Massachusetts DOT Secretary Above the Law?

Last Monday, the Massachusetts Transportation Committee was forced to halt an oversight hearing concerning processing conflicts at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) when key witnesses failed to appear.

Massachusetts lawmakers had planned on questioning seven RMV officials, but only three were present.

The hearing was called to discuss the RMV’s failure to process tens of thousands of out-of-state driving infractions. This breakdown became glaringly evident after the agency failed to suspend the license of a Massachusetts truck driver, now charged with killing seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire in June (see Justice for the Fallen Seven). The legislature sought to investigate why his license was still valid, despite handwritten and electronic warnings sent to the RMV from Connecticut in May.

According to local news organization WBUR, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack (D) claimed that an independent audit underway at the RMV prevented the agency from providing evidence for the committee. Secretary Pollack informed the legislators that the RMV would eventually cooperate – after the independent audit concludes. Although both the Secretary and the interim RMV registrar were at the hearing, they had directed the other officials summoned to choose whether or not to appear.

Massachusetts lawmakers expressed their frustration with the RMV’s absences, lack of answers, and refusal to cooperate. Transportation Committee Chair Representative William Straus (D) stated that until cooperation from all “key players” is attained, such an “important topic” would not be abandoned.

“Connecticut. . .did nothing wrong,” said Mr. Straus, interviewed on NightSide with Dan Rea, a Boston radio show. According to Mr. Straus, no one at the RMV was assigned to check the inbox where the electronic notice was sent, and the handwritten copy was not read. “…the registry was nowhere near performing the way anyone would expect them to in handling this critical information.”

He also stated that though the Department of Transportation is conducting its own investigation, the legislature has a responsibility and a right to gather facts and determine what happened.

A small civil war is forming between the branches of Massachusetts lawmakers. The People have asked for accountability, and the Department of Transportation seems to have found itself above the law.