against suspension and favors keeping the gas tax in place). Sen. Sal DiDomenico No $20 MILLION FOR COUNSELING VICTIMS OF CRIME (S 2776) Senate 39-0, approved an BEACON | SEE PAGE 20

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