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Page 20 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023 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 25,000 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 Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $150 per paper in-town per year or $200 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 Ameri an E erior an in o Corpora ion from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by MASSterlist’s editor, Erin Tiernan, with help from Matt Murphy. Both are pros, with a wealth of experience, who introduce each article in their own clever 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 recent debate on the Senate’s version of a $55.9 billion fiscal 2024 state budget. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. HELP IMMIGRANTS TO APPLY FOR U.S. CITIZENSHIP (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved a $250,000 increase (from $1,036,958 to $1,286,958) for organizations that provide programs to assist legal permanent residents of Massachusetts in becoming citizens of the United States. Programs include assisting applicants in filling out the 22page application; ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages); civics classes; interview preparation and supportive services including interpretation and referral services. “Becoming a citizen is a major step toward full integration into American life,” said sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “I am proud to represent a district with many vibrant immigrant communities throughout it, including Brazilians and Afghans. Recently, I have been assisting neighborhood support teams in the town of Harvard and the city of Marlborough resettle Afghan evacuees. The Afghan refugees in my district – along with so many other immigrants – could benefit from these critical programs.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $250,000 increase.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Contact us for all of your home improvement projects and necessities Telephone: 617-699-1782 Toll Free: 1-888-744-1756 Email: info@americanexteriorandwindow.com Windows, Siding, Roofing, Carpentry & More! All es ima es onsul a ions or inspe ions completed by MA licensed supervisors. *Over 50 years experience. *Better Business Bureau Membership. Insure an Re is ere Comple e inan in Available. No Money Down. Yes ADVOCATES FOR FOSTER CHILDREN (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would fund $1,526,000 for Court-Appointed Special Advocates, (CASAs) which are specially trained volunteers who represent the best interests of foster children in legal proceedings. Supporters said that children with a CASA volunteer have significantly fewer foster care placements, perform better in school and report having a greater sense of hopefulness. “Children in the commonwealth’s foster system often find themselves in court having decisions made for them without anyone directly arguing on their behalf,” said sponsor Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “Court-Appointed Special Advocates get to know the children as individuals and can steer the courts toward placing these children in environments where they can thrive. The outcomes of children represented by CASAs speak for themselves.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $1,526,000.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes $1 MILLION FOR ELDER NUTRITION (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an increase of $1 million (from $11.8 to $12.8 million) for elder nutrition programs including Meals on Wheels. “For many older individuals, a daily delivered meal is their only social interaction,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “The Meals on Wheels program provides critical nutrition for seniors including wellness checks, nutritional screenings, education and counseling.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $1 million increase.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL EXCLUDE MEDICAL DEBT FROM CREDIT REPORTS (H 284) – would exclude from consumer credit reports information about medical debt arising from the receipt of health care services. “Debt and credit are critical to households’ personal finances,” said sponsor Rep. Kip Diggs (DBarnstable). “I sponsored this legislation to protect consumers, especially those who struggle financially, from the implications of medical debt, which is often caused by cost-sharing from unpredictable medical events and has proven not to be a good predictor of credit worthiness anyway.” TAX CREDIT TO BUSINESSES THAT OFFER DAY CARE (H 2779) – would allow businesses to qualify for a tax credit of up to $150,000 if they provide onsite day care for their employees. The tax credit would be equal to 25 percent of the costs of providing the day care. “I filed the Workplace Child Care Program Tax Credit in response to the overwhelming costs and limited access to affordable day care so many of the families I represent in Brockton face each year,” said sponsor Rep. Michelle DuBois (DBrockton). “The idea of incentivizing, with a tax credit, businesses to offer on-site affordable day care or to contract with a provider to offer affordable day care to their employees on-site came from a Child Advocacy group operated via the Brockton WIC program and Brockton Area Multi Services agency. This will not solve the problem of escalating childcare costs but could be one tool to help working families access safe, affordable day care. LIMIT FEE FOR CASHING CHECKS (H 344) – would set a cap on the fees check-cashing stores and outlets are allowed to charge. The maximum charge would be 5 percent of the value of a personal check or $5, whichever is greater, plus a $1 service charge; 2.5 percent of a government check plus a $1 service charge; 2.25 percent of a payroll check plus a $1 service charge; and 3 percent of all other checks including traveler’s check, cashier’s check and certified check plus a $1 service charge. Supporters said of the 34 states that regulate check cashing, Massachusetts is one of eight that do not regulate the fees that may be charged. They argued these check-cashing “stores” are often located in low-income neighborhoods and take advantage of vulnerable residents. They noted the bill would provide greater consumer protections for individuals who are “unbanked” -- folks who don’t have a checking, savings or money market account or who are “underbanked” --- folks may have a bank account, but also rely regularly on alternative financial services outside of the mainstream banking system. Lower-income households, less educated households, Black households, Hispanic households, working-age households with a disability and singlemother households are most vulnerable to being unbanked or underbanked. “This bill aims to tear down financial barriers that perpetuate situational and generational cycles of poverty,” said sponsor Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton). “It creates a fair and responsible market in which low-income families can more easily save and protect their money.” PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GENDER IDENTITY OF INDIVIDUALS IN INSURANCE POLICIES (H 1089) – would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against a customer based on gender identity. Sponsor Rep. Jay Livingstone (D-Boston) said he filed this piece of legislation to address the lack of protections for gender-fluid and transgender people regarding insurance discrimination. He said it would safeguard the fundamental right of equality for gender-fluid individuals. “[The bill] would safeguard the fundamental right of equality for gender-fluid individuals across the commonwealth by defining gender identity and expanding anti- discrimination statutes to include gender identity to the current list of protections pertaining to insurance,” said Livingstone. “I believe that this is an important step for the commonwealth to provide equal protections for all of our residents.” ALLOW SOME UNUSED DRUGS TO BE DONATED (H 1208) – would establish drug repository program BEACON | SEE Page 22

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