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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 30, 2025 Page 15 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 30,000 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 Saturday 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 THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators' and representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of May 19-23. All Senate roll calls were related to the Senate version of a $61.4 billion fiscal 2026 state budget. “BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SENATE BUDGET DEBATE” Of the 1,058 amendments filed by senators, only 21 came to a roll call vote. Many others were simply approved or rejected one at a time on voice votes, some with debate and some without debate. To move things along even faster, the Senate also did its usual “bundling” of many amendments. Instead of acting on each amendment one at a time, hundreds of the proposed amendments are bundled and put into two piles—one pile that will be approved and the other that will be rejected, without a roll call, on voice votes where it is impossible to tell which way a senator votes. Senate President Karen Spilka, or the senator who is filling in for her at the podium, orchestrates the approval and rejection of the bundled amendments with a simple: “All those in favor say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No.’ The Ayes have it and the amendments are approved.” Or: “All those in favor say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No.’ The No’s have it and the amendments are rejected.” Senators don’t actually vote "Yes" or "No," and, in fact, they don’t say a word. The outcome was predetermined earlier behind closed doors. Supporters of the system say that any senator who sponsored an amendment that is in the "No" pile can bring it to the floor and ask for an up or down vote on the amendment itself. They say this system has worked well for many years. Critics say that most of the time members do not bring their amendment, which was destined for the "No" pile, to the floor for an up-or-down vote because that is not the way the game is played. It is an “expected tradition” that in most cases you accept the fate of your amendment as determined by Democratic leaders. APPROVE $530 MILLION FISCAL 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4150) House 149-1, approved a $530 million fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that will carry a net cost to the state of $318.2 million after federal reimbursements. Provisions include $189 million for childcare financial assistance; $134 million for the Medical Assistance Trust Fund; $60 million for Home Care Services; $42.9 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program; and $15 million in grants to support municipal celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the American independence. “Amid President Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education, and amid sweeping cuts at the federal level to programs that millions of Americans rely on, this supplemental budget makes key investments that will ensure continued funding for state programs that support many of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This supplemental budget will fund critical programs such as childcare financial assistance, home care services and food insecurity that require immediate attention,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “The policies of kill, maim, medicate and indoctrinate our children continue, as does the policy of putting illegal immigrants ahead of our citizens,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only members to vote againt the budget. “[Speaker] Mariano's hint at a lower budget to help struggling taxpayers turned into a free-for-all as the House budget ballooned all week long.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes ENGLISH LEARNERS (H 4150) House 150-1, approved an amendment that would enshrine protections for English language learners and students with disabilities currently provided under federal law into state law, ensuring that these students receive both English language development and Special Education services in a coordinated, culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, regardless of school district or demographic. The amendment also prohibits discrimination in public schools based on immigration, citizenship status or disability. “This is a strong step toward ensuring English learners are fairly evaluated and appropriately supported in special education,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley). “This will help ensure our English Language Learners students receive the same opportunities to succeed as every other student.” “This is a requirement that further burdens an already struggling education system but, show me where this isn’t already happening,” said amendment opponent Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver). “The schools have every resource they need available to them. If there is a significant problem and parents need to be involved, translators are always available. The state wants to provide translators for non-English speakers but refuses to allow teachers to speak to parents when their children are suffering mental health breaks, declaring they are the opposite sex.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” BHRC| SEE PAGE 16 General Bids will be received until 25 June 2025 at 2:00PM EDT and publicly opened online, forthwith. General bids and sub-bids shall be accompanied by a bid deposit that is not less than five (5%) of the greatest possible bid amount (including all alternates) and made payable to the MALDEN HOUSING AUTHORITY. Note: A bid deposit is not required for Projects advertised under $50,000. Bid Forms and Contract Documents will be available for review at biddocs.com (may be viewed and downloaded electronically at no cost). General bidders must agree to contract with minority and women business enterprises as certified by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). The combined participation benchmark reserved for such enterprises shall not be less than 13% of the final contract price including accepted alternates. Request for waivers must be sent to EOHLC (Chad. Howard@mass.gov) 5 calendar days prior to the General Bid date. NO WAIVERS WILL BE GRANTED AFTER THE GENERAL BIDS ARE OPENED. The Contractor and all subcontractors (collectively referred to as “the Contractor”) agree to strive to achieve minority and women workforce participation. The Workforce Participation benchmark is set at 6.9% for women and 15.3% for minorities. The Workforce benchmark percentages are a statutory requirement under MGL c. 149 § 44A(2)(G). PRE-BID CONFERENCE / SITE VISIT: Scheduled Date and Time: 06/11/2025 at 10:00AM EDT Address: 61 Sylvan Street, Malden, MA 02148 Instructions: None The hard copy Contract Documents may be seen at: Nashoba Blue Inc. 433 Main Street Hudson, MA 01749 978-568-1167 May 30, 2025 LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT TO BID MGL c.149 Over $150K Project #165063 The Malden Housing Authority, the Awarding Authority, invites sealed bids from Contractors for the Load Center Replacement at State Aided Development (EOHLC #165063): Forestdale Old (667-1) in Malden, Massachusetts, in accordance with the documents prepared by SHEKAR & ASSOCIATES, INC. The Project consists of but not limited to: Replacement of existing apartment load centers, building distribution panels, with new including conduits, wiring, kitchen & bathroom receptacles, primary & secondary work at new pad mounted transformer, temporary diesel generator with temporary feeders and related work; site work. Bid documents will be available starting June 4, 2025 at Biddocs. The work is estimated to cost $412,000.00. All bidding Requests for Information (RFIs) shall be submitted online by 06/18/2025 at 2:00PM EDT for general bids. Bids are subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44A-J & to minimum wage rates as required by M.G.L. c.149 §§26 to 27H inclusive. THIS PROJECT IS BEING ELECTRONICALLY BID AND HARD COPY BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please review the instructions in the bid documents on how to register as an electronic bidder. All Bids shall be submitted online at biddocs.com and received no later than the date and time specified. General bidders must be certified by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) in the following category of work, Electrical, and must submit a current DCAMM Certificate of Eligibility and signed DCAMM Prime/General Contractor Update Statement. LEGAL NOTICE

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