NOTES BETWEEN PRINTED EDITION
by Lonnie Brennan
By their presence or their absence, less than 10 members of the 160-member Mass. House of Representatives met again and passed bills WITHOUT a QUORUM in defiance of the Massachusetts Constitution.
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the House opened a session at 11 a.m., said the pledge of allegiance, recessed two minutes later, took a 47 minute break, then rapid-fire raced through 14+ items in 11 minutes, then “adjourned.”
One bill they advanced is the creation of a 2% sales tax (“transfer fee”) on any property sold for more than $1 million on Martha’s Vineyard. The money raised will be put into a pool of money to support “affordable housing” on the island.
The bill advanced with no objection.
Only ONE REPUBLICAN REP., STEVE HOWITT OF SEEKONK was in the chamber for the vote taken without a legal quorum. Rep. Howitt did not object. It takes only one member to question a quorum and shut down the unconstitutional passage of bills without a quorum. Once again, by having ONE lone Republican in the chambers, going along and getting along with the Democrat supermajority, 150 members were able to stay home, not show up for work, and the Democrats were able to advance bills on spending and increased taxes.
Here is the full fast-paced race of bills approved in lightning fashion with, again, no debate, no discussion, and at least 150 members at home, refusing to report to work, once again.
House Session Summary – Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
Vineyard Housing Bank Bill Advances
With fewer than 10 representatives actually present, the House on Thursday accepted and enacted long-term care reform legislation that strengthens infection control measures, creates a more rigorous licensure process, overhauls prior authorizations for hospital discharges and places greater scrutiny on private equity involved in long-term care, among other safeguards inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bills impacting Barnstable County and Northfield were enacted, as well. Lawmakers also advanced local bills affecting Martha’s Vineyard, Sharon, Dudley, Warwick, in addition to legislation dealing with the statute of limitations for civil child sex abuse cases. The House is now headed into the long holiday weekend, with reps planning their next informal session for Tuesday morning. – Alison Kuznitz
CONVENES: The House convened at 11 a.m. with Rep. Garballey of Arlington presiding. Reps. Howitt of Seekonk, Stanley of Waltham, Peisch of Wellesley and Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose were also present.
PLEDGE: Members, guests and staff pledged allegiance to the U.S. flag.
LONG-TERM CARE: The House accepted the conference committee report H 5033 to improve quality and oversight of long-term care.
RECESS/RETURNS: The House recessed at 11:02 a.m. and returned at 11:49 a.m.
LONG-TERM CARE: The House enacted H 5033 to improve quality and oversight of long-term care. Some reps cheered.
BARNSTABLE CREDITABLE SERVICE: The House enacted H 3657 that Wayne A. Ellis be authorized to purchase creditable service from the Barnstable County Retirement Board.
NORTHFIELD FIRE CHIEF: The House enacted H 4687 that the town of Northfield be authorized to continue the employment of Floyd Dunnell, III as fire chief of said town.
WETLAND RESTORATION: The House referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources HD 5282 a Rep. Kassner petition relative to ecological restoration projects.
SICK LEAVE BANK: The House referred to the Committee on Public Service HD 5310 a Rep. O’Day petition for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Michael David, an employee of the Department of Children and Families.
WORCESTER RETIREMENT: The House referred to the Committee on Public Service HD 5275 a Rep. O’Day and Sen. R. Kennedy petition relative to further defining a quorum of the Worcester Regional Retirement System Board Advisory Council.
CHILD SEX ABUSE: The House ordered to third reading S 2932 eliminating the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases.
MARTHA’S VINEYARD HOUSING BANK: The House ordered to third reading H 3804 for legislation to establish the Martha’s Vineyard housing bank funded by a fee upon the transfer of any real property in member towns.
SENIOR RESIDENTIAL EXEMPTIONS: The House ordered to third reading H 4128 for legislation to authorize municipalities to provide residential exemptions to senior citizens.
SHARON PUBLIC HEARINGS: The House ordered to third reading H 4857 that the town of Sharon be authorized to adopt alternative methods for notice of public hearings in said town.
WRENTHAM MODERATOR: The House ordered to third reading H 4881 relative to the term of the moderator in the town of Wrentham.
DUDLEY ADMINISTRATOR: The House ordered to third reading H 4887 relative to the town administrator in the town of Dudley.
WARWICK POLICE CHIEF: The House ordered to third reading H 4908 that the town of Warwick be authorized to continue the employment of David A. Shoemaker as police chief of said town notwithstanding the maximum age requirement.
CALENDAR ITEMS: There were no objections to proceeding with matters contained in the Orders of the Day.
SALEM HARBOR: The House engrossed H 4398 for legislation to include the city of Salem designated port area as part of the Salem Harbor Port Area.
TIME OF MEETING: The House adopted a Speaker Mariano to meet next on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
ADJOURNS: On a Rep. Howitt motion, the House adjourned at 11:56 a.m. Tuesday to meet next on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.
