Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 19, 2026 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 ated $3.65 million in indirect tax revenues due to increased economic activity. “At a time when many families and small businesses are facing real financial pressures, our tax-free weekend provides meaningful relief for consumers while supporting the local retailers that are so important to our communities,” said Sen. Nick Collins (D-South Boston), the Senate sponsor of the measure. “I am proud to sponsor the legislation establishing the 2026 tax-free weekend and look forward to another successful year of helping residents save money while driving business to Main Streets across the commonwealth.” Some opponents of the measure said the state cannot afford the up to $30 million estimated revenue loss and argued that the holiday actually generates little additional revenue for stores because consumers typically buy the products even without the tax-free days. Others said that the Legislature should be looking at broader, deeper tax relief for individuals and businesses and not a tiny tax-free holiday. Some said that legislators should not vote for this tax holiday when they have not yet restored all the local aid, education and other important program cuts made over the past few years. $4.58 BILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS INCLUDING $300 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 5375) – Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a measure that authorizes $4.58 billion in bonding for various local, regional and state transportation programs. The package includes $300 million for cities and towns for local roads and bridges -– $200 million which will be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula and another $100 million which will be distributed based solely on road mileage. Other provisions include $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program which aids non-federally funded roads and targets the pavement and bridges across the state that are in the worst condition; $200 million for capital projects to support housing development, including stormwater management, culverts and bike and pedestrian improvements; $200 million for a new accelerated deferred maintenance and modernization program for infrastructure under the care and control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; and $200 million for the MBTA for the procurement of electrically powered locomotives. The legislation also reauthorizes $3.18 billion in funding for several programs included in the 2022 Transportation Bond Bill includRFP #FY27-200 Request for Proposal for Janitorial Services RFR Release Date: Wednesday 6/22/2026 10 A.M. Site Walk-thru: Tuesday 6/30/2026 at 9AM meeting at 4 Laurel St. Response Deadline: Thursday 7/16/2026 2PM Performance to Commence: Wednesday 8/19/2026 Briefing Session: Start at 4 Laurel Street, Malden. There are several buildings located throughout Malden that will be visited. Please plan for at least 2 hours to review the facilities. The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) invites bidders to submit qualifications to provide Janitorial Services for facilities operated or occupied by MVRCS throughout Malden, MA. June 19, 2026 ing $2.3 billion for projects on interstates and other federally aided highways; $800 million for improvements to non-federally aided roadways and bridges; $65 million for the Municipal Pavement Program for engineering, permitting, design and climate change adaptation on municipal ways; and $12 million for grants for the Shared Streets Program for improvements to municipal streets to create additional capacity for pedestrians and cyclists. “Every community deserves safe, reliable roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure,” said Gov. Healey. “This bill delivers the resources that cities and towns need to make critical improvements, improve public safety and support housing growth. We’re proud to partner with local leaders across Massachusetts to make our communities more connected, more affordable and better positioned for the future.” “Chapter 90 funding gives communities the flexibility to address the transportation priorities that matter most to their residents,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “Whether it’s repairing roads, improving sidewalks, upgrading intersections or supporting new housing development, these investments will help cities and towns deliver projects that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.” “This legislation delivers a package of fiscally responsible, strategic support for communities across Massachusetts, including a second year of historic $300 million Chapter 90 funding and transportation investments that will unlock housing,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. “We’re proud to continue investing in communities across Massachusetts and delivering long-term value for residents, families and businesses.” CHANGE ARCHAIC LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (H 5474) – Gov. Healey signed into law 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.” “Our laws should reflect the dignity and worth of every person,” said Gov. Healey. “It is so important that we remove outdated and offensive language in our laws because government is about serving everyone – and we need to make sure that all of our residents feel valued and respected.” “Words are important,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), the sponsor of the legislation. “Language is constantly changing. When people tell us they feel insulted by the use of outdated words, we should listen to them and use language that respects them. Language and activism will continue to evolve, and there is always more work to do, but this is a gigantic step forward in respect.” PETS (H 4319) – The House, on a voice vote, without a roll call, gave initial approval to a bill that would ban the commercial sale of dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in pet stores. The measure does allow pet shops to offer space to an animal rescue or shelter organization to showcase dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs that are up for adoption as long as the pet shop does not have an ownership interest in the animals offered for adoption. Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the bill and its passage. Supporters said the bill would finally sever the state’s ties to the horrible puppy mills and other unethical breeding of these animals. They said this would put an end to a system that harms animals and misleads hopeful pet owners, allowing sick and vulnerable animals to be sold across the state. “[The bill] will help end the puppy mill–to–pet shop pipeline while still allowing pet shops to partner with shelters and rescues to showcase adoptable animals,” said Kara Holmquist, Director of Advocacy at MSPCA-Angell. “The bill also covers rabbits and guinea pigs – animals who often come from the same inhumane breeding operations and are overflowing in local shelters. By shifting to partnerships and focusing on pet supplies and services like grooming, pet shops can still operate by transitioning to a more humane business model when this bill passes.” AUTISM AND POLICE STOPS (H 5438) – The Senate approved, on a voice vote without a roll call, the House version of legislation designed to improve interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. The Senate had previously approved its own version but last week agreed to the House version. This program was adopted by the Massachusetts State Police in 2024 but is not an actual law. This bill would codify the program into Massachusetts law. The proposal needs additional approval in each branch before it goes to Gov. Healey. The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill,” would create a program giving people with the disorder the opBEACON | SEE PAGE 19
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