Key measures passed in Mass.
The Boston Globe
By Michael Levenson
8/17/10
Governor Deval Patrick, surveying the more than 500 bills he has signed in the last two years, calls this legislative session "one of the most productive ... in decades." His gubernatorial rivals beg to differ. "There's been a lot of backslapping over the last few days," Republican Charles D. Baker said last week, referring to a recent flurry of bill-signing ceremonies. "But I think they've dropped the ball yet again in addressing our fiscal crisis." Voters will ultimately decide who is right. Here are some of the highest-profile measures to become law since January 2009. Notably absent, of course, is the gambling bill, which consumed so much attention on Beacon Hill.
June 16, 2009
PENSION OVERHAUL
Eliminated the awarding of pension credit for volunteer work and the "one-day rule,'' which granted a full year of pension credit for one day of work in that year; abolished "dual-service pensions'' that allowed officials to combine pay from two jobs to boost their pensions.
June 26, 2009
TRANSPORTATION OVERHAUL
Abolished the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority; scaled back benefits for MBTA employees; created a consolidated Massachusetts Department of Transportation to oversee most state roads and bridges.
June 29, 2009
TAX INCREASES
Imposed more than $1 billion in new tax increases, including new taxes or rates on hotels, alcohol, meals, and satellite dishes. The sales tax rate increased from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, effective Aug. 1, 2009.
July 1, 2009
ETHICS OVERHAUL
Banned lobbyists from giving gifts to public officials; increased penalties for civil and criminal violations of ethics laws; expanded the investigative and enforcement powers of numerous state authorities.
Sept. 24, 2009
INTERIM SENATOR
Allowed the governor to name an interim successor to the late US senator Edward M. Kennedy, paving the way for the appointment of Democrat Paul G. Kirk Jr; overturned a 2004 law that blocked Governor Mitt Romney from appointing a Republican to the Senate in the event Senator John F. Kerry won the presidency.
Jan. 18, 2010
EDUCATION CHANGES
Doubled the number of charter schools in the state's lowest-performing school districts; grants superintendents more power to remove teachers and overhaul failing schools.
May 3, 2010
SCHOOL BULLYING
Prohibits physical, emotional, and online taunting; mandates training for faculty and students; requires school employees to report bullying and principals to investigate; requires school staff to notify parents about bullying.
July 2, 2010
DRIVER SAFETY
Banned texting behind the wheel for all drivers and any cellphone use for those under 18, beginning in October; violations will result in a $100 fine; made it easier for police and doctors to alert state officials to concerns they have about a driver's mental or physical fitness.
July 30, 2010
SCHOOL NUTRITION
Requires schools to make available fresh fruit and nonfried vegetables; instructs state officials to establish nutritional standards for foods sold in school vending machines.
Aug. 4, 2010
NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE
Added Massachusetts to a compact of states that want to bypass the Electoral College and award their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationwide.
Aug. 5, 2010
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Suspended the state's 6.25 percent sales tax on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 for most retail items under $2,500, as well as for beer, wine, and alcohol; reorganizes the state's business development agencies.
Aug. 6, 2010
CRIMINAL RECORDS
Bans most employers from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history on job applications; blocks many employers' access to most felony convictions on an applicant's record after 10 years, instead of 15; access to murder and sexual offense records is not limited.
Aug. 10, 2010
SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE
Allows small businesses to form cooperatives to buy health insurance; ordered state regulators to adjust rates to prevent "rate shock'' fluctuations when the demographics of an insured group change