Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records the votes of local representatives and senators from the week of July 26-30. REINSTATE CHARITABLE DEDUCTION (H 4002) House 124-35, Senate 34-6, voted to delay for another year a tax deduction for charitable donations made by taxpayers that Massachusetts voters approved in 2000 by a 71.9 percent to 28.1 percent margin. The deduction was in effect only for one year after its passage in 2000 and its implementation has been delayed by the Legislature since that time. Gov. Baker is against the delay. “This deduction was approved by voters 20 years ago and slated to go into effect when state finances allow and the combination of strong state revenues and serious needs facing nonprofits and charitable organizations necessitates this tax deduction’s going into place,” said Baker. “While it is true that our fiscal situation has recently improved, we are not out of the woods yet, and the charitable deduction as currently designed may not be the best use of our resources going forward,” said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport). “There are few things that Massachusetts Democrats love more than spending other people’s money and flouting the will of the taxpaying voter,” said Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons. “Their actions not only hurt Massachusetts taxpayers, but also the local charities that stood over the years to receive their donations. More than two decades ago, voters approved charitable tax deductions, but the Democrats will use any maneuver they can to nullify the outcome of that vote.” “[The delay] will allow us to debate permanent changes to the tax code not solely based on current revenues, but considering its longterm impact on taxpayers, charitable organizations and tax collection,” House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) said. (A “Yes” vote is for the delay. A “No” vote is against the delay.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes EARLY RELEASE OF PRISONERS (H 4002) House 132-27, Senate 37-3, overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of a section that authorizes the commissioner of corrections, if it can be done safely, to release, transition to home confinement or furlough prisoners with prioritization given to populations most vulnerable to serious medical outcomes from COVID-19. The section also maximizes the awarding of “good time” by eliminating mandates for participation in programming for those close to their release dates and awarding credits toward reduced sentences for time served during the pandemic. Another provision authorizes the Disability Law Center to monitor the continuity of care for Bridgewater state hospital patients who are discharged to county correctional facilities or department of mental health facilities. In his veto message, the governor said that he struck the section because it is not consistent with his original budget proposal. Override supporters said the veto would eliminate important measures to ensure the state’s correctional facilities remain safe and healthy environments for all prisoners and staff. (A “Yes” vote is for the section authorizing the release and furlough of prisoners and allowing the Disability Law Center to monitor the care of prisoners transferred from Bridgewater. “A “No” vote is against the section.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $150,000 FOR ANALYSIS ON IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CHILDREN (H 4002) House 147-12, Senate 38-2, overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of $150,000 to fund an analysis of and report on the existing and anticipated future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s behavioral health. The analysis and report would be done by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Children’s Mental Health Campaign. In his veto message, the governor said, “I am vetoing this section because the Behavioral Health Roadmap which is the product of a multi-stakeholder process is the most comprehensive approach to identifying behavioral health needs and implementing services to provide the most effective care for all Massachusetts residents, including children.” The roadmap was developed and released by the Baker administration a few months ago. Override supporters said this $150,000 analysis will help children whose mental health suffered as a result of the pandemic and hopefully prevent these problems in any future pandemic. (A “Yes” vote is for the $150,000 and the analysis. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $1 MILLION FOR POLICE TRAINING (H 4002) House 159-0, Senate 40-0, overrode the governor’s veto of $1 million (from $4,577,545 to $3,577,545) in funding to help cities and towns pay for officer training requirements that were mandated by the 2020 law making changes in the state’s policing system. In his veto message, the governor said that he reduced the funding by $1 million to provide the amount of funding that is consistent with his original budget proposal. Override supporters said it is important for the state to fund police training that it essentially mandated in the recent law changing the policing system in the state. (A “Yes” vote is for the $1 million). Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes REPEAL THE HARBOR TAX CREDIT AND MEDICAL DEVICE TAX CREDIT (H 4008) Senate 3-36, House on a voice vote without a roll call, voted to repeal the current medical device tax and the harbor maintenance tax credit. Gov. Baker had supported retaining both tax credits saying they encourage innovation and economic activity in the Bay State. “The medical device tax credit is an expenditure available to medical device companies for 100 percent of the user fees paid to submit certain applications and supplements to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for devices developed in Massachusetts,” said Baker. “The harbor maintenance credit … made available to shippers, importers and exporters, is a dollar-for-dollar credit against the corporate excise for harbor maintenance taxes paid to the federal government. Its purpose is to promote the use of Massachusetts harbors.” Supporters of repealing the tax credits said the Tax Expenditure Review Commission’s recent report made clear these two tax credits do not provide meaningful benefit to the state and its residents. They noted that no other states offer these credits which are mostly used by large, profitable companies. (A “Yes” vote is to abolish the two tax credits. A “No” vote is to retain them.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of July 26-30, the House met for a total of 14 hours and 41 minutes while the Senate met for a total of four hours and 50 minutes. Mon. July 26 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:44 a.m. Senate 11:18 a.m. to 11:48 a.m. Tues. July 27 No House session No Senate session Wed. July 28 House 11:04 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. No Senate session Thurs. July 29 House 11:00 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. Senate 12:36 p.m. to 4:56 p.m. Fri. July 30 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com
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