The new Beacon Hill

There is much to be done in the new year -- and there are welcome signs that legislators are up to the task

House Speaker Thomas Finneran showed this week why he, not the uninspiring and seemingly aimless Republican Paul Cellucci, is the real acting governor.

In Monday's "Address to the Citizens of the Commonwealth," scheduled to preempt Cellucci's State of the State speech this Thursday, Finneran laid out his vision for Massachusetts, and the work that lies ahead. For those who expect politicians to pander, his message was surprising.

Finneran consciously evoked venerable New England values -- "prudence," "sacrifice," and "self-discipline." It was a refreshing contrast to what, paraphrasing Alan Greenspan, he archly called the "irrational exuberance" threatening to overtake Massachusetts. And he did not shy away from controversial specifics. He declared that the massive tax cuts now championed by the gubernatorial candidates of both parties would be "a moral and fiscal disaster." (The Phoenix said the same thing a few weeks ago.) But Finneran did more than say no. He also deserves credit for affirming education as the state's top priority -- and for reminding listeners that progress will require continued financial commitment and more-serious efforts to monitor classroom performance.

More broadly, though, the speech was a reminder that in a world without Weld, initiative has been flowing from the governor's office to the legislature. It also made clear that -- for the state as well as for Boston proper -- there is plenty of work to be done in 1998.

Crime. Among the nominees for Worst Law Enforcement Idea of the 1990s has to be mandatory minimum sentencing. It makes no sense in theory. Why strip from judges the power to judge? And it has been a disaster in practice. Massachusetts prisons are being clogged up with nonviolent drug offenders, making it harder and harder to keep the truly dangerous off the streets. Finneran is pushing to reform the system while Cellucci continues his unimaginative grandstanding. Also needing attention is an assault-weapons ban that enjoys wide support, but which has been blocked by procedural shenanigans.

Courts. The court system needs a host of changes, including passage of the courthouse bond bill, which will revamp a crumbling infrastructure. The courts do not have a powerful political constituency, but that is no excuse to let them languish.

Urban environment. There is now widespread support for new "brownfields" laws, designed to promote the development of abandoned (and often polluted) lots in inner-city areas -- there are dozens of brownfields in Roxbury alone. The laws would be a boon for cities like Boston, and would fight suburban sprawl. They deserve to be passed this year.

Affordable housing. The legislature will also be considering a bill to fund new low-income housing and renovate old buildings. Finneran supports this, and it, too, deserves a yes vote.

There are, of course, issues that have so far failed to hit the legislative radar.

The utility giveaway. The legislature must revisit the massive deregulation of the state's electric power industry it unwisely approved in haste last November. The measure passes $10 to $12 billion in bad past utility investments onto consumers, and recently exposed loopholes in the law could let the state's biggest power providers wiggle out of a supposedly ironclad 10 percent rate cut for consumers. A group of activists is now collecting signatures to try to overturn the law by referendum; the legislature should fine-tune it now, giving consumers a larger rate cut, rather than risk the chaos of a November repeal.

Nighttime T service. Citing maintenance needs, the MBTA has resisted pleas to keep its train and bus service running past 12:30 a.m. But last month, the state transportation committee cochair, Representative Joseph Sullivan (D-Braintree), told the Phoenix he wants the T to test later hours on the weekends to see if it keeps drunk drivers off the road. We hope the idea gets a solid test run.

An agenda for working families. There are signs that progressives in the legislature are organizing themselves to push a comprehensive plan to help the state's working families. Some of the good ideas: expanding child-care options; reintroducing the "circuit breaker" tax breaks for low-income people who face heavy property and sewer bills; and revising the state's approach to worker training and adult education, which are especially vital if welfare reform is to work. Clearly articulated, this agenda would provide another way to advance the election-year debate -- and offer another sign that, after a long hiatus where the governor set the agenda, an activist legislature is back.

What can you do?

Call Thomas Birmingham, (617) 722-1500, and Thomas Finneran, (617) 722-2500.

What do you think? Send an e-mail to letters[a]phx.com.