Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 24, 2025 Upcoming Children’s Programs at the Malden Public Library • MUSIC AT THE BLISSFUL: Saturday, October 25, 3:00 p.m. Evan Haller’s popular and engaging music program for children is funded by the Friends of the Malden Public Library. • DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS — DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION: Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 p.m. Families with children ages five and up are invited to learn about and celebrate the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos. The event will include a bilingual story, “I Remember Abuelito,” as well as craft and musical activities. This program is supported by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. • HALLOWEEN CRAFT TIME: Thursday, October 30, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Kids can celebrate the season by getting creative. • HIP HOP XPRESSION DANCE CLASS: Tuesday, November 4, 3:00 p.m. Children of all ages and their family members can experience this fun, energetic hip hop dance class led by Jarell Howard Rochelle. Dance, learn and have a great time! Funded by the Friends of the Malden Public Library. • BOOK CLUBS FOR GRADES 2 & 3 AND GRADES 4 & 5: Register online on the Malden Public Library’s website and pick up the next book at the Children’s Room desk. Questions? Call 781388-0803. until the state Inspector GenerBeacon 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 October 13-17. $2.25 BILLION FISCAL 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4601) House 141-14, approved and sent to the Senate a $2.25 billion fiscal 2025 supplemental budget designed to close out the books on fiscal year 2025. The measure provides $1.67 billion to MassHealth and $374 million to former Steward Health Care hospitals at a time when state officials say they are feeling budget pressures associated with rising health care costs. The proposal would also increase hospital contributions by $50 million to support the Health Safety Net and stabilize funding for MassHealth and safety net hospitals. Other provisions include $10 million for Health Care for All to conduct a public awareness campaign, and to conduct health coverage enrollment assistance for communities at risk of losing health care coverage as a result of the new Medicaid reporting requirements; $10 million for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center; $5 million in grants to reproductive health care providers; $60.7 million for snow and ice removal; $12.5 million for prisoners to make free phone calls; $12 million for Universal School Meals; $6.8 million for the Clean Water Trust Fund; $3.5 million for State Police operations;$15 million for a new Sports and Entertainment Fund grant program, for which $10 million will be set aside for the events related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and withholding most of a $162 million funding request from county sheriffs, al investigates sheriffs' finances. “This supplemental budget closes the books on fiscal year 2025, and aims to fortify the commonwealth’s finances, bolster economic development and ensure continued access to critical health care services,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “In the face of unrelenting attacks from the Trump Administration that will strip health insurance coverage from millions of Americans and deny access to lifesaving vaccinations, this supplemental budget will help vulnerable residents prepare for, and avoid, a lapse in coverage and ensure continued access to vaccines for every child in Massachusetts.” “This supplemental budget will close the books on fiscal year 2025 in a balanced and fiscally responsible manner,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “By making critical investments into much needed programs in healthcare, education and housing to name a few, the commonwealth will be in a strong fiscal position for fiscal year 2026 and beyond.” “There has been little information on why there are exorbitant runaway costs in the MassHealth program,” said Rep. Ken Sweezey (R-Hanson). “I cannot continue to support writing MAKE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS MORE AVAILABLE AT NO COST (S 2640) BHRC| SEE PAGE 17 blank checks without accountability and a strategy to reel in the spending. I also see a need for some serious reforms to the HomeBase program and the nocost calls program within our correctional facilities before we continue to supplement their budgets." "I believe we need proper oversight of these medical expenditures before committing more funding,” said Rep. Mike Soter (R-Bellingham). “The governor should provide a detailed report outlining what’s driving these rising costs before requesting additional taxpayer dollars. We can't claim to have a revenue problem in one breath and then spend significant public funds without accountability in the next." “The Democrats have once again blamed President Trump for their failures,” said Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). “But the reality is they’ve bankrupted our healthcare system by flooding it with illegal aliens. They had to spend another $2.5 billion dollars to bailout our hospitals.” (A Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Yes
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