JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE.
Thursday, March
13, 2003.
Met according to adjournment, at
eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mr. Rodrigues
of Westport in the Chair (having been appointed by the Speaker, under
authority conferred by Rule 5, to perform the duties of the Chair).
Prayer was offered by the Reverend
Robert F. Quinn, C.S.P., Chaplain of the House, as follows:
Eternal God, we depend upon You
and Your assistance as we struggle to achieve personal fulfillment and
the ultimate purpose for which we have been created by You. St. Patrick,
whose feast day we celebrate on Monday, a holiday, was well aware of Your
presence in his life and the necessity of Your help in faithfully carrying
out his responsibilities. The day is one both of enjoyment and fun as
well as spiritual reflection. This prayer of St. Patrick reflects his
spiritual priorities:
May the power of God guide you,
the wisdom
of God teach you,
the eye of God watch over you,
the hand of
God protect you,
the ways of God remain open to
You and
the grace of
God shine upon you.
Bestow Your blessings on the Speaker,
the members and employees of this House and
their families. Amen.
At the request of the Chair (Mr.
Rodrigues), the members, guests and employees joined with him in reciting
the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Resolutions.
The following resolutions (filed
with the Clerk) were referred, under Rule 85, to the committee on Rules:
Resolutions (filed by Mr. LeDuc
of Marlborough) congratulating the Assabet Valley Mastersingers on the
occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary; and
Resolutions (filed by Representatives
Swan of Springfield and Rogeness of Longmeadow) honoring Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company;
Mr. DiMasi of Boston, for the committee
on Rules, reported, in each instance, that the resolutions ought to be
adopted. Under suspension of the rules, in each instance, on motion of
Mr. Correia of Fall River, the resolutions (reported by the committee
on Bills in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith;
and they were adopted.
Communications.
A communication from the Public
Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) (under the provisions
of Section 50 of Chapter 7 of the General Laws) relative to travel-related
expenses of the members and staff of the retirement board (House, No.
3717) was referred to the committee on Public Service. Sent to the Senate
for concurrence.
The following communications were
read for the information of the House:
Communications
From Wonderland Greyhound Park,
Inc. (under the provisions of Paragraph 7 of Section 2 of Chapter 128C
of the General Laws) submitting copies of contracts for the simulcasting
of dog races;
From the Department of Youth Services
(under the provisions of Section 16 of Chapter 123A of the General Laws)
in lieu of a report on the commitment of sexually dangerous persons; and
From the Executive Office of Elder
Affairs (under the provisions of Section 39of Chapter 19A of the General
Laws) relative to the approval of proposed changes in the Prescription
Advantage Program;
Severally placed on file.
Annual and Special Reports.
The annual report of the Executive
Office of Elder Affairs (under the provisions of Section 39 of Chapter
19A of the General Laws) relative to the Prescription Advantage Plan for
the year ending December 31, 2002; and
Reports
Of the Massachusetts Port Authority
(under the provisions of Section 57 of Chapter 246 of the Acts of 2002)
relative to the use of fast lane transponders at the Tobin Memorial Bridge;
and
Of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
(under the provisions of Section (2JJJ) of Chapter 29 of the General Laws)
on the Registers Technological Fund Spending Plan;
Severally were placed on file.
Petitions.
Petitions severally were presented
and referred as follows:
By Mr. Swan of Springfield, petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 3715) of Benjamin Swan (with the approval
of the mayor and city council) that the city of Springfield be authorized
to establish a mandatory school uniform program. To the committee on Education,
Arts and Humanities.
By the same member, petition (accompanied
by bill, House, No. 3716) of Michael J. Albano (mayor) and Benjamin Swan
(with the approval of the city council) that the city of Springfield be
authorized to abate certain real property taxes on land leased to Peter
Pan Bus Lines, Incorporated. To the committee on Taxation.
Severally sent to the Senate for
concurrence.
Petitions (deposited with the Clerk
previously to five o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, December
4, 2002) were presented and they were severally referred as follows:
By Mr. Demakis of Boston, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Paul C. Demakis, Susan C. Fargo and Byron
Rushing for legislation to reduce the surcharge on the rental of motor
vehicles in the city of Boston.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Paul C. Demakis and
Byron Rushing for legislation to reduce the surcharge on the rental of
motor vehicles in the city of Boston.
By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Thomas M. Menino, Angelo M. Scaccia, Kevin
G. Honan and Eugene L. O’Flaherty relative to the retirement of
teachers in the city of Boston.
By Mr. Swan of Springfield, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Benjamin Swan, Gale D. Candaras, Cheryl
A. Rivera and Christopher P. Asselin that the retirement board of the
city of Springfield be authorized to pay certain surviving spouse benefits
to Gloria Sears.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Benjamin Swan, Gale D. Candaras, Cheryl A. Rivera
and Christopher P. Asselin that the retirement board of the city of Springfield
be authorized to pay certain surviving spouse benefits to Mary Hoar.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Benjamin Swan, Gale D. Candaras, Cheryl A. Rivera
and Christopher P. Asselin relative to postponing the requirement that
public school students in the city of Springfield pass the Massachusetts
Comprehensive Assessment System test, so-called, prior to graduation.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Benjamin Swan, Linda J. Melconian, Gale D. Candaras,
Cheryl A. Rivera, Thomas M. Petrolati and Christopher P. Asselin for legislation
to certify provisional employees within the city of Springfield as permanent
employees.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Benjamin Swan, Gale D. Candaras, Cheryl A. Rivera
and Christopher P. Asselin relative to drag racing in the city of Springfield.
Severally, under Rule 24, to the
committee on Rules.
Petitions (deposited with the Clerk
previously to five o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, December
4, 2002) were transmitted to the State Secretary under Chapter 3 of the
General Laws, as follows:
By Mr. DiMasi of Boston, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 9) of Salvatore F. DiMasi relative to the reconstruction
and relocation of the Green Line transit system from North Station to
Science Park Station in the city of Boston.
By Mr. George of Yarmouth, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 9) of Thomas N. George and Robert A. O’Leary
relative to the trustees of the Jacob Sears Memorial Library in the town
of Dennis.
By Ms. Gifford of Wareham, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 9) of Susan Williams Gifford and Marc R. Pacheco
(by vote of the town) for legislation to abolish the Wareham Economic
and Industrial Development Corporation and the Wareham Community Development
Authority and establish an economic development fund to be administered
by said town.
By Mr. Larkin of Pittsfield, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 9) of Peter J. Larkin, Anthony J. Verga and David
P. Magnani relative to changing the name of the Corporation for Business,
Work and Learning.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 9) of Peter J. Larkin, Shaun P. Kelly, William Smitty Pignatelli
and Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., relative to increasing the time in which
real property owned by the Central Berkshire County Development Corporation
may be exempt from taxation by the city or town in which such property
is located.
By Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea,
petition (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Eugene L. O’Flaherty relative
to exempting a certain public waterfront walkway from the harbor line
in the city of Boston.
By Mrs. Paulsen of Belmont, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 9) of Anne M. Paulsen relative to establishing
the Massrail corporation within the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
By Mr. Travis of Rehoboth, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 9) of Philip Travis relative to the Massachusetts
Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation.
Petitions severally were presented
and referred as follows:
By Ms. Atkins of Concord, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Edward Sonn and Cory Atkins relative to
the taxation of trusts.
By Ms. Blumer of Framingham, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Deborah D. Blumer
and David P. Magnani relative to unemployment compensation for certain
officers of corporations.
By Mr. Dempsey of Haverhill (by
request), petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tim Coco relative to
telemarketing solicitation.
By Mr. Fallon of Malden, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Christopher G. Fallon relative to establishing
a conservation and wildlife lottery fund with funds generated by the creation
of a new scratch card game within the State Lottery.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 12) of Christopher G. Fallon relative to the non-renewal
of motor vehicle insurance policies.
By Mr. Fresolo of Worcester, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of John P. Fresolo that certain employees of
state gas or electric generating plants be placed in Group 4 of the public
employees retirement law.
By Mr. Frost of Auburn (by request),
petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Clair-Ann Gervais relative to the
allowable deductions under Part B gross income for taxpayers in the Commonwealth.
By Mrs. Gomes of Harwich, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Shirley Gomes and other members of the General
Court for legislation to require interior lights on motor vehicles to
be lit when said vehicle is stopped by a police officer between dusk and
dawn.
By Mr. Hargraves of Groton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Robert S. Hargraves and Robert A. Antonioni
(by vote of the town) relative to authorizing the Middlesex County Retirement
Board to grant a superannuation pension to William F. Felton, a former
highway superintendent of the town of Townsend.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 12) of Robert S. Hargraves relative to regulating voting
by regional retirement systems.
By Mr. Kafka of Sharon, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Louis L. Kafka and other members of the
General Court for legislation to prohibit the discontinuance of gas or
electric service for non-payment by certain emergency service providers.
By Mr. Koutoujian of Newton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Peter Koutoujian for legislation to regulate
medical examinations under personal injury protection clauses of motor
vehicle insurance policies.
By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Stephen Kulik relative to establishing a
statewide, agricultural education program.
By Mr. Murphy of Lowell, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kevin J. Murphy, Thomas A. Golden, Jr.,
David M. Nangle and Stephen C. Panagiotakos for legislation to authorize
the Department of Social Services to establish a sick leave bank for Ceylin
Guillermo, an employee of said department.
By Mr. Nangle of Lowell, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Thomas A. Golden, Jr., Stanley C. Panagiotakos,
David M. Nangle and Kevin J. Murphy (with the approval of the mayor and
city council) relative to the protection of the city of Lowell to control
rents in certain governmentally involved housing in said city.
By Miss Reinstein of Revere, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kathi-Anne Reinstein, Michael E. Festa,
Paul J. Donato, Edward G. Connolly, Byron Rushing and Robert A. DeLeo
that the Water Resources Authority be directed to assess fees for the
use of Boston Harbor to reduce water and sewer charges.
By Mr. Rogers of Norwood, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 12) of John H. Rogers for legislation to authorize
Donald Muldoon to purchase certain creditable service for retirement purposes.
Severally, under Rule 24, to the
committee on Rules.
Papers from the Senate.
Petitions were referred, in concurrence,
under suspension of Joint Rule 12, as follows:
Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate,
No. 1957) of Charles E. Shannon, Vincent P. Ciampa, Andrea F. Nuciforo,
Jr., Joan M. Menard and other members of the General Court for legislation
to further regulate pharmacies. To the committee on Health Care.
Petition (accompanied by bill, Senate,
No. 1958) of Linda J. Melconian and Benjamin Swan for legislation to establish
a sick leave bank for Sharon Melvin-James, an employee of the Trial Court
of the Commonwealth. To the committee on the Judiciary.
Reports
of Committees.
By Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the
committee on Rules and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting
concurrently, that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the petition of William
C. Galvin for legislation to authorize the Department of Mental Retardation
to establish a sick leave bank for Francie R. Minder, an employee of said
department. Under suspension of the rules, on motion of Mr. Demakis of
Boston, the report was considered forthwith. Joint Rule 12 was suspended;
and the petition (accompanied by bill) was referred to the committee on
Public Service. Sent to the Senate for concurrence.
By Mr. Cabral of New Bedford, for
the committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs, asking to be discharged
from further consideration of the petition (accompanied by bill, House,
No. 2617) of Brian Paul Golden and other members of the General Court
relative to establishing a program for production and modification of
housing for persons with disabilities within the Executive Office of Health
and Human Services,— and recommending that the same be referred
to the committee on Housing and Urban Development; and
By Mr. Casey of Winchester, for
the committee on Taxation, asking to be discharged from further consideration
of the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 849) of Stephen Kulik
and other members of the General Court relative to promoting the sale
of local farm products through tax incentives and other methods,—
and recommending that the same be referred to the committee on Natural
Resources and Agriculture.
Under Rule 42, the reports severally
were considered forthwith; and they were accepted. Severally sent to the
Senate for concurrence.
By Mr. Greene of Billerica, for
the committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture,
on a petition, a Bill removing the town of Oak Bluffs from membership
in the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (House, No. 2114, changed in
section 2, in line 2, by striking out the words “the next annual
town election” and inserting in place thereof the words “a
special town election to be held on May 13, 2003”) [Local Approval
Received]. Read; and referred, under Rule 7A, to the committee on Steering,
Policy and Scheduling.
Mr. Kujawski of Webster, for said
committee, reported that the matter be scheduled for consideration by
the House.
Under suspension of the rules, on
motion of Mrs. Paulsen of Belmont, the bill was read a second time forthwith;
and it was ordered to a third reading.
Recess.
At eleven minutes after eleven o’clock
A.M., on motion of Mr. Correia of Fall River (Mr. Rodrigues of Westport
being in the Chair), the House recessed until half past two o’clock
P.M.; and at that time the House was called to order with Mr. DiMasi of
Boston being in the Chair.
Order.
On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—
Ordered, That
when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Tuesday next at eleven
o’clock A.M.
 |
At twenty-five minutes before three
o’clock P.M., on motion of Mr. Demakis of Boston (Mr. DiMasi of
Boston being in the Chair), the House adjourned, to meet on Tuesday next
at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.