January 1, 2013
Rep. Lyons asks state to pay for all sex change operations to make 'profound point'
Lyons says he is trying to make a 'profound point'
By Paul Tennant
http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x1525001143/Lyons-seeks-to-make-profound-point-about-prisoners-sex-change-operationBOSTON – State Rep. James Lyons is so outraged at a ruling requiring the state to pay the lawyers' fees of a convicted murderer who wants a sex change that he plans to file a bill that would give all Massachusetts residents the same legal benefits.
Lyons, R-Andover, said he will introduce the measure after Wednesday, when the new Legislature takes office. He's being joined in this effort by Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica.
[...]
Asked if he thinks the bill has any chance of passing, Lyons did not give a direct yes-or-no answer, saying, "We're trying to make a profound point. ... This misuse of taxpayers' money has to stop."
He said he, Lombardo and other legislators want to "keep the issue alive."
"If innocent taxpayers are forced to fund the unlimited expenses of wife murderers – even when those bills are unrelated to a trial ascertaining criminal guilt or innocence – then shouldn't those law-abiding citizens have access to the same benefits?" asked Lyons. "It's the height of absurdity to mandate that taxpayers have an obligation to pay the massive bills of vicious murderers, but those same law-abiding citizens have no right to equal legal benefits."
