House Session Summary – Monday, Feb. 6, 2023
State House News Service
In its second session since the House approved its legislative rules packages (H 2023 / H 2025), representatives met for less than a minute Monday. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Rep. Garballey read the adjournment order to some quiet laughs within the nearly empty chamber. Lawmakers cannot negotiate a final package of rules governing House-Senate interactions, public hearing formats and committee votes on legislation until the Senate approves its own proposed joint rules. The Senate plans to take up rules (S 17 / S 18) on Thursday, Feb. 9, with amendments due by 5 p.m. on Monday. – Sam Drysdale
CONVENES: The House convened at 11:03 a.m. with Rep. Garballey of Arington presiding. Rep. Barrows of Mansfield was also present.
PLEDGE: Members, staff, and guests pledged allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
TIME OF MEETING: The House adopted an order scheduling its next session for 11 a.m. Thursday.
ADJOURNS ‘TIL THURSDAY: On motion of Rep. Mariano the House adjourned at 11:04 a.m. to meet next on Thursday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.
Senate Session Summary – Monday, Feb. 6, 2023
State House News Service
Ahead of rules debate later this week, the Senate on Monday congratulated girls’ and boys’ soccer teams from the Oliver Ames High School in Easton and honored the memory of former Walpole Select Board member Clifton Snuffer Jr. Senators have until 5 p.m. Monday to offer amendments to the proposed rules packages that will provide a framework for the next two years of legislating. Those will be taken up in a full formal session on Thursday. – Sam Doran
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CONVENES: The Senate convened at 11:08 a.m. with Sen. Timilty of Milton presiding. Sen. O’Connor of Weymouth was also present. A large group of students stood at the rear of the chamber.
PLEDGE: Members, staff, and guests pledged allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
Sen. Timilty said it is my distinct pleasure to host and welcome our Oliver Ames women’s soccer team and boys’ soccer team to this session of the Senate.
EASTON GIRLS’ SOCCER: Sen. Timilty said this year our Oliver Ames women’s soccer team recoreded a regular season record of 12-3-1. Among the many highlights for this team — Hockomock League champions, three South Shore all-scholastics, Hockomock all stars, and on a very cold night in Walpole, you attained being finalists in the D-II state championship, losing what was a very incredibly close match to Silver Lake. Congratulations to each of you on a wonderful season. I am proud to work for you here in the Senate.
(Applause)
EASTON BOYS’ SOCCER: Sen. Timilty said and to our Oliver Ames men’s soccer team, some wonderful highlights and congratulations to each of you on your state championship. A regular season record of 15-1-2 for this team. You won the Hockomock League Davenport championship, undefeated I might add in the Hockomock League. MIAA D-II state champs, as I alluded to a moment ago — down 2-1 with less than three minutes left in the game, scoring two goals in the final two minutes to win the state championship. Three South Shore all-scholastics and two honorable mentions. And, of course, Hockomock League all stars. Congratulations to you for your excellence.
(Applause)
Sen. Timilty congratulated Coach John Burrata, 2022 Boston Globe coach of the year and 2022 Eastern Mass. Soccer Coaches Association coach of the year. (Applause)
Sen. Timilty congratulated parents and noted they drove their kids to a lot of matches. (Applause)
IN MEMORIAM – CLIFTON SNUFFER: A Sen. Rush motion prevailed for Monday’s adjournment to be in memory of longtime Walpole town official Clifton Snuffer Jr., who died Jan. 23 at the age of 81. Sen. Timilty read a brief eulogy. He said Mr. Snuffer began his career in 1982 as a town meeting representative. He also served on the Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee, and Cable Advisory Committee. From 2013 to 2016 Mr. Snuffer served as an elected member of the Walpole Select Board. While he was on the board, the town completed new police, fire, and DPW stations, in addition to a new senior center.
The motion prevailed, and the Senate stood in a moment of silence.
TIME OF MEETING: The Senate adopted an order scheduling its next session for 11 a.m. Thursday, full formal with a calendar.
ADJOURNS ‘TIL THURSDAY: The Senate adjourned at 11:15 a.m. to meet next on Thursday at 11 a.m. in a full formal session with a calendar.
