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Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 4, 2023 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 they are,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “This bill affirms the ability of people to choose a non-binary gender option on state documents and forms, which would align the commonwealth with many other states that have adopted this designation… Together, with our partners in the House, we will continue to move our commonwealth to embrace this basic human right.” “Giving people the opportunity to be who they are is a human right and one that we are proud to extend to every member of the commonwealth, regardless of how they identify,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) who first introduced the bill in 2017.“Allowing a nonbinary option for state licenses and birth certificates is fundamental to building a society that welcomes, protects and respects all individuals… I am as hopeful as ever that Massachusetts will be able to enshrine this change into our state laws this session and continue welcoming everyone into our commonwealth with open arms.” Although no senators voted against the bill, there was opposition from some outside groups. Catholic Action League Executive Director C.J. Doyle called the bill a “malign, non-rational proposal” that will “require the state to affirm and give legal sanction to the ideologically driven delusion that gender is a subjective social construct, which can be altered arbitrarily and capriciously, rather than what it is, which is an objective and immutable biological reality.” “It will make government a party to this delusion,” continued Doyle. “It will confuse and falsify public records and compel government employees to participate in this falsification. It will result in discrimination in public employment against those who hold a traditional understanding of reality and will make the investigation of offenders more difficult for law enforcement. Section 4 of the bill will essentially empower government bureaucrats who administer programs for youth to proselytize the minors in their care for so-called gender transitioning.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes MAKE OBTAINING ID CARDS EASIER FOR HOMELESS PERSONS(S 2251) Senate 39-0 approved and sent to the House legislation that would make it easier for homeless youth and adults to secure free state ID cards. Supporters said that currently a person experiencing homelessness faces prohibitive fees and documentation requirements when trying to obtain an ID card.They noted that this legislation removes those barriers by eliminating fees and only requiring that applicants present documentation showing that they are currently receiving services provided by the state, a homeless service provider or another service provider. They argued that ID cards are necessary for applying for jobs, enrolling in school, interacting with law enforcement, accessing government buildings, opening financial accounts and many other basic services that many take for granted. “When we listen to our homeless youth about the challenges they face, there is a common denominator and that is access to identification,” said Sen. Robyn KenCITY OF EVERETT - LEGAL NOTICE - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY, ROOM 24 EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that a public hearing will be held on Monday August 21, 2023 at 6:00 PM, Everett City Hall, 3rd Floor George Keverian Hearing Room. All interested parties may attend and opinions will be heard regarding the following petition. Whereas a petition has been presented by: Property Address: Map/Parcel: Permit Number: Person Requesting: PROPOSAL: The owner wishes to enclose an already existing foundation located in the rear of the house. The property is a three (3) family home located at 4 Chestnut Place with a lot area of 4,275 s.f. according to the plot plans submitted by HRH Consulting Group. Reason for Denial: Permit was denied in accordance to the City of Everett Zoning Ordinance. The applicant shall seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals as follows: Section 4 B Dimensional Requirements. 7. Rear Yard (A) 25 feet minimum. According to the plans provided, the property at 4-6 Chestnut Pl. has a rear yard of twenty-two (22) feet where twenty-five (25) is required. Enclosing the area in the plans provided would continue the non-conformity of the building by creating more habitable space within the required setback. The applicant shall seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals. MARY GERACE - Chairman Roberta Suppa - Clerk of the Board of Appeals August 04, 11, 2023 4-6 Chestnut Pl. M0-01-000135-01-02 B-23-611 Anthony Denardo 33 Ferry St Everett, MA 01249 nedy (D-Worcester), the Senate sponsor of the bill. “Having proper identification is the foundation to accessing food, shelter and employment opportunities, while also breaking the cycle of poverty.” “Fees and documentation are not just barriers to identification. By extension, they are barriers to getting a job, accessing healthcare and applying for services—the most basic of necessities,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “These barriers harm the most vulnerable people in our commonwealth and eliminating them is a compassionate step that makes the path to stability a little bit easier.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $513 MILLION FISCAL 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (S 2426) Senate 38-0 approved a $513 million fiscal supplemental budget to help close out the books on fiscal year 2023 that ended on June 30. The House has already approved its own $693 million package. A House-Senate conference committee will eventually hammer out a compromise version. Provisions in the Senate version include $180 million for fiscally strained hospitals; $60.3 million for staffing at the Department of Transitional Assistance; $100 million for the state’s pension fund; $40 million for a settlement of a court case related to police promotion discrimination; and $75 million for school districts with extraordinary special education costs. “As we fully emerge from the pandemic, the Legislature has addressed several sectors of state government with crucial funding to continue to keep the economy of the commonwealth on a firm footing,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The passage of this supplemental budget today utilizes robust tax revenues to its fullest effect, making substantial investments in health care, special education, unemployment assistance and disaster relief funding. Those investments will keep Massachusetts as a leader in the key economic sectors for decades to come.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $513 million supplemental budget.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL 7.5 PERCENT PAY HIKE FOR SENATE STAFFERS – Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced a pay hike for all Senate employees. All staff members who began work prior to May 1, 2023 will receive a 7.5 percent pay hike beginning July 31, 2023. For example, a staffer who currently earns $50,000 will receive a $3,750 hike to $53,750 while an employee earning $100,000 will receive a $7,500 bump to $107,500. “I know I reflect the feelings of the Senate members when I say that we are deeply appreciative of all of your hard work,” said Spilka in an e-mail last week to Senate staffers. “Thank you for your continued dedication to the Senate and the people of the commonwealth.” Judicial and executive branch employees currently have the right to form a union but Legislative staff cannot do so. Two bills, H 3069 and S 2014,pending before the Legislature would allow these employees to unionize. The measures are giving little chance of success this year based on a recent comment from Spilka in July 2022 that “the Senate does not at this time see a path forward for a traditional employer-union relationship in the Senate as we are currently structured.” LIMIT FEE FOR CASHING CHECKS (H 344) – The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a measure that would set a cap on the fees check-cashing stores and outlets are allowed to charge. The maximum charge would be 5 percent of the value of a personal check or $5, whichever is greater, plus a $1 service charge; 2.5 percent of a government check plus a $1 service charge; 2.25 percent of a payroll check plus a $1 service charge; and 3 percent of all other checks including traveler’s check, cashier’s check and certified check plus a $1 service charge. Supporters said of the 34 states that regulate check cashing, Massachusetts is one of eight that do not regulate the fees that may be charged. They argued these check-cashing “stores” are often located in low-income neighborhoods and take advantage of vulnerable residents. They noted the bill would provide greater consumBEACON | SEE PAGE 19

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