The Recorder from Greenfield, Massachusetts • B4

BUSINESS STATEB4 Fr iday, ly 1, 2022 BEACON HILL ROLL CALL By BOB KATZEN Beacon Hill Roll Call records votes on a roll call from the week of June 20 to June 24. There were no roll calls in the Sen- ate last week. $10.9 billion transpor tation, infrastr ucture package (H 4897) The House, 155 to 0, ap- proved and sent to the Senate a nearly $11 billion transporta- tion and infrastructure pack- age that includes $400 million for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to address safety problems identified by the Federal Transit Administra- i Safety Management In- spection and $250 million for initial steps toward a western Massachusetts rail extension. Other provisions include $2.8 billion for projects on the interstate and non-interstate federal highway system, $82 million for rail improvements, $1 billion for transit system modernization and rail im- provements, and $114 million for the Airport Improvement Program. also $200 million to create an extensive electric vehicle charging in- frastructure; fund programs that promote e-bikes, public transportation and car shar- ing; replace high-emissions vehicles; and acquire electric school buses.

House members filed more than 300 amendments, many dealing with local projects in home districts, but there was little debate and not a single roll call vote on any individual amendment. In- stead, members made their cases behind closed doors to the leadership and all the amendments that were given the green light ended up in one consolidated mega- amendment with a price tag estimated at $500 million. that the com- transportation infrastructure is adequately funded is a top priority for the House, which is why proud of the legislation passed a said House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy. addition to significant funding for roadway and bridge pro- jects, this bill also recognizes the importance of providing further support for the MBTA in their ongoing effort to ad- dress safety concerns and for the ever-important east-west rail legislation sets the table for the next administra- tion to take full advantage of the additional billions of dol- lars, both state and federal, for critical transportation pro- jects throughout the said Rep. Bill Straus, D-Mat- tapoisett, House chair of the Committee on Transportation.

House has wisely used the bill as an opportunity to again demonstrate its com- mitment to roads, bridges and public A vote is for the pack- age. Rep. Natalie Blais Ye Rep. Paul Mark Ye Rep. Susannah Whipps Ye Also up on Beacon Hill Baker signs election law (S 2924) Gov.

Charlie Baker signed into law the bill making per- manent the mail-in and early voting options used in Mas- sachusetts in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This version of the bill did not in- clude the controversial sec- tion allowing same-day voter registration. The measure requires the secretary of state to send out mail-in ballot applications, with return postage, to regis- tered voters before each pres- idential primary, state pri- mary and biennial state elec- tion. It also allows registered voters to request a mail-in bal- lot for all elections in a single calendar year. Other provisions include reducing the registration blackout period from 20 days prior to an election to 10 days; electronic voting options for voters with disabilities and military service members; al- lowing a voter with disabilities to request accommodations including an accessible elec- tronic ballot application, ballot and voter affidavit that can be submitted electronically; en- suring that non-felons who are incarcerated who are eligible to vote are provided with vot- ing information and materials to exercise their right to vote; and requiring the secretary of state to conduct a comprehen- sive public awareness cam- paign to publicize the new vot- ing and registration options.

office has anticipated this new law and preparations are already well underway for the Sept. 6 state commented Secretary of State William Galvin. voter in Massachusetts can expect to receive a pre-addressed, postage pre-paid vote by mail application in just a few weeks. Voters who prefer to vote in person will be able to take advantage of expanded in-person early voting or vote at their polling place on elec- tion landmark election re- form bill will empower voters and strengthen our democ- a said Sen. Barry Fine- gold, D-Andover, Senate chair of the Committee on Election Laws and co-sponsor of the measure.

2020, mail-in and early voting options helped generate record-breaking turnout. (The new law) builds upon this progress and will help ensure that every voter can exercise their fundamen- tal right to most secure way to vote is in person and on elec- tion said Paul Craney, spokesperson for the Mas- sachusetts Fiscal Alliance. over your ballot to the United States Postal Ser- vice does not guarantee your vote will count. rather dis- appointing the governor and Democratic lawmakers are pursuing this new law (that) is less In the meantime, Mas- sachusetts Republican Party Chair Jim Lyons filed a law- suit aimed at overturning the passage of the part of the new law that codi- fies universal no-fault mail-in voting. He said the Mas- sachusetts Constitution lists only three instances whereby citizens can vote absentee during elections: If out of town, physically disabled or have a religious-based conflict with election day.

a reason why we have three branches of gov- ernment, and confi- dent that the Supreme Judi- cial Court will strike down and expose the unconstitutional permanent expansion of mail-in Lyons said. Hit and run laws (H 4504) The House gave initial ap- proval to legislation that would change a current law that imposes a fine of between $500 and $1,000 on any all-ter- rain vehicle (ATV) or other recreational vehicle driver who leaves the scene, without giving information to the driver of the other vehicle, of a hit and run accident that does not result in death. The bill would impose the same fine but would also add the possi- bility of a one-year prison sen- tence. The bill also creates a new crime of leaving the scene of an accident that re- sults in a death and imposes up to a $5,000 fine 2.5 years in prison for that new crime. The bill, dubbed the James Ward Act, was filed in re- sponse to the tragic death of a young man in the district of sponsor Rep.

Kathy LaNatra, R-Kingston. According to office, James Ward was riding ATVs with his fa- ther and his brother. He col- lided with another driver, who told father that he would go get help, but he never returned to the scene. The young man later suc- cumbed to his injuries. filed this legislation to prevent ATV riders from flee- ing the scene of an accident and ensure that they are held accountable for their LaNatra said.

want to en- sure that what the Ward fam- ily went through on that tragic day happen Extend tax breaks to more farmers (H 3059) The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would expand current law and make more farmers eligible for a favorable valuation of property process that results in a tax break. Under current law, to be eligible for the favor- able valuation and the result- ing tax break, a farmer must own and be farming a mini- mum of five contiguous acres of land. The bill would reduce the required number to two and not require the acres to be contiguous. Supporters said that farm- ing practices have been mod- ernized and farmers no longer need vast contiguous acreage to grow crops and manage their livestock. They noted that in eastern Mas- sachusetts, contiguous land is getting harder to acquire.

is changing and it is growing exceedingly diffi- cult for new farmers to find land and for existing farmers to keep the land they said the sponsor, Rep. Paul Schmid, D-West- port. bill would extend the benefits of a favorable val- uation to small plots, effec- tively preserving farmland in STAFF FILE PHOTO Farmland off Roaring Brook Road in Conway. The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would expand current law and make more farmers eligible for a favorable valuation of property process that results in a tax break. Under current law, to be eligible for the favorable valuation and the resulting tax break, a farmer must own and be farming a minimum of five contiguous acres of land.

The bill would reduce the required number to two and not require the acres to be contiguous. ON THE BRIEFS Coldwell Banker welcomes new real estate agent SHELBURNE FALLS Coldwell Banker Community Realtors has added Amanda Rivera to its roster of real estate agents serving Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Rivera was born in Greenfield and grew up in Shelburne Falls and Rowe. Before becoming a real es- tate agent with Coldwell Banker, she worked in the Gill-Montague Regional School District as a parapro- fessional. thrilled to begin my career in real estate with Coldwell Banker Community Rivera said in a press release.

have always loved working with people and passionate about our local community. thrilled to be able to help guide oth- ers to find the home of their happy to have Amanda on our Brian Megliola, owner of Coldwell Banker Community Real- tors, said in the prerelease. experience, passion and dedication to customer service gives her an advan- tage in working with home- buyers and sellers. She will be able to lead her clients right from the start, through the sometimes confusing process of buying or selling a primary focus will be residential real estate in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. She can be reached at 413-824-2622 or A a a i a u- nityRealtors.

GARDEN CINEMAS SHOW TIMES Greenfield Garden Cine- mas is located at 361 Main St. in Greenfield. The lineup of movies changes on Thurs- days. Call 413-773-9260 or visit gardencinemas.net for more information. CinemaSafe pro- tocols followed.

Private shows are available by emailing greenfieldgar- The Black Phone (R) 12:45, 3:15, 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. Elvis (PG-13) 12:15, 3:30 and 7:00 p.m. Jurassic: World Dominion (PG-13) noon, 3:00, 6:15, noon and 9:15 p.m. Lightyear (PG) 12:15, 3:00, 6:00 and 8:20 p.m. Minions: The Rise of Gru (PG) noon, 1:00, 2:15, 3:30, 4:30, 6:00, 7:00, 8:15 and 9:15 p.m.

(No 9:15 show on a y. Top Gun: Maverick (PG 13) 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. Thor: Love and Thunder (PG-13) Thursday, 3:30, 6:45 and 9:30 p.m. Coming Soon: Where the Crawdads Sing, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank and Nope. RIVER A PIONEER VALLEY REGIONAL SCHOOL HONOR ROLL Seventh Grade Highest Honor: Lila Boyden, Nora Cutting, Eliana Gantt, Abi- gail Gonzalez, Laylah Goulston, Alexandra Hyrne, Kallie Kratz, Kaia Ladner, Kirsten Ladner, Tristan Neil, Leah Potter, Natalie Rios, Ruby Rowan-Decker, Ta- tiana Strysky, Evan Tsipenyuk and Collin Woodward.

High Honor: Carter Berthi- aume, Amelia Bouchard, Kaylee Fernette, Jackson Glazier, Addi- son Harrington, Amber Kowal, Thaddeus Loud, Angel Luna Tor- res, Emma Petersen and Brody We Honor: Cayleigh Aldrich, Ta- tianya Bell, Macy Buxton, Aaden Foley, Mara Gray, Kiara Gruszkowski, Jacob MacFarlane, Emmalyn Nash, Dakota Peck- ham, Ryan Spofford, Emma Strong, Jacoby Stump and Lucja Ya i i Eighth Grade Highest Honor: Ashlynn An- drews, Teagan Boliski, Danielle Chagnon, Michael Cyhowski, Oceana Duclos, Dylan Gilbert, Lauryn Kalinowski, Bryanna May, Anthony McNamara, Anson Prunier, Charlotte Relyea-Strawn and Nina St. Clair. High Honor: Samuel Boden- stein, Ashlyn Chapin, Ceilidh Davidson, Layla Fisher, Alison George, Stella Lepore, Matan Lerman-Smith, Abigail Ray, Hazel Simmens, William Thomas, Meadow Thompson, Jacobia Tyminski and Bradley Welcome. Honor: Viola Brown, Cody Do- bosz, Elias Gradoia, Tyler Hatch, Mercedes Selivanoff, Braeden Snow and Kahlyn White. Fr eshmen Highest Honor: Eric Briggs, Elizabeth Brown, Allison Clary, Amelia Fowler-Shaw, Jerad Goul- ston Sahana Heilman, Sarah LaRocque, Ethan Mauthe, Lex Singh, Emma Snow and Braeden Ts i High Honor: Everett Allen, Mason Cummings, Gavin Gam- mell, William Glazier, Benjamin Goodwin, Natalie Johnson, Adryanna Page, Joseph Seaman, Brayden Thayer and Benjamin Wer ner.

Honor: Eric Ballou, Emma Gagne, Camden Guertin, Alex McClelland, Griffin Moore, Ethan Quinn, Kurt Redeker and Riley a r. Sophomor es Highest Honor: Kelly Baird, Ethan Boliski, Julia Cox, Hugh Cyhowski, Griffin de Ruiter, Corey Doran, Grace Fisher, Heath Gomez, Cole Gunnison, Av- ery Johnson, Connor Platek, Romello Rios, Sadie Rowan, Nicholas Shattuck, Eden Singh, Michael Stennes, Aiden Wall, Maddax Wegiel and Joshua Wo High Honor: Kayla Gauthier, Brady Kratz, Cameron Platek and Hailey Ring. Honor: Josiah Chapin, Ryan Guertin, Jaida Menard, Fota Ndi- aye and Carly Norwood. Junior Highest Honor: Elizabeth Ballou, Jonathan Bodenstein, Cooper Bullock, Hayleigh Bul- man, Kendrick Celiz, Whitney Dunklee, Samuel Glazier, Hannah Goodwin, Kylie Hall, Laila Heil- man, Peter Loud, Shaelyn Mullen, Caroline Ring, Ella Rowan-Decker, Avery Sargent, Kelseigh Sargent, Lucia Saviano, Matthew Singh, James Staelens and Ryan Wyngowski. High Honor: Samantha Bald- win, Nathaniel Cosme, Ryan Groth, Mya Lewis, Connor McHaffie, Alexis Pratt, Mya Shat- tuck and Sofia Walker.

Honor: Angelo Candello, Brett Coleman, Kimberly Hale, Jared Johancen and Levi Moran. Senior Highest Honor: Isaac Da- mon, Marina Duclos, Ella Ed- wards, Kensey Gibson, Jared Hubbard, Lucy Koester, Caoilinn Lounder, Jane Potee, Ryan Pot- ter, Jason Quinn, Alana Redeker, Natalie Rowan, Madilyn Sulda and Allyson Unaitis. High Honor: Sean Allen, Jay- den Fox, Jalen McGraw, Caleb Seaman and Amber Wozniak. Honor: Dylan Fisher..