THE REVERE ADVOCATE–Friday, September 13 , 2019 Page 15 BEACON | FROM PAGE 14 Rep. Bob DeLeo Yes Rep. RoseLee Vincent Yes Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes BAN CONVERSION THERAPY FOR ANYONE UNDER 18 (H 140) House 148-8, Senate 34-0, approved and Gov. Baker signed into law a bill that would prohibit psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care providers from attempting to change the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of anyone under 18. Conversion therapy exposes the person to a stimulus while simultaneously subjecting him or her to some form of discomfort. The therapy is primarily used to try to convert gays and lesbians to be straight. Mental health experts and LGBTQ groups charge that the practice is scientifically unproven and unsound and can trigger depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts in these youngsters. “We can offer assurances to those still struggling with coming out, or whose parents are still coming to terms with their orientation or identity, that that they will not be sent to a licensed therapist to change who they know themselves to be,” said Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham) at the time of the vote. “This vote was an appalling assault on parental rights in the commonwealth,” said the president of the Massachusetts Family Institute Andrew Beckwith who opposed lifting the ban. “Over 140 of our state legislators apparently believe that parents should not be able to get gender-confused children any treatment, even counseling, that might help them avoid cross-sex hormone injections, sterility or ‘transition’ surgery. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Bob DeLeo Yes Rep. RoseLee Vincent Yes Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes $200 MILLION IN CHAPTER 90 FUNDING FOR LOCAL ROADS (H 69) House 156-0, Senate 40-0, approved and the governor signed into law Senate a bill authorizing $200 million in onetime funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state. The package is a bond bill under which the funding would be borrowed Mon. Sept. 2 No House session Wed. Sept. 4 No House session Fri. Sept. 6 No House session by the state through the sale of bonds. Other provisions include $200 million for rail improvements and $1.5 billion in bonding to allow for federal interstate repairs to advance. According to officials, 80 percent of the $1.5 billion would be reimbursed by the federal government. Supporters said the $200 million would help cities and towns keep their roads and bridges safe and allow many vital municipal road projects to move forward. No one voted against the bill but there are some legislators and city and town officials who say the same old $200 million that has been given since fiscal 2012 is insufficient. For several years, the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) has been seeking to increase the amount to $300 million. Advocates say that cities and towns maintain and repair 90 percent of the roadways in the Bay State. They note that because of revenue caps imposed by Proposition 2 1/2, cities and towns are very dependent on state funding to keep roads and bridges from crumbling. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Bob DeLeo Yes Rep. RoseLee Vincent Yes Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes 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 filed. 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 September 2-6, the House met for a total of one hour and four minutes while the Senate met for a total of 16 minutes. No Senate session Tues. Sept. 3 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 11:17 a.m. No Senate session Thurs. Sept. 5 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:53 a.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:16 a.m. No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS MAGNIFICENT, Custom Colonial boasts 9 rms, 4 bedrms, 3 1/2 baths, gourmet kitchen w/top-of-the-line Viking, stainless appliances, granite counters, backsplash & peninsula w/ seating, dining area, wine cooler, butler’s pantry leading to formal diningrm, elegant columns leading to familyrm w/gas fireplace surrounded by white brick, custom stairway leading to 4 bedrms, custom double door entry to great room w/custom ceiling, master suite offers out-of-a-magazine bathroom w/two granite vanities, whirlpool surrounded by custom granite, oversized shower w/two shower heads & walk-in closet, 2 bedrms w/Jack ‘n’ Jill bathroom, convenient 2nd flr laundry rm, Brazilian hardwood flooring throughout, automatic shades, crown molding, INCREDIBLE, custom woodwork & ceilings, central air (2 units), security system, covered deck, 3 car gar, LL studded, ready to finish w/walk-out to custom patio,desirable Stonecliffe Heights! Great in & out!! You won’t be disappointed! Welcome Home to 5IronWorks Way.com. Offered at $1,049,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com
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