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Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 1, 2025 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of July 21-25. $300 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4307) House 157-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $1.2 billion transportation bond bill that includes authorizing $300 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state -- a 50 percent increase over last year’s funding. The measure provides that $200 million be distributed to all cities and towns based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula while $100 million would be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage. The $1.2 billion package also includes $885 million for other transportation-related projects including $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program which supports non-federally aided roads and targets the Bay State pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition; $200 million for a culvert and small bridge repair program to aid municipalities for local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement; and $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be available for a myriad of projects such as shared use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings and sidewalks. “The federal funding uncertainty from Washington, D.C. is very real,” said Rep. James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Committee on Transportation. “The House is proceeding with caution while balancing the significant transportation needs of our cities and towns. This bill leverages the Legislature’s increased appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. These strategic appropriations expanded our borrowing capacity to allow for additional transportation funding for cities and towns.” "This legislation strikes a balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways and transportation-related projects while maintaining outstanding fiscal responsibility,” said Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfield), House Chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our decision to continue giving the governor the authority to utilize either general or special obligation bonds enables us to capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term and preserve general obligation bond capacity for the commonwealth's most pressing needs." “Providing funding for critical infrastructure projects through investments in the commonwealth’s public transportation, roads and bridges is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as members of the Legislature,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the support for local infrastructure repairs that this legislation provides, and of the funding that it allocates for projects that will address congestion hotspots across the commonwealth.” “The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and local leaders across the state are deeply grateful that legislators appreciate the importance of this program to the quality of life and economic development in our communities,” said MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine. “Chapter 90 is a program that benefits all 351 cities and towns in the state, and a 50 percent increase in funding would have a substantial impact in all corners of the commonwealth.” Chapdelaine declined to respond to a Beacon Hill Roll Call request asking him whether the MMA wanted more than the $350 million funding and if it wanted a 2-year commitment of funds instead of a 1-year one. (A "Yes" vote is for the bill.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes CHANGE ARCHAIC LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (S 2563) Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would modernize and remove archaic language in state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to persons with disabilities. Changes include replacing “handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities,” replacing “the mentally retarded” with “persons with an intellectual disability,” replacing “retarded children” with “children with an intellectual disability” and replacing “disabled American veterans” with “American veterans with disabilities.” “Words are important,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), chief sponsor of the bill. “Language changes. We should use language that respects the people it refers to and listen to them. Fifteen years ago, a friend told Rep. Denise Provost and me how disrespected she felt being called ‘handicapped.’ We filed a bill to remove ten sections of the general laws that used that word. Over the years, we have found nearly 400 sections with offensive words, including the r-word.” Melissa Reilly, an advocate for people with disabilities and former policy advisor to Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), said the bill is really important because all people with disabilities should be treated well and respected by others and not mocked or judged or bullied by others for their disabilities. “We are all unique and deserve respect, we do not want to be known as the ‘r-word.’” said Reilly. Maura Sullivan, CEO of the Arc of Massachusetts, said the bill has been a long-time priority for The Arc and its community. “Today’s vote sends a clear message in an important moment—such language has no place in our laws or in our society,” said Sullivan. “At this moment when disability rights are being threatened, we must show up every day to reaffirm our commitment to uplifting and valuing this community. This bill does just that.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes REPEAL ARCHAIC LAWS (S 2564) Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House legislation that would abolish some archaic laws that are still on the books in Massachusetts. These laws include prohibiting adultery, sodomy, blasphemy, “common nightwalking” and being a vagabond. The measure also establishes a Permanent Law Revision Commission to examine the state’s laws and judicial decisions; identify defects and anachronisms in the law; and recommend needed reforms to align with modern conditions. “When dusty and dangerous relics of a bygone era darken our laws, it creates the potential for real harm to residents today,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are on a path to making our laws better represent who we are in 21st-century Massachusetts. With a White House that glorifies—and seemingly longs for—the days when many Americans were discriminated against because of who they are, now is the time to make sure our state laws respect and support the rights and dignity of our residents.” Chief sponsor Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) said the bill would bring Bay State laws into the 21st century and align them with the fundamental principles of freedom built into our Constitution. “The bill would remove archaic laws that intrude on an individual’s privacy regarding sexual activity,” said Brownsberger. “[It] would remove existing statutes that criminalize sodomy and socalled ‘unnatural’ acts between consenting adults and make Massachusetts laws more inclusive of individuals who are LGBTQIA+. In some cases, the language that this bill would strike from the General Laws dates back into the 1800s.” “This legislation is about respect and dignity—plain and simple,” said Sen. Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “Removing archaic language and striking outdated laws sends a powerful message that Massachusetts stands with and uplifts people of all abilities, and all those who have been marginalized by harmful language and policies. Our laws should reflect our values. Today we took an important step toward justice and our committee knows there is more work to be done.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes AUTISM AND POLICE STOPS (S 2565) Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill designed to improve interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill" would create a program giving people with the disorder the option to be given a special blue envelope that holds the person’s driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance cards. On the outside of the envelope there would be specific instructions for police officers on the driver’s diagnosis, impairments, triggers, emergency contact information and best practices for communicating. The bill is designed to enable the driver to quickly and easily hand the envelope to a police officer during a traffic stop. “The Blue Envelope Bill makes our commonwealth a safer place for people who are neurodiverse,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “It moves us closer to equal opportunity and access for people of all abilities.” “The Blue Envelope Bill would be a game changer for our family and for so many Massachusetts residents,” said Ilyse Levine-Kanji, an Executive Committee member of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts. “Like many people with autism, my 27-year-old son Sam does

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