House Session Summary – Monday, Nov. 14, 2022
State House News Service
The House on Monday gave final approval to a bill authorizing seven alcohol licenses in West Springfield and got on the same page with the Senate on a bill designating a portion of Route 20 as the Medal of Honor Highway. The House also advanced local bills, including one removing the residency requirement for the city of Lynn’s water and sewer commission. Representatives took a moment of silence to remember former Senate Clerk William Welch, who died in October. – 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. Garballey of Arlington gaveled the House to order at 11:02 a.m. Reps. Wong of Saugus and Muratore of Plymouth were also on the rostrum.
PLEDGE: Members, staff and guests rose and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
RESOLUTIONS: The House adopted resolutions from Rep. Roy congratulating four newly appointed Eagle Scouts.
PUBLIC HEALTH EMPLOYEE: The House referred to the Committee on Public Service a Rep. Khan petition, HD 5502 that the State Retirement Board be authorized to grant certain creditable service to Robin Blatt, an employee of the Department of Public Health.
MILTON TOWN ADMINISTRATOR: The House ordered to third reading S 3127 relative to the town administrator in the town of Milton.
LYNN SEWER COMMISION: The House enacted H 4626 removing the residency requirement for the city of Lynn’s water and sewer commission.
WEST SPRINGFIELD – SEVEN ALCOHOL LICENSES: The House enacted H 5253 authorizing West Springfield to grant seven additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises. The bill specifies licenses in two zones: the Economic Opportunity Zone and the Route 20 Business Corridor.
ORDERS OF THE DAY: There was no objection to proceeding with matters contained in the Orders of the Day.
HIGHWAY RENAMING: The House concurred with a Senate amendment to H 4436 designating U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts the Medal of Honor Highway. A portion of the highway between Boston and Hancock will be designated as the Medal of Honor Highway.
REVERE SCHOOLS: The House engrossed H 5038 relative to the school committee of the city of Revere.
REP-ELECT CATALDO: Rep. Garballey recognized and introduced Rep.-elect Simon Cataldo (D-Concord), who won his race to represent the 14th Middlesex District last week.
MOMENT OF SILENCE – FORMER CLERK WELCH: At the request of Rep. Murray of Milford, members, guests and staff rose in silent memory of former Senate Clerk William Welch.
Rep. Garballey read a brief eulogy for the late Clerk Welch. He said William Welch died unexpectedly Oct. 1 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge after a medical emergency on his way home from the Harvard-Holy Cross football game. He was the beloved husband of Maureen. Born in Framingham, he was a graduate of the former Marion High School (Class of 1967), Saint Joseph’s College (1971), and New England School of Law (1977). He began his accomplished career as a Senate intern in 1971. Rising through the ranks, Billy was ultimately appointed clerk in 2004. At the time, he said he would treat every member the same, and interpret the rules as he saw them for the benefit of the institution. Those words served as a template for the remainder of his career until his retirement in 2018. He was presently working as a part-time consultant at those Senate offices. Bill was an avid sports fan who loved to attend both college- and professional-level sporting events, especially the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, Harvard University football, Northeastern University football and hockey, and any other sporting event he could possibly attend. He was an avid hockey player, participating in various men’s leagues. He was a devoted supporter of the Powers Post 59 American Legion baseball team.
TIME OF MEETING: The House adopted an order scheduling its next session for 11 a.m. Thursday.
ADJOURNS ‘TIL THURSDAY: The House adjourned at 11:13 a.m. to meet next on Thursday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.
Texas with a population and economy larger than many nations gets its legislative business done in six months or less. In modern Massachusetts tradition little gets done in double that time frame.
The Beacon Hill Democrats and a tiny number of RINOs in the Mass House and Senate will be comfortable under the Healey era. For 8 years Healey had little accomplishments in prosecuting corruption or helping consumers. Consumers seeking help from the AG’s Consumer rights division wait several months for a reply. Mostly they get none. I sent in a legitimate consumer complaint in early June. I’m still waiting for an answer. The majority of Bay State voters who didn’t vote last week must like being marginalized. The National Republican Committee abandoned candidates who could have used some tv ads to tell the facts and maybe get some apathetic voters to vote.