[MassHistPres] "What is an 'outside section' ?" you ask.

[Dennis De Witt]

> Here is a description from a non-profit advocacy group of how the "outside section" process works.
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> Smart and savvy advocates got their amendments filed last Friday and are now trying to coax more Senators to email the Senate Clerk that they wish to be a co sponsor of their amendments. Advocates are also urging their Democratic Senator sponsors and co sponsors to attend this important event and speak up.   
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> SENATE BUDGET CAUCUS: Before the public deliberations begin on Wednesday, Senate Democrats plan a private caucus to go over the 694 fiscal 2013 budget amendments they filed before Friday's 3 p.m. deadline. The caucus starts at noon in Senate President Murray's office.
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> The First Rule of Lobbying is "Elected and Appointed Officials make different decisions when watched by the affected constituency."
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> Senate Budget Debate begins on Wed Morning at 10:00 am. Although the Senate traditionally starts debate the Budget in line item order . . .  but - What has tradition got to do with it.   
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> The process in the Senate is not like the House in that they do not have formal caucuses by subject area - rather they spend the first couple of days and evenings debating and usually approving non-controversial modest reasonable amendments that are widely supported, rejecting controversial partisan proposals to further reduce government, and "hold" big money amendments until leadership can reach consensus within the Democratic Caucus and the Republican Caucus. 
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> Leadership will be very open at first and let the minority challenge every amendment large and small, force roll calls, raise points of order. Meanwhile Senators go back and forth into the Senate Reading Room off the Chamber (no press or lobbyists) to meet with SW&M Chair and staff to negotiate a compromise or get their amendment into a "Yes" or "No" pile. Really. It's 2 big piles guarded by staff, and Senators can be seen looking through it to find their amendments.   
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> Eventually on the last day, the Senate President will be handed a big pile of paper and announce a couple of consolidated amendments, waive the reading (thank G-d) and recite "all in favor say, Yes" "all opposed say, No" "the Yeses (or the Nos) have it." Without a debate.
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> Dennis De Witt

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