A NEW POLL from The MassINC Polling Group out this week finds Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker still riding high with 74 percent approval and just 20 percent disapproval among the […]
Poll indicates Baker remains wildly popular
Posted inPolitics
For Downing, politics are personal
ON PAPER, Ben Downing looks very much like someone who might launch a run for governor while still in his 30s, which is what the 39-year-old Democrat did earlier this […]
Posted inRace/Racism
Why are Latinos so overrepresented in the state child welfare system?
LAST MONTH, workers from the state Department of Children and Families knocked on the door of Raquel, an El Salvadoran immigrant living in Worcester. DCF had gotten an anonymous call about a fight between her husband and […]
Posted inEducation
Early college a proven winner for students, state
OUR STATE’S ECONOMY relies on educated workers, with 70 percent of jobs requiring a credential beyond the high school diploma. However, we are not adequately preparing all our high school […]
Posted inOpinion
Don’t view Texas as an isolated event
THE RECENT MAJOR power outages in Texas can be viewed as isolated to the particular political and electric power system design in that state, but that would be a mistake. […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. should not tax PPP money
DESPITE THE DIVISION and animosity that pervades national politics, then-President Donald Trump, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were able to put aside their political differences and […]
Posted inOpinion
Baker’s $175m regulatory gift to biomass
THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION and much of the Legislature is trying hard to give the developer of a controversial proposed wood-fired “biomass” power plant in Springfield everything it wants—especially a regulatory change […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics, Race/Racism
Doris Bunte, a mentor to many
DORIS BUNTE, who died this week at age 87, was a wonderful woman, a magnificent mentor, and a prodigious politician. But the word that describes her best is “Mother.” Doris was a […]
Posted inOpinion
Gaming numbers improved in January
THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMING Commission released the casino revenue figures for the month of January 2021 this week and those revenue numbers look encouraging. All three gaming venues, Encore Boston Harbor, […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s needed in response to COVID-19 crisis
THE FEDERAL AND STATE response to the COVID-19 crisis has been a failure. As we approach a full year of grappling with this historic crisis, and as we mourn the […]
Posted inHealth Care
Delayed vaccines arrive in Massachusetts
AFTER A DAY of concern and confusing messages, the delayed shipments of COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in Massachusetts, and no appointments will be cancelled. “Gov. Baker and the Command Center have […]
Posted inThe Download
‘Teflon Charlie’ facing some real heat
For most of the past six years, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has been ranked as the most popular governor – or close to it – in America. One Boston Globe […]
Posted inPolitics
‘Teflon Charlie’ facing some real heat
FOR MOST of the past six years, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has been ranked as the most popular governor – or close to it – in America. One Boston Globe […]
Posted inHealth Care
Manufacturing delay, weather holding up vaccine shipment
COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES scheduled to be shipped to Massachusetts from the federal government this week have been delayed, and state officials left open the possibility that vaccine appointments may be cancelled. “The […]
Posted inOpinion
Technocratic vaccine plan leaves behind those most in need
FROM THE START, the Commonwealth’s vaccination efforts have suffered from a pervasive disconnect. No one thought to involve municipalities and local health boards in the planning process. Multilingual call lines […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker wants to send National Guard to pick up vaccines
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER is seeking federal permission to send the Massachusetts National Guard to pick up vaccine doses from Tennessee and Kentucky, to avoid weather-related delays. Baker said the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge denies injunction to cut prison population
A SUPERIOR COURT judge denied a preliminary injunction that would have required the state Department of Correction to make specific efforts to further reduce its prison population in light of […]
Posted inUncategorized
Baker ‘pissed off’ as vaccine website struggles
THE STATE WEBSITE for finding an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine crashed Thursday morning as a torrent of people 65 and above rushed to sign up, the latest chapter in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
State nudges along design process for new women’s prison — again
A STATE SELECTION BOARD on Wednesday moved forward proposals to construct a new prison for women despite pushback from former prisoners and advocates who said the estimated $50 million for […]
Posted inUncategorized
Oversight panel to scrutinize Baker vaccine rollout
THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE intends to put Gov. Charlie Baker on the hot seat over the vaccine rollout, calling an oversight hearing that has been used sparingly in the past. Senate […]
Posted inHealth Care
Advocates push vaccine equity for black and Latino residents
ADVOCATES FOR BLACK AND LATINO Massachusetts residents are asking Gov. Charlie Baker for a large influx of money and vaccine doses aimed at increasing vaccination rates among their populations. “For […]
Posted inThe Download
Newsroom strife at Times poses bigger questions for journalism
The New York Times is increasingly beholden to the views of its left-leaning subscribers. It sounds like the sort of scorched-earth screed you might hear on Fox News — or […]
Posted inUncategorized
Newsroom strife at Times poses bigger questions for journalism
THE NEW YORK TIMES is increasingly beholden to the views of its left-leaning subscribers. It sounds like the sort of scorched-earth screed you might hear on Fox News — or […]
Posted inUncategorized
Vaccine rollout continues to those 65 and up
THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION accelerated its vaccine rollout, announcing that starting Thursday individuals over 65 and those with two or more underlying health conditions can start booking appointments for initial doses […]