Around New England

MassGOP Unhappy With Lack of Transparency In Gun Control Bill Push

MassGOP Unhappy With Lack of Transparency In Gun Control Bill Push

Tom Joyce

Massachusetts legislators has from House and Senate have formed a conference committee to discuss pending gun legislation.

The committee, consisting of six legislators from both chambers, aims to reconcile the differences between H.4139 and Amendment S.2584.

Democratic leaders voted to move the hearing into "executive session," excluding the public and the media from observing the legislative process.

Republican Conference Committee Members, state representative Joe McKenna (R-Webster) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), voted to keep the hearing open to the public.

"The legislation being taken up by the conference committee touches on constitutional rights and the important subject of public safety," Tarr said, according to a press release from the Massachusetts Republican Party. "This legislation has already been through some parliamentary gymnastics, and it is crucial that future negotiations be given the open, transparent, and public debate that these important matters deserve."

Massachusetts Republican Party chairman Amy Carnevale also derided the lack of transparency in the lawmaking process.

"The negotiations on pending gun legislation ought to be done in the public eye, not in back rooms," Carnevale said in the written statement. "Aside from the troubling contents of this legislation, it is appalling that the Democratic Supermajority is seeking to shield these important discussions from the public. When debating legislation with considerable impact on the law-abiding sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts of the Commonwealth, it is imperative that we, the voters, have an idea of how our Senators and Representatives build such controversial and impactful legislation."

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Massachusetts Governor’s Council Weighs Maura Healey Marijuana Pardon Plan
Around New England

Massachusetts Governor’s Council Weighs Maura Healey Marijuana Pardon Plan

Tom Joyce

The Governor's Council has opted to hold an informational hearing regarding Governor Maura Healey's proposal for a blanket pardon for convictions of simple marijuana possession.

The decision, taken Wednesday, March 27, deferred the significant clemency action for a subsequent vote.

Councilor Tara Jacobs's proposal for the hearing passed via a voice vote, despite objections from Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, who asserted "there's no need to delay," according to State House News Service. 

Jacobs, a Democrat from North Adams, emphasized the need for the hearing as part of the council's "due diligence" in considering the pardon, according to the report.

During the session, no council members opposed the pardons. Members instead directed attention towards the council's responsibility in scrutinizing actions from the Executive Branch before granting approval.

Governor Healey estimated that the pardon would extend to hundreds of thousands of individuals, whereas Councilor Joseph Ferreira referred to it as a simultaneous issuance of 69,000 pardons.

Councilor Eileen Duff said this marked "the first time in history" that a Massachusetts governor had proposed such a clemency initiative, the report said.

The council did not specify a date for the pardon hearing before concluding the session.

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