BEACON HILL ROLL CALL

Shrewsbury Chronicle - 7/22/2017

The House and Senate

Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators' votes on roll calls from prior Senate debate on the fiscal year 2018 budget approved by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

$300,000 FOR CENTRALIZED PUBLIC HOUSING WAITING LIST (S 3) Senate 37-0, approved an amendment providing $300,000 for the creation and implementation of a centralized waiting list for people seeking to rent a unit in state public housing.

Amendment supporters said this is part of the plan to modernize the state's public housing system and local housing authorities. They noted the waiting lists are long and among other things, the centralized list will allow smaller local housing authorities to see where there is availability in other communities.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment.)

Sen. Harriette Chandler Yes

Sen. James Eldridge Yes

Sen. Michael Moore Yes

Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

$50,000 FOR AUTISM (S 3) Senate 37-0, approved an amendment providing $50,000 for the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO) that provides comprehensive clinical services to children with autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Amendment supporters said the center was launched four years ago to fill a void and is the first-ever interdisciplinary autism disorder clinic in Metro West and Central Massachusetts. They said the clinic's services are provided by specialists at every stage of patient care, from evaluation and treatment to transition to community providers.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment.)

Sen. Harriette Chandler Yes

Sen. James Eldridge Yes

Sen. Michael Moore Yes

Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

$2 MILLION FOR SHANNON POLICE GRANTS (S 3) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment increasing funding by $2 million (from $5 million to $7 million) for the state's Shannon Community Safety Initiative to reduce gang violence across the state. The program was established in 2006, in honor of the late Sen. Charlie Shannon who was also a police officer.

The state's website describes the program as one that is aimed at combating gang violence through coordinated prevention and intervention, law enforcement, prosecution and reintegration programs.

Amendment supporters said these grants have been successful in helping to combat and reduce youth, gun and gang violence in the state. They noted the program increases community outreach to at-risk youths and provides them with positive opportunities and information that help divert them away from gang activity.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment.)

Sen. Harriette Chandler Yes

Sen. James Eldridge Yes

Sen. Michael Moore Yes

Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

How long was last week's session?

During the week of July 10-14, the House met for a total of 10 hours and 55 minutes and the Senate met for a total of three hours and 54 minutes.

Monday, July 10

House 11 a.m. to 11:17 a.m.

Senate 11:07 a.m. to 11:51 p.m.

Tuesday, July 11

House 11:06 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.