January 20, 2011 — Press Release
BOSTON — State Representative Jennifer Benson joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in unanimously passing House rules designed to promote accountability, transparency and efficiency.
"These rules signal our continued commitment to making the House a more transparent, effective body," House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. "The rules, which drew bipartisan support, will help facilitate the legislative process while ensuring that we conduct the people's business in an open manner."
"The new legislative session got under way in a rather positive fashion today with a spirited rules debate and a good show of bipartisanship," said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. "Though I would have liked to see a few more of our proposals adopted, I think several positive steps were taken today in making the House a more transparent body."
"I am pleased that we began our session on a note of togetherness and transparency," said Benson. "I look forward to a productive second term."
The rules include a provision requiring a comprehensive procurement process for any House procurement in excess of $50,000. The bill also allows for public review of any House procurement or contract in excess of $5,000.
The rules also state that the House's financial accounts will be subjected to an independent audit at the end of each fiscal year. Another provision requires that roll calls remain open for a minimum of five minutes if the roll call coincides with a committee hearing. This session's rules built on last session's landmark rules reform package, including an eight-year limit on the Speaker's term.
