There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.
This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on how local legislators voted on some of the bills that were approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in the 2020 session.
Of the more than 6,000 bills that have been filed for consideration, only 178 have been approved and signed by the governor. Only 28 of those were bills that affect the entire state, while the majority were either sick leave banks, local land-taking measures or other local measures applying to just one city or town. Of those 28 bills, 13 were directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic and 15 were on other matters.
Below are five of the statewide bills that were signed into law:
The House, 154 to 0, and the Senate, 37 to 0, approved a $122 million fiscal year 2020 supplemental budget. Key provisions provide $15 million for heating energy assistance to help low-income seniors, working families and other households pay winter heating bills. Another item ensures the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) that provides fruit and vegetables to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is available year-round.
Other provisions include $2 million for smoking prevention and cessation programs; $300,000 for the Cannabis Control Commission; and $2.8 million for the Early Intervention Program for families of children up to 3 years old who have developmental difficulties because of health or environmental conditions.
Supporters said the budget is necessary to cover expenses and to fund various state programs and agencies that are running out of money. They argued the funding reflects immediate deficiencies to crucial programs that their constituents rely on every day.
A “Yes” vote is for the budget.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Anne Gobi — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
The House, 157 to 0, and the Senate, 38 to 0, approved a bill that would authorize the state treasurer to borrow billions of dollars needed to keep the state running through the end of June. The funding is needed as a result of diminishing income tax revenues during the pandemic when Massachusetts moved the tax return filing deadline from April 15 to July 15, in addition to the loss of sales tax and other revenue as a result of business shutdowns. State tax collections dropped in April by more than $2.3 billion compared to April 2019.
The Legislature and the administration accomplished this by agreeing to engage in RANs — Revenue Anticipation Notes. This means the state will borrow in fiscal year 2020 the amount of money that was deferred or estimated to have been deferred by the movement of the tax filing date. Then the state would use fiscal year 2021 revenues to pay back the loan.
Supporters said they anticipate the borrowing could reach up to $3 billion to keep the state financially afloat. They said the state is obligated to pay its bills and has no other choice.
“The legislation that advanced today will help the commonwealth responsibly meet near-term budget challenges as we continue to address the impacts of COVID-19,” said Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland.
A “Yes” vote is for the borrowing.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Anne Gobi — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
The House, 159 to 0, and the Senate, 39 to 0, reduced from $300 million to $200 million Chapter 90 funding for cities and towns to maintain, repair and improve local roads and bridges. The House in March and the Senate in June, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved proposals that included $300 million in Chapter 90 funding for cities and towns’ roads and bridges. That $300 million was a $100 million increase over last year.
The Senate version of the legislation also established a new seven-member MBTA board of directors to succeed the current Fiscal and Management Control Board. The MBTA board of directors would be responsible for governing and exercising the corporate powers of the MBTA. The Senate version differed from the House version, which does not create a new MBTA board but instead extends and expands the existing Fiscal and Management Control Board. The House and Senate changed their minds and reached an agreement to reduce the road and bridge funding to $200 million and to keep the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board in place for another year.
Supporters of the reduction say that, in retrospect, the state cannot afford the extra $100 million while state revenues are down by billions of dollar
Despite repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call, House Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Bill Strauss, D-Mattapoisett, and Senate Chair Joseph Boncore, D-Winthrop, did not respond when asked to explain why they both championed the original $300 million and then supported the reduction to $200 million.
A “Yes” vote is for the $200 million.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Anne Gobi — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
The House, 155 to 1, and the Senate, 39 to 0, approved a bill that would direct Secretary of State William Galvin to send applications for a mail-in ballot to every registered voter by July 15 for the Sept. 1 primary and by Sept. 14 for the Nov. 3 general election.
The bill also includes expanded in-person early voting options prior to the elections. Voters who wished to vote in person were given seven days (from Aug. 22 to Aug. 28) to vote early in the primary and 14 days (from Oct. 17 to Oct. 30) to vote early in the general election. Voters can also choose to vote on election day.
Other provisions provide pre-paid return postage for ballots and applications; provide for absentee voting by any person taking precaution related to COVID-19; require Galvin, in conjunction with the commissioner of the Department of Public Health, to establish emergency regulations requiring public health safeguards for in-person voting, including social distancing of voters and election officers, face coverings, personal protective equipment and frequent use of sanitizers.
“This bill is essential to the operation and integrity of democracy in the commonwealth during this public health crisis,” said Election Laws Committee House Chair John Lawn, D-Watertown. “I am truly proud of the team effort that led us to the finish line to complete comprehensive legislation that will safeguard elections this fall and provide many options for voters to ensure that all voices are heard. In a time where we are witnessing state election actions that are resulting in a disproportionate burden on the voter, Massachusetts must take the lead in providing safe and equitable access to the polls for its citizens. This legislation does just that.”
Rep. Colleen Garry, D-Dracut, the lone opponent of the bill did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to explain why she voted against the measure. Back on June 3, Garry did offer the reason she voted against an earlier version of the bill: “I was very concerned about the manpower needed in the clerk’s offices, especially in the smaller communities like I represent. The expense of the expansion of the mailings and the need for more election personnel on longer early voting days and the possibility of fraud (is why I voted against the bill.) I heard loudly from my constituents that they did not agree with this proposal.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Anne Gobi — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
The House, 159 to 0, and the Senate, 39 to 0, approved a bill making it a crime to perform female genital mutilation on anyone under the age of 18. Offenders would be subject to up to five years in state prison; or a fine of up to $10,000 and up to two and a half years in a house of correction.
Supporters say it is estimated that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have been the victims of this barbaric act. They note that the procedure has no health benefits for women and girls and, in fact, can cause health problems including bleeding, urinary problems and complications in childbirth sometimes leading to the death of the child.
“We need to tear down societal controls of women’s bodies and this bill is one step toward that goal,” said co-sponsor Rep. Jay Livingstone, D-Boston. “It is time for Massachusetts to join the other 38 states that have adopted such a ban.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Anne Gobi — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
Gov. Baker signed an order activating members of the state’s National Guard.
“Gov. Baker today signed an order activating up to 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard in the event that municipal leaders require assistance to protect opportunities to exercise First Amendment rights and to maintain public safety during large scale events,” said Jake Wark, director of communications for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. “National Guard personnel are deployed only at the request of, and in coordination with, the communities seeking support.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced its seventh annual high school video contest. This year, high school students are invited to write and produce a 30- to 60-second video that focuses on the hands-free driving law that prohibits drivers — except on-duty public safety personnel — from using a hand-held cellphone or other electronic device to make a call or access social media. The law allows drivers to use only a hands-free phone but allows them to perform a single tap or swipe to activate or deactivate the hands-free mode feature.
Grand prize and runner-up videos winners will be chosen by a MassDOT panel and will be screened during MassDOT’s annual active transportation conference, Moving Together, which is scheduled to take place virtually on Nov. 17 through Nov. 19.
The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Students are required to follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and health/safety precautions while making contest videos. For more information, visit mass.gov/roadway-safety-video or call 877-623-6846.
The Executive Office of Education and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council announced its third annual STEM week designed to boost the interest, awareness and ability for all learners to envision themselves in STEM education and employment opportunities.
“The theme … is ‘See Yourself in STEM,’ with a particular focus on the power of mentoring,” the announcement reads. “Women, people of color, first-generation students, low-income individuals, English language learners, and people with disabilities are underrepresented in STEM industries and make up an increasing portion of the overall workforce. But the demographics of STEM fields have remained largely the same. We need more young people to see themselves in STEM. The theme is aimed at encouraging and supporting underrepresented youth, especially Black and brown students, in STEM fields to pursue STEM careers, as well as bolster their persistence through STEM education with a mentor that is engaged, supportive and shares in the many unique parts of their identity.
Last year’s statewide STEM Week saw schools, nonprofits, colleges, museums and business partners all participate in hosting and organizing more than 1,000 events for 100,000 students across the nation ranging from preschool to college to adult.
The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) announced a six-week blitz of online webinars to answer questions and provide guidance about paying for higher education. An on-demand webinar will also be available on MEFA’s website for anyone unable to attend a live event. The webinars are currently underway and will go through Nov. 5.
“As the world around us continues to change, MEFA remains focused on helping families navigate the college financing process by expanding our virtual resources,” said MEFA’s Executive Director Tom Graf. “Hundreds of families have joined us online in recent weeks attending our free and easy-to-view webinars, and as the financial aid cycle for the 2021-22 school year begins, MEFA’s experts are committed to helping families across the commonwealth access and afford a higher education by offering comprehensive guidance on paying for college.”
For more information, visit mefa.org/events or call 800-449-6332.
Baker Administration officials announced that the state’s “Stop the Spread” initiative has extended free COVID-19 testing through Oct. 31 in 18 high-priority communities across the state including Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lynn, Marlborough, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Springfield, Winthrop and Worcester.
This specific data-driven effort is targeted to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities that are above the state average in total cases and positive test rates. All residents of these 18 communities, including asymptomatic individuals, are urged to get tested at one of these locations. These free tests are open to all residents of the state regardless of whether they live in one of these communities. Also, any individual who needs a safe place to isolate can call 617-367-5150 to access an isolation and recovery site at no cost.
Secretary of State William Galvin announced that for the first time in Massachusetts history, registered voters can apply for a mail ballot online through the secretary of state’s website at MailMyBallotMA.com.
Voters who have not already applied for a November ballot may use the portal to request a ballot from their local election office. Before requesting the ballot, each voter will need to verify his or her voter registration information.
“This new portal is just one more way for voters to request their ballots by mail this year,” Galvin said. “This online system will be helpful for those voters who are away from home right now and did not receive the vote by mail applications that were mailed to them recently. My hope is that this new online portal will cut down on the time it takes for voters to apply for their ballots, by eliminating the need for a local election official to wait for the application to arrive in the mail. This will allow voters to get their ballots sooner and return them in plenty of time for them to be counted.”