FOR 20 YEARS, Massachusetts public health officials prepared for an emergency scenario that would require local boards of health to set up vaccination clinics across the state. But when COVID-19 […]
Lawmakers press Baker on scrapping local vaccination playbook
Posted inThe Download
Should we still call it ‘commuter’ rail?
The MBTA is launching a fairly radical change to its commuter rail operations on April 5, running fewer trains at the traditional morning and evening peaks and spreading service out […]
Posted inTransportation
Should we still call it ‘commuter’ rail?
THE MBTA is launching a fairly radical change to its commuter rail operations on April 5, running fewer trains at the traditional morning and evening peaks and spreading service out […]
Posted inEconomy
Lawmakers find common ground on unemployment insurance bill
TIME-SENSITIVE LEGISLATION aimed at stabilizing the state’s unemployment system, providing targeted tax relief to employers and workers, and creating a COVID-19 emergency sick leave program requires one final vote in […]
Posted inOpinion
3% cannabis impact fee covers costs that don’t exist
IN 2017, Massachusetts lawmakers revised the cannabis legalization ballot measure approved by voters the year before. They made improvements, such as expanding the Cannabis Control Commission from three members to […]
Posted inEconomy
What it costs to be the Patriots’ ‘official’ airport
T.F. GREEN AIRPORT in Rhode Island competes against its much bigger rival to the north in Boston using all sorts of promotions, with some interesting terms and conditions. For example, […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Beacon Hill’s public health priorities
The cochairs of the Legislature’s Public Health Committee say inequity is their top concern in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. CommonWealth Magazine · […]
Posted inEnvironment
Somerset struggles amid slow rollout of offshore wind
WHEN A ST. LOUIS company bought the massive coal-fired Brayton Point power plant in Somerset in 2018, the firm was viewed far and wide as a white knight riding to […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Beacon Hill’s public health priorities
The cochairs of the Legislature’s Public Health Committee say inequity is their top concern in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. CommonWealth Magazine · […]
Posted inThe Download
Beacon Hill’s public health priorities
The cochairs of the Legislature’s Public Health Committee say inequity is their top concern in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. “The COVID epidemic […]
Posted inUncategorized
Beacon Hill’s public health priorities
THE COCHAIRS of the Legislature’s Public Health Committee say inequity is their top concern in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. “The COVID epidemic […]
Posted inOpinion
A pandemic is wrong time to dump MCAS
IN AN ERA of heightened partisan divide, it is heartening to see our Democratic President and our Republican Governor in alignment on whether it is essential that children be tested […]
Posted inOpinion
Getting facts straight on PPP taxation
THERE HAVE BEEN many confused news reports, editorials, and opinion pieces on whether Massachusetts business owners will pay state taxes on their federal PPP grants. Amy Pitter’s op-ed adds to […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Cops, docs, and systemic racism
REFORM COMMISSIONS AT the state and national level have been charged with exploring ways to improve law enforcement, with a particular focus on addressing the issues of racism and racial […]
Posted inOpinion
Health cost benchmark up in the air right now
FROM A PURELY technical point of view, next week’s legislatively mandated annual cost growth benchmark hearing of the Health Policy Commission is a big waste of time. Why? Because under […]
Posted inOpinion
Legislative oversight hearing on COVID was shameful
THOMAS PAYNE wrote, in The American Crisis (1776), that “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Although he wrote those words during the American Revolution, he may have been talking about […]
Posted inUncategorized
Biden rescinds ‘public charge’ immigration rule
PRESIDENT BIDEN last week took the final step to rescind a controversial rule promulgated by former president Donald Trump that made it harder for aspiring immigrants to prove they would […]
Posted inEducation
Hesitancy over childhood vaccines could prolong education inequities
A NEW POLL of K-12 parents in Massachusetts foreshadows potentially huge gaps in childhood vaccination rates once an FDA approved vaccine is available for children. These gaps are reminiscent of […]
Posted inThe Download
Lt. Gov. Polito buys $1.8m beach house
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and her husband have jumped on the pandemic-induced second home craze, paying nearly $1.8 million for a large house in Dartmouth. According to assessing records, Polito […]
Posted inPolitics
Lt. Gov. Polito buys $1.8m beach house
LT. GOV. KARYN POLITO and her husband have jumped on the pandemic-induced second home craze, paying nearly $1.8 million for a large house in Dartmouth. According to assessing records, Polito […]
Posted inOpinion
Despite his claims, science is not on Vic Gatto’s side
VIC GATTO has been a tireless campaigner for the 42-megawatt biomass power plant in East Springfield that his company wants to build over widespread community opposition. But in his effort to ostensibly […]
Posted inEducation
Advocates, mayors renew push for voc-tech admission changes
AFTER YEARS OF frustration with admission policies at Massachusetts vocational technical high schools, which they say shut out disadvantaged students who might benefit most from hands-on learning, a coalition of […]
Posted inEnvironment
Baker administration ‘very pleased’ with climate change bill
WITH BOTH BRANCHES of the Legislature approving climate change legislation by veto-proof majorities, the Baker administration on Thursday declared victory and signaled that the governor will sign the bill into […]
Posted inThe Download
Nearly a fifth of state’s mayors stepping down
Eight Massachusetts mayors – nearly a fifth of all the mayors in the state – have announced they are stepping down this year. Five of them, including Thomas Bernard of […]