Page 22 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023 BEACON | FROM Page 20 the dealership after a purchase and are forced to coordinate a complicated delivery across state lines to their home state while the new law will allow these buyers to take their vehicles home straight off the lot rather than wait for delivery. They argue this will save dealerships and consumers the cost of delivery and ensure that the sales tax revenue flows to Bay State coffers rather than to those of the buyer’s home state. “Big news!” tweeted Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox). “Effective today, the @MassRMV will start issuing temporary registration plates. This policy will generate millions in revenue for our commonwealth and is an added convenience to customers and dealers. Glad to be a part of the team that worked hard to get this done.” ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION (S 7) – The Election Laws Committee held a hearing on a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a seven-member redistricting commission to draw Massachusetts legislative and congressional districts every 10 years. The plan then would be submitted to the Legislature, which would vote it up or down. The amendment would replace current law which allows the Legislature itself to draw the districts. The proposed commission would include a dean or professor of law, political science or government from a Massachusetts college, appointed by the governor; a retired judge, appointed by the attorney general; and an expert in civil rights law, appointed by the secretary of state. The other four members would be chosen by the above three members from a list of candidates nominated by the House Speaker, House Minority Leader, Senate President and Senate Minority Leader. The proposal requires the commission to follow specific rules, including ensuring that districts are compact and contiguous and are not drawn for the purpose of diluting the voting strength of any group based on race, ethnicity, language, minority status or for the purpose of augmenting or diluting the voting strength of a political party or any individual. The commission also would be required to attempt to follow other guidelines, including preventing a city or town from being divided into more than one district. Sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (DActon) said current law allowing the Legislature itself to redraw districts leads to concerns over the objectivity and transparency of the redistricting process. “This issue has recently gained national attention because of the allegations against Republicancontrolled state Legislatures ‘gerrymandering’ districts to disproportionately benefit Republicans,” said Eldridge. “Although Democrats have supermajorities in both chambers of our state Legislature, Massachusetts should be a leader on objective, transparent and equitable redistricting procedures.” FAKE SERVICE ANIMALS (H 1481) – A bill that would make it a crime for anyone to misrepresent that a dog or other animal is a service animal was heard by the Judiciary Committee. First-time offenders would be required to perform 30 hours of community service for an organization that serves individuals with disabilities and/or up to a $500 fine. Subsequent offenses would be punishable by 60 hours of community service and/or up to a $1,000 fine. “The bill seeks to protect service dogs and their handlers from people who are abusing the rights afforded to them under the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said sponsor Rep. Kim Ferguson (RHolden). “Whether intentional or not, people who try to pass their pets off as service dogs, in order to bring them into businesses, public places, etc. are breaking the law and are taking advantage of access rights afforded to the individuals who need working service dogs and the support they provide day to day.” “I think we can agree that we COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES & RENTALS HAPPY SPRING! Sandy Juliano Broker/President Listed by Sandy Single family, 81 Florence St., Everett $649,900 UNDER AGREEMENT! New Listing by Norma UNDER AGREEMENT! Everett 2 family, $729,900. Call Norma for details! 617-590-9143 REVERE Rental - 2 bedroom - $2,000 /mo with utilities Call Sandy for details at: 617-448-0854 Open Daily From 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 433 Broadway, Suite B, Everett, MA 02149 www.jrs-properties.com Denise Matarazzo 617-953-3023 617-294-1041 Norma Capuano Parziale 617-590-9143 Follow Us On: have seen many pets in stores, restaurants [and] places of business … riding in shopping carts, dressed up in clothing or being a nuisance— simply because they are pets, not highly trained service dogs,” continued Ferguson. “At times, it is also impacting members of the general public who want to be in a place of business—a restaurant, etc.—without someone’s pet interfering unnecessarily—eating off plates, sniffing at their food, barking or snarling. This has become an increasing problem throughout the country, so much so that 27 other states have had to pass laws such as this.” ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTRY (H 1557) – Another bill heard by the Judiciary Committee would create a registry of Massachusetts residents convicted of abusing animals and require the abusers to register. A first conviction of failure to register would be punishable by up to five years in jail and/ or up to a $1,000 fine. Subsequent convictions would result in a mandatory 5-year prison sentence. Animal shelters, breeders and pet stores would be prohibited from selling or giving an animal to any registered offender. First time violators would face a prison sentence of up to one year or up to a $1,000 fine. Subsequent offenders would be subject to a 5-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. “Studies have shown that individuals that abuse animals tend to eventually exert that behavior to humans,” said Rep. Steve Howitt (R-Seekonk). “A person who abuses an animal should not be allowed to obtain [one] and continue their abuse. This bill would red flag these individuals.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “The cost of labor remains an elRosemarie Ciampi 617-957-9222 evated concern for small business owners, many of whom still can’t hire qualified workers. Beacon Hill must heed the warnings from beleaguered employers and reject special interest group demands to increase the minimum wage to an unsustainable $20 per hour. Further driving up the cost of doing business would be detrimental to economic growth and could not only put a chill on job creation but increase the cost of products and services for Massachusetts consumers.” ---Christopher Carlozzi, Massachusetts State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business. “As our veteran population Joe DiNuzzo 617-680-7610 evolves and their medical needs become more complex, it is imperative that they have access to quality care. I appreciate their commitment to providing critical primary care, specialty and emergency care services to our veterans.” --- Veterans’ Services Secretary Jon Santiago following his visit with Vincent Ng, Director of the VA Boston Healthcare system to discuss shared priorities in supporting the health of veterans. “One reason why patients are paying more for prescription drugs out of pocket is that middlemen—commercial pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers—add substantial costs over wholesale prices. Allowing prescribers to dispense routine drugs—often at a fraction of the price—would give patients a more affordable option.” --- Josh Archambault, co-author of “Prescriber Dispense Makes Sense: Massachusetts Can Lower Prescription Drug Costs by Joining 45 States that Allow Direct Dispensing.” “Today’s recipient organizations contribute immeasurably to the life of our commonwealth as nonprofits fulfilling unique missions. The security enhancements made possible by this funding ensure their continued preparedness against potential threats. Our administration remains committed to ensuring the safety of those they service as centers of community, art and culture, learning and social services.” ---Gov. Maura Healey on a grant of $3 million in state nonprofit security grant funding for 47 organizations at increased risk of hate crimes or terror attacks. 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 filed. 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 3-7, the House met for a total of 12 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 11 minutes. Mon. April 3 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:22 a.m. to 11:29 a.m. Tues. April 4 No House session No Senate session Wed. April 5 No House session No Senate session Thurs. April 6 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:08 a.m. Senate 11:17 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Fri. April 7 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.
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