STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AS SENATE DEMOCRATS emerged Wednesday from a private caucus in President Karen Spilka’s office, they had mixed reactions to the proposed removal of a decades-old term […]
Some Senate Dems on fence on term limit issue
Posted inGambling
Encore allowed to expand its gaming footprint
THE MASSACHUSETTS Gaming Commission voted 4-1 on Wednesday to allow Encore Boston Harbor to expand its gambling operations in Everett to a new property under development across the street from […]
Posted inCourts, Opinion, State Government
The state child welfare system needs an overhaul, not more Band-Aids
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES is broken, and as public defenders faced with the deficiencies of this system every day, we hope Gov. Maura Healey will make it a […]
Posted inEducation
Civics education is crucial to engaged citizenship
A FORMER PRESIDENT of the United States calls “for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution” less than two years after a mob […]
Posted inThe Download
Somerset infighting resumes; cable factory may be threatened
The town of Somerset – and its largest landowner, Brayton Point LLC – are fighting again, potentially jeopardizing the construction of a factory making cable for the emerging offshore wind […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Somerset infighting resumes; cable factory may be threatened
THE TOWN of Somerset – and its largest landowner, Brayton Point LLC – are fighting again, potentially jeopardizing the construction of a factory making cable for the emerging offshore wind […]
Posted inOpinion
As history shows, those educated in arts shape the future
THIS YEAR marks a profound milestone in how Massachusetts became a national symbol of ingenuity and creativity, leading the way in preparing new generations to take on the challenges and […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker, Polito wade back into local politics
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A MONTH AFTER they left office, former Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito are wading back into the political fray with endorsements of the […]
Posted inHealth Care
Three ways to support and recruit behavioral health workers
MASSACHUSETTS HAS just launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line and 25 community-based behavioral health centers that will dramatically expand services to individuals and families dealing with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. […]
Posted inGovernment, Politics, State Government
Key lawmaker proposes ending term limits for Senate president
A KEY LIEUTENANT to Senate President Karen Spilka is proposing a rule change — with her apparent blessing — that would scrap term limits on the chamber’s president. The proposal […]
Posted inThe Download
Healey not rushing things at the MBTA
GOV. MAURA HEALEY is slowly – some would say too slowly – putting the pieces in place to take control of the MBTA. Back in August, when it was widely […]
Posted inState Government, Transportation
Healey not rushing things at the MBTA
GOV. MAURA HEALEY is slowly – some would say too slowly – putting the pieces in place to take control of the MBTA. Back in August, when it was widely […]
Posted inEducation
Illegal strikes are helping teachers win new contracts
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS Association wants to legalize teachers’ strikes in the face of opposition to the idea from Gov. Maura Healey, but unions are simultaneously racking […]
Posted inOpinion
Nonprofits should make payments in lieu of taxes
WITH THE NEW YEAR, a new governor, and a new Legislature getting back to business, there are a lot of policy issues before them. I’d like to highlight legislation dealing with payments […]
Posted inPolitics
SJC hears challenge of Healey ballot question rejection
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT heard arguments Monday on a thorny and novel question of political spending and free speech rights. Proponents of a potential 2024 ballot measure limiting individual campaign […]
Posted inTransportation
‘Horrific’ event narrowly avoided at Alewife T Station
AN UNIDENTIFIED MAN DROVE his car into a cement containment wall on the top floor of the MBTA’s five-story Alewife garage on Saturday afternoon, sending a 10,000-pound piece of concrete […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Mayor Wu makes the case for abolishing the BPDA
CommonWealth Magazine · Michelle Wu makes the case for abolishing the BPDA
Posted inThe Download
Michelle Wu is ready to remake the system for remaking Boston
LOOKED AT ONE WAY, Michelle Wu concedes, it’s pretty eye-glazing stuff. “I bet if you ask most residents around the city, what are you worried about most, I don’t know […]
Posted inEconomy
Michelle Wu is ready to remake the system for remaking Boston
LOOKED AT ONE WAY, Michelle Wu concedes, it’s pretty eye-glazing stuff. “I bet if you ask most residents around the city, what are you worried about most, I don’t know […]
Posted inArts and Culture
‘The Embrace’ is good art, but not good public art
I AGREE WITH those who say “The Embrace” tribute to Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King is good art. But it may not be good public art. Good public […]
Posted inPublic Records
DAs ignore many requests for public records
A correction has been added to this story. THE STATE’S DISTRICT attorneys are sworn to uphold the law, but when it comes to one particular law – the Massachusetts Public Records […]
Posted inOpinion
MBTA’s Widett plans don’t make sense
THE MBTA’S recent announcement of a $155 million land purchase at Widett Circle is an opportunity for the agency to consolidate its wide footprint of bus and rail facilities in […]
Posted inOpinion
Is mining lithium in Maine a cost of going electric?
WHETHER THEY know it or not, both Maine Gov. Janet Mills and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey have bet big on lithium, a critical element for making batteries for electric vehicles […]
Posted inState Government, State House News Service
State tax revenues miss mark for first time since June 2020
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE STATE REVENUE collections missed the mark by nearly 5 percent in January, with the $3.834 billion that the Department of Revenue reeled in landing $192 million, […]