THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate the week of Aug. 14. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ roll call attendance records for the 2023 session through Aug. 18.

The House has held 32 roll calls so far in 2023. Beacon Hill Roll Call tabulates the number of roll calls on which each representative was present and voting, and then calculates that number as a percentage of the total roll call votes held. That percentage is the number referred to as the roll call attendance record.

In the House, 78.8 percent (126 representatives out of 160) did not miss any roll calls and have 100 percent roll call attendance records while 21.2 percent (34 representatives out of 160) have missed one or more roll calls.

There were 12 representatives who missed three or more roll calls. The representative who missed the most roll calls is Rep. Kenneth Gordon (D-Bedford) who missed 12 roll calls (62.5 percent roll call attendance record). Right behind him is Rep. Mary Keefe (D-Worcester) who missed 11 roll calls (65.6 percent roll call attendance record); and the following four representatives who each missed nine roll calls for a 71.8 percent roll call attendance record: Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield); Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough); Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden); and Fred Barrows (R-Mansfield).

Rounding out the list of 12 representatives who missed three or more roll calls are the following representatives who each missed three roll calls for a 90.6 percent roll call attendance record: Reps. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth); Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury); Christopher Markey (D-Dartmouth); Samantha Montano (D-Boston); Mathew Muratore (R-Plymouth); and James Arciero (D-Westford).

REPRESENTATIVES’ 2023 ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE RECORDS THROUGH AUG. 18

The percentage listed next to the representatives’ name is the percentage of roll call votes on which the representative voted. The number in parentheses represents the number of roll calls that he or she missed.

Rep. Natalie Blais, 100 percent (0); Rep. Daniel Carey, 100 percent (0); Rep. Mindy Domb, 100 percent (0); Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, 96.8 percent (1); Rep. Aaron Saunders, 100 percent (0)

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

STATE AUDITOR DIANA DIZOGLIO UNCOVERS $1 MILLION IN PUBLIC BENEFITS FRAUD — The Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) in State Auditor’s Diana DiZoglio’s office has uncovered more than $1 million in public benefits fraud from the latest quarter of April through June, with the majority linked to cases involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

According to DiZoglio’s office, “BSI’s goal is to ensure taxpayer dollars used to fund Massachusetts’ public benefits programs are managed effectively so that programs are available to residents who truly need them.”

The BSI detected fraud in 89 out of 1,552 cases it looked into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 including $843,705 in SNAP; $101,905 in Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program; $46,049 in the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Program; and $22,996 in the Supplemental Security Income Program.

“Our office works to ensure families in need maintain access to services by helping to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse,” said DiZoglio. “As a result of our investigations, fraud cases are referred to relevant agencies for administrative action. Overpayments may then be recovered so tax dollars benefit those truly in need.”

SECRETARY OF STATE GALVIN ANNOUNCES NEW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GRANTS — Secretary of State Bill Galvin announced the creation of a new $100,000 grant program for providers of services to victims of domestic violence including people who have been abused, sexually assaulted or stalked.

“It is clear to anyone who has been following the news over the past year that we are facing a statewide crisis of domestic violence,” Galvin said. “This new grant program is targeted at increasing awareness, not only of this upsurge in violence, but also of the services available to those trying to leave an abusive situation.”

Galvin said he hopes that the program will be successful in reaching victims who fear they will be without help or resources if they try to leave a violent situation. He also hopes to increase overall participation in the existing Massachusetts Address Confidentiality Program to help keep those who have already left abusive relationships safe.

“Our program helps hundreds of people every year,” he said. “While I wish the program were unnecessary, the fact remains that there are many more people in Massachusetts who could be helped, if only they knew more about these services.”

GREEN ENERGY BANK (S 2170) — The Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee has scheduled a hearing on Sept. 28 on a proposal that would require the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to conduct a study of finance gaps in clean energy projects; and based on that study, to establish a “Green Bank” to provide the investment capital necessary to accelerate the deployment of a range of clean energy technologies.

“To meet emission reduction requirements set forth by the commonwealth we need to provide financing options upfront for renewable residential and commercial energy projects,” said sponsor Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton). “Parties interested in moving forward are held back because of the lack of dedicated financial resources to bring the projects to fruition.”

MAKE DRIVING RECORDS AVAILABLE ONLINE (H 3381) — The Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on Aug. 29 on legislation that would require the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to make a person’s driving record available to him or her online, including suspensions, outstanding tickets and citations.

“This a commonsense piece of legislation that would give drivers the ability to access their driving record and address any issues before they become a larger issue,” said sponsor Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham). “This would be a time and cost saving measure for drivers, police and our courts.”

BILL RUSSELL-BOB COUSY HIGHWAY (H 3367) — Another bill on the Transportation Committee’s agenda for Aug. 29 would pay homage to celebrate Boston Celtics teammates and NBA champions, Bob Cousy and the late Bill Russell by naming the portion of the Massachusetts Turnpike between Boston and Worcester “The Bill Russell and Bob Cousy Highway.”

“I sponsored this bill to honor the legacies of Bill Russell and Bob Cousy,” said sponsor Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). Both, all-time great basketball players but even better people for their incredible work for our communities.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“Like so many states across the country, Massachusetts is home to vibrant immigrant communities who want nothing more than an opportunity to work and support themselves and their families. I hope today’s letter serves as a reminder that government should not needlessly delay those opportunities. The federal government can and must act to bring much-needed relief to families, shelters and social service programs across the commonwealth and country.”

— Attorney General Andrea Campbell who is leading a coalition of 19 state attorneys general in calling for immediate action from the federal Department of Homeland Security to grant work authorization permits for immigrants lawfully paroled into the United States.

“The Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant is a critical tool for expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare, addressing the youth mental health crisis and providing educational and community-based opportunities for families in emergency shelter. The investment of state funds into programs like this will help make our state more affordable and equitable, connecting families with childhood development programs and engagement activities that support the wellbeing and needs of our young children and their families.”

— Gov. Maura Healey upon awarding $15.5 million in grants to 81 organizations across the state that provide child development services and resources to families with young children.

“Boston is excited for ranked choice voting. Sixty-two percent of Boston voters supported ranked choice in 2020, and our coalition of supporters keeps growing. Ranked choice voting is easy, equitable and will give voice to all voters.”

— Director Ed Shoemaker, director of Ranked Choice Boston, announcing the new coalition supporting a law creating a new voting system under which candidates on the ballot are ranked by voters in order of their preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate that received the least number of first-choice votes is eliminated. The second choice of the voters who supported the eliminated candidate now becomes their first choice and is added to the totals of the remaining candidates. The same process is repeated, if necessary, until a candidate is the first choice of a majority of voters.

“I’m extremely proud of our dedicated, talented and hardworking team whose commitment to excellence has been instrumental in our continued success. We’re immensely grateful for our students, faculty and staff and entire Umass administration for their support and invaluable feedback which has contributed to shaping and enriching the quality-of-life experience. Without them we would not have been able to achieve this remarkable feat. Their dedication and enthusiasm inspire us to continuously raise the bar and deliver exceptional dining experiences, one meal at a time.”

— Ken Toong, executive director of Umass Dining commenting on the university’s seventh consecutive time being named Best Campus Food in annual rankings published by The Princeton Review.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com]]>