Find out what is happening on Beacon Hill, the South Shore, and the Cape & Islands.

Senator Moran Issues Statement on Supreme Court Overturn of Roe V. Wade

Upon hearing the news of the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade, I found myself gripped by despair for the many who would lose access to life-saving reproductive health care, and disgusted by this attack on the civil liberties of American citizens.
 

There is no doubt that this decision will have a ripple effect across the country, as we are already seeing with many states poised to enact “trigger bans;” putting more women in unsafe and potentially life-threatening situations without safe and professional abortion care. Access to such care is a necessity if we are going to protect the health and autonomy of women. This decision undermines personal freedom and puts the health of the public at risk.
 

As we contend with this appalling development, I will continue to be a voice and an advocate for policies that protect the rights of women in Massachusetts. I have faith that this decision will be defeated, and women will once again have their right to health care and to personal choice restored. 

Senate Passes FY23 Annual State Budget

Since the publishing of my last newsletter, the Senate finalized its proposal for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget.The budget outlines nearly $50 billion in local and state-wide funding to address the needs of the Commonwealth at a time of growing fiscal uncertainty and makes strong investments in education, healthcare, and housing.

I was so encouraged to be able to secure $1.6 million in funding that will directly go back to the Plymouth & Barnstable District; addressing food security for veterans and seniors, law enforcement mental health response, emergency preparedness, housing costs, tourism, workforce training, and nuclear safety.

With this year’s budget, we will set the foundation for the Commonwealth to thrive. Most importantly, the millions of dollars that will go to the Plymouth & Barnstable District will ensure that our communities are better supported and prepared for the coming year and generations to come. The towns in my district will get help keeping the power on during storms. Police and fire departments will be able to incorporate new technology and better response practices. Housing Authorities will be able to make immediate repairs to maintain or reopen affordable housing units. In the long term, the budget that my colleagues and I created continues to build towards more affordable childcare, better access to healthcare, a protected environment, and a guarantee that every family has a roof over their head and food on the table.

The bill is now under consideration of a conference committee composed of House and Senate members, who will negotiate final language before sending to the Governor's desk.

Legislature Passes Landmark Voting Reform Legislation, the VOTES Act

Following deliberation by a conference committee of House and Senate members, the Governor signed, S.2924, An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security, also known as the VOTES Act, into law in June. The bill codifies a number of the successful voting reforms implemented during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic: including permanent vote-by-mail for any state, municipal, or local election; and expanded early in-person voting opportunities (two weeks for biennial state elections and one week for presidential or state primaries) with longer hours and accessible voting sites for residents as determined by municipalities.

In the spirit of expanding inclusivity for voting protections, the VOTES Act also increases ballot accommodations for populations who have been historically disenfranchised or face barriers in getting to the polls, including voters with disabilities and service members overseas. Recognizing that the implementation of these reforms start at the local level, the legislation also takes steps to modernize the Commonwealth’s election administration process and give municipal officials the tools they need to roll-out an election successfully and securely. The Act grants municipalities the option to set up secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots and allows election officials to pre-process mail-in and early voting ballots; as well as streamlines the process for election officials to appoint and fill vacancies in poll workers.

Senator Moran Secures $2.9 million for Plymouth & Barnstable Counties in General Bond Bill

Earlier in June, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a $5.07 billion general government bond bill to fund maintenance and improvements for the Commonwealth's public institutions, including those of higher education, healthcare, and public safety. Through this funding initiative, I was able to secure $2.5 million for the Plymouth and Barnstable counties to address the following critical municipal infrastructure and climate resiliency needs:

• $1 million for the development of municipal broadband in the Upper Cape Cod region
• $1 million for water and sewer infrastructure to facilitate additional workforce and affordable housing capacity in the towns of Plymouth, Pembroke, Kingston, and Plympton
• $500,000 for boardwalk repair and climate resilient infrastructure in the town of Sandwich

In addition, I was proud to co-sponsor an amendment along with my Cape Cod colleague, Senator Julian Cyr, to secure $400,000 for Cape Arts & Entertainment, also known as the Cape Symphony, to cover the costs of renovations at the West Barnstable and Falmouth Conservatories. 

These earmarks were the result of extensive stakeholder feedback and collaboration with municipal officials to identify local priorities that ensure the accessibility and stability of our public utilities for residents. These investments will also contribute to ongoing efforts to facilitate community development in a sustainable manner while promoting long-term economic growth and addressing regional housing needs.

The bond bill reinforces these investments on a broader scale, outlining expenditures to bolster a multitude of state-allocated programs that address the uneven impact of climate change on Massachusetts communities, enhance workforce development and technical expertise for local businesses, and support affordable rental housing production and rehabilitation:
 

• $50 million to the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund

• $20 million for the Municipal Internet Technology Improvements to facilitate remote participation in public meetings

• $60 million to the Housing Stabilization Investment Trust Fund

• $64 million for the Water Pollution Abatement Trust

• $100 million to grants to support municipalities in addressing local construction needs

Senate Addresses Transportation Needs Through Ch. 90 Funding
 

The Senate approved the authorization of $350 million towards transportation needs in the Commonwealth for the coming fiscal year, including $200 million for Chapter 90 funds, which provides cities and towns with a funding source for investments in local infrastructure-related projects. The funding is a critical source for municipalities looking to improve the quality of roads, increase access to public transit and enhance pedestrian safety.

The communities listed below are eligible for reimbursements for projects  through the Department of Transportation upon request from local officials:

• Kingston - $415,373
• Pembroke - $559,487
• Plymouth - $1,596,234
• Bourne - $599,819
• Falmouth - $1,255,681
• Sandwich - $770,252

This legislation also allocates $150 million for grant-based programs that will assist municipalities with projects related to small bridge repair, bus-service expansion, increased access to mass transit and commuter rail stations, and pavement and surface area improvements to non-federally aided roadways.

Consumer Protection Committee Takes Action On Licensing

Earlier this spring, the Joint Committee On Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure reported favorably An Act relative to licensing accountability and modernization in the Commonwealth. The bill, originally filed by Governor Baker, is an overhaul of the state’s professional licensing operations meant to improve the flow of the licensing process and encourage the growth of small business. As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee, I am glad to see this bill moving forward as it will contribute to our larger economic recovery efforts state-wide.

Most significantly, the bill removes automatic statutory barriers to licensure for individuals who have defaulted on student loans repayments, removing a major hurdle for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the state. The legislation also seeks to establish parity in debt collection licensure by classifying entities that purchase charged off debt for collection purposes as debt collectors. These enhancements, as well as provisions to require license exams to be offered in multiple languages and allow for the Division of Occupational Licensure to contract out its examination process to third-party vendors, expand accessibility to the licensing process for economically vulnerable communities and will lead to new opportunities for business development locally. 
 

The bill also takes steps to increase oversight authority for certain Occupational Licensing-related boards through the Department of Public Health, granting them investigatory abilities in regards to immediate public health threats and increasing penalties for licensee violations. The bill would also prohibit registered Level 3 Sex Offenders from obtaining a professional license, subject to applicable board review.

In the District:

At the beginning of the month, I had the pleasure of joining members of the Cape Cod Delegation and the Town of Plymouth in hosting Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs here in Plymouth Harbor to highlight the economic recovery opportunities for coastal communities like Plymouth brought through the #FORWARDact.

The legislation, filed by Governor Baker, would include nearly $4 million in funding for the town to support local business development, specifically for our fishing and boating industries. The full press conference can be watched online, courtesy of PACTV (Plymouth Area Cable Access Television). 

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