Business as usual for state Senate
But Rosenberg status still uncertain
The state Senate — still reeling from the sexual harassment scandal surrounding former President Stanley C. Rosenberg’s husband — faces key challenges to prove the disruption in leadership hasn’t slowed down legislative business.
“We were at a normal hiatus because of the holidays,” said state Sen. Michael Barrett (D-Lexington). “The challenge is to make sure the pickup and the pace here in January is as energetic as it’s typically been. I’m trying to do my part . ... We are having some caucuses this month. That’s good because typically we thrash out our priorities during those meetings.”
Senators canceled a planned caucus yesterday because of snow, but a formal session is set for today to review the year’s first legislation. Senators are eager to move forward with normal hearings, even as a special investigator looks into allegations that Rosenberg’s husband, Bryon Hefner, harassed several men with business before the Senate, suggesting he controlled access to the president. The two have since separated, according to Rosenberg, who has been consigned to a cramped basement office.
Barrett told the Herald that senators believe a report may emerge “sometime in the next 30 days,” which he said would allow the Senate to address the matter and still tackle a full spring legislative agenda. The report’s findings could determine Rosenberg’s political future on Beacon Hill, and whether he resumes the presidency.
“I believe that everything turns on the outcome of the Senate investigation,” said Barrett. “Unless he’s found to have been complicit in a relatively serious way, I would hope he’d return to the post. I think he’s doing a good job, but I’m reserving final judgement until I see the text.”
Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler said in a statement: “As a body, we are committed to moving forward by focusing on our core priorities, including a responsible budget for our commonwealth, criminal justice reform, health, and housing. We continue to work in a collaborative manner with our partners in the House and governor’s office, and are looking forward to a productive 2018 session.”
Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D Somer ville) said she does not expect the Senate’s ability to function to be hurt by the prohibition on discussing the investigation with Rosenberg.
“The Senate president introduced the idea of shared leadership, so I think we’ll be fine,” said Jehlen, who has spoken to Rosenberg “very briefly, just to give him good wishes.”
“Most of us would like to see him back as soon as possible,” she said. “But we will continue to do our business.”
In the meantime, Rosenberg and his staff of four toil in a tight temporary basement office presenting a jarring contrast to the ornate, palatial digs of the Senate president, one of the most powerful posts in state government.
Rosenberg wasn’t at the State House yesterday and his staff worked behind a closed door with a white window shade pulled down.
Paint is chipped off the walls outside, and the hallway leading to his office is littered with abandoned cabinets, rolling office chairs, empty cardboard boxes, and a disconnected sink basin.
Another hallway is cluttered with more than 100 spring water jugs and leads further into the bowels of the State House, where exposed bundles of pipes and wires stretch across the ceiling and the few other offices include an area for “legislative photographers” and a telecom closet.
“It’s really about the work, at the end of the day,” said a Rosenberg spokeswoman who didn’t want her name used, when asked whether the ex-president misses the elegance of his prior office. “This is the interim space for senators. It was not a surprise.”