Faced with mounting criticism over state handling of sex offenders, Massachusetts legislators rushed yesterday to pass a bill allowing the most dangerous predators’ photos to be posted on the Internet, the Boston Herald reports. The state Senate version says no photos will be posted online until the Sex Offender Registry Board clears up a backlog of 1,300 offenders still waiting for a dangerousness classification.
The delayed implementation is a slap at Governor Mitt Romney, who has irked lawmakers by blaming them for problems at the registry. The system allowed dozens of offenders to slip through the cracks, a recent report by the Herald and Fox 25 television said.
Romney also vetoed $240,000 from the registry’s budget – a veto senators overturned yesterday after a similar House override last week. “Shame on the governor for talking the talk but not walking the walk,” said Public Safety Chairman Sen. Jarrett Barrios (D-Cambridge).
Romney spokeswoman Shawn Feddeman said the governor Romney does not want to delay Web postings. “We see no reason to delay this important tool,” she said.
Link: http://www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/sex11142003.htm