Shekarchi's Changing Positions on Holding JCLS Meetings, Filippi Calls It a "$46M Slush Fund"
GoLocalProv News Team
Shekarchi's Changing Positions on Holding JCLS Meetings, Filippi Calls It a "$46M Slush Fund"
The case, while narrow in scope, has a potentially significant impact on the future of the operation of the JCLS -- the legislative committee that oversees approximately $46 million in legislative spending, but does not meet.
At the core of the court's decision is Filippi's, de facto, civil rights and his rights to be heard as a member of the JCLS,
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAnd, the decision shines a light on Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi's changing position on holding JCLS meetings.
GoLocal’s News Editor Kate Nagle on January 23, 2020, had asked Shekarchi if he would hold a meeting of the JCLS — he at the time was the House Majority Leader and the second in command to then-Speaker Nick Mattiello.
In the interview, Shekarchi said, “If [Filippi] asks for a meeting, we'll have a meeting.”
But as Speaker, Shekarchi, like his predecessor Nick Mattiello, has refused to hold meetings of the JCLS. Critics have called the JCLS which is controlled by the Speaker's office a "private fiefdom spending public funds."
In August of 2021, Filippi who has been advocating for a public process for years told GoLocal, “all I want to do is follow the law and have JCLS meet in order that its $46 million per year budget is properly managed. Unfortunately, their refusal to meet perpetuates the continuation of the lawsuit.”
“Speaker Shekarchi obviously is not Speaker Mattiello. I’m happy he’s professionalized the General Assembly, including trimming our bloated payroll. With that said, regrettably little has changed as it relates to the structure of JCLS. Most all decisions are still made on the 3rd floor with no meetings, discussion, or votes. But it’s not just Speaker Shekarchi. President Ruggerio, who claimed for years to want JCLS to meet, has taken the lead in court opposing our lawsuit that seeks to force JCLS to meet. The only thing that makes sense is that they don’t want to meet as public scrutiny of JCLS would reduce their power. In that respect, little has changed,” added Filippi.
Others have also criticized the closed-door operation of JCLS. Gary Sasse, the former head of RIPEC and the founder of The Hassenfeld Institute at Bryant University chided the legislature for the conduct business in secret. SEE VIDEO BELOW
Shekarchi's August, 2021 Position
Shekarchi claims that legal action by Filippi -- to try to open up the JCLS process -- is the barrier.
“I was planning to have regular public meetings of JCLS after Leader Filippi lost his first lawsuit. But after Leader Filippi filed a second lawsuit, personally suing all of the current members of JCLS, the public hearings have been put on hold upon the advice of our respective legal counsels until the pending lawsuit has been resolved,” said Shekarchi.
That budget supports everything from legislative staff to specially targeted legislative grants.
Shekerchi's spokesman, Larry Berman issued a joint statement on Tuesday, from Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, chairman and vice-chairman respectively of the JCLS, stating:
“We understand that Justice Silverstein has ruled that Minority Leader Filippi may amend his complaint to restate his claims regarding the JCLS. While we disagree with him on this procedural issue, we respect Justice Silverstein's decision. We will now defend these claims on the merits.”
In response to Shekarchi and Ruggerio, Filippi told GoLocal on Wednesday morning, "JCLS is a $46 million slush fund. Shekarchi promised during the caucus in which he was elected Speaker to open up the JCLS process. He did not create this problem, but it is his responsibility to fix it."