Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, June 7, 2019 WAKEFIELD | FROM PAGE 5 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE. Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on two roll calls from the week of May 27-May 31. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week. $200 MILLION IN CHAPTER 90 FUNDING FOR LOCAL ROADS (H 69) House 156-0, gave final approval to and sent to the Senate a bill authorizing $200 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state. The package is a bond bill under which the funding would be borrowed by the state through the sale of bonds. Only final approval by the Senate is needed prior to the bill going to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk. Other provisions include $200 million for rail improvements and $1.5 billion in bonding to allow for federal interstate repairs to advance. According to officials, 80 percent of the $1.5 billion would be reimbursed by the federal government. Supporters said the $200 million would help cities and towns keep their roads and bridges safe and allow many vital municipal road projects to move forward. No one voted against the bill but there are some legislators and city and town officials who say the same old $200 million that has been given since fiscal 2012 is insufficient. For several years, the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) has been seeking to increase the amount to $300 million. Advocates say that cities and towns maintain and repair 90 percent of the roadways in the Bay State. They note that because of revenue caps imposed by Proposition 2 1/2, cities and towns are very dependent on state funding to keep roads and bridges from crumbling. “Chapter 90 was set at $200 million in fiscal year 2012, and eight years later remains at that same level,” said MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith. “Because of inflation, this means that communities are experiencing a real, after-inflation reduction of $50 million a year. The MMA’s longterm goal is to work with the governor and Legislature on a shared strategy to increase Chapter 90 funding above current levels, so that cities and towns can improve the quality of our roadways and save local tax dollars.” Transportation House chairman Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett) said the current $200 million is sufficient when combined with other state programs that help cities’ and towns’ infrastructure including $50 million for small bridge repair. “The towns and cities throughout the commonwealth will again receive this timely assistance for care of their local roads,” said Straus. “Through good and bad economic times, the Legislature has consistently provided this important aid to the communities.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Yes $41.1 MILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 3819) House 152-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $41.1 million fiscal year 2019 supplemental spending plan to cover expenses and to fund various state programs and agencies that are running out of money. Provisions include $3.6 million for early education and care; $2.1 million for a state workers’ compensation program; $140,000 for the state’s military division including the National Guard; $14.2 million for the state to pay certain court judgments, settlements and legal fees; extending for another year the law that allows betting on simulcast races; creation of a task force to ensure proper evidence storage in court cases; and funding for a number of collective bargaining agreements. Supporters say the package is a reasonable and fiscally responsible one. House budget chief Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston) did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the budget. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes 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 May 27-31, the House met for a total of five hours and three minutes while the Senate met for a total of three hours and 23 minutes. Mon. May 27 No House session Wed. May 29 House 11:08 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. Fri. May 31 No House session No Senate session Tues. May 28 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Senate 11:03 a.m. to 11:17 a.m. No Senate session Thurs. May 30 House 11:01 a.m. to 12:08 p.m. Senate 11:19 a.m. to 2:28 p.m. No Senate session Bob Katzenwelcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com to help her complete the project. She reached out to Northeast’s carpentry department earlier this month to create wooden marker holders. Students quickly got to work, cutting out eight blocks of wood and then drilling 24 holes in each block that perfectly fit the caps of the markers. “This was a great project that allowed our sophomore students to practice what they’re learning in shop and create something that will directly benefit their younger peers,” Instructor Albert Turco said. “One of our core values at Northeast is being able to give back to our communities, so we didn’t think twice about bringing this project to life.” After carpentry students finished the marker holders, Greenwood students, as part of their work in art class, painted the blocks different colors. The blocks are now an integral part of Drago’s classroom, and are able to travel from table to table as needed for art projects. “Northeast Metro Tech is such a great resource and we’re so happy that carpentry students could help us with this project,” Drago said. “The kids were so excited to see the marker holders and use them. We love them!” Everett resident named to Dean’s List at Mount St. Mary’s University E MMITSBURG, Md. – Brenden McCarthy of Everett was named to the Dean’s List at Mount St. Mary’s University for the spring 2019 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must have a 3.5 grade point average or higher, completed at least 12 letter-graded units in the preceding semester or nine letter-graded units per semester for Weekend College. Everett residents graduate from Lasell College N EWTON – Everett residents Kimberly Calaj, Gianna DeVeer and Mariana McCarthy graduated from Lasell College on May 11. Calaj graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, DeVeer graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in fashion and Retail Merchandising and McCarthy graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training.
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