Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022 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 selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. 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: www.massterlist.com/subscribe THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of March 1418. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week. FORBID DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A PERSON WITH A NATURAL HAIRSTYLE (H 4554) House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would prohibit any person or entity including educational institutions, workplaces and public spaces from implementing any policy that would explicitly target someone who wears their natural hairstyle. The measure defi nes natural hairstyle as “hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists and other formations.” The bill also expands existing anti-bullying law in schools to include recognition for students who may be more vulnerable to bullying or harassment because of their natural hairstyle. Another provision requires the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination to investigate complaints filed against employers who have discriminated based on natural hairstyle. “This is an historic moment for Massachusetts. I am beyond delighted that the [bill] passed unanimously in the House, and words cannot describe how great it is to see the years of hard work from advocates, staff , legislators and community members bear fruit,” said co-sponsor Rep. Steve Ultrino (D-Malden). “Today, the votes in our chamber sent a clear message: racebased discrimination has no place in our commonwealth. On this day, we ensured that a person’s racial and cultural identity will no longer be an obstacle to their education, professional career and path to success.” There was a light moment during fl oor debate on the bill. “As you may have guessed, I have never experienced hair discrimination,” said Rep. Ultrino, who is bald. “People of color across the commonwealth, particularly Black women, continue to face discrimination in school, in the workplace and in public spaces based on the texture and style of their hair,” said Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham), House Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. “It is racism, and this bill is necessary to address continued attempts to outfl ank our laws against discrimination based on race.” The House approved the bill in the 2019-2020 session on July 31, 2020 and sent it to the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it died without further action and without a vote by the full Senate. Beacon Hill Roll Call asked Senate President Karen Spika (D-Ashland) and Senate Ways and Means chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) to explain why the Senate Ways and Means Committee in 2020 did not act on what seems to be a non-controversial bill and if they think the bill will die in committee again this year or get through the committee and be approved the Senate. Despite repeated requests, neither Spilka’s offi ce nor Rodrigues’ offi ce responded. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes CREATING WOMEN’S RIGHTS HISTORY TRAIL PROGRAM (H 4555) House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would require the state to develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail program. The measure includes requiring the state to designate properties and sites that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suff rage. Another provision provides that the state promote education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in the commonwealth. A 13-member Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force would be formed to research, solicit public input and make recommendations for sites, properties and attractions to be included in the trail. “I am humbled and proud to sponsor this legislation,” said Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “This legislation ensures that the many women from our commonwealth who contributed to the fabric of our nation and democracy are recognized, and their accomplishments preserved in our state’s history, so that their legacies may serve as inspiration for future generations of young women.” “The establishment of this trail continues Massachusetts’ commitment to honoring women while also creating additional tourism and economic opportunities across the commonwealth,” said Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), House Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. “It was an honor to pass this legislation during Women’s History Month.” The House approved the bill in the 2019-2020 session on September 18, 2020 and sent it to the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it died without further action and without a vote by the Senate. Beacon Hill Roll Call again asked Senate President Karen Spika (D-Ashland) and Senate Ways and Means chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) to explain why the bill died in the Senate in 2020 and if they think the bill will die in committee again this year or be approved the Senate. Despite repeated requests, neither Spilka’s offi ce nor Rodrigues’ offi ce responded. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes 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 Mon. March 14 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate 11:10 a.m. to 11:17 a.m. Tues. March 15 No House session No Senate session Wed. March 16 No House session No Senate session Thurs. March 17 House 11:05 a.m. to 2:49 p.m. Senate 11:19 a.m. to 12:08 p.m. Fri. March 18 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. License Commission takes up Hampton Inn parking complaints By Adam Swift T he Hampton Inn has two months to clear up parking issues at its 230 Lee Burbank Highway location. The business was before the License Commission on Wednesday, March 16, facing multiple complaints of ongoing fi re safety violations for cars being parked in the fi re lane. The hotel has 294 parking spots on-site: 194 it uses for its own guests and for a stay and fl y program, and another 100 it leases out for an independent park and fl y program run by Select. “This is kind of an ongoing issue at the Hampton Inn, and it has been a problem since Select has come over to the hotel as the company that is running the park and fl y,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Cheever. Beginning in 2019, there were seven violations related to parking in the fi re lane at the hotel. Cheever said the issue died down during the COVID-19 pandemic when business was low at the hotel and parking lot, but he said the problems returned earlier this year. “Starting up again in February of this year, we got multiple calls to the property,” said Cheever. “People staying in there didn’t feel safe based on the egresses being blocked by vehicles. I went there the other day, and there were 18-wheeler cabs parked in the backside of the building, so you wouldn’t be able to get around.” Cheever said the situation can get so bad that emergency vehicles would have to park on the highway to access the hotel, creating safety issues for the emergency personnel and anyone potentially needing assistance at the hotel. James Cipoletta, the attorney representing the Hampton Inn, said the hotel recently hired an outside parking company, VPNE, to study and address the parking issues at the hotel over the next 60 days. Cheever initially recommended the License Commission temporarily suspend the Hampton Inn’s parking lot license, but the new manager of the Hampton Inn promised that there would be better policing of the parking to make sure there are no vehicles in the fi re lane. Jim Marcotte, the operator of the Select park and fl y portion of the lot, also noted that there COMPLAINTS | SEE Page 16 rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of March 1418, the House met for a total of three hours and 53 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 56 minutes.
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