Page 18 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 Caucus and needs to look in the mirror when caucus members may not be inclined to back him. I would also point out there were roll call requests we did not get because Rep. Lombardo wasn’t in the chamber himself.” Lombardo denied that he wasn’t in the chamber to request roll call votes on any of Jones’ amendments. He said, “Even after Jones coordinated to ensure no roll calls [on my amendments], I stood for his request for roll calls immediately after.” Lombardo continued in response to Frost’s criticism. “I would note that I e-mailed the entire [Republican] caucus Sunday night telling them of my amendments and request for roll calls,” Lombardo said. “I wasn’t at [the Republican caucus] as I was hosting three Billerica High School State Championship teams. Paul Frost is paid handsomely to blindly defend Republican Manager Jones. Both are truly institutionalized and work for the uni-party. I wish him luck as he goes back to his district and explains his vote in favor of a $5 million legal defense fund for illegal immigrants.” There were 15 GOP members who did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call. They are Reps. Donald Berthiaume (R- Spencer); Michael Chaisson (R-Foxboro); Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden); Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk); Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury); John Marsi (R-Dudley); David Muradian (R-Grafton); Norman Orrall (R-Lakeville); Todd Smola (R-Warren); Michael Soter (R-Bellingham); Alyson Sullivan-Almeida (R-Abington); Marcus Vaughn (R-Wrentham); David Vieira (R-Falmouth); Donald Wong (R-Saugus); and Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). Jones himself did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call’s request to comment on the entire situation. However, he spoke to reporters following the incident. “I’m not going to go waste my time working with people who just want to kick me,” said Jones. “It’s kind of human nature. It’s not Republican, not Democrat … it’s just human nature. [Rep. Lombardo] is obviously still hurting over the fact that he got smoked [in the election for minority leader].” Jones noted that in January he appointed Lombardo and Lombardo supporter Rep. Nick Boldyga to the Revenue Committee because he knew taxes were an “important issue to them, as evidenced by the amendments that they filed.” “They’ve never shown up to the Revenue Committee, as has been told to me by both my staff as well as others,” Jones said. “I think there’s also an element within the caucus that, I will say includes me, that you’ve seen some of the tweets and X comments both during the leadership fight and since then that, I think, frankly, people are tired of and don’t think it’s particularly productive and constructive.” Lombardo responded, “Jones is upset that he has been exposed as an institutionalized member who serves the Beacon Hill machine and not the taxpayers and he’ll say anything to distract from that truth being understood by the public. Jones failed to act like the Republican leader by holding the Democrats accountable for roll calls on important tax policy, received immediate backlash from the public, and is desperately trying to justify his conspiring with the Democrats.” HIRING FREEZE - Gov. Maura Healey announced that she will be implementing a hiring freeze across the Executive Branch, beMEMORIAL DAY | FROM PAGE 2 ibles recruited by Guy Moley, the man behind local charity car shows. WIN Waste Innovations, with their new electric trash truck, will be leading the parade, according to Castinetti. “They [WIN] are our major sponsor, and they help keep this parade alive every year,” Castinetti said. “We want to thank them for their continued contribution,” he said. Other highlights of this year’s parade and ceremony include: • Saugus residents who are unable to get down to watch the parade in person can listen to it live on the radio. WMEX 1510 AM out of Quincy will broadcast the parade and ceremony at Riverside Cemetery for the second consecutive year. • Todd Angilly, the voice of the National Anthem for Boston Bruins hockey games, will sing at the cemetery ceremony. • Four Junior ROTC units will participate: Lynn English High School, Beverly High School, Peabody High School and Salem High School. • Saugus TV Studio Associate John Prudent has again preTHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 ginning May 27, in response to “widespread economic uncertainty at the national level and a tightening state budget outlook for fiscal year 2026.” The Healey Administration said that the hiring freeze will apply to all Executive Branch agencies and departments and there will be no formal waiver process. However, consistent with common practice during past hiring freezes, exemptions will be made for certain positions, including public safety officers and direct care providers. “The people of Massachusetts expect us to protect and maximize their tax dollars and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Gov. Healey. “Tariffs and funding cuts from Washington are causing so much economic damage and instability. We are taking this step to prepare for more uncertain economic times, protect taxpayer dollars and move our state forward while ensuring funding will be available for the vital services people need.” “As we navigate the close of fiscal year 2025 and prepare for the start of the new fiscal year in July, the governor’s action to implement a hiring freeze across the executive branch will give us added flexibility in the budget to respond and react to unforeseen program needs and other deficiencies that may arise,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. “Our uncertain economic future in fiscal year 2026 has been made less predictable by the threat of federal funding cuts and recent market upheaval. While we hope for the best, it is both prudent and responsible to be prepared and take control of what we can now.” The Republican State Committee responded and released a statement saying that In January 2024, Gov. Healey gave each of pared a special Memorial Day video capturing Saugus veterans, which will be displayed on the truck during the parade. There will also be a special video played later in the cemetery. • The Saugus High School her 12 cabinet members a $15,000 pay hike, at the same time slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from elsewhere in the state budget. They noted that those cuts hit services for seniors, homeless shelters and local earmarks. “One year ago, Maura Healey used the winter holiday break to play Santa, dumping the news that she’s rewarding the good little boys and girls of her administration with pay raises for their ‘tireless’ work ethic,” said MassGOP Executive Director John Milligan. “She hopes her tone deaf pay hikes for political friends go unnoticed when she can’t make ends meet in her budget without more taxes, but the MassGOP won’t let voters forget what she likes to do with their money when she has extra cash to play with.” SWITCH SCHOOL BUSES FROM DIESEL TO ELECTRIC (S 2241) – The Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee held a hearing on a bill that would establish a grant program run by the Department of Energy Resources to help cities and towns offset the cost difference between buying zero-emission electric school buses and traditional diesel-powered ones. The grant program would prioritize support for communities in which the median household income is below the state’s median income or where the 5-year average rate of emergency department visits for childhood asthmas is greater than the state’s 5-year average rate. “Most of our school busses still run on diesel, which pollutes the air, contributes to climate change, and exposes children to harmful emissions every day, especially when buses idle outside schools,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “While zero-emission buses are more expensive up front, this legislation Marching Band and the McGann Marching Band will be in the parade. • The Stuart Highlanders Pipe Band, of Wilmington, will be leading the veterans marchers. • There will be several local organizations and clubs joinhelps close that gap so more communities can make the switch. It’s about giving every child access to safer, healthier transportation and making real progress toward cleaner air.” SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND HIV STATUS (H 776) – The Elder Affairs Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would amend current state law under which the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, signed by the late President Lyndon Johnson, offers social and nutrition services for seniors over 60 years old. Under current law, the state administers the Act using two definitions: “greatest economic need” and “greatest social need.” The bill would add sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status to the definition of “greatest social need.” Seniors within these groups would be eligible for aid from the government for food, disease prevention, community-based services, elder rights programs and other forms of assistance. “Our seniors deserve a safe and affirming environment regardless of HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “[The bill] is a critical step to include those in critical at-risk populations to be eligible for aide ensuring that the quality of care and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals is preserved and protected. We cannot rest on our laurels. These inequalities need to be addressed to end discriminatory practices and policies.” AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AIRS SEVEAL BILLS - The Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on several bills including: SAFETY OF FOOD AND FOOD BEACON | SEE PAGE 19 ing the parade with individual floats. The Broco Oil truck also plans to be part of the procession. • The Hingham Militia, dressed in period uniforms and accompanied by its rifle squad, will also participate.
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