Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2024 Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of July 8-12. PROTECT PRIVACY OF PEOPLE 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 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 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 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/ aPTLucKs THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon - LEGAL NOTICE - Estate of: Also known as: Date of Death: To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner of a Will has been admitted to informal probate. of has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve on the bond. SEEKING REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE (H 4844) House 159-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would prohibit the sale of cellphone data collected during an individual’s visit to Massachusetts health care facilities that off er reproductive and gender affirming care. Currently, data brokers are allowed to sell data that tracks the location of cellphone users. Supporters said that since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, location data fi rms have been selling location information related to patients’ visits to Planned Parenthood facilities. They noted the information could be used to target and harass individuals and providers of these services. “To ensure the protections for patients, providers and their families established by this Legislature truly exist, it is essential that we likewise protect digital footprints of those seeking, receiving and providing abortion and gender-affi rming care,” said Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). “This legislation is the fi rst step in providing that protection at a time when more than 20 state legislatures have banned or severely restricted access to abortion and gender-affi rming care.” “We know that purchasing location data to target Planned Parenthood patients or providers is part of the anti-abortion playbook, not just in restrictive states but everywhere,” said Dominique Lee, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “Now is the time to strengthen data privacy so that cellphone location data cannot be used to target people traveling to and from our health centers, or to target anyone seeking health care that is protected in our state.” “With the passage of today’s bill, the House has made important progress to address the evolving threat to abortion patients and providers,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “In the two years post-Dobbs, hostile actors have targeted the location data of patients and providers in all 50 states, and now, we are increasingly concerned that this data will be weaponized against those seeking and providing care in Massachusetts.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes $2.86 BILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (S 2856) Senate 40-0, approved a $2.86 billion economic development package that supporters say would make bold investments in life sciences, climate tech, AI and small businesses, building on Massachusetts’ national leadership and creating an environment where businesses and workers thrive. The House has approved a different version of the measure and a House-Senate conference committee will hammer out a compromise version. Provisions of the Senate version include $225 million over fi ve years for the Life Sciences Breakthrough Fund to reauthorize the Life Sciences Initiative; $200 million for the Clean Energy Investment Fund to facilitate research and development, commercialization and deployment of climate technologies; $200 million for the Massachusetts Off shore Wind Industry Investment Trust Fund to support the growth of the off shore wind industry; $400 million for MassWorks public infrastructure projects that spur economic development and help support job creation; $100 million for the Rural Development Fund to provide fi nancial assistance for infrastructure and community planning eff orts in rural communities; $100 million for local economic development grants for economic development in cities and towns; and $90 million to support the redevelopment of underutilized, blighted or abandoned buildings. Other provisions include $115 million for the Massachusetts Tech Hub to establish key industry consortia across the state; $100 million for the Applied AI Hub program to facilitate the application of AI; $99 million for fl exible grants to support advanced manufacturing initiatives; $25 million for capital grants to advance research, commercialization and training in robotics; $25 million through MassVentures for small business technology grants to help early-stage companies commercialize new technologies; $35 million for grants to Community Development Financial Institutions to help disadvantaged and underserved businesses; and $10 million for BizM-Power matching grants to small businesses with capital needs. Non-fi scal provisions include new laws to allow local communities to opt-in and allow bars and restaurants in the city or town to responsibly offer happy-hour drink discounts; allow local breweries and distilleries to sell their products alongside local wineries at farmers markets; increase opportunities for a more diverse public sector teaching force; and raise from 17 to 18 the age at which persons can be tried as a juvenile. The hike would apply to many crimes for which 18-year-olds would be tried as juveniles instead of as adults but would not change existing law that allows 18-year-olds charged with the most serious offenses, including fi rst- or second-degree murder, to be prosecuted and sentenced as adults. “Massachusetts is home to great talent, industry and education, but we must act now to remain competitive in a changing global and national economy,” said Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover), Senate Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “This economic development bill bolsters our state’s competitiveness by strengthening sectors we already excel in and creating pathways to secure the lead in emerging fi elds.” “Life sciences and climate technology are synonymous with Massachusetts because of the past decade of strong investment,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (DAshland). “The Senate’s action today ensures that we build on that leadership in the coming decade, amplifying the diverse and thriving economic ecosystem that enables people to stay in our state to build careers and families.” “I’m excited the Senate has created long-term investments in key sectors of our state’s economy by passing this economic development bond bill,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “With ambitious initiatives in life sciences, robotics, artifi cial intelligence and other cutting-edge disciplines, we lay a strong foundation for the new and global economy for generations to come. While we look to the future, the bill also reinforces the traditional economic drivers of the commonwealth, notably small business, education and advanced manufacturing.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes REDUCE SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS TAX (S 2856) Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would reduce the short term capital gains tax from 8.5 percent to 5 percent over a three year period from 2025 to 2027. “We have the highest short term capital gains tax in the Northeast and amongst the highest in the nation,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) who supported the amendment. “Lowering it could help business investment and actually provide economic activity.” Amendment opponents said the Legislature recently passed, and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law, the largest tax cut in state history. They noted that the tax cut package included a reduction in the shortterm capital gains tax. “Only last year, we passed significant tax reductions,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen.(D-Somerville). “We don’t yet know all the impact. We need enough revenue to meet our needs
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