Massachusetts needs another 108,000 housing units to meet the demand, according to a new national study, which ranks Massachusetts 11th among states in its housing underproduction. Up for Growth, a […]
Report: Massachusetts needs another 108,000 homes
Posted inHousing
Report: Massachusetts needs another 108,000 homes
MASSACHUSETTS NEEDS another 108,000 housing units to meet the demand, according to a new national study, which ranks Massachusetts 11th among states in its housing underproduction. Up for Growth, a […]
Posted inOpinion
Cut the subsidies for biomass energy
A WELL-FINANCED, industry-led effort has been insidiously recasting burning trees for energy as a climate solution. Massachusetts residents and ratepayers have overwhelmingly chosen to support clean energy – but greenwashing […]
Posted inTransportation
Senate approves MBTA low-income fare proposal
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE SENATORS WILL TRY to convince their House colleagues the time is right to make another pass at mandating a low-income fare program at the MBTA, reviving […]
Posted inState Government
Negotiators reach agreement ‘in principle’ on state budget
TWO WEEKS INTO the fiscal year, legislative budget writers have reached an agreement on the fiscal 2023 state budget. Ways and Means chairs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues […]
Posted inThe Download
Oil, gas exec sees energy landscape changing
Clean energy advocates and environmentalists would be quick to point out that Mike Sommers is not exactly a neutral observer when it comes to energy policy. As CEO of the […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA cites progress in dealing with FTA safety directives
MBTA GENERAL MANAGER Steve Poftak said the agency is making solid progress in dealing with the four safety directives issued by the Federal Transit Administration, but he cautioned that reduced […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Oil, gas exec sees energy landscape changing
CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCATES and environmentalists would be quick to point out that Mike Sommers is not exactly a neutral observer when it comes to energy policy. As CEO of the […]
Posted inOpinion
What will it take for blue Mass. to go green?
MASSACHUSETTS FINDS itself at a moment of choosing when it comes to embracing clean energy. The state boasts the best wind corridor in the nation and has the potential to […]
Posted inState Government
Abortion bill nears finish line, with one hurdle left
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE MASSACHUSETTS LAWMAKERS can get to work crafting a final reproductive rights bill following the Senate’s unanimous vote Wednesday, and distance between the branches on an approach […]
Posted inHealth Care
Altman leaving Health Policy Commission
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday appointed retired health care executive Deborah Devaux as chair of the Health Policy Commission, replacing Stuart Altman, who has chaired the agency since its creation […]
Posted inEducation
Rural schools struggle with finances, transportation
WHEN SCHOOL OFFICIALS in the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District think about what language classes to offer, the discussion is not around what students are interested in or what would […]
Posted inThe Download
Could looming MCAS change be last gasp for ed reform era?
THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION seems poised to raise the passing score needed on the high-stakes 10th grade MCAS to graduate from high school. It probably ought to hurry if […]
Posted inEducation
Could looming MCAS change be last gasp for ed reform era?
THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION seems poised to raise the passing score needed on the high-stakes 10th grade MCAS to graduate from high school. It probably ought to hurry if […]
Posted inOpinion
Walking the hope tightrope
THE FOSSIL FUEL industry thrives on fatalist climate change messaging and, so far, they’re winning For many Americans, Fourth of July weekend is the summer kickoff. Some of my best […]
Posted inTransportation
Harvard’s Allston campus takes big step forward
THE ENORMOUS POTENTIAL of Harvard University’s land-holdings in Allston began to take shape on Tuesday as the city and the school unveiled an agreement detailing plans for the initial 9.4 […]
Posted inArts and Culture
Fitchburg aims to drive back to the future
EARLY ON A RECENT Thursday morning, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale climbed into the passenger seat of a 1914 Model T and took a ride down Main Street into the city’s […]
Posted inState Government
Money for crime victim services in budget limbo
WHEN IT IS fully staffed, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center employs 50 people who run its hotline for sexual assault victims, provide referrals, offer counseling, support survivors in the […]
Posted inThe Download
New tax credit for live performances surfaces again
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 […]
Posted inState Government
New tax credit for live performances surfaces again
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 […]
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 […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Wellesley gadfly convicted of extortion
A WELLESLEY RESIDENT with a history of hostility with the town was found guilty of extortion last week for threatening to file criminal charges against two Select Board members if […]
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 […]
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 […]