LAST MONTH, members of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board took one last stand to advance a low-income fare program before their tenure over the agency expired. The board […]
Low-income commuter rail fares are a no-brainer
Posted inThe Codcast
Mass Reboot: Home
The coronavirus pandemic has often served as a magnifying glass, accentuating and amplifying existing trends in our society. CommonWealth Magazine · Mass Reboot Episode 2: HomeWith housing, for example, COVID-19 […]
Posted inThe Download
Mass Reboot: Home
The coronavirus pandemic has often served as a magnifying glass, accentuating and amplifying existing trends in our society. With housing, for example, COVID-19 showed us what we already suspected – […]
Posted inOpinion
Boston Police need policies for dealing with children
After this commentary piece was submitted, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission issued guidance on how police forces in Massachusetts should deal with minor children. To read the guidance, […]
Posted inEconomy
Mass Reboot: Home
THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic has often served as a magnifying glass, accentuating and amplifying existing trends in our society. With housing, for example, COVID-19 showed us what we already suspected – […]
Posted inEducation
Boston School Committee votes to extend superintendent’s contract
THE BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE voted Wednesday night to extend Superintendent Brenda Cassellius’s contract by two years, giving the city’s school leader a vote of confidence after an initial two years […]
Posted inHealth Care
House overrides Baker veto on labor agreement
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ignored the warnings of Gov. Charlie Baker and overrode his veto Wednesday of legislation requiring a new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home to be built under […]
Posted inOpinion
Boch Center getting back on its feet
MASSACHUSETTS’ CULTURAL economy stands among the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent lifting of coronavirus safety restrictions means arts, entertainment, and cultural institutions can finally begin the […]
Posted inRace/Racism
Why child abuse commission got stuck
IN A VERY rare occurrence in state government, a special commission appointed by the Legislature spent 16 months investigating how child abuse should be reported and couldn’t come to agreement […]
Posted inThe Download
Brockton looks to jump-start economy with free weekend bus service
IN LATE MAY, Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan, whose city has been hit hard by the COVID pandemic, launched an effort to aid the reopening as restrictions were lifted and businesses […]
Posted inEconomy
Brockton looks to jump-start economy with free weekend bus service
IN LATE MAY, Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan, whose city has been hit hard by the COVID pandemic, launched an effort to aid the reopening as restrictions were lifted and businesses […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. needs to prioritize shovel-worthy projects
THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN marks a huge opportunity for our state and country. These funds, in addition to those provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), could bring a […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Department of Correction moves to end solitary confinement
THE MASSACHUSETTS Department of Correction on Tuesday announced its intention to end solitary confinement as currently constituted within three years, based on the recommendations of an independent consultant. “This comprehensive […]
Posted inHealth Care
Plan pitched to lower consumer health care costs
WHEN ADAM SCOTTO of Brookline left his job as a software engineer in 2018, he bought unsubsidized health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector for $473 a month. Scotto has been shocked at how […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Former candidate arrested on campaign finance charges
A FORMER Massachusetts congressional candidate was arrested Tuesday and accused of soliciting at least $125,000 of illegal campaign contributions from friends and family members and steering some of the funds […]
Posted inArts and Culture
Rebuilding the arts sector without a vow of poverty
LIKE MANY CREATIVES, Vanessa Calixto works in the arts to fill her heart and in another field to fill her bank account. It’s a tradeoff she accepts to do the […]
Posted inThe Download
Continuing an annual tradition: The late state budget
It may be an unusual year, but one annual Beacon Hill tradition is continuing: getting the state budget done late. July 1 marks the start of the 2022 fiscal year, […]
Posted inUncategorized
Continuing an annual tradition: The late state budget
IT MAY BE an unusual year, but one annual Beacon Hill tradition is continuing: getting the state budget done late. July 1 marks the start of the 2022 fiscal year, […]
Posted inOpinion
Make menstrual products available in schools
SITTING ON THE TOILET of the second floor bathroom stall, my face hot with embarrassment, I looked down at my blood-stained underwear. I had already been gone from class for […]
Posted inEnvironment
State urged to take control of Brayton Point pier
A CANDIDATE for the Somerset Select Board on Monday night called on the state to take control of the deep-water pier at Brayton Point and oust a private company that […]
Posted inUncategorized
Commission on child abuse reporting fails to reach consensus
AFTER 16 MONTHS of work, members of a commission tasked with updating the state’s laws for reporting child abuse have failed to reach an agreement and will not make any […]
Posted inHealth Care
Prisoner advocates seek overhaul of inmate mental health treatment
SEVEN MONTHS AFTER the Department of Justice issued a scathing report about the treatment of inmates with mental illness in Massachusetts prisons, advocates for prisoners and people with mental illness […]
Posted inUncategorized
Supreme Court stays out of Mass.-N.H. tax dispute
THE US SUPREME COURT declined to take up New Hampshire’s challenge of a Massachusetts regulation requiring out-of-state residents working remotely during the pandemic to pay Massachusetts income tax. The Supreme Court announced Monday that […]
Posted inThe Download
Worcester commuter rail line targeted for upgrades
The Framingham-Worcester commuter rail line, which could become a lifeline into Boston if the I-90 Allston project gets launched, is getting some major improvements. The MBTA is planning two major […]