The
Governor has until Wednesday night to sign bills into law or veto them;
however, if he does not act on a particular bill, it is known as a pocket veto,
and it will have to be re-filed for a chance to become law in the next
legislative session.
Also
on Wednesday, members of the House of Representatives and members of the Senate
will be sworn into office at 11:00 AM, commencing the 189th Legislative Session.
The Senate Republican Caucus will be welcoming two new members, Senator-Elect
deMacedo and Senator-Elect Fattman.
Later
in the day Governor Patrick will be leaving the State House for the last time
as Governor. He will walk through the State House, exit out of the ceremonial
doors in the front of the building, cross the street and walk into Boston
Common, symbolically rejoining the Commonwealth as a private citizen. The
tradition is now known as “The Lone Walk”, which first began in 1884 by then
Governor Benjamin Butler.
On
Thursday, at 10:30 AM, there will be an entrance ceremony on the steps of the
State House for Governor-Elect Charlie Baker, and then at noon he will take the
oath of office becoming the Commonwealth’s 72nd Governor. The Senate will join
the House of Representatives in the House Chamber at noon for a joint session
for the inauguration of Charlie Baker and Karyn Polito as Governor and
Lieutenant Governor. Members of the Governor’s Council will also be sworn in
during the session.
To
commemorate the day, there is an inaugural celebration at 8:00 PM at the Boston
Convention and Exhibition Center, which is open to the public with the purchase
of a ticket (please click here for more information regarding the inauguration
celebration). The celebration will feature a variety of talented musical
performers, passionate speeches, and a festive atmosphere.
Other
important dates to remember include a January 16th deadline for members to
timely file bills for the 2015-2016 legislative session. A timely filed bill is
a bill that is guaranteed to receive a public hearing during the upcoming
session. And then on January 21st, the state’s remaining Constitutional
Officers will be sworn into office. They include Secretary of the Commonwealth
William Galvin, Attorney General Maura Healey, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, and
Auditor Suzanne Bump.
