Will Brownsberger — State Senator, Democrat, 2d Suffolk and Middlesex District

This afternoon, the House of Representatives voted by 97 to 58 to authorize the Governor to appoint a senator pending the outcome of the special election in January. After a lot of soul searching, I had committed to vote in the majority and did so.

Dear Rep William Brownsberger, This is to express my support for the draft legislation under consideration to empower Governor Patrick with the authority to appoint an interim senator for Senator Kennedy’s seat. It is very important for our state to be fully represented until election is held, specially at this time of furious fight in [...]

The proposed about face on a law that was just rejected a few years ago, no matter how self serving the Romney agenda may have been then or how worthy the cause on health care may be now, reminds me of our forefathers’ aim to create a government of laws, not of men.  If laws like this can be [...]

I am writing to urge you to support legislation to appoint an interim Senator to fill Senator Kennedy’s seat. This appointment in no way interferes with the election process that is already underway.   My response to the critics who say that such a move is political is:   “Of course it’s political. The people [...]

Gambling, health care cost control, further pension reform – these are the major issues that the legislature is likely to address this fall after we resolve the Kennedy succession. The theme? Continued financial pressure.

I think the change made two years ago was appropriate but the Legislature inexplicably left a gap, loophole or glitch in the legislation leaving us with 50% less representation for a five month period in the Senate than we are allowed. This should be corrected now not just for any pending legislation but to allow [...]

Will, Thanks for your thoughtful piece on Kennedy’s succession proposal to the Legislature. You stated that “there is no higher priority than restoring trust in government — lost trust reduces our ability …” While   “trust …” is A priority, it cannot be  the HIGHEST priority. We need representation in the Senate NOW, and the [...]

Will, Please support the proposal by Senator Kennedy to have an interim US Senator appointed to serve while an election is held to fill the position. Thank you, Jim

It sounds like the change to the 2004 Massachusetts law regarding the filling of vacant Senate seats is more of a tweak than a complete 180 degree turn around. The proposal does not call for scrapping the special election process in favor of an appointed successor to serve what remains on the term. Rather, it [...]

“Lost trust reduces our ability to meet our great challenges, which certainly do include health care cost control and ending dependence on fossil fuels. Neither of those issues will be solved by one piece of legislation — they both will require sustained leadership over the next few decades and we should be very reluctant to [...]

Isn’t it time to take a deep breath and reject the tone used by some contributors?  To me, when there is more heat than light nothing gets accomplished.  The sad and immense loss of Senator Kennedy should make us think deliberately, and act with integrity and charity.  How else to serve the common good?  J. Knowles

Thanks to all who have weighed in on this issue at this website or by e-mail. You have greatly contributed to my understanding. I’ve submitted a post with some further thoughts to the Belmont Citizen Herald.

Will, Senator Ted Kennedy has been wise to anticipate the consequences of his failing health.  It would be respectful and good for Massachusetts to honor his wishes and ensure a successor to serve out his term.

In a letter to Governor Patrick and Legislative leaders, Senator Kennedy urged the legislature to revisit the process under which the state would appoint a replacement should a Senator leave office prior to the completion of their term.  The Senator, seeking to avoid a situation where Massachusetts would be left short a Senator for the [...]

Will, I am strongly opposed to changing this law.  It was just changed a few years ago to what it is at Sen. Kennedy’s request.  The change he has now requested was proposed by the Republicans in 2004 and was rejected by the Democrats in the legislature.   This is just more of the hypocritical [...]

I agree about the flip-flop problem, and am also no fan of either the governor or the legislative leadership (or their inability to cooperate), but I still think the great majority of Commonwealth residents want Massachusetts to have a voice in the Senate in the crucial health care debates and votes, and want one whose [...]

Why doesn’t the legislature just cut to the chase and write a law that states that if the governor is a Democrat he can appoint a Senator, but if the governor is a Republican, an election must be held. Seriously, when the writing of law becomes this political (we all live in this state and [...]

Speaker Deleo published today this summary of the legislature’s work this season.   The focus for the whole spring and early summer was on reform — ethics, pension and transportation — and the budget.  See also, my series of posts on the reform and budget issues.

Hi Will, Was wondering if there is anything we can do to prevent the buyout of Grabauskas’s contract for the ridiculous $300K+ value yet still see him depart?  I do not understand why the state must digest this payoff.

One of the sleeper stories in this year’s season of reform is the consolidation of the remaining seven independent Sheriff’s into the state budget. The main cost benefit of this change is that the employees of the sheriffs will purchase their health insurance through the Group Insurance Commission now as state employees.