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  • Few prepared to cover long-term care costs

    Few prepared to cover long-term care costs

    Editor’s note: The share of the U.S. population older than 65 keeps rising – and will for decades to come. Since nearly half of Americans over 65 will pay for some version of long-term health care, CNHI News and The Associated Press examined the state of long-term care in the series High Cost of Long-Term Care, which began Friday and continues this week.

    While many Americans will need long-term care as they get older, few are prepared to pay for it.

    Medicare, which provides Americans over the age 65 with health insurance, doesn’t cover most long-term care services. And Medicaid — the primary safety net for long-term care coverage — only covers those who are indigent.

    Federal estimates suggest 70% of people ages 65 and older will need long-term care before they die, but only 3% to 4% of Americans age 50 and older are paying for long-term care policies, according to insurance industry figures.

    The high cost of premiums for those private long-term care policies puts it out of reach for most people.

    Even some who have this kind of insurance find it doesn’t provide enough to cover the costs of home health aides, assisted-living facilities or nursing homes.

    “People think that long-term care insurance is for everyone — but it is not,” said Jessie Slone, executive director of the American Association for Long-term Care Insurance, an advocacy group. “It’s for a very small subset of individuals who plan, and have some retirement assets and income they can use to pay for it.”

    To qualify, applicants need to pass a health review. Slone said insurance companies have underwriting policies with “page after page” of conditions that will disqualify people from getting that coverage.”If you live a long life, the chances of you needing care are significant. So then the issue becomes who’s going to provide for that care, and who’s going to pay for it. For some, long-term care insurance is an option.”

    Prices vary, based on the age when people apply, how good their health is at the time, and how much coverage they want. “You have to start looking at this generally in your 50s or 60s,” Slone said. “Because, as you get older, you’re going to have conditions which insurers are going to look at, determine that you’re very likely to need long-term care and not give you a policy.”

    That coverage, if you can get it, doesn’t come cheap: In 2023, the annual average cost for a policy for a couple both age 55, taking out a $165,000 initial pool growing at 3% compounded annually — ranged from a low of $5,018 to $14,695 a year, according to the association.

    But, compared to auto insurance — which most people may never use — long-term care insurance is a good investment for those who can afford it, Slone said. “Car insurance is the most expensive insurance you ever pay because the chances of you getting into a car accident are somewhat remote. But the chances of someone needing long-term care if they make it to 90 are pretty significant.”

    Lori Smetanka, executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a national nonprofit advocacy group, views it differently. She said the private long-term care insurance system has become a “bust” amid rising premiums and difficulties accessing benefits.

    Consider the fact that the number of companies offering long-term care insurance is declining, while payouts are steadily increasing as the baby boomer generation ages.”Most people have found it very expensive,” Smetanka said. “But, at the same time, people are finding that it wasn’t covering what they needed.”

    Last year, insurers paid a record of more than $14 billion to cover an estimated 353,000 long-term care claims, according to industry figures. That’s compared to about $11.6 billion just three years ago.

    Currently, there are about 7.5 million people in the U.S. age 65 and older with private long-term care insurance, according to industry data.

    With that incentive, some states, including Washington and California, are looking at creating long-term care social insurance pools funded by payroll taxes and other sources of funding. The effort also is being spurred, in part, by the rising costs borne by states for Medicaid long-term care coverage, which they share with the federal government.

    “More and more states are coming to the conclusion that this is an under-funded system,” said Marc Cohen, a researcher and co-director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. “There are simply not enough dollars going into the system – given the needs and the demands of the growing elderly population.”

    So far, Washington is the only state to try to address the issue. A law approved by the state Legislature in 2019 created a long-term care benefit program, which provides residents with up to $36,500 to pay for costs such as caregiving, wheelchair ramps, meal deliveries and nursing home fees.

    The Cares Funds is covered by a payroll tax that deducts 0.58% out of paychecks but guarantees a $36,500 lifetime benefit for those who have paid into the fund for 10 years.

    Several other states are studying the issue. In California, a task force is looking at how to design a long-term care program, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Massachusetts, Illinois and Michigan also are weighing the costs versus benefits of creating a state long-term care benefits program.

    But the issue of imposing new taxes to pay for long-term care insurance is controversial — and politically unpopular — on both a state and federal level.

    Washington’s long-term care insurance law is facing a repeal effort from a group backed by hedge fund executive Brian Heywood that argues the system should be voluntary. Voters in November will decide whether to allow people to opt out, which supporters say would essentially gut the program.

    “There are a lot of states that are looking to see what happens in Washington,” Cohen said. “If this billionaire who is funding this repeal effort wins, it will be a real blow.”

    Cohen said efforts on a federal level to create a publicly funded insurance pool haven’t gained much traction. A long-term care program created by Congress through the CLASS Plan, which was tied to the Affordable Care Act, was voluntary. That law was repealed in early 2013.

    “It never got off the ground before it was repealed,” he said. “With the dysfunction in Congress, we’re likely to see more action on a state level than the federal.”

    Recent polls suggest there may be some public support for the move. A survey by the National Council on Aging found more than 90% of the 1,000 female respondents across party lines support the idea of creating a government program to pay for the cost of long-term care.

    “The level of support was significant, and very bipartisan,” said Howard Bedlin, a long-term care expert with the council. “People keep talking about how Congress can’t find bipartisan support. Well, the voters clearly support it.

    “The politicians just aren’t giving these issues the attention they deserve.”

    Christian M. Wade is a reporter for North of Boston Media Group.

    By Christian M. Wade | CNHI News

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  • Biden’s nursing home rules face pushback

    Biden’s nursing home rules face pushback

    BOSTON — Nursing homes would be required to meet stringent staffing requirements under new Biden administration rules that the long-term care industry says are “unattainable” and could force some facilities to close their doors.

    The new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules, which were finalized last month, will require nursing facilities that receive federal funding through the programs to employ enough staff to provide at least 3.48 hours of daily care for each resident.

    That includes 2.45 hours of nurse aide time and 0.55 hours of registered nurse assistance. Facilities also must have a registered nurse on site 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

    The White House says the new rule will require nursing facilities with 100 residents to have at least two registered nurses and at least 10 nurse aides as well as additional care staff per shift. Facilities caring for residents with higher needs will be required to increase staffing above the minimum levels, according to the new rules.

    Additionally, the Biden administration is requiring home care agencies allocate at least 80% of their Medicaid payments to staff compensation. States would have flexibility to adjust the rules for small and rural home care providers, according to the directive.

    Nursing home operators that fail to meet the new federal standards could lose Medicare and Medicaid funding, effectively putting them out of business.

    “Medicare and Medicaid pay billions of dollars per year to ensure that 1.2 million Americans that receive care in nursing homes are cared for, yet too many nursing homes chronically understaff their facilities, leading to substandard or unsafe care,” the White House said in a statement.

    “When facilities are understaffed, residents may go without basic necessities like baths, trips to the bathroom, and meals – and it is less safe when residents have a medical emergency,” the statement said.

    But the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, which represents nursing homes, said the new rules are “simply unattainable” for nearly every facility and, if implemented, “would lead to widespread disruption in accessing skilled nursing facility care.

    The association said the workforce crisis — with more than 7,000 vacant positions in nursing facilities — is “directly contributing to the current instability throughout the Massachusetts health care system.”

    “CMS’ failure to provide funding to hire, train and upskill the thousands of individuals necessary to meet the requirements of the final rule is projected to cost over $175 million annually in the commonwealth alone,” Tara Gregorio, the group’s president, said in a statement.

    Gregorio said the association is “fully committed to working with our government partners to secure the funding necessary to hire additional direct care workers, increase wages for our deserving staff, and to promote career pathways.”

    A MassHealth spokesperson said the agency, which oversees nursing homes, is “deeply committed to ensuring that members receiving services at nursing facilities across the state are getting excellent care.

    “We are currently reviewing the rule and its impact and look forward to working with our federal, state, and local partners,” the statement said.

    The state Department of Health’s long-term care facility regulations require a minimum of 3.580 hours of care per resident a day, 0.508 hours of which must be by a registered nurse. That’s higher than the standard for the new CMS regulation.

    DPH regulations also require 24 hour nursing service with an adequate number of trained nursing personnel on duty around the clock, according to the state agency.

    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that roughly one-quarter of facilities would meet the minimum nursing requirement, including the onsite 24/7 rule.

    But the American Health Care Association, a trade group representing for-profit nursing homes, says about nine in 10 facilities would fail to meet at least one of the new staffing requirements. One-third of facilities would fail to meet all three standards, the group said.

    “While it may be well intentioned, the federal staffing mandate is an unreasonable standard that only threatens to shut down more nursing homes, displace hundreds of thousands of residents, and restrict seniors’ access to care,” AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson said in a statement. “It is unconscionable that the Administration is finalizing this rule given our nation’s changing demographics and growing caregiver shortage.”

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Moulton looking to serve another term in Congress

    Moulton looking to serve another term in Congress

    BOSTON — Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton is seeking a sixth term in Congress, touting accomplishments in Washington that he says have roped in tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for his district, and pledging to work to bolster national security, and push for immigration reform and reproductive rights.

    Moulton filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office on Thursday to run for reelection in the 6th Congressional race, which includes most of Essex County along with eight towns in Middlesex County. His campaign turned in more than 3,400 signatures from voters to qualify for the November ballot.

    If reelected to another two-year term, Moulton said he plans to work on protecting reproductive rights, push to modernize public transportation — including high speed rail, improve mental health care, and bolster national security amid increasing military threats from Russia and China.

    “We need a national China strategy,” said Moulton, who serves on a special House subcommittee on China. “We need to better manage competition, but most of all to succeed in deterrence. It’s critical that we succeed on deterrence.”

    Moulton, 45, said he also plans to focus on immigration reform, as Massachusetts wrestles with a surge of asylum seekers that have overwhelmed the state’s emergency shelter system and forced the state to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars amid a lack of funding from Congress and the Biden administration.

    “We need bipartisan immigration reform. Everyone knows the border is a mess,” Moulton said. “We need to do a lot more to discourage illegal immigration while encouraging people to come in through the proper pathways.”

    He touts his accomplishments in Congress, from pushing through legislation creating a new 988 nationwide suicide hotline to improving mental health care for active duty military service members and making ALS disability insurance “more comprehensive and accessible.”

    His reelection bid comes as a record number of congressional lawmakers have stepped down amid partisan bickering and redistricting changes in their home states. In the 118th Congress, at least 48 House members have departed or announced plans to leave Congress, about 11% of the lower chamber.

    Moulton, a former Marine captain, stresses his record of working with Republicans to get things approved by Congress, but says he won’t shy away from a fight.

    “Marines run toward the fight,” said Moulton, who served four combat tours of duty in Iraq. “There are problems and we’ve got to fix them. We have the best government in the world, but it needs a lot of work.”

    Moulton was first elected to Congress in 2014, after toppling nine-term incumbent Democratic Rep. John Tierney and beating Republican Richard Tisei with 55% of the vote in the general election. He has won reelection four times, sometimes with opposition.

    In the 2022 elections, he easily defeated Republican Bob May of Peabody and Mark Tashjian of Walpole, who was running as a Libertarian candidate.

    Moulton said he’s expecting a challenger in the Sept. 3 Democratic primary, but it isn’t clear how many candidates will jump into the congressional race.

    Nathaniel Mulcahy, a Rockport Democrat, pulled nomination papers to challenge Moulton, but hadn’t turned them in as of Thursday afternoon. The deadline to file paperwork to run is June 4, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

    So far this election cycle, Moulton has raised close to $3.8 million, according to his campaign and Federal Election Commission filings. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, he raised $1.5 million, primarily for other Democratic candidates in congressional races.

    While the control of Congress will be up for grabs in the November elections, when voters will also choice a president, deep-blue Massachusetts isn’t of the competitive battleground states.

    All 11 members of the state’s current congressional delegation are Democrats, and the party has a 3 to 1 voter registration advantage over Republicans.

    The 6th Congressional District, which was once considered a competitive seat, hasn’t been held by a Republican in nearly three decades.

    Peter Torkildsen, who represented the 6th District from 1993 to 1997, lost the seat to Tierney in the November 1996 election by a razor-thin, 371-vote margin that took a month of recounts to finalize. He challenged Tierney two years later in what was described as a grudge match, but he failed to win back the seat.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • State sued over special education for young convicts

    State sued over special education for young convicts

    BOSTON — State education officials are being sued over claims that they aren’t providing adequate special-needs services for older, incarcerated youth serving time in county jails.

    A lawsuit filed in state Superior Court last week alleges the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education failed to fulfill its statutory obligation to provide special education to youth with disabilities in houses of correction throughout the state, which is depriving them opportunities they are entitled to under state law.

    The legal challenge was filed by the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and Committee for Public Counsel Services on behalf of several unidentified inmates, who allege that they deprived of services such as speech and language therapy, and little or no access to tutoring from “a grossly understaffed and inadequately monitored” education provider.

    “DESE’s failure to uphold its legal obligation to provide adequate education to incarcerated youth is unacceptable,” Phil Kassel, of the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, said in a statement.

    “Every student, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs.”

    A spokeswoman for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said the agency will “review the lawsuit” but declined comment further, citing a policy of not discussing pending litigation. The statement said the agency said it is “committed to seeing that all students with disabilities receive the services they deserve.”

    The plaintiffs argue that the failure to adequately provide special-needs services for students increases a likelihood they will not get a high school diploma, which means their prospects after release from jail “are greatly diminished, economically and otherwise.”

    “A high school diploma is necessary to have any reasonable chance to compete in today’s job market,” the lawyers wrote.

    “Without meaningful employment opportunities, youth are substantially more likely to live in poverty and depend on public benefits as adults.”

    “This poverty can exacerbate mental health issues, as well as perpetuate cycles of homelessness and unemployment,” they added.

    A report by the group Citizens for Juvenile Justice highlighted what it described as a lack of education opportunities for 18- to 21-year-olds serving time at houses of correction, alleging that the state, county, and municipal officials are violating young peoples’ right to an education under the state constitution.

    But the group says the DESE lawsuit is “narrow” in scope and won’t have an impact on the overall problem of educational opportunities for incarcerated youth.

    It has called for taking other steps including a proposal that would raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction by the courts to include 18 to 20 year olds.

    “Even if it is successful, the needs of general education students in both HOCs and DOC, as well as special education students in DOC, are not addressed by the litigation,” the group said.

    “It would be more efficient to raise the upper age of juvenile jurisdiction to ensure a state-wide fix, rather than focus on improving county-by-county programming for young adults in HOCs that are reluctant or outright resistant to do this.”

    On Thursday, supporters of the “raise the age” proposal held a rally outside the Statehouse, where formerly incarcerated youth called on lawmakers to approve the legislation.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • House seeks more money for MBTA upgrades

    House seeks more money for MBTA upgrades

    BOSTON — House Democrats are seeking hundreds of millions of dollars more for MBTA upgrades and workforce needs as part of their annual spending plan.

    The House’s version of the budget unveiled Wednesday calls for spending what legislative leaders described as a “record” $555 million for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the next fiscal year and an additional $184 million for regional transit systems that operate across the state.

    House Speaker Ron Mariano said the “historic” level of spending “will allow the new leadership at the T to meet the immense challenges that they face head on.”

    “Given the workforce recruitment and training challenges that have plagued the MBTA, I am particularly proud of the House’s proposal to establish an MBTA Academy that would help to bolster their workforce development efforts,” the Quincy Democrat said in a statement.

    House leaders said the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1 would be funded in part by revenue from the state’s new “millionaire’s tax,” a voter-approved law that set a 4% surtax on incomes above $1 million.

    “Having a well-run transit system is critical to the success of the commonwealth,” House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, D-Boston, said in a statement. “This record amount of funding shows the House’s commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure in every area of the commonwealth.”

    The House plan earmarks $314 million for direct operating costs at the MBTA, $184 million for the state’s 15 regional transit authorities, and $75 million for MBTA capital investments.

    The plan also calls for spending $40 million to create an MBTA academy to oversee recruiting and training efforts, and create a pipeline for skilled workers.

    An additional $20 million would be set aside for reduced fares for riders with low incomes, which was recently approved by the MBTA’s board of directors.

    The low-income fare program is expected to cost $60 million a year and Gov. Maura Healey has proposed $45 million in funding from the “millionaire’s tax” in her fiscal 2025 budget proposal. Members of an advisory board that recommended approval of the plan also cautioned that the state does not have a dedicated source of funding.

    The move to pump more taxpayer money into the state’s beleaguered public transit system comes as the MBTA wrestles with projected budget deficits driven by a mountain of debt, some dating back to the Big Dig project.

    T officials estimate the transit agency’s operating deficit for the next fiscal year is $182 million, which is projected to grow to $859 million by 2029.

    Meanwhile, the MBTA said it would need about $24.5 billion to bring the system into a state of “good repair” by replacing tracks, facilities, power equipment, trains and other infrastructure.

    Healey attributes the deficit to a lack of investment in the system over decades and said she wants to make “transformative investments” to improve service and reliability. She touted $250 million in MBTA funding in her $56.1 billion budget proposal unveiled in January.

    Lawmakers are expected to file hundreds of proposed amendments to the House’s spending package, the fate of which will be debated in closed-door leadership negotiations.

    The budget would also need to be approved by the state Senate before heading to Healey’s desk for review.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • House unveils $57.9 billion budget plan

    House unveils $57.9 billion budget plan

    BOSTON — More money for public transportation, education, housing, and workforce development are among the highlights of the House of Representatives’ version of next year’s state budget, which was rolled out Wednesday.

    The $57.9 billion House budget — which is about $150 million more than Gov. Maura Healey’s preliminary budget — boosts local aid in the fiscal year that begins on July 1 to more than $1.25 billion. It also calls for spending $6.86 billion on Chapter 70 school aid, also an increase over the current fiscal year.

    House Ways and Mean Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, D-Boston, said the plan will “allow the commonwealth’s economy to grow, while remaining competitive, and also recognizing the financial realities” facing the state government following several months of declining revenue.

    “This budget aims to do that with major investments in housing, education and workforce development … all while keeping Massachusetts a competitive engine,” he told reporters at a briefing where he touted the state’s fiscal outlook. “We still have the ability to navigate through these choppy waters and meet the needs of our residents.”

    House Democrats shrugged off Healey’s calls to cap spending increases at 2.9% over the previous fiscal year, proposing to hike spending by 3.3% next fiscal year.

    House Speaker Ron Mariano said despite the increased spending, the Legislature will need to tighten the state’s fiscal belt in the next year amid economic uncertainty and diminishing revenue collection.

    “This fiscal year is not going to be like the past few,” the Quincy Democrat said in remarks Wednesday. “And there will be an ever greater demand for fiscal responsibility throughout this budget cycle.”

    A key provision of the plan calls for spending what House leaders described as a “record” $555 million for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the next fiscal year to cover the cost upgrades and training new workers at the beleaguered agency.

    If approved, the House plan would earmark $314 million for direct operating costs at the MBTA, $184 million for the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities, and $75 million for MBTA capital investments.

    The plan also calls for spending $40 million to create an MBTA Academy to oversee recruiting and training efforts, and create a pipeline for skilled workers.

    Another $20 million would be set aside for reduced fares for riders with low incomes, which was recently approved by the MBTA’s Board of Directors.

    The plan also calls for spending $1 billion in proceeds from the millionaires’ tax on a range of education and transportation programs, along with new initiatives. The new voter-approved law, which went into effect in January, set a 4% surtax on incomes above $1 million.

    The House plan calls for $475 million to continue the Commonwealth Cares for Children program, which has provided grants to about 7,500 child care providers to help them keep their doors open during the pandemic.

    It also recommends spending $35 million to provide “unlimited” free phone calls for inmates at state prisons, correctional facilities and county jails.

    Increased funding for job training, housing, higher education, and expanding behavioral health services also are part of the proposal.

    Healey unveiled a $56.1 billion budget in January that called for capping spending increases at 2.9% across the board, citing the state’s declining revenue collections.

    Debate on the spending plan comes amid concerns about the state’s finances with taxes and other revenue coming in below benchmarks in recent months despite a slight uptick in the previous month, as well as federal pandemic aid drying up.

    Healey wielded her executive powers in February to slash $375 million from the current fiscal year budget to close a gap between spending and revenue.

    The so-called 9C cuts, which didn’t require legislative approval, hit a variety of state agencies and departments, with one of the largest reductions being a $294 million cut at the state’s Medicaid program for fee-for-service payments.

    Lawmakers are expected to file hundreds of proposed amendments to the House’s spending package, the fate of which will be debated in closed-door leadership negotiations.

    The budget also needs to be approved by the state Senate before heading to Healey’s desk for review.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • State lawmakers holding fewer recorded votes

    State lawmakers holding fewer recorded votes

    BOSTON — The number of roll call votes by the state House of Representatives has plummeted in recent years, prompting concerns from open government groups about a lack of transparency in Beacon Hill’s often secretive legislative process.

    In the current legislative session, which got underway in January 2023, the House has held 81 roll calls that recorded how each lawmaker voted on specific bills, according to voting records from the House clerk’s office.

    But the number of recorded votes has been declining for years, with 105 roll calls held during the preceding two-year session in 2021 and 2022, according to the data. In the 2017-18 session, the House held 313 roll call votes.

    There has also been a decline of recorded votes in the state Senate, where 135 recorded votes were held during the 2021-22 session, according to the Senate clerk’s office. That’s compared to 186 roll call votes in the 2020-21 session.

    Open government groups say the declining number of recorded votes raises serious issues about transparency and accountability in state government.

    “While these numbers are outrageous, they are not entirely surprising; the sharp drop in roll call votes is part and parcel of a larger trend of concentrating power on Beacon Hill,” said Erin Leahy, executive director of the group Act on Mass., a Boston-based nonprofit that advocates for government transparency. 

    “Legislating is increasingly done with few, near-unanimous votes on mega-bills with dozens of policy items, and to request a roll call on an amendment not preordained by leadership is considered a transgression,” she said.

    Jonathan Cohn, policy director of the group Progressive Massachusetts, said the lack of recorded votes deprives people of “opportunities to make progress on the many critical challenges” facing the state.

    “So much of the legislative process occurs behind closed doors, and recorded votes are a critical opportunity for legislators to show the public where they stand,” he said in a statement.

    The issue of scuttling roll call votes came up during the state Senate’s debate on a sports betting bill in April 2022 when the Democratic-controlled chamber passed the legislation on a “voice vote” that didn’t record how individual senators voted.

    The move sparked an outcry over transparency in the Legislature and prompted criticism of Senate President Karen Spilka, who previously opposed authorizing sports wagering, for allowing the anonymous vote.

    Spilka defended the vote, saying senators were free to say how they voted. The Senate later held a roll call vote on the final version of the bill.

    Over the past two years, lawmakers pushed through several major pieces of legislation dealing with tax reforms, climate change, election reforms, transportation, sports betting, mental health and veterans affairs.

    But they also failed to pass countless stand-alone bills that remain stuck in legislative committees as lawmakers lobby behind the scenes to win support for their proposals.

    Leahy said the trend of declining legislative roll call votes is part of a much larger problem of “secrecy” by elected officials on Beacon Hill, where the governor’s office, Legislature and courts all claim to be largely exempt from the state’s public records laws.

    She said that means constituents cannot find out how their representatives and senators are voting on their behalf, which ultimately affects democracy.

    “How can a legislator represent the will of their constituents when they rarely take votes?” she said. “And how can a legislator represent their constituents when they are convinced that the votes they do take can’t change the outcome?”

    “The floor is now more a stage for political theater than it is for genuine debate and decision-making,” Leahy said.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Trump, Biden win Super Tuesday primaries

    Trump, Biden win Super Tuesday primaries

    BOSTON — Incumbent President Joe Biden fended off a Democratic challenger and the threat of protest votes, while former President Donald Trump picked up a win and widened his delegate lead over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the presidential primaries Tuesday.

    Massachusetts was one of 15 other states voting in the Super Tuesday primaries, and voters flocked to town halls, community centers and schools to choose a nominee.

    Trump, the front-runner in the race for the GOP nomination, was ahead of Haley with 60% when The Associated Press called the race in his favor, marking his third primary win in the Bay State. Trump also won in Maine, North Carolina, Virginia and other states, widening his delegate lead over Haley.

    Meanwhile, Biden easily fended off a long-shot challenge on Tuesday from U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, and overcame a protest vote from critics of his support for Israel’s war in Gaza, with thousands voters selecting “no preference” on Democratic ballots.

    “He’s been doing a pretty good job and I don’t want to see Trump come back to the White House,” said Eric Kennan, after voting for Biden at Salem High School on Tuesday. “I’m terrified about [Trump] being anywhere near the government. He’s dangerous.”

    Sarah Peters of Middleton said Trump made the economy better and kept prices under control during his term. He also cracked down on illegal immigration, a key issue, she said.

    “The immigration situation is out of control,” the 46-year-old said. “Trump is the only one who can deal with it. Biden has done absolutely nothing.”

    Others, such as 79-year-old retiree Bruce Williams, were looking for an alternative to the two front-runners. He voted for Haley.

    “I really don’t like Trump or Biden,” the Peabody man said. “Trump is too divisive, and I don’t think Biden has done a good job running the country.”

    Massachusetts has open primaries, which means unenrolled or “independent” voters may draw a ballot for whichever primary they choose. Voters who are registered with a specific party may only vote in their respective primaries. The state has more than 4.7 million registered voters.

    Secretary of State William Galvin predicted a strong turnout in the primary, particularly on the Republican side, following a ruling Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court that cleared Trump for the ballot. The actual turnout was not immediately known.

    Besides hopefuls from the two major political parties, a half dozen Libertarian presidential candidates were on the ballot.

    A number of candidates had already dropped out of the presidential race before the contests Tuesday, but their names had already been printed on ballots.

    Voters were also picking committee members to serve as delegates to their party’s conventions this summer.

    Many Massachusetts voters didn’t wait for the primary Tuesday and cast ballots through absentee and early voting. Local election clerks received about nearly 500,000 absentee ballots ahead of Tuesday. An additional 51,000 were cast during the five-day early voting period last week, according to Galvin’s office.

    Other states holding primaries Tuesday included Maine, Vermont and delegate-rich California and Texas. The results move the nation closer to a likely rerun of the contentious 2020 presidential election between Biden and Trump in November.

    Nationally, the Super Tuesday contests award 1,420 delegates to the Democrats’ summer convention to the top contenders. Delegates in most Democratic primaries and caucuses are awarded proportionally based on the outcome of the vote.

    For Republicans, 874 delegates – or 36% – of the party’s 2,429 delegates were up for grabs Tuesday.

    In Massachusetts, 40 pledged delegates were up grabs in the GOP primary and 92 were at stake on the Democratic side.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Galvin: Court ruling to drive voter interest

    Galvin: Court ruling to drive voter interest

    BOSTON — The state’s top election official expects a ruling by the nation’s highest court clearing former President Donald Trump for the November ballot will drive more enthusiasm among voters in the presidential primaries Tuesday.

    Secretary of State Bill Galvin said Monday’s unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that states can’t block Trump from the ballot will likely spur voters on both sides of the political aisle to cast ballots in the Super Tuesday contest.

    “This morning’s decision makes it all the more important that those voters who have opinions on the presidency take the opportunity to express them because clearly what the court said today was that they will not do anything to decide the outcome of the presidential election,” Galvin told reporters at a briefing.

    “They’ve left it up to the voters and ultimately to Congress on the issue of the enforcement of the 14th Amendment,” he added.

    In their decision, justices ruled that states cannot invoke a post-Civil War constitutional provision to keep presidential candidates from appearing on ballots. That power resides with Congress, the court wrote in the 20-page opinion.

    The ruling came one day ahead of the biggest test yet of the 2024 presidential campaign Tuesday, when voters are expected at polls in Massachusetts and 14 other states to nominate candidates ahead of the November election.

    Galvin said many Massachusetts voters have already decided, with local clerks having received nearly 500,000 ballots as of Monday cast through the mail and during the five-day early voting period. The state has more than 4.7 million registered voters.

    “We’re optimistic about a reasonably good turnout, which will be enhanced a little more by (the Supreme Court’s) decision,” Galvin said. “I don’t think it’s going to be the turnout we had four years ago.”

    He said more than 350,000 Democratic ballots have been cast as of Monday, which he expects will double after Tuesday’s election. An additional 150,000 Republican ballots have been cast, and he expects an additional 400,000 GOP ballots to be cast on Election Day with Trump supporters more likely to vote in person.

    “It could go even higher,” the Democrat said. “Whether it will reach the 600,000 mark – or the record mark set in 2020 elections – I don’t know.”

    On the ballot Tuesday, one Democrat, two Republicans and scores of independents all want a shot at taking on incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term.

    Trump is the front-runner in the Republican race, polling in double-digits over his rival, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

    Biden faces a challenge from U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, who will also be on the ballot in Massachusetts and other states.

    Several Libertarian candidates are also on the ballot, seeking to sway voters who do not like the Democratic and Republican candidates.

    Most of the candidates on the ballot – such as Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Asa Hutchinson, Ron DeSantis, Ryan Binkley and Marianne Williamson – have already dropped out of the race.

    Galvin said mail ballots that have not yet been sent should be hand-delivered to ballot drop boxes or a city or town election office, not mailed.

    Vote-by-mail ballots that have not been received by 8 p.m. on Election Day will not be counted, he said. Voters who still have not returned their ballot by Tuesday also have the option of turning in their ballot or voting in person at polling places.

    “You need to get it to a local clerk,” he said. “You can’t expect to put in the mail and be counted.”

    Galvin acknowledged a campaign urging voters to write in “no preference” on the ballot over the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. He said those votes would be counted, as the state has a “no-preference” box on presidential primary ballots.

    “No preference is on the ballot,” Galvin said. “If someone wishes to vote to express concerns about an issue, no preference is the better choice. It’s more easily countable, and more meaningful in terms of the process of selecting delegates.”

    Galvin said the state’s “unenrolled” or independent voters, who outnumber registered Democrats and Republicans, are likely to play a major role in elections Tuesday. He cited voter registration figures showing both major parties shrinking as the ranks of independent voters continue to grow.

    Under Massachusetts’ open primary system, independent voters may draw a ballot for whichever primary they choose. Voters who are registered with a specific party may only vote in their respective primaries.

    Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Voters can look up polling locations and find other information at www.MassEarlyVote.com.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Lawrence man pleads guilty in North of Boston fentanyl conspiracy

    Lawrence man pleads guilty in North of Boston fentanyl conspiracy

    BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty to distributing large amounts of fentanyl in Lawrence, Andover, Wilmington and Woburn and was connected to the seizure of two kilograms of the illegal drug that was hidden in a cereal box.

    Fraily Rodriguez Morillo, 26, indicted by a federal grand jury along with Melvin Antonio Perez Medina and Manuel Fredis Guerrero Guzman in November 2022, according to federal authorities.

    Between March 2022 and August 2022, Morillo, Perez Medina and Guzman conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, in the four communities, according to a statement released by the DOJ.

    Specifically, Morillo distributed 50 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Lawrence on two occasions in April 2022. Later, in July 2022, Morillo worked with Perez Medina to distribute nearly 130 grams of fentanyl on one occasion, and over 560 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue) on another occasion, to a cooperating witness in Woburn, authorities said.

    In August 2022, Perez Medina was arrested and found in possession of nearly two kilograms of a mixture containing fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue. The nearly two kilograms were found secreted inside of a cereal box, according to the DOJ.

    Morillo this week pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue; three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue.

    He is now scheduled for sentencing in federal court in Boston on May 7.

    On Jan. 18, 2024, Perez Medina was sentenced to 64 months in prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy.

    The charges of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue and of possession with intent to distribute and/or distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue carries a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million.

    The charge of distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl has a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach, authorities said.

    Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter/X @EagleTribJill.

    By Jill Harmacinski jharmacinski@eagletribune.com

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  • Auditor DiZoglio, Merrimack Valley mayors highlight MeVa services

    Auditor DiZoglio, Merrimack Valley mayors highlight MeVa services

    HAVERHILL — Audits are typically a painful inconvenience to those being audited. Recently, however, several Merrimack Valley mayors joined with State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, to highlight the positives that went along with a routine audit of Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA).

    DiZoglio’s office audits state-funded entities and county offices. It does not audit non-profits and other private entities.

    “While audits can be daunting, DiZoglio and her office understood from the start how important Regional Transit Authorities – RTAs – are to the communities we serve,” said Noah Berger, administrator and CEO of MeVa.

    “They worked with us as a partner with the goal of serving our passengers. We are thankful to the Auditor’s team for their review of our operations and are pleased to report that we have implemented all of their recommendations, which has made our service even better.”

    MeVa, also recognized as MVRTA, is the public transit serving 16 Merrimack Valley communities.

    To bring attention to the partnership, the mayors of Amesbury, Haverhill, Lawrence, and Newburyport – four of the 16 communities served by MeVa – hopped on a bus along with DiZoglio and recorded a social media video that brings attention to the successful audit and accessibility of services provided by MeVa.

    Methuen Mayor Neil Perry recorded his video at a different time and it was merged into the video of DiZoglio and the four other mayors.

    “Organizations like MeVa are a great example of how community partners can implement recommendations from our audit findings to increase access and opportunity for all across the region,” DiZoglio said.

    “They demonstrate that, by working together, we can accomplish more to improve the way state systems and resources perform and hold organizations accountable across state government in order to make government work better for everyone.”

    “Many people rely on MeVa for personal and professional travel,” said Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, who also serves as chair of the MeVa Advisory Board. “I’m more than happy to have a little fun on social media, especially if it helps us spread the word about this amazing resource.”

    The 16 communities served by MeVa include Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, North Reading, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury.

    “People are always surprised when I say I use MeVa to travel to my weekly dialysis appointments,” said Methuen Mayor Neil Perry. “I think those same people are just as surprised to learn that the Merrimack Valley has the gold standard of public transportation services. I hope this video helps raise awareness of the services available, and the ease of accessing them.”

    “Very happy and satisfied to have been invited to this project which brings us first-class information to our community,” said Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña. “I must say that I had a lot of fun. Let’s keep up the good work!”

    “Over the last couple of years, MeVa has implemented changes to improve services, making it free and more accessible,” Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett said.

    “Haverhill is proud to host MeVa’s administrative offices, but even more so to have them as a strong partner to the city in getting residents and our workforce where they need to go across the Merrimack Valley.”

    “MeVa has been a tremendous partner to Newburyport and I look forward to continuing to find creative ways to engage our residents with all that MeVa offers,” Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon said.

    To see the video, visit the Office of State Auditor’s pages on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X (formerly Twitter), or on YouTube by searching for “Auditor Diana DiZoglio and Mayors go for a ride on MeVa Transit!”

    For more information on the audit of MeVa, as well as other state entities, visit mass.gov/lists/all-audit-reports.

    By Mike LaBella | mlabella@eagletribune.com

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  • Capital City Sunday: GOP medical marijuana proposal, Wisconsinites’ tax burden still near historic low | News – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Capital City Sunday: GOP medical marijuana proposal, Wisconsinites’ tax burden still near historic low | News – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    MADISON (WKOW) — Wisconsin Repubicans have unveiled a new proposal to establish a medical marijuana program in the state.

    The bill would limit the drug to only those who are severely ill with chronic diseases like cancer. Smokeable marijuana would not be allowed.

    The proposal also regulates medical cannabis growers, processors, and testing laboratories, and requires the state to establish five state-owned dispensaries to grow and sell medical cannabis products.

    Cannabis lawyer Jason Tarasek worked closely with lawmakers in Minnesota to hone the state’s adult-use cannabis bill that legalized recreational marijuana in the state. He said this week that he sees similarities between Wisconsin’s proposal and Minnesota’s initial medical marijuana program that was established in 2014. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has indicated this proposal is based on Minnesota’s program.

    Tarasek said that their initial program was similarly restrictive, but has loosened in recent years to include other conditions such as autism, intractable pain, and sleep apnea. 

    “Like everything with marijuana, it is very controversial when it’s first introduced, the stigma is real around marijuana,” he said. “I think it’s interesting to watch these states come online, and I’m certain that if the medical marijuana program is introduced in Wisconsin, as intended, society will see this…

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  • Colombia’s marijuana farmers want out of the shadows. Will the government ever legalize their harvest? | News – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Colombia’s marijuana farmers want out of the shadows. Will the government ever legalize their harvest? | News – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Cajibio (CNN) — On a recent Friday morning, about 200 coca and marijuana farmers gathered in the small town of Cajibio, southwestern Colombia, to hear the government out.

    Colombian’s government was still licking its wounds after an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana had sunk in Congress less than 10 days before.


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  • Pa. should release marijuana data | Opinion – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Pa. should release marijuana data | Opinion – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Fully legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania would require a robust regulatory framework, from licensing growers and distributors to tracking and collecting taxes, preventing underage use and ensuring public safety.

    Gov. Josh Shapiro supports legal adult use to the point of including that prospect in his first proposed budget. He recommends a 20% tax on wholesale prices of marijuana products. Assuming that sales would begin in January 2025, he estimated that the tax would produce $16 million in revenue in the first year and gradually rise to $188 million a year by the end of the decade.

    Any regulatory regime also would have to include ensured transparency so that the relevant information could be used to guide policy. Yet, the administration remains far less than forthcoming regarding basic information about the existing medical marijuana program.

    The state Department of Health has stonewalled the news organization Spotlight PA’s requests for records regarding marijuana prescriptions by specific doctors. According to the agency, releasing the data would violate privacy laws, even thought the Right-Know-Request did not seek any information about specific patients.

    Using other public records, Spotlight PA has shown the department has cited excessive patient approval numbers for marijuana use in at least one disciplinary case against a doctor. In…

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