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 […]
Why child abuse commission got stuck
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 costsÂ
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 consensusÂ
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 treatmentÂ
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 […]
Posted inTransportation
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 […]
Posted inEducation
Mayoral candidates divided on extending Boston superintendent’s contractÂ
THE BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE gave Superintendent Brenda Cassellius a positive job review for her work during a difficult year and seems poised to grant her a two-year contract extension at […]
Posted inOpinion
Strategies for increasing vaccination equity
BY MANY ACCOUNTS, Massachusetts stands out as one of the top five states in fully vaccinating its citizens. To date, 4.1 M residents are fully vaccinated and an additional 542,000 are […]
Posted inOpinion
Politics doesn’t have to be about blood sport
THIS WEEK marks 40 weeks since I launched my campaign for mayor of Boston—the first of the 2021 election cycle—and just 11 weeks to go until the September preliminary election. […]
Posted inThe Download
Two-month sales tax holiday may not make economic sense
THE DEBATE OVER Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposed two-month sales tax holiday has turned into a partisan, interest-driven dispute. Baker, a Republican who has not yet announced whether he will run […]
Posted inEconomy
Two-month sales tax holiday may not make economic sense
THE DEBATE OVER Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposed two-month sales tax holiday has turned into a partisan, interest-driven dispute. Baker, a Republican who has not yet announced whether he will run […]
Posted inNews Analysis
Poll shows strong support for requiring vaccines for teachers, first responders, and other groups
NEWS THAT THE state’s biggest health care provider systems will be requiring COVID vaccinations of their employees will likely renew debate about whether other organizations or types of businesses should […]
Posted inOpinion
Stop sweetheart deals with state utilities
Electrifying buildings and appliances that now run on gas, oil, and other fossil fuels will be a key piece of meeting Massachusetts’ climate targets. The region’s investor-owned utilities will be […]