THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 21, 2025 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 changes are made to further restrict access to the system, even as we have not seen any cost savings by prior access restriction changes, perhaps because those further imposed rules and restrictions raise administrative costs. The Inspector General and his team are trained experts in this type of work, and it is squarely within their jurisdiction to do the work described in this amendment.” Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) said the Inspector General’s office is an independent body not beholden to the Legislature and already has the power to inspect any state agency. He said that it is not the role of the Legislature to direct the Inspector General on what to inspect. (A “Yes” vote is for requiring the review. A “No” vote is against requiring it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No INVESTIGATE SECURITY LAPSES AND SHORTCOMINGS (S 15) Senate 6-32, rejected an amendment that would require the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight to investigate the emergency housing assistance program’s security lapses and shortcomings which amendment supporters say have compromised public safety, health and security. “There are still so many unanswered questions about the emergency shelter system,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “We still don’t have answers on the process to admit families into shelters, where money is being spent and how public safety issues are addressed. The purpose of the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight is to audit the performance of legislative programs, like the emergency shelter system. This amendment would have provided transparency to both the Legislature and the public and it is unfortunate that it was not passed.” Amendment opponents said it’s not the job of senators to direct a Senate committee on how to do its job. They noted that the bill itself already makes safety reform a priority and includes background checks. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No ADOPT JOINT HOUSE-SENATE RULES FOR 2025-2026 SES“This comprehensive rule proposal was a collaborative effort that makes the work we do here in the Senate more transparent, more efficient and respectful to the needs of members and residents,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules. “We are proud of the Senate’s work, and we want people to know what is going on in The People’s House. These measures take meaningful steps towards a more transparent Legislature and allow for more access to information by members of the public about our work, including easier participation.” (A “Yes” vote is for the rules package.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes MORE TIME TO READ CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BILLS (S 15) Senate 5-33, rejected an amendment that would allow members 48 hours to read the conference committee version of a bill. A conference version of SION (S 15) Senate 39-0, adopted and sent to the House for consideration joint House-Senate rules for the 2025-2026 session. Provisions include increasing the time for notifying the public about joint committee hearings from 72 hours to five days; requiring that all first meetings of a conference committee be open to the public and media; requiring at least one full day between a conference committee report filing and a legislative vote on the report; requiring sponsors of all bills to submit bill summaries which must be made publicly available alongside the bill text; changing the name of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to the Committee on Climate, Utilities and Energy; the Committee on Elder Affairs to the Committee on Aging and Independence; and the Committee on Agriculture to the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries. “These changes would provide more opportunity to residents to participate in the Legislature’s work, encourage greater insight into bills being considered by the Legislature and provide more transparency on legislators’ positions on issues that impact Massachusetts residents,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). a bill is the compromise version that is hammered out by a joint House-Senate committee when the House and Senate approve different versions of legislation. “I voted for this amendment … because it ensures that both the appointed conference committee members and the public have sufficient time to understand and evaluate complex bills before they are voted on,” said Sen. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton). “By setting a clear deadline and allowing more time to analyze the final conference report, this change promotes transparency to the public and helps prevent the Legislature from acting without proper deliberation and input from our communities.” Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the defeat of his amendment. Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said the bill itself already allows one calendar day for members to read a conference committee bill and argued that it is a sufficient amount of time. (A “Yes” vote is for the 48 hours. A “No” vote is against the 48 hours.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No REQUIRE ROLL CALL ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BILLS (S 15) Senate 9-29, rejected an amendment that would require that a roll call vote be held on all conference committee versions of a bill. “Constituents frequently ask how I have voted on major bills and how my colleagues have voted,” said amendment sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) “This amendment sought to ensure the people we represent know how we vote on important matters like conference committee reports.” Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said this new rule is not necessary because members already have the opportunity to ask for a roll call vote when a conference committee bill comes before the Senate for a vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment requiring a roll call vote. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No Portal To Hope (“PTH”) serves people whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence and related assault crimes. Job Opportunities Available: PTH is seeking a Victim Advocate and a Licensed Social Worker to join our team! If you would like to join PTH’s award-winning team and share your leadership in the cause to end domestic violence, please call (781) 338-7678 for more information; or, email portaltohope@aol.com. EXPAND CONFLICT OF INTEREST BAN (S 15) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment to a rule that would prohibit legislators from purchasing, directly or indirectly, the stock or other securities of any corporation or association, knowing that there is pending before the Legislature any measure specially “granting the corporation or association any immunity, exemption, privilege or benefit or any measure providing for the creation of, or directly affecting any, contractual relations between the corporation or association and the state.” The amendment would expand the ban to include any immediate family member of a legislator. “Public service needs to be as far removed from unfair financial incentives and advantages as possible,” said amendment sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “The commonwealth already prohibits legislators from buying stock based on the information they learn through their work at the Statehouse, but this amendment, which the Senate adopted on a unanimous roll call vote, will also prohibit legislators using this information to sell stock and will restrict their family members from making similar financial transactions based on knowledge legislators have gained as a result of their positions.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment expanding the ban to apply to immediate family members.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL BEACON | SEE PAGE 19
18 Publizr Home