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Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022 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 22,000 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 infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Keith Regan and Matt Murphy who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. 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/aPTLucK THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of May 23-27. Some Senate roll calls are on proposed amendments to the $49.78 billion fi scal 2023 budget. This was the Senate’s third state budget in the COVID-19 era and many senators participated virtually from their homes or offi ces. Of the of the 1179 amendments fi led by senators only 15 came to a roll call vote. Many others were simply approved or rejected one at a time on voice votes 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. BAKER VETOES ALLOWING DRIVER’S LICENSE FOR UNDOCUMENTED/ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS(H 4805) House 118-36, Senate 32-8, approved and Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed a conference committee version of legislation that would, starting July 1, 2023, allow undocumented/illegal immigrants to apply for a Massachusetts standard driver’s license. The House and Senate had approved diff erent versions of the measure and this compromise was reached by a conference committee comprised of three senators and three representatives. The wide margin of passage by both branches means that each branch has the necessary two-thirds vote to override Baker’s veto. The legislation requires an applicant “without legal presence” in the United States to provide the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a foreign passport and at least one of fi ve other documents: a driver’s license from another state, a foreign driver’s license, a birth certifi cate, a foreign national identifi cation card or a marriage certifi cate or divorce decree from any U.S. state. “I cannot sign this legislation because it requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to issue state credentials to people without the ability to verify their identity,” Baker said in his veto message. “The Registry does not have the expertise or ability to verify the validity of many types of documents from other countries. The bill also fails to include any measures to distinguish standard Massachusetts driver’s licenses issued to persons who demonstrate lawful presence from those who don’t. “We are a nation of immigrants,” tweeted Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) following the veto. “We all benefi t from increased public safety. And everyone deserves to feel safe and get to work, pick up children and be a part of their communities without fear. The @ma_senate looks forward to overriding this misguided decision.” “We are deeply disappointed that Gov. Baker has vetoed the [bill],” said Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. “The policy would not only make our communities safer, but benefi t our economy and bolster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. We hope that the Legislature will waste no time in overriding the governor’s veto.” Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), the sponsor of the measure, said it will make the lives of the more than 185,000 Massachusetts immigrants without status easier by allowing them to earn a standard driver’s license. “Nobody should have to fear detention or deportation over essential everyday tasks, such as getting to work, school, doctor’s appointments and grocery stores noted Crighton. Opponents said the bill doesn’t include any safeguards to ensure that a license to drive does not become misused for any illegal purposes including access to voting in elections or things that could put the public at risk. “I do not support this legislation as I believe it disincentivizes the individual from pursuing citizenship through legal means,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “It is also counterintuitive to the strong identity laws we have passed that keep us compliant with federal REAL ID requirements where individuals need greater documentation to protect and secure one’s identity when they go to obtain a license.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Sen. Lydia Edwards No Yes REVENGE PORN (H 4498) House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a proposal that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission— commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners. Massachusetts is one of only two states that does not have a law about this crime. Another provision changes current law under which minors, under 18 years of age, who share explicit images of themselves or other minors can be charged with violating Massachusetts child pornography laws and are required to register with the Sex Off ender Registry. The bill allows minors to be diverted to an educational program that would provide them with information about the consequences of posting or transmitting indecent visual depictions of minors. “Under current law, when faced with an incident of sexting among teenagers, the police are forced with either charging them with a felony or doing nothing,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin). “The bill passed today provides law enforcement offi cers with a middle ground that will allow them to educate kids about the consequences of their actions without ruining their lives. It will have a tremendous impact on people who have become entangled in the web and transmittal of images that can cause traumatic and lifetime harm through a diversion program that will educate them about the legal and personal consequences of ‘sexting.’” “This bill prioritizes survivors of revenge porn by unlocking resources for them while, at the same time, closing a loophole in our criminal harassment statute that will serve to deter and punish those who engage in these horrifi c acts,” said Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham), the House chair of the Judiciary Committee. “From providing access to victim witness advocates and direct input on criminal dispositions to enabling survivors to pursue civil remedies against their perpetrators, this approach will empower survivors to reclaim their lives in addition to providing clearly enforceable punitive measures for these crimes.” “I’m proud the House today passed a bill consistent with our intent during criminal justice reform to provide intervention through diversion instead of incarceration for minors,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “Additionally, the bill criminalizes image-based sexual assault by adults and aff ords victims of this crime protections, including the opportunity to get a harassment prevention order against their perpetrator.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes $49.78 BILLION FISCAL 2023 STATE BUDGET (S 4) Senate 40-0, approved a $49.78 billion fi scal 2023 state budget after adding nearly 500 amendments and $93 million in spending during three days of debate. The House has already approved a diff erent version 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. Provisions include $16.5 million for grants to the Head Start program to maintain access to early education services for low-income families; $1.5 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide; $243.8 million for charter school reimbursements; $112.5 million for children’s mental health services; $56 million for domestic violence prevention services; $30.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program; and $24.1 million for summer jobs and work-readiness training for atrisk youth. Supporters said that the budget also codifi es new protections for receiving and providing reproductive and gender-affi rming health care in Massachusetts, in response to laws in other states allowing their residents to bring legal action against individuals for traveling out-ofstate to receive services and against workers who provide care. It also includes $2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure and safety. “The residents of Massachusetts are at the center of our work and their voice, advocacy and contributions are interwoven throughout our fi scal year 2023 budget,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “I take great pride in advancing a budget that contains meaningful investments in early education and childcare, K-12 schools, public higher education, mental health and substance use disorder treatment as well as a record level of assistance for low-income residents.” “Today, the members of the Senate have spoken and moved forward together to pass a fi scal year 2023 budget that strengthens our state’s economic foundation, upholds the fundamental rights of our people and continues our efforts to build a more inclusive commonwealth,” said Senate Ways and Means Committee chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) “The budget that passed the Senate today continues our commitment to funding the urgent needs of our residents, including increased funding for housing, education, child care, and assistance for families,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. She added that she was also incredibly proud of her amendment which will enhance protections for residents, visitors and providers engaged in lawful reproductive and gender-affi rming health care in the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget). Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes TAX CUTS (S 4) Senate 10-30, rejected a tax reduction amendment that would provide a 3-month suspension of the 24-cent -per-gallon gas tax; reduce from 12 percent to 5 percent the short-term capital gains tax rate; double the dependent care tax credit from $240 to $480 for one qualifying individual and to $960 for two or more individuals; increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000; increase the threshold for “no tax status” to $12,400 for single fi lers and $24,800 for joint fi lers; and double the maximum Senior Circuit Breaker Credit. “The Senate Republican Caucus members proposed more than 30 tax cut and credit proposals during this budget because we believe that we have an obligation to take reasonable actions to help people face the challenges they are dealing with from high housing costs, gas prices at record levels and infl ation that continues to rise at alarming rates,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “ We know that with state revenues wildly exceeding what we need to operate, and an fiscal year 2023 budget spending increase of more than $2 billion we have the capacity to help families, seniors, students, commuters and those who depend on childcare.” “The tax break package presented by my colleagues and I would have eased the burden on working families and provided urgently needed fi nancial relief from the economic challenges we continue to face,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “With record prices for gas, housing, childcare and basic necessities, we need to act immediately to enact tax reforms to ease the blow on our residents and protect those who simply cannot aff ord the looming changes our economy will experience.” “The Joint Committee on Revenue is reviewing tax reduction BEACON | SEE Page 19

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