Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on the only roll call from the week of May 5 to May 9. There were no roll calls in the House last week.

$1.3 billion for transportation and education (S 2512)

The Senate, 40-0, approved a $1.3 billion supplemental budget that uses funds generated from the surtax imposed on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million annually to fund $617 million for education-related projects and $670 million for transportation-related ones. The House has already approved its own version of the budget and a House-Senate conference committee will hammer out a compromise version that will be sent to Gov. Maura Healey.

The surtax was created by voters in November 2022 when they voted for a constitutional amendment, dubbed by supporters as the Fair Share Amendment, that allows a graduated income tax in Massachusetts and imposes an additional 4% income tax, in addition to the flat 5% one, on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million annually. Language in the constitutional amendment requires that “subject to appropriation, the revenue will go to fund quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation.”

A total of $370 million of the $670 million for transportation will be used for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) projects.

The $617 million for education includes $248 million for special education, $190 million for higher education, $50 million for local school construction, $25 million for literacy growth, $100 million for Career Technical Education Capital Grants and $10 million for English Language Learning Programs.

Senators had filed 317 amendments to the budget but there were no roll call votes on any of the individual amendments. Instead, the Senate approved or rejected some individual amendments, some with debate and some without debate, on unrecorded voice votes that do not allow the public to see how individual senators voted.

To move things along even faster, the Senate also did its usual “bundling” of many amendments. Instead of acting on each amendment one at a time, dozens of the proposed amendments are bundled and put into two piles — one pile that will be approved and the other that will be rejected.

Senators don’t actually vote “yes” or “no,” and, in fact, they don’t say a word. The outcome was predetermined earlier behind closed doors.

“This bill answers the clear message that our residents sent us in 2022 — to invest these dollars across the state to continue building the high-quality education and transportation systems Massachusetts deserves,” said Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. “At a time of economic uncertainty, we are committed to supporting our schools and making sure that residents can travel safely, and these Fair Share funds allow us to do that.”

Although no senators voted against the budget, there was opposition to it from outside the Senate.

“The Senate’s $1.3 billion supplemental budget is yet another example of Beacon Hill’s addiction to unchecked spending,” said Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Instead of showing restraint or using this opportunity to reform broken systems like the MBTA, lawmakers are rushing to shovel taxpayer money into a badly mismanaged MBTA that is riddled with inefficiency. Voters were told surtax revenue would be used responsibly — this bloated bill proves otherwise.”

A “Yes” vote is for the $1.3 billion budget.

Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes

Sen. Paul Mark — Yes

Also up on Beacon HillRecognize high school cheerleading as a sport (H 639)

The Education Committee held a hearing on legislation that would designate and treat high school cheerleading as a legitimate sport and have it governed by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), which currently governs 19 other high school sports.

“Cheering is a highly competitive and athletically challenging sport,” said sponsor Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica. “It should receive the same recognition and resources as any other sport in the commonwealth and as such, needs to be classified properly.”

Supporters said high school cheerleading is currently governed by the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association, which only supports Cheer/Game Day, Dance and eSports. They argued it would be more appropriate to have the MIAA run and support this highly athletic and competitive sport.

The Bean New Deal (S 922)

The Higher Education Committee held a hearing on a bill, dubbed the Bean New Deal, designed to help more people understand the climate, health and environmental benefits of diets that involve plant-based protein sources, whether exclusively or just occasionally. It also would ensure that public food establishments and public programs provide access to plant-based protein sources to those who want them.

Provisions include ones that would require all state dining halls, cafeterias and canteens to provide at least one plant-based protein source with every meal; ensure that all culinary arts programs at public institutions of higher education provide instruction about plant-based protein sources; direct the Department of Elder Affairs to offer plant-based protein sources to low-income seniors who participate in the Senior Nutrition Program; direct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer voluntary training and resources concerning plant-based protein sources to organizations participating in the National School Lunch Program and other food programs it oversees; and direct DESE, in awarding food-related grants, to consider whether proposals will increase awareness of and access to plant-based protein sources.

Give high school students college credits for high scores on AP tests

Another proposal heard by the Higher Education Committee would direct the Department of Higher Education to establish regulatory standards allowing high school students who have achieved a score of 3 or higher on their Advanced Placement (AP) exams to receive college credit at Massachusetts’ state universities.

“The American Council on Education and the College Board both recommend granting college credit to students who score a 3 or higher on their AP exam because those who achieve a score in this range are generally more prepared for subsequent coursework than students who only completed the introductory course and did not take the exam,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones, R-North Reading. “Providing college credit for AP classes taken in high school allows students to be rewarded for their hard work by giving them much more flexibility to pursue a double major or study abroad, provides a less confusing college application process by setting a uniform standard and saves students tuition money due to the reduced number of classes they have to take.”

Ban hotels from providing plastic-packaged toiletries to guests (S 609)

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on legislation that would ban, beginning in January 2027, hotels, motels and boarding houses from providing small plastic-packaged toiletries to guests. Toiletries are defined as a product provided by a hotel “intended to be applied to or used on the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, conditioning or moisturizing including, but not limited to, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and liquid soap.”

“For healthier people and a healthier planet, it’s important that we continue shifting away from using plastic materials,” said sponsor Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy. “Their production and disposal contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, their usage leads to microplastic contamination and they continue to be among the most harmful materials littered through our neighborhoods and our natural resource areas. Because there are logical, less harmful and even more convenient ways to provide shampoos, soaps and the like at hotels, banning the plastic packaging in this one area is an important, incremental step toward a healthier future.”

Ban use of helium balloons (H 996)

Another bill heard by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee would ban the intentional release in the air of any type of balloon that is filled with helium or any other type of gas that is lighter than air. First-time offenders would be fined $100 and an additional $100 per 10 balloons released. Subsequent violations would be fined $500 and an additional $100 per 10 balloons released.

The ban and fines would not apply to balloons released by or on behalf of a state agency or the United States for scientific or meteorological purposes; hot air balloons that are recovered after their launch; and balloons released by a person under the age of 12.

The state would also be required to prepare and make available to retail distributors of balloons notice of this new law and information about the harmful effects of releasing balloons into the environment. The notice must be available in English and in any other language spoken by at least 10% of the Massachusetts population.

Supporters noted the idea for this bill was first presented by the Provincetown Elementary School third grade class. They said balloons present a threat of entanglement and ingestion to birds, marine life and mammals.

“I sponsored this bill, which was previously filed by former Rep. Sarah Peake, with the hope that Massachusetts will follow other states, towns and cities in addressing this environmental waste danger,” said sponsor Rep. Hadley Luddy, D-Orleans. “I look forward to working with the committee to move this legislation forward.”

Allow legal non-citizens to vote in local elections (H 855)

The Elections Laws Committee held a hearing on a measure that would allow legal non-citizens over the age of 18 to vote in local municipal elections, participate and vote in Town Meetings and to run for municipal office.

Sponsor Rep. Samantha Montano, D-Boston, said this new law would apply to legal non-citizens including Green Card holders and students with visas. “Immigrants are productive members of Massachusetts and should be able to take part in the political activities of their municipalities,” Montano said. “These are documented individuals who pay taxes that directly support their municipal infrastructure. Many parents with immigrant backgrounds aren’t able to participate or aid in their children’s educational experience outside of providing testimony. Additionally, in municipalities that are heavily populated by specific ethnicities, such as the Brazilian population in Framingham or the Cape Verde population in Brockton, this legislation would give these groups proper representation.”

Allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections (H 813)

Another proposal heard by the Election Laws Committee would allow 16- and 17-year-olds who are U.S citizens to vote in city and town elections. It also allows them to vote in any presidential primary if the political party for which a presidential primary is held consents to the participation of 16- and 17-year-olds.

Sponsor Rep. Mike Connolly, D-Cambridge, said that 16- and 17-year-olds can drive, work local jobs and pay taxes, and have a stake in our education and public safety systems. He noted that when this group votes, there will be a “trickle up” effect on civic participation.

“When 16- and 17-year-olds engage in civics, conversations about politics and local issues are brought to the dinner table,” Connolly said. “Parents and family members are engaged in civic life through the 16- and 17-year-olds in their household, with a positive impact on voter turnout for people of all ages. Letting 16- and 17-year-olds vote in presidential primaries gives them a real stake in shaping the future leaders who will make decisions that directly affect their lives for years to come.”

Open call to design the state flag, seal and motto

The Massachusetts Seal, Flag and Motto Advisory Commission, established by the Legislature in 2024, launched an open call to artists, historians, educators, students and members of the public to participate in the effort to redesign the state’s flag, seal and motto.

“This is an exciting moment for Massachusetts,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “As we open the call for public submissions, we are inviting everyone across the commonwealth to help reimagine the symbols that tell our story. Our seal, flag and motto should reflect not just our history, but the vibrant, diverse community we are today and the future we are building together. I can’t wait to see the creativity, ideas and sense of belonging that people across Massachusetts will bring to this process.”

The Advisory Commission said it is seeking potential design elements that might include nature-based symbols native to Massachusetts, such as the right whale, the eastern white pine or elm tree, and cranberries. Other potential design elements may include the geographic shape of Massachusetts and coastline imagery that reflects the state’s historical connection to the Atlantic Ocean and maritime industries. These examples are not intended to limit potential submissions. The commission encourages and welcomes a broad range of designs.

The deadline for submission is June 18. For more information and to submit ideas, go to mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-seal-flag-and-motto-advisory-commission.