Update from the Speaker of the House

UPDATE FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

Dear Local Presidents & NEPBA Members;

The New England Police Benevolent Association is working diligently to ensure your voice is heard and thanks to the tremendous and tenacious work of our Lobbyist (Former Senator & Chairman of Senate Ways & Means) Steven C. Panagiotakos and our legislative team, the Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo has announced the following:

“Pending receipt of the engrossed Senate bill, the House will provide a public process for soliciting feedback on S2800, thereby allowing the public and stakeholders an opportunity to be heard prior to the House debate of its proposal. Given the circumvention of the joint committee process and short timeframe ahead of us, the House Committee on Ways & Means (as the committee to which the bill will be referred) will, in cooperation with Chairwoman Cronin and the other House members of the Judiciary Committee, hold a public process allowing for input. Given the time constraints we face, it is our hope that the Senate can get us the papers as soon as possible to allow for the virtual hearing this week.

Both the House Committee on Ways & Means and the House Members of the Judiciary Committee will be invited to participate in the public process. As the State House remains closed to the public, the public and stakeholders will be invited to provide feedback remotely. Additional details will be provided by the Committees in short order.

Despite a changed timetable, House leadership remains committed to working with the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus and House colleagues to take decisive action through omnibus legislation. We look forward to reviewing the Senate’s engrossed bill and the work ahead.”

We salute Speaker DeLeo for his willingness to allow us to address our concerns in a public hearing, as we continue to work with our law enforcement partners of the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Policy Group, as well as Secretary of Public Safety Thomas Turco, Jr., the Baker Administration and the Black & Latino Legislative Caucus. The New England Police Benevolent Association is committed to a bill that is both comprehensive, fair and equitable to those persons of color, as well as all police officers who are dedicated and determine to honor those we are sworn to protect & serve.

PLEASE GO TO WWW.NEPBA.ORG FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS & OTHER NEPBA NEWS.

Fraternally,

Jerry Flynn

Executive Director

Chris Ryan

NEPBA President

Steven C. Panagiotakos

NEPBA Lobbyist