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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 13, 2023 Page 19 BHRC | FROM PAGE 18 it brings to Massachusetts residents." “These tax cuts translate to real money back in the pockets of the people of Massachusetts every single year,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Families, seniors, renters, businesses and commuters will see hundreds of dollars in savings each year. Gov. Healey and I look forward to spreading the word across the state that savings are here for the people of Massachusetts.” “The modest tax relief package signed by the governor is nothing more than modest, it’s at best an adjustment for inflation,” said Paul Craney, spokesman for the Mass Fiscal Alliance. “If the goal was to pass a piece of legislation that would make Massachusetts more economically competitive, keep taxpayers here or attract taxpayers to Massachusetts, then this tax relief package is not nearly enough.” Craney continued, ”In reality, after this tax relief package is passed into law, Massachusetts goes from the state with the highest short term capital gains tax in the country to the second highest. Massachusetts goes from the state with the most aggressive estate tax in the country to now only better than Oregon and Rhode Island. Meanwhile, states like New Hampshire and Florida don’t even have these taxes. Taxpayers should hold their applause until the governor and Statehouse leaders do more.” “When Massachusetts’ middle-class families succeed, we all succeed—and that is exactly what this tax relief bill will help us do,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation answers the calls that we have heard from people around the state, saying that their costs are rising, they cannot find housing and it’s becoming hard to operate a business. It puts real dollars back into the bank accounts of working families, relieves financial strains for our young professionals, puts meaningful incentives into developing affordable housing and will keep our state competitive for businesses who will invest in our workforce.” EQUITY IN EDUCATION EVENT - What can our business, political and education leaders do differently to connect Black and Latino students to pathways to careers that our thriving life sciences, health, clean tech and other sectors so urgently need to fill? Join MASSterList, the State House News Service, and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education on Tuesday, October 24th, for a policy event from 8:15 – 10:30 am at the MCLE New England – 10 Winter Place, Boston (Downtown Crossing), (in-person only). Register for this FREE event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ equity-in-education-tickets-723011084617?aff=BHRC COVER $5,000 FOR RELOCATION EXPENSES FOLLOWING A FIRE (H 1109) – The Financial Services Committee held a hearing on a measure that would require insurance companies to provide $5,000 to cover relocation and other expenses for tenants displaced by a fire or by damage caused by a fire. Current law requires the companies to provide only up to $750. “I sponsored this bill after a three-alarm fire broke out in the Folly Hill Meadows apartment complex in Beverly, leaving about 40 residents homeless,” said sponsor Rep. Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly). “Insurance only covered up to $750 for their relocation, leaving most of them in limbo and scrambling to find help from the city, state and local nonprofits. This bill would raise that amount and help residents like these across the commonwealth who are displaced by a fire.” INCREASE FINES FOR VIOLATING HANDICAPPED PARKING (H 3261) – The Transportation Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would allow cities and towns to increase the fines for handicap parking violations from a maximum of $350 to a maximum of $450. The measure also would place the money into a specialized account to be used for ADA upgrades in the city or town where the violation occurred. “This bill would accomplish two things,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “It would strengthen our current laws on handicap parking protection, while raising funds to make our communities more handicap accessible. Passage of this bill would help our towns and cities cultivate a more independent lifestyle for our seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, by raising these funds on the backs of those who break laws meant to protect our vulnerable citizens.” RENAME COLUMBUS DAY(H 2989, S 1976) – The Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing on two bills that would designate the second Monday in October, now known as Columbus Day, as Indigenous Peoples Day and recommends appropriate exercises in schools to acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination against Indigenous people. The hearing was held on October 3 with only six days left until this year’s Columbus Day on October 9. Neither the House nor Senate have voted on the bill itself so any name change, if approved, would have to wait until 2024 to take effect. “Christopher Columbus did not discover the Americas,” said co-sponsors Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville) in a joint statement. “That myth — steeped in racism and violence — has allowed generations to credit a European man with discovering a land already teeming with societies. Indigenous communities and tribal nations in the commonwealth and across the United States call us to act. It is thanks to their courageous truth telling that we recognize the legacy of colonization in the name of Columbus as one not worthy of extraordinary memorialization or celebration.” “Twenty states and the District of Columbia observe Native American or Indigenous Peoples Day in addition to or in replacement of Columbus Day,” continued the statement. “In 2021, President Joe Biden formally commemorated Indigenous Peoples Day with a presidential proclamation, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. Massachusetts should do the same. Let us change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day — a holiday to honor those who first settled this land. This holiday will pay rightful tribute to the contributions of Indigenous people in Massachusetts -- past, present and future.” REPLACE “HEARING IMPAIRED” WITH “DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING” (S 1983) – Another bill heard by the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight would remove the term "hearing impaired" from the state’s law books and replace it with "deaf or hard of hearing." Supporters said the National Association of the Deaf recommends this change in terminology due to the negative connotations of the phrase "hearing impaired." New York, Utah, New Hampshire, Louisiana and California have already passed similar bills into law. "I introduced this bill because of the advocacy of high school students from the CAPS Program for the Deaf at Newton North High School, who wrote to me about why they reject the term 'hearing impaired' and why it's painful for them to see it used in Massachusetts law," said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). "The language in our statutes should reflect the rich culture and diversity of the deaf and hard of hearing community, not falsely imply that the community is somehow damaged or less than." SUICIDE PREVENTION SIGNAGE (S 970)- The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require parking garages that are more than three stories or 30 feet, to post suicide prevention signage with information on suicide prevention including the “Dial 988” behavioral health emergency line and the words “You Are Not Alone.” The sign must be posted conspicuously on each of the four walls of a garage on each floor above 3 stories or 30 feet in height and in each elevator lobby and stairwell on each floor leading to the top level of the garage. Businesses which do not comply will be fined $50 per day. The revenue from the fines would be distributed equally to Massachusetts non-profit organizations dedicated to preventing suicide. The bill also directs the state to conduct a study of mass transportation facilities, including railways and crossings, which are potential means of suicide or locations where a suicide has occurred in the last ten years. A report with the finding would then be submitted and within one year, the Department of Public Health would develop regulations requiring the MBTA to integrate at mass transportation facilities, physical infrastructure and design elements that will reduce and eliminate means of suicide. “Over the last several years we have seen a disturbing trend in suicide deaths at parking garages and MBTA facilities across the commonwealth,” said sponsor Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough).“[The bill] aims to address the prevalence of suicide deaths at these facilities by requiring clear signage be posted with information on suicide prevention … It is my hope that these signs may spark a moment of pause for that person in pain, a moment to reconsider, a reminder that they indeed are not alone.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “We’re glad to see the Legislature is seriously considering reducing the plastic that contaminates our state. This statewide law is overdue.” ---Lydia Churchill of Environment Massachusetts and Janet Domenitz of MASSPIRG following a public hearing on legislation that would restrict the Use of Styrofoam and other Polystyrene products. “We know that there are innovative, brilliant companies across Massachusetts with the potential to scale, and we know they don’t all have connections to resources, friends and family to fundraise from, and existing networks from which to tap talent. With Massachusetts Founders Network (MFN) we can support founders no matter where they are in Massachusetts–and ultimately level the playing field when it comes to connections, capital, and other support.” --- Director Jeffrey Thomas of Lever, an economic development nonprofit, commenting on the creation of the MFN, a new initiative that gives startup founders equitable access to resources that will help their companies grow. “A college education should be accessible and affordable to anyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris know that unencumbered access to higher education is a key element to creating generational wealth that all Americans deserve an opportunity to earn.” --- Steve Kerrigan, chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party on President Biden’s announcement that an additional 125,000 Americans, including 28,670 from the Bay State, have been approved for $9 billion in student debt relief. “Massachusetts has a rich history of cranberry growing. This industry has long provided economic and environmental benefits, and it’s important to work with farmers to ensure the longterm viability of their farms. Our administration stands in support of cranberry farmers. We look forward to continued collaboration in utilizing modern techniques for growing and harvesting to conserve water and protect our open spaces.” --- Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announcing October as “Massachusetts Cranberry Month.” 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. During the week of October 2-6, the House met for a total of four hours and 37 minutes while the Senate met for a total of four hours and 12 minutes. Mon. Oct. 2 House11:01 a.m. to 11:26 a.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 11:41 a.m. Tues.Oct. 3 No House session No Senate session Wed. Oct. 4 House11:01 a.m. to3:05 p.m. No Senate session Thurs. Oct. 5 House11:03 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate1:01 p.m. to4:44 p.m. Fri. Oct. 6 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.

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