THE REVERE ADVOCATE - Friday, April 5, 2019 Page 17 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE. Beacon Hill Roll Call records local legislators’ votes on roll calls from the week March 25-29. $8 MILLION FOR FAMILY PLANNING PROVIDERS (H3638) House 140-14, Senate 335, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a bill to provide up to $8 million for family planning providers. The Trump administration recently announced it would no longer direct federal funds which support family planning services for low-income residents, toward any clinic that provides, refers or offers counseling on abortions. The $8 million would be used to replace whatever funding Massachusetts clinics lose under the new Trump rule which also faces a legal challenge from 21 states, including Massachusetts, but will go into effect in May if it is not blocked in court. “Once again, where Washington falls short, we in the commonwealth are ready and willing to step up and fill the needed gap,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston). “We cannot allow people’s health care to be put at risk because of the narrow-minded politics of the Trump administration. Today, we are taking the first step to put a stop to this.” Michlewitz noted that an estimated 75,000 Massachusetts residents, most of whom earn less than $30,000 a year, would be impacted by the cut in federal funding. “This action by the House is 1. On April 6, 1528, what German artist/ printmaker died? (Hint: initials AD.) 2. What is Boston named after? 3. What is Texas’s state flower? (Hint: a butter substitute.) 4. On April 6, 1930, Jimmy Dewar invented what Hostess product after realizing he could use strawberry shortcake pans year-round? 5. Who composed “Appalachian Spring”? 6. What mythological animal is celebrated on April 9? 7. On April 7, 1906, what Italian volcano’s eruption reached a climax? 8. What silent film actor was known as “The Man of a Thousand Faces”? 9. What does a bibliophile collect? 10. On April 8, 1766, an English patent was granted for a wicker basket with a pulley and chain; what was it used for? 11. During what holiday is pineapple the cheapest? 12. What is a male witch called? 13. Does asparagus have leaves? 14. What U.S. state did Ponce de Leon name to honor Easter? 15. On April 9, 1865, who surrendered at Appomattox Court House? 16. What sport uses the term “hot corner”? 17. From what plant does saffron come? 18. On April 10, 1955, who successfully tested polio vaccine? 19. On which album is the Beatles song “Good Day Sunshine”? 20. On April 11, 1814, at Fontainebleau, France, who abdicated the throne? Answers below, please no cheating! FROM PAGE 17 nothing but a giveaway of our tax dollars to the abortion business,” said Chanel Prunier, executive director of the Renew Massachusetts Coalition which opposes the funding. “The CEO of Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts makes over $250,000 annually, and they spend millions each year on political advocacy and campaign efforts. So why are our taxes making up for their funding shortfall?” (A “Yes” vote is for the $8 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Bob DeLeo Yes Rep. RoseLee Vincent Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes BAN CONVERSION THERAPY FOR ANYONE UNDER 18 (S 2187) Senate 34-0, approved a bill that would prohibit psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care providers from attempting to change the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of anyone under 18. Conversion therapy exposes the person to a stimulus while simultaneously subjecting him or her to some form of discomfort. The therapy is primarily used to try to convert gays and lesbians to be straight. The House has approved its own version of the bill and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. Both branches approved a similar bill last year but it never made it to Gov. Baker’s desk. “If a conversion therapy bill gets to my desk and we don’t see any other issues with it, it’s something we’d be inclined to support,” Baker said recently. Mental health experts and LGBTQ groups charge that the practice is scientifically unproven and unsound and can trigger depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts in these youngsters subjected to it. “We have a responsibility Yes to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all young people,” said Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), the Senate sponsor of the bill. “Seeking to force a child to change one’s identity or orientation at such a vulnerable point in their young lives inflicts significant harm and is no less than child abuse.” Shortly after the vote, the Human Rights Campaign tweeted, “Victory: the Massachusetts Senate just voted to protect #LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and debunked practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy.’” “This [is] an appalling assault on parental rights in the commonwealth,” said the president of the Massachusetts Family Institute Andrew Beckwith who opposes the ban. “[Some] legislators apparently believe that parents should not be able to get gender-confused children any treatment, even counseling, that might help them avoid cross-sex hormone injections, sterility or ‘transition’ surgery.” Five senators voted “present” rather than for or against the bill. “We want to be clear that we do not support conversion therapy or any other type of coercive therapy that purports to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity,” said Sen. Vinny deMacedo (RPlymouth). “If there were evidence of these practices taking place in Massachusetts, we would wholeheartedly support banning them. However, we have serious concerns about the way this legislation infringes on the constitutional rights of licensed professionals to provide mental health counseling and talk therapy using the knowledge, judgment and expertise that they have acquired BEACON | SEE PAGE 18 www.reverealuminumwindow.com 1. Albrecht Dürer 2. An English town 3. cua Florida in Spain, the Feast of Flowers) Bluebonnet 4. Twinkies 5. Aaron Copland 6. The unicorn (National Unicorn Day in Scotland) 7. Mount Vesuvius 8. Lon Chaney 9. books 10. A fire escape 11. Easter 12. Warlock 13. Yes; the “scales” at the spear’s tip are leaves. 14. Florida (Easter Sunday is Pas15. Gen. Robert E. Lee 16. Baseball (for third base) 17. A crocus variety 18. Dr. Jonas Salk 19. “Revolver” 20. Napoleon Bonaparte
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