STATE SENATOR DONALD HUMASON JR.
BOSTON — Republican state lawmakers are pushing to close what they’re calling a major loophole in regulations covering the reimbursement of state employee travel expenses — one that could affect the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) said current state law mandates all governing bodies that receive state appropriations follow strict travel expense guidelines.
The Senate Minority Leader also said that because the gambling commission doesn’t receive such appropriations, the commission has decided that the regulations don’t apply.
Tarr said the GOP-sponsored bill eliminates the wording of “state appropriations” to make sure the regulation is all-inclusive, and described the bill as a common sense change that will go a long way toward preventing abuses and extreme expenses.
He said the legislation would also clarify state reimbursement rules regarding lodging, entertainment, airfare, and other travel expenses.
Sen. Don Humason, Jr. (R-Westfield) supports Tarr’s effort, and said that all state employees should play by the same rulebook.
“The Boston Business Journal and other media outlets reported a lot of extravagant spending by employees on travel, food, and drink,” Humason said. “This one set of rules would make it apply to everyone.”
“Even though Gaming Commission employees aren’t paid through taxpayer dollars,” he said. “they’re still state employees, and apparently they were living high on the hog.”
Humason added that legislators have to follow rules, too, regarding such things as ethics and campaign finances, and likened the situation to one which had erupted at Westfield State University late last year.
“Just as with the situation with (Dr. Evan) Dobelle, the Gaming Commission was doing the same thing,” he said. “You’d think they would know better.”
Despite the state’s Republican caucus leading this charge, Humason believes that it may end up enjoying broader support soon.
“The bill has been filed by Sen. Tarr’s office and we’re now getting it out of the Rules Committee and putting it out to find other co-sponsors,” he said. “It’s not a slam dunk, but I’m not sure it’s a partisan issue.”
Humason didn’t rule out the possibility that the Democrats may propose similar legislation of their own, but reiterated that he doesn’t see it in terms of blue and red.
“It looks bad and even though the employees weren’t spending tax dollars perse, it makes all public officials look bad,” he said.
