Page 22 BEACON | FROM Page 20 “The state menthol ban was put in place as a reactionary measure for the rare occasion where it was deemed harmful, without much thought to the potential implications of the legislation,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “With my legislation to repeal the menthol ban, it would make the sale of current menthol products legal and subject to the regulatory and taxation requirements of the state, ensuring that the product is made and distributed according to our standards. It would also benefi t small businesses that lost out on a significant portion of their income when the initial ban was hastily passed into law.” SALE OF CIGARETTES TO 21 AND OVER (S 1397) – Would allow cigarettes and other tobacco products to be sold only in AdultOnly Retail Tobacco Stores or smoking bars. The stores are defi ned as an “establishment that is not required to possess a retail food permit whose primary purpose is to sell or off er for sale but not for resale, tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia, in which the sale of other products or off er of services is merely incidental.” No one under age 21 is allowed in these stores. Supporters said current law says people must be 21 years of age to buy tobacco but tobacco is still sold in hundreds of convenience stores and gas stations across the state. They said this is inconsistent and noted that these stores are sometimes lax and sell cigarettes and other tobacco products to people under 21. Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his proposal. REQUIRE RETAILERS THAT SELL TOBACCO TO ALSO SELL PRODUCTS TO HELP SMOKERS QUIT (S 1341) – Would require any retailer that sells tobacco products to also sell at least one type of nicotine replacement therapy drug or device that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for assisting with helping people quit tobacco use. Violators would be fi ned $100 for the fi rst off ense, $200 for a second off ense and $300 for a third or subsequent off ense. Supporters say that this might result in more people buying these drugs or devices to help them stop smoking and ultimately lead to a reduction in smoking. They argue it is important to have these drugs and devices readily available. Sen. Brendan Crighton (DLynn), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his proposal. The same measure fi led by Crighton last year was shipped off to a study committee where it died, as do most bills that are sent to a study committee. QUOTABLE QUOTES “There is nothing more important than helping people get back up on their feet and 4 Housing is doing great work.” ---Sen. Will Brownsberger (DBelmont) upon visiting the housing nonprofi t Justice 4 Housing that works to empower formerly incarcerated people in their reentry to society. “Massachusetts residents rely on local government to deliver core services daily and information technology plays a signifi cant role in making that happen. This grant program is one of the many ways we partner with cities and towns to better serve residents, and we are proud to be able to help them improve their municipal broadband infrastructure. ---Gov. Maura Healey announcing $4 million in grants to help municipalities and school districts across the state to support the construction or completion of their municipal fi ber networks. THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023 “Even as Bay Staters are back to enjoying the fresh sea breeze and splash of waves at the beach, pollution is still plaguing too many of the places where we swim. While past infrastructure investments have resulted in cleaner water in many places, we still have work to do to stop the fl ow of pathogens at some of our beaches.” --- John Rumpler, Clean Water Director at Environment Massachusetts Research and Policy Center on the report that indicates that in 2022, 274 Massachusetts beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one testing day. “These wildfi res are continuing to rage, burning millions of acres of land and blowing smoke into Massachusetts that’s polluting our air. I’m proud that we are sending another crew of well-trained and dedicated fi refi ghters to help our friends and partners in Quebec battle these intense blazes and stop further destruction of forests.” --- Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo announcing that the state has sent additional state wildland fi refi ghters to Quebec, Canada, to help battle some of the more than 70 wildfi res that have continued to burn since the beginning of June 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 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Welcome to 26 Juniper Drive. This spacious Split offers 8+ rooms, kitchen with wood cabinets, granite counters and island, open concept to dinning room, sliders to sunroom with deck over looking private yard, spacious living room hardwood floors, 3 bedrooms hardwood floors, main bedroom has private bath, lower level carpeted, fireplace family room, office and laundry room with half bath, 2 car garage, central air, pull down attic stairs, security system, near shopping, restaurants and Route One access. View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. 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 July 3-7, the House met for a total of 18 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 51 minutes. Mon. July 3 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:23 a.m. to 12:46 p.m. Tues. July 4 No House session No Senate session Wed. July 5 No House session No Senate session Thurs. June 6 House 11:06 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Senate 11:24 a.m. to 11:52 a.m. Fri. July 7 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. 1. July 14 is National Macaroni and Cheese Day; what U.S. president who lived at Monticello is known for liking macaroni and cheese? 2. What country in the world has the most coastline? 3. According to Guinness World Records, what is the USA’s longest pleasure beach? 4. In 1896 swimming was added to the Olympic games; when were women swimmers fi rst allowed: 1900, 1908 or 1922? 5. On July 15, 1605, what French explorer visited Cape Ann in Massachusetts? 6. What baby animal is also known as a joey? 7. What are the three U.S. marathons that are considered one of the “6 World Majors”? 8. On July 16, 1969, what departed the John F. Kennedy Space Center bound for the moon? 9. The fi ctional Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are whose caretakers? 10. What Las Vegas hotel has the same name as a cocktail? 11. On July 17, 2009, what journalist called “the most trusted man in America” died at 92? Answers 12. “Cetology,” the title of the 32nd chapter of “Moby Dick,” means what? 13. In what two sports would you fi nd wickets? 14. On July 18, 1976, what female became the fi rst to get a perfect 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event? 15. During their honeymoon, what Hollywood couple gave Alfredo Di Lelio a golden fork and spoon engraved with “To Alfredo the King of the noodles”? 16. When three celestial bodies are aligned, that is called what word that has only “y” for vowels? 17. On July 19, 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention began; what were the attendees concerned with? 18. The Jarbidge, Nevada, stage coach robbery was the Old West’s last stage robbery; in what year did it take place: 1876, 1898 or 1916? 19. For 15 years, what daytime talk show host’s book club recommended 70 books in total? 20. July 20 is National Moon Day; what 1969 event does it commemorate? 1. Thomas Jeff erson 2. Canada 3. Virginia Beach 4. 1908 5. Samuel de Champlain 6. Kangaroo 7. Boston, Chicago and NYC 8. Apollo 11 9. Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” 10. The Cosmopolitan 11. Walter Cronkite 12. The study of whales 13. Cricket and croquet 14. Nadia Comăneci 15. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford 16. Szygy 17. Women’s rights 18. 1916 19. Oprah Winfrey 20. The day when man walked on the moon
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