Massachusetts has positioned itself as a leader on a range of policy domains under attack by the Trump administration. But as a national conversation has arisen about cash bail and public safety, fueled by misinformation from the White House, Massachusetts is on the sidelines.
Courts
Posted inEnvironment
Massachusetts agencies never followed a 2017 rule to cut emissions from state vehicles, court documents show
The rule was issued under Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and followed a landmark court ruling that found the state needed to issue more specific and stringent regulations in order to meet the 2050 climate commitment.
Posted inCourts
Bar advocate work stoppage becomes an SJC separation-of-powers conundrum
Over the course of 70 minutes of arguments by the two sides, and pointed questioning from the justices, none of the Supreme Judicial Court’s seven judges appeared eager to snatch the power of the purse from Beacon Hill lawmakers.
Posted inCourts
SJC considers whether charter schools must obey public records laws
The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, in rebuffing at least 10 public records requests for information on various aspects of its operations, insists that it is not covered by the sweeping statute guaranteeing public access to the records of government entities.
Posted inOpinion
The case for raising the age of Juvenile Court jurisdiction has only grown stronger
THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE is again debating whether to raise the age of Juvenile Court jurisdiction to include 18 to 20-year-old youth. The last time the state raised the age was […]
Posted inCourts
Four Supreme Judicial Court cases to watch in November
In November, the seven Supreme Judicial Court justices will wrestle with some disputes that are years or decades in the making. Others touch on current crises. And the Legislature’s action or inaction is often a factor.
Posted inOpinion
DiZoglio misfires in attack on attorney general
MASSACHUSETTS STATE AUDITOR Diana DiZoglio recently called in to Boston Public Radio and accused Attorney General Andrea Campbell of “working with the legislative leaders to block the audit that the […]
Posted inCourts
When the courthouse leads to the therapist’s office
The mental health courts make a compelling offer: If the participants agree to use it, the system will connect them with long-term and accessible mental health supports often out of reach for people in prison or just trying to navigate the crunched behavioral health landscape. But they are expensive, resource intensive, and serve just a fraction of the people in need of mental health services in and out of the criminal justice system.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Why elect sheriffs anyway?
The governor appoints a corrections professional to oversee state prisons. So why do we elect people who are essentially regional correctional commissioners, with voters often having little basis to evaluate whether they’re doing a good job or not?
Posted inCourts
Mass. public defender agency hires 22 new attorneys in rapid expansion
In addition to continued hiring in fiscal year 2026, plans call for a single hiring initiative in fiscal year 2027 that will feature 100 new attorneys.
Posted inCourts
Flexible financing or illegal reverse mortgage? Court allows suit over home equity investments to move forward
Though states including Massachusetts are considering possible rules for this novel product, which exchanges a lump sum for a share in home equity, HEI companies operate largely without regulation.
Posted inState Government
Deal to raise bar advocate pay panned as ‘a slap in the face’
Legislative leaders on Wednesday rolled out a take-it-or-leave-it proposal that some dissatisfied attorneys quickly slammed as insufficient.
Posted inCourts
Lawyer work stoppage crisis hits the juvenile justice system
As the bar advocate work stoppage crisis ramps up in the courts, public defenders argue say an already “untenable” problem securing counsel for young offenders is hitting a breaking point.
Posted inOpinion
Right-wing group’s attacks undermining freedom of inquiry in education
The scope of the far right’s project to abolish our freedoms to inquire and learn is breathtaking.
Posted inOpinion
With birthright case, class actions emerging as important tool against reckless Trump actions
The question now is how broadly the class action process could be used to address other issues where the government has taken illegal action against large groups of Americans across state lines.
Posted inCourts
Superior Court tosses Milton taxpayer suit against MBTA Communities law
In a brisk nine-page ruling, the Superior Court judge concluded that the Milton lawsuit was very similar to a previous bundle of suits fighting the multi-family housing law and should be dismissed.
Posted inCourts
Flurry of lawsuits over Trump cuts hinges on nine words
A flurry of lawsuits is challenging the Trump administration’s “slash-and-burn” campaign, which axed hundreds of grant programs mid-stream. The White House is fundamentally misinterpreting a short phrase buried in recent regulation, the suits argue, to justify the sweeping cuts.
Posted inTransportation
MBTA sues union in effort to fire supervisor in misconduct case
The MBTA has sued a union representing inspectors who work for the public transit agency, arguing it should be able to fire a supervisor who it says engaged in sexual and racial harassment.
Posted inPolitics
In Washington, Campbell defends states’ efforts against Trump’s executive overreach
Andrea Campbell and three other blue state attorneys general took to Washington on Monday to describe their ongoing fight against Trump administration policies in court.
Posted inState Government
MBTA Communities fight lingers in courts, on Beacon Hill
Some municipalities who claim the law asks too much of them are still looking to the courts and the Legislature for relief.
Posted inHousing
Town Meeting vote on MBTA Communities looms for a divided Milton
The clock is ticking on Milton’s chance for compliance with MBTA Communities. The planning board and residents are still divided heading into a special town meeting on Monday.
