THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from budget vetoes by Gov. Maura Healey. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

$1.5 MILLION FOR BEST LENDING PRACTICES AND FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS (H 4800): House 135-23, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the operation of a grant program for best lending practices, first-time homeowner counseling for nontraditional loans and at least 10 foreclosure education centers.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated.

“I am striking language for an earmark not consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message. “The reduction in the item incorporates the amount of the stricken earmarked funds. This funding level will continue to support consumer counseling programs.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 million. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Natalie Blais, Yes; Rep. Daniel Carey, Yes; Rep. Mindy Domb, Yes; Rep. Kelly Pease, No; Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, Yes; Rep. Aaron Saunders, Yes

$250,000 FOR FINANCIAL LITERACY (H 4800): House 154-4, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $250,000 for a competitive grant program to school districts to support the implementation of financial literacy standards for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $250,000 was eliminated.

“I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message. “Other sources of funding for financial literacy appropriated in this budget will mitigate the effects of this veto.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the $250,000. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Natalie Blais, Yes; Rep. Daniel Carey, Yes; Rep. Mindy Domb, Yes; Rep. Kelly Pease, Yes; Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, Yes; Rep. Aaron Saunders, Yes

$2 MILLION FOR INCREASING PARTICIPATION IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES (H 4800): House 154-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $2 million (reducing funding from $3.3 million to $1.3 million) for a program to increase student participation and performance in advanced placement courses, particularly among underserved populations, to prepare students for college and career success in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and English.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $2 million was eliminated.

“I am reducing this item to an amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message.

(A “Yes” vote is for the $2 million. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Natalie Blais, Yes; Rep. Daniel Carey, Yes; Rep. Mindy Domb, Yes; Rep. Kelly Pease, Yes; Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, Yes; Rep. Aaron Saunders, Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

Here are the unofficial results on the five questions on the November ballot. Official results are final election results that have been certified by local city and town clerks and submitted to the secretary of state’s office which reviews them and then publishes them on its website.

QUESTION 1 (approved 71.6 percent to 28.4 percent) asked voters if they approved of a proposed law that would allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We’re grateful that more than 71 percent of Massachusetts voters stood up for a more transparent and accountable Legislature focused on making life better in the commonwealth,” said a spokesperson for Yes on 1. “Our campaign brought together advocates, community leaders and everyday people from across the political spectrum who worked together to pass this important reform. We especially thank Auditor Diana DiZoglio for championing this issue, and the voters for overwhelmingly supporting it.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “Consistent with how the Legislature has moved forward with every voter-approved ballot question in the past, we will consider next steps regarding how to best respect the Question 1 election results in a manner that aligns with the fundamental principles of the Massachusetts Constitution, including separation of powers,” said Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano in a joint statement.

QUESTION 2 (approved 59 percent to 41 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would eliminate the current requirement that in order to get a high school diploma, a student must pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in mathematics, science, technology and English.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “In passing Question 2, Massachusetts voters have proclaimed that they are ready to let teachers teach, and students learn, without the onerous effects of a high-stakes standardized test undermining the mission of public education: to prepare all students for future success as citizens, workers and creative, happy adults,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy in a joint statement. “For years, educators in classrooms across the commonwealth have been voicing concerns about the harmful impact of the MCAS graduation requirement. Students who were passing their courses were being denied diplomas because of this requirement. Educators were forced to narrow the curriculum in order to teach to the high-stakes test.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “While we are disappointed with the result, the discussion about educational equity and academic standards does not end with this vote,” said John Schneider, Chair of Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2. “Eliminating the graduation requirement without a replacement is reckless. The passage of Question 2 opens the door to greater inequity. Our coalition intends to ensure that door does not stay open. We believe all of us, working together, should take a comprehensive look in a timely fashion at setting statewide graduation standards to properly prepare our students for college and workforce expectations. We hope the teacher’s unions will join us in that effort.”

QUESTION 3 (approved 53.8 percent to 46.2 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow drivers for Lyft and Uber, and any other companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation, to collectively bargain to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We are thrilled that Massachusetts rideshare drivers have made history by winning the option to join together in a union,” said Mike Vartabedian and Roxana Rivera, co-chairs of the Yes on 3 Campaign, in a joint statement. “These drivers desperately need a voice in the workplace. Now, we can finally create a path toward ensuring the rideshare industry creates jobs that are sustainable and that allow everyone who does this work full-time to live and care for their families with dignity.”

OPPONENTS REACT: There was no organized group opposing Question 3.

QUESTION 4 (rejected 42.9 percent to 57.1 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “We spoke to tens of thousands of Massachusetts voters and heard broad agreement that natural psychedelics should be more accessible to those who cannot find relief through traditional medication and therapy,” said a spokesperson for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. “We understand there were concerns about the home grow provisions, and those concerns likely led to tonight’s result. But we have made hugely important strides on this issue of psychedelic therapy, and we will keep fighting to find new pathways for all those who struggle with their mental health. We look forward to working with legislators in the new session to continue advocating for access, for hope and for healing.”

OPPONENTS REACT: ”Voters across Massachusetts came together to reject the passage of Question 4 in recognition of the negative impacts it would have to our neighborhoods, roads, hospitals, children, pets and public safety across the state,” said Caroline Alcock Cunningham, campaign manager for the Coalition for Safe Communities. “After being outspent by 80 to 1 from a flood of funding that came primarily from organizations with a direct financial interest in Question 4’s passage, Massachusetts voters decided to overwhelmingly reject this poorly written and misguided ballot question.”

QUESTION 5 (rejected 35.6 percent to 64.4 percent) asked voters if they approve of a proposed law that would gradually increase, over the course of five years, the current $6.75 per hour minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, as follows: To 64 percent of the state minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2025; 73 percent of the state minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2026; 82 precent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027; 91 percent of the state minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2028; and 100 percent of the state minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2029.

SUPPORTERS REACT: “Our campaign this year was just another step toward winning what is inevitable: a future in which all Massachusetts service workers are paid a full, fair minimum wage with tips on top.” said Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage. “We will never stop. Just like in places like Michigan and Washington D.C. put the issue on the ballot three times in over ten years before workers finally won the raise they deserve despite corporate restaurant spending and attacks.”

OPPONENTS REACT: “This victory is because of the tireless work of tipped employees across Massachusetts who passionately advocated for their profession and asked voters to listen to the people most impacted by this ballot question,” said Chris Keohan, spokesperson for “No on 5.” “We thank the voters of Massachusetts for overwhelmingly rejecting this ill-conceived ballot question that was pushed by an out-of-state organization without the support of the very workers they purported to be representing.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“We are excited to announce over $4.5 million for eleven cities and towns as part of the first round of funding of the fiscal year 2025 Complete Streets Funding Program. These grant awards will assist municipalities with the implementation of Complete Streets projects, which will greatly improve safety, connectivity and access for all roadway users. We look forward to working together with local leaders as they begin planning and implementing their projects.”

-- Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt announcing the awarding more than $4.5 million to some cities and towns for the Complete Streets Funding Program to fund local multimodal infrastructure projects that improve travel for pedestrians, public transit users, bicyclists and people using other forms of transportation.

“The SAFE and Senior SAFE grants are a smart investment in fire protection, fire prevention and fire safety for the most vulnerable members of our communities.

-- State Fire Marshal Jon Davine on the awarding of $2 million in grants to support fire and life safety education for children and older adults, the people most vulnerable in the event of a fire at home.

“As we confront an unprecedented fall fire season, I’m asking all our residents to protect themselves, their neighbors and their communities by refraining from any outdoor activities that involve open flames, sparks and embers or other heat sources.

-- Gov. Healey asking residents to refrain from any outdoor activity that could cause or contribute to brush and wildland fires.

“The Name a Snowplow Contest has been a major success the last two years, with great submissions from schools across the commonwealth. This contest is a fun way for kids to learn about public works and for our snow and ice crews to connect with their communities. We are excited to receive creative names for our plows this year.”

Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver announcing the third annual “Name A Snowplow Contest” for statewide elementary school students to solicit names for 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service for the upcoming 2024-2025 winter season. The entry deadline is December 6 and students can register at https://www.mass.gov/name-a-snowplow-contest-2024-25 Last year’s winners include Flower Plower, Edward Blizzardhands, Glacier Gobbler, Polar Pathmaker, Snow B Wan Kenobi, The Snolar Express, Sleetwood Mac, Snow Place Like Home, Snow-hemian Rhapsody, The Mayplower, Snow Monstah, Fast and Flurryous.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com.