OPINION | Barry Richard: A Bloodless Coup Stabilizes Beacon Hill

The bloodless coup in the Massachusetts Senate is near completion.

Senate Democrats voted on Wednesday to make 80-year-old Harriette Chandler of Worcester the Senate President for the balance of 2018. The chamber is set to vote today to remove the word "acting" from her title. Chandler jumped in last year to replace Stanley Rosenberg who was forced to step aside when a criminal probe of his now estranged husband, Bryon Hefner ensued. Chandler says she will not seek the presidency in January.

The Senate Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Rosenberg in September after allegations surfaced that Hefner sexually harassed several men and that he may have used his relationship with Rosenberg to influence state business.

It's a sordid mess, to say the least, and one more example of just how corrupt our government on Beacon Hill may be. Keep in mind, three of the last four House Speakers have resigned under a cloud of suspicion. One did jail time.

Here's to Senator Chandler as she tries to steer state business through the proper channels this year. And here's to the taxpayers who continue to elect the same old same old year after year. A one-party political system has certainly bred contempt and we are all the worse for it.

The only way for Massachusetts to move beyond the rampant corruption that has existed for years on Beacon Hill is to elect new leaders. We must end the one-party domination of our government and demand transparency.

In other words, we must drain the Massachusetts swamp.

Editor's Note: Barry Richard is the afternoon host on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from Noon-3 p.m. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.