Beacon Hill Roll Call: Dec. 30, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025
Published: 01-10-2025 2:39 PM
Modified: 01-10-2025 7:02 PM |
Last week was full of activity on Beacon Hill. The Legislature approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey several bills passed on voice votes, without roll calls, prior to the end of the 2023-2024 session on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
The Legislature also convened the 2025-2026 session that same day. Much of the day’s activities were ceremonial, including the swearing-in of state senators and representatives. The only roll call votes were on the election of a speaker of the House and Senate president.
The House reelected Rep. Ron Mariano, D-Quincy, as speaker of the House and Rep. Brad Jones, R-North Reading, as Republican minority leader.
Mariano received the votes of all 132 Democrats who voted. Jones fended off a challenge from Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, for the GOP top spot. Jones received 21 votes to Lombardo’s four votes.
“Just as the Legislature acted to protect our residents during the first Trump administration, it will once again be our responsibility to step up when we can in the face of federal management changes and decreased federal support,” Mariano said. “It will be imperative that we rise above the infighting and partisan politics that continue to plague Congress, a goal that I know Gov. Healey and Senate President [Karen] Spilka remain committed to.”
“I am truly grateful for the overwhelming vote of confidence and support I received from my colleagues this morning,” Jones said. “They were able to see through the divisive rhetoric and meaningless noise generated by outside special interests, extremist groups and others leading up to today’s vote. As we begin a new legislative session, I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead the House Republican Caucus over the next two years and will continue to work alongside my colleagues to advocate for responsible policies that are in the best interests of our cities and towns and the state’s taxpayers.”
“Today wasn’t a loss,” Lombardo said. “Today was the culmination of starting a conversation within the caucus and with the voters of the commonwealth about how they want the Republican Party of Massachusetts to operate, how they want the House caucus to operate. They want transparency, they want a strong Republican voice, and we haven’t had that.”
Rep. Natalie Blais — Voted for Mariano
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Rep. Aaron Saunders — Voted for Mariano
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Voted for Mariano
The Senate reelected Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, as Senate president and Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, as Republican Minority Leader.
Spilka received the votes of 34 of the Senate’s 35 Democrats while all five Republicans voted for Tarr. Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, voted “present.”
“What an exciting day to kick off 2025,” Spilka posted on Facebook. “Today I had the distinct honor of being sworn in as the senator representing Middlesex and Norfolk and re-elected president of the Massachusetts Senate. The privilege and responsibility to serve the Senate and our commonwealth is not one I take lightly. I’m so thankful for my family who was able to be here today and those supporting me from afar. I’m forever grateful to my colleagues in the Senate and look forward to all we will tackle together in this coming year as we fight like hell for the great people of our commonwealth.”
Tarr posted on Facebook, “Thank you [Senate President Spilka] for your partnership and friendship as we continue to work together to defy the ongoing and disturbing trends of division and paralysis that are plaguing other legislative bodies, even as we face challenges, circumstances and situations that demand the very best each of us has to offer on behalf of those we represent.”
“I voted ‘present’ today in the roll call for the election of a Senate president because changes are needed,” Keenan posted on X. “We have had significantly fewer roll calls, routinely missed deadlines, failed to adopt joint rules, waived rules, passed bills beyond the end of formal sessions with limited opportunities for members to participate fully, and have often been at odds with our partners in the House of Representatives.”
Keenan continued, “We have been less transparent and less connected with what the residents of the commonwealth rightly demand and deserve from the Massachusetts State Senate.”
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Voted for Spilka
Sen. Paul Mark — Voted for Spilka
A total of $1.67 million per year is the annual estimated price tag for the base salary hikes given last week to each of the state’s 40 senators and 160 representatives.
Gov. Maura Healey announced that the 200 members of the Legislature will receive an 11.39% hike in their base pay for the 2025-2026 legislative session that began Jan. 1. The hike will increase the base salary of each senator and representative by $8,391 per year — from the current $73,655 to $82,046.
Healey is required under the Massachusetts Constitution to determine the amount of a pay raise or cut that state legislators will receive for the 2025-2026 session. All Massachusetts governors are obligated to increase or decrease legislative salaries biennially under the terms of a constitutional amendment approved by the voters in 1998. The amendment, approved by a better than two-to-one margin, requires legislative salaries to be “increased or decreased at the same rate as increases or decreases in the median household income for the commonwealth for the preceding two-year period, as ascertained by the governor.”
Healey said she used the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to determine that median household income for Massachusetts for the 2023-2024 period increased by 11.39%.
Supporters of the hike said this automatic system was approved by voters by a two-to-one margin in 1998 and has worked well for 26 years. They noted that there have been years when this system resulted in a pay cut for legislators. They said it is also important that this system takes away the power of the Legislature to raise its own members’ salaries and eliminates any accusations of conflict of interest.
Critics were quick to respond. “State House elected officials should not be receiving an automatic 11% pay raise,” said Paul Craney, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Not many workers in Massachusetts get that kind of a pay bump automatically. Legislative leaders set up a system in 2017 so that they don’t have to vote for any future pay raises. If lawmakers care about transparency, they should vote on their new pay raise.”
Gov. Healey signed into law legislation waiving, for six years, until 2030, a law that requires businesses and groups to have a 35% participation rate to qualify for group auto and home insurance discount rates. The measure permits groups with less than the 35% participation to take advantage of group rates, which supporters said will save members between 5% and 8%. The law has been waived since 1997. The 35% requirement was first included in a 1973 law.
Supporters said if the bill is not approved, insurance discounts for 322,000 vehicles and 142,000 homes in Massachusetts would disappear on Jan. 1, 2025 and consumers will pay millions of dollars more for insurance.
Reps. Dan Cahill, D-Lynn, and Tom Walsh, D-Peabody, sponsors of the measure did not respond to requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on their bill.
Gov. Healey signed into law a proposal that would prevent commercial drivers from losing their licenses due to passenger vehicle offenses they committed prior to Sept. 30, 2005.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles recently notified hundreds of bus and truck drivers that they were ineligible for commercial licenses due to at least two past major offenses, blindsiding many motorists who for years thought their infractions were behind them.
“Over time, the relevance and predictive value of these older offenses has diminished, particularly for those drivers who have remained offense-free since,” Healey said. “In most circumstances, a commercial driver who meets the safety requirements of federal law should not be disqualified from driving due solely to passenger vehicle offenses that occurred 19 or more years ago.”
Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that supporters say would put protections in place for consumers who use payment apps like Venmo, PayPal and CashApp, while also leveling the regulatory playing field for businesses in the banking and finance industry.
Provisions include mandating updated regulations for domestic money transmission services, including licensing and compliance requirements; prohibiting an individual from engaging in domestic money transmission without a license; requiring licensees engaged in this business to submit regular reports on their financial condition, including quarterly and annual reports; requiring all licensees to refund to a sender all money received for transmission within 10 days of receipt of the sender’s written request for a refund unless certain circumstances apply; and allowing the commissioner of banks to suspend or revoke licenses for non-compliance, fraud or unsafe practices, and to impose civil penalties for violations.
“We are so excited to see the domestic money transmission bill become law because it will positively impact both consumers and businesses,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “In addition to offering protection for those using payment apps here in Massachusetts, the bill also establishes regulatory consistencies for any business offering the same services as banking institutions.”
“With the increasing use of mobile payment applications like Venmo now established as part of the financial landscape, it’s time for regulatory oversight to ensure consumers will have the same protections that apply to traditional sectors of the financial industry,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues, D-Westport, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill establishing Feb. 4 as Rosa Parks Day in recognition of the historic civil rights leader.
Co-sponsor Rep. Mike Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg, said the measure will bring awareness and representation to the heroic actions of Rosa Parks.
“Feb. 4 is the birthday of Rosa Parks, so it will be a great reminder to all those within the commonwealth to reflect on the role she played in raising international awareness of the struggles for civil rights,” Kushmerek said.
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that would repeal a state law that creates professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults on their student loan. Under current law, a borrower’s state-issued professional or occupational certificate, registration or license can be suspended, revoked or canceled if the borrower is in default on an education loan.
“I have been working on this legislation for the last three legislative sessions, because the current laws are potentially harmful to the more than 1 million student loan borrowers in the commonwealth,” said sponsor Rep. Natalie Higgins, D-Leominster. “With all of the uncertainty around the federal student loan forgiveness and repayment plans, now more than ever, we need to protect student loan borrowers and ensure they can continue their work and have the ability to repay their student loan debt.”
The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a measure that would allow alcohol-serving establishments to accept all out-of-state motor vehicle licenses and Global Entry cards issued by the United States Customs and Border Protection.
“A constituent of mine reached out regarding Global Entry cards, and how she had been refused service in attempting to use one to purchase alcohol,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville. “These cards require two rounds of interviews, one with Customs and Border Protection and another with a Global Entry Enrollment Center. You must also provide your passport and one other form of identification. Only after this extensive process can you receive the Global Entry card, which includes the individual’s photo, full name and date of birth. Over 5 million people have gone through this process and it feels unnecessary to bar them from utilizing this form of identification in the commonwealth for the purchase of alcohol.”
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a proposal that would ban cat declawing and tendonectomy unless it is done for the medical need of the feline.
“Declawing is an abhorrent practice that most veterinarians view as inhumane,” said sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford. “This is another step in my commitment to protect animals in the commonwealth. As a state we have done far too little to punish heartless abusers and to push back against a weak court system that has too often failed to hold them accountable.”
Supporters said that declawing a cat involves amputating the last bone of each toe, which if performed on a human would be equivalent to cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the physical side effects from declawing include both acute and chronic pain, improperly healed wounds, sudden loss of blood, impaired immune response and behavioral side effects include biting.
“Declawing of cats does not improve the human-animal bond and often results in serious medical and behavioral problems,” said Allison Blanck, director of advocacy at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. “Banning this cruel practice, which is in essence amputation, will prevent animals in Massachusetts from needless pain and suffering.”
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that would prohibit the sale or transfer of any puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old. Violators would be fined $100 per animal.
When the animal is more than 8 weeks old, the outright ban is lifted and replaced with a section that would prohibit the sale or transfer of any dogs or cats at specified outdoor locations, such as flea markets and roadsides. This prohibition would not apply to the transfer of a dog or cat by, or to, a shelter, animal control or animal rescue; or to the display of a dog or cat as part of a state or county fair exhibition, a 4-H program or similar exhibition or educational program. Violators would be fined $50 per animal for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $300 for a third and subsequent offenses.
“Early separation of puppies and kittens from their mother, and the unregulated roadside sale of dogs and cats, are practices that often lead to serious health or behavioral problems for the animal and no recourse for the new owner,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield. “I was proud to file this legislation in the Senate this session and am glad that it is one step closer to becoming law and establishing new protections for animals throughout the commonwealth.”
The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill that would change the name of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. The proposal also replaces outdated language in the state’s lawbooks, including changing “elderly persons” to “older adults” and “handicapped” to “adults with a disability.” The new legislation also incorporates gender-neutral language into current law. The original version was filed by Gov. Healey in May.
“The Executive Office of Elder Affairs was established more than 50 years ago and was one of the nation’s first state agencies dedicated to addressing the needs of older people,” Healey said. “Today, the agency has evolved to offer programs and services that support 1.7 million older residents and nearly 1 million family caregivers. Our administration is committed to meeting the changing needs of today’s older adults and I am thrilled that this name change better reflects those that we serve.”