LIVE BLOG: 2018 Senate Budget Debate
The theme of the Senate’s FY19 budget is “Creating Opportunities, Leading the Way.” A budget should be true to our values of lifting up our families and strengthening our communities. This year’s budget is no exception.
TUESDAY, MAY 22
10 a.m.: Debate on the Senate version of the FY2019 budget is scheduled to begin.
12:26 p.m.: Sen. Lesser speaks in favor of Amendment #38, introduced by Sen. Jehlen, to close a loophole in the 529 tax credit plan and ensure that the plan is used for parents to save for their children’s college educations.
12:31 p.m.: Amendment #38 is adopted.
3:10 p.m.: Amendment #1114, which funds municipal police training, passes the Senate. The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Cyr.
4:05 p.m.: An op-ed written by Sen. Lesser and Tim Brennan, Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, in support of Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #1183 goes live on Masslive. The amendment would allow cities and towns to hold regional ballot initiatives, giving voters the power to decide which local transportation projects matter most to them and which they want to fund.
4:30 p.m.: Sen. Feeney delivers his maiden speech to the Senate, speaking on behalf of his amendment to establish a new bulk purchasing program for local fire departments to purchase Extractors, a device that cleans firefighting gear to prevent the spread of carcinogens and dangerous byproducts of firefighting.
6:07 p.m.: Sen. Lesser provides a Day One update during a break in the debate.
8:07 p.m.: The Senate adopts Amendment #176, sponsored by Sen. Eldridge and co-sponsored by Sen. Lesser. The amendment funds adult basic education programs in the state.
8:33 p.m.: The Senate adjourns for the evening, to resume at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
10:45 a.m.: Sen. Lesser stopped into the National Guard Association of Massachusetts’ annual Legislative Breakfast to discuss the bills and budget amendments National Guard members are supporting.
11:30 a.m.: The Senate is back in session for Day Two of debate on the Senate Budget.
11:49 a.m.: The Senate unanimously adopts Sen. Collins’ Amendment #50 regarding to employment of persons with disabilities.
12:08 p.m.: The Senate passes Amendment #231, sponsored by Sen. Moore, to establish a Commission on Debt Free Public Higher Education.
12:14 p.m.: Sen. Lesser speaks on Amendment #242, sponsored by Sen. Gobi, to fund regional school transportation.
1:05 p.m.: Sen. Lesser speaks on his Amendment, #313, to fund the Community Music School of Springfield’s Adaptive Music Program.
1:08 p.m.: Sen. Lesser’s amendment passes the Senate.
5:11 p.m.: The Senate passes Amendment #351, with bipartisan support, to provide a supplemental tax credit for those who pay the Employer Medical Assistance Contribution.
5:29 p.m.: The Senate passes Amendment #382, sponsored by Sen. Welch, to provide funding for the Springfield Central Cultural District.
5:56 p.m.: The Senate passes Amendment #731, sponsored by Sen. Boncore and co-sponsored by Sen. Lesser, providing funding for programs to support the homeless.
6:24 p.m.: The Senate passes Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #841 to fund Springfield’s East Forest Park Branch Library.
6:29 p.m.: The Senate passes Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #852 to support the Zoo in Forest Park.
6:45 p.m.: Sen. Gobi speaks on her Amendment #788 for a testing reimbursement program for homeowners who need to test their foundations for crumbling concrete.
6:50 p.m.: Sen. Lesser speaks on behalf of Sen. Gobi’s Amendment #788, referencing the constituents he has heard from who are dealing with this issue.
6:59 p.m.: Sen. Gobi’s Amendment #788 passes the Senate.
9:32 p.m.: The Senate begins debate on Amendment #1147, sponsored by Sen. Eldridge.
11 p.m.: After a lengthy debate, the Senate holds a roll call vote on Amendment #1147. Sen. Lesser votes yes.
11:19 p.m.: The Senate recesses for the night, to meet again at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning.
THURSDAY, MAY 24
Today the Senate takes up amendments dealing with transportation, including Sen. Lesser’s amendment to study high-speed East-West Rail from Boston to Springfield and Pittsfield. In a “Senate Sidelines” video, Sen. Lesser explains how this year’s budget works to ensure all our regions get equitable transit funding:
11:32 a.m.: Sen. Lesser welcomed to the State House two Longmeadow high schoolers, who had won a tour of the State House and lunch with Sen. Lesser’s office.
3:15 p.m.: Senate President Chandler announces that there are 156 amendments still pending.
3:42 p.m.: The Senate passes Amendment #589, sponsored by Sen. Cyr and co-sponsored by Sen. Lesser, to provide relief for small businesses facing financial hardship in making their employer medical assistance contributions.
5:46 p.m.: Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #1117 to establish a commission on crumbling concrete foundations in the state passes the Senate.
5:50 p.m.: Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #1140 establishing a security grant program for nonprofits at high risk of terrorist attack passes the Senate.
6:02 p.m.: Sen. Lesser speaks on his Amendment #1186, to conduct a feasibility study of high-speed East-West Rail.
6:06 p.m.: Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #1186, a Western Massachusetts High-Speed Rail Feasibility Study, passes the Senate for the fourth year in a row.
9:23 p.m.: The Senate passes Amendment #352, sponsored by Sen. Tarr, to reimburse cities and towns for the costs of implementing early voting.
9:52 p.m.: The Senate passes Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #640, increasing funding for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs.
11:07 p.m.: The Senate passes Sen. Lesser’s Amendment #967, increasing funding for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program, which supports our farms and our families in need, using the fresh food grown at our farms to provide nearly 21 million meals to those in need.
11:25 p.m.: Sens. Lesser and Gobi celebrate the earlier passage of a budget amendment to study East-West Rail — with a stop in Palmer.
FRIDAY, MAY 25
12:38 a.m.: By a vote of 38–0, the Senate passes the final budget bill as amended.
1:08 a.m.: After concluding speeches, the Senate adjourns.
