By Bob Katzen
“The clerk will modify the members and tell them that a roll call is in progress.”
—The closed captioning words that appeared on the screen of the live coverage online of the House of Representatives when the speaker announced, “The clerk will NOTIFY the members and tell them that a roll call is in progress.”
“Y’all can stand and clap for that.”
—Freshman Rep. Chistopher Worrell (D-Boston) during his inaugural speech on the House floor, referring to the May birth of his second daughter.
“One of our most important natural resources is right beneath our feet — soil. Protecting soil quality is essential to stewarding our ecosystems and sustaining Massachusetts’ agricultural industry. Healthy soil is the foundation for climate resilient communities. Implementing thoughtful land management strategies is vital to maintaining biodiversity, promoting water quality and reducing carbon in the atmosphere.”
— Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announcing the awarding of more than $1 million in grants to organizations to promote and protect Massachusetts’ soil health.
“While the law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation, we sadly see LGBTQIA+ individuals and others denied basic rights simply because of how they express or identify themselves. I, along with my office, will continue to educate people about their rights and protections under law as we seek to create safe and equitable spaces for all.”
—Attorney General Andrea Campbell upon releasing an updated ‘Protections Against Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodations Guide’ to help ensure compliance with existing law and educate the public about their rights in public spaces, including gender-specific spaces like men’s and women’s restrooms. The guide has been updated to include information about how the law protects those who identify as nonbinary and/or transgender.
“Our Bureau of Special Investigations examiners are making government work better by identifying fraud, waste and abuse of tax dollars so that residents actually in need have access to support and services.”
—State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on her office identifying more than $2 million in public benefit fraud in the third quarter of fiscal 2024.