STATE HOUSE, BOSTON — The Massachusetts legislative session is winding to a close. There’s a little more than a week to go and some major bills are still on the table.
The House and Senate still haven’t reached a compromise on a closely watched bill aimed at bringing down the cost of health care. The sticking point seems to be a provision in the House bill that imposes a luxury tax on hospitals that fail to justify their costs. The Senate bill doesn’t contain this.
Also, Gov. Deval Patrick is still reviewing a controversial crime bill that cracks down on violent criminals, but also lowers sentences for some drug offenses. Patrick is under pressure from both sides of the issue to either veto or sign it. Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus want the governor to veto the bill, saying it will lead to prison overcrowding, targets minority groups and limits judicial discretion. Supporters like victims’ families and some district attorneys say the measure would protect the public from violent felons.
Patrick must also decide whether to veto, sign or let become law without his signature proposals that would restrict welfare purchases and require proof of state residency when registering a vehicle.
Legislative leaders, meanwhile, hope to approve a casino compact the governor negotiated with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to build a $500 million casino in Taunton.
