“I obviously appreciate that we’re a little behind…the schedule that we laid out last December, but I still think we’re making great progress,” said Bruce Stebbins, acting chair of the cannabis commission, about a delay on social consumption regulations.
Cannabis commission plans to launch social consumption in October
Posted inHousing
Milton Town Meeting decides to comply with MBTA Communities law
By 69 percent to 31 percent, the 239 representative voters at Milton’s special Town Meeting passed zoning language that would lay the groundwork for potentially 2,461 new units in the town, complying with the controversial state multi-family housing law.
Posted inMarijuana
Deep divide: The cannabis industry remains split over how many dispensaries a single business should own
“Meeting with equity licensees, I heard overwhelmingly from them in large numbers that they’re highly concerned about the bill out of the house to raise the license cap,” said Kimberly Roy, a member of the Cannabis Control Commission.
Posted inOpinion
How the MBTA move to electric buses could also help power the grid
When the buses of Greater Boston go fully electric, there is a unique chance to capitalize on this moment of technological transition to meet a variety of environmental and community needs.
Posted inEconomy
‘Open for business’: Despite tariffs, leaders from northeastern states and Canada pledge to work together
The gathering grew out of a meeting Gov. Maura Healey had with Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who traces her ancestry back to Nova Scotia.
Posted inState Government
Transportation gets upper hand in $1.3 billion spending accord
The chasm in surtax surplus spending was one half of a broader disagreement between the House and Senate on the scope of state aid to the MBTA.
Posted inThe Codcast
Decoding the state budget with Doug Howgate
This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks to Doug Howgate, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, about the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. They break down differences between the House and Senate plans, discuss why some parts of the process always happen behind closed doors, and consider the future of the wealth surcharge split between education and transportation.
Posted inOpinion
Making war in US communities: Trump executive order on policing threatens to set public safety back decades
Trump is seeking to militarize the approach of the more than half a million sworn police officers charged with protecting and serving communities across the country.
Posted inHousing
Town Meeting vote on MBTA Communities looms for a divided Milton
The clock is ticking on Milton’s chance for compliance with MBTA Communities. The planning board and residents are still divided heading into a special town meeting on Monday.
Posted inGovernment
Could the Trump administration’s border policies affect 2026 World Cup tourism in Massachusetts?
The World Cup could bring more than $1 billion in economic activity, and plenty of tourists, to Massachusetts. Here’s what some are worrying about as the soccer games are a year out.
Posted inOpinion
Trump’s domestic deployment of US armed forces is an alarming abuse of power and affront to democracy
For months now, Trump and his minions have been waging a campaign to twist the military into a heavily armed loyalist force.
Posted inArts and Culture
New Bedford building poised to rise as artist space — again
In 2023, efforts to harness arts and culture as part of New Bedford’s economic revitalization strategy were dealt a blindsiding blow. Two years later, it looks as if all’s well that ends well.
Posted inMarijuana
House cannabis bill targets intoxicating hemp edibles, but critics warn enforcement gaps will remain
Massachusetts is cracking down on intoxicating hemp edibles, but critics say new rules fall short without funding for enforcement.
Posted inPolitics
A push for more transparency on ballot question spending, fundraising
In 2024, it was hard to avoid the barrage of ads making the case for one side or the other of some ballot questions. But it was a very different story when it came to seeing who was funding the campaigns.
Posted inOpinion
Blue Cross dropping coverage of anti-obesity drugs sacrifices long-term health for short-term savings
Blue Cross may aim for fiscal responsibility, but the toll on patient health and eventual financial repercussions suggest it will prove far more costly.