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Page 26 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025 BEACON | FROM Page 25 utive branch will give us added fl exibility in the budget to respond and react to unforeseen program needs and other defi ciencies that may arise,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. “Our uncertain economic future in fi scal year 2026 has been made less predictable by the threat of federal funding cuts and recent market upheaval. While we hope for the best, it is both prudent and responsible to be prepared and take control of what we can now.” The Republican State Committee responded and released a statement saying that In January 2024, Gov. Healey gave each of her 12 cabinet members a $15,000 pay hike, at the same time slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from elsewhere in the state budget. They noted that those cuts hit services for seniors, homeless shelters and local earmarks. “One year ago, Maura Heal1. May 23 is World Turtle Day; are tortoises and turtles the same? 2. What 3-term NYC mayor worked at Ellis Island and spoke Croatian, Italian and Yiddish? 3. On May 24, 1856, the first B&O Railroad line opened with the fi rst trip of a locomotive named what (same name as a circus character’s name)? 4. What animal is Foghorn Leghorn, a croupier at Yosemite Sam’s casino in “Looney Tunes: Back in Action”? 5. How many popes have there been: 142, 267 or 290? 6. May 25 is National Tap Dance Day; what star with a stage name danced with Shirley Temple in “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”? 7. What word that originated in the game of pool means to make a mistake? 8. On May 26, 1967, what debuted with the song “With a Little Help from My Friends”? 9. What does the old-fashioned word scripturient mean? 10. How are air, French and peck similar? 11. What national park’s name includes a man’s name that is also in a tree’s name? Answers 12. Whose first of many car models was the Quadricycle, which had four bicycle wheels? 13. What continent did not have rabbits until they were brought there in in the 18th century? 14. On May 27, 1703, what tsar was born who founded a city and created a “beard tax” for anyone who would not shave? 15. About how many hours does it take for a chicken to make an egg: 12, 18 or 25? 16. In the version of Scrabble for what language is there a tile that has two Ls? 17. On May 28, 1937, what opened after FDR telegraphed and “every fi re siren in San Francisco and Marin was sounded, every church bell rang, ships sounded their whistles, and every fog horn blew”? 18. The Yukon and Mackenzie Rivers fl ow into what ocean? 19. What First Lady known by a nickname said, “Where fl owers bloom so does hope”? 20. On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were fi rst ever to surmount what? ey used the winter holiday break to play Santa, dumping the news that she’s rewarding the good little boys and girls of her administration with pay raises for their ‘tireless’ work ethic,” said MassGOP Executive Director John Milligan. “She hopes her tone deaf pay hikes for political friends go unnoticed when she can’t make ends meet in her budget without more taxes, but the MassGOP won’t let voters forget what she likes to do with their money when she has extra cash to play with.” SWITCH SCHOOL BUSES FROM DIESEL TO ELECTRIC (S 2241) — The Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee held a hearing on a bill that would establish a grant program run by the Department of Energy Resources to help cities and towns off set the cost difference between buying zero-emission electric school buses and traditional dieselpowered ones. The grant program would prioritize support for communities in which the median household income is below the state’s median income or where the 5-year average rate of emergency department visits for childhood asthmas is greater than the state’s 5-year average rate. “Most of our school busses still run on diesel, which pollutes the air, contributes to climate change, and exposes children to harmful emissions every day, especially when buses idle outside schools,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “While zero-emission buses are more expensive up front, this legislation helps close that gap so more communities can make the switch. It’s about giving every child access to safer, healthier transportation and making real progress toward cleaner air.” SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND HIV STATUS (H 776) — The Elder Affairs Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would amend current state law under which the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, signed by the late President Lyndon Johnson, offers social and nutrition services for seniors over 60 years old. Under current law, the state administers the Act using two defi nitions: “greatest economic need” and “greatest social need.” The bill would add sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status to the defi nition of “greatest social need.” Seniors within these groups would be eligible for aid from the government for food, disease prevention, communitybased services, elder rights programs and other forms of assistance. “Our seniors deserve a safe and affirming environment regardless of HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “[The bill] is a critical step to include those in critical at-risk populations to be eligible for aide ensuring that the quality of care and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals is preserved and protected. We cannot rest on our laurels. These inequalities need to be addressed to end discriminatory practices and policies.” AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AIRS SEVEAL BILLS — The Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on several bills including: SAFETY OF FOOD AND FOOD ADDITIVES (H 113) — Would establish a 16-member Commission to Study the Safety of Food and Food Additives to investigate the health impacts of certain foods and food additives and propose policy and regulatory changes to enhance food safety in Massachusetts. The commission would include medical professionals, dietitians, food scientists, a pediatrician, consumer advocates and representatives from local farming. It would study additives such as high fructose corn syrup, seed oils, artifi cial coloring dyes, monosodium glutamate, artifi cial sweeteners, trans fats, sodium nitrite/nitrate in processed meats and bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. The commission would be empowered to hold public hearings, conduct research, employ staff and issue subpoenas to gather evidence. Within two years of its first meeting, the commission would deliver a report to the governor, the Legislature and the public — assessing health impacts, recommending legislative or regulatory actions and suggesting public education campaigns to promote healthier food choices. “The surge in obesity and chronic illnesses like diabetes, auto-immune disease and behavioral health disorders particularly among children, demands a thorough investigation,” said sponsor Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). “Growing research and frankly common sense suggest that the root of the problem is related to the foods we eat. Additives like artificial dyes, seed oils and high fructose corn syrup as well as ultra processed foods are poisoning Americans of all ages, rob1. A tortoise is a type of turtle that dwells on land. 2. Fiorella LaGuardia 3. Tom Thumb 4. Rooster 5. 267 6. Bi l l “Bojangles” Robinson 7. Miscue 8. The album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” 9. “having a strong urge to write” 10. They are types of kiss. 11. Joshua Tree National Park 12. Henry Ford 13. Australia 14. Peter the Great (founded Saint Petersburg) 15. 25 16. Spanish 17. Golden Gate Bridge 18. Arctic 19. Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson 20. Mount Everest

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