THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 10, 2019 Sen. Brendan Crighton 0 percent Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. Hey, Beacon Hill Roll Call Readers: Keep your eyes on the 2019 Legislature and the rough and tumble political scene in the Bay State with something that you will read every weekday morning. It’s MASSTERLIST! AND IT’S FREE! More than 17,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, start their morning with a FREE COPY of MASSterList! MASSterList is a daily ensemble of news and commentary about the Legislature, Politics, Media and Judiciary of Massachusetts drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced editor Jay Fitzgerald. Jay introduces each article in his own clever and never-boring, inimitable way. Go to: www.massterlist.com/subscribe, type in your email address and in 15 seconds you will be signed up for a subscription. INTEREST GROUPS RATE YOUR LEGISLATORS - This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call continues its series that looks at the ratings senators and representatives received from interest groups which measured legislators’ support or opposition to the group’s legislative agenda in the 2017, 2018 and/or 2019 session. This week’s report features the scores received from the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, Associated Industries of Massachusetts and Progressive Massachusetts. MASS FISCAL ALLIANCE - 2017 AND 2018 Statement from MFA: The MFA is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life in Massachusetts by advocating for fiscal responsibility through right of center economic, fiscal and good government solutions. As a non-profit organization, our primary focus is to promote social welfare. As residents of Massachusetts, we are concerned for our fiscal future. “MFA advocates for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in state government and increased economic opportunity for the people of our commonwealth,” said Paul Craney, Executive Director of the MFA. Key to ratings: The MFA scores each legislator based on key votes (269 for the House, 271 for the Senate) on issues selected to demonstrate their commitment to government transparency, holding the line on taxes and supporting small business. More details on the scorecard are at https://massfiscalscorecard.org/ Choose 190th session from the drop-down box Here is the percentage of time local representatives and senators voted with the MFA in 2017 and 2018. Rep. RoseLee Vincent 0 percent Rep. Donald Wong 68 percent JEWISH LIFECARE | from page 15 dramatic $16 million renovation. The new building reflects a legacy Green House® skilled nursing model. This concept sets the stage for a new level of care in senior housing. “We came back to the home atmosphere that our founder, Mrs. Goldberg, originally had in mind,” said Chelsea Jewish Lifecare President Adam Berman. “What’s so unique about our model is that we’ve combined contemporary design elements with the traditional concept of making one’s home as warm and inviting as possible.” On April 28, employees, residents, families, friends and Leonard Florence Center for Living ALS & MS residents Terry Halliday (red), Megin Hemmerling and Nancy Milewska community members came together to celebrate the 100th MASS FISCAL ALLIANCE - JANUARY 2019 TO APRIL 2019 Key to ratings: The MFA scores each legislator based on key votes (14 for the House, six for the Senate) for the first four months of the 2019-2020 session. More details on the scorecard are at https://massfiscalscorecard.org/ Choose 191st session from the drop-down box. Here is the percentage of time local representatives and senators voted with the MFA so far in 2019. Rep. RoseLee Vincent 0 percent Rep. Donald Wong 86 percent Sen. Brendan Crighton 33 percent ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF MASSACHUSETTS (AIM) – 2018 and 2019 RATINGS Statement from AIM: Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) is the pre-eminent statewide employer association, serving the needs of all types of employers through public-policy advocacy, resources and community. AIM supports public policy that creates economic opportunity and job growth. We are a professional statewide lobbying organization with the unique size, influence, respect and professional talent to shape the economic future of Massachusetts. AIM saves every employer in Massachusetts an average of $2,000 per employee per year through its role as the premier voice of business. “The AIM Legislative Scorecard ensures that the organization’s 3,500 member employers know each legislator’s record on key economic and publicpolicy issues,” said Richard Lord, President and CEO of AIM. “The document also recognizes lawmakers who understand the importance of a vibrant economy for all residents.” Key to ratings: AIM: scores each legislator based on key votes (five for the House, eight for the Senate) on issues ranging from energy to anniversary of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. Governor Charlie Baker recognized this momentous day by issuing a Citation in Page 19 economic development. More details can be found on the scorecard are at https://votesmart.org/interestgroup/1846/ rating/11081#.XMnFoOhKhPa Here is the percentage of time local representatives and senators voted with AIM in 2017 and 2018. Rep. RoseLee Vincent 60 percent Rep. Donald Wong 100 percent Sen. Brendan Crighton 38 percent PROGRESSIVE MASSACHUSETTS Statement from Progressive Massachusetts: “Progressive Massachusetts is a statewide, member-driven grassroots organization built from the ground up by organizers and activists from across Massachusetts to advocate for progressive policy. Progressive Mass advocates for a Massachusetts where social, racial, and economic justice; environmental sustainability; health care as a right; equal access to quality public services; respect for all residents; and accountable and transparent government are given top priority. Its chapters and members around the state work to hold all elected officials accountable to progressive values.” “Since its founding, Progressive Mass has been devoted to shining a light on the Statehouse and organizing to hold all elected officials accountable to the progressive ideals that are cherished throughout the commonwealth,” said Jonathan Cohn, chair of the Issues Committee at Progressive Massachusetts. “Given our state’s liberal reputation, many people think that everything is fine here at home, but Massachusetts has high inequality and lags behind other states from immigrants’ rights to voting rights to climate action.” Key to ratings: Progressive Massachusetts scores each legislator based on 43 votes in the House and 66 in the Senate. More details on the scorecard are at https://scorecard.progressivemass.com/ Here is the percenthonor of this special anniversary. Amidst dinner, dancing and emotional speeches, attendees viewed a slide show with over 200 photos spanning the last 100 years. A highlight of the age of time local representatives and senators voted with Progressive Massachusetts: Rep. RoseLee Vincent 74 percent Rep. Donald Wong 40 percent Sen. Brendan Crighton Not yet a senator 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 filed. 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 April 29-May 3, the House met for a total of one hour and 40 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and 37 minutes. MON. APRIL 29 House 10:03 a.m. to 11:18 a.m. Senate 11:06 a.m. to 11:16 a.m. TUES. APRIL 30 No House session No Senate session WED. MAY 1 No House session No Senate session THURS. MAY 2 House 11:04 a.m. to 12:29 p.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 12:36 p.m. FRI. MAY 3\ No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com event was a heartfelt tribute to the 49 staff members who have worked at the organization for 25 years or more. JEWISH LIFECARE | SEE PAGE 21
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