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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 7, 2025 Page 17 Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 50 - Report No. 44 October 27-31, 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’ votes on roll calls from the week of October 27-31. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week. FINANCIAL LITERACY (H 4670) House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would create a Financial Literacy Trust Fund for educating middle- and high-school students on personal fi nancial literacy. The funds would be used for procurement, development and distribution of personal fi - nancial literacy educational resources and materials, as well as professional development opportunities, including training, seminars, conferences and materials for educators to use in teaching personal fi nancial literacy. Provisions include requiring school districts to provide instruction to middle- and highschool students on personal fi - nancial literacy, starting in the 2026 school year. The instruction would include earning and spending income; local, state and federal taxes; charitable giving; methods of payment; consumer protection; balancing ledgers and checkbooks; budgeting; long-term saving; simple and compound interest; planning for the future; using credit; making investments; risks of various fi nancial instruments and basic diversifi cation of assets; and rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home or making other large purchases or investments. “Too many young people graduate without understanding how credit, loans or savings work,” said Rep. Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate) “This bill gives them the foundation to make informed fi nancial decisions that will impact their entire lives.” “I taught Financial Literacy as an elective at Attleboro High School and my point was always long-term planning,” said Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro). “Ten years ago it mattered that students learn about their credit score. It can aff ect not just buying a house but also car purchases and admission to schools and other programs. Now the economy is a threat since young people may want to buy a house but with $200,000 in student debt and $1,000 monthly car payments, they may have used up the limits of their indebtedness before even applying for a mortgage. And should they want to save up to a 20 percent down payment, that would be a challenge with $2500+ monthly apartment.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY (H 4671) House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that makes it easier for students to receive a State Seal of Biliteracy which is awarded by school districts to students who have attained a high level of profi - ciency in English and at least one other language. The seal appears on the transcript or diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future college admission and employers. Under current law, in order to qualify for the seal, a student must meet criteria established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) including a specifi ed level of performance on the 10th grade language arts exams of the MCAS, and at least one nationally recognized and readily available assessment that measures literacy in a language other than English. The bill that the House approved updates these criteria by changing the MCAS requirement to allow another assessment or equivalent alternative to be established by BESE. “Under the current law, some bilingual students have been unintentionally excluded,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “Until now, the only way to prove English profi ciency was by passing the 10th grade English MCAS. That meant if you attended a private school that didn’t administer the MCAS, you were ineligible, even if you earned a fi ve on your AP English exam and a perfect score on the SAT.” “[My] bill addresses this issue,” continued Lewis. “Once it becomes law, all bilingual students, regardless of the high school they attend, will be eligible for this important designation.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes TEACHER PREPARATION AND STUDENT LITERACY (H 4672) House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would provide a framework for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to identify and approve a list of high-quality curricula that school districts will select from for kindergarten through third grade literacy. It also allows districts to apply to DESE to use a K-3 literacy instruction curriculum that is not on DESE’s list of high-quality curricula, provided DESE verifi es that it uses evidence-based literacy instruction. Supporters said this bill would defi ne evidence-based early literacy as grounded in scientifi c research methods and demonstrated to produce signifi cant and positive eff ects on student learning outcomes. They noted that many school districts in Massachusetts have switched to evidence-based early literacy curricula, and some have been assisted by grants awarded through the state’s Literacy Launch Program. They said that some school districts have yet to fully adopt proven literacy curricula, despite it being the most eff ective way to improve reading outcomes. Supporters also argued that the bill supports teachers by requiring DESE to provide tools and resources, including online materials and free training modules, to aid districts with professional development aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction for K-3. It also ensures that educator preparation programs are preparing future educators in alignment with evidence-based literacy instruction. “We fi led this legislation because literacy is not just an academic skill — it is a life skill,” said Rep. Danillo Sena (D-Acton), the co-sponsor of an earlier version of the bill. “It is the foundation for all future learning, for civic BEACON | SEE PAGE 18 Say nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Stave Off Cognitive Decline as You Age Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any proven strategies to preventing cognitive decline? I have a family history of dementia and worry about my own memory and cognitive abilities as I grow older. Forgetful at 55 Dear Forgetful, For most people, starting in their fi fties and sixties, the brain’s ability to remember names, multitask or learn something new starts declining. While our genes (which we can’t control) play a key role in determining our cognitive aging, our general health (which we do have some control over) plays a big factor too. Here are some healthy lifestyle strategies – recommended by medical experts – you can employ that can help stave off cognitive loss and maybe even build a stronger brain. Manage health problems: Studies have shown that cognitive problems are related to health conditions, like diabetes, heart disease and even depression. So, if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes you need to treat them with lifestyle changes and medication (if necessary) and get them under control. And if you have a history of depression, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Exercise: Aerobic exercise increases blood fl ow to all parts of your body, including your brain, to keep the brain cells well nourished. So, choose an aerobic activity you enjoy like walking, cycling, dancing, swimming, etc., that elevates your heart rate and do it for at least 30 to 40 minutes three times a week. Eat healthy: A heart-healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, will also help protect the brain. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fi sh and shellfi sh, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats. Also keep processed foods and sweets to a minimum. Get plenty of sleep: Quality, restful sleep contributes to brain health too. Typically, adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep daily. If you have persistent problems sleeping, you need to identify and address the problem. Medications, late-night exercise and alcohol can interfere with sleep quality and length, as can arthritis pain, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. If you need help, make an appointment with a sleep specialist who will probably recommend an overnight diagnostic sleep test. Challenge your mind: Some research suggests that mind challenging activities can help improve memory, and slow age-related mental decline. But be aware that these activities consist of things you aren’t accustomed to doing. In other words, crossword puzzles aren’t enough to challenge your brain, if you’re already a regular puzzle doer. Instead, you need to pick up a new skill like learning to dance, play a musical instrument, study a new language or do math problems – something that’s challenging and a little outside your comfort zone. Brain-training websites like Lumosity, Elevate and Peak are good mind exercising tools because they continually adapt to your skill level to keep you challenged. Socializing and interacting with other people is another important way to stimulate the brain. So, make a point to reach out and stay connected to friends, family and neighbors. Join a club, take a class or even volunteer – anything that enhances your social life. Don’t smoke or drink: Smoking and regular alcohol consumption both aff ect the brain in a negative way, so kick the habit if you smoke and, if you drink, do so only occasionally. Check your eyes and ears: A growing body of evidence shows that vision and hearing loss, which aff ects brain stimulation, can also increase the risk of cognitive decline. So, get your eyes and ears checked regularly and treat any issues promptly. Reduce stress: Some stress is good for the brain, but too much can be toxic. There’s evidence that things like mindfulness meditation, yoga and tai chi are all good ways to help reduce stress. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nior ior

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