THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 19, 2025 Page 19 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 tors, public defenders and state licensed professionals whose work subjects them to an elevated safety risk. Supporters said that Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that unnecessarily puts people at risk by requiring candidates to put their street addresses on nomination papers and ballots. “Amid harassment, intimidation, assault and cold-blooded murder of elected officials and their families, as well as health care professionals, law enforcement officers and others, we must do everything we possibly can to protect our existing public servants and make it safe for anyone to run for and serve in office,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “Notably, this is not a partisan issue, as figures spanning the political spectrum have faced terrible violence.” REPARATIVE JUSTICE FOR DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES (H 1696 and H 1753) – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a measure (H 1696) that would establish a 15-member commission to study and develop proposals for reparative justice and other potential remedies to redress harm resulting from the institution of slavery and systemic racism in the Bay State. The commission would produce a report documenting the effects of slavery and its legacy on the American Freedman class – which it defines as “descendants of formerly enslaved persons emancipated in the United States via the 13th Amendment in 1865 or earlier.” “Rep Fluker-Reid filed the bill to address the longstanding social, political and economic disenfranchisement faced by American Freedmen,” said Camille Mula, a spokesperson for Fluker-Reid. “American Freedmen in Massachusetts on average face dramatically higher rates of incarceration, extreme poverty, maternal mortality and other health disparities … compared to other racial groups as well as other Black people who fall outside of the category of Freedmen.” A similar bill (H 1753) that would also establish a special commission to study reparation, was also on the committee’s agenda. Its sponsor, Rep. Russell Holmes (D-Boston), did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he filed his version of the bill. QUOTABLE QUOTES “With President Trump repeatedly attacking the programs that help Massachusetts families afford food, programs like these will increase the supply of locally grown healthy, affordable food. These awards are supporting local jobs, farmers and small food businesses that keep money circulating in our local economy and provide essential food for the people of Massachusetts.” ---Gov. Maura Healey announcing $779,458 in funding to improve food access in underserved communities throughout Massachusetts, by increasing local food production which will support the growth of urban farms, community gardens and food business operations, targeting areas that struggle with food insecurity. “Today’s court order will undoubtedly save lives by preventing the federal government from terminating funding that helps communities prepare for and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. This decision sends a clear message that the Trump Administration must not abandon state and local communities, and I won’t stop fighting to protect our residents from the federal government’s abuses of power.” ---Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announcing that a coalition of 20 states, including Massachusetts, won their lawsuit against the Trump Administration over its unlawful attempt to shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) bipartisan Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, designed to protect communities from natural disasters before they strike. “Massachusetts is not competing against states like New Hampshire, instead New Hampshire is competing against states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina. In this recent case, New Hampshire won, but in every case Massachusetts loses. When employers are choosing to cross the border because they can’t keep up with our taxes, energy cost and mandates, that should be a wake-up call for every policymaker on Beacon Hill.” ---Paul Craney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, on the widening competitiveness gap between Massachusetts and New Hampshire as a series of high-profile employers have announced relocations from Massachusetts to the largely tax-free Granite State, an exodus Craney says is increasingly driven by Massachusetts’ rising taxes, energy costs and regulatory mandates. “By empowering homeowners and local municipalities with clear rules and practical support, we’re making it easier for accessory dwelling units to become part of the solution to our housing challenges. These new tools will give families more options to stay in their communities, live near loved ones and create opportunities for extra income and increased independence.” ---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announcing a new campaign to make it easier and cheaper for people across Massachusetts to build accessory dwelling units -also known as granny flats or inlaw apartments – which are small residential living spaces that are located on the same lot as another home. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of December 8-12, the House met for a total of 16 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 39 minutes. Mon.Dec. 8House11:00 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:21 a.m. to 11:49 a.m. Tues.Dec. 9No House session. No Senate session. Wed.Dec. 10 No House session. No Senate session. Thurs. Dec. 11 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Senate 11:28 a.m. to 11:39 a.m. Fri.Dec. 12 No House session. No Senate session. Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT EVERETT 1 bedroom, 1 bath furnished room for rent. $275. per week rent. Two week deposit plus 1 week rent required. 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