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Curran aims to air House sessions again

Date: 6/8/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD State Rep. Sean Curran has asked House Speaker Robert DeLeo to reinstate television coverage of House formal sessions as part of the ethics reform for the Legislature.

Curran explained to Reminder Publications the House used to have coverage of its activities not unlike what C-SPAN offers for Congress, but that service was cut due to budget restraints several years ago.

Currently, "political junkies" have to be content watching House activity on the Internet at http://masslegislature.tv, Curran said. He thinks watching the House votes and debates online is "not the easiest thing" and would like to see it return to broadcast television.

Although he acknowledged the broadcasts might not have had a large number of viewers, "people did watch it." He added that Massachusetts residents deserve greater access of news from Beacon Hill.

Although the economic crisis facing the state may prevent his request from being fulfilled, Curran said that lack of funding "can't be a pass answer" for every request.

The letter to DeLeo read:

"I am writing you today to perhaps begin discussions on restoring House proceedings to television. As you know, the House for many years had broadcasted its proceedings across the state. The television broadcasts lent a level of transparency to the chamber.

"Currently, the only way for our constituents to view debates is to drive to the State House or go on the Internet. Unfortunately, many taxpayers do not have access to a computer. Furthermore, there are many parts of the state that don't have reliable Internet service.

"Television is still the most effective way to reach the vast majority of the citizenry. I am well aware that the television broadcasts are more expensive to produce than the Internet. And, I am aware that the overriding reason for switching to the Internet was the lower expense. However, in this legislative season of ethics reform, there are some considerations other that cost.

"As you well know, cynics often criticize our chamber for operating behind closed doors. You and I both know this could not be further from the truth, and that the legislative process in Massachusetts is as open and fair as any in the country. However, pulling debates and votes away from television has made it more difficult for the general public to see the workings of the State House and where their tax dollars are spent. This action has only added to the current distrust of state government.

"For the above reasons, I respectfully request that you and your staff explore the feasibility of returning the debate on the House floor and committee hearings to television.

"I think this action would really be a visible example that the House of Representatives is committed to ethics reform."