THE REVERE ADVOCATE - Friday, April 12, 2019 Page 19 BEACON | from page 15 assigns each Massachusetts state representative and senator a rating of: “Champion,” “Ally,” “Mixed,” “Opponent” or “NEI” (not enough information) based on each legislator’s lifetime voting record, co-sponsorship history, public statements and other factors. Here are the defi nitions: Champion: A legislator who has demonstrated leadership on the Advocacy Fund’s legislative agenda and works in partnership with the fund to advance its shared goal to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care and protect the health and rights of Massachusetts residents. Ally: A legislator who consistently supports the fund’s legislative and policy agenda including protecting access to safe, legal abortion. Mixed: A legislator who may oppose access to safe, legal abortion - but who supports preventive health measures – such as family planning and sex education – and is willing to work with the Advocacy Fund in support of these issues. In other instances, a “mixed” legislator may support abortion access, but has taken action against sexual and reproductive health care access either with a vote or public statement. Opponent: A legislator who vocally opposes access to safe, legal abortion and/or access to sexual and reproductive health care more broadly. A legislator who supports some health issues included in the Advocacy Agenda may still be considered an Advocacy Fund opponent. Not Enough Information (NEI): A legislator who has not participated in the Advocacy Fund’s endorsement process or has not taken a public stance on the fund’s priority issues. More details on the scorecard are at: https://www. plannedparenthoodaction. org/planned-parenthoodadvocacy-fund-massachusetts-inc/elections/legislativescorecard. Here is how local representatives and senators were rated by the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund: Rep. Bob DeLeo Champion Rep. RoseLee Vincent Ally Sen. Joseph Boncore Champion 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, reAdvertise in six free local newspapers!dvertise in six free local newspapers! CCall 781-286-8500all 781-286-8500 ffor great advertising rates. or great advertising rates. search, 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 April 1-5, the House and Senate each met for a total of one hour and 16 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and 26 minutes. MON., APRIL 1 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Senate 11:03 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. TUES. APRIL 2 No House session No Senate session WED. APRIL 3 No House session No Senate session THURS. APRIL 4 House 11:00 a.m. to 12.13 p.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 12:18 p.m. FRI. APRIL 5 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com J& S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $4 yd. $3 yd.
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