18

Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025 By Bob Katzen If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562 GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION 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 infl uence. 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://MASSterList/subscribe/ THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent debate on the House rules. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. REQUIRE ROLL CALL VOTES (H 2026) House 23-128, rejected an amendment that would require that a roll call be held on conference committee reports, budgets or gubernatorial vetoes at a formal session which is convened after July 31 of the second year of a legislative session. “Prior to the 2023-2024 legislative session, the House and Senate typically ended formal sessions on July 31 of the second annual session, with the remainder of the legislative session reserved for informal sessions where roll call votes are not taken,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “That changed last year because there were several conference committees that were unable to complete their work until after the traditional July 31 deadline. Requiring roll calls on major legislation during what has often been considered the lame duck portion of the session is a good way to promote transparency and accountability by making sure members are on the record in terms of their support or opposition to a particular bill.” Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose) said requiring a roll call vote on everything after July 31 unnecessarily hamstrings the Legislature from moving legislation effi ciently and nimbly. She argued that a one-size-fi ts-all standard could slow progress on important matters, especially in the House where inperson attendance is needed for a roll call vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment requiring a roll call. A “No” vote is against requiring a roll call.) Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Jeff Turco No REQUIRE TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE (H 2026) House 23-128, rejected an amendment that would require two weeks’ notice to be given to legislators prior to a vote on conference committee reports, budgets or gubernatorial vetoes at a formal session which is convened after July 31 of the second year of a legislative session. “This amendment was offered to provide more predictability for the House and Senate members when a formal session is planned after the July 31 deadline has passed,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “It simply gives the members suffi cient advance notice to thoroughly review and understand legislation before taking a vote.” Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River) said she opposed the amendment because we are a full-time Legislature which needs to be responsive, nimble and ready to vote on important matters before us. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment requiring two weeks’ notice. A “No” vote is against requiring it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Jeff Turco No GET OPINON OF SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT (H 2026) House 23-128, rejected an amendment that would require the House and Senate to request an opinion of the justices of the state’s Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) whenever they have a confl icting opinion with a constitutional offi cer relative to the constitutionality of legislation being considered. “The separation of powers doctrine allows each branch of the Legislature, as well as the governor, to ask the SJC for opinions on certain occasions, at their discretion,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This amendment would require the House or Senate to seek an opinion of the SJC if there is a disagreement with a constitutional offi cer over the constitutionality of a specifi c piece of legislation. The State Auditor has been given the voters’ approval to audit the Legislature, but the Democratic leadership in both branches have argued that this would be a violation of the separation of powers. Since the SJC would be the fi - nal arbiter, we could easily resolve this situation by having the House or Senate request an opinion to settle this matter once and for all.” Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid (DBoston) said the amendment poses unnecessary delays on the legislative process and undermines the authority of the Legislature. She noted the Legislature already has the ability to seek advisory opinions of the SJC, and in fact does so when appropriate. She argued that the amendment would require the Legislature to halt its work any time a constitutional offi cer raises a concern. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment requiring the Legislature to get an opinion from the SJC. A “No” vote is against the amendment.) Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Jeff Turco No ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL OVER-THE-COUNTER BIRTH CONTROL — Gov. Maura Healey announced two standing orders that will allow eligible MassHealth members and Health Safety Net patients to access prenatal vitamins and over-the-counter oral contraceptives at no cost. Advocates say the move is part of the administration’s commitment to improving reproductive and maternal health outcomes and reducing health disparities for women and infants. “Our administration is committed to expanding access to reproductive and maternal health care across Massachusetts,” said Gov. Healey. “We know that prenatal vitamins and birth control play a really important role in women’s health. With these orders we are making it easier and more aff ordable for people to make the best health care decisions for themselves, will improve health outcomes for women and babies and will reduce health disparities.” “We’re working to make sure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to the health care tools they need to live their best lives,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Now, MassHealth members can get prenatal vitamins and birth control pills for free, overthe-counter. Removing barriers like this is one of the simplest ways we can work toward better health outcomes for mothers and infants in our state.” $1.3 MILLION FOR TREE PLANTING — The Healey Administration announced $1.3 million in grants to 13 cities and towns and one nonprofit organization for tree planting, from the Cooling Corridors program, which focuses on planting trees along popular walking routes and in environmental justice neighborhoods across the Bay State. Supporters say the funding is aimed at combatting the rising heat residents are experiencing due to climate change. The program prioritizes planting trees in communities that often face more environmental challenges — and along paths that connect people to important places like schools, healthcare providers and senior centers. “Trees are among our best allies in combating extreme heat,” said Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Aff airs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “A healthy tree canopy beautifi es our neighborhoods and enhances energy effi ciency during the hottest months of the year. Each tree planted is an investment

19 Publizr Home