There were no roll calls in the House and Senate last week.

This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on the number of times each representative sided with Gov. Maura Healey on her 15 vetoes of state budget items in the 2025 legislative session.

A two-thirds vote is required to override a gubernatorial veto. In a full 160-member House, the governor needs the support of 54 representatives to sustain a veto when all 160 representatives vote — and fewer votes when some members are absent or a seat is vacant. Healey fell far short of that goal as 24 votes was the most support she received on any veto. The House easily overrode all 15 vetoes, including three that were overridden unanimously.

None of the 133 Democrats ever sided with Healey to support/sustain a single veto.

The top six Republican representatives who voted to support Healey the least frequently are Reps. David Vieira, R-Falmouth, who voted with Healey three times (20.0%); Kimberly Ferguson, R-Holden, who voted with Healey four times (26.6%); and David Muradian, R-Grafton, Michael Chaisson, R-Foxborough, Steven Howitt, R-Seekonk, and Michael Soter, R-Bellingham, who each voted with Healey only five times (33.3%).

The top six Republican representatives who voted to support Healey the most frequently are Reps. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, who voted with Healey 12 times (80.0%); Nick Boldyga, R-Southwick, and David DeCoste, R-Norwell, who each voted with Healey 11 times (73.3%); Donald Berthiaume, R-Spencer, who voted with Healey 10 times (66.6%); and Norman Orrall, R-Lakeville, and Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington, who each voted with Healey nine times (60.0%).

The percentage represents the percentage of times that the representative supported Gov. Healey’s 15 vetoes. The number in parentheses is the number of times the representative voted in support of her vetoes.

  • Rep. Natalie Blais — 0% (0)
  • Rep. Aaron Saunders — 0% (0)
  • Rep. Susannah Whipps — 0% (0)

Also up on Beacon Hill

Certification of police officers who are pardoned felons (H 2582)

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would amend the law prohibiting the state from certifying or recertifying as a police officer anyone who has been convicted of a felony. The bill would amend the law by continuing to prohibit certification for a felon even if the person has received a presidential or gubernatorial pardon.

Supporters say the bill would close a loophole in current law that allows felons, who receive a presidential or gubernatorial pardon for commission of a felony, to be eligible for certification as a police officer. They said that a pardoned felon has still committed the felony and should not be eligible to be a police officer. They argued the loophole goes too far and should be closed.

Rep. Mike Day, D-Stoneham, the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on why he filed the bill and on its passage.

Reps. Dan Cahill, D-Lynn, and Christopher Worrell, D-Boston, the House chair and House vice chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, which approved the bill, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on why the committee supported it and on its passage.

Opponents of the bill say that if a felon is pardoned, he should still be eligible to be a police officer. They noted there are some states that do allow pardoned ex-felons to become police officers.

Neither the Massachusetts Coalition of Police nor the Massachusetts Police Association responded to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them for comment.

Galvin reminds taxpayers of new tax break

Secretary of State William Galvin is reminding Massachusetts residents who are preparing to file their 2025 tax returns to pay close attention to tax breaks offered by recent changes in federal tax laws before submitting a return.

Galvin said that under the federal tax reform package signed into law in July 2025, some taxpayers will now be able to deduct up to $40,000 in state and local tax payments, but only if they itemize their deductions. Prior to passage of that package, state and local tax deductions were capped at $10,000. Galvin noted that this recent increase to $40,000 will most likely benefit Massachusetts homeowners with significant property tax bills or residents with high income tax payments.

“Many taxpayers may not realize that their property tax, auto excise tax and state income tax can all be deducted, subject to the $40,000 cap and certain income limits,” Galvin said. “Now is the time, at the beginning of the new year, to consider your options and perhaps consult with a tax professional, to decide whether you should itemize your deductions to take advantage of this tax break.”