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Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2022 BHRC | FROM PAGE 15 for dead. As a product of public housing and a longtime renter, this makes me question our priorities. While I recognize there’s a compelling case in support of legalized sports betting and didn’t want to kill the bill, I can’t help but feel uncomfortable at how gambling was a “must do” this session but so many other urgent issues were either lesser priorities or ignored entirely.” “Massachusetts residents are passionate about their sports. This legislation will allow fans to bet on their favorite teams but do so in a regulated manner that promotes responsible gaming, while bringing in millions of dollars of revenue that has been going to our neighboring states or to illegal online operators and bookies,” said Rep. Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly), House Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “For those who are vulnerable to gambling addiction and their families, the legalization of sports betting and the coming onslaught of gambling-related advertising will have devastating consequences,” said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton). “And for everyone else, sports betting still amounts to a regressive tax— one that will redistribute wealth from working people to the biggest players in the gambling industry. I’m also concerned about the eff ect that this law will have on amateur college athletes, who will face additional scrutiny, pressure, and temptation. Higher education leaders in the commonwealth have been clear that allowing wagering on collegiate contests will harm student athletes.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against the bill). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS (H 5104) House 153-0, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Baker a bill that would accelerate improvements to local and regional public health systems across the state to address disparities in public health services by requiring the Department of Public Health to enshrine a set of standards for foundational public health services. The measure creates minimum public health standards for every city and town; incentivizes municipalities to share services; creates a uniform data collection and dedicates state funding to support local boards of health and health departments. “With the passage of this legislation, a person’s zip code will no longer determine the public health protections that they are aff orded and local public health offi cials will have the resources they need to do their jobs,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “All residents should be able to expect high-quality public health services regardless of where they live,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation puts into practice the lessons learned during the pandemic by increasing support for local boards of public health and ensuring that all communities in the commonwealth are well prepared to respond to public health challenges.” “The Legislature has focused on public health in a comprehensive, deliberative process since 2015 with the establishment of a special commission,” said House sponsor Rep. Denise Garlick (D-Needham). “The Special Commission’s 2019 report exposed the fractures in local public health, and the covid public health crisis only magnifi ed those inequities. The bill provides the tools and direction to move local and regional public health forward.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes SOLDIERS’ HOMES OVERSIGHT BILL (H 5106) House 153-0, Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the governor a bill that would make major changes to the oversight and governance structure of the state’s veterans’ homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. The proposal follows the deaths of 77 veteran residents in 2020 as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke facility. A key provision would elevate the Department of Veterans Services to a cabinet-level executive offi ce with direct reporting to the governor and the ability to hire and fi re superintendents. Other provisions include requiring superintendents of the two soldiers’ homes to be licensed as nursing home administrators and that they oversee day-to-day management and operation of the homes; requiring two annual home inspections by the Department of Health; creating an independent Offi ce of the Veteran Advocate; maintaining local Board of Trustees and creating a statewide advisory Veterans’ Home Council. “This legislation contains important improvements that will benefi t the men and women who have served our nation and will reside at our commonwealth’s Veterans’ Homes for the years to come,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld). “At the same time, we know that this work must continue. The working group established will allow us to have oversight over this implementation, to identify what we need to improve on further, and to continue to work to ensure that the tragedy that took place at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home never happens again.” “The Senate has been clear that we must rethink how we deliver care to veterans of every generation across Massachusetts and ensure that our veterans are connected to their communities,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are mindful that issues and circumstances may arise that compel additional thought, reassessment and legislative action and that work will continue. To that end, I am creating a Senate working group, chaired by Sen. John Velis, to review implementation of this important bill, identify and act on issues that may arise requiring additional legislation, and work with the administration to ensure the reforms contained within are implemented as the Legislature intended.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes BENEFITS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES (S 3075) House 153-0, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Baker legislation that would support military families who relocate to the Bay State by providing career stability for the spouses of service members and education for their children. Provisions include making it easier for military personnel and their spouses who move to the Bay State to get a Massachusetts professional license, if their job requires one, so that they can continue their civilian careers and provide for their families without interruption; requiring the Commissioner of Education to issue a military spouse a valid certifi cate for teaching if he or she holds a valid teaching license from another state; allowing children of military members to register and enroll in a school district at the same time it is open to the general population by waiving the proof of residency requirement until the student actually begins school; creating a purple-star campus designation for certain schools that are military-kid friendly and show a major commitment to students and families connected to the nation’s military; and requiring that a child or spouse of an active-duty service member in Massachusetts continue to pay the in-state, less expensive tuition rate at state universities even if the service member is assigned to move out of the state. “Our veterans are the best and bravest among us, and while we can never truly repay them for their service to this country, veterans are more than deserving of continued support from those in public offi ce,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud that today, with the best interest of our veterans in mind, the Legislature passed legislation that responds to immediate needs in the veteran community such as access to school enrollment for military families that have recently relocated to Massachusetts, and that establishes health education awareness programs and additional acknowledgements of military service, among other provisions.” “The [bill] is a momentous piece of legislation that that will improve the lives of every single service-member, veteran and military family member who resides in our state, now and in the future,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld), the Senate Chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Aff airs. “The legislation supports our military families in their transition to Massachusetts, introduces new benefi ts and services for veterans and National Guard members, and expands the ways our commonwealth recognizes the sacrifi ces of those who have served.” “The Legislature has made veterans issues a priority from the start of the session,” said Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), House Chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Aff airs. “ It’s a great honor to chair the Veterans Committee and bring a great deal of pride to the House as we continue the commonwealth’s long history of recognizing veterans and their families.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes $11.3 BILLION TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE (H 5151) House 153-0, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the governor an $11.3 billion transportation and infrastructure package that includes $1.375 billion for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) modernization and $1.27 billion for non-federally aided roads and bridges. Other provisions include $114 million for airport improvements; $25 million for municipal road pavement improvements; $20 million for municipalities under the Complete Streets Funding Program; $25.5 million for the Mobility Assistance Program; mandating the MBTA to establish a 3-year safety improvement plan with measurable safety objectives; and directing the MBTA to contract with an independent third-party auditor to conduct annual safety audits. “This transportation bond bill provides Massachusetts with the key to unlock once-in-a-generation federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), the Senate chair of the Committee on Transportation. “With these combined state and federal investments, we will be able to complete vital work on our highways, roads, bridges and public transportation systems, improving mobility for all residents of the commonwealth.” “Not only does this bill fund much-needed transportation repairs for all modes and communities, but it also goes much further to invest in infrastructure that is more modern, environmentally sustainable, and regionally equitable,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “The support for electric vehicles, regional transportation authorities, MBTA safety investments, low-income fares on public transit, expanded EastWest connectivity and many other initiatives in this bill will benefi t residents, visitors and businesses throughout Massachusetts.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A PERSON WITH A NATURAL HAIRSTYLE (S 2796) — Gov. Baker signed into law a bill that would make Massachusetts the 18th state in the nation to prohibit any person or entity including educational institutions, workplaces and public spaces from implementing any policy that would explicitly target someone who wears their natural hairstyle. The measure defi nes natural hairstyle as hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists and other formations. “On the long march toward justice, and especially racial justice, the Senate’s unanimous passage of this legislation marks another step forward,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) when the Senate approved the bill before sending it to the governor. “We would not be at this point without the great courage and strength of Mya and Deanna Cook, who

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