THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 2, 2023 Page 11 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 25,000 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 MASSterlist’s new editor, Erin Tiernan, with help from Matt Murphy. Both are pros, with a wealth of experience, who introduce each article in their own clever 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: https://lp. constantcontactpages.com/su/ aPTLucK THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of May 22-26. All Senate roll calls are on proposed amendments to the Senate version of a $55.9 billion fiscal 2024 state budget. There were no roll call votes in the House last week. Of the 1,049 amendments filed by senators, only 31 came to a roll call vote. Many others were simply approved or rejected one at a time on voice votes, some with debate and some without debate. To move things along even faster, the Senate also did its usual “bundling” of many amendments. Instead of acting on each amendment one at a time, hundreds of the proposed amendments are bundled and put into two piles— one pile that will be approved and the other that will be rejected, without a roll call, on voice votes where it is impossible to tell which way a senator votes. Senate President Karen Spilka, or the senator who is filling in for her at the podium, orchestrates the approval and rejection of the bundled amendments with a simple: “All those in favor say ‘aye,’ those opposed say ‘no.’ The ayes have it and the amendments are approved.” Or: “All those in favor say ‘aye,’ those opposed say ‘no.’ The no’s have it and the amendments are rejected.” Senators don’t actually vote yes or no, and, in fact, they don’t say a word. The outcome was predetermined earlier behind closed doors. SENATE APPROVES $55.9 BILLION FISCAL 2024 BUDGET (S 3) Senate 40-0, approved a $55.9 billion fiscal 2024 state budget after adding an estimated $82.2 million in spending during four days of debate. The House has already approved a different version and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and sent to the governor. “I am so proud that this chamber voted resoundingly for a transformative budget built on the simple principle that our success as a commonwealth is tied to the success of every single person who calls Massachusetts home,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Massachusetts will be competitive so long as people from all over the world can come here to fulfill their dreams – whether by going back to school, advancing their career, starting a business or finding affordable housing and childcare to raise a family. At a time when our world-class educational institutions are more needed now than ever, this budget adds a new chapter in Massachusetts’ storied tradition of making education accessible to all through our Student Opportunity Plan.” “In my five years as chair of Ways and Means, I’ve never experienced a smoother or more democratic process than the fiscal year 2024 budget the Senate just approved here today,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport). “The chamber focused on an overarching goal to meet, and in many cases exceed, the pressing needs of our communities, and the commonwealth at large. This budget is a forward-thinking and responsive proposal that greatly facilitates our long-term economic health and expands access to opportunities to reinvigorate and reinvest in our workforce economy, lessen the wealth-income divide and empower our communities as we build an inclusive post-pandemic future that equitably benefits all. (A “Yes” vote is for the budget.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes IN-STATE TUITION RATES FOR ILLEGAL/ UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS (S 3) Senate 3-37, rejected an amendment that would strike Kiwanis Club of Everett since 1925 a section of the budget that would allow undocumented/ illegal immigrants to qualify for the lower in-state tuition rate if they attended high school here for at least three years and graduated, or completed a GED. They would also be required to provide a college or university with a valid social security number or taxpayer identification number, an affidavit indicating they applied for citizenship or legal permanent residence, or plan to do so once eligible, and proof they registered for selective service if applicable. “Extending in-state tuition to our undocumented students is not only a matter of fairness but a crucial step towards achieving educational equity and effectively addressing our workforce shortages,” said Sen. Pavel Pavano (D-Lawrence). “It is imperative that we tap into the potential of all our citizens to maintain our state’s competitive edge in the economy. Now is the time to rally behind this long-overdue policy change and guarantee that every aspiring student, irrespective of their immigration status, will actively contribute to the growth and prosperity of our commonwealth.” “In-state tuition for undocumented immigrants is an examWHEN Saturday, June 10, 2023 ──── 5TH ANNUAL FRANK MASTROCOLA KIWANIS BOCCE TOURNAMENT FOR THE ERSILIA CUP TO BENEFIT EVERETT KIWANIS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND CHARITY Everett Kiwanis is proud to announce the fifth annual Frank Mastrocola Bocce Tournament to be held on Saturday, June 10 at the Methuen Sons of Italy, 459 Merrimack St, Methuen at 8:00 am. First place team wins The Ersilia Cup and a $1000 cash prize. Second place team wins a $450 cash prize. Please join our fun competition and worthy cause! It is a great time with great people! Enter a team of four for $200 or as an individual for $50. No experience needed! We will teach you how to play! Cost includes a souvenir t-shirt and BBQ by Chef Rocco! Various table raffles including a brick of Lottery tickets! Please consider playing, being a sponsor or donating a raffle prize! TIME 8 AM – 5PM ──── WHERE Methuen Sons of Italy 459 Merrimack St Methuen ──── COST $200/team $50/player ple of one of the upside-down priorities found in the Senate budget,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) who sponsored the amendment to remove the lower tuition provision. “Prioritizing the needs of our citizens of the commonwealth should be the focus of the Senate, including providing tax relief to legal residents, adequately funding our schools including help with surging special education costs and investing in our small businesses and infrastructure. Our residents are leaving the state because it’s expensive and our elected leaders have the wrong priorities.” “The Senate’s fiscal year 2024 budget focuses on expanding access to higher education— not restricting it,” said Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “The data is clear: Students who attend Massachusetts public colleges and universities remain in the commonwealth after graduation, where they contribute to our economy and society. We must not obstruct any student seeking to fulfill their academic, personal and professional potential.” Some senators said this new policy should not be rushed through the Legislature in the form of a budget amendment but should be the subject of a separate bill that has to go BEACON | SEE PAGE 19 9 SPONSORED BY CONTACT SABATINO INSURANCE Rocco Longo Marlene Zizza everettkiwanis@gmail.com
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