CommonWealth Magazine · Has party imbalance broken democracy in Massachusetts?
Has party imbalance broken democracy in Mass.?
Posted inPolitics
Has party imbalance broken democracy in Mass.?
THE STATE OF the two political parties in Massachusetts could not look more different. We are perhaps the bluest of blue states, with Democrats now holding virtually every elected position […]
Posted inThe Download
Has party imbalance broken democracy in Mass.?
THE STATE OF the two political parties in Massachusetts could not look more different. We are perhaps the bluest of blue states, with Democrats now holding virtually every elected position […]
Posted inOpinion
A big chunk of lobbying in Mass. is not tracked
IN MARCH, Professor Julia Payson of New York University addressed a small group who had gathered at Boston University’s Initiative on Cities to hear about the new book she wrote […]
Posted inEnvironment
Cities, towns are frontline in addressing climate change
OUR HEALTH as a community is tied to the health of our environment and our planet. The stark reality however is that our future is not guaranteed. Climate change is […]
Posted inState Government, State House News Service
Tax forecast misses mark, but Healey says that was expected
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE GOV. MAURA HEALEY doubled down on her tax relief plan on Friday, insisting that a shortfall in state revenue that has plunged this year’s state budget […]
Posted inGambling
Envisioning a Massachusetts ‘iLottery’
IF THE MASSACHUSETTS LOTTERY expands onto the internet with a new “iLottery,” what could it look like? Let’s spin the wheel. Option 1 – Michigan. Started in 2014, the Michigan […]
Posted inThe Download
Envisioning a Massachusetts ‘iLottery’
IF THE MASSACHUSETTS lottery expands onto the internet with a new “iLottery,” what could it look like? Let’s spin the wheel. Option 1 – Michigan. Started in 2014, the Michigan […]
Posted inOpinion
Weymouth compressor fight has implications for Pilgrim
IN THE 1940s, the Fore River Basin of Weymouth, Quincy, and Braintree was home to major factories, supplied hundreds of good paying jobs, and set the stage to create the […]
Posted inState Government
Healey brings more women into governor’s office
GOV. MAURA HEALEY, the first woman to be elected governor of Massachusetts, is bringing more women into state government with her. According to the state’s diversity dashboard, Healey has 52 […]
Posted inThe Download
SJC wades into face-off over online stock trading
IT’S A NICE thought that “broker-dealers” who handle transactions in the ever-changing world of online securities trading platforms should show a basic standard of care to clients, but that may […]
Posted inCourts, Government
SJC wades into face-off over online stock trading
IT’S A NICE THOUGHT that “broker-dealers” who handle transactions in the ever-changing world of online securities trading platforms should show a basic standard of care to clients, but that may not […]
Posted inState Government
April tax revenues plunge 23% below forecasted levels
THE GENERALLY nonstop tax revenue growth the state has experienced for the last several years came to a halt in April, when revenue came in more than $2 billion lower […]
Posted inEducation
‘Direct admissions’ could be game-changer for some colleges
DIRECT ADMISSIONS, first implemented statewide in Idaho in 2015, is a relatively new process where students can be accepted into a college or university before having to submit an application. […]
Posted inThe Download
Boston rent control plan on the ropes
What do you call the opposite of a trial balloon? A deep-six signal? Whatever the term for it, it sure looks like legislative leaders are giving it some play when […]
Posted inHousing, State Government
Boston rent control plan on the ropes
WHAT DO YOU call the opposite of a trial balloon? A deep-six signal? Whatever the term for it, it sure looks like legislative leaders are giving it some play when […]
Posted inHealth Care
Look behind the pharmacy benefit manager curtain
SECRET TRANSACTIONS, billions of dollars involved, hidden tactics. Sounds like the next big movie mega hit. But it’s not. It’s actually the world of pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. You […]
Posted inEnergy, State Government
Healey playing catch-up with latest offshore wind procurement
THE HEALEY ADMINISTRATION made the best of a bad situation on Tuesday, issuing a draft of the state’s fourth request for offshore wind proposals that reworks the failed third procurement, […]
Posted inThe Download
New Bedford says MBTA is shortchanging the city
The Boston Globe reported on Sunday that New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell could derail the long-awaited South Coast Rail project by threatening to file a lawsuit challenging the legality of […]
Posted inTransportation
New Bedford says MBTA is shortchanging the city
THE BOSTON GLOBE reported on Sunday that New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell could derail the long-awaited South Coast Rail project by threatening to file a lawsuit challenging the legality of an […]
Posted inOpinion
Challenging the relevancy of the health cost benchmark
CLARIFICATION: Soon after this article was published, I heard from Steve Walsh, the president of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, who said I misrepresented what he said at the […]
Posted inState Government, State House News Service
High Tech Council calls House move unconstitutional
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AN INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS group warned Monday that a bill the House approved last month features an “unconstitutional provision” to reshape the rebate program that provided nearly […]
Posted inEnergy, Government
Connecticut taking different approach to utility regulation
CONNECTICUT IS CHANGING the way it regulates utilities, and the new approach has the companies and investors scared. The new approach, called performance-based regulation, is intended to compensate utilities based […]
Posted inThe Codcast
The promise and pitfalls of everyday artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is changing the way we think about authorship, art, and white collar work. It may be changing how we think, full stop. CommonWealth Magazine · The promise and […]