OpenMass.org brings together official government data, news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind what is going on in Beacon Hill.


OpenMass Blog by Jim Caralis

May 15, 2008
Speaker Dimasi's Letter

From the Globe's Andrea Estes:

House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has sent an impassioned letter to legislators, defending himself against recent news articles and complaints from the Republican Party that he allegedly violated the state's conflict-of-interest law by advancing legislation that helped his friends.

Read the entire article here and Speaker Dimasi's letter here.


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About OpenMass

OpenMass brings together official government data with news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind what's happening in the Massachusetts Legislature. We are currently running in Beta mode, so bear with us until we have a chance to kick all the tires. Our goal at OpenMass.org is to help empower civic engagement by providing easy to acccess information.

OpenMass is modeled after OpenCongress.org, a free, open-source, non-profit, and non-partisan web resource with a mission to make Congress more transparent and to encourage civic engagement. We are working with OpenCongress to help expand their model to the state level.

OpenMass would not be possible without all of the tireless work performed by the Clerks Office in creating and maintaining the mass.gov/legis site. We also have gathered news and data from Google News, Google Blog Search and FollowtheMoney.org

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The legislature is complex and sometimes incomprehensible. This basic overview can help make sense of the process: Lawmaking in Massachusetts.

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We are always interested in hearing from you: How do you use the site? What would make it more useful? Have you found a bug? Email us with feedback: writeus|@|openmass *dot* org. Whether you're a web developer, a graphic designer, a political blogger, or a person with ideas about how to make the Massachusetts more open, contact jimcaralis|@|openmass *dot* org anytime to get involved.

Helpful Sites

Information on RSS Feeds
The Official Massachusetts Site
Massachusetts Law Updates
Commonwealth Connector

SUSAN TUCKER is one of the most-viewed Senators.

Massachusetts House (1982-'92); Andover Industrial and Development Commission; Massachusetts Senate (1999-Present).

SUSAN TUCKER's Profile
More Senators

DANIEL E. BOSLEY is one of the most-viewed Reps.

Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation; North Adams Community Development Corporation; Industrial Development Finance Authority; Democratic City Committee; North Adams Democratic Committee; Mass. House (1987-2006).

DANIEL E. BOSLEY's Profile
More Representatives


Hot Button Issues (via IssueSource.org)

Most Viewed Bills


(Past Seven Days)

Senate, No. 2514

Bill relative to election day registration.

50
views

Senate, No. 2526

Petition of Therese Murray, Richard T. Moore, Mark C. Montigny, Karen E. Spilka and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote cost containment, transparency and efficiency in the delivery of quality health care.

46
views

House, No. 4637

Bill financing improvements to the Commonwealth's transportation system.

44
views

House, No. 4185

Bill authorizing the conveyance of a certain parcel of land in the city ofBoston.

39
views

House, No. 4041

Joint petition of Eric Turkington and Robert A. O'Leary (by vote of the town) relative to the operation of the reserve fund established from proceeds from ambulance services in the town of Oak Bluffs.

37
views

Upcoming Hearings

Bills Recentley Signed by the Governor

House No., 4261

Petition of Jay R. Kaufman and others (by vote of the town) relative to notices of town meetings in the town of Lexington.
signed on 0008-05-13

Senate No., 2344

Petition of Richard T. Moore and Paul Kujawski (by vote of the town) for legislation to establish the Whitin Reservoir Watershed District in the town of Douglas.
signed on 0008-05-13

Senate No., 2166

Petition of Patricia D. Jehlen and Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. (with the approval of the mayor and board of aldermen) for legislation to create a municipal hearing officer to hear appeals of violation notices issued in the city of Somerville in accordance with G.L.C., 40 SS 21D.
signed on 0008-05-13

Senate No., 2313

Petition of Marian Walsh for legislation to designate a certain corner in the West Roxbury section of the city of Boston as the Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association Corner.
signed on 0008-05-13

House No., 4437

Petition of Mary S. Rogeness (by vote of the town) that the town of Longmeadow be authorized to continue the employment of Robert Danio, chief of the police department of said town.
signed on 0008-05-13

House No., 4928

Petition of Richard J. Ross for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Deborah A. Jones,an employee of the Department of Mental Retardation.
signed on 0008-05-13

Senate No., 2333

Petition of Marc R. Pacheco and Susan W. Gifford (by vote of the town) for legislation relative to Gary J. Lopes, Jr., an employee of the town of Wareham.
signed on 0008-05-13

Senate No., 2487

Petition of Brian A. Joyce, Linda D. Forry and Walter F. Timilty (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Milton to borrow money to fund certain payments.
signed on 0008-05-05

Senate No., 2362

Petition of Edward M. Augustus, Jr., Michael V. O'Brien, Konstantina B. Lukes, Harriette L. Chandler and other members of the General Court (with the approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation relative to bilingual ballots in municipal elections in the city of Worcester.
signed on 0008-05-01

House No., 4041

Joint petition of Eric Turkington and Robert A. O'Leary (by vote of the town) relative to the operation of the reserve fund established from proceeds from ambulance services in the town of Oak Bluffs.
signed on 0008-04-17