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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021 BEACON | FROM Page 18 “As we work our way out of this 1. On May 7, 1954, construction began on what bridge that was the then longest suspension bridge in the world – connecting the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan? 2. What is the only penguin native to north of the equator (on islands)? 3. Ciabatta was first made in what decade: 1880’s, 1950’s or 1980’s? 4. On May 8, 2010, Betty White guest hosted what comedy show (which won her an Emmy) due to backing by Facebook fans? 5. What is the alter ego of Anakin Skywalker? 6. Which U.S. state produces the most freshcut fl owers? 7. May 9 is Mother’s Day; what author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” organized Mother’s Day observances in NYC and Boston in the 1870’s? 8. In 2017 it was announced that what BBC sci-fi c series would have its 13th doctor protagonist – the fi rst female one? 9. The “Waltz of the Flowers” is from what work composed by Tchaikovsky? 10. On May 10, 1879, in what N.E. city was the first U.S. national archaeological society founded? 11. What beverage did the Puritans on the Mayfl ower mostly consume? 12. How are Thumper, Flower and Faline similar? 13. On May 11, 1995, it was confirmed that what virus was discovered in Zaire? 14. What Black female recorded “Hound Dog,” “Ball and Chain” and “Wade in the Water”? 15. Zōri are the precursors of fl ip-fl ops and are native to what country? 16. How are Bag End, Wuthering Heights and Manderley similar? 17. On May 12, 1820, what nurse was born who was known as “The Lady With The Lamp”? 18. How are March Hare, Hatter and Dormouse similar? 19. Is rhubarb a fruit? 20. On May 13, 1883, who was born who devised the Pap smear test? ANSWERS pandemic it is critical that the commonwealth play a vital role in supporting the growth of our economy and make targeted investments in areas that will improve the lives of our citizens and help those hardest hit by the pandemic, including those working in industries such as hospitality and retail,” said Rep. Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly), House chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. (A “Yes” vote is for the consolidated amendment). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes SENATE APPROVES $400 MILLION FOR NEW SOLDIERS’ HOME IN HOLYOKE (S 2439) Senate 40-0, approved a bill authorizing $400 million to fund the construction of a new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. The push to construct the new home follows the deaths of 77 veteran residents last year as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at the current facility. The House has already approved a diff erent version of the bill and a conference committee will likely hammer out a compromise version. The measure also provides $200 million to increase geographic equity and accessibility of long-term care services for Bay State veterans with a focus on areas that are not primarily served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke. The Baker Administration and House and Senate leaders are all trying to speed the bill’s passage in order to meet deadlines to apply for as much as $260 million in funding from the federal government, which would leave state taxpayers with a $140 million bill. “Massachusetts has always been a leader for veteran services, and this bill reflects the Senate’s deep commitment to those who have served our nation,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld), Senate Chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Aff airs. “While our veteran population and their medical needs are changing, the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home’s mission remains the same: to provide care with honor and dignity. This bond bill will ensure that the next generation of residents at the home receives the care with honor and dignity that they have earned in service to our country.” “To meet the needs of the ever-changing veteran population, the bill adopted today is a refl ection of the strong advocacy of the members of this Senate to begin providing the long-term care services desperately needed for all veterans across the commonwealth,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The funding in this bill will Page 19 ensure that we begin to rethink how we deliver care to veterans of every generation across Massachusetts,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Ensuring that our veterans are connected to their communities is an important factor in ensuring that their physical and mental health is taken care of, and so I am proud of the steps we have taken to ensure geographic equity and accessibility, especially for our women and LGBTQ veterans, as well as veterans of color. Our quick action in passing this legislation will help ensure we maximize federal funds in this important endeavor.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (S 2439) Senate 37-3, approved an amendment that adds Project Labor Agreement language that mandates a pre-bid, pre-hire collective bargaining agreement for the construction of the new Soldiers’ Home and requires the recruiting of women, minority and veteran owned businesses to participate in the design and construction of the facility. “I am proud that the Senate added additional language during our debate that strengthens the bill to refl ect our commonwealth’s collective values,” said Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), the sponsor of the amendment. “It is critical that signifi cant taxpayer-funded projects of this scope be completed on-time and on-budget with a diverse, local, safe, well-trained and highly skilled workforce. Additionally, we should be working diligently to assist women, minority and veteran owned businesses in creating jobs and opportunities now and in the future. The bill we passed today accomplishes these goals by authorizing funding for a modern facility for our commonwealth’s veterans while expanding opportunities for many local working-class people in the construction trades.” «According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 83 percent of the construction industry is ‘open-shop’ non-union labor,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (RSutton) who voted against the amendment. “A project labor agreement on a taxpayer funded project requires that only union labor be utilized, excluding 83 percent of those in the industry who are non-union even though their tax dollars also fund the project. We should allow both union and non-union workers an opportunity for employment, especially when it’s the public’s money. Project labor agreements are also known to increase the cost of taxpayer projects because of the lack of competition on who can work on said projects.» “As legislators, we have the responsibility to ensure that any state contract of this magnitude—regardless of its noble and critical purpose—receives a comprehensive evaluation,” said Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton), Senate Chair of the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. “This is especially true in times of great economic need and uncertainty, and where our failure to ensure fairness for all would risk grave consequences in other areas. I am proud to have helped shape that conversation by bringing forth important questions about regional equity, fi scal accountability and the rights of Massachusetts workers.” Senate Ways and Means chair Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) also voted against the amendment. «I have problems with anytime we limit competition on any sort of public construction projects,” he told the State House News Service. “I think more competition is healthier for everyone. It’s better for the taxpayers.» (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Joseph Boncore 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 rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of April 2630, the House met for a total of 37 hours and 40 minutes while the Senate met for a total of four hours and 19 minutes. Mon. April 26 House 10:02 a.m. to 11:29 p.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 11:31 a.m. Tues. April 27 House 11:05 a.m. to 9:44 p.m. No Senate session Wed. April 28 House 11:01 a.m. to 2:35 a.m. (Thursday morning) No Senate session Thurs. April 29 No House session Senate 11:19 a.m. to 3:19 p.m. Fri. April 30 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com 1. The Mackinac Bridge 2. The Galápagos penguin 3. 1980’s 4. “Saturday Night Live” 5. Darth Vader 6. California 7. Julia Ward Howe 8. “Doctor Who” 9. “The Nutcracker” 10. Boston (the Archaeological Institute of America) 11. Beer 12. Bambi’s friends in the 1942 animated fi lm “Bambi” 13. Ebola 14. Big Mama Thornton 15. Japan 16. They are fi ctional houses in British novels (“The Hobbit, “Wuthering Heights” and “Rebecca,” respectively) 17. Florence Nightingale 18. They attended the March Hare’s tea party in the novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” 19. No; it is a member of the buckwheat plant family. 20. George Papanicolaou

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