COMMON CAUSE MASSACHUSETTS is committed to fighting for a more transparent and open government. That’s why we’re celebrating Sunshine Week, which just concluded, by shining a light on ways Massachusetts could strengthen our Public Records Law and Open Meeting Law. Massachusetts is known for our many history-making firsts. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were […]
Geoff Foster
Posted inOpinion
Voting reforms will improve our democracy
THE WORK TO make our democracy more equitable and accessible in Massachusetts remains unfinished. Now that the temporary emergency voting measures for the pandemic have expired, it’s time for Massachusetts to look ahead towards modernizing our elections and removing the many barriers to voting across the Commonwealth. Barriers like: The 20-day voter registration deadline, which […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Massachusetts should clear juvenile records
A WHO’S WHO crowd of criminal justice leaders gathered at the Seaport Hotel on Monday for the annual fundraising breakfast for the Chelsea-based nonprofit Roca, which works to steer high-risk young people toward positive pursuits. Addressing the audience, Gov. Charlie Baker reflected on recent efforts to increase prison education—a practice that has long been understood to […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Candidates address proven-risk youth
This past August, staff and youth from the United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) in Lowell launched our Youth Violence Prevention Policy Series. Gubernatorial candidates visited UTEC and engaged in roundtable discussions on various policy issues with respect to reducing youth violence by focusing on work with “proven-risk” youth. Differing from “at-risk” or “high risk” youth, […]