Boston Area News

BOSTON (WBZ) ― A representative brought House proceedings to a halt Friday night when she told colleagues during debate on the state's $28 billion budget that another lawmaker threatened to "really hurt" her.

Rep. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton, said a male representative approached her Thursday and started a casual conversation about a health care amendment she discussed earlier in the week.

Yet the tone quickly changed, she said, as he said, "I've been in this building a long time," and added, "I could really hurt you if I wanted to."
She did not publicly identify that lawmaker.

The allegation was leveled near the end of a long week of budget debate, during which representatives started aligning behind possible successors to House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, who is facing questions about possible ethical violations.

Callahan did not have a chance to elaborate Friday before DiMasi smashed down his gavel and declared, "House will be in a brief recess."

Callahan then walked to the rostrum and spoke with DiMasi, Assistant Majority Leader Lida Harkins of Needham and Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, D-Boston, before sitting in another part of the chamber with Harkins and O'Flaherty.

The three left, then Callahan returned to tell her colleagues she was withdrawing a nurse staffing amendment she favored.

In a brief telephone interview with The Associated Press, O'Flaherty said Callahan was not referring to him, but he would not say why he approached her. "I think you should talk to Representative Callahan, who is an excellent representative," O'Flaherty said.

WBZ's attempts to contact Callahan about the alleged threat were unsuccessful.

A Callahan spokeswoman, Jennifer Warren, called the AP to say the representative was friendly with O'Flaherty and was referring to another member. Warren refused additional comment.

The budget debate comes amid questions about whether DiMasi can survive recent allegations he has been crafting legislation to help the interests of friends.

Those questions have prompted House Ways and Means Chairman Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, and Rep. John Rogers, D-Norwood, to begin lining up support within the 160-member chamber for a potential succession battle.

While DiMasi and his aides have said he plans to remain speaker for the foreseeable future, the race between DeLeo and Rogers has pitted many House members -- allies on many issues -- against each other.

Callahan, a registered nurse, leveled her accusation after taking advantage of leniency granted to her by DiMasi. She had asked the speaker to discuss the nurse staffing bill after he had already cut off debate on it.

After making comments about the amendment and the approaching National Nurses Week, she veered off script.

"I also want to talk just briefly about something I am not proud of," she said.

She then began explaining that comments she had made earlier in the week about a palliative-care amendment prompted the criticism from her unnamed colleague.

"He leveled his eyes at me and he said, 'I've been in this building for a long time, Jen,' and, 'I wanted you to know that I could make things real difficult for you. I mean, Jen, I could really hurt you if I wanted to,"' Callahan told her colleagues.

Jennifer Callahan has served as a state representative from Sutton since 2003.

Callahan released a statement about the incident late Friday night:

"When I was first elected to serve as a member of the Massachusett's Legislature, I believed I would spend my time fighting to help the people in my district. I imagined that there would be serious discussions about health care, education and the state's economy. Today, I still believe that this is what I was elected to do and as an institution, that is what we have done.  I brought this situation to the floor and to the members tonight because it is concerning to me and must be dealt with. I am now addressing it directly with Speaker DiMasi and I am confident it is being taken seriously by him. I will have no further comment at this time. 

I have great respect for Speaker DiMasi, this institution and my colleagues. The Speaker has listened intently, vested his interests in each of our districts through this budget and has supported openness, patience and transparency.  As legislators, we come to work each day attempting to serve the people's interests. That has always been and will continue to be my single focus."

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)