Medford Pols Support Interim Senator Appointment

Story Updated 6:33PM, Monday, September 14, 2009

State Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville, Medford) and State Representatives Carl Sciortino (D-Medford, Somerville) and Sean Garballey (D-Arlington, Medford) each support legislation that would allow the Governor to make an interim appointment to fill the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s seat until a special election is held in January.

The pols all agree it’s crucial for Massachusetts to have two US senators to ensure equal representation with the rest of the states, especially while significant issues such as health care reform are being discussed.

“We can’t afford the vacancy,” said Rep. Sciortino.

“Massachusetts also has a lot at stake in funding formulas because of our early commitment to health care reform and the role of health care, especially hospitals, in our economy. We should not have less representation in the Senate than, for example, Utah,” said Sen. Jehlen.

They also agreed that the people of Massachusetts should have an opportunity to vote, and they do no support appointing someone for the duration of Sen. Kennedy’s term, which ends in 2012.

“I think it’s absolutely essential that the people of Massachusetts are able to vote for their next senator,” said Rep. Garballey.

Garballey and Jehlen also expressed concern with closure for Sen. Kennedy’s thousands of open constituent cases. According to Sen. Jehlen, current rules prohibit Sen. Kennedy’s staff from handling the cases during the vacancy and while the cases are being shuffled to other offices, many constituents could potentially lose out on key advocacy on issues such as Social Security and veterans’ benefits.

“It’s really important that constituents have two US Senators to work on cases,” said Rep. Garballey.

A hearing was recently held at the State House in which Sen. John Kerry testified in favor of an interim appointment. When asked before the hearing about his position on an interim appointment, State Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford, Malden) said he was waiting to listen to testimony at the hearing and that he had not yet made up his mind. In an email sent on Monday, September 14, an aide to Rep. Donato said if the issue comes to a vote, he will vote in favor of appointing an interim senator.

– Compiled by Allison Goldsberry