Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from recent sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.
$259 million fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget (S 2575)
The House, 150-6, and the Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a $259 million fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget.
The measure provides $40 million for the Committee for Public Counsel Services to hire about 320 additional public defenders. This supplemental budget did not include this investment in legal representation for indigent defendants when the governor first filed it, but a work stoppage among private attorneys who take cases as bar advocates had since led some criminal defendants to have charges against them dropped. The Legislature added the $40 million. The budget would provide bar advocates with a $20-an-hour raise over two years — compared to the $60-an-hour raise that some bar advocates were seeking.
Supporters said the $40 million will more than double the Committee for Public Counsel Services’ existing workforce. They noted that increasing the proportion of indigent clients represented by public defenders — as opposed to private bar advocates, who are independent contractors — will help stabilize the public defense system in Massachusetts.
“This agreement provides a substantial raise for bar advocates that reflects our commitment to supporting the important work that they do, even in a challenging budget year,” Healey said upon signing the budget.
However, the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said in a statement that the raise is not sufficient.
“The rates for bar advocates in Massachusetts remain insufficient and will not solve the current constitutional crisis. This legislation does not bring the rate of pay for bar advocates anywhere near the rate of pay for appointed attorneys in neighboring states.”
Other provisions in the budget include $60 million for home care services; $43 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program; $15.5 million for increasing the security of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards by transitioning to chip cards; $7.5 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP); $6 million for veterans’ benefits; $4 million for the Massachusetts State Police crime lab; and $1 million for the Fair Housing Fund.
“Amid President [Donald] Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education, and amid sweeping cuts at the federal level to programs that millions of Americans rely on, this supplemental budget makes key investments that will ensure continued funding for state programs that support many of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy.
“[This budget] has a carryover from the last budget, still spending money on illegal immigrants and pushing transgenderism and abortion,” said Rep. John Gaskey, R-Carver. “Until the Democrat-led Legislature wakes up to reality that these policies are destroying our state, I will continue to vote ‘No’ and I encourage other Democrat leaders to recognize reality and step up to be a voice for sanity and healthy citizens. Additionally, while I think the attorneys should be paid better to defend the indigent, I believe there are better ways than letting criminals go free.”
Five other representatives voted against the budget but did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to explain why they voted against it. The five representatives, all Republicans, are Reps. Brad Jones, R-North Reading, Paul Frost, R-Auburn, Nicholas Boldyga, R-Southwick, Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, and Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, R-Abington.
A “Yes” vote is for the $259 million budget.
- Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
$3.5 million for Department of Mental Health (S3)
The Senate, 39-0, approved an amendment that would increase funding for the Department of Mental Health by $3.5 million (from $15.5 million to $19 million) to support diversion programs that offer alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders. It also directs the Department of Mental Health to update regulations to improve discharge protocols for patients leaving mental health and substance use facilities that are overseen by the state.
“This amendment gets money and training into the hands of the people doing the hardest work — the officers, clinicians and outreach workers who are often the first to encounter our most vulnerable constituents,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Nick Collins, D-Boston. “By expanding these diversion programs and strengthening discharge oversight, we’re helping police de-escalate, helping communities stay safe and helping people get the care they need.”
A “Yes” vote is for the $3.5 million.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Appeal MBTA Communities Act (S 3)
The Senate, 5-34, rejected an amendment to the current law, known as the MBTA Communities Act, that, according to the state’s website, requires an MBTA community to have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as a right and that meets other criteria, including minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; and a location not more than half a mile from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station. No age restrictions can be applied and the district must be suitable for families with children.
The amendment would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town affected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. The amendment would also require any appeal to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability to meet the drinking water supply or wastewater requirements necessary to support the housing units authorized by the law’s zoning provisions; the inability of municipal transportation infrastructure to safely accommodate the increased population attributable to this housing development; and any adverse environmental impacts attributable to the development of housing units under this act.
“Allowing for these exceptions provides an avenue for a town to rightfully appeal the MBTA Community decision in cases where more harm than good is present,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton.
Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment.
A “No” vote is against the amendment.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — No
- Sen. Paul Mark — No
Also up on Beacon Hill
$300 million for local roads and bridges (H 4307)
Healey signed into law 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. The $300 million is 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 will be distributed based on road mileage.
The package also contains $885 million for other transportation-related projects, including $500 million for roads and bridges that are in the worst condition; $200 million to repair 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.
Reproductive and transgender care protections (H 4271)
Healey signed into law the “Shield Act,” which would prohibit state agencies, employees and law enforcement from cooperating with investigations by other states or the federal government into reproductive or gender-affirming health care that is legally protected in Massachusetts.
Other provisions include enhancing license protections for anyone providing or assisting in reproductive or transgender care; forbidding insurance companies from discriminating against or penalizing providers who offer reproductive and gender-affirming care; and protecting attorneys licensed in Massachusetts from removal or discipline for advising or representing clients on the topics of reproductive or transgender care.
Possible 2026 ballot questions
Sponsors of possible ballot questions for the November 2026 election faced their first deadline last week in the long process to get their proposed law on the ballot. Sponsors had until Aug. 6 to submit their proposals and the signatures of 10 citizens to Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s Office.
There were 43 initiative petitions for proposed new laws filed with Campbell’s office. Campbell will decide by Sept. 3 if the proposals pass muster and meet constitutional requirements. If an initiative petition for a proposed law is certified, the initiative’s proponents are required to gather and file with the secretary of the state the signatures of 74,574 registered voters by Dec. 3. The proposal would then be sent to the Legislature and, if not approved by May 6, 2026, proponents must gather another 12,429 signatures by July 1, 2026, for the question to appear on the November 2026 ballot.
Proposed laws include requiring voters to show identification at their polling places to be allowed to vote; overhauling or eliminating the financial stipends that legislative leaders award to many lawmakers for serving in the leadership and as committee chairs; subjecting the governor’s office and Legislature to the state’s public records law; allowing prospective voters to register and cast a ballot in a single trip to the polls on Election Day; enable Committee for Public Counsel Services staff — which includes public defenders, social workers, investigators and administrative staff who support indigent clients — to unionize; imposing rent control by curtailing rent increases to the cost of living with a 5% increase, with some exemptions; reducing the personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over a three-year period; using a portion of the funds generated from the existing sales tax on sporting goods to fund conservation; providing indigent tenants with an attorney in eviction and foreclosure proceedings; and allowing single-family homes on small lots in areas with adequate infrastructure.
A complete list of proposed laws can be found at tinyurl.com/2026BallotQuestions.
Special education funding (H 2302)
The House gave initial approval to a bill that would increase the amount of funding that a school district can put in a reserve account during good fiscal times to help alleviate the fiscal burden of paying for special education during difficult fiscal times. The measure would increase the amount allowed from 2% to 5% of the district’s annual budget.
“The districts I represent have struggled over this past year, as have districts across the commonwealth, and one of the biggest drivers of those challenges has been the rising cost of special education,” said sponsor Rep. Kathy LaNatra, D-Kingston. “I want to give districts the tools they need to plan for these difficult times in the future and give them the chance to make sound fiscal planning decisions to ensure that rising costs don’t lead to budget cuts.”
Make Daylight Savings Time permanent (S 2157)
A bill before the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight would require Massachusetts to be on Daylight Savings Time all year, meaning people would no longer change the clocks in the spring and fall.
Currently, 48 states have Daylight Savings Time, with the exceptions being Hawaii and Arizona. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November, areas on Daylight Saving Time return to standard time at 2 a.m. When Daylight Saving Time begins in the United States, you turn your clocks ahead one hour (“spring forward”). At the end of Daylight Savings Time, you turn your clocks back one hour (“fall back”).
Sponsor Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, said, “Reflecting the recommendations made by the Massachusetts Special Commission on the Commonwealth’s Time Zone, this bill could result in decreased energy usage; reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes, car and workplace accidents; increased workplace productivity; and less crime.”
Supporters said the bill would result in a permanent increase in daylight hours in the evening, encourage more evening activities and increase physical fitness. They noted that changing the time even by only an hour impacts body clocks or circadian rhythm, leading to worse sleep, particularly for infants. They noted that the mental effects of less daylight increase depression while compromising sleep duration and efficiency.
Free menstrual products (H 684)
A bill before the Education Committee would require all public schools with students in grades six to 12 to maintain free menstrual products, including sanitary napkins and tampons, in restrooms and to make them available in a “convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking the products.”
“Requiring schools to provide free menstrual products will not only reduce distractions throughout the day but will also reduce embarrassment by guaranteeing that essential health items are readily available when needed,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin. “Such access ensures that students can attend classes and participate in extracurricular activities without interruption. Toilet paper and paper towels are available free of charge at high schools and middle schools, and menstrual products are no less essential to a student’s well-being. No student should face any barrier, financial or otherwise, to accessing basic health essentials.”
The bill was given initial approval in the House in 2024 but never advanced further and died in committee at the end of 2024.
Investigate air quality in public schools (S 351)
Another bill before the Education Committee would establish a 17-member task force to review and investigate indoor air quality in public school buildings that provide education for K-12 children. The committee would be tasked with identifying indicators of indoor air quality by conducting an assessment of carbon monoxide detection systems within each public school, developing best practices for placement and installation of carbon monoxide detection systems, and reviewing the regulation of minimum and maximum allowable air temperatures and relative humidity. By Oct. 1, 2026, the task force would be required to file a report on its findings, which would include recommendations for any proposed legislation.
“Ensuring that our children are safe at school is of utmost importance,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton. “This legislation creates a task force to examine current carbon monoxide monitoring, temperature settings and the impact this has on the school setting. The task force would then establish new practices that are in line with the highest standards possible to ensure that air quality in schools is what is best for our children.”
Local planning boards (H 2300)
The House gave initial approval to legislation that would allow associate members of local planning boards to act on any matter before a planning board, mirroring the current law that applies to associate members of zoning boards of appeals. An associate planning board member is one that is appointed to act in place of regular members because of absence, conflict of interest or when a seat is vacant. The bill was given initial approval by the House in the 2024 session but died in committee with no further action taken.
Supporters of the bill said the attorney general has ruled that associate members may only act on a special permit application, and none of the other many functions of a planning board. They said the attorney general’s ruling can handicap a planning board when trying to attain a quorum to open a meeting, or when voting on other matters and permits before them, such as site plans or subdivisions.
“Planning boards have many responsibilities, including but not limited to long-range planning and permitting of special permits, site plans and subdivisions,” said sponsor Rep. Kristin Kassner, D-Hamilton. “This will help the planning boards in our communities keep permitting on track and move through the business in front of them. Amendments like this clear up confusion in the law and provide needed tools for community success.”
$865,000 settlement for violating employment laws
Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced that her office has reached a settlement with online grocery-delivery company Weee, resolving allegations that it violated Massachusetts employment laws pertaining to employee classification and earned sick time. As part of the settlement, Weee has agreed to pay more than $865,000 in citations, including restitution for more than 160 impacted workers and penalties.
“When employers illegally misclassify workers and prevent them from accessing crucial employee protections, such as the right to earn and use sick time to care for themselves and their families, vulnerable workers are unfairly harmed and exploited,” Campbell said. “My office will continue to enforce our laws to protect and empower workers, reminding employers that Massachusetts is serious about protecting workers’ rights.”