20

Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDnEsDAy, nOVEmbER 22, 2023 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 influence. 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 representatives’ and senators’ votes from the week of November 13-17. LONG TERM CARE CHANGES (H 4178) House 158-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that supporters say will “take a comprehensive approach towards reforming the long-term care industry by supporting and expanding the workforce, enhancing oversight of facilities and ensuring greater access, all while prioritizing quality of care.” R ep . (D-Waltham), House chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs, said “the comprehensive measure is a major step toward enhancing the standards and care within the long-term care industry.” “Building upon past successes and allocations, including significant funding for caregiver shortages and nursing home rate increases, this bill marks a pivotal step in the ongoing enhancement of long-term care in the commonwealth,” continued Stanley. “It is our collective effort to ensure the highest standards of care and access for all individuals in need of longterm care services.” “The nursing home sector has long faced workforce and financial challenges that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).“Addressing persistent challenges within this important sector will not only improve the quality of care that residents receive, it will increase capacity and help acute care hospitals more efficiently discharge patients to the appropriate post-acute care setting.” Mariano continued, “Building off of key investments in the industry in recent budgets, this comprehensive legislation takes the necessary steps to ensure that the commonwealth’s nursing homes, and the patients that they care for, are supported.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes $2.81 BILLION FISCAL 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (S 2502) Senate 36-3, approved a $2.81 billion supplemental budget to close out the books for fiscal year 2023. Provisionsinclude $2.1 billion for MassHealth to cover end of year deficiencies; $250 million for emergency housing; $75 million for school districts impacted by special education tuition rate increases; $15 million for disaster relief for municipalities impacted by storms and naturals disasters that occurred in 2023; funding to support collective bargaining agreements; and $500,000 for the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth. According to Senate PresiTom S tanle y dent Karen Spilka’s office, “The Senate budget stipulates that a portion of the $250 million for emergency housing be spent on community-based, broad, and individualized support services and resources so that individuals and families can address the complex issues and challenges they face, as well as reimbursements to school districts for increased enrollment costs associated with an influx of migrant students. It also authorizes a portion of the $250 million to be spent to address costs associated with sheltering eligible families, as well as creating temporary emergency shelter sites.” “Today the Senate took a bold step forward, and passed a supplemental budget that not only closes the books on fiscal year 2023, but also acts swiftly to meet the challenges of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that deserves our full attention, care and assistance,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “In addition, we allocated $378 million to fully fund all ratified Collective Bargaining Agreements, dedicated $15 million for climate change disaster relief and deposited $100 million to fully pay down the pension liability from the 2015 Early Retirement Incentive Program.” “I voted ‘no’ on the $250 million that the Healey Administration requested for the migrant crisis,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton).”If we continue on this path, it will cost taxpayers $1.2 billion this year alone with no end in sight. This will place substantial stress on other social safety net programs intended for Massachusetts residents.” The House has already approved a different version of the budget and a conference committee will eventually hammer out a compromise version. (A “Yes” vote is for the supplemental budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT (S 2502) Senate 3-36, rejected an amendment that would amend the state’s Right to Shelter Law which requires the state to provide shelter and other necessities to homeless parents with young children, pregnant women and recently the many migrant families arriving in the Bay State. Homeless individuals are not covered by the Right to Shelter law. The amendment would require that people provide proof that they have lived in the state for at least one year to qualify for the program. It also exempts from the requirement a victim of domestic violence or a person whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in Massachusetts. Amendment supporters said the current interpretation of residency in Massachusetts by the Healey administration is that the person can be in the state for a matter of minutes to qualify to get services. “During today’s Senate session I proposed an amendment that would restore the residency requirement for the emergency shelter program here in Massachusetts,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman. “Unfortunately, the amendment was not adopted in the Senate. If we continue on this path and do not modify the state’s Right-to-Shelter Law, it will cost taxpayers $1.2 billion this year alone with no end in sight, placing substantial stress on other social safety net programs intended for Massachusetts residents.” “While apparently intended to address the migrant issue, the amendment, in my view, called for broader changes to a program that has been in place helping people for decades,” said opponent Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “Such changes to a statute I believe need greater review than what the amendment process provided. Further, an amendment filed by Sen. Velis, which was adopted unanimously, provides an opportunity for that review.” (A “Yes” vote is for the 1-year requirement. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (S 2499) Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that supporters say would make major changes and reforms to the state’s pharmaceutical system by “lowering the cost of drugs at the pharmacy counter and improving oversight of the pharmaceutical industry.” “The Senate has made pharmaceutical cost containment and oversight a priority for a long time, and I’m proud that we’ve had the opportunity to pass this bill in three consecutive sessions, improving it as we learn more and more about the industry,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “While we are supportive of the work of the pharmaceutical industry, we also know that far too many Massachusetts residents are struggling to access life saving, essential medication due to outrageous and skyrocketing costs. [This legislation] will provide necessary transparency and oversight measures, so that consumers can trust that this system is putting patients and their health before profits.” “I am pleased the Senate has passed this crucial prescription drug legislation,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Healthcare is all about accessibility and affordability, and this reform-minded consumer focused bill will allow increased access to prescription drugs while also considerably driving down the cost of everyday medications.” “Relief from prescription drug costs can’t wait when lives are at stake,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “I look forward to this bill getting signed into law so that residents and seniors who go to the pharmacy counter will finally pay less for the medications they use to stay alive and maintain their quality of life. This reform is in line with the Senate’s commitment to addressing affordability, equity and transparency and maintaining the commonwealth’s competitiveness as a place to live and work.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL 4-DAY WORK WEEK PILOT PROGRAM (H 3849)- The Labor and Workforce Development Committee held a hearing on legislation that would create a voluntary 4-day work week pilot program in the Bay State. Participating employers would transition employees to a 4-day work week without any reduction in pay in return for a tax credit administered by the Department of Revenue. “Americans are overstressed and overworked,” said Rep. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth). The data shows that a 4-day work week creates a happier workforce, fuels company productivity and helps businesses attract top talent,” said co-sponsor Rep. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth). “This pilot program studies its efficacy in Massachusetts to determine whether the four-day work week could benefit commonwealth employees and businesses.” “In this era of tight labor markets, we need to get creative to keep our economy growing,” said co-sponsor Rep. Josh Cutler (D-Duxbury), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “This bill creates new incentives for Massachusetts businesses to explore shifting to a 4-day work week which can offer a myriad of benefits, including boosting worker satisfaction and productivity, and reducing absenteeism and commuting time.” “Our research with hundreds of companies and thousands of workers shows that a 4-day, 32hour week with no reduction in pay not only yields tremendous well-being improvements for workers, but is highly beneficial for companies,” said Professor Juliet Schor, a leading supporter of the measure. “After trialing this model, a mere 6 percent are returning to the 5-day week. [This bill] will put Massachusetts on the map once again leading the nation, as we have done on same-sex marriage and climate.” PROHIBIT USE OF NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (H 477, S 245) – A bill heard by the Education Committee would prohibit public schools from using an athletic team name, logo or mascot which is associated with Native Americans, or which denigrates any racial, ethnic, gender or religious group. “In the past few years, the nation has seemed to finally come awake and recognize the hurt caused by racist mascots and imagery,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “This bill acknowledges the common humanity of all, corrects historical wrongs and addresses the BHRC | SEE PAGE 21

21 Publizr Home