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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent House sessions debating the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 House version of the state budget. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.
CONSOLIDATED HOUSING, JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAETY AMENDMENT (H 4000)
House 154-2, approved a consolidated amendment adding $10.5 million in funding to Housing, Judiciary and Public Safety programs in the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts.
“This amendment underscores our values by investing in a wide range of housing line items that will help keep our residents housed, support our public housing authorities and provide tools to help residents during transitional times,” said Rep. Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), House chair of the Housing Committee. “Housing is a huge component to our state’s long-term economic success and making sure people have a safe, affordable place to live is critically important.”
Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) and Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick), the only two members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes
CONSOLIDATED ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT (H 4000)
House 154-3, approved a consolidated amendment adding $5.8 million in funding to Energy, Environmental and Food Assistance programs in the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts.
“[The amendment] makes important investments in the environment, including over $85 million for the Department of Environment Protection and over $160 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation to support clean water and our parks and natural resources,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville), House chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “Funding for the Department of Energy Resources builds in a new line item to directly support the objectives of the Climate Bill without adding to assessments that are passed on to the residents of the commonwealth.”
Barber continued, “There are also significant investments in addressing food insecurity in the commonwealth – funding for Emergency Food Assistance is increased by $13 million to bring this line item to $55 million. In a time when the federal government is actively rolling back protections and damaging the environment, these financial investments continue to protect the commonwealth’s invaluable natural resources, coastlines and waterways, open spaces, wildlife and recreation areas and extend our imperative to address the urgency of climate change.”
Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only three members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes
CONSOLIDATED LABOR AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT (H 4000)
House 154-3, approved a consolidated amendment adding $25 million in funding to Labor and Economic Development programs in the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts.
“The amendment demonstrates the commitment the House has in investing in local economic development projects and supports the many amazing programs in our communities,” said Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), House chair of the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee. “Along with the rest of the budget, these investments make a big impact for our constituents.”
Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick and John Gaskey (R-Carver) the only three members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes
ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL
DURING THE RECENT BUDGET DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, WHY WERE THERE NO TRANSPARENT ROLL CALL VOTES ON FIVE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO REDUCE TAXES IN MASSACHUSETTS? – The ongoing feud between House Republican Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) intensified during the House budget debate last week. Back in January, Jones defeated Lombardo for the post of minority leader. Jones garnered 19 votes to Lombardo’s five votes. And since then, things have only gotten worse between the two. Lombardo says that during last week’s budget debate, Jones worked with the Democrats to block roll call votes on several tax cuts proposed by Lombardo. Jones denies that charge.
Lombardo requested that the House hold roll call votes on five of his proposed budget amendments – all of which would reduce taxes in the Bay State. The five tax cuts were reducing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 5 percent; reducing the income tax from 5 percent to 4.5 percent; eliminating the income tax on tips; eliminating the income tax on overtime; and removing the marriage penalty for the Millionaire’s Tax. Lombardo knew that he didn’t have sufficient votes to pass the amendments but wanted to have roll calls on them in order to promote transparency and to put the votes of the Democrats on record as being against tax reductions.
House rules require that in order to force a roll call vote, 16 members must request that a roll call be held. It works like this: The speaker announces that “Rep. Lombardo has requested a roll call vote. Those joining him will rise and be counted.” If at least 16 members stand up, a roll call is held.
This has been done many times by the Republicans over the years. The GOP tries to force a roll call vote to get Democrats on the record on measures the Republicans believe are popular but are likely to get shot down by the Legislature’s Democratic supermajority. Most times they are successful and get 16 or more members to stand up. But not this time.
The current 158-member House (two seats are vacant) has 132 Democrats, 25 Republicans and one unenrolled member. Neither the unenrolled member nor any of the Democrats stood to request a roll call vote on Lombardo’s amendments.
Lombardo never received the 16 standing votes necessary to require the roll call votes. Instead, the amendments were defeated on unrecorded voice votes which don’t reveal how individual representatives voted. Lombardo says that in addition to himself, only six other representatives, all Republicans, stood to request a roll call vote on all five amendments. They are Reps. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick); John Gaskey (R-Carver); Joseph McKenna (R-Sutton); Kelly Pease (R-Westfield); Kenneth Sweezey (R-Hanson); and Justin Thurber (R-Somerset).
There was some talk that members did not know what day or time Lombardo’s amendments would be considered. However, Beacon Hill Roll Call’s research shows that House rules provide that amendments reducing or increasing taxes must be considered at the beginning of the debate on the budget. The rule was followed, and debate on Lombardo’s amendments began at around 11:35 a.m., on Monday, April 28, the first day of budget debate, shortly after opening remarks about the budget. This timeline means that all members should have been aware Lombardo’s amendments would be considered around that time – thus allowing members to make plans to be in the chamber around that time and to stand up to request roll call votes if they chose to.
Lombardo told Beacon Hill Roll Call, “Manager of the Republican Caucus, Brad Jones directed his lieutenants to remove themselves and caucus members from the chamber or refuse to stand in support of roll call votes on critical tax relief measures. Jones conspired with the Democrats, something I personally witnessed, to protect them from having to be recorded on these important roll calls. In exchange for his service to the majority party, Jones received $250,000 in earmarks [in the pending state budget for projects in his district].”
Lombardo continued, “For 30 years, Brad Jones has sabotaged the Republican Party, its candidates and, most importantly, the taxpayers of Massachusetts. When the head of the House GOP conspires with Democrats to block roll calls on tax cuts, it is nothing short of a betrayal of the taxpayers. Brad Jones has been institutionalized. His loyalty is to the uni-party on Beacon Hill and not to taxpayers who so desperately need a strong opposition voice in the Statehouse.”
Lombardo elaborated to Beacon Hill Roll Call about the $250,000 in earmarks that he said Jones received. He pointed to an amendment which included earmarks for many members’ districts including $250,000 for North Reading, Reading, Middleton and Lynnfield — all of which are in Jones’ district. Lombardo said that the category in which the $250,000 was listed was Labor and Economic Development but noted that none of Jones’ earmarks fit that category. Lombardo contends that the $250.000 was inappropriately rushed into that category at the last minute to reward Jones for preventing roll calls on the tax reduction amendments.
“How could that one-off recategorization happen?” asked Lombardo. “Wouldn’t it require cooperation from Ways and Means to do this unique maneuver? Would it benefit the Republican leader, who was under scrutiny for his collaboration with the Democrats, to not have earmarks awarded along the way and push it to the end in hopes of less attention. It’s not rocket science to figure out what happened.”
Jones’ supporters say the charge that Jones received $250,000 in earmarks in exchange for preventing roll calls on Lombardo’s amendments is unfounded. They note that for years, including this year, many representatives have gotten money, earmarked for their districts, in the state budget.
Beacon Hill Roll Call set out to find out if any of the other GOP members, besides Reps. Boldyga, Gaskey, McKenna, Pease, Sweezey and Thurber, were in the House chamber during the standing votes on requiring a roll call on Lombardo’s amendments. Beacon Hill Roll Call e-mailed each of these remaining 17 Republicans twice asking them if they were in fact in the chamber during those standing votes; if not, why not; if they were in the chamber, did they stand up to request a roll call vote; and if not, why didn’t they do so?
Rep. Dave DeCoste (R-Norwell) was one of only two members who responded. Decoste’s first response to Beacon Hill Roll Call on May 2 was that he didn’t remember if he was in the chamber for those standing votes. Two days later, on May 4th, he revised his response and said that “having read the articles since our last correspondence, I was there for those particular votes.” In both responses he said that he has always stood to request a roll call every time it was requested by any member since he first took office in 2019.
The other representative who responded was Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn), who serves as part of Jones’ leadership team. He told Beacon Hill Roll Call, “No one directed anyone to not stand or not be in the chamber. Rep. Lombardo has failed to attend caucus meetings to discuss his initiatives, and many members have grown tired of his antics in attacking fellow Republican caucus members on social media and in the media. He has shown he is not interested in helping the GOP House Caucus and needs to look in the mirror when caucus members may not be inclined to back him. I would also point out there were roll call requests we did not get because Rep. Lombardo wasn’t in the chamber himself.”
Lombardo denied that he wasn’t in the chamber to request roll call votes on any of Jones’ amendments. He said, “Even after Jones coordinated to ensure no roll calls [on my amendments], I stood for his request for roll calls immediately after.”
Lombardo continued in response to Frost’s criticism. “I would note that I e-mailed the entire [Republican] caucus Sunday night telling them of my amendments and request for roll calls,” Lombardo said. “I wasn’t at [the Republican caucus] as I was hosting three Billerica High School State Championship teams. Paul Frost is paid handsomely to blindly defend Republican Manager Jones. Both are truly institutionalized and work for the uni-party. I wish him luck as he goes back to his district and explains his vote in favor of a $5 million legal defense fund for illegal immigrants.”
There were 15 GOP members who did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call. They are Reps. Donald Berthiaume (R- Spencer); Michael Chaisson (R-Foxboro); Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden); Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk); Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury); John Marsi (R-Dudley); David Muradian (R-Grafton); Norman Orrall (R-Lakeville); Todd Smola (R-Warren); Michael Soter (R-Bellingham); Alyson Sullivan-Almeida (R-Abington); Marcus Vaughn (R-Wrentham); David Vieira (R-Falmouth); Donald Wong (R-Saugus); and Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable).
Jones himself did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call’s request to comment on the entire situation. However, he spoke to reporters following the incident. “I’m not going to go waste my time working with people who just want to kick me,” said Jones. “It’s kind of human nature. It’s not Republican, not Democrat … it’s just human nature. [Rep. Lombardo] is obviously still hurting over the fact that he got smoked [in the election for minority leader].”
Jones noted that in January he appointed Lombardo and Lombardo supporter Rep. Nick Boldyga to the Revenue Committee because he knew taxes were an “important issue to them, as evidenced by the amendments that they filed.”
“They’ve never shown up to the Revenue Committee, as has been told to me by both my staff as well as others,” Jones said. “I think there’s also an element within the caucus that, I will say includes me, that you’ve seen some of the tweets and X comments both during the leadership fight and since then that, I think, frankly, people are tired of and don’t think it’s particularly productive and constructive.”
Lombardo responded, “Jones is upset that he has been exposed as an institutionalized member who serves the Beacon Hill machine and not the taxpayers and he’ll say anything to distract from that truth being understood by the public. Jones failed to act like the Republican leader by holding the Democrats accountable for roll calls on important tax policy, received immediate backlash from the public, and is desperately trying to justify his conspiring with the Democrats.”
HIRING FREEZE – Gov. Maura Healey announced that she will be implementing a hiring freeze across the Executive Branch, beginning May 27, in response to “widespread economic uncertainty at the national level and a tightening state budget outlook for fiscal year 2026.”
The Healey Administration said that the hiring freeze will apply to all Executive Branch agencies and departments and there will be no formal waiver process. However, consistent with common practice during past hiring freezes, exemptions will be made for certain positions, including public safety officers and direct care providers.
“The people of Massachusetts expect us to protect and maximize their tax dollars and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Gov. Healey. “Tariffs and funding cuts from Washington are causing so much economic damage and instability. We are taking this step to prepare for more uncertain economic times, protect taxpayer dollars and move our state forward while ensuring funding will be available for the vital services people need.”
“As we navigate the close of fiscal year 2025 and prepare for the start of the new fiscal year in July, the governor’s action to implement a hiring freeze across the executive branch will give us added flexibility in the budget to respond and react to unforeseen program needs and other deficiencies that may arise,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. “Our uncertain economic future in fiscal year 2026 has been made less predictable by the threat of federal funding cuts and recent market upheaval. While we hope for the best, it is both prudent and responsible to be prepared and take control of what we can now.”
The Republican State Committee responded and released a statement saying that In January 2024, Gov. Healey gave each of her 12 cabinet members a $15,000 pay hike, at the same time slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from elsewhere in the state budget. They noted that those cuts hit services for seniors, homeless shelters and local earmarks.
“One year ago, Maura Healey used the winter holiday break to play Santa, dumping the news that she’s rewarding the good little boys and girls of her administration with pay raises for their ‘tireless’ work ethic,” said MassGOP Executive Director John Milligan. “She hopes her tone deaf pay hikes for political friends go unnoticed when she can’t make ends meet in her budget without more taxes, but the MassGOP won’t let voters forget what she likes to do with their money when she has extra cash to play with.”
SWITCH SCHOOL BUSES FROM DIESEL TO ELECTRIC (S 2241) – The Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee held a hearing on a bill that would establish a grant program run by the Department of Energy Resources to help cities and towns offset the cost difference between buying zero-emission electric school buses and traditional diesel-powered ones. The grant program would prioritize support for communities in which the median household income is below the state’s median income or where the 5-year average rate of emergency department visits for childhood asthmas is greater than the state’s 5-year average rate.
“Most of our school busses still run on diesel, which pollutes the air, contributes to climate change, and exposes children to harmful emissions every day, especially when buses idle outside schools,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “While zero-emission buses are more expensive up front, this legislation helps close that gap so more communities can make the switch. It’s about giving every child access to safer, healthier transportation and making real progress toward cleaner air.”
SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND HIV STATUS (H 776) – The Elder Affairs Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would amend current state law under which the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, signed by the late President Lyndon Johnson, offers social and nutrition services for seniors over 60 years old. Under current law, the state administers the Act using two definitions: “greatest economic need” and “greatest social need.” The bill would add sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status to the definition of “greatest social need.” Seniors within these groups would be eligible for aid from the government for food, disease prevention, community-based services, elder rights programs and other forms of assistance.
“Our seniors deserve a safe and affirming environment regardless of HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “[The bill] is a critical step to include those in critical at-risk populations to be eligible for aide ensuring that the quality of care and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals is preserved and protected. We cannot rest on our laurels. These inequalities need to be addressed to end discriminatory practices and policies.”
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AIRS SEVEAL BILLS – The Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on several bills including:
SAFETY OF FOOD AND FOOD ADDITIVES (H 113) – Would establish a 16-member Commission to Study the Safety of Food and Food Additives to investigate the health impacts of certain foods and food additives and propose policy and regulatory changes to enhance food safety in Massachusetts. The commission would include medical professionals, dietitians, food scientists, a pediatrician, consumer advocates and representatives from local farming. It would study additives such as high fructose corn syrup, seed oils, artificial coloring dyes, monosodium glutamate, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, sodium nitrite/nitrate in processed meats and bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging.
The commission would be empowered to hold public hearings, conduct research, employ staff and issue subpoenas to gather evidence. Within two years of its first meeting, the commission would deliver a report to the governor, the Legislature and the public — assessing health impacts, recommending legislative or regulatory actions and suggesting public education campaigns to promote healthier food choices.
“The surge in obesity and chronic illnesses like diabetes, auto-immune disease and behavioral health disorders particularly among children, demands a thorough investigation,” said sponsor Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). “Growing research and frankly common sense suggest that the root of the problem is related to the foods we eat. Additives like artificial dyes, seed oils and high fructose corn syrup as well as ultra processed foods are poisoning Americans of all ages, robbing them of living healthy and fulfilling lives. This commission will deliver evidence-based solutions to enhance food safety and educate families on healthier options. Massachusetts has an opportunity to lead the way in addressing our growing health crisis.”
OCTOPUS (H 127) – Would prohibit the aquaculture of octopus in tanks or other controlled environments for human consumption. Aquaculture is defined as “waters used primarily and directly in the commercial cultivation of aquatic organisms including finfish, mollusk or crustacean in a controlled environment.”
The measure would prohibit businesses from selling, transporting or possessing commercially farmed octopus. Violators would be fined up to $1,000 per day and would also be required to pay restitution for any money they made from the octopus.
“I filed this bill due to serious ethical concerns related to raising octopuses in confined spaces” said sponsor Rep. Chris Hendricks (D-New Bedford). “The neurological complexities of octopuses are not compatible with controlled aquaculture processes and practices. During this session, I hope the Legislature can take a serious look at this measure and move it across the finish line.”
RODEOS (H 139) – Would require that any rodeos comply with the rules, regulations, standards and practices established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.
“I filed this bill because Massachusetts has no standards for rodeos unlike many other states, a fact which came to light after the incident last fall when seven bulls escaped from a traveling exhibition in North Attleboro and crossed Route 1 into residential neighborhoods,” said sponsor Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleboro). “I like that North Attleboro is a venue for all types of entertainment. Variety is the spice of life, after all. We just need to make sure that standards are met for public safety as well as for animal welfare.”
AGRICULTURAL EQUITY FOR MINORITIES (S 53) – Would create a special legislative commission to study and develop recommendations for supporting investments, policies and practices designed to “promote equity in agriculture for socially disadvantaged groups in the commonwealth that have been historically or systematically excluded or have had less access to resources and opportunities based on cultural, racial or ethnic prejudice.” These groups would include, at a minimum, African Americans, Cape Verdeans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Caribbean Islanders, Native Americans and Alaskan natives.
“Property ownership is a leading source of intergenerational wealth accumulation,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “In the United States, white people have always had more access to land ownership than Black, Indigenous and People of Color. While we know these populations are significantly underrepresented among farm landowners, we do not have reliable data on who is receiving state grants and other state funding for agriculture.”
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“It was great to welcome Suni Williams to the Statehouse and back home to Massachusetts. Her resilience and dedication to service serves as an incredible model for young people across the state, reminding them that their potential is as limitless as outer space. We hope that some of the students who joined us today will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM and truly reach for the stars.”
—Gov. Healey hosting a meet and greet with American Astronaut and Needham native Suni Williams and local students at the Statehouse. Williams is the first woman to fly on a flight test of an orbital spacecraft during the 2024 Boeing Crew Flight Test and had her stay extended for nine months by technical problems aboard the ISS.
“We are here to make our voices heard and we are asking our legislators to listen and to act, to protect and to strengthen the programs which keep older adults safe, nourished and at home. And to continue to invest in our nonprofit system of care that has delivered value to the commonwealth for decades and so that it can continue to do so for generations to come.”
—Betsey Crimmins, Mass Aging Access Executive Director speaking at the Older Adult Lobby Day at the Statehouse along with some 600 older adults and their supporters.
“Every statewide election, thousands of voters show up to vote on Election Day but encounter preventable barriers to voting. The Voting Access Campaign seeks to remove those known barriers by advocating for important voting reforms like Same Day Registration. Let’s ensure that every eligible voter who seeks to cast a ballot on Election Day can cast one that counts and that we make sure the door to our democracy is fully opened to all eligible voters in Massachusetts.”
—Geoff Foster, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts at a press conference announcing the group’s 2025 legislative campaign to strengthen voting access for all Bay Staters.
“Investing in our youth and young adults is an essential part of our state’s strategy to develop pathways for our future talent and workforce. YouthWorks provides an invaluable chance for young people to discover why Massachusetts is an exceptional place to live and work.”
—Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones announcing some $22 million in funding grants to hire 6,540 youth in summer and year-round employment through the state’s YouthWorks program for the 2025-2026 program year. The program provides teens and young adults with hands-on work experience and soft-skill development, and places them in jobs in industries such as education, health care, information technology, camp counselors, arts and communications.
HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?
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. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.
During the week of May 12-16, the House met for a total of one hour and 56 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and two minutes.
Mon. May 12 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:54 a.m.
Senate 11:15 a.m. to 11:24 a.m.
Tues. May 13 No House session.
No Senate session.
Wed. May 14 No House session.
No Senate session.
Thurs. May 15 House 11:03 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Senate 11:15 a.m. to 12:08 p.m.
Fri. May 16 No House session.
No Senate session.
Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bo*@****************ll.com
Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
