Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 18, 2025 BHRC | FROM PAGE 15 PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TAX HIKES AND NEW TAXES (S 2057) - Another bill heard by the Judiciary Committee would require the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means to hold at the least three public hearings in Boston, Worcester and Springfield on any legislation referred to them that would increase or expand any existing taxes or fees or establish any new taxes or fees. Each hearing would require at least fourteen days’ notice to ensure that the public has sufficient time to prepare. “I am sponsoring this bill because transparency of where taxpayer dollars are going between the Legislature and the public are of the utmost importance currently,” said sponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “The sense of trust and understanding between lawmakers and taxpayers sought by this legislation is only possible through thoughtful action to include everyone in the legislative process.” JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills including these three: EMINENT DOMAIN (H 67) – This proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit private property from being taken by the government for private commercial enterprise, economic development or any other private use without the consent of the owner. “The right to own property is a basic principle of the commonwealth and it is one that I feel should be protected,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “I filed this proposed amendment in response to the Supreme Court’s actions in Kelo v. New London, where a majority of the justices ruled against private property holders and determined that the New London Development Commission could take private properties for the purpose of economic development. This is a blatant overreach of government power, and this amendment is an attempt to correct that and protect private property owners in Massachusetts.” PROHIBIT GAMBLING ON POLITICAL OUTCOMES (S 1237) – This measure would make it illegal to wager on “political outcomes” including elections for public office within the state, appointments to public office, the passage, amending or failure of legislative measures and any other official decision-making processes conducted by political bodies within the state. Supporters said that these platforms and wagering participation are problematic on many grounds, specifically misinterpreting political outcomes. They are commonly mistaken as indicators for who is winning an election when that is not the case. "Since online gambling was legalized in Massachusetts, political wagering has significantly increased, with billions of dollars generated,” said sponsor Sen. Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow). “In the 2024 presidential election, over $3.2 billion in wagers related were placed on one platform alone. I filed this legislation to ensure stronger safeguards for our election processes and their accuracy. The bill is rooted in preserving the integrity of demo-Help WantedTraffic Supervisors (Crossing Guards) – Multiple Positions Malden Police Department, Traffic Commission The City of Malden seeks Part Time Traffic Supervisors (Crossing Guards) Schedule: 10 Hours/Week - Wage: $22.01/Hour Duties include: • Providing safe crossing at crosswalks for students and pedestrians. • Standing in one area for 1-hour intervals to monitor and ensure traffic flow. To see full job description and complete an application please visit: www.cityofmalden.org/jobs or call 781-397-7187 April 18, 2025 cratic processes by prohibiting wagering on elections or legislative outcomes, preventing the commodification of our democratic processes." PREVENT SUICIDE (S 1109) – This legislation would criminalize coerced suicide. The measure would impose up to a 5-year prison sentence on a person who has actual knowledge of another person’s suicidal ideation, and either coerces the other person to commit suicide, or provides the physical means, or knowledge of such means, to commit suicide. “I filed this bill in honor of Conrad Roy, a young man who died after his girlfriend Michelle Carter relentlessly pressured him into taking his own life,” said sponsor Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover). “Conrad’s Law is a common-sense reform that has support from across the political spectrum. If passed, it will help save lives.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Everything from gas to housing to taxes is too expensive. Too many kids aren’t receiving the education they need to compete in a global economy. Our transportation system is still broken. The unspeakable violence in migrant shelters is a human tragedy and a national embarrassment. Our beacon on a hill has become a beacon in the rearview mirror. I’m running for governor because I believe in the unlimited potential of our state through the power of our people.” --- Mike Kennealy, former Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under former Gov. Charlie Baker, announcing his run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2026. “The people of Massachusetts know that a vote for Mike Kennealy is a vote for Donald Trump’s agenda. From Trump’s tariffs to the Republican crusade to eliminate heath care to Elon Musk’s halting cures for cancer and Alzheimer’s — the people of Massachusetts need a governor like Maura Healey who is unafraid to take on Donald Trump and stand up for them.” --- Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan. “Strategic partnerships with organizations like The Last Mile are essential to equipping individuals with skills necessary for success. As technology continues to shape the modern workforce, we must proactively implement transformative programs that empower individuals to pursue sustainable careers.” --- Gov. Maura Healey on the Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Last Mile, a national leader in technology training and reentry support for incarcerated people, announcing the graduation of the first five students from an intensive web development and coding program. “Preparing our children to engage with and thrive in a diverse society is a central premise of education. Local school districts have the right to determine that the use of LGBTQ-inclusive books helps to foster inclusive learning environments for all our students. I am proud to stand in defense of inclusive books, which teach our students to respect one another, regardless of, and without interfering with, their respective personal beliefs.” ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell joining a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the discretion of public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, to incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive books into their curricula without offering parents an opt-out option. 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 latenight 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 April 7-11, the House met for a total of seven hours and 26 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 20 minutes. Mon. April 7 House 11:31 a.m. to 11:41 a.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 11:19 a.m. Tues. April 8 No House session No Senate session Wed. April 9 House 11:01 a.m. to 6:11 p.m. No Senate session Thurs. April 10 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 11:28 a.m. Fri. April 11 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. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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