House says NO to more Open Gov’t

Bob Katzen in his weekly Beacon Hill Roll Call column notes a few items that the HOUSE was asked to consider last week. Most made pretty good sense if you ask me.

REQUIRE ROLL-CALL VOTE TO APPROVE TAX HIKES Would prohibit the House from approving any tax hikes without a two-thirds majority on a roll call vote. It would also allow the House to approve tax hikes only up to 30 days prior to the deadline for filing nomination papers to run for a seat in the Legislature.

Supporters of the rule said this would ensure that voters know how their legislators vote on any tax hikes

Opponents of the rule said the amendment goes too far and would make it very difficult for the House to consider tax hikes even during an emergency. They argued it also sets a bad precedent to restrict the time period during which a bill can be considered.

How’s that for OPEN Gov’t? Why let the voters know how YOU voted on a Tax Hike if a Voice vote (like on the budget) will do.

24 HOURS TO READ LEGISLATION : Would require 24-hour notice, not including weekends and holidays, between the release of a bill from an executive session or the Rules Committee and its consideration on the House floor. The 24-hour rule could be suspended for an emergency if waived by a two-thirds vote.

Supporters of the rule said this will prevent bills from being rushed onto the House floor and voted upon without legislators having time to read them

Opponents of the rule said committee chairs should have the power to adapt to individual circumstances and not have their hands tied. They noted legislators are often going from hearing to hearing to testify on several bills and cannot wait for hours at each hearing

To hell with waiting, dinners and Sox Games to go to..You mean we are supposed to READ what we actually vote on?

ADOPT LOCAL-AID RESOLUTIONS BY MARCH 15 (S 6) rule that would require the House and Senate to annually adopt by March 15 resolutions stating the minimum amount of local aid the state will give each city and town for that fiscal year.

Amendment supporters said many towns craft their budgets at town meetings in March and April and need to know as soon as possible how much they will receive from the state. They argued it is unfair and irresponsible to expect communities to assemble their budgets without this information.

Opponents said the Legislature should inform cities and towns as soon as possible but should not have its hands tied by some arbitrary date

Tough Luck Mayors and Managers, we will make you wait and let city/town workers and teachers get upset at you. Hey, It’s only money!

All went down to DEFEAT along PARTY Lines and all were submitted by REPUBLICANS. Looks like the HOUSE has learned very little from the last elections and will continue to tuck it to the public and forget about working for the betterment of the whole.