14

Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2024 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 recent sessions $5.1 BILLION FOR HOUSING (H 4977) House 128-24, Senate 37-2, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a housing bill that would authorize $5.1 billion in borrowing to spur housing production in the Bay State. Supporters said the package makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilitation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development and promoting aff ordable housing. They noted that key provisions include allowing accessory dwelling units, investment in modernizing the state’s public housing system, boosts to programs that support fi rst-time homebuyers and homeownership, incentives to build more housing for low to moderate-income residents, support for the conversion of vacant commercial space to housing and support for sustainable and green housing initiatives. “The Aff ordable Homes Act creates homes for every kind of household, at every stage of life and unlocks the potential in our neighborhoods,” said Gov. Healey. “Today we are taking an unprecedented step forward in building a stronger Massachusetts where everyone can afford to live.” “The Aff ordable Homes Act is the fi rst, major critical step needed in addressing our housing crisis,” said Rep. James Arciero (D-Littleton), House Chair of the Committee on Housing. “It reduces barriers for individuals seeking aff ordable home options, increases housing production and inventory and creates more tools in the toolbox to help cities and towns off er more aff ordable housing options. This encompassing bill showcases critical input from our state and local officials, community stakeholders, advocates and residents.” “If Massachusetts leaders declare ‘Mission Accomplished’ on the housing crisis, they’ll be abandoning millions of Massachusetts residents to a broken housing market that is driving families into homelessness and pushing workers out of our state,” said Carolyn Chou, Director of Homes for All Mass. “The housing bond bill includes meaningful funding to support public housing and build new aff ordable housing, but legislators failed to include any tools to help renters who are facing enormous rent hikes and eviction today.” “Passing a major massive, complicated measure like this without even an abbreviated opportunity to read what was in the bill was not something I was willing to embrace,” said Rep. Matt Muratore (R-Plymouth). “This bill was passed on August 1st around 9 a.m. after being in session since July 31st at noon. We had very little time to review.” (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 $1.5 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER RELIEF (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Massachusetts Sewer Rate Relief Fund which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services in the Bay State. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated. “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey. (A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes $800,000 FOR DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD PROGRAMS (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $800,000 (reducing funding from $12.7 million to $11.9 million) for the Department of Agriculture. The veto includes cuts of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Food Trust Program; another $100,000 from the Buy Local effort; and the entire $250,000 for local food policy councils. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $800,000 was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary,” said Gov. Healey. “I am reducing two earmarks to amounts more consistent with my House [budget] recommendation and eliminating one program earmark that was intended to be a one-year program. (A “Yes” vote is for the $800,000. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes $5 MILLION FOR FOOD SECURITY (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $5 million (reducing funding from $10 million to $5 million) for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program which was created to ensure that individuals and families have access to food, especially food that is produced locally, and equitable access to food. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fi sherman and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $5 million was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary due to the availability of alternative resources,” said Gov. Healey. (A “Yes” vote is for the $5 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes DISABILITY PENSION FOR POLICE OFFICERS (S 2887) Senate 40-0, approved and Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would provide police offi cers who have suff ered a violent act injury, 100 percent regular compensation and pension benefi ts, until they reach the age of mandatory retirement. Violent act injury is defi ned as “a serious and permanent personal bodily injury sustained as a direct and proximate result of a violent attack upon a person by means of a dangerous weapon, including a fi rearm, knife, automobile, explosive device or other dangerous weapon.” Supporters said that under current law, a first responder forced to retire due to a violent act injury can only receive benefi ts through the local retirement board via the home rule legislative process. They said this process is onerous and has resulted in disparate benefi ts being granted on a case-by-case basis. “Our first responders go above and beyond to keep our communities safe and respond to emergencies,” said Gov. Healey. “That’s why it’s critical that we support them when they experience emergencies of their own. This legislation ensures that fi rst responders who are injured in the line of duty have access to the pay and health care, including mental health care, that they need to support their families and their road to recovery.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL PARENTAGE EQUALITY (S 2906) — Gov. Healey signed into law legislation changing how a family is defi ned in state law. Supporters said the new law would ensure legal parentage equality by protecting LGBTQ+ families, and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction, in forming the legal bond of a parent-child relationship. They said the measure would dismantle archaic legal barriers to basic parenting responsibilities for modern families, opening the door to legally attend and make decisions during medical appointments, manage a child’s fi nances, participate in educational decisions and provide authorizations for a child’s travel. “Our laws need to refl ect the realities of modern families and the loving environments where children grow and fl ourish,” Gov. Healey said. “This moment is a victory for all families in Massachusetts who deserve to be treated with dignity and to have their rights recognized and protected under the law.” PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS (S 2902) — The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a measure that would require a manufacturer or person that sells Firefi ghting Personal Protective Equipment to any person or government agency, to provide, beginning January 1, 2025, written notice to the buyer, at the time of sale, if the equipment contains toxic per- and polyfl uoroalkyl substance chemicals, known as PFAS. The seller would also have to provide the reason the chemicals were added to the equipment. Beginning on January 1, 2027, the bill prohibits any person from manufacturing, knowingly selling or distributing any equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. “My offi ce originally fi led this bill in 2019 in collaboration with The Professional Firefi ghters of Massachusetts (PFFM) and Clean Water Action,” said lead sponsor Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro). “With each legislative session, we refi led, improved upon the language and aided in the unwavering dedication of PFFM as they advocated tirelessly for their members … Despite improvements in cancer care, our fi refi ghters are still becoming sick and dying from occupational cancers at a rate more than twice the general population. It is our duty to protect those who protect us. I

15 Publizr Home