ON JANUARY 21, 2020, the famous US Supreme Court decision, Citizens United vs the Federal Election Commission (Citizens United), celebrated its tenth birthday! As the court decision matures, so do […]
Citizens United gaining super PAC adherents
Posted inPolitics
Warren downplays ‘do or die’ Super Tuesday
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN knows that Super Tuesday is “a big deal” with the large number of delegates at stake in the Democratic presidential race, but she declined to say whether […]
Posted inThe Download
Is the New York Times getting too big?
In the world of journalism, everyone’s talking about the debut media column of Ben Smith at the New York Times. Smith recounts how six years ago, when he was the editor […]
Posted inUncategorized
Is the New York Times getting too big?
IN THE WORLD of journalism, everyone’s talking about the debut media column of Ben Smith at the New York Times. Smith recounts how six years ago, when he was the […]
Posted inPolitics
Fight for state GOP turns nasty
WHILE THE PUBLIC is focused on the race for president, way down the ballot in the Massachusetts primary is a shadowy fight for control of the state Republican Party. The […]
Posted inPolitics
New No. 1 among Mass. lobbying firms
SMITH COSTELLO & CRAWFORD vaulted into the top spot among Massachusetts lobbying firms in 2019, raking in $4.2 million in fees and displacing the prior king-of-the-hill, ML Strategies. Smith Costello […]
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Opinion
The net zero imperative for Suffolk Downs
THE CITY OF BOSTON is considering whether to approve 10.5 million square feet of new housing and commercial building at the former Suffolk Downs racetrack in East Boston. The project […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Straus lays out rationale for transpo revenues
With the House preparing to take up transportation funding legislation this week, Rep. William Straus explains the rationale behind many of the bill’s provisions. Straus, the House chair of the […]
Posted inPolitics
Virus concerns? Bring a pen to the polls
CONCERNS ABOUT the coronavirus are seeping into Super Tuesday preparations, as Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin suggested voters heading to the polls bring along their own pens to avoid […]
Posted inTransportation
Straus lays out rationale for transpo revenues
WITH THE HOUSE PREPARING to take up transportation funding legislation this week, Rep. William Straus explains the rationale behind many of the bill’s provisions. Straus, the House chair of the Legislature’s […]
Posted inThe Download
Straus lays out rationale for transpo revenues
With the House preparing to take up transportation funding legislation this week, Rep. William Straus explains the rationale behind many of the bill’s provisions. Straus, the House chair of the […]
Posted inPolitics
Beacon Hill’s secretive committee voting process
IT TOOK A couple days of calling, but the House Ways and Means Committee eventually disclosed how committee members voted last week on a major transportation bill containing hefty tax […]
Posted inOpinion
Cooperation key to addressing region’s transportation voids
CONGESTION IS A COMMON TOPIC of conversation these days in Eastern Massachusetts. Frustration with the transportation system is at a level rarely seen. Economic development officials are concerned that congestion […]
Posted inOpinion
Shining a light on dark money
“WE CANNOT GUARANTEE the sun will rise tomorrow, but we can guarantee our donors will never be disclosed.” So vowed Paul Craney, spokesperson and board member of the conservative Massachusetts […]
Posted inEconomy, Opinion
Markey has been there for TSA workers
DURING THE GOVERNMENT shutdown of December 2018, as politicians in Washington sparred over border security funding, TSA workers in Massachusetts went weeks without a paycheck. Our officers were unjustly treated […]
Posted inGambling
Sports betting bill in play on Beacon Hill
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Adults in Massachusetts would be able to bet on professional and Division I college sports in person and through web or mobile apps under legislation released […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Court: State not liable for assault at DYS facility
A STATE APPEALS COURT agreed to dismiss a case against the state’s Department of Youth Services for an assault that occurred at a now-shuttered facility for youth in state custody, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge sides with inmates on attorney access
A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE issued a preliminary injunction against the state’s Department of Correction on Friday, ordering the agency to seek court approval for any actions limiting prisoner access to […]
Posted inOpinion
Higher ride-hailing fees bad idea
THOSE OF US who live in Massachusetts can all agree that transportation across the state has been a major problem in need of serious solutions for a long time. Unfortunately, […]
Posted inUncategorized
Report: ICE upping detainer requests in Mass.
FEDERAL OFFICIALS are issuing more warrants for wanted undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts, even as the number of warrants is declining nationally. The warrants, often called detainers, are requests for assistance […]
Posted inPolitics
In poll, Baker takes backseat to Trump
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER IS increasingly a man without a party. Four years ago Donald Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Massachusetts with 49 percent of the vote. Now his support […]
Posted inThe Download
In poll, Baker takes backseat to Trump
Gov. Charlie Baker is increasingly a man without a party. Four years ago Donald Trump won the Republican presidential primary in Massachusetts with 49 percent of the vote. Now his […]
Posted inTransportation
Traffic camera debate derailed in Senate
A SPIRITED DEBATE about the use of automated traffic cameras was abruptly derailed in the state Senate Thursday evening after a Republican senator moved to table the bill. Under Senate […]
Posted inUncategorized
Senate tweaks disability bill to preserve records access
AFTER ADVOCATES FOR people with disabilities raised concerns about a proposal to broaden a public records exemption related to abuse investigations, which was included in a bill voted on Thursday […]