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Page 20 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025 BEACON | FROM Page 19 Legislature’s work, encourage greater insight into bills being considered by the Legislature and provide more transparency on legislators’ positions on issues that impact Massachusetts residents,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This comprehensive rule proposal was a collaborative effort that makes the work we do here in the Senate more transparent, more effi cient and respectful to the needs of members and residents,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules. “We are proud of the Senate’s work, and we want people to know what is going on in The People’s House. These measures take meaningful steps towards a more transparent Legislature and allow for more access to information by members of the public about our work, including easier participation.” (A “Yes” vote is for the rules package.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Didn’t Vote MORE TIME TO READ CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BILLS (S 15) Senate 5-33, rejected an amendment that would allow members 48 hours to read the conference committee version of a bill. A conference version of a bill is the compromise version that is hammered out by a joint House-Senate committee when the House and Senate approve diff erent versions of legislation. “I voted for this amendment 855-GO-4-GLAS Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $200 per paper in-town per year or $225 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 … because it ensures that both the appointed conference committee members and the public have suffi cient time to understand and evaluate complex bills before they are voted on,” said Sen. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton). “By setting a clear deadline and allowing more time to analyze the fi nal conference report, this change promotes transparency to the public and helps prevent the Legislature from acting without proper deliberation and input from our communities.” Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the defeat of his amendment. Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said the bill itself already allows one calendar day for members to read a conference committee bill and argued that it is a suffi - cient amount of time. (A “Yes” vote is for the 48 hours. A “No” vote is against the 48 hours.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Didn’t Vote REQUIRE ROLL CALL ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BILLS (S 15) Senate 9-29, rejected an amendment that would require that a roll call vote be held on all conference committee versions of a bill. “Constituents frequently ask how I have voted on major bills and how my colleagues have voted,” said amendment sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) “This amendment sought to ensure the people we represent know how we vote on important matters like conference committee reports.” Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said this new rule is not necessary because members already have the opportunity to ask for a roll call vote when a conference committee bill comes before the Senate for a vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment requiring a roll call vote. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Didn’t Vote EXPAND CONFLICT OF INTEREST BAN (S 15) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment to a rule that would prohibit legislators from purchasing, directly or indirectly, the stock or other securities of any corporation or association, knowing that there is pending before the Legislature any measure specially “granting the corporation or association any immunity, exemption, privilege or benefi t or any measure providing for the creation of, or directly aff ecting any, contractual relations between the corporation or association and the state.” The amendment would expand the ban to include any immediate family member of a legislator. “Public service needs to be as far removed from unfair fi nancial incentives and advantages as possible,” said amendment sponsor Sen. John Keenan (DQuincy). “The commonwealth already prohibits legislators from buying stock based on the information they learn through their work at the Statehouse, but this amendment, which the Senate adopted on a unanimous roll call vote, will also prohibit legislators using this information to sell stock and will restrict their family members from making similar fi nancial transactions based on knowlCopyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com BUYER1 Dicarlo, Logan M REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS SELLER1 BUYER2 Dicarlo Leo J Est SELLER2 Dicarlo, Denise ADDRESS 260 Crest Ave DATE PRICE 01.31.25 855000 edge legislators have gained as a result of their positions.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment expanding the ban to apply to immediate family members.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Didn’t Vote ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL AG CAMPBELL JOINS LAWSUIT TARGETING ELON MUSK — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, along with twelve other Attorneys General, fi led a lawsuit challenging the exercise of executive power by Elon Musk. The lawsuit argues that President Trump has violated the United States Constitution by creating a new federal Department without Congressional approval and by granting Musk sweeping powers over the entire federal government without seeking the advice and consent of the Senate. “The President cannot create a new department to restructure the federal government and certainly cannot give unchecked power to a billionaire friend without Congressional action,” said Campbell. “Our lawsuit seeks to put an end to the ongoing corruption and abuse of power at DOGE that threatens funding for crucial needs such as healthcare, education and more.” U.S. ATTORNEY LEAH FOLEY’S OFFICE COLLECTS MORE THAN $60 MILLION IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL ACTIONS — United States Attorney Leah Foley announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce for the District of Massachusetts collected $60.17 million in criminal and civil actions in fi scal year 2024, including $19.56 million in criminal actions and $40.6 million in civil actions. “The American people deserve a government that is both accountable and effective in protecting their hard-earned tax dollars,” said Foley. “These substantial recoveries reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars, holding wrongdoers accountable and securing justice for victims of fraud and other ofRevere

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