THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 8, 2022 Page 23 BEACON | FROM PAGE 22 Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “We would not be at this point without the great courage and strength of Mya and Deanna Cook, who as 15-year-old students faced discrimination and abuse from their high school for their hairstyles, and bravely stood up for their rights and those of so many other Black women.” “Today, an African-American woman with natural hair voted on the Crown Act,” said Sen. Lydia Edwards (D-East Boston), referring to herself. “This is a perfect example of when the personal becomes political. I am grateful to Maya and Deanna and so many Black women who spoke up through and for our hair. This makes our commonwealth stronger and affirms our belief that we should be judged on the content of our character. Today’s politics is especially a blood sport so to see both houses and both parties come together for justice is especially meaningful.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATES (S 2797) Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow car dealers in Massachusetts to provide temporary license plates for vehicles that are purchased by out-ofstate residents and allow them to use the plates until the vehicle can be driven to and registered in their home state. The measure would direct the Registry of Motor Vehicles to design, issue and regulate the use of the license plates. Supporters said that under current regulations, out-ofstaters leave the dealership after a purchase and are forced to coordinate a complicated delivery across state lines. Sen. Mike Rush (D-Boston), the bill’s sponsor, said the measure recognizes the growing business of online auto sales especially in New England which has a very compact set of states. He noted the legislation will bring in an estimated $75 million to the state in new sales tax revenue and noted that almost all states currently allow this. “I [am] a proud sponsor of [the bill],” said Rush. “As state senator representing the Norfolk and Suffolk district, I have the privilege of representing the largest stretch of auto dealers in Eastern Massachusetts, the Norwood ‘Auto Mile.’ This legislation will enhance auto sales throughout our commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of March 28-April 1, the House met for a total of 13 hours and 29 minutes and the Senate met for a total of nine hours and four minutes Mon. March 28 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:49 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Tues. March 29 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:04 a.m. No Senate session Wed. March 30 House 11:06 a.m. to 2:57 p.m. No Senate session PC’s Cleaning Services is looking for experienced floor cleanings and janitorial services. Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10 hrs. $15 per hr. Tuesday 4:30 pm to 11:30 pm Wednesday 8:00 pm to 12 pm Must have valid driver’s license and able to pull a 6x10 trailer Operate an Auto Floor machine and propane buffer. Please call 617-416-0880 Thurs. March 31 House 11:01 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. Senate 11:19 a.m. to 7:47 p.m. Fri. April 1 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
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