Page 16 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2025 BHRC | FROM Page 15 (D-Franklin). “It will remove the statute of repose on tort claims arising from latent diseases, while also applying retroactively to allow any person who has been aff ected prior to enactment to bring an action to recover damages. The state’s Supreme Judicial Court has encouraged us to do so by stating the following in its opinion: ‘The plaintiff s point out that a number of other state legislatures have eff ectively exempted asbestos-related illnesses from their respective statutes of repose concerning improvements to real property. We encourage our Legislature to consider doing the same should it determine that such an exception is consonant with the commonwealth’s public policy.’” GIVE VETERANS AN EXTRA 5 POINTS ON TEACHER LICENSING EXAMS (H 570) — The Education Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would give veterans an extra 5 points on the education licensing exam which must be taken by anyone applying for a teacher’s license. “[The bill] recognizes the leadership, discipline and real-world experience veterans bring to our classrooms and helps remove barriers as they transition into civilian careers, all while strengthening our pipeline of qualified teachers,” said sponsor Rep. Michael Finn (D- West Springfi eld.) PROVIDE FUNDS TO TEACHERS WHO PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES ONLINE (H 675/S 448) — Another bill heard by the Education Committee would create a School Supplies for Teachers Program to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible teachers who purchase school supplies online, for their students or themselves, and pay out of their own pocket. Supplyateacher.org, a national nonprofit that provides teachers with a semester’s worth of essential school supplies, says that 93 percent of teachers nationwide spend their own money on classroom supplies. According to their website, the group gives each teacher two large boxes fi lled with enough core school supplies to last for at least one semester. They note that pencils, pencil pouches, folders, notebooks, sharpeners, erasers, rulers and pens are included in every box and that additional items are included based on grade level, such as crayons and markers for younger grades, and highlighters and colored pencils for older students. Supporters of the bill say it is outrageous that teachers, many of whom are underpaid, are forced to buy supplies that the schools should be supplying. Sen. Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury), the Senate sponsor of the bill and House sponsor Rep. Ed Philips (D-Sharon) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they sponsored the bill. ESTABLISH MINIMUM PAY FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS (H 580) — The Education Committee’s hearing also included legislation that would require public schools to pay substitute teachers 85 percent of what schools pay a beginning teacher who holds a bachelor’s degree; or the state’s current $15 per hour minimum wage — whichever is greater. The salary of the substitute teacher would be calculated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, using the latest data available. The bill would not apply to substitute teachers represented in a bargaining unit in the school district which employes them. Supporters say that schools need quality substitute teachers to operate. They argue that substitute teachers are underpaid despite serving an important purpose in elementary and secondary school across the state. The sponsor of the measure is Rep. Bill Galvin (D-Canton), who was fi rst elected to the House in 1990 and is now serving his 36th year in the House. He did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he fi led the bill and why he wants the Legislature to approve it. QUOTABLE QUOTES “For so many residents, life and fi nances get in the way of completing a credential. This pilot brings residents guidance and support to return to college, grow their skills and complete the degree they once started.” ---Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler announcing a new pilot program to re-engage some 766,000 students who previously began, but did not complete, degrees and certifi cates at the state’s public colleges and universities. The program includes direct student outreach and coaching provided by ReUp Education at six institutions: Bunker Hill Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Greenfi eld Community College, MassBay Community College, Fitchburg State University and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. “As co-chair of the state’s STEM Advisory Council, I’m particularly thrilled to see this recognition go to a science teacher. Dr. Goodhue’s partnerships with local organizations and her ability to show students the science in their everyday surroundings are a great example of the work happening in Massachusetts schools.” ---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announcing that Tara Goodhue, the science department head at Lowell High School, is the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. “This year, we have watched the federal government launch deliberate and unprecedented attacks on trusted charitable organizations and programs that provide essential services to our most vulnerable residents. As we enter this holiday season, I want to remind residents that your generosity is more important than ever — and so is your vigilance. I advise everyone to review my office’s guidance on charitable giving, so that your generosity reaches those who need it most and strengthens the communities that rely on it.” ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell urging people to fi nd guidance on charitable giving by going to https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ giving-wisely-to-charity. “By bidding in the auction or making a donation, you’re driving with purpose — helping ensure continued, critical funding for the highly trained teams who rescue whales and sea turtles,”? ---Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) Program Manager Kim Tilas announcing the December 1-15 upcoming auction of low-number Right Whale and Roseate Terns license plates as part of its Marine Mammal Conservation Campaign. The auction features 25 low-number WHALE plates, including #2, #6, #88, #617 and more. Sign up at https://e.givesmart. com/events/Mcd/ or by texting “Right” to 76278. 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 December 1-5, the House met for a total of 46 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 17 minutes. Mon. Dec. 1 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:34 a.m. Senate 11:24 a.m. to 11:36 a.m. Tues. Dec. 2 No House session. No Senate session. Wed. Dec. 3 No House session. No Senate session. Thurs. Dec. 4 House 10:00 a.m. to 10:14 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 11:19 a.m. Fri. Dec. 5 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.
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