Page 20 BEACON | FROM Page 18 ate’s transportation bond bill will stimulate our economy, increase accessibility for our residents, support local businesses, create jobs, and boost economies in all corners of our commonwealth,” said Rodrigues. (A “Yes” vote is for the package). Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL ADOPT ANIMALS USED IN RESEARCH – “THE BEAGLE BILL” (S 2992) – The Senate approved a bill that would require research labs to make every eff ort to offer healthy animals up for adoption by registered non-profi t animal rescue organizations rather than euthanizing them when the research is done. According to supporters, more than 60,000 dogs—almost all beagles—and nearly 20,000 cats, are used each year for animal experimentation in the United States to advance scientific research and to test cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other household products. Currently, many research labs choose to automatically euthanize these cats and dogs once their experiments are over. The House has already approved a diff erent version of the bill and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. “I am proud the Massachusetts THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022 POACHING (S 2993) – The SenSenate passed legislation prioritizing the protection of animals across our commonwealth,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The Beagle Bill will give research dogs and cats a second chance at life and bring Massachusetts in line with other states across our nation. We owe so much of human advancement to the service and sacrifi ce of these animals, and they deserve to be loved and cherished after a job well done.” House sponsor Rep. Michelle DuBois (D-Brockton) said the bill will save dogs and cats from needlessly dying when their time in the testing lab comes to an end. WASTE REMOVAL & BUILDING MAINTENANCE • Landscaping, Lawn Care, Mulching • Yard Waste & Rubbish Removal • Interior & Exterior Demolition (Old Decks, Fences, Pools, Sheds, etc.) • Appliance and Metal Pick-up • Construction and Estate Cleanouts • Pick-up Truck Load of Trash starting at $169 • Carpentry LICENSED & INSURED Call for FREE ESTIMATES! KITCHEN CABINETS To Look Like New 508-840-0501 FURNITURE STRIP & FINISH “This national eff ort was brought to my attention by a constituent … [and] provides a framework to provide an alternate ending in a loving home through places like the MSPCA,” DuBois said. PROTECT PUPPIES AND KITTENS (S 2994) – The Senate approved and sent to the House legislation designed to protect the health and safety of puppies and kittens in cities and towns by addressing inhumane practices relating to the transfer of pets. Provisions include prohibiting the sale of puppies and kittens under eight weeks of age; ending the sale of animals on roadsides, parking lots, fl ea markets or in other public spaces; and requiring the Department of Agricultural Resources to establish reasonable rules and regulations for the operation of breeding kennels and catteries producing pets for the public as well as boarding kennels and daycare facilities for dogs and cats. “Separating puppies and kittens at a critical stage from their mother and litter before the end of their primary socialization developmental stage can result in signifi cant behavioral problems, including separation anxiety and aggression,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Harriette Chandler (DWorcester). “This bill has the potential to truly protect the wellbeing of puppies and kittens in the commonwealth, who will otherwise suff er without clear, mandatory regulations on their purchase, storage and caretaking.” “As the owner of a Labrador Retriever and a cat, and as a veteran who has observed the important work that animals do to assist the young and the old when we are in crisis and need, I know fi rsthand that our animal companions play a central role in our lives—and promoting their well-being protects both pets and people,” said House sponsor Rep. Linda Dean Campbell. “By ensuring kennels meet safety standards and preventing the dangerous sale of pets that are too young, we will reduce the risk of aggressive behavior that can put dogs, cats and people at risk.” ate approved and sent to the House a bill that would regulate poaching—the illegal hunting that harms or kills wildlife including fi sh, birds, mammals and endangered or threatened species. Other provisions elevate the fi nes and penalties for poaching; align Massachusetts poaching regulations with other states; and bring Massachusetts into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which helps states to work together to prevent illegal hunting across state lines. “It has been nearly a century since many of the commonwealth’s anti-poaching laws were last updated,” said sponsor Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “The absence of action on anti-poaching laws has resulted in outdated penalties that result in no more than a slap on the wrist for offenders. This legislation finally brings our laws, fi nes and penalties in line with other states. It also brings Massachusetts into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a nationwide law enforcement network that allows our wildlife protection agencies to share information about poachers with other states. With the passage of this legislation, Massachusetts is making it clear that we will no longer be a safe haven for those who wish to do harm to our wildlife, marine life and ecosystems.” $56 MILLION FOR FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF HOLYOKE SOLDIERS’ HOME (H 4932) – The House and Senate gave fi nal approval to and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker $56 million in funding for the families of the victims of the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Sen. John Velis (D-Holyoke), chair of the Veterans and Federal Aff airs Committee said that these families have been through so much over the past two years. “No dollar fi gure will ever bring their loved ones back, but this resolution does end the painful process of litigation,” said Velis. “What happened at the home will forever leave a scar on our commonwealth, especially Western Mass. Now we must continue to work to get much needed reforms for the home signed into law as well.” PROHIBIT REVOCATION OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES IF A PERSON DEFAULTS ON A STUDENT LOAN (H 425) – House gave initial approval to legislation that would repeal current state laws which created professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults on their student loan. Under existing law, a borrower’s state-issued professional or occupational certifi cate, registration or license can be suspended, revoked or cancelled if the borrower is in default on an education loan. “As a former seventh grade public school teacher and an education attorney for more than a decade, I’ve come to expect Massachusetts to be identifi ed as a pioneer in a promising practice or out in front on an education issue,” said sponsor Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). “So I was quite surprised to fi nd that Massachusetts is one of the only states that mandates the denial of professional licenses to student loan defaulters. This draconian approach prevents an individual from access to the profession for which he or she has trained and has the perverse result of furthering hindering their ability to earn a living and making it more diffi cult to make loan payments. And as families work to recover from the fi nancial fallout of the pandemic, the last thing the state should do is deny them access to their professional pursuits because of student loan defaults.” “CROWN ACT” – FORBID DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A PERSON WITH A NATURAL HAIRSTYLE (H 5028) – The House and Senate approved a new version of a bill that would prohibit any person or entity including educational institutions workplaces and public spaces from implementing any policy that would explicitly target someone who wears their natural hairstyle. The measure defi nes natural hairstyle as hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists and other formations. Only final Senate approval is needed prior to the measure going to Gov. Baker for his signature. “Racial discrimination is unacceptable in all of its forms,” said bill sponsor Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham). “I was proud to join my House colleagues in unanimously advancing a bill which would ensure that Black students and workers won’t be told that their hair is unprofessional or be forced to cut it in order to participate in activities or go to work. I hope that the governor will join the Legislature in standing against discrimination by signing these protections into law.” “On the long march toward justice, and especially racial justice, the Legislature’s passage of this legislation marks another step forward,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Committee on Education. “We would not be at this point without the great courage and strength of Mya and Deanna Cook, who as 15-year-old students faced discrimination and abuse from their high school for their hairstyles, and bravely stood up for their rights and those of so many other black women.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Taxpayers are experiencing the largest infl ation spike in 41 years and our Statehouse leaders have a pile of money they could give back to help taxpayers with these high costs. Instead, they are choosing to hold onto the vast majority of the money and they even have the nerve to continue to push for their graduated income tax surcharge amendment which will increase the state income tax by 80 precent on some high-income earners and small businesses.” ---Paul Craney, spokesman for the Mass Fiscal Alliance. “This legislation is critically important because despite the well-known hazards, Massachusetts law still permits schools and childcare centers to use toxic pesticides … on playgrounds and playing fi elds. Shielding our communities and children from these damaging pesticides ought to be a public health priority.” ---From an open letter from several representatives and organizations to House Speaker Ron Mariano, supporting a bill that would improve pesticide protections for Massachusetts schoolchildren. “This train is leaving the station.” ---Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) during debate on railway service. 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 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 dozen s of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of July 11-15, the House met for a total of 15 hours and 16 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 14 hours and 46 minutes. Mon. July 11 House 11:05 a.m.to 11:40 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 2:37 p.m. Tues. July 12 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. No Senate session. Wed. July 13 House 11:06 a.m. to 6:02 p.m Senate 1:13 p.m. to 5:32 p.m. Thurs. July 14 House 1:02 p.m. to 9:43 p.m. Senate 11:23 a.m. to 6:27 p.m. Fri. July 15 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.
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