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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 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. Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham) filed and gained approval for several amendments in the Senate budget. “I secured these amendments to further bolster the demonstrated commitment to our shared values built into the base budget that came to the fl oor,” said Rausch. “Whether in health care, education or otherwise, my amendments advance justice, fairness and equity.” Here are three of her amendments: $300,000 FOR WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE CELEBRATION IN BAY STATE (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved $300,000 to fund the Women’s Suff rage Celebration. Amendment supporters say the celebration will honor the history of women’s activism and contributions to civics and democracy in Massachusetts. They note the funds will help create the Massachusetts Women’s History Center and Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame -- inspiring generations of women and girls to pursue their passions and paths forward. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $350,000 FOR MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY REVIEW COMMITTEE (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment funding $350,000 for the operation of and hiring of additional personnel for the Massachusetts Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee to enhance the committee’s ability to comprehensively review deaths and complications that occur during or within one year of pregnancy. Amendment supporters say that maternal morbidity and mortality remain serious issues in Massachusetts and note that signifi - cant inequities in maternal health persist. They argue that one of the best tools to improve maternal health outcomes is to strengthen and empower the committee and make advances in eff orts to improve pregnancy care access, quality, outcomes and equity. - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Middlesex Division Docket No. MI23P3698EA Estate of: JOHN S. CARUSO Date of Death: April 23, 2023 INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Carmela M. Caruso of Asheville, NC, a Will has been admitted to informal probate. Carmela M. Caruso of Asheville, NC has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner. July 28, 2023 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS - Nicely cared for 7 room, 3-4 bedroom Colonial features eat-in kitchen with newer laminate flooring, entertainment-size dining room and living room with hardwood flooring, convenient first floor bedroom, office/den, enclosed sunroom overlooking level yard, wonderful corner lot, located just outside of Saugus Center. Super convenient location!! Offered at $499,900. 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 28, 2023 (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $150,000 FOR HOPE AND COMFORT TO ADDRESS HYGIENE INSECURITY (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved $150,000 to fund Hope and Comfort – the state’s largest organization that addresses hygiene insecurity by providing low-income people with soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and other personal hygiene items. Amendment supporters say that last year, Hope and Comfort provided people with more than 2 million hygiene products. They note that this is still not enough, especially because these basic hygiene items are not covered by government support programs like SNAP or WIC. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL The Education Committee held a hearing on several bills including: FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM (S 243/H 558) - Would establish a grant program for eligible public schools and licensed childcare programs to purchase ingredients grown and produced on Massachusetts farms, prepare scratch-cooked meals and educate students about the food system. “Offering fresh local-grown food in Massachusetts schools benefi ts children and their families who learn more about healthy food choices,” wrote co-sponsors Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox) in testimony to the committee. “These programs will Page 17 encourage increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Particularly for families struggling to aff ord fresh food, the Farm to School grants can expand the availability of nourishing meals for vulnerable students. The grant program will also yield economic benefi ts to the agricultural sector, increasing demand for locally produced products and strengthening our farm communities”. SUNSCREEN LOTION (S 258) – Would allow any person, including students, parents and school personnel to possess and use a topical sunscreen product without a physician’s note or prescription while on school property or at a school-related event or activity to avoid overexposure to the sun. The product must be one that is regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for over-thecounter use. “Routine application of sunscreen is essential to promoting health and reducing the risk of melanoma, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in children,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “I fi led [the bill] to ensure students have the ability to use sunscreen during the school day without a physician’s prescription.” AIR TEMPERATURES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (S 322) - Would create a 15-member special commission to study the regulation of minimum and maximum allowable air temperatures in public school classrooms and facilities. The commission would gather any relevant statistics on the number of air-conditioned public schools in Massachusetts; the impact of indoor air quality on children, including children with respiratory conditions or special needs; and the state’s funding and bidding processes for installing air conditioning and heating upgrades in public schools. “This bill was fi led after several constituents in the educational fi eld brought this issue to our attention,” said sponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “In particular, the very beginning and very end of each school year is frequently accompanied by stifl ing classrooms, while the winter months can see frigid temperatures. Not only do these extreme temperatures create a distraction for both teachers and students, but this study aims to look at the potential health impacts that could result from failing to address this issue. This study will give the Legislature a complete picture of this topic and allow for more eff ective future policy.” UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS (S 261) – Would indefi nitely provide free breakfast and lunch to every child in a Massachusetts K-12 school. Supporters noted that schools across the state provided Universal School Meals during the pandemic because the costs for this program were temporarily funded by the federal government. They said that in 2022, however, federal support for the program was cut off , but funding was secured in last year’s state budget to continue funding free school meals. They noted the bill would continue the program indefi nitely without having to reauthorize it each year. “We have heard time and again from educators, advocates and parents, that kids cannot learn when they are hungry,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-EverBEACON | SEE PAGE 18

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