Legislature begins new term just hours after finishing marathon meeting
Matt Stout
As it neared 5 a.m. Wednesday, a small group of senators, representatives, and staff stuck to their posts at the State House, swiftly shepherding through weighty bills with virtually no debate and hours after the formal session’s epilogue was supposed to be written.
About six hours later, many of them were back, participating inside, outside, and with colleagues over Zoom in undoubtedly the most unusual swearing-in ceremony any had experienced.
Such was the end, and the beginning, of formal legislative business Wednesday on Beacon Hill — an uncommon fog of action, even by the State House’s opaque standards.