Remember this when the Reps. and Senators are working a marathon overnight session later this spring during budget session, and are spending campaign funds on Boston hotels and restaurants and living the good life, and crunch to get as much pork out of the barrel as possible for their pet projects….meanwhile…another week at the State House:
Senate Session Summary – Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 (1 minute)
State House News Service
The Senate gaveled in and out in the span of a minute Monday, after convening 36 minutes behind schedule. The Senate often starts sessions late while waiting for a member of one of the two parties to show up, and today the long wait was for a Democratic presiding officer. The Senate meets next on Thursday morning. There was no announcement at session about whether Thursday’s session would be a formal session or an informal session, but the Senate president’s office said last week that Thursday’s session would be “informal” in nature. – Sam Doran
To track a bill’s legislative history or view its text, click here and enter the bill number. The News Service features gavel-to-gavel summaries of all sessions and audio of formal sessions on our web page: http://www.statehousenews.com.
The Senate was not ready to convene at 11 a.m., the designated time, as no Democrat was present.
CONVENES: The Senate convened at 11:36 a.m. with Sen. Rodrigues of Westport presiding. Sen. O’Connor of Weymouth was also present.
PLEDGE: Members, staff, and guests pledged allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
RESOLUTIONS: The Senate adopted resolutions by Sen. Mark honoring Dr. May Edward Chinn for her contributions to health care and equality.
TIME OF MEETING: The Senate adopted an order scheduling its next session for 11 a.m. Thursday.
ADJOURNS ‘TIL THURSDAY: The Senate adjourned at 11:37 a.m. to meet next on Thursday at 11 a.m.
House Session Summary – Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 (10 minutes)
State House News Service
The House accepted the resignations of two representatives from neighboring Boston districts on Monday. Rep. Jon Santiago of the 9th Suffolk and Rep. Ed Coppinger of the 10th Suffolk both filed resignation letters with the clerk’s office on Feb. 23, the former to join Gov. Maura Healey’s Cabinet as veterans secretary and the latter to join MassBio’s government affairs division. Both resigned effective Tuesday, Feb. 28, and the House declared on Monday that elections to fill the vacancies will take place on May 30. Given the deep blue history of both of these districts, most eyes will be on the May 2 primaries to see which Democrat will win the chance to run in the late May election. May 2 is also the day of Brookline’s town election, where some voters from Rep. Coppinger’s district will be casting ballots that day anyways. The House adjourned in memory of former Congressman John Olver, who also served in Massachusetts House and Senate. – Sam Drysdale
To track a bill’s legislative history or view its text, click here and enter the bill number. The News Service features gavel-to-gavel summaries of all sessions and audio of formal sessions on our web page: http://www.statehousenews.com.
CONVENES: Rep. Donato gaveled the House to order at 11:03 a.m. Reps. Walsh of Peabody and Ferguson of Holden were also present.
PLEDGE: Members, staff and guests rose and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
COPPINGER RESIGNATION – SPECIAL ELECTION: The House placed on file the resignation of Rep. Coppinger of Boston, effective 5 p.m. on Feb. 28.
The House accepted a report of the Committee on Rules recommending the body accept the resignation of Rep. Coppinger of Boston, effective 5 p.m. on Feb. 28., and further ordered that an election to fill the vacancy be held on May 30.
SANTIAGO RESIGNATION – SPECIAL ELECTION: The House placed on file the resignation of Rep. Santiago of Boston, effective at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28.
The House accepted a report of the Committee on Rules recommending the body accept the resignation of Rep. Santiago of Boston, effective 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28., and further ordered that an election to fill the vacancy be held on May 30.
RESOLUTIONS: The House adopted a resolution by Rep. Cabral of New Bedford recognizing International Women’s Day celebrating 50 years of the local women’s movement honoring Leigh Blake and her contributions to health care. The House also adopted resolutions by Reps. Vaughn and Garlick congratulating Dylan Reis Corbitt and Brandon Peter Mack on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
MEMORIAL ADJOURNMENT: At the request of Rep. Domb of Amherst, the House adjourned in honor of former Congressman John Olver of Amherst. Rep. Donato said John Olver of Amherst died peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 23. Born in 1936, he grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. He taught chemistry at the University of Massachusetts after receiving his doctorate from MIT. John served as a Massachusetts state representative from 1969 to 1972 and a state senator from 1973 to 1991. He won a special election to serve in the U.S. Congress as a representative from the First Congressional District in 1991, and stayed in the House until he retired in 2012. John was an early champion of renewable energy and was known as one of the most progressive members of the U.S. House.
Members and guests stood in a moment of silence.
ADJOURNS: The House adjourned at 11:13 a.m. to meet next on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in a formal session.
Texas has a population and economy larger than most nations. The Texas state legislators conduct that massive states business within 6 months or less on average. Here in the Bay State the legislature stays in session all year long . A bunch of pompous clowns exploiting the taxpayers with little results to show for it. Ms. Maura has been governor for close to 2 months now. Still no ideas or remedies for the MBTA. Little if any mention on solving or addressing the other pressing problems of our state.