Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of Oct. 20 to Oct. 24.
The Senate votes include roll calls from several budget vetoes made by Gov. Maura Healey to the $60.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2025.
The Senate overrode more than $70 million of Healey’s $130 million worth of budget vetoes. The House already overrode the same vetoes and the funding now stands and remains in the budget.
“We are very confident that by overriding the governor’s vetoes, we can continue to fund services and programs and agencies that make up the fabric of our commonwealth, all while remaining fiscally responsible and living within our means,” said Sen. Jo Comerford, vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
“Beacon Hill politicians spent the better part of a year warning about fiscal uncertainty from Washington, and now that those cuts have arrived, they’re ignoring their own warnings,” said Paul Craney, executive director for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Instead of learning to live within our means, the Legislature is proving once again that its only solution to a budget problem is more spending.”
Protect public transit workers (H 1877)
The House, 160-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would expand the law that punishes anyone who commits assault and battery against a public employee.
Current law applies to attempts to disarm a police officer; assault and battery upon a police officer; and assault and battery on a public employee when they are engaged in the performance of their duties.
The bill would specifically add assault and battery on transit workers to the current law. It also provides that the assault in any of these cases can be by use of a bodily substance such as spitting or throwing substances like urine.
“Our transit workers provide critical services all over the commonwealth, yet are many times assaulted by the very customers they serve,” said sponsor Rep. Joe McGonagle Jr., D-Everett. “I am so thrilled to have this bill passed to provide our transit workers with the protections they deserve. The right to feel safe and supported on the job is just that, a right. I’m also extremely grateful to the brave men and women who came forward to share their stories.”
“We thank the House for voting in favor of this important legislation to protect our MBTA train and bus operators, and all public transit employees,” said Jim Evers, president of the Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589. “Protecting transit workers is essential to maintaining a safe and quality public transportation system. This bill will ensure the safety of the essential workers who keep our communities moving every day. We look forward to swift passage in the Senate so that these vital protections can be signed into state law to safeguard transit workers for generations to come.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Enhance child welfare protections (H 4645)
The House, 159-1, approved and sent to the Senate a proposal that supporters say would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability within the child welfare system.
Provisions include consolidating reporting by the Department of Children and Families, clarifying the independence of the Office of the Child Advocate, improving educational stability for children in care and providing for the creation of a child fatality review team.
“This bill strengthens the systems that protect the commonwealth’s most vulnerable children,” said Rep. Jay Livingstone, D-Boston, House chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “It gives DCF, the Legislature and the public more tools to better understand what’s working, identify where improvement is needed and continue improving outcomes for children.”
“DCF is being weaponized against potential foster parents of Christian faith and laws are beginning to encroach on religious freedom,” said Rep. John Gaskey, R-Carver, the only member who voted against the measure. “Buried in this legislation is a requirement for gender-affirming care. We should be moving away from this practice and moving toward gender-confirming care. Gender dysphoria is still a mental health problem that children need help navigating through and toward a healthy lifestyle. Foster children are our most vulnerable children and they need our protection.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Union representation (H 4645)
The House, 159-1, approved an amendment to ensure that DCF social workers have union representation on the state’s child fatality review team.
“As a licensed DCF social worker with nearly 25 years of experience, I know firsthand the importance of hearing the voices of frontline care workers in policymaking,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Jim O’Day, D-West Boylston. “Therefore, I filed a successful amendment to ensure that DCF social workers have union representation on the state child fatality review team. Ultimately, I’m proud of the work that the House is doing to strengthen our state’s child welfare infrastructure and prevent future tragedies.”
“This amendment sought to include another member to a review board that is a union administration person,” said Rep. John Gaskey, R-Carver, the only member who voted against the amendment. “I am not opposed to union representatives standing up and assisting in the defense of a member, but they should not be a part of a review board.”
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
$1.5 million for sewer rate relief (H 4240)
The Senate, 38-0, override Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund, which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services.
“This veto would eliminate important funding that is used to reduce [consumers’] sewer and water rates, and for the commonwealth’s cities and towns utilizing the MWRA systems,” said Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “These reductions directly affect the financial well-being of our residents. We have made this funding available for several years to lower the amount that individual ratepayers owe, ensure proper disposal of wastewater and process timely payments of debt service. It’s critical that we make these investments now to support the commonwealth’s long-term environmental and financial goals.”
In her veto message, Gov. Healy said, “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation.”
A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 million.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
$300,000 for programs for the blind (H 4240)
The Senate, 38-0, overrode Gov. Healey’s $300,000 veto reduction (from 8,864,721 to 8,564,721) in programs for the blind.
“This particular veto would eliminate earmarked funding for maximizing the independent living skills of legally blind residents,” said Sen. Comerford. “The earmarked funding is intended to support rehabilitation programs, housing assistance services, adjustment counseling services and devices, software and technology training for the blind. This funding represents a crucial piece of the Senate’s commitment to providing a robust system of supports for blind and visually impaired residents of the commonwealth.”
In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary. This reduction is not expected to impact planned programming.”
A “Yes” vote is for the $300,000.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
$2.5 million for substance abuse (H 4240)
The Senate, 38-0, overrode Gov. Healey’s $2.5 million veto reduction (from 8,864,721 to $6,364,721) in programs for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.
“This veto would reduce funding earmarked for low-threshold housing, for homeless individuals with substance use and mental health disorders who are also at risk of HIV,” said Sen. Comerford. “The funding supports both continued programming and expansions of low-threshold housing units. Low-threshold housing units represent an approach to homelessness that is more supportive of individuals with substance and mental health disorders. Many senators in this chamber value these kinds of programs.”
In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary to support continued programming. This operating funding overlaps with significant alternative funding sources to support expansions in low-threshold housing units and related supports.”
A “Yes” vote is for the $2.5 million.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
$1.5 million for early intervention services (H 4240)
The Senate, 38-0, override Gov. Healey’s $1,530,735 veto reduction (from $39,250,384 to 37,719,649) for early intervention services.
“This particular veto would reduce funding for the early intervention program, which provides crucial support to infants and toddlers experiencing or at risk for developmental delays, as well as supporting their families and caregivers,” said Sen. Comerford. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, families have faced significant challenges to accessing and using these early intervention services. This funding represents a critical component of the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to increasing the program’s capacity for the sake of the children and their families across the commonwealth.”
In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am reducing this item to align with current utilization trends.”
A “Yes” vote is for the $1,530,735.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
$2.3 billion supplemental budget (S 2575)
The Senate, 39-0, approved a $2.3 billion supplemental budget to close out the books on state government for fiscal year 2025. The actual cost to the state will be $795 million after revenue from federal reimbursements has been sent to the state. The House has approved a different version of the supplemental budget and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually hammer out a compromise version.
A key provision provides $2.04 billion for MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care for low-income people and people with disabilities — with a net cost to the state of only $539 million after reimbursements from the federal government.
The bill restores $18.3 million in funding for student financial aid assistance ahead of the spring semester and proactively protects additional support for community college students earning degrees through the MassEducate program. A new Public Higher Education Student Support Fund ensures that a key stipend for books and supplies remains fully funded.
Other provisions include $12 million to support the universal meals program for schoolchildren; $12.5 million to cover no-cost phone call communications for incarcerated people; $14 million to aid people in treatment for substance use and alcohol addiction; $18.5 million to support public health hospitals; $5 million for reproductive health care; $60.7 million for snow and ice removal expenses; $75 million for the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund that supports affordable rental housing; creation of an investigation of sheriffs’ fiscal year 2025 spending in response to sharp annual growth in the sheriffs’ spending deficits; and protection for federal workers and Armed Forces service members to prevent them from losing their housing to a residential eviction or foreclosure during the federal government shutdown.
“With uncertainty persisting in the federal government, it is important to demonstrate the state’s fiscal integrity,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues, D-Westport, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “That is why, today, the Senate responsibly closed the books on fiscal year 2025 with a fiscally sound closeout budget that ensures the commonwealth meets its obligations while continuing to support critical programs that serve Massachusetts residents. This budget also establishes fiscal oversight of all county sheriffs’ departments, a necessary step to rein in years of overspending that has significantly escalated in fiscal year 2025.”
A “Yes” vote is for the budget.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Require report on the family shelter system (S 2655)
The Senate, 38-0, approved an amendment that would reinstate the requirement that the Healey-Driscoll administration submit a biweekly report on the cost and occupancy of the emergency assistance family shelter system. The previous requirement of reports lapsed at the end of fiscal year 2025.
Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, the sponsor of the amendment, said one of the things both parties have always held as a shared value in the Senate chamber is accountability. He noted that when the state entered a difficult time in its shelter system, it required more information about the cost and occupancy of the shelter system. He said it helped the state understand what was happening so it could best develop a plan to respond to that crisis. He argued it is time to reinstate that system.
A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.
- Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Also up on Beacon Hill
Handicapped parking (H 3613)
The Transportation Committee held a hearing on legislation that would establish a special commission to study the feasibility of setting time limits for handicapped parking placard use in metered spots. The commission would include legislators, state officials and appointees of the governor, who would be tasked with gathering input from experts and the public. Its purpose is to explore potential benefits, impacts and options such as reduced or standardized fees after time limits expire.
“I filed this legislation to promote fairness and improve accessibility in metered parking spots,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers, D-Quincy. “Establishing this commission to study the feasibility of time limits for handicapped placard use will help ensure that these spaces remain available throughout the day for as many people as possible who rely on them.”
Smoking in non-smoking apartments (S 1137)
A bill heard by the Judiciary Committee would create a legal assumption about whether there has been smoking in a non-smoking apartment. The assumption relies on the fact that there is no legitimate reason why a renter should take down, unplug or cover their smoke detectors. If a renter does this, they will be assumed to have been smoking. The landlord must prove the detectors were there when the renter moved in. A third party, like the fire department, must testify or provide a report that the detectors were not there after the incident.
“This bill would provide property owners with the ability to address smoking complaints, which in turn, protects tenants, neighbors and public health,” said sponsor Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy. “It closes a statutory loophole [that] causes tenants and property owners to struggle when faced with complaints against tenants for smoking in non-smoking buildings.”
Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held hearings on several bills, including:
Prohibit health boards from unilaterally banning the sale of legal products (H 371): Would prohibit municipal boards of health from banning the sale of any legal consumer product by authorized retailers without authorization of the local town meeting or city council.
“This bill seeks to ensure that local boards and committees, be they elected or appointed, don’t overstep their authority to pursue idealistic, but potentially unconstitutional, bans on consumer products,” said sponsor Rep. Joe McKenna, R-Sutton. “It maintains the ability for a community to come together through its ordinary legislative process, whether city council or town meeting, to pass such a local bylaw, should the constituency of the community want it. Government entities must respect individuals’ rights and liberties and ability to choose to live their life free of onerous government mandates or restrictions.”
Flavored hookah tobacco products (S 270): Would exempt flavored and menthol hookah tobacco from the 2019 law that prohibits the sale of any flavored or menthol tobacco products.
“This bill will ensure that small businesses and consumers are responsible in the sale, purchase and consumption of certain flavored tobacco products,” said sponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth. “This would place regulations on the sale of certain tobacco products that will ensure the safety of the business themselves, and their consumers, while allowing for an exemption from the flavored tobacco ban in Massachusetts. Overall, this bill is meant to protect our members of the public and ensure responsibility when participating in recreational tobacco.”
Digital grocery coupons (H 470): Would mandate that all grocery stores offering digital coupons also offer identical paper coupons to shoppers. It also requires digital coupons to be automatically applied to the purchases of any consumer over the age of 65 or any consumer who asks about available digital coupons. Violators would be fined $2,500 for the first offense and $5,000 fine for each subsequent offense.
“This bill seeks to create fairness for senior citizens who might not have access to a so-called smartphone and thus currently do not have access to electronic coupons,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Turco, D-Winthrop.
Ban cosmetics that use animal testing (S 263): Would prohibit a manufacturer from selling any cosmetic product in Massachusetts that the manufacturer knew, or reasonably should have known, that animal testing was used to produce.
“The testing of cosmetic products on animals is shocking and inhumane, supporting abusive environments and tortured lives for rabbits, primates, dogs and other types of animals that can feel pain and experience emotions,” said co-sponsor Sen. Mike Moore, D-Millbury. “This legislation, which I am proud to co-sponsor, would disrupt the status quo and encourage companies to be better by disallowing the sale of products that were created at the expense of these innocent animals.”