MA Senate Passes Redistricting Legislation

Today (10/27/21), the Massachusetts State Senate passed S.2560, An Act establishing senatorial districts. This bill, and the redistricting map it describes, doubles the number of majority-minority Senate districts, from three to six.

This bill divides the Commonwealth into 40 senatorial districts that will be in effect until the next redistricting cycle following the decennial census in 2030. These districts are drawn based on data from the 2020 census.

The efforts to increase majority-minority representation include the strengthening of a Black ‘ability-to-elect’ district in Boston and the creation of a Hispanic ‘ability-to-elect’ district in the Merrimack Valley, along with the creation, strengthening or preservation of four ‘opportunity-to-elect’ districts in the Chelsea area, the Brockton area, Springfield, and Boston.

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting sought broad public input, holding. 19 public hearings, including hearings in nine different languages. The Committee also held a large number of meetings with advocates and legislators and maintained a website with case law, statistics, and ultimately, draft and final maps.

“This redistricting process will ensure that everyone's voice is heard in the Massachusetts State Senate,” said Massachusetts Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). ‘By listening to residents throughout this process, we have passed a map that fairly and accurately represents the people of Massachusetts. Additionally, these districts will better reflect the diversity of people who call Massachusetts home. I'd like to thank the Joint Committee on Redistricting, the members of the Senate Committee, their staffs, my Senate colleagues, and Senate Chair William Brownsberger for his thoughtful and thorough approach to ensuring equitable representation.”

“I am deeply grateful to the New Democracy Coalition, the Drawing Democracy Coalition and the hundreds of individuals who came forward to help shape the Commonwealth’s legislative districts for the coming 10 years,” stated Senator William N. Brownsberger (D-Belmont), the Senate Chair of the Joint Redistricting Committee. “I believe that with their help we have ended up with a high-quality plan.”

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting carefully identified and sought to meet its legal obligations under the Equal Protection Clause, the Voting Rights Act, and other relevant law. It also followed traditional redistricting principals, especially emphasizing keeping municipalities whole. In a move hailed by Massachusetts municipalities, the new Senate map reduces the number of towns and cities split between two or more Senate districts from 21 to 11.

The Senate bill will now go the House of Representatives for their approval. Complete details of the Senate map can be found at malegislature.gov/redistricting. 

MA Senate Passes Redistricting Legislation

MA Senate Passes Landmark Voting Reform Legislation

 

 Senate Passes Landmark Voting Reform Legislation

Bill makes vote-by-mail permanent, expands early voting options, implements same-day voter registration, and ushers in other groundbreaking election reforms   

Today (10/06/21) , the Massachusetts State Senate passed S.2545, An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security (the VOTES Act). This comprehensive voting reform bill permanently codifies the popular mail-in and early voting options used in Massachusetts in 2020. The bill would also enact same-day voter registration, increase ballot access for service members serving overseas, and make a series of other improvements to the Commonwealth's election administration process. 

"I am incredibly proud of the Senate's work on the VOTES Act, which will not only protect but expand voting access in the Commonwealth," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The provisions contained within this bill, including same-day voter registration, early voting, and permanent vote-by-mail will make it much easier to vote in Massachusetts—which is especially important for those individuals and communities that have struggled to vote or who have been disenfranchised in the past. I am excited to see this bill signed into law so that all of our citizens will have expanded access to voting, our most sacred right as Americans. I'd like to thank Senate Majority Leader Creem, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, Election Laws Committee Chair Finegold and all of the voting rights advocates for their incredible work on this bill."

"Our democracy works best when we empower all eligible citizens to vote," said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D. Newton). "The VOTES Act makes it easier than ever for Massachusetts residents to register and cast a ballot, while also ensuring that we maintain an efficient and secure election process. During a moment when voting rights are under threat across the country, I'm proud that the Senate has voted to expand access to the ballot box."

"After thoughtful debate on the floor of the Senate, I am thrilled that we have passed this landmark legislation to make voting more accessible than ever for all citizens of Massachusetts," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. "I am proud of the collective effort of this body to improve the bill through the amendment process to ensure safe and secure access to the ballot box. Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her continued leadership, Senators Creem and Finegold for their persistent advocacy and commitment to this issue, and to all my Senate colleagues for engaging in a process that has further strengthened the right to vote in the Commonwealth."

"This landmark election reform bill will empower voters and strengthen our democracy," said Senator Barry Finegold (D - Andover), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. "People have fought and died for the right to vote. Such a hard-earned right is sacred, and we must protect it. It is now time to build on the progress we have already made and enact long-lasting voting reforms. The Senate's proposed legislation will move our election system into the modern era and help make sure that every voter can exercise their fundamental right to vote. The votes and the voices of the people of Massachusetts matter. Let's make them heard."

Responding to trends in voting and building off previous actions taken by the Legislature, the VOTES Act contains the following key provisions: 

Same-Day Voter Registration

• Individuals would be able to register to vote during early voting periods or on the day of a primary or election. 
• Twenty other states and the District of Columbia already use same-day registration. 

Early Voting In-Person 

• The bill would require two weeks (including two weekends) of early voting in-person for biennial state elections and any municipal elections held on the same day. 
• The bill would require one week (including one weekend) of early voting in-person for a presidential or state primary and any municipal elections held on the same day.
• The bill would allow municipalities to opt-in to early voting in-person for any municipal election not held concurrently with another election. 

Permanent No-Excuse Mail-In Voting 

• The bill would require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to send out mail-in ballot applications to all registered voters on July 15 of every even-numbered year; the Secretary of the Commonwealth would have the option to include these applications as part of mailings already required to be sent by the Secretary.
• As in 2020, postage would be guaranteed for mail-in ballot applications and ballots. 
• As in 2020, mail-in ballots would be accepted for a biennial state election if mailed on or by election day and received by 5PM on the third day after the election. 

Additional Flexibility For Local Officials

• The bill would give municipalities the option to set up secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots. 
• The bill would allow election officials to pre-process mail-in and early voting ballots in advance of Election Day.
• The bill would give municipalities discretion as to the use of a check-out list at a polling location. 

Accommodations For People With Disabilities

• The bill would allow a voter with disabilities to request accommodations from the Secretary of the Commonwealth to vote by mail for state elections.
• Accommodations would include: electronic and accessible instructions, ballot application, ballot, and a voter affidavit that can be submitted electronically.

Jail-Based Voting Reforms 

• The bill would help ensure that individuals who are incarcerated who are currently eligible to vote are provided with voting information and materials to exercise their right to vote in every state primary and election. 
• The bill would require correctional facilities to display and distribute information about voting rights and procedures, as prepared by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
• The bill would require facilities to assist individuals who are incarcerated in registering, applying for and returning mail ballots.
• Through inclusion of an amendment, the bill would ensure that individuals who are incarcerated are properly notified of their right to vote upon release and given the opportunity fill out a voter registration form

Joining the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) 

• The bill would require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to enter into an agreement with ERIC no later than July 1, 2022. 
• Thirty other states have already joined ERIC, which helps states keep more accurate voting rolls.

The Senate also unanimously approved an amendment to the VOTES Act targeting vote-by-mail ballot access by U.S. service members residing overseas and allowing for them to cast their vote electronically. 

The bill, through inclusion of an amendment, would also instruct the Secretary of State to conduct a comprehensive public awareness campaign to highlight the new voting and registration options.

Today's vote follows previous action by the Legislature to temporarily extend vote-by-mail and early voting options through December 15, 2021. 

The VOTES Act now advances on to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for further consideration. 

Link to legislative document -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2545

Mass Senate Unveils VOTES Act - Discussion scheduled for Oct 6, 2021

 Senate Set to Consider Landmark Voting Reform Bill

Legislation makes vote-by-mail permanent, expands early voting options, implements same-day voter registration, and ushers in other groundbreaking election reforms

Today (9/31/21), the Massachusetts State Senate unveiled S.2545, An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security (the VOTES Act). This comprehensive voting reform bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), would permanently codify the popular mail-in and early voting options used in Massachusetts in 2020. The bill would also enact same-day voter registration and make a series of other improvements to the Commonwealth's election administration process.

The VOTES Act takes crucial steps to expand the right to vote in Massachusetts at a time when states across the country are rolling back voting rights: since the start of this year, 18 states have passed 30 laws limiting voter access. The Senate bill would also take steps to align the Commonwealth with potential changes to national voting laws by including multiple provisions, such as same-day voter registration and no-excuse voting by mail, which were included in the For the People Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year.

The Legislature previously enacted legislation to temporarily extend vote-by-mail and early voting options through December 15, 2021.

"True representative democracy is a perpetual work in progress, requiring vigilance on the part of citizens  and constant attention from lawmakers," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "One of the few silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic is that we had the chance to prove that the voting reforms that so many have advocated for can and do work. As too many states across our nation seek to limit voting rights, I'm proud that the Massachusetts Senate can show the power of not only protecting but expanding voters' access to the ballot box. I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Senate Majority Leader Creem, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, Election Laws Committee Chair Finegold for their tireless efforts on the VOTES Act, as well as the voting rights advocates who never gave up the fight."

"At this time in our country's history, we know now, more than ever, how critical it is to ensure that all voices are heard in our democracy.  And this bill embraces that ideal," said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D. Newton). "The provisions of this bill will increase voter participation and modernize our voter registration system while maintaining an efficient and secure election process.  Voters want, and deserve, to have these options available to them in our future elections."

"This landmark legislation removes barriers to the ballot box and makes voting more accessible than ever for all citizens of Massachusetts," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. "Making sure everyone has the ability to vote is one of the most important things we can do as legislators, and I am proud of the collaborative and cooperative effort that resulted in this bill. Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her continued leadership, and Senators Creem and Finegold for their steadfast advocacy to further enshrine the right to vote into the fabric of our Commonwealth."

"This landmark election reform bill will empower voters and strengthen our democracy," said Senator Barry Finegold (D - Andover), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. "In 2020, mail-in and early voting options helped generate record-breaking turnout. It is now time to build on the progress we have already made and make permanent improvements to our elections. The Senate's proposed legislation will move our election system into the modern era and help make sure that every voter can exercise their fundamental right to vote."

In the 2020 general election, more people voted than ever before in Massachusetts. Approximately 3.66 million residents cast ballots, totaling 76% of all registered voters. Voters took advantage of new voting options: 42% of voters voted by mail and another 23% voted in person during early voting windows. Similarly, over 1.7 million people voted in last year's state primary, the highest number of voters ever in a state primary. Close to half of all voters voted by mail during the primary.

"I commend the Senate on proposing these critical election reforms," stated Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. "Across the country, we are seeing bills advance in state legislatures that threaten the freedom to vote and would bring our country back to historic levels of disenfranchisement. Here in Massachusetts, it is essential that we take these important steps to protect the freedom to vote and to ensure the accessibility and security of our elections."

"The VOTES Act is a landmark election reform package that will make our democracy more accessible and equitable. It removes barriers to voting and strengthens our election infrastructure," stated Geoff Foster, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts. "After everything our democracy has been through this last year, the time for these reforms is now."

"When voting rights are under attack around the country, we're grateful to the leaders in our state Senate and House who know this is the moment for Massachusetts to do all we can to strengthen equitable access to the ballot for all," stated Carol Rose, Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts.

"We are so glad to see that the Massachusetts Senate is expanding voting rights at a time when these rights are under attack nationally," stated Juan M. Cofield, President of NAACP, the New England Area Conference. "Our Commonwealth is stronger when more people are able to vote, and the VOTES Act provides even more voting opportunities for all people to make their voices heard. This legislation will also work toward eliminating the barriers that have historically limited the right to vote among Black communities and communities of color."

"Not all voters have equal access to the ballot in Massachusetts. The VOTES Act seeks to address the many challenges that voters face and to make our democracy even stronger," stated Beth Huang, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Voter Table.

"At a moment when there are so many intractable problems that face us; here's a bill—the VOTES Act—that gives us solutions: it takes down barriers to voting and makes democracy more accessible to more Bay Staters. Doesn't that sound glorious?" stated Janet Domenitz, Executive Director of MASSPIRG.

"We're thrilled to see the Senate take this critical step," said Cheryl Clyburn Crawford, Executive Director of MassVOTE. "Massachusetts is one step closer to passing voting reforms that will make our elections dramatically more accessible and inclusive."

"The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts is delighted the Senate will take up a strong voting bill that includes same-day voter registration along with the expanded mail and in-person early voting that produced record turnout last fall," stated Patricia Comfort, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts. "At a time when far too many states are actively limiting access to the ballot box, we are proud that the Massachusetts Senate is moving to make voting easier and even more accessible in our state."

Responding to trends in voting and building off previous actions taken by the Legislature, the VOTES Act contains the following key provisions:

Same-Day Voter Registration

• Individuals would be able to register to vote during early voting periods or on the day of a primary or election.
• Twenty other states and the District of Columbia already use same-day registration.

Early Voting In-Person

• The bill would require two weeks (including two weekends) of early voting in-person for biennial state elections and any municipal elections held on the same day.
• The bill would require one week (including one weekend) of early voting in-person for a presidential or state primary and any municipal elections held on the same day.
• The bill would allow municipalities to opt-in to early voting in-person for any municipal election not held concurrently with another election.

Permanent No-Excuse Mail-In Voting

• The bill would require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to send out mail-in ballot applications to all registered voters on July 15 of every even-numbered year; the Secretary of the Commonwealth would have the option to include these applications as part of mailings already required to be sent by the Secretary.
• As in 2020, postage would be guaranteed for mail-in ballot applications and ballots.
• As in 2020, mail-in ballots would be accepted for a biennial state election if mailed on or by election day and received by 5PM on the third day after the election.

Additional Flexibility For Local Officials

• The bill would give municipalities the option to set up secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots.
• The bill would allow election officials to pre-process mail-in and early voting ballots in advance of Election Day.
• The bill would give municipalities discretion as to the use of a check-out list at a polling location.

Accommodations For People With Disabilities

• The bill would allow a voter with disabilities to request accommodations from the Secretary of the Commonwealth to vote by mail for state elections.
• Accommodations would include: electronic and accessible instructions, ballot application, ballot, and a voter affidavit that can be submitted electronically.

Jail-Based Voting Reforms

• The bill would help ensure that individuals who are incarcerated who are currently eligible to vote are provided with voting information and materials to exercise their right to vote in every state primary and election.
• The bill would require correctional facilities to display and distribute information about voting rights and procedures, as prepared by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
• The bill would require facilities to assist individuals who are incarcerated in registering, applying for and returning mail ballots.

Joining the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

• The bill would require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to enter into an agreement with ERIC no later than July 1, 2022.
• Thirty other states have already joined ERIC, which helps states keep more accurate voting rolls.

The Senate will debate and vote on the VOTES Act during a formal session on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

Link to the Legislation ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2545

 

Senate Overrides Governor’s Vetoes on FY22 Budget Provisions

Senate Overrides Governor's Vetoes on FY22 Budget Provisions

Senate supports vulnerable populations, a robust regional transit system, safe drinking water and long-term solutions for poverty and higher education affordability

Today, the Massachusetts State Senate took final action to override a series of gubernatorial vetoes on the state budget for fiscal year 2022. In restoring key provisions of the budget, the Senate will ensure that a greater portion of the Commonwealth's vulnerable populations receive vital support from the state, that long-term studies of poverty and higher education affordability are carried out, and that regional transit authorities are sufficiently funded to emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic, along with other items.

"The Massachusetts Senate will never waiver in its commitment to people of the Commonwealth," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "By overturning these vetoes, we take one more step forward in our work to build a Commonwealth that is more inclusive, affordable and open to all – holding true to the spirit of the budget we passed earlier this year. I would like to thank Chair Rodrigues, the entire Ways and Means committee, and my colleagues in the Senate for carefully balancing and debating a budget which will take us 'back to better'."

"The votes we took today to override all of the Governor's vetoes helps to maintain the integrity and the spirit of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget conference committee agreement reached in July," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I want to thank the Senate President and my colleagues for taking these actions that are consistent with this Legislature's support for a forward-looking budget plan. Whether it's investing in regional transportation, helping individuals and families in need of assistance, supporting our retirees or modernizing our tax code, our collective actions today reinforced our support for a state budget that has left our Commonwealth in a much stronger fiscal position than before the COVID-19 pandemic."

Included in the FY22 budget are provisions which eliminate asset limits for two programs which offer support to the Commonwealth's most vulnerable populations: Emergency Assistance to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) and Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), which helps families with housing-related difficulties. Asset limits on these programs create arbitrary barriers to entry for families in need of assistance, preventing them from receiving money that they could spend on education, job training, reliable transportation, home expenses, and other emergency needs. Additionally, removing the asset limits protects families in poverty from being removed from these programs when they still need assistance and improves administrative efficiency by simplifying the application review process. The actions of the Senate today ensure that the asset limits for both eliminated.

The Senate also voted to restore to $94 million funding for Massachusetts' Regional Transit Authorities.

Final action was also taken to restore a revenue-positive pass-through entity excise tax which would generate $90 million for the state and save Massachusetts taxpayers up to $1.12 billion in federal taxes. 

Provisions voted on today also act to modernize the state's tax code. The FY22 budget included these provisions to remove certain tax credits which no longer serve their intended purpose, based on recommendations from a recent report by the Senate-championed Tax Expenditure Review Commission. These tax credits are claimed by only a few large companies and, according to the report, do not provide a measurable return on investment or identifiable benefit to the state

Items geared toward long-term solutions for fighting poverty and the rising cost of higher education also faced gubernatorial vetoes. Included in FY22 budget were a Special Commission on Poverty and a Higher Education Affordability Task Force. The Special Commission on Poverty will bring together advocates and experts to explore demographic disparities, analyze historical rates of poverty, identify the underlying causes of poverty in the Commonwealth, and survey existing state programs for their effectiveness, culminating in presenting policy recommendations.

Similarly, the Higher Education Affordability Task Force will bring together stakeholders from public and private institutions of higher learning, including community colleges, as well as members of the business community who have a vested interest in maintaining a well-educated and prepared workforce, to analyze rising college costs and propose solutions to the legislature.  By overriding the Governor's veto on these items, the Legislature will ensure these important commissions can commence their work.

Also restored, following vetoes by the Governor, were two provisions pertaining to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). One provision exempts DCR's Division of Water Supply Protection from restrictions or limitations on staffing levels and hiring, allowing the Division to adequately prepare for its role in protecting our drinking water. Another provision would require the DCR to obtain local approval prior to collecting parking fees in a local jurisdiction, affording municipalities the opportunity to offer input and collaborate on a parking plan with DCR that would be mutually beneficial.

Finally, the actions of the Senate would raise the cap on hours a retiree may work annually from 960 hours to 1,200 hours.

Having passed the House and Senate, the above provisions are now law.

 

Senate Overrides Governor’s Vetoes on FY22 Budget Provisions

MA State Senate Passes Healthy Youth, Gender ID and Student Nutrition Bills

The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed three bills that would provide students with age-appropriate, medically accurate and inclusive sex education; allow a non-binary option other than male or female on birth certificates and drivers licenses; and ensure that more children in Massachusetts have access to nutritious school meals. These bills all provide essential building blocks to ensuring a safe, healthy, inclusive and resilient Commonwealth.
 
“Government works best when it fosters opportunities for education and wellbeing without dictating how people live their lives,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The bills advanced by the Senate today build on our previous work to fight student hunger, require medically-accurate sex education and allow people to be who they are. I’m particularly proud to once again advance the Senate’s Gender ID bill, a longstanding priority of mine, while giving our students tools to learn, grow and thrive.”
 
“The bills passed by the Senate today reflect our priorities by supporting our students, families, and the most vulnerable among us,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her leadership and to all my colleagues in the Senate for their efforts to make a more equitable Commonwealth.”
 
Senate Bill 2534, An Act to healthy youth, would ensure that Massachusetts schools electing to provide their students with sex education use age-appropriate and medically accurate curriculum that covers a comprehensive and inclusive range of topics.
 
“I am very proud that the Massachusetts Senate has once again reaffirmed our commitment to this commonsense healthy policy that will ensure our youth have the tools needed to protect their health and form respectful relationships,” stated Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), the Senate sponsor of the bill. “This legislation makes it clear that sex education in the Commonwealth must be inclusive for all students and emphasize the importance and necessity of consent. I would like to thank and congratulate the many advocates who have partnered with us on this legislation and worked tirelessly to ensure Massachusetts youth have the information they need to build the bright futures they deserve— without shame or judgement.”
 
Currently, when Massachusetts public schools provide their students with health education that covers sexual activity, there is no way to ensure that students are being taught research-informed and comprehensive curricula. Schools are still able to utilize abstinence-only or abstinence-centered programming, as well as curricula that excludes important information for LGBTQ+ youth and critical lessons on consent.
 
Senate Bill 2534 changes this by requiring school districts that offer sex education to follow certain guidelines to ensure students are provided with age-appropriate, medically accurate, and comprehensive information, including: the benefits of delaying sex; effective contraceptive use; prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); healthy relationship and communication skills; consent; and gender identity and sexual orientation.
 
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would also be required review and update the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework to be consistent with the provisions outlined in this legislation. The most recent Massachusetts Health Curriculum Framework is dated October 10, 1999. To ensure that the framework is periodically updated, DESE would also be required to review the framework at least every ten years. 
 
This legislation does not require schools to offer sex education and also protects parents’ right to remove their children from all or part of sex education if they choose to do so—an action protected by state law. In addition, it provides districts that teach sex education curriculum with updated guidance on how to notify parents about these programs.
 
Senate Bill 2282, An Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification, would provide for a non-binary option other than male or female on birth certificates and drivers licenses. The bill also directs the state to begin the process of allowing a non-binary option for all state forms and instances where a gender choice is required.
 
“People know what gender they are,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D- Northampton), the Senate sponsor of the bill. “This bill simply allows for gender identification and IDs as diverse as our people. I am deeply grateful to Senate President Spilka for leading on this issue for many years, and for all of the courageous and powerful advocates who have urged us forward.”
 
Under the bill, the gender on birth records could be changed by an adult, an emancipated minor, or the parent or guardian of a minor. The gender designations on a birth record could include “female”, “male” or “X”—which indicates that the person is another gender or an undesignated gender. No documentation beyond a self-attestation is required to make a change.
 
Senate Bill 2282 also enables those who change the gender on their birth certificate to change the name on their birth certificate if they have already gone through the legal name change process. The bill provides three years to change the name on the birth certificate after the gender has been changed, or until the age of 21 for those who changed their gender designation before the age of 18.
 
Senate Bill 298, An Act to promote student nutrition, would ensure that more children in Massachusetts have access to nutritious school meals. It requires schools and districts where a majority of students are low-income to enroll in federal programs—known as the Community Eligibility Provision and Provision 2—that allow them to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. In addition to providing universal meals, these programs reduce administrative burdens for schools.
 
“Children should not be going hungry in Massachusetts, and their schools should not penalize them for their family’s poverty,” said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), the Senate sponsor of the bill. “This legislation establishes a statewide policy that supports not only food insecure children and their families, but also schools and districts. By passing it today, the Senate has voted to reduce childhood hunger and end the practice of food shaming in the Commonwealth.”
 
The legislation minimizes families’ meal debt by requiring school districts to maximize federal revenues and directing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to assist them in doing so. When students do accrue debt, it requires school districts to determine whether they are eligible for free- or reduced-price meals.  
 
Finally, An Act to promote student nutrition prohibits schools from targeting students who carry meal-related debt with punitive practices such as withholding report cards and transcripts, preventing students from graduating or walking at graduation, barring students from participating in no-fee extracurricular events like field trips, or throwing a child’s hot meal away and replacing it with an inferior meal.
 
All three bills now go to the House of Representatives for further action. 

Massachusetts State Senate Overrides Governor’s Vetoes on Fiscal Year 2022 Funding

Massachusetts State Senate Overrides Governor's Vetoes on Fiscal Year 2022 Funding

Ensures adequate funding for school districts, RTAs, police training, behavioral health and more 

The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a bill to override Governor Charlie Baker's vetoes on certain items in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget passed earlier this month. The actions taken by the Senate will ensure adequate funding for school districts, regional transit authorities (RTAs), and public and mental health supports, as well as the implementation of last year's landmark police reform bill. Additionally, the bill includes measures to reinstate certain guidance relevant to state bodies such as the MBTA and prison facilities.

"Our Fiscal Year 2022 budget was carefully crafted and debated to ensure the success of our efforts to get back to better by focusing on resources and services that are critical to everyday life in the Commonwealth," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The Senate refuses to compromise on investing in public transportation, our schools, and behavioral health supports, among other things, which are so important to our recovery. I would like to thank Chair Rodrigues, the entire Ways and Means committee, and my colleagues for acting swiftly to override the Governor's actions.

"The votes we took to swiftly override the Governor's vetoes ensure we stay the course and uphold the spirit of a forward-looking, fiscally responsible Fiscal Year 2022 budget plan that this Senate passed unanimously a few weeks ago," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I want to thank my friend, Senate President Spilka for her close counsel and leadership, Chair Michlewitz for his continued partnership, the members and staff of Ways and Means for their hard work and my colleagues and their staffs for their input throughout this process. Collectively, our actions today support our Commonwealth and our communities, providing municipalities with critical resources necessary to meet the requirements of police reform, preserving an equitable funding stream for our regional transit authorities, while taking a common-sense approach to fulfill future obligations we know exist—fully funding the Student Opportunity and meeting our state pension needs."

Many of the Governor's vetoes were cost-cutting measures deemed unnecessary by the Legislature in light of the state's need to invest in crucial programs and services. Gubernatorial vetoes threatened $150,000 in funding for the children's behavioral health advisory council, as well as $150,000 for Emergency Family Assistance Shelters. With the Legislature's overrides, these funds are now restored.

To offset the cost of charter schools on school districts, this legislation reinstates a policy of 100 per cent charter school tuition reimbursement for school districts which have reached the spending cap on charter schools, thereby providing $2.9 million to school districts across the Commonwealth. For local transportation, $3.5 million is reinstated to enable Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to operate effectively as use of public transportation picks back up.

Last year's omnibus police reform legislation, An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth, included provisions requiring cities and towns in Massachusetts to follow new officer training standards. In line with this, the Legislature set aside $1 million in funding to pay cities and towns for costs incurred by new training programs, which the Governor vetoed entirely. The override legislation reinstates this funding so that cities and towns can be compliant with the police reform law without additional financial burden.

Citing fiscal concerns, the Senate also voted to further delay implementation of a tax deduction for charitable donations until at least 2023.

"The trigger for the charitable tax deduction was the income tax hitting 5 per cent, and that happened January 1, 2020," said Senator Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield). "In the period between the triggering event and the start of the implementation of the charitable tax deduction, COVID-19 hit and completely changed our economic picture. A delay makes sense until we have more clarity on the economy and our revenue absent federal assistance."

The Fiscal Year 2022 budget conference report included two transfers of FY22 funds to help support known obligations that the Commonwealth will face in the future: fully funding the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) and unfunded state pension obligations. The Governor sent an amendment back asserting that there may not be sufficient surplus funds to make the transfers as proposed and recommended using FY21 funds instead. The Senate adopted a further amendment yesterday that suggests funding these transfers to the highest level possible given actual revenues at the time the transfer is to take place, thus providing flexibility to react to an uncertain future revenue picture while still requiring surplus funded to be dedicated to cover these future obligations.

In addition to funding projects across the Commonwealth, the legislation passed on Thursday encourages the MBTA to develop 'shovel-ready projects,' or projects in their final stages of development, in anticipation of incoming federal dollars and their requirements. The Senate also reinstated guidance on releasing, transitioning, or furloughing inmates from Massachusetts prisons in a timely manner.

Having previously been passed by the House, the overrides now return to the Governor's desk with a veto-proof majority.

Massachusetts State Senate Overrides Governor’s Vetoes