Page 24 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025 this system has worked well for many years. Critics say that most of the By 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 GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST — Join more than 30,000 people, from movers and shakers to political 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 influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterList will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Saturday 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: www. massterlist.com THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ and representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of May 19-23. All Senate roll calls were related to the Senate version of a $61.4 billion fi scal 2026 state budget. “BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SENATE BUDGET DEBATE” Of the 1,058 amendments fi led by senators, only 21 came to a roll call vote. Many others were simply approved or rejected one at a time on voice votes, some with debate and some without debate. To move things along even faster, the Senate also did its usual “bundling” of many amendments. Instead of acting on each amendment one at a time, hundreds of the proposed amendments are bundled and put into two piles— one pile that will be approved and the other that will be rejected, without a roll call, on voice votes where it is impossible to tell which way a senator votes. Senate President Karen Spilka, or the senator who is fi lling in for her at the podium, orchestrates the approval and rejection of the bundled amendments with a simple: “All those in favor say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No.’ The Ayes have it and the amendments are approved.” Or: “All those in favor say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No.’ The No’s have it and the amendments are rejected.” Senators don’t actually vote “Yes” or “No,” and, in fact, they don’t say a word. The outcome was predetermined earlier behind closed doors. Supporters of the system say that any senator who sponsored an amendment that is in the “No” pile can bring it to the floor and ask for an up or down vote on the amendment itself. They say time members do not bring their amendment, which was destined for the “No” pile, to the floor for an up-or-down vote because that is not the way the game is played. It is an “expected tradition” that in most cases you accept the fate of your amendment as determined by Democratic leaders. APPROVE $530 MILLION FISCAL 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4150) House 149-1, approved a $530 million fi scal 2025 supplemental budget that will carry a net cost to the state of $318.2 million after federal reimbursements. Provisions include $189 million for childcare fi nancial assistance; $134 million for the Medical Assistance Trust Fund; $60 million for Home Care Services; $42.9 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program; and $15 million in grants to support municipal celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the American independence. “Amid President Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education, and amid sweeping cuts at the federal level to programs that millions of Americans rely on, this supplemental budget makes key investments that will ensure continued funding for state programs that support many of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This supplemental budget will fund critical programs such as childcare fi nancial assistance, home care services and food insecurity that require immediate attention,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “The policies of kill, maim, medicate and indoctrinate our children continue, as does the policy of putting illegal immigrants ahead of our citizens,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only members to vote againt the budget. “[Speaker] Mariano’s hint at a lower budget to help struggling taxpayers turned into a free-for-all as the House budget ballooned all week long.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes ENGLISH LEARNERS (H 4150) House 150-1, approved an amendment that would enshrine protections for English language learners and students with disabilities currently provided under federal law into state law, ensuring that these students receive both English language development and Special Education services in a coordinated, culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, regardless of school district or demographic. The amendment also prohibits discrimination in public schools based on immigration, citizenship status or disability. “This is a strong step toward ensuring English learners are fairly evaluated and appropriately supported in special education,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley). “This will help ensure our English Language Learners students receive the same opportunities to succeed as every other student.” “This is a requirement that further burdens an already struggling education system but, show me where this isn’t already happening,” said amendment opponent Rep. John Gaskey (RCarver). “The schools have every resource they need available to them. If there is a signifi cant problem and parents need to be involved, translators are always available. The state wants to provide translators for nonEnglish speakers but refuses to allow teachers to speak to parents when their children are suff ering mental health breaks, declaring they are the opposite sex.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes SENATE APPROVES $61.4 BILLION FISCAL 2026 STATE BUDGET (S 3) Senate 38-2, approved a $61.4 billion fi scal 2026 state budget after three days of debate. The House has already approved a diff erent version, and a HouseSenate conference committee will eventually craft a compromise plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and then sent to Gov. Maura Healey. “This budget refl ects the Senate’s commitment to a commonwealth that carefully balances investing in our people with responsible money management so we can protect our residents, communities and economy for years to come,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate’s statewide approach to investment delivers resources to every part of the state and protects our most vulnerable residents, while our continued focus on education and mental health ensures that residents have the keys to unlock the doors of opportunity.” “This budget is a testament to the Senate’s collective values and our shared responsibility to invest in every community and every person in the commonwealth—from the Connecticut River Valley to Cape Cod,” said Sen. Jo Comerford (DNorthampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “By prioritizing education, transportation, health care and support for municipalities, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the foundation for a more equitable and resilient commonwealth amid a time of great national turbulence and strife.” “Constituents and businesses from across my district are exhausted by Gov. Healey’s budget priorities that underfund core local services, overfund benefi ts for non-residents with billions of tax dollar and burden them with ever-increasing taxes and energy costs,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), one of only two senators to vote against the budget. “Massachusetts residents are going to keep voting with their feet as they move out-of-state if we continue with the status quo — it’s unsustainable and must end.”
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