11

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 16, 2024 Page 11 If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562. Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 49 - Report No. 32 August 5-9, 2024 Copyright © 2024 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved. By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https://massterlist.com/subscribe/ THE HOUSE AND SENATE:Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from recent sessions $5.1 BILLION FOR HOUSING (H 4977) House 128-24, Senate 37-2, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a housing bill that would authorize $5.1 billion in borrowing to spur housing production in the Bay State. Supporters said the package makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilASKS | FROM PAGE 9 of those, we have 11 conservative Senators running. The Democrats have some vulnerable seats. We have Bob Casey in Pennsylvania and Brown in Ohio. We have Jack Rose in Nevada. We have Timmy Baldwin in Wisconsin. We have Jon Tester in Minnesota. We have Ruben Gallego in Arizona. That’s six states right there. I’m worried about the Senate. The House is an unknown. But Kamala Harris will beat Trump. Q: So, you see the Democrats in the situation where they could have a minority in both houses, but still win the White House? A: Yes. I think it could happen. But I think we could still win the House because Harris is such a strong candidate who will carry some of those House seats. Q: Could you think of a “If Massachusetts leaders deBeacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen itation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development and promoting affordable housing. They noted that key provisions include allowing accessory dwelling units, investment in modernizing the state’s public housing system, boosts to programs that support first-time homebuyers and homeownership, incentives to build more housing for low to moderate-income residents, support for the conversion of vacant commercial space to housing and support for sustainable and green housing initiatives. “The Affordable Homes Act creates homes for every kind of household, at every stage of life and unlocks the potential in our neighborhoods,” said Gov. Healey. “Today we are taking an unprecedented step forward in building a stronger Massachusetts where everyone can afford to live.” “The Affordable Homes Act is the first, major critical step needed in addressing our housing crisis,” said Rep. James Arciero (D-Littleton), House Chair of the Committee on Housing. “It reduces barriers for individuals seeking affordable home options, increases housing production and inventory and creates more tools in the toolbox to help cities and towns offer more affordable housing options. This encompassing bill showcases critical input from our state and local officials, community stakeholders, advocates and residents.” presidential election where there are so few local choices? A: In Massachusetts? Q: Yes. A: Yes, there’s not a lot. Q: This ballot for the primary election in Saugus has so few choices. What’s the reason for fewer people going into politics? A: Does [U.S. Sen.] Elizabeth Warren have a Democratic opponent? I don’t think she does. I don’t think [state Sen.] Brendan Crighton does. Q: No, Neither one has Democratic opposition. Why the paucity of candidates running in the local election? A: Why the paucity of candidates? People are too busy running businesses. They’d rather be making money. None of them want to go into public service because of the intense public scrutiny. And they would be giving up a lot of money. Look at Charlie clare ‘Mission Accomplished’ on the housing crisis, they’ll be abandoning millions of Massachusetts residents to a broken housing market that is driving families into homelessness and pushing workers out of our state,” said Carolyn Chou, Director of Homes for All Mass. “The housing bond bill includes meaningful funding to support public housing and build new affordable housing, but legislators failed to include any tools to help renters who are facing enormous rent hikes and eviction today.” “Passing a major massive, complicated measure like this without even an abbreviated opportunity to read what was in the bill was not something I was willing to embrace,” said Rep. Matt Muratore (R-Plymouth). “This bill was passed on August 1st around 9 a.m. after being in session since July 31st at noon. We had very little time to review.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Rep. Donald Wong Yes No Yes Sen. Brendan Crighton $1.5 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER RELIEF (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Massachusetts Sewer Rate Relief Fund which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services in the Bay State. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated. “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey. (A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 milBaker, after he served as governor of Massachusetts; he could make a lot more money as president of the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association]. And he’s 67 now and wants to set up his family for the future. I think that for a lot of these people, especially on the Republican side – the Yankee Republicans don’t exist anymore. And I’m sure that many of the Republicans who are left, they would rather make more money than stay in politics. It just doesn’t pay enough. People aren’t interested. It costs a lot of money to run – and then the scrutiny that you get when you are elected to office. People don’t really want to put up with that. Q: Do you see any political trends in the town? A: Most of the incumbents for selectmen and the School Committee get reelected. lion. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes $800,000 FOR DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD PROGRAMS (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $800,000 (reducing funding from $12.7 million to $11.9 million) for the Department of Agriculture. The veto includes cuts of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Food Trust Program; another $100,000 from the Buy Local effort; and the entire $250,000 for local food policy councils. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $800,000 was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary,” said Gov. Healey. “I am reducing two earmarks to amounts more consistent with my House [budget] recommendation and eliminating one program earmark that was intended to be a one-year program. (A “Yes” vote is for the $800,000. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Rep. Donald Wong Yes Yes $5 MILLION FOR FOOD SECURITY (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $5 million (reducing funding from $10 million to $5 million) for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program which was created to ensure that individuals and families have access to food, especially food that is produced locally, and equitable access to food. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fisherman and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply Q: Yeah, but those races are supposed to be nonpartisan. Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses you see in Kamala Harris? A: She’s very energetic. She’s articulate and she brings a sense of optimism to the campaign. She comes across as a happy, good-hearted soul. She may not be, but that’s what she projects in the TV and the media. She’s better than Hiliary Clinton at that. Hillary didn’t project that optimism. Kamala comes across as very optimistic and energetic. Q: How do you think she’s going to do in the debate with Trump? A: I think she will more than hold her own. Q: Anything else that you would like to share? A: I believe Kamala Harris is going to win. She’ s a better candidate than Hillary. She’ll be a better candidate and distribution disruption. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $5 million was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary due to the availability of alternative resources,” said Gov. Healey. (A “Yes” vote is for the $5 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes DISABILITY PENSION FOR POLICE OFFICERS (S 2887) Senate 40-0, approved and Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would provide police officers who have suffered a violent act injury, 100 percent regular compensation and pension benefits, until they reach the age of mandatory retirement. Violent act injury is defined as “a serious and permanent personal bodily injury sustained as a direct and proximate result of a violent attack upon a person by means of a dangerous weapon, including a firearm, knife, automobile, explosive device or other dangerous weapon.” Supporters said that under current law, a first responder forced to retire due to a violent act injury can only receive benefits through the local retirement board via the home rule legislative process. They said this process is onerous and has resulted in disparate benefits being granted on a case-by-case basis. “Our first responders go above and beyond to keep our communities safe and respond to emergencies,” said Gov. Healey. “That’s why it’s critical that we support them when they experience emergencies of their own. BEACON | SEE PAGE 15 than Joe Biden. I think she will be the best Democratic candidate since President Obama because of the energy level that she projects, the attitude – positive and optimistic – a happy, fun-loving soul. But she can be serious. She’s very intelligent, very articulate. Q: What’s going to be the defining issue in this election? A: You have to reform the immigration system. That’s a problem for us. But as far as the economy goes, as far as the Republicans, they’re going to go after a quick buck. And they may go after Social Security, and that should be a nonstarter. And they’ll cut Medicare and Medicaid; they’ll go after health insurance, too. They just can’t seem to help themselves. I think Harris will win and we will go on to better days ahead.

12 Publizr Home