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Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2024 on employee demographics and 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 infl uence. 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://massterlist.com/subscribe/ THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of July 22-26. $1.26 BILLION BOND FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (H 4889) House 156-2, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill that would invest in information technology (IT) upgrades, improvements and new projects across state government. The measure authorizes $1.23 billion in bonded spending and $400 million in anticipated federal funds. “Today the Legislature is investing in a safer, more effi cient and modernized digital experience for residents and state employees alike,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our technology infrastructure is a lynchpin for nearly every service and resource our state delivers, and enhancing it is a fundamental step toward increasing access and creating systems that work for everyone.” “I am immensely proud of the dedication and eff ort demonstrated … to bring this report to fruition,” said Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R-Wrentham). “This achievement stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. By working together, we have shown our shared commitment to serving the best interests of the commonwealth.” “Government spending is wildly out of control and it’s fi scally irresponsible to keep passing these boondoggle bills,” said Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick), one of only two members to vote against the measure. “We need to reduce spending and taxes in order to lower the cost of living in the commonwealth. The path we’re on is unsustainable and will lead to more businesses and taxpayers fl eeing the state.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes WAGE TRANSPARENCY (H 4890) House 152-5, Senate 38-2, approved and sent to Gov. Healey a bill, named the Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act, in honor of the fi rst woman to serve as U.S. Labor Secretary. The measure would require employers with 25 or more employees to disclose a salary range when posting a job position. The measure also would require employers with 100 or more employees to fi le annual employment data reports, including information salaries, with the state. “The 2016 Equal Pay Act was a huge step forward in closing pay gaps and it worked,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “One study from 2020 showed salary history bans alone increased pay by as much as 5 percent increase for all job changers, an 8 percent increase for women and a 13 percent increase for Black workers. This bill takes the next steps in providing more information for job seekers and ensuring that women and people of color enter wage negotiations with more information at their fingertips to secure better offers. With the data collected we’ll learn about inequities that persist and be able to identify ways to solve them.” “True progress towards justice and equality demands that we not only acknowledge the critical importance of wage equity, particularly for women and people of color, but actively strive to achieve it,” said Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley (D-Mattapan). “By achieving wage equity, we empower individuals and strengthen our communities, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to a more equitable future.” “I voted ‘no’ on the wage transparency bill because this is just another burden being unfairly placed on small businesses,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “The National Federation of Independent Businesses wanted the threshold to be 100 or more. Small businesses will inevitably be unaware of this law and receive fi nes and penalties that are signifi cant, even though they’re not operating with malicious intent. Massachusetts is already an increasingly diffi cult state to operate a business and this well-intentioned bill will only make it more diffi cult.” “Burdensome regulations and taxes already make Massachusetts one of the least friendly states in the country to run a business,” said Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). “In addition to the cost of compliance, DEI policies, such as so-called salary transparency mandates, crush innovation and stifl e talent development. This bill is just the latest attempt to advance a toxic ideology that is destroying free market enterprise. Beacon Hill is killing small businesses.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes DOG KENNEL SAFETY — OLLIE’S LAW (H 4919) House 159-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would allow the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to establish rules and regulations for dog kennels in the Bay State, to ensure animal welfare, protect consumers and keep kennel staff safe. Requirements include, obtaining a license from the municipality, an annual inspection, dog to staff ratio specifi cations, injury reporting, indoor and outdoor physical facility requirements, insurance and minimal housing and care requirements. Supporters said that currently, the state has no oversight of dog daycare or boarding kennels. They argued it is estimated that a dog is injured or killed every nine to ten days in Massachusetts at these kennels. They noted that many families in Massachusetts have suff ered the loss or injury of an animal at a dog daycare or kennel that could have been avoided by commonsense regulations over these facilities. “I fi led this bill on behalf of my constituent, Amy Baxter, whose 7-month-old puppy was attacked by other dogs at a boarding kennel in my district,” said Rep. Brian Ashe (D-Longmeadow). “Sadly, Ollie eventually succumbed to his many injuries. People assume these facilities are regulated by the state and have safety protocols in place. Many already do, however, far too many do not, leaving animals and staff at risk. I and the Coalition that was formed, wanted to do everything possible to prevent these types of situations from occurring again. I am proud of this legislation and know it will make a diff erence in the lives of pets and consumers.“ (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes BAN ELEPHANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS (H 4915) House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that eff ective January 1, 2025, would ban elephants, bears, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and other wild animals from being used in traveling circuses and other traveling shows in Massachusetts where they would be used to perform tricks, give rides or otherwise participate as an accompaniment for the entertainment of a live audience. Violators would be fi ned between $500 and $10,000. The ban would not apply to zoos or to performances that take place at other non-mobile, permanent facilities if the covered animal is a resident animal at the same facility in which the performance takes place. “Massachusetts has long been a leader in promoting animal welfare by enacting laws to protect animals from abuse and neglect, but most of our current laws apply to domestic animals and common household pets,” said co-sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “[The measure] would extend these same protections to exotic animals that are used in traveling exhibits and shows. These animals are often subject to cruel and inhumane treatment, including prolonged periods of confi nement and other forms of neglect and abuse, all to provide entertainment. Several communities in Massachusetts have already implemented local bans, but a statewide ban on traveling animal acts is long overdue.” “I was deeply moved by the compelling evidence and public sentiment against the use of wild animals in traveling acts,” said co-sponsor Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River). “After taking a safari in Africa in 2019 … seeing these animals in their natural state highlighted the unnatural inhumane treatment these animals face in traveling acts. Now, as a sponsor of this legislation, I feel a strong obligation to ensure we bring about signifi cant change. With over two-thirds of Massachusetts voters in favor of banning wild animal acts, it’s clear our constituents desire a future free of animal exploitation for entertainment. This bill, that has fi nally passed the House after 23 years of being fi led, embodies that sentiment, underscoring our commitment to the humane treatment of animals.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes FOSTER HOMES AND DOGS (H 4911) House 156-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that prohibits the Department of Children and Families (DCF) from prohibiting placement of a child in a foster home solely based on the presence of any specifi c breed of dog in the home. Supporters said that currently, DCF is allowed to prohibit placement of a child in a home with German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. “Current DCF regulations for foster homes impose a blanket ban on certain breeds of dogs.” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (DFramingham). “Instead of eliminating countless prospective families, this bill empowers DCF

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