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Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 31, 2025 THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of October 20-24. The Senate votes include roll calls from several budget vetoes made by Gov. Maura Healey to the $60.9 billion fi scal 2026 state budget for the fi scal year that began July 1, 2025. The Senate overrode more than $70 million of Healey’s $130 million worth of budget vetoes. The House already overrode the same vetoes and the funding now stands and remains in the budget. “We are very confi dent that by overriding the governor’s vetoes, we can continue to fund services and programs and agencies that make up the fabric of our commonwealth, all while remaining fi scally responsible and living within our means,” said Sen. Jo Comerford, Vice Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “Beacon Hill politicians spent the better part of a year warning about fi scal uncertainty from Washington, and now that those cuts have arrived, they’re ignoring their own warnings,” said Paul Craney, Executive Director for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Instead of learning to live within our means, the Legislature is proving once again that its only solution to a budget problem is more spending.” Craney added, “The governor’s vetoes were an extremely small step toward restraint, but the Legislature can’t even handle that. When state spending increases by billions year after year, even small, reasonable cuts become politically impossible. That’s why Massachusetts keeps lurching from one budget crisis to the next racking up one of the highest debts-per capita in the country.” PROTECT PUBLIC TRANSIT WORKERS FROM ASSAULT AND BATTERY (H 1877) House 160-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would expand the current law which punishes anyone who commits assault and battery against a public employee. Current law applies to attempts to disarm a police offi cer; assault and battery upon a police offi cer; and assault and battery on a public employee when they are engaged in the performance of their duties. The bill would specifi cally add assault and battery on transit workers to the current law. It also provides that the assault in any of these cases can be by use of a bodily substance such as spitting or throwing substances like urine. “Our transit workers provide critical services all over the commonwealth, yet are many times assaulted by the very customers they serve,” said sponsor Rep. Joe McGonagle (D-Everett). “I am so thrilled to have this bill passed to provide our transit workers with the protections they deserve. The right to feel safe and supported on the job is just that, a right. I’m also extremely grateful to the brave men and women who came forward to share their stories.” “Our public transit system runs because of the dedication of workers who show up every day to serve us,” said Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham), House Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary. “Today we affi rmed the House’s continued commitment to protect those workers who are essential to the success of the commonwealth and our ev“This particular veto would eliminate eryday lives.” “We thank the House for voting in favor of this important legislation to protect our MBTA train and bus operators, and all public transit employees,” said Jim Evers, President of the Boston Carmens Union Local 589. “Protecting transit workers is essential to maintaining a safe and quality public transportation system. This bill will ensure the safety of the essential workers who keep our communities moving every day. We look forward to swift passage in the Senate so that these vital protections can be signed into state law to safeguard transit workers for generations to come.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes ENHANCE CHILD WELFARE PROTECTIONS (H 4645) House 159-1, approved and sent to the Senate a proposal that supporters say would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability within the state’s child welfare system. Provisions include consolidating reporting by the Department of Children and Families (DCF); clarifying the independence of the Offi ce of the Child Advocate; improving educational stability for children in care; and providing for the creation of a state child fatality review team. “Every child in Massachusetts deserves safety, stability and opportunity,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This bill strengthens oversight, improves coordination between agencies and ensures that children in state care receive the support that they need to thrive.” “This bill strengthens the systems that protect the commonwealth’s most vulnerable children,” said Rep. Jay Livingstone (D-Boston), House Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “It gives DCF, the Legislature and the public more tools to better understand what’s working, identify where improvement is needed and continue improving outcomes for children.” “DCF is being weaponized against potential foster parents of Christian faith and laws are beginning to encroach on religious freedom,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver) the only member who voted against the measure. “Buried in this legislation is a requirement for gender affi rming care. We should be moving away from this practice and moving toward gender confi rming care. Gender dysphoria is still a mental health problem that children need help navigating through and toward a healthy lifestyle. Foster children are our most vulnerable children and they need our protection.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes SCHOOL COMMITTEE | FROM PAGE 8 town manager”. He runs the day-to-day operation of the town as well as being responsible for the fi nancial operation. The Town Meeting is the appropriating authority; they approve the budget for the town. No funds can be spent in the town without the approval of the Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen is the chief policy maker of the town. They also have responsibilities for licensing, traffi c and in some cases issuing special permits. Any resident can put forward an article for town meeting consideration. The School Committee by statute is the sole governing body dealing with the operation of the schools. The town allocates the budget for the operation of the schools. This is a bottom-line lump sum fi gure that is then up to the sole discretion Rep. Donald Wong Yes UNION REPRESENTATION (H 4645) House 159-1, approved an amendment to ensure that DCF social workers have union representation on the state’s child fatality review team. “As a licensed DCF social worker with nearly 25 years of experience, I know fi rsthand the importance of hearing the voices of frontline care workers in policymaking,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Jim O’Day (D-West Boylston). “Therefore, I fi led a successful amendment to ensure that DCF social workers have union representation on the state child fatality review team. Ultimately, I’m proud of the work that the House is doing to strengthen our state’s child welfare infrastructure and prevent future tragedies.” “This amendment sought to include another member to a review board that is a union administration person,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver) the only member who voted against the amendment. “I am not opposed to union representatives standing up and assisting in the defense of a member, but they should not be a part of a review board.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes $1.5 MILLION FOR SEWER RATE RELIEF (H 4240) Senate 38-0, override Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services in the Bay State. “This veto would eliminate important funding that is used to reduce [consumers’] sewer and water rates, and for the commonwealth’s cities and towns utilizing the MWRA systems,” said Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “These reductions directly aff ect the fi nancial wellbeing of our residents. We have made this funding available for several years to lower the amount that individual ratepayers owe, ensure proper disposal of wastewater and process timely payments of debt service. It’s critical that we make these investments now to support the commonwealth’s long-term environmental and fi nancial goals.” In her veto message, Gov. Healy said, “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 million.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes $300,000 FOR PROGRAMS FOR THE BLIND (H 4240) Senate 38-0, overrode Gov. Healey’s $300,000 veto reduction (from 8,864,721 to 8,564,721) in programs for the blind. of the school committee as to how these monies are spent. If all these entities work together for the greater good of the town, then the town can do nothing but succeed and prosper for all residents. Stephanie Mastrocola, incumbent Saugus School Committee member: She answered “Yes” on the fi rst question, “No” on the second question and “Yes” on the third question. earmarked funding for maximizing the independent living skills of legally blind residents,” said Sen. Comerford. “The earmarked funding is intended to support rehabilitation programs, housing assistance services, adjustment counseling services and devices, software and technology training for the blind. This funding represents a crucial piece of the Senate’s commitment to providing a robust system of supports for blind and visually impaired residents of the commonwealth.” In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary. This reduction is not expected to impact planned programming.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $300,000.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes $2.5 MILLION FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE (H 4240) Senate 38-0, overrode Gov. Healey’s $2.5 million veto reduction (from 8,864,721 to $6,364,721) in programs for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “This veto would reduce funding earmarked for low threshold housing, for homeless individuals with substance use and mental health disorders who are also at risk of HIV,” said Sen. Comerford. “The funding supports both continued programming and expansions of low threshold housing units. Low threshold housing units represent an approach to homelessness that is more supportive of individuals with substance and mental health disorders. Many senators in this chamber value these kinds of programs. Fully funding low threshold housing programs is a critical aspect in creating an increasingly public health led and equity focused response to homelessness in the commonwealth.” In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary to support continued programming. This operating funding overlaps with significant alternative funding sources to support expansions in low-threshold housing units and related supports.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $2.5 million.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes $1.5 MILLION FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES (H 4240) Senate 38-0, override Gov. Healey’s $1,530,735 veto reduction (from $39,250,384 to 37,719,649) in early intervention services. “This particular veto would reduce funding for the early intervention program, which provides crucial support to infants and toddlers experiencing or at risk for developmental delays, as well as supporting their families and caregivers,” said Sen. Comerford. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, families have faced signifi cant challenges to accessing and using these early intervention services. This funding represents a critical component of the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to increasing the program’s capacity for the sake of the children and their families across the commonwealth.” In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to align with current utilization trends.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $1,530,735.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes $2.3 BILLION FISCAL 2025 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (S 2575) BEACON | SEE PAGE 19 If I could make one change to improve the operation of town government and the governance of Saugus Public Schools, it would be to start with our motto that has been used over and over again on signs and t-shirts and at special events. ONE TOWN ONE TEAM. If we really want to practice that, then we have to act like it. We need to start holding community meetings at the school where there are Fire, Police, Selectmen, School Committee members, Town Meeting members and any of the other organizations who want to join. Let the community come and ask questions to the people who have the real answers. Not the ones on Social Media who want to get people all fi red up with false information. Let people be held accountable when tough questions SCHOOL COMMITTEE | SEE PAGE 21 Senate 39-0, approved a $2.3 billion supplemental budget to close out the books on state government for fi scal year 2025. The actual cost to the state will be $795 million after revenue from federal reimbursements has been sent to the state. The House has approved a diff erent version of the supplemental budget and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually hammer out a compromise version. A key provision provides $2.04 billion for MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care for low-income and disabled persons -- with a net cost to the state of only $539 million after reimbursements from the federal government. The bill restores $18.3 million in funding for student fi nancial aid assistance ahead of the spring semester and proactively protects additional support for community college students earning degrees through the MassEducate program. A new Public Higher Education Student Support Fund ensures that a key stipend for books and supplies remains fully funded. Other provisions include $12 million to support the universal meals program for school children; $12.5 million to cover nocost phone call communications for incarcerated people; $14 million to aid people in treatment for substance use and alcohol addiction; $18.5 million to support public health hospitals; $5 million for reproductive health care; $60.7 million for snow and ice removal expenses; $75 million for the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund which supports aff ordable rental housing in the Bay State; creation of an investigation of sheriff s’ fi scal year 2025 spending in response to sharp annual growth in the sheriff s’ spending defi - cits; and protection for federal workers and Armed Forces service members to prevent them from losing their housing to a residential eviction or foreclosure during the federal government shutdown. “I’m proud the Senate has taken this opportunity to support our residents and insist on important transparency measures in this closeout supplemental budget,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are reconfi rming our commitment to public higher education by restoring and protecting key funding to support college students’ success. We are protecting our residents from dangerous federal actions by ensuring they have access to the vaccines they need to keep themselves and their families safe.” “With uncertainty persisting in the federal government, it is important to demonstrate the state’s fi scal integrity,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “That is why, today, the Senate responsibly closed the books on fi scal year 2025 with a fi scally sound closeout budget that ensures the commonwealth meets its obligations while continuing to support critical programs that serve Massachusetts residents. This budget also establishes fi scal oversight of all county sheriff s’ departments, a necessary step to rein in years of overspending that has signifi cantly escalated in fi scal year 2025.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget.)

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