Politics & Government

Gov. Patrick to Make Last Call on Crime Bill

After Tuesday, the House and Senate will not have an opportunity to override a veto.

 

Although the legislative session ends Tuesday at midnight, Gov. Deval Patrick has 10 days to sign any bills that land on his desk. But anything he vetoes cannot be overridden since the Legislature will have adjourned.

Perhaps the most-watched bill in this scenario is the mandatory sentencing bill, also called the "three-strikes" law or "Melissa's Bill," over which .  

Find out what's happening in Woburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The bill eliminates parole for someone convicted three times of one of 40 or so violent crimes, with at least one conviction having carried a minimum three-year prison term.

After languishing for years, the bill received renewed support after who robbed the Kohl's jewelry counter on Dec. 26, 2010.   

Find out what's happening in Woburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although it passed with overwhelming support in both chambers last week, Patrick sent it back on Saturday, asking for an amendment that increases judicial discretion. But both , rejecting the amendment and putting it back on Patrick's desk as is—and thereby forcing Patrick to make an all-or-nothing choice.

, testifying at the State House in favor of the bill as it stands.

Patrick has two options before the 10 days are up: sign the bill without the amendment or veto the entire thing. Either choice he makes will be the final call on the "three strikes" bill this session. 

Warning of possible unintended "unjust consequences" that can arise from mandatory sentencing laws, Patrick wrote in a letter to the Legislature, "None of us is wise or prescient enough to foresee each and every circumstance in which the new habitual offender provisions may apply."

But House Speaker Robert DeLeo said the governor's proposed amendment effectively guts the the bill. 

The governor, however, is not alone in his concerns. The bill did , which urged the Legislature to write in more judicial control, , who voted with Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus.

Patrick has not indicated whether he plans to sign or veto the "three strikes" bill. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here