Last night was quite the night for the State House & Senate. Despite having almost two years to do their job, legislators waited until the last minute on major bills with topics ranging from economic development and health care, to education funding. Here are some highlights of the bills that were passed:

MassFiscal Calls on Lawmakers to Reject Budget Most secretive in the country and largest in state history   BOSTON - The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance issued the following statement today in response to news that House and Senate leaders released their $41.88 billion-dollar budget at 10:04 a.m. and expect lawmakers to approve the budget today. In order to vote on the budget on the same day it’s made available to the public, the legislature needs to suspend its rules, which were intended to bring transparency to the budget process. “This is just another case of legislative leaders flaunting their ‘Do as we say, not as we do’ attitude. Whether it’s term limits for leadership or ensuring rank and file members have enough time to review legislation, when Rules become inconvenient they are simply ignored,” commented Paul Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Only in Massachusetts could two sides head into the negotiating room and come out with more spending than either side originally asked for,” continued Craney. “What is the big secret with this budget? Why the rush? It definitely gives the appearance that they’re trying to hide something. Massachusetts is the last state in the country to have a budget and the day its released, it’s expected to be voted on. Any lawmaker who has a head on their shoulders and pulse should vote against it.” “It’s the most secretive in the country and largest in state history,” concluded Craney. Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance advocates for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in state government and increased economic opportunity for the people of our Commonwealth. ###