At a time when the state is attempting to encourage a dramatic shift to electric vehicles, the governor indicated it was time to chart a new course for transportation financing in what she called the clean energy era.
Gintautas Dumcius
Posted inPolitics
Short takes: Baker makes his exit from Mass. politics official
According to campaign finance records, his gubernatorial campaign account was dissolved on January 4 and so was the super PAC that he helped launch in 2019 to support largely centrist candidates across Massachusetts.
Posted inGovernment
From potholes to housing policy, Wu talks priorities in 2d State of City
Inside Fenway’s MGM Music Hall, Mayor Michelle Wu gave her second address, taking a victory lap while gearing up for a reelection effort.
Posted inGovernment
Short takes: While no one was watching, Boston watchdog departed
Pam Kocher, who took the reins as head of the business-backed nonprofit in 2019, left in November with no public announcement from the group.
Posted inMedia
CommonWealth Beacon’s top news stories in 2023
Three of the most-read stories from CommonWealth, which rebranded as CommonWealth Beacon in November, related to transportation, and the top story, about a Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation study, focused on transportation and the fallout from COVID and remote work on the downtown Boston office market.
Posted inGovernment
The ‘labor whisperer’ inside Boston City Hall
“Don’t demonize your opponent. Don’t question your opponent’s motives. I mean, I’m actually slipping here by even saying opponent,” said Lou Mandarini, who was called Mayor Michelle Wu’s “labor whisperer.”
Posted inCriminal Justice
Short takes: A (different) public apology in Stuart case
Four years before Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s public apology over the city’s handling of the Stuart murder case, Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins offered a similar, if little noticed, mea culpa.
Posted inCourts
Healey’s SJC pick questioned about lack of judicial experience
“I would bring a lot of experience with the different courts of the Commonwealth, in a different way,” Bessie Dewar said.
Posted inEconomy
Mass. to receive $1.4m in Google antitrust settlement
The $700 million settlement resolves antitrust litigation, with the attorneys general alleging that the company used its Google Play app store to engage in an unlawful monopoly.
Posted inPolitics
Short takes: Wu, Kraft appearance creates some buzz
Rumors have swirled for months about who might challenge Michelle Wu in 2025, as she’s widely expected to run for reelection. Josh Kraft acknowledged in November he had been approached about running for mayor.
Posted inGovernment
Richie Neal wants to make a deal
The ethos of compromise has been Neal’s guiding light over four decades in politics. In today’s hyper partisan climate, it’s often reviled as a sign of weakness.
Posted inCourts
State solicitor tapped as Healey’s first SJC pick
Gov. Maura Healey has picked Elizabeth “Bessie” Dewar, the state solicitor and a former US Supreme Court clerk, as her first nomination to the state Supreme Judicial Court.
Posted inPolitics
He’ll make a mark as Quincy’s Black, gay city council president – but don’t ask him about it
The first Black person and openly gay person to serve in elected office in Quincy, Ian Cain scoffs at the identity politics of the left, and appears to fit more comfortably in the mold of a Charlie Baker Republican.
Posted inPolitics
An unlikely love fest at Boston City Hall
Battles between Boston mayors and public safety unions historically can be compared to slugfests glimpsed through a backyard fence.
Posted inHousing
Newton councilors scale back housing plan in face of state deadline
NEWTON CITY COUNCILORS signed off on the wealthy Boston suburb’s first substantial zoning overhaul in more than 35 years, approving a plan on Monday night that aims to bring more […]
Posted inPolitics
Short takes: Josh Kraft for mayor?
Boston’s political rumor mill has churned for months about whether Josh Kraft, son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head of the organization’s philanthropic arm, is eyeing a campaign for mayor of Boston.
Posted inEducation
Minority-focused higher ed institutions should get more funding, report says
A new report says the state’s model for higher education should be reworked to better support public and private institutions serving large minority populations.
Posted inState Government
DiZoglio claims to have signatures for ballot question to audit Legislature
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s ballot initiative asking voters to weigh in on auditing the Legislature appeared to clear a significant hurdle on Tuesday, when she said the campaign gathered more than the number of signatures required.
Posted inGovernment
Wu intrigued by universal basic income program
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu says she backs the concept of universal basic income. What she doesn’t want is another limited pilot like the ones that have spread across the country.
Posted inMarijuana
Collins stepping down as cannabis commission executive director
Two months after pushing back on a claim he would be leaving by the end of the year, Shawn Collins is resigning as executive director of the Cannabis Control Commission, the latest move to rock the troubled state agency, whose chair was suspended in September.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Campbell hires gun control advocate to lead gun violence unit
Attorney General Andrea Campbell has tapped a rural litigator who previously worked for a gun control advocacy group to head up a new unit aimed at reducing gun violence.
Posted inHousing
Newton voters oust backers of ambitious housing plan
A trio of Newton city councilors who backed a plan to allow even more housing than what is called for under a new state law were voted out of office, in what may be a cautionary tale for officials in other communities.
Posted inPolitics
In Revere, Latino victory reflects a changing city
With his election victory on Tuesday to an at-large city council seat, Juan Jaramillo will become the lone Latino and only non-white official serving on the 11-member council.
Posted inPolitics
Wu goes four for four in City Council races
Two years after her barrier-breaking victory, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu rallied behind four progressives looking for seats in the City Council. All four of her picks won in the low-turnout election, a feat without precedent in 40 years of Boston politics.
