I ON THE STATEHOUSE
HOW YOUR LAWMAKERS VOTED OCTOBER 30 ~ NOVEMBER 3

REP. ERIC TURKINGTON

$1.5 MILLION FOR EARLY EDUCATION PROVIDERS House 153-0, Senate 37-0, overrode Gov. Mitt Romney's veto of the entire $1.5 million in funding to provide professional development grants for early education and care providers. Supporters of the $1.5 million said that it is important to help these providers further their education and training in order to honor the state's commitment to a program of voluntary, universally accessible high-quality early childhood education for all preschool-aged children. In his veto message, Romney said that he vetoed the $1.5 because it was not consistent with his original budget proposal. (A "Yes" vote is for the $1.5 million).

Rep. Eric Turkington: Yes

Sen. Robert ''Leary: Yes

$149,742 FOR MENTAL HEALTH LEGAL ADVISORS House 133-20, Senate 38-0, Senate overrode Gov. Romney's $149,742 veto reduction (from $753,248 to $603,506) in funding for the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee. Supporters of the $149,742 said that the funding is important to ensure the protection of the legal rights of persons involved in mental health and retardation programs in the state. In his veto message, Romney said that he reduced the funding to the amount projected to be necessary. (A "Yes" vote is for the $149,742. A "No" vote is against the $149,742).

SEN. ROBERT O'LEARY

Rep. Eric Turkington: Yes

Sen. Robert O'Leary: Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill requiring the state to develop and implement a state-wide Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Initiative to reduce death and disability of infants from the resulting head trauma that occurs when someone unintentionally shakes a baby too hard. Provisions include providing parents of a newborn with education materials prior to leaving the hospital or birth center; providing education and training programs for parents, caregivers, health care providers and other professionals who serve or have contact with children and development of a program to support victims and families affected by shaken baby syndrome.

Supporters said that shaken baby syndrome is the number one nonaccidental way that infants and children under two are killed in the United States and noted that more than half of infants and children who survive shaken baby syndrome suffer from residual disabilities. They argued that the measure would save lives, prevent injuries and save millions of dollars in health care costs.

MCAS CHANGES The state Board of Education voted to institute new MCAS regulations that raise the standards for students to obtain a high school diploma beginning with the class of 2010. The new regulations raise the current passing score on the English and math test from 220 to 240 but allow students who score a 220 to complete an Educational Proficiency Plan in order to qualify for a high school diploma. The Board also added a science, technology and engineering exam to the competency determination requirement beginning with the class of 2010 and a history exam beginning with the class of 2012.

LICENSE PLATE THEFT The Senate gave initial approval to and sent to the House legislation creating a new crime of "buying, selling or dealing in stolen license plates." The proposal imposes up to a one-year prison sentence or $500 fine on violators. Supporters said that current law treats this crime as larceny and imposes only a small fine.

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

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