27

THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 27 BEACON | FROM PAGE 26 be addressed to end discriminatory practices and policies.” AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AIRS SEVEAL BILLS - The Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on several bills including: SAFETY OF FOOD AND FOOD ADDITIVES (H 113) – Would establish a 16-member Commission to Study the Safety of Food and Food Additives to investigate the health impacts of certain foods and food additives and propose policy and regulatory changes to enhance food safety in Massachusetts. The commission would include medical professionals, dietitians, food scientists, a pediatrician, consumer advocates and representatives from local farming. It would study additives such as high fructose corn syrup, seed oils, artificial coloring dyes, monosodium glutamate, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, sodium nitrite/ nitrate in processed meats and bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. The commission would be empowered to hold public hearings, conduct research, employ staff and issue subpoenas to gather evidence. Within two years of its first meeting, the commission would deliver a report to the governor, the Legislature and the public -- assessing health impacts, recommending legislative or regulatory actions and suggesting public education campaigns to promote healthier food choices. “The surge in obesity and chronic illnesses like diabetes, auto-immune disease and behavioral health disorders particularly among children, demands a thorough investigation,” said sponsor Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). “Growing research and frankly common sense suggest that the root of the problem is related to the foods we eat. Additives like artificial dyes, seed oils and high fructose corn syrup as well as ultra processed foods are poisoning Americans of all ages, robbing them of living healthy and fulfilling lives. This commission will deliver evidence-based solutions to enhance food safety and educate families on healthier options. Massachusetts has an opportunity to lead the way in addressing our growing health crisis.” OCTOPUS (H 127) – Would prohibit the aquaculture of octopus in tanks or other controlled environments for human consumption. Aquaculture is defined as “waters used primarily and directly in the commercial cultivation of aquatic organisms including finfish, mollusk or crustacean in a controlled environment.” The measure would prohibit businesses from selling, transporting or possessing commercially farmed octopus. Violators would be fined up to $1,000 per day and would also be required to pay restitution for any money they made from the octopus. “I filed this bill due to serious ethical concerns related to raising octopuses in confined spaces” said sponsor Rep. Chris Hendricks (D-New Bedford). “The neurological complexities of octopuses are not compatible with controlled aquaculture processes and practices. During this session, I hope the Legislature can take a serious look at this measure and move it across the finish line.” RODEOS (H 139) – Would require that any rodeos comply with the rules, regulations, standards and practices established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. “I filed this bill because Massachusetts has no standards for rodeos unlike many other states, a fact which came to light after the incident last fall when seven bulls escaped from a traveling exhibition in North Attleboro and crossed Route 1 into residential neighborhoods,” said sponsor Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleboro). “I like that North Attleboro is a venue for all types of entertainment. Variety is the spice of life, after all. We just need to make sure that standards are met for public safety as well as for animal welfare.” AGRICULTURAL EQUITY FOR MINORITIES (S 53) – Would create a special legislative commission to study and develop recommendations for supporting investments, policies and practices designed to “promote equity in agriculture for socially disadvantaged groups in the commonwealth that have been historically or systematically excluded or have had less access to resources and opportunities based on cultural, racial or ethnic prejudice.” These groups would include, at a minimum, African Americans, Cape Verdeans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Caribbean Islanders, Native Americans and Alaskan natives. “Property ownership is a leading source of intergenerational wealth accumulation,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “In the United States, white people have always had more access to land ownership than Black, Indigenous and People of Color. While we know these populations are significantly underrepresented among farm landowners, we do not have reliable data on who is receiving state grants and other state funding for agriculture.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “It was great to welcome Suni Williams to the Statehouse and back home to Massachusetts. Her resilience and dedication to service serves as an incredible model for young people across the state, reminding them that their potential is as limitless as outer space. We hope that some of the students who joined us today will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM and truly reach for the stars.” ---Gov. Healey hosting a meet and greet with American Astronaut and Needham native Suni Williams and local students at the Statehouse. Williams is the first woman to fly on a flight test of an orbital spacecraft during the 2024 Boeing Crew Flight Test and had her stay extended for nine months by technical problems aboard the ISS. “We are here to make our voices heard and we are asking our legislators to listen and to act, to protect and to strengthen the programs which keep older adults safe, nourished and at home. And to continue to invest in our nonprofit system of care that has delivered value to the commonwealth for decades and so that it can continue to do so for generations to come.” ---Betsey Crimmins, Mass Aging Access Executive Director speaking at the Older Adult Lobby Day at the Statehouse along with some 600 older adults and their supporters. “Every statewide election, thousands of voters show up to vote on Election Day but encounter preventable barriers to voting. The Voting Access Campaign seeks to remove those known barriers by advocating for important voting reforms like Same Day Registration. Let’s ensure that every eligible voter who seeks to cast a ballot on Election Day can cast one that counts and that we make sure the door to our democracy is fully opened to all eligible voters in Massachusetts.” ---Geoff Foster, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts at a press conference announcing the group’s 2025 legislative campaign to strengthen voting access for all Bay Staters. “Investing in our youth and young adults is an essential part of our state’s strategy to develop pathways for our future talent and workforce. YouthWorks provides an invaluable chance for young people to discover why Massachusetts is an exceptional place to live and work.” ---Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones announcing some $22 million in funding grants to hire 6,540 youth in summer and year-round employment through the state’s YouthWorks program for the 2025-2026 program year. The program provides teens and young adults with hands-on work experience and soft-skill development, and places them in jobs in industries such as education, health care, information technology, camp counselors, arts and communications. 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 importBEACON | SEE PAGE 30

28 Publizr Home