QUINCY – State Senate candidate John F. Keenan said, if elected, he would push for a review of legislative rules to prevent the type of logjams that plagued the end of the most recent General Court session.

 “I have routinely heard from people frustrated over how the Legislature is unable to finish its work, despite having nearly two years to do so,” said Keenan, who is running for the state senate seat representing Abington, Braintree, Holbrook, Quincy and Rockland.  “How the casino legislation was handled at the last minute bothered both supporters and opponents to the legislation.”  He cited several other pieces of legislation that did not pass because legislation was put off to the end of the session. 

 “People expect that the entire Legislature give careful consideration to all legislation,” said Keenan.  “By leaving matters to the last minute, it does not allow members of the House and Senate to carefully review amendments.  It puts too much power in a select few members of the House and Senate, and gives too much influence to lobbyists and special interests.”

 Keenan said one rule he would push to amend is Joint Rule 10, which requires committees to finish work on and report out all legislation by mid-March of the second year of the session. Keenan feels this deadline is too late, encourages procrastination during the previous 15 months of the legislative session, and should be moved forward. Several hundred bills this year had to receive extension orders because committees failed to act on them in time.

 Keenan also suggested that the legislature review rules that allow matters to be carried over from one year of the session to the next year of the session.  “By eliminating the ability to carry legislation over to the next year, more bills may be addressed in a timely, efficient manner,” said Keenan.