BOSTON (AP) - The 19-month-long formal legislative session in Massachusetts
has come to a close, leaving winners and losers in its wake.
The session, which ended Tuesday, saw the passage of bills that have floated
in the Legislature for years, like the legalization of casino gambling and
health care cost containment: achievements for Gov. Deval Patrick.
Claiming legislative victory this session are advocates who were finally able
to see a so-called "three strikes" sentencing bill sent to Patrick's desk, after
a 13-year fight and Massachusetts public utilities customers also look to
benefit from an energy costs bill.
Losing out are advocates for a proposal that would allow 17-year-olds to vote
in Lowell municipal elections and supporters of extending the state's 5-cent
bottle deposit law to plastic water bottles and other non-carbonated
beverages.
