THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 13, 2022 Page 23 BEACON | FROM PAGE 20 do not need a distinctive license to identify a driver. They said the amendment could create an opportunity for stigma and allow someone to discriminate against its holder. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Sal DiDomenico No NOT VALID FOR ID (S 2851) Senate 7-32, rejected an amendment that would require that the license include the words “Not valid for identification” prominently in bold text.” Amendment supporters said that the license is meant to operate a motor vehicle and it should be made clear that it is not valid for identification purposes. Amendment opponents said the amendment is unnecessary and will only lead to and open up opportunities to discriminate. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Sal DiDomenico No REQUIRE RMV TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO CITY AND TOWN CLERKS (S 2851) Senate 10-29, rejected an amendment that would require the RMV to provide information on the holder of a Massachusetts driver’s license to any city or town clerk requesting information to verify the identity and eligibility of any individual using a Massachusetts license to vote or to register to vote. Amendment supporters said this would ensure that anyone who receives a Massachusetts license who is not eligible to vote is not accidentally registered to vote. “The bill does very little to prevent the issue of an undocumented citizen using their driver’s license to register to vote,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “This poses a challenge to the integrity of the process to register to vote, because city and town clerks will not be able to determine whether or not an individual is eligible to register. My amendment would add strength to the security of this process by ensuring that Massachusetts is in compliance with the law that enables U.S. citizens to vote.” Amendment opponents said getting a driver’s license has nothing to do with a person’s ability to vote. They noted there are many non-citizens, such as green card recipients, who have earned a license but are not eligible to vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Sal DiDomenico No PROMISE NOT TO USE LICENSE TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR FOR ID (S 2851) Senate 7-31, rejected an amendment to a section of the bill that requires the applicant to attest, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that their license to operate has not been suspended or revoked in another state or country. The amendment would also require the applicant to attest that he or she will not use his or her license for the purpose of registering to vote, voting or for identification. Amendment supporters said this is simply another safeguard to ensure that the license will not be misused with the intent to vote illegally. Amendment opponents said there are sufficient safeguards in the bill to ensure there will not be improper use of this license. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Sal DiDomenico No 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 latenight 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 May 2-6, the House met for a total of 45 minutes and the Senate met for a total of five hours and 32 minutes. Mon. May 2 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Tues. May 3 No House session No Senate session Wed. May 4 No House session No Senate session Thurs. May 5 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:27 a.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. Fri. May 6 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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