TO HAVE ANY CHANCE of averting climate catastrophe, the latest climate science is definitive that we must actively decommission much of our existing fossil fuel infrastructure. Flying in the face […]
Spending billions fixing gas system makes no sense
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
House Democrats refuse to budge on tax relief
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE HOUSE DEMOCRATS kicked off debate Monday on a nearly $50 billion state budget bill by rejecting Republican-led efforts to weave tax relief into the annual spending […]
Posted inEducation
Fall River high school students sing Early College program’s praises
CARLOS MARCANO STARTED taking classes at Bristol Community College last year while still a junior in high school. Now a senior at Durfee High School in Fall River, Marcano is […]
Posted inTransportation
Keeping score on MBTA control board’s priorities
A NEW REPORT highlights where the MBTA is lagging behind goals set by its previous oversight board or in some cases moving in an entirely different direction. The report, prepared […]
Posted inUncategorized
Wu backs low-income MBTA fare
BOSTON MAYOR Michelle Wu, who has made a fare-free MBTA one of her top priorities, on Monday said she supports passage of a law creating a reduced fare for low-income […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Challenging the status quo on electricity, heating
Two top officials with the Conservation Law Foundation say the region’s power grid operator and the state’s utilities are in some ways part of the problem instead of the solution […]
Posted inThe Download
Challenging the status quo on electricity, heating
Two top officials with the Conservation Law Foundation say the region’s power grid operator and the state’s utilities are in some ways part of the problem instead of the solution […]
Posted inEnvironment
Challenging the status quo on electricity, heating
TWO TOP OFFICIALS with the Conservation Law Foundation say the region’s power grid operator and the state’s utilities are in some ways part of the problem instead of the solution […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA goes out to bid for battery-electric buses
THE MBTA is beginning the process of electrifying its bus fleet, launching a long-awaited procurement that could lead to the purchase of 460 battery-electric buses over the next five years. The […]
Posted inEducation
Even partial state takeover is a bad idea for Boston Public Schools
WRITING RECENTLY ABOUT the potential for a state takeover of Boston Public Schools (BPS), Michael Jonas notes that research has found mixed success – at best – from takeover efforts […]
Posted inEducation
Reimagining access to college in Roxbury
EDUCATORS AND POLICYMAKERS have been talking about providing all students access to college and career pathways for decades. The impact of technical training and two-year and four-year degrees on earnings […]
Posted inOpinion
Some advice on dealing with people with differences
RECENTLY I WAS at lunch with some of our students from the Ivy Street School, a therapeutic day and residential school in Brookline for adolescents and young adults who are […]
Posted inGambling
Senate plans to take up sports betting next week
THE SENATE IS POISED to debate legislation Thursday to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts, but the bill that emerged Friday afternoon from a Senate committee differs in several important ways […]
Posted inEducation
Diversity in educator pipeline is crucial
THE DEMANDS OF TEACHING during a pandemic have undoubtedly taken a toll on educators. From dealing with ever-changing public health protocols and staff shortages to addressing lost learning time and […]
Posted inThe Download
Mass. farmers raise concerns about millionaire tax
Polling suggests the millionaire tax is popular with voters because it targets the uber-wealthy — after all, someone earning so much money should be able to afford paying an extra […]
Posted inPolitics
Mass. farmers raise concerns about millionaire tax
POLLING SUGGESTS the millionaire tax is popular with voters because it targets the uber-wealthy — after all, someone earning so much money should be able to afford paying an extra […]
Posted inRace/Racism
No easy glide path for Black marijuana CEOs
BLACK AND LATINO men were disproportionately incarcerated for decades for drug-related offenses. But when it comes to participating in the emerging legal marijuana industry, only 4 percent of cannabis company […]
Posted inOpinion
Lifting mask mandate is right thing to do
LET ME BEGIN by saying I believe in vaccines. I am fully vaxxed and double boosted. I believe in the value of wearing a quality, well-fitting mask in most indoor […]
Posted inEconomy
Climate, downtowns, housing focus of Baker spending bill
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday filed a $3.5 billion economic development bill that focuses on climate-related projects, downtown revitalization, and housing. The bill is chock-full of specific local projects, a […]
Posted inEconomy
Bold action needed to close the racial homeownership gap
APRIL 11, 2022, marked 100 days since I became the executive director of a nonprofit organization that has become near and dear to me. In 2004, my real estate agent suggested […]
Posted inThe Download
Private pay childcare providers say they’re being forgotten
When the state required most daycares to close in the early days of the COVID pandemic, Gov. Charlie Baker reassured providers that they would continue getting state subsidies during the […]
Posted inUncategorized
Private pay childcare providers say they’re being forgotten
WHEN THE STATE required most daycares to close in the early days of the COVID pandemic, Gov. Charlie Baker reassured providers that they would continue getting state subsidies during the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
William Allen granted parole after 28 years in jail
THE PAROLD BOARD on Wednesday granted parole to William Allen, one of two men to have his first-degree murder sentence commuted by Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this year. After spending […]
Posted inUncategorized
Golden leaving with $200,000 separation agreement
BRIAN GOLDEN is leaving his job as director of the Boston Planning and Development Agency with a payout of more than $200,000, according to the separation agreement he signed. The agreement, […]