HOUSE SPEAKER ROBERT DELEO announced Tuesday evening that the new rules being considered by the chamber to allow for remote participation during the coronavirus pandemic will be altered to remove […]
DeLeo drops proposed rule making roll calls more difficult
Posted inEconomy
Developing a playbook for reopening
LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, Senate President Karen Spilka is trying to wrap her head around the idea of reopening the state’s comatose economy. In a speech delivered virtually to the Greater […]
Posted inUncategorized
Eviction bill negotiations hit some bumps
A RECENT BILL establishing a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures marked the Massachusetts Legislature’s first attempt to hammer out a tricky compromise bill using a conference committee during the coronavirus […]
Posted inEconomy
No relief: Baker extends shutdown until May 18
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER announced on Tuesday that he is extending until May 18 the state’s closure of non-essential businesses, his stay-at-home advisory and his ban on gatherings of more than […]
Posted inHealth Care
Are face mask fines the way to go?
FOUR WEEKS AGO we were debating whether face masks were necessary or not. Now we’re starting to fine people if they fail to wear masks in any public place, inside or outside. […]
Posted inThe Download
Are face mask fines the way to go?
Four weeks ago we were debating whether face masks were necessary or not. Now we’re starting to fine people if they fail to wear masks in any public place, inside or […]
Posted inTransportation
Poftak: Federal funds may not be enough
THE MBTA, after balancing this fiscal year’s budget with $217 million in federal coronavirus funds, expects to have $610 million left over to help balance next year’s budget. But General […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Prisoners testify about COVID-19 dangers
AS THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION begins ramping up COVID-19 testing at state prisons, prisoners from three facilities testified before a Superior Court judge about conditions at their institutions. The lawsuit, which […]
Posted inUncategorized
House plans votes by phone
A MONTH AND A HALF into the coronavirus pandemic, the Massachusetts House on Monday announced plans to resume formal legislative sessions this Thursday via remote voting. “What we do is […]
Posted inTransportation
T approves $212m hike in fare collection contract
THE MBTA OVERSIGHT BOARD on Monday unanimously approved a $212 million amendment to its contract with a pair of private vendors to develop, install, and manage a new fare collection […]
Posted inUncategorized
Virus notes: Baker questions antibody testing accuracy, utility
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER threw up a caution flag on Monday on the rush test people for coronavirus antibodies. Along with urgent efforts to expand testing for the coronavirus, public health […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker sees a plateau in hospitalizations
THERE IS JUST ONE WEEK left until Gov. Charlie Baker’s order shuttering all non-essential businesses expires, and the governor still isn’t saying what will happen next. At his daily press […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker gives nursing homes $130 million – with strings
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER announced Monday that the state will give nursing homes another $130 million to help them respond to the coronavirus outbreak, but will require the facilities to adhere […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Coronavirus spotlights unease about end-of-life issues
THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC has brought inspired scenes of heroic health care providers engaged in an all-out effort to save lives. But what about helping those at the end of life have […]
Posted inHealth Care
Coronavirus spotlights unease with end-of-life issues
THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC has brought inspired scenes of heroic health care providers engaged in an all-out effort to save lives. But what about helping those at the end of life have […]
Posted inThe Download
Coronavirus spotlights unease about end-of-life issues
The coronavirus pandemic has brought inspired scenes of heroic health care providers engaged in an all-out effort to save lives. But what about helping those at the end of life […]
Posted inEconomy
2d Paycheck Protection Program set to go
BANKS ARE PREPARING to submit applications for the second round of federal loans to businesses as coronavirus shutdowns continue to impact the income of US firms. The Small Business Administration […]
Posted inOpinion
Dealing with the COVID-19 summer slide
LIKE THE REST OF THE NATION, the Commonwealth is in the midst of a public health crisis that is not only affecting our way of life in unprecedented ways, it […]
Posted inHealth Care
Morse calls for state takeover of nursing homes
Fifth in a series on municipal leaders across Massachusetts and how they’re contending with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are previous stories on Chelsea City Manager Tom Ambrosino, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, Pittsfield Mayor […]
Posted inEducation
College life, interrupted
WE’VE ALL SEEN the headlines – campuses closing down, students forced to move out, college classes go online. In Boston alone there are 35 colleges and universities, meaning that over […]
Posted inEconomy
UPDATED NUMBERS: Baker leaves ‘reopening’ door open
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Saturday declined to say whether the state will begin reopening on May 4, but he didn’t rule it out. On a visit to a Cartamundi/Hasbro manufacturing […]
Posted inOpinion
Homicide is an epidemic, too
TRAUMA COMES in many forms. The current COVID-19 global pandemic is leaving behind the ripples of trauma in its wake as families and communities are robbed of loved ones. People […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker holds out hope on reopening
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER appears to be still holding out hope that he could start reopening the state on May 4, even though time is running short for that to happen. […]
Posted inHealth Care
State doing baseline COVID-19 testing at nursing homes
THE HEAD OF THE MASSACHUSETTS COVID-19 command center said she has dramatically stepped up testing at the state’s nursing homes and wants to test all residents and employees as quickly […]