Page 16 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025 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 THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of July 28-August 1. REPRODUCTIVE AND TRANSGENDER CARE PROTECTIONS — THE SHIELD ACT (H 4271) House 132-24, Senate 37-3, approved and sent the “Shield Act” to Gov. Maura Healey. The measure would prohibit state agencies, employees and law enforcement from cooperating with investigations by other states or the federal government, into reproductive or gender affi rming health care that is legally protected in Massachusetts. Other provisions include enhancing license protections for anyone providing or assisting in reproductive or transgender care; forbidding insurance companies from discriminating against or penalizing providers who off er reproductive and gender-affi rming care; and protecting attorneys licensed in Massachusetts from removal or discipline for advising or representing clients on the topics of reproductive or transgender care. “The Massachusetts Legislature is once again standing up to defend the rights of Massachusetts residents,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “Now, facing a wave of new threats on our autonomy from the federal government and other states, this legislation will enhance the protections for patients and providers we fi rst put in place in 2022. In the commonwealth, legally protected health care is just that, and we will always step up to uphold this and fi ght for our residents.” “The federal government has made one thing clear: Massachusetts is on her own when it comes to protecting the privacy and constitutional rights of our residents,” said Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham), House Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “Today, we meet this challenge by ensuring that legally protected healthcare decisions made here in the commonwealth do not become the basis for radical prosecutors in other states to exploit individuals or encourage corporations to profit off our personal data.” “The Trump Administration’s rampant attacks on Planned Parenthood health centers, on LGBTQ people, especially trans people and on immigrants make it more urgent that we strengthen protections for reproductive healthcare providers and patients,” said Dominique Lee, CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “No one should be afraid to seek care that is safe, legal and available in Massachusetts. This bill strengthens patient confidentiality, protects healthcare providers and supports the delivery of evidence-based reproductive health and gender-affi rming care.” Catholic Action League Executive Director C. J. Doyle said the bill is special interest legislation for the Massachusetts abortion industry. “Once it is signed into law by Gov. Healey, Planned Parenthood and other abortion businesses will, with complete legal immunity, be empowered to ship the toxic abortion drug Mifepristone into states where its use is prohibited. Mifepristone kills unborn children, and in as many as one in ten cases, causes adverse medical complications for the women who use it. This measure is a legislative license for Bay State abortionists to violate the laws of other American states, while being shielded from any criminal prosecution, civil liability or professional discipline.” Doyle continued, “It is disgraceful, though perhaps not surprising, that neither the Massachusetts Catholics Conference nor the Archdiocese of Boston spoke out against this malign measure. The complacency of Catholic Church leaders may be explained by that old maxim ‘Follow the money!’ In July of 2023, the Healey Administration awarded Catholic Charities of Boston an unprecedented grant of $1 million. In March of 2024, the Healey Administration allocated an additional $2.6 million to Catholic Charities of Boston and Springfield for migrant resettlement and job training. $3.6 million in public funds, it would seem, can buy quite a lot of silence.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote Is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco No Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes $300 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4307) House 156-0, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Healey a $1.2 billion transportation bond bill that includes authorizing $300 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state. The $300 million is a 50 percent increase over last year’s funding. The measure provides that $200 million be distributed to all cities and towns based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula while $100 million would be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage. The package also contains $885 million for other transportation-related projects including $500 million for roads and bridges that are in the worst condition; $200 million to repair local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement; and $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots. “I applaud the Massachusetts Legislature for passing this bill and recognizing the need to be responsive to our cities and towns while also proceeding with caution due to the federal funding uncertainty,” said Rep. James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Committee on Transportation … This bill leverages the Legislature’s strategically increased appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund to expand our borrowing capacity and allow for additional transportation funding for our local infrastructure needs.” “This legislation strikes a balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways and transportation-related projects while maintaining outstanding fi scal responsibility,” said Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfi eld), House Chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our decision to continue giving the governor the authority to utilize either general or special obligation bonds enables us to capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term and preserve general obligation bond capacity for the commonwealth’s most pressing needs.” “This legislation takes into consideration years of feedback from the Administration and our local partners,” said Sen. Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell), Senate Chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “In addition to incorporating 50 per cent more funding to Chapter 90 than in previous years, these funds are supplemented by additional targeted resources that will improve the roads, bridges and transportation related infrastructure in all types of communities in the commonwealth.” “We are thrilled to see this bill on the governor’s desk,” said the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Executive Director Adam Chapdelain. “Chapter 90 is a program that benefi ts all 351 cities and towns in the state, and a 50 percent increase in funding would have a substantial impact in all corners of the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT (H 4361) House 158-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would extend benefi ts for retired teachers who are later hired to work for the Massachusetts Executive Offi ce of Education (EOE) or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The bill would allow these employees to retain the status of “teacher”
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