Is this a April fools joke?
by The Republican Newsroom
Tuesday July 29, 2008, 10:26 PM
By DAN RING
[email protected]
BOSTON - The state House of Representatives today killed a disputed proposal by the governor to raise license fees for guns - and then voted to dramatically lower the existing fee.
With formal legislative sessions set to end at midnight Thursday for this year, the Massachusetts Senate voted to approve $1.7 billion environmental bond bill that includes money to improve the grounds of the Three County Fair in Northampton and to prepare the old Belchertown State School for redevelopment. The bond bill was approved in the House last week.
The Senate, aiming to boost participation in elections, also voted 33-5 to approve a bill to allow voters in general and state elections to register to vote on Election Day itself. The bill would allow people to register as little as 14 days in advance, down from the current 20 days, or on the day of the election. The election bill was sent to the House, where it's fate is unclear.
In a surprise move, the House voted 94-57 to lower the fee for a firearms license from $100 to $40.
The proposed $40 fee was approved as part of a more comprehensive bill filed by Gov. Deval L. Patrick. The bill calls for raising money to help finance the state's near universal health care law.
When Patrick filed the bill on July 13, he proposed to increase the fee for a six-year firearms license from $100 to $200, establish a new annual $100 license inspection fee for gun dealers and hike the fee for someone from another state to carry a firearm in Massachusetts from $100 to $250. Patrick was seeking to raise money for state services.
House leaders stripped out the governor's proposed fee increases before the bill reached the floor for a vote.
Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, said legislators sent a message to the governor.
"That ought to teach Governor Patrick to ask for a gun license increase," Brewer said. "Bring in an increase and we lower it."
Brewer said he would support the proposal to lower the fee, but he didn't know how it would fare in the Senate.
Rep. Donald F. Humason Jr., R-Westfield, said he was pleased by the House tally to lower the fee.
"It's the right thing to do," said Humason, who cosponsored the proposal to cut the fee. "We're talking about a constitutionally-guaranteed freedom to keep and bear arms."
by The Republican Newsroom
Tuesday July 29, 2008, 10:26 PM
By DAN RING
[email protected]
BOSTON - The state House of Representatives today killed a disputed proposal by the governor to raise license fees for guns - and then voted to dramatically lower the existing fee.
With formal legislative sessions set to end at midnight Thursday for this year, the Massachusetts Senate voted to approve $1.7 billion environmental bond bill that includes money to improve the grounds of the Three County Fair in Northampton and to prepare the old Belchertown State School for redevelopment. The bond bill was approved in the House last week.
The Senate, aiming to boost participation in elections, also voted 33-5 to approve a bill to allow voters in general and state elections to register to vote on Election Day itself. The bill would allow people to register as little as 14 days in advance, down from the current 20 days, or on the day of the election. The election bill was sent to the House, where it's fate is unclear.
In a surprise move, the House voted 94-57 to lower the fee for a firearms license from $100 to $40.
The proposed $40 fee was approved as part of a more comprehensive bill filed by Gov. Deval L. Patrick. The bill calls for raising money to help finance the state's near universal health care law.
When Patrick filed the bill on July 13, he proposed to increase the fee for a six-year firearms license from $100 to $200, establish a new annual $100 license inspection fee for gun dealers and hike the fee for someone from another state to carry a firearm in Massachusetts from $100 to $250. Patrick was seeking to raise money for state services.
House leaders stripped out the governor's proposed fee increases before the bill reached the floor for a vote.
Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, said legislators sent a message to the governor.
"That ought to teach Governor Patrick to ask for a gun license increase," Brewer said. "Bring in an increase and we lower it."
Brewer said he would support the proposal to lower the fee, but he didn't know how it would fare in the Senate.
Rep. Donald F. Humason Jr., R-Westfield, said he was pleased by the House tally to lower the fee.
"It's the right thing to do," said Humason, who cosponsored the proposal to cut the fee. "We're talking about a constitutionally-guaranteed freedom to keep and bear arms."
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