Thursday, March 14, 2013
Today I released the following press release regarding the passage of the Legislature’s Joint Rules:
New Rules Move Forward, Fall Short of
Needed Change
Senate Republicans Vow to Continue to
Seek Transparency in State Government
Boston-
While the rules adopted today by the House and Senate to govern the legislative
session contain some important changes, the legislature has missed some major
opportunities to increase transparency and accountability according to Senate
Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).
A debate
that began in the House of Representatives on January 23 and continued in the
Senate on January 31, culminated today with acceptance of Joint Rules by each
legislative branch. Among many possible
changes to open the legislative process to greater exposure and scrutiny, only
two were ultimately adopted. They
include:
- Limiting all committee
hearings to hear no more than 50 bills sponsored by Senator Timilty and
supported by the members of the Senate Republican Caucus; and,
- Providing all local
petitions before the General Court to be valid for a two-year period
sponsored by the members of the Senate Republican Caucus.
- Requiring the House and
Senate Clerks to post online all roll call votes within 48 hours after
being made; and,
- Posting of all roll call
votes taken in joint committees.
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