THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 1, 2022 Page 19 BHRC | FROM PAGE19 pension of the gas tax. A “No” vote is against suspension and favors keeping the gas tax in place). Sen. Jason Lewis No $20 MILLION FOR COUNSELING VICTIMS OF CRIME (S 2776) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment providing $200 million for free counseling, advocacy and intervention services to victims of crime. Amendment supporters said the funding is necessary to forestall devastating federal program cuts and will be distributed to 161 programs statewide. “I’m tremendously heartened to see the Senate approve a strong supplemental budget with critical investments in much needed programs that will help my constituents continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “I am proud to secure victim assistance funding, which will help ensure that victim’s rights services in the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district are able to continue their critical work on behalf of children and survivors in our communities.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Sen. Jason Lewis Yes DIVEST STATE’S PENSION FUND FROM RUSSIAN INVESTMENTS (S 2776) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require the state’s pension funds to terminate investments with any company that has been sanctioned by the United States as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or is incorporated in Russia. The list would be researched and prepared by an independent, third-party research firm and would be updated by the firm four times per year. The pension fund would be required to divest itself of 50 percent of the companies within six months and 100 percent within a year. “We have the moral obligation here in the commonwealth of Massachusetts to take a stand and embrace any and all levers of opportunity to apply maximum pressure to a war criminal’s murderous regime, that is Vladimir Putin’s Russian Federation,” said sponsor Sen. Walter Timilty (D-Milton). “It is crucial that we send a message, as one commonwealth, that we are acting against an evil regime, standing united with the courageous people of Ukraine,” Timilty concluded. “The members of the Massachusetts State Senate continue to stand with the people of Ukraine, as they move into a second month of fear, violence and anguish caused by the aggression of Vladimir Putin and Russian forces,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “There is nothing that we can do to fully erase the pain and suffering caused by this immoral and unnecessary military action, but we can insist that Massachusetts take action to divest from Russian interests and support the Ukrainian people.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Sen. Jason Lewis 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 March 2125, the House met for a total of 48 minutes and the Senate met for a total of five hours and 59 minutes. Mon. March 21 House 11:05 a.m. to 11:18 a.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 11:41 a.m. COVID-19 | FROM PAGE 17 and its variants might start to diminish three to six months after receipt of an initial booster dose. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, remains concerned about the continuing gaps in COVID-19 vaccination among people from all eligible age groups in the country, including people from diverse racial and ethnic groups and pregnant people. “Individuals eligible for COVID vaccinaTues. March 22 No House session No Senate session Wed. March 23 No House session No Senate session Thurs. March 24 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:37 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. Fri. March 25 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com. Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. tion who are not yet fully immunized are urged to get the series of vaccines at least up through the first booster. People who are eligible for the second booster should call their clinical care office to discuss the need for a second booster,” said AHA President Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones. “It is also important to ensure you are up to date on controlling other health issues including any cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes that can put you at increased risk for heart disease, stroke and COVID-19.”
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