State GOP Complains of Stonewalling in 6th Plymouth

Back in January, Representative Josh S. Cutler wrote a letter, resigning his  role as representative. "It is with mixed emotions but a grateful heart that I write to share that I will be stepping down as state representative to accept a position working for Governor Healey as
Undersecretary in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
"I am grateful for the privilege of serving in this historic institution under the leadership of
Speaker Mariano and alongside my colleagues in the House," he wrote.

Per his letter, his resignation as State Representative for the Sixth Plymouth District became effective as of February 4, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.

There is some latitude with regard to when and how a state rep is replaced. But there has been no sense of urgency, so far. In fact, in response to calls for a special election to fill the vacant seat in Plymouth 6th, House Speaker Mariano declared that he will not proceed with a special election ahead of the busiest portion of the legislative session. Consequently, residents in the district will not be represented in these crucial sessions.

And that smacks of the old Colonial Massachusetts complaint of "No Taxation Without Representation" and for the minority Republican party, which has had some local luck lately picking up seats, it also sniffs of opportunity.

MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale commented on the decision stating, “Amidst the legislative session's peak, Speaker Mariano apparently prioritizes politics over delivering tangible legislative outcomes for the residents of Pembroke, Duxbury, Marshfield, Hanson, and Halifax. Should a constituent raise concerns regarding bills or community issues, Speaker Mariano and the Beacon Hill leadership bear full responsibility as those phone calls and emails are met with a limited response from staff or go unanswered all together.”

“In the critical deliberations of budgetary matters, the Speaker has opted to leave these communities without representation," she continued.

"As November approaches, it will become unmistakably apparent that the majority party bears responsibility for the consequences resulting from the loss of representation to these South Shore communities,” Carnevale concluded.