HOUSE LEADERS are trying once again to launch a new tax credit to lure live theater, dance, and musical productions to Massachusetts. The so-called live performance tax credit received little attention on Monday when House Speaker Ron Mariano and his Democratic colleagues rolled out economic development legislation containing a tax relief package of more than […]
Government
Posted inCriminal Justice
A new women’s prison is not the answer
LAST MONTH, three days before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, women in Massachusetts lost another opportunity for bodily autonomy and personal dignity when the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) released a “Strategic Plan for Women Incarcerated in Massachusetts,” commissioned for $225,000 from the Ripples Group, a “boutique management consulting firm.” The strategic plan […]
Posted inPolitics, State Government
House proposes $1b in short and long-term tax relief
HOUSE LEADERS rolled out a $523.5 million package of permanent tax breaks on Monday that, when combined with $510 million in one-time payments to middle-income residents proposed last week, would yield more than $1 billion in tax relief for Massachusetts residents. House and Senate officials released a statement saying they were in agreement on the […]
Posted inCourts, Politics, State Government
SJC upholds no-excuse voting by mail
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT will uphold the VOTES Act, the new law that allows Massachusetts residents to vote early by mail for any reason. The court on Monday announced that it will reject a challenge by a group of Massachusetts Republican Party leaders and side entirely with Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin to keep […]
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, State Government
Governor’s Council candidate would seek pro-choice, anti-racist judges
IF MARA DOLAN were interviewing a judicial nominee, she would want to know three things: whether the person supports abortion rights, whether they understand substance use disorders, and whether they are anti-racist. “Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe versus Wade, it’s essential that everyone working within the criminal justice system and in our […]
Posted inState Government
Legislature releasing $500 million tax break package
HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS will roll out a $500 million package of tax breaks that will address many – though not all – of the tax cuts that Gov. Charlie Baker has sought to implement. House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, and Ways and Means chairs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues will announce […]
Posted inState Government, State House News Service
House approves veterans bill, pandemic policy extensions
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WITH JUST 24 days left to pass significant legislation until the House and Senate hibernate until early 2023, more is being added to the Legislature’s joint to-do list than is being crossed off of it. The House on Thursday added two issues to the pile of matters that lawmakers will try […]
Posted inEconomy
Legislature may send residents $250 checks
THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE intends to take up a bill that would send $250 checks to more than 2 million low and middle-income Massachusetts residents. As many residents struggle with inflation and the high price of gas and other products, the Democratic-led Legislature still has not proposed any form of tax relief, despite the urging of […]
Posted inEconomy
Budget surplus could reach $3.6 billion
MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUES TO be swimming in cash. After dire warnings early in the pandemic, COVID-19 has proven to be an economic boon to Massachusetts, primarily because of federal largesse. Congress’ COVID recovery packages have funneled billions of dollars into the state, through government aid and aid to individuals and businesses, which translates into higher tax […]
Posted inState Government, State House News Service
House bids for slots in veterans halls
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WILL vote Thursday on a wide-reaching veterans bill that also features a gambling expansion proposal that is unpopular in the Senate and could create “complexity” for regulators. After a slow start to the holiday-shortened week, the House on Wednesday rolled out omnibus veterans legislation (H 4978) that significantly expands the […]