Volume 49 – Report No. 49 • December 2-6, 2024
Copyright © 2024 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved. By Bob Katzen.
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Our Legislators in the House and Senate for Somerville:

Rep. Christine Barber
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: Thirty-fourth Middlesex. – Consisting of all precincts in wards 4 and 5, precinct 1 of ward 7, and precinct 2 of ward 8, of the city of Medford, precincts 1 and 2 of ward 4, and all precincts of ward 7, of the city of Somerville, both in the county of Middlesex.
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Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: Twenty-seventh Middlesex. – Consisting of precinct 3 of ward 2, all precincts of ward 3, precinct 3 of ward 4, and all precincts of wards 5 and 6, of the city of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex.
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Rep. Mike Connolly
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: Twenty-sixth Middlesex. – Consisting of all precincts of ward 1, precinct 1 of ward 2, precincts 1 and 2 of ward 3, and precinct 1 of ward 6, of the city of Cambridge, and all precincts of ward 1 and precincts 1 and 2 of ward 2, of the city of Somerville, both in the county of Middlesex.
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Sen. Patricia Jehlen
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: Second Middlesex. – Consisting of the cities of Cambridge, wards 9 to 11, inclusive, Medford and Somerville, and the town of Winchester, precincts 4 to 7, inclusive, in the county of Middlesex.
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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from budget vetoes by Gov. Maura Healey. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

$3 MILLION FOR EDUCATION OF EARLY EDUCATORS (H 4800)

House 154-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $3 million (reducing funding from $8 million to $5 million) for a program that provides professional development and higher education opportunities and supports for statewide recruitment and training needs of early educators.

“I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary,” said Healey in her veto message.  “Due to substantial resources made available in this budget for MassEducate, critical wrap-around supports for students and new early educator scholarship and loan forgiveness programs, the portion of funding vetoed here is no longer needed to meet the purpose of this item.”

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $3 million was eliminated.

(A “Yes” vote is for the $3 million. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber           Yes
Rep. Mike Connolly               Yes
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven       Yes

$300,000 FOR UMASS CENTER IN SPRINGFIELD (H 4800)

House 134-24, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the $300,000 for a reserve fund for the UMass Center in Springfield, a satellite of UMass Amherst, where academic programming is offered.

Healey said the veto brought the budget for this line-item back in line with her fiscal 2025 budget recommendation and what the administration understood to be necessary for the operation of the center in fiscal 2025.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $300,000 was eliminated.

Sen. Adam Gomez and Reps. Carlos Gonzalez and Orlando Ramos, the three legislators who represent different parts of Springfield, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on the veto and override by the House and why the Senate did not act on the override, resulting in the loss of $300,000.

(A “Yes” vote is for the $300,000. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber.         Yes
Rep. Mike Connolly              Yes
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven       Yes

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ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

AUDIT THE LEGISLATURE – State Auditor Diana DiZoglio sent a letter last week to top Beacon Hill Democrats, including House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) and Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), demanding that they comply with her plans for an audit of the Legislature. DiZoglio’s letter comes after voters in November approved Ballot Question 1 asking them if they favor allowing the state auditor to audit the Legislature.

“Our audit will cover all of the topics we were unable to fully review in our previous audit, due to your [earlier] refusal to participate in the audit process,” wrote DiZoglio. “Our work will start with a review of high-risk areas, such as state contracting and procurement procedures, the use of taxpayer-funded nondisclosure agreements and a review of your balance forward line item – including a review of all relevant financial receipts and information.”

Mariano’s opposition to the audit goes back several years. In March 2023, he said in a letter to DiZoglio, “That your office has the legal authority to conduct an audit of the General Court is a claim entirely without legal support or precedent, as it runs contrary to multiple, explicit provisions of the Massachusetts Constitution and is wholly unnecessary as the public currently has full and ready access to the House’s financial information.”

A new debate began last week about when the voter-approved law actually takes effect. DiZoglio at a press conference said that it takes effect on Dec. 5, marking 30 days from the November 5th election. Secretary of State Bill Galvin disagrees and maintains the law takes effect on January 4th — 30 days from the December 4 certification of the November election results.

RAISE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND BODILY INJURY (H 5100) – The Senate adopted and sent to the House a Gov. Healey amendment changing the effective date of a new law that increases the minimum amount of liability auto insurance a driver must purchase, from $5,000 for property damage to $30,000; and for bodily injury from $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident to $25,000/$50,000. The law approved by the Legislature was scheduled to take effect immediately. Healy’s amendment would delay the effective date to July 1, 2025.

Gov. Healey said she supports the increases. “The current amounts have not been updated in over 30 years and the proposed increases would provide meaningful coverage for those who experience personal injury or property damage due to a motor vehicle accident,” said Healey. “But I also recognize that the language as currently drafted would become effective immediately upon my signature, providing insurance companies inadequate time for implementation. Insurers must update current policies and submit new forms and rates to the Commissioner of Insurance for review and approval before implementing these changes. Based on feedback from industry stakeholders, pushing out the effective date to July 1, 2025 will ensure that these changes take place in an orderly way.”

$294.8 MILLION FOR CLEAN WATER – The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust approved $294.8 million in new low-interest loans and grants to help communities build or replace water infrastructure that enhances ground and surface water resources.

Supporters said the funds will ensures the safety of drinking water, protect public health and develop resilient communities.

$5 MILLION TO PROTECT FOREST LANDS – The Healey Administration announced more than $5 million in grants to protect forest land which will be managed as reserves. These projects are designed to fight climate change and allow forests to mature, strengthening how these habitats store carbon. The grant program, a result of the Forest as Climate Solutions Initiative, aims to designate 10 percent of Massachusetts forests as reserves, where active management is limited and natural processes play out.

“Forests are our best natural carbon sinks,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As trees age, they absorb and store more carbon dioxide – crucial in helping us fight climate change. By supporting community and land trust efforts to limit land conversion and increase permanent land conservation, we are preserving forests for generations to come.”

“Few things are more important than protecting our environment, and I’m elated that our state is preserving these beautiful pieces of land in Ashland and around the entire commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland).

TEACHER OF THE YEAR – Gov. Healey announced that that Luisa Sparrow, a special education teacher for fifth- and sixth-grade students at the Oliver Hazard Perry School in South Boston, is the 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.

The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year is the state’s top award for educators and annually recognizes excellence in teaching across Massachusetts through the selection of a teacher who exemplifies the dedication, commitment and positive contributions of educators statewide. The award is sponsored by Wellpoint, a Woburn-based health benefits company which is giving a $10,000 grant to Sparrow’s school.

“My mom was a school nurse and my stepdad was a public school teacher, so I have a deep appreciation for the incredible work that our educators and staff do day in and day out for their students,” said Gov. Healey. “It was so special to have the opportunity to congratulate and celebrate Ms. Sparrow today for her commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment that helps all of her students grow and succeed together.”

“Ms. Sparrow is an example of the exceptional educators we have in Massachusetts who go above and beyond to support all of their students and foster an inclusive learning environment,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “It’s a pleasure to celebrate with her, her dedicated team, students and school community today.”

“My students, just like all others with significant disabilities, deserve the opportunity to learn alongside their neurotypical peers not because they are able do many of the same tasks, but simply because everyone deserves a chance to belong,” Sparrow said upon accepting the award.

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE – The Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care (Mass-Care) announced the official results of its Question 6 (or 7), depending on the district, which was on the November ballot in eleven state representative districts. The question was approved in all eleven districts with an average Yes vote of 64 percent.

The ballot question specifically asked, “Shall the representative for this district be instructed to vote for legislation to create a single-payer system of universal health care that provides all Massachusetts residents with comprehensive health care coverage including the freedom to choose doctors and other health care professionals, facilities and services and eliminates the role of insurance companies in health care by creating an insurance trust fund that is publicly administered?”

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QUOTABLE QUOTES

“As soon as we heard the news about Trump’s election, it really sent huge shockwaves through immigrant communities. We heard in the days following the election just so much fear. People are afraid of what’s coming. They’re afraid, for some folks, that they could lose a status, that they could be at risk for being arrested, potentially detained, potentially deported and could be facing family separation. — Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), in an interview with the State House News Service.

“Massachusetts residents have been kept in the dark about the conditions within emergency housing shelters for migrants. The shocking stories coming to light underscore just one reason why the Healey-Driscoll Administration needs to put an end to its open door policy welcoming migrants.” — Mass GOP Chair Amy Carnevale on reports that Jon Fetherston, the former Director of a Massachusetts migrant shelter, has come forward as a whistleblower, exposing deeply disturbing and inhumane incidents within the state’s emergency shelter system.

“The survey’s findings highlight just how prevalent speeding is, especially among drivers who take other risks behind the wheel. Enforcement, community outreach and education continue to be absolutely critical to curbing a wide range of risky driving behaviors and ultimately lowering the number of traffic crash fatalities in the U.S.” — Mark Schieldrop, spokesperson for AAA, on its study that a higher proportion of American drivers admit to speeding, driving distracted and engaging in other risky behaviors than those who steadfastly follow the rules of the road.

“The latest revenue numbers offer clear evidence that the ultra-wealthy are remaining in Massachusetts and paying more in state taxes. Because the ultra-rich are finally paying closer to their fair share of state taxes, Massachusetts can afford to invest in the well-educated workforce and reliable transportation system our economy depends on. Thanks to the voters who amended our Constitution to establish a fairer tax system, we can make Massachusetts more affordable for working families and start building an economy that works for everyone.” — Andrew Farnitano, spokesperson for the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition, which led the campaign to pass the 2022 ballot question which imposed an additional 4 percent income tax, in addition to the flat 5 percent one, on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million annually.

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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 2-6, the House met for a total of two hours and 53 minutes 37 minutes and the Senate met for a total of two hours and 50 minutes.

Mon Dec. 2
House 11:02 a.m. to  1:01 p.m.
Senate 11:01 a.m. to  1:09  p.m.

Tues. Dec. 3
No House session
No Senate session

Wed. Dec. 4
No House session
No Senate session

Thurs. Dec. 5
House  11:02 a.m. to 11:56  a.m.
Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:55  a.m.

Fri. Dec. 6
No House session
No Senate session

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Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com