The cost of natural gas infrastructure, generous utility profits, and the region’s continued fossil fuel investments left us ill-equipped to deal with an exceptionally cold winter.Â
Why is your energy bill so high? Blame natural gas volatility and utility profits Â
Posted inThe Codcast
How race and immigration status limit health care access
This week on The Codcast, John McDonough of the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Paul Hattis of the Lown Institute are joined by Tiffany Joseph, assistant professor of sociology and international affairs at Northeastern University, to discuss her new book, ‘Not All In: Race, Immigration, and Healthcare Exclusion in the Age of Obamacare.’
Posted inOpinion
We can’t let Trump cuts stop critical climate resilience projects Â
For the sake of communities across the Commonwealth, we can’t allow cuts from Washington to be a fatal blow to crucial climate projects here.
Posted inPolitics
Former state senator defends position at nursing home in receivershipÂ
The judge’s initial concerns came days after a hearing in which Dianne Wilkerson and Joseph Feaster, the court-appointed receiver, took the stand.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis commission, elected leaders out of sync on budget ask
“You’ve got plenty of money. Stop the nonsense and start figuring it out and start rolling up your sleeves,” said Rep. Michael Soter in response to the Cannabis Control Commission’s ask for more money.
Posted inHealth Care
Speaker Johnson sends signals on two key Medicaid reforms
Johnson told reporters that the bill will not change the portion of state Medicaid costs paid by the federal government for states that have expanded Medicaid, like Massachusetts.
Posted inMarijuana
Legislators are pushing for more forceful action on intoxicating hemp-derived products
With an uneven crackdown on hemp-derived products, which contain the same active ingredient as cannabis but are not regulated the same way, legislators are looking to put the Cannabis Control Commission in charge.
Posted inCourts
High court probes whether former state senator should be immune from conflict of interest charges
Former state senator Dean Tran’s ethics violation case goes to the Supreme Judicial Court, tasked with considering just how broad “legislative immunity” protections are for lawmakers who run afoul of conflict of interest law.
Posted inOpinion
The case for a long overdue ‘raise’ for seniors in nursing homesÂ
Seniors living in nursing homes should be able to cover their basic needs that are not provided by Medicaid or their facility, allowing them to age with dignity.
Posted inPolitics
Wu challenger emerges from inside Boston City Hall
He is currently in-house counsel for City Hall’s treasury department, which handles money, property, and securities acquired by the city.Â
Posted inEducation
Senate stays out of vocational admissions debate – for now
A Beacon Hill showdown over vocational high school admissions policies is looming, as the Senate did not follow the House lead in including language to block changes to vocational school admission policies in its budget proposal.
Posted inCourts
Lawyers challenge customs officials’ constitutional authority to deport Brown Medicine kidney doctor
An amended complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts Monday contends that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers who refused entry to Alawieh at Boston Logan International Airport lacked the constitutional authority to deport her back to Lebanon.
Posted inOpinion
Massachusetts has one of the slowest job growth rates in the country. That’s a big problem.
Since early 2020, the Bay State has had the third slowest private sector job growth in the nation.
Posted inState Government
Senate budget panel recommends 6.3% annual spending increase
The draft budget bill, which will be up for debate in the Senate starting May 20, does not feature any tax increases.
Posted inEnvironment
A new project is helping Chelsea residents better understand their air quality
With protections for clean air and environmental justice communities being rolled back by the Trump administration, a project in Chelsea has put up over 80 air monitors around the city to help its residents make informed decision about their health.
Posted inHousing
Eviction records can now be sealed in MassachusettsÂ
Eviction court records are publicly available on the state Trial Court’s website, so even if a tenant won their case or it was dismissed, the record is accessible to everyone.
Posted inState Government
Weekly roundup – budget bonanza
The House-approved annual budget bill reveals policy and political fault lines
Posted inThe Codcast
No man is an island: The collective climate challenge of coastal Massachusetts
This episode of the Codcast is a recording of a live event that took place April 30 in Provincetown, Mass., co-moderated by CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith and Eve Zuckoff of CAI (the Cape and Islands NPR station). Together with a panel of conservation, planning, and community development experts, they discussed what it means to live and plan responsibly on the Cape and Islands, understanding the realities of climate change and the housing crunch as a collective crisis.