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Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 14, 2023 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 infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by MASSterlist’s 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 recent debate on the Senate’s version of a $55.9 billion fi scal 2024 state budget. $300,000 FOR FIREFIGHTERS’ CANCER SCREENINGS (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would provide $300,000 for a municipal grant program for firefighter cancer screenings, including advance blood testing and imaging. Amendment supporters say the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health undertook two large studies focused on fi refi ghter cancer, concluding that fi refi ghters experienced a 9 percent increase in cancer diagnoses and a 14 percent increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the nation’s general population. “Early screening of fi refi ghters is so particularly important in the fi ght against cancer,” said sponsor Sen. Walter Timilty (D-Milton). “Quite simply, our fi refi ghters experience a higher risk of cancer as a result of the work that they so courageously perform to both protect and care for us. Truly, fi refi ghters both need and must have access to life-saving cancer screenings.” “Furthermore, the chances of fi refi ghters being diagnosed with terminal leukemia increases with the number of fi re-related call responses,” continued Timilty. “In addition, the chance of a lung cancer diagnosis, an insidious disease, and subseof age to buy tobacco but tobacco is still sold in hundreds of convenience stores and gas stations across the state. They said this is inconsistent and noted that these stores are sometimes lax and sell cigarettes and other tobacco products to people under 21. Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his proposal. quent death, increases with the amount of time a fi refi ghter combats a blaze. In short, fi refi ghting is a dangerous profession. Therefore, we must do everything we can to ensure that fi refi ghters experience the same safety, security and protections they aff ord to us.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $300,000.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $250,000 FOR PROTECTION OF RIGHT WHALES (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would provide $250,000 for the protection of right whales by increasing the patrols of offi cers to identify and remove abandoned fi shing gear and to enhance their ability to enforce speed restrictions through use of drone technologies to minimize potentially harmful interactions between vessels and right whales. Amendment supporters say more than 90 whales have either died or been injured since 2017 and that that there are fewer than 340 right whales remaining today. “Since its incorporation in 2005, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) group’s North American offi ce has run a dedicated program to save this imperiled species and implement protective measures to save right whales from those threats,” says the group’s website. “WDC has worked to develop and implement rules to reduce vessel strikes, successfully reducing the risk of a fatal collision by 80 percent to 90 percent in U.S. waters, and to increase federally designated critical habitat to cover nearly 40,000 square miles of the U.S. East Coast.” Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the $250,000.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment mandating that the state’s Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health conduct a study on the occurrence and impact of neonatal abstinence syndrome in the Bay State. Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a treatable condition that newborns may experience as a result of prenatal exposure to opioids and other drugs the mothers might take. Babies can then go through painful and difficult drug withdrawal after birth. Amendment supporters say this has become a big problem in the Bay State and across the nation. “Pregnant women who use drugs, smoke or drink alcohol put their unborn babies at risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome and other problems,” says Stanford Medicine Children’s Health’s website. “Women who use drugs also may be less likely to get prenatal care. This can also increase the risks for both mother and baby.” Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL The Public Health Committee held a hearing on 54 bills including these four that deal with smoking laws in the Bay State. PHARMACISTS AND SMOKING CESSATION MEDICINE (S 1428) – Would authorize licensed pharmacists to dispense medications to help individuals quit smoking. The pharmacist must first complete a training program which would include proper documentation, quality assurance and referral to additional services, including recommendations that the patient follows up with a medical practitioner. “Despite decades of public health campaigns and legislation, smoking remains one of the most common causes of death in the United States,” said sponsor Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “The good news is that we have powerful tools to help individuals overcome their addiction to nicotine through several safe and eff ective smoking cessation medications – though access can be a key barrier for many. This critical legislation would expand access to lifesaving anti-smoking drugs by allowing trained pharmacists to dispense medications to qualifying patients looking to live longer and healthier lives.” REPEAL THE MENTHOL BAN (S 1364) – Would repeal the state’s 2000 law that bans fl avored vaping and tobacco products—including mint and menthol cigarettes. “The state menthol ban was put in place as a reactionary measure for the rare occasion where it was deemed harmful, without much thought to the potential implications of the legislation,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “With my legislation to repeal the menthol ban, it would make the sale of current menthol products legal and subject to the regulatory and taxation requirements of the state, ensuring that the product is made and distributed according to our standards. It would also benefi t small businesses that lost out on a signifi cant portion of their income when the initial ban was hastily passed into law.” SALE OF CIGARETTES TO 21 AND OVER (S 1397) – Would allow cigarettes and other tobacco products to be sold only in Adult-Only Retail Tobacco Stores or smoking bars. The stores are defi ned as an “establishment that is not required to possess a retail food permit whose primary purpose is to sell or off er for sale but not for resale, tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia, in which the sale of other products or off er of services is merely incidental.” No one under age 21 is allowed in these stores. Supporters said current law says people must be 21 years REQUIRE RETAILERS THAT SELL TOBACCO TO ALSO SELL PRODUCTS TO HELP SMOKERS QUIT (S 1341) – Would require any retailer that sells tobacco products to also sell at least one type of nicotine replacement therapy drug or device that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for assisting with helping people quit tobacco use. Violators would be fi ned $100 for the fi rst offense, $200 for a second offense and $300 for a third or subsequent off ense. Supporters say that this might result in more people buying these drugs or devices to help them stop smoking and ultimately lead to a reduction in smoking. They argue it is important to have these drugs and devices readily available. Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his proposal. The same measure fi led by Crighton last year was shipped off to a study committee where it died, as do most bills that are sent to a study committee. QUOTABLE QUOTES “There is nothing more important than helping people get back up on their feet and 4 Housing is doing great work.” ---Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) upon visiting the housing nonprofit Justice 4 Housing that works to empower formerly incarcerated people in their reentry to society. “Massachusetts residents rely on local government to deliver core services daily and information technology plays a signifi cant role in making that happen. This grant program is one of the many ways we partner with cities and towns to better serve residents, and we are proud to be able to help them improve their municipal broadband infrastructure. ---Gov. Maura Healey anBEACON | SEE PAGE 22

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