Senate Republicans hire a masseuse for “a quick stress reliever.” Members will have some explaining to do.

Johnny Angel strikes. The new chief of staff for the dozen Senate Republicans has taken the measure of the caucus and found them all tired out after a few hours of work on Monday. Healey, on behalf of caucus leaders Harding and Cicarella, sent a text Monday afternoon to members and staff to let them know there is a masseuse in the historic Capitol building for the sole purpose of providing massages to members and staff until 5 p.m. today.

The odd perk comes after the legislature took off the last weekend of the regular session. The Senate convened today at 11 a.m. Most working people would likely find it an indulgence to require a massage only a few hours into the first workday of what will be a three-day week.

Senate Republicans may find themselves Candy Pruitted–made to look like laughingstocks.

Spending of funds under the new Healey/Harding leadership team was already making some members uncomfortable. A masseuse will add to their concern about careless and damaging optics.

Someone may want to get an informal opinion from the state’s ethics agency on gifts of services. This is not the sort of use of public funds (or campaign funds) that goes down well in the three most competitive Republican seats. And Senator Cicarella is already getting a lot of money for health services to keep him limber.

Senate Republicans may want to disregard Healey’s advice, “Please don’t be shy.” The seat a little reticence saves may be your own.

Published May 6, 2024.