Keller: With “one-party” rule in Massachusetts, why can’t the state Legislature get bills passed?
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Keller: With “one-party” rule in Massachusetts, why can’t the state Legislature get bills passed?
08:26
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BOSTON – A two-year legislative session overseen by an overwhelming Democratic majority collapses in acrimony at the end, taking major bills down with it, including an economic development bill that included funding for clean energy, allowed for the return of happy hour and approval for the building of a new stadium in Everett for New England Revolution.
Welcome to Massachusetts, home to one of the most uni-partisan and progressive legislatures in the country but also one of the most dysfunctional.
“There are going to be differences of opinion,” said Doug Howgate, president of the fiscal watchdog group the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “And truth be told, over a two-year period, those differences of opinion, especially when time gets tight, I think, can become more exacerbated.”
That phenomenon was illustrated by a remarkable moment as the session wound down when Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) mimicked almost word for word criticisms aimed at her chamber by House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). The two legislative leaders have had a famously awkward relationship; is that a source of the gridlock?
“I really see that more as a result of the frustration of some of these big bills not getting done as opposed to the root cause of it,” said Howgate.
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Howgate correctly predicted that Gov. Maura Healey would try to prod the lawmakers into returning to Beacon Hill for a special session to at least pass provisions of a major economic development bill, approving bond issues and another measure clearing the way for more federal funding of state initiatives. Even that unusual event would likely leave many other issues unaddressed, including a bill championed by the governor that would give cities and towns more flexibility to raise local-option taxes.
“There was always going to be pieces of the administration’s legislative agenda that don’t make it,” says Howgate. “But I think the focus right now is probably gonna be on that economic development bill.”
Jon Keller
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Jon Keller is Political Analyst for WBZ-TV News, and his “Keller @ Large” reports on a wide range of topics are regularly featured during WBZ-TV News at 5 and 6 p.m. Keller’s commentaries are also seen weekday mornings at 5:30 a.m. on WBZ This Morning.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The women said they were frightened, but they didn’t show it Wednesday in a Massachusetts courtroom as they watched the teacher who allegedly preyed on them when they were students at the posh Miss Hall’s School plead not guilty to rape.
There is a heavy police presence in a section of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, on Wednesday afternoon due to what authorities are describing only as an “ongoing incident.”
“There is currently a heavy police presence on Salem Road due to an ongoing incident,” Tewksbury police said in a social media post just before 1 p.m. “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible. Please allow emergency personnel the space they need to respond safely and efficiently”
No further details were released. Police said they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
CHELMSFORD, MASS. (WHDH) – A wrong-way driver crashed into another vehicle on I-495 in Chelmsford Tuesday night, shutting down the soundbound lanes in that area, according to Massachusetts State Police and The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
State police said Troopers from the Concord Barracks responded to a two-car crash on I-495 at the Hunt Road overpass shortly before 10 p.m. They said preliminary information indicates the crash happened as a result of a wrong-way driver striking a vehicle traveling in the correct direction.
Chelmsford Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and the driver was taken to the hospital by MedFlight. State police said they suffered life-threatening injuries.
MassDOT said the highway southbound is currently closed at exit 88 due to the crash, and is expected to remain closed for several hours.
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Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes at this time.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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