The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance made the following statement regarding the antics of House Speaker Bob DeLeo’s that resulted in today’s premature legislative adjournment.

At issue is the Speaker’s new rules proposal, which seeks to further consolidate power in the office of the Speaker at the expense of the rights of rank and file members.  

“Speaker DeLeo was stopped in his tracks today, largely due to the work of a vocal minority party. House Republicans refused to be bullied by the Speaker. Speaker DeLeo is trying to use this crisis as an opportunity to silence debate and further consolidate his power,” stated Paul D. Craney, spokesperson for Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

Speaker DeLeo’s original demands included raising the requirement for a recorded roll call, limiting the ability for House members to speak for or against pending legislation, and prohibited sunsetting of his temporary rules until 2021.