Dear Neighbor,
Happy New Year!
I always start every year full of optimism. This year, almost all bills have been reported out of their primary committees. Many are now waiting for action in the Ways and Means committees. So we have a lot to work on.
Thanks to all of you who sent kind words after I announced that I won't be running for re-election this year!
Here's a roundup of some recent news reports on issues I'm working on.
Pay Equity Results
The Boston Women's Workforce Council reported that last year the gender pay gap improved - but the racial pay gap got worse. They note that our pay transparency bill just took effect, and may lead to more progress.
The Boston Business Journal's story on the same BWWC report noted that average pay for both men and women went down, but the gap was reduced because women's pay went down less than men's. Lot of other interesting information there too.
Home Care Licensure
A Globe article showed clearly how important it is for Massachusetts to join 46 other states in licensing home care agencies. The quality of home care aides and services is so important, yet we don't even know how many agencies there are and have no quality controls.
The Globe endorsed our licensure bill in an excellent editorial.
The House has passed the licensure bill, and I believe the Senate will do so soon. (The image is from a visit with a home care worker and her client)
Long Term Care Insurance
Kay Lazar's Globe article described how most people are not financially prepared for the cost of long term care, how state spending for that care is high and increasing, and why we need a program of social insurance. We commissioned a report on alternative ways to create that insurance, which would be funded by a mandatory payroll deduction, like social security and Medicare. It would pay for a portion of home care and institutional care; the amount and timing are among the alternatives. The next step is to create a commission to make recommendations. My bill to do that was favorably reported, and is in Ways and Means.
Menstrual Equity
The Somerville Times reported on the Senate's passage (for the third time, unanimously) of my bill to require free menstrual products be made available in public schools, shelters, and prisons. I wrote about this issue here.
Transgender Commission
The New Bedford Guide reported that our bill to create a commission on the status of transgender people had been favorably reported to Senate Ways and Means. I think this bill has a good chance. It's particularly important due to increased threats to transgender people.
Caregiver Affadavits
Parents sometimes appoint other people to care for their children in case they are not available themselves -- for example, if they are deported. We filed a bill (originated by former Representative Denise Provost) that would expand the rights of the people appointed by parents. Our bill could be part of the response to the federal government's aggressive deportation policy.
WGBH reported that more people are now signing these caregiver affadavits. Our bill would allow them to sign permission slips for field trips or camps, among other things.
LGBTQ Aging Commission
Bay Windows reported on the release of the LGBTQ Aging Commission's Strategic Plan for 2025-30. The plan includes these actions for LGBTQ older adults: statewide needs assessment; social support and community engagement; affirming and accessible healthcare; safe and affordable housing; policy and advocacy; and LGBTQ cultural competency training. I've been on the Commission for many years, and learned a lot, especially in our listening sessions. One thing I learned is how hard it is for LGBTQ+ people to find safe and welcoming care. It was exciting to have our June meeting was at the Pryde, New England's first LGBTQ+ welcoming affordable senior housing community. One of our bills would update the membership and names of members of the commission. It's in Senate Ways and Means, and has no opposition.
National Guard in Foreign Combat
The two American soldiers recently killed in Syria were members of the Iowa National Guard, according to Military.com and Fox News. Many people don't realize how many National Guard troops are deployed in foreign combat, but since 2001, virtually all Massachusetts Army National Guard units and most of its soldiers have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Several units and many soldiers have served at least twice.
With Defend the Guard and Mass Peace Action, I filed a bill to prevent Mass. National Guard members being sent into active duty combat unless Congress has declared war. The Berkeley Beacon reported on the hearing, and the Daily Hampshire Gazette published advocate Jason Brand's column.
The Veterans and Foreign Affairs committee had concerns about constitutionality, and put the bill in "study," which means it won't be acted on this term.
We are also working with others, trying to figure out what limits on ICE and the National Guard are constitutional, such as requiring masks or identification for ICE, and permission from the receiving governor. As ICE abuses become more and more brazen, I hope my colleagues will come to agree that we must take action.
Fare Free Buses
The FY25 budget included my request for a Department of Transportation report on the possibility of fare-free MBTA buses. There are pilots in regional transit authorities and some T lines. The DOT study concluded that additional pilot programs are "unsustainable and not recommended." And while it recognized the advantages, it recommended that "fare-free bus service expansions – to the extent additional funding is available to cover their costs – should be designed and implemented to serve the entire bus network, at a cost of $72M to $121M annually, not limited routes chosen by municipalities." NBC reported on the study.
That means our proposals to create more pilot fare free routes won't be successful, although the Regional Transit Authorities and some Boston routes continue to receive funding for their successful pilots. The state budget will be very constrained due to federal actions, so a full MBTA program is also unlikely. I wrote about fare-free benefits here.
Rent Stabilization and TOPA
There's been a lot of press attention to rent stabilization, because of the ballot question and the governor's opposition. I'll do another newsletter just on housing soon, I hope.
Happy New Year, and stay in touch,
Pat Jehlen