BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The state legislature is getting into high gear this week, trying to get through major pieces of legislation they started on next year.
While former Senate President Stan Rosenberg is under an ethics investigation for how he handled his husband's alleged sexual assaults and threats against four men with business before the legislature, Majority Leader Harriet Chandler is serving as interim president.
Chandler told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones she has decided to stay in her old office as the investigation goes forward.
"Because I'm not the permanent president," she said. "I really am a steward, to bridge this gap and sort of steady the ship, and keep us going in the right direction and to get all the legislation through that we want to get through in the next seven months."
Criminal justice reform and health care savings are among the biggest items on the Senate's agenda.
"We have some major housing issues that I've been trying to get through for a long time," she added.
She also said the legislature would "see what we can do" about a $15 minimum wage in Massachusetts.
"That's a very big issue," she said. "That'll be on referendum if we don't do anything."
Sen. Chandler, a former teacher, is also hoping to push a favorite issue of hers--civics education.
"It makes a difference to understand how you're governed," she said.
We now know where former Senate President Stan Rosenberg has set up office while under investigation--he's in the basement, next to the Gardner Auditorium, where the senate is meeting while the chamber undergoes renovations.
The next formal session will take place on January 18.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports