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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 Page 17 plosions involving illegal fi reworks in Massachusetts in the past ten years. By escalating penalties, we enforce accountability and discourage reckless behavior that endangers lives and property. Protecting our communities and upholding the values of safety and consideration for all is key to having sustainable neighborhoods.” REGULATE RIDES ON MOBILE AMUSEMENT CARNIVALS (H 3896) — Another measure heard by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee would require that mobile carnival rides which use enclosed pods, cabins, compartments or other enclosed passenger areas as part of a ride have a safety restraint system that includes seat belts. Violators would be subject to up to a $1,000 fi ne and/or 1-year prison sentence. “The goal of this bill is to protect children and families who use these amusement park rides at fairs and carnivals,” said sponsor Rep. Jim Arciero (DWestford). “Several years ago, a young girl in my district was severely injured on such a ride which resulted in temporary paralysis and months of physical therapy and recovery following her passing out on such a ride which did not have a restraint,” continued Arciero. “She was thrown about for several minutes as the ride continued in an unconscious state. While improvements have been made in regulations regarding amusement rides over the years, I believe a simple change in state law will ensure that this dangerous and unfortunate situation is never repeated again.” TOXIC CHEMICALS IN CHILDREN’S TOYS (S 2564) — The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee has recommended passage of a bill that would direct the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute, to create and publish a list of toxic chemicals in children’s products; a list of high priority chemicals in children’s toys and other products; and a list of safer alternative chemicals that can replace chemicals on the high priority chemical list. Manufacturers who make children’s consumer products that are for sale in the state would be required to report detailed information to DEP about the inclusion of toxic chemicals in their products. The information would then be made public on DEP’s website. DEP would be required every call The A three years to report and make recommendations on additional ways to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in children’s products. The bill would also ban PFAS in children’s products, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the department. “We know that these forever chemicals are in our everyday products and the harm that they pose to our health--especially the health of our children,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) who said she hopes to see it move to the fl oor for a vote soon.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “For years, Publicis Health’s marketing schemes helped fuel the nationwide opioid crisis, which has shattered some of our most vulnerable communities, while creating signifi cant fi nancial strain on our state systems. I am proud of my team’s national leadership in securing this settlement, which will not only bolster accountability and transparency for this ongoing crisis but will also provide millions of dollars for much needed treatment and services to support individuals and families across Massachusetts.” ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell announcing a $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health that would resolve the state’s litigation against the marketing and communications firm for its role in the opioid crisis, including its work for opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma. Massachusetts will receive nearly $8 million from the settlement to help address the opioid crisis. “You are not on your own, kid, when declaring what is rightfully yours. Be fearless and write your name in the blank space on our website at any time.” ---State Treasurer Deb Goldberg urging everyone to check the list of unclaimed money held by the state at fi ndmassmoney.gov or call 888-344MASS (6277). “We made universal free school meals permanent in Massachusetts, helping students and families access the food they need without a hassle or stigma. We’re grateful for the organizations that have stepped up already as sponsors, and we encourage more to join us as we work with the Biden-Harris Administration to advance access to meals and food security for students and families during the summer when school isn’t in session.” ---Gov. Maura Healey on the upcoming June launch of “Summer Eats” — a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded initiative that provides free, nutritious meals to children when school is not in session. “This legislation’s core purpose is to protect survivors of abuse. It is unconscionable to me that a survivor of spousal abuse, who had the courage to get away from an abusive partner, should have to be reminded of that abuse and continue to pay for it once the marriage is over.” ---Sen. Jake Oliveira (d-Ludlow) on his newly-fi led bill requiring courts to decline alimony payments by the victim to a spouse convicted of abuse. 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 fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of January 29-February 2, the House met for a total of two hours and nine minutes and the Senate met for a total of 11 hours and 14 minutes Mon. Jan. 29 House 11:03 a.m. to 1:12 p.m. Senate 11:07 a.m. to 1:16 p.m. Tues. Jan. 30 No House session No Senate session Wed. Jan. 31 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Feb. 1 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Senate 11:05 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. Fri. Feb. 2 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. For Advertising with Results, call he Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net cate Ne spapers 1. What city in the early 1900’s had a “Black Wall Street”? 2. How many NFL stadiums have artifi cial grass: 10, 15 or 30? 3. On Feb. 10, 1976, what U.S. president said, “I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us”? 4. What two teams have won six Super Bowls? 5. Why was the ghost town of Reefer City near Mojave, Calif., called that? 6. From Feb. 11-17 is International Flirting Week; what Italian was a legendary fl irt? 7. What Founding Father was once an indentured servant and is said to have sold chocolate at a printshop? 8. Which is the world’s oldest tree variety: bristlecone pine, giant sequoia or African baobab? 9. What tree’s name means “food of the gods”? 10. On Feb. 12, 1809, what U.S. president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation was born? Answers 11. The nursery rhyme “Pease Porridge Hot” includes the title of what 1959 crime comedy fi lm? 12. What U.S. state produces the most cheese: Idaho, Vermont or Wisconsin? 13. Who wrote the story “A Retried Reformation” with a main character named Jimmy Valentine? 14. What type of comedy has a name that comes from a wooden device used by clowns to make noise? 15. What team has been in 11 Super Bowls? 16. Esther Howland, who is known as the “Mother of the American Valentine” and “New England’s fi rst career woman,” was born in what Massachusetts city? 17. In what sport would you fi nd a peloton? 18. What company with a 5th Ave. fl agship store makes trophies, including for the Super Bowl and fi gure skating and horse racing trophies? 19. In 1868, the first heartshaped box of chocolates was created by who: Richard Cadbury, Milton Hershey or Louis IV? 20. What songwriting duo created the song “My Funny Valentine” in the 1937 musical “Babes in Arms”? 1. Tulsa, Okla. 2. 15 3. Gerald Ford 4. New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers 5. It was founded by a mining company that used refrigerator (or “reefer”) boxcars to house miners. 6. Giacomo Casanova 7. B enjamin Franklin 8. Methuselah, a Great Basin bristlecone pine in Nevada (4,854 years old) 9. Theobroma cacao (an evergreen that produces cocoa beans) 10. Abraham Lincoln 11. “Some Like it Hot” 12. Wisconsin 13. O. Henry 14. Slapstick 15. New England Patriots 16. Worcester 17. Bicycling (the main pack of riders in a race) 18. Tiff any & Co. 19. Richard Cadbury 20. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

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