CommonWealth Beacon staff
Posted inThe Codcast

‘No doubt it may get worse before it gets better’ — Breaking down the 2026 State of the Commonwealth.

by CommonWealth Beacon staff

This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporters Jennifer Smith and Chris Lisinski talk about Gov. Maura Healey’s 2026 State of the Commonwealth speech. They compare her tone and policy position to earlier years, review reactions to the speech, and look ahead at what this says about Healey’s run for reelection.

Posted inThe Saturday Send

Dark money aims to kill the recreational buzz and four more stories

by CommonWealth Beacon staff

Chris Lisinski looks at the national anti-marijuana group financing efforts to ban recreational use in Massachusetts and Jennifer Smith breaks down the state’s $250 million investment in health insurance subsidies. In Springfield, Hallie Claflin speaks with housing housing teams who are facing chaos as the Trump administration seeks to overhaul the federal government’s main homelessness program. Plus: the MBTA (again) faces financial shortfalls and Gov. Maura Healey makes her final State of the Commonwealth address before she’s up for reelection.

Posted inCommonWealth Voices

What ICE is doing is abhorrent. But here’s why canceling the state contract to house its detainees might not be the right thing to do.

by CommonWealth Beacon staff

How the country addresses immigration is, admittedly, not an easy issue. We need immigrants – and have long been a place where those from other countries sought to a build a new, better life — and we also need secure borders. I know how hard striking this balance can be.

Posted inThe Saturday Send

How Massachusetts hit a new low and four more stories

by CommonWealth Beacon staff

Jordan Wolman and Chris Lisinski investigate how Massachusetts became the slowest state in issuing initial unemployment payments in the country between June and October. Plus, Keolis seeks redemption in its bid for a new MBTA contract, the debate over real estate transfer fees polarizes lawmakers, and the Healey administration delays implementing a clean heat program over affordability while House leaders plan closed-door meetings to to discuss the path forward for legislation aimed at lowering energy costs.

Posted inThe Codcast

What do cities and advocates want from the Legislature in 2026?

by CommonWealth Beacon staff

This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson; Jennie Williamson, the state director of The Education Trust in Massachusetts; and Clark Ziegler, executive director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. They break down what has and hasn’t been a lawmaking priority; dive into the current relationships between cities, the state, and the federal government; and discuss their legislative wish list for the second half of the two-year cycle. 

Posted inThe Saturday Send

Great (legislative) expectations and five more stories

by CommonWealth Beacon staff

Chris Lisinksi takes a look at Beacon Hill’s 2026 priorities — including the Senate’s proposed residential tax relief bill — and explains why campaign finance regulators sanctioned five-term lawmaker Rep. Chynah Tyler.

Plus: Beacon Hill fails to track which communities qualify for Gateway City status, inclusionary zoning faces legal and legislative challenges, and the state’s insurer of last resort weighs rate increases after a surge in enrollment.

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