SENATE DOCKET, NO. 165        FILED ON: 1/14/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 8

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

January 14, 2021

To the Honorable Senate,

Pursuant to Article I, as amended by Article XC, Section 2 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, I have determined not to sign S.2990, “An Act Further Amending the Charter of Barnstable County.” While I support Barnstable County’s efforts to create a recall process for its Board of County Commissioners, the bill before me contains serious procedural and electoral problems that would complicate any recall effort for a Barnstable County Commissioner.

Had this bill been presented to me while the Legislature was still in session, I would have returned it with an amendment to address these concerns.  Unfortunately, because the Legislature has adjourned, I do not have that option.  I remain willing to work with the bill sponsors, the Secretary of the Commonwealth and stakeholders on a revised form of this legislation in the new session.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles D. Baker,

Governor