Health & Fitness
Senate GOP Caucus Files Additional Senate Session Rules for 188th General Court
Today the Massachusetts Senate Republican Caucus offered a package of rule changes to the way the Senate handles legislative matters during formal and informal sessions.
Today the Senate Republican Caucus is offering a package of rules scheduled for
debate during today’s full senate session that if passed, would increase transparency and accountability within the legislative process. The package offered by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Senate Minority Whip Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), and Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), the Ranking Republican on Senate Ways and Means comes at a particularly important time due to the Senate already slated to take up many important issues for debate early in the legislative calendar.
Highlights of the Senate Republican Caucus’ proposed rules package include:
- Requiring the Clerk of the Senate to post all roll call votes within 48 hours of a vote being taken;
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- Mandating that any measure that proposes an increase in taxation by available in print and posted on the Senate website at least 7 days prior for consideration;
“We must ensure that the rules of the Senate provide as much transparency and accountability as possible as we face important issues. These proposals for change will not only ensure that members have access to information in a timely way, but also that the public has greater access to what transpires on Beacon Hill as well,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr.