JON SANTIAGO knows the pandemic left Massachusetts looking askance at its veterans’ services after scores of COVID deaths amid scandals over mismanagement at two long-term care facilities for veterans. Reforming […]
Santiago vows to ‘rebuild trust’ in veterans’ services
Posted inThe Download
Baron rises to the defense of objectivity in journalism
MARTY BARON, the former editor of the Washington Post and Boston Globe, came to Brandeis University last week and threw down the gauntlet to those who think objectivity in news […]
Posted inMedia
Baron rises to the defense of objectivity in journalism
MARTY BARON, the former editor of the Washington Post and Boston Globe, came to Brandeis University last week and threw down the gauntlet to those who think objectivity in news […]
Posted inOpinion
Why the C3 grants are so important for children
IF YOU HAVE young children, or know anyone who does, chances are you’ve noticed that the Commonwealth’s child care sector is in a major state of crisis. Classrooms are closing, waitlists […]
Posted inOpinion
Industrial land disappearing at an alarming pace
A STRONG INDUSTRIAL sector can help maintain the middle class, provide stable wages in a tumultuous economy, and seed technological innovations that attract workers and businesses to our region – […]
Posted inGovernment
Arroyo wants to ban sale of ‘nips’ in Boston
IT COULD BE the shot ban heard ‘round the state. Fed up with thousands of tiny booze bottles littering his district, and concerned about the public health impact of a product […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Chambers of Commerce fear not being heard, band together
CommonWealth Magazine · Chambers of Commerce fear not being heard, band together
Posted inThe Download
Chambers of commerce fear not being heard, band together
TEN OF THE state’s regional chambers of commerce are concerned they are not being heard on Beacon Hill, so they are banding together to speak with one louder voice. James […]
Posted inEconomy
Chambers of commerce fear not being heard, band together
TEN OF THE state’s regional chambers of commerce are concerned they are not being heard on Beacon Hill, so they are banding together to speak with one louder voice. James […]
Posted inTransportation
T lifts last of universal go-slow speed restrictions
THE MBTA announced Sunday night that the universal speed restriction on the Green Line has been lifted, which means the precautionary go-slow policy the transit authority put in place across […]
Posted inOpinion, State Government
Shining some light on state government
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 […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
In quest to improve policing, time is on our side
IN THE WORLD of policing, what do waiting for nature to call to a drunken – and disruptive – Red Sox fan, taking a measured approach to car stops, and […]
Posted inOpinion
Democracy has bigger problems than disrespectful disagreement
In a recent piece in Commonwealth, Adam Hinds argues that “Strengthening democracy takes compromise…” Well, of course it does. Citing “hyper-partisan invective,” Hinds points to a lack of compromise for […]
Posted inOpinion
‘Outside the box’ thoughts on MBTA electrification
IN THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR, there is an urgent need to cut emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and to reduce inequities in access to clean, reliable and affordable transportation. To […]
Posted inTransportation
For now, slow zones on the T the new normal
ONE-QUARTER OF the entire MBTA subway system will still be subject to more-sluggish-than-usual travel once the agency lifts end-to-end speed restrictions on the Green Line. More than a week after […]
Posted inThe Download
Will Healey go inside or outside for State Police and MBTA hires?
IF LEADERSHIP IS key to righting a listing state agency, nothing Gov. Maura Healey does in the coming weeks may be as important as her selection of new leaders to […]
Posted inTransportation
Will Healey go inside or outside for State Police and MBTA hires?
IF LEADERSHIP IS key to righting a listing state agency, nothing Gov. Maura Healey does in the coming weeks may be as important as her selection of new leaders to […]
Posted inEnergy
Electricity prices falling, but remain high
NATIONAL GRID said its price for basic service will plummet starting May 1 but still remain above levels from a year ago. Basic service is electricity National Grid buys on […]
Posted inMedia
New reporter at CommonWealth
ATTENTIVE READERS may have noticed a new byline in CommonWealth over the last month. Jennifer Smith has joined the magazine as a staff reporter, replacing Shira Schoenberg, who left CommonWealth […]
Posted inOpinion
What Gateway Cities need is more market-rate housing
SIXTEEN GATEWAY CITY mayors and managers recently penned an opinion piece in The Boston Globe urging the Legislature to scale up the successful Housing Development Incentive Program, a tool designed […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA moving slowly in lifting universal speed restrictions
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MBTA lifted an end-to-end speed restriction on the Mattapan Line trolley early Thursday morning, but there’s still no official timeline for ending mandatory slowdowns across […]
Posted inThe Download
Mass., California moving in different directions on gig worker issue
Massachusetts and California for now are on very different tracks when it comes to classifying gig workers as independent contractors or employees. Whether the question is tangled in west coast […]
Posted inEconomy
Mass., California moving in different directions on gig worker issue
MASSACHUSETTS AND CALIFORNIA for now are on very different tracks when it comes to classifying gig workers as independent contractors or employees. Whether the question is tangled in west coast courts […]
Posted inEnvironment
Troubling environmental pattern emerging again in New Bedford
MASSACHUSETTS IS TAKING significant steps to address climate change. From the release of the Clean Energy and Climate Plan to the creation of the climate chief position, there are signs […]