“Robinson’s transparency pledge a necessity for Legislature” — Jonathan Cohn, MetroWest Daily News (1/14/2019)

The Massachusetts Legislature often touts its status as the second oldest deliberative body in the world. If only it lived up to that description. Unfortunately, public deliberation in our supposedly-deliberative body, especially the House of Representatives, has become exceedingly rare.

Consider, for example, the frequency with which state representatives withdraw their amendments. When a bill is brought to the floor, representatives have the opportunity to offer amendments. With most negotiations taking place behind closed doors among a small number of high-ranking members, this is the first and only chance for most representatives to affect the language being proposed. When an amendment is filed, however, its sponsor faces intense pressure from leadership to withdraw it. Hundreds of amendments are filed, only to be withdrawn without a second of debate.

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