Analysis: Beacon Hill Forecast? Mostly Cloudy with a Chance of Transparency…
BOSTON—The first sign may have been the duller than usual roar in the hours before legislators took the oath of office—COVID-era ceremonies aside. The galleries in the Senate chamber were busy, but not packed. The schmoozing wrapped up early. Little more than an hour after the 194th General Court of the commonwealth took office, the State House grew quiet.
The first Wednesday of this odd year, when state lawmakers take office, was a holiday. New Year’s sporadically syncs up with the dawn of a new legislature, but more than hangovers and holidays muted the day. The party opposite Beacon Hill’s majorities will soon seize Washington. Closer to home, the previous, wild session and a ballot question subjecting the legislature to audit have prompted overdue promises of transparency from the Senate President and House Speaker.
It remains unclear how a new era of Donald Trump’s mafiosi rule will harm the commonwealth. New England arguably withstood the last go-round better than other regions. Regardless, the new regime will cast a pall over, if not yet send shiver through Beacon Hill.
Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka largely avoided this topic. They spoke indirectly about the change in national government. On the subject of their chambers’ accomplishments, they defended their work. However, the months of criticism had some effect.