THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 Page 25 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen A NOTE FROM BOB KATZEN, PUBLISHER OF BEACON HILL ROLL CALL: Join more than 22,000 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, Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence in Massachusetts. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers, Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan, who introduce each article in their own clever and never-boring, inimitable 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: www.massterlist.com/subscribe THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ and representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent House and Senate sessions. There were no roll calls in the House and Senate last week. REPEAL $250 ASSET LIMIT (H 4011) House 130-29, overrode Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto of a bill that would repeal a current law that prohibits anyone with assets of more than $250 from being eligible for Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC). This program provides cash and medical assistance to certain categories of needy individuals in Massachusetts, including the physically or mentally disabled, aged 65 or older or caring for a disabled individual who would otherwise be institutionalized. In his veto message, Baker said that he supports aligning the asset limit for the program with the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program asset limit which is currently $2,000. “I prefer this alternative to eliminating the asset test completely, as EAEDC is generally designed to provide a bridge to individuals waiting for an eligibility determination from the SSI program. I look forward to the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Legislature to develop a policy that is in alignment with relevant federal policies and ensures that these benefits are available for individuals and families in highest need.” Supporters of repealing the $250 limit said potential recipients are already facing economic hardship and should not be required to spend down a small amount of money in a savings account in order to qualify for this vital assistance. They argued it makes no sense to require recipients to spend down savings that could be used to pay their regular expenses and other important bills. (A “Yes” vote is for repealing the $250 asset limit. A “No” vote is for keeping the $250 limit.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes STUDY POVERTY IN MASSACHUSETTS (H 4016) House 131-28, overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of a bill that establishes a 29-member special commission to investigate and recommend methods for reducing poverty in Massachusetts over the next 10 years and expanding opportunity for people with low incomes. The commission would include ten members of the governor’s cabinet and other executive branch commissioners. The governor supported reducing the commission from 29 members to 20 members. “I strongly support the aim of this commission,” said the governor is his veto message. “However, in my view, to streamline the efforts of the commission and permit the meaningful participation of all members, it is necessary to modify its composition, retaining the position reserved for the Secretary of Health and Human Services and otherwise removing additional representation from the Executive Branch. Without these amendments, I do not support the proposal.” Supporters of the bill said the 29-member commission will ensure input from a variety of experts with experience in many areas. They noted the commission will make recommendations that will help to reduce poverty in the Bay State over the next ten years. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes 48-HOUR NOTICE PRIOR TO PROCESSING MAIL-IN AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS (S 2545) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment that would require cities and towns to post a 48-hour notice prior to the processing of mail-in and absentee ballots and to inform the public that they are welcome to come to the polling place and observe the processing and counting. “This amendment creates an additional level of transparency paramount to improving the public’s trust in the election process,” said sponsor Sen Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “The public will be able to hold election officials accountable through this opportunity to oversee the processing of mail-in ballots which must be publicly posted 48 hours prior to said processing. The unanimous vote in the Senate to support this amendment is a clear indicator that this is a necessary step to increase transparency and will help maintain and restore the public’s trust in the process.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes 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 October 1115, the House met for a total of six hours and 40 minutes while the Senate met for a total of four hours and four minutes. Mon. Oct. 11 No House session No Senate session Tues. Oct. 12 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:17 a.m. Senate 11:16 a.m. to 11:19 a.m. Wed. Oct. 13 House 11:01 a.m. to 1:14 p.m. No Senate session Thurs. Oct. 14 House 11:00 a.m. to 3:13 p.m. Senate 11:16 a.m. to 3:17 p.m. Fri. Oct. 15 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com
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