Crime bill reaches impasse

WWLP TV

Updated: Jan 12, 2012 7:56 PM

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) —  

Three House members have canceled a meeting to consolidate a crime bill with state Senators, who together, form a six-member conference committee.  The move signals an impasse between the two branches in getting the legislation ironed out.  The Senate and House passed two very different versions of the bill late November.

"The Senate bill was a more balanced bill," said Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), who serves as Senate Chair of the conference committee.  "We tried to be smart on crime and it gave us an opportunity to say in this economic climate, perhaps there are some people who should have an opportunity to be paroled." 

"The Senate bill also includes additional crimes like the crime of strangulation, the crime of contract murder," said Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). 

Both branches agree on the three strikes rule – That habitual offenders convicted of three felonies should be barred from parole.  But the Senate approved extra provisions, like decreased sentencing

for drug crimes and wiretapping authority for law enforcement. House members are huddling with the Speaker to plan out their next move.

"We’re negotiating now when would we take up the drug sentencing bill in the House and I think once we can decide when that will happen, you’ll see the habitual offender bill move rather quickly," said Rep. Bradford Hill, 2nd Assistant Minority Leader and conference committee member. 

In the following weeks, the House is expected to take up an extended crime bill to address drug sentencing for non-violent offenders and consolidate their bill with the Senate. 

"I want a balanced bill and it’s important that we take up the reforms that reduce so-called mandatory minimums for non-violent drug offenders," said Governor Deval Patrick. "The Senate has taken up both and the House will.  They just haven’t yet."

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