Page 22 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 residents, including undocumented ones. The measure would create a grant program to pay the equivalent of tuition and mandatory fees to an eligible student at any Massachusetts public college or university, or certifi cate, vocational or training program at a public institution. BEACON | FROM Page 20 “I want to emphasize that making college free is critical to strengthening our democracy, at a time when threats nationwide to our democracy are at a peak,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “Giving young people the opportunity to build upon their roots and experiences in the community they grew up, by going to college without fi - nancial insecurities, plays a critical role in the development of young people as they become active citizens and contribute to the world in a way that makes the fabric of Massachusetts society stronger.” “As a proud fi rst-generation college student (I graduated from Umass Amherst in 2009), I want to ensure all Massachusetts residents have access to public higher education,” said House sponsor Rep. Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster). “In Massachusetts, you’re more likely to take on student debt, and in higher amounts, if you attend a public college/university rather than a private college/university. Massachusetts cannot afford to wait to address the aff ordability challenges of public higher education, and this legislation will help to address many of the workforce challenges we’re facing, across education, healthcare and human services.” NONOPIOD PAIN RELIEF (H 1962) – The Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require the Department of Public Health to develop and publish on its website an educational pamphlet regarding the use of nonopioid alternatives for the treatment of pain. Provisions include requiring the pamphlet to include information on available nonopioid alternatives; the advantages and disadvantages of nonopioid alternatives; requiring health care practitioners to inform patients in hospitals, emergency care departments and hospice care for whom they intend to administer anesthesia involving the use of an opioid drug, to inform the patient and/or their representative, of nonopioid alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages. “Over the last two decades the use of opioids as a pain medicine has resulted in unprecedented cases of addiction and overdose,” said sponsor Rep. Jim Arciero (D-Westford). “In order to give an alternative to their direct use, this legislation will off er information to patients about potential non-opioid treatments for pain control. I believe this legislation will provide individuals with greater choices in making their personal medical decisions which can impact their own future, their families and society.” REQUIRE WARNING LABEL (H 1968) – Another measure before the Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee would require pharmacists fi lling a written, electronic or oral prescription for an opiate to affi x to the container a label with a clear, concise warning that the opiates dispensed can cause dependence, addiction and overdose. “Nearly 50 percent of opioid dependence originates with prescribed opioid painkillers,” said sponsor Rep. Peter Capano (DLynn). “While the state hasn’t released fi nal numbers for overdose deaths in 2022, some of Massachusetts’ biggest cities say they’ve seen an uptick in fatal overdoses. Warning labels won’t solve the opioid addiction crisis but it is one tool mixed with other strategies that would help combat this epidemic.” MARIJUANA AND FIRST RESPONDERS (S 48) – The Cannabis Policy Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would require the Cannabis Control Commission and the Executive Offi ce of Public Safety and Security to study and report to the Legislature on the barriers that fi rst responders face about their legal right to Public Notice City of Revere, MA Approved Loan Order Stormwater Drainage System Bonds ORDERED: That $2,000,000 is appropriated to pay costs of constructing improvements to the stormwater drainage system, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(1) of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor; and that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project. of Massachusetts (the “Commonwealth”) to qualify under G.L. c.44A any and all bonds of the City authorized to be borrowed pursuant to this loan order, and to provide such information and execute such documents as such therewith. In City Council, September 25, 2023 ORDERED on a Roll Call: Councillors Cogliandro, Morabito, Powers, Rizzo, Serino, Silvestri, Visconti, Zambuto, and Council President Protempore McKenna voting “YES”. Councillor Novoselsky was absent. Signed by Acting Mayor Patrick M. Keefe, September 26, 2023. Attest: Ashley E. Melnik, City Clerk. Attest: Ashley E. Melnik City Clerk September 29, 2023 use cannabis. “As we move away from cannabis prohibition, we should ensure we do not hold on to pre-existing, bias-driven bans,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “I fi led … [the measure] to investigate the existing barriers to fi rst responders’ legal right to use cannabis a fi rst responders are asked to perform diffi cult jobs. The bill would also explore the eff ectiveness of cannabis in treating anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD and other traumas.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “We respectfully urge the UnitHONOR | FROM Page 4 setts’s reputation as a leading life science ecosystem. These founders are making signifi cant breakthroughs that impact the health and well-being of us all, from cell and genome engineering to early detection of public health threats for communities worldwide. The nominees for the category of Life Science are: Robert Ang – from Malaysia – Vor Bio in Cambridge Isabel Aznarez – from Uruguay – Stoke Therapeutics in Bedford Paulo Garcia – from Colombia – Kytopen in Cambridge Mariana Matus – from Mexico – Biobot Analytics in Cambridge About Barry M. Portnoy: Ported States Congress to act expeditiously to enact legislation relative to comprehensive immigration reform and, in doing so, help resolve the dual crises of a dysfunctional immigration system and a rapidly devolving domestic workforce shortage.” ---From a letter from 65 state legislators to President Joe Biden and members of Congress. “The commonwealth is committed to supporting health care providers who deliver health care services that meet the needs of highrisk communities and populations where they are. Not only do these community health centers provide critical care to families and individuals that would otherwise have limited access to services, but these climate resilience projects also refl ect the community health canters’ commitment to healthy communities.” --- Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh announcing $20 million in grants awarded to community health centers to support capital projects that address the intersection between climate change and a person’s health. “We are in the middle of a crisis in both health disparities and health care workforce retention. We can’t effectively address either of these crises without specific, current data to inform actionable policy decisions.” --- Dr. Ellana Stinson, New England Medical Association President testifying in support of legislation to address physician diversity and health disparities by mandating that licensed healthcare facilities collect and submit demographic data on physicians and physicians-in-training to the state. “The funding provided through the Urban and Community Forestry program is critical for these cities and towns to address some of their most pressing needs around public health, workforce development and climate resiliency through increasing access to green space. The commonwealth looks forward to continuing our aggressive pursuit of federal funding opportunities that will deliver for communities all across Massachusetts.” noy was the founder of The RMR Group, an alternative asset management company, and a founding board member of The ILC. As a consummate entrepreneur, he built businesses in multiple industries, employed thousands and contributed mightily to local economies. His steadfast support of The ILC gave thousands of immigrants a voice. Because of his unwavering belief in immigrants and the transformational impact of entrepreneurship, The ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards were renamed after his death in 2018. About The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.: The ILC, of Malden, Mass., is a nonprofit organization that gives immigrants a voice --- Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey announcing that several Bay State communities will receive more than $22 million in funding from the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change and improve access to nature in communities across the country. 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 18-22, the House met for a total of one hour and 26 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 56 minutes. Mon. Sept. 18 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:01 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Tues. Sept. 19 No House session No Senate session Wed. Sept. 20 No House session No Senate sessio Thurs. Sept. 21 House 11:03 a.m. to 12:24 p.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 12:07 p.m. Fri. Sept. 22 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. in three ways. The English Language Program provides free, year-round English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to help immigrant and refugee adults in Greater Boston become successful workers, parents and community members. The Public Education Institute informs Americans about immigrants and immigration in the United States. The Institute for Immigration Research, a joint venture with George Mason University, conducts research on the economic contributions of immigrants. For more information, visit the website http://www.ilctr. org. The ILC can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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