Reps back vocal cord bill, split on money for Lawrence
Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on two roll calls and local senators' votes on four roll calls from the week of March 1-5.

Also up on Beacon Hill
DRUNKEN DRIVERS (S 1925) - The Transportation Committee approved a bill requiring first-time convicted drunken-driving offenders to install interlock safety devices in their cars. These drivers breathe into this device that prevents the vehicle from starting if a blood alcohol concentration over a pre-set limit is detected. Current law only requires second-time drunken driving offenders to use the device.

Heard on Beacon Hill
"This is a very sad day for democracy in the Commonwealth Massachusetts."

How long did they meet?
During the week of March 1-5, the House met for a total of 6 hours and 46 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 5 hours and 48 minutes.

Local reps tighten obscenity law
BOSTON - Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on two roll calls from the week of February 22-26. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.

Senate OKS ban of texting while driving
BAN TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING AND TEST SENIORS OVER 75 (S 2290) - The Senate gave initial approval to a bill that would prohibit drivers from texting while driving. The measure would impose up to a $200 fine and/or two-year prison sentence on any driver who is texting and causes an accident resulting in injury to a person or property. It also prohibits drivers under 18 from using a cell phone while driving. Another key provision requires that every three years, senior drivers over 75 take an exam that measures their cognitive and physical abilities. Drivers who do not pass the exam would have an opportunity to take a driving test in order to demonstrate that they have the skills necessary to continue to be licensed. The Senate measure does not include the controversial provision from the House version of the bill that prohibits all drivers from using a hand-held cell phone but allows drivers over 18 to use a hands-free cell phone with voice-activated dialing.

Heard on Beacon Hill
"I know that it's been a long week legislatively, and we want to finish things up.

How long did they meet?
During the week of February 22-26, the House met for a total of three hours and 39 minutes while the Senate met for a total of five hours and 31 minutes.

Local reps received $21,252 to travel to Hub
BOSTON - Last week was a very slow one on Beacon Hill as the House and Senate met only in brief, informal sessions.

Also up on Beacon Hill
BAN CIRCUMCISION (S 1777) - A public hearing is scheduled for March 2 on a measure filed by private citizen Charles Antonelli of Quincy that would ban male circumcision of anyone under the age of 18 unless medically necessary. The measure imposes a fine and/or up to 14 years in prison on anyone who violates this ban. Antonelli is the Massachusetts director of MGMbill.org - a group working to ban what it calls "male genital mutilation."

Heard on Beacon Hill
"You still look like you could go a few rounds with Sugar Ray Robinson, I'll tell you that." - Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre,) joking at a legislative hearing with retiring state auditor and former boxer Joe DeNucci.

How long did they meet?
During the week of Feb. 15-19, the House met for a total of three hours and 24 minutes while the Senate met for a total of two hours and 50 minutes.

Local senator backs unemployment tax freeze
BOSTON - Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators' votes on one roll call from the week of Feb. 8-12.

Also on Beacon Hill
$35 MILLION LOAN FOR THE CITY OF LAWRENCE (H 4421) - The House and Senate Ways and Means Committees held a hearing on the controversial bill that would allow Lawrence to sell $35 million in bonds to close its budget deficit. The measure increases state oversight of the city's finances through the use of a state designated fiscal overseer to work with the mayor and city council. It also allows the state to appoint a finance control board with extensive powers over the city's finances if it does not balance its budget by January 2011. Supporters said that this is the best way to bail out Lawrence and help it return to fiscal solvency. Opponents said that Lawrence has mismanaged its finances and that the tougher finance control board with extensive powers over the city's finances should be set up immediately.

Heard on Beacon Hill
"Snow Fakes" - Last Thursday's front page headline in the Boston Herald following last week's "major snowstorm"

How long did they meet?
During the week of Feb. 8-12, the House met for a total of three hours and 42 minutes while the Senate met for a total of three hours and 49 minutes.

How long did they meet?
During the week of November 30-December 4, the House met for a total of one hour and five minutes while the Senate met for a total of 46 minutes.