Word: bulger
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...other political bodies in countries does the process of legislation less resemble the Democratic process, and in few other political bodies is the term 'representative' more devoid of meaning. The sorry state of affairs on Beacon Hill is attributable to the almost monarchial power of Senate President William M. Bulger (D-Boston) and Speaker of the House Thomas W. McGee (D-Lynn), who until now have dispensed patronage and dictated legislation to sub-servient rank-and-file representatives and senators...
...process has been efficient, to say the least, but Bulger and McGee have subverted public accountability by forcing legislators to be accountable to them rather than to their constituents. Senators who oppose Bulger are generally given smaller offices, budgets, and salaries, and are denied important committee posts and fundings for projects in their home districts...
...LoPresti has consistently opposed changes to the existing system, which allows Bulger to kill any bill he opposes, to appoint all committee chairmen, to hold all-night meetings in which dubious laws are passed, and to punish senators who are not loyal...
...process has been efficient, to say the least, but Bulger and McGee have subverted public accountability by forcing legislators to be accountable to them rather than to their constituents. Senators who oppose Bulger are generally given smaller offices, budgets, and salaries, and are denied important committee posts and fundings for projects in their home districts...
...would replacing LoPresti with Govoni make a difference? Govoni is one of several rules reform candidates around the state running for spots in the Senate. Sen. George Bachrach (D-Watertown), who is challenging Bulger for the Senate Presidency in January, estimates that if the reform candidates are successful, as many as 17 senators out of 40 will openly support rules changes. This may be overly optimistic, but electing Govoni and other reformers will be an important step in wresting control of the senate from the likes Bulger and LoPresti...