|
|
|
| Legislature approves Moore's emergency appointments amendment |
|
November 9, 2006...On a busy Thursday afternoon, the Legislature took action on many matters at the long-awaited Joint Constitutional Convention including one important amendment sponsored by Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge). The amendment would give full power and authority to the Legislature to provide for prompt and temporary succession to elective or appointed public offices if the incumbents are unavailable for carrying out on their duties because of a disaster caused by an enemy attack. Under the new amendment, the appointments are also made when more than one-third of the House or Senate seats are vacated due to an enemy or terrorist attack. Additionally, the change will require the General Court to make appointments to fill each open seat with a person from the same district and of the same political party as the incumbent until special election can be held to permanently fill the vacancies. “This amendment will allow for the continuation of representative democracy during the times in which a stable government is needed due to a terrorist attack or major disaster such as avian flu, hurricane, earthquake or other tragedy,” said Moore. “The citizens must be able to rely on the state to make a smooth transition and to make decisions that will benefit all the citizens of the Commonwealth in times of need.” The measure now moves to the Committee on Third Reading for consideration and must be approved in the next session before it reaches the voters. To learn more about Senator Moore’s legislation and his work in the Massachusetts Senate, log onto his web site at www.senatormoore.com |
