Page 16 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards By Bob Katzen If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562 GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – 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’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. 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: https:// lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/ aPTLucK THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes from recent sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. CREATE COMMISSION TO EXAMINE CURRENT EMERGENCY SHELTER SYSTEM (S 5250) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment creating a bipartisan commission to study and make recommendations by March 1, 2024 on the fi nancial impact and sustainability of the state’s current emergency shelter system and the various supports that are currently off ered to individuals and families. “Our state’s emergency shelter program was simply never meant to handle the number of individuals that it is PETS | FROM Page 5 Keep the following holiday foods away from pets: • Turkey trimmings: Ensure proper disposal of turkey trimmings, including the trussing string, which might attract curious pets and lead to ingestion, potentially causing health issues. • Turkey skin: Consumption of turkey skin can trigger life-threatening infl ammation of the pancreas, resulting in enzyme malfunctions that digest the pancreas. • Meat with bones: Sharp bone fragments in meat can cause mouth, stomach and intestinal injuries, potentially leading to life-threatening infections. • Alcohol: Alcohol poisoning symptoms can appear quickly. The higher the alcohol proof, the higher the risk. Be cautious of alcohol-containing foods like rum-soaked cake and raw bread dough with yeast. In addition, dogs and cats often will investigate and sometimes drink glasshousing today and we need to take a hard look at the fi nancial stability of our emergency housing assistance program, and the impact it is having on our municipalities and commonwealth as a whole,” said amendment sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld). “Otherwise, we will soon be faced with some very diffi cult decisions on other funding priorities that we value so much. In the absence of federal action, we need to have an honest conversation about these growing costs and what our off -ramp, if any, is going to be. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes REQUIRE PRICING DATA (S 2499) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment to a section of a drug price reform bill. A section of the bill gives the state’s Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA’s) the option to fine pharmaceutical companies up to $2,000 per week if they do not submit drug pricing data by a certain deadline. The amendment would require CHIA to fi ne the companies. “For far too long, the pharmaceutical industry has exploited taxpayers, patients and the government through insidious lobbying tactics that have prevented any meaningful price control for decades,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “The industry has fought every common-sense cost-saving policy I have sponsored for over 20 years, ranging from bulk purchasing to simple price transparency.” es of alcoholic beverages that are left unattended at large gatherings. • Raisins, grapes and currants: Found in various holiday treats like fruit cakes, cookies and breads; ingestion can lead to kidney damage or life-threatening kidney failure. • Chocolate: Baking, semisweet and dark chocolate are most harmful. Chocolate contains theobromine and caff eine, both toxic to pets. • Onions, garlic and chives: These are common ingredients in holiday dishes. Small amounts can lead to severe health complications, including anemia and organ damage. • Artifi cial sweeteners: Xylitol can take the place of sugar in some desserts but is toxic to dogs even in small amounts and can cause low blood sugar, seizures and liver failure. Holiday foods on the nice list: Dr. Coronado recommends the following safe food options to share with your pets this holiday season: Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL 2024 BALLOT QUESTION – Campaigns to put questions on the November 2024 ballot had until November 22 to collect and fi le with local city and towns clerks the 74,574 signatures necessary to take the next step toward getting their proposals on the November 2024 ballot. The next step is for supporters to fi le the signatures, following certifi cation by local offi cials, 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. Several proposals seem poised to get the 74,574 signatures although nothing is offi cial yet. The proposed laws include ones to change the rights and benefi ts for on-demand drivers like Uber and Lyft; permit the state auditor’s offi ce to audit the Legislature; 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 to treat mental health disorders including major depressive disorder and substance abuse; 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 math, science and technology and English FREE PHONE CALLS FOR PRISONERS (S 4502) – Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill that beginning • Unseasoned, cooked turkey (without skin or bones) • Steamed or mashed sweet potatoes (plain) • Canned pumpkin (not pie mix or seeds) • Unseasoned, grilled or canned salmon (no bones) • Steamed, chopped green beans (plain) Recognizing signs of harmful ingestion: Some of the common symptoms that your pet has ingested something harmful include: • Gastrointestinal issues: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. • Behavioral changes: lethargy, depression and weakness. In severe cases, pets might display elevated heart and respiratory rates, pale gums or loss of consciousness. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home as it can be diffi cult and unsafe. When to seek veterinary care: Pet owners are advised to act promptly if they witness or suspect their pet has ingested something toxic. Call your veterinaron December 1, 2023, will provide free phone calls and video calls for all prisoners in Massachusetts. Currently there is no legal requirement for free phone calls in correctional facilities. Each facility contracts separately for telephone service. “Ensuring that individuals in state and county prisons can keep in contact with their loved ones is key to enhancing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and improving community safety,” Healey said. “I’m proud to sign this important legislation.” “Providing free phone calls in Massachusetts prisons and jails has been a longstanding priority of mine and I am thrilled to see the commonwealth recognize the importance of keeping families connected by codifying this reform into law,” said Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “By eliminating these excessive fees, we are helping families during an already traumatizing period of separation, improving public safety outcomes by reducing recidivism, and ultimately ending a regressive and outdated policy.” At the time the Legislature approved the bill on November 8, Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) who opposed the measure said, “Every law abiding citizen that has a job and works 40 plus hours a week has to pay for phone calls. Why are criminals entitled to free phone calls? It’s completely ridiculous and absurd that Democrats are giving free anything to criminals. Criminals and their families should be paying for their phone calls, not taxpayers.” DWARFISM AWARENESS DAY (H 3044) – On November 20, the House gave initial approval to a bill that would make October 25th Dwarfi sm Awareness Day in the Bay State. The legislation would not apply until October 25, 2024 since October 25, 2023 has already come and gone. Despite repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call, sponsor Rep. Jim ian immediately or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Early intervention and decontamination can prevent life-threatening complications. “Most pet emergencies that take place during the holidays involve the ingestion of turkey bones,” said Dr. Coronado. “It could be too late if you wait until your pet shows symptoms. If you plan to take your pet with you when you travel over the holidays, determine ahead of time where you could take your pet if they need immediate veterinary care.” Veterinary care during the holidays: When seeking veterinary attention for your pet over the holidays, Dr. Coronado recommends: • Advance communication: Contact your local veterinary urgent care or emergency hospital ahead of time. Inform them of the nature of your pet’s emergency and your estimated arrival time. • Patience: Due to increased holiday emergencies, some hospitals might experience longer wait times. Emotions can run Hawkins (D-Attleboro) failed to respond to requests asking him to comment on his proposal. In the 2021-2022 session, the bill was approved by the House but died in the Senate. At that time, Hawkins, a retired teacher from Attleboro High School, said he fi led the measure after a request by former student Vicki Ziniti who has dwarfi sm. “She has organized an advocacy group of people with dwarfi sm and asked me about the possibility for ‘National Dwarfi sm Day’ in the commonwealth,” said Hawkins. Since graduating, Vicki has gotten her teaching certification and is a classroom teacher so you know we were excited to fi le this legislation and advocate for its passage.” Supporters say that around the world people with dwarfi sm face social and physical barriers. They note that October 25 was chosen as the day for Dwarfi sm Awareness Day because it was the birthday of Billy Barty who was an American actor who had dwarfi sm, and in 1957 set up Little People of America—an organization that supports people with dwarfism as well as raising awareness about the issue. DOXING (S 1116, H 1707 and S 971) – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills that would make doxing illegal in Massachusetts. One of the measures defi nes doxing as “the knowing disclosure of personal identifying information of a person without that person’s consent that is intended to cause stalking, physical harm to person, or serious property damage, or to cause the person about whom the information pertains to reasonably fear for the physical safety of themselves or a close relation.” “We are living in a time when a truly alarming amount of hate is being directed at individuals and marginalBEACON | SEE Page 19 high during an emergency. Be patient with the staff . They are doing their best to accommodate everyone. About Thrive Pet Healthcare: Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service network that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-fi rst membership program and over 350 acute, primary and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefi ts for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit www.thrivepetcare.com.
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