THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives\u2019 and senators\u2019 votes on roll calls from the week of Sept. 15-19.<\/p>\n
FINANCIAL RELIEF TO HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS (H 4530) \u2013 House 148-1, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey $234 million supplemental budget that would provide financial relief to hospitals and community health centers across the state.<\/p>\n
The bill includes $199 million in relief for acute care hospitals, including $122 million in targeted payments to facilities serving low-income patients and facing the greatest financial distress. Another $77 million would be transferred to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund, which helps reimburse hospitals and health centers for care provided to uninsured residents. Community health centers would receive $35 million, including $2.5 million directed to the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers for initiatives such as shared services.<\/p>\n
\u201cMassachusetts has a healthcare ecosystem that is the envy of other states, and that doesn\u2019t happen by accident,\u201d said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). \u201cSupporting every resident is part of what it means to be a leader in healthcare access. This funding will help our hospitals and community health centers provide high-quality care in every region, and provide critical services to our veterans, seniors and municipalities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis funding will help to ensure that financially strained hospitals and community health centers can continue to serve patients across Massachusetts,\u201d said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). \u201cAs broad fiscal uncertainty and actions taken by the Trump Administration continue to exacerbate the challenges that hospitals are already facing, this supplemental budget is the latest example of the work that we are doing here in Massachusetts to provide targeted support where it is needed most.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur hospitals and community health centers continue to step up to care for those most in need despite being under enormous financial pressure,\u201d said Sen. Cindy\u00a0 Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. \u201cNew policies from the federal government will only exacerbate the strain on our health care infrastructure, so for Massachusetts to continue to be a leader in providing exceptional health care, we need to ensure that care is accessible, especially to our most vulnerable populations. This supplemental budget provides necessary funding to help live up to this goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) cast the lone vote against the budget. \u201cThis $250,000,000 bailout is due to the failed policies of the Democrats,\u201d said Boldyga. \u201cOnce again they blamed President Trump but the reality is Democrats allowed \u2018uninsured\u2019 illegal aliens to flood our hospitals. Our healthcare system is now overwhelmed, bankrupt and broke.\u201d<\/p>\n
CAR RENTALS (S 2367) \u2013\u00a0Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that supporters said would align the Bay State with the majority of other states by updating car rental insurance requirements to maintain liability coverage on a secondary basis, making rental companies responsible only if the renter is uninsured or underinsured. If a lessee or operator of a leased vehicle already has a valid liability policy or equivalent financial security meeting the state minimum requirements, the lessor\u2019s coverage obligation is considered satisfied.<\/p>\n
Supporters said that by shifting primary liability to the renter\u2019s personal auto insurance, the legislation helps make car rentals more affordable and accessible for Massachusetts residents, reducing costs while maintaining necessary protections.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen friends visited me on Cape Cod this summer, they were stunned at just how expensive it was to rent even a small sedan for the weekend,\u201d said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). \u201cAnd they\u2019re not wrong \u2014 rental car prices in Massachusetts are higher than almost anywhere else in the country, in part because we\u2019ve kept an outdated insurance requirement on the books. We\u2019re one of the only states where rental companies, not your own insurance, are required to carry primary coverage, and the cost of that policy gets passed right along to consumers.<\/p>\n
Cyr continued, \u201cBy aligning Massachusetts with the rest of the country, we\u2019re helping lower rental car prices for families, travelers and anyone who needs to rent a car in a pinch. I\u2019m proud the Senate has taken this step to make life just a little more affordable for our residents and visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also up on Beacon Hill<\/p>\n
MOVE 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION DATE TO SEPT. 1 (H 4531) \u2013 The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation setting next year\u2019s state primary election date for Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
Supporters said this action is a standard step in the lead-up to an election year to ensure the primary date complies with state and federal requirements. It ensures that local clerks are given necessary time to send and process vote-by-mail ballots for Massachusetts residents, and gives election officials the ability to meet a required federal timeline for sending ballots to military servicemembers and citizens overseas.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the calendar, holidays, requirements that we allow time for overseas ballots, including for members of the military, and to allow time for the printing of ballots, setting a date can sometimes be difficult,\u201d said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy), Senate Chair of the Committee on Election Laws. \u201cThis legislation will put the commonwealth in position to meet these obligations and run another smooth, safe and secure primary election on September 1, 2026. Now, more than ever, our democratic process must remain steadfast in the face of unprecedented federal uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is always important to be proactive in setting the primary election to ensure we select a date that encourages voter participation,\u201d said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). \u201cI am glad that we settled the date a year in advance, giving voters ample time for public awareness and giving our hardworking election administrators ample time to prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n
FENTANYL TEST STRIPS (S 1057) \u2013 The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would exclude fentanyl test strips and fentanyl drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia. It also includes a Good Samaritan Law that would provide that anyone who, in good faith, provides, administers or utilizes fentanyl test strips or fentanyl drug testing equipment shall not be subject to any criminal or civil liability or any professional disciplinary action.<\/p>\n
The legislation expands a 2024 law that provided criminal and civil liability protections for those in the harm reduction community who provide or use fentanyl test strips in good faith. The bill would expand the liability protections beyond those just in the harm reduction community and ensure police officers and others who seek to distribute the tests or others acting in good faith are afforded legal protection.<\/p>\n
Supporters said that under current law, selling or distributing these items could be a crime. As a result, police departments and others who are interested in distributing fentanyl test strips are concerned that doing so would subject them to criminal or civil liability. They noted that Massachusetts already has a similar Good Samaritan law to shield people from liability anyone who administers naloxone, an opioid antagonist which is used as an emergency treatment used for the complete or partial reversal of an opioid overdose.<\/p>\n
\u201cFentanyl test strips are inexpensive, easy to use, and, most importantly, they are an evidence-based tool that saves lives,\u201d said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton), the sponsor of the measure. \u201cBy making them widely available, Massachusetts can give people one more way to prevent overdoses and protect families from tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n
EXPAND NICKY\u2019S LAW (S 165) \u2013 The Senate approved and sent to the House legislation that would expand current law by including day habilitation programs contracted by MassHealth in the existing statewide registry that prevents individuals with substantiated abuse allegations from being hired in care positions.<\/p>\n
Supporters said the bill would expand \u201cNicky\u2019s Law\u201d which was proposed by Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury) and signed into law in 2020 by former Gov. Charlie Baker. Nicky\u2019s Law, established a registry of care providers found guilty of registrable abuse after Nicky Chan, a young man with a disability, was abused by an employee at a day program he attended.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause no registry existed, this employee, and the witness who never reported the abuse, were able to find employment at another agency,\u201d said Moore. \u201cThis new bill will ensure no individual with a disability will be subject to abuse while receiving services from a MassHealth day habilitation program.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlacing your trust in a caretaker to ensure the safety and wellbeing of a child, parent, family member, or loved one with a disability is hard,\u201d continued Moore. \u201cWhen that trust is violated, it can feel like the ultimate betrayal of not only the caretaker who did it, but also the system that allowed it to happen. This legislation represents another step toward making sure Nicky\u2019s story does not happen to anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Nicky\u2019s Law was first passed, it was about creating protections and accountability for some of our most vulnerable residents,\u201d said Sen. Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. \u201cBy expanding these safeguards to include day habilitation programs, we are making sure that no one falls through the cracks.\u201d<\/p>\n
$9 MILLION IN LITERACY LAUNCH GRANTS \u2013 Gov. Healey announced that the state is awarding over $9 million in Partnership for Reading Success \u2013 Massachusetts (PRISM) continuation grants to 15 school districts as part of her Literacy Launch initiative. These grants enable districts to implement high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction through literacy materials, technical support, coaching and professional development.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiteracy Launch is a historic investment in early literacy for our students,\u201d said Healey. \u201cThese continuation grants represent our commitment to make sure all of our students can read and read well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsuring every student has access to high-quality, evidence-based instruction in early literacy is essential for Massachusetts families,\u201d said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. \u201cThrough PRISM continuation grants, we are providing children the support they need to excel and thrive in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCulturally and linguistically sustaining practices and evidence-based early literacy are fundamental to achieving excellence and equity in education,\u201d said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. \u201cThe PRISM 1 program will continue to help districts improve literacy programming, ensuring that our youngest learners build a strong literacy foundation that will support their success throughout their education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quotable quotes<\/p>\n
\u201cThis day is not only about those who never came home, but also about the families who still wait and the survivors who endured captivity. POW\/MIA flag does not fly as a symbol of loss alone, but as a promise \u2013 that we will never forget and we will never give up.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Secretary of Veterans Services Dr. Jon Santiago at a ceremony at the Massachusetts state house to commemorate National POW\/MIA Recognition Day, paying tribute to America\u2019s prisoners of war, those still missing in action and the families who continue to carry the weight of uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe research provides compelling evidence that addressing basic needs like diaper supply creates cascading positive effects. We documented statistically significant improvements in employment rates, financial stability and mental health outcomes \u2013 demonstrating that diaper assistance accomplishes multiple public health and policy goals while reducing material hardship among families with young children.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Rich Sheward, Director of System Implementation Strategies, at Children\u2019s HealthWatch, upon release of a report detailing the health and economic implications of a federally-funded statewide diaper distribution pilot spanning the last two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMassachusetts makes smart investments that give our business community the resources they need to thrive. This round of Economic Development Incentive Program awards reflects the strength of our economy in important sectors like advanced manufacturing, climatetech, R&D technology, and the creative economy, and demonstrates our commitment to creating high-quality jobs across every region of the state.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley on the approval of 11 projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program that seeks to create new jobs and help businesses grow by offering credits to lower taxes in exchange for job creation commitments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a failure of our students or teachers \u2014 it\u2019s a failure of policy that has allowed ineffective reading instruction to persist when we know exactly what works. The passage of the Right to Read Act and providing districts with options to implement evidence-based strategies for teaching reading are desperately needed if we want to prepare our children for successful lives.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Mary Tamer, the Executive Director of MassPotential, testifying in favor of legislation that would require school districts to adopt evidence-based literacy curricula to provide children with the tools necessary to develop into accomplished readers.<\/p>\n
How long was last week\u2019s session?<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
During the week of Sept. 15-19, the House met for a total of six hours and 14 minutes and the Senate met for a total of two hours and 25 minutes.<\/p>\n
Mon. Sept. 15 \u2013 House: 11:01 a.m. to 11:18 a.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 11:17 a.m.<\/p>\n
Tues. Sept. 16 \u2013 No House or Senate session<\/p>\n
Wed. Sept. 17 \u2013 House: 11:00 a.m. to\u00a0 2:37 p.m. No Senate session<\/p>\n
Thurs. Sept. 18 \u2013 House: 11:01 a.m. to 1:21 p.m. Senate 11:07 a.m. to\u00a0 1:24\u00a0 p.m.<\/p>\n
Fri. Sept. 19 \u2013 No House or Senate session<\/p>\n
Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives\u2019 and senators\u2019 votes on roll calls from…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":245686,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[73634,210,1141,1142,728,9656,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-245685","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-care","8":"tag-beacon-hill-roll-call","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-health-care","11":"tag-healthcare","12":"tag-local-news","13":"tag-uncategorized","14":"tag-united-states","15":"tag-unitedstates","16":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115246509870389141","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/245685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=245685"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/245685\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/245686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=245685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=245685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=245685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}