On Thursday, during the long debate on the MA Senate’s economic development bill, the chamber voted 31 to 9 to increase the age of juvenile jurisdiction to include 18-year-olds—keeping high school seniors out of the adult prison system.

Although the Raise the Age bill would have gone all the way to 21, this is still a major win, and research has shown that allowing emerging adults to be tried as juveniles decreases crime, improves public safety, and is good for creating economic opportunity. In the juvenile system, there is better access to education and support resources, and there are also better mechanisms for record sealing.

Voting against the measure were the chamber’s four Republicans as well as Democrats Nick Collins (D-South Boston), John Cronin (D-Fitchburg), Michael Moore (D-Auburn), Walter Timilty (D-Milton), and John Velis (D-Westfield).

There were four other recorded votes during the debate.

• A party line 35 to 4 vote to enhance local public health infrastructure and service delivery.
• A 6-33 vote on an amendment from Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) to expand corporate tax exemptions. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Walter Timilty (D-Milton) joined the chamber’s four Republicans.
• A 5-34 vote to lower the capital gains tax and drain much-needed revenue. Timilty again joined the chamber’s four Republicans.