Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 BHRC | FROM PAGE 14 ing it with “the person.” The measure’s sponsor, Rep. Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the proposal. “AFFIRM” RATHER THAN “SOLEMNLY SWEAR” (H 80) – Amends a current section of the constitution that gives Quakers the option to change the oath a person must take upon taking offi ce from the current: “I do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the commonwealth of Massachusetts and will support the constitution thereof. So help me God.” Currently Quakers are allowed to change the word “swear” to “affi rm” and the words “So help me God” with “under the pains and penalties of perjury.” The amendment would give that same option to anyone, not just Quakers. The measure’s sponsor, Rep. Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the proposal. CHANGE “SELECTMAN” TO “SELECT BOARD” (SD 2564) – Changes all references to the constitution to a town’s “selectman” to “select board.” “This bill would recognize that both men and women can lead in local government by updating antiquated references to “selectmen” in the constitution,” said sponsor Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont). The modern terminology, adopted by many towns, is “select board.” 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 fi led. 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 April 19-23, the House met for a total of eleven minutes while the Senate met for a total of eight minutes. Mon. April 19 No House session. No Senate session Tues. April 20 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. Senate 11:18 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Wed. April 21 No House session. No Senate session Thurs. April 22 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Fri. April 23 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! 379 Broadway 617-381-9090 Wedding ~ Sympathy Tributes Plants ~ Dish Gardens Customized Design Work GIFT BASKETS Fruit Baskets
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