States of America and the standards applicable to fi nancial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and that the audit report be fi led with the House Clerk for public inspection.” QUESTION #2 (approved 59 percent to 41 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would eliminate the current requirement that in order to get a high school diploma, a student must pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in mathematics, science, technology and English. SUPPORTERS REACT: “In passing Question 2, Massachusetts voters have proclaimed that they are ready to let teachers teach, and students learn, without the onerous effects of a high-stakes standardized test undermining the mission of public education: to prepare all students for future success as citizens, workers and creative, happy adults,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy in a joint statement. “For years, educators in classrooms across the commonwealth have been voicing concerns about the harmful impact of the MCAS graduation requirement. Students who were passing their courses were being denied diplomas because of this requirement. Educators were forced to narrow the curriculum in order to teach to the high-stakes test.” OPPONENTS REACT: “While we are disappointed with the result, the discussion about educational equity and academic standards does not end with this vote,” said John Schneider, Chair of Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2. “Eliminating the graduation requirement without a replacement is reckless. The passage of Question 2 opens the door to greater inequity. Our coalition intends to ensure that door does not stay open. We believe all of us, working together, should take a comprehensive look in a timely fashion at setting statewide graduation standards to properly prepare our students for college and workforce expectations. We hope the teacher’s unions will join us in that eff ort.” QUESTION #3 (approved THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024 OPPONENTS REACT: ”Voters 53.8 percent to 46.2 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow drivers for Lyft and Uber, and any other companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for prearranged transportation, to collectively bargain to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefi ts and terms and conditions of work. SUPPORTERS REACT: “We are thrilled that Massachusetts rideshare drivers have made history by winning the option to join together in a union,” said Mike Vartabedian and Roxana Rivera, co-chairs of the Yes on 3 Campaign, in a joint statement. “These drivers desperately need a voice in the workplace. Now, we can fi - nally create a path toward ensuring the rideshare industry creates jobs that are sustainable and that allow everyone who does this work full-time to live and care for their families with dignity.” OPPONENTS REACT: There was no organized group opposing Question 3. QUESTION #4 (rejected 42.9 percent to 57.1 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. SUPPORTERS REACT: “We spoke to tens of thousands of Massachusetts voters and heard broad agreement that natural psychedelics should be more accessible to those who cannot fi nd relief through traditional medication and therapy,” said a spokesperson for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. “We understand there were concerns about the home grow provisions, and those concerns likely led to tonight’s result. But we have made hugely important strides on this issue of psychedelic therapy, and we will keep fi ghting to fi nd new pathways for all those who struggle with their mental health. We look forward to working with legislators in the new session to continue advocating for access, for hope and for healing.” across Massachusetts came together to reject the passage of Question 4 in recognition of the negative impacts it would have to our neighborhoods, roads, hospitals, children, pets and public safety across the state,” said Caroline Alcock Cunningham, campaign manager for the Coalition for Safe Communities. “After being outspent by 80 to 1 from a fl ood of funding that came primariPage 19 ly from organizations with a direct fi nancial interest in Question 4’s passage, Massachusetts voters decided to overwhelmingly reject this poorly written and misguided ballot question.” QUESTION #5 (rejected 35.6 percent to 64.4 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would gradually increase, over the course of fi ve years, the current $6.75 per hour minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, as follows: To 64 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025; 73 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026; 82 precent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027; 91 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and 100 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029. BEACON | SEE Page 20 How to Know if You’re Getting Osteoporosis Dear Savvy Senior, Can a person in their early fi fties have osteoporosis? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter the doctor that treated me told me I might have osteoporosis. Surprised Susan Dear Susan, While osteoporosis is much more common in adults over age 60, it can strike younger people too. In fact, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation half of women and up to 25 percent of men in the U.S. over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Here’s what you should know. Osteoporosis, a disease that weakens your bones is also called a “silent” disease because there are no warning signs until a fracture occurs. Around 10 million Americans over age 50 currently have osteoporosis, and an additional 44 million have osteopenia (lower than normal bone density) — 80 percent of whom are women. Most people, by the time they reach their late 30’s, gradually start losing some of their bone mass, but for women, the biggest decline happens in the fi ve to seven years following menopause, when levels of estrogen, which helps to keep bone strong, plummets. Bone loss for men occurs much more gradually. However, by age 75, osteoporosis is as common in men as it is in women. To help you determine your risk of osteoporosis, the International Osteoporosis Foundation has a quick, online test you can take at RiskCheck.Osteoporosis.Foundation. Bone Checkup According to the BHOF all women over 65 and men over 70 should have a baseline dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, which is a painless measurement of the calcium in your bones. But those at high risk should start around age 50. Factors that make a good case for early screening include having a family history of osteoporosis, a broken bone after age 50, vitamin D defi ciency, a smoking habit, medical conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis or previous or current use of medications that can weaken bones, like steroid prednisone and certain antidepressants. Most bone density tests are covered by health insurance companies including Medicare, and are done in hospital radiology departments, private radiology practices and standalone clinics. Bone-Builders If your bone scan fi nds that you have osteopenia but have a low to moderate 10-year fracture risk, lifestyle measures are usually the best course of action. Three important things you can do to boost your bone health include: Get enough calcium and vitamin D: Calcium helps keep bones strong, and vitamin D helps us absorb calcium. Women older than 50 and men over 70 need at least 1,200 mg of calcium per day ideally from foods like dairy, canned sardines, kale, and fortifi ed orange juice. Adults over 50 need 870 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D each day, but that’s hard to get from food. Have your levels checked to see if you need a supplement. Exercise: Low impact weightbearing exercises like walking, and strength training with light weights or resistant bands several times a week can actually help build bone strength, as well as improve balance and muscle strength. Don’t smoke: Women who smoke a pack of cigarettes per day as adults have less dense bones at menopause. Osteoporosis Meds If, however, your bone density test finds that you have osteoporosis your doctor will probably recommend medications. The fi rst line of treatment is usually bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Binosto and Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel and Atelvia), and ibandronate (Boniva). These oral or injectable drugs slow the breakdown of bone but won’t build it back. For severe osteoporosis your doctor may instead prescribe an anabolic: teriparatide (Forteo), abaloparatide (Tymlos), or romosozumab (Evenity). These are typically given as daily or monthly injections and they increase the amount and strength of bones. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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