Saturday, October 31, 2009
'Traditions whose time has passed'
Hats off to Patrick for taking an axe to hack holidays and the Quinn bill. ... Their elimination or reduction won't balance the budget. But it is important to show that lawmakers are serious about boosting government productivity and efficiecy, amid tax increases and service cuts. As Rahm would say, you never want a serious crisis to go to waste. So more reforms, please. ...
Update -- In an email slugged 'Traditions Passed,' Peter Porcupine notes:
Hats off to Patrick for taking an axe to hack holidays and the Quinn bill. ... Their elimination or reduction won't balance the budget. But it is important to show that lawmakers are serious about boosting government productivity and efficiecy, amid tax increases and service cuts. As Rahm would say, you never want a serious crisis to go to waste. So more reforms, please. ...
Update -- In an email slugged 'Traditions Passed,' Peter Porcupine notes:
From Beacon Hill roll Call last June - how quickly our traditions change these days!
78-78 TIE VOTE SAVES TWO SUFFOLK COUNTY-ONLY HOLIDAYS (H 4125) - House on a 78-78 tie vote rejected a Republican-sponsored amendment that would have abolished the Suffolk County legal holidays of Evacuation Day (March 17) and Bunker Hill Day (June 17). Under House rules, a majority of votes in the affirmative is required in order for an amendment to pass. A tie goes to the negative side. If any single representative had voted to abolish the holidays instead of for retaining them, the abolition would have been successful on a 79-77 vote.
The Statehouse and other state and local government buildings in only Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop are officially closed each year on both dates. Thousands of local and state workers in those communities are given the two days off. Thousands of other state employees in all other cities and towns across the state are allowed to take the two days off or use them as “floating holidays” - a procedure under which they can take off two days of their choice during the year. ...
