By Bob Katzen

The House 126-27, Senate 36-3, approved a motion to suspend the rules so that the House-Senate conference committee version of a clean energy bill can be considered immediately. Under the Legislature’s rules, all conference committee bills must be filed by 8 p.m. the day before they are up for debate and a vote so that legislators have ample time to read the measure. This bill was not filed until 12:11 a.m. on Thursday morning so without suspending the rules, the bill could not be considered until Friday morning.

Supporters of suspending the rules said that it is very important for the environment and to help solve the problem of climate change that this vital bill be up for debate immediately so that it can be sent to Gov. Baker.

“My vote against suspending the rules was simply to ensure that my colleagues were given adequate time to review a lengthy and complex piece of legislation before voting on it, which is why the 8 p.m. rule is in place,” said GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

(A “Yes” vote is for suspension of the rules. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes