Latest news with #majority-Democrat
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Transparency breakthrough? Mass. House, Senate boast of deal on new operating rules
For the first time in six years, lawmakers in Massachusetts' majority-Democrat state House and Senate say they've reached on new operating rules that will speed the path of legislation and make the famously opaque Legislature more transparent to the taxpayers. " We heard loud and clear that the people want us in the Legislature to move bills more efficiently, more transparently and give more access to the public," Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, said during a news conference at the State House on Monday. 'And that's exactly what these rules deliver. They are a great set of rules,' the Ashland Democrat said. The product of months of painstaking negotiations between senior House and Senate leaders, the operating rules still need a floor vote in each chamber. That could come as soon as this week. Here's a quick look at what's in the proposal: Public hearings of joint legislative committees must be announced 10 days in advance, up from the current three days, and those committees will be required to produce a complete schedule of hearings within three weeks of committee appointments. All committee votes are to be publicly posted online. Once bills are in committee and get a hearing, Senate and House committee members will vote only on bills filed in their respective chambers. That has been the practice so far this session, and the change has given senators (who are outnumbered on joint committees) a greater ability to advance legislation without necessarily getting buy-in from representatives. Bills filed by someone other than a member of the Legislature (the governor, for example), so-called money bills that get filed in the Senate, and amendments to the Constitution filed in the House will continue to be voted on by both House and Senate committee members. Joint committees will be required under the proposed rules accord to act on legislation no later than the first Wednesday of December of the first year of the two-year session, moving the bill-reporting deadline about two months earlier than its current place on the calendar on the first Wednesday in February of the second year of the session. Under House rules, committees must act on bills filed in the House no later than 60 days after the bill's hearing, with an additional 30-day extension available at the discretion of the chair. The proposed joint rules agreement would also allow the Legislature to meet in formal sessions after its traditional end date of July 31 in the second year of the session, but only to take up reports from conference committees formed on or before July 31, appropriations bills filed after July 31, and gubernatorial vetoes or amendments. House and Senate leaders faced stiff criticism last year after they left a slew of bills on the table after that self-imposed July 31 deadline. " Neither one of us liked the way it ended [on] July 31 of last year,' state House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said. '... We just knew it was time to make this thing work. And we did." While lawmakers boasted of their cooperation on the new rules and their optimism that it would improve the flow of legislation, one big-ticket item is still hanging out there. House and Senate negotiators are still trying to reach an agreement on a roughly $61.5 billion state budget for the new fiscal year that starts July 1. It's been more than a decade since the Legislature has passed an on-time spending plan. On Monday, Mariano said he was optimistic that this year might be the year lawmakers break that streak. " We're hopeful that there's a chance we may have a budget to the governor by the end of this month," Mariano said. Spilka offered a similar sentiment. " The parties are very close and they're working really hard," she said. 'Legal battles of our lives': AG Campbell testifies in DC on all-hands effort to counter Trump Harvard's Jewish faculty have their own wish list for a deal with Trump Gov. Healey: 'No threats' to Mass. as U.S. tensions with Iran simmer Donald Trump may have lost one of his most loyal supporters over Iran Here's how federal cuts could undermine free community college in Mass. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Beacon Hill bosses quietly buried reform bills that threatened their power
In case you're wondering, in our fractured times, what it takes to get Democrats and Republicans to agree on something, here's your answer. And it's not much: It's just the dire need to fix the famously opaque and almost entirely challenger-proof Massachusetts Legislature. And if you're thinking 'Hey, wait, we live in a blue state that's praised for being a bastion of progressivism. Whaddya mean the Legislature is opaque and uncompetitive?' consider just these three factoids: Ninety-nine percent of incumbents — both state and federal — who ran for reelection in Massachusetts in 2024 kept their jobs, according to an analysis by Ballotpedia. Two-thirds of incumbent state lawmakers ran without opposition during last year's campaign cycle, according to an analysis of state data by Commonwealth Beacon. Also, the state's public records law is among the least transparent in the nation. And efforts to get the majority-Democrat House and Senate to open their books — as state Auditor Diana DiZoglio (also a Democrat) has been experiencing firsthand — are nearly impossible. Enter the Coalition to Reform Our Legislature, a bipartisan coalition of good government advocates that can fit both former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a Democrat, and state Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale under its big tent. On Tuesday, the group gathered at the Church on the Hill, across the street from the State House, to hold what it described as a 'People's Hearing' to shine a light on a pair of bills calling for reforms that it filed in January and that Beacon Hill's establishment has effectively banished to the Island of Misfit Legislation. 'Both the House and Senate failed to assign the bills to a committee for a hearing and consideration. Unfortunately, it appears our Constitutional rights were reduced to filing a bill in the bottom drawer of a file cabinet in the [House and Senate] clerks' offices,' Peter Enrich, an emeritus law professor at Northeastern University, who sits on the coalition's steering committee, said in a statement. The first of those bills, each of which has companion House and Senate versions, would reform how state lawmakers get paid. State legislators currently get a base pay of $82,000. But those who serve in leadership positions, which is nearly all of them, get thousands of dollars more in stipends tacked onto their salaries. The activist group argued that the current system gives powerful legislative leaders too much control over compensation for rank-and-file legislators, encouraging them to come to heel for better pay. 'In no other state are so many legislators dependent on their chamber leader for a large share of their pay,' Jonathan Hecht, a former lawmaker who represented parts of Watertown and Cambridge in the state House of Representatives, said in that same joint statement. All but 51 of the 200 members of the state House and Senate serve in some kind of leadership position, while legislative leaders control $5 million in taxpayer money to boost their pay, Hecht, who left the House in 2020, said. 'Most of these stipends were created in the last 25 years, and reward little or no work,' he added. The other bill would authorize the creation of independent legislative research and fiscal analysis bureaus — similar to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office — that would provide lawmakers with independent analyses of the blizzard of legislation they're called to vote upon in every two-year session. Advocates argued the bureaus would give lawmakers the tools they need to write bills that are 'based on objective data' instead of relying on special interests. The Legislature used to have such an office, but shuttered it in 1992 in the name of reducing waste, according to State House News Service. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, pointed to efforts the upper chamber has made this year to boost public access and accountability. She specifically pointed to open meetings of a House and Senate conference committee that's still trying — more than four months into the current session — to get a deal on the joint rules that smooth the flow of legislation between the two chambers. She also pointed to the public posting of votes on the Senate clerk's website. " So we are working really hard," the Ashland Democrat said. But Spilka was noncommittal when she was asked about the proposals offered by those good government advocates. " We'll take a look at it," she said. A spokesperson for state House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, did not respond to MassLive's request for comment. The way the advocates see it, meanwhile, the need for reform remains urgent and long overdue. 'One of the questions that we are considering is whether to take one of these, one or both of these issues to the ballot,' Jay Kaufman, a former lawmaker, told State House News Service. 'There's some significant consequences to doing that, but we're actively weighing it.' He joked that he expects they'd 'get the same 72% that the auditor got last year, and the same greeting across the street,' referring to DiZoglio's successful push to audit the state Legislature. Eight months after voters overwhelmingly approved that ballot measure, DiZoglio is still no closer to auditing her former colleagues. Markey Warns: Rural health crisis looms if Big Beautiful Bill passes | Bay State Briefing Troops in the Streets, Questions in Congress: Mass. reckons with role of military in civil society Mass. governor's race intensifies as GOP candidates seize on LA protests | John L. Micek Read the original article on MassLive.
Sky News AU
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Donald Trump to flood big cities like Los Angeles, New York and Chicago with ICE agents in ‘single largest Mass Deportation Program' in history
President Trump announced plans to flood Democrat-run cities, namely New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, with new, larger waves of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to bring about the 'single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.' Trump highlighted the sweeping change targeting the majority-Democrat cities on Truth Social Sunday night as he praised ICE agents for their 'incredible strength, determination, and courage.' 'In order to achieve this, we must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America's largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside,' Trump wrote. 'These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens.' Republican-run states like Texas, which is home to five of the largest cities in America, including Houston and San Antonio, were notably left out of the president's post. None of the Lone Star State's big urban centers, however, call themselves 'sanctuary cities.' 'These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities — And they are doing a good job of it!' the commander in chief added in his post. 'And that is why I want ICE, Border Patrol, and our Great and Patriotic Law Enforcement Officers, to FOCUS on our crime ridden and deadly Inner Cities, and those places where Sanctuary Cities play such a big role. You don't hear about Sanctuary Cities in our Heartland!' Trump previously pledged that 'changes are coming' last week after admitting that his administration's crackdown on immigration was massacring key American industries — namely farming and hospitality. The Department of Agriculture estimates that nearly half of the 850,000 crop workers in the United States are undocumented, putting America's food supply chain at risk of total collapse if all are deported. While New York State is home to the largest sanctuary city in the country, it ranks first nationally in the production of many crops and products, including household staples like yogurt and cottage cheese, according to the New York Farm Bureau. With Trump's focus set on sanctuary cities, it is unclear how other parts of Democratic states may be impacted, or if ICE activity will primarily center on metropolitan areas going forward. Even so, raids have already expanded beyond the fields with ICE agents turning up anywhere from courthouses to schools. The shift quickly scared many immigrant workers away from the public eye. Data cited by the Wall Street Journal showed how immigrants' purchasing habits dramatically shifted online. Large brands also saw a steep decrease in Hispanic customer traffic, with places that have fallen victim to raids like Home Depot seeing an 8.7% drop. Originally published as Donald Trump to flood big cities like Los Angeles, New York and Chicago with ICE agents in 'single largest Mass Deportation Program' in history
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Are you on Trump's list? President orders ICE to ramp up deportations in Democratic stronghold cities
Live Events Trump's big crackdown on immigration US President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered federal authorities to ramp up deportation efforts in Democratic-led cities, doubling down on a politicised anti-immigration drive after major protests in Los Angeles. This is his latest action in escalating his illegal crackdown despite widespread protests against the policy, reports President announced plans to flood Democrat-run cities, namely New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, with new, larger waves of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to bring about the 'single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.' He highlighted the sweeping change in an attack on majority-Democrat cities on his Truth Social as he praised ICE agents for their 'incredible strength, determination, and courage.''In order to achieve this, we must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America's largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside,' Trump added that to reach the goal officials 'must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America's largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside.''These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens.'Trump's action comes at a time when raids by ICE agency in Los Angeles sparked unruly protests, prompting Trump last week to deploy 4,000 National Guards and 700 Marines against the wishes of the local administration. Trump has made deporting undocumented immigrants a key priority for his second term, after successfully campaigning against an alleged "invasion" by criminals. California has sued to regain control of the National Guardsmen from Trump, arguing he overstepped his authority. That suit is working its way through federal is pertinent to note that Republican-run states like Texas, which is home to five of the largest cities in America, including Houston and San Antonio, were notably left out of the president's post.'These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities — And they are doing a good job of it!' the commander in chief added in his post.'And that is why I want ICE, Border Patrol, and our Great and Patriotic Law Enforcement Officers, to FOCUS on our crime ridden and deadly Inner Cities, and those places where Sanctuary Cities play such a big role. You don't hear about Sanctuary Cities in our Heartland!'Trump's declaration comes after weeks of increased enforcement, and after Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and main architect of Trump's immigration policies, said ICE officers would target at least 3,000 arrests a day, up from about 650 a day during the first five months of Trump's second week, Trump had pledged that "changes are coming" admitting that his administration's crackdown on immigration was massacring key American industries — namely farming and hospitality. The Department of Agriculture estimates that nearly half of the 850,000 crop workers in the United States are undocumented, putting America's food supply chain at risk of total collapse if all are protests over federal immigration enforcement raids have been flaring up around the of Trump's immigration policies took to the streets as part of the 'no kings' demonstrations Saturday that came as Trump held a massive parade in Washington for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Saturday's protests were mostly peaceful.(With AP inputs)
New York Post
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump to flood big cities like LA and NYC with ICE agents in ‘single largest Mass Deportation Program' in history
President Trump announced plans to flood Democrat-run cities, namely New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, with new, larger waves of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to bring about the 'single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.' Trump highlighted the sweeping change targeting the majority-Democrat cities on Truth Social Sunday night as he praised ICE agents for their 'incredible strength, determination, and courage.' 4 President Trump announced that sanctuary cities in Democratic states will be flooded with ICE agents. REUTERS Advertisement 'In order to achieve this, we must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America's largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside,' Trump wrote. 4 Trump specifically cited Democratic cities, claiming that their leaders were using illegal immigrants to do things like rig elections. Getty Images 'These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens.' Advertisement Republican-run states like Texas, which is home to five of the largest cities in America, including Houston and San Antonio, were notably left out of the president's post. 4 Undocumented migrants make up half of America's crop workforce. Matthew McDermott None of the Lone Star State's big urban centers, however, call themselves 'sanctuary cities.' 'These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities — And they are doing a good job of it!' the commander in chief added in his post. Advertisement 'And that is why I want ICE, Border Patrol, and our Great and Patriotic Law Enforcement Officers, to FOCUS on our crime ridden and deadly Inner Cities, and those places where Sanctuary Cities play such a big role. You don't hear about Sanctuary Cities in our Heartland!' Trump previously pledged that 'changes are coming' last week after admitting that his administration's crackdown on immigration was massacring key American industries — namely farming and hospitality. The Department of Agriculture estimates that nearly half of the 850,000 crop workers in the United States are undocumented, putting America's food supply chain at risk of total collapse if all are deported. While New York State is home to the largest sanctuary city in the country, it ranks first nationally in the production of many crops and products, including household staples like yogurt and cottage cheese, according to the New York Farm Bureau. Advertisement 4 ICE agents' raids have scared many immigrants into hiding. Matthew McDermott With Trump's focus set on sanctuary cities, it is unclear how other parts of Democratic states may be impacted, or if ICE activity will primarily center on metropolitan areas going forward. Even so, raids have already expanded beyond the fields with ICE agents turning up anywhere from courthouses to schools. The shift quickly scared many immigrant workers away from the public eye. Data cited by the Wall Street Journal showed how immigrants' purchasing habits dramatically shifted online. Large brands also saw a steep decrease in Hispanic customer traffic, with places that have fallen victim to raids like Home Depot seeing an 8.7% drop.
