State House Spotlight: Movement on major bills
Nov 15, 2024
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)--This week at the State House in Boston, lawmakers worked on several omnibus bills and looked at potential changes to new laws created by the passage of ballot questions.
The House temporarily suspended their usual rules, allowing roll-call votes to be taken for controversial bills. This resulted in the passage of the clean energy bill and the economic development bill to the governor's desk this week.
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Lawmakers left the door open for changing their July 31 deadline for the end of formal session in the new year.
"Our rules are constantly evolving, depending upon how the sessions go, and I think it's all up for discussion, so that most likely will be part of the discussion," said Senate President Karen Spilka in a press conference on Wednesday.
Lawmakers also took another look at ballot questions.
Governor Healey continued to speak out about the detriments of getting rid of MCAS standardized testing.
"My position is we shouldn't have different expectations for students depending on which zip code they're in. There should be uniformity and our expectations and they should be high," said Governor Healey at the Wednesday press conference.
One potential new standard is requiring MassCore--a set of general education courses--for all Massachusetts high schoolers.
The House also changed a rule that would give the state auditor the power to chose an independent auditor to examine their finances, saying it aligns with separation of powers in the constitution.
Going forward in the informal session, temporary suspension of House rules has ended, so lawmakers in that branch will no longer be able to take roll-call votes until next session.