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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 Page 19 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 recent sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. $259 MILLION FISCAL 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (S 2575) House 150-6, Senate on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a $259 million fi scal 2025 supplemental budget. The measure provides $40 million for the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to hire about 320 additional public defenders. This supplemental budget did not include this investment in legal representation for indigent defendants when the governor fi rst fi led it, but a work stoppage among private attorneys who take cases as bar advocates had since led some criminal defendants to have charges against them dropped. The Legislature added the $40 million. The budget would provide bar advocates with a $20-an-hour raise over two years — compared to the $60-an-hour raise that some bar advocates were seeking. Supporters said the $40 million will more than double the CPCS’s existing workforce. They noted that increasing the proportion of indigent clients represented by public defenders—as opposed to private bar advocates, who are independent contractors—will help stabilize the public defense system in Massachusetts. “This agreement provides a substantial raise for bar advocates that refl ects our commitment to supporting the important work that they do, even in a challenging budget year,” said Gov. Healey upon signing the budget. “Despite chaos at the federal level, the Massachusetts Legislature remains committed to delivering important services to our residents and communities, ensuring our bills are paid, practicing fi scal responsibility and maintaining access to justice for all,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashlan) Not everyone agreed with that assessment. The Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) said in a statement that the raise is not suffi cient and pledged that the MACDL will “continue to support the tireless advocacy, commitment and selfl essness of the many bar advocates who stand in solidarity to make their voices heard.” The statement continued, “The rates for bar advocates in Massachusetts remain insufficient and will not solve the current constitutional crisis. This legislation does not bring the rate of pay for bar advocates anywhere near the rate of pay for appointed attorneys in neighboring states.” “I say to you today and to the leadership, we’re going nowhere,” said Sean Delaney an advocate of the higher wages. “Your ridiculous proposal that you put forward yesterday has only strengthened our resolve.” In the meantime, despite the signing of the bill, some criminal defendants who haven’t been appointed a lawyer in the past 45 days continue to have charges against them dismissed. Other provisions in the budget include $60 million for Home Care Services; $43 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT); $15.5 million for increasing the security of Electronic Benefi ts Transfer (EBT) cards by transitioning to chip cards; $7.5 million for the Healthy Incentives Program which both strengthens food security for residents and supports Massachusetts farmers in the face of federal funding cuts; $6 million for veterans’ benefits; $4 million for the Massachusetts State Police crime lab; and $1 million for the Fair Housing Fund. “Amid President Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education, and amid sweeping cuts at the federal level to programs that millions of Americans rely on, this supplemental budget makes key investments that will ensure continued funding for state programs that support many of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “[This budget] has a carryover from the last budget, still spending money on illegal immigrants and pushing transgenderism and abortion,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver). “Until the Democrat-led Legislature wakes up to reality that these policies are destroying our state, I will continue to vote ‘No’ and I encourage other Democrat leaders to recognize reality and step up to be a voice for sanity and healthy citizens. Additionally, while I think the attorneys should be paid better to defend the indigent, I believe there are better ways than letting criminals go free.” Five other representatives voted against the budget but did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to explain why they voted against it. The fi ve representatives, all Republicans, are Reps. Brad Jones (RNorth Reading); Paul Frost (R-Auburn); Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick); Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica); and Alyson Sullivan-Almedia (R-Abington). (A “Yes” vote is for the $259 million budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes $3.5 MILLION FOR DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would increase funding for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) by $3.5 million (from $15.5 million to $19 million) to support diversion programs that off er treatment alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders. It also directs the DMH to update regulations to improve discharge protocols for patients leaving mental health and substance use facilities that are overseen by the state. “This amendment gets money and training into the hands of the people doing the hardest work-the officers, clinicians and outreach workers who are often the first to encounter our most vulnerable constituents,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Nick Collins (DBoston). “By expanding these diversion programs and strengthening discharge oversight, we’re helping police de-escalate, helping communities stay safe and helping people get the care they need.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $3.5 million.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (S 3) Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment to the current law, known as the MBTA Communities Act, which according to the state’s website, requires that an MBTA community “must have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria including minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; and a location not more than 1/2 mile from a REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS BUYER1 Alcantar, Adolfo R Andino, Joaquin P Biryukov, Victor De Iglesias, Marlene I Frieden, Jack J Loring, Cindy Patel, Hitendra Rivera, Alba V Schilp, Donald E Schilp, Phyllis M BUYER2 Sierra, Noel T Biryukov, Madina SELLER1 Gloria C Di Pietro T Pungan, Marian Lane, Andrea Alesio, Arsu V Obrien, Julie D Muralles, Astri C Duggan, John S Focus Properties LLC Chaves, Paulo C SELLER2 Di Pietro 3rd, Philip Pungan, Ramona Lane, Kathleen Gonzalez, Porfi rio A ADDRESS 17 Reservoir Ave 1133 N Shore Rd #404 40 Fowler Ave 1047 Revere Beach Pkwy commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station. No age restrictions can be applied and the district must be suitable for families with children.” The amendment would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town aff ected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. The amendment would also require any appeal to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability to meet the drinking water supply or wastewater requirements necessary to support the housing units authorized by the law’s zoning provisions; the inability of municipal transportation infrastructure to safely accommodate the increased population attributable to this housing development; and any adverse environmental impacts attributable to the development of housing units under this act. “Allowing for these exceptions provides an avenue for a town to rightfully appeal the MBTA Community decision in cases where more harm than good is present,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment. “I voted against [this amendment] because it was based on what I believe is the inaccurate premise that a municipality must permit construction of housing in MBTA community zones even if there is an inadequate drinking water supply, wastewater capabilities, transportation infrastructure and environmental protections,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment allowing an appeal. A “No” vote is against the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards No ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL Revere Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com DATE PRICE 07.25.25 610000 07.21.25 474000 07.23.25 650000 07.25.25 540000 510 Revere Beach Blvd #1006 07.25.25 516000 44 Rand St 10 Franklin Ave #304 07.24.25 810000 350 Revere Beach Blvd #13G 07.25.25 675000 234 Beach St 07.23.25 770000 07.23.25 130000

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