Volume 49 – Report No. 45 • November 4-8, 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.

$1.5 MILLION FOR BEST LENDING PRACTICES AND FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS (H 4800)

House 135-23, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the operation of a grant program for best lending practices, first-time homeowner counseling for nontraditional loans and at least ten foreclosure education centers.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated.

“I am striking language for an earmark not consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message. “The reduction in the item incorporates the amount of the stricken earmarked funds. This funding level will continue to support consumer counseling programs.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 million. A “No” vote is against it.)

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

$250,000 FOR FINANCIAL LITERACY (H 4800)

House 154-4, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $250,000 for a competitive grant program to school districts to support the implementation of financial literacy standards for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $250,000 was eliminated.

“I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message. “Other sources of funding for financial literacy appropriated in this budget will mitigate the effects of this veto.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $250,000. A “No” vote is against it.)

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

$2 MILLION FOR INCREASING PARTICIPATION IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES (H 4800)

House 154-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $2 million (reducing funding from $3.3 million to $1.3 million) for a program to increase student participation and performance in advanced placement courses, particularly among underserved populations, to prepare students for college and career success in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and English.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $2 million was eliminated.

“I am reducing this item to an amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message.

(A “Yes” vote is for the $2 million. 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

Here are the unofficial results on the five questions on the November ballot.

According to the Secretary of State’s website:

Elections results are often separated into two categories: unofficial and official.

Unofficial results are announced by local poll workers shortly after the polls close on Election Night. These results are typically shared with media organizations and may even be posted online by local election officials. Unofficial results are subject to change as additional ballots are counted and tallies are confirmed. The secretary of state does not publish unofficial election results on its website.

Official results are final election results that have been certified by local city and town clerks and submitted to the secretary of state’s office which reviews them and then publishes them on its website.

QUESTION #1 (approved 71.6 percent to 28.4 percent) asked voters if they approved of a proposed law that would allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We’re grateful that more than 71 percent of Massachusetts voters stood up for a more transparent and accountable Legislature focused on making life better in the commonwealth,” said a spokesperson for Yes on 1. “Our campaign brought together advocates, community leaders and everyday people from across the political spectrum who worked together to pass this important reform. We especially thank Auditor Diana DiZoglio for championing this issue, and the voters for overwhelmingly supporting it.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “Consistent with how the Legislature has moved forward with every voter-approved ballot question in the past, we will consider next steps regarding how to best respect the Question 1 election results in a manner that aligns with the fundamental principles of the Massachusetts Constitution, including separation of powers,” said Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano in a joint statement.

In the meantime, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio wasted no time in notifying House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, a mere three days after the election, that she is reviving her audit of the Legislature which met a roadblock in March 2023 when the two legislative leaders refused to provide her office with information for the audit. This refusal led to the ballot question which was championed by DiZoglio.

In a November 8 letter to Mariano and Spilka, DiZoglio said the audit “will cover all of the topics we were unable to fully review in our previous audit, due to your refusal to participate in the audit process.” DiZoglio set a deadline of November 11 for the Legislature to provide the materials she requested.

“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,” DiZoglio wrote. “Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the General Laws of the General Laws requires organizations being audited to provide our audit team with books, documents and other records pertaining to the audit. We may also make inquiries regarding audit issues with the members of your staff responsible for the functions involved in this audit, and request, from management, written confirmation of statements your staff made to us during the audit.”

In March 2023, House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) 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.”

“All of the House’s accounts are available on the
Commonwealth’s Financial Records

Transparency Platform (“CTHRU”) webpage, which can be viewed at www.macomptroller.org/cthru,” continued the letter. “There are no expenditures of the House that are not posted on CTHRU and available for public inspection. Additionally, the House adopts rules for each legislative session, including a rule that requires all House accounts to be independently audited on an annual basis in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and that the audit report be filed with the House Clerk for public inspection.”

QUESTION #2 (approved 59 percent to 41 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would eliminate the current requirement that in order to get a high school diploma, a student must pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in mathematics, science, technology and English.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “In passing Question 2, Massachusetts voters have proclaimed that they are ready to let teachers teach, and students learn, without the onerous effects of a high-stakes standardized test undermining the mission of public education: to prepare all students for future success as citizens, workers and creative, happy adults,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy in a joint statement. “For years, educators in classrooms across the commonwealth have been voicing concerns about the harmful impact of the MCAS graduation requirement. Students who were passing their courses were being denied diplomas because of this requirement. Educators were forced to narrow the curriculum in order to teach to the high-stakes test.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “While we are disappointed with the result, the discussion about educational equity and academic standards does not end with this vote,” said John Schneider, Chair of Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2. “Eliminating the graduation requirement without a replacement is reckless. The passage of Question 2 opens the door to greater inequity. Our coalition intends to ensure that door does not stay open. We believe all of us, working together, should take a comprehensive look in a timely fashion at setting statewide graduation standards to properly prepare our students for college and workforce expectations. We hope the teacher’s unions will join us in that effort.”

QUESTION #3 (approved 53.8  percent to 46.2 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow drivers for Lyft and Uber, and any other companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation, to collectively bargain to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We are thrilled that Massachusetts rideshare drivers have made history by winning the option to join together in a union,” said Mike Vartabedian and Roxana Rivera, co-chairs of the Yes on 3 Campaign, in a joint statement. “These drivers desperately need a voice in the workplace. Now, we can finally create a path toward ensuring the rideshare industry creates jobs that are sustainable and that allow everyone who does this work full-time to live and care for their families with dignity.”

OPPONENTS REACT: There was no organized group opposing Question 3.

QUESTION #4 (rejected 42.9 percent to 57.1 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We spoke to tens of thousands of Massachusetts voters and heard broad agreement that natural psychedelics should be more accessible to those who cannot find relief through traditional medication and therapy,” said a spokesperson for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. “We understand there were concerns about the home grow provisions, and those concerns likely led to tonight’s result. But we have made hugely important strides on this issue of psychedelic therapy, and we will keep fighting to find new pathways for all those who struggle with their mental health. We look forward to working with legislators in the new session to continue advocating for access, for hope and for healing.”

OPPONENTS REACT: ”Voters across Massachusetts came together to reject the passage of Question 4 in recognition of the negative impacts it would have to our neighborhoods, roads, hospitals, children, pets and public safety across the state,” said Caroline Alcock Cunningham, campaign manager for the Coalition for Safe Communities. “After being outspent by 80 to 1 from a flood of funding that came primarily from organizations with a direct financial interest in Question 4’s passage, Massachusetts voters decided to overwhelmingly reject this poorly written and misguided ballot question.”

QUESTION #5 (rejected 35.6 percent to 64.4 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would gradually increase, over the course of five years, the current $6.75 per hour minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, as follows: To 64 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025; 73 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026; 82 precent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027; 91 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and 100 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “Our campaign this year was just another step toward winning what is inevitable: a future in which all Massachusetts service workers are paid a full, fair minimum wage with tips on top.” said Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage. “We will never stop. Just like in places like Michigan and Washington D.C. put the issue on the ballot three times in over ten years before workers finally won the raise they deserve despite corporate restaurant spending and attacks. We will continue the fight and ultimately win One Fair Wage plus tips for all Massachusetts. workers. This year in Massachusetts we fought an uphill battle against millions of dollars in corporate influence, false claims and fear tactics, and we came closer than anyone thought possible. The fight for fair wages is far from over, and we will continue organizing to ensure that every worker in Massachusetts receives the dignity and respect they deserve.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “This victory is because of the tireless work of tipped employees across Massachusetts who passionately advocated for their profession and asked voters to listen to the people most impacted by this ballot question,” said Chris Keohan, spokesperson for “No on 5.” “We thank the voters of Massachusetts for overwhelmingly rejecting this ill-conceived ballot question that was pushed by an out-of-state organization without the support of the very workers they purported to be representing.”
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QUOTABLE QUOTES

“We are excited to announce over $4.5 million for eleven cities and towns as part of the first round of funding of the fiscal year 2025 Complete Streets Funding Program. These grant awards will assist municipalities with the implementation of Complete Streets projects, which will greatly improve safety, connectivity and access for all roadway users. We look forward to working together with local leaders as they begin planning and implementing their projects.” — Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt announcing the awarding more than $4.5 million to some cities and towns for the Complete Streets Funding Program to fund local multimodal infrastructure projects that improve travel for pedestrians, public transit users, bicyclists and people using other forms of transportation.

“The SAFE and Senior SAFE grants are a smart investment in fire protection, fire prevention and fire safety for the most vulnerable members of our communities. — State Fire Marshal Jon Davine on the awarding of $2 million in grants to support fire and life safety education for children and older adults, the people most vulnerable in the event of a fire at home.

“As we confront an unprecedented fall fire season, I’m asking all our residents to protect themselves, their neighbors and their communities by refraining from any outdoor activities that involve open flames, sparks and embers or other heat sources. — Gov. Healey asking residents to refrain from any outdoor activity that could cause or contribute to brush and wildland fires.

“The Name a Snowplow Contest has been a major success the last two years, with great submissions from schools across the commonwealth. This contest is a fun way for kids to learn about public works and for our snow and ice crews to connect with their communities. We are excited to receive creative names for our plows this year.” — Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver announcing the third annual “Name A Snowplow Contest” for statewide elementary school students to solicit names for 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service for the upcoming 2024-2025 winter season. The entry deadline is December 6 and students can register at  https://www.mass.gov/name-a-snowplow-contest-2024-25. Last year’s winners include Flower Plower, Edward Blizzardhands, Glacier Gobbler, Polar Pathmaker, Snow B Wan Kenobi, The Snolar Express, Sleetwood Mac, Snow Place Like Home, Snow-hemian Rhapsody, The Mayplower, Snow Monstah, Fast and Flurryous.

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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 November 4-8, the House met for a total of four hours and three minutes and the Senate met for a total of 56 minutes.

Mon. Nov. 4
House 11:01 a.m. to 12:47 p.m.
Senate 11:17 a.m. to 11:31 a.m.

Tues. Nov. 5
No House session
No Senate session

Wed. Nov. 6
House 11:02 a.m. to 12:09 p.m.
No Senate session

Thurs. Nov. 7
House 11:02 a.m. to 11:12  a.m.
Senate 11:11 a.m. to 11:53  a.m. 

Fri. Nov. 8
No House session
No Senate session

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Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com