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Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562. A NOTE FROM BOB KATZEN, PUBLISHER OF BEACON HILL ROLL CALL: 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 going on up on Beacon Hill, Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence in Massachusetts. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan who introduce each article in their own clever and never-boring inimitable way. 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: www.massterlist.com/subscribe THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ and representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of September 20-24. COVID RULES FOR OPERATION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE (H 4121) House 131-28, approved am order that requires all representatives and House staff to be vaccinated in order to be allowed to work in the Statehouse; and to maintain full vaccination status against COVID-19 on an ongoing basis, as recommended by the CDC. A key section establishes an 8-member House Working Group on COVID-19 comprised of seven members appointed by the Democratic Speaker Ron Mariano and one member appointed by GOP Minority Leader Brad Jones. The working group has the power to establish many of the details of the vaccine mandate including establishing the deadline for people to be vaccinated and establishing a system for exempting from the vaccine anyone who chooses not to get vaccinated because of a qualifying disability or medical condition that contraindicates administration of the vaccine or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Other provisions require that all members and staff be granted paid time off to receive the vaccine; be required to follow any other rules established by the working group including wearing face masks, maintaining physical or social distancing or being tested for COVID-19; declare a state of emergency in the House and extend the House rule that allows members to vote and participate remotely in the House session until a majority of House members call for an end to the emergency. “Vaccination is the best tool for mitigating the risk of spreading COVID-19 and we need to know where we stand collectively as colleagues and as a House,” said Rep. Bill Driscoll (D-Milton), the House chair of the Committee on Covid-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management. “It was essential we move forward with mandating a proof of vaccination in order to consistently convene in-person once again. Vaccines have proven to be the most eff ective tool in keeping us safe and, layered with other non-pharmaceutical measures, will guide us through to the other side of the Delta variant and aff ord us the opportunity to return in-person.” “The House took actions … that I could not support,” said Rep. Michael Soter (R-Bellingham). “The safety of all members and staff is of the utmost importance. However, I’m disappointed to see these crippling guidelines put in place. This is the people’s house, and we are one of the last entities in the state to discuss a reopening plan. We should be leading the charge in educating individuals on the benefi ts of the COVID-19 vaccination and not use mandates and threats. By doing so, we would increase participation and decrease hesitancy. My colleagues did not focus on uniting us. They focused on dividing us during a time where leaders should be doing better.” Public Hearing Notice City of Revere, MA Board of Health Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 111, Section 31 and Chapter 2.78 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Revere, MA that the Revere Board of Health will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday evening, October 5, 2021 at 6:30P.M., in the City Councilor Joseph A. DelGrosso City Council Chambers, Revere City Hall, 281 Broadway, Revere, MA on the following: Proposed Amendments to Smoke Free Workplace Regulations A copy of the aforementioned current regulations are available for public inspection at the Department of Public Health, 25 Winthrop Ave, Revere, MA 02151 Monday through Thursday from 8:15 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Friday from 8:15 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. Attest: Dr. Nathalee Kong, Chair Revere Board of Health “The fi rst step to reopening this building is a commitment to each other that we will do everything we can to keep our staff , our colleagues, our families and the public safe,” said Rep. Kate Hogan (DStow). “We know that vaccines are the most eff ective tool, by far, in keeping us safe by reducing the risks of transmission, hospitalization and death, particularly when used with masks and social distancing protocols. Therefore, the vaccine requirement is necessary to optimally provide for the continued safety of the House as a workplace for our members, offi - cers, staff , employees and eventually, the public.” “I was disappointed by the order … I truly want to get behind a good comprehensive reopening plan,” said Rep. Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden). “So here’s the issue: What we have before us today unfortunately is a vague document with no detailed guidelines, no metrics, no clear parameters. What we have here is a document which gives the 8-member working group … the ultimate and fi nal say in all further actions, mandates and policies regarding COVID-19 in the House. No debate, no further votes, no further House discussions are needed. And that concerns me. How can we as a body vote today on something with such lack of clarity? How can we as a body vote on many policies we haven’t been able to see yet?” “These rules allow us to re-open safely and will provide our staff and fellow members with the comfort that we as a House are taking every step we can to ensure their health and safety.” Said Judiciary Committee House chair Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham). “As we are charged to do by our state constitution, we acted for the common good by adopting measures that balance our ability to continue to eff ectively conduct the business of the state with the need to get this pandemic under control.” (A “Yes” vote is for the vaccination requirement and the other rules. A “No” vote is against them.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes INCREASE HOURS THAT RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES CAN WORK (H 4007) House 158-0, overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of a bill that would increase from 960 hours per year (18 hours per week) to 1,200 hours per year (23 hours per week) the maximum amount of time a public retiree collecting a pension is allowed work for the state or local government. “I support providing municipalities and state agencies with increased fl exibility to make appropriate staffi ng decisions,” said Gov. Baker in his veto message. “However, an increase of 240 more hours per year is a signifi cant policy change and moves the commonwealth and its municipalities closer to a place where employees continue to work near full-time while collecting a pension, without any corresponding changes to improve the current practice. I therefore proposed an amendment that would have increased the number of hours to 975, which more accurately refl ects half-time, thereby allowing some fl exibility to retired employees who are bumping against the current 960hour limit. In addition, I proposed a waiver to the hour caps for personnel in positions where a critical shortage of qualifi ed personnel has been determined.” Supporters of the increase to 1,200 hours said that allowing retirees to work 23 hours per week is reasonable and will help many retirees who are struggling to make ends meet. They said it is unfair to punish retirees who would like to work more hours and provide their services to the state or local government. “As we continue to navigate this pandemic and its eff ects on our local and state government, it is imperative that we are able to utilize the knowledge and experience that many of our retirees possess,” said Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). “This is important as many of these roles are evolving and allowing our retirees to assist in this process without hindering their pensions will help us turn the corner towards more effi cient government practices both during these challenging times and post-pandemic.” (A “Yes” vote is for the increase to 1,200 hours. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes REPEAL THE HARBOR TAX CREDIT AND MEDICAL DEVICE TAX CREDIT (H 4008) House 130-29, overrode Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto of a bill that would repeal the current medical device tax credit and the harbor maintenance tax credit. Gov. Baker supported retaining both tax credits and said they encourage innovation and economic activity in the Bay State. “I see no reason to repeal the medical device user fee tax credit, as it is claimed annually by its intended benefi ciaries and supports medical device companies operating in the commonwealth,” said Baker in his veto message. “Similarly, I do not support the repeal of the harbor maintenance tax credit. It serves as a benefi t to shippers, importers and exporters who generate critical commercial activity in and around Massachusetts ports.” Supporters of repealing the tax credits said the Tax Expenditure Review Commission’s recent report made clear these two tax credits do not provide meaningful benefi t to the state and its residents. They noted that no other states off er these credits which are mostly used by large, profi table companies. (A “Yes” vote is for abolishing the tax credits. A “No” vote is for retaining them.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes REPEAL $5,000 ASSET LIMIT FOR SOME WELFARE RECIPIENTS (H 4012) House 130-29, overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of a bill that would repeal a current law that prohibits anyone with assets of more than $5,000 from being eligible for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)—a program that provides cash assistance and employment support to families with children and pregnant women with little or no income or assets. Assets include things like bank accounts, retirement accounts and cash. Some things do not count as an asset including the person’s house and one car. “TAFDC extends a vital lifeline to certain Massachusetts residents, but I disagree with eliminating the current asset test completely,” said Gov. Baker in his veto message. “I do support reforming the TAFDC asset rule to allow recipients who meet the asset test at the time of application to continue to accrue assets in excess of the current limit without risk of losing eligibility for TAFDC. I would welcome the opportunity to further develop this policy in partnership with the Legislature to ensure these benefi ts are available for the commonBEACON | SEE Page 19

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