Shift expected to boost Somerville Media Center funding by $1 million over the next three years

SOMERVILLE, MA – The growing national trend of cable TV subscribers “cord cutting” to switch from cable TV to streaming or other viewing options is putting Somerville Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Access Television services in peril, and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is poised to take action to preserve these vital resources. Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne Proposes New Model for Funding PEG Access Television →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 4-34, rejected an amendment that would require a unanimous vote for the Senate to continue any session beyond midnight. Current Senate rules require a two-thirds vote to go beyond midnight.
Continue reading REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTE TO GO BEYOND MIDNIGHT (S 17) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 4-34, rejected an amendment that would require a two-thirds vote for the Senate to continue any session beyond 10 p.m. This would be in addition to a current Senate rule that requires a two-thirds vote to continue a session beyond 8 p.m. and a two-thirds vote to continue a session beyond midnight.
Continue reading REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE TO GO BEYOND 10 P.M. (S 17) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 37-1, approved the set of rules by which the Senate will operate during the 2023-2024 session. Key rules include continuing the option, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allows senators to participate, debate and vote remotely in Senate sessions, at their owns discretion, from their homes or offices; allowing legislators and citizens to testify at hearings in person or from their home or other remote location; and requiring Senate committee votes to be posted on the Legislature’s website. Continue reading ADOPT SENATE RULES (S 17) →

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

After some fifty years without any pedestrian protection at the Clarendon Hill Towers/Stop and Shop/Broadway Crosswalk, just yards away from Route 16, the city finally was motivated to install traffic protection for its citizens.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: FINALLY! TRAFFIC OVERHANG PEDESTRIAN CAUTION SIGN INSTALLED AT CLARENDON HILL TOWERS/STOP & SHOP BUSY BROADWAY CROSSWALK! →

By Bob Katzen

“My office will always advocate for consumers, especially when they are preyed on by a company that engages in unfair and unlawful business practices. We were able to hold Safe Home Security and its sister companies accountable for their alleged deceptive tactics, securing millions in debt relief for consumers, and we will continue to hold bad actors accountable.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES on Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

This bill would require the state’s Pension Reserve Investment Management (PRIM) fund to divest state funds from companies that derive more than 15 percent of revenues from the sale or manufacturing of ammunition, firearms or firearm accessories used for civilian, non-military, non-police purposes. PRIM handles and pays retirement benefits to state employees and teachers.
Continue reading DIVEST FROM COMPANIES THAT SELL FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION (HD 3225) →

By Bob Katzen

This bill would declare racism as a public health crisis and direct the Office of Health Equity to develop policies to dismantle systemic racism impacting health and establish programs focused on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases disproportionately impacting communities of color. Continue reading DECLARE RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS (HD 3703) →

By Bob Katzen

This bill would designate the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Remembrance Day to honor and remember people who have died or suffered from COVID-19; the frontline and essential workers; and residents of the state who volunteered to support their neighbors and local communities.
Continue reading CREATE COVID-19 REMEMBRANCE DAY (HD 3281) →

By Bob Katzen

This bill would permit cities and towns to allow non-citizens over age 18 to vote in local municipal elections. The elections in which non-citizens could vote include an election for mayor, school committee, city council, town council, board of selectmen, select board elections, a school committee referendum and a local ballot referendum. Continue reading ALLOW NON-CITIZENS TO VOTE (HD 3946) →

By Bob Katzen

This bill adds mental health of students to the current list of physical illnesses that qualify as a legitimate reason for a student’s absence from school. Under the bill, students who are absent due to mental or behavioral health will also be offered the opportunity to meet with a certified school counselor upon returning to school but will not be required to do so. Rep. Carol Doherty (D-Taunton) sponsored the legislation that was originally initiated and backed by the Class of 2021 at Oliver Ames High School in Easton. Continue reading MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS (HD 2208) →

By Bob Katzen

This bill would allow low stakes card games and other recreational games at senior centers. The bill would limit the amount of money contributed by a single player during the entire session to $5 and the winnings of a single player to $20. Games included are pitch, cribbage, mahjong, rummy, pinochle, canasta, dominoes, bridge and bingo. Continue reading ALLOW LOW STAKES CARD GAMES AT SENIOR CENTERS (HD 171) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 4-34, rejected an amendment that would allow a senator to participate in any Senate session remotely from their office, home or any other location only under certain circumstances. The amendment would replace a section that allows a senator to participate remotely without a specific reason. Continue reading LIMITED REMOTE VOTING (S 17) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 32-6, approved an amendment that would repeal a current rule that limits the Senate president to eight years in that position.

Continue reading REPEAL TERM LIMITS FOR THE SENATE PRESIDENT (S 17) →

Mayor Ballantyne stands in the White House at the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe Summit
Lead exposure in drinking water is a national public health concern and long-standing environmental justice issue – and Washington is taking strides to address it. Last week, Mayor Ballantyne attended a coalition summit hosted by Vice President Harris, where Somerville and 120+ government agencies and community organizations committed to accelerating lead service line replacement. Continue reading Somerville Joins Biden-Harris Partnership to Eliminate Lead Pipes from Water Infrastructure →

GovHR Will Lead Nationwide Search to Identify Candidates Who Align With City’s Community-Driven Approach to Public Safety Continue reading Somerville Selects Firm to Lead Search for Police Department Chief →

CAROL-ANN’S OBITUARY

Carol-Ann Hynes, Sr. (née Walsh), a lifelong resident of Medford, MA, passed away on February 8, 2023. She had many loves, including laughing whenever she could; drinking coffee with friends at Dunkin Donuts; talking crazy politics; Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Carol-Ann Hynes →

DR. GEORGE’S OBITUARY

U.S. Veteran
George Charles Galitis passed away on February 8, 2023, at 92, in his home state of Massachusetts.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Dr. George C. Galitis →