Wicked Local
With the clock ticking down on their session, Massachusetts lawmakers struck a deal last week and passed a sweeping climate bill that would put the state on track to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Included in the bill now awaiting Gov. Charlie Baker’s action is a section that would allow towns and cities to opt-in to rules requiring fossil fuel-free new construction.
That might sound familiar: More than a year ago, Brookline Town Meeting members approved a similar policy, one that would go on to influence the state legislation.
Warrant Article 21 passed Town Meeting overwhelmingly in the fall of 2019 and seemed on track to ban fossil fuels in most new and major construction in Brookline. However, Attorney General Maura Healey’s office struck down the bylaw last summer, asserting that it conflicted with state law.
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.
One day after House Speaker Robert DeLeo resigned, the Speaker Ronald Mariano era began. The House elected Mariano, a 74-year-old Quincy Democrat and longtime DeLeo deputy, as its next speaker Wednesday with 123 votes, and he takes control of the House six days before the end of the unusual 2020-2021 lawmaking session. All 31 Republican […]
Rep. Mariano elected House Speaker, says COVID is first priority
Chris Lisinski
One day after House Speaker Robert DeLeo resigned, the Speaker Ronald Mariano era began.
The House elected Mariano, a 74-year-old Quincy Democrat and longtime DeLeo deputy, as its next speaker on Wednesday with 123 votes, and he takes control of the House six days before the end of the unusual 2020-2021 lawmaking session.
All 31 Republican members of the House voted for Minority Leader Brad Jones as speaker rather than Mariano. Independent Rep. Susannah Whipps of Athol chose Mariano. Democrat Rep. Denise Provost of Somerville voted present, while Democrat Reps. Jonathan Hecht and Tami Gouveia did not appear to cast votes.