Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TORNADO CHEERLEADERS: This year's Malden High Cheerleaders are ready for Thanksgiving. (Advocate Photo) TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 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 Friday 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: https://lp.constantcontactpages. com/su/aPTLucK THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes from the week of November 13-17. LONG TERM CARE CHANGES (H 4178) House 158-0, approved and FANTASTIC WIN AT FENWAY: The Malden High Football Team and coaches celebrated the big win over Medford at Fenway Park in 2022. (Advocate Photo) sent to the Senate legislation that supporters say will “take a comprehensive approach towards reforming the long-term care industry by supporting and expanding the workforce, enhancing oversight of facilities and ensuring greater access, all while prioritizing quality of care.” Rep. Tom Stanley (D-Waltham), House chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs, said “the comprehensive measure is a major step toward enhancing the standards and care within the long-term care industry.” “Building upon past successes and allocations, including significant funding for caregiver shortages and nursing home rate increases, this bill marks a pivotal step in the ongoing enhancement of long-term care in the commonwealth,” continued Stanley. “It is our collective effort to ensure the highest standards of care and access for all individuals in TORNADOS CELEBRATE: Pictured from left to right – with Fenway Park’s famous “Green Monster” in the background – front row: junior Davian McGuffie, assistant coach Wiston Jeune, junior captain Gabriel Vargas Cardoso, junior Alex Avalos; Back row: senior captain Andrew Louis, assistant coach James Brito-White, sophomore captain James Hyppolite, senior John Lloyd, junior Felix Junior Da Costa and sophomore Mateus Brito. (Advocate Photo) need of long-term care services." “The nursing home sector has long faced workforce and financial challenges that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).“Addressing persistent challenges within this important sector will not only improve the quality of care that residents receive, it will increase capacity and help acute care hospitals more efficiently discharge patients to the appropriate postacute care setting.” Mariano continued, “Building off of key investments in the industry in recent budgets, this comprehensive legislation takes the necessary steps to ensure that the commonwealth’s nursing homes, and the patients that they care for, are supported.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes $2.81 BILLION FISCAL 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (S 2502) Senate 36-3, approved a $2.81 billion supplemental budget to close out the books for fiscal year 2023. Provisionsinclude $2.1 billion for MassHealth to cover end of year deficiencies; $250 million for emergency housing; $75 million for school districts impacted by special education tuition rate increases; $15 million for disaster relief for municipalities impacted by storms and naturals disasters that occurred in 2023; funding to support collective bargaining agreements; and $500,000 for the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth. According to Senate President Karen Spilka’s office, “The Senate budget stipulates that a portion of the $250 million for emergency housing be spent on community-based, broad, and individualized support services and resources so that individuals and families can address the complex issues and challenges they face, as well as reimbursements to school districts for increased enrollment costs associated with an influx of migrant students. It also authorizes a portion of the $250 million to be spent to address costs associated with sheltering eligible families, as well as creating temporary emergency shelter sites.” “Today the Senate took a bold step forward, and passed a supplemental budget that not only closes the books on fiscal year 2023, but also acts swiftly to meet the challenges of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that BHRC| SEE PAGE 17
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