SOUR GRAPES LEGISLATION

Story from the Attleboro Sun on "D'Amico and the Dissidents"
SEEKONK - State Rep. Steve D'Amico has joined a small House rebellion calling for more transparency and less concentration of power in the hands of Speaker Robert Deleo.

D'Amico, D-Seekonk, has clashed with House leadership in the past, but now he has signed on with seven other dissidents in seeking formal changes in the way the Legislature operates.

The revolt broke out into the open at the end of last year, when it was revealed that almost $400,000 was being spent from the House operating budget for legal expenses related to the indictment of former Speaker Sal DiMasi.

The money was being spent without the knowledge of most House members.

Four of the members started shutting down informal sessions of the House in protest, demanding an accounting of the money. Now four more have joined the ranks and written to their colleagues demanding reforms.

They want detailed budgeting of House expenses, more authority for committees to bring legislation to the floor for a vote, and more say by rank and file members in who chairs committees.

They also propose to make the House subject to the state Open Meeting Law.

D'Amico said making the House more transparent has always been a priority for him and he has sponsored legislation to try to accomplish that.

For example, he said money left over from the House operation budget at the end of the year does not revert back to the general fund as it does with other departments.

Instead, he said, it goes into a "slush fund" that is spent at the speaker's discretion.

He has filed a bill to stop the practice.

D'Amico said he initially was reluctant to join the original rebels because they were accused of acting out of "sour grapes" because DeLeo had laid off some of their staffers.

At least two of the dissidents are leaving the House and running for other positions.

But the revelation that money was being spent on the DiMasi case without House members knowing about it was a turning point, he said. D'Amico has fought with leadership in the past over making public information about tax breaks for the film industry and economic development projects. He also agreed to sign on to "Fix Beacon Hill" legislation sought by reform groups.

Other House members joining the effort are: Reps. Lida Harkin, D-Needham; Matthew C. Patrick, D-Barnstable; Thomas M. Stanley, D-Waltham; William Greene, D-Billerica; Will Brownsberger, D-Belmont; Joseph R. Driscoll, D-Braintree; and John F. Quinn, D-Dartmouth.

Brownsberger recently resigned his position as vice chairman of the committee on global warming in protest.

DeLeo issued a statement saying he has already taken steps to make the House a more transparent chamber, and said he has an open-door policy for members.