THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 3, 2023 Page 17 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – 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, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. 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 from the week of October 23-27. There were no roll calls in the House last week. MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS (S 2481) – Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would require all prisons, homeless shelters and K-12 schools to maintain free menstrual products, including sanitary napkins, tampons and underwear liners in private and public reA vote for them... Risks even more negativeRisks evenmore negative headlines for Everettheadlines for Everett Prioritizes developersrioritizes developers overover residents and studentsresidents and students Promotes less budgetPromotes less budget transparency, higher propertytransparency, higher property taxes and higher rentstaxes and higher rents strooms and to make them available in a “convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking the products.” Supporters say that according to the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition, approximately one in seven children in Massachusetts is living in poverty and struggles to pay for menstrual products. They argue that research shows that the inability to access menstrual products aff ects students’ class attendance. They also note that women facing homelessness or who are incarcerated face high barriers to access, with Massachusetts shelters reporting that menstrual products are among the least donated items. They argue that restricted access in shelters and correctional facilities means that products can be used as bargaining chips and tools of control for people in vulnerable circumstances. “I learned about this issue from young people in Medford High School, Somerville High School and Cambridge Rindge and Latin who took leadership at the local level to make menstrual hygiene products available in their own communities,” said sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “This is a true grassroots movement starting with girls talking about their experiences of missing valuable class time or feeling embarrassed to access products during the school day. These conversations have already started to change the culture and have motivated us to expand this across the state.” “Period products are not luxuries, but necessities required for people’s basic needs, health and hygiene,” BEACON | SEE PAGE 21 On Tuesday, November 7th ~ Re-Elect ~ Stephanie Smith City Councillor-at-Large #4 on the Ballot A vote for Costa... Keeps aneeps an independent voiceindependent voice on on City CouncilCity Council Opens theOpens the Pope John’s schoolPope John’s school doors to our students (instead ofdoors to our students (instead of putting them in disgracefulputting them in disgraceful modulars)modulars) Elects a financial professional Elects a financial professional asking the questions that matterasking the questions that matter (Paid Pol. Adv.)) Vote Tuesday November 7 Darren4Everett.comDarren4Everett.com (617) 544-7089(617) 544-7089 (Paid Pol. Adv.)
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