By Bob Katzen

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Continue reading HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION ON BEACON HILL? →

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation, known as the James Ward Act, which would increase the penalty of a hit and run with a recreational vehicle that causes bodily injury from a fine between $500 and $1,000 to a jail sentence of one year and/or a fine between $500 and $1,000. The proposal also creates the penalty of up to a $5,000 fine and/or a jail sentence of 2.5 years for a hit and run with a recreational vehicle that results in the death of the other party. Continue reading INCREASE PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUNS WITH RECREATIONAL VEHICLES →

By Bob Katzen

Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that limits the use of health care plan mandated prescription drug “step therapy” protocols and provides more exemptions to the mandate. Step therapy requires the patient to try less expensive options before “stepping up” to drugs that cost more. Conditions which would exempt a patient from trying the less expensive drug first include if the treatment will harm the patient, or if the patient previously tried the required treatment, or similar treatment, and it was ineffective. Continue reading STEP THERAPY (H 4929) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill creating the option for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability, dementia or mental health diagnosis to enter into an agreement of “supported decision-making” as an alternative to traditional guardianship. Continue reading SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING (S 2848) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would strengthen consumer protections for wheelchair users. Current state law does not set any timeline for assessing repairs and does not require dealers to offer wheelchairs on loan within a fixed time period. Continue reading WHEELCHAIR WARRANTY AND REPAIRS (S 3136) →

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved different versions of a $3 billion plus economic development bill in July. The funds are from the state’s surplus of money. The two versions went to a conference committee to hammer out a compromise version. Finally last week, the House and Senate crafted the compromise version and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a $3.8 billion spending bill to fund an economic development package and a supplemental budget to close out the state’s books on fiscal 2022. Continue reading $3.8 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (H 5374) →

What – Best of the Boston Comedy Festival
Where – Somerville Theater
55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144
When – Nov 12 at 8 pm
Get tickets now at bostoncomedyfest.com
Continue reading Best of the Boston Comedy Festival →

LUIS’ OBITUARY:

Complete Notice to follow.
Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Thursday, November 10th from 4:00PM -7:00PM with a prayer service to begin at 6:30PM. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Luis Melendez Rios →