Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of July 21 to July 25.
$300 million for local roads and bridges (H 4307)
The House, 157-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $1.2 billion transportation bond bill that includes authorizing $300 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state — a 50% increase over last year’s funding. The measure provides that $200 million be distributed to all cities and towns based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula while $100 million would be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.
The $1.2 billion package also includes $885 million for other transportation-related projects, including $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program that supports non-federally aided roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition; $200 million for a culvert and small bridge repair program to aid municipalities with local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement; and $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be available for a myriad of projects such as shared-use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings and sidewalks.
“The federal funding uncertainty from Washington D.C. is very real,” said Rep. James Arciero, D-Westford, House chair of the Committee on Transportation. “The House is proceeding with caution while balancing the significant transportation needs of our cities and towns. This bill leverages the Legislature’s increased appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. These strategic appropriations expanded our borrowing capacity to allow for additional transportation funding for cities and towns.”
“This legislation strikes a balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways and transportation-related projects while maintaining outstanding fiscal responsibility,” said Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfield), House Chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our decision to continue giving the governor the authority to utilize either general or special obligation bonds enables us to capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term and preserve general obligation bond capacity for the commonwealth’s most pressing needs.”
“The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and local leaders across the state are deeply grateful that legislators appreciate the importance of this program to the quality of life and economic development in our communities,” said MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine. “Chapter 90 is a program that benefits all 351 cities and towns in the state, and a 50% increase in funding would have a substantial impact in all corners of the commonwealth.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Change archaic language referring to persons with disabilities (S 2563)
The Senate, 40-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would modernize and remove archaic language in state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to persons with disabilities.
Changes include replacing “handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities,” replacing “the mentally retarded” with “persons with an intellectual disability,” replacing “retarded children” with “children with an intellectual disability” and replacing “disabled American veterans” with “American veterans with disabilities.”
“Words are important,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville, chief sponsor of the bill. “Language changes. We should use language that respects the people it refers to and listen to them. Fifteen years ago, a friend told Rep. Denise Provost and me how disrespected she felt being called ‘handicapped.’ We filed a bill to remove 10 sections of the general laws that used that word. Over the years, we have found nearly 400 sections with offensive words, including the r-word.”
Melissa Reilly, an advocate for people with disabilities and former policy advisor to Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, said the bill is important because all people with disabilities should be treated well and respected by others, and not mocked or judged or bullied for their disabilities.
“We are all unique and deserve respect,” Reilly said. “We do not want to be known as the ‘r-word.’”
Maura Sullivan, CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts, said the bill has been a long-time priority for The Arc and its community.
“Today’s vote sends a clear message in an important moment — such language has no place in our laws or in our society,” Sullivan said. “At this moment when disability rights are being threatened, we must show up every day to reaffirm our commitment to uplifting and valuing this community. This bill does just that.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Repeal archaic laws (S 2564)
The Senate, 40-0, approved and sent to the House legislation that would abolish some archaic laws that are still on the books in Massachusetts. These laws include prohibiting adultery, sodomy, blasphemy, “common nightwalking” and being a vagabond.
The measure also establishes a Permanent Law Revision Commission to examine the state’s laws and judicial decisions; identify defects and anachronisms in the law; and recommend reforms to align with modern conditions.
“When dusty and dangerous relics of a bygone era darken our laws, it creates the potential for real harm to residents today,” said Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. “We are on a path to making our laws better represent who we are in 21st-century Massachusetts.”
“The bill would remove archaic laws that intrude on an individual’s privacy regarding sexual activity,” said sponsor Sen. Will Brownsberger, D-Belmont. “[It] would remove existing statutes that criminalize sodomy and so-called ‘unnatural’ acts between consenting adults and make Massachusetts laws more inclusive of individuals who are LGBTQIA+. In some cases, the language that this bill would strike from the general laws dates back into the 1800s.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Autism and traffic stops (S 2565)
The Senate, 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill designed to improve interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill,” would create a program giving people with autism the option to be given a blue envelope that holds the person’s driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance cards. On the outside of the envelope there would be specific instructions for police officers on the driver’s diagnosis, impairments, triggers, emergency contact information and best practices for communicating. The bill is designed to enable the driver to quickly and easily hand the envelope to a police officer during a traffic stop.
“The Blue Envelope Bill makes our commonwealth a safer place for people who are neurodiverse,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton. “It moves us closer to equal opportunity and access for people of all abilities.”
“The Blue Envelope Bill would be a game-changer for our family and for so many Massachusetts residents,” said Ilyse Levine-Kanji, an Executive Committee member of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts. “Like many people with autism, my 27-year-old son Sam does not have any physical characteristics that indicate he has autism. In a stressful situation, where split second decisions must be made, I’m relieved that a police officer could see a blue envelope in Sam’s car and immediately understand that any unusual behavior or speech pattern is a result of his autism. This bill could thereby dramatically decrease the possibility of a tragic misunderstanding.”
“Massachusetts police officers conduct thousands of traffic stops each year,” said Tyrone Parham, UMass Amherst chief of police. “While most of these interactions are relatively ‘routine,’ officers do not know who they are interacting with before the traffic stop so they proceed with caution. Each driver reacts differently when they are pulled over by the police. As a number of communities across the commonwealth have already rolled out the current voluntary Blue Envelope Program, I’ve heard nothing but successes from both the police and motorists.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Train police officers on the Blue Envelope Program (S 2565)
The Senate, 39-0, approved an amendment that would require all police officers in Massachusetts to complete training every five years on the Blue Envelope Program.
“People on the autism spectrum can face unique challenges during stressful situations, such as traffic stops,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mike Moore, D-Millbury. “The Blue Envelope Program will help officers instantly understand if a driver might require a different approach, and my amendment will ensure that all law enforcement officials in the commonwealth have the training they need to better understand these individuals and how to keep everyone safer on the road with training refreshers every five years.”
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Yellow Envelope Program (S 2565)
The Senate, 5-34, rejected an amendment that would create a “Yellow Envelope Program” that would give drivers ages 62 and older who have a chronic illness the option to be given a yellow envelope that holds a recent photograph, the driver’s name, emergency contact information, physicians’ names and contact information, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies, medications and any other information the Registrar decides is relevant information to emergency responders in the case of emergency.
Amendment supporters say this program would be in addition to the Blue Envelope Program and would be helpful in many situations. They note that 22 other states already have this program.
Sen. Bruce Tarr, D-Gloucester, the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment. Beacon Hill Roll Call also did not receive a response from any of the other four senators who voted for the amendment: Sens. Kelly Dooner, R-Taunton, Peter Durant, R-Spencer, Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, and Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth.
Amendment opponents say the bill should not be attached as an amendment to the Blue Envelope Bill but rather should be considered on its own at a public hearing.
Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, the Senate chair of the Transportation Committee, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his opposition to the amendment.
A “No” vote is against the amendment.
Sen. Joanne Comerford — No
Sen. Paul Mark — No
Also up on Beacon Hill
Divest state retirement funds from companies that sell weapons to Israel (H 2984)
The Public Service Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with companies selling weapons to the State of Israel, unless the company announces within 30 days of the effective date of this bill, if it becomes law, that it will not renew or enter into contracts for weapon sales to the State of Israel.
“While I support Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself, the war on Gaza has exceeded all legitimate bounds and has widely been condemned as a genocide,” said Rep. Mike Connolly, D-Cambridge, a co-sponsor of the bill. “A cease-fire is long overdue, and yet the massacre of Palestinians continues with support from the United States government and weapons manufacturers. I am co-sponsoring this legislation to help do my part to ensure our state government is not complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and crimes against humanity in Gaza.”
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, D-Somerville, the chief sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to explain why she filed the bill. Two other co-sponsors, Reps. Natalie Higgins, D-Leominster, and Samantha Montano, D-Boston, did not respond to the same request.
Divest state retirement funds from firearms companies (S 1869)
Another measure heard by the Public Service Committee would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with companies that derive more than 15% of revenues from the sale or manufacture of ammunition, firearms or firearm accessories used for civilian purposes.
“It is crucial that we take a stand against gun violence, which is now the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 19,” said sponsor State Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “This bill takes a fiscally responsible approach in divesting from an industry that has repeatedly refused to work toward protecting our communities.”
Prohibit online tobacco sales (H 2482)
The Public Health Committee held a hearing on a measure that would prohibit the online sale of any tobacco products by requiring that any sale of tobacco be done in person, with both the buyer and seller physically present at the time and location of the purchase. The buyer’s age would have to be verified at the time of purchase through a valid government-issued photo ID.
“I filed [the bill] to close a dangerous loophole that allows minors to access nicotine products online without meaningful age verification,” said sponsor Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick. “By requiring all tobacco sales to occur in person, this bill strengthens safeguards and reaffirms Massachusetts’ commitment to protecting young people from addiction.”
Ban nicotine and tobacco (S 1568)
Another proposal before the Public Health Committee would eventually end the sale of all nicotine and tobacco products in Massachusetts. The proposal will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Instead, the measure would prohibit people under 21 who are not currently old enough to legally purchase nicotine and tobacco products to ever be lawfully able to purchase these products in Massachusetts.
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans die from smoking-attributable causes each year, and smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States,” said sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester. “Massachusetts prides itself on being a national and even world leader in public health, which is why I was proud to file this bill to establish a statewide Nicotine-Free Generation policy, modeled after local policies already enacted in many Massachusetts cities and towns, including every community that I represent. This bill will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Rather, this legislation will protect future generations, who are being targeted by Big Tobacco, from the harms of smoking and create a healthier world for the next generation.”
Free public college tuition (H 1428)
Legislation heard by the Higher Education Committee would allow people ages 18 or older who are being raised by their grandparents or other relatives, except parents, to have their tuition and fees waived if they are attending a state college.
“The bill is to allow children who are raised by their grandparents or other relative to be able to take advantage of the same benefit of free tuition and fees as those in custody of the Department of Children and Families,” said sponsor Rep. Paul Donato, D-Medford.
Freeze college tuition and fees (H 1463)
Another bill before the Higher Education Committee would freeze tuition and fees at all state colleges.
“I filed this important legislation because I believe the leadership of our public colleges and universities have utterly failed [to] reimagine how they fund their respective schools,” said sponsor Rep. Jeffrey Turco, D-Winthrop. “They continue to raise costs on working-class students, drive up student loan balances and then join in calls to create student loan forgiveness programs. Instead, they could follow the lead of Purdue University, Indiana’s largest public university and freeze tuition and fees for the past 14 years. Real leadership can make this happen. In the absence of real leadership, this legislation is needed.”