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Legislative News Watch
May 2019 - Issue 2
Produced by the Indivisible-RISE Newburyport
Legislative Watch Team
Following Legislators and Issues in Essex 1st & 2nd Communities
Reps. Mirra and Kelcourse Request Funding for Local Needs


A Youth-at-Risk grant for Georgetown, accessible ramps for Groveland and Merrimac, and firefighter gear for Boxford are among the seven budget amendments Rep. Lenny Mirra submitted last month on behalf of his district. The amendments, totaling $460,000, were filed as part of the annual State House budget process. View the line item detail here.

Rep. James Kelcourse suggested constituents search for the amendments he filed on the Massachusetts legislative website, beginning with this list.

With budget season in full swing on Beacon Hill, the House is submitting amendments to the Governor's budget proposal; the Senate will submit its amendments in May.

Did you know?

House Votes Against Transparency Bill and Ban on Non-disclosure Agreements

This winter, the House voted down three transparency amendments, two aimed at providing legislators ample time to review bills and amendments and one ensuring citizens public access to legislative hearings and votes. Reps. Kelcourse and Mirra voted yes on all three amendments. To learn more visit, https://www.progressivemass.com/house-transparency-2019.

The House also voted against banning non-disclosure agreements in their chamber. These hush agreements can silence victims of harassment and assault, cover up misconduct, and protect the powerful.

In the House, these agreements can only be initiated by the victim, and the majority, including Reps. Kelcourse and Mirra, voted against eliminating them.

The bill to ban non-disclosures in the Senate, initiated by Sen. Diane DiZoglio, passed unanimously. Sen. DiZoglio also sponsored a bill aimed at eliminating these agreements statewide, both in government and the private sector, S. 929.


Keeping a Tally on Gun Crimes

To win the battle against gun violence, it’s important to look closely at where and how guns are being used both within and outside Mass.

Two bills currently under consideration, H.2045 and S.1388, call for collecting and analyzing data on firearms crimes, arrests and prosecutions, effectiveness of gun legislation, and loss, theft or transfer of gun ownership. Rep. Kelcourse co-sponsors the House bill.

Many guns enter Mass. through other states. Our gun safety team member recently attended gun law hearings in Maine and Rhode Island, and is staying alert to legislation both within and outside Mass. that could impact the residents of our state.

To learn more about gun legislation being sponsored around the nation, and sign up for alerts on local gun bills, visit: https://stopgunmadness.org.


A Heads Up on Some Important Legislation

Changing the way we cast a ballot in Massachusetts

When multiple candidates compete in an election, the winner often ends up with less than 50% of the vote. With Ranked Choice Voting no candidate is deemed the winner until he or she has earned more than half the votes. Sen. DiZoglio has co-sponsored a senate bill that aims to make this a reality.

With Ranked Choice, voters select their first choice candidate, but also have the ability to choose among the other candidates, ranking them in order of preference. If after an initial tally no candidate reaches 50%, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are given to each voter’s second choice. This process repeats until one candidate reaches the 50% mark. This system eliminates the fear of spoilers, and creates a more cooperative environment for competing candidates.

Sen. DiZoglio co-sponsored Senate bill S.420, (House version H.635) which gives cities and towns an easier way to adopt this new system for local elections. Another bill being considered in both chambers, S.414 and H.719, would apply to all state and federal elections, with the exception of presidential elections.

Here's more information about this innovative approach to voting. Or check out this short video.

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Follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on legislative actions and news from Beacon Hill that affect the 1st and 2nd Essex districts.

For information on State Representatives Kelcourse and Mirra, and Senators DiZoglio and Tarr, visit the Legislative Watch page on the I-RISE website. Remember to check out our “Score Cards” for each legislator.

To learn more about the Legislative Watch Team, or join our efforts, contact us at: indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com.
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