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Page 26 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 12, 2026 BEACON | FROM PAGE 25 the courts from stepping in, then the people of Massachusetts are not getting the independent audit they voted for.” “What the Massachusetts House of Representatives is doing today is choosing solutions over constitutional stalemates,” said Rep. Andres Vargas (D-Haverhill) who supported the measure. “Building on best practices and working with good-government experts, this bill ensures that the governor’s office will be subject to the existing public records law — a longstanding goal of public records advocates. And the House is taking the historic step of subjecting the Legislature to a new public records requirement and process — one that is consistent with leading constitutional scholars, and that, for the first time, creates a clear process and a statutory right for the public to access legislative records. This is the constitutional path to transparency.” “This is exactly the kind of Beacon Hill insider maneuver voters thought they were rejecting,” said bill opponent Paul Craney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “You have politicians taking a law passed by 72% of voters, watering it down behind closed doors and then getting applause from organizations that claim to stand for transparency and accountability. Calling this a transparency bill doesn’t make it one. It is a rebranding effort designed to give cover to an attempt to weaken accountability, and it is disappointing to see organizations that present them- LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Middlesex Probate and Family Court 10-U Commerce Way Woburn, MA 01801 (781) 865-4000 Docket No. MI21P1567EA Estate of: Anna Winer Date of Death: 08/24/2020 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A petition for S/A - Late and Limited Formal Testacy and/or Appointment has been filed by: James M. Winer of Peabody, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: James M. Winer of Peabody, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 07/01/2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Terri L. Klug Cafazzo, First Justice of this Court. Date: June 03, 2026 TARA E. DeCRISTOFARO REGISTER OF PROBATE June 12, 2026 selves as watchdogs lending credibility to it. These outside groups like to describe themselves as watchdog organizations, but they prove to be nothing but lapdogs for the Legislature.” “Transparency in government is a cornerstone of a strong democracy, but to achieve it requires good policy,” said Geoff Foster, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts who supported the measure. “That’s why we’re thrilled to have worked on legislation that is being advanced by the House that would take the historic step of finally subjecting both the governor’s office and the Legislature to a public records law which has been a top legislative priority for Common Cause Massachusetts and our members for decades.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle D i dn’ t Vote CHANGE ARCHAIC LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (H 5474) House 150-0, approved, Senate approved on a voice vote without a roll call, and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that would modernize and remove archaic language in state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to persons with disabilities. Changes include replacing “handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities;” replacing “the mentally retarded” with “persons with an intellectual disability;” replacing “retarded children” with “children with an intellectual disability;” and replacing “disabled American veterans” with “American veterans with disabilities.” “Removing out-of-date and offensive language from the Massachusetts General Laws to describe people with disabilities is an important step in ensuring that our values are also reflected in our statutes,” said Rep. Jay Livingstone (D-Boston), House chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “As legislators, it is our job to help make sure that people with intellectual or developmental disabilities feel included, accepted and embraced for who they are, and this is an important step in doing so.” “I am proud to support [the bill] and take this long-overdue step toward ensuring the laws of the commonwealth reflect the dignity and humanity of every person,” said Rep. Mike Finn (D-West Springfield), sponsor of the House bill. “Our General Laws still contain outdated language that demeans our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that language has no place in the statutes of a state that has always led on civil rights and inclusion. Updating these words is an affirmation that Massachusetts stands for the respect and dignity of all its people.” “Language is constantly changing.” said Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), the sponsor of the Senate bill. “And it’s changing because of the activism of people who were ignored and demeaned for too long,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), the sponsor of the legislation. “When people tell us they feel insulted and offended by the use of outdated words, we worked to change the legal language. It took a long time because we kept finding more examples of offensive language. Language and activism will continue to evolve, and there’ll always be more work to do, but this is a gigantic step forward in respect.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle D i dn’ t Vote MOVE “LAST CALL” FOR ALCOHOL TO 3 A.M. (H 5478) House 150-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would enable Massachusetts bars to push their “last call” to as late as 3 a.m., this summer, from June 8 to July 31, if they get local approval from their city or town. The measure would also allow municipalities to establish designated public consumption districts for expanded alcohol purchase and consumption. Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on the bill and its passage. “With the World Cup and 250th anniversary celebrations slated to take place in Massachusetts this summer, this pilot program won’t just allow us to better understand the one hour last call extension, it will also ensure that businesses are able to take advantage of the influx of visitors – creating a better experience for everyone,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “Extending serving hours through this legislation will help enhance the exciting summer activities that will be occurring all across the commonwealth,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “By making these changes, it will create a fun atmosphere for residents and tourists alike and will enhance the economy for all our residents.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes DATA PRIVACY (H 5479) House 146-0, approved a proposal that would guard personal privacy and provide data protection for Massachusetts residents. The Senate has already approved a different version of the measure and the House version now goes to the Senate for consideration. The House proposal gives all Bay State residents the right to access their personal information; the right to correct inaccurate information; the right to opt out of certain processes such as targeted advertising; the right to transport personal data; and the right to delete certain information. A key provision would prohibit sensitive data from being sold or shared without a user’s consent. Sensitive data includes information such as biometric or genetic information, precise geolocation data, health and wellness information, reproductive and sexual health data, data of a minor under 18, government-issued identifiers, and data that reveals an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, national origin or citizenship or immigration status, religious beliefs, sex life, sexual orientation, status as transgender or non-binary, union membership, status as a military service member or veteran and status as a victim of a crime. Other provisions include requiring that personal data collection must be proportionate to providing requested services, and data must be protected and deleted when no longer necessary or required by law; special protections for individuals under 18, including a prohibition on targeted advertising to minors; and giving the Office of the Attorney General broad regulatory authority to enforce these new laws. “The Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act centers the consumer and is a must for the 21st century,” said Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield), House chair of the Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity. “Through the technology that we have come to rely on daily, companies collect and legally sell our data, including sensitive data, without our knowledge or consent. The [bill] is a critical step to hold companies accountable, protect minors and establish strong consumer protections. It is the result of public hearings and thoughtful deliberation with privacy experts, advocates and industry representatives.” “This bill is first and foremost a consumer protection bill,” said Majority Leader Rep. Mike Moran (D-Brighton). “This bill is an important step forward to ensure data privacy and gives consumers control of how their personal information is collected and used by companies and the right to access, correct and delete their data.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle D i dn’ t Vote MOVE “LAST CALL” FOR ALCOHOL TO 3 A.M. (H 5478) House 150-0, Senate on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law legislation that would enable Massachusetts bars to push their “last call” to as late as 3 a.m., this summer, from June 8 to July 31, if they get local approval from their city or town. The measure would also allow municipalities to establish designated public consumption districts for expanded alcohol purchase and consumption. “This bill will provide more opportunities for people to celebrate with their community for the World Cup and the other exciting events we have happening this summer for MA250,” said Gov. Healey. “It will also support our local businesses and regional economies as they see a surge in visitors. We’re grateful to our partners in the Legislature for getting this bill across the finish line in time for the World Cup, as well as to the hardworking staff at our bars and restaurants for providing a welcoming and joyful environment for residents and visitors alike.” Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), the House sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on the bill and its passage. “We are all on the same team for this one: Massachusetts is giving cities and towns the chance to keep the party going,” said Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover), Senate Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “Goal!” “I’ve said for years that Massachusetts has a ‘fun’ problem, so I am delighted to see Gov. Healey sign legislation to bring some much-needed conviviality to our summer,” said Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Provincetown). “With scores of visitors set to descend on the commonwealth, this simple change sends the clear message that we’re ready to make the most out of an unforgettable summer. Let’s show the world that we truly do know how to have a good time in Massachusetts. Cheers!” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) BEACON | SEE PAGE 27

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