QUESTIONS ABOUT how to classify workers have been lingering for years over industries as diverse as ride-hailing and construction. Now, add franchise convenience stores to the list. The Supreme Judicial […]
SJC case could upend franchise laws
Posted inOpinion
Life lessons from my dad and my dog
THANKSGIVING WEEK was a painful one for me. In the course of four days, I lost my dog and my dad. A week that was supposed to be filled with […]
Posted inOpinion
Every electron is not neutral
WE NEW ENGLANDERS have a spectacular opportunity to move rapidly from polluting fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. This transition will benefit us all: It will slow climate change, reduce […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
ARPA spending bill finally heads to Baker
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE IT LOOKS A LOT DIFFERENT from the bill he proposed, but Gov. Charlie Baker finally has on his desk a version of legislation doling out billions […]
Posted inUncategorized
State tax revenues keep heading higher
State tax collections kept humming along in November, with revenues coming in nearly 14 percent above last year and nearly 9 percent over the projections on which this year’s budget […]
Posted inThe Download
Demand for housing assistance accelerating rapidly
It is clear that pandemic-related struggles made it harder for many people to pay rent, even as eviction moratoriums helped them stay in their homes. A report released this week […]
Posted inUncategorized
Demand for housing assistance accelerating rapidly
IT IS CLEAR that pandemic-related struggles made it harder for many people to pay rent, even as eviction moratoriums helped them stay in their homes. A report released this week […]
Posted inPolitics
Senate Dems move Rollins nomination forward
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE DEMOCRATS IN THE US SENATE took a major step forward toward confirmation of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins to become the next top federal prosecutor […]
Posted inTransportation
Neal flexing muscles for east-west rail
US REP. RICHARD NEAL on Thursday signaled that he intends to use his considerable clout in Congress to deliver significant infrastructure funds for Massachusetts, particularly his personal priority — east-west […]
Posted inOpinion
Why I like Baker’s political playbook
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S announcement opting against an unprecedented third term in the corner office was handled in the same manner he has led the Commonwealth: thoughtful, human, calm, and without […]
Posted inOpinion
‘Build Back Better’ must preserve housing provisions
BUYING A HOME in Mattapan is hard. Prices are high and inventory is low. The same is true throughout the greater Boston area. And if you are a person of […]
Posted inThe Download
Compromise ARPA spending bill emerges $180m bigger
It’s nice to have money to play with. Under pressure, House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on a $4 billion spending bill, which was released Wednesday evening and which lawmakers […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker’s exit ends era, opens doors
It’s the news all of the Massachusetts political world has waited for, and now that it’s here, it will set off a flurry of activity on the state’s political landscape. […]
Posted inUncategorized
Compromise ARPA spending bill emerges $180m bigger
IT’S NICE TO HAVE money to play with. Under pressure, House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on a $4 billion spending bill, which was released Wednesday evening and which lawmakers […]
Posted inPolitics
A hole in the middle
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S announcement that he won’t seek a third term – and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito’s decision not to try to succeed him – not only creates a void […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker, Polito say 8 years is enough
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER recalled a backyard party in the fall with many of his staff where his wife said the biggest challenge associated with public life is not being present […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. egg market about to get scrambled
EGGS ARE A SYMBOL of birth, rebirth, and hope and are featured in recorded history of ancient cultures in Greece and China. In Massachusetts, however, eggs are currently a symbol […]
Posted inPolitics
Healey calls Baker ‘valued partner’
ATTORNEY GENERAL Maura Healey, a Democrat who many believe is preparing a run for governor, issued a statement on Wednesday calling Gov. Charlie Baker a “valued partner,” while two of […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker, Polito say they won’t seek re-election
IT’S THE NEWS all of the Massachusetts political world has waited for, and now that it’s here, it will set off a flurry of activity on the state’s political landscape. […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. urgently needs a Plan B for TCI
THE CANCELLATION of the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), a centerpiece of the Commonwealth’s efforts to combat climate change, is deeply disappointing, because transportation causes over 40 percent of all greenhouse […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Negotiators reach ARPA spending bill deal
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE HOUSE AND SENATE leaders said Tuesday night that they had struck a deal to spend $4 billion in American Rescue Plan Act and state tax surplus […]
Posted inEnvironment
Power politics in Maine
MASSACHUSETTS OFFICIALS are counting on a Maine court to overturn a law passed in early November by 59 percent of Maine voters so a power line carrying hydroelectricity from Quebec […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker clarifies stance on vaccine QR codes
A DAY AFTER Gov. Charlie Baker revealed that states are in discussions about a scannable code that could be used as proof of COVID vaccination, the Republican governor clarified that […]
Posted inThe Download
Was Baker talking a bit of trash about Healey?
Gov. Charlie Baker was talking on Monday about what makes him run for elected office, but it seemed like he also could have been talking a bit of trash about […]