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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 Page 23 BEACON | FROM Page 22 permit the auditor’s offi ce to audit the Legislature; remove the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam as a high school graduation requirement and instead require students to complete coursework certifi ed by the student’s district as demonstrating mastery of the competencies contained in the state academic standards in mathematics, science and technology and English; and exempt from the state’s 24-cents-per-gallon gas tax any sale of gas for drivers at any time when the retail price for regular gas in Massachusetts is $3 or more per gallon; Othere certified proposals include ones to provide tax credits and point-of sale rebates on the purchase of electric vehicles, conversion of gas powered vehicles to electric vehicles and purchase and installation of eligible home improvement systems including high efficiency heat pumps, solar power systems and energy storage systems; permit eligible citizens to register to vote at a polling place on Election Day in person, at a local registrar’s offi ce before noon on the Friday before the election or by mail postmarked on or before the Friday before the election; increase over fi ve years the minimum wage for tipped workers to the same as the general minimum wage; legalize some psychedelic substances including psilocybin and psilocyn found in mushrooms; replace “Columbus Day” as a state holiday by establishing in its place a new holiday -- Indigenous Peoples Day; require that public school students in grades K-12 receive instruction in public health and epidemiology including the causes and origins of diseases and strategies aimed at preventing the spread of diseases, including vaccination and hygiene practices. The new educational standards would replace the current requirement that K-12 students receive instruction on the issues of nutrition and exercise. The next step is for supporters to gather 74,574 signatures and file them with local offi cials by Nov. 22 and then with the secretary of state’s offi ce by Dec. 6. The proposal would then be sent to the Legislature and if not approved by the Legislature by May 1, 2024, proponents must gather another 12,429 signatures and fi le them with local offi cials by June 19, 2024, and then the secretary of state’s offi ce by July 3, 2024, in order for the question to appear on the November 2024 ballot. Proposed laws that were not certifi ed include creating a new voting system under which candidates on the ballot are ranked by voters in order of their preference. If no candidate receives a majority of fi rstchoice votes, the candidate that received the least number of fi rstchoice votes is eliminated. The second choice of the voters who supported the eliminated candidate now becomes their fi rst choice and is added to the totals of the remaining candidates. The same process is repeated, if necessary, until a candidate is the fi rst choice of a majority of voters. Other petitions that were not certifi ed include limiting to $5,000 the amount of money that can be donated to a Super PAC; requiring Internet service providers, manufacturers of mobile phones and other wireless devices, carriers, personal wireless services, and wireless facilities to limit the emission of non-ionizing radiation that cannot directly remove electrons from atoms or molecules, to as low or safe as reasonably achievable; directing the Legislature to adopt California’s pending Age Appropriate Design Code bill, consider improvements to privacy laws and minimize on-line data collection in public primary and secondary schools and public colleges. See the complete list of proposed ballot questions and their fate at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ballot-initiatives-fi led-for-the2024-biennial-statewide-electionproposed-laws-and-2026-biennialstatewide-election-proposed-constitutional-amendments LOGO CONTEST – The Executive Offi ce of Veterans Services has announced a contest for residents to design a new logo for that office which in March was elevated to be part of the governor’s cabinet rather than just a state agency. The announcement notes that over the past six months, the offi ce has undergone a signifi cant transformation in the departments and programs under its umbrella, including overseeing the state’s veteran’s homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. “We are at a pivotal juncture where our logo needs to mirror the diversity of today’s veterans, whose service spans eras from World War II to Afghanistan,” said Jon Santiago, the former Boston state representative who is now the secretary of Veterans Aff airs. “The new … logo should embody transparency, accountability and our mission to honorably serve those who served us.” The current logo features a minuteman, symbolizing the Massachusetts militia dating back to the mid18th century. The contest invites participation from residents ages 18 and older. All designers are encouraged to channel their creativity into a logo that encapsulates the camaraderie, resilience and sacrifi ces of veterans, both past and present. The deadline to submit designs is October 4, 2023. “We are eager to witness the outpouring of talent and dedication as Massachusetts residents contribute to shaping a symbol that embodies the true essence of our veterans and their families,” said Santiago. For details on how to enter, go to: https://www.mass.gov/eovs-logo-contest JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills. This hearing was the one that began on July 18 was disrupted by an electrical fi re and was rescheduled for last week. Bills before the committee include: BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOS (H 1386) – Would impose a $500 fi ne on anyone who sells or gives a body piercing or tattooing kit to an unlicensed practitioner or a minor. “Studies show that home piercing or tattooing leads to an increased risk of communicable diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “This legislation would install further protections to ensure that only licensed trained professionals are providing these services. With a rise in popularity of home piercing and home tattooing kits, we need to ensure our laws are current with the trend.” EXPUNGE HARASSMENT PREVENTION ORDERS (H 1620) – Would require harassment prevention orders to be expunged from a defendant’s record if and when the order is vacated on a motion made by the plaintiff . “I sponsored this bill because under the current law the process of having a defendant’s record expunged when the harassment prevention order is vacated is nearly impossible and can have negative consequences for those undergoing background checks when applying for various jobs,” said sponsor Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). MINORS AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS (H 1605) – Would allow minors, ages 13 to 17 years old, to appear in court, without a parent, guardian or attorney when fi ling for a protective order. Under current law, these minors are required to be accompanied by one of the above. Supporters say that these requirements impede the child’s ability to obtain immediate relief from abuse, dating violence and traffi cking. They note the bill will provide increased access to the court and open a pathway to resources, including the Department of Children and Families and other advocate services, that can help keep a child safe. “I have filed this legislation for many years. It was originally meant to go hand in hand with my legislation to ban child marriage, which passed in 2022,” said sponsor Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton). “According to the Department of Children and Families, Massachusetts has one of the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in the country. This problem has grave consequences both immediately and for years to come, as research has found long lasting physical and mental health issues as a result of abuse during childhood. I’m very glad the Legislature acted to ban child marriage during the last session, and now I think it’s time to allow minors to fi le protective orders as well.” DONATE FOOD (H 1594, S 920 and S 1016) – These three bills would provide civil liability protections to individuals, restaurants and organizations that make direct food donations to persons in need. The donor would also receive a tax credit of up to $5,000. Supporters say that food insecurity levels across the commonwealth remain high and note that approximately 900,000 tons of food still end up in Bay State landfi lls every year. “Currently, donations must be routed through nonprofits to receive liability protections, an onerous requirement that causes a large quantity of perishable food to go to waste,” said co-sponsor Sen. Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell). “For example, employees closing a pizza restaurant might refrain from giving a surplus pie to a homeless individual due to fear of liability. This legislation extends liability protections to cover direct donations of food to persons in need, ensuring that far more people can receive donations of unspoiled, perishable food. “Research shows that anywhere from 30 percent to 40 percent of the food supply is wasted in the United States at every stage of food production and distribution,” said co-sponsors Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “Farmers, for example, often have crop yields which exceed the amount grocery stores or farmer’s markets will purchase, leaving fresh food to be thrown out or tilled under rather than sold and eaten. “At the same time,” the pair continued, “the number of food insecure families continues to grow. A 2022 study done by the Greater Boston Food Bank found that 32 percent of Massachusetts residents lack food security. Reducing barriers to donation at the intersection of food waste and food insecurity directly targets both problems, allowing food to go to those who need it. Farmers have expressed that they would like to donate extra food and would do so if their labor and storage costs are reduced, and many local food panties, squeezed for resources, welcome the opportunity to fi ll their shelves and better serve their consumers. QUOTABLE QUOTES “The Wall Street Journal’s metrics – student outcomes, learning environments and diversity – directly measure student success during and after they earn their degree. A college degree is an investment in your future and for UMass Lowell students and alumni, the Wall Street Journal rankings are one more proof point of what they experience every day. ---UMass Lowell Provost Joe Hartman on the announcement that the university was named the number one public school in Massachusetts in the 2024 Wall Street Journal Best Colleges in the United States ranking. “Abortion costs are already well above the average out-of-pocket medical expenditures and in the post-Dobbs context, interstate travel costs are even higher. In states like Massachusetts, we know the state government as well as advocates and healthcare providers are very invested in ensuring abortion access. We hope the data from this study serves as an example of how states across the country that share this commitment can monitor the trends in and needs of interstate travelers.” --- Elizabeth Janiak, director of social science research at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts on a study that says that more patients are traveling to Massachusetts from other states for abortion care and that use of non-profi t abortion funding in Massachusetts has increased following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that xxxxxxx. “The state has legislation that protects our beloved pets in extreme heat. It’s time to have the same protective measures in place for our students in classrooms … The heat conditions in our public schools throughout Massachusetts, which have led to school closures and early dismissals, are unacceptable. --- Massachusetts Teachers Association Vice President Deb McCarthy. “The climate crisis is here and farmers are bearing the brunt of extreme weather. With the heavy losses that our farmers have recently suffered, it is critical for us to support their recovery eff orts. These funds will help ensure our farms have the resources to salvage a diffi cult year and come back stronger than before” ---Gov. Maura Healey announcing $15 million in funding from the Natural Disaster Recovery Program for Agriculture to Massachusetts farms that were adversely aff ected by one or more of the extreme weather events in 2023. 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 September 4-8, the House met for a total of one hour and nine minutes while the Senate met for a total of 53 minutes. Mon. Sept. 4 No House session No Senate session Tues. Sept. 5 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. Senate 11:11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Wed. Sept. 6 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Sept. 7 House 11:03 a.m. to 12:06 p.m. Senate 11:20 a.m. to 12:09 p.m. Fri. Sept. 8 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.

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