Beacon Hill Roll Call
Volume 50 – Report No. 18
April 28 – May 2, 2025
Copyright © 2025 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of April 28-May 2. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.
All roll calls in the House were on matters relating to House passage of a $61.47 billion fiscal 2026 state budget.
During the week of April 28-May 2, the House met for a total of 25 hours and 11 minutes while the Senate met for a total of three hours and 47 minutes.
HOUSE APPROVES $61.47 BILLION FISCAL 2026 STATE BUDGET (H 4000)- House 151-6, approved and sent to the Senate a $61.47 billion fiscal 2026 state budget after three days of debate. The House version now goes to the Senate which will approve its own version. A House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a compromise plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and then sent to Gov. Maura Healey.
(A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian – Yes
Rep. Donald Wong – Yes
MUNICIPAL TAX AMNESTY (H 4000)- House 25-132, rejected an amendment that would authorize cities and towns to conduct a municipal tax amnesty program over a two-month period, as determined by the local legislative body, any time prior to June 30, 2027. It specifically authorizes communities to waive any or all penalties, fees, charges and accrued interest if the original overdue tax assessment is paid in full.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian – No Rep.
Donald Wong – Yes
ALLOW DETAINMENT BY IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (H 4000)- House 25-131, rejected an amendment that would provide a mechanism for law enforcement and the courts to detain individuals for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if the person poses a direct threat to public safety. It would specifically allow for the detainment of individuals for possible immigration violations for up to 12 hours upon receipt of a written request and warrant from ICE.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian – No
Rep. Donald Wong – Yes
RIGHT TO SHELTER (H 4000)- House 27-129, rejected an amendment that would place further restrictions on the state’s right to shelter law by limiting participation in the commonwealth’s emergency housing assistance program to U.S. citizens who have resided in Massachusetts for at least six months.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian – No
Rep. Donald Wong – Yes
PUBLIC SAFETY GRANT FUNDING (H 4000)- House 28-128, rejected an amendment that would prohibit any city or town’s eligibility for public safety related grant funding from being contingent upon that municipality’s compliance with the MBTA Communities Act.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian – No
Rep. Donald Wong – Yes
REQUIRE ID TO VOTE (H 4000)- House 25-131, rejected an amendment that would require voters to present a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, when voting. It also directs the Secretary of State’s office to develop a program to make a Massachusetts photo identification card available free of charge for voting purposes.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian – No
Rep. Donald Wong – Yes
For more information and details on each bill, roll call attendance, and other relevant information, please visit the Wakefield Daily Item at www.localheadlinenews.com.
