Based on recent allegations against Senator Dianne Wilkerson, the Senate by unanimous vote in caucus removed the senator from her chairmanship of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight and took away all of her additional committee assignments, which include the joint committees on Financial Services; Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets; Education; Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development; and the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

The Senate directed the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules to investigate the matter. Under the rules of the Senate, proceedings of the committee are confidential.

Additionally, the Senate also passed a resolution calling on Senator Wilkerson to resign her position as Senator of the Second Suffolk District.

These are very serious allegations against Senator Wilkerson, and I am very upset about the taint and shadow of doubt cast upon the Senate and its members based on the alleged actions of one person.

I want to assure the people of the Commonwealth that we are fully cooperating with law enforcement in this ongoing investigation, and I am comfortable and confident that the integrity of the Senate, and my integrity, will remain intact at the end of this ordeal.

My role as President of the Senate is to lead the Senate through this difficult time and to make sure we redouble our efforts for the people of Massachusetts, and that is what I intend to do.

I want to remind everyone that the U.S. Attorney has stated very clearly that other lawmakers on Beacon Hill are not implicated.

The charges against Senator Wilkerson are an affront and insult to the Senate, and any implication that I have been involved in the alleged wrongful conduct or so-called backroom deals of Senator Wilkerson is simply wrong.

The Massachusetts Senate is greater than the sum of its parts, and no senator is irreplaceable. What is irreplaceable is the work of the Senate as a body for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Yesterday, along with the House of Representatives, we addressed the state's economic challenges by acting on portions of a supplemental budget filed by the Governor to offer additional help in balancing our fiscal year 2009 budget.

The quick action taken by the Legislature will help the citizens of the Commonwealth weather the storm of our current fiscal situation and get our economy on the path to recovery.

The following are links to the order and the resolution passed by the Senate, as well as a letter to the Clerk of the Senate. If you are unable to access these links, please visit www.ThereseMurray.com.

·           TEXT OF LETTER TO THE CLERK OF THE SENATE

·           TEXT OF RESOLUTION

·           TEXT OF ORDER