January 21, 2015
Massachusetts gets two new constitutional officers, Olympics backers finally spill some details on their vision for the region, and the Senate holds its first debate of the new session on Wednesday.
Maura Healey of Charlestown is set to take over for Martha Coakley as attorney general, a post Coakley held for two terms and during two unsuccessful bids for higher office - U.S. Senate and governor. A Democrat, Healey plans to launch a new Office of Community Engagement.
Democrat Deborah Goldberg of Brookline is also set to be sworn in, succeeding Steven Grossman, who like Coakley also bid for the governor's office last year. Goldberg is focused on protecting the state Lottery as well as pay equity and financial literacy efforts.
Boston 2024 officials plan a noon briefing at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on the bid recently chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee to represent the United States in the competition to host the 2024 summer Olympics.
Wednesday's Senate debate, set to begin at 2 p.m., will revolve around rules reforms (S 6) and 20 amendments filed to that package. It's the first debate under the leadership of new Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, who could name his colleagues to leadership and chairmanship posts, with stipends, at some point in the day.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr filed the bulk of the amendments, including proposals requiring Senate committee hearings to be webcast, calling for a study on implementation of wi-fi in the State House, and ordering an internal audit of all Senate financial accounts.
Gov. Charlie Baker, who is working on a plan to address a $765 million hole in this year's state budget, plans to join Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in attending ceremonies where Goldberg, Healey and Auditor Suzanne Bump are sworn in.
Goldberg's swearing-in is set for 11 a.m. in the House chamber, Bump begins her second term at 3 p.m. in Nurses Hall, and Healey will be sworn in at 4:30 p.m. at Faneuil Hall. Secretary of State William Galvin, in stark contrast to the other public events planned, is scheduled to hold a private swearing-in.
In another first on Wednesday, Polito gets acquainted with the Governor's Council, the eight-member body that reviews judicial appointments submitted by the governor.