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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 27, 2025 Page 17 grappling with strained budgets, addressing long-overdue maintenance on public higher education campuses and delivering much-needed transportation solutions for communities across the commonwealth.” “As a member of the joint Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 50 - Report No. 25 June 16-20, 2025 Copyright © 2025 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved. By Bob Katzen T HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of June 16-20. $1.3 BILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION AND EDUCATION (H 4227) House 150-3, then 148-4, Senate 40-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey the conference committee version of a $1.3 billion fi scal 2025 supplemental budget that uses funds generated from the surtax imposed on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million annually, to fund $593 million for education-related projects and $716 million for transportation-related ones. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the bill and the conference committee drafted this compromise version. The surtax was created by voters in November 2022 when they voted for a constitutional amendment, dubbed by supporters as the “Fair Share Amendment,” that allows a graduated income tax in Massachusetts and imposes an additional 4 percent income tax, in addition to the fl at 5 percent one, on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million annually. Language in the constitutional amendment requires that “subject to appropriation, the revenue will go to fund quality public education, aff ordable public colleges and universities, and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation.” A total of $535 million of the $716 million for transportation will be used for various MBTA projects. Other provisions include $80 million for Chapter 90 aid to ensure every city and town receives funding to maintain local roads and bridges; $16.4 million for municipally owned small bridges and culverts; $7 million for the improvement and maintenance of unpaved roads; and $5 million for transportation improvements associated with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The $593 million for education includes $248 million for special education; $115 million for public higher education infrastructure investments; $25 million for tutoring to support accelerated literacy growth and success for students in kindergarten through grade 3; $10 million for English Language Learning Programs; $10 million to support the Holocaust Museum in Boston; and $10 million for grants to eligible local school districts for clean energy infrastructure improvements and upgrades. “Ensuring that every Massachusetts resident has access to a safe and reliable public transportation system, and that every student in the commonwealth receives a high-quality education, are two of the most fundamental responsibilities that we have as elected offi - cials,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “The investments being made in this supplemental budget are representative of the Legislature’s continued focus on meeting those responsibilities.” “In a time of national turbulence and damaging federal cuts, the conference committee has delivered a meaningful compromise that honors the will of Massachusetts voters and invests Fair Share funds equitably across Massachusetts,” said Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “This supplemental budget reflects a Senate commitment to regional equity—providing meaningful support for K-12 schools conference committee, I’m proud to have played a significant role in the process that reflects the values and priorities of communities, such as those on the South Shore that I represent,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth), Ranking Minority member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation directs historic and groundbreaking Fair Share investments toward career and technical education, local infrastructure and regional transportation, which directly benefi ts our schools, our roads and our economy.” Reps. Ken Sweezey (R-Duxbury) and Alyson Sullivan Almeida (R-Abington) cast the only two votes against the budget. They issued a joint press release citing the conference committee’s decision to withhold $80 million in Chapter 90 road funding from municipalities deemed noncompliant with the MBTA Communities Act’s zoning mandates, as the reason they voted against the budget. The MBTA Communities Act, according to the state’s website, requires that an MBTA community “must have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria” including minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; and a location not more than 1/2 mile from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station. No age restrictions can be applied and the district must be suitable for families with children Sweezey, whose district includes several non-compliant towns said, “Three of my [district’s] towns - Marshfi eld, Halifax and Hanson - are being penalized for standing by their local planning boards and residents. The conference committee claims it wants to support our communities, yet it is holding critical transportation funds hostage. That is simply not acceptable.” “I was fully prepared to support the final compromise,” said Sullivan-Almeida. “Unfortunately, the conference committee inserted a last-minute stipulation to punish non-compliant towns. This kind of maneuvering doesn’t belong in a budget that is supposed to help all our cities and towns.” Both legislators emphasized their support for the provisions in the supplemental budget that increase funding for education including regional transportation, career technical training and special education as well as provisions for public transit. However, they were clear that they could not support a bill that “leverages essential local funding to coerce compliance with a controversial zoning mandate.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it. The House voted twice on this bill so there are two votes listed for each representative.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Y e s / Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes/Yes Crighton Yes $532 MILLION FISCAL 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (S 2529) Senate 38-2, approved a $532 million fi scal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $174 million for fi scally strained acute care hospitals and $35 million for community health centers facing fi nancial challenges. The House has already approved a diff erent version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually draft a compromise version. Other provisions in the Senate version include $134 million for the Medical Assistance Trust Fund; $400,000 for Women Infants and Children Program Manufacturer Rebates; $60 million for Home Care Services; $35 million for payments to fi scally strained community health centers; $42.9 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition; $4.2 million for the State Police Crime Laboratory; and $60 million for Home Care Services. “Massachusetts has a healthcare ecosystem that is the envy of other states, and that doesn’t happen by accident,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “SupportSen. Brendan ing every resident is part of what it means to be a leader in healthcare access. This funding will help our hospitals and community health centers provide high-quality care in every region, no matter a patient’s insurance status, as well as provide critical services to our veterans, seniors and municipalities.” “The Senate took action today on reconciling defi ciencies of $532 million in the fi scal year 2025 budget, most notably providing $209 million in critical assistance to fi scally strained acute care hospitals and community health centers,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The bill also allocates $134 million to the Medical Assistance Trust Fund, with the remaining $189 million to responsible bill-paying obligations across a broad range of state agencies and programs. We’re fortunate that the commonwealth is in strong fi nancial condition to meet these responsibilities, never more important than now in these continuing uncertain times.” “My primary reason for voting no on this supplemental budget is that it includes a policy initiative allowing electric utility providers to increase rates to seemingly expand electric charging stations, and does so without requiring a response from the Department of Public Utility which oversees these rate hikes,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “When the fi nal bill is negotiated, I hope this is removed, thus allowing me to support it. Rate payers are being hit every which way, and I simply will not support more cost increases on families for higher electric rates, or subsidies for electric vehicle infrastructure when the market doesn’t support it.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $532 million supplemental budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes UTILITY RATE INCREASES (S 2529) Senate 6-33, rejected an amendment that would strike a section of the supplemental budget that would allow any BEACON | SEE PAGE 18

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