Jun 4, 2009 11:38 am US/Eastern
'Hack Holidays' Survive Close House Vote
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The so-called "hack holidays" have survived a close vote at the State House.
The debate was whether to keep
Evacuation Day (March 17) and
Bunker Hill Day (June 17).
They're two Monday holidays in Suffolk County where schools and city and state offices are closed.
Those holidays have been around for decades, but there was a renewed effort by some to get rid of them because of the recession.
House members voted narrowly to hang onto them Wednesday night – weeks after the state Senate voted to keep them.
Read: How Your Rep. Voted (courtesy: State House News Service)
(note: an N vote = a vote to save the holidays)
Some House members lashed out at the local newspapers for allegedly trying to bully them into getting rid of the holidays,
according to the Herald.
Rep. James Fagan (D) of Taunton took a shot at the Boston Globe.
"I hope these holidays are with us a long time after the Globe is gone," he said referring to the Globe's struggle with the New York Times to stay open.
"I'm sick and tired of the people in this chamber bowing to the Boston Herald and Boston Globe," said Rep. Brian Wallace (D) of South Boston.
State Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei said he is planning to introduce new legislation to eliminate the two holidays.
Tisei claims $5 million worth of productivity is lost with each holiday.
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