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Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024 residents travel on, regardless of where they go and how.” “Our transportation infraBy 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 Volume 49 — Report No. 15 April 8-12, 2024 Copyright © 2024 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved. GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST — Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to po litical 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:// lp.constantcontactpages.com/ su/aPTLucKs THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on a roll call from the week of April 8-12. There were no roll calls in the House last week. $375 MILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4529) Senate 39-0. approved a bill that includes authorizing $200 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state. The $375 million package, a bond bill under which the funding would be borrowed by the state through the sale of bonds, also includes $175 million for several transportation-related grant programs. The House has already approved the bill and only fi nal House and Senate passage are necessary before the measure goes to Gov. Healey for her signature. The programs funded by the $175 million include the municipal small bridge program; the complete streets program; a bus transit infrastructure program; and grants for municipalities to purchase electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support them. “The annual authorization of the Chapter 90 program provides cities and towns wit the state funding they need to most eff ectively address their transportation infrastructure needs,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Committee on Transportation. “This $375 million total investment in both Chapter 90 and additional grant opportunities funds tangible improvements across our entire transportation network—including roads, bridges, access to mass transit and sidewalks.” “Getting around our communities is a fundamental part of everyone’s day,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Whether the commute takes you on the sidewalk, through a bike lane, across a small bridge, onto your Regional Transit Authority or to the T, your journey should be quick and safe. By passing today’s legislation, we are empowering our cities and towns with the funding to make improvements to the infrastructure our structure is so vitally important to the state’s economy and this Chapter 90 funding addresses many outstanding issues in keeping the commonwealth’s and public transportation system in peak operating condition,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I’m pleased that over $375 million has been allocated to municipal roadways, local streetscape improvements and enhancements to our mass transit system,” We’re grateful to see the House and Senate swiftly pass the Chapter 90 bond bill with key investments in municipal roads and bridges,” said Adam Chapdelaine, CEO of the Mass Municipal Association. “This quick action was essential with the construction season already underway. This year, we’ll again be advocating for the Legislature to supplement these programs through dedicated funding via the new state surtax. Last year, supplemental Chapter 90 aid via the surtax provided an additional $100 million for the 30,000 miles of municipal roads, which went to great use in communities all across the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $375 million package.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE PROPOSES $57.9 BILLION FISCAL 2025 STATE BUDGET — The House fi red the second shot in the long battle over the state budget for fi scal year 2025 that begins on July 1. Gov. Maura Healey fi red the opening volley in January when she fi led her version of the spending package. The House Ways and Means Committee last week unveiled its own $57.9 billion version. It increases spending by $1.9 billion, or 3.3 percent, over the current fi scal year 2024 budget. Debate on the House version is scheduled to begin soon. After the full House approves a version of the package, the Senate will follow suit with its own draft, and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and sent to the governor. TRAFFIC STOPS FOR PERSONS WITH AUTISM — The state announced the implementation of the “Blue Envelope Program,” designed to improve interactions between police offi cers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffi c stops. The voluntary program provides individuals on the autism spectrum with specially designed blue envelopes to carry their driver’s licenses; vehicle registration; and a contact card which informs police offi cers about their diagnosis and other essential communication guidelines to ensure more eff ective and sensitive communication during the interaction. In addition, information printed on the envelope’s exterior identifi es the operator as a person with autism spectrum disorder, provides instructions for a police offi cer on how to enhance communication with the driver; and how to reduce anxiety and stress the driver may be experiencing as a result of being stopped or involved in an incident. The envelope also lists guidelines for the driver, including what to expect during a traffi c stop, and how to present the Blue Envelope to the offi cer. “In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, the Blue Envelope Program refl ects our deep commitment to supporting programs that strengthen inclusivity and support law enforcement’s ability to more effectively meet the needs of every community member,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “We’re grateful for the collaboration of our partners who brought this important public safety program to fruition.” “This new program provides an essential tool to enhance communication between police offi cers and drivers with autism while helping offi cers to recognize possible behaviors and more eff ectively engage individuals during traffi c stops, motor vehicle accidents or mechanical breakdowns,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. More information about the Blue Envelope Program, including how to request an envelope online and how to prepare, carry and display them, is available at https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ blue-envelope-program? auHash=2Z5Rbw9xlO3joxFQc3ODJ-OxVtUP5onqW4OP tjHJjU#getting-your-blue-envelope-. Blue envelopes are available at all Massachusetts State Police Barracks. And will soon be available at local police departments. MUST NOTIFY OWNER OF GAS OR ELECTRIC SHUTOFFS (H 1370) — The House gave initial approval to legislation that would require gas and electric companies to contact landlords within 14 days of a tenant’s bill becoming past due. Supporters said the bill would allow for third party notifi cations as an extra measure of protection against having their gas or electric service shut off . Utility companies would be required to contact landlords within 14 days of a tenant’s bill becoming past due. And if a tenant is out of town or overlooks the notice, the landlord will be notifi ed and can give rectify the situation to protect their property from any damage due to a cessation of service. “The purpose of this bill is to notify homeowners, particularly landlords, about a potential shut-off ,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin). “Currently, only the customer of record is given notice, which makes a landlord vulnerable to cessation of services which may harm their real property.” LOWER INTEREST RATE ON PROPERTY TAXES DEFERRED BY SENIORS (H 2919) — The House gave initial approval to a bill which would lower the current fl at 16 percent interest rate on property taxes that are deferred under the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program, which defers payment until the senior sells the property or passes away. The bill would lower the rate to the prime rate plus 2 percent. The current prime rate is 8.5 percent which would result in a 10.5 percent interest rate. “This legislation establishes more reasonable interest rates on the property taxes deferred under the senior citizen property tax deferral program, enabling more senior citizens to take advantage of the program and freeing up money for important items such as medication, housing expenses and health care,” said sponsor Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley). OFFICIAL STATE JAZZ SONG (H 3105) — The House gave initial approval to a measure that would make the song “Massachusetts” the state’s offi cial jazz song. Sponsor Rep. Orlando Ramos (D-Springfi eld) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his bill and its passage. QUOTABLE QUOTES “We are grateful for the many Department of Mental Health (DMH) providers who provide

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