THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 Page 19 BEACON | FROM Page 18 TWO-WEEK SALES TAX HOLIDAY (S 2564) Senate 3-34, rejected an amendment providing $210 million for a two-week sales tax holiday in 2022 allowing consumers to buy most products that cost under $2,500 during a two-week sales tax holiday without paying the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax. State law currently calls for a twoday sales tax holiday every year. Amendment supporters say this longer tax-free holiday would boost retail sales and noted that consumers would save millions of dollars. They said this is a reasonable way to provide relief to taxpayers who suff ered during the pandemic and are now dealing with infl ation, the high cost of gas, groceries and so many other things. Amendment opponents said extending the holiday is more of a feel-good policy that does little to help families. They noted the extension would actually generate little additional revenue for stores because consumers typically buy the products even without the tax-free days. (A “Yes” vote is for the additional $210 million and the two-week sales tax holiday. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned $5 MILLION FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS’ BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS (S 2564) Senate 37-0, approved an amendment that would provide $5 million for grants to public higher education institutions to address student behavioral and mental health needs. “College is the fi rst time many young adults experience living on their own, which can certainly be a challenging transition,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (R-Truro). “With the increased isolation and stress from the pandemic, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of college students who report that they suff er from anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Simply put, young adults are suff ering. [This] amendment will help address and support the mental health needs of students in our public higher education institutions.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $5 million). Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned GIVE MEDAL OF LIBERTY TO PEOPLE WHO DIE DURING TRAINING EXERCISES (S 2564) Senate 37-0, approved an amendment that would expand eligibility for the Medal of Liberty to include families of service members who died during training exercises. Current law awards the medal to Massachusetts service men and women who have been killed in action or who died in service while in a designated combat area in the line of duty or who died from wounds received in action. Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) told the story of Air Force Lt. Col. Morris “Moose” Fontenot Jr., a Longmeadow resident who died in 2014 after his F-15C Eagle fi ghter jet crashed during a routine fl ight. Under 2014 and current law, Fontenot was not and is not eligible for the Medal of Liberty. “There is an expression in the military,” said Velis. “‘Train as you fi ght, fi ght as you train.’ In order to be the best, you need to train to be the best and with that training comes its own set of dangers. Lt. Col. Fontenot’s story is not alone. We have service members completing missions and trainings like him every single day. It is imperative that we recognize the dangers that these even routine missions present and properly honor the sacrifi ces of all of our service members.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned ALLOW AMBULANCES TO BE USED FOR INJURED POLICE DOGS – NERO’S LAW (S 1606) Senate 38-0, approved legislation that would require EMS personnel to provide emergency treatment to a police dog and use an ambulance to transport the dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic or veterinary hospital if there are not people requiring emergency medical treatment or transport at that time. Sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) fi rst fi led the bill in 2019 following the tragic death of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon who was shot and killed in the line of duty. His K-9 partner Nero was severely injured and had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser. Nero survived. Montigny also cites the heartbreaking loss of the beloved K-9 Kitt of the Braintree Police Department. “K-9 offi cers protect the men and women in law enforcement as well as the community at-large,” said Montigny. “These animals endure extreme danger from gun violence, narcotics and even explosive materials. Allowing our emergency personnel to provide basic treatment and transport is a commonsense measure that honors their contributions across the commonwealth. Sgt. Gannon was a native son of New Bedford and therefore his K-9 partner Nero is part of our community’s extended family. Words cannot describe the gratitude we have for the Gannon family for their tenacious and compassionate advocacy to get this bill done.” “With Nero’s Law, we have the opportunity to save K-9 members of law enforcement where the opportunity to do so would not place a person at risk,” said Sen. Susan Moran (D-Falmouth). “K-9s are their offi cers’ partners, shields and scouts. Like Nero and Kitt, their job is to put themselves in danger to protect us, and despite the K-9’s service to our commonwealth, an archaic law stood in the way of measures that could save these valued members of law enforcement. This has gone on long enough.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned CONTINUE SESSION BEYOND 8 P.M. Senate 35-2, approved a motion to suspend Senate rules to allow the Senate session to continue beyond 8 p.m. Under Senate rules, the Senate cannot meet after 8 p.m. unless the rule is suspended. The session lasted almost three hours beyond 8 p.m. and adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Supporters of rule suspension said that the Senate has important work to fi nish on the $3.82 billion COVID relief and recovery package and should stay in session to work on it. Opponents of rule suspension said it is irresponsible for the Senate to debate and vote late at night when taxpayers are asleep. (A “Yes” vote is for meeting beyond 8 p.m. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned 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 November 8-12, the House met for a total of one hour and 24 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 12 hours and 25 minutes. Mon. Nov. 8 House 11:04 a.m. to 12:18 p.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 11:23 a.m. Tues. Nov. 9 No House session Senate 1:13 p.m. to 1:24 p.m. Wed. Nov. 10 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Senate 10:34 a.m. to 10:40 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 11 No House session No Senate session Fri. Nov. 12 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ Estate of: Date of Death: CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for of requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: of be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve on the bond in .
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