I ON THE STATEHOUSE
HOW YOUR LAWMAKERS VOTED OCTOBER 2 ~ OCTOBER 6
During the week of October 2-6, the House met for a total of 47 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 14 minutes.

SEN. ROBERT O'LEARY

$341,276 FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS House 130-22, Senate 36-1, overrode Gov. Mitt Romney's $341,276 veto reduction (from $5,862,043 to $5,520,767) in funding for the Office of Community Corrections. This office establishes and oversees intermediate sanctions programs and services for offenders on probation and parole including electronic monitoring, community service, drug & alcohol testing, education, job training and required daily reporting by the offenders to the community corrections center. (A "Yes" vote is for the $341,276. A "No" vote is against the $341,276).

Rep. Eric Turkington: Yes

Sen. Robert O'Leary: Yes

$198,506 FOR EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE House 146-7, Senate 33-4, overrode Gov. Romney's $198,506 veto reduction (from $10,952,486 to $10,753,980) in funding for the administration of the Department of Early Education and Care - the lead agency for the administration of all public and private early education and care programs and services in Massachusetts. Romney's veto included elimination of $100,000 for the development and adoption of core competencies requirements for those working with children in early education programs. (A "Yes" vote is for the $198,506 and the adoption of core competencies requirements. A "No" vote is against the $198,506 and the requirements).

REP. ERIC TURKINGTON

Rep. Eric Turkington: Yes

Sen. Robert O'Leary: Yes

COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY REPORT House 132-21, Senate 33-5, overrode Gov. Romney's veto of a budget provision requiring the governor's administration to compile and submit a comprehensive report on the state's energy costs including all stateowned buildings and vehicles. In his veto message, Romney said that this requirement inappropriately imposes legislative controls on what should be the administration's management decisions. (A "Yes" vote is for requiring the comprehensive energy report. A "No" vote is against requiring the report).

Rep. Eric Turkington: Yes

Sen. Robert O'Leary: Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

LEAVING CHILDREN IN CARS Rep. Rep. Philip Travis (D-Rehoboth) filed a bill that would fine anyone who leaves a child under eight years old in a car unless someone over 14 is also in the vehicle. The measure applies when conditions present a risk to the child's health or safety, the engine is running or the keys are in the car. It also imposes a $200 penalty for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. Supporters say that current law imposes a fine for leaving an animal unattended in a car under certain circumstances but does not impose a specific penalty for leaving a child unattended.

REQUIRE DEFIBRILLATORS IN HEALTH CLUBS The House gave initial approval to a bill requiring health clubs to have an automatic external defibrillator and someone trained to operate it on the premises during business hours. The measure had been languishing in the House since the Senate approved it on July 31. The measure, also known as "Kayla's Bill," is named after 22 year-old Kayla Richards whose family believes a defibrillator at her health club might have saved her life. The House version is different than the Senate one and the two branches are working on resolving the differences.

ABUSE OF SENIOR CITIZENS Gov. Romney signed into law a bill requiring that unsubstantiated reports of abuse of senior citizens, including sexual, physical, emotional, verbal and financial abuse, be retained by the state for three years instead of the three months required under current law. Supporters said that it does not make sense to retain these records for only 90 days and noted that unsubstantiated reports of abuse against children are currently kept for three years.

- By Bob Katzen Bob Katzen can be reached at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com

Copyright 2006 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.