THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 Page 19 ones receive and supporting the dedicated workers who make independent living possible.” “We want people to have options as they age so that they can make the choices that work best for them,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “By establishing statewide safety and quality standards for home care agencies and strengthening protections for workers and consumers, we’re making it easier for more people to safely receive highquality care at home while giving families greater peace of mind.” PROHIBIT NUCLEAR WEAPONS — The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, adopted a bi-partisan resolution calling on the Bay State Congressional delegation to support the federal treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. Twenty-one cities and towns in the Bay State have individually adopted similar resolutions. “The Massachusetts Senate passed this resolution just days before the 81st anniversaries of the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” said cosponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (DNorthampton). “States can and should issue calls to action to federal lawmakers when the well-being of their residents is threatened. I am mindful that, in the 1980s, the commonwealth played a leading role in ending the nuclear arms race with the then Soviet Union by adopting a nuclear freeze resolution and encouraging other states to follow its example. Once again … Massachusetts has come forward to help propel a high-stakes national movement.” “The risk of nuclear conflict transcends politics,” said cosponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “While there are diff erent views on the best path forward, we can all agree that reducing the risk of nuclear war and promoting global stability is a priority in the Legislature … These eff orts strengthen both our national security and our collective future. Massachusetts has a long tradition of being a leader on important national conversations, and I am so proud that the Senate has been involved in this one.” “It is extremely important that the Massachusetts Senate has added its voice to the national call for a fundamental change in U.S. nuclear policy.” said Dr. Ira Helfand, co-founder of Back from the Brink, whose website says it is “bringing communities together to prevent the growing threat that nuclear weapons pose to our health, environment and all we hold dear.” “If we don’t change course, we are sleepwalking towards a nuclear disaster. The United States must actively pursue the security of a world free of nuclear weapons, not as some distant goal, but as an urgent national security priority,” continued Halfand. “The current moment is particularly dangerous. In the last 15 months, fi ve of the nine nuclear armed states have been actively engaged in warfare with Russia, with the United States threatening their use. This is not a theoretical threat, but a real and present danger.” $5.9 MILLION TO HELP PEOPLE FIND JOBS — Gov. Maura Healey announced the awarding of $5.9 million in workforce development grant funding for 12 initiatives across Massachusetts, representing partnerships with employers, training providers and regional collaborators to train, upskill and provide job placement for 951 workers for indemand occupations in health care, logistics, education, information technology and more. “Across Massachusetts, employers are looking for skilled workers and residents are looking for opportunities to build successful careers,” said Healey. “These grants help us do both by connecting people with the training they need to fi ll in-demand jobs and helping businesses grow with the workforce they need.” “Workforce Success Grants offer an eff ective and proven tool for training providers to prepare skilled talent and for employers to access a skilled talent pool,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “By partnering with industry, training providers and regional organizations, we’re creating talent pipelines for occupations that are essential to Massachusetts’ economy. From health care to education to technology and beyond, these investments will help employers fi ll critical positions and enable more residents to build rewarding careers in regions across Massachusetts.” $8 MILLION FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS — Gov. Healey announced $8 million in grants to 57 cities and towns across Massachusetts to fund energy effi - ciency and clean energy projects. Eligible projects include installing high-effi ciency lighting and building weatherization, upgrading to energy management systems, insulating pipes and attic spaces and transitioning HVAC systems away from fossil fuels by installing air- or groundsource heat pumps. “Communities across Massachusetts are fi nding innovative ways to reduce energy use and lower costs,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “These grants will help local leaders make practical upgrades that improve public buildings and deliver longterm energy savings.” “Energy effi ciency is one of the smartest investments a community can make,” said Energy and Environmental Aff airs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These grants will help cities and towns lower energy costs, upgrade municipal and school buildings and fl eets and reduce pollution, all while saving dollars that can be put toward other critical projects.” 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 dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session, During the week of August 3-7, the House met for a total of nine minutes and the Senate met for a total of 26 minutes. Mon. August 3 No House session. No Senate session. Tues. August 4 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:03 a.m. Senate 11:06 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Wed. August 5 No House session. No Senate session. Thurs. August 6 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Fri. August 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. Copyright © 2026 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved. The World’s First Hearing Aids With Touchscreen Controls. No tiny buttons. No apps. No prescriptions. Call 844-497-3476 to get your 45-day risk free trial. Revolutionary technology with touchscreen control. Hearing modes for any environment. Multiple models to choose from. Portable charging case. 48-hour battery life. UV cleaning. Background noise cancellation. 45-day risk free trial. Atom X
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