Channel 7 Reports that a Vote May Happen Today or Tomorrow

     Channel 7 told Rep. Emile Goguen yesterday, who was in his District for the day, that they had heard that a vote on the Removal of Margaret Marshall and her three cohorts is expected either today or Wednesday.

     However, observers say that even if that were true, it would not give much notice to Reps who are away on vacation or elsewhere and the news raises concerns about a “sneak” vote with only Speaker Finneran’s friends appearing. The Speaker could also call a Formal Session for Thursday or Friday if he wishes to give more adequate notice and have everyone there to vote.

     Earlier, Speaker Finneran had decreed that there will be “formal sessions” today and tomorrow this week, which would mean that the vote must happen on one of those days.

     But everyone must understand that Tom Finneran is in total charge of the House and he can make anything happen that he wants to happen. We could have a vote on Thursday or Friday if he wishes. Full text of portion of Rule 7D.

     One must remember that the Speaker and his friends wrote these Rules and know them backwards and forwards. They can use them as they wish, and if they don’t like them, they can make a new one at any time. We’ve seen all these things happen. He appointed the Majority Leader, Sal DiMasi, and he can also remove him if he doesn’t like the illegal procedures that are occurring. Obviously, Finneran has had no problem thus far with what is being done in illegal attempts to prevent a vote on the Removal of Justice Marshall.

     The important thing is to make Tom Finneran aware that everyone is watching him this year and there is no place for any legislator to hide on this vote, including him.

Full text of portion of Rule 7D:

     “The Speaker shall determine a schedule for the House for each week relative to formal and informal sessions and shall make such schedule available to the members by Thursday of the preceding week; provided, however, that the Speaker may make, notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 7A, changes in the schedules to facilitate the business of the House in an efficient and timely fashion. The Speaker shall communicate notice of any such scheduling change to the members in writing or by way of electronic mail as soon as practicable, and whenever possible, the Speaker shall provide such notice not less than twenty-four hours before the event so rescheduled is set to commence.”